The Influence of Metaphorical Frames on Americans’ Adherence to COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines

Metaphors more-effectively influence people’s perceptions and behavior than normal language. The type of metaphor used is important in maximizing persuasion. Two common public health metaphors are family and war. War metaphors generally evoke more fear than family metaphors, and family metaphors generally evoke more empathy than war metaphors. The current study investigates whether family metaphors are more effective than war metaphors in promoting adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. Participants were assigned to a condition in which they read a single COVID-19-related paragraph. The paragraph included either family, war, or no metaphorical frame. All groups rated the extent to which reading the paragraph would change an average person’s adherence to a variety of public health guidelines. After reading the paragraph, participants reported their perceptions regarding the danger of COVID-19 and their feelings of unity with others to determine whether the metaphor manipulation effectively influenced fear and empathy. There was no observable effect of metaphor type on adherence to public health guidelines. Feelings of unity and fear were not higher, on average, in one group compared to another. Thus, one metaphorical condition or even the presence of a metaphor was not observed to be more effective in changing people’s adherence to public health guidelines. Additionally, the metaphors did not evoke their intended emotions, which may explain the lack of change in behavior. Future research investigating the effect of numbing on metaphor effectiveness may help explain these results and indicate whether metaphors should be used for persuasion in future public health crises.

Impact of a Transparent Coating on the Reflectance of a Line Halftone Pattern

Many prints are coated to increase their resistance or to enhance their appearance. Applying a smooth transparent layer on a print darkens and saturates its color, an easily observable effect which can be predicted in order to obtain better color management of coated surfaces and ink saving. A model was thus developed which describes the reflectance of a single-ink line halftone in optical contact with a transparent smooth coating. It is based on the peculiar way light diffuses inside the coating layer, a phenomenon called the “halo effect”. The model was compared to two experiments conducted at different scales where line halftones were coated with different coating thicknesses. The experiments enabled us to identify and measure the darkening effect caused by a coating layer, and validated the model.

A Meta-analysis Study of Association Between FecB Polymorphism and Litter Size in Sheep

Litter size is perhaps the main commercial trait since it has an observable effect on benefit in the sheep industry. Fecundity genes, play a vital role in expression of litter size. One of the most popular of these genes is the Booroola gene (FecB). In many past researches there was a dependency between the BMPR1B gene polymorphism and litter size of sheep. In the current study, a meta-analysis directed by coalescing outcoming of 9902 cases of 26 published research wherein various breeds of sheep to assess the influence of the FecB gene on litter size utilizing additive, recessive, dominant, and co-dominant genetic models. The random effects model was used for data analysis according to the Cochran Q test and I2 quantity. Under additive (SMD = 0.528), dominant (SMD = 0.468) and recessive (SMD = 0.250) models, the significant effect (P<0.01) of FecB genotypes has been identified. Furthermore, under the co-dominant (SMD = -0.050, P = 0.3332) model, the association between FecB genotypes and litter size trait had not been detected. A growth in litter size by about 0.47 lambs (Dominant model) was associated with the first copy of the FecB gene and 0.25 lambs (Recessive model) with the second copy of this gene. Consequences of the current study support the idea that BMPR1B fundamentally influenced litter size and subsequently it may be utilized for Marker-assisted selection programmers for improved genetic merit of reproductive futures and furthermore insert this gene by crossbreeding in low prolific breeds may improve reproductive characteristics.

Gravitoelectromagnetism and stellar orbits in galaxies

Beyond the Newtonian approximation, gravitational fields in general relativity can be described using a formalism known as gravitoelectromagnetism. In this formalism, a vector potential, the gravitomagnetic potential, arises as a result of moving masses, in strong analogy with the magnetic force due to moving charges in Maxwell’s theory. Gravitomagnetism can affect orbits in the gravitational field of a massive, rotating body. This raises the possibility that gravitomagnetism may serve as the dominant physics behind the anomalous rotation curves of spiral galaxies, eliminating the need for dark matter. In this essay, we methodically work out the magnitude of the gravitomagnetic equivalent of the Lorentz force and apply the result to the Milky Way. We find that the resulting contribution is too small to produce an observable effect on these orbits. We also investigate the impact of cosmological boundary conditions on the result and find that these, too, are negligible.

Efficacy of hydrofibre dressing following total joint arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Introduction: In the United States, over 1,000,000 total joint arthroplasty (TJA) surgeries are performed annually and has been forecasted that this number will exceed 4,000,000 by the year 2030. Many different types of dressing exist for use in TJA surgery, and it is unclear if any of the newer, hydrofibre dressings are superior to traditional dressings at reducing rates of infections or improving wound healing. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the impact of hydrofiber dressings on reducing complications. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using the online databases MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing hydrofibre dressings to a standard dressing were included. Summary measures are reported as odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our primary outcome was prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Secondary outcomes included blisters, dressing changes and wound irritation. Results: 5 RCTs were included. Hydrofibre dressing had no observable effect on PJI or wound irritation (OR 0.53; 95% CI, 0.14–1.98; p = 0.35). Hydrofibre dressings reduced the rate of blisters (OR 0.36; 95% CI, 0.14–0.90; p = 0.03) and number of dressing changes (MD -1.89; 95% CI, -2.68 to -1.11). Conclusions: In conclusion, evidence suggests hydrofibre dressings have no observable effect on PJI and wound irritation. Evidence for reduction in blisters and number of dressings is modest given wide CIs and biased trial methodologies. Use of hydrofibre dressings should be considered inconclusive for mitigating major complications in light of current best evidence.

Preliminary Toxicological Studies On 0, 0-diethyl, 0(2-isopropyl -6. Methyl - 4, Pyrimidinyl) Phosphorothioate (Diazinon) In Balami Sheep.

Toxicity studies of 0,0-diethyl-0-(2- isoprophyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinyl) phosphorothioate (DiazinonR) was carried out in the Balami breed of sheep. The agent was administered orally daily for one week at the rate of 20, 25 and 30mg/kg body weight to groups of sheep. The 30mg/kg dose produced transient clinical signs in the sheep. Diazinon inhibited plasma and red blood cell cholinesterase activity. The intensity of the inhibition was more with 30mg/kg dose and occurred as from day 3 and lasted till the end of the investigation 7 days post treatment. Leucocytosis was also observed with the 30mg/kg dose. There was no observable effect of the chemical on the RBC, Hb, and PCV values in sheep at the dosages used.

Testing Curbside Management Strategies to Mitigate the Impacts of Ridesourcing Services on Traffic

Increased use of ridesourcing leads to increased pick-up and drop-off activity. This may slow traffic or cause delays as vehicles increase curb use, conduct pick-up and drop-off activity directly in the travel lane, or slow to find and connect with passengers. How should cities respond to this change in an effort to keep travel lanes operating smoothly and efficiently? This research evaluates two strategies in Seattle, WA, in an area where large numbers of workers commute using ridesourcing services: (i) a change of curb allocation from paid parking to passenger load zone (PLZ), and (ii) a geofencing approach by transportation network companies (TNCs) which directs their drivers and passengers to designated pick-up and drop-off locations on a block. An array of data on street and curb activity along three study blockfaces was collected, using video and sensor technology as well as in-person observations. Data were collected in three phases: (i) the baseline, (ii) after the new PLZs were added, expanding total PLZ curb length from 20 ft to 274 ft, and (iii) after geofencing was added to the expanded PLZs. The added PLZs were open to any passenger vehicle (not just TNC vehicles), weekdays 7:00–10:00 a.m. and 2:00–7:00 p.m. The results showed that the increased PLZ allocation and geofencing strategy reduced the number of pick-ups/drop-offs in the travel lane, reduced dwell times, increased curb use compliance, and increased TNC passenger satisfaction. The two strategies, however, had no observable effect on travel speeds or traffic safety in the selected study area.

Efficient increasing of the mutation score during model-based test suite generation

The purpose of the method is to increase the sensitivity of an automatically generated test suite to mutations of a model. Unlike existing methods for generating test scenarios that use the mutational approach to assess the resulting test set, the proposed method analyzes the possibility of detecting mutations on the fly, in the process of analyzing the model’s behavior space, by adding of special coverage goals. Two types of mutants manifestation are considered: deviations in the behavior of paths for (weak case) and in the observed output (strong case). A new algorithm is proposed for efficient search of a path with observable effect of a mutation.

Abstract P155: Phenotyping The Association Between Nocturia And Hypertension: A Systematic Review And Meta-analysis

Introduction: The association between nocturia and hypertension has been widely reported, yet remains poorly characterized, precluding a more refined understanding of blood pressure as it relates to the clinical urology setting. We synthesized current evidence on the relationship between nocturia and hypertension as a function of nocturia severity, age, sex, race, and diuretic use. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for studies published up to May 2020. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to identify the pooled odds ratio (OR) for nocturia given the presence of hypertension. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to identify differences across demographic factors. We applied the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies to evaluate the quality of evidence. Results: Of 1530 identified studies, 23 met the criteria for inclusion. The overall pooled OR for the association of hypertension with nocturia was 1.26 (95% CI 1.22-1.29, p<0.001). Pooled estimates were 1.21 (1.16-1.25, p<0.001) and 1.31 (1.26-1.36, p<0.001) using a 1- and 2-void cutoff for nocturia, respectively (p<0.001 between cutoffs). The association was stronger in females compared to males (1.41 [1.29-1.53] vs. 1.26 [1.20-1.32], p<0.001), and in African-American (1.56 [1.25-1.94]) and Asian (1.28 [1.24-1.32]) versus Caucasian populations (1.16 [1.09-1.24]) (p<0.05for both). Age and diuretic use had no observable effect on the association between nocturia and hypertension. Conclusions: There exists an increased odds of nocturia in hypertensive individuals. This association is stronger following a higher nocturia cutoff, in females, and in some racial subgroups, but unrelated to age and diuretic utilization.