bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estudio comparativo de modelos de propagación con el análisis de la intensidad de la señal LTE de las estaciones base con el área de cobertura en Riobamba -Ecuador
Authors: Ponce Castillo Eric Andre , Ledesma Buele Jehins Smith , Puchaicela Cuenca Roberth , Miraba Cajamarca Kevin Jeremi
Published: September 2022

Este trabajo de investigación presenta el estudio de modelos de propagación: Log-Normal, Okumura-Hata, Walfish-Bertoni, Walfish-Ikegami y SUI; a través del cual se realizará una comparación con las mediciones realizadas en diferentes sectores de la ciudad de Riobamba, para este estudio trabajaremos con los operadores móviles Claro y Tuenti. Para las mediciones respectivas, se toman puntos aleatorios alrededor de la base de radio con la ayuda de la aplicación celular Network Cell Info-Lite con una estimación mínima de 50 datos con su respectiva distancia a tres momentos diferentes del día en la mañana, mediodía y tarde, para ello el estudio se realizará en cuatro sectores de la ciudad, se calculará un promedio de los 50 datos extraídos. El objetivo es determinar qué modelo se ajusta a los modelos de propagación mencionados anteriormente, se analizarán los resultados y se interpretará qué modelo se ajusta a cada una de las cinco ubicaciones propuestas, considerando las restricciones y parámetros de cada uno de los modelos de propagación propuestos.
Principios para la elaboración de un Manual para la Gestión de Comunicación de Crisis en las organizaciones
Authors: Vidal Díaz Dayana , Vidal Díaz Daniela , Gutiérrez López Orlando
Published: September 2022

La comunicación siempre ha sido un pilar fundamental en la correcta gestión de los procesos en las organizaciones. La Gestión de la Comunicación de Crisis como parte integrante del sistema de comunicación de la organización y no separado de este, implica una constante relación entre los trabajadores, los diferentes niveles de dirección, el público y la sociedad. El presente trabajo propone un sistema de principios fundamentales para la elaboración de un Manual para la Gestión de Comunicación de Crisis. Tener determinada percepción de riesgo es el primer paso para evitar una Crisis que afecte el correcto funcionamiento de la institución. Por ende, es necesario tomar acciones a tiempo que garanticen minimizar el impacto y den una respuesta rápida y efectiva a los públicos implicados.
IMPROVE STUDENTS’ COMPETENCE IN READING COMPREHENSION BY USING 5E (ENGAGMENT, EXPLORATION, EXPLANATION, ELABORATION, AND EVALUATION) MODEL AT SMP NEGERI 40 HALMAHERA SELATAN
Authors: Latif Saiful
Published: September 2022

Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui sejauhmanakah penggunaan model pembelajaran siklus 5E untuk meningkatkan pemahaman membaca siswa di kelas 2 SMP Negeri 40 Halmahera Selatan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif khususnya pre -experimental dan menggunakan satu grup test awal dan test ahir. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas 2 SMP Negeri 40 Halmahera Selatan dengan total berjumlah 26 siswa. Peneliti menggunakan semua siswa di kelas tersebut sebagai sample dengan menggunakan  conveniont sample. Instrumen ini menggunakan soal pilihan ganda 50 butir soal test awal dan test ahir kemudian analisis menggunakan rumus t-test. Hasil ini menginformasikan bahwa ada perbedaan signifikan antara pretest dan posttest dari pencapaian siswa. Pada hasil nilai tes awal 914 dan tes akhir 1280, kemudian hasil dari analisis statistik pada level signifikan 0.05 dan degree of freedom (df) adalah 25. Menunjukkan bahwa t-test 11.34 lebih besar dari pada t-table 1.708. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa sebagian besar pemahaman membaca siswa meningkat sesudah menggunakan model pembelajaran siklus 5E.
PENINGKATAN KETERAMPILAN MOTORIK HALUS ANAK USIA 5-6 TAHUN MELALUI KEGIATAN ORIGAMI DI TK PENGEMBANGAN 21 TACIM KAB. HALMAHERA BARAT
Authors: Salim Diana , Samad Rita
Published: September 2022

This study aims at investigating the increases of children’s ages 5-6 years gross motor skills through origami activities at TK Pengembangan 21 Tacim, West Halmahera. This study is a Classroom Action Research (collaborative) which consists of two cycles in four meetings. The researcher acts as a teacher who runs the learning scenario while collaborator is a teacher assistant who act as observers (observers). The subjects of the study were 8 children of Class B Pengembangan Kindergarten 21 Tacim Kab. Halbar, they consist of 4 Male and 4 Female. Technique collecting data are observation and field notes. The instrument of research is observation sheets in the form of a checklist of children fine motor skills. The data were analyzed qualitative descriptive. The results of this study indicate that an increase in children's fine motor skills through origami activities in TK Tac 21 Pengembangan. Improvement of children gross motor skills in cycle I is 50% or 4 children of 8 children that were categozied very good and good in shapeing the paper neatly based on the shape of object. The result of cycle II indicates that 88% of children or 7 children of 8 children were categorized very good and good in shaping the paper quickly and neatly according to the shape of the object. Thus, origami activities can improve fine motor skills of children aged 5-6 years in TK Pengembangn 21 Tacim, West Halmahera.
PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN PENALARAN STATISTIS MAHASISWA MELALUI PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS PROYEK BERBANTUAN ICT
Authors: La Nani Karman , Bakar Marwia Tamrin , Saidi Soleman
Published: September 2022

The problem with this research is the students’ low ability of statistical reasoning. This study aims to determine the students’ achievement and improvement of statical reasoning through project-based learning with ICT assistance. This research was in the form of a quasi-experimental design of the pretest-posttest control group. The numbers of samples of this study were 51 students taken by purposive sampling from 102 students who took statistics introductory lectures. This study has two variables, namely: the application of project-based learning with ICT assisted as an independent variable, and the students' statistical reasoning ability as an independent variable. The instrument used for data collection was six items of an essay the statistical reasoning test. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Descriptive analysis, including a description of student statistical reasoning achievement and improvement. The inferential analysis is using the Mann-Whitney U test statistic. The results showed that the students’statistical reasoning achievement and improvement who received project-based learning with ICT assisted was better than those who obtained conventional learning. Students’ statistical reasoning Achievement who received project-based learning with ICT assisted in the good category while those who received conventional learning in the sufficient category. The increased student's statistical reasoning who received project-based learning with ICT assisted was relatively high and those who received conventional learning where classified as moderate. There is a significant difference in the achievement and improvement of students' statistical reasoning abilities between those who obtain project-based learning with ICT assisted and those who obtain conventional learning. The significance of these differences can be concluded that the implementation of project-based learning with ICT assisted can improve students' statistical reasoning abilities.
PENDAMPINGAN PENYUSUNAN BORANG AKREDITASI MADRASAH TSANAWIYAH SAHABAT CENDIKIA KOTA TERNATE
Authors: Latif Saiful , Haerullah Ade , Rahman Mardia Hi
Published: September 2022

Madrasah Tsanawiyah Sahabat Cendikia (MTs SC) Ternate is one of the schools that has not been accredited. Actually, the eight components of the national education standard have been implemented by MTs SC, but the documents and activity reports are not well administered. The results of interviews with partner madrasah principals obtained the same problem, namely the low value of each component of the SNP which refers to the accreditation instrument. Training programs and assistance in the preparation of accreditation forms by the community service team are the solutions offered to help partner school problems. The stages of this community service program include: (1) the training stage, (2) the stage of assisting the preparation of the accreditation form, (3) the stage of assisting the fulfillment of the physical documents of accreditation, (4) the evaluation stage. Training in the fulfillment of physical documents and supporting documents provides understanding and skills to the form drafting team in preparing physical documents and supporting documents in accordance with technical instructions and a list of needs that have been made previously. Training through tutorials on how to fill out instruments through the IASP 2020 application provides understanding and skills to the form-writing team on how to use the application
Novel Biomarkers and Drug Targets in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Dy Grace
Published: September 2022

Despite therapeutic advances, the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) is still very poor, especially when first diagnosed at later stages involving metastases. NSCLC classification can be aided by identifying genetic, molecular, and histological subtypes that are important biomarkers in treatment selection. The majority of targeted therapies are now first-line treatment options for eligible patients with advanced stages of NSCLC. Here they have been shown to improve overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Such treatments include those aimed at driver mutations in NSCLC, such as the genes for EGFR and ALK, and immune checkpoint inhibitors such as those targeting programmed death protein 1 or its ligand (programmed death ligand 1 [PD-L1]). In antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), cytotoxic payloads are conjugated to monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that deliver the drug to tumour cells expressing the corresponding target antigen. While there are still no ADCs specifically approved for NSCLC by the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), several agents have shown promise and are being investigated as therapy in NSCLC. Emerging biomarkers as targets for ADCs with potential relevance in the treatment of NSCLC include products of the genes CEACAM5, TROP2, HER2, and c-MET. Herein, this interview provides an overview of biomarkers and targeted therapies, with a discussion with Grace Dy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA, on their potential clinical utility.
The design and development of an experience measure for a peer community moderated forum in a digital mental health service
Authors: Mindel Charlotte , Mainstone-Cotton Lily , de Ossorno Garcia Santiago , Sefi Aaron , Sugarman Georgia , Salhi Louisa , Brick Holly , Jackson Katherine , Hanley Terry
Published: September 2022

Online digital mental health communities can contribute to users' mental health positively and negatively. Yet the measurement of experience, outcomes and impact mechanisms relating to digital mental health communities is difficult to capture. In this paper we demonstrate the development of an online experience measure for a specific children and young people's community forum inside a digital mental health service. The development of the Peer Online Community Experience Measure (POCEM) is informed by a multi-phased design: (i) item reduction through Estimate-Talk-Estimate modified Delphi methods, (ii) user testing with think-aloud protocols and (iii) a pilot study within the digital service community to explore observational data within the platform. Experts in the field were consulted to help reduce the items in the pool and to check their theoretical coherence. User testing workshops helped to inform the usability appearance, wording, and purpose of the measure. Finally, the pilot results highlight completion rates, differences in scores for age and roles and “relate to others”, as the most frequent domain mechanism of support for this community. Outcomes frequently selected show the importance of certain aspects of the community, such as safety, connection, and non-judgment previously highlighted in the literature. Experience measures like this one could be used as indicators of active therapeutic engagement within the forum community and its content but further research is required to ascertain its acceptability and validity. Multi-phased approaches involving stakeholders and user-centred design activities enhances the development of digitally enabled measurement tools.
Causal relationship between bipolar disorder and inflammatory bowel disease: A bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wang Zhe , Wang Xinyu , Zhao Xushi , Hu Zhaoliang , Sun Dongwei , Wu Donglei , Xing Yanan
Published: September 2022

Background: Growing evidence suggests a bidirectional association between bipolar disorder (BD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, observational studies are prone to confounding, making causal inference and directional determination of these associations difficult.

Methods: We performed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with BD and IBD as instrumental variables (IV). SNPs and genetic associations with BD and IBD were obtained from the latest genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in Europeans (BD: cases/controls: 20352/31358; IBD: 12882/21770; Crohn’s disease (CD): 5,956/14927; ulcerative colitis (UC): 6968/20464). The inverse-variance-weighted method was the major method used in MR analyses. MR-Egger, weight mode, simple mode, and weighted median were used for quality control.

Results: Genetically predicted BD (per log-odds ratio increase) was significantly positively associated with risk of IBD (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04–1.33), and UC (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.05–1.35), but not CD (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.95–1.48). The validation analysis found that combined OR of IBD, CD, and UC increased per log-OR of BD were 1.16(95% CI: 1.02–1.31), 1.20(95% CI: 0.98–1.48) 1.17(95% CI: 1.02–1.35), respectively. In contrast, no causal relationship was identified between genetically influenced IBD and BD.

Conclusion: Our results confirm a causal relationship between BD and IBD, which may influence clinical decisions on the management of BD patients with intestinal symptoms. Although the reverse MR results did not support a causal effect of IBD on BD, the effect of the IBD active period on BD remains to be further investigated.
Primary immunodeficiencies in Bulgaria - achievements and challenges of the PID National Expert Center
Authors: Naumova Elissaveta , Lesichkova Spaska , Milenova Veneta , Yankova Petya , Murdjeva Marianna , Mihailova Snezhina
Published: September 2022

Tremendous progress has been made in the recognition of primary immune deficiencies (PIDs) in Bulgaria since in 2005 we have joined the J Project Central-Eastern European collaborative program. Ten years later an Expert Centre (ExpC) for Rare Diseases - Primary Immune Deficiencies at the University Hospital “Alexandrovska”- Sofia was established. In May 2017 The National Register of Patients with Rare Diseases also became operational as a database containing clinical and genetic information for Bulgarian patients with PID. The transfer of data and information on Bulgarian PID patients to the European Primary Immunodeficiency Database, managed by the European Society for Primary Immunodeficiency (ESID) has started in 2020. The total number of registered patients now is 191 (100 men and 91 women), with more than half of them being children (106; 55.5%). Regular updating of the information in the register showed that 5.2% of patients are deceased and the majority (94.8%) is a subject to continuous monitoring as it has been reported for other European countries as well. With the establishment of the ExpC, the dynamics in the diagnosis and registration of patients with PID significantly intensified. For a period of 5 years (2016-2021) 101 patients were evaluated and registered in comparison with previous period - before ExpC establishment when only 89 patients were diagnosed. The most common pathology was humoral immune deficiency (85 patients; 44.5%). Ninety-six (50.3%) of the patients underwent genetic testing, and 66. 7% had genetically confirmed diagnosis. Three of the variants have not been reported in population databases. Following genetic investigation confirmation of the initial phenotypic diagnosis was achieved in 82.8% of cases and change in the diagnosis - in 17%. Sixty-two patients were on regular replacement or specific therapy, and the rest received symptomatic and supportive treatment. In summary, we present the first epidemiological report of PIDs in Bulgaria, based on the National PID register. Data on the clinical, phenotypic and genetic characteristics of PID patients provided important information about the nature of primary immunodeficiency diseases in our country.
Orchestrating the fecal microbiota transplantation: Current technological advancements and potential biomedical application
Authors: Nigam Manisha , Panwar Abhaya Shikhar , Singh Rahul Kunwar
Published: September 2022

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been proved to be an effective treatment for gastrointestinal disorders caused due to microbial disbalance. Nowadays, this approach is being used to treat extragastrointestinal conditions like metabolic and neurological disorders, which are considered to have their provenance in microbial dysbiosis in the intestine. Even though case studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the potential of FMT in treating a variety of ailments, safety and ethical concerns must be answered before the technique is widely used to the community's overall benefit. From this perspective, it is not unexpected that techniques for altering gut microbiota may represent a form of medication whose potential has not yet been thoroughly addressed. This review intends to gather data on recent developments in FMT and its safety, constraints, and ethical considerations.
French Phonological Component Analysis and aphasia recovery: A bilingual perspective on behavioral and structural data
Authors: Masson-Trottier Michèle , Dash Tanya , Berroir Pierre , Ansaldo Ana Inés
Published: September 2022

Studies show bilingualism entails an advantage in cognitive control tasks. There is evidence of a bilingual advantage in the context of aphasia, resulting in better cognitive outcomes and recovery in bilingual persons with aphasia compared to monolingual peers. This bilingual advantage also results in structural changes in the right hemisphere gray matter. Very few studies have examined the so-called bilingual advantage by reference to specific anomia therapy efficacy. This study aims to compare the effect of French-Phonological Component Analysis (Fr-PCA) in monolinguals and bilingual persons with aphasia, both at the linguistic and cognitive control level, and to examine the structural impact of left hemisphere lesion location and right hemisphere structural data. Eight participants with chronic aphasia received Fr-PCA for a total of 15 h over 5 weeks. The results showed improved accuracy for treated words and generalization to untreated items and discourse in both groups, and improved Flanker task performance for some participants. Bilingual participants improved more than monolinguals for picture-naming tasks and narrative discourse. Damage to the left postcentral gyrus and the middle frontal gyrus was associated with less therapy-induced improvement. Additionally, left hemisphere damage to the inferior parietal gyrus and postcentral gyrus was associated with reduced cognitive control pre-therapy. Undamaged right hemisphere cortical thicknesses were significantly different between groups; the inferior frontal gyrus and the middle frontal gyrus were greater for the bilingual participants and correlated with cognitive control skills. These results suggest a bilingual advantage in anomia recovery following Fr-PCA, potentially resulting from enhanced cognitive control abilities that could be supported by right hemisphere neural reserve.
Medical image fusion quality assessment based on conditional generative adversarial network
Authors: Tang Lu , Hui Yu , Yang Hang , Zhao Yinghong , Tian Chuangeng
Published: September 2022

Multimodal medical image fusion (MMIF) has been proven to effectively improve the efficiency of disease diagnosis and treatment. However, few works have explored dedicated evaluation methods for MMIF. This paper proposes a novel quality assessment method for MMIF based on the conditional generative adversarial networks. First, with the mean opinion scores (MOS) as the guiding condition, the feature information of the two source images is extracted separately through the dual channel encoder-decoder. The features of different levels in the encoder-decoder are hierarchically input into the self-attention feature block, which is a fusion strategy for self-identifying favorable features. Then, the discriminator is used to improve the fusion objective of the generator. Finally, we calculate the structural similarity index between the fake image and the true image, and the MOS corresponding to the maximum result will be used as the final assessment result of the fused image quality. Based on the established MMIF database, the proposed method achieves the state-of-the-art performance among the comparison methods, with excellent agreement with subjective evaluations, indicating that the method is effective in the quality assessment of medical fusion images.
Effect of taurine in muscle damage markers and inflammatory cytokines in running exercise
Authors: Wang Yucong , Xu Tao , Zhao Hui , Gu Chunxiao , Li Zhongzheng
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of taurine on muscle damage markers and inflammatory markers in the running. For that, ten healthy volunteers participated in this study (mean ± SEM; age 24 ± 1 year, body mass 72.2 ± 4.89 kg, height 174.03 ± 2.85 cm, and BMI 23.83 ± 1.27). The running exercise was performed for 5 km, and blood was taken pre-exercise and pre-exercise + tau and post-exercise and post-exercise + tau for biochemical assessment. We assessed serum creatine kinase (CK), CK isoenzyme, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). CK level was not significantly different in the control and taurine (tau) administrated groups. However, creatine kinase isoenzyme was decreased in the pre-exercise + tau group when compared to the post-exercise + tau group. AST level was increased significantly in the post-exercise compared to the post-exercise + tau group. There was no significant difference observed in the LDH level in both post-exercise and post-exercise + tau. TNF-alpha level was not also significantly different in both post-exercise and post-exercise + tau. However, IL-6 was decreased in the post-exercise + tau when compared to the post-exercise group. In conclusion, we observed that taurine decreases the inflammatory response by decreasing IL-6 and AST, suggesting the role of taurine in regulating inflammatory response could help to increase running performance.
Mental health self-efficacy as a moderator between the relationship of emotional exhaustion and knowledge hiding: Evidence from music educational students
Authors: Zhou Xuan
Published: September 2022

The knowledge and skills of employees could play a valuable role in organizational success. Organizations seek practices to create a knowledge-sharing culture to take full advantage of individual competencies. However, the knowledge-hiding behavior of individuals is a hurdle in the internal dissemination of knowledge and expertise. It becomes more critical in the case of teaching institutions, where the students are taught and trained. Scholars are now putting their efforts into seeking the antecedents and consequences of knowledge-hiding behavior. This study also attempts to determine the role of interpersonal distrust as an antecedent of knowledge hiding behavior of music education students. Based on the social exchange theory, the present study attempts to check the association of interpersonal distrust with emotional exhaustion and knowledge hiding. For empirical investigation, this study assumes that interpersonal distrust positively enhances knowledge hiding and emotional exhaustion, respectively. Moreover, the present study also attempts to check the association of emotional exhaustion with knowledge hiding. This study also assessed the mediating role of emotional exhaustion in the relationship between interpersonal distrust and knowledge hiding. This current study also aims to check the moderating role of mental health self-efficacy in the relationship between emotional exhaustion and knowledge hiding. For empirical investigation, the present study collected the data from 310 music learning students of various Chinese universities through a structured questionnaire method using a convenient sampling technique. This study applied partial least square structural equation modeling for empirical analyses using Smart PLS software. The findings of this study revealed that interpersonal distrust does not directly influence knowledge hiding; however, interpersonal distrust has a positive association with emotional exhaustion. The findings also acknowledged that emotional exhaustion positively correlates with knowledge hiding. The results also confirmed that emotional exhaustion positively mediates the relationship between interpersonal distrust and knowledge hiding. Further, the outcomes depicted that mental health self-efficacy negatively moderates the relationship between emotional exhaustion and knowledge hiding. In addition, this study’s findings also serve the literature of knowledge hiding by providing important theoretical and practical implications.
Knowledge, attitude and perception of medical students on COVID-19 vaccines: A study carried out in a Nigerian University
Authors: Orok Edidiong , Ndem Ekpedeme , Daniel Eunice
Published: September 2022

Objective

Vaccine development, distribution, and immunization of large populations have been identified as vital mitigation strategies for curbing the spread of COVID-19. However, vaccine hesitancy is a major barrier to this. The knowledge and perception of COVID-19 vaccines can improve vaccine acceptance. The purpose of this study was to assess medical students' knowledge, attitude, and perception of COVID-19 vaccines.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional web-based survey conducted among undergraduate students from the faculties of Basic medical sciences and Clinical sciences, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The students' knowledge was ranked as excellent (>70%), good (50–69%) and poor (<50%) while perception was categorized into positive (>50%), and negative (<50%). The difference in knowledge based on demographics was analyzed using the Independent sample t-test. The association between demographics, and students' perception was carried out using the Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests. Analyses were conducted using SPSS software version 25.

Results

A total of 233 students consented to participate in the study out of which 51.1% were female. Forty-eight students (20.6%) had good knowledge while 41.2% of the participants accepted to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Positive perception was reported among 51.1% (119) of the students.

Conclusion

There was poor knowledge and positive perception among majority of the students. Educational intervention in form of training should be done to improve medical students' knowledge and perception toward COVID-19 vaccination.
Sharing country experiences: The WHO Global School on Refugee and Migrant Health in Jordan
Authors: Bellizzi Saverio , Orcutt Miriam , Annunziata Giuseppe D. , Sedas Ana C. , Severoni Santino
Published: September 2022

In 2021, Jordan was the first country to host the Global School for Refugee and Migrant Health, to improve the knowledge of the public health implications of migration. These perspective articles aim to retrieve salient reflections during the School as a baseline for further enhancement of migrant and health programs. During the School, a compilation of achievements, challenges, and opportunities was discussed around specific interrelated subjects, such as health system management and mental health. Successful examples were provided in the integration of refugees and migrants into health policies. On the other hand, the national health information systems are often not migrant-sensitive and evidence is still poor around mental health problems of refugees and migrants. Health financing remains a critical subject to address in a tailored way. The School highlighted the need to continue the exchange of experiences to promote a common approach to tackle similar needs.
Modified mandible traction with wires to treat neonatal Pierre Robin sequence: A case report
Authors: Zuo Hailiang , Gao Jing , Mu Yu , Zhang Fang , Liu Yang
Published: September 2022

Background

Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is a congenital craniofacial deformity characterized by micrognathia, glossoptosis and airway obstruction. Some affected neonates are born with severe life-threatening upper airway obstruction that requires surgery. If without timely treatment, it is possible to cause not only organ damage and developmental abnormalities but also early newborn mortality.

Case presentation

In this report, a 51-hours-old neonate was diagnosed with PRS, who had severe upper airway obstruction and required surgery. We performed the modified mandible traction with wires at four days old and achieved a satisfactory result in improving airway obstruction. No other complications were observed except for mild local infection. No overlap of other more complex syndromes was found, such as ocular abnormalities, hearing loss, other skeletal abnormalities, cardiac abnormalities or other atypical abnormalities. At the present follow-up until 2 years old, there were no significant differences in the maxillofacial appearance, teeth growth, breathing, feeding, growth and development between the patient and normal children.

Conclusion

The modified mandible traction with wires can safely and effectively resolve micrognathia, the key to treating PRS, which is minimally invasive, simple and provides immediate relief of airway obstruction with no long term complications compared with other surgical methods. This report aims to provide more evidence of the successful treatment of neonatal PRS micrognathia by modified mandible traction with wires.
Application of allograft and absorbable screws in the reconstruction of a massive bone defect following resection of giant osteochondroma: A retrospective study
Authors: Ma Zhihao , Yang Qiang , Liu Xinyu , Li Zhenfeng
Published: September 2022

Background

This study aims to introduce a reconstruction method of applying allografts and absorbable screws to repair large bone defects caused by the resection of giant osteochondroma.

Methods

A retrospective study of a series of patients who underwent the resection of giant osteochondroma reconstructed by allografts and absorbable screws was conducted from February 2020 to September 2021. Their demographic data, location site, area of bone defect, and pertinent operative details were recorded. The reconstruction modality of allografts was elaborated on. In the follow-up, radiographic images were utilized to determine bone union, and the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was used to evaluate postoperative limb function.

Results

A total of seven patients were included, including three males and four females with an average age of 16.6 ± 6.5 years. Among them, three cases of tumors occurred in the humerus and four cases occurred in the femur. The average follow-up time was 11.3 ± 3.0 months. The average area of bone defect was 25.9 ± 8.3 cm2. No complications such as infection, nonunion, and allograft bone fracture were found during the follow-up period. Six months after the operation, the average Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 26.4 ± 1.6, with acceptable postoperative function.

Conclusions

The cooperative application of absorbable screw fixation and allografts including mixed cortical bone and cancellous bone, which yielded satisfactory functional outcomes and acceptable postoperative complications, is an effective reconstruction method for a massive bone defect after the resection of giant osteochondroma.
Preface to “Oscillator-Amplifier Free Electron Lasers an Outlook to Their Feasibility and Performances”
Authors: Dattoli Giuseppe , Curcio Alessandro , Giulietti Danilo
Published: September 2022

Free Electron Lasers (FELs) are certainly among the most interesting devices, belonging to the realm of coherent radiation sources [...]
A Learning Automaton-Based Algorithm for Maximizing the Transfer Data Rate in a Biological Nanonetwork
Authors: Kantelis Konstantinos F.
Published: September 2022

Biological nanonetworks have been envisaged to be the most appropriate alternatives to classical electromagnetic nanonetworks for applications in biological environments. Due to the diffusional method of the message exchange process, transfer data rates are not proportional to their electromagnetic counterparts. In addition, the molecular channel has memory affecting the reception of a message, as the molecules from previously transmitted messages remain in the channel, affecting the number of information molecules that are required from a node to perceive a transmitted message. As a result, the ability of a node to receive a message is directly connected to the transmission rate from the transmitter. In this work, a learning automaton approach has been followed as a way to provide the receiver nodes with an algorithm that could firstly enhance their reception capability and secondly boost the performance of the transfer data rate between the biological communication parties. To this end, a complete set of simulation scenarios has been devised, simulating different distances between nodes and various input signal distributions. Most of the operational parameters, such as the speed of convergence for different numbers of ascension and descension steps and the number of information molecules per message, have been tested pertaining to the performance characteristics of the biological nanonetwork. The applied analysis revealed that the proposed protocol manages to adapt to the communication channel changes, such as the number of remaining information molecules, and can be successfully employed at nanoscale dimensions as a tool for pursuing an increased transfer data rate, even with time-variant channel characteristics.
Statistical Significance Testing for Mixed Priors: A Combined Bayesian and Frequentist Analysis
Authors: Robnik Jakob , Seljak Uroš
Published: September 2022

In many hypothesis testing applications, we have mixed priors, with well-motivated informative priors for some parameters but not for others. The Bayesian methodology uses the Bayes factor and is helpful for the informative priors, as it incorporates Occam’s razor via the multiplicity or trials factor in the look-elsewhere effect. However, if the prior is not known completely, the frequentist hypothesis test via the false-positive rate is a better approach, as it is less sensitive to the prior choice. We argue that when only partial prior information is available, it is best to combine the two methodologies by using the Bayes factor as a test statistic in the frequentist analysis. We show that the standard frequentist maximum likelihood-ratio test statistic corresponds to the Bayes factor with a non-informative Jeffrey’s prior. We also show that mixed priors increase the statistical power in frequentist analyses over the maximum likelihood test statistic. We develop an analytic formalism that does not require expensive simulations and generalize Wilks’ theorem beyond its usual regime of validity. In specific limits, the formalism reproduces existing expressions, such as the p-value of linear models and periodograms. We apply the formalism to an example of exoplanet transits, where multiplicity can be more than 107. We show that our analytic expressions reproduce the p-values derived from numerical simulations. We offer an interpretation of our formalism based on the statistical mechanics. We introduce the counting of states in a continuous parameter space using the uncertainty volume as the quantum of the state. We show that both the p-value and Bayes factor can be expressed as an energy versus entropy competition.
Increase Butanol Production from Corn Straw by Mineral Compounds Supplementation
Authors: Dziemianowicz Wojciech , Kotarska Katarzyna , Świerczyńska Anna
Published: September 2022

In this study, two types of fermentation methods: SSF and consolidation SHF/SSF were used for production of acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) from corn straw as a feedstock. Clostridium acetobutylicum DSM1731 was used as the fermenting organism. Corn straw was thermochemically pretreated and then hydrolyzed using three types of enzymes. The impact has been investigated on the effect of mineral compounds supplementation ((NH4)2SO4, MgSO4, (NH4)3PO4) on ABE productivity and butanol content. From the SSF, where mineral salts were supplemented into the fermentation medium, it was found that the maximum ABE and butanol concentrations were 28.35 g/L and 24.03 g/L, respectively, corresponding to a productivities of 0.295 g/L/h (ABE) and 0.250 g/L/h (butanol). In the consolidation SHF/SSF method with mineral compounds supplementation, the maximum ABE and butanol concentrations were 31.35 g/L and 28.64 g/L, respectively, corresponding to productivities of 0.327 g/L/h (ABE) and 0.298 g/L/h (butanol). Compared to control samples, mineral salts supplementation had a positive effect on cellular metabolic activities, leading to an earlier initiation of the solventogenesis stage. In supplemented samples, an increase in the rate of ABE fermentation by Clostridium was observed.
Demand Side Management Strategy for Multi-Objective Day-Ahead Scheduling Considering Wind Energy in Smart Grid
Authors: Ullah Kalim , Khan Taimoor Ahmad , Hafeez Ghulam , Khan Imran , Murawwat Sadia , Alamri Basem , Ali Faheem , Ali Sajjad , Khan Sheraz
Published: September 2022

Distributed energy resources (DERs) and demand side management (DSM) strategy implementation in smart grids (SGs) lead to environmental and economic benefits. In this paper, a new DSM strategy is proposed for the day-ahead scheduling problem in SGs with a high penetration of wind energy to optimize the tri-objective problem in SGs: operating cost and pollution emission minimization, the minimization of the cost associated with load curtailment, and the minimization of the deviation between wind turbine (WT) output power and demand. Due to climatic conditions, the nature of the wind energy source is uncertain, and its prediction for day-ahead scheduling is challenging. Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) was used to predict wind energy before integrating with the SG. The DSM strategy used in this study consists of real-time pricing and incentives, which is a hybrid demand response program (H-DRP). To solve the proposed tri-objective SG scheduling problem, an optimization technique, the multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA), is proposed, which results in non-dominated solutions in the feasible search area. Besides, the decision-making mechanism (DMM) was applied to find the optimal solution amongst the non-dominated solutions in the feasible search area. The proposed scheduling model successfully optimizes the objective functions. For the simulation, MATLAB 2021a was used. For the validation of this model, it was tested on the SG using multiple balancing constraints for power balance at the consumer end.
A Critical Analysis of Modeling Aspects of D-STATCOMs for Optimal Reactive Power Compensation in Power Distribution Networks
Authors: Dash Subrat Kumar , Mishra Sivkumar , Abdelaziz Almoataz Y.
Published: September 2022

Distribution static compensators (D-STATCOMs) can enhance the technical performance of the power distribution network by providing rapid and continuous reactive power support to the connected bus. Accurate modeling and efficient utilization of D-STATCOMs can maximize their utility. In this regard, this article offers a novel current-injection-based D-STATCOM model under the power control mode of operation for the reactive power compensation of the power distribution network. The versatility of the proposed D-STATCOM model is demonstrated by combining it with two of the most established distribution load flow techniques, viz., the forward–backward sweep load flow and the BIBC–BCBV-matrix-based direct load flow. Further, the allocation of the proposed D-STATCOM model is carried out under a multiobjective mathematical formulation consisting of various technical and economic indices such as the active power loss reduction index, voltage variation minimization index, voltage stability improvement index and annual expenditure index. A novel parameter-free metaheuristic algorithm, namely a student-psychology-based optimization algorithm, is proposed to determine the optimal assignment of the different number of D-STATCOM units under the multiobjective framework. The proposed allocation scheme is implemented on a standard 33-bus test system and on a practical 51-bus rural distribution feeder. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed D-STATCOM model can be efficiently integrated into the distribution load flow algorithms. The student-psychology-based optimization algorithm is found to be robust and efficient in solving the optimal allocation of D-STATCOMs as it yields minimum power loss compared to other established approaches for 33-bus PDNs. Further, the economic analysis carried out in this work can guide network operators in deciding on the number of D-STATCOMs to be augmented depending on the investment costs and the resulting savings.
Depositional and Diagenetic Controls on Reservoir Quality of Callovian-Oxfordian Stage on the Right Bank of Amu Darya
Authors: Xing Yuzhong , Wang Hongjun , Zhang Liangjie , Cheng Muwei , Shi Haidong , Guo Chunqiu , Chen Pengyu , Yu Wei
Published: September 2022

Based on the detailed analysis of sedimentology, diagenesis, and petrophysics, this study characterized the Middle-Lower Jurassic Callovian-Oxfordian carbonate reservoirs of 68 key wells in the Amu Darya Basin and assessed the controlling factors on the quality of the target intervals. We identified 15 types of sedimentary facies developed in seven sedimentary environments using sedimentary facies analysis, such as evaporative platform, restricted platform, open platform, platform margin, platform fore-edge upslope, platform fore-edge downslope, and basin facies. The target intervals went through multiple diagenetic stages, including the syndiagenetic stage, early diagenetic stage, and middle diagenetic stage, all of which had a significant impact on the reservoir quality. Main diagenetic processes include dissolution and fracturing which improve the reservoir quality as well as cementation, compaction, and pressure solution that reduce the reservoir quality. By analyzing the reservoir quality, we identified nine fluid flow units and five types of reservoir facies. Among them, the dissolved grain-dominated reservoir facies is of the highest quality and is the best storage and flow body, while the microporous mud-dominated reservoir facies of platform fore-edge downslope and open marine facies is of the lowest quality and could not become the flow unit unless it was developed by fracturing.
In Situ Thermal Ablation Repair of Delamination in Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting Composites
Authors: Cang Yu , Hu Wenlong , Zhu Dalei , Yang Lulu , Hu Chaojie , Yuan Yiwen , Wang Fangxin , Yang Bin
Published: September 2022

Repairing delamination damage is critical to guarantee the structural safety of carbon fiber-reinforced thermosetting composites. The popular repair approaches, scarf repair and injection repair, can significantly restore the in-plane mechanical performance. However, the out-of-plane properties become worse due to the sacrifice of fiber continuity in these repairing processes, leading to the materials being susceptible under service loads. Here, we propose a novel in situ delamination repair approach of controllable thermal ablation in damage removal, achieving a high repair efficiency without impairing the fiber continuity in carbon fiber/epoxy panels. The epoxy resin in the delaminated region was eliminated under the carbonization temperature in a few minutes, allowing the carbon fiber frame to retain its structural integrity. The healing agent, refilled in the damaged region, was cured by the Joule heating of designed electrodes for 30 min at 80 °C, yielding the whole repair process to be accomplished within one hour. For the delaminated carbon fiber/epoxy panels with thicknesses from 2.5 to 6.8 mm, the in-plane compression-after-impact strength after repair could recover to 90.5% of the pristine one, and still retain 74.9% after three successive repair cycles of the 6.8 mm-thick sample. The simplicity and cost-saving advantages of this repair method offer great potential for practical applications of prolonging the service life of carbon fiber-reinforced thermosetting composites.
The Impact of Coskewness and Cokurtosis as Augmentation Factors in Modeling Colombian Electricity Price Returns
Authors: Cayon Edgardo , Sarmiento Julio
Published: September 2022

This paper explores the empirical validity of an augmented volume model for Colombian electricity price returns (in the present study, the definition of returns is simply the “rate of change” of observed prices for different periods). Of particular interest is the impact of coskewness and cokurtosis when modeling Colombian electricity price returns. We found that coskewness as an augmentation factor is highly significant and should be considered when modeling Colombian electricity price returns. The results obtained for coskewness as an augmentation factor in a volume model are consistent when using either an Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) specification for the data employed. On the other hand, the effect of cokurtosis is highly irrelevant and not significant in most cases under the proposed specification.
Transcriptomics and RNA-Based Therapeutics as Potential Approaches to Manage SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Arriaga-Canon Cristian , Contreras-Espinosa Laura , Rebollar-Vega Rosa , Montiel-Manríquez Rogelio , Cedro-Tanda Alberto , García-Gordillo José Antonio , Álvarez-Gómez Rosa María , Jiménez-Trejo Francisco , Castro-Hernández Clementina , Herrera Luis A.
Published: September 2022

SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus family member that appeared in China in December 2019 and caused the disease called COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic in 2020 by the World Health Organization. In recent months, great efforts have been made in the field of basic and clinical research to understand the biology and infection processes of SARS-CoV-2. In particular, transcriptome analysis has contributed to generating new knowledge of the viral sequences and intracellular signaling pathways that regulate the infection and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, generating new information about its biology. Furthermore, transcriptomics approaches including spatial transcriptomics, single-cell transcriptomics and direct RNA sequencing have been used for clinical applications in monitoring, detection, diagnosis, and treatment to generate new clinical predictive models for SARS-CoV-2. Consequently, RNA-based therapeutics and their relationship with SARS-CoV-2 have emerged as promising strategies to battle the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with the assistance of novel approaches such as CRISPR-CAS, ASOs, and siRNA systems. Lastly, we discuss the importance of precision public health in the management of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and establish that the fusion of transcriptomics, RNA-based therapeutics, and precision public health will allow a linkage for developing health systems that facilitate the acquisition of relevant clinical strategies for rapid decision making to assist in the management and treatment of the SARS-CoV-2-infected population to combat this global public health problem.