bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-tier Multiple-choice Questionnaires to Detect the Students’ Misconceptions about Heat and Temperature
Authors: Métioui Abdeljalil , Trudel Louis
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to develop a two-tiers diagnostic test to assess the high school, junior high school, and elementary pre-service teachers about the heat and the temperature concepts in a general physics course. There are two tiers in this test: The first tier composed of six items consisting of multiple-choice questions related to the heat and the temperature, including the correct answer. The second tier of each item contains reasons for students choosing their answer to the first tier. The second tier included four or five responses, one of which is a correct conceptual understanding. The wrong answers, also called distractors, were based on students’ misconceptions. To this end, 128 pre-service teachers from Quebec in Canada completed a pencil-paper questionnaire of sixty minutes duration composing of six questions (four open-ended questions and two multiple choice questions with justifications). As illustrations, the following  conceptual understandings have been identified in our qualitative analysis of the data collected: 1. The change of state of the matter does not require a constant temperature; 2.  The temperature is a measure in degrees to indicate the level of heat of an object or person; 3. The mercury contained in a thermometer expands when it is heated so that the particles which constitute it expand; and 4. The sensation of cold (or warm) is related to the difference in temperature.
Effects of Cooling Rate on Quality Characteristics of Spring Kimchi
Cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp.
Pekinensis) During Cold Storage
Authors: Min Sung-gi , Jeon Jun-young , Han Eung Soo
Published: June 2021

In this study, we investigated the effects of cooling rate during storage on spring kimchi cabbage from an economic perspective. For long-term storage, kimchi cabbage (KC) should be maintained at a low temperature immediately after harvest; however, a sudden change in temperature during storage may lead to chilling injury in KC. The optimal cooling rate is important for the long-term storage of KC. To identify the optimal cooling rate, KC was cooled at different cooling rates (1°C, 2°C, 4°C, 6°C, 8°C, and 24 °C/day), and then stored at 1°C for 90 days. Thereafter, weight, trimming, total loss, pH, free sugar content, and total bacterial count changes were measured. Spring KC stored at the cooling rate of 6 °C/day presented a lower total loss and better sensory properties than KC stored at other cooling rates; thus, 6 °C/day is an appropriate cooling rate for long-term storage of KC.
A Study on the Salty Enhancing Effect in Culinary Application by Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Isolated Soy Protein
Authors: Kim Jin Seon , Shin Jung-Kue
Published: June 2021

In this study, to investigate the effect of enzymatically hydrolyzed isolated soy protein (eHISP) on improving saltiness, the difference in salty strength evaluation and overall acceptability were compared by controlling the amount of eHISP added to soybean paste soup and mungbean sprouts with the same amount of salt. After adjusting the NaCl content of soybean paste soup equally to 0.7%, the effect of increasing saltiness between the control and eHISP added samples were evaluated. The addition of 0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% showed 21%, 49%, 61%, and 70% salty taste increased, respectively. Overall acceptance was increased up to 0.5% addition, and gradually decreased as the amount of eHISP was increased. The concentration of NaCl in mungbean sprouts was adjusted to 0.7%, and when the amount of eHISP added was 0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%, the effect of enhancing saltiness was 3%, 10%, 20%, and 23%, respectively. The preference for mungbean sprouts was the highest at 1.0% added sample. As the amount of eHISP increased, the lightness values of soybean paste soup and mungbean sprouts decreased, and redness ad yellowness tended to increase.
Change in Quality of Pork Belly and Pork Shoulder with Low Temperature Hydrostatic Pressure and Ultrasound Treatment during Storage
Authors: Nam Jung-Hyun , Kim Chul-Beom , Ko Deok-Hoon , Chun Ji-Yeon
Published: June 2021

Meat aging methods consist of dry aging, wet aging, and water aging. Ultrasonic and high-pressure processing has been applied to enhance meat quality in the meat aging process. This study investigated the effects of pressure and ultrasonic processing on pork belly and shoulder. The vacuum-packed pork belly and shoulder were stored in a water chamber at 0.1 MPa or 1 MPa during aging and then ultrasonic treated with a strength of 40 kHz before quality characterization. The water holding capacity of the pressure treatment group was 94.23±1.87% for the belly and 93.93±0.86% for the shoulder, which was higher than other groups. The cooking loss was the lowest ultrasonic, pressure treatment group (26.73±1.08%) in the belly and pressure treatment group (28.06±1.85%) in the shoulder. The hardness showed the lowest ultrasonic and pressure treatment group in the belly (7.13±1.41 N) and shoulder (6.49±2.17 N). The L* and a* value of the belly were increased compared to the early days of storage. When pressure and ultrasound were treated on pork belly and shoulder, positive effects such as increased water holding capacity, reduced hardness and cooking loss, and improved color were observed.
Rapid detection of color-treated pearls and separation of pearl types
using fluorescence analysis
Authors: Tsai Tsung-Han , Zhou Chunhui
Published: June 2021

Pearl identification plays a key role to maintain transparency in the gem industry by disclosing potential color treatments and classifying pearl species. Current techniques for pearl identification have been limited by expensive instrumentations and long measurement time, severely restricting their use outside of major gemological laboratories. There is a strong demand for simple and inexpensive identification instruments designed for non-specialized users and small-scale gemological laboratories. For this purpose, we demonstrate a portable fluorescence spectroscopy for pearl treatment detection and species classification based on pearl’s nacre fluorescence detection. This device can be used to rapidly separate naturally colored pearls from treated colored pearls, detect potential treatments applied to white colored pearls, and separate pearls between certain species in seconds, based on their differences in nacre fluorescence intensity. The system enables noninvasive testing of loose pearls, pearl strands, and mounted pearl jewelry under normal office lighting conditions. The experimental prototype demonstrates high accuracy for automatic pearl color treatment screening, referring 100% of the treated colored pearls. Furthermore, similar protocols can be applied to evaluate popular pearl enhancements such as bleaching and to extend its application to separate akoya pearls and their South Sea counterparts.
Highly sensitive vector bending sensor based on an embedded multimode D-shaped LPFG
Authors: Jin Xiren , Xiang Zihang , Lu Chupeng , Zhang Shuo , Rui Zeju , Yi Yang , Xu Xian , Wang Jiabin , Sun Cuiting , Geng Tao , Guan Chunying , Yang Xinghua , Sun Weimin , Yuan Libo
Published: June 2021

In this letter, a highly sensitive bending sensor based on an embedded multimode D-shaped long period fiber grating (EMD-LPFG) is proposed. The novel sensor is applied to carry out vector bending measurement. The proposed LPFG is fabricated by polishing on the prepared structure which is formed by periodically splicing between single mode fiber (SMF) and multimode fiber (MMF). Since the cross section of the embedded MMF is D-shaped, we named it EMD-LPFG. Due to the asymmetric modulation of the refractive index on the fiber by the CO2 laser, the sensor has the ability to distinguish the bending directions, and the MMFs provide higher bending response. The experimental transmission spectrum can match the simulation results well. The experimental results show that the average bending sensitivities in three orthogonal directions are 70.21 nm/m−1 (0°), 9.75 nm/m−1 (90°), −12.04 nm/m−1 (180°) and 9.98 nm/m−1 (270°), respectively. Meanwhile, the temperature sensitivity is 30 pm/°C in the range of 25 °C to 75 °C. According to the ultra-compact structure with the total length of 2.5 mm, high bending sensitivity and ability to distinguish the bending direction, the novel sensor has potential in bending measurement.
Unidirectional large-scale waveguide grating with uniform radiation for optical phased array
Authors: Chen Baisong , Li Yingzhi , Zhang Lanxuan , Li Yuxuan , Liu Xiaobin , Tao Min , Hou Yu , Tang Hui , Zhi Zihao , Gao Fengli , Luo Xianshu , Lo Guoqiang , Song Junfeng
Published: June 2021

Two novel waveguide gratings for optical phased array transmitters are investigated. By offsetting the grating structures along the waveguide on the upper and lower surfaces of the silicon nitride (Si3N4) waveguide, the dual-level chain and dual-level fishbone structures can achieve 95% of unidirectional radiation with a single Si3N4 layer by design. With apodized perturbation along the gratings, both structures can achieve uniform radiation without compromising the unidirectional radiation performance. In experiment, both demonstrate ∼ 80-90% unidirectionality. With further analysis, it is found that the dual-level fishbone structure is more feasible and robust to process variations in uniform radiation.
Analysis and optimization of light outcoupling in OLEDs with external hierarchical textures
Authors: Kovačič Milan , Samigullina Dinara , Bouchard Felix , Krč Janez , Lipovšek Benjamin , Soldera Marcos , Lasagni Andrés Fabián , Reineke Sebastian , Topič Marko
Published: June 2021

Hierarchical textures (combining 2D periodic large and small micro textures) as an external outcoupling solution for OLEDs have been researched, both experimentally and by optical simulations. For the case of a red bottom emitting OLED, different hierarchical textures were fabricated using laser-based methods and a replication step and applied to the OLED substrate, resulting in an increased light outcoupling. Laboratory-size OLED devices with applied textured foils show a smaller increase in efficiency compared to the final large area devices. The results show that the full exploitation of textured foils in laboratory-size samples is mainly limited by the lateral size of the thin film stack area and by limited light collection area of the measuring equipment. Modeling and simulations are used to further evaluate the full prospective of hierarchical textures in large area OLED devices. Optimization of hierarchical textures is done by simultaneously changing the aspect ratios of the small and large textures and a potential of 57% improvement in EQE compared to devices without applied textures is predicted by simulations. Optimized hierarchical textures show similar outcoupling efficiencies compared to optimized single textures, while on the other hand hierarchical textures require less pronounced features, lower aspect ratios, compared to single textures to achieve the same efficiencies. Hierarchical textures also help in eliminating flat parts that limit outcoupling efficiency. Finally, the limiting factors that prevent higher outcoupling are addressed. We show that the dominant factor is non-ideal reflection from the organic thin film stack due to parasitic absorption. In addition, possible ways to further increase the outcoupling from a thick substrate are indicated.
Highly sensitive detecting system to precisely evaluate the emission spectra and quantum efficiency of organic crystal light-emitting transistors
Authors: Deng Jian , Wang Yan , Gu Cheng , Ma Yuguang
Published: June 2021

The lack of a reliable and sensitive measure system has strongly hindered the progress of organic single-crystal light-emitting transistors, since their emission spectra and absolute intensity were rather difficult to be measured as a consequence of small area and weak emission, as well as their edge emission feature. Hence, a tailor-made detecting system was set up by combining a semiconductor analyzer and a rotatable microscope coupling with a highly sensitive grating spectrometer. The detecting system solved the important issue of quantitatively characterizing the optoelectronic properties of organic transistors, especially those based on single crystals. With organic lamellar single crystals, we confirmed that the measurement system was reliable and had enough sensitivity to precisely evaluate the performance of light-emitting transistors corresponding to the emission spectra.
Nanosecond pulsed deep-red laser source by intracavity frequency-doubled crystalline Raman laser
Authors: Zhao Hui , Li Ke-Yin , Dai Shi-Bo , Tu Zhi-Hua , Yang Qi-Guo , Zhu Si-Qi , Yin Hao , Li Zhen , Chen Zhen-Qiang
Published: June 2021

We demonstrated a deep-red laser source by intracavity frequency-doubled crystalline Raman laser for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The actively

Q

-switched 1314 nm

N
d

:

L
i
Y
F

4

laser was first converted to the eye-safe Raman laser using a

K
G
d

(

W
O

4

)
2

(KGW) crystal, which was subsequently frequency-doubled in a bismuth borate crystal. Benefiting from the KGW bi-axial properties, the deep-red laser source was able to lase separately at two different spectral lines at 730 and 745 nm. Under an optimal repetition rate of 4 kHz, the maximum average powers of 1.7 and 2.0 W were attained with good beam quality of

M
2

≈

1.7

. The corresponding pulse durations were determined to be 3.0 and 2.8 ns with the peak powers up to approximately 140 and 180 kW, respectively.
The functional role of sequentially neuromodulated synaptic plasticity in behavioural learning
Authors: Ang Grace Wan Yu , Tang Clara S. , Hay Y. Audrey , Zannone Sara , Paulsen Ole , Clopath Claudia
Published: June 2021

To survive, animals have to quickly modify their behaviour when the reward changes. The internal representations responsible for this are updated through synaptic weight changes, mediated by certain neuromodulators conveying feedback from the environment. In previous experiments, we discovered a form of hippocampal Spike-Timing-Dependent-Plasticity (STDP) that is sequentially modulated by acetylcholine and dopamine. Acetylcholine facilitates synaptic depression, while dopamine retroactively converts the depression into potentiation. When these experimental findings were implemented as a learning rule in a computational model, our simulations showed that cholinergic-facilitated depression is important for reversal learning. In the present study, we tested the model’s prediction by optogenetically inactivating cholinergic neurons in mice during a hippocampus-dependent spatial learning task with changing rewards. We found that reversal learning, but not initial place learning, was impaired, verifying our computational prediction that acetylcholine-modulated plasticity promotes the unlearning of old reward locations. Further, differences in neuromodulator concentrations in the model captured mouse-by-mouse performance variability in the optogenetic experiments. Our line of work sheds light on how neuromodulators enable the learning of new contingencies.
The impact of COVID–19 lockdown on dengue transmission in Sri Lanka; A natural experiment for understanding the influence of human mobility
Authors: Liyanage Prasad , Rocklöv Joacim , Tissera Hasitha Aravinda
Published: June 2021

Background

Dengue is one of the major public health problems in Sri Lanka. Its outbreak pattern depends on a multitude of drivers, including human mobility. Here we evaluate the impact of COVID–19 related mobility restriction (lockdown) on the risk of dengue in Sri Lanka.

Methodology

Two-stage hierarchical models were fitted using an interrupted time-series design based on the notified dengue cases, January 2015 to July 2020. In the first stage model, the district level impact was estimated using quasi-Poisson regression models while accounting for temporal trends. Estimates were pooled at zonal and national levels in the second stage model using meta-analysis. The influence of the extended period of school closure on dengue in children in the western province was compared to adults.

Findings

Statistically significant and homogeneous reduction of dengue risk was observed at all levels during the lockdown. Overall an 88% reduction in risk (RR 0.12; 95% CI from 0.08 to 0.17) was observed at the national level. The highest impact was observed among children aged less than 19 years showing a 92% reduction (RR 0.8; 95% CI from 0.03 to 0.25). We observed higher impact in the dry zone having 91% reduction (RR 0.09; 95% CI from 0.05 to 0.15) compared to wet zone showing 83% reduction (RR 0.17; 95% CI from 0.09 to 0.30). There was no indication that the overall health-seeking behaviour for dengue had a substantial influence on these estimates.

Significance

This study offers a broad understanding of the change in risk of dengue during the COVID–19 pandemic and associated mobility restrictions in Sri Lanka. The analysis using the mobility restrictions as a natural experiment suggests mobility patterns to be a very important driver of dengue transmission.
Stenting versus balloon angioplasty alone in patients with below-the-knee disease: A propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Ahn Jihun , Byeon JinSu , Choi Byoung Geol , Choi Se Yeon , Byun Jae Kyeong , Cha Jinah , Yu HyeYon , Lee Cheolho , Na Jin Oh , Choi Cheol Ung , Kim Eung Ju , Park Chang Gyu , Seo Hong Seog , Choi Woong-gil , Rha Seung-Woon
Published: June 2021

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is considered an effective treatment in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). However, the long-term durability of below-the-knee (BTK) PTA is known to be limited. This study sought to compare the 1-year clinical outcomes following stenting versus balloon angioplasty alone in BTK lesions. This study included 357 consecutive patients (400 limbs, 697 lesions) with BTK lesions who underwent PTA from September 2010 to December 2016. All enrolled patients were treated either by stenting (stent group; 111 limbs of 102 patients) or plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA group; 289 limbs of 255 patients). Stent group includes both primary and provisional stenting. Angiographic outcomes, procedural success, complications, and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups up to 1 year. After propensity score matching (PSM) analysis, 56 pairs were generated, and the baseline and angiographic characteristics were balanced. The procedural success and complications were similar between the two groups; however, the incidence of procedure-related perforation was higher in the POBA group than in the stenting group [5(11.9%) vs.1 (0.9%), P = 0.009]. Six- to 9-month computed tomography or angiographic follow-up showed similar incidences of binary restenosis, primary patency, and secondary patency. In the 1-year clinical follow-up, there were similar incidences of individual hard endpoints, including mortality, myocardial infarction, limb salvage, and amputation rate, with the exception of target extremity revascularization (TER), which tended to be higher in the stenting group than in the POBA group [21 (20.8%) vs. 11 (10.9%), P = 0.054]. Although there was a trend toward a higher incidence of TER risk in the stenting group, stent implantation, particularly in bail-out stenting seemed to have acceptable 1-year safety and efficacy compared to POBA alone in patients undergoing BTK PTA.
Which public health interventions are effective in reducing morbidity, mortality and health inequalities from infectious diseases amongst children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): An umbrella review
Authors: Besnier Elodie , Thomson Katie , Stonkute Donata , Mohammad Talal , Akhter Nasima , Todd Adam , Rom Jensen Magnus , Kilvik Astrid , Bambra Clare
Published: June 2021

Despite significant progress in the last few decades, infectious diseases remain a major threat to child health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—particularly amongst more disadvantaged groups. It is imperative to understand the best available evidence concerning which public health interventions reduce morbidity, mortality and health inequalities in children aged under five years. To address this gap, we carried out an umbrella review (a systematic reviews of reviews) to identify evidence on the effects of public health interventions (promotion, protection, prevention) on morbidity, mortality and/or health inequalities due to infectious diseases amongst children in LMICs. Ten databases were searched for records published between 2014–2021 alongside a manual search of gray literature. Articles were quality-assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews tool (AMSTAR 2). A narrative synthesis was conducted. We identified 60 systematic reviews synthesizing 453 individual primary studies. A majority of the reviews reported on preventive interventions (n = 48), with a minority on promotion (n = 17) and almost no reviews covering health protection interventions (n = 2). Effective interventions for improving child health across the whole population, as well as the most disadvantaged included communication, education and social mobilization for specific preventive services or tools, such as immunization or bed nets. For all other interventions, the effects were either unclear, unknown or detrimental, either at the overall population level or regarding health inequalities. We found few reviews reporting health inequalities information and the quality of the evidence base was generally low. Our umbrella review identified some prevention interventions that might be useful in reducing under five mortality from infectious diseases in LMICs, particularly amongst the most disadvantaged groups.
Major depressive episode externalizing symptoms among university students
Authors: Flesch Betina Daniele , Sica Cruzeiro Szortyka Ana Laura , Houvèssou Gbènankpon Mathias , Neitzke Höfs Fabiane , Gastal Fassa Anaclaudia
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Depression affects 32% of university students and Major Depressive Episode (MDE) externalizing symptoms indicate the severity of the case. This study assessed MDE externalizing symptom prevalence and associated factors among university students, with emphasis on aspects related to the academic environment, including interpersonal relationships and study area chosen by students.

Methods

A census was performed on new students in the first semester of 2017 at a university in Southern Brazil. Depressive symptom prevalence was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The multivariate analysis of the associated factors followed a hierarchical model, using Poisson regression with backward selection.

Results

MDE externalizing symptoms were present in 20% of the university students and were more frequent among females, those with brown, black or other skin color in comparison to those with white skin color. Individuals with a family history of depression, minority sexual orientation, negative self-reported academic performance, students taking courses in the area of Linguistics, Modern Languages and Arts and students who reported strong conflicts with university teachers or colleagues also had higher prevalence of externalizing symptoms.

Conclusion

It is important for education institutions to train teachers to identify and deal adequately with students who have externalizing symptoms of MDE. In addition, education institutions need to pay attention to conflicts, both between students and also between students and teachers in order to take preventive measures in these circumstances.
Japan’s voluntary lockdown
Authors: Watanabe Tsutomu , Yabu Tomoyoshi
Published: June 2021

Japan’s government has taken a number of measures, including declaring a state of emergency, to combat the spread COVID-19. We examine the mechanisms through which the government’s policies have led to changes in people’s behavior. Using smartphone location data, we construct a daily prefecture-level stay-at-home measure to identify the following two effects: (1) the effect that citizens refrained from going out in line with the government’s request, and (2) the effect that government announcements reinforced awareness with regard to the seriousness of the pandemic and people voluntarily refrained from going out. Our main findings are as follows. First, the declaration of the state of emergency reduced the number of people leaving their homes by 8.5% through the first channel, which is of the same order of magnitude as the estimates obtained for lockdowns in the United States. Second, a 1% increase in new infections in a prefecture reduces people’s outings in that prefecture by 0.027%. Third, the government’s requests are responsible for about one quarter of the decrease in outings in Tokyo, while the remaining three quarters are the result of citizens obtaining new information through government announcements and the daily release of the number of infections. The findings suggest that what mattered for containing the spread of COVID-19 was not strong, legally binding measures but the provision of appropriate information that encouraged people to change their behavior.
P2RX7 gene variation mediates the effect of childhood adversity and recent stress on the severity of depressive symptoms
Authors: Kristof Zsuliet , Eszlari Nora , Sutori Sara , Gal Zsofia , Torok Dora , Baksa Daniel , Petschner Peter , Sperlagh Beata , Anderson Ian M. , Deakin John Francis William , Juhasz Gabriella , Bagdy Gyorgy , Gonda Xenia
Published: June 2021

The P2X purinoceptor 7 (P2RX7) mediates inflammatory microglial responses and is implicated in neuroimmune mechanisms of depression and neurodegenerative disorders. A number of studies suggest that psychosocial stress may precipitate depression through immune activation. Genetic association studies of P2RX7 variants with depression have been inconclusive. However, nearly all studies have focused on only one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and have not considered interaction with psychosocial stress. We investigated the effect of several variations in P2RX7 gene using a clumping method in interaction with early adversities and recent stress on depression severity. 1752 subjects provided information on childhood adversities, recent life events, and current depression severity. Participants were genotyped for 681 SNPs in the P2RX7 gene, 335 of them passed quality control and were entered into linear regression models followed by a clumping procedure for main effect and interactions. No significant main effect was observed. Rs74892325 emerged as a top SNP for interaction with childhood adversities and rs61953400 for interaction with recent life events. Our study is the first to investigate several variants in the P2RX7 gene and in interaction with two types of stress, extending our understanding of neuroinflammation in depression, and supporting that the majority of genes influence depression by enhancing sensitivity to stressors.
Echocardiographic view and feature selection for the estimation of the response to CRT
Authors: Gallard Alban , Galli Elena , Hubert Arnaud , Bidaut Auriane , Le Rolle Virginie , Smiseth Otto , Voigt Jens-Uwe , Donal Erwan , Hernández Alfredo I.
Published: June 2021

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an implant-based therapy applied to patients with a specific heart failure (HF) profile. The identification of patients that may benefit from CRT is a challenging task and the application of current guidelines still induce a non-responder rate of about 30%. Several studies have shown that the assessment of left ventricular (LV) mechanics by speckle tracking echocardiography can provide useful information for CRT patient selection. A comprehensive evaluation of LV mechanics is normally performed using three different echocardioraphic views: 4, 3 or 2-chamber views. The aim of this study is to estimate the relative importance of strain-based features extracted from these three views, for the estimation of CRT response. Several features were extracted from the longitudinal strain curves of 130 patients and different methods of feature selection (out-of-bag random forest, wrapping and filtering) have been applied. Results show that more than 50% of the 20 most important features are calculated from the 4-chamber view. Although features from the 2- and 3-chamber views are less represented in the most important features, some of the former have been identified to provide complementary information. A thorough analysis and interpretation of the most informative features is also provided, as a first step towards the construction of a machine-learning chain for an improved selection of CRT candidates.
The influence of stimulus duration on olfactory perception
Authors: Kuruppath Praveen , Belluscio Leonardo
Published: June 2021

The duration of a stimulus plays an important role in the coding of sensory information. The role of stimulus duration is extensively studied in the tactile, visual, and auditory system. In the olfactory system, temporal properties of the stimulus are key for obtaining information when an odor is released in the environment. However, how the stimulus duration influences the odor perception is not well understood. To test this, we activated the olfactory bulbs with blue light in mice expressing channelrhodopsin in the olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and assessed the relevance of stimulus duration on olfactory perception using foot shock associated active avoidance behavioral task on a “two-arms maze”. Our behavior data demonstrate that the stimulus duration plays an important role in olfactory perception and the associated behavioral responses.
Evidence-based communication on climate change and health: Testing videos, text, and maps on climate change and Lyme disease in Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Cameron Laura , Rocque Rhéa , Penner Kailey , Mauro Ian
Published: June 2021

Given the climate crisis and its cumulative impacts on public health, effective communication strategies that engage the public in adaptation and mitigation are critical. Many have argued that a health frame increases engagement, as do visual methodologies including online and interactive platforms, yet to date there has been limited research on audience responses to health messaging using visual interventions. This study explores public attitudes regarding communication tools focused on climate change and climate-affected Lyme disease through six focus groups (n = 61) in rural and urban southern Manitoba, Canada. The results add to the growing evidence of the efficacy of visual and storytelling methods in climate communications and argues for a continuum of mediums: moving from video, text, to maps. Findings underscore the importance of tailoring both communication messages and mediums to increase uptake of adaptive health and environmental behaviours, for some audiences bridging health and climate change while for others strategically decoupling them.
Investigating contributors to performance evaluations in small groups: Task competence, speaking time, physical expressiveness, and likability
Authors: Nikoleizig Lucie , Schmukle Stefan C. , Griebenow Maurin , Krause Sascha
Published: June 2021

This study compared the impacts of actual individual task competence, speaking time and physical expressiveness as indicators of verbal and nonverbal communication behavior, and likability on performance evaluations in a group task. 164 participants who were assigned to 41 groups first solved a problem individually and later solved it as a team. After the group interaction, participants’ performance was evaluated by both their team members and qualified external observers. We found that these performance evaluations were significantly affected not only by task competence but even more by speaking time and nonverbal physical expressiveness. Likability also explained additional variance in performance evaluations. The implications of these findings are discussed for both the people being evaluated and the people doing the evaluating.
Combination of (interferon beta-1b, lopinavir/ritonavir and ribavirin) versus favipiravir in hospitalized patients with non-critical COVID-19: A cohort study
Authors: A. Malhani Areej , A. Enani Mushira , Saheb Sharif-Askari Fatemeh , R. Alghareeb Mona , T. Bin-Brikan Roaa , A. AlShahrani Safar , Halwani Rabih , Tleyjeh Imad M.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Our study aims at comparing the efficacy and safety of IFN-based therapy (lopinavir/ritonavir, ribavirin, and interferon β-1b) vs. favipiravir (FPV) in a cohort of hospitalized patients with non-critical COVID-19.

Methods

Single center observational study comparing IFN-based therapy (interferon β-1b, ribavirin, and lopinavir/ritonavir) vs. FPV in non-critical hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Allocation to either treatment group was non-random but based on changes to national treatment protocols rather than physicians’ selection (quasi-experimental). We examined the association between IFN-based therapy and 28-day mortality using Cox regression model with treatment as a time-dependent covariate.

Results

The study cohort included 222 patients, of whom 68 (28%) received IFN-based therapy. Antiviral therapy was started at a median of 5 days (3–6 days) from symptoms onset in the IFN group vs. 6 days (4–7 days) for the FPV group, P <0.0001. IFN-based therapy was associated with a lower 28-day mortality as compared to FPV (6 (9%) vs. 18 (12%)), adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] (95% Cl) = 0.27 (0.08–0.88)). No difference in hospitalization duration between the 2 groups, 9 (7–14) days vs. 9 (7–13) days, P = 0.732 was found. IFN treated group required less use of systemic corticosteroids (57%) as compared to FPV (77%), P = 0.005 after adjusting for disease severity and other confounders. Patients in the IFN treated group were more likely to have nausea and diarrhea as compared to FPV group (13%) vs. (3%), P = 0.013 and (18%) vs. (3%), P<0.0001, respectively.

Conclusion

Early IFN-based triple therapy was associated with lower 28-days mortality as compared to FPV.
The Cedar Project: Relationship between child apprehension and attempted suicide among young Indigenous mothers impacted by substance use in two Canadian cities
Authors: Ritland Lisa , Thomas Victoria , Jongbloed Kate , Zamar David S. , Teegee Mary P. , Christian Wenecwtsin-Kukpi , Richardson Chris G. , Guhn Martin , Schechter Martin T. , Spittal Patricia M. ,   for the Cedar Project Partnership
Published: June 2021

Indigenous leaders are gravely concerned over disproportionate representation of Indigenous children in Canada’s child welfare systems. Forced separation from children is deeply traumatizing for mothers and detrimental to the wellbeing of Indigenous families, communities and Nations. This study examined relationships between child apprehension and suicide attempt within a cohort of young Indigenous women impacted by substance use. We utilized data collected every 6 months (2008–2016) by the Cedar Project, an Indigenous-governed cohort study involving young Indigenous people who use drugs in British Columbia, Canada. Recent child apprehension was defined as having a child apprehended by the Ministry of Child and Family Development since last visit. Recurrent event Cox proportional hazards models estimated the independent effect of child apprehension on maternal suicide attempt. Among 293 participants, 78 (27%) reported 136 child apprehensions; incidence of first apprehension was 6.64 (95%CI: 5.25–8.29) per 100 person-years. Forty-seven (16%) participants reported 75 suicide attempts with an incidence of 4.00 (95%CI: 2.94–5.33) per 100 person-years. Participants who reported recent child apprehension (HR: 1.88, 95%CI: 1.00–3.55), had a parent attend residential school (HR: 4.12, 95%CI: 1.63–10.46), experienced recent sexual assault (HR: 4.04, 95%CI: 2.04–7.99), violence (HR: 2.54, 95%CI: 1.52–4.27) or overdose (HR: 4.97, 95%CI: 2.96–8.35) were more likely to attempt suicide. Participants who had a traditional language spoken in the home growing up were half as likely to attempt suicide (HR: 0.49, 95%CI: 0.23–1.01). Results suggest that child welfare systems in Canada perpetuate historical and intergenerational trauma among young Indigenous mothers. Indigenous self-determination over child welfare and culturally safe services are urgently needed to end cycles of child apprehension and support the wellbeing of families, communities and Nations.
Screening for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR: Saliva or nasopharyngeal swab? Rapid review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ibrahimi Nusaïbah , Delaunay-Moisan Agnès , Hill Catherine , Le Teuff Gwénaël , Rupprecht Jean-François , Thuret Jean-Yves , Chaltiel Dan , Potier Marie-Claude
Published: June 2021

Background

Diagnosis of COVID-19 in symptomatic patients and screening of populations for SARS-CoV-2 infection require access to straightforward, low-cost and high-throughput testing. The recommended nasopharyngeal swab tests are limited by the need of trained professionals and specific consumables and this procedure is poorly accepted as a screening method In contrast, saliva sampling can be self-administered.

Methods

In order to compare saliva and nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal samples for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, we designed a meta-analysis searching in PubMed up to December 29th, 2020 with the key words “(SARS-CoV-2 OR COVID-19 OR COVID19) AND (salivary OR saliva OR oral fluid)) NOT (review[Publication Type]) NOT (PrePrint[Publication Type])” applying the following criteria: records published in peer reviewed scientific journals, in English, with at least 15 nasopharyngeal/orapharyngeal swabs and saliva paired samples tested by RT-PCR, studies with available raw data including numbers of positive and negative tests with the two sampling methods. For all studies, concordance and sensitivity were calculated and then pooled in a random-effects model.

Findings

A total of 377 studies were retrieved, of which 50 were eligible, reporting on 16,473 pairs of nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal and saliva samples. Meta-analysis showed high concordance, 92.5% (95%CI: 89.5–94.7), across studies and pooled sensitivities of 86.5% (95%CI: 83.4–89.1) and 92.0% (95%CI: 89.1–94.2) from saliva and nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs respectively. Heterogeneity across studies was 72.0% for saliva and 85.0% for nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs.

Interpretation

Our meta-analysis strongly suggests that saliva could be used for frequent testing of COVID-19 patients and “en masse” screening of populations.
Continuous glucose monitoring in obese pregnant women with no hyperglycemia on glucose tolerance test
Authors: Rahmi Rosa Maria , de Oliveira Priscila , Selistre Luciano , Rezende Paulo Cury , Pezzella Gabriela Neuvald , dos Santos Pâmela Antoniazzi , Vergani Daiane de Oliveira Pereira , Madi Sônia Regina Cabral , Madi José Mauro
Published: June 2021

Objective

The objective of the present study was to compare 24-hour glycemic levels between obese pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance and non-obese pregnant women.

Methods

In the present observational, longitudinal study, continuous glucose monitoring was performed in obese pregnant women with normal oral glucose tolerance test with 75 g of glucose between the 24th and the 28th gestational weeks. The control group (CG) consisted of pregnant women with normal weight who were selected by matching the maternal age and parity with the same characteristics of the obese group (OG). Glucose measurements were obtained during 72 hours.

Results

Both the groups were balanced in terms of baseline characteristics (age: 33.5 [28.7–36.0] vs. 32.0 [26.0–34.5] years, p = 0.5 and length of pregnancy: 25.0 [24.0–25.0] vs. 25.5 [24.0–28.0] weeks, p = 0.6 in the CG and in the OG, respectively). Pre-breakfast glycemic levels were 77.77 ± 10.55 mg/dL in the CG and 82.02 ± 11.06 mg/dL in the OG (p<0.01). Glycemic levels at 2 hours after breakfast were 87.31 ± 13.10 mg/dL in the CG and 93.48 ± 18.74 mg/dL in the OG (p<0.001). Daytime blood glucose levels were 87.6 ± 15.4 vs. 93.1 ± 18.3 mg/dL (p<0.001) and nighttime blood glucose levels were 79.3 ± 15.8 vs. 84.7 ± 16.3 mg/dL (p<0.001) in the CG and in the OG, respectively. The 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime values of the area under the curve were higher in the OG when compared with the CG (85.1 ± 0.16 vs. 87.9 ± 0.12, 65.6 ± 0.14 vs. 67.5 ± 0.10, 19.5 ± 0.07 vs. 20.4 ± 0.05, respectively; p<0.001).

Conclusion

The results of the present study showed that obesity in pregnancy was associated with higher glycemic levels even in the presence of normal findings on glucose tolerance test.
From birth to adulthood: An analysis of the Brazilian lancehead (Bothrops moojeni) venom at different life stages
Authors: Hatakeyama Daniela Miki , Jorge Tasima Lídia , da Costa Galizio Nathália , Serino-Silva Caroline , Fabri Bittencourt Rodrigues Caroline , Rodrigues Stuginski Daniel , Stefanini Sant’Anna Sávio , Fernandes Grego Kathleen , Tashima Alexandre Keiji , Nishiduka Erika Sayuri , de Morais-Zani Karen , Tanaka-Azevedo Anita Mitico
Published: June 2021

The Brazilian lancehead (Bothrops moojeni) has a wide distribution in Brazil and represents a serious public health hazard. Previous works reported that the symptoms of snakebites caused by B. moojeni juveniles’ bites were mainly related to coagulation, while those caused by adults’ bites had a more prominent local damage. In this work, we analyzed the venoms of B. moojeni at different life stages to better understand the ontogeny shift in this species. Snakes were grouped by age and sex, and venom pools were formed accordingly. Compositional analyses by one-dimensional electrophoresis (1-DE), chromatography, and mass spectrometry revealed that ontogenetic changes might be mostly related to phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and metalloproteases. Regarding the venoms functional aspect, proteolytic, L-amino acid oxidase, PLA2, and coagulant in vitro activities were assayed, but only the first and the last ones showed age-related changes, with the venom of snakes up to 1 year-old displaying lower proteolytic and higher coagulant activities, while those from 2 years-old onward presented the opposite relation. The venoms of 3 years-old snakes were exceptions to the compositional and functional pattern of adults as both venoms presented profiles similar to neonates. Sex-related differences were observed in specific groups and were not age-related. In vivo experiments (median lethal dose and hemorrhagic activity) were statistically similar between neonates and adults, however we verified that the adult venom killed mice faster comparing to the neonates. All venoms were mostly recognized by the antibothropic serum and displayed similar profiles to 1-DE in western blotting. In conclusion, the Brazilian lancehead venom showed ontogenetic shift in its composition and activities. Furthermore, this change occurred in snakes from 1 to 2 years-old, and interestingly the venom pools from 3 years-old snakes had particular characteristics, which highlights the importance of comprehensive studies to better understand venom variability.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of sweet basil candidate susceptibility gene ObDMR6 enhances downy mildew resistance
Authors: Hasley Jeremieh Abram R. , Navet Natasha , Tian Miaoying
Published: June 2021

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an economically important allotetraploid (2n = 4x = 48) herb whose global production is threatened by downy mildew disease caused by the obligate biotrophic oomycete, Peronospora belbahrii. Generation of disease resistant cultivars by mutagenesis of susceptibility (S) genes via CRISPR/Cas9 is currently one of the most promising strategies to maintain favored traits while improving disease resistance. Previous studies have identified Arabidopsis DMR6 (Downy Mildew Resistance 6) as an S gene required for pathogenesis of the downy mildew-causing oomycete pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. In this study, a sweet basil homolog of DMR6, designated ObDMR6, was identified in the popular sweet basil cultivar Genoveser and found to exist with a high copy number in the genome with polymorphisms among the variants. Two CRISPR/Cas9 constructs expressing one or two single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeting the conserved regions of ObDMR6 variants were generated and used to transform Genoveser via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. 56 T0 lines were generated, and mutations of ObDMR6 were detected by analyzing the Sanger sequencing chromatograms of an ObDMR6 fragment using the Interference of CRISPR Edits (ICE) software. Among 54 lines containing mutations in the targeted sites, 13 had an indel percentage greater than 96% suggesting a near-complete knockout (KO) of ObDMR6. Three representative transgene-free lines with near-complete KO of ObDMR6 determined by ICE were identified in the T1 segregating populations derived from three independent T0 lines. The mutations were further confirmed using amplicon deep sequencing. Disease assays conducted on T2 seedlings of the above T1 lines showed a reduction in production of sporangia by 61–68% compared to the wild-type plants and 69–93% reduction in relative pathogen biomass determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR). This study not only has generated transgene-free sweet basil varieties with improved downy mildew resistance, but also contributed to our understanding of the molecular interactions of sweet basil-P. belbahrii.
Double exposures: Embodiment, vulnerability and agency in Letizia Battaglia’s photography
Authors: Karagoz Claudia
Published: June 2021

Letizia Battaglia is best known for her photojournalistic work during the 1970s and 1980s, when she assembled a vast archive of images of Mafia victims and perpetrators and of poor Sicilians. In recent years, she has created captivating new photographs named Re-elaborations. These works combine in a single frame her historic photographs of Mafia violence with new subjects – women, children and nature. This article investigates how Battaglia’s earlier and new photographs have succeeded in raising awareness about Mafia violence. Engaging with gender and visual theory, the article shows how these works offer compelling narratives of violence and poverty that capture the attention of viewers, involve them in the construction of meaning and prompt empathetic reactions. Despite having received many international awards, only recently has Battaglia’s work been recognized with significant retrospectives in Italy. No major studies on her work have been produced to date, and her recent photographs have received scarce critical attention. This article intends to fill that lacuna, enrich existing conversations on the artist and foster future investigations of her work.
Coming of age in Milano: Ermanno Olmi from sponsored cinema to feature filmmaking
Authors: Carter Jim
Published: June 2021

This article argues that a full understanding of Ermanno Olmi’s feature films will require a deep engagement with the sponsored cinema he made as director of the Sezione Cinema Edisonvolta. It begins by spelling out some of the stakes and challenges of a ‘sponsored turn’ in Italian cinema studies, which during the past decade has inaugurated the long archival and critical process of revaluing the corporate roots of auteurs like Michelangelo Antonioni, Bernardo Bertolucci and, to a certain extent, Ermanno Olmi. It then elaborates on the relation between Olmi’s sponsored cinema (1953–61) and feature filmmaking (1961–2014) by analysing two films that mark the director’s transition from the small to big screen: Michelino 1

a

B (1956) and Il posto (1961). The central contention is that these films tell two different versions of the same coming-of-age story: a young boy from the provinces finds work in a downtown office building, where he must come to terms with the fact that he will remain there all his life. The distance between the two films is a measure of Olmi’s own coming-of-age as an intellectual: from a resolved promoter of the guiding role of business in modern life to a sceptical interrogator of white-collar mundanity. After a comparative reading that reveals general similarities of structure and specific scenes of quotation, the article concludes with some remarks about education, a concept through which Olmi’s feature films show themselves to be aware of – even commenting on – sponsored cinema.