bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utility of teleconsultation in accessing eye care in a developing country during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mansoor Hassan , Khan Saad Alam , Afghani Tayyab , Assir Muhammad Zaman , Ali Mahmood , Khan Wajid Ali 
Published: January 2021

Objective
To evaluate the utility of teleconsultation in the provision of eye care services during the COVID-19 lockdown. Disparities in the consultation burden of sub-specialities and socio-demographic differences in teleconsultation utilization were also assessed.

Methods
Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital Rawalpindi began audio and video teleconsultation using broadband telecommunication services during the lockdown. Patients’ and consultations’ data gathered during the first three weeks after the commencement of this programme were compared with data from the four weeks prior to lockdown. The weekly consultation ratio and overall consultation burden of sub-specialities were measured. Chi-Square tests of association determined the relationship between different variables (socioeconomic status and consultation characteristics) and consultation modality (on-site vs online).

Results
In total, 17507 on-site consultations (4377/week) were conducted compared to 1431 teleconsultations (477/week), which maintained 10.89% of the weekly pre-lockdown eye care services. The post-lockdown teleconsultation programme saw a relatively higher percentage of service utility among female (47.09% vs 44.71%), younger-age (31.33±19.45 vs 41.25±23.32 years) and higher-socioeconomic-status (32.21% vs 0.30%) patients compared to pre-lockdown on-site consultations. The most common indication for teleconsultation was red-eye (16.70%). While cornea and glaucoma clinics maintained most of the pre-lockdown services (30.42% and 29% respectively), the highest dropout was seen in optometric and vitreoretinal services supporting only 5.54% and 8.28% of pre-lockdown services, respectively.

Conclusion
Digital initiatives could partially maintain eye care services during the lockdown. Focused strategies to improve teleconsultation utilization are required during the pandemic and beyond.
Evaluation of a ‘serious game’ on nursing student knowledge and uptake of influenza vaccination
Authors: Mitchell Gary , Leonard Laurence , Carter Gillian , Santin Olinda , Brown Wilson Christine 
Published: January 2021

Background
Influenza is a serious global healthcare issue that is associated with between 290,000 to 650,000 deaths annually. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a ‘serious game’ about influenza, on nursing student attitude, knowledge and uptake of the influenza vaccination.

Methods
1306 undergraduate nursing students were invited, via email, to play an online game about influenza between September 2018 and March 2019. 430 nursing students accessed the game and completed an 8-item questionnaire measuring their attitudes to influenza between September 2018 and March 2019. In April 2019, 356 nursing students from this sample completed a follow-up 2-item questionnaire about their uptake of the influenza vaccination. A larger separate 40-item knowledge questionnaire was completed by a year one cohort of 124 nursing students in August 2018 prior to receiving access to the game and then after access to the game had ended, in April 2019. This sample was selected to determine the extent to which the game improved knowledge about influenza amongst a homogenous group.

Results
In the year preceding this study, 36.7% of the sample received an influenza vaccination. This increased to 47.8% after accessing to the game. Nursing students reported perceived improvements in their knowledge, intention to get the vaccination and intention to recommend the vaccination to their patients after playing the game. Nursing students who completed the 40-item pre- and post-knowledge questionnaire scored an average of 68.6% before receiving access to the game and 85.2% after. Using Paired T-Tests statistical analysis, it was determined that this 16.6% increase was highly statistically significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusions
The research highlights that the influenza game can improve knowledge and intention to become vaccinated. This study suggests that improvement in influenza knowledge is likely to encourage more nursing students to receive the influenza vaccination.
The critical role of infection prevention overlooked in Ethiopia, only one-half of health-care workers had safe practice: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sahiledengle Biniyam , Tekalegn Yohannes , Woldeyohannes Demelash 
Published: January 2021

Background
Effective infection prevention and control measures, such as proper hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, instrument processing, and safe injection practicein the healthcare facilitiesare essential elements of patient safety and lead to optimal patient outcomes. In Ethiopia, findings regarding infection prevention practices among healthcare workers have been highly variable and uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimates the pooled prevalence of safe infection prevention practices and summarizesthe associated factors among healthcare workers in Ethiopia.

Methods
PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and the Cochran library were systematically searched. We included all observational studies reporting the prevalence of safe infection prevention practices among healthcare workers in Ethiopia. Two authors independently extracted all necessary data using a standardized data extraction format. Qualitative and quantitative analyseswere employed. The Cochran Q test statistics and I2 tests were used to assess the heterogeneity of the studies. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of safe infection prevention practice.

Results
Of the 187 articles identified through our search, 10 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of safe infection prevention practice in Ethiopia was 52.2% (95%CI: 40.9–63.4). The highest prevalence of safe practice was observed in Addis Ababa (capital city) 66.2% (95%CI: 60.6–71.8), followed by Amhara region 54.6% (95%CI: 51.1–58.1), and then Oromia region 48.5% (95%CI: 24.2–72.8), and the least safe practices were reported from South Nation Nationalities and People (SNNP) and Tigray regions with a pooled prevalence of 39.4% (95%CI: 13.9–64.8). In our qualitative syntheses, the odds of safe infection prevention practice were higher among healthcare workers who had good knowledge and a positive attitude towards infection prevention. Also, healthcare workers working in facilities with continuous running water supply, having infection prevention guideline, and those received training were significantly associated withhigher odds of safe infection prevention practice.

Conclusions
Infection prevention practices in Ethiopia was poor, with only half of the healthcare workers reporting safe practices. Further, the study found out that there were regional and professional variations in the prevalence of safe infection prevention practices. Therefore, the need to step-up efforts to intensify the current national infection prevention and patient safety initiative as key policy direction is strongly recommended, along with more attempts to increase healthcare worker’s adherence towards infection prevention guidelines.
High-risk chest radiographic features associated with COVID-19 disease severity
Authors: Ong Sean Wei Xiang , Hui Terrence Chi Hong , Lee Yeong Shyan , Haja Mohideen Salahudeen Mohamed , Young Barnaby Edward , Tan Cher Heng , Lye David Chien 
Published: January 2021

Objectives
High-risk CXR features in COVID-19 are not clearly defined. We aimed to identify CXR features that correlate with severe COVID-19.

Methods
All confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted within the study period were screened. Those with suboptimal baseline CXR were excluded. CXRs were reviewed by three independent radiologists and opacities recorded according to zones and laterality. The primary endpoint was defined as hypoxia requiring supplemental oxygen, and CXR features were assessed for association with this endpoint to identify high-risk features. These features were then used to define criteria for a high-risk CXR, and clinical features and outcomes of patients with and without baseline high-risk CXR were compared using logistic regression analysis.

Results
109 patients were included. In the initial analysis of 40 patients (36.7%) with abnormal baseline CXR, presence of bilateral opacities, multifocal opacities, or any upper or middle zone opacity were associated with supplemental oxygen requirement. Of the entire cohort, 29 patients (26.6%) had a baseline CXR with at least one of these features. Having a high-risk baseline CXR was significantly associated with requiring supplemental oxygen in univariate (odds ratio 14.0, 95% confidence interval 3.90–55.60) and multivariate (adjusted odds ratio 8.38, 95% CI 2.43–28.97, P = 0.001) analyses.

Conclusion
We identified several high-risk CXR features that are significantly associated with severe illness. The association of upper or middle zone opacities with severe illness has not been previously emphasized. Recognition of these specific high-risk CXR features is important to prioritize limited healthcare resources for sicker patients.
Democratic Transition in Russia in the 1990s in Textbooks on Russian History
Authors: Suslov A.B. , Shuiskaya E.V. 
Published: January 2021

The article analyzes how the problems of democratic transition are presented in modern textbooks on the history of Russia. The relevance of the problem under study is determined primarily by the importance of history textbooks for constructing a memory policy. At the same time, attention is drawn to insufficient coverage in the modern historiography of the transformations of the 1990s that is an important period of historical development. Presentation of Russian history in 1992-1999 in textbooks has been analyzed in comparison with expert evaluations of economists, sociologists and political scientists.
The authors conclude that there are different interpretations of the problems of post-Soviet democratic transition in textbooks for the 10th grade on the history of Russia. In particular, in one textbook 1990s completely correspond to the current image of the “likhie 90s” (the hard 90s). In another one it is not only a time of great difficulties, but also an era of hopes and opportunities. But these differences are leveled, when economic and political development of the country at this time is appeared mainly in negative interpretation in the frame of the subsequent 2000s, which are presented as a time of success.
Successful Nucleoside Analog and Corticosteroid Therapy for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy in a Patient With Hepatitis B Virus Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Nugraha Eka Surya , Huang Ian , Supriyadi Rudi , Girawan Dolvy , Bestari Muhammad Begawan 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
Here, we describe the case of a 44-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, who was admitted with progressive muscle weakness and paresthesia in all extremities. He showed slight icterus. Positive HBV e-antigen test, significant HBV-deoxyribonucleic acid load, hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, mild ascites, and demyelinating peripheral axonal lesions in both sensory and motor nerves led to the diagnosis of Child-Pugh class B HBV cirrhosis with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Oral lamivudine, intravenous steroids, calcium, and vitamin D therapy led to a significant recovery of muscle strength within 6 weeks and a gradual return to normal after 24 weeks.
Multi-Objective Optimization Dispatch Based Energy Management of A Microgrid Running Under Grid Connected and Standalone Operation Mode
Authors: Lagouir Marouane , Badri Abdelmajid , Sayouti Yassine 
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a novel optimization approach for a day-ahead power management and control of a DC microgrid (MG). The multi-objective optimization dispatch (MOOD) problem involves minimizing the overall operating cost, pollutant emission levels of (NOx, SO2 and CO2) and the power loss cost of the conversion devices. The weighted sum method is selected to convert the multi-objective optimization problem into a single optimization problem. Then, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method is applied to determine the weight coefficients, according to the preference of each objective function. The system’s performance is evaluated under both grid connected and standalone operation mode, considering power balancing, high level penetration of renewable energy, optimal scheduling of charging/discharging of battery storage system, control of load curtailment and the system technical constraints. Ant lion optimizer (ALO) method is considered for handling MOOD, and the performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with other known heuristic optimization techniques. The simulation results prove the effectiveness and the capability of the developed approach to deal better with the coordinated control and optimization dispatch problem.They also revealed that economically running the MG system under grid connected mode can reduce the overall cost by around 4.70% compared to when it is in standalone operation mode.
Local versus nonlocal elliptic equations: short-long range field interactions
Authors: Cassani Daniele , Vilasi Luca , Wang Youjun 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In this paper we study a class of one-parameter family of elliptic equations which combines local and nonlocal operators, namely the Laplacian and the fractional Laplacian. We analyze spectral properties, establish the validity of the maximum principle, prove existence, nonexistence, symmetry and regularity results for weak solutions. The asymptotic behavior of weak solutions as the coupling parameter vanishes (which turns the problem into a purely nonlocal one) or goes to infinity (reducing the problem to the classical semilinear Laplace equation) is also investigated.
Stray light analysis and design optimization of geometrical waveguide
Authors: Zhou Yao , Zhang Jufan , Fang Fengzhou 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Waveguide technology has great prospects of development in optical see-through near-eye displays with larger field of view, lower thickness and lighter weight than other conventional optical technologies. However, the stray light is usually inevitable in current optical design and manufacturing, causing a poor imaging quality. In this paper, the principle and structures of stray light generation are analyzed, and the causes are discussed by non-sequential ray-tracing with mass precision calculation. From the ray-tracing, the suppression of stray light by optimizing design and manufacturing are achieved. A 2 mm-thickness geometrical waveguide with partially reflective mirror array is designed. The field of view of the optimized geometrical waveguide reaches 47° with 10 mm at exit pupil diameter and 20 mm at eye relief.
Influence of photobiomodulation and vitamin D on osteoblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells and bone-like tissue formation through enzymatic activity and gene expression
Authors: Abdelgawad Latifa Mohamed , Abdelaziz Asmaa Mohamed , Sabry Dina , Abdelgwad Marwa 
Published: January 2021

Abstract(1)BackgroundHuman periodontal ligament stem cells (HPDLSCs) are a unique population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Recently, the positive effects of photobiomodulation on the regulation of MSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation have gained significant attention. This study aimed to assess the effects of photobiomodulation and vitamin D (as an anabolic factor) on HPDLSCs for bone regeneration.(2)MethodsHPDLSCs were collected, isolated, and characterized and then divided into six groups: groups I and II, control and (10−7 Mol) vitamin D, respectively; group III, irradiation at 1 J/cm2 of 808-nm diode laser; group IV, irradiation at 1 J/cm2 and culture with vitamin D; group V, irradiation at 2 J/cm2, and group VI, irradiation at 2 J/cm2 and culture with vitamin D. Cell viability assay was measured through MTT assay and cell growth curve. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity and mRNA levels of RUNX2, collagen 1 (Col-1), ALP, and osteonectin were also assessed.(3)ResultsPhotobiomodulation at 1 and 2 J/cm2 combined with vitamin D significantly promoted HPDLSC proliferation (in MTT assay and cell growth curve results) and osteogenic differentiation (through the gene expression of RUNX2, Col-1, ALP, and osteonectin levels (p < 0.05).(4)ConclusionLaser irradiation at 2 J/cm2 combined with vitamin D3 enhanced osteoblast differentiation and proliferation of cultured HPDLSCs and thus could further substitute bone grafting.
Role of phase partitioning in coordinating DNA damage response: focus on the Apurinic Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1 interactome
Authors: Tosolini Damiano , Antoniali Giulia , Dalla Emiliano , Tell Gianluca 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLiquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a way to concentrate biochemical reactions while excluding noninteracting components. Disordered domains of proteins, as well as interaction with RNA, favor condensation but are not mandatory for modulating this process. Recent insights about phase-separation mechanisms pointed to new fascinating models that could explain how cells could cope with DNA damage responses, conferring both spatial and temporal fine regulation. APE1 is a multifunctional protein belonging to the Base Excision Repair (BER) pathway, bearing additional ‘non-canonical’ DNA-repair functions associated with processes like RNA metabolism. Recently, it has been highlighted that several DNA repair enzymes, such as 53BP1 and APE1, are endowed with RNA binding abilities. In this work, after reviewing the recent literature supporting a role of LLPS in DDR, we analyze, as a proof of principle, the interactome of APE1 using a bioinformatics approach to look for clues of LLPS in BER. Some of the APE1 interactors are associated with cellular processes in which LLPS has been either proved or proposed and are involved in different pathogenic events. This work might represent a paradigmatical pipeline for evaluating the relevance of LLPS in DDR.
Sequence comparison and expression analysis of an inferred Na+/Pi cotransporter gene in the marine diatom Skeletonema tropicum
Authors: Hung Shr-Hau , Lu Yung-Hsiu , Chung Chih-Ching , Shih Chi-Yu , Gong Gwo-Ching , Chang Jeng 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Unicellular algae have evolved to express many forms of high-affinity phosphate transporters, and homologs of these proteins are broadly distributed in yeast, fungi, higher plants, and vertebrates. In this report, an effort has been made to characterize such a transporter gene, StPHO, in the marine diatom Skeletonema tropicum. The primers used for polymerase chain reaction were designed by referring to a homologous gene in a prasinophyte, and the full-length (1692 bp) cDNA of StPHO was then cloned and sequenced. Sequence alignments and secondary structure prediction indicated that StPHO is a gene that encodes a type III Na+/Pi cotransporter (SLC20 family). To study the function of StPHO, specific concentrations of inorganic phosphate (Pi) were used to alter the physiological status of S. tropicum. In each treatment, samples were collected for the measurements of StPHO mRNA, [PO4
3−], cell abundance, the maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (F

v
/F

m
), and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA). The results indicated that the ambient [PO4
3−] strongly affected the population growth and related physiological parameters of S. tropicum. The transcription of StPHO was fully repressed when the [PO4
3−] was greater than 1 μM but increased approximately 100-fold when the ambient [PO4
3−] decreased to 0.02 μM. Within this [PO4
3−] range, the regression equations are Y = −0.6644X + 0.9034 and Y = −0.5908X + 0.8054 for Pi-starved and Pi-limited treatments, respectively. This trend of gene expression suggested that StPHO plays an important role in the uptake of [PO4
3−], and StPHO may serve as a useful molecular biomarker for Pi-stressed diatom populations in marine ecosystems.
DNA barcoding-based assessment of the invasive and native non-crustose Codium species in the central Cantabrian Sea, southern Bay of Biscay
Authors: Skukan Roberta , Rico José M. , Borrell Yaisel J. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In this work, we identified non-crustose invasive (Codium fragile subsp. fragile) and native Codium spp. (Codium tomentosum and Codium vermilara) in the central Cantabrian Sea using DNA barcoding (tufA and rbcL genes). We designed a new FCOtufA genetic marker for identifying Codium spp. in fresh and herbarium material. The tufA and rbcL sequences revealed three different single haplotypes for each of the species and a lack of intraspecific genetic diversity. The FCOtufA genetic marker revealed one new haplotype of C. fragile within the native region (South Korea), suggesting the possibility of higher genetic diversity in the donor region of this invasive species.
DNA sequencing reveals three new species of Chamberlainium (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from South Africa, all formerly passing under Spongites yendoi
Authors: Puckree-Padua Courtney A. , Gabrielson Paul W. , Maneveldt Gavin W. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Three new non-geniculate coralline algal species from South Africa are described that were passing under the misapplied name, Spongites yendoi. Based on plastid encoded DNA sequences from psbA and rbcL markers, these species belong in the subfamily Chamberlainoideae. The DNA sequences, supported by the morpho-anatomical character of tetrasporangial conceptacle roof development, placed all three species in the genus Chamberlainium and not Pneophyllum, the only other genus in Chamberlainoideae. In addition to the diagnostic DNA sequences, Chamberlainium capense sp. nov., C. glebosum sp. nov. and Chamberlainium occidentale sp. nov. may be distinguished by a combination of habit, habitat, geographic distribution, and several morpho-anatomical features. Biogeographically all three species are found in the Benguela Marine Province of South Africa, with C. occidentale being the most widespread. Chamberlainium glebosum also has a wide, but disjunct distribution and C. capense is another South African endemic non-geniculate coralline, whose range is restricted to a 43 km stretch of coastline. Thus far, DNA sequences from type specimens of non-geniculate corallines show that only those species whose type localities are from South Africa are correctly applied; all other non-geniculate coralline names are likely misapplied in South Africa.