bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-psychological climate of the library staff as a condition for its effective activity
Authors: Trofimova L. A.
Published: May 2021

One of the personnel management tasks, including libraries, is the formation of a climate in the work collective. The purpose of the article is to study the state of the socio-psychological climate of the library staff as a factor impacting the efficiency of its activities and to develop recommendations for its evolution. To study the staff of the academic library of Novosibirsk State Technological University (NSTU), the Nemov method for socio-psychological self-assessment of the team, as well as continuous questioning of employees, was used. Based on the results of diagnostics of the socio-psychological climate of the staff of the NSTU academic library, it is shown that the implementation of mentoring practice can contribute to the elimination of the identified shortcomings and to the formation of a more stable socio-psychological climate in the team. In order to reduce the risks of potential conflicts in the team, it is proposed to organize training for the employees of the NSTU scientific library. The results and conclusions obtained can be used in the practical activities of not only the NSTU academic library, but also in any other library with any number of persons in a team.
Four-Layer ConvNet to Facial Emotion Recognition with Minimal Epochs and the Significance of Data Diversity
Authors: Debnath Tanoy , Reza Md. Mahfuz , Rahman Anichur , Band Shahab , Alinejad Rokny Hamid
Published: May 2021

Emotion recognition defined as identifying human emotion and is directly related to different fields such as human-computer interfaces, human emotional processing, irrational analysis, medical diagnostics, data-driven animation, human-robot communi- cation and many more. The purpose of this study is to propose a new facial emotional recognition model using convolutional neural network. Our proposed model, “ConvNet”, detects seven specific emotions from image data including anger, disgust, fear, happiness, neutrality, sadness, and surprise. This research focuses on the model’s training accuracy in a short number of epoch which the authors can develop a real-time schema that can easily fit the model and sense emotions. Furthermore, this work focuses on the mental or emotional stuff of a man or woman using the behavioral aspects. To complete the training of the CNN network model, we use the FER2013 databases, and we test the system’s success by identifying facial expressions in the real-time. ConvNet consists of four layers of convolution together with two fully connected layers. The experimental results show that the ConvNet is able to achieve 96% training accuracy which is much better than current existing models. ConvNet also achieved validation accuracy of 65% to 70% (considering different datasets used for experiments), resulting in a higher classification accuracy compared to other existing models. We also made all the materials publicly accessible for the research community at: https://github.com/Tanoy004/Emotion-recognition-through-CNN.
Sexual and gender diversity: facets of a quiet fight through centuries
Authors: Bispo Margarida Maria Araujo , Cruz Maria Helena Santana
Published: May 2021

This article addresses sexual diversity, the historic struggle for the rights of LGBTQIA + groups, and the silencing they have suffered over the centuries. The text discusses the history and progress of this struggle to break the barriers of silencing, and confirm their rights in society and in educational practices in two State Schools located in the municipality of Tobias Barreto/SE. The theoretical approach will be post-structuralist based on scholars who approach the trajectory of homosexuals and transgenders in the historical and social context. Although the battle was fought at the beginning of the fight quietly, the achievements are still minimal in view of the full range of violence suffered by homosexuals and transsexuals in the social environment that they are part of. The violence suffered by LGBTQIA+ is a problem to be discussed in the educational environment, through the history of struggle as an element of empowerment for these young people.
Assessment of selected indicators of the individual condition of roe deer Capreolus capreolus in the closed hunting season
Authors:   Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland, Czyżowski Piotr , Okrasa Anna ,   Student of the Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland, Karpiński Mirosław ,   Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Published: May 2021

The aim of the study was to assess the condition of roe deer in the closed hunting season based on the analysis of body weight and fat reserves in roe deer killed in road collisions. The research material consisted of kidneys dissected from 12 bucks, 4 does, and 5 fawns killed in road accidents between February 12 and May 10, 2020. The measurements were used for calculation of the kidney fat index (KFI) based on the formula [Bobek et al. 1984]: KFI = kidney weight with fat/kidney weight without fat. The study presents the distribution of the analyzed parameters with reference to the animal sex and month in which the animal died in the road collision. A distinct decline in the value of fat reserves expressed as the KFI index and the perirenal fat weight mass was observed in the study. In the first two months (February, March), this decrease coincided with reduced body weight, which rapidly increased in April. This may have been related to the intensive vegetation growth. Nevertheless, the costs of the breeding season (primarily in males) resulted in further weight loss in May. The analysis of carcass weight and fat reserves in roe deer killed in road collisions can complete the information about their individual condition and indirectly shows the condition of the roe deer population in the closed hunting season, i.e. in the critical period for this species (winter and the beginning of the breeding season).
La formation documentaire en temps de pandémie : les webinaires matinaux
Authors: Martinolli Pascal
Published: May 2021

Le premier confinement dû au Covid-19 a influencé la manière dont la Bibliothèque des lettres et sciences humaines de l’Université de Montréal a rempli sa mission de formation aux compétences informationnelles. Il nous a poussés à nous adapter rapidement en évaluant nos anciennes manières de faire. Le résultat le plus marquant a été la création d’une offre quotidienne de webinaires matinaux ouverts à tous. Nous avons saisi cette opportunité pour expérimenter et tester des innovations correspondant à nos valeurs d’excellence, de bienveillance et d’ouverture. Leur succès a permis la transformation de notre offre de formations libres en mettant l’accent sur des notions avancées et plus diversifiées.
Alternative Splicing Signature in human Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Li Daowei , Liang Yuanzi , Lu Jia , Tan Yue
Published: May 2021

Background: Although hundreds of risk loci for Crohn’s disease (CD) have been identified, the underlying pathogenesis of CD remains unclear. Recently, evidence has shown that aberrant gene expression in CD patients’ colon tissues was associated with progression of CD. We reasoned that post-transcriptional regulation, especially alternative splicing (AS), may also play important roles in the pathogenesis of CD. Results: Herein we re-analyzed a public mRNA-seq data from NCBI GEO dataset (GSE66207) and identified approximately 3,000 unique AS events in CD patients compared to the healthy controls. “Lysine degradation” and “Sphingolipid metabolism” are the top two AS events enriched terms in CD patients. In a validation study, we also sequenced 8 subjects and demonstrated that key genes which were previously linked to CDs, such as IRF1, STAT3, also had significant AS events in CDs. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study provided a landscape of AS events in CD, especially as the first study focused on a Chinese cohort. Our data suggested that dysregulation of AS may be a new mechanism that contribute to the pathogenesis of CD.
A comprehensive physical interaction map between the Turnip mosaic potyvirus and Arabidopsis thaliana proteomes
Authors: Martínez Fernando , Toft Christina , Hillung Julia , Carrasco José L. , Giménez-Santamarina Silvia , Yenush Lynne , Rodrigo Guillermo , Elena Santiago
Published: May 2021

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that have co-evolved with their hosts to establish an intricate network of protein-protein interactions. Yet, the systems-level mode of action of plant viruses remains poorly understood. Here, we followed a high-throughput yeast two-hybrid screening to identify 378 novel virus-host protein-protein interactions between Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), a representative plant RNA virus, and Arabidopsis thaliana, one of its natural hosts. We found the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase NIb as the virus protein with the largest number of contacts. We verified a subset of 25 selected interactions in planta by bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. We then constructed a comprehensive network comprising 399 TuMV-A. thaliana interactions to perform, together with intravirus and intrahost connections, detailed computational analyses. In particular, we found that the host proteins targeted by the virus participate in a higher number of infection-related functions, are more connected and have an increased capacity to spread information throughout the cell proteome, display higher expression levels, and have been subject to stronger purifying selection than expected by chance. Overall, our results provide a comprehensive mechanistic description of a plant virus-host interplay, with potential impact on disease etiology, and reveal that plant and animal viruses share fundamental features in their mode of action.
Association Between Quality of Life and Prognostic Awareness in Patients with Advanced Cancer
Authors: Vlčková Karolína , Polakova Kristyna , Tuckova Anna , Houska Adam , Loucka Martin
Published: May 2021

Purpose: Despite the current guidelines supporting open communication about serious news, the evidence about the impact of prognostic awareness on the quality of life in cancer patients is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the association between quality of life and prognostic awareness in patients with advanced cancer.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which involved patients (N= 129) with incurable advanced cancer (estimated by oncologist using 12-month surprise question). Data were collected at oncology departments at 3 hospitals using structured interview in which patients were asked about their quality of life (using Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale - IPOS and a single-item global measure), prognostic awareness, information needs and demographics. Results: Only 16 % (N= 129) of the sample was completely aware of prognosis and 57 % was partially aware. Accurate prognostic awareness was significantly associated (p= 0.02) with lower level of quality of life between (when measured by both the IPOS and the single-item scale) patients with accurate prognostic awareness (M= 37.1; 3.9) and partially aware (M= 31.9; 4.6) and unaware patients (M= 30; 5.2). Detailed analysis showed that significant difference between groups was found only for physical symptoms subscales (p=0.002), not for emotional and communication subscales.Conclusion: Prognostic awareness does not have to be associated with increased emotional distress to patient, which many clinicians fear and therefore tend to avoid or postpone prognostic disclosure. More research is needed on personality factors that might influence the development of prognostic awareness and quality of life.
Antialdosterone in Acute Myocardial Infarction patients: a Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Chen Qiao , Zhao Die , Sun Jie , Lu Chengzhi
Published: May 2021

We aimed to summarize the evidence on the efficacy and safety of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) in post acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. Articles were identified through PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Ovid (Medline1946-2021) and ClinicalTrials.gov databases from their inception to December 31, 2020. MRA reduced the risk of all-cause mortality by 16% (relative ratio (RR) 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.76, 0.94), P = 0.002). Meanwhile, all-cause mortality was reduced by 38% (RR 0.62, 95% CI (0.42, 0.90), P = 0.01), 30% (RR 0.70, 95% CI (0.49, 1.00), P = 0.05), and 29% (RR 0.71, 95% CI (0.59, 0.86), P = 0.0004) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients and those who initiated MRA treatment within 3 days and (3,7) days, respectively. Post-AMI patients without left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) treated with MRA improved left ventricular ejection fraction (mean difference [MD] 2.74, 95% CI (2.49, 2.99), P < 0.00001) and reduced left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volume indices (MD -6.23, 95% CI (-10.93, -1.52), P = 0.009; MD -3.13, 95% CI (-5.79, -0.47), P = 0.02). The corresponding RR were 1.73 (95% CI (1.44, 2.08), P < 0.00001) for considered common side effects (hyperkalemia and gynecomastia). Our findings suggest that all-cause mortality is lower in STEMI patients and in patients initiating MRA within 7 days, and that post-AMI patients without LVSD have improved left ventricular remodeling and cardiac function.
Application of the Modified Cytosine Base-Editing in the Cultured Cells of Bama Minipig
Authors: Pan Jia-sheng , Lin Zi-sheng , Wen Jian-cong , Guo Jian-feng , Wu Xia-hui , Liu Ying-ying , Lai Wen-jun , Liang Qi-ying , Xie Yong-shi , Chen Yi-rou , Chen Yi-hong , Yan Ai-fen , Feng Juan , Liu Lian , Gong Dao-yuan , Zhu Xiang-xing , Lu Jia-hong , Tang Dong-sheng
Published: May 2021

Bama minipig is a unique miniature swine bred from China. Their favorable characteristics include delicious meat, strong adaptability, tolerance to rough feed, and high levels of stress tolerance. Unfavorable characteristics are their low lean meat percentage, high fat content, slow growth rate, and low feed conversion ratio. Genome-editing technology using CRISPR/Cas9 efficiently knocked out the myostatin gene (MSTN) that has a negative regulatory effect on muscle production, effectively promoting pig muscle growth and increasing lean meat percentage of the pigs. However, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology is based on random mutations implemented by DNA double-strand breaks, which may trigger genomic off-target effects and chromosomal rearrangements. The application of CRISPR/Cas9 to improve economic traits in pigs has raised biosafety concerns. Base editor (BE) developed based on CRISPR/Cas9 such as cytosine base editor (CBE) effectively achieve targeted modification of a single base without relying on DNA double-strand breaks. Hence, the method has greater safety in the genetic improvement of pigs. The aim of the present study is to utilize a modified CBE to generate MSTN-knockout cells of Bama minipigs. Our results showed that the constructed “all-in-one”-modified CBE plasmid achieved directional conversion of a single C·G base pair to a T·A base pair of the MSTN target in Bama miniature pig fibroblast cells. We successfully constructed multiple single-cell colonies of Bama minipigs fibroblast cells carrying the MSTN premature termination and verified that there were no genomic off-target effects detected. This study provides a foundation for further application of somatic cell cloning to construct MSTN-edited Bama minipigs that carry only a single-base mutation and avoids biosafety risks to a large extent, thereby providing experience and a reference for the base editing of other genetic loci in Bama minipigs.
Characteristics and Long-term Outcome of 535 Patients with Histologically Confirmed Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) - A Single Center Experience of 18 Years
Authors: Buechter Matthias , Kessener Johannes , Möhlendick Birte , Baba Hideo A. , Gerken Guido , Alisan Kahraman
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare liver disease with a favorable prognosis following immunosuppression. In this work-up, we present our long-term experience with this patient collective. Patients and Methods: Overall, we were able to retrospectively evaluate data from 535 patients with histologically confirmed AIH over a period of 18 years between 2002 and 2020. Results: As expected, almost ¾ of the patients were women (74.5 %) of middle age (47.0 ± 14.9 years). Type I AIH was diagnosed in almost all patients (97.5 %). However, 88 patients (16.4 %) revealed an overlap to primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). In contrast, overlap to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) was detected in only 22 patients (3.7 %). Regarding auto-antibody profile, positivity for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) was found in 388 patients (72.5 %); smooth-muscle actin (SMA)-titer was positive in 90 patients (16.8 %), anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) were detected in 43 individuals (8.0 %), and we found positive p-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) in 12 patients (2.2 %). More than ¾ of the patients (n = 417 ≈ 77.9 %) were initially treated with corticosteroids (1 mg/kg/day) and this therapy was continued in almost all subjects (97.4 %) in low dose (5 - 7.5 mg/day) as maintenance therapy. Steroid-saving and remission-maintaining therapy with azathioprine was carried out in 380 patients (71.0 %). Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or calcineurin-inhibitors (CNI) were used as second- or third-line immunosuppression. Acute liver failure (ALF) - as the first manifestation of AIH - was diagnosed in 101 patients (18.8 %). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was detected in at least 6 patients (1.1 %). Liver transplantation (LT) was performed in 51 patients (9.5 %) who progressed to cirrhosis despite immunosuppression. Unfortunately, a total of 45 patients (8.4 %) died of cirrhosis-related complications (infected ascites, bleeding, encephalopathy) without chance for adequate organ offer.Conclusion: We here present our long-term experience with a significant number of patients diagnosed with AIH over a long observation period of 18 years. In general, patients with AIH can adequately be managed with good clinical outcome at a liver center requiring immunosuppressive therapy. However, HCC-screening, acute-on-chronic (AOC) liver decompensation, or liver transplantation have to be taken into consideration carefully.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: Its impact on a newborn’s childcare environment and on the mother’s sense of loneliness
Authors: Miyoshi Ai , Ueda Yutaka , Taniguchi Mariko , Yagi Asami , Kimura Toshihiro , Kobayashi Eiji , Hiramatsu Kosuke , Nakagawa Satoshi , Takiuchi Tsuyoshi , Arahori Hitomi , Ikeda Sayaka , Hirai Kei , Kimura Tadashi
Published: May 2021

Background: The COVID-imposed social isolation of Japanese mothers has significantly increased their already existing sense of loneliness. We report here on the changes that have occurred in the environment of home childcare and in the mother’s feelings of loneliness during the pandemic and we compare these findings with results from a similar previous study we conducted in 2019. Methods: In 2019, we conducted an online survey of mothers who had infants aged 4-12 months. Many of the survey questions at that time concerned the home childcare environment and the mother’s sense of loneliness. In 2020, during the height of this COVID pandemic, we conducted a follow-up COVID impact survey using the same questionnaire, of a different group mothers, again having infants of 4-12 months, to determine the impact of the pandemic on the mothers of extra-vulnerable young children. Results: The number of women who consulted with their friends or neighbors about childcare during the pandemic had decreased from the more normal times of early 2019, whereas in 2020 there was an increase in the number who consulted with their mother. The mother’s method of gathering childrearing information had shifted away from the face-to-face focus of 2019 to a habit of calling a municipal health center or using social-networking-services (SNS) as a reference. The rate was decreased of a mothers’ frequency of interaction with other parents having children at home as old as their own child. Overall, the number of mothers who felt loneliness was significantly increased. Conclusions: Because of the impact on mothers of the COVID pandemic, specifically around their methods of gathering information concerning childcare, we found that the child-rearing 3 environment in Japan has detrimentally changed since early 2019. Whether or not the mother felt stressed or felt they lacked sufficient information concerning childcare was associated with having an impact on the mother’s sense of loneliness. The importance of the appropriate transmission of information concerning childcare had increased due to this pandemic, so we need to take aggressive actions to help these mothers of small children to prevent harm and tragedies from occurring to the children in their care.
Circulating RP11-445H22.4 and TINCR are Potential Biomarkers for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast
Authors: Moradi Mohammad-Taher , Rahimi Zohreh
Published: May 2021

Background: Recently introduced molecules namely long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with various diseases, including breast cancer, and they may have the potential to act as biomarkers. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is a frequently observed type of breast cancer that diagnosis through immunohistochemical methods. However, no reliable non-invasive markers such as circulating markers have been introduced for it, so far. Methods: The relative quantitation (RQ) of two lncRNAs, RP11-445H22.4 and TINCR, was measured in tumoral tissues and paired adjacent non-tumoral tissues (PANTs) as well as in plasma samples using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, promoter methylation of the two lncRNAs genes was assessed using methylation-specific PCR (MSP). In order to compare the diagnostic values, plasma levels of CA 15-3 were measured as a conventional circulating biomarker using ELISA. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to illustrate the sensitivity and specificity of the potential biomarkers. Results: The RP11-445H22.4 and TINCR genes were upregulated in tumor tissues compared to PANTs (RQRP11-445H22.4 = 2.7, RQTINCR = 4.4). Furthermore, the presence of RP11-445H22.4 and TINCR in the plasma of patients was significantly more than healthy controls (RQc.RP11-445H22.4 = 4.12, RQc.TINCR = 4.16, P<0.001). The promoters of RP11-445H22.4 and TINCR genes were hypomethylated in the tumoral tissues with a negative correlation with their gene expression. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be speculated that the expression levels of these two lncRNAs, as well as their promoter methylation, can be considered as a therapeutic target and potential biomarker for breast carcinoma.
Evaluating the Relation of Maxillary Posterior Roots to the Floor of Maxillary Sinus in Southern Iraqi Patients, a CBCT Study
Authors: Al-Saedi Aqeel , Al-Taee Riad , Al-Bakhakh Bahaa
Published: May 2021

Background: This present study aims to evaluate the type of relationship between roots of maxillary posterior teeth and maxillary sinus.Methods: Cone beam computed tomography images for 148 patients were evaluated (62 males Vs 86 females). A total of 1052 teeth were examined (518 maxillary premolars and 534 maxillary molars). The relation between roots tips and maxillary sinus floor were classified into four types: type 0, type 1, type 2 and type 3, vertical linear distance was measured and distribution of type of relationship in different age groups were evaluated.Results: Most of single rooted maxillary premolars showed (type 0) relationship with maxillary sinus floor (98.1%) for maxillary first premolars and (69.5%) for maxillary second premolars. In buccal roots of double rooted maxillary first premolars, (type 0) represented (98.7%). While for maxillary second premolars occurred in (50%). Type 0 still the most common appearing type in palatal roots of maxillary first premolars (92%) and in maxillary second premolars it appeared in (45.8%). In maxillary first molars, (type 0) was the most common type which appeared in 43.3%, 39.8% and 38.6% for mesiobuccal, distobuccal and palatal roots respectively. The most common appearing type in single rooted and double rooted maxillary second molars, (type 0) appeared in (50%). In mesiobuccal and distobuccal roots (type 1) appeared in 48.1% and 45.5%, respectively (most common), whereas (type 0) was seen most frequently in palatal roots (39.7%). There was increased appearance of (type 0) in older age group (>45) in maxillary molars roots with statistically significant difference (P-value < 0.001).Conclusions: Most of maxillary premolars, maxillary first molars and palatal roots of maxillary second molars were separated from maxillary sinus floor (type 0). Most of the mesiobuccal and distobaccal roots of maxillary second molars were in contact with the sinus floor (type1).
COVID-19 Information Dissemination in Uganda: Perspectives from Sub-National Health Workers
Authors: Fergus Cristin Alexis , Storer Elizabeth , Arinaitwe Moses , Kamurari Solomon , Adriko Moses
Published: May 2021

Background: In many places, health workers at the sub-national level are on the frontlines of disseminating information about coronavirus (COVID-19) to communities. To ensure communities are receiving timely and accurate information, it is vital health workers are kept abreast of the most recent recommendations, and guidance.Methods: An electronic survey was implemented to provide insights about the dissemination and utilisation of information and evidence related to the COVID-19 pandemic by health workers engaged at sub-national levels of the Ugandan health system. The aim of this survey was to provide insights about the dissemination and utilisation of information and evidence related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by individuals engaged at sub-national levels of the health system.Results: Mass media and public health campaigns and outreach activities were deemed the most suitable means to reach communities with COVID-19 information. Given the reported disruption to public outreach campaigns, this is a particularly important consideration for the provision of information to communities. All materials should be adapted to the local context. The need for information on homecare of COVID-19 patients was highlighted, along with the need for updated local statistics as to COVID-19 cases to be relayed for health workers at sub-national levels.Conclusions: Understanding the sources of information used by health workers can facilitate the transfer of relevant and timely information, which in turn increases the use of such information by the Ugandan population. It is vital that these issues are continued to be monitored, and communication modes and content are actively responsive to the time- and place-specific needs of health workers and community members.
Burdens of family caregivers during the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany. A qualitative study of social media posts
Authors: Fieselmann Jana , Wahidie Diana , Yilmaz-Aslan Yüce , Brzoska Patrick
Published: May 2021

Background

A large proportion of people in need of care in Germany are cared for at home by relatives. Caregiving is associated with various burdens for family caregivers. The Covid-19 pandemic and the protective measures to restrict public life such as social distancing and the closure of services and educational institutions, add further challenges. Little is known about how they are perceived by family caregivers. Based on an analysis of social media posts, the aim of the present study was to explore the additional strains family caregivers experience during the pandemic.
Methods

The German-language versions of the social media sites Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube comments were systematically searched with regard to the pandemic-related burdens of family caregivers and examined using qualitative content analysis. The search was conducted from Nov 24, 2020 to Dec 8, 2020. A total of 237 social media posts were included in the data analysis.
Results

Seven main categories with varying numbers of subcategories were identified: Care and support (lack of care and support services, care in case of illness or quarantine), deterioration of the condition of the person being cared for, psychological challenges, financial challenges, infection control, access to protective equipment (questions and problems regarding infection control measures), and acknowledgement of family caregivers (consideration of relatives of children or people with disabilities, unequal treatment, and consideration in the context of protective measures).
Conclusions

Family caregivers are affected by additional burdens during the pandemic, which make it is necessary to develop support and relief services tailored to this population group. The results of the present study can contribute to the development of respective diversity-sensitive support services.
A Risk Model for Detecting Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Based on Clinical Parameters and the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System using Bi-parametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Japanese Cohort.
Authors: Hayashida Michikata , Tanaka Naoto , Oka Suguru , Urakami Shinji , Sakaguchi Kazushige
Published: May 2021

Background:To selectively identify men with clinically significant prostate cancer (sPC) is pivotal issue. To develop a risk model for detecting sPC based on Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) for bi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI) and clinical parameters in a Japanese cohort is expected beneficial.MethodsBetween January 2011 and December 2016, we retrospectively analyzed clinical parameters and bpMRI findings from 773 biopsy-naïve patients. A risk model was established using multivariate logistic regression analysis and was presented on a nomogram. Discrimination of the risk model was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Statistical differences between the predictive model and clinical parameters were analyzed using DeLong’s test.ResultssPC was detected in 343 men (44.3%). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict sPC, age (P=0.002), log prostate-specific antigen (P<0.001), prostate volume (P<0.001) and PI-RADS scores (P<0.001) contributed significantly to the model. The risk model showed a higher area under the curve (0.862), than age (0.646), log prostate-specific antigen (0.652), prostate volume (0.697) and imaging scores (0.822). DeLong test results also showed that the novel risk model performed significantly better compared with those parameters (P<0.05).ConclusionsThis novel risk model performed significantly better compared with PI-RADS scores and other parameters alone, and is thus expected to provide benefits in making decisions to biopsy on suspicion of sPC.
Dynamics of Vaginal Microbiota During Estrous Cycle in Cows through Metagenomic Approach
Authors: Purohit Kishan , Patel Kajal , Gohil Purva , Chavada Dhruvil , Puvnvar Apurva , Savaliya Nitin , Suthar Vishal Surendrakumar , Patil Deepak B , Joshi Madhavi , Joshi Chaitanya
Published: May 2021

Background: Using 16s rRNA sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region, the present study is aimed to check vaginal microbiota diversity throughout different stages of the estrous cycle, with attention to hormonal changes and microorganism diversity. Metagenomic research was conducted on vaginal swab samples obtained from healthy cows' at different stages of the estrous cycle. Results: Total sixteen cows were synchronized with dobble PG regime. Nine cows demonstrated estrus within 96 hours and were eligible for the experiment. Vaginal samples for metagenomics and blood samples for hormonal analysis were collected during estrus, metestrus, diestrus and proestrus of synchronized Estrous cycle. The study's findings revealed that the diestrus phase has a different diversity than the other three estrous cycle phases, implying that hormones affect bacterial diversity. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes are the most abundant phyla at the phylum level, accounting for 94 % of bacterial diversity. Actinobacteriota, Patescibacteria, Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidota, and others are fewer common phyla. Proteobacteria are most common throughout the estrus, metestrus, and proestrus stages of the estrous cycle at the phylum level, there was no discernible distinction between the follicular and luteal phases. After statistical correction, Bacillaceae, Alcaligenes, and Enterobacteriaceae & Morganellacea families are more significant. At the diestrus stage, the Family Enterobacteriaceae is lower than at other stages; otherwise, all statistically significant genera are high at diestrus stages. The luteal phase had higher levels of Micrococcus, Stenotrophomonas, UGC-010, Massilia, and Methylobacillus than the follicular phase, however, statistical analysis revealed no substantial difference between the two phases. Lactobacillus genus is present on two samples including the estrus stage and diestrus stages. Conclusions: This study represents an important step towards the understanding of microbial diversity within different stages of the estrous cycle of the dairy cow. The study results revealed dynamics of metabiota during estrous cycle.
Mortality Cause in Goldsmith Workers of Bangladesh: Findings From Verbal Autopsy
Authors: Khan Fahmida Afroz , Khalequzzaman Md. , Islam Mohammad Tanvir , Rahman Ataur , Rayna Shahrin Emdad , Rahman K M Thouhidur , Islam Syed Shariful
Published: May 2021

Background: Information on the mortality causes of goldsmith workers in Bangladesh is very limited. This study was conducted to find out the causes of death in this group of population.Methods: The study subject was deceased goldsmith workers where face-to-face interviews were conducted with the family members who were present during the deceased's illness preceding death. A World Health Organization recommended questionnaire was adapted to conduct 20 deceased goldsmith workers' verbal autopsy. Causes of death were determined by reviewing the outcomes of the interviews by the expert physicians.Results: The mean age of the goldsmith workers at death was 59.2 ± 9.3 years. Among the deceased goldsmith workers, 70.0% were smokers, and 50.0% of them were alcohol consumers. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were the most common immediate and underlying cause of death (55.0% and 45.0%, respectively). Acute ischemic heart disease was the single most common (30.0%) immediate cause of death among the deceased goldsmith workers, whereas, for underlying causes of death, it was both acute and chronic ischemic heart diseases (35.0%).Conclusions: The life expectancy of goldsmith workers was much lower than the average life expectancy of Bangladesh, where CVD was the common cause of death. Smoking and alcohol consumption were prevalent among the majority of the deceased goldsmith workers. Awareness of healthy lifestyles should be prioritized for a successful CVD control program for this population. Trial registration: Not applicable.
WITHDRAWN: Emotional Regulation Strategies (ER) Used by Trainees to Overcome Negative Emotions
Authors: Butt Fauzia , Mahboob Usman , Wajid Gohar , Khan Rehan Ahmad
Published: May 2021

Background: Trainee doctors undergo a complex process of emotional labour at the workplace. The presence of any negative emotion affects not only their professional and caring competency but also their mental health. The purpose of this study is to identify the use of different emotion regulation (ER) strategies in Sad, Disgust, Fear, Anger, and Shock situations, and to determine the frequency and the predominant pattern of emotional response in the emotion triggering situations. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in two public and one private-sector medical college in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2019. Gross Theory of emotion and situational model of emotion regulation was used to develop a questionnaire and to interpret the findings. Based on Gross Theory, emotion regulation strategies were situation selection (SS), situation modification (SM), cognitive change (CC), attention deployment (AD), and response modulation (RM). The results were analysed using chi-square and repeated-measures ANOVA on SPSS 25.Results: Out of the 377 trainees, 308 participated in this study. Most of them were from the Obstetrics & Gynaecology (43.2%) department and in the Year-1 of training (37.7%). The most frequent emotion triggering situation was prolonged working hours (95%). The major emotional response was quietness (50%) and this reaction was observed in situations of the rude behaviour of patients and their attendants toward staff (60%). The trainees used greater ER strategies in sad situations (Mean 3.49 ± 1.79; F=1823, p <0.01). Trainees managed sad emotions by keeping themselves involved in other activities (49%) and with an outward response (50%). In anger; they blamed others (40.3%) and ruminated (32.8%). In fear; suppression of emotions (28.6%) and focus on the task (23.1%) were the most common ER strategies. When disgusted, avoidance (29.2%); and suppression of emotions (28.9%) were used. In shock, acceptance (12.7%) and suppression of emotion (8.4%) were preferred ER strategies. Conclusion: Trainees struggle to manage emotions and use maladaptive strategies that are avoiding situations, focusing on other activities, blaming others, rumination, thought suppression, and outward behaviours. Developing emotional skill programs to manage negative emotions can improve mental health, job satisfaction, and patient care.
A Vibration Sensor Approach to Detect Intra-Articular Needle Tip Placement in the Knee Joint
Authors: Apinyankul Rit , Siriwattanasit Kritsada , Srungboon Kakanand , Witayakom Witchaporn , Kosuwan Weerachai
Published: May 2021

Background: Intra-articular injection in the dry knee joint is technically challenging particularly for the beginners. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible use of the vibration sensor to detect if the needle tip was at the knee intra-articular position by characterizing the frequency component of the vibration signal during empty syringe air injection.Methods: Two milliliters of air were injected supero-laterally at extra- and intra-articular positions of a cadaveric knee joint, using needles of size 18, 21 and 24 gauge. Ultrasonography was used to confirm the positions of needle tip. A piezoelectric accelerometer was mounted medially on the knee joint to collect the vibration signals which were analyzed to characterize the frequency components of the signals during injections. Results: The vibration frequency band power in the range of 500-1,500 Hertz was visually observed to potentially localize the needle tip placement during air injection whether they were at the knee extra-articular or intra-articular positions, as demonstrated by the higher band power (over -40 decibel or dB) for all the needle sizes. The differences of frequency band power between extra- and intra-articular positions were 18.1 dB, 26.4 dB and 39.2 dB for the needle size 18, 21 and 24 gauge respectively. The most obvious difference was found in the smallest needle diameter.Conclusions: A vibration sensor approach was preliminarily proved to distinguish the intra-articular from extra-articular needle placement in the knee joint. This study demonstrated a possible alternative electronic device implementation of this technique to detect the intra-articular knee injection.
WITHDRAWN: Deep Learning-based Fatigue Cracks Detection in Bridge Girders Using Feature Pyramid Networks
Authors: Li Jun , Jin Zhenfen , Shu Jiangpeng
Published: May 2021

For structural health monitoring and inspection of infrastructures, continuous and automatic crack detection has been a challenging problem. This study is conducted to propose a framework of automatic crack segmentation from high-resolution images containing crack information about steel box girders of bridges. Considering the multi-scale feature of cracks, a processing flow based on convolutional neural network architecture of Feature Pyramid Networks (FPN) for high-resolution crack images is proposed. In the experiments, 120 raw images of 3264 × 4928 pixels or 3864 × 5152 pixels are processed via two approaches (the proposed method and shrinking the size of images). The comparison results show FPN in the proposed method can achieve the highest Intersection over Union (IoU) of 0.78 and the lowest Dice loss of 0.12. When shrinking the size of high-resolution images, details of crack edges are lost and the segmentation accuracy is reduced. The proposed method can maintain the original information of high-resolution images and perform automatic and accurate pixel-wise crack detection.
Low Physical Activity Is Associated With Impaired Endothelial Function in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Controls After 5 Years of Follow-up
Authors: Baier Jonathan Mathias , Funck Kristian Løkke , Vernstrøm Liv , Laugesen Esben , Poulsen Per Løgstrup
Published: May 2021

Background: The long-term association between physical activity and endothelial function has not previously been investigated in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical activity and endothelial function, estimated by peripheral arterial tonometry, in patients with type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic controls after 5 years of follow-up. Methods: We included 51 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 53 sex- and age matched controls. Participants underwent baseline clinical characterization including objective measures of physical activity level using accelerometery. After 5 years of follow-up, participants were re-examined, and endothelial function was assessed as natural logarithm of reactive hyperemia index (lnRHI).Results: Physical activity at baseline was associated with lnRHI after 5 years of follow-up in both patients with type 2 diabetes and controls. An increase of 1 standard deviation (SD) in daytime physical activity corresponded to a 6.7% increase in RHI (95% confidence interval: 1.1;12.5%, p = 0.02). We found no difference in lnRHI between patients with diabetes and controls (0.67 ± 0.29 vs. 0.73 ± 0.31, p = 0.28).Conclusions: Daytime physical activity is associated with endothelial function after 5 years of follow-up in patients with type 2 diabetes and controls.
Relaxing symmetry rules for nonlinear optical interactions via strong light-matter coupling
Authors: Khatoniar Mandeep , Bushati Rezlind , Mekkawy Ahmed , Dirnberger Florian , Alu Andrea , Menon Vinod
Published: May 2021

Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have been in the limelight for the past decade as a candidate for several
optoelectronic devices, and as a versatile test bed for various fundamental light-matter interaction phenomena thanks to their exceptional linear optical properties arising from their large binding energy, strong spin-orbit coupling and valley physics in the monolayer (ML) limit. They also boast strong non-linear properties fortied by excitonic responses in these systems. However, the strong second order non-linear responses are mostly restricted to the ML limit owing to crystal symmetry requirements, posing several limitations in terms of smaller interaction length and lower damage threshold. Here we demonstrate a self-hybridized exciton-polariton system in bulk WSe2 that allows us to relax the crystal symmetry rules that govern second order
non-linearities. The demonstrated polariton system shows intense Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) when the fundamental
wavelength is resonant with the lower polariton, with an efficiency comparable to the one from a ML WS2 when excited at
the same fundamental wavelength and intensity. We model this phenomenon by considering a system with alternating second-
order susceptibilities under an asymmetric electric field profile determined by the polariton mode. Helicity resolved polarization experiments show very similar non-linear response as the one from a ML where the helicity of the SHG
flips with respect to the fundamental harmonic. This polaritonic system offers a platform to leverage robust second order non-linear response from centrosymmetric systems, while at the same time allowing access to third-order non-linearity inherent in strongly coupled
systems.
Understanding Hesitancy Towards Vaccination Against SARS-COV2 Among Health Professionals in Tunisia
Authors: Zammit Nawel , ElGuedr Amani , Brahem Aïcha , Ghammam Rim , Fredj Sihem Ben , Ayouni Imen , Sr Chaima , Chouchene Asma , Kalboussi Houda , ElMaalel Olfa , Chatti Souhaeil , Maatoug Jihene , Ghannem Hassen , Mrizak Néjib
Published: May 2021

Background: Since the end of 2019, the world was seriously upset by the emergence of the “COVID-19 disease. Vaccines that were authorized for emergency use in a wide range of countries brought a glimmer of hope. However, sufficient vaccination coverage is conditioned by the people’s acceptance of these vaccines especially by health professionals. Indeed, they represent the leaders of the current war against COVID-19. Several studies focused on this issue in developed countries. However, few were reported from developing ones including Tunisia.Objective:The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence and the predictors of hesitancy towards the vaccination against the SARS-COV2 among the Tunisian health professionals.Methods: A cross-sectional study was led online between the 7th and the 21th of January 2021 among Tunisian health professionals. A number of at least 460 participants was required. Snowball sampling method served to recruit participants. Data were collected using a pre-established and pre-tested questionnaire recorded in a free Google form. The link of the questionnaire was disseminated online to be self-administered anonymously to the participants. The generated online Google Sheet was uploaded and exported to SPSS software. Responses of non eligible participants were deleted before analysis.Results: Of the 546 responses, 493 were retained. The mean age was 37.4 (±9.5) years. Females represented 70.2% of participants. Social media represented the most frequently used source of information about SARS-COV2 (reported by 66.9% of participants). Prevalence of hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination was 51.9% (95% CI: 47.5-56.3)). Fear of eventual harmful components in the upcoming vaccines, female gender and having its professional activity far from the capital predicted more hesitancy among participants. However, a history of previous infection by SARS-COV2 and the use of the official national site for information about COVID19 predicted less hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination.Conclusions: An effective national information campaign is required to reduce hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination among Tunisian Health professionals. More international solidarity would increase vaccine availability in developing countries such Tunisia and ensure therefore faster resolution of the current pandemic.