bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vaccine effectiveness of CoronaVac against COVID-19 among children in Brazil during the Omicron period
Authors: Florentino Pilar T. V. , Alves Flávia J. O. , Cerqueira-Silva Thiago , Oliveira Vinicius de Araújo , Júnior Juracy B. S. , Jantsch Adelson G. , Penna Gerson O. , Boaventura Viviane , Werneck Guilherme L. , Rodrigues Laura C. , Pearce Neil , Barral-Netto Manoel , Barreto Mauricio L. , Paixão Enny S. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAlthough severe COVID-19 in children is rare, they may develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome, long-COVID and downstream effects of COVID-19, including social isolation and disruption of education. Data on the effectiveness of the CoronaVac vaccine is scarce during the Omicron period. In Brazil, children between 6 to 11 years are eligible to receive the CoronaVac vaccine. We conducted a test-negative design to estimate vaccine effectiveness using 197,958 tests from January 21, 2022, to April 15, 2022, during the Omicron dominant period in Brazil among children aged 6 to 11 years. The estimated vaccine effectiveness for symptomatic infection was 39.8% (95% CI 33.7–45.4) at ≥14 days post-second dose. For hospital admission vaccine effectiveness was 59.2% (95% CI 11.3–84.5) at ≥14 days. Two doses of CoronaVac in children during the Omicron period showed low levels of protection against symptomatic infection, and modest levels against severe illness.
Empirical evidence on the efficiency of backward contact tracing in COVID-19
Authors: Raymenants Joren , Geenen Caspar , Thibaut Jonathan , Nelissen Klaas , Gorissen Sarah , Andre Emmanuel 
Published: August 2022

AbstractStandard contact tracing practice for COVID-19 is to identify persons exposed to an infected person during the contagious period, assumed to start two days before symptom onset or diagnosis. In the first large cohort study on backward contact tracing for COVID-19, we extended the contact tracing window by 5 days, aiming to identify the source of the infection and persons infected by the same source. The risk of infection amongst these additional contacts was similar to contacts exposed during the standard tracing window and significantly higher than symptomatic individuals in a control group, leading to 42% more cases identified as direct contacts of an index case. Compared to standard practice, backward traced contacts required fewer tests and shorter quarantine. However, they were identified later in their infectious cycle if infected. Our results support implementing backward contact tracing when rigorous suppression of viral transmission is warranted.
An artificial neuromorphic somatosensory system with spatio-temporal tactile perception and feedback functions
Authors: Sun Fuqin , Lu Qifeng , Hao Mingming , Wu Yue , Li Yue , Liu Lin , Li Lianhui , Wang Yingyi , Zhang Ting 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe advancement in flexible electronics and neuromorphic electronics has opened up opportunities to construct artificial perception systems to emulate biological functions which are of great importance for intelligent robotics and human-machine interactions. However, artificial systems that can mimic the somatosensory feedback functions have not been demonstrated yet despite the great achievement in this area. In this work, inspired by human somatosensory feedback pathways, an artificial somatosensory system with both perception and feedback functions was designed and constructed by integrating the flexible tactile sensors, synaptic transistor, artificial muscle, and the coupling circuit. Also, benefiting from the synaptic characteristics of the designed artificial synapse, the system shows spatio-temporal information-processing ability, which can further enhance the efficiency of the system. This research outcome has a potential contribution to the development of sensor technology from signal sensing to perception and cognition, which can provide a special paradigm for the next generation of bionic tactile perception systems towards e-skin, neurorobotics, and advanced bio-robots.
Multi-disciplinary community respiratory team management of patients with chronic respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Turner Emily , Johnson Emma , Levin Kate , Gingles Stewart , Mackay Elaine , Roux Claire , Milligan Marianne , Mackie Marion , Farrell Kirsten , Murray Kirsty , Adams Suzanne , Brand Joan , Anderson David , Bayes Hannah 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe Greater Glasgow & Clyde NHS Trust Community Respiratory Response Team was established to manage patients with chronic respiratory disease at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The team aimed to avert hospital admission while maximally utilising remote consultations. This observational study analysed outcomes of the triage pathway used, use of remote consultations, hospital admissions and mortality among patients managed by the team. Patients’ electronic health records were retrospectively reviewed. Rates of emergency department attendance, hospital admission and death within 28 days of referral were compared across triage pathways. Segmented linear regression was carried out for emergency admissions in Greater Glasgow and Clyde pre- and post- Community Respiratory Response Team implementation, using emergency admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the rest of Scotland as control and adjusting for all-cause emergency admissions. The triage category correlated with hospital admission and death. The red pathway had the highest proportion attending the emergency department (21%), significantly higher than the amber and green pathways (p = 0.03 and p = 0.004, respectively). The highest number of deaths were in the blue “end-of-life” pathway (p < 0.001). 87% of interactions were undertaken remotely. Triage severity appropriately led to targeted home visits. No nosocomial COVID-19 infections occurred among patients or staff. The Community Respiratory Response Team was associated with a significant decrease in emergency admissions (RR = 0.96 for each additional month under the Poisson model) compared to the counterfactual if the service had not been in place, suggesting a benefit in reducing secondary care pressures. The Community Respiratory Response Team effectively managed patients with chronic respiratory disease in the community, with an associated reduction in secondary care pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Increasingly frequent extreme weather events urge the development of point-of-use water treatment systems
Authors: Wang Dawei , Chen Yuanyuan , Jarin Mourin , Xie Xing 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe frequency of extreme weather events, including floods, storms, droughts, extreme temperatures, and wildfires, has intensified globally over recent decades due to climate change, affecting human society profoundly. Among all the impacts of these extreme weather events, the consequences to our reliable water supply have gained increasing attention as they exacerbate the inequities in health and education, especially in marginalized populations. In this perspective, we emphasize that extreme weather events are able to undermine a stable supply of drinking water through a number of approaches, and conventional centralized water treatment is insufficient at addressing these challenges. We urge that greater recognition, increased public awareness, and more efforts on technological innovation on decentralized, especially point-of-use (POU), water treatment should be prioritized to better help tackle the challenges faced by increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
A low-profile wideband compressed single-arm spiral antenna array for mid-band 5G beam steering applications
Authors: Falkner Benjamin J. , Zhou Hengyi , Zhang Wei , Metaxas Georgios , Mehta Amit , Ziegler Volker , Multerer Thomas , Mirshekar-Syahkal Dariush , Nakano Hisamatsu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractA low profile wideband spiral antenna array is presented for global mid-band 5G beam steering applications. In the global rollout of mid-band 5G, different frequencies have been licensed within each region (e.g. 3.4–3.8 GHz in the EU and 3.7–5 GHz in the USA). Therefore, antenna arrays must be able to cover a bandwidth of 3.3 GHz to 5 GHz to provide true global coverage. Initially, this work presents the design of a wideband compressed spiral antenna that provides an axial beam throughout its operational bandwidth of 3.3 GHz to 5 GHz, enabling beam steering functionality. Then, this antenna has been placed in a 4 × 4 array with a triangular lattice. The proposed spiral antenna array can provide a scanning range of − 40° ≤ θ ≤  + 40° in all azimuth directions with an average back lobe level of less than − 9.5 dB. This development will allow for low-cost integration of 5G systems for global use, such as passenger aircraft, UAVs, drones, and marine and ground vehicles.
A high-throughput microfluidic device based on controlled incremental filtration to enable centrifugation-free, low extracorporeal volume leukapheresis
Authors: Lezzar Dalia L. , Lam Fong W. , Huerta Ravin , Mukhamedshin Anton , Lu Madeleine , Shevkoplyas Sergey S. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractLeukapheresis, the extracorporeal separation of white blood cells (WBCs) from red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets (PLTs), is a life-saving procedure used for treating patients with cancer and other conditions, and as the initial step in the manufacturing of cellular and gene-based therapies. Well-tolerated by adults, leukapheresis poses a significant risk to neonates and low-weight infants because the extracorporeal volume (ECV) of standard centrifugation-based machines represents a particularly large fraction of these patients’ total blood volume. Here we describe a novel high-throughput microfluidic device (with a void volume of 0.4 mL) based on controlled incremental filtration (CIF) technology that could replace centrifugation for performing leukapheresis. The CIF device was tested extensively using whole blood from healthy volunteers at multiple hematocrits (5–30%) and flow rates (10–30 mL/min). In the flow-through regime, the CIF device separated WBCs with > 85% efficiency and 10–15% loss of RBCs and PLTs while processing whole blood diluted with saline to 10% hematocrit at a flow rate of 10 mL/min. In the recirculation regime, the CIF device demonstrated a similar level of separation performance, virtually depleting WBCs in the recirculating blood (~ 98% reduction) by the end of a 3.5-hour﻿ simulated leukapheresis procedure. Importantly, the device operated without clogging or decline in separation performance, with minimal activation of WBCs and PLTs and no measurable damage to RBCs. Compared to the typical parameters of centrifugation-based leukapheresis, the CIF device had a void volume at least 100-fold smaller, removed WBCs about twice as fast, and lost ~ 2–3-fold fewer PLTs, while operating at a flow rate compatible with the current practice. The hematocrit and flow rate at which the CIF device operated were significantly higher than previously published for other microfluidic cell separation methods. Finally, this study is the first to demonstrate a highly efficient separation of cells from recirculating blood using a microfluidic device. Overall, these findings suggest the feasibility of using high-throughput microfluidic cell separation technology to ultimately enable centrifugation-free, low-ECV leukapheresis. Such a capability would be particularly useful in young children, a vulnerable group of patients who are currently underserved.
Fly casting with ligand sliding and orientational selection supporting complex formation of a GPCR and a middle sized flexible molecule
Authors: Higo Junichi , Kasahara Kota , Bekker Gert-Jan , Ma Benson , Sakuraba Shun , Iida Shinji , Kamiya Narutoshi , Fukuda Ikuo , Kono Hidetoshi , Fukunishi Yoshifumi , Nakamura Haruki 
Published: August 2022

AbstractA GA-guided multidimensional virtual-system coupled molecular dynamics (GA-mD-VcMD) simulation was conducted to elucidate binding mechanisms of a middle-sized flexible molecule, bosentan, to a GPCR protein, human endothelin receptor type B (hETB). GA-mD-VcMD is a generalized ensemble method that produces a free-energy landscape of the ligand-receptor binding by searching large-scale motions accompanied with stable maintenance of the fragile cell-membrane structure. All molecular components (bosentan, hETB, membrane, and solvent) were represented with an all-atom model. Then sampling was conducted from conformations where bosentan was distant from the binding site in the hETB binding pocket. The deepest basin in the resultant free-energy landscape was assigned to native-like complex conformation. The following binding mechanism was inferred. First, bosentan fluctuating randomly in solution is captured using a tip region of the flexible N-terminal tail of hETB via nonspecific attractive interactions (fly casting). Bosentan then slides occasionally from the tip to the root of the N-terminal tail (ligand–sliding). During this sliding, bosentan passes the gate of the binding pocket from outside to inside of the pocket with an accompanying rapid reduction of the molecular orientational variety of bosentan (orientational selection). Last, in the pocket, ligand–receptor attractive native contacts are formed. Eventually, the native-like complex is completed. The bosentan-captured conformations by the tip-region and root-region of the N-terminal tail correspond to two basins in the free-energy landscape. The ligand-sliding corresponds to overcoming of a free-energy barrier between the basins.
Mapping and understanding of correlated electroencephalogram (EEG) responses to the newsvendor problem
Authors: Truong Nghi Cong Dung , Wang Xinlong , Wanniarachchi Hashini , Lang Yan , Nerur Sridhar , Chen Kay-Yut , Liu Hanli 
Published: August 2022

AbstractDecision-making is one of the most critical activities of human beings. To better understand the underlying neurocognitive mechanism while making decisions under an economic context, we designed a decision-making paradigm based on the newsvendor problem (NP) with two scenarios: low-profit margins as the more challenging scenario and high-profit margins as the less difficult one. The EEG signals were acquired from healthy humans while subjects were performing the task. We adopted the Correlated Component Analysis (CorrCA) method to identify linear combinations of EEG channels that maximize the correlation across subjects ($$n=23$$

n
=
23

) or trials ($$n=40$$

n
=
40

). The inter-subject or inter-trial correlation values (ISC or ITC) of the first three components were estimated to investigate the modulation of the task difficulty on subjects’ EEG signals and respective correlations. We also calculated the alpha- and beta-band power of the projection components obtained by the CorrCA to assess the brain responses across multiple task periods. Finally, the CorrCA forward models, which represent the scalp projections of the brain activities by the maximally correlated components, were further translated into source distributions of underlying cortical activity using the exact Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography Algorithm (eLORETA). Our results revealed strong and significant correlations in EEG signals among multiple subjects and trials during the more difficult decision-making task than the easier one. We also observed that the NP decision-making and feedback tasks desynchronized the normalized alpha and beta powers of the CorrCA components, reflecting the engagement state of subjects. Source localization results furthermore suggested several sources of neural activities during the NP decision-making process, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior PFC, orbitofrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, and somatosensory association cortex.
Genomic epidemiological analysis of Klebsiella pneumoniae from Portuguese hospitals reveals insights into circulating antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Spadar Anton , Phelan Jody , Elias Rita , Modesto Ana , Caneiras Cátia , Marques Cátia , Lito Luís , Pinto Margarida , Cavaco-Silva Patrícia , Ferreira Helena , Pomba Constança , Da Silva Gabriela J. , Saavedra Maria José , Melo-Cristino José , Duarte Aida , Campino Susana , Perdigão João , Clark Taane G. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractKlebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) bacteria are an increasing threat to public health and represent one of the most concerning pathogens involved in life-threatening infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To understand the epidemiology of AMR of Kp in Portugal, we analysed whole genome sequencing, susceptibility testing and other meta data on 509 isolates collected nationwide from 16 hospitals and environmental settings between years 1980 and 2019. Predominant sequence types (STs) included ST15 (n = 161, 32%), ST147 (n = 36, 7%), ST14 (n = 26, 5%) or ST13 (n = 26, 5%), while 31% of isolates belonged to STs with fewer than 10 isolates. AMR testing revealed widespread resistance to aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins and carbapenems. The most common carbapenemase gene was blaKPC-3. Whilst the distribution of AMR linked plasmids appears uncorrelated with ST, their frequency has changed over time. Before year 2010, the dominant plasmid group was associated with the extended spectrum beta-lactamase gene blaCTX-M-15, but this group appears to have been displaced by another carrying the blaKPC-3 gene. Co-carriage of blaCTX-M and blaKPC-3 was uncommon. Our results from the largest genomics study of Kp in Portugal highlight the active transmission of strains with AMR genes and provide a baseline set of variants for future resistance monitoring and epidemiological studies.
Characteristics of choroidal neovascularization in elderly eyes with high myopia not meeting the pathologic myopia definition
Authors: Sayanagi Kaori , Fujimoto Satoko , Hara Chikako , Fukushima Yoko , Kawasaki Ryo , Sato Shigeru , Sakaguchi Hirokazu , Nishida Kohji 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe META-Analysis of Pathologic Myopia Study group proposed a new classification system for myopic maculopathy (MM) with pathologic myopia (PM) defined as MM equal to/more serious than diffuse atrophy or the presence of plus lesions and myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) defined as CNV in the eye with PM. However, CNV in elderly eyes with high myopia (HM) not meeting the PM definition (high-myopia CNV) are not classified as age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) or mCNV. This retrospective study included 39 eyes with high-myopia CNV, 20 eyes with mCNV, and 20 eyes with AMD. All patients were at least 40 years old. We compared the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes among three groups. The high-myopia CNV group had significantly more CNV types, shorter axial length and fewer lacquer cracks (P < 0.0001, respectively); larger baseline greatest linear dimension (P = 0.0002), more fellow-eye drusen (P = 0.0106), more men (P = 0.0029), and more treatments (24 months, P = 0.0098) compared to the mCNV group. Compared with the nAMD group, the high-myopia CNV group was significantly younger (P = 0.0041), and had fewer CNV types (P = 0.0316), more lacquer cracks (P = 0.0079) and fewer drusen (affected-eye, P = 0.0006 and fellow-eye, P = 0.0222), and fewer treatments (24 months, P = 0.0030). Because the CNV in elderly eyes with HM not meeting the PM definition is classified as combined mCNV and nAMD, the clinical and angiographic findings are critical to determine the treatment strategy.
TDP-43 upregulates lipid metabolism modulator ABHD2 to suppress apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Bo-wen , Wang Xiang-yun , Cao Jin-ling , Chen Lu-lu , Wang Yi-lei , Zhao Bing-qian , Zhou Jia , Shen Zhi-fa 
Published: August 2022

AbstractTAR DNA-Binding Protein 43 (TDP-43) has been well studied in neurodegenerative diseases, but its potential role in malignance is still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that TDP-43 contributes to the suppression of apoptosis by facilitating lipid metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In HCC cells, TDP-43 is able to suppress apoptosis while deletion of it markedly induces apoptosis. RNA-sequencing identifies the lipid metabolism gene abhydrolase domain containing 2 (ABHD2) as the target gene of TDP-43. Tissue microarray analysis shows the positive correlation of TDP-43 and ABHD2 in HCC. Mechanistically, TDP-43 binds with the UG-rich sequence1 of ABHD2 3’UTR to enhance the mRNA stability of ABHD2, thereby upregulating ABHD2. Afterwards, TDP-43 promotes the production of free fatty acid and fatty acid oxidation-originated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in an ABHD2-dependent manner, so as to suppress apoptosis of HCC. Our findings provide insights into the mechanism of HCC progression and reveal TDP-43/ABHD2 as potential targets for the precise treatment of HCC.
Joint offloading and beamforming design in full‐duplex multi‐hop SWIPT MEC systems under non‐linear energy harvesting model
Authors: Xu Zhiguo , Lv You , Liu Jianxin , Zou Junwei , Wen Zhigang 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn Internet of Things scenarios, the problem of restricted energy and limited computation capability of user node usually exists. To address the problem, a multiple‐input‐multiple‐output full‐duplex multi‐hop relay simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) mobile‐edge computing (MEC) system is proposed in this paper, where energy harvesting model is non‐linear. With the aid of MEC and SWIPT, user node equipped with power splitting receiver can locally execute computation tasks or offload partial or all of it to access point associated with an MEC server by using its battery energy, and harvest energy to replenish its battery while downloading the computation results. In addition, the system introduces full‐duplex multi‐hop relay and non‐linear energy model to improve network coverage and model practical energy harvesting circuit. Aiming at minimising the system energy consumption, an energy efficient optimisation problem is formulated while satisfying the latency and energy constraints. Since the original problem is non‐linear and non‐convex, it is converted into two subproblems and successive convex approximation‐based algorithm and geometric programming‐based algorithm based alternating optimisation technique are adopted to solve them. Numerical results verify the superiority of the proposed optimisation scheme compared with other benchmark schemes.