bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model of COVID-19 Surveillance System for a Community-industry Setting
Authors:   Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, Thaikruea Lakkana , Srikitjakarn Lertrak ,   PODD Centre, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Chakpitak Nopasit ,   International College of Digital Innovation, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Pornprasert Sakorn ,   Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Ouncharoen Rujira ,   International College of Digital Innovation, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Khamduang Woottichai ,   Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Kaewpinta Boontuan ,   PODD Centre, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Pattamakaew Sakulrat ,   PODD Centre, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Laiya Ekkachai ,   PODD Centre, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Chanaim Somsak ,   International College of Digital Innovation, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Wongyai Jiraporn ,   International College of Digital Innovation, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Published: January 2022

Abstract This study aimed to design and test a COVID-19 surveillance system model for community-industry population. A prospective cohort study was conducted from May to December, 2020. Researchers designed a COVID-19 surveillance system and presented it to stakeholders from the community-industry setting in Lamphun and Chiang Mai provinces, Thailand. The model was adjusted following feedback and tested. The model was an Active surveillance for early Alert and rapid Action using Big data and mobile phone application technology for a Community-industry setting (3ABC model). The major components were active surveillance, community-based surveillance, event-based surveillance, and early warning and rapid response. A drive-thru testing unit was operated to enable early detection. Alerts and recommended action on individual and administrative levels were sent via an application and networks. In the testing of the model, risk assessment was initially conducted with regard to COVID-19 transmission in the factories. Researchers provided recommendations based on findings. The improvements included human resource management, systems, and structure. The 3ABC model work well as designed. The participants actively reported events daily including prevention and control activities, animal diseases (foot-and-mouth disease in buffalos and hog cholera), human diseases (dengue and chikungunya), and absent of COVID-19 outbreak. Only five quarantined COVID-19 cases whom were monitored. Daily reports of no abnormal event was also high (70.2% to 71.1%). It is practical and feasible to implement the 3ABC model in a community-industry setting. A further study for a longer period to verify its level of effectiveness should be done. Keywords: Infectious disease, Epidemic model, Surveillance, Mobile application, Model evaluation
Potensi Terapi Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) Untuk Gagal Hati Kronis Eksaserbasi Akut Akibat Infeksi Virus Hepatitis B: Tinjauan Sistematis dan Meta-analisis Terhadap Studi Uji Acak Terkontrol
Authors: Supranoto Yehuda Tri Nugroho , Tanuwijaya Dini Cynthia Dewi
Published: January 2022

Pendahuluan: Gagal hati kronis eksaserbasi akut merupakan dekompensasi penyakit hati kronis yang sering berkaitan dengan infeksi virus hepatitis B (HBV). Terapi Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) telah menunjukkan hasil yang menjanjikan untuk meningkatkan fungsi hati secara in vivo. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menilai potensi MSCs pada pasien dengan gagal hati kronis eksaserbasi akut terkait infeksi HBV.

Metode: Meta-analisis ini dibuat berdasarkan pedoman PRISMA. Pencarian literatur dilakukan dengan beberapa database elektronik, yakni PubMed, ScienceDirect, PMC, Google Scholar, dan Cochrane Library. Risk ratio (RR) dan standardized mean difference (SMD) dengan standar deviasi (SD) digunakan untuk membandingkan risiko mortalitas, skor model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), dan total bilirubin (TBIL) dari pemberian MSCs dan standard medical therapy (SMT).

Hasil: Kajian ini menunjukkan bahwa risiko mortalitas cenderung lebih tinggi pada kelompok SMT (pooled RR= 0.52, 95%CI (0.40,0,69), p<0.00001, I2=0%). Skor MELD juga cenderung lebih tinggi pada kelompok SMT sampai 12 bulan setelah pengobatan (pooled SMD 0.36, 95%CI (0.07, 0.65), p= 0.00002, I2=65%). Perubahan TBIL lebih besar pada kelompok MSCs sampai dengan 4 minggu (pooled SMD= 0.20, 95%CI (-0.11,0.52), p=0.3, I2=16%) dan perubahan TBIL secara keseluruhan sampai 12 bulan menunjukkan adanya perbedaan antara intervensi MSCs dan SMT (pooled SMD= -0.07, 95%CI (-0.23,0.08), p=0.05, I2= 42%).
Kesimpulan: Kajian ini memberikan bukti kuat yang menunjukkan terapi MSCs memiliki potensi yang bermanfaat untuk meningkatkan fungsi hati pada pasien dengan gagal hati kronis eksaserbasi akut terkait infeksi HBV.
Values and emotionality in Greek political culture: a study of ressentiment
Authors: Demertzis Nicolas , Papadoudis George , Capelos Tereza
Published: January 2022

In this article, we provide a theoretical discussion of ressentiment within the emerging fields of the political sociology and political psychology of emotions and offer an empirical investigation of its political-cultural function. The complex emotion of ressentiment refers to a recurrent rumination on negative feelings and an affective compensation for life failures. Extant studies show ressentiment can be linked to electoral support for populist, anti-immigration and far-right parties, and can provide leverage for major sociopolitical upheavals. Using the World Values Survey 7th wave dataset for Greece we analyse the psychological components and political expressions of ressentiment testing three hypotheses on its relationship with efficacy and life satisfaction, value systems and political violence. The analysis is possible due to an original six-item ressentiment scale that we offer as a novel measure of this emotional phenomenon. We find a limited distribution of ressentiment in Greece concentrated among economically and socially disadvantaged segments of society. We also find that ressentiment scores link monotonically with overall life dissatisfaction and diminished political interest, lack of efficacy, low interpersonal trust and aversion for sociocentric and emancipative values. Traces of dormant support for violence are evident in responses about violence against others where ressentiment-ful participants score higher compared with their less ressentiment-ful counterparts. We discuss the implications of our findings for the quality of democracy, authoritarian populism and nationalism.
High spectral contrast chiral second-harmonic generation from multilayer gallium selenide coupled to silicon holey disk metasurfaces
Authors: Deka Jayanta , Raghunathan Varun
Published: January 2022

We present electromagnetic design and analysis of hybrid metasurfaces composed of multilayer gallium selenide (GaSe) coupled to silicon holey disk arrays for achieving high spectral contrast chiral second-harmonic generation (SHG). The silicon holey disk structures are designed to support electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT)-like optical resonances in the 1.5–1.8 µm wavelength range in the vicinity of electric and toroidal dipole scattering modes. The fundamental electric field enhancement above the silicon structures shows right-circularly polarized (RCP)- and left-circularly polarized (LCP)-like characteristics at distinct wavelengths resulting in two prominent peaks for the LCP and RCP resolved SHG from the GaSe layer above the holey disks. This results in high contrast SHG degree of circular polarization spanning

−

1

to

+

1

over the fundamental excitation spectral range considered. The chiral SHG response is also found to be strongly influenced by the unit-cell lattice arrangement with square or hexagonal lattice exhibiting very different chiral SHG response. This observation is consistent with the circular polarization state selection rules for the harmonic generation process considering the rotational symmetry of the underlying metasurface lattice arrangement. Two-dimensional (2D) material–dielectric resonant metasurface hybrid systems exhibit nonlinear optical polarization selection rules, which differ from the native 2D material, making them an interesting platform for realizing engineered chiral nonlinear photonic devices.
High-power low-noise 2-GHz femtosecond laser oscillator at 2.4 µm
Authors: Barh Ajanta , Alaydin B. Özgür , Heidrich Jonas , Gaulke Marco , Golling Matthias , Phillips Christopher R. , Keller Ursula
Published: January 2022

Femtosecond lasers with high repetition rates are attractive for spectroscopic applications with high sampling rates, high power per comb line, and resolvable lines. However, at long wavelengths beyond 2 µm, current laser sources are either limited to low output power or repetition rates below 1 GHz. Here we present an ultrafast laser oscillator operating with high output power at multi-GHz repetition rate. The laser produces transform-limited 155-fs pulses at a repetition rate of 2 GHz, and an average power of 0.8 W, reaching up to 0.7 mW per comb line at the center wavelength of 2.38 µm. We have achieved this milestone via a Cr2+-doped ZnS solid-state laser modelocked with an InGaSb/GaSb SESAM. The laser is stable over several hours of operation. The integrated relative intensity noise is 0.15% rms for [10 Hz, 100 MHz], and the laser becomes shot noise limited (-160 dBc/Hz) at frequencies above 10 MHz. Our timing jitter measurements reveal contributions from pump laser noise and relaxation oscillations, with a timing jitter of 100 fs integrated over [3 kHz, 100 MHz]. These results open up a path towards fast and sensitive spectroscopy directly above 2 µm.
Topological cavity laser with valley edge states
Authors: Liu Xianglian , Zhao Lijiao , Zhang Di , Gao Shaohua
Published: January 2022

Topological edge states (ES) arise at the boundary between spatial domains with diverse topological properties in photonic crystals, which can transmit unidirectionally to suppress the backscattering and robustly to be immune to defects and disorders. In addition, optical devices with arbitrary geometries of cavities, such as lasers, are expected to be designed on the basis of ES. Herein, we first propose a topological cavity laser based on a honeycomb lattice of ring holes with the bearded interface in two-dimensional (2D) all-dielectric valley photonic crystals (VPhCs) at telecommunication wavelengths. Specifically, we construct a topological cavity using topological valley edge states (VES) and further study the lasing action of the optically pumped cavity with high-quality factors. Our findings could provide opportunities for practical applications of VES-based lasers as ultra-small light sources with the topological protection.
Ultra-thin mid-infrared silicon grating coupler
Authors: Guo Rongxiang , Gao Haoran , Liu Tiegen , Cheng Zhenzhou
Published: January 2022

Mid-infrared (mid-IR) silicon photonics has been attracting great attention due to its tremendous potential applications in nonlinear optics, ranging, sensing, and spectroscopy. To date, mid-IR silicon devices have usually been developed based on silicon wafers with top-layer silicon thicknesses of hundreds of nanometers. Compared with the thick silicon devices, tens-of-nanometers thin silicon devices can provide giant evanescent-field energy proportions and optical mode areas, being significant for many biochemical sensing and nonlinear optics applications. However, ultra-thin mid-IR silicon devices have seldom been studied due to the difficulty of light coupling. Here, we demonstrated an ultra-thin focusing subwavelength-grating coupler for mid-IR ultra-thin suspended subwavelength-grating-cladding waveguide coupling. The results show that the grating has a maximum coupling efficiency of –7.1 dB at a center wavelength of 2200 nm with a 1-dB bandwidth of ∼115 nm and back reflection of –19.9 dB. We also measured the fiber alignment tolerance of 12 µm for 3-dB coupling efficiency reduction and bending optical loss of 0.25 dB/90°. Our results pave the way to developing mid-IR ultra-thin photonic integrated circuits.
Optical Ramsey spectroscopy on a single molecule
Authors: Wang Yijun , Bushmakin Vladislav , Stein Guilherme Alexander , Schell Andreas W. , Gerhardt Ilja
Published: January 2022

Organic chemistry offers the potential to synthesize individual molecules for specific tasks in quantum information processing. One of their striking properties is the emission of single photons with nearly ideal coherence. Here, we implement Ramsey spectroscopy to measure the electronic state coherence of a single molecule. Conventionally, the emitter’s coherence is characterized by saturation or intensity auto-correlation measurements. However, both methods are under the steady influence of continuous interaction with the excitation laser. This influence can be eliminated by using a pump–probe sequence of two optical pulses to observe the decoherence. We have measured a near-transform-limited decoherence time of 17.6 ns, while the radiative lifetime is 10.1 ns. We also perform frequency-detuned excitation, gaining richer insights into the dephasing behavior of the molecule. The experiments exhibit that optical Ramsey spectroscopy is a promising tool for measuring the emitter’s coherence properties.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the aetiological agents of non-malarial febrile illnesses in Africa
Authors: Wainaina Martin , Vey da Silva David Attuy , Dohoo Ian , Mayer-Scholl Anne , Roesel Kristina , Hofreuter Dirk , Roesler Uwe , Lindahl Johanna , Bett Bernard , Al Dahouk Sascha
Published: January 2022

Background

The awareness of non-malarial febrile illnesses (NMFIs) has been on the rise over the last decades. Therefore, we undertook a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of causative agents of non-malarial fevers on the African continent.

Methodology

We searched for literature in African Journals Online, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify aetiologic agents that had been reported and to determine summary estimates of the proportional morbidity rates (PMr) associated with these pathogens among fever patients.

Findings

A total of 133 studies comprising 391,835 patients from 25 of the 54 African countries were eligible. A wide array of aetiologic agents were described with considerable regional differences among the leading agents. Overall, bacterial pathogens tested from blood samples accounted for the largest proportion. The summary estimates from the meta-analysis were low for most of the agents. This may have resulted from a true low prevalence of the agents, the failure to test for many agents or the low sensitivity of the diagnostic methods applied. Our meta-regression analysis of study and population variables showed that diagnostic methods determined the PMr estimates of typhoidalSalmonellaand Dengue virus. An increase in the PMr ofKlebsiellaspp. infections was observed over time. Furthermore, the status of patients as either inpatient or outpatient predicted the PMr ofHaemophilusspp. infections.

Conclusion

The small number of epidemiological studies and the variety of NMFI agents on the African continent emphasizes the need for harmonized studies with larger sample sizes. In particular, diagnostic procedures for NMFIs should be standardized to facilitate comparability of study results and to improve future meta-analyses. Reliable NMFI burden estimates will inform regional public health strategies.
Expression of pyrethroid metabolizing P450 enzymes characterizes highly resistant Anopheles vector species targeted by successful deployment of PBO-treated bednets in Tanzania
Authors: Matowo Johnson , Weetman David , Pignatelli Patricia , Wright Alexandra , Charlwood Jacques D. , Kaaya Robert , Shirima Boniface , Moshi Oliva , Lukole Eliud , Mosha Jacklin , Manjurano Alphaxard , Mosha Franklin , Rowland Mark , Protopopoff Natacha
Published: January 2022

Long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are a proven tool to reduce malaria transmission, but in Africa efficacy is being reduced by pyrethroid resistance in the major vectors. A previous study that was conducted in Muleba district, Tanzania indicated possible involvement of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in a pyrethroid resistance in An. gambiae population where pre-exposure to piperonyl butoxide (PBO) followed by permethrin exposure in CDC bottle bioassays led to partial restoration of susceptibility. PBO is a synergist that can block pyrethroid-metabolizing enzymes in a mosquito. Insecticide resistance profiles and underlying mechanisms were investigated in Anopheles gambiae and An. funestus from Muleba during a cluster randomized trial. Diagnostic dose bioassays using permethrin, together with intensity assays, suggest pyrethroid resistance that is both strong and very common, but not extreme. Transcriptomic analysis found multiple P450 genes over expressed including CYP6M2, CYP6Z3, CYP6P3, CYP6P4, CYP6AA1 and CYP9K1 in An. gambiae and CYP6N1, CYP6M7, CYP6M1 and CYP6Z1 in An. funestus. Indeed, very similar suites of P450 enzymes commonly associated with resistant populations elsewhere in Africa were detected as over expressed suggesting a convergence of mechanisms across Sub-Saharan African malaria vectors. The findings give insight into factors that may correlate with pyrethroid PBO LLIN success, broadly supporting model predictions, but revision to guidelines previously issued by the World Health Organization is warranted.
Genetic selection modulates feeding behavior of group-housed pigs exposed to daily cyclic high ambient temperatures
Authors: Fraga Alícia Zem , Hauschild Luciano , Henrique Reis Furtado Campos Paulo , Valk Marcio , Zava Bello Débora , Kipper Marcos , Andretta Ines
Published: January 2022

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of genetic selection (Lines A and B; Line A pigs have a greater proportion of Pietrain genes than those from Line B and therefore, selected for improved lean tissue accretion) on the feeding behavior of group-housed pigs exposed to daily cyclic high ambient temperatures. Feeding behavior of 78 barrows housed together in a single room was recorded in real time by five automatic feeders. The feeders registered each visit of each pig (day, hour, min, and second) and the amount of feed requested. Daily cyclic high ambient temperature was induced exposing pigs at 22°C from 18.00 to 10.00 h and 30°C from 10.01 to 17.59 h. From this temperature variation, day-period was divided into: 22°C(06-10h), from 6.00 to 10.00 h; 30°C(10-18h), from 10.01 to 17.59 h; and 22°C(18-06h), from 18.00 to 5.59 h. Meal criteria was estimated based on the probability of animals starting a new feeding event within the next minute since the last visit (Pstart). After defining the meal criteria, the number of meals (n), feed intake rate (g/min), feed intake (g/meal), feeder occupancy (min/meal), and interval between meals (min) of each animal were calculated. Greatest probability of starting to feed was observed at 22°C(06-10h), followed by 30°C(10-18h) and then 22°C(18-06h). Regardless of time period, pigs from line A had greater feed intake rate and lower feed intake, feed occupancy per meal and probability of starting a meal when compared with line B pigs. Only line A pigs had greater feed intake and feeder occupancy per meal at 22°C(18-06h) than remainder of the day. This indicates that pig feeding pattern is strongly related to the circadian rhythm. However, the genetic selection for improved lean tissue accretion may modulate pigs feeding behavior under daily cyclic high ambient temperatures.
Mutually exclusive mutation profiles define functionally related genes in muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Sangster Ami G. , Gooding Robert J. , Garven Andrew , Ghaedi Hamid , Berman David M. , Davey Scott K.
Published: January 2022

Muscle Invasive bladder cancer is known to have an abundance of mutations, particularly in DNA damage response and chromatin modification genes. The role of these mutations in the development and progression of the disease is not well understood. However, a mutually exclusive mutation pattern between gene pairs could suggest gene mutations of significance. For example, a mutually exclusive mutation pattern could suggest an epistatic relationship where the outcome of a mutation in one gene would have the same outcome as a mutation in a different gene. The significance of a mutually exclusive relationship was determined by establishing a normal distribution of the conditional probabilities for having a mutation in one gene and not the other as well as the reverse relationship for each gene pairing. Then these distributions were used to determine the sigma–magnitude of standard deviation by which the observed value differed from the expected, a value that can also be interpreted as the ‘p-value’. This approach led to the identification of mutually exclusive mutation patterns in KDM6A and KMT2D as well as KDM6A and RB1 that suggested the observed mutation pattern did not happen by chance. Upon further investigation of these genes and their interactions, a potential similar outcome was identified that supports the concept of epistasis. Knowledge of these mutational interactions provides a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying muscle invasive bladder cancer development, and may direct therapeutic development exploiting genotoxic chemotherapy and synthetic lethality in these pathways.
In silico analysis of potential off-target sites to gene editing for Mucopolysaccharidosis type I using the CRISPR/Cas9 system: Implications for population-specific treatments
Authors: Carneiro Paola , de Freitas Martiela Vaz , Matte Ursula
Published: January 2022

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is caused by alpha-L-iduronidase deficiency encoded by theIDUAgene. Therapy with CRISPR/Cas9 is being developed for treatment, however a detailed investigation of off-target effects must be performed. This study aims to evaluate possible off-targets for a sgRNA aiming to correct the most common variant found in MPS I patients (p.Trp402*). A total of 272 potential off-target sequences was obtained and 84 polymorphic sites were identified in these sequences with a frequency equal to or greater than 1% in at least one of the populations. In the majority of cases, polymorphic sites decrease the chance of off-target cleavage and a new PAM was created, which indicates the importance of such analysis. This study highlights the importance of screening off-targets in a population-specific context using Mucopolysaccharidosis type I as an example of a problem that concerns all therapeutic treatments. Our results can have broader applications for other targets already clinically in use, as they could affect CRISPR/Cas9 safety and efficiency.
Divergent effects of transformational leadership on safety compliance: A dual-path moderated mediation model
Authors: Wu Ting , Wang Yi , Ruan Rebecca , Zheng Jianzhuang
Published: January 2022

Research on the relationship between transformational leadership and safety compliance has yielded equivocal results. This study investigates how and when transformational leadership produces divergent effects on safety compliance. Using a time-lagged research design, we collect data from a sample of 309 employees in the Chinese construction industry to examine the hypothesized relationship. We find that transformational leadership positively affects safety compliance through employees’ felt obligation toward their leader. However, transformational leadership also negatively impacts safety compliance through safety risk tolerance. We further show that employees’ perception of the safety climate plays a contingent role in the above processes. Specifically, a high-level perceived safety climate strengthens the positive indirect effect of transformational leadership on safety compliance through felt obligation, while a low-level perceived safety climate strengthens the negative indirect effect of transformational leadership on safety compliance through safety risk tolerance. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are also discussed.
Evaluation of deep convolutional neural networks for in situ hybridization gene expression image representation
Authors: Abed-Esfahani Pegah , Darwin Benjamin C. , Howard Derek , Wang Nick , Kim Ethan , Lerch Jason , French Leon
Published: January 2022

High resolution in situ hybridization (ISH) images of the brain capture spatial gene expression at cellular resolution. These spatial profiles are key to understanding brain organization at the molecular level. Previously, manual qualitative scoring and informatics pipelines have been applied to ISH images to determine expression intensity and pattern. To better capture the complex patterns of gene expression in the human cerebral cortex, we applied a machine learning approach. We propose gene re-identification as a contrastive learning task to compute representations of ISH images. We train our model on an ISH dataset of ~1,000 genes obtained from postmortem samples from 42 individuals. This model reaches a gene re-identification rate of 38.3%, a 13x improvement over random chance. We find that the learned embeddings predict expression intensity and pattern. To test generalization, we generated embeddings in a second dataset that assayed the expression of 78 genes in 53 individuals. In this set of images, 60.2% of genes are re-identified, suggesting the model is robust. Importantly, this dataset assayed expression in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Gene and donor-specific embeddings from the model predict schizophrenia diagnosis at levels similar to that reached with demographic information. Mutations in the most discriminative gene, Sodium Voltage-Gated Channel Beta Subunit 4 (SCN4B), may help understand cardiovascular associations with schizophrenia and its treatment. We have publicly released our source code, embeddings, and models to spur further application to spatial transcriptomics. In summary, we propose and evaluate gene re-identification as a machine learning task to represent ISH gene expression images.
Two-phase learning-based 3D deblurring method for digital breast tomosynthesis images
Authors: Choi Yunsu , Han Minah , Jang Hanjoo , Shim Hyunjung , Baek Jongduk
Published: January 2022

In digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) systems, projection data are acquired from a limited number of angles. Consequently, the reconstructed images contain severe blurring artifacts that might heavily degrade the DBT image quality and cause difficulties in detecting lesions. In this study, we propose a two-phase learning approach for artifact compensation in a coarse-to-fine manner to mitigate blurring artifacts effectively along all viewing directions of the DBT image volume (i.e., along the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes) to improve the detection performance of lesions. The proposed method employs a convolutional neural network model comprising two submodels/phases, with Phase 1 performing three-dimensional (3D) deblurring and Phase 2 performing additional 2D deblurring. To investigate the effects of loss functions on the proposed model’s deblurring performance, we evaluated several loss functions, such as the pixel-based loss function, adversarial-based loss function, and perception-based loss function. Compared with the DBT image, the mean squared error of the image and the root mean squared errors of the gradient of the image decreased by 82.8% and 44.9%, respectively, and the contrast-to-noise ratio increased by 183.4% in the in-focus plane. We verified that the proposed method sequentially restored the missing frequency components as the DBT images were processed through the Phase 1 and Phase 2 steps. These results indicate that the proposed method performs effective 3D deblurring, significantly reducing the blurring artifacts in the in-focus plane and other planes of the DBT image, thus improving the detection performance of lesions.
The adult microbiome of healthy and otitis patients: Definition of the core healthy and diseased ear microbiomes
Authors: Burton Maria , Krumbeck Janina A. , Wu Guangxi , Tang Shuiquan , Prem Aishani , Gupta Aditya K. , Dawson Thomas L.
Published: January 2022

Otitis media (OM) and externa (OE) are painful, recurrent ear conditions. As most otitis publications focus on the bacterial content of childhood ears, there remains a dearth of information regarding the adult ear microbiome including both bacteria and fungi. This study compares the outer ear microbiome of healthy adults to adults affected by OE and OM using both intergenic-transcribed-spacer (ITS) and 16S-rDNA sequencing. The adult ear core microbiome consists of the prokaryote Cutibacterium acnes and the eukaryotic Malassezia arunalokei, M. globosa, and M. restricta. The healthy ear mycobiome is dominated by Malassezia and can be divided into two groups, one dominated by M. arunalokei, the other by M. restricta. Microbiome diversity and biomass varied significantly between healthy and diseased ears, and analyses reveal the presence of a potential mutualistic, protective effect of Malassezia species and C. acnes. The healthy ear core microbiome includes the bacteria Staphylococcus capitis and S. capitis/caprae, while the diseased ear core is composed of known bacterial and fungal pathogens including Aspergillus sp., Candida sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, S. aureus, and Corynebacterium jeikeium. The data presented highlight the need for early detection of the cause of otitis to direct more appropriate, efficient treatments. This will improve patient outcomes and promote improved antimicrobial stewardship.
An estimation and development model of tourism resource values at the township scale on Hainan Island, China
Authors: ZHANG Tongyan , WANG Yingjie , ZHANG Shengrui , Wang Yingying
Published: January 2022

The scientific evaluation of tourism resources provides the basic conditions for the rational development and utilization of tourism resources, which is significant for the sustainable development of tourism. On the basis of obtaining a large sample of tourism resource data, this study constructed an evaluation index system of regional tourism resources from four aspects: quantity, type, grade, and a combination of regional tourism resources, taking the township scale as the spatial evaluation unit. The combination weighting method was used to evaluate the grade of tourism resources in each township, and the hierarchical clustering method and spatial autocorrelation method were used to analyze the spatial patterns of the tourism resource values. On the basis of the evaluation’s results and spatial pattern analysis, this paper analyzed the influencing factors of tourism resource patterns and puts forward a tourism development model suitable for Hainan tourism development. The results showed that the overall value of tourism resources on Hainan Island was low, and the spatial pattern was obviously different, showing that the northern piedmont plain area was higher than the southern hilly area, and the east coast area was higher than the west coast area. Based on the analysis of quantity density, type abundance, grade advantage, and spatial combination, the tourism resource values of Hainan Island was divided into four combination areas: the first area was diversity and good combination, the second area was large quantity and good combination, the third area was diversity and high-quality resources, and the fourth area was large quantity. In addition, from the analysis of the spatial agglomeration effect, the phenomena of high and low agglomerations of tourism resource values were obvious. Finally, this paper puts forward a tourism development model for Hainan Island by grading, classification, and zoning. The results of this study can determine the time sequence and mode of regional tourism resources development and provide spatial implications and suggestions for regional tourism planning and management.
Effect of hybrid FES exercise on body composition during the sub-acute phase of spinal cord injury
Authors: Afshari Khashayar , Ozturk Erin D. , Yates Brandon , Picard Glen , Taylor J. Andrew
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To determine the Effect of Hybrid functional electrically stimulated (FES) Exercise on Body Composition during the Sub-acute Phase of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).

Design

Randomized Clinical Trial.

Setting

Rehabilitation Hospital.

Participants

Patients within sub-acute phase (3–24 months) of SCI.

Interventions

We investigated if high-intensity exercise training via the addition of functional electrically stimulated (FES) leg muscles, provides sufficient stimulus to mitigate against body composition changes in the sub-acute phase after SCI.

Main outcome measures

We explored potential effects of FES row training (FESRT) on body fat gain, lean mass loss, and cardiometabolic parameters and compared the effects of 6-month of FESRT (n = 18) to standard of care (SOC, n = 13). Those in SOC were crossed over to FESRT.

Results

FESRT resulted in greater exercise capacity and a tendency for lesser total body fat accumulation with a significant increase in total and leg lean mass (p<0.05). In addition pelvis and total bone mineral density declines were significantly less (p<0.05). Compared to SOC, FESRT did not lead to any significant difference in insulin sensitivity or serum lipids. However, HbA1C levels were significantly decreased in SOC participants who crossed over to 6-month FESRT.

Conclusion

FESRT early after SCI provides a sufficient stimulus to mitigate against detrimental body composition changes. This may lead to prevention of losses in lean mass, including bone.
Access to HIV care in jails: Perspectives from people living with HIV in North Carolina
Authors: Blue Colleen , Buchbinder Mara , Brown Mersedes E. , Bradley-Bull Steve , Rosen David L.
Published: January 2022

Most incarcerations for people living with HIV (PLWH) occur in jails, yet studies of HIV care during jail incarceration are limited. As part of a larger study to explore the ethical considerations in extending public health HIV surveillance to jail settings, we conducted semi-structured interviews with twenty-three PLWH with more than 300 distinct jail incarcerations post HIV diagnosis in 21 unique North Carolina jails. Interviews included questions about HIV disclosure in jail, the type of HIV care received in jail, and overall experiences with HIV care in jail. We report on participants’ experiences and perspectives in four domains: access to HIV care in jail; impact of jail incarceration on continuity of HIV care; privacy and stigma; and satisfaction with HIV care in jail. Although most participants received HIV medications and saw providers while in jail, almost half reported that their greatest challenge in regard to HIV care was obtaining their HIV medications in the face of limited jail resources or policies that made access to medications difficult. Findings from this study suggest that jail leadership should review internal policies regarding HIV medications to ensure that PLWH can receive them quickly upon entry into jail. Findings also suggest that more external resources are needed, for example from state and local health departments, so that jails can provide timely HIV medications for PLWH incarcerated in their facilities.
Income distribution and health: What do we know from Chinese data?
Authors: Ting Shi , Zang Wenbin , Chen Chen , Chen Dapeng
Published: January 2022

In the last four decades, the problem of income inequality has gradually become one of the most serious social problems in China at both the regional and individual levels. Recently, the central government announced that the main social contradiction is that between people’s growing need for a better life and unbalanced and insufficient economic development. In this study, we analyse the effects of income distribution on individuals’ health using a series of indicators of income distribution and different measures of individuals’ health status. By utilizing data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) from 1989 to 2015, our empirical findings show that self-reported health (SRH), activities of daily living (ADLs), and diabetes mellitus appear to be negatively related to the income share of rich people when average income is equalized among counties, which indicates that individuals’ health will deteriorate as the income share of rich people increases. In addition, our results show that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between income inequality, as measured by the county-level Gini coefficient, and individuals’ health status. We also find that income inequality affects health through the accessibility of healthcare facilities and public infrastructures and through hazardous health behaviours such as smoking and alcohol use. These findings suggest that reducing income inequality could be an important means of improving the overall health of China’s population.
Sizing up gender: Bringing the joy of fat, gender and fashion into focus
Authors: Evans Calla , Stricke Mindy , Barry Ben , Friedman May
Published: January 2022

This photo essay explores the intersections of gender, fatness and fashion through an innovative and evocative arts-based methodology involving collaboratively constructed macro, or close-up, photographs, portraits and garment images. With these images, we can examine people’s experiences at the intersections of fat and gender through one of the most visible and embodied ways by which we construct and resist dominant narratives about these subject positions: fashion and self-fashioning. The Sizing Up Gender project engaged twelve self-identified cis-gender, trans, non-binary and two-spirit fat people across diverse race, class and other subject positions. Their narratives disrupt many dominant understandings of fat bodies and fashion and introduce a joyfulness to the story of dressing fat bodies that has been sorely neglected. We connect these feelings of joy to the concept of fabulousness, and consider how our participants’ experiences of joy and risk are not only due to genders, races and sexualities but also to how these identities intersect with their fat embodiments, fatphobia and weight stigma. The images presented here, particularly the macro photographs, force us to look more closely at the subject matter at hand and introduce a visual fabulousness of their own, a fabulousness that is rarely afforded to fat bodies.
New virtual communities for a renewed digital activism in Italy: A case study of the Bida, Cisti and Nebbia Mastodon instances
Authors: Sorci Giuliana
Published: January 2022

This article analyses recent developments of digital tech activism within the Italian hacker scene. Being characterized by hacktivism (the combination of hacking and politics), it first boomed in the early 2000s – engaging the anti-globalization movement, protests and counter-summits with projects like Indymedia and Autistici/Inventati. Later, it had a phase of fragmentation and an ‘evolution’, towards what Hassan and Staggenborg define as a ‘social movement community’. In this article, I will analyse what caused this ‘evolution’ and its composition, networks, frames and repertoires of action – to outline political and action perspectives pursued by these virtual ‘communities’. I will focus on those involving users of Mastodon.bida.im, Mastodon.cisti.org and Nebbia.fail independent social media, built by the radical tech collectives Bida (Bologna), Underscore (Turin) and Lab61 (Milan). From a methodological point of view, I will employ a qualitative research method: analysis of specialistic literature, blogs and documents edited by activists, semi-structured qualitative interviews and observant participation.
El hijo sustituido: proyecciones de un motivo mítico y folklórico en la literatura y el cine
Authors: Aguirre Castro Mercedes
Published: January 2022

Este artículo examina el motivo del hijo sustituido, desde la mitología clásica y las leyendas relativas al mundo de las hadas, pasando después a analizar algunos ejemplos literarios en diferentes momentos históricos y, finalmente, ver la presencia de este tema en el cine actual. El artículo trata de ver de qué manera se puede identificar una continuidad de este motivo en unas historias que, a primera vista, no parecen tener nada en común, pero que de alguna forma dejan translucir temáticas que proceden de los antiguos mitos y creencias aunque con las diferencias lógicas teniendo en cuenta las circunstancias sociales de las épocas en las que los motivos aparecen. En cualquier caso, lo que coincide en dichos ejemplos es que responden a actitudes hacia unos conflictos que se relacionan con la maternidad.
El cine de poesía de Pier Paolo Pasolini: entre La ricotta e Il Vangelo secondo Matteo
Authors: Candeloro Antonio
Published: January 2022

El objetivo de este artículo es ilustrar algunas escenas emblemáticas de La ricotta (1963) y de Il Vangelo secondo Matteo (1964) de Pier Paolo Pasolini para analizar cómo el escritor y cineasta italiano reescribe en función poética el texto bíblico, teniendo en cuenta tanto la importancia que cobran las imágenes como los demás elementos cinematográficos, como el uso de la pintura, en función de reescritura intertextual del espacio físico en el que se desarrolla la acción, y de la música, en función de comentario sonoro extradiegético de lo que se narra en la pantalla.
La oscura explicación –diez palabras sobre un tema infinito–
Authors: Paredes Alberto
Published: January 2022

¿En qué medida es intrínseco a la calidad de un texto literario el que incluya dentro de su desarrollo temático conflictos en los que el mal interviene activamente? Esta es la pregunta central que se plantea este ensayo de Alberto Paredes. Para reflexionar sobre el tema menciona su contacto personal con dos figuras de valor innegable (Álvaro Mutis y Gabriel García Márquez) como marco para examinar la injerencia del mal en diversas obras mayores. La hipótesis central es que las obras literarias que ahondan en la temática del mal pueden alcanzar una lucidez excepcional en cuestiones humanas esenciales.
¿Fue la crisis de las Malvinas una guerra de distracción? Una reinterpretación del declive argentino a través de la teoría prospectiva
Authors: Schenoni Luis , Braniff Sean , Battaglino Jorge
Published: January 2022

¿Cómo se explica la Guerra de Malvinas? En este artículo revisitamos este episodio a través de un análisis contrafáctico utilizando nueva evidencia documental. Estas fuentes ponen en duda la tesis de la guerra de distracción y la tesis del error de cálculo. La evidencia sugiere que dinámicas de poder de largo plazo y sesgos psicológicos afectando a los miembros de la Junta militar argentina explican de mejor manera las decisiones que llevaron a la guerra.
Clinico-Epidemiological Correlates of COVID-19 Cases - A Cross-Sectional Study from Assam, India
Authors: Saikia Anku Moni , Hazarika Mehzabin Haider , Islam Ubedul , Ghosh Kishore Kumar , Bora Suddipta Kumar , Sarkar Abdul Halim
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND Considering the heavy toll taken by COVID- 19 pandemic, the understanding of the epidemiological parameters as well as various risk factors is crucial for future preparedness and tackling the pandemic in a more effective manner. We wanted to study the socio-demographic correlates of COVID -19 cases in Assam, India. Also to find the relationship of clinical status of COVID -19 cases with co- morbidities and with substance use. METHODS An institution-based cross-sectional study was undertaken from 1st April 2020 to 31st August 2020. Out of the total 12 COVID Care Centres / hospitals that had been established in Kamrup and Kamrup Metro districts of Assam, 6 were randomly selected. A total of 3000 patients were interviewed over telephone by using an android-based application; on or after discharge from the centres, while patient was put on mandatory quarantine. The patients were interviewed on various sociodemographic variables, co-morbidities and substance use behaviour. Categorical variables are expressed as percentages and the continuous variables are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. t-test and chi-square test were used for continuous and categorical variables respectively. RESULTS Mean age of moderate and severe cases were 55.10 and 55.9 years respectively. Smoking and use of alcohol were significantly associated with severity of symptoms. Diabetes, hypertension and co-existing lung diseases were found to be associated with status of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Epidemiological risk factors like age has to be relooked. Primary prevention on risk factors of non-communicable diseases proved to be crucial in prevention of severity of communicable pandemic like COVID-19. Further studies are required to enhance the knowledge on this aspect. KEY WORDS COVID-19, Substance Use, Diabetes, Hypertension, Lung Diseases, Status of Symptoms.
Barriers and Facilitators for Adoption of Online Teaching Learning Methods during Covid-19 Pandemic among Medical Faculties in a Medical College of West Bengal - Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Roy Manish , Chowdhury Bonapart , Mondal Riya
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND COVID- 19 pandemic hit the entire world and every institution was forced to close down. Medical education process comprises of theoretical classes, lab classes, practical classes as well as clinical classes. Medical institutes like other institutions were forced to start online teaching with fully knowing its limitation. Keeping in mind the recent new normal scenario, this study has been conducted in a medical college of West Bengal among medical faculties. We wanted to explore the barriers and facilitators for adoption of online teaching learning method among medical faculties in a medical college. METHODS This qualitative study was conducted among 24 medical educators of all disciplines of MBBS curriculum from 21st August, 2020, to 30th September, 2020. Data was collected by convenience sampling method. The subjects were interviewed with open ended questionnaire and data was analysed using Anthropac software. Free listing, pile sorting and thematic analysis was done. RESULTS Almost equal proportion of male (58.3%) and female (41.7%) faculties participated in this study. Lack of direct interaction, poor infrastructure, systematic error, problem in adapting teaching learning process were the main barriers while minimal contamination of COVID-19, uninterrupted teaching learning process were the facilitators of this process. CONCLUSIONS The coronavirus pandemic has raised huge difficulties for advanced education located around the world. A specific test has been the dire and surprising demand for already up close and personal college courses to be instructed on the web. On the web; instructing and learning suggest a specific academic substance information, principally identified with planning and arranging for better learning encounters and establishing unmistakable learning conditions, with the assistance of advanced innovations. Decoding and understanding these positives and negatives will help education system in creating strategies for more efficient delivery of the lessons, ensuring an uninterrupted learning journey for the students. KEY WORDS Qualitative Study, Free Listing, Pile Sorting, Thematic Analysis