bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is it safe to operate on COVID-negative patients during the COVID pandemic? Experience from a tertiary governmental hospital
Authors: Al-Qahtani Jowhara , Ibrahim Tarek , Ata Yaser , Adnan Ibrahim , Al-Naimi Abdulla 
Published: February 2022

Introduction:
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) causes severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which rapidly became a worldwide pandemic. During the pandemic, accurate utilization of medical resources is required while maintaining the safety and well-being of patients and medical staff. This study assessed the safety profile of performing emergency surgical procedures for COVID-19 negative patients confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) preoperatively while positive patients were transferred to be managed at a designated COVID-19 hospital.

Methods:
This retrospective descriptive study included COVID-19 negative patients who underwent urologic and general surgery procedures for 3 months from March to May 2020. Demographic characteristics, operative and postoperative hospital course, and postoperative COVID-19 status were evaluated.

Results:
During the 3 months, 865 preoperatively COVID-19 negative patients were evaluated. All patients had uneventful postoperative courses except 2 patients who developed SARS-COV-2 infection postoperatively and were managed conservatively at an isolation facility. The first patient developed bronchospasms and fever upon intubation for laparoscopic appendectomy, with RT-PCR yielding a positive result, while the second developed symptomatic COVID-19 infection 18 days after emergency ureteroscopy.

Conclusion:
Routine screening for COVID-19 using RT-PCR before emergency surgeries provide an acceptable safety profile and cost-effectiveness. COVID-19 negative patients can be managed safely with standard precautions, while positive patients should be managed at designated hospitals.
Psychosocial factors associated with mental health and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic among low-income urban dwellers in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Fui Wong Min , Majid Hazreen Abdul , Ismail Rozmi , Su Tin Tin , Pin Tan Maw , Said Mas Ayu 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackground and aimsThe mental well-being among low-income urban populations is arguably challenged more than any other population amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates factors associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, and quality of life among Malaysia’s multi-ethnic urban lower-income communities.MethodsThis is a community-based house-to-house survey conducted from September to November 2020 at the Petaling district in Selangor, Malaysia. Five hundred and four households were identified using random sampling, and heads of eligible households were recruited. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years with monthly household income ≤RM6960 (estimated USD 1600) without acute psychiatric illness. The PHQ-9, GAD-7 and EQ-5D were used for depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Multivariable logistic regression was performed for the final analysis.ResultsA total of 432 (85.7%) respondents with a mean age of 43.1 years completed the survey. Mild to severe depression was detected in 29.6%, mild to severe anxiety in 14.7%, and problematic quality of life in 27.8% of respondents. Factors associated with mild to severe depression were younger age, chronic health conditions, past stressful events, lack of communication gadgets and lack of assets or commercial property. While respiratory diseases, marital status, workplace issues, financial constraints, absence of investments, substance use and lack of rental income were associated with mild to severe anxiety. Not attributing poverty to structural issues, help-seeking from professionals, and self-stigma were barriers, while resiliency facilitated good psychological health. Problematic quality of life was associated with depression, older age, unemployment, cash shortage, hypertension, diabetes, stressful life events and low health literacy.ConclusionsA higher proportion had reported mild to severe anxiety and depression symptoms in the sampled urban poor population than previous pre-pandemic reports. The psychosocial determinants should inform policy and direct future research within this underserved population.
Comparison of Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound with Computational Fluid Dynamics: Responses to Physiological Stimuli
Authors: Caddy Harrison T. , Thomas Hannah J. , Kelsey Lachlan J. , Smith Kurt J. , Doyle Barry J. , Green Daniel J. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTFew studies have compared transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound with independent techniques such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, particularly in response to stimuli. We compared TCD cerebral blood flow velocity in healthy participants with subject-specific CFD simulations to determine differences in techniques. Twelve participants underwent head and neck imaging with 3 Tesla magnetic resonance angiography. Velocity waveforms in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were measured with TCD while velocity and diameter in the neck arteries were measured with duplex ultrasound at rest, hypercapnia and exercise. Subject-specific CFD simulations were developed for each condition, with velocity waveforms extracted in the same region as TCD. We found that absolute TCD velocities were significantly higher than CFD data, and non-significantly correlated across all conditions (r range 0.030-0.377, all P>0.05). However, relative changes from rest to hypercapnia and exercise generally exhibited significant positive correlations (r range 0.448-0.770), with the strongest correlation being average velocity change from rest to exercise (r=0.770, P<0.01). We have found that although absolute MCA velocity measurements from different sources vary, relative velocity changes yield stronger correlations regardless of source. Our findings indicate relative responses to physiological stimuli, along with absolute data, should be considered for analyzing cerebral blood flow velocity.
A passive “OneHealth” surveillance system to track canine rabies in urban India
Authors: Vanak Abi. Tamim , Panchamia Neha , Banerji Indrakshi , Nair Malvika 
Published: February 2022

SummaryRobust and widely implementable “OneHealth” surveillance systems are required to detect and control the spread of zoonotic infectious diseases. Using technological tools coupled with a rapid field response and rapid diagnostics can help in surveillance of deadly diseases such as rabies, even in densely populated urban areas. Here, we describe the use of an animal rescue system (Hawk Data Pro) that was adapted as a passive surveillance tool for rabies in a large metropolis in India. We used a webline and helpline that reported injured or sick animals to an animal rescue facility to determine possible rabies cases in street animals in Pune city in western India. Suspected rabid animals were tested using lateral flow assays and this information was used to direct awareness materials on rabies as well as in conducting mass dog vaccinations in areas that reported multiple cases. Over a ∼4 year period, we received over 90,700 calls or reports, of which 1162 calls were for suspected rabies cases in dogs, and 6 for other animals (cats, goats and cattle). Of these, 749 dogs and 4 other animals tested positive for rabies. Most of the cases were reported from the densely human populated central Pune region. In response, ∼21,000 people were provided with educational materials on post-bite management, and ∼23,000 dogs were vaccinated. We show that the adoption of the Hawk Data Pro system as a passive surveillance tool allowed us to document an ongoing outbreak of rabies in a large metropolis in India. Such systems can be modified or adapted to other areas as well to meet the surveillance and reporting requirements of the WHO’s Zeroby30 strategy to eliminate rabies globally.
Association of Physical Activity Volume and Intensity with Incident Cardiovascular Disease: a UK Biobank Study
Authors: Dempsey Paddy C. , Rowlands Alex V. , Strain Tessa , Zaccardi Francesco , Dawkins Nathan , Razieh Cameron , Davies Melanie J. , Khunti Kamlesh K. , Edwardson Charlotte L. , Wijndaele Katrien , Brage Soren , Yates Tom 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundAlthough the cardiovascular disease (CVD) benefits of both overall volume and intensity of physical activity (PA) are known, the role of PA intensity, over and above volume, is poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the interplay between PA volume and intensity in relation to incident CVD.MethodsData were from 88,412 UK Biobank participants without prevalent CVD (58% women) who wore an accelerometer on their dominant wrist for 7 days, from which we estimated total physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) using population-specific validation. Cox proportional hazards regressions modelled associations between PAEE (kJ/kg/day)] and PA intensity [%MVPA; the fraction of PAEE accumulated from moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA] with incident CVD, adjusted for potential confounders.ResultsThere were 4,068 CVD events during 584,568 person-years of follow-up (median 6.8 years). Higher PAEE and higher %MVPA (adjusted for PAEE) were associated with lower rates of incident CVD. In interaction analyses, CVD rates were 17% (95%CI: 8-26%) lower when MVPA accounted for 20% rather than 10% of 15 kJ/kg/d PAEE; equivalent to the difference between a 12-min stroll into a brisk 7-min walk. CVD rates did not differ significantly between values of PAEE when the %MVPA was fixed at 10%. However, the combination of higher PAEE and %MVPA was associated with lower CVD rates. Rates were 24% (10-35%) lower for 20 kJ/kg/d PAEE with 20% from MVPA, and 49% (23-66%) lower for 30 kJ/kg/d with 40% from MVPA (compared to 15 kJ/kg/d PAEE with 10% MVPA).ConclusionsReductions in CVD risk may be achievable through higher levels of PA volume and intensity, with the role of moderately intense PA appearing particularly important for future CVD risk. Our findings support multiple approaches or strategies to PA participation, some of which may be more practical or appealing to different individuals.
Olfactory loss is an early and reliable marker for COVID-19
Authors: Iravani Behzad , Arshamian Artin , Lundström Johan N. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDetection of early and reliable symptoms is important in relation to limiting the spread of an infectious disease. For COVID-19, the most prevalent symptom is either losing or experiencing reduced olfactory functions. Anecdotal evidence suggests that olfactory dysfunction is also one of the earlier symptoms of COVID-19 but objective measures supporting this notion are currently missing. To determine whether olfactory dysfunction is an early sign of COVID-19, we assessed available longitudinal data from a web-based interface enabling individuals to test their sense of smell by rating the intensity of selected household odors. Individuals continuously used the interface to assess their olfactory functions and at each login, in addition to odor ratings, recorded their symptoms and result from potential COVID-19 test. A total of 205 COVID-19 positive individuals and 156 pseudo-randomly matched control individuals lacking positive test provided longitudinal data which enabled us to assess olfactory functions in relation to their test results date. We found that odor intensity ratings started to decline in the COVID-19 group as early as 6 days prior to test result date. Symptoms such as sore throat, aches, and runny nose appear around the same point in time; however, with a lower predictability of a COVID-19 diagnose. Our results suggest that olfactory dysfunction is an early symptom but does not appear before other related COVID-19 symptoms. Olfactory dysfunction is, however, more predictive of an COVID-19 diagnose than other early symptoms.
Chlamydomonas mutant hpm91 lacking PGR5 is a scalable and valuable strain for algal hydrogen (H2) production
Authors: Liu Peng , Ye De-Min , Chen Mei , Zhang Jin , Huang Xia-He , Shen Li-Li , Xia Ke-Ke , Xu Xiao-Jing , Xu Yong-Chao , Guo Ya-Long , Wang Ying-Chun , Huang Fang 
Published: February 2022

SummaryClean and sustainable H2 production is essential toward a carbon-neutral world. H2 generation by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is an attractive approach for solar-H2 from H2O. However, it is currently not scalable because of lacking ideal strains. Here, we explore hpm91, a previously reported PGR5-deletion mutant with remarkable H2 production, that possesses numerous valuable attributes towards large-scale application and in-depth study issues. We show that hpm91 is at least 100-fold scalable (upto 10 liter) with H2 collection sustained for averagely 26 days and 7287 ml H2/10L-HPBR. Also, hpm91 is robust and active over the period of sulfur-deprived H2 production, most likely due to decreased intracellular ROS relative to wild type. Moreover, quantitative proteomic analysis revealed its features in photosynthetic antenna, primary metabolic pathways and anti-ROS responses. Together with success of new high-H2-production strains derived from hpm91, we highlight that hpm91 is a potent strain toward basic and applied research of algal-H2 photoproduction.
Gut microbiota transplantation drives the adoptive transfer of colonic genotype-phenotype characteristics between mice lacking catestatin and their wild type counterparts
Authors: González-Dávila Pamela , Schwalbe Markus , Danewalia Arpit , Wardenaar René , Dalile Boushra , Verbeke Kristin , Mahata Sushil K , Aidy Sahar El 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe gut microbiota is in continuous interaction with the intestinal mucosa via metabolic, neuro- immunological, and neuroendocrine pathways. Disruption in levels of antimicrobial peptides produced by the enteroendocrine cells, such as catestatin, has been associated with changes in the gut microbiota and imbalance in intestinal homeostasis. However, whether the changes in the gut microbiota have a causational role in intestinal dyshomeostasis has remained elusive. To this end, we performed reciprocal fecal microbial transplantation in wild-type mice and mice with a knockout in the catestatin coding region of the chromogranin-A gene (CST-KO mice). Combined microbiota phylogenetic profiling, RNA sequencing, and transmission electron microscopy were employed. Fecal microbiota transplantation from mice deficient in catestatin (CST-KO) to microbiota-depleted wild-type mice induced transcriptional and physiological features characteristic of a distorted colon in the recipient animals, including impairment in tight junctions, as well as an increased collagen area fraction indicating colonic fibrosis. In contrast, fecal microbiota transplantation from wild-type mice to microbiota-depleted CST-KO mice reduced collagen fibrotic area, restored disrupted tight junction morphology, and altered fatty acid metabolism in recipient CST-KO mice. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the murine metabolic- and immune-related cellular pathways and processes that are co-mediated by the fecal microbiota transplantation and supports a prominent role for the gut microbiota in the colonic distortion associated with the lack of catestatin in mice. Overall, the data show that the gut microbiota may play a causal role in the development of features of intestinal inflammation and metabolic disorders, known to be associated with altered levels of catestatin and may, thus, provide a tractable target in the treatment and prevention of these disorders.
Competitive strategies in the agri-food industry in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic: an application of K-means cluster analysis
Authors: Bargoni Augusto , Bertoldi Bernardo , Giachino Chiara , Santoro Gabriele 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThis paper aims at understanding how companies in the agri-food are reconfiguring their competitive strategies to face the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Literature has focused mainly on the effect of the pandemic on the supply chain or in its value chain but little has been said on the competitive strategies adopted to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted on Italian companies operating in the agri-food industry from May to September 2020, following a mixed method approach. First, a focus group with experts in competitive strategy and agri-food industry has been organized to identify the most important challenges that companies are facing. Second, through a structured questionnaire, data from 123 companies operating in the agri-food industry were gathered and analyzed with K-means clustering method.FindingsFour clusters of companies were identified, each implementing different strategies to face the COVID-19 pandemic: “the cost fanatics”, “the brand focused”, “the sales centered” and “the strategists”. Furthermore, it was possible to identify new trends in competitive strategies to increase the added value that the Italian agri-food industry can provide to the customer.Originality/valueThe paper answers to the need for an investigation of the competitive strategies that agri-food companies have put in place to face the COVID-19 pandemic; moreover, it provides insights on how companies are adapting themselves to this rapidly changing environment. From a managerial point of view, it gives practitioners and managers useful insights on the different strategies that companies are undertaking to maintain a competitive advantage.
What do we know about diversity, intersectionality and inclusion in organisationally-assigned expatriation? A review of relocation management company/consultancy practitioner research
Authors: Shortland Susan , Perkins Stephen J. 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on trends in the deployment of minority expatriates, review organisational interventions to increase expatriate diversity and to consider the challenges facing employers in widening expatriate diversity through a review of practitioner publications published by relocation management companies/consultancies.Design/methodology/approachA review of 109 practitioner publications on organisational international assignment policy and practice was conducted to identify trends across three decades in minority expatriation and employer interventions to widen expatriate diversity.FindingsPractitioner publications record percentage female expatriate participation and expatriate age profiles. While expatriate diversity challenges are reported, employer interventions focus on supporting women and LGBTQ+ assignees but with little detail on their outcomes. There is little emphasis on ethnicity/race, religion, disability, pregnancy/maternity, intersectionality of diversity characteristics and inclusion.Research limitations/implicationsPractitioner publications consulted were primarily Western-focused, with access to a “complete” publications record precluded. Academic research that compares employer policy on diversity interventions with how it is implemented is needed.Practical implicationsA stronger focus on supporting the full range of expatriate diversity attributes and intersectionality is required, explaining how challenges have been addressed and inclusion achieved.Social implicationsAnalysis of employer interventions could assist organisations to widen expatriate diversity and inclusion, and minorities to access international careers.Originality/valueThis review of practitioner data reveals trends in the deployment of minority expatriates, interventions taken by employers and challenges they perceive in widening expatriate diversity, providing a unique perspective and enriching our understanding of academic expatriate diversity research. Path-dependent organisational action may hinder employers' future focus on diversity, inclusion and intersectionality.
Thinned array antenna synthesis using modified binary particle swarm optimization with minimization of sidelobes
Authors: Allu Gayatri , Kumar M. Surendra , Prasad A.M. 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose radiating system by avoiding electromagnetic interference in unwanted directions and to radiate the energy in the required direction with an optimization technique.Design/methodology/approachPractically, multiple, incompatible variables require concurrent boost on a synthesis of systematic antenna assemblage. The authors have worked out the main statistic penalty function to ensure all the restrictions. Here, MBPSO (Modified Binary Particle Swarm Optimization) is developed and introduced thin planar synthesis restriction. The sigmoid function is used to update the particle position. Different analytical demonstrations have been carried out, and the exhibited methods are predominant than the algorithms.FindingsA 20 × 10 planar antenna array is synthesized using modified BPSO. The authors have suppressed the PSLL in two principal planes and as well as in the entire f plane. Numerical results state that MBPSO outperforms the other binary BPSO, BCSO, ACO, RGA, GA optimization techniques. MBPSO achieved a −51.84 dB PSLL level, whereas BPSO achieved −48.57 dB with the same 50% thinning.Originality/valuePlanar array antenna formation is one of the most complex syntheses because the array gets filled with more antenna elements. The machine-like complication and implementation of such an antenna arrangement with a broad opening would be expensive. It is not easy to control the required radiation patterns shape by using a uniform feeding network. To get better flexibility for sustaining the sidelobe levelheaded along with consistent amplitude distribution. So as far as prominence has been given to the evolutionary algorithm, find an ideal solution for objective array combinational problems.
Rethinking United Nations peacekeeping responses to resource wars and armed conflicts in Africa: integrating African indigenous knowledge systems
Authors: Namakula Evelyn B. 
Published: February 2022

Purpose
As of November 2021, six out of the 12 United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations are in Sub-Saharan Africa, spread between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Western Sahara, Mali, Central African Republic, Abyei, South Sudan and Darfur. When considered alongside other recent conflicts in Liberia, Angola, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Mozambique, many of these conflicts are driven and sustained by resource looting of oil, minerals, timber, gas and fertile land and sand. Although other factors, particularly colonialism, the creation of poorly governed states, ethnic polarization, greed and extremism contribute to violence, the author argues that resource looting is central. Taking the DRC as the case study, the purpose of this paper is to examine why traditional UN peacekeeping, grounded in the international liberal order, has failed to efficiently deescalate wars and armed conflicts that are driven by resource looting and how alternative homegrown peace strategies can be more effective.

Design/methodology/approach
Deploying peacekeeping, peacebuilding and resource governance and theories, this paper examines the current UN peacekeeping efforts to increase our understanding of how alternative peacekeeping strategies found in African cultures, particularly indigenous epistemologies can be used to engender sustainable peace and security. The second argument is that sustainable peace and security cannot be solely exogenous, without integrating African cultural heritage, specifically African indigenous knowledge systems or epistemologies, a factor that is consistent with people’s right to self-determination and agency.

Findings
Peacekeeping that is exogenously enforced has failed to create sustainable peace and security in the DRC.

Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is original, based on the research conducted in the DRC. Following the academic writing norms, the data is backed up by literature.