bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative cross-sectional assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice among university students and employees towards the use of the microbiology laboratory equipment
Authors: Muzaheed Muzaheed , El-Masry Omar S. , Rabaan Ali A. , Alzahrani Faisal , Alomar Amer , Farooqi Faraz Ahmed 
Published: February 2021

Background: Continuous evaluation of students and employee’s knowledge and attitude in clinical laboratories is mandatory to ensure a high level of competency, proper practice and to assess the need for training, which shall be reflected on the quality of laboratory results. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice in microbiology laboratories among employees (at King Fahd Hospital of the University) and clinical laboratory students (at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University) Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 30 2nd year students, 26 3rd year students, 24 4th year students in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences department, and 30 employees. Participants completed a survey comprising 30 questions to assess their knowledge and attitude towards the use of equipment and practice in the microbiology laboratory. Results: The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the average scores of all levels of students regarding their knowledge (p = 0.85, 0.999, and 0.869), attitude (p = 0.883, 0.996, 0.853), and practice (p=0.633, 0.325, 0.858) in the microbiology laboratory. Employees scores (knowledge;5.03±2.646, attitude; 12.03±4.89, and practice; 7.7±6.11) were quite poor, as indicated by the lower average results than that of students (knowledge; 5.65±3.08, attitude; 13.25±5.33, and practice; 13.46±5.7). Conclusions: It is concluded that the knowledge, attitude, and practice of students and employees in the microbiology laboratory needs to be meticulously monitored and improved to ensure high achievement of learning outcomes and better overall performance in the laboratory. This may be achieved through using frequent quizzes and continuous education programs.
Hedging with an Edge: Parametric Currency Overlay
Authors: Barroso Pedro , Reichenecker Jurij-Andrei , Menichetti Marco J. 
Published: February 2021

We propose an optimal currency hedging strategy for global equity investors using currency value, carry, and momentum to proxy for expected currency returns. A benchmark risk constraint ensures the overlay closely mimics a fully hedged portfolio. We compare this with naïve and alternative hedges in a demanding out-of-sample test, with transaction and rebalancing costs and margin requirements. Other hedging methods generally reduce risk but at a cost. Some tend to short currencies with high returns and all incur substantial costs with frictions, mostly margin requirements and equity rebalancing costs. The proposed strategy uses predictable returns to reduce this cost. It produces a statistically significant 17% gain in Sharpe ratio and an annualized Jensen-α of 0.93% versus a fully hedged benchmark. Notably, most of the implementation costs of the strategy would be incurred by the benchmark anyway. This reduces its marginal cost and highlights a specific synergy of integrating hedging with speculation. This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
Retrospectivas etnográficas El Centro Umbandista Reino Da Mata de Montevideo desde la decolonialidad
Authors: Palacio Dahiana Barrales 
Published: February 2021

Este artículo problematiza —desde una perspectiva descolonial— la construcción de saberes y prácticas manifestadas en el marco del trabajo de campo etnográfico realizado entre 2015 y 2017 en el Centro Umbandista Reino Da Mata de la ciudad de Montevideo, Uruguay. La necesidad de salir de lacárcel epistemológicase hace evidente al presentar extractos del diario de campo y entrevistas. Permanecer dentro de lacarcel epistemológicaimpidió conocer y visibilizar las múltiples formas de colonialidad que formaban parte de la etnografía. Esas formas de colonialidad —de poder, conocimiento, ser y religión— se manifiestan en la elección, el enfoque y las interpretaciones del tema realizadas sobre las prácticas y creencias de ese centro religioso.Palabras-chave: colonialidad, epistemología, religión, identidad, Umbandismo
Speed characterization of p-i-n photodiode based on GaSb/GaInAsSb/GaAlAsSb heterostructure with frontal bridge contact at 1.9  µm
Authors: Vlasov Dmitrii , Konovalov Gleb , Andreev Igor , Yakovlev Yury , Voropaev Vasilii , Donodin Aleksandr , Tarabrin Mikhail , Batov Daniil , Kunitsyna Ekaterina , Lazarev Vladimir 
Published: February 2021

We report a study of the response function parameters (amplitude and rise/fall time) of a high-speed GaSb/GaInAsSb/GaAlAsSb photodiode operating at 1.9 µm as a function of optical input power and reverse bias voltage. The experimental measurement results yield the optimal pulse energy and optimal reverse bias voltage for the photodiode. The 44 ps minimal rise time of the response function and 3.6 GHz bandwidth are achieved under a 3 V reverse bias voltage and pulse energy in the 0.27–2.5 pJ range.
Tight focusing cylindrical vector beams with fractional order
Authors: Stafeev S. S. , Nalimov A. G. , Zaitsev V. D. , Kotlyar V. V. 
Published: February 2021

By simulating tight focusing of vector beams with azimuthal polarization of fractional order

0

<
m
<

1

(

m
=
1

is the azimuthal polarization;

m
=
0

is the linear polarization), it is shown that the shape of the intensity distribution in the focal spot changes from elliptical (

m
=
0

) to round (

m
=
0.5

) and ends with an annular ring (

m
=
1

). The shape of the distribution of the longitudinal component of the Poynting vector (energy flux) in the focal spot changes in a different way: from circular (

m
=
0

) to elliptical (

m
=
0.5

), and it ends in an annular ring (

m
=
1

). The diameter of the focal spot at full width at half-maximum for a beam with azimuthal polarization (

m
=
1

) with an optical vortex of the first order for a numerical aperture

N
A

=
0.95

is 0.46 of the wavelength, and the diameter of the axial energy flux for linearly polarized light (

m
=
0

) is 0.45 of the wavelength. Therefore, the answers to the questions of whether the focal spot is round or elliptical and whether the focal spot is minimal with azimuthal polarization with a vortex or with linear polarization without a vortex depend on whether we are considering the intensity at the focus or the energy flow. In the second simulation, the effect of the deviation of the beam order from

m
=
2

(i.e., the case when the backflow is observed at the center of the focal spot) was investigated. It was shown that for integer values of the beam order, the transverse components of the Poynting vector are equal to zero, but for fractional values, they are not.
Terahertz generation in artificial two-dimensional periodically poled lithium niobate
Authors: Avetisyan Yuri H. 
Published: February 2021

This report shows that intense multicycle terahertz pulses can be generated in two-dimensional quasi-phase-matching structures formed by placing a binary phase mask in front of the periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. The terahertz wave is emitted perpendicular to the direction of the pump pulse propagation, which is favorable for their independent control. A terahertz peak power of 0.6 MW at a frequency of 0.5 THz is predicted for the crystal at 100 K temperature. The efficiency of the pump-to-terahertz conversion is estimated to be 1.5%, with relatively moderate pump pulse energy of 4 mJ. These results could be further improved by resonance enhancement of the pump intensity in an optical cavity or by a proper choice of the pump pulse format.
Simultaneous refractive index and temperature sensing based on a fiber surface waveguide and fiber Bragg gratings
Authors: Chen Qi , Wang D. N. , Gao Feng 
Published: February 2021

An optical fiber sensor based on a fiber surface waveguide and Bragg grating is proposed for a simultaneous refractive index (RI) and temperature sensing. The device consists of two fiber Bragg gratings fabricated by a femtosecond laser, one of which is situated in the fiber core for temperature sensing; the other is located in the fiber surface waveguide for both temperature and RI measurements. The RI and temperature sensitivities achieved are 10.3 nm/RIU and 9.94 pm/°C, respectively. The device is featured with a compact structure, high robustness, and convenient operation.
Low-energy-threshold deep-ultraviolet generation in a small-mode-area hollow-core fiber
Authors: Xiong Daiqi , Luo Jiaqi , Hassan Muhammad Rosdi Abu , Wu Xu , Chang Wonkeun 
Published: February 2021

We demonstrate the generation of wavelength-tunable deep-ultraviolet pulses in a small-mode-area hollow-core fiber fabricated by tapering a nodeless tubular-type hollow-core fiber. Down-scaling of the cross-sectional geometry reduces the pump energy requirement for inducing sufficient nonlinear effects, presenting a unique opportunity for staging low-energy-threshold gas-based nonlinear optics. We report the onset of the ultraviolet light with the pump pulse energy as low as 125 nJ. Our numerical analysis shows that the frequency conversion arises due to soliton phase matching, and therefore shot-to-shot coherence of the ultraviolet emission is well-preserved. It offers a promising platform for a compact ultraviolet frequency comb source.
An open label, block randomized, community study of the safety and efficacy of co-administered ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine plus albendazole vs. diethylcarbamazine plus albendazole for lymphatic filariasis in India
Authors: Jambulingam Purushothaman , Kuttiatt Vijesh Sreedhar , Krishnamoorthy Kaliannagounder , Subramanian Swaminathan , Srividya Adinarayanan , Raju Hari Kishan K. , Rahi Manju , Somani Roopali K. , Suryaprakash Mallanna K. , Dwivedi Gangeshwar P. , Weil Gary J. 
Published: February 2021

Background
Better drug regimens for mass drug administration (MDA) could accelerate the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF). This community study was designed to compare the safety and efficacy of MDA with IDA (ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine and albendazole) or DA (diethylcarbamazine and albendazole) in India.

Methodology/Principal findings
This two-armed, open-labelled, block randomised, community study was conducted in LF endemic villages in Yadgir district, Karnataka, India. Consenting participants ≥5 years of age were tested for circulating filarial antigenemia (CFA) and microfilaremia (Mf) before treatment with a single oral dose of IDA or DA. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored actively for two days and passively for five more days. Persons with positive CFA or Mf tests at baseline were retested 12-months post-treatment to assess treatment efficacy.
Baseline CFA and Mf-rates were 26.4% and 6.9% in IDA and 24.5% and 6.4% in DA villages respectively. 4758 and 4160 participants received IDA and DA. Most AEs were mild after both treatments; fewer than 0.1% of participants experienced AEs with severity > grade 1. No serious AEs were observed. Fever, headache and dizziness were the most common AEs. AE rates were slightly higher after IDA than DA (8.3% vs. 6.4%, P<0.01). AEs were more frequent in females and Mf-positives after either treatment, but significantly more frequent after IDA (40.5% vs 20.2%, P < 0.001).
IDA was more effective for clearing Mf than DA (84% vs. 61.8%, P < 0.001). Geometric mean Mf counts per 60μl in retested Mf-positives decreased by 96.4% from 11.8 after IDA and by 90.0% from 9.5 after DA. Neither treatment was effective for clearing CFA.

Conclusions/Significance
IDA had an acceptable safety profile and was more effective for clearing Mf than DA. With adequate compliance and medical support to manage AEs, IDA has the potential to accelerate LF elimination in India.

Trial registration
Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI No/2016/10/007399)
Examining the Ugandan health system’s readiness to deliver rheumatic heart disease-related services
Authors: Ndagire Emma , Kawakatsu Yoshito , Nalubwama Hadija , Atala Jenifer , Sarnacki Rachel , Pulle Jafesi , Kyarimpa Rakeli , Mwima Rachel , Kansiime Rosemary , Okello Emmy , Lwabi Peter , Beaton Andrea , Sable Craig , Watkins David 
Published: February 2021

Background
In 2018, the World Health Assembly mandated Member States to take action on rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which persists in countries with weak health systems. We conducted an assessment of the current state of RHD-related healthcare in Uganda.

Methodology/Principal findings
This was a mixed-methods, deductive simultaneous design study conducted in four districts of Uganda. Using census sampling, we surveyed health facilities in each district using an RHD survey instrument that was modeled after the WHO SARA tool. We interviewed health workers with experience managing RHD, purposively sampling to ensure a range of qualification and geographic variation. Our final sample included 402 facilities and 36 health workers. We found major gaps in knowledge of clinical guidelines and availability of diagnostic tests. Antibiotics used in RHD prevention were widely available, but cardiovascular medications were scarce. Higher levels of service readiness were found among facilities in the western region (Mbarara district) and private facilities. Level III health centers were the most prepared for delivering secondary prevention. Health worker interviews revealed that limited awareness of RHD at the district level, lack of diagnostic tests and case management registries, and absence of clearly articulated RHD policies and budget prioritization were the main barriers to providing RHD-related healthcare.

Conclusions/Significance
Uganda’s readiness to implement the World Health Assembly RHD Resolution is low. The forthcoming national RHD strategy must focus on decentralizing RHD diagnosis and prevention to the district level, emphasizing specialized training of the primary healthcare workforce and strengthening supply chains of diagnostics and essential medicines.
Trust and transparency in times of crisis: Results from an online survey during the first wave (April 2020) of the COVID-19 epidemic in the UK
Authors: Enria Luisa , Waterlow Naomi , Rogers Nina Trivedy , Brindle Hannah , Lal Sham , Eggo Rosalind M. , Lees Shelley , Roberts Chrissy h. 
Published: February 2021

Background
The success of a government’s COVID-19 control strategy relies on public trust and broad acceptance of response measures. We investigated public perceptions of the UK government’s COVID-19 response, focusing on the relationship between trust and perceived transparency, during the first wave (April 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.

Methods
Anonymous survey data were collected (2020-04-06 to 2020-04-22) from 9,322 respondents, aged 20+ using an online questionnaire shared primarily through Facebook. We took an embedded-mixed-methods approach to data analysis. Missing data were imputed via multiple imputation. Binomial & multinomial logistic regression were used to detect associations between demographic characteristics and perceptions or opinions of the UK government’s response to COVID-19. Structural topic modelling (STM), qualitative thematic coding of sub-sets of responses were then used to perform a thematic analysis of topics that were of interest to key demographic groups.

Results
Most respondents (95.1%) supported government enforcement of behaviour change. While 52.1% of respondents thought the government was making good decisions, differences were apparent across demographic groups, for example respondents from Scotland had lower odds of responding positively than respondents in London. Higher educational levels saw decreasing odds of having a positive opinion of the government response and decreasing household income associated with decreasing positive opinion. Of respondents who thought the government was not making good decisions 60% believed the economy was being prioritised over people and their health. Positive views on government decision-making were associated with positive views on government transparency about the COVID-19 response. Qualitative analysis about perceptions of government transparency highlighted five key themes: (1) the justification of opacity due to the condition of crisis, (2) generalised mistrust of politics, (3) concerns about the role of scientific evidence, (4) quality of government communication and (5) questions about political decision-making processes.

Conclusion
Our study suggests that trust is not homogenous across communities, and that generalised mistrust, concerns about the transparent use and communication of evidence and insights into decision-making processes can affect perceptions of the government’s pandemic response. We recommend targeted community engagement, tailored to the experiences of different groups and a new focus on accountability and openness around how decisions are made in the response to the UK COVID-19 pandemic.
Beta-blocker and survival in patients with lung cancer: A meta-analysis
Authors: Lei Zhen , Yang Weiyi , Zuo Ying 
Published: February 2021

Background
Beta-blocker (BB) is suggested to have anticancer efficacy. However, the potential influence of BB use on overall survival (OS) in patients with lung cancer remains undetermined. We aimed to evaluate the above relationship in an updated meta-analysis.

Methods
Observational studies comparing OS between users and non-users of BB with lung cancer were identified by search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane’s Library. A random-effect model was used to pool the results.

Results
Ten retrospective cohort studies with 30870 patients were included. Overall, BB use was not associated with significantly improved OS in lung cancer (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98 to 1.06, p = 0.33) with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 29%). Stratified analyses showed similar results in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, in studies with BB use before and after the diagnosis of lung cancer, and in studies with or without adjustment of smoking. Use of BB was associated with improved OS in patients with stage III lung cancer (HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85 to 0.98, p = 0.02) and in patients that did not receive surgery resection (HR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.96, p = 0.02), while use of non-selective BB was associated with worse OS (HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.28, p = 0.03).

Conclusions
This meta-analysis of retrospective cohort studies does not support a significant association between BB use and improved OS in lung cancer.
Dehydroepiandrostenedione sulphate (DHEAS) levels predict high risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in subclinical hypothyroidism
Authors: Shukla Ravindra , Ganeshani Mayank , Agarwal Monica , Jangir Rakesh , Kandel Gaurav , Sankanagoudar Shrimanjunath , Srivastava Shival 
Published: February 2021

IntroductionThe presence of rheumatism is well recognized in primary hypothyroidism. Dehydroepiandrstenedione sulphate (DHEAS) is associated with rheumatological diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aims to explore relationship between joint pains and DHEAS levels in primary hypothyroidism.MethodsRetrospective study of 78 subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism, with TSH within reference range. The joint pains were evaluated by European Union League against rheumatism (EULAR-CSA) score and compared with serum DHEAS, RA factor, Anti-TPO antibody, highly sensitive C-recative protein (hsCRP), vitamin D levels.ResultDHEAS levels <43.6 mcg/dl significantly predicted clinical features of pre RA as assessed by EULAR CSA criteria with acceptable specificity (82%). EULAR CSA score is fairly valid in assessing imminent RA in primary hypothyroidism.ConclusionLower DHEAS predicts clinical features of imminent RA in subjects with primary hypothyroidism. This is akin to low DHEAS seen in many rheumatological disease with possibly similar mechanism. Another possibility is low DHEAS alters hepato-hypothalamo pituitary adrenal axis in presense of cytokines and induces a hitherto unrecognized state of pre rheumatoid arthritis like syndrome. Future studies on primary hypothyroidism should focus on role of lower DHEAS levels in inducing symptoms of fatigue and joint pains.
Determinants of peripheral neuropathy among diabetic patients under follow-up in chronic care clinics of public hospitals at Gamo and Gofa zones, southern Ethiopia
Authors: Gebabo Teshale Fikadu , Zewdie Tadiwos Hailu , Shagaro Sewunet Sako , Haile Firehiwot 
Published: February 2021

Background
Peripheral neuropathy is a leading cause of morbidity and increased mortality among diabetic patients. It is characterized by significant deficits in vibration and tactile sensation. With an annual incidence of 2%, it affects as many as 110 million people worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with peripheral neuropathy among diabetic patients in chronic care clinic in Gamo and Gofa zone, South Ethiopia.

Methods
An institution- based unmatched case control study was employed among 528 randomly selected participants using a pre-tested, interviewer-administered, and structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identifiy determinants of peripheral neuropathy using IBM SPSS version 25.

Result
The odds of being an urban dweller was 2.67 times higher among cases than controls [AOR = 2.67 (1.27, 5.63)]. The likelihood of fasting blood glucose level between 203 and 282 and 282 and above was 2.55 and 3.88 times higher among cases than controls [AOR = 2.55 (1.91, 7.16)] and [AOR = 3.88 (1.42, 10.60)] respectively. The probability of living with diabetes mellitus for 10 and more years was 3.88 times higher among cases than controls [AOR = 3.88 (1.42, 10.60)]. The odds of controlling glucose level after developing symptom was 5.33 times higher among cases than controls [AOR = 5.33 (1.28, 12.24)]. The probability of having high blood pressure was 2.36 times higher among cases than controls [AOR = 2.36 (1.26, 4.43)]. The likelihood of having a family history of complication from diabetes mellitus was 5.60 times higher among cases than controls [AOR = 5.60 (2.03, 15.43)]. The odds of exercising 3 times per week for 15 to 30 minutes and for less than 15 minutes were 2.96 and 4.92 times higher among cases than controls respectively [AOR = 2.96 (1.32, 6.61)] and AOR = 4.92, 95% CI (1.85, 13.04) respectively. The likelihood of having a waist circumference greater than or equal to 40 inch was 2.72 times higher among cases than controls [AOR = 2.72 (1.07, 6.94)].

Conclusion
This study showed that residence, duration of diabetic mellitus, family history of complication from diabetic mellitus, level of fasting blood glucose, method of glycemic control, having a high blood pressure/hypertension/, frequency and duration of physical activity and waist circumference were found to be determinants of peripheral neuropathy. Thus, the concerned health authorities and health professionals should target on these factors in their efforts to prevent peripheral neuropathy among diabetics in the study area.