“Are you safe to talk?”: Perspectives of Service Providers on Experiences of Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to better understand the factors driving reported trends in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the effect of the pandemic on survivors’ experiences of violence and ability to seek support. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 32 DV service providers operating in organizations across 24 U.S. cities. The majority of providers described a decrease in contact volume when shelter-in-place orders were first established, which they attributed to safety concerns, competing survival priorities, and miscommunication about what resources were available. For most organizations, this decrease was followed by an increase in contacts after the lifting of shelter-in-place orders, often surpassing typical contact counts from the pre-pandemic period. Providers identified survivors’ ability to return to some aspects of their pre-pandemic lives, increased stress levels, and increased lethality of cases as key factors driving this increase. In addition, providers described several unique challenges faced by DV survivors during the pandemic, such as the use of the virus as an additional tool for control by abusers and an exacerbated lack of social support. These findings provide insight into the lived experiences driving observed trends in DV rates during COVID-19. Understanding the impact of the pandemic on survivors can help to shape public health and policy interventions to better support this vulnerable population during future crises.

Pydiflumetofen Co-Formulated with Prothioconazole: A Novel Fungicide for Fusarium Head Blight and Deoxynivalenol Control

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an important disease of small grain cereals worldwide, resulting in reduced yield and quality as well as the contamination of harvested grains with mycotoxins. The key mycotoxin of concern is deoxynivalenol (DON), which has legislative and advisory limits in numerous countries. Cereal growers have a number of control options for FHB including rotation, cultivation, and varietal resistance; however, growers are still reliant on fungicides applied at flowering as part of an IPM program. Fungicides currently available to control FHB are largely restricted to triazole chemistry. This study conducted three field experiments to compare a new co-formulation of pydiflumetofen (a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) with the tradename ADEPIDYN™) and prothioconazole (a triazole) against current standard fungicides at various timings (flag leaf fully emerged, mid-head emergence, early flowering, and late flowering) for the control of FHB and DON. Overall, the co-formulation showed greater efficacy compared to either pydiflumetofen alone or current fungicide chemistry. This greater activity was demonstrated over a wide range of spray timings (flag leaf fully emerged to late flowering). The availability of an SDHI with good activity against FHB and the resulting DON contamination of harvested grain will give growers an additional tool within an IPM program that will provide a greater flexibility of spray application windows and reduce fungicide resistance selection pressure.

Analyzing Public Concern Responsesfor Formulating Ordinances and Lawsusing Sentiment Analysis through VADER Application

Purpose–Thispaperaimed to develop a system that applies VADER Sentiment Analysis to tweets collected using adevelopedtwitter scraper toolto identify the insights of public responsesbased on their tweetson certain government servicesrendered to them thus providing legislators of the province of Laguna an additional tool in writing future legislations.Method–This study may serve as an additional tool tothe Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Laguna in identifying sentiments of the public in terms of government services that are rendered and lack thereof based on the collected tweets written in Tagalog, English or Taglish(Tagalog and English).Data collected through the Twitter scraper tool are preprocessed taking into consideration the special characters that also have impact on scoring sentiments, emojis,and emoticons. The compound score is computed by normalizing the sum of the polarityscores foreach tweet.Results–Aside from a tabular visualization of VADER’s results, the system also provides graphical representation of the evaluation result with the percentage of positive neutral and negative tweets. Based on the result of the testing and evaluation, the VADER model is 80.71% accurate and had an F-score of 84.33%.Conclusion–The reports generated from the system be utilized to serve as potentially additional basis for legislators of the province of Laguna in writing legislations such as resolutions and ordinances based on the sentiment or voice of the community. Recommendations–It is recommended to collaborate with linguists to develop a native language of VADER’s lexicon to improve the accuracy of the sentiment scores.

New Lexis in the Interaction of Languages and Cultures: The Case of "Selfie" in the Lithuanian Language

New Lexis in the Interaction of Languages and Cultures: The Case of Selfie in the Lithuanian LanguageThis article deals with the adaptation of the English neologism selfie in the Lithuanian language. It sheds light on how selfie first appeared in Australian English back in 2002 and on the socialisation and lexicalisation of this word in the English and Lithuanian languages. The aim here is to analyse the characteristics of the usage of the neologism selfie and its adapted form selfis in the Lithuanian language as well as its rivalry with other Lithuanian equivalents of the word.Based on the usage data obtained from the Database of Lithuanian Neologisms, the online corpus WebCorp, and the Google search engine, the loanword selfie was found to have first appeared in Lithuanian blogs back in 2013 at the latest. After a brief period of time, in early 2014 or sooner, it began vying with its Lithuanian equivalent, asmenukė. Eventually, with the formational families of selfis and asmenukė expanding, two rival lexical semantic systems have emerged in the Lithuanian language, both consisting of what usually are variations of the name of the object (selfie, selfis and asmenukė, asmenutė, asmeninukė), actor (selfininkas, -ė, selfukininkas, -ė and asmenukininkas, -ė), action (selfintis and asmenukintis), and additional tool (selfi stikas, selfio lazda and asmenuklazdė), as well as the different new versions thereof.After it had made its way into the Lithuanian language, the English neologism selfie (selfis), as the name for a new sociocultural phenomenon with its own semantic and formational family, became anchored there and was adapted to the inflectional system of the host language just as it provided an impetus for producing local equivalents. This case can be considered to be a typical mini-model, one that demonstrates what happens when a loanword for a new and trendy element of reality, which therefore has a considerable potential to spread, enters the Lithuanian language. Without a shadow of doubt, similar processes are also taking place in other languages that have borrowed this word. New comparative neological studies of other languages would help us form a better understanding of the origin, functioning, and prevalence of neologisms, as well as the mechanisms of how local equivalents of borrowings are made and how they compete with them. Nowa leksyka w interakcji języków i kultur: przypadek selfie w języku litewskimNiniejszy artykuł jest poświęcony adaptacji angielskiego neologizmu selfie w języku litewskim. Rzuca światło na to, jak słowo selfie pojawiło się po raz pierwszy w australijskiej odmianie języka angielskiego w 2002 roku oraz na jego socjalizację i leksykalizację w języku angielskim i języku litewskim. Opracowanie ma na celu analizę cech użycia neologizmu selfie i zaadaptowanej formy selfis w języku litewskim oraz jego rywalizacji z innymi litewskimi odpowiednikami.Na podstawie informacji z Bazy Danych Litewskich Neologizmów, internetowego korpusu WebCorp i wyszukiwarki Google, stwierdzono, że zapożyczenie selfie pojawiło się po raz pierwszy na litewskich blogach najpóźniej w 2013 roku. Wkrótce, na początku 2014 roku lub wcześniej, zaczęło rywalizować ze swoim litewskim odpowiednikiem: asmenukė. Ostatecznie, wraz z rozwojem rodzin wyrazów selfis i asmenukė, w języku litewskim pojawiły się dwa rywalizujące ze sobą leksykalne systemy semantyczne, składające się z odmian nazwy obiektu (selfie, selfis i asmenukė, asmenutė, asmeninukė), aktora (selfininkas, -ė, selfukininkas, -ė i asmenukininkas, -ė), czynności (selfintis i asmenukintis) i dodatkowego narzędzia (selfi stikas, selfio lazda i asmenuklazdė) oraz rozmaitych nowych wersji tych nazw.Po przejściu do języka litewskiego, angielski neologizm selfie (selfis), jako nazwa nowego zjawiska społeczno-kulturowego z własną rodziną semantyczną i słowotwórczą, został w nim zakotwiczony i dostosowany do rodzimego systemu fleksyjnego i dał impuls do tworzenia lokalnych odpowiedników. Ten przypadek można w pewnym sensie uznać za modelowy, pokazuje bowiem, co się dzieje, gdy zapożyczenie nazwy na określenie nowego i bardzo modnego elementu rzeczywistości, który ma zatem znaczny potencjał rozprzestrzeniania się, wchodzi do języka litewskiego. Podobne procesy bez wątpienia zachodzą również w innych językach, które zapożyczyły to słowo. Podjęcie nowych badań porównawczych pomogłoby lepiej zrozumieć powstawanie, funkcjonowanie i rozpowszechnianie się neologizmów, a także mechanizmy tworzenia rodzimych odpowiedników i ich konkurowania z zapożyczeniami.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the proximal tibial epiphysis is suitable for statements as to the question of majority: a validation study in forensic age diagnostics

Determining majority plays a key role for forensic age diagnostics in living individuals. Recent data suggest that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the proximal tibial epiphysis (PTE) may be a suitable alternative or at least an additional tool to clarify whether an individual has reached majority. However, the reference data situation is still sparse. Hence, the present dual center study retrospectively analyzed routine MRI of the knee in 413 cases (214 males and 199 females) of a Western Caucasian population aged between 12 and 25 years. MRI was performed at 1.5 and 3.0 T clinical scanners using T1- and T2-weighted sequences. The classification system by Vieth et al. (Eur Radiol 2018; 28:3255–3262) was applied for determining the ossification stages of the PTE. Intra-observer agreement was “very good” (κ = 0.931), and inter-observer agreement was “good” (κ = 0.798). Minimum ages above the age of 18 years were observed with the final stage (stage 6) in either sex (20.27 years in males and 18.55 years in females). The results are not in contradiction with the previous data and can be considered a strong and valuable support of the so far existing database. Therefore, the investigation of the PTE using routine MRI (either at 1.5 or 3.0 T) could be taken into consideration for application in forensic age estimation practice in near future.

Bacterial Signatures of Paediatric Respiratory Disease: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis

Introduction: The airway microbiota has been linked to specific paediatric respiratory diseases, but studies are often small. It remains unclear whether particular bacteria are associated with a given disease, or if a more general, non-specific microbiota association with disease exists, as suggested for the gut. We investigated overarching patterns of bacterial association with acute and chronic paediatric respiratory disease in an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences from published respiratory microbiota studies.Methods: We obtained raw microbiota data from public repositories or via communication with corresponding authors. Cross-sectional analyses of the paediatric (<18 years) microbiota in acute and chronic respiratory conditions, with >10 case subjects were included. Sequence data were processed using a uniform bioinformatics pipeline, removing a potentially substantial source of variation. Microbiota differences across diagnoses were assessed using alpha- and beta-diversity approaches, machine learning, and biomarker analyses.Results: We ultimately included 20 studies containing individual data from 2624 children. Disease was associated with lower bacterial diversity in nasal and lower airway samples and higher relative abundances of specific nasal taxa including Streptococcus and Haemophilus. Machine learning success in assigning samples to diagnostic groupings varied with anatomical site, with positive predictive value and sensitivity ranging from 43 to 100 and 8 to 99%, respectively.Conclusion: IPD meta-analysis of the respiratory microbiota across multiple diseases allowed identification of a non-specific disease association which cannot be recognised by studying a single disease. Whilst imperfect, machine learning offers promise as a potential additional tool to aid clinical diagnosis.

Mobile Responsive App—A Useful Additional Tool for Data Collection in the German Pregnancy Register Rhekiss?

Background: The German pregnancy register Rhekiss is designed as a nationwide, web-based longitudinal observational cohort established in 2015. The register follows women with inflammatory rheumatic disease prospectively from child wish or early pregnancy until 2 years post-partum. Information on clinical and laboratory parameters, drug treatment, and (adverse) pregnancy outcomes are documented in pre-specified intervals. Physicians and patients report data for the same time periods via separated accounts and forms into a web-based application (app). As data entry on mobile devices might improve response rates of patients, a responsive app as a further convenient documentation option was developed.Methods: The Rhekiss-app is available for self-reported data retrieval since August 2017 from the App stores. For the current analysis, Rhekiss register data were used from the start of the register until 30 September 2020. The analyses were performed for forms containing information on devices. Outcome parameters were compared for mobile and desktop users for the quantity and quality of filled forms.Results: In total, 5,048 forms were received and submitted by 966 patients. About 57% of forms were sent from mobile devices with the highest numbers in patients with child wishes (63%). Users of mobile devices were slightly younger and often had less high-education level (62 vs. 79%) compared with desktop users. The proportion of forms submitted via mobile devices increased steadily from 48% in the fourth quarter of 2018 to 64% in the third quarter of 2020. The proportion of forms received before and after the Rhekiss-app implementation increased with the highest increase of 12% for forms filled at time point 12 months post-partum. Mobile users submitted significantly more forms than desktop users (2.9 vs. 2.1), data sent via desktops were more often complete (88 vs. 86%).Conclusion: The responsive app is a valuable additional tool for data collection and is well-accepted by patients as indicated by its increasing use in Rhekiss. Apart from desktop/browser developments, the technological adoptions within observational cohorts and registries should take smartphone requirements and developments into account, especially when patient-reported data in young, mobile patients are collected, bearing in mind that data quality could be compromised and concepts for improving data quality should be implemented.

Comparison of Infrared Thermal Imaging with Two Canine Pain Assessment Tools in Dogs Undergoing Treatment for Chronic Back Pain

Historically, the evaluation and assessment of the clinical response to treatment for canine back pain is subjective and relies on owner and clinician assessment of pain. This study evaluated the use of sequential infrared thermal images as a measure of the response of canine patients with back pain to a prescribed series of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) treatments. Qualifying participants had histories of pain and dysfunction associated with spinal osteoarthritis or intervertebral disk disease, or of non-specific uni- or bilateral back pain along the paravertebral epaxial muscles. Each patient was initially thermally imaged prior to PBMT treatment and then received multiple PBMT treatments delivered to the appropriate spinal area on days 1, 2, 3, and 4. Participants were reimaged on day 7. Thermal images provided an objective measure of superficial temperature changes over the area of PBMT treatment of each patient after the PBMT regimen. The temperature correlated with statistically significant changes in Colorado State University Canine Chronic Pain Scale scoring (CPS) and owner assessment using the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), which includes a Pain Severity Score (PSS) and Pain Interference Score (PIS). The correlation of objective thermal imaging data with more subjective outcome measures suggests thermal imaging may be a valuable additional tool in monitoring therapy outcome.

Implications for sedimentary transport processes in southwestern Africa: a combined zircon morphology and age study including extensive geochronology databases

Extensive morphological and age studies on more than 4600 detrital zircon grains recovered from modern sands of Namibia reveal complex mechanisms of sediment transport. These data are further supplemented by a zircon age database containing more than 100,000 single grain analyses from the entire southern Africa and allow for hypothesising of a large Southern Namibian Sediment Vortex located between the Damara Orogen and the Orange River in southern Namibia. The results of this study also allow assuming a modified model of the Orange River sand highway, whose origin is likely located further south than previously expected. Moreover, studied samples from other parts of Namibia give first insights into sediment movements towards the interior of the continent and highlight the potential impact of very little spatial variations of erosion rates. Finally, this study points out the huge potential of detrital zircon morphology and large geo-databases as an easy-to-use additional tool for provenance analysis.