bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining “successful” treatment outcomes in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a scoping review
Authors: Joarder Ishraq , Taniguchi Seika , Snow Mary Elizabeth , Mendoza Andrea
Published: June 2022

Purpose Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common type of scoliosis that affects children aged 10 to 18 years old, manifesting in a three dimensional spinal deformity. This study aimed to explore outcome measures used in defining AIS treatment success. Particularly, analyzing the extent of radiographic and quality of life domains used and whether AIS treatment approaches (surgical, bracing, physiotherapy etc.) influences outcomes used as proxies of treatment success. Methods EMBASE and MEDLINE databases were used to conduct a systematic scoping review with 158 papers screened for data extraction. Extractable variables included: study characteristics, study participant characteristics, type of study, type of intervention approach and outcome measures. Results All 158 studies measured quantitative outcomes. 61.38% of papers used radiographic outcomes whilst 38.62% of papers used quantitative quality of life outcomes to evaluate treatment success. Irrespective of treatment intervention utilized, the type of quantitative outcome measure recorded did not differ significantly. Moreover, of the radiographic outcome measures, the subcategory Cobb angle was predominantly used across all intervention approaches. For quantitative quality of life measures, questionnaires investigating multiple domains such as SRS were primarily used as proxies of AIS treatment success across all intervention approaches. Conclusion This study identified that no articles employed qualitative measures of describing the psychosocial implications of AIS in defining treatment success. Although quantitative measures have merit in clinical diagnoses and management, there is increasing value in using qualitative methods such as thematic analysis in guiding clinicians to develop a biopsychosocial approach for patient care.
The effect of intravenous milrinone in adult critically ill patients: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Xu Jingyuan , Zhang Yanjie , Jiang Jie , Yang Yi , Guo Fengmei
Published: June 2022

Background
Milrinone is widely used for enhancing myocardial contractility, however, there is inadequate data to suggest it is preferable to other inotropic agents. To observe the effect of milrinone on prognosis in adult critically ill patients, we conducted this meta-analysis.
Methods
A search of the following databases was conducted: Medline, Elsevier, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science databases, and eligible randomized controlled trials including adult critically ill patients were screened. Two reviewers collected data separately, information was retrieved including study design, center number, sample size, gender, age, intervention and outcome. Data were analyzed using methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager 4.2 software. Random errors were evaluated by trial sequential analysis (TSA).
Results
Twenty studies including 2036 patients compared milrinone with control group were enrolled. When compared to control group, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia decreased significantly in milrinone group in patients with cardiac surgery, but not in patients with cardiac dysfunction and shock. There was no significant reduction in the incidence of myocardial infarction, all-cause mortality and no improvement of hemodynamic paramenters in the milrinone group. TSA indicated lack of firm evidence for a beneficial effect.
Conclusions
The meta-analysis showed when compared with control group, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia decreased significantly in patients with cardiac surgery, but not in patients with cardiac dysfunction and shock who applying milrinone, while there was no significant reduction in the incidence of myocardial infarction, all-cause mortality and no improvement of hemodynamics.
Maxillofacial fibrous dysplasia—diagnosis, treatment and reconstruction with a personalized, 3D-printed titanium implant: a case report
Authors: Dudzińska-Filkiewicz Anna , Łączkowska-Serafin Julianna , Krysztopik Joanna , Żurada Anna
Published: June 2022

Fibrous dysplasia is a rare disease belonging to benign, noncancerous bone and fibrous-related developmental disorders. A 34-year-old male was admitted to the maxillofacial surgery unit to diagnose a rapidly growing, painless lesion with swelling in the right buccal region and increasing facial deformity for three months. Computed tomography (CT) images revealed an inhomogeneous, ill-defined lesion in the maxilla and maxillary sinus. Despite the lesion, the patient had no clinically significant neurological abnormalities. The lesion was diagnosed as fibrous dysplasia on the basis of preoperative tissue biopsy. The treatment of choice was complete surgical excision with immediate reconstruction and fixation of the orbital floor by implanting an alloplastic titanium mesh implant. Then, the patient underwent a secondary reconstruction of tissue defects using a personalized, 3D-printed titanium implant. Reconstruction of postresection defects covering a large craniofacial area is a challenge for maxillofacial surgeons due to the specific location of the face, especially considering psychological and technical aspects. The reconstruction method should be predictable and safe and should guarantee the best aesthetic effect, close to perfection. The ideal solution seems to be the use of an individually prepared, personalized 3D-printed titanium implant with anatomical detail mapping, which can perfectly recreate the missing tissues.
Hierarchical Fluctuation Shapes a Dynamic Flow Linked to States of Consciousness
Authors: Li Ang , Liu Haiyang , Lei Xu , He Yini , Wu Qian , Yan Yan , Zhou Xin , Tian Xiaohan , Peng Yingjie , Yan Hao , Zhang Cheng , He Sheng , Han Ruquan , Wang Xiaoqun , Liu Bing
Published: June 2022

Consciousness emerges from the spatiotemporal dynamics of neural activity. However, how such an extraordinary phenomenon is supported by neural flexibility and regional specialization across the cerebral cortex remains elusive. Here, using several functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigms (e.g., anesthesia, sleep, and drowsiness), we show a consciousness-related signature characterized by shifting spontaneous fluctuations along a unimodal-transmodal cortical organizational axis. The signature is simple and sensitive to altered states of consciousness in single individuals, exhibiting abnormal elevation under psychedelics as well as in individuals with psychosis. Under task-free conditions, this hierarchical dynamic reflects ongoing brain state changes in global integration and connectome diversity. Applying quasi-periodic pattern detection during different vigilance states, we found that hierarchical heterogeneity also manifested as spatiotemporally propagation waves related to arousal. A similar pattern was observed in neural activity measured with cortex-wide electrocorticography (ECoG) in macaques. Last, we observed that the spatial distribution of the principle cortical gradient not only preferentially recapitulated the genetic transcription levels of the histaminergic system but also that of the functional connectome mapping of the tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN), which promotes wakefulness. Combining behavioral, neuroimaging, electrophysiological, and transcriptomic evidence, we suggest that global state of consciousness is supported by efficient hierarchical processing that can be constrained along a low-dimensional macroscale gradient.
Extracellular adenosine 5ʹ-diphosphate promotes MCP-1/CCL2 expression via the P2Y13 purinergic receptor/ ERK signaling axis in temporomandibular joint-derived mouse fibroblast-like synoviocytes
Authors: Yokota Seiji , Chosa Naoyuki , Matsumoto Shikino , Satoh Kazuro , Ishisaki Akira
Published: June 2022

Background Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) causes cartilage degeneration, bone cavitation, and fibrosis of the TMJ. However, the mechanisms underlying the fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS)-mediated inflammatory activity in TMJ-OA remain unclear. Methods and Results Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the P2Y1, P2Y12, and P2Y13 purinergic receptor agonist adenosine 5ʹ-diphosphate (ADP) significantly induces monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1)/ C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) expression in the FLS1 synovial cell line. In contrast, the uracil nucleotide UTP, which is a P2Y2 and P2Y4 agonist, has no significant effect on MCP-1/CCL2 production in FLS1 cells. In addition, the P2Y13 antagonist MRS 2211 considerably decreases the expression of ADP-induced MCP-1/CCL2, whereas ADP stimulation enhances extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Moreover, it was found that the mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126 reduces ADP-induced MCP-1/CCL2 expression.Conclusions ADP enhances MCP-1/CCL2 expression in TMJ FLSs via P2Y13 receptors in an MEK/ERK-dependent manner, thus resulting in inflammatory cell infiltration in the TMJ. Collectively, the findings of this study contribute to a partial clarification of the signaling pathway underlying the development of inflammation in TMJ-OA and can help identify potential therapeutic targets for suppressing ADP-mediated purinergic signaling in this disease.
Research on Influencing Factors of Artificial Intelligence Multi-cloud Scheduling Applied Talents Training based on DEMATEL-TAISM
Authors: Bian Yi-jie , Xie Lu , Li Jing-qi
Published: June 2022

With the rapid development of Internet of things (IoT) technology and the increasing popularity of IoT devices, more and more computing intensive IoT applications came into being. However, due to the limited resources of IoT devices, cloud computing systems are required to compute intensive IoT applications. Further, in order to be subject to a single cloud computing service provider, multi-cloud computing will become an IoT service cloud computing solution. In view of the complexity of multi-cloud scheduling, the application of artificial intelligence will be an important technology to solve the multi-cloud scheduling of IoT. The corresponding talent training plays an important role in the development and implementation of the artificial intelligence multi-cloud scheduling of IoT. Firstly, this paper studies the key influencing factors of IoT’s artificial intelligence multi-cloud scheduling applied talents training. Combined with the characteristics of the development of China’s artificial intelligence industry, this paper summarizes the influencing factors from the four dimensional training path of government departments, universities, enterprises and scientific research institutes. According to the training purpose of artificial intelligence multi-cloud scheduling applied talents training, build an artificial intelligence multi-cloud scheduling applied talents training influencing factor index system. Then, the DEMATEL method is used to establish multiple correlation matrices according to the direct influence correlation between the factors, and calculate the influence degree, affected degree, center degree and cause degree of the factors; Using the improved AISM method, based on the idea of game confrontation, from the two opposite extraction rules of result priority and cause priority respectively, a group of confrontation level topological maps with comprehensive influence values reflecting the interaction of factors are obtained, and relevant suggestions are put forward in order to provide reference for the training of artificial intelligence multi-cloud scheduling applied talents.
A prospective, single center, open, comparative, pilot clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-adhesive agent Interguard® in patients undergoing abdominal surgery
Authors: Kang Ha-Ri , Choi Seung Jun , Choi Sangtae , Lee Won-Suk
Published: June 2022

Purpose: We performed a prospective study to assess whether the use adhesion barrier Interguard® reduces the rate of adhesion grade in patients who undergoing colorectal surgery plus temporary loop ileostomy as compared to that of the no additive control group.Methods: A total of 38 patients were enrolled between May 2019 and July 2020.Among the 38 enrolled patients, 14 patients received Interguard®, and 24 patients received no additive.Results There was no significant difference of the baseline characteristics between each group. There were no significant differences between the groups for the type of operation (P = 0.163). Operation time was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.471). The blood laboratory data was not significantly different from day 5 and 7. None of the patients experienced wound infection and/or anastomotic leakage. None of the patients in Interguard® group developed small bowel ileus after the ileostomy takedown. Adhesion score less than 5 was significantly lower in Interguard® group as compared to control group (P = 0.001). Lower abdomen adhesion score was significantly higher in control group (P = 0.009)ConclusionsThe application of Interguard® did reduce the adhesion grade in patients who were undergoing colorectal surgery and temporary ileostomy as compared to the control group.
Emotions and arithmetic in children
Authors: Lemaire Patrick
Published: June 2022

How negative emotions influence arithmetic performance and how such influence changes with age during childhood? To address these issues, I used a within-trial emotion induction procedure while children solve arithmetic problems. More specifically, 8—15 year-old participants (N=207) solved arithmetic problems (8+4=13. True? False?) that were displayed superimposed on emotionally negative or neutral pictures. The main results showed (a) poorer performance in emotionally negative conditions in all age groups, (b) larger deleterious effects of negative emotions on harder problems, (c) decreased effects of emotions as children grow older, and (d) sequential carry-over effects of emotions in all age groups such that larger decreased performance under emotions occurred on current trials immediately preceded by emotional trials. These findings have important implications for furthering our understanding of how emotions influence arithmetic performance in children and how this influence changes during childhood.
Key tips to providing a psychologically safe learning environment in the clinical setting
Authors: Hardie Philip , O’Donovan Roisin , Jarvis Prof Suzi , Redmond Catherine
Published: June 2022

Having psychological safety embedded in preceptorship relationships facilitates positive interpersonal and educational experiences for students. Psychological safety refers to a student’s belief as to whether or not it is safe for them to take interpersonal risks, such as asking questions, sharing an idea for improvement or speaking up to maintain patient safety. Having psychological safety leads to collaboration, positive student learning experiences and effective patient care. In this article, we present key guidelines for preceptors to provide a psychologically safe learning environment for their students. Guidelines fall under four categories 1)before meeting students, 2)first meeting students, 3) continued relationship with students and 4) general rules. These guidelines are informed by current literature on psychological safety and preceptorship and the author's clinical expertise in a nursing preceptorship. We conceptualise psychological safety in a nursing preceptorship for preceptors to denote the experience of inclusivity, empowerment and well-being of students within the social, cultural and physical clinical learning environment. A crucial attribute to cultivating a psychologically safe environment involves being an accessible and approachable preceptor.
Statiscal Investigation of Solar Activity Phenomena for Cycle 23 and 24.
Authors: Umuogbana Umuogbana Augusine Onyemaechi , Christian Onuchukwu Christian Chika
Published: June 2022

A statistical analysis on the main parameters of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and solar activity for solar cycles 23 and 24 has been carried out and reported. The data used for the analysis was obtained from SOHO/LASCO CME Catalogue by the Coordinated Data Analysis Workshop (CDAW), and Omini Services, for CME and solar activity respectively. The parameter used for his study is Speed at 20R (20R). The solar activity tracers analyzed are sunspot number (SSN) and sunspot area (SSA). We characterized and compared the CME parameter for each cycle, and then compared their monthly time series plots with the solar activity cycle for possible similarities. Also, for each parameter, same analysis was also done on various sizes of CMEs (normal, narrow and wide), fast, slow and CMEs with negative and positive acceleration which were segregated from All CMEs. A comparison of CME time series with solar activity (especially SSAT and SSN which seem to reflect the true general activity cycle) shows that solar activity lags behind CME (for negative)by three months for cycle 24. CME with positive acceleration does not follow the sunspot cycle. Also for CME speed, both category of speeds follow the sunspot cycle but lags by 3 months for cycle 24. CME distributions shows that as All CMEs travel from one cycle to another it decreases, just as other CME segregated angular sizes decreases except for narrow CMEs which increases. Slow CMEs increases while CMEs with positive and negative acceleration decreases. These changes are, perhaps, due to effects of solar wind.
Population study reveals genetic variation and introgression of four deciduous oaks at the junction between Taihang Mountain and Yanshan Mountain
Authors: Pei Ziqi , Yang Qinsong , Chen Xining , Zong Yu , Li Jinjin , Yang Xiong , Huo Chenrui , Chen Yixin , Zhang Qian , Luo Na , Kang Jialu , Meng Xiaoqian , Jiang Wenjie , Li Yining , Zhou Huirong , Wang Jiaxi , Liu Yong , Li Guolei
Published: June 2022

Oaks (Quercus spp.) are considered as model plants for studying plant evolution and natural gene introgression. However, interspecific hybridization often occurred in sympatric sibling specie, resulting in blurred interspecific boundaries and hindering the development of breeding. Beijing area is at the junction between Taihang Mountain and Yanshan Mountain. It is a key area for deciduous oaks native to China and an overlapping area of several oaks. It is urgently necessary to evaluate the genetic diversity and population structure of the 4 deciduous oak species to understand the degree of gene introgression and to screen out ideal breeding materials. In this study, we collected 11 populations of 4 oak species (Q. variabilis, Q. mongolica, Q. dentata and Q. aliena) in the junction between Taihang Mountain and Yanshan Mountain. By using the polymorphic SSR markers, we analyzed the genetic variation of the collected 400 individuals and investigated the population structure and found gene introgression events. Q. variabilis had a clearer genetic background as compared to the other three species and the artificial population of Q. variabilis might have been transplanted from other regions outside Beijing. Q. mongolica had a more frequent gene introgression with Q. dentata and Q. aliena in this area. In addition, our results provided DNA fingerprints of the sampled 40 individuals according 9 SSR markers. This research reported useful SSR data for analyzing the genetic variation of oak species native to China, laying the foundation of whole genome sequencing and conducting an oak germplasm nursery with clear genetic background.
Existence of the Mathematical Prediction Equation and its Convergence Condition and its Simplified Derivation
Authors: gu xu
Published: June 2022

The mathematical prediction equation (MPE) will give the mathematical definition of prediction to various physical motion (wave) fields. The MPE of space-time infinite order accuracy was proposed in this study (MPE is also an infinite series), and its sufficient and necessary convergence condition was reported. Meanwhile, simplified derivation or inference was given for the MPE (it is hoped that the mathematical circle will perfectly prove the MPE). The mathematical definition of prediction was provided during derivation, including mathematical relationships between the Euler constant equation and Newton displacement, velocity and acceleration. Furthermore, by combining MPEs and convergence conditions with the cubic spline function, closed prediction equations of ideal gas pressure, temperature, and flow fields with space-time second-order accuracy were established, (it is also hoped that the physics circle will investigat the application of MPE in quantum fields, to discuss the mathematical definition and difference between Newton displacement and Einstein displacement).
Assessing executive functions in the real world is virtually possible
Authors: Rocabado Francisco , Duñabeitia Jon Andoni
Published: June 2022

Executive functions have become a popular research topic since the beginning of the century. Their central role in our daily routines makes them the most representative form of behaviour regulation. Even though there is no general agreement about how they can be classified, there is common consensus that cognitive scientists need to understand their nature and how they interact to modulate human behaviour. Inhibitory control is one of the main exponents of executive functions, and the last decades have witnessed an exponential increase of studies on the inhibitory component thanks to the development of chronometric tasks associated with paradigms that allowed to explore how humans behave in contexts in which resistance to interference is needed. Among the different paradigms typically used, the Simon and flanker tasks are probably the most popular ones. Since their creation, many variants of these tasks have been developed in order to assess inhibitory control from different perspectives (e.g., in different samples or in combination with different research techniques). However, the use of these tasks has been typically governed by classical presentation modalities within laboratory settings. The accessibility of virtual reality technology has opened new research avenues to explore inhibitory skills using adaptations of classic paradigms such as the Simon and the flanker tasks to real-life contexts or settings. Thanks to virtual reality, research on executive function assessment can be undertaken with increased ecological validity, still ensuring laboratory-like controlled conditions and high precision in the measurements. Relying on this technology, here we present two state-of-the-art adaptations of the classical Simon and flanker tasks reinterpreted and adapted to real-world circumstances. Our results show that virtual reality is a reliable tool to assess inhibitory control that could provide valid experimental data with a high level of real-world transferability and generalizability.
A Reduced Complexity Hybrid Precoding for mmWave Systems
Authors: Abuhilal Hasan Saed
Published: June 2022

The emergence of millimeter wave (mmWave) communication signals leads a new era in wireless technology. High-bandwidth communication channels are available in the mmWave spectrum compared to the current commercial wireless systems. Wireless local and personal area networks in the unlicensed band, 5G cellular systems, as well as vehicle area networks, ad hoc networks, and wearables are just a few of the many uses for mmWave technology. The next generation of mmWave communication relies heavily on signal processing. Combined with radio frequency and mixed signal power limits, new multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication signal processing techniques are necessary. Low-complexity transceiver techniques are required because of the large bandwidths. Compressed sensing techniques can be used for channel estimation and beamforming in the future. Channel matrix in mmWave MIMO systems has significant importance on the hybrid precoding systems. Most precoding techniques are working on processing the MIMO channel to find the optimum beamforming vectors. This article provides a significant study on reducing the MIMO channel complexity in order to find the optimum beamforming elements. The study shows that the spectral efficiency of the system can be slightly sacrificed to reduce the complexity of the system based on the MIMO channel matrix low rank decomposition. We show the derivation and simulation of the proposed system through MATLAB software after the mathematical modelling and verification of the system.
Gut Microbiome Variation in Pulmonary TB Patients with Diabetes or HIV Comorbidities
Authors: Morgan Portia Abena , Parbie Prince Kofi , Ntiamoah Desmond Opoku , Boadu Augustine Asare , Asare Prince , Lamptey Ivy Naa Koshie , Gorman Cecilia Nancy , Afreh Emmanuel , Asante-Poku Adwoa , Otchere Isaac Darko , Aboagye Sammy Yaw , YEBOAH-MANU DOROTHY
Published: June 2022

Background: The gut microbiota is known to play critical role in shaping the host immunity, and metabolism and influences the onset and progression of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. This study assessed the gut microbiome of tuberculosis (TB) cases with diabetes mellitus (DM) or HIV comorbidities before anti-TB therapy and after the intensive phase anti-TB therapy. Methods: Ninety cases comprising 60 TB-only, 23 TB-DM, 7 TB-HIV were recruited, among which 35 TB-only, 10 TB-DM, 5 TB-HIV were also sampled after 2 months of anti-TB treatment. Total gut microbiome was detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of DNA extracted from collected stool specimen. The taxonomic and functional diversity of the different groups were compared in addition to changes that could occur after 2 months antibiotics use. Results: Compared to the healthy controls, the gut microbiome of all the TB cohorts was characterized by a significant decreased alpha diversity and significant compositional changes. All the three TB cohorts were enriched with inflammatory related microorganisms of the genera Escherichia-shigella, Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Erysipelatoclostridium with depletion in beneficial taxa of the genera Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium and Clostridium. In pairwise comparison with the healthy controls, the TB-only cohort were enriched with Streptococcus and Erysipelatoclostridium, the TB-DM enriched with Bacteroides, and TB-HIV enriched with Escherichia-shigella, Dialister and Erysipelatoclostridium. After the intensive phase anti-TB therapy, there was general enrichment of the genera Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG 003, Veillonella and Fusobacterium.Conclusion: Our findings show a dysbiotic gut microbiome and associated increase in the number of inflammation related microorganism in gut of TB individuals with or without comorbidity.
Risk factors of transport gap bending deformity in the treatment of critical bone defects after bone transport
Authors: Abula Abulaiti , Cheng Erlin , Abulaiti Alimujiang , Liu Kai , Liu Yanshi , Ren Peng
Published: June 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of bone transport using unilateral external fixator in the treatment of lower limb bone defects caused by infection, and investigate the risk factors of transport gap bending deformity (TGBD) after removal of external fixator.Methods: From January 2008 to December 2019, 178 patients with bone defects of the lower extremity caused by infection were treated by bone transport using unilateral external fixator in our medical institution. The Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) standard was applied to assess the bone and functional outcomes. After the data were significant by the T-test or Pearson’s Chi-square test analyzed, odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression tests to describe factors associated with the diagnosis of TGBD.Results: A total of 178 patients met the inclusion criteria were successfully treated by bone transport using unilateral external fixator, with a mean size of 6.2 centimeters (3.4 - 9.1 cm). TGBD was observed in 22 patients (12.3%) after removal of the external fixator, including 32 tibias and 10 femurs, with a mean follow-up time of 28.6 months (22 - 47 months). Age>45years, BMI>25kg/m2, defect of the tibia, diabetes, osteoporosis, glucocorticoid intake, duration of bone infection>24months, EFT>9months, EFI>1.8months/cm were significantly associated with the occurrence of TGBD in the binary logistic regression analysis. The independent risk factors associated with TGBD included age>45 years, BMI>25 kg/m2, defect of tibia, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Conclusions: The bone transport using the unilateral external fixator was a safe and practical method in the treatment of lower limb bone defects caused by infection. The top five risk factors of TGBD included defect of tibia, BMI>25kg/m2, duration of bone infection>24 months, age>45years, and diabetes. Age>45years, BMI>25kg/m2, defect of tibia, osteoporosis, and diabetes were the independent risk factors. The higher incidence of TGBD may be associated with more risk factors.
Early apple bruise recognition based on near-infrared imaging and grayscale gradient images
Authors: Yang Zengrong , Yuan Yuhui , Zheng Jianhua , Wang Huaibin , Li Junhui , Zhao Longlian
Published: June 2022

Early apple bruises, especially those occurring within half an hour, usually have no external symptoms and are difficult to find. In this study, a fast and nondestructive detection method for early bruises based on a near-infrared camera and image recognition was developed. A total of thirty apple samples were photographed on both sides of each apple. Grayscale images of the apples were captured using a near-infrared camera with a wavelength region between 900 and 2350 nm. Images of apples (n = 62) without bruises were collected. The same apples were artificially damaged and photographed by the near-infrared camera immediately. The apples were photographed again at 30–35 min after bruising, and a total of 186 grayscale images were collected. As the glossiness of apples limits the accuracy in the detection of defects, a compound method was proposed consisting of nonlinear grayscale transformation and frequency-domain image filtering techniques, followed by the first derivative to obtain the gradient grayscale image. Since bruises had distinct edges, bruise edge pixels were detected instead of sound bruise pixels. The compound method obtained a 97.62% classification accuracy for nonbruised apples and apples with fresh bruises. The experimental results show that it is feasible to identify early bruises in apples based on near-infrared camera imaging and gradient grayscale images. The method can also provide a reference for the in-situ nondestructive early bruise detection of apples and other fruits.
Large scale phenotypic characterisation of Hierophis viridiflavus (Squamata: Serpentes) suggests genetic admixture between closely related lineages
Authors: Storniolo Federico , Mangiacotti Marco , Zuffi Marco A.L. , Scali Stefano , Sacchi Roberto
Published: June 2022

Colour variability is largely widespread in the animal world as it is tightly associated with fitness and survivorship. Therefore, the drivers and implications of such variability have been of great interest for zoologists in the past decades. Reptiles are excellent models to investigate colour variations and expression under different conditions. Here, we focused on melanism occurrence in the two main lineages of Hierophis viridiflavus at the species areal scale,by extracting available data from iNaturalist, a citizen science network, with the aim to detecting any pure effect of climate or local habitat on colour expression. Our analyses highlighted that habitat does not explain differences in phenotypes, whereas marked effects of geographic and climatic variables were detected. However, the observed climatic effects could be a proxy of the geographical distribution of the two groups, and thus the high occurrence of bright colourations in western populations of the eastern lineage could be addressed to an ongoing event of asymmetric gene flow in contact zones. The current distribution of phenotypes could be the outcome of the evolutionary history of the species combined with the geological history of the Mediterranean region. This investigation, though, is only preliminary and molecular analyses on highly variable regions of the genome are mandatory to address this issue.
Retrospective study on the efficacy of monocyte distribution width (MDW) as a screening test for COVID-19
Authors: Wakamatsu Kentaro , Nagasawa Zenzo , Katsuki Kouta , Kumazoe Hiroyuki , Yasuda Masayo , Kawamoto Sae , Kawamura Ayano , Ueno Tsuyoshi , Kiyotani Ruriko , Fukui Izumi , Maki Sanae , Nagata Nobuhiko , Kawasaki Masayuki , Yamada Hozumi
Published: June 2022

Purpose: Pathogenic genetic testing for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can detect viruses with high sensitivity, however there are several challenges. In the prevention, testing, and treatment of COVID-19, more effective, safer, and convenient methods are desired. We evaluated the possibility of monocyte distribution width (MDW) as an infection biomarker in COVID-19 testing.Methods: The efficacy of MDW as a screening test for COVID-19 was retrospectively assessed in 80 patients in the COVID-19 group and 232 patients in the Non-COVID-19 group (141 patients with acute respiratory infection, 19 patients with non-respiratory infection, 1 patient with viral infection, 11 patients who had received treatment for COVID-19, 1 patient in contact with COVID-19 patients, and 59 patients with non-infectious disease). Results: The median MDW in 80 patients in the COVID-19 group was 23.3 (17.2-33.6), and the median MDW in 232 patients in the Non-COVID-19 group was 19.0 (13.6-30.2) (P < 0.001). When the COVID-19 group was identified using the MDW cut-off value of 21.3 from the Non-COVID-19 group, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.844, and the sensitivity and specificity were 81.3% and 78.2%, respectively. Comparison of MDW by severity between the COVID-19 group and patients with acute respiratory infection in the Non-COVID-19 group showed that MDW was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group for all of mild, moderate I, and moderate II disease. Conclusions: MDW (cut-off value: 21.3) may be used as a screening test for COVID-19 in fever outpatients, etc.
Development and Evaluation of Real Time PCR for Detection and Identification of C. jejuni and C. coli from Human Food
Authors: Baaboua Aicha El , Maadoudi Mohamed El , Belmehdi Omar , Kounnoun Ayoub , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Abrini Jamal
Published: June 2022

The current study aimed to develop, optimize, and evaluate the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) specificity and sensitivity on pure isolated strains of Campylobacter and on enriched broth for direct detection of these cells. To achieve this, HipO and CadF gene were purchased to target C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively. Using chessboard titration method, three critical reagents concentration of qPCR were optimized and described. After that, 130 of collected isolates from food samples were confirmed by the developed protocols. Lastly, 27 enriched broths culture-positive for Campylobacter spp. were subjected to direct qPCR. The earlier results indicated that the diluted DNA templates improved the amplification plot intensity (∆Rn ˃ 225.000) and the amendment of the amount of specific primers, probes, as well as the concentration of MgCl2 on the amplification curves affected positively the fluorescence signal for both C. jejuni and C. coli established protocols. The confirmation of 130 of C. jejuni and C. coli isolated from broiler chickens, turkeys, cattle, and handling surface swabs by qPCR optimized protocols demonstrated similar outcomes as phenotypic tests. From 27 broiler chickens’ samples, C. coli were the most isolated strain from culture method, biochemically confirmed, compared to C. jejuni. In contrast, the application of qPCR directly on enriched broth revealed higher percentage (74.07%) of co-existence of C. coli and C. jejuni from the same analyzed samples. The present study developed and validated reliable, rapid, robust, and specific qPCR method for screening, quantifying, and confirming Campylobacter in food safety monitoring.
Diligence Eagle Optimization Protocol for Secure Routing (DEOPSR) in Cloud-Based Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Jaganathan Ramkumar , Ramasamy Vadivel , Mani Lingaraj , Balakrishnan Narasimhan
Published: June 2022

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are essential for various applications that collect and analyze data from the physical environment. Cloud computing particularly provides a benchmarks method for distributed resource sharing. The concept of “Sensor Clouds” has emerged due to extending the paradigm of cloud computing to include sharing the sensed data through WSN. Data collected by these many sensor-based applications is enormous. Routing is significant in cloud-based WSN (CWSN). Poor routing protocol affects the performance of CWSN severely. In this paper, Diligence Eagle Optimization Protocol for Secure Routing (DEOPSR) is proposed for CWSN. DEOPSR is inspired from natural foraging characteristics of eagle. DEOPSR hold two different types of searching to send data to destination which are local search and global search. Parameter adaption schemes present in DEOPSR assist in selecting the best route and avoiding the selfish nodes in routing. In NS3, the performance of DEOPSR was examined using performance measures prevalently used in computer networks. DEOPSR outperforms the present routing protocols, according to the data.
Auricular surface morphology and surface area does not influence subchondral bone density distribution in the dysfunctional sacroiliac joint
Authors: Poilliot Amélie , Hammer Niels , Toranelli Mireille , Gay Max Hans-Peter , Müller-Gerbl Magdalena
Published: June 2022

Background: The subchondral lamella of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) auricular surface is morphologically inconsistent, varying inter-individually and side-dependently. These variations have been well documented, however, the morpho-mechanical relationship to sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) remains unstudied to date. Here, the bone mineralisation density of the iliac and sacral auricular surface subchondral endplate is compared between morphological subtypes, as well as in large and small surfaces, in a cohort comprising SIJD joints and controls.Methods: Computed tomography (CT) datasets from 29 patients with bilateral or unilateral SIJD were subjected to CT osteoabsorptiometry. Sacral and iliac surface areas and posterior angles were calculated and surfaces were classified into small (<15 cm3) and large (≥15 cm3) joints and morphological types 1 (>160°), 2 (130-160°) and 3 (<130°), respectively. Mineralisation patterns were classified into four patterns, two marginal (M1 and M2) and two non-marginal (N1 and N2). Each sacral and iliac surface was subsequently classified into one of these mineralisation groups. Results: The surface area of all joints in the cohort averaged 15.0±2.4 cm2 (males 16.2±2.5 cm2, females 13.7±1.6 cm2). No age correlations with surface area were found nor differences in mean HU values when comparing sizes, sexes or morphology type when looking at painful joints (unilateral or bilateral) and contralateral non-painful joints. Comparisons of controls with the SIJD cohort revealed significant differences in female sacra (p=0.02) and small sacra (p=0.03). There was low conformity in marginal and non-marginal patterns, 26% for contralateral non-painful joints, and 46% conformity in painful joints. The majority of dysfunctional joints was of type 2 morphology (59%), equally distributed between small (49%) and large joints (51%). Larger joints had the highest frequency of painful joints (72%). Regarding the prominence of sub-patterns, M1C was more prominent in painful joints. Conclusions: Load distribution related to difference in auricular surface morphology seems to have little impact on pain-related subchondral bone adaptation in cases of SIJD. Larger joints may be predisposed to the onset of pain due to the weakening of the extracapsular structures. Pain-affected joints reflect common conformity patterns of sacral apex mineralisation with corresponding superior corner iliac mineralisation.
APX-115A, a pan-NADPH oxidase inhibitor, reduces dry eye symptoms in STZ- induced diabetic rat
Authors: Noh Min Hye , Lee Dong Kun , Kim Yeong Seok , Moon Sung Hwan , Han Sang Youb , Hur Dae Young
Published: June 2022

Purpose: Dye eye syndrome (DE) was common ocular disorders of diabetic patients. Recently, it is reported that APX-115A, pan-NADPH oxidase inhibitor, has an effect on EBV-infected retina epithelial cells, but the effects in DE remains poorly understood. Therefore, it was investigated whether APX-115A has an effect on diabetic rat models with dry eye in this study. Methods: Diabetic rat models was established in male Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, and then we treated eyeballs of diabetic rats with eye drop solution contained APX-115A or control solution. Tear secretion was measured with phenol red thread tear test. Morphology of eyeball and lacrimal gland tissues was stained with H&E. In addition, the localization of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and NADPH oxidase 4 in the eyeball and lacrimal gland tissues were detected for immunohistochemistry.Results: APX-115A treatment was no effect on body weight, blood glucose level, and sizes of the lacrimal glands. However, morphological changes (intracellular vacuole and acinar atrophy) were found in lacrimal glands of diabetic rat and APX-115A treatment restore these changes. In immunohistochemistry, NOX2 expression level was decreased in diabetic rat lacrimal gland, but APX-115A treatment did not restore the decrease. Corneas of eyeball in diabetic rats with APX-115A were observed that the thickness was not increased and NOX2 expression level were decreased compared to diabetic rats.Conclusion APX-115A improved the tear secretion and demonstrated positive effects from histological changes. These findings suggest that APX-115A indicate a potential therapeutic role for DE.
Adherence to 14-day radical cure for P. vivax malaria in Papua, Indonesia: a mixed- methods study
Authors: Rahmalia Annisa , Poespoprodjo Jeanne Rini , Landuwulang Chandra UR , Ronse Maya , Kenangalem Enny , Burdam Faustina H , Thriemer Kamala , Devine Angela , Price Ric N , Grietens Koen Peeters , Ley Benedikt , Gryseels Charlotte
Published: June 2022

Background. Reducing the risk of recurrent P. vivax malaria is critical for malaria control and elimination. Primaquine (PQ) is the only widely available drug against P. vivax dormant liver stages, but is recommended as a 14-day regimen, which can undermine adherence to a complete course of treatment. Methods. This is a mixed-methods study to assess socio-cultural factors influencing adherence to a 14-day PQ regimen in a 3-arm, treatment effectiveness trial in Papua, Indonesia. The qualitative strand, consisting of interviews and participant observation was triangulated with a quantitative strand in which trial participants were surveyed using a questionnaire. Results. Trial participants differentiated between two types of malaria: tersiana and tropika, equivalent to P. vivax and P. falciparum infection, respectively. The perceived severity of both types was similar with 44.0% (267/607) perceiving tersiana vs. 45.1% (274/607) perceiving tropika as more severe. There was no perceived differentiation whether malaria episodes were due to a new infection or relapse; and 71.3% (433/607) of survey respondents acknowledged the possibility of recurrence. Participants were familiar with malaria symptoms and delaying health facility visit by 1-2 days was perceived to increase the likelihood of a positive test. Prior to health facility visits, symptoms were treated with leftover drugs kept at home (40.4%; 245/607) or bought over the counter (17.0%; 103/607). Malaria was considered to be cured with ‘blue drugs’ (referring to dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine). Conversely, ‘brown drugs,’ referring to PQ, were not considered malaria medication and instead were perceived as supplements. Adherence to malaria treatment was 71.2% (131/184), in the supervised arm, 56.9% (91/160) in the unsupervised arm and 62.4% (164/263) in the control arm; p = 0.019. Adherence was 47.5% (47/99) among highland Papuans, 51.7% (76/147) among lowland Papuans, and 72.9% (263/361) among non-Papuans; p < 0.001. Conclusion. Adherence to malaria treatment was a socio-culturally embedded process during which patients (re-)evaluated the characteristics of the medicines in relation to the course of the illness, their past experiences with illness, and the perceived benefits of the treatment. Socio-cultural logics and practical challenges that underlie adherence are crucial to consider in the development and rollout of effective malaria treatment policies.
DRASTIC model developed with lineament density to map groundwater susceptibility: a case study in part of Coimbatore district, Tamilnadu, India
Authors: Subramanian Krishnakumar , Sreevi V , Venkatasubramani R , Sivakumar Vivek
Published: June 2022

Due to rapid and often unplanned urbanisation, industrial, and agricultural growth, groundwater has never been relied on as much as it has been in parts of Coimbatore in the last two decades. This paper aims to provide local and regional planning authorities with a succinct groundwater vulnerability assessment of the part of Coimbatore region in order to guarantee more maintainable growth in the area. The Part of Coimbatore region, which covers Pollachi, Sulur and Coimbatore south in eastern part of Tamilnadu, is the study's focal point. The conventional DRASTIC model is used to map the initial groundwater vulnerability assessment. It is then altered by adding "lineament density index" to the original seven DRASTIC features, due to the previously established high correlation between groundwater flow and yield and lineament. The final drastic index map was classed into five categories: very low, low, medium, high, and very high vulnerability, with each covering an area of 840.26, 732.58, 583.46, 183.17, and 167.13 km2. The modified drastic index defined the same five groups, with 965.35, 880.14, 399.21, 158.29, and 103.54 km2 of land covered in each. Alanthurai, Thodamuthur, Pichanur, and Pollachi are among the most susceptible places in the state. This groundwater vulnerability map will be used to aid in groundwater pollution management and planning.
A Gender Approach to Time and Food Security: A Case Study of Egypt
Authors: Khorazaty Noha El , Zaky Hassan
Published: June 2022

Women’s subsistence contribution to household food security is undeniable. However, due to dominance of capital bias in most labour economies, rural women in particular lack agency to improve capacities and access to the resources and opportunities they need to be more productive. This knowledge gap is the subject of many studies in sustainable agriculture development and gender equity. Although the general consensus necessitates policy interventions targeting the gender gap in agriculture resources, within the Egyptian national context, not enough research has been dedicated to quantifying the importance of women subsistence agricultural labour. This article seeks to statistically analyse women’s roles in subsistence agriculture, estimated by a national time-use survey conducted in 2018. The goal is to highlight their capacity to contribute to the food and nutrition security in Egypt and qualify real impact of rural females’ subsistence agriculture labour on rural household food security verses that of rural males. This will contribute to the debate that investigating in rural females in agriculture promotes rural community sustainability and highlight their capacity for agricultural production.