bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A unified activities-based approach to the modelling of viral epidemics and COVID-19 as an illustrative example
Authors: Shikhmurzaev Yulii D. , Shikhmurzaev Vladislav D. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA new approach to formulating mathematical models of increasing complexity to describe the dynamics of viral epidemics is proposed. The approach utilizes a map of social interactions characterizing the population and its activities and, unifying the compartmental and the stochastic viewpoints, offers a framework for incorporating both the patterns of behaviour studied by sociological surveys and the clinical picture of a particular infection, both for the virus itself and the complications it causes. The approach is illustrated by taking a simple mathematical model developed in its framework and applying it to the ongoing pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), with the UK as a representative country, to assess the impact of the measures of social distancing imposed to control its course.
Sex-based differences in clearance of chronicPlasmodium falciparuminfection
Authors: Briggs Jessica , Teyssier Noam , Nankabirwa Joaniter I. , Rek John , Jagannathan Prasanna , Arinatiwe Emmanuel , Bousema Teun , Drakeley Chris , Murray Margaret , Crawford Emily , Hathaway Nicholas , Staedke Sarah G. , Smith David , Rosenthal Phillip J. , Kamya Moses , Dorsey Grant , Rodriguez-Barraquer Isabel , Greenhouse Bryan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMultiple studies have reported a male bias in incidence and/or prevalence of malaria infection in males compared to females. To test the hypothesis that sex-based differences in host-parasite interactions affect the epidemiology of malaria, we intensively followedPlasmodium falciparuminfections in a cohort in a malaria endemic area of eastern Uganda and estimated both force of infection (FOI) and rate of clearance using amplicon deep-sequencing. We found no evidence of differences in behavioral risk factors, incidence of malaria, or FOI by sex. In contrast, females cleared asymptomatic infections at a faster rate than males (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.82, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.75 by clone and HR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.24 to 3.47 by infection event) in multivariate models adjusted for age, timing of infection onset, and parasite density. These findings implicate biological sex-based differences as an important factor in the host response to this globally important pathogen.
Deep brain electrical neurofeedback allows Parkinson patients to control pathological oscillations and quicken movements
Authors: Bichsel Oliver , Stieglitz Lennart H. , Oertel Markus F. , Baumann Christian R. , Gassert Roger , Imbach Lukas L. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractParkinsonian motor symptoms are linked to pathologically increased beta-oscillations in the basal ganglia. While pharmacological treatment and deep brain stimulation (DBS) reduce these pathological oscillations concomitantly with improving motor performance, we set out to explore neurofeedback as an endogenous modulatory method. We implemented deep brain electrical neurofeedback to provide real-time visual neurofeedback of pathological subthalamic oscillations measured through implanted DBS electrodes. All 8 patients volitionally controlled ongoing beta-oscillatory activity within minutes of training. During a single one-hour training session, the reduction of beta-oscillatory activity became gradually stronger and accelerated hand movements. Lastly, endogenous control over deep brain activity was possible even after removing visual neurofeedback, suggesting that neurofeedback-acquired strategies were retained in the short-term. We observed a similar motor improvement when the learnt mental strategies were applied 2 days later. Further improvement of deep brain neurofeedback might benefit Parkinson patients by improving symptom control, even in the absence of real-time neurofeedback.
Mortality Attributed to COVID-19 in High-Altitude Populations
Authors: Woolcott Orison O. , Bergman Richard N. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundSince partial oxygen pressure decreases as altitude increases, environmental hypoxia could worsen COVID-19 patient’s hypoxemia. We compared COVID-19 mortality at different altitudes.MethodsRetrospective analysis of population-level data on COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. (1,016 counties) and Mexico (567 municipalities). Mixed-model Poisson regression analysis of the association between altitude and COVID-19 mortality using individual-level data from 40,168 Mexican subjects with COVID-19, adjusting for multiple covariates.ResultsBetween January 20 and April 13, 2020, mortality rates were higher in U.S. counties located at ≥2,000 m elevation vs. those located below 1,500 m (12.3 vs. 3.2 per 100,000; P<0.001). In Mexico, between March 13 and May 13, 2020, mortality rates were higher in municipalities located at ≥2,000 m vs. <1,500 m (5.3 vs. 3.9 per 100,000; P<0.001). Among Mexican subjects <65 years old, the risk of death was 36% higher in those living at ≥2,000 m vs. <1,500 m (adjusted incidence rate ratio: 1.36; 95% CI, 1.05-1.78; P=0.022). Among men, the risk of death was 31% higher at ≥2,000 m vs. <1,500 m (adjusted IRR: 1.31; 95% CI, 1.03-1.66; P=0.025). No association was found among women.ConclusionAltitude is associated with COVID-19 mortality in men younger than 65 years.
Effects of auditory reliability and ambiguous visual stimuli on auditory spatial discrimination
Authors: Cappelloni Madeline S. , Shivkumar Sabyasachi , Haefner Ralf M. , Maddox Ross K. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTThe brain combines information from multiple sensory modalities to interpret the environment. Multisensory integration is often modeled by ideal Bayesian causal inference, a model proposing that perceptual decisions arise from a statistical weighting of information from each sensory modality based on its reliability and relevance to the observer’s task. However, ideal Bayesian causal inference fails to describe human behavior in a simultaneous auditory spatial discrimination task in which spatially aligned visual stimuli improve performance despite providing no information about the correct response. This work tests the hypothesis that humans weight auditory and visual information in this task based on their relative reliabilities, even though the visual stimuli are task-uninformative, carrying no information about the correct response, and should be given zero weight. Listeners perform an auditory spatial discrimination task with relative reliabilities modulated by the stimulus durations. By comparing conditions in which task-uninformative visual stimuli are spatially aligned with auditory stimuli or centrally located (control condition), listeners are shown to have a larger multisensory effect when their auditory thresholds are worse. Even in cases in which visual stimuli are not task-informative, the brain combines sensory information that is scene-relevant, especially when the task is difficult due to unreliable auditory information.
Beyond Shielding: The Roles of Glycans in SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein
Authors: Casalino Lorenzo , Gaieb Zied , Goldsmith Jory A. , Hjorth Christy K. , Dommer Abigail C. , Harbison Aoife M. , Fogarty Carl A. , Barros Emilia P. , Taylor Bryn C. , McLellan Jason S. , Fadda Elisa , Amaro Rommie E. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in more than 15,000,000 infections and 600,000 deaths worldwide to date. Antibody development efforts mainly revolve around the extensively glycosylated SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, which mediates the host cell entry by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Similar to many other viruses, the SARS-CoV-2 spike utilizes a glycan shield to thwart the host immune response. Here, we built a full-length model of glycosylated SARS-CoV-2 S protein, both in the open and closed states, augmenting the available structural and biological data. Multiple microsecond-long, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations were used to provide an atomistic perspective on the roles of glycans, and the protein structure and dynamics. We reveal an essential structural role of N-glycans at sites N165 and N234 in modulating the conformational dynamics of the spike’s receptor binding domain (RBD), which is responsible for ACE2 recognition. This finding is corroborated by biolayer interferometry experiments, which show that deletion of these glycans through N165A and N234A mutations significantly reduces binding to ACE2 as a result of the RBD conformational shift towards the “down” state. Additionally, end-to-end accessibility analyses outline a complete overview of the vulnerabilities of the glycan shield of SARS-CoV-2 S protein, which may be exploited by therapeutic efforts targeting this molecular machine. Overall, this work presents hitherto unseen functional and structural insights into the SARS-CoV-2 S protein and its glycan coat, providing a strategy to control the conformational plasticity of the RBD that could be harnessed for vaccine development.
IPSE, a Parasite-Derived, Host Immunomodulatory Infiltrin Protein, Alleviates Resiniferatoxin-Induced Bladder Pain
Authors: Ishida Kenji , Mbanefo Evaristus C. , Le Loc , Lamanna Olivia , Pennington Luke F. , Finkel Julia C. , Jardetzky Theodore S. , Falcone Franco H. , Hsieh Michael H. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) receptor is an important mediator of nociception and its expression is enriched in nociceptive neurons. TRPV1 signaling has been implicated in bladder pain and is a potential analgesic target. Resiniferatoxin is the most potent known agonist of TRPV1. Acute exposure of the rat bladder to resiniferatoxin has been demonstrated to result in pain-related freezing and licking behaviors that are alleviated by virally encoded IL-4. The interleukin-4-inducing principle ofSchistosoma mansonieggs (IPSE) is a powerful inducer of IL-4 secretion, and is also known to alter host cell transcription through a nuclear localization sequence-dependent mechanism. We previously reported that IPSE ameliorates ifosfamide-induced bladder pain in an IL-4- and nuclear localization sequence-dependent manner. We hypothesized that pre-administration of IPSE to resiniferatoxin-challenged mice would dampen pain-related behaviors. IPSE indeed lessened resiniferatoxin-triggered freezing behaviors in mice. This was a nuclear localization sequence-dependent phenomenon, since administration of a nuclear localization sequence mutant version of IPSE abrogated IPSE’s analgesic effect. In contrast, IPSE’s analgesic effect did not seem IL-4-dependent, since use of anti-IL-4 antibody in mice given both IPSE and resiniferatoxin did not dramatically affect freezing behaviors. RNA-Seq analysis of resiniferatoxin- and IPSE-exposed bladders revealed differential expression of TNF/NF-κb-related signaling pathway genes.In vitrotesting of IPSE uptake by urothelial cells and TRPV1-expressing neuronal cells showed uptake by both cell types. Thus, IPSE’s nuclear localization sequence-dependent therapeutic effects on TRPV1-mediated bladder pain may act on TRPV1-expressing neurons and/or may rely upon urothelial mechanisms.
Learning the synaptic and intrinsic membrane dynamics underlying working memory in spiking neural network models
Authors: Li Yinghao , Kim Robert , Sejnowski Terrence J. 
Published: June 2020

SummaryRecurrent neural network (RNN) model trained to perform cognitive tasks is a useful computational tool for understanding how cortical circuits execute complex computations. However, these models are often composed of units that interact with one another using continuous signals and overlook parameters intrinsic to spiking neurons. Here, we developed a method to directly train not only synaptic-related variables but also membrane-related parameters of a spiking RNN model. Training our model on a wide range of cognitive tasks resulted in diverse yet task-specific synaptic and membrane parameters. We also show that fast membrane time constants and slow synaptic decay dynamics naturally emerge from our model when it is trained on tasks associated with working memory (WM). Further dissecting the optimized parameters revealed that fast membrane properties and slow synaptic dynamics are important for encoding stimuli and WM maintenance, respectively. This approach offers a unique window into how connectivity patterns and intrinsic neuronal properties contribute to complex dynamics in neural populations.
Relative wealth and inequality associate with health in a small-scale subsistence society
Authors: Jaeggi Adrian V. , Blackwell Aaron D. , Rueden Christopher von , Trumble Benjamin C. , Stieglitz Jonathan , Garcia Angela R. , Kraft Thomas S. , Kaplan Hillard , Gurven Michael 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn high-income countries, relative wealth and inequality may affect health by causing psychosocial stress. We test this hypothesis in a small-scale subsistence society, the Tsimane. We associated relative household wealth (n=1003) and community-level wealth inequality (n=35, Gini=0.15 – 0.43) with a range of psychosocial and health outcomes (depressive symptoms [n=663], social conflicts [n=393], nonsocial problems [n=390], social support [n=392], cortisol [n=828], BMI [n=9378], blood pressure [n=1614]), self-rated health [n=809], morbidities [n=3140]) controlling for absolute wealth, age, sex, community size, distance to town and relevant random effects. Relative wealth and inequality were associated with self-rated health and morbidity, especially respiratory disease, the leading cause of mortality in the Tsimane. Inequality was also associated with higher blood pressure. However, psychosocial stress did not mediate these associations, suggesting other mechanisms. These findings are consistent with socio-economic hierarchies affecting some health outcomes in any society, while others might be exacerbated in high-income countries.
A scenario modeling pipeline for COVID-19 emergency planning
Authors: Lemaitre Joseph C. , Grantz Kyra H. , Kaminsky Joshua , Meredith Hannah R. , Truelove Shaun A. , Lauer Stephen A. , Keegan Lindsay T. , Shah Sam , Wills Josh , Kaminsky Kathryn , Perez-Saez Javier , Lessler Justin , Lee Elizabeth C. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused strain on health systems worldwide due to its high mortality rate and the large portion of cases requiring critical care and mechanical ventilation. During these uncertain times, public health decision makers, from city health departments to federal agencies, sought the use of epidemiological models for decision support in allocating resources, developing non-pharmaceutical interventions, and characterizing the dynamics of COVID-19 in their jurisdictions. In response, we developed a flexible scenario modeling pipeline that could quickly tailor models for decision makers seeking to compare projections of epidemic trajectories and healthcare impacts from multiple intervention scenarios in different locations. Here, we present the components and configurable features of the COVID Scenario Pipeline, with a vignette detailing its current use. We also present model limitations and active areas of development to meet ever-changing decision maker needs.
Easing social distancing index after COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chen Sam Li-Sheng , Yen Amy Ming-Fang , Lai Chao-Chih , Hsu Chen-Yang , Chen Hsiu-Hsi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractContextEasing social distancing (ESD) is a global public health issue in post-pandemic period of COVID-19 and requires a simple index for real time assessment.ObjectiveWe aimed to develop a simple index for ESD to quantify the impacts of social distancing for reducing confirmed infected cases, optimal triage and care of patients for recovery, and critical care capacity for reducing death from COVID-19.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsData on the retrospective cohort of 185 countries with reported numbers on confirmed cases, recovery, and death from COVID-19 were retrieved from publicity available repository. Up to May 31, a total of 5,844,136 confirmed cases, 2,639,961 recovered, and 327,487 deaths were reported globally.Main Outcome MeasuresThe ESD index measured by cumulative number of COVID-19 cases and recovery and case-fatality rate.ResultsWe developed a simple index for the guidance of easing social distancing (ESD). If the ESD index is less than 1, ESD would be considered. The global ESD index declined from 3.87 at peak in March to 1.35 by the end of May, consisting of 56.76% countries/regions (105/185) with the ESD lower than one.Conclusion and RelevanceThis simple ESD index provides a quantitative assessment on whether and when to ease social distancing from local to global community.
Using the LIST model to Estimate the Effects of Contact Tracing on COVID-19 Endemic Equilibria in England and its Regions
Authors: Moran Rosalyn J. , Billig Alexander J. , Cullen Maell , Razi Adeel , Daunizeau Jean , Leech Rob , Friston Karl J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractGovernments across Europe are preparing for the emergence from lockdown, in phases, to prevent a resurgence in cases of COVID-19. Along with social distancing (SD) measures, contact tracing – find, track, trace and isolate (FTTI) policies are also being implemented. Here, we investigate FTTI policies in terms of their impact on the endemic equilibrium. We used a generative model – the dynamic causal ‘Location’, ‘Infection’, ‘Symptom’ and ‘Testing’ (LIST) model to identify testing, tracing, and quarantine requirements. We optimised LIST model parameters based on time series of daily reported cases and deaths of COVID-19 in England— and based upon reported cases in the nine regions of England and in all 150 upper tier local authorities. Using these optimised parameters, we forecasted infection rates and the impact of FTTI for each area—national, regional, and local. Predicting data from early June 2020, we find that under conditions of medium-term immunity, a ‘40%’ FTTI policy (or greater), could reach a distinct endemic equilibrium that produces a significantly lower death rate and a decrease in ICU occupancy. Considering regions of England in isolation, some regions could substantially reduce death rates with 20% efficacy. We characterise the accompanying endemic equilibria in terms of dynamical stability, observing bifurcation patterns whereby relatively small increases in FTTI efficacy result in stable states with reduced overall morbidity and mortality. These analyses suggest that FTTI will not only save lives, even if only partially effective, and could underwrite the stability of any endemic steady-state we manage to attain.
PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF COMORMIDITY FOR SEVERITY OF COVID-19: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS STUDY
Authors: Fathi Mobina , Vakili Kimia , Sayehmiri Fatemeh , Mohamadkhani Ashraf , Hajiesmaeili Mohammadreza , Rezaei-Tavirani Mostafa , Eilami Owrang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground & AimWith the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections, global health is facing insufficient sources; this study aimed to provide additional data regarding the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and in particular to analyze the factors associated with disease severity, unimprovement and mortality.Methods82 studies were included in the present meta-analysis that all of them have been published before May 1, 2020 and were found by searching through the databases Scopus and MEDLINE. The selected papers were studied and analyzed by employing the version 14 of stata software. It should be noted that, we employed I2statistics for testing and verifying heterogeneity.Results82 papers were finally chosen for this meta-analysis, including 74855 infected patients (35673 men, 31140 women). The mean age of the patients was 56.49. The results indicate the prevalence of fever 79.84 (95% CI: 75.22-84.13), cough 59.53 (95% CI: 55.35-63.65), fatigue or myalgia 33.46 (95% CI: 28.68-38.40), dyspnea 31.48 (95% CI: 25.75-37.49) and diarrhea 10.71 (95% CI: 8.20-13.49). The prevalence of the most common comorbidities were hypertension 25.10 (95% CI: 19.91-30.64), diabetes 13.48 (95% CI: 10.61-16.62), cardiovascular diseases 8.94 (95% CI: 6.99-11.10), and chronic kidney disease 3.27 (95% CI: 2.22-4.47).ConclusionThe results of this study are seriously needed to effectively monitor the health of people with comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and chronic kidney disease) to prevent the development of COVID-19 infection.HighlightsThe most prevalent risk factors among patients with COVID-19 were hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease.The most common symptoms among individuals who had COVID-19 infection were fever, cough, fatigue or myalgia, dyspnea, and diarrhea.The mean age of the patients with COVID-19 infection was 56.49.If the patient is an elderly male with underlying diseases, he is more likely to have severe disorders or even face to death.
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load Predicts COVID-19 Mortality
Authors: Pujadas Elisabet , Chaudhry Fayzan , McBride Russell , Richter Felix , Zhao Shan , Wajnberg Ania , Nadkarni Girish , Glicksberg Benjamin , Houldsworth Jane , Cordon-Cardo Carlos 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe need for reliable and widely available SARS-CoV-2 testing is well recognized, but it will be equally necessary to develop quantitative methods that determine viral load in order to guide patient triage and medical decision making. We are the first to report that SARS-CoV-2 viral load at the time of presentation is an independent predictor of COVID-19 mortality in a large patient cohort (n=1,145). Viral loads should be used to identify higher-risk patients that may require more aggressive care and should be included as a key biomarker in the development of predictive algorithms.
REALM: AO-based localization microscopy deep in complex tissue
Authors: Siemons Marijn E. , Hanemaaijer Naomi A.K. , Kole Maarten H.P. , Kapitein Lukas C. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPerforming Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM) in complex biological tissues, where sample-induced aberrations hamper detection and localization, has remained a challenge. Here we establish REALM (Robust and Effective Adaptive Optics in Localization Microscopy), which corrects aberrations of ≤1 rad RMS using 297 frames of blinking molecules to improve single-molecule localization. We demonstrate this method by resolving the periodic cytoskeleton of the axon initial segment at 50 μm depth in brain tissue.
The next frontier: using space as management strategy - an exploratory study
Authors: Storvang Pia , Nguyen Bang 
Published: June 2020

Purpose
More and more companies use physical space as a way to enhance creativity, create change and stimulate interaction. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how space affects this interrelationship and explores how space can support organizational strategy.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a qualitative approach, this study explores three cases from an educational, a cultural and an industrial setting to illustrate how space can be used to support an organization’s policy and help its strategic intentions.

Findings
The findings demonstrate how space can be used to enhance organizational strategy and demonstrate how closely the creation of space can be related to the development of that strategy. Specifically, the study finds that the “’space-organizational strategy’ link has three uses: “Space as an organizational meeting place” in the University campus, (2) “Space as a network organization” in the culture and production center and (3) “Space as a cell organization” in the private manufacturing company.

Originality/value
The study will show that the design and operationalization of spaces can influence management and organizational strategy because space influences relations between people and that organizations can use space to support their strategic intentions seems to have been overlooked in the literature.