bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 among Undocumented Immigrants and Racial Minorities in the US
Authors: Hasan Bhuiyan Mohammad Tawhidul , Mahmud Khan Irtesam , Rahman Jony Sheikh Saifur , Robinson Renee , Nguyen Uyen-Sa D. T. , Keellings David , Rahman M. Sohel , Haque Ubydul
Published: December 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has had an unprecedented effect, especially among under-resourced minority communities. Surveillance of those at high risk is critical for preventing and controlling the pandemic. We must better understand the relationships between COVID-19-related cases or deaths and characteristics in our most vulnerable population that put them at risk to target COVID-19 prevention and management efforts. Population characteristics strongly related to United States (US) county-level data on COVID-19 cases and deaths during all stages of the pandemic were identified from the onset of the epidemic and included county-level socio-demographic and comorbidities data, as well as daily meteorological modeled observation data from the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR), and the NARR high spatial resolution model to assess the environment. Advanced machine learning (ML) approaches were used to identify outbreaks (geographic clusters of COVID-19) and included spatiotemporal risk factors and COVID-19 vaccination efforts, especially among vulnerable and underserved communities. COVID-19 outcomes were found to be negatively associated with the number of people vaccinated and positively associated with age, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and the minority population. There was also a strong positive correlation between unauthorized immigrants and the prevalence of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Meteorological variables were also investigated, but correlations with COVID-19 were relatively weak. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact across the US population among vulnerable and minority communities. Findings also emphasize the importance of vaccinations and tailored public health initiatives (e.g., mask mandates, vaccination) to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the number of COVID-19 related deaths across all populations.
A Machine Learning Approach to Analyze Home Advantage during COVID-19 Pandemic Period with Regards to Margin of Victory and to Different Tournaments in Professional Rugby Union Competitions
Authors: Ungureanu Alexandru Nicolae , Lupo Corrado , Brustio Paolo Riccardo
Published: December 2021

Home advantage (HA) is the tendency for sporting teams to perform better at their home ground than away from home, it is also influenced by the crowd support, and its existence has been well established in a wide range of team sports including rugby union. Among all the HA determinants, the positive contribute of the crowd support on the game outcome can be analyzed in the unique pandemic situation of COVID-19. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the HA of professional high-level rugby club competition from a complex dynamical system perspective before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. HA was analyzed in northern and southern hemisphere rugby tournaments with (2013–2019) and without (2020/21) crowd support by the means of the exhaustive chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) decision trees (DT). HA was mitigated by the crowd absence especially in closed games, although differences between tournaments emerged. Both for northern and southern hemisphere, the effect of playing without the crowd support had a negative impact on the home team advantage. These findings evidenced that in ghost games, where differences in the final score were less than a converted try (7 points), HA has disappeared.
Bad to All? A Novel Way to Analyze the Effects of Fee-for-Service on Multiple Grades Hospitals Operation Outcomes
Authors: Wang Yiting , Hou Wenhui , Wang Xiaokang , Zhang Hongyu , Wang Jianqiang
Published: December 2021

It is a consensus that Fee-for-Service (FFS) is a traditional medical insurance payment scheme with significant disadvantages, namely the waste of health care resources. However, the majority of the prior works that draw such conclusions from the perspective of social welfare while analyzing the impacts of FFS on operation outcomes of hospitals still lack attention from the existing literature, considering the fact that the majority of public hospitals are self-founding. Under this motivation, we collected operation data of 301 public hospitals with different grades (grade II and III) in central China. Here, we present a novel statistical evaluation framework on the impact of FFS on hospital operation outcomes from four dimensions (financial income, efficiency, medical service capacity, and sustainability) using fixed-effects multivariate regression. With verification by the robustness test, our results indicate that: (i) The classification of the hospital (COH) significantly affected the impacts of FFS on hospitals’ operations. (ii) For grade III hospitals, FFS leads to higher financial income, medical service capacity (MSC) and longer length-of-stay (LOS). (iii) However, as for grade II hospitals, hospitals with FFS adoptions achieve lower financial income, lower MSC and shorter LOS, which violates the common sense from previous works. (iv) FFS has a significant negative impact on public hospital’s sustainable development; however, there is lack of evidence showing that sustainability would be affected by the interaction effects between FFS and COH. We believe these new findings from the perspective of hospital operation provide insights and could serve as a reference for the healthcare payment hierarchical reform by COH in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), which are going through the primary stage of the healthcare reform.
Group Medical Care: A Systematic Review of Health Service Performance
Authors: Cunningham Shayna D. , Sutherland Ryan A. , Yee Chloe W. , Thomas Jordan L. , Monin Joan K. , Ickovics Jeannette R. , Lewis Jessica B.
Published: December 2021

Group care models, in which patients with similar health conditions receive medical services in a shared appointment, have increasingly been adopted in a variety of health care settings. Applying the Triple Aim framework, we examined the potential of group medical care to optimize health system performance through improved patient experience, better health outcomes, and the reduced cost of health care. A systematic review of English language articles was conducted using the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL), MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Studies based on data from randomized control trials (RCTs) conducted in the US and analyzed using an intent-to-treat approach to test the effect of group visits versus standard individual care on at least one Triple Aim domain were included. Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies focused on pregnancy (n = 9), diabetes (n = 15), and other chronic health conditions (n = 7). Compared with individual care, group visits have the potential to improve patient experience, health outcomes, and costs for a diversity of health conditions. Although findings varied between studies, no adverse effects were associated with group health care delivery in these randomized controlled trials. Group care models may contribute to quality improvements, better health outcomes, and lower costs for select health conditions.
Sports Bra Preferences by Age and Impact of Breast Size on Physical Activity among American Females
Authors: Rizzone Katherine H. , Edison Bianca , Coleman Nailah , Carter Cordelia , Ichesco Ingrid , Cassidy Paige , Chung Jane , Jones Courtney Marie Cora
Published: December 2021

For many females, sports bras are an essential piece of equipment for participation in sports and physical activity. Breast pain or discomfort from lack of support may be a contributing factor to the noted gender disparity in physical activity of females compared to males. Our objective was to evaluate sports bra usage and characterize sports bra preferences of an active female cohort. This multicenter cross-sectional survey study was conducted at five geographically distinct academic centers. Our measure was administered during outpatient sports medicine clinic visits to females aged 11–64 years old. Chi-square tests were used to compare characteristics across subgroups. Our analysis consisted of 438 respondents, with a mean age of 22 ± 12.2 years. More than a quarter (27.4%) reported lack of breast support prevented them from being active or exercising. Age (p = 0.03), breast size (p < 0.0001), and household income (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with greater frequency of physical activity being limited by lack of breast support. Lack of breast support may be an important barrier for young females of specific populations to meeting physical activity recommendations. Further research is needed to improve the understanding of this important piece of sporting equipment for women.
Spatial Data Sequence Selection Based on a User-Defined Condition Using GPGPU
Authors: En-Nejjary Driss , Pinet François , Kang Myoung-Ah
Published: December 2021

The size of spatial data is growing intensively due to the emergence of and the tremendous advances in technology such as sensors and the internet of things. Supporting high-performance queries on this large volume of data becomes essential in several data- and compute-intensive applications. Unfortunately, most of the existing methods and approaches are based on a traditional computing framework (uniprocessors) which makes them not scalable and not adequate to deal with large-scale data. In this work, we present a high-performance query for massive spatio–temporal data. The query consists of selecting fixed size raster subsequences, based on the average of their region of interest, from a spatio–temporal raster sequence satisfying a user threshold condition. In our paper, for the purpose of simplification, we consider that the region of interest is the entire raster and not only a subregion. Our aim is to speed up the execution using parallel primitives and pure CUDA. Furthermore, we propose a new method based on a sorting step to save computations and boost the speed of the query execution. The test results show that the proposed methods are faster and good performance is achieved even with large-scale rasters and data.
PSOTSC: A Global-Oriented Trajectory Segmentation and Compression Algorithm Based on Swarm Intelligence
Authors: Ouyang Zhihong , Xue Lei , Ding Feng , Li Da
Published: December 2021

Linear approximate segmentation and data compression of moving target spatio-temporal trajectory can reduce data storage pressure and improve the efficiency of target motion pattern mining. High quality segmentation and compression need to accurately select and store as few points as possible that can reflect the characteristics of the original trajectory, while the existing methods still have room for improvement in segmentation accuracy, reduction of compression rate and simplification of algorithm parameter setting. A trajectory segmentation and compression algorithm based on particle swarm optimization is proposed. First, the trajectory segmentation problem is transformed into a global intelligent optimization problem of segmented feature points, which makes the selection of segmented points more accurate; then, a particle update strategy combining neighborhood adjustment and random jump is established to improve the efficiency of segmentation and compression. Through experiments on a real data set and a maneuvering target simulation trajectory set, the results show that compared with the existing typical methods, this method has advantages in segmentation accuracy and compression rate.
Chimeric Investigations into the Diamide Binding Site on the Lepidopteran Ryanodine Receptor
Authors: Richardson Ewan , Troczka Bartek J. , Gutbrod Oliver , Ebbinghaus-Kintscher Ulrich , Williamson Martin S. , George Christopher H. , Nauen Ralf , Davies Thomas G. Emyr
Published: December 2021

Alterations to amino acid residues G4946 and I4790, associated with resistance to diamide insecticides, suggests a location of diamide interaction within the pVSD voltage sensor-like domain of the insect ryanodine receptor (RyR). To further delineate the interaction site(s), targeted alterations were made within the same pVSD region on the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) RyR channel. The editing of five amino acid positions to match those found in the diamide insensitive skeletal RyR1 of humans (hRyR1) in order to generate a human–Plutella chimeric construct showed that these alterations strongly reduce diamide efficacy when introduced in combination but cause only minor reductions when introduced individually. It is concluded that the sites of diamide interaction on insect RyRs lie proximal to the voltage sensor-like domain of the RyR and that the main site of interaction is at residues K4700, Y4701, I4790 and S4919 in the S1 to S4 transmembrane domains.
Natural Products Targeting Cancer Stem Cells for Augmenting Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Meerson Ari , Khatib Soliman , Mahajna Jamal
Published: December 2021

Cancer stem cells (CSC) have been identified in several types of solid tumors. In some cases, CSC may be the source of all the tumor cells, the cause of the tumor’s resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, and the source of metastatic cells. Thus, a combination therapy targeting non-CSC tumor cells as well as specifically targeting CSCs holds the potential to be highly effective. Natural products (NPs) have been a historically rich source of biologically active compounds and are known for their ability to influence multiple signaling pathways simultaneously with negligible side effects. In this review, we discuss the potential of NPs in targeting multiple signaling pathways in CSC and their potential to augment the efficacy of standard cancer therapy. Specifically, we focus on the anti-CSC activities of flavonoids, FDA-approved drugs originating from natural sources. Additionally, we emphasize the potential of NPs in targeting microRNA-mediated signaling, given the roles of microRNA in the maintenance of the CSC phenotype.
Therapeutic Acellular Scaffolds for Limiting Left Ventricular Remodelling-Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Perveen Sadia , Rossin Daniela , Vitale Emanuela , Rosso Rachele , Vanni Roberto , Cristallini Caterina , Rastaldo Raffaella , Giachino Claudia
Published: December 2021

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of heart-related deaths worldwide. Following MI, the hypoxic microenvironment triggers apoptosis, disrupts the extracellular matrix and forms a non-functional scar that leads towards adverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling. If left untreated this eventually leads to heart failure. Besides extensive advancement in medical therapy, complete functional recovery is never accomplished, as the heart possesses limited regenerative ability. In recent decades, the focus has shifted towards tissue engineering and regenerative strategies that provide an attractive option to improve cardiac regeneration, limit adverse LV remodelling and restore function in an infarcted heart. Acellular scaffolds possess attractive features that have made them a promising therapeutic candidate. Their application in infarcted areas has been shown to improve LV remodelling and enhance functional recovery in post-MI hearts. This review will summarise the updates on acellular scaffolds developed and tested in pre-clinical and clinical scenarios in the past five years with a focus on their ability to overcome damage caused by MI. It will also describe how acellular scaffolds alone or in combination with biomolecules have been employed for MI treatment. A better understanding of acellular scaffolds potentialities may guide the development of customised and optimised therapeutic strategies for MI treatment.
The Expression Pattern of Genes Related to Melanogenesis and Endogenous Opioids in Psoriasis
Authors: Loite Ulvi , Raam Liisi , Reimann Ene , Reemann Paula , Prans Ele , Traks Tanel , Vasar Eero , Silm Helgi , Kingo Külli , Kõks Sulev
Published: December 2021

The melanocortin system is a major regulator of stress responses in the skin and is responsible for the induction of melanin synthesis through activation of melanogenesis enzymes. The expression of both melanocortin system genes and melanogenesis enzyme genes is altered in psoriasis, and the focus here was on twelve genes related to the signal transduction between them. Additionally, five endogenous opioid system genes that are involved in cutaneous inflammation were examined. Quantitative real-time-PCR was utilized to measure mRNA expression in punch biopsies from lesional and non-lesional skin of psoriasis patients and from the skin of healthy control subjects. Most of the genes related to melanogenesis were down-regulated in patients (CREB1, MITF, LEF1, USF1, MAPK14, ICAM1, PIK3CB, RPS6KB1, KIT, and ATRN). Conversely, an up-regulation occurred in the case of opioids (PENK, PDYN, and PNOC). The suppression of genes related to melanogenesis is in agreement with the reported reduction in pigmentation signaling in psoriatic skin and potentially results from the pro-inflammatory environment. The increase in endogenous opioids can be associated with their involvement in inflammatory dysregulation in psoriasis.
A Cysteine-Rich Protein, SpDIR1L, Implicated in S-RNase-Independent Pollen Rejection in the Tomato (Solanum Section Lycopersicon) Clade
Authors: Muñoz-Sanz Juan Vicente , Tovar-Méndez Alejandro , Lu Lu , Dai Ru , McClure Bruce
Published: December 2021

Tomato clade species (Solanum sect. Lycopersicon) display multiple interspecific reproductive barriers (IRBs). Some IRBs conform to the SI x SC rule, which describes unilateral incompatibility (UI) where pollen from SC species is rejected on SI species’ pistils, but reciprocal pollinations are successful. However, SC x SC UI also exists, offering opportunities to identify factors that contribute to S-RNase-independent IRBs. For instance, SC Solanum pennellii LA0716 pistils only permit SC Solanum lycopersicum pollen tubes to penetrate to the top third of the pistil, while S. pennellii pollen penetrates to S. lycopersicum ovaries. We identified candidate S. pennellii LA0716 pistil barrier genes based on expression profiles and published results. CRISPR/Cas9 mutants were created in eight candidate genes, and mutants were assessed for changes in S. lycopersicum pollen tube growth. Mutants in a gene designated Defective in Induced Resistance 1-like (SpDIR1L), which encodes a small cysteine-rich protein, permitted S. lycopersicum pollen tubes to grow to the bottom third of the style. We show that SpDIR1L protein accumulation correlates with IRB strength and that species with weak or no IRBs toward S. lycopersicum pollen share a 150 bp deletion in the upstream region of SpDIR1L. These results suggest that SpDIR1L contributes to an S-RNase-independent IRB.
Augmentative Pharmacological Strategies in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Caldiroli Alice , Capuzzi Enrico , Tagliabue Ilaria , Capellazzi Martina , Marcatili Matteo , Mucci Francesco , Colmegna Fabrizia , Clerici Massimo , Buoli Massimiliano , Dakanalis Antonios
Published: December 2021

Treatment resistant depression (TRD) is associated with poor outcomes, but a consensus is lacking in the literature regarding which compound represents the best pharmacological augmentation strategy to antidepressants (AD). In the present review, we identify the available literature regarding the pharmacological augmentation to AD in TRD. Research in the main psychiatric databases was performed (PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, PsychInfo). Only original articles in English with the main topic being pharmacological augmentation in TRD and presenting a precise definition of TRD were included. Aripiprazole and lithium were the most investigated molecules, and aripiprazole presented the strongest evidence of efficacy. Moreover, olanzapine, quetiapine, cariprazine, risperidone, and ziprasidone showed positive results but to a lesser extent. Brexpiprazole and intranasal esketamine need further study in real-world practice. Intravenous ketamine presented an evincible AD effect in the short-term. The efficacy of adjunctive ADs, antiepileptic drugs, psychostimulants, pramipexole, ropinirole, acetyl-salicylic acid, metyrapone, reserpine, testosterone, T3/T4, naltrexone, SAMe, and zinc cannot be precisely estimated in light of the limited available data. Studies on lamotrigine and pindolol reported negative results. According to our results, aripiprazole and lithium may be considered by clinicians as potential effective augmentative strategies in TRD, although the data regarding lithium are somewhat controversial. Reliable conclusions about the other molecules cannot be drawn. Further controlled comparative studies, standardized in terms of design, doses, and duration of the augmentative treatments, are needed to formulate definitive conclusions.
Associations of Antioxidant Enzymes with the Concentration of Fatty Acids in the Blood of Men with Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis
Authors: Shramko Viktoriya S. , Striukova Eugeniia V. , Polonskaya Yana V. , Stakhneva Ekaterina M. , Volkova Marina V. , Kurguzov Alexey V. , Kashtanova Elena V. , Ragino Yuliya I.
Published: December 2021

Objective: To identify associations of fatty acids (FAs) with the antioxidant enzymes in the blood of men with coronary atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods: The study included 80 patients: control group—20 men without IHD, the core group—60 men with IHD. The core group was divided into subgroups: subgroup A—with the presence of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, subgroup B—with the absence of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. We analyzed the levels of FAs, free radicals, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the blood. Results. Patients with IHD, compared with the control group: (1) had higher levels of SOD, CAT, myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, and octadecenoic FAs; (2) had lower levels of GPx, α-linolenic, docosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, and arachidonic FAs. In subgroup A there were found: (1) negative associations of SOD—with linoleic, eicosatrienoic, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic FAs, positive associations—with palmitic acid; (2) positive correlations of CAT level with palmitoleic and stearic acids; (3) negative associations between of GPx and palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic and octadecenoic FAs. Conclusions: Changes in the levels of antioxidant enzymes, and a disbalance of the FAs profile, probably indicate active oxidative processes in the body and may indicate the presence of atherosclerotic changes in the vessels.
Sustainable Restoration of Degraded Farm Land by the Sheet-Pipe System
Authors: Tamura Koremasa , Matsuda Hiroshi , Setiawan Budi Indra , Saptomo Satyanto Krido
Published: December 2021

For the sustainable restoration of wet farm land degraded by the climate change-induced rise of ground water level (GWL) and soil salinity etc., the sheet pipe system is one of the most useful technologies which reduces cultivation obstacles due to the poor drainage by controlling the rapid drainage function and enabling farmers to produce profitable crops. This system is characterized mainly as a perforated polyethylene rolled-band sheet 180 mm in width and 1 mm thick which is drawn into the subsurface layer while transforming a drainage pipe with φ = 50 mm. The major advantage of this system is that since the sheet pipe is installed without trenching, the disturbance of land is minimized and the construction period can be shortened to about 1/4 (which reduces the cost approximately by 50%). In this study, by using the sheet pipe installed miniature-type model soil box, the drainage capacity of the sheet pipe was confirmed as being the same as the pipe-shaped standard drainage pipes. Based on the observations of the saturated–unsaturated flow and the maximum lowering rate of GWL was predicted. Finally, at the farm land wherein the free board of the adjoining canal was limited, the effectiveness of the sheet-pipe system was confirmed.
Corrosion Resistance of Electrochemically Synthesized Modified Zaccagnaite LDH-Type Films on Steel Substrates
Authors: Kahl Michael , Golden Teresa D.
Published: December 2021

Modified zaccagnaite layered double hydroxide (LDH) type films were synthesized on steel substrates by pulsed electrochemical deposition from aqueous solutions. The resulting films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/X-ray dispersive spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Structural characterization indicated a pure layered double hydroxide phase; however, elemental analysis revealed that the surface of the films contained Zn:Al ratios outside the typical ranges of layered double hydroxides. Layer thickness for the deposited films ranged from approximately 0.4 to 3.0 μm. The corrosion resistance of the film was determined using potentiodynamic polarization experiments in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The corrosion current density for the coatings was reduced by 82% and the corrosion potential was shifted 126 mV more positive when 5 layers of modified LDH coatings were deposited onto the steel substrates. A mechanism was proposed for the corroding reactions at the coating.
Convergence Criteria of Three Step Schemes for Solving Equations
Authors: Regmi Samundra , Argyros Christopher I. , Argyros Ioannis K. , George Santhosh
Published: December 2021

We develop a unified convergence analysis of three-step iterative schemes for solving nonlinear Banach space valued equations. The local convergence order has been shown before to be five on the finite dimensional Euclidean space assuming Taylor expansions and the existence of the sixth derivative not on these schemes. So, the usage of them is restricted six or higher differentiable mappings. But in our paper only the first Frèchet derivative is utilized to show convergence. Consequently, the scheme is expanded. Numerical applications are also given to test convergence.
An Extended log-Lindley-G Family: Properties and Experiments in Repairable Data
Authors: Abd El-Bar Ahmed , da Silva Willams , Nascimento Abraão
Published: December 2021

In this article, two new families of distributions are proposed: the generalized log-Lindley-G (GLL-G) and its counterpart, the GLL*-G. These families can be justified by their relation to the log-Lindley model, an important assumption for describing social and economic phenomena. Specific GLL models are introduced and studied. We show that the GLL density is rewritten as a two-member linear combination of the exponentiated G-densities and that, consequently, many of its mathematical properties arise directly, such as moment-based expressions. A maximum likelihood estimation procedure for the GLL parameters is provided and the behavior of the resulting estimates is evaluated by Monte Carlo experiments. An application to repairable data is made. The results argue for the use of the exponential law as the basis for the GLL-G family.
The Generalized DUS Transformed Log-Normal Distribution and Its Applications to Cancer and Heart Transplant Datasets
Authors: Irshad Muhammed Rasheed , Chesneau Christophe , Nitin Soman Latha , Shibu Damodaran Santhamani , Maya Radhakumari
Published: December 2021

Many studies have underlined the importance of the log-normal distribution in the modeling of phenomena occurring in biology. With this in mind, in this article we offer a new and motivated transformed version of the log-normal distribution, primarily for use with biological data. The hazard rate function, quantile function, and several other significant aspects of the new distribution are investigated. In particular, we show that the hazard rate function has increasing, decreasing, bathtub, and upside-down bathtub shapes. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian techniques are both used to estimate unknown parameters. Based on the proposed distribution, we also present a parametric regression model and a Bayesian regression approach. As an assessment of the longstanding performance, simulation studies based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian techniques of estimation procedures are also conducted. Two real datasets are used to demonstrate the applicability of the new distribution. The efficiency of the third parameter in the new model is tested by utilizing the likelihood ratio test. Furthermore, the parametric bootstrap approach is used to determine the effectiveness of the suggested model for the datasets.
Parasite-Induced Th2 Polarization—An Unusual Cause of Paediatric Hepatic Abscess
Authors: Ieşanu Mara-Ioana , Cliveti Ramona , Anghel Mălina , Stoicescu Mihai-Mirel , Boboc Cătălin , Ioan Andreea , Galoş Felicia
Published: December 2021

Liver abscess (LA) is a serious infectious disease, but is relatively rare in the paediatric population, especially in developed countries. Mostly, hepatic abscesses are pyogenic, caused by Staphylococcus aureus, while in extremely rare cases can be caused by parasites, such as Ascaris lumbricoides. Antimicrobial therapy and percutaneous drainage are the treatments of choice, lowering the mortality caused by this infection. We report a case of a 3-year-old girl admitted to the hospital for abdominal pain and a low-grade fever, with abdominal ultrasonography revealing a hepatic lesion. Initial laboratory tests showed moderate anaemia, thrombocytosis, eosinophilia, high inflammatory markers, and normal liver function. A computed tomography scan revealed two liver abscesses located subdiaphragmatically, and a high immunoglobulin E (IgE) value (22,300 U/mL). After excluding other possible etiologies, the patient was tested for parasitic infections. IgE for Ascaris lumbricoides came slightly higher. In addition to empirical antibiotic treatment, the patient received albendazole and made an uneventful recovery, with the full remission of the abscesses and without the need for drainage. In certain cases, parasites such as Ascaris lumbricoides are capable of inducing a T helper 2 (Th2) dominated immune response, predisposing the host to eosinophilia, hyperIgE, and increased susceptibility to bacterial infections. Early diagnosis and treatment in these cases may lead to less invasive therapy options in order to obtain a full recovery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only reported case in the literature of a paediatric patient with parasite-induced liver abscesses, with extremely high IgE values, minimal symptomatology, that made a fast, full recovery without the need of drainage.
The Absence of Abdominal Pigmentation in Livestock Associated Culicoides following Artificial Blood Feeding and the Epidemiological Implication for Arbovirus Surveillance
Authors: Goffredo Maria , Quaglia Michela , De Ascentis Matteo , d’Alessio Silvio Gerardo , Federici Valentina , Conte Annamaria , Venter Gert Johannes
Published: December 2021

Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), the vectors of economically important arboviruses such as bluetongue virus and African horse sickness virus, are of global importance. In the absence of transovarial transmission, the parity rate of a Culicoides population provides imperative information regarding the risk of virus dispersal. Abdominal pigmentation, which develops after blood feeding and ovipositioning, is used as an indicator of parity in Culicoides. During oral susceptibility trials over the last three decades, a persistent proportion of blood engorged females did not develop pigment after incubation. The present study, combining a number of feeding trials and different artificial feeding methods, reports on this phenomenon, as observed in various South African and Italian Culicoides species and populations. The absence of pigmentation in artificial blood-fed females was found in at least 23 Culicoides species, including important vectors such as C. imicola, C. bolitinos, C. obsoletus, and C. scoticus. Viruses were repeatedly detected in these unpigmented females after incubation. Blood meal size seems to play a role and this phenomenon could be present in the field and requires consideration, especially regarding the detection of virus in apparent “nulliparous” females and the identification of overwintering mechanisms and seasonally free vector zones.
A Hybrid Model to Predict Formulation Dependent Granule Growth in a Bi-Component Wet Granulation Process
Authors: Muthancheri Indu , Ramachandran Rohit
Published: December 2021

In this study, a hybrid modeling framework was developed for predicting size distribution and content uniformity of granules in a bi-component wet granulation system with components of differing hydrophobicities. Two bi-component formulations, (1) ibuprofen-USP and micro-crystalline cellulose and (2) micronized acetaminophen and micro-crystalline cellulose, were used in this study. First, a random forest method was used for predicting the probability of nucleation mechanism (immersion and solid spread), depending upon the formulation hydrophobicity. The predicted nucleation mechanism probability is used to determine the aggregation rate as well as the initial particle distribution in the population balance model. The aggregation process was modeled as Type-I: Sticking aggregation and Type-II: Deformation driven aggregation. In Type-I, the capillary force dominant aggregation mechanism is represented by the particles sticking together without deformation. In the case of Type-II, the particle deformation causes an increase in the contact area, representing a viscous force dominant aggregation mechanism. The choice between Type-I and II aggregation is determined based on the difference in nucleation mechanism that is predicted using the random forest method. The model was optimized and validated using the granule content uniformity data and size distribution data obtained from the experimental studies. The proposed framework predicted content non-uniform behavior for formulations that favored immersion nucleation and uniform behavior for formulations that favored solid-spreading nucleation.
About the nature of the supra-personal reality of spiritual culture
Authors: Meshkov V. , Lugovskiy O.
Published: December 2021

The article shows that the suprapersonal reality of spiritual culture is an autonomous complex, purposeful reflection, a self-contained cultural process, which in the process of its development over two and a half thousand years has acquired the most developed structure and form. Hegel and Hartmann sufficiently revealed its peculiar nature, complex structure, and cultural-historical significance. Their conceptual constructions can serve as a methodological basis for general cultural studies.The thematic culturological approach allows us to analize the genesis of world culture and individual cultures of different peoples. Thematic analysis of the written sources (up to the 6th century B.C.) convincingly shows the naturalistic-power character of the mental spaces of all cultures. This means that in one culture by the sixth century B.C. we can not find any representations of reason and goodness as purely spiritual, independent realities. The thematic approach allows us to investigate the revolutionary transformation of the Axial Age, when a revolutionary transition from the naturalistic-force to the mentally charitable and mental space of culture is carried out. The purpose and objectives of the article. The aim of the article is to show the features of suprapersonal reality and the productive significance of thematic culturological analysis. Research methodology. The research was based on the methodology of thematic culturological analysis, which allows to study cultural processes in individual cultures and cultural regions.Leading methodological settings were the principles of objectivity, systemicity, integrity, unity of historical and logical, interconnection, convergence from the abstract to the concrete. Conclusions. Thus, the suprapersonal reality is a complex, autonomous, purposeful, reflection, a self-contained cultural process, which as it developed over two and a half thousand years acquired the most developed structure and content. The thematic approach allows to successfully study the genesis of both world culture and individual cultures of peoples
How do people with knee osteoarthritis perceive and manage flares? A qualitative study
Authors: Parry Emma , Dikomitis Lisa , Peat George , Chew-Graham Carolyn A
Published: December 2021

Background

Acute flares in people with osteoarthritis (OA) are poorly understood. There is uncertainty around the nature of flares, their impact, and how these are managed.

Aim

To explore understandings and experiences of flares in people with knee OA, and to describe self-management and help-seeking strategies.

Design & setting

Qualitative interview study of people with knee OA in England.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 15 people with knee OA. Thematic analysis was applied using constant comparison methods.

Results

The following four main themes were identified: experiencing pain; consequences of acute pain; predicting and avoiding acute pain; and response to acute pain. People with OA described minor episodes that were frequent, fleeting, occurred during everyday activity, had minimal impact, and were generally predictable. This contrasted with severe episodes that were infrequent, had greater impact, and were less likely to be predictable. The latter generally led to feelings of low confidence, vulnerability, and of being a burden. The term ‘flare’ was often used to describe the severe events but this was applied inconsistently and some would describe a flare as any increase in pain. Participants used numerous self-management strategies but tended to seek help when these had been exhausted, their symptoms led to emotional distress, disturbed sleep, or pain experience worse than usual. Previous experiences shaped whether people sought help and who they sought help from.

Conclusion

Severe episodes of pain are likely to be synonymous with flares. Developing a common language about flares will allow a shared understanding of these events, early identification, and appropriate management.
Digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and primary care costs in England: an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Sampson Chris , Bell Eleanor , Cole Amanda , Miller Christopher B , Marriott Tracey , Williams Matt , Rose James
Published: December 2021

Background

Sleepio is an automated digital program that delivers digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I). Sleepio has been proven effective in improving sleep difficulties; however, evidence for the possible impact of Sleepio use on healthcare costs in the UK has not, to the authors’ knowledge, previously been developed.

Aim

To identify the effect of a population-wide rollout of Sleepio in terms of primary care costs in the NHS in England.

Design & setting

The study was conducted in the Thames Valley region of England, where access to Sleepio was made freely available to all residents between October 2018 and January 2020. The study relies on a quasi-experimental design, using an interrupted time series (ITS) to compare the trend in primary care costs before and after the rollout of Sleepio.

Method

Primary care data for people with relevant characteristics from nine general practices in Buckinghamshire was used. Primary care costs include general practice contacts and prescriptions. Segmented regression analysis was used to estimate primary and secondary outcomes.

Results

For the 10 705 patients included in the sample, the total saving over the 65-week follow-up period was £71 027. This corresponds to £6.64 per person in the sample or around £70.44 per Sleepio user. Secondary analyses suggest that savings may be driven primarily by reductions in prescribing.

Conclusion

Sleepio rollout reduced primary care costs. National adoption of Sleepio may reduce primary care costs by £20 million in the first year. The expected impact on primary care costs in any particular setting will depend on the uptake of Sleepio.
Autopercepção de saúde e insônia em idosos institucionalizados
Authors: Garbin Tainara da Cas , Fagundes Roberta Pez , Zonta Talita , Carleti Débora , Dartora Ana Cláudia , Tietze Ana Paula , Jorge Matheus Santos Gomes , Wibelinger Lia Mara
Published: December 2021

Introdução: O processo de envelhecimento traz consigo mudanças que interferem nas condições de saúde do idoso, à vista disso, se faz importante investigar questões relevantes que possam contribuir na melhora da qualidade de vida dos mesmos. Objetivo: Avaliar a autopercepção de saúde e insônia em idosos residentes em Instituições de Longa Permanência no município de Passo Fundo. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal de base populacional. Foi realizado com 479 residentes que faziam parte de 13 Instituições de Longa Permanência para idosos na cidade de Passo Fundo/RS. Resultados: Houve predominância do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 77,61, viúvos e com baixa escolaridade. Quanto a qualidade do sono 56,4% se encaixaram nos critérios para insônia, e relaram possuir alguma doença associada, sendo a hipertensão arterial sistêmica a mais prevalente, seguida da diabetes mellitus e doença cardiovascular. Do total de idosos entrevistados, 60% avaliaram sua saúde como boa. Conclusão: Embora a maioria dos idosos ter referido sua saúde como boa, grande número deles se encaixou nos critérios para insônia e relatou ser portador de alguma doença crônica, o que reforça a ideia de que a percepção de ser doente está mais relacionada às incapacidades do que ter qualidade do sono ruim e ser portador de danos crônicos.
WHISTLEBLOWING PADA INDUSTRI PERBANKAN DI INDONESIA
Authors: Laming Ripa Fajarina , Amri Nur Fadhila
Published: December 2021

This study aims to analyze the effect of whistleblowing hotline on internal fraud in the banking industry in Indonesia and to further examine whether the whistleblowing hotline can limit fraud. Observations were made over a period of 10 years. The sample in this study was 270 banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) which were determined through purposive sampling technique. The research data uses the company's annual report for the 2010-2019 period obtained from the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and Good Corporate Governance data obtained from the company's official website. The analytical method used is linear regression using SPSS software. The results showed that the whistleblowing hotline had a significant negative effect on internal fraud. However, in order for the whistleblowing hotline to run effectively, adequate resources are needed in managing the hotline and definite legal protection for whistleblowers.
An Integrated Approach to Assessment as a Co-ordinating Framework
Authors: Brown Gavin T. L.
Published: December 2021

This is an invited chapter in review. It will appear as a chapter in the forthcoming . Research Handbook on Innovations in Assessment and Feedback in Higher Education from Elgar Publishing and edited by Carol Evans and Mike Waring. All assessments are events within a process that has the goal of making decisions about instruction, learning, curriculum, students, institutions, and consequences. Three underlying disciplines (i.e., psychometrics, psychology, and sociology) inform the evaluation of assessments. Error is ubiquitous in the selection of tasks that constitute an assessment, the administration, marking, reporting, and decisions contain a non-ignorable component of error that has to be mitigated. Psychological ego factors in the marker and the assessee can be maladaptive in generating responses to assessment demands; awareness of this validity threat is needed to support participants into adaptive effort. Environments, from cultural norms to government policies, create contexts that can contribute greater error and psychological ego into the system, especially when high-stakes accountability pressures, as opposed to low-consequence formative support, are implemented. I conclude with suggestions of how integration of these underlying disciplines can improve the credibility and quality of higher education assessment.
Quatro apontamentos para uma sempre inconclusiva avaliação conjuntural à quente
Authors: Martins Carla Benitez , Machado Gustavo Seferian Scheffer
Published: December 2021

O artigo busca um diálogo fraterno e engrandecedor com o amigo e intelectual David Gomes, a partir de seu texto “Brasil, 2020: tentativa de diagnóstico”. Seu resultado final e publicação significa, a nós, a satisfação de perceber a sobrevivência de rincões de diálogos críticos no deserto pseudo-produtivista da academia brasileira. Em síntese, neste artigo abordamos compreensões gerais sobre a análise estrutural e conjuntural realizada pelo autor, detendo-nos em alguns de seus aspectos, quais sejam: i. análise e diálogo complementar acerca do diagnóstico de David Gomes quanto ao esvaziamento de uma teologia comunal para uma ulterior prevalência de uma teologia sacramental no Brasil, buscando compreender os sentidos das experiências recentes de religiosidade no país; ii. Leituras críticas quanto à sua percepção do erigir de um Estado de Bem-Estar Social durante os anos de gestão do executivo federal capitaneado pelo Partido dos Trabalhadores e os desdobramentos desta diferença de análise para pensar o significado da crise de segurança pública atual; iii. Debates teóricos e políticos quanto à caracterização dos movimentos sociais populares no Brasil e seus papeis sociais na contemporaneidade.
(in)aplicabilidade da qualificadora do feminicídio e da Lei Maria Da Penha às mulheres transexuais
Authors: Souza Edson Jordan Mendes de , Figueiredo Francielle da Conceição Drumond
Published: December 2021

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar, em linhas gerais, o reconhecimento jurídico da possibilidade da aplicabilidade da qualificadora de feminicídio e da Lei Maria da Penha a mulheres transexuais. A transexualidade se refere à condição do indivíduo cuja identidade de gênero difere daquela designada no nascimento, e que procura fazer a transição para o gênero oposto através de intervenção médica, podendo ocorrer, ou não, a cirurgia de redesignação sexual, ou, apenas a feminilização/masculinização, dependendo do gênero a ser transicionado, por intermédio da administração de hormônios. As metodologias utilizadas para desenvolver o presente trabalho são a bibliográfica e a analítico-dogmática. Com a metodologia bibliográfica tem-se uma análise da literatura jurídica especializada e dedicada ao tema do reconhecimento dos direitos das pessoas transexuais. A investigação analítico-dogmática tem por objetivo analisar a legislação aplicável e interpretá-la de modo a viabilizar o máximo reconhecimento de novos direitos.