bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of inputs in the information security policy development: an institutional perspective
Authors: Ording Lovisa Göransson , Gao Shang , Chen Weifeng
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate what role literature-based inputs have on the information security policy (ISP) development in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review is carried out to identify commonly used inputs for ISP development in theory firstly. Secondly, through the lens of institutional theory, an interpretive approach is adapted to study the influence of literature-based inputs in the ISP development in practice. Semi-structured interviews with senior experienced information security officers and managers from the public sector in Sweden are carried out for this research.

Findings

According to the literature review, 10 inputs for ISP development have been identified. The results from the interviews indicate that the role inputs have on the ISP development serves as more than a rational tool, where organisational context, institutional pressures and the search for legitimacy play an important role.

Research limitations/implications

From the institutional perspective, this study signifies the influence of inputs on ISP development can be derived from institutionalised rules or practices established by higher authorities; actions and practices that are perceived as successful and often used by other organisations; the beliefs of what is viewed as appropriate to meet the specific pressures from stakeholders.

Practical implications

This research recommends five practical implications for practitioners working with the ISP development. These recommendations aim to create an understanding of how an ISP could be developed, considering more than the rational functionalist perspective.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first of its kind in examining the role of literature-based inputs in ISP development in practice through the lens of institutional theory.
Using social media to understand constituent and follower opinions: impact of “low quality” on US Senator information gathering
Authors: Straus Jacob R.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand why some US Senators have more low-quality followers than others and the potential impact of low-quality followers on understanding constituent preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

For each US Senator, data on Twitter followers was matched with demographic characteristics proven to influence behavior. An OLS regression model evaluated why some Senators attract more low-quality followers than others. Then, observations on the impact of low-quality followers were discussed along with potential effects on information gathering and constituent representation.

Findings

This study finds that total followers, ideology and length of time on Twitter are all significant predictors of whether a Senator might attract low-quality followers. Low-quality followers can have wide-ranging implications on Senator’s use of social media data to represent constituents and develop public policy.

Research limitations/implications

The data set only includes Senators from the 115th Congress (2017–2018). As such, future research could expand the data to include additional Senators or members of the House of Representatives.

Practical implications

Information is essential in any decision-making environment, including legislatures. Understanding why some users, particularly public opinion leaders, attract more low-quality social media followers could help decision-makers better understand where information is coming from and how they might choose to evaluates its content.

Social implications

This study finds two practical implications for public opinion leaders, including Senators. First, accounts must be actively monitored to identify and weed-out low-quality followers. Second, users need to be wary of disinformation and misinformation and they need to develop strategies to identify and eliminate it from the collection of follower preferences.

Originality/value

This study uses a unique data set to understand why some Senators have more low-quality followers than others and the impact on information gathering. Other previous studies have not addressed this issue in the context of governmental decision-making or constituent representation.
Preventing a series of unfortunate events: Using qualitative models to improve conservation
Authors: Clark‐Wolf T. J. , Hahn Philip G. , Brelsford Eric , Francois Jaleen , Hayes Nicolette , Larkin Beau , Ramsey Philip , Pearson Dean E.
Published: June 2022

Biological organisms are increasingly being introduced and eradicated in an effort to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem function in the face of anthropogenic threats. However, these conservation actions can have unintended consequences to non‐target species. Careful vetting of these actions using ecological modelling tools could help predict and avoid unintended consequences.

Qualitative modelling tools, such as fuzzy interaction webs (FIWs), allow for qualitative rankings of community properties (e.g. interaction strength = high, medium, low) in combination with quantitative information to predict management outcomes. These tools have lower data requirements than strictly quantitative models, facilitating their use for communities lacking comprehensive parameterization. However, no studies have evaluated the efficacy of FIWs for predicting unintended consequences against empirically documented outcomes. Moreover, there is no process for systematically identifying which species to incorporate in community‐level conservation assessments to overcome model structure uncertainty. Finally, there is a need to make qualitative modelling tools more accessible for conservation practitioners.

We applied FIWs to the case study of lake trout introduction into Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, to assess its ability to predict documented community‐level outcomes from an intentional species introduction. Next, we used the case study of the intentional red squirrel introduction to Newfoundland to show how a community assessment framework can help define the community interaction web needed for applying a FIW. Lastly, we introduced a user‐friendly web interface (https://matrix.mpgranch.com/#/) for applying FIWs to conservation questions.

We found that the FIW predicted previously documented directional changes in the abundance of community components relatively well in the Yellowstone Lake case study, even with minimal knowledge of the system. The community assessment framework provided a formal process for identifying community components for the Newfoundland case study, and the resulting FIW predicted documented unintended consequences. The user interface predicts realistic outcomes in our study system and allows managers to build and apply FIWs for conservation planning.

Synthesis and applications. Our community assessment framework and user interface can be used to apply FIWs to identify and avert potential unintended outcomes of species introductions and eradications for improved conservation management.
Filtration extraction method using a microfluidic channel for measuring environmental DNA
Authors: Fukuzawa Takashi , Kameda Yuichi , Nagata Hisao , Nishizawa Naofumi , Doi Hideyuki
Published: June 2022

The environmental DNA (eDNA) method, which is widely applied in biomonitoring, is limited to laboratory analysis and processing. In this study, we developed a filtration/extraction component using a microfluidic channel, the Biryu‐Chip (BC), and a filtration/extraction method, the BC method, to minimize the volume of the sample necessary for DNA extraction and subsequent PCR amplification. We tested the performance of the BC method and compared it with that of the Sterivex filtration/extraction method using aquarium and river water samples. We observed that using the BC method, the same concentration of extracted DNA was obtained with 1/20–1/40 of the filtration volume of the Sterivex method, suggesting that the BC method can be widely used for eDNA measurement. In addition, we performed on‐site measurements of eDNA within 30 min using a mobile PCR device, demonstrating that filtration and extraction can be performed easily and quickly using the BC method. The PCR results obtained using the BC method were similar to those obtained using the Sterivex method. The BC method requires fewer steps; therefore, the risk of DNA contamination can be reduced. When combined with mobile PCR, the BC method can be applied to easily detect eDNA within 30 min from the collection of water sample, even on‐site.
Chronological T‐wave alternation before and after the onset of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Sato Akira , Saiki Hirofumi , Kudo Maki , Takizawa Yurie , Kuwata Seiko , Nakano Satoshi , Sato Yumi , Miura Kunihiko , Oyama Kotaro , Akasaka Manami
Published: June 2022

Identification of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) during childhood is challenging due to the lack of specific ECG manifestation. We report chronological ECG alteration before several years of the ARVC onset in two affected children. Their ECG at the age of 6 years was almost normal for their age, and their chronological ECGs exhibited inversion of T wave in inferior leads, which are typical for ARVC, developed at younger age than that in precordial leads. In addition, the leftmost T‐wave inversion in the precordial lead shifted toward the left in our patients, which is a sharp contrast to its physiological transition.
Mechanisms of proton pump inhibitor‐induced hypomagnesemia
Authors: Gommers Lisanne M. M. , Hoenderop Joost G. J. , de Baaij Jeroen H. F.
Published: June 2022

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reliably suppress gastric acid secretion and are therefore the first‐line treatment for gastric acid‐related disorders. Hypomagnesemia (serum magnesium [Mg2+] <0.7 mmol/L) is a commonly reported side effect of PPIs. Clinical reports demonstrate that urinary Mg2+ excretion is low in PPI users with hypomagnesemia, suggesting a compensatory mechanism by the kidney for malabsorption of Mg2+ in the intestines. However, the exact mechanism by which PPIs cause impaired Mg2+ absorption is still unknown. In this review, we show that current experimental evidence points toward reduced Mg2+ solubility in the intestinal lumen. Moreover, the absorption pathways in both the small intestine and the colon may be reduced by changes in the expression and activity of key transporter proteins. Additionally, the gut microbiome may contribute to the development of PPI‐induced hypomagnesemia, as PPI use affects the composition of the gut microbiome. In this review, we argue that the increase of the luminal pH during PPI treatment may contribute to several of these mechanisms. Considering the fact that bacterial fermentation of dietary fibers results in luminal acidification, we propose that targeting the gut microbiome using dietary intervention might be a promising treatment strategy to restore hypomagnesemia in PPI users.
Where regulation counts: Provincial regulation of municipal elections in Canada
Authors: Garnett Holly Ann , Keir Mark V.
Published: June 2022

How comprehensive are the provincial regulations of municipal elections in Canada? We know the “rules of the game” matter for electoral integrity but know comparatively little about these regulations at the municipal level in Canada. This question importantly highlights issues of electoral integrity at the municipal level in Canada as well as levels of centralization (or decentralization) between provinces and municipalities. To address these issues, this article presents an overview of the regulation of municipal elections in Canada using the framework from the European Electoral Performance Index (EEPI). It examines the variations in regulation of electoral management, from voter registration to post‐election dispute resolution. It then discusses the areas most commonly and least commonly regulated for Canadian municipalities, highlighting some key gaps in the regulation of municipal elections in Canada.
Diverse migration tactics of fishes within the large tropical Mekong River system
Authors: Vu An V. , Baumgartner Lee J. , Mallen‐Cooper Martin , Doran Gregory S. , Limburg Karin E. , Gillanders Bronwyn M. , Thiem Jason D. , Howitt Julia A. , Kewish Cameron M. , Reinhardt Juliane , Cowx Ian G.
Published: June 2022

Fish often migrate to feed, reproduce and seek refuge from predators and prevailing environmental conditions. As a result, migration tactics often vary among species based on a diversity of life history needs, although variation within species is increasingly being recognised as important to population resilience. In this study, within‐ and among‐species diversity in life history migratory tactics of six Mekong fish genera was examined using otolith microchemistry to explore diadromous and potamodromous traits. Two species were catadromous and one species was an estuarine resident, while the remaining three species were facultative in their migration strategies, with up to four tactics within a single species. Migrant and resident contingents co‐existed within the same species. Management, conservation and mitigation strategies that maintain connectivity in large tropical rivers, such as effective fishway design, should consider a diversity of migration tactics at the individual level for improved outcomes.
Low left atrial appendage emptying velocity is a predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation
Authors: Thotamgari Sahith Reddy , Sheth Aakash Rajendra , Ahmad Javaria , Bawa Danish , Thevuthasan Sindhu , Babbili Akhilesh , Bhuiyan Mohammad Alfrad Nobel , Brar Vijaywant , Duddyala Narendra , Amorn Allen , Dominic Paari
Published: June 2022

Background

Recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation (CA) remains common and studies have shown about 5%–9% annual recurrence rate after CA. We sought to assess the echocardiogram derived left atrial appendage (LAA) emptying velocity as a predictor of AF recurrence after CA.

Objective

To determine if LAA emptying is a marker of recurrence of AF post‐CA

Methods

A total of 303 consecutive patients who underwent CA for AF between 2014 and 2020 were included. Baseline clinical characteristics and echocardiographic data of the patients were obtained by chart review. LAA emptying velocities were obtained from transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). LA voltage was obtained during the mapping for CA. Chi‐square test and nominal logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. An receiver operator characteristic curve was used to determine LAA velocity cut‐off.

Results

Mean patient age was 61.7 ± 10.5; 32% were female. Mean LAA emptying velocity was 47.5 ± 20.2. A total of 103 (40%) patients had recurrence after CA. In the multivariable model, after adjusting for potential confounders, LAA emptying velocity of ≥52.3 was associated with decreased AF recurrence postablation (odds ratio [OR]: 0.55; 95% confidence interval  [CI]: 0.31–0.97; p = .03*). There were 190 (73%) patients in normal sinus rhythm during TEE and CA, and sensitivity analysis of these patients showed that LAA velocity ≥52.3 remained associated with decreased AF recurrence (OR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.15–0.82; p = .01*).

Conclusion

LAA emptying velocity measured during preprocedural TEE can serve as a predictor of AF recurrence in patients undergoing CA.
Rethinking dispossession: The livelihood consequences of land expropriation in contemporary rural China
Authors: Gu Guolin
Published: June 2022

Land expropriation is a major source of conflict in contemporary rural China. Existing research tends to frame land expropriation as ‘dispossession’—local governments expropriating land to pursue economic growth at the expense of villagers' welfare. However, systematic evidence on the livelihood impacts of land expropriation is limited, which has made assessing this interpretation difficult. This study uses nationally representative longitudinal data to examine the immediate effects of land expropriation on villagers' livelihoods as well as how they evolve over the following years. It finds that households with migrant workers saw significant socio‐economic gains after land expropriation through both increased wage income and government compensation. Households without migrant workers, on the other hand, experienced a small deterioration in their socio‐economic position as their income remained stagnant while their living costs increased. These findings cast a different light on the dispossession thesis not only because a significant portion of the rural population makes socio‐economic gains after land expropriation but also by problematizing assumptions that smallholding agriculture is necessarily the most desirable source of livelihood for villagers. Instead, it calls for attention to villagers' increasingly diversified livelihood strategies, as well as the multifaceted role of the state in the process.
Dupilumab for alopecia areata treatment: A double‐edged sword?
Authors: Jin Peng , Wei Li , Zhang Qinqin , Gao Tingting , Bai Jianxue , Dong Liang , Zhi Lili
Published: June 2022

Alopecia areata (AA), which is a common and inflammatory hair loss and one of the most frequent dermatological conditions with higher incidence worldwide, the complex interplay involved multiple factors was contributed to the pathogenesis that consists of immune privilege losing and destruction with autoimmune‐mediated in hair follicle also the abnormal regulation of inflammatory pathways was highlighted, although it was remained unclear to date.(J Am Acad Dermatol, 78, 2018, 1) Some treatment options for AA were proposed with great advances in recent years, but the options and efficacy were limited, such as platelet‐rich plasma, JAK–STAT inhibitor, PDE4 inhibitor, and others, also the good response with regrow hair of cytokine‐targeted therapy like dupilumab, ustekinumab was shown.(Clin Exp Med, 21, 2021, 215; Drugs, 80, 2020, 635) Here, we present a case with onset of AA following dupilumab treatment, the chronological relationship between the AA onset and dupilumab use should be known and emphasized.
Critical Junctures and Path Dependence in Sentencing Policy: A Case Study1
Authors: Moore Thomas S.
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a case study of sentencing policy in the adjoining, and demographically and culturally similar, states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Using administrative data, together with historical and legal analyses of sentencing policy in each state, it (1) argues that the destabilization of the penal order represented a critical juncture during which commission‐based, presumptive sentencing guidelines were an option in both states; (2) analyzes how the decision to adopt this guidelines system in Minnesota and the failure to do so in Wisconsin initiated path‐dependent processes, making it difficult to reverse the initial policy choice; and (3) assesses how these distinct policy paths led to different penal outcomes. A concluding section discusses how analyses of path dependency shed light on the state variation in sentencing policy and provide a framework for assessing the possibilities of, and obstacles to, penal reform.
A semantic approach to nonmonotonic reasoning: Inference operations and choice
Authors: Lindström Sten
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a uniform semantic treatment of nonmonotonic inference operations that allow for inferences frominfinitesets of premisses. The semantics is formulated in terms ofselection functionsand is a generalisation of thepreferential semanticsof Shoham, Kraus et al., and Makinson. A selection function picks out from a given set of possible states (worlds, situations, models) a subset consisting of those states that are, in some sense, the most preferred ones. A proposition is anonmonotonic consequenceof a set of propositions  iff  holds in all the most preferred ‐states. In the literature on revealed preference theory, there are a number of well‐known theorems concerning the representability of selection functions, satisfying certain properties, in terms of underlying preference relations. Such theorems are utilised here to give corresponding representation theorems for nonmonotonic inference operations. At the end of the paper, the connection between nonmonotonic inference and belief revision, in the sense of Alchourrón, Gärdenfors, and Makinson, is explored. In this connection,infinitary belief revision operations,that allow for the revision of a theory with a possibly infinite set of propositions, are introduced and characterised axiomatically. Several semantic representation theorems are proved for operations of this kind.
Comparison of three PCR‐based methods to detect Loa loa and Mansonella perstans in long‐term frozen storage dried blood spots
Authors: Ta‐Tang Thuy‐Huong , Febrer‐Sendra Begoña , Berzosa Pedro , Rubio José Miguel , Romay‐Barja María , Ncogo Policarpo , Agudo Diego , Herrador Zaida , Fernández‐Soto Pedro , Muro Antonio , Benito Agustín
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Loa loa and Mansonella perstans are two very common filarial species in Africa. Although microscopy is the traditional diagnostic method for human filariasis, several polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods have emerged as an alternative approach for identifying filarial parasites. The aim of this study is to compare three molecular methods and decide which is the most suitable for diagnosing human loiasis and mansonellosis in non‐endemic regions using dried blood spot (DBS) as a medium for sample collection and storage.

Methods

A total of 100 DBS samples, with their corresponding thin and thick blood smears, were selected for this study. Microscopy was used as the reference method to diagnose and calculate the microfilaraemia. Filarial DNA was extracted using the saponin/Chelex method and the DNA isolated was assayed by Filaria‐real time‐PCR, filaria‐nested PCR, and cytochrome oxidase I PCR. All PCR products were subsequently purified and sequenced. The statistical values for each molecular test were calculated and compared.

Results

Overall, 64 samples were identified as negative by all tests and a further 36 samples were positive by at least one of the methods used. The sensitivity and specificity were similar for the different molecular methods, all of which demonstrated good agreement with microscopy.

Conclusions

Based on this study, and from a practical point of view (single and short amplification round), the optimal technique for diagnosing filarial infection in non‐endemic regions is filaria‐real time‐PCR, which presents high sensitivity and specificity and is also able to detect a wide range of human filariae.
The clones are all right
Authors: Normark Benjamin B.
Published: June 2022

Parthenogenetic grasshoppers confound predictions by showing no signs of decline
Big science projects face soaring costs, delays
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: June 2022

Triple whammy of pandemic lockdowns, supply chain issues, and inflation hits many
On the Environmental Presence of Burkholderia pseudomallei in South-Central Ghana
Authors: Oduro George , Robberts F. J. Lourens , Dartey Paul K. A. , Owusu-Ofori Alex , Oppong Chris , Gyampomah Thomas K. , Boakye Isaac , Quainoo Emmanuel , AuCoin David P. , Clark Danielle V. , Schully Kevin L.
Published: June 2022

We present the first confirmation of the presence of
B. pseudomallei
in the environment of Ghana. This study will bring attention to a disease with the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality in Ghana, but which has gone completely unrecognized until this point.
Fatty Acid Homeostasis Tunes Flagellar Motility by Activating Phase 2 Flagellin Expression, Contributing to Salmonella Gut Colonization
Authors: Hoshino Yusuke , Sakamoto Taro , Sudo Naoki , Ito Masahiro , Haneda Takeshi , Okada Nobuhiko , Miki Tsuyoshi
Published: June 2022

Long-chain-fatty-acid (LCFA) metabolism is a fundamental cellular process in bacteria that is involved in lipid homeostasis, energy production, and infection. However, the role of LCFA metabolism in
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium (
S
.
SARS-CoV-2 N Protein Antagonizes Stress Granule Assembly and IFN Production by Interacting with G3BPs to Facilitate Viral Replication
Authors: Liu Hainan , Bai Yu , Zhang Xun , Gao Ting , Liu Yue , Li Entao , Wang Xuefeng , Cao Zheng , Zhu Lin , Dong Qincai , Hu Yong , Wang Guangfei , Song Caiwei , Niu Xiayang , Zheng Tong , Wang Di , Liu Zijing , Jin Yanwen , Li Ping , Bian Xiuwu , Cao Cheng , Liu Xuan
Published: June 2022

In this study, by
in vitro
assay and live SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, we provide solid evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 NP associates with G3BP1 and G3BP2
in vitro
and
in vivo
. NP
SARS-CoV-2
could efficiently suppress G3BP-mediated SG formation and potentiate viral infection by overcoming antiviral innate immunity mediated by G3BP1 in A549 cell lines and G3BP1 conditional knockout mice (
g3bp1
-cKO) mice, which provide in-depth evidence showing the mechanism underlying NP-related SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis through G3BPs.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Phage Infecting
Sphingomonadaceae
Authors: Shen Shang , Anazawa Tetsunobu , Matsuda Tomonari , Shimizu Yoshihisa
Published: June 2022

We isolated a phage infecting a member of the
Sphingomonadaceae
family from a freshwater lake. The phage has a DNA genome of 41,771 bp, with a GC content of 61.7%. The genome harbors 50 predicted protein-coding genes and an auxiliary metabolic gene, which encodes a protein belonging to the radical
S
-adenosylmethionine superfamily.
Frailty-adjusted therapy in Transplant Non-Eligible patients with newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (FiTNEss (UK-MRA Myeloma XIV Trial)): a study protocol for a randomised phase III trial
Authors: Coulson Amy Beth , Royle Kara-Louise , Pawlyn Charlotte , Cairns David A , Hockaday Anna , Bird Jennifer , Bowcock Stella , Kaiser Martin , de Tute Ruth , Rabin Neil , Boyd Kevin , Jones John , Parrish Christopher , Gardner Hayley , Meads David , Dawkins Bryony , Olivier Catherine , Henderson Rowena , Best Phillip , Owen Roger , Jenner Matthew , Kishore Bhuvan , Drayson Mark , Jackson Graham , Cook Gordon
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow cancer, which predominantly affects older people. The incidence is increasing in an ageing population.

Over the last 10 years, patient outcomes have improved. However, this is less apparent in older, less fit patients, who are ineligible for stem cell transplant. Research is required in this patient group, taking into account frailty and aiming to improve: treatment tolerability, clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Methods and analysis

Frailty-adjusted therapy in Transplant Non-Eligible patients with newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma is a national, phase III, multicentre, randomised controlled trial comparing standard (reactive) and frailty-adjusted (adaptive) induction therapy delivery with ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRD), and to compare maintenance lenalidomide to lenalidomide+ixazomib, in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma not suitable for stem cell transplant. Overall, 740 participants will be registered into the trial to allow 720 and 478 to be randomised at induction and maintenance, respectively.

All participants will receive IRD induction with the dosing strategy randomised (1:1) at trial entry. Patients randomised to the standard, reactive arm will commence at the full dose followed by toxicity dependent reactive modifications. Patients randomised to the adaptive arm will commence at a dose level determined by their International Myeloma Working Group frailty score. Following 12 cycles of induction treatment, participants alive and progression free will undergo a second (double-blind) randomisation on a 1:1 basis to maintenance treatment with lenalidomide+placebo versus lenalidomide+ixazomib until disease progression or intolerance.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from the North East—Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee (19/NE/0125) and capacity and capability confirmed by local research and development departments for each participating centre prior to opening to recruitment. Participants are required to provide written informed consent prior to trial registration. Trial results will be disseminated by conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN17973108, NCT03720041.
Protocol and clinical characteristics of patients under ‘at-home care’ for COVID-19 in South Korea: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Park Jin Ju , Seo Yu Bin , Lee Jacob , Na Sun Hee , Choi Young Kyun
Published: June 2022

Objective

As the number of patients with COVID-19 increased, at-home care was introduced for the first time in South Korea. This study aimed to analyse the characteristics and outcomes of patients who were treated under at-home care.

Design, setting and participants

This retrospective cohort study targeted patients under at-home care for COVID-19 in Yeongdeungpo-gu in Seoul, Korea, from 18 October 2021 to 12 December 2021. The public health centre selected eligible patients for at-home care and registered with our institution. Nurses monitored patients, and doctors decided to transfer healthcare facilities and release the quarantined patients according to their symptoms.

Outcome measures

Patient characteristics during the course of at-home care.

Results

A total of 1422 patients were enrolled and 9574 patient-days were managed. Most patients were aged ≥60 years (22.7% (n=323)), and 82.8% did not have underlying conditions. The median length of care for patients was 8 days (IQR: 5–10 days). During the study period, 986 (69.3%) patients were released from quarantine, 82 (5.8%) patients were transferred to facilities and 354 (24.9%) patients were still under at-home care at the end of the study period. The most common cause of transfer was sustained fever (n=30; 36.6%), followed by dyspnoea and desaturation (n=17; 20.7%). Factors associated with transfer were diabetes (OR: 3.591, 95% CI 1.488 to 8.665, p=0.004), pregnancy (OR: 5.839, 95% CI 1.035 to 32.935, p=0.046) and being presymptomatic at diagnosis (OR: 4.015, 95% CI 1.559 to 10.337, p=0.004).

Conclusions

There were no specific problems related to patient safety when operating at-home care. Patients with risk factors, such as diabetes, were more likely to be transferred to healthcare facilities. For safe at-home care, it is necessary to prepare for an appropriate response to the emergency.
Distinct realized physiologies in green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) populations from barren and kelp habitats
Authors: Schuster Jasmin M. , Kurt Gamperl A. , Gagnon Patrick , Bates Amanda E.
Published: June 2022

Overgrazing of habitat-forming kelps by sea urchins is reshaping reef seascapes in many temperate regions. Loss of kelp, in particular as a food source, may alter individual consumer physiology, which in turn may impair their ability to respond to climate warming. Here, we measured the temperature dependence of absolute and mass-independent oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]) using two different exposure protocols (acute exposure and temperature “ramping”), as proxies of realized physiology, between green sea urchin ( Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) populations from neighbouring barren and kelp habitats. Sea urchins from kelp habitats consumed 8%–78% more oxygen than sea urchins from barrens (across the range of temperatures tested (4–32 °C)) and had higher maximum [Formula: see text] values (by 26%). This was in part because kelp urchins typically had greater body masses. However, higher mass-independent [Formula: see text] values of kelp urchins suggest metabolic plasticity in response to habitat per se. In addition, the [Formula: see text] of sea urchins from kelp habitats was less sensitive to increases in temperature. We conclude that sea urchins from barren and kelp habitats of comparable body mass represent different energetic units. This highlights that habitat type can drive population-level variation that may shape urchins activities and environmental impact. Such variation should be integrated into energy-based models.
Multimodal Fusion of Smart Home and Text-based Behavior Markers for Clinical Assessment Prediction
Authors: Sprint Gina , Cook Diane J. , Schmitter-Edgecombe Maureen , Holder Lawrence B.
Published: June 2022

New modes of technology are offering unprecedented opportunities to unobtrusively collect data about people's behavior. While there are many use cases for such information, we explore its utility for predicting multiple clinical assessment scores. Because clinical assessments are typically used as screening tools for impairment and disease, such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), automatically mapping behavioral data to assessment scores can help detect changes in health and behavior across time. In this article, we aim to extract behavior markers from two modalities, a smart home environment and a custom digital memory notebook app, for mapping to 10 clinical assessments that are relevant for monitoring MCI onset and changes in cognitive health. Smart-home-based behavior markers reflect hourly, daily, and weekly activity patterns, while app-based behavior markers reflect app usage and writing content/style derived from free-form journal entries. We describe machine learning techniques for fusing these multimodal behavior markers and utilizing joint prediction. We evaluate our approach using three regression algorithms and data from 14 participants with MCI living in a smart-home environment. We observed moderate to large correlations between predicted and ground-truth assessment scores, ranging from
r
= 0.601 to
r
= 0.871 for each clinical assessment.
You, Me, and IoT: How Internet-connected Consumer Devices Affect Interpersonal Relationships
Authors: Apthorpe Noah , Emami-Naeini Pardis , Mathur Arunesh , Chetty Marshini , Feamster Nick
Published: June 2022

Internet-connected consumer devices have rapidly increased in popularity; however, relatively little is known about how these technologies are affecting interpersonal relationships in multi-occupant households. In this study, we conduct 13 semi-structured interviews and survey 508 individuals from a variety of backgrounds to discover and categorize how consumer IoT devices are affecting interpersonal relationships in the United States. We highlight several themes, providing exploratory data about the pervasiveness of interpersonal costs and benefits of consumer IoT devices. These results inform follow-up studies and design priorities for future IoT technologies to amplify positive and reduce negative interpersonal effects.
Systemic Administration of Neutral Electrolyzed Saline as a Novel Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Reduces Mechanical and Inflammatory Damage to the Joints: Preclinical Evaluation in Mice
Authors: Zaizar-Fregoso Sergio A , Paz-Michel Brenda A , Rodriguez-Hernandez Alejandrina , Paz-Garcia Juan , Aurelien-Cabezas Nomely S. , Tiburcio-Jimenez Daniel , Melnikov Valery , Murillo-Zamora Efren , Delgado-Enciso Osiris G , Cabrera-Licona Ariana , Guzman-Esquivel José , Barajas-Saucedo Carlos E , Rodriguez-Sanchez Iram P , Martinez-Fierro Margarita L , Moy-López Norma A , Lara-Esqueda Agustin , Guzman-Muñiz Jorge , Delgado-Machuca Marina , Delgado-Enciso Ivan
Published: June 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis is globally present in about 1% of the population. This autoinflammatory disease modifies the connective tissue, causing pain and inflammation of the joints. Over time, it causes the loss of joint cartilage and bone mass, decreasing the patient's quality of life. Treatment options now available either give symptomatic alleviation or alter the disease process. Nonetheless, adherence to chronic treatment is typically limited due to adverse effects. As a result, new therapy approaches, such as systemic administration of neutral electrolyzed saline to improve patients’ quality of life, are being investigated. The study is a randomized prospective preclinical trial with a single-blind and a 4-arm parallel group using a collagen-induced mice model to generate rheumatoid arthritis. It was carried out on 36 male BALB/c mice, with the primary outcome measure being a scoring system for histopathologic assessment. When all groups are compared, there are significant differences. In addition, the animal model was validated by the healthy group. The animals treated with neutral electrolyzed saline had much less cartilage degradation, bone erosion, pannus development, and inflammation than the placebo-treated mice. Serum IL-6 levels were evaluated in parallel with disease severity expressed as synovitis grading of the affected joints. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (Rs) = 0.399 (

P
=
0.016

) between serum IL-6 levels and the synovitis grading suggests a direct correlation between IL-6 production and disease severity. An additional trial of 20 male BALB/c mice (10 treated with placebo and 10 with neutral electrolyzed saline for 30 days) showed no clinical nor histopathological evidence of adverse effects. According to histopathological and blood test results, we conclude that neutral electrolyzed saline minimizes mechanical and inflammatory damage to the joint and may be helpful as an alternative to rheumatoid arthritis therapy.
A Study on Dynamic Behaviour of Thermally Distributed Exponentially Graded Rotor System with Induced Porosities
Authors: Vaka Vijayakumar , Sathujoda Prabhakar , Bhalla Neelanchali Asija , Satish Kumar Y. V. , Citarella Roberto
Published: June 2022

The present work deals with the dynamic analysis of exponential law-based functionally graded (FG) rotor-bearing systems. The effect of thermal gradation and porosity on dynamic characteristics of FG rotor shafts has been studied first time, using exponential law with a novel two-nodded FG rotor element based on Timoshenko beam theory (TBT). Porous material properties are assorted using exponential law and thermal gradation across the cross section of the FG shaft using exponential temperature distribution (ETD). The effects of temperature and porosity on natural frequencies and whirl frequencies are studied. It has been observed that there is a significant reduction in natural frequencies and whirl frequencies with an increase in volume fraction of porosity and temperature. Attempts have been made to obtain suitable reasons for the behaviours based on the material properties. Furthermore, the steady-state and transient vibration responses have been simulated using the Houbolt time marching technique for the ceramic-based FG rotor shaft system. The result shows the maximum amplitude of the steady-state and transient vibration responses is increased, and the critical speed of the FG rotor system shifts towards the left with the increase in volume fraction of porosity and temperature.
Development and Supervision of Financial Technology Based on Blockchain
Authors: Yang Rui
Published: June 2022

Decentralization, stability, security, and immutability are all features of blockchain technology. Blockchain, as the underlying technology of Bitcoin’s digital monetary system, is currently sweeping the globe. Blockchain is a revolutionary decentralized database technology that employs encryption, a timestamp chain data structure, a distributed consensus mechanism, and other technologies to achieve decentralization, tamper resistance, easy tracking, and programmable smart contracts. In the face of rising financial technology, we must maintain inclusive, technological, and invasive regulatory principles that not only foster financial innovation, but also conduct dynamic supervision to avoid systemic financial hazards. The consensus algorithm is one of the main blockchain technologies that has a direct impact on the system’s functioning. As a result, in this paper, we propose a blockchain-based development and supervision method for financial technology, as well as an application of this technology to commercial settlement, which can significantly reduce data complexity, time consumption, and the structural chain phenomenon in existing transaction settlement. We bring the idea of pow competition into DPoS, construct a consensus algorithm with an upgrade mechanism, and call it delegated proof of work, based on an in-depth investigation of the working principle of pow (proof of work) (dDPoS). The blocking efficiency of the dDPoS consensus method is around one block every 10 seconds, which is significantly higher than the blocking efficiency of the POW and POS consensus algorithms. As a result, it offers a potential answer to traditional centralized institutions’ concerns of high brokerage costs and insecure central storage, as well as a wide range of application possibilities.
SARS‐CoV‐2 Induces Expression of Cytokine and MUC5AC/5B in Human Nasal Epithelial Cell through ACE 2 Receptor
Authors: Lee Sangjae , Na Hyung Gyun , Choi Yoon Seok , Bae Chang Hoon , Song Si-Youn , Kim Yong-Dae
Published: June 2022

Background. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) causes a novel infectious respiratory disease called COVID‐19, which is threatening public health worldwide. SARS‐CoV‐2 spike proteins connect to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor through the receptor binding domain and are then activated by the transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2). The ACE2 receptor is highly expressed in human nasal epithelial cells. Nasal ciliated cells are primary targets for SARS‐CoV‐2 replication. However, the effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 on the upper respiratory tract remains unknown, thus leading to the purpose of our study. We investigate the effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 on cytokines and mucin expression in human nasal epithelial cells. Methods. We investigated the effects of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) on cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8) and MUC5AC/5B expression via real‐time PCR, ELISA, periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) staining, and immunofluorescence staining in cultured human nasal epithelial cells. Results. The mRNA expression and protein production of cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8) and MUC5AC/5B were increased by SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein RBD. ACE2 receptor inhibitor suppressed the expression of cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8) and MUC5AC/5B induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein RBD. Conclusions. SARS‐CoV‐2 induced cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8) and MUC5AC/5B expression through the ACE 2 receptor in human nasal epithelial cells. Therefore, ACE2 receptor inhibitors can be an effective therapeutic option for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
A Comparative Histomorphometric Analysis of Two Biomaterials for Maxillary Sinus Augmentation: A Randomized Clinical, Crossover, and Split-Mouth Study
Authors: Martiniano Carlos Ricardo de Queiroz , Valadas Lídia Audrey Rocha , Lins do Carmo Filho Jose Ronildo , Alves Ana Paula Negreiros Nunes , Leitão Lotif Mara Assef , Sotto-Maior Bruno Salles , Dantas Thereza Cristina Farias Botelho , Rodrigues Luciane Lacerda Franco Rocha , Francischone Carlos Eduardo
Published: June 2022

Introduction. Considering oral rehabilitation with dental implants, many studies have aimed at improving bone regeneration through the use of biomaterials. Objective. This study aimed at comparing bone neoformation in patients undergoing bilateral maxillary sinus surgery with two bovine biomaterials. Materials and Methods. This is a randomized, blinded, clinical crossover, and divided mouth study. Ten participants with an indication of maxillary sinus enlargement were selected and underwent surgical treatment with Bio-Oss® graft biomaterial (graft 1) on one side and Lumina-Porous® graft biomaterial (graft 2) on the other. The samples were collected after nine months and fixed and then decalcified in 10% ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) solution for 30 days to process and make histological slides. Connective and bone tissue were further analyzed to identify the amount of newly formed bone. Results. The graft 1 group had a greater formation of vital mineralized tissue when compared to the graft 2 group (

p

 = 0.01). For nonvital mineralized tissue and amount of connective tissue, there was no statistical difference (

p

 = 0.21 and

p

 = 0.09, respectively). The medullary spaces were larger in the graft 2 group. The group treated with graft 1 presented a higher percentage of osteoclasts and viable osteocytes compared to the graft 2 group (

p

 = 0.014 and

p

 = 0.027, respectively). Conclusion. Every day, new alternative biomaterials are offered as an option in oral rehabilitation. In this study, both treatments induced bone neoformation after 9 months; however, the group treated with Bio-Oss® showed a higher percentage of vital mineralized bone tissue.
Boundedness and Compactness of Specific Weighted Composition Operators on the Zygmund-Orlicz Space
Authors: Zhou Hang
Published: June 2022

We say

φ
∈
U

if a constant

C

φ

>
1

could be found, such that

φ

s
t

≤

C

φ

s
φ

t

,

s
>
1
,
t
>
0
.

Under the assumption

φ
∈
U

, boundedness and compactness of weighted composition operators on the Zygmund-Orlicz space

Z

φ

are investigated in this paper.
Single Feature Extraction Method of Bearing Fault Signals Based on Slope Entropy
Authors: Shi Erna
Published: June 2022

As an entropy representing the complexity of sequence, slope entropy (SloE) is applied to feature extraction of bearing signal for the first time. With the advantage of slope entropy in feature extraction, the effectiveness of bearing fault signal diagnosis can be verified. Five different kinds of entropy are selected to be comparative methods for experiments, and they are permutation entropy (PE), dispersion entropy (DE), a version of entropy adapted by PE, which is weighted permutation entropy (WPE), and two versions of entropy adapted by DE, which are fluctuating dispersion entropy (FDE) and reverse dispersion entropy (RDE). A method of extracting a single feature of bearing fault signals based on SloE is carried out. Firstly, the features of the bearing signals are extracted by the six kinds of entropy. Then, some relevant data are computed, and the identification ratios are calculated by the K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm. The experimental result indicated that the identification ratio of SloE is the highest at 97.71% by comparing with the identification ratios of the other five kinds of entropy, which is higher by at least 13.54% than the others and 27.5% higher than the lowest one.
NOL12 as an Oncogenic Biomarker Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth and Metastasis
Authors: Huang Jianfeng , Kang Weibiao , Pan Shubo , Yu Changjun , Jie Zhigang , Chen Changyu
Published: June 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy with a poor prognosis worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of HCC remains poorly understood. In this study, we found that NOL12 was significantly overexpressed in independent HCC datasets from TCGA database. We confirmed that the expression level of NOL12 was upregulated in human HCC tissues and cell lines by RT-qPCR. High expression of NOL12 is associated with worse reduced overall survival (OS), high pathological grade, node metastasis, and advanced clinical stage in patients with HCC. Moreover, knockdown of NOL12 dramatically inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. CIBERSORTx analysis revealed that twelve types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) are correlated with NOL12 expression. The risk signature based on 8 NOL12-related genes is an independent prognostic factor for patients with HCC. The OS rate of patients in the low-risk score group was better than that in the high-risk score group. In addition, the total tumor mutation burden (TMB) in the high-risk score group increased significantly, and the risk scores could be used as an alternative indicator of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response. In conclusion, our findings indicated that NOL12 might be involved in the progression of HCC and can be used as a potential therapeutic target. Moreover, the NOL12-related risk signature may have predictive relevance with regard to ICI therapy.