bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Triatoindex: A Composite Indicator for Triatomine Surveillance
Authors: Ribeiro Gilmar , Sousa Orlando Marcos Farias de , Santos Carlos Gustavo Silva dos , Fonseca Eduardo Oyama Lins , Santos Roberto Fonseca dos , Cunha Gabriel Muricy , Carvalho Cristiane Medeiros Moraes de , Reis Mitermayer Galvão dos , Gurgel-Gonçalves Rodrigo 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Entomological indicators are essential to guide surveillance and control of vector-borne diseases. Indicators of Chagas disease vector surveillance such as infestation, colonization, and density depend on wide surveys performed by trained health agents that are difficult to maintain in endemic countries; now, surveillance is mainly based on community participation. Thus, the development of an index that aggregates variables of vectorial potential and occurrence and triatomine species may be useful. Objective: To develop an index for triatomine bug surveillance. Methods: The index was developed based on entomological surveillance data from the State of Bahia, Brazil, between 2006 and 2019. For each triatomine species, the following data were analyzed: a) relative abundance; b) geographic distribution, c) proportion of nymphs; d) Trypanosoma cruzi infection; e) human contact/ blood meal sources. Values ​​were assigned to each of these variables and the sum of the values ​​generated the index (TriatoIndex = Ti) that ranged from 0 to 15. Subsequently, the municipalities' Ti value was calculated, based on the sum of the Ti values ​​of the species registered in each municipality. RESULTS: From the 26 species of triatomines in Bahia, 20 (77%) presented Ti <10. Triatoma infestans (15), T. sordida (14), T. brasiliensis (13), T. pseudomaculata (12), T. melanica (10), and T. juazeirensis (10) presented the highest values ​​of Ti in the studied area. The Ti values ​​in the municipalities in the central and northeastern regions of Bahia were high; these areas were considered hotspots for the occurrence of the main important vectors. Conclusions: The index presented takes into account the geographical distribution and vectorial potential of triatomines within the region. TriatoIndex is a promising tool for targeted surveillance of T. cruzi vectors.
Immediate Impact of Extremity Manipulation on Dual Task Performance: A Randomized, Crossover Study
Authors: Malaya Christopher Alexander , Haworth Joshua , Pohlman Katherine A. , Smith Dean L. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Previous research demonstrated that manipulation of the extremities was associated with changes in multisegmental postural sway as well as improvement in a lower extremity balancing task. We were interested if these effects would extend to an upper extremity task. Our aim in this study was to investigate whether extremity manipulation could influence dual task performance where the explicit suprapostural task was balancing a water filled tube in the frontal plane.Methods: Participants were healthy volunteers (aged 21-32 years). Upper- or lower-extremity manipulations were delivered in a participant and assessor blinded, randomized crossover, clinical trial. Postural (center of pressure) and suprapostural (tube motion) measurements in the frontal plane were made pre-post manipulation under eyes open and eyes closed conditions using a BTrackS™ force plate and a Shimmer inertial measurement unit, respectively. Pathlength, range, root mean square and sample entropy were calculated to describe each signal during the dual task performance.Results: There was no main effect of manipulation or vision for the suprapostural task (tube motion). However, follow-up to interaction effects indicates that roll pathlength, range and root means square of tube motion all decreased (improvement) following lower extremity manipulation with eyes open. Regarding the postural task, there was a main effect of manipulation on mediolateral center of pressure such that pathlength reduced with both upper and lower extremity manipulation with larger decreases in pathlength values following upper extremity manipulation. Conclusion: Our findings show that manipulation of the extremities enhanced stability (e.g. tube stabilization and standing balance) on performance of a dual task. This furthers the argument that site-specific manipulations influence context specific motor behavior/coordination.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03877367, Registered 15 March 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03877367?term=NCT03877367&draw=2&rank=1
VALENCIA: A Nearest Centroid Classification Method for Vaginal Microbial Communities Based on Composition&nbsp;
Authors: France Michael T , Ma Bing , Gajer Pawel , Brown Sarah , Humphrys Michael S. , Holm Johanna B. , Waetjen L. Elaine , Brotman Rebecca M. , Ravel Jacques 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundTaxonomic profiles of vaginal microbial communities can be sorted into a discrete number of categories termed Community State Types (CSTs). This approach is advantageous because collapsing a hyper dimensional taxonomic profile into a single categorical variable enables efforts such as data exploration, epidemiological studies and statistical modeling. Vaginal communities are typically assigned to CSTs based on the results of hierarchical clustering of the pairwise distances between samples. However, this approach is problematic because it complicates between-study comparisons and because the results are entirely dependent on the particular set of samples that were analyzed. We sought to standardize and advance the assignment of samples to CSTs.ResultsWe developed VALENCIA (VAginaL community state typE Nearest CentroId clAssifier), a nearest centroid based tool which classifies samples based on their similarity to a set of reference centroids. The references were defined using a comprehensive set of 13,160 taxonomic profiles from 1,975 women in the United States. This large dataset allowed us to comprehensively identify, define, and characterize vaginal CSTs common to reproductive age women, and expand upon the CSTs that had been defined in previous studies. We validated the broad applicability of VALENCIA for the classification of vaginal microbial communities by using it to classify three test datasets which included reproductive age eastern and southern African women, adolescent girls, and a racially/ethnically and geographically diverse sample of postmenopausal women. VALENCIA performed well on all three datasets despite the substantial variations in sequencing strategies and bioinformatics pipelines, indicating its broad application to vaginal microbiota. We further describe the relationships between community characteristics (vaginal pH, Nugent score) and participant demographics (race, age) and the CSTs defined by VALENCIA. ConclusionVALENCIA provides a much-needed solution for the robust and reproducible assignment of vaginal community state types. This will allow unbiased analysis of both small and large vaginal microbiota datasets, comparisons between datasets and meta-analyses that combine multiple datasets.
Decoding the RNA&nbsp;Viromes in Rodent Lungs Provides New Insight Into the Origin and Evolutionary Patterns of Rodent-borne Pathogens in Mainland Southeast Asia
Authors: Wu Zhiqiang , Han Yelin , Liu Bo , Li Hongying , Zhu Guangjian , Latinne Alice , Dong Jie , Sun Lilian , Su Haoxiang , Liu Liguo , Du Jiang , Zhou Siyu , Chen Mingxing , Kritiyakan Anamika , Jittapalapong Sathaporn , Chaisiri Kittipong , Buchy Phillipe , Duong Veasna , Yang Jian , Jiang Jinyong , Xu Xiang , Zhou Hongning , Yang Fan , Irwin David , Morand Serge , Daszak Peter , Wang Jianwei , Jin Qi 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND: As the largest group of mammalian species, which are also widely distributed all over the world, rodents are the natural reservoirs for many diverse zoonotic viruses. A comprehensive understanding of the core virome of diverse rodents should therefore assist in efforts to reduce the risk of future emergence or re-emergence of rodent-borne zoonotic pathogens. RESULTS: This study aimed to describe the viral range that could be detected in the lungs of rodents from Mainland Southeast Asia. Lung samples were collected from 3,284 rodents and insectivores of the orders Rodentia, Scandentia, and Eulipotyphla in eighteen provinces of Thailand, Lao PDR, and Cambodia throughout 2006-2018. Meta-transcriptomic analysis was used to outline the unique spectral characteristics of the mammalian viruses within these lungs and the ecological and genetic imprints of the novel viruses. Many mammalian- or arthropod-related viruses from distinct evolutionary lineages were reported for the first time in these species, and viruses related to known pathogens were characterized for their genomic and evolutionary characteristics, host species, and locations. CONCLUSIONS: These results expand our understanding of the core viromes of rodents and insectivores from Mainland Southeast Asia and suggest that a high diversity of viruses remains to be found in rodent species of this area. These findings, combined with our previous virome data from China, increase our knowledge of the viral community in wildlife and arthropod vectors in emerging disease hotspots of East and Southeast Asia.
O jogo computacional como ferramenta de ensino e aprendizagem para alunos com dislexia – uma experiência nas salas multifuncionais de Cerro Largo – RS
Authors: BATISTA Jeize de Fátima , GONÇALVES Ana Cecília Teixeira , ZIESMANN Cleusa Inês 
Published: September 2020

Este trabalho consiste em aplicar atividades de um software, desenvolvido pela coordenadora da proposta do projeto de extensão, em alunos da rede municipal da cidade de Cerro Largo diagnosticados com dislexia. As atividades propostas servem como estímulos para aumentar e potencializar a consciência fonêmica, a partir de jogos de identificação e reconhecimento de letras, palavras, frases, rimas e sons, analisando sua eficácia por meio da comparação dos desempenhos obtidos em testes de leitura realizados antes e após a utilização do aplicativo Estimugame. Dessa forma, o objetivo principal deste projeto é colaborar com os professores que atuam na sala de recursos, propiciando ferramentas próprias para estimular a leitura em alunos com dislexia. Nesse sentido, a partir do projeto de extensão, tem-se possibilitado que muitos alunos com dislexia recebam um auxílio específico para as dificuldades de leitura, o que vem se mostrando eficaz a cada semana. Todos os participantes estão acompanhando e superando, mesmo que lentamente, suas limitações, buscando melhorar a cada etapa do projeto. Assim, esperamos auxiliar os profissionais da educação diante das dificuldades que os alunos apresentam em relação à dislexia, respeitando as suas limitações e a subjetividade de cada criança para vencer seus obstáculos e construir os seus conhecimentos.
Survey identifies need for subspecialized pediatric hematology/oncology nursing education in nine Еurasian countries
Authors: Sullivan C. E. , Hans M. , Yakimkova T. , Ehrlich B. , Mishkova V. , Agulnik A. 
Published: September 2020

Background. In 2018, Eurasian Alliance in Pediatric Oncology (EurADO) members identified pediatric hematology/oncology nursing education as a regional priority. In most participating Eurasian countries, pediatric hematology/oncology nursing is not recognized as a subspecialty; thus, subspecialized education offerings may be limited. A working group of nurse leaders was formed to set nursing priorities to advance pediatric cancer nursing and subspecialized education in the region. As an initial project, members determined a need to develop a train-the-trainer course for regional implementation to improve nurses’ subspecialty knowledge.Purpose/Objective. A needs assessment was conducted to evaluate Eurasian nurses’ pediatric hematology/oncology education needs to inform the development of a pediatric hematology/oncology nursing train-the-trainer course in Eurasia.Design/Methods. From August to September 2019, a paper-based needs assessment was disseminated in English and Russian to working group members for dissemination to pediatric cancer nurses in their hospitals. Items included multiple choice, yes/no, Likert-type scale and open-ended questions. Questions assessed participant demographics, subspecialty education topics of interest and perceived high-risk issues for nurses and patients.Results. Responses were received from 233 nurses representing 13 hospitals in 9 countries. Priority topics of interest included overview of pediatric cancers and treatment, chemotherapy administration and side effects, oncologic emergencies and vascular access. Nurses reported that patients in their settings were at high-risk for infection, depression/psychological issues, treatment-related side effects and complications. Perceived high-risk areas for nurses included stress/burnout, high workloads/short-staffing, hazardous drug and blood borne pathogen exposure and limited equipment.Conclusion. Survey findings reveal a lack of subspecialty pediatric hematology/oncology education opportunities for nurses practicing in Eurasian hospitals. The Eurasia Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing Course was developed based on survey results and is currently being implemented across centers in the region.
Interaction of Human Alpha-2-Macroglobulin with Pesticide Aldicarb Using Spectroscopy and Molecular Docking
Authors: Dixit Swati , Zia Mohammad Khalid , Siddiqui Tooba , Ahsan Haseeb , Khan Fahim Halim 
Published: September 2020

Background:
Aldicarb is a carbamate pesticide commercially used in potato crop production.
Once it enters human body, it interacts with diverse proteins and other substances.

Objective:
Aldicarb is toxic to human health and it is also a cholinesterase inhibitor, which prevents
the breakdown of acetylcholine in synapse. Human alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M), is a large
tetrameric glycoprotein of 720 kDa with antiproteinase activity, found abundantly in plasma.

Methods:
In the present study, the interaction of aldicarb with alpha-2-macroglobulin was explored
utilizing various spectroscopic techniques and molecular docking studies.

Results:
UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy suggests the formation of a complex between aldicarb
and α2M apparent by increased absorbance and decreased fluorescence with static quenching
mode. CD spectroscopy indicates a slight change in the structure of alpha-2-macroglobulin. Docking
studies confirm the interaction of aldicarb with Pro- 1391, Leu-1392, Lys-1393, Val-1396,
Lys- 1397, Thr-1408, Glu-1409, Val-1410, Asp-282 and Glu-281 in the receptor binding domain at
the C-terminal of the alpha 2 macroglobulin.

Discussion:
In this work, aldicarb is shown to bind with alpha 2-macroglobulin at receptor binding
domain which is the binding site for various extracellular and intracellular ligand too. Also, affecting
the functional activity of the protein may lead to further physiological consequences.

Conclusion:
It is possible that aldicarb binds and compromises antiproteinase activity of α2M and
binding properties by inducing changes in the secondary structure of the protein.
Formulation, Sensory Attributes and Nutrient Content of a Malted Sorghum-based Porridge: Potential for the Management of Moderate Acute Malnutrition among Infants and Young Children
Authors: Kajjura Richard B. , Veldman Frederick J. , Kassier Susanna M. 
Published: September 2020

Introduction:
Substituting corn in a fortified corn-soy blend (CSB+) with enzyme-active
sorghum malt has the potential to be used as a suitable alternative supplementary porridge in
the management of infants and young children (IYC) with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) in
Uganda.

Objective:
This study aimed to develop acceptable malted sorghum-based supplementary porridge
(MSBP) that meets the energy and protein specifications for the management of IYC with MAM,
using locally-available ingredients.

Methods:
MSBP formulations included the use of malted sorghum flour and extruded soy and corn
flour. The ratio of the soy to corn ingredients was 3:7 (F617/F593), 1:1 (F892/F940), and 4:1 for
CSB+, which is the standard care for the management of IYC with MAM in Uganda. The sorghum
malt content for F617/F892 and F593/F940 was 25% and 30%, respectively. F617, F593, F892 and
F940 met international specifications for a supplementary porridge. A comparison of the consumer
acceptability scores and viscosity levels of these formulations was made, using analysis of
variance.

Results and Discussion:
The scores for flavour, taste, mouth feel, sweetness and overall consumer
acceptability differed among the formulations (p<0.05). F617 had a higher mean acceptability
score than F593, F892 and F940 (p<0.05), as well as a higher energy and protein content than CSB+
(p<0.01). The energy density, protein density and viscosity of F617 were 1.6kcal/ g, 4g/100
kcal and 2809 cP, respectively, with a flour rate of 25%.

Conclusion:
Sorghum malt is suitable for the development of an acceptable supplementary porridge
(MSBP). It meets the international energy and protein specifications for the management of
IYC with MAM, and the F617 formulation meets these specifications.
Physicochemical and Organoleptic Properties of Local Food-based Enteral Nutrition Product to Mitigate Patient Malnutrition
Authors: Lestari Lily A. , Susetyowati  , Setyopranoto Ismail , Probosuseno  , Astuti Herni 
Published: September 2020

Background:
In Indonesia, to attain cost-effectiveness, home enteral formulas are produced
from fresh foods, but they are not ready-to-use products, not durable, and have unstandardized
nutrition contents.

Objective:
We aimed to evaluate sensory characteristics and the physicochemical properties of a
local food-based enteral nutrition product.

Methods:
We evaluated sensory characteristics of a local food-based enteral nutrition product consisting
of color, odor, flavor, and texture using triangle test. The sensory evaluation involved 30
semi-trained sensory panelists. Physicochemical properties were also assessed through standardized
laboratory analyses. The ingredients were arrowroot starch, rice flour, palm sugar, cork
fish (Channa striata), tempeh powder, milk, and yellow pumpkins. The flavors were original, ginger
and cinnamon. Panelists were asked to assess the color, odor, flavor and texture, and provide a
score for each variable according to a 5-point Likert scale from strongly do not like to strongly
like. The physicochemical properties, i.e. , the water and ash contents, water activity, antioxidant
activity, heavy metal content, and viscosity, were analyzed.

Results and Discussion:
There were only significant mean rank differences of color between samples,
while odor, flavor, and texture were not. Most panelists selected light brown, which was the
original flavor, as their preferred color compared to ginger and cinnamon flavor (52.45 vs. 43.50
vs. 36.05, p=0.026). The most favorable odor was from the ginger flavor, but for flavor, almost all
panelists selected the original flavor as being the best. The texture of all products was slightly
sandy. The water, ash, Pb contents, Aw and antioxidant activity were 3.14%, 4.18%, 0.016 mg/kg,
0.22, and 14.1 ppm, respectively.

Conclusion:
The original product exhibited better organoleptic properties in terms of color and flavor,
while the ginger flavor exhibited a better odor than the other variants. The physicochemical
properties of the product met the Indonesian National Standard requirements.
The Effect of Cassava Starch on the Durability Characteristics of Concrete
Authors: Oni Daniel , Mwero John , Kabubo Charles 
Published: September 2020

Background:Concrete is a common material used in the construction of marine structures, such as bridges, water treatment plants, jetties,etc.The use of concrete in these environment exposes it to attack from chemicals like sulphates, chlorides and alkaline, thereby causing it to deteriorate, and unable to perform satisfactorily within its service life. Hence, the need to investigate the durability properties of concrete has become necessary especially when admixtures are used to modify some of its properties.Objective:This research work investigates the effect of Cassava Starch (CS) on the durability characteristics of concrete.Methods:The durability properties investigated in this work are water absorption, sorptivity, resistance to sulphates, sodium hydroxides and chloride penetration. The specimens were prepared by adding CS by weight of cement at 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0% respectively. The concrete specimens were cured for 28 days, tested for compressive strength before ponding in ionic solutions of sodium hydroxide, sulphuric acid and sodium chloride. Six (6) concrete mixes were prepared, five of which were used to evaluate the effect of CS on the durability characteristics of concrete.Results:The slump values reduced with the increasing dosage of CS due to the viscous nature of the CS paste. Generally, the addition of CS in concrete tends to improve the resistance of concrete to sulphate and chloride attack due to the ability of the muddy-like starch gel to block the pore spaces of hardened concrete, hence, reduces the rate at which water and other aggressive chemicals penetrate the concrete. In addition, the retarding ability of CS impedes the formation of mono-sulphate aluminates during cement hydration, thereby making the concrete less susceptible to sulphate attack.Conclusion:The addition of CS to concrete by weight of cement generally improved the durability characteristics of concrete, while the relative performances of the concrete mixes showed that CS 2.0 gave a better resistance to chloride penetration and sulphate attack.
Effects of Nintedanib on Quantitative Lung Fibrosis Score in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Lancaster Lisa , Goldin Jonathan , Trampisch Matthias , Kim Grace Hyun , Ilowite Jonathan , Homik Lawrence , Hotchkin David L. , Kaye Mitchell , Ryerson Christopher J. , Mogulkoc Nesrin , Conoscenti Craig S 
Published: September 2020

Background:
Nintedanib slows disease progression in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) by reducing decline in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). The effects of nintedanib on abnormalities on high-resolution computed tomography scans have not been previously studied.

Objective:
We conducted a Phase IIIb trial to assess the effects of nintedanib on changes in Quantitative Lung Fibrosis (QLF) score and other measures of disease progression in patients with IPF.

Methods:
113 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive nintedanib 150 mg bid or placebo double-blind for ≥6 months, followed by open-label nintedanib. The primary endpoint was the relative change from baseline in QLF score (%) at month 6. Analyses were descriptive and exploratory.

Results:
Adjusted mean relative changes from baseline in QLF score at month 6 were 11.4% in the nintedanib group (n=42) and 14.6% in the placebo group (n=45) (difference 3.2% [95% CI: −9.2, 15.6]). Adjusted mean absolute changes from baseline in QLF score at month 6 were 0.98% and 1.33% in these groups, respectively (difference 0.35% [95% CI: −1.27, 1.96]). Adjusted mean absolute changes from baseline in FVC at month 6 were −14.2 mL and −83.2 mL in the nintedanib (n=54) and placebo (n=54) groups, respectively (difference 69.0 mL [95% CI: −8.7, 146.8]).

Conclusion:
Exploratory data suggest that in patients with IPF, 6 months’ treatment with nintedanib was associated with a numerically smaller degree of fibrotic change in the lungs and reduced FVC decline versus placebo. These data support previous findings that nintedanib slows the progression of IPF.