bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal lockdowns for COVID‐19 pandemics: Analyzing the efficiency of sanitary policies in Europe
Authors: Gallic Ewen , Lubrano Michel , Michel Pierre 
Published: November 2021

AbstractTwo main nonpharmaceutical policy strategies have been used in Europe in response to the COVID‐19 epidemic: one aimed at natural herd immunity and the other at avoiding saturation of hospital capacity by crushing the curve. The two strategies lead to different results in terms of the number of lives saved on the one hand and production loss on the other hand. Using a susceptible–infected–recovered–dead model, we investigate and compare these two strategies. As the results are sensitive to the initial reproduction number, we estimate the latter for 10 European countries for each wave from January 2020 till March 2021 using a double sigmoid statistical model and the Oxford COVID‐19 Government Response Tracker data set. Our results show that Denmark, which opted for crushing the curve, managed to minimize both economic and human losses. Natural herd immunity, sought by Sweden and the Netherlands does not appear to have been a particularly effective strategy, especially for Sweden, both in economic terms and in terms of lives saved. The results are more mixed for other countries, but with no evident trade‐off between deaths and production losses.
Differences in the hepatitis C virus cascade of care and time to initiation of therapy among vulnerable subpopulations using a mobile unit as point‐of‐care
Authors: Valencia Jorge , Lazarus Jeffrey V. , Ceballos Francisco C. , Troya Jesús , Cuevas Guillermo , Resino Salvador , Torres‐Macho Juan , Ryan Pablo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackground and AimsPeople who inject drugs (PWID) and other marginalized populations with high hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rates represent a unique challenge for treatment initiation due to health, administrative and social barriers. We analysed the HCV cascade of care (CoC) in some vulnerable subpopulations in Madrid, Spain, when using a mobile point‐of‐care (PoC).MethodsFrom 2019 to 2021, a mobile unit was used to screen active HCV using a linkage‐to‐care and two‐step PoC‐based strategy. Viremic participants were grouped into four subgroups: PWID, homeless individuals and people with a mental health disorder (MHD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Logistic regression, and Cox and Aalen's additive models were used to analyse associated factors and differences between groups.ResultsA prospectively recruited cohort of 214 HCV‐infected individuals (73 PWID, 141 homeless, 57 with a MHD and 91 with AUD) participated in the study. The overall HCV CoC analysis found that 178 (83.1%) attended a hospital, 164 (76.6%) initiated direct‐acting antiviral therapy and 141 (65.8%) completed therapy, of which 99 (95.2%) achieved sustained virological response (SVR). PWID were significantly less likely to initiate treatment, whereas individuals with AUD waited longer before starting the treatment. Both people with AUD and PWID were significantly less likely to complete HCV treatment.ConclusionsOverall, SVR was achieved in the majority of the participants treated. However, PWID need better linkage to care and treatment, whereas PWID and AUD need more support for treatment completion.
Morphological and functional changes of striatal neurons with L‐dopa‐induced dyskinesia
Authors: Nishijima Haruo , Nakamura Takashi , Tomiyama Masahiko 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPriming and expression of L‐dopa‐induced dyskinesia (LID) is associated with maladaptive plasticity of striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) in the direct pathway of the basal ganglia. The L‐dopa dosage threshold for dyskinesia decreases immediately after dopaminergic denervation, then gradually after repeated L‐dopa treatment. Dopaminergic denervation induces D1 receptor hypersensitivity in the soma and axon terminals and diminishes negative feedback from GABAB receptors in the direct pathway SPNs, resulting in neuronal hypersensitivity. After dopaminergic denervation, serotonergic neurons metabolize L‐dopa. Serotonergic neurons do not have D2 receptors or dopamine transporters, resulting in a non‐regulated release of dopamine, with subsequent pulsatile dopamine receptor stimulation. L‐dopa treatment post‐dopaminergic denervation induces LID in rat models. Dyskinetic rats show a lack of depotentiation at their corticostriatal synapses and enlargement of their dendritic spines within direct pathway SPNs, both of which account for strengthened corticostriatal synaptic transmission in LID models. Intra‐SPN signal transduction is activated, resulting in the hypersynthesis of GABA. The volume of the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi) increases alongside the enlargement of axon terminals with many synaptic vesicles containing GABA from direct pathway SPNs. When the model expresses LID, excessive GABA is released into the GPi. LID priming involves excessive GABA storage in GPi axon terminals, with LID triggered by enhanced GABA release into the GPi.
Distress among hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Ganz Freda DeKeyser , Raanan Ofra , Shafir Gennady , Levy Dassy , Klempfner Robert , Beigel Roy , Iakobishvili Zaza 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have demonstrated that those suffering from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) experience various physical and psychological symptoms. Few studies have investigated the multi‐factorial, holistic, unpleasant experience of distress that includes physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors among this patient population while still hospitalized.AimTo describe the level of distress among patients hospitalized with ACS and its association with demographic and clinical factors and mortality.Study DesignThe study conducted a descriptive, cross‐sectional survey.MethodsThe Acute Coronary Syndrome Israel Study is a national, biennial registry, enrolling all patients with ACS admitted to cardiac intensive care or cardiology wards in Israel within a 2‐month period. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved from an electronic database. Distress was measured by the Distress Thermometer. Nurses collected distress data directly from patients before discharge.ResultsNine hundred ninety participants (50.6% response rate) were surveyed. Mean age was 62.8 (SD = 12.5). Mean distress level was 4.8 (SD = 3.45) out of 10. The most frequently reported area of distress was physical, followed by emotional. Practical and family problems were less frequent. Emotional distress was found to differ based on educational level, marital status, smoking history, and previous medical history. Distress did not predict 7‐ or 30‐day mortality.ConclusionsRespondents with ACS were in moderate distress. It is recommended that those at increased risk receive increased monitoring of emotional distress while still in hospital. Further studies should investigate this holistic view of distress among the ACS population using a variety of methods and methodologies.
6‐Benzyladenine increasing subsequent waterlogging‐induced waterlogging tolerance of summer maize by increasing hormone signal transduction
Authors: Hu Juan , Ren Baizhao , Dong Shuting , Liu Peng , Zhao Bin , Zhang Jiwang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSummer maize is frequently subjected to waterlogging damage because of increased and variable rainfall during the growing season. The application of 6‐benzyladenine (6‐BA) can effectively mitigate the waterlogging effects on plant growth and increase the grain yield of waterlogged summer maize. However, the mechanisms underlying this process and the involvement of 6‐BA in relevant signal transduction pathways remain unclear. In this study, we explored the effects of 6‐BA on waterlogged summer maize using a phosphoproteomic technique to better understand the mechanism by which summer maize growth improves following waterlogging. Application of 6‐BA inhibited the waterlogging‐induced increase in abscisic acid (ABA) content and increased the phosphorylation levels of proteins involved in ABA signaling; accordingly, stomatal responsiveness to exogenous ABA increased. In addition, the application of 6‐BA had a long‐term effect on signal transduction pathways and contributed to rapid responses to subsequent stresses. Plants primed with 6‐BA accumulated more ethylene and jasmonic acid in response to subsequent waterlogging; accordingly, leaf SPAD, antioxidase activity, and root traits improved by 6‐BA priming. These results suggest that the effects of 6‐BA on hormone signal transduction pathways are anamnestic, which enables plants to show faster or stronger defense responses to stress.
Gut microbiota and vitamin status in persons with obesity: A key interplay
Authors: Voland Lise , Le Roy Tiphaine , Debédat Jean , Clément Karine 
Published: November 2021

SummaryThere are numerous factors involved in obesity progression and maintenance including systemic low‐grade inflammation, adipose tissue dysfunction, or gut microbiota dysbiosis. Recently, a growing interest has arisen for vitamins' role in obesity and related disorders, both at the host and gut bacterial level. Indeed, vitamins are provided mostly by food, but some, from the B and K groups in particular, can be synthesized by the gut bacterial ecosystem and absorbed in the colon. Knowing that vitamin deficiency can alter many important cellular functions and lead to serious health issues, it is important to carefully monitor the vitamin status of patients with obesity and potentially already existing comorbidities as well as to examine the dysbiotic gut microbiota and thus potentially altered bacterial metabolism of vitamins. In this review, we examined both murine and human studies, to assess the prevalence of sub‐optimal levels of several vitamins in obesity and metabolic alterations. This review also examines the relationship between vitamins and the gut microbiota in terms of vitamin production and the modulation of the gut bacterial ecosystem in conditions of vitamin shortage or supplementation. Furthermore, some strategies to improve vitamin status of patients with severe obesity are proposed within this review.
SOCIOECONOMIC CRISIS AND CULTURAL INNOVATION: THE LBA‐EIA EAST MEDITERRANEAN VIA A CASE STUDY OF LASITHI, CRETE
Authors: Wallace Saro 
Published: November 2021

SummaryThe collapse of states c.1200 BC in the east Mediterranean is one of the best‐known socioeconomic crises of the ancient world. The period also witnessed notable innovation in a range of cultural spheres. The more general historical relationship between crisis and innovation can be productively explored using the increasingly detailed data available on this period and region, including case studies like the present one. This focuses on the north Lasithi area of east Crete in connection to recent archaeological work there, particularly at the site of Karphi and on its finds. It is contextualized in terms of the wider Mediterranean crisis context and the particular cultural responses seen in the Aegean. The paper explores the cultural contexts and outcomes of state collapse in ways which can help to interrogate received general models of historical innovation drivers. Does crisis in fact tend to produce technological regression and simplification, as elites disappear and complex sociopolitical systems break down? Do crisis‐spurred population movements have a direct role in transforming technology? Alternatively (or at the same time) does crisis provide a freed‐up social and economic space in which latent local innovation can emerge? In the multi‐context approach to interpreting cultural change adopted here, spheres of technological innovation which have already been intensively studied for the relevant period (e.g. iron introduction) are assessed from new angles, and less‐discussed/‐researched innovations (e.g. in textile making) are explored at a detailed scale through the case study, allowing evaluation of potential cross‐stimulus between different innovation spheres in the context of crisis.
Acute suppression of epicardial left ventricular summit premature ventricular ectopy by occlusive venogram
Authors: Tan Eugene S.J. , Seow Swee‐Chong 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe describe the unique phenomenon of occlusive venogram‐induced suppression of premature ventricular complexes (PVC) arising from the epicardial left ventricular summit (LVS). Prior to ablation through the coronary sinus, routine occlusive venogram performed at the focus of PVC origin led to localized myocardial staining and simultaneous, sustained PVC suppression. Pace‐mapping adjacent to the area of myocardial staining revealed near‐identical PVC morphology match (98%). Routine occlusive venogram prior to ablation within the coronary venous system is safe and contributed to localization of the PVC focus.
When Two Become One? Examining Kamala Harris and Joe Biden's Campaign Themes from Primary to General Election
Authors: Meeks Lindsey 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMoving from primary opponents to presidential ticket partners requires negotiation and strategy. Yet no work has systematically tracked the evolution of how two separate campaigns rhetorically become one. Rooted in partisan appeals, descriptive and policy representation, and ticket balancing research, this study employs two computer‐assisted content analytic methods to Kamala Harris and Joe Biden's tweets during the 2020 U.S. presidential primary and general election. Shifting between campaign phases, Harris did not rhetorically engage in ticket balancing or emphasize her qualifications, favoring other techniques instead to support Biden. Biden's messaging remained largely consistent yet showed some accommodations to emerging contexts.
Understanding poverty dynamics in Ethiopia: Implications for the likely impact of COVID‐19
Authors: Mekasha Tseday Jemaneh , Tarp Finn 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe aim at identifying vulnerable groups that face a higher risk of falling into poverty due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Applying a synthetic panel data approach, our analysis of poverty and vulnerability transitions during the pre‐COVID period shows not only a high rate of poverty persistence in Ethiopia but also a high probability of moving from vulnerable nonpoor status to poor status. Given the observed persistence of poverty and greater risk of downward mobility, even in the pre‐COVID period, it is highly likely that poverty persistence and downward mobility will be aggravated during the current pandemic. A detailed poverty profiling exercise shows that households where the household head is less educated, engaged in the service sector, self‐employed, and a domestic worker are population segments with a high rate of downward mobility. As the emerging evidence on the socioeconomic impact of COVID shows, these segments of the population are also the ones relatively more affected by the pandemic. Overall, the pandemic is likely to result in a serious setback to the progress made in poverty reduction in Ethiopia. Poverty reduction policies should thus target not only the existing poor but also the vulnerable nonpoor.
Response to pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccination in children with rheumatic disease
Authors: Jensen Lotte , Christensen Anne Estmann , Nielsen Susan , Pedersen Freddy Karup , Rosthøj Susanne , Jørgensen Charlotte Sværke , Poulsen Anja 
Published: November 2021

AbstractChildren with rheumatic disease and compromised immune system have an increased risk of infection. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a frequent pathogen, and immunization is recommended. In this study, we investigated whether immunocompromised children with rheumatic disease do respond to pneumococcal immunization with 13‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine followed by 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. The study was conducted at two tertiary referral hospitals in Denmark from 2015 to 2018. Patients with rheumatic disease and compromised immune system aged 2‐19 years were eligible. Patients were vaccinated with 13‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine followed by 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. A blood sample was collected before vaccination and after each vaccination. IgG antibodies were quantified for twelve serotypes. Seroprotection for each serotype was defined as IgG ≥0.35 µg/mL. A total of 27 patients were enrolled. After the conjugate vaccine, an increase in antibody titres compared with pre‐vaccination was found for all serotypes and 9/12 were significant. After the polysaccharide vaccine, the antibody titres for all serotypes but one was seen to increase but none reached significance. The proportion of patients protected before immunization ranged from 20.8% to 100% for the individual serotypes. Odds ratio for achieving seroprotection after the conjugate vaccine was >1 for 10/12 serotypes but only significant for three serotypes. After the polysaccharide vaccine, the odds ratio was >1 for 9/12 serotypes but none reached significance. In conclusion, children with rheumatic disease and compromised immune system respond to pneumococcal immunization with 13‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and maintain antibody levels upon subsequent immunization with 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
Effect of concurrent strength and endurance training on run performance and biomechanics: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Trowell Danielle , Fox Aaron , Saunders Natalie , Vicenzino Bill , Bonacci Jason 
Published: November 2021

This parallel‐group randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of concurrent strength and endurance (CSE) training on running performance, biomechanics, and muscle activity during overground running. Thirty moderately trained distance runners were randomly assigned to 10‐week CSE training (n = 15; 33.1 ± 7.5 years) or a control group (n = 15; 34.2 ± 8.2 years). Participants ran ≥30 km per week and had no experience with strength training. The primary outcome measure was 2‐km run time. Secondary outcome measures included lower limb sagittal plane biomechanics and muscle activity during running (3.89 m s−1 and maximal sprinting); maximal aerobic capacity (V̇O2max); running economy; and body composition. CSE training improved 2‐km run time (mean difference (MD): −11.3 s [95% CI −3.7, −19.0]; p = 0.006) and time to exhaustion during the V̇O2max running test (MD 59.1 s [95% CI 8.58, 109.62]; p = 0.024). The CSE training group also reduced total body fat (MD: −1.05 kg [95% CI −0.21, −1.88]; p = 0.016) while total body mass and lean body mass were unchanged. Hip joint angular velocity during the early swing phase of running at 3.89 m s−1 was the only biomechanical or muscle activity variable that significantly changed following CSE training. CSE training is beneficial for running performance, but changes in running biomechanics and muscle activity may not be contributing factors to the performance improvement. Future research should consider other possible mechanisms and the effect of CSE training on biomechanics and muscle activity during prolonged running under fatigued conditions.
Digital soil mapping of soil salinity using EM38 and quasi‐3d modelling software (EM4Soil)
Authors: Khongnawang Tibet , Zare Ehsan , Srihabun Pranee , Khunthong Itisak , Triantafilis John 
Published: November 2021

AbstractLand development in the form of irrigation has led to increased agricultural productivity, but natural stores of connate salt have led to salinization. To manage salinity, baseline information about the electrical conductivity of a saturated soil paste extract (ECe – dS/m) is necessary. To value add to the limited ECe that can be collected, proximal sensed data from electromagnetic (EM) induction instruments (e.g. EM38) are increasingly being used because the measured apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa – mS/m) can be correlated with measured topsoil (0–0.3 m), subsurface (0.3–0.6 m), subsoil (0.6–0.9 m) and deep subsoil (0.9–1.2 m) ECe. However, errors may be introduced in prediction, given an EM38 measures ECa at depths of 0–1.5 m in vertical (EM38v) and 0–0.75 m in horizontal (EM38h) mode. To overcome this, we develop a linear regression (LR) between estimates of electrical conductivity (σ – mS/m), inverted from EM38v and EM38h using a quasi‐3d algorithm and measured ECe at the same depths. First, the LR was established (using R2) between estimates of σ inverted from ECa at heights of 0.5 (EM38v0.5 and EM38h0.5) and 0 m (EM38v0 and EM38h0), either alone or in combination, as well as in vertical mode (i.e. EM38v0.5 and EM38v0). ECa were also degraded (100%, 80%, 60% and 40%) to compare loss of prediction agreement (Lin's concordance) and accuracy (root mean square error). We use Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to qualitatively indicate crop growth. Moderate coefficient of determination (R2) was achieved between σ and ECe when we use the EM38v0.5 and EM38h0.5 (0.65) and EM38v0.5 and EM38v0 (0.69), but strong R2 was achieved using EM38v0 and EM38h0 (0.78) and in combination with the EM38v0.5 and EM38h0.5 (0.71). However, while good agreement (Lin's > 0.8) was achieved, during a leave‐one‐out cross‐validation for most EM38 combinations, the best result was achieved using EM38v0 and EM38h0 (Lin's = 0.87). There was also loss in prediction agreement and accuracy using any of the degraded ECa data sets, however. The final 3d map of ECe, as well as NDVI, showed where highly saline (>8 dS/m) areas in the west of most fields resulted as a function of leakage from the Kham‐rean Canal and topography (i.e. lower lying areas). We conclude the approach has broad application to map, potentially manage and monitor large areas of north‐east Thailand.
Insight into the influence of pH on the precipitation induced by bacteria
Authors: Li Lixia , Liu Tianle , Jiang Guosheng , Fang Changliang , Zheng Shaojun , Qu Bo , Zhu Yunfei 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn recent years, microbial mineralization has aroused great attention in soil remediation. The pH is one of the critical factors that control the microbial mineralization process. However, the interaction mechanism between the environment pH and the mineralization process has not been clarified yet. This paper focused on the growth of bacteria, urease activity and the calcium utilization rate. Besides, we detected the particle size distribution, morphological characteristics and the composition of precipitations formed at different pH. Moreover, we evaluated the triaxial compressive strength of sand columns processed by different pH consolidation solutions. Additionally, the volume fraction of precipitations and its spatial distribution in sand columns were analysed by X‐ray CT. The results demonstrated that pH significantly influences the growth of bacteria and urease activity, especially in the bacteria's early growth stage. This paper also indicates that the environmental pH impacts the volume fraction of precipitations, affecting the consolidation properties. We also found a negative correlation between the cohesion and the total volume fraction of precipitations. In contrast, there was a positive correlation between the friction angle and the total volume fraction of precipitations. Moreover, we observed that the precipitations mainly distributed in the pores and throats, increasing the sand particles’ roughness. Furthermore, we proposed four cementing models for the spatial relationship between the precipitations and the sand particles, which provides new insight into the consolidation mechanism. This paper guides us to promote this environmentally friendly technology to treat soil liquefaction and desertification.