bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value of the Clinical Pharmacist Interventions in the Application of the American College of Cardiology (ACC/AHA) 2018 Guideline for Cholesterol Management
Authors: AlAhmad Mohammad M. , AlAhmad Khozama , Zain Sham , AlAhmad Iqbal , Sadek Aya , AbuRuz Salah
Published: October 2021

The study aims to examine the extent of implementing the ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline and its updates in practice as well as the role of clinical pharmacists in making such guidelines effective. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 272 adult patients who visited the hospital internal medicine clinic in the UAE and were candidates for statin therapy based on the 2018 ACC/AHA guidelines for cholesterol management. Clinical pharmacist interventions were determined. The chi-square test was used to compare compliance with the guidelines before and after clinical pharmacist interventions. Compliance with the recommendations for cholesterol management was significantly improved from 60.3% to 92.6% (X2=79.1, p=0.0001) after clinical pharmacist interventions. Among patients who were on statin therapy, the percentage of those who were on proper statin intensity increased significantly from 47.6% to 94.4% (X2=72.5, p=0.0001). The combination of statins with nonstatin therapies such as ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors increased from 8.5% to 30.6% (X2=95, p<0.0001) and from 0.0% to 1.6% (X2=6, p=0.014), respectively. The use of other lipid-lowering agents was diminished from 14.6% to 3.2% (X2=19.2, p<0.0001). Collaboration between physicians and clinical pharmacists is a crucial strategy to achieve better health outcomes among patients suffering from dyslipidemia.
An Objective Metric of Individual Health And Aging For Population Surveys
Authors: Li Qing , Legault Véronique , Girard Vincent-Daniel , Ferrucci Luigi , Fried Linda P. , Cohen Alan A
Published: October 2021

Background: Generalized, biomarker-based metrics of health status have numerous applications in fields ranging from sociology and economics to clinical research. We recently proposed a novel metric of health status based on physiological dysregulation measured as a Mahalanobis distance (DM) among clinical biomarkers. While DM was not particularly sensitive to the choice of biomarkers, it required calibration when used in different populations, making it difficult to compare findings across studies. To facilitate its use, here we aimed to identify and validate a standard version of DM that would be highly stable across populations, while using fewer biomarkers drawn exclusively from common blood panels. Methods: Using three datasets, we identified nine-biomarker (DM9) and seventeen-biomarker (DM17) versions of DM, choosing biomarkers based on their consistent levels across populations. We validated them in a fourth dataset. We assessed DM stability within and across populations by looking at correlations of DM versions calibrated using different populations or their demographic subsets. We used regression models to compare these standard DM versions to allostatic load and self-assessed health in their association with diverse health outcomes. Results: DM9 and DM17 were highly stable across population subsets (mean r = 0.96 and 0.95, respectively) and across populations (mean r = 0.94 for both). Performance predicting health outcomes was competitive with allostatic load and self-assessed health, though performance of these markers were somewhat variable for different health outcomes. Conclusions: Both DM9 and DM17 are highly stable within and across populations, supporting their use as objective metrics of health status. DM17 performs slightly better than DM9 and at least as well as other comparable metrics, but requires more biomarkers. The metrics we propose here are easy to measure with data that are available in a wide array of panel, cohort, and clinical studies.
Impact of Smoking On Surgical Outcomes For Patients Undergoing Cervical Surgery: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zheng Li-ming , Zhang Zhi-wen , Li Yang , Wen Feng , Wang Wei
Published: October 2021

Objective: To determine whether smoking has adverse effects on outcomes following cervical surgery.Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science through 13 July 2021 for cohort and case-control studies that investigated the effect of smoking on outcomes after cervical surgery. Two researchers independently screened the studies and extracted data according to the selection criteria.Results: The meta-analysis included 43 studies, including 27 case-control studies and 16 cohort studies, with 10020 patients. Pooled estimates showed that smoking was associated with higher rates of overall complications (odds ratio [OR]=2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63-2.44, p<0.00001), respiratory complications (OR=3.14, 95% CI: 1.94-5.08, p<0.00001), reoperation (OR=2.22, 95% CI: 1.41-3.49, p=0.005), dysphagia (OR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.07-2.07, p=0.02), wound infection (OR=3.19, 95% CI: 1.64-6.21, p=0.0006), axial neck pain (OR=1.97, 95% CI: 1.25-3.10, p=0.003), and a lower rate of fusion (OR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.49-0.81, p=0.0003). There were no significant differences between smoking and non-smoking groups in terms of operation time (mean difference [MD]=0.08, 95% CI: - 5.54 to 5.71, p=0.98), estimated blood loss (MD=-5.31, 95% CI: -148.83 to 139.22, p=0.94), length of hospital stay (MD=1.01, 95% CI: -2.17 to 4.20, p=0.53), Visual Analog Scale-neck pain (MD=-0.19, 95% CI: -1.19 to 0.81, p=0.71), Visual Analog Scale-arm pain (MD=-0.50, 95% CI: -1.53 to 0.53, p=0.34), Neck Disability Index (MD=11.46, 95% CI: -3.83 to 26.76, p=0.14), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (MD=-1.75, 95% CI: -5.27 to 1.78, p=0.33).Conclusions: Smokers appear to be more likely than non-smokers to suffer higher rates of overall complications, respiratory complications, reoperation, longer hospital stay, dysphagia, wound infection, axial neck pain, and a lower fusion rate following cervical surgery. It is essential to provide timely smoking cessation advice and explanation to patients before selective cervical surgery.
Gait Characteristics Based on Pain Detect Questionnaire and Pain Catastrophizing Scale in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Harato Kengo , Iwama Yu , Kaneda Kazuya , Kobayashi Shu , Niki Yasuo , Nagura Takeo
Published: October 2021

Background

Although patient-reported evaluation of knee osteoarthritis has been more common, little attention has been paid to the relationship between patient-reported questionnaire and gait analysis. The purpose was to investigate the relationship between patient-reported questionnaire and gait parameters.
Methods

A total of 31 knees in 31 patients (22 females and 9 males) who were diagnosed as end-stage medial compartmental knee osteoarthritis participated in the present study. All the patients were evaluated based on New Knee Society Score, pain detect questionnaire and pain catastrophizing scale. They were divided into two categories based on pain detect questionnaire scores: Group Low (12 ≥ score) and Group High (score > 12). Gait analysis was performed using three-dimensional motion analysis system. Statistical analysis was done using one-tailed Mann-Whitney U-test to compare age, body mass index, Knee Society Score, pain catastrophizing scale, and gait parameters between groups.
Results

Twenty-six patients were allocated to Group Low, and five patients were to Group High. Subjective pain during walking was significantly worse in Group Low (P = 0.037) and helplessness in pain catastrophizing scale was notably worse in Group High (P = 0.035). Peak vertical ground reaction force (P = 0.018) and knee adduction moment (P < 0.01) were significantly greater in Group Low. Moreover, flexion-extension excursion during mid-stance phase was significantly smaller in Group Low (P = 0.038).
Conclusions

Patients with likely neuropathic pain had atypical osteoarthritis-related pain as well as atypical gait pattern, compared to patients without neuropathic pain.
Investigation on Clocking Effect of Diffuser in a Multi-Stage Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Ming-Gao Tan , Xue-Lei Sun , Xian-Fang Wu , Hou-Lin Liu
Published: October 2021

The clocking effect is an important phenomenon in the multi-stage Rotating machinery. In order to master the rules and mechanism of diffuser clocking effect on the performance of multi-stage centrifugal pump, the orthogonal tests were applied to design the test scheme. The energy performance and outlet pressure pulsation of a multi-stage centrifugal pump with different diffuser clocking positions were synchronously measured. It was found that the diffuser clocking position had little influence on the energy performance, but had an obvious effect on the outlet pressure pulsation. When the diffuser clocking positions were 0°, 30°, 30° and 30° (CL4), the effective value of outlet pressure pulsation and its amplitude at the main frequency (Impeller Rotation Frequency) were decreased the most, approximately 27.2 % and 38.5 % ,respectively. The CFD method was used to simulate the unsteady flow in the pump with the optimal diffuser clocking position (CL4) and without diffuser clocking position (CL1) respectively to reveal the mechanism of diffuser clocking effect. The simulation results showed that the change of diffuser clocking position can improve the inlet and outlet velocity distribution and reduce the area of high turbulent kinetic energy and the number of cores in the outlet flow passage, which is beneficial to the operation stability of the pump. Compared with the CL1, the hydraulic loss in the four diffusers was reduced by 2.43 %, 12.15 %, 11.43 % and 13.19 % respectively under the optimal diffuser clocking scheme (CL4), and the total reduction of hydraulic loss is about 1.11 % of the pump head.
The Determinants of Innovation Performance; An Income Based Cross-Country Comparative Analysis Using Global Innovation Index(GII)
Authors: Bate Adisu Fanta , Wachira Esther Wanjiru , Sándor Danka
Published: October 2021

Purpose: - Despite the dearth of research on innovation performance, the key determinants of innovation performance are still blurred. Besides, comparative research on the determinants of innovation performance among countries at different income levels: high-income, upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income, and low-income, is not common. This study is, therefore, aimed to bridge this research gap by considering the innovation performance of 63 countries. Methodology: - Participating countries were purposefully selected from the Global Innovation Index (GII) dataset. Multistage analyses were conducted: first, a linear regression was run to identify the most decisive pillars; then, stepwise regression was applied to identify the best predicting model of innovation performance; thirdly, to examine the variation in innovation performance and figure out key determinants in each country groups, the ANOVA analysis was done.Results: - Human capital and research, infrastructure, and business sophistication are the key pillars determining innovation performance in general. The best predicting variables are innovation linkage & knowledge absorption (both pertaining to business sophistication), R&D and infrastructure (inculcating both physical and digital). The human capital that promotes R&D activities is the biggest bottleneck hampering promotion of innovation in the countries and firms at lower-middle income category, whereas innovation linkage in a high-income category and both human capital that promotes R&D activities and innovation linkage in an upper-middle income category. Hence, countries and firms in these income categories should give priorities accordingly to these decisive bottlenecks hindering the innovation performance.Implication: - The result implies that country's economic growth can be defined by the level of innovation performance and the challenges of innovation vary as per the countries’ development stage. Accordingly, bottleneck factors need to be identified & addressed properly in a policy direction first at firm level and then at country level.Originality/Value: - The study claims to have extended the horizon of understanding on determinants of innovation across countries and revealed the most crucial factors in each category of countries. Further empirical comparative research can be done by stratifying firms as SMEs and Large firms in each category of countries.
Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Improves Adipokine Profile In Dyslipidemic Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhang Peiwen , Chen Ke , He Taiping , Guo Honghui , Chen Xu
Published: October 2021

Background: Adipokines are peptides secreted mainly by adipose tissue, which have been demonstrated to be vital targets of metabolic diseases. However, the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on adipokines has not been well studied. Methods: We investigate the effect of CoQ10 intervention on adipokines in dyslipidemic patients. In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, a number of 101 dyslipidemic individuals were administrated to 120 mg CoQ10 or placebo for 24 weeks. Anthropometric parameters, glucolipid profile, serum total adiponectin, leptin, and resistin were evaluated at baseline, week 12 and week 24. Results: CoQ10 significantly increased adiponectin at week 12 (380 ng/mL [SE, 101] ng/mL, p < 0.001) and had more increment at week 24 (611 ng/mL [SE, 126] ng/mL , p < 0.001). The increase of adiponectin was negative associated with decrease in HOMA-IR (r = -0.465, p = 0.001), TG (r = -0.297, p = 0.047), and LDL-c (r = -0.440, p = 0.002) at week 24 only in CoQ10 group. Resistin was reduced by CoQ10 only at week 24 (3.45 ng/mL [SE, 0.69] ng/mL, p < 0.001) compared with placebo group. Reduction of resistin was positively correlated with the change in HOMA-IR (r = 0.343, p = 0.021) and TG (r = 0.323, p = 0.030) at week 24 in CoQ10 group but not placebo group. Leptin was not influenced by CoQ10 treatment. Conclusions: Our study shows that CoQ10 ameliorates adipokines dysfunction in dyslipidemia patients in 24 weeks intervention, which suggests the beneficial effect of CoQ10 in modulating adipokine profile and metabolic disorders in dyslipidemic adults.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02407548. Registered on April 3, 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02407548.
Influence of Hydrothermal Recharge on the Evolution of Eruption Styles and Hazards During the 2018–2019 Activity at Kuchinoerabujima Volcano, Japan
Authors: Minami Yusuke , Matsumoto Keiko , Geshi Nobuo , Shinohara Hiroshi
Published: October 2021

The activity of the 2018-2019 eruption of Kuchinoerabujima Volcano in Japan changed from continuous ejection of ash-laden plumes between October 21 and the middle of December, to intermittent explosive activity accompanied by several pyroclastic density currents until January 2019. To understand the behaviors of magma and hydrothermal fluid that controlled the eruptive sequence, we carried out component analysis, X-ray diffractometry, and leachate analysis for ash samples. The proportion of non-altered volcanic ash particles is ~15 % in the earlier phase, then it decreased to less than 10 % in the later explosive phase. Accordingly, the mineral assemblage of the volcanic ash samples changed from plagioclase-dominant to sulfate minerals-dominant. Concentration of SO42- and Cl/SO4 values of the ash-leachates decreased toward the later activity. These results indicate that the proportion of fresh volcanic rocks decreased and sulfuric acid fluid-derived sulfate minerals increased toward the later activities. Consequently, the 2018-2019 eruption at Kuchinoerabujima Volcano changed from magmatic activity to phreatomagmatic activity. Weak glowing of the crater was observed during the magmatic activity, indicating the volcanic conduit was hot enough to dry up the subvolcanic hydrothermal system. The following phreatomagmatic activity indicates that the hydrothermal fluid recharged after the magmatic eruption phase. Recharge of the hydrothermal fluid likely caused the variation of the eruption style, and is a process that may control the evolution of hazards during future eruption scenarios at similar active volcanoes in Japan and worldwide.
Bioinformatic Analysis of MicroRNAs and Signaling Networks that Orchestrates the hMSC Osteogenic Differentiation
Authors: Avramets Diana S. , Macewicz Larysa L. , Piven Oksana O.
Published: October 2021

Background The drive to understand how microRNAs regulate the hMSCs fate and their osteogenic differentiation has inspired stem cells biology and regenerative biology field development. Numerous experimental data shows crucial involvement of miRs in skeletal development in embryos, osteogenic differentiation, and maturation. However, molecular mechanisms of miRs action, in other words their target signaling pathways and transcriptional factors that specific drives osteogenic differentiation is far from being understood. Results With meta-analysis we identified miRs significantly involved in hMSCs osteogenic differentiation. Statistical analysis revealed significant trend of upregulation of let-7a, mir-21, mir-26a, mir-29b, mir-101, mir-143, mir-218 during hMSCs differentiation into osteoblast. And the opposite trend was shown for mir-17, mir-31, mir-138 and mir-222: their content was significantly lower during osteogenic differentiation. Using bioinformatics approaches we identified predictable genes-target for each miRs, analyzed signaling networks and biological process enriched by these genes. Conclusions Our date shows that miRNAs specifically involved in hMSC transition into osteogenic differentiation via microenvironment formation (i.e. let-7a, mir-17, mir-21, mir-29b and mir-101), TGF-β/BMP–SMAD dependent pathway (i.e. let-7a, mir-17, mir-21, mir-26a mir-101) and MAPK signaling pathway (i.e. let-7a, mir-21, mir-26a, mir-29b, mir-143 and mir17). Yap-dependent expression of osteogenic TF modulated by let-7a, mir-31mir-101, mir-138 and mir-222. We predicted that mir-17, mir-26a, mir-29b, mir-101, mir-138 and mir-222 are specifically involved in canonical Wnt signaling dependent osteogenesis as well as in osteoblast maturation together with let-7a, mir-29b and mir-218 which modulate AMPK signaling. Additionally, identified mir-101 is likely involved into osteoblast homeostasis via Hedgehog signaling. Our data expands knowledge in the field of hMSCs fate and osteogenesis orchestration by miRs, points to pro-osteogenic and anti-osteogenic miRs and their potential molecular pathways.
Estrogen Promotes Pituitary Prolactinoma by Upregulating TLR4 / NF-κB/p38MAPK Pathway
Authors: Zhang Yu , Ding Qiaoyan , Wang Shuman , Wu Qi , Ni Ping , Zhang Hong , Wang Xiong , Chen Yonggang , Wu Jinhu
Published: October 2021

Background: Prolactinomas have harmful effects on human health, and the pathogenesis is still unknown. Furthermore, the morbidity of women is much more than man, maybe related with estradiol level. Thus, it is important to reveal the pathogenesis and develop new therapeutic methods for prolactinomas.Methods: Immunofluorescence analysis or Immunohistochemistry analysis were performed on the ERβ, TLR4 and prolactin (PRL) expressions of pituitary gland in C57BL/6 mice and human prolactinoma specimen. In the present study, the role of TLR4 in prolactinoma was determined using estradiol-induced mice models in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and TLR4−/− mice. MMQ cells were treated with estradiol, fulvestrant, LPS or transfected with different TLR4 small interfering RNA, which to study ERβ, TLR4 and PRL expression in MMQ cells. Co‑immunoprecipitates analysis was used to investigate the interaction between ERβ and TLR4.Results: Immunofluorescence analysis or Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that PRL and TLR4 expression were co-located and increased in the pituitary gland of mice and human prolactinoma specimen compared with the control specimen. It was shown that PRL and TLR4 expression was co-located and increased significantly in the pituitary gland of estradiol-injected prolactinoma mice compared with the control mice. Knockout of TLR4 significantly inhibited tumor overgrowth, and PRL expression was decreased in estradiol-induced mice through regulating TLR4/NF‑κB/p38MAPK pathway. Estradiol promoted PRL expression through regulating TLR4/NF‑κB/p38MAPK pathway in vitro study, and pre-Inhibiting ERβ or TLR4 reverse the effect, while simultaneously activating ERβ and TLR4 enhanced PRL expression than activating single ERβ or TLR4. Furthermore, ERβ co-immunoprecipitates with endogenous TLR4 was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation analysis.Conclusions: These results suggest that estradiol promoted prolactinoma development by activating the TLR4/NF‑κB/ p38MAPK pathway through Erβ and TLR4 knockout inhibited the proliferation and secretion of prolactin in prolactinoma.
The SP-ET Index is a New Index for Assessing The Vertical Position of Patella
Authors: Li Jia , Qiu Lanyu , Sheng Bo , Yu Fan , Yang Haitao , Lv Furong , Lv Fajin , Huang Wei
Published: October 2021

Background.

There were some parameters in previous studies did not better reflect the vertical position of the patella relative to the femoral trochlear. The purposes of this study were to assess the value of the most superior point of patella - entrance of femoral trochlea distance ratio (SP-ET index) as a newer index in defining the vertical position of patella relative to the trochlea, correlate it with the Insall-Salvati ratio, and investigate the effect of the new index on chondromalacia patella.
Methods.

A total of 99 knees of 77 patients with chondromalacia patella were retrospectively analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from our database. The Insall–Salvati ratio and SP-ET index were measured on MR images. There were 99 knees just with meniscus rupture were enrolled as the control group. The two parameters of the chondromalacia patella were compared with those of the control group.
Results.

The Insall–Salvati ratio and SP-ET index in the chondromalacia patella group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). The SP-ET index showed a moderate positive correlation with the Insall–Salvati ratio (r=0.307, p<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed the diagnostic efficiency of the SP-ET index was better than that of the Insall–Salvati ratio in patients with chondromalacia patella.
Conclusion.

The SP-ET index may be a useful complement parameter to define the vertical position of the patella relative to the femoral trochlear. Increased of the SP-ET index may be an important risk factor for chondromalacia patella.
PANK1 is a Prognostic Biomarker Associated with Immune Infiltration of Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma
Authors: Ma Baishun , Wang Pu
Published: October 2021

Background: PANK1 is expressed in some cancer types, but its role in clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) is unclear. We aimed to demonstrate the relationship between PANK1 and ccRCC based on a cancer genomic atlas (TCGA) database.Methods: The Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between the clinical pathological characteristics of ccRCC and the expression of PANK1. The ROC curve was used to describe the prognostic value of PANK1 using area under curve (AUC) scores. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the factors affecting the prognosis of ccRCC. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and immuno-infiltration analysis were performed to identify a significantly related function of PANK1.Results: PANK1 expression in renal clear cell carcinoma was different from that in stage N (P=1.3E-03),sex (P=5.1E-07),stage M(P=8.3E-04),residual tumor(P<0.001),T stage(T1 vsT4(P=6.5E-03),T1vsT3(P=6.9E-06)), histological grade (G1vsG4(P=3.6E-0.5),G2vsG4(P=2.1E-10),G3vsG4(P=1.7E-05)),pathologic stage(STAGE 1vs.STAGE4(P=1.4E-05),STAGE1vs.STAGE3(P=7.1E-05)). The ROC curve suggest that PANK1 has significant diagnostic and prognostic capabilities (AUC =0.898). Low expression of PANK1 predicted poor overall survival (OS) (P<0.001), while that of PANK1 (HR:0.398; 95% CI:0.248-0.639； P<0.001) is OS-independent predictor in patients with ccRCC. GSEA and immune infiltration analysis showed that the expression of PANK1 is related to extracellular matrix receptor pathway, signaling pathway related to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway, as well as complement and coagulation cascade pathway.Conclusion: PANK1 expression is significantly associated with poor survival and immune infiltration of ccRCC, which may be a promising prognostic biomarker for ccRCC.
How Multi-Sensory Animal Embodiment in Virtual Reality Influences Environmental Threat Processing and Conservation Behaviors
Authors: Pimentel Daniel , Kalyanaraman Sriram
Published: October 2021

Efforts to mitigate environmental threats are often inversely related to the magnitude of casualty, human or otherwise1–3. This “compassion fade” can be explained, in part, by differential processing of large- versus small-scale threats: it is difficult to form empathic connections with unfamiliar masses versus singular victims4. Despite robust findings, little is known about how non-human casualty is processed, and what strategies override this bias. Over four experiments, we show how embodying threatened megafauna – Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta Caretta) – in virtual reality can offset and reverse compassion fade. After observing compassion fade during exposure to mass non-human casualty in virtual reality (Study 1; N=60), we then tested a custom multi-sensory virtual reality simulation facilitating embodiment of a threatened Loggerhead (Study 2; N=98). Afterwards, a field experiment (Study 3; N=90) testing the simulation with varied number of victims showed embodiment offset compassion fade. Lastly, a fourth study (N=25) found that charitable giving among users embodying threatened wildlife was highest when exposed to one versus many victims, though this effect was reversed if victims were of a different species (Dolphins). The findings demonstrate how animal embodiment in virtual reality alters processing of environmental threats and non-human casualty, thereby influencing biodiversity conservation outcomes.
Variations in Height, Weight and Body Mass Index According to Generation, Place of Residence and Region in Palestinian Territories
Authors: Natour Nihal , Badrasawi Manal , Al-Tell Mariam
Published: October 2021

Introduction: The relationship between second intifada and risk factors of chronic diseases was not studied before in PalestineAims: The aims of this study is to describe differences in height , weight and BMI between different generations of Palestinians who were born at different times in the armed conflict. Also we wanted to know whether weight and height in West Bank follow any social pattern.Methods: This study was retrospective analysis of pooled data from many previous studies where participants reported their weight, height, place of residence, region in west bank and income.Results: Almost 61% of our study were females. Among female 12.8% were born before first intifada, 6.4% around first Intifada and 80.8% were born around second intifada. For males; 12.2% before first intifada, 5.7% around first intifada and 82.9% around second intifada. The generation born around second intifada had 12 cm higher height relative to generation before first intifada, 5 cm more height relative to first intifada generation (p=0.001), whereas females born before intifada had 20 Kg more weight than the generation of second intifada (p< 0.0001). In multiple regression model done for the second intifada generation weight and height were related to place of residence and income and age significantly.Conclusion: Political conflict have detrimental consequence on Palestinians wellbeing
Algorithm to Improve Resuscitation Outcomes in Patients With Traumatic Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Lee Hsin-Min , Wang Chia-Ti , Hsu Chien-Chin , Chen Kuo-Tai
Published: October 2021

Backgroun:This study proposed an algorithm to improve resuscitation outcomes in the emergency department (ED) for patients with traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (TOHCA). We also performed a retrospective chart review of patient outcomes before and after implementing the algorithm and sought to define factors that might influence patient outcomes.Methods: In September 2018, we implemented an algorithm for patients with TOHCA. This algorithm rapidly identifies possible causes of TOHCA and recommends appropriate interventions. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of all patients with TOHCA during a 5-year period and compared the results before and after the implementation of the algorithm.Results:After this algorithm was implemented, the use of the ED interventions of blood transfusion, placement of a large-bore central venous catheter, and thoracostomy increased significantly. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hospital admission, and survival rates also increased (before vs. after: ROSC: 23.6% vs. 41.5%, P = 0.035; hospital admission: 18.2% vs. 24.6%, P = 0.394; survival: 0.0% vs. 4.6%, P = 0.107). Admitted patients exhibited a higher end-tidal CO2 level than nonadmitted patients [admitted vs. nonadmitted: 41.5 (33.3–52.0) vs. 12.0 (7.5–18.8), P = 0.001].Conclusion:Our algorithm prioritizes the three major treatable causes of TOHCA: impedance of venous return, hypovolemia, and hypoxia. We found that ROSC, hospital admission, and survival rates increased with the increasing implementation of the ED interventions recommended by the algorithm.
Triglyceride-Glucose Index and HOMA-IR in Young Adulthood and Risk of Incident Congestive Heart Failure: The CARDIA Study
Authors: Zeng Xianghui , Zhou Haobin , Xue Yuting , Wang Xiao , Zhan Qiong , Bai Yujia , Huang Xingfu , Zeng Qingchun , Zhang Hao , Ma Zhuang , Ren Hao , Xu Dingli
Published: October 2021

Background: Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) are related to insulin resistance (IR). The aim of this study was to assess the association between triglyceride-glucose index / HOMA-IR within young adults and congestive heart failure (CHF), and to explore whether triglyceride-glucose index can replace HOMA-IR as a surrogate marker for insulin resistance in predicting the risk of CHF.Methods：A total of 4992 participants between the ages of 18 and 30 were enrolled from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) investigation (from 1985 to 1986 [year 0]). Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted for assessing correlations between baseline TyG index / HOMA-IR and congestive heart failure events, together with Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve employed for scrutinizing TyG index / HOMA-IR and he risk of CHF.Results: During the 31-year follow-up period, 64 (1.3%) out of the 4992 participants developed congestive heart failure. In multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for confounding factors for CHF, increased risk of CHF was associated with per-unit increase in TyG index (hazard ratio [HR] 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7-4.7) and HOMA-IR (HR 1.2; 95%CI, 1.1-1.3). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that participants in the TyG index and HOMA-IR index Q4 group had a higher risk of congestive heart failure than those in the Q1 group. The area under curve (AUC) for TyG index and HOMA-IR consisted of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.6-0.742) and 0.675 (95%CI, 0.604-0.746), respectively. There were no significant differences between TyG index and HOMA-IR for AUC (P = 0.986).Conclusions: TyG index and HOMA-IR are independent risk factors for CHF. The TyG index can replace HOMA-IR in young adulthood as a surrogate marker for IR to predict the risk of CHF.
Unique viruses that infect Archaea related to eukaryotes
Authors: Rambo Ian , De Anda Valerie , Langwig Marguerite , Baker Brett
Published: October 2021

Asgard archaea are globally distributed, newly described microbes related to eukaryotes. Despite their importance, Asgard viruses have not been described. Here we characterize seven double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viral genomes that infected Lokiarchaeota, Helarchaeota, and Thorarchaeota in deep-sea hydrothermal sediments. These viruses code for Caudovirales-like structural proteins, as well as proteins distinct from those described in archaeal viruses. They contain genes common in eukaryotic nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs), and appear to be capable of semi-autonomous genome replication, repair, epigenetic modifications, and transcriptional regulation. Moreover, Helarchaeota viruses may hijack host ubiquitin systems similar to eukaryotic viruses. Recovery of these Asgard viral genomes reveals they contain features of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses, and provides insights into their roles in the ecology and evolution of their hosts.
A photo-Responsive Porphyrin-Mn@Choles Complex for Bacteria Treatment
Authors: Chen Qiu-Yun , Wang Wei , Liu Qing-Shan , Liang Xu
Published: October 2021

Biocompatible photo-driven producers of singlet oxygen can inhibit the growth of drug-resistant bacteria and tumors. In order to bacteria targeting generator of singlet oxygen for tumor and bacterial treatment, a metal porphyrin liposome (Phy-Mn-Ls) was prepared by the metal coordination reaction and self-assembly of porphyrin compounds with bacteria targeting polymer (HS-PEG-chol). The photo-driven production of 1O2, binding with protein (BSA) and lipase, toxicity to MCF-7 breast cancer cells and inhibitory effect on the growth of Escherichia coli were investigated. Fluorescence analysis results show that Phy-Mn-Ls can bind to lipase, and it shows less effect on the conformation of BSA and is low cytotoxicity without irradiation. In particular, the good biocompatibility made Phy-Mn-Ls exhibit good photosensitive antibacterial activity and anti-tumor properties. The results demonstrate that the coordination of HS-PEG-chol with metal-phorphrin coodination is an effective way to develop bacteria targeting nano-complexes (Phy-Mn-Ls) for lipase affinity and photodriven bacteria treatment.
Damage Estimation using Shock Zones: A case study of Amphan tropical cyclone
Authors: Medha  , Mondal Biswajit , Doloi Gour
Published: October 2021

The tropical cyclone affects millions of people living in the coastal regions. The changing climate has led to an increased intensity and frequency of cyclones, therefore increasing the damage caused to people, the environment, and property. The Bay of Bengal is most prone to tropical cyclones, which affects Bangladesh and the eastern coastal region of India due to geographical proximity. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the inundation damage and intensity caused becomes essential to focus the relief efforts on the affected districts. This study identified the shock zone and assessed the inundation associated damage caused by recent cyclone Amphan in the area of Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The shock zonation was based on the track of cyclones, cyclone wind speed zones, elevation, wind impact potentiality, and agricultural population area. The identification of the affected area was done using integrated Landsat and SAR data, and economic damage cost was assessed using the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Unit price approach. The total people affected due to inundation are 2.4 million in India and 1.4 million in Bangladesh and the damage totaled up to 5.4 million USD. The results of this study can be used by concerned authorities to identify the shock zones and be used for rapid assessment of the damages.
Deep Learning Model Explainability for Inspection Accuracy Improvement in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Houd Anass El , Hachem Charbel El , Painvin Loic
Published: October 2021

The welding seams visual inspection is still manually operated by humans in different companies, so the result of the test is still highly subjective and expensive. At present, the integration of deep learning methods for welds classification is a research focus in engineering applications. This work intends to apprehend and emphasize the contribution of deep learning model explainability to the improvement of welding seams classification accuracy and reliability, two of the various metrics affecting the production lines and cost in the automotive industry. For this purpose, we implement a novel hybrid method that relies on combining the model prediction scores and visual explanation heatmap of the model in order to make a more accurate classification of welding seam defects and improve both its performance and its reliability. The results show that the hybrid model performance is relatively above our target performance and helps to increase the accuracy by at least 18%, which presents new perspectives to the developments of deep Learning explainability and interpretability.
The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Sleep Status Among Iranian Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Aliabadi Samaneh , Zarghami Fatemeh , Farhadi Akram , Sharifi Farshad , Moodi Mitra
Published: October 2021

Background: Sleep disorders have a significant impact on physical and mental health among aged population. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between different levels of physical activity (PA) and domains of sleep status in aged population in Birjand, Iran.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 1740 individuals ≥60 years in urban and rural regions of Birjand. Longitudinal Ageing Study Amsterdam Physical Activity Questionnaire (LAPAQ), a sociodemographic and a sleep status questionnaire were used to collect data. Analyses of variance (ANOVA), univariate, multiple linear and logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean age of the participants was 69.73±7.56 years. About 54.08% of participants had low PA. People with moderate to high PA had higher sleep quality, sleep satisfaction and sleep efficiency compared to inactive people (p<0.05); but PA was significantly inversely related to sleep duration. According to univariate linear regression model, both low and moderate to high PA were good predictors of sleep quality, sleep efficiency. Moderate to high PA predicted high sleep satisfaction and sleep duration in the participants (p<0.05). Conclusions: Physical activity, particularly at moderate to high levels, results in higher quality, satisfaction and efficiency of sleep in the elderly. The most influential factor on the relationship between PA and sleep is depressed mood. Therefore, in using the PA to improve sleep status of the elderly it is recommended to also focus on reducing the depression.
Customized Arch Support Insoles Improve Physical Functional Performance in Children: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Kuo Ying-Chen , Hsieh Ru-Lan , Lee Wen-Chung
Published: October 2021

The effectiveness of arch-support insoles on children remains controversial. We evaluated the short-term therapeutic effects of arch-support insoles on the physical functional performance, physical function, and psychological well-being of healthy children under the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework. It was a prospective double-blind randomized controlled study. The participants were randomized into 2 groups, the treatment group (with customized arch-support insoles) and the control group (without insoles) for a 12-week intervention period. The walking speed test, stairs ascent and descent tests, the Five Times Sit-to-Stand test, and the Timed Up and Go test for physical functional performance, and the Pediatric Outcome Data Collection Instrument-Parent (PODCI) and the Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form (CHQ-PF28) for the physical function and psychological well-being of children were assessed. Forty-five children completed the study. Compared with the control group, after 12 weeks of wearing customized insoles, the treatment group exhibited significant improvement in physical functional performance in terms of fastest walking speed (effect size: .515, P = .046), stairs ascent time (effect size: .658, P = .023), and stairs descent time (effect size: .718, P = .012). No significant difference was found between PODCI and CHQ-PF28 scores.Conclusions: Children wearing customized arch-support insoles for 12 weeks improved their physical functional performance which belonged to the domain of activity in the ICF. However, using insoles did not affect the physical function and psychological well-being of children.﻿ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03198299), date of registration: June 2017, retrospectively registered.
Antecedents and enablers of supply chain reconfigurability and its effect on performance
Authors: ZIDI Slim , Hamani Nadia , Kermad Lyes
Published: October 2021

The reconfiguration of supply chain is becoming a crucial concept used to deal with market disruptions and changes such as COVID 19 pandemic, demand uncertainty, new technologies, etc. It can be defined as the ability of the supply chain to change its structure and functions in order to adapt to new changes. Its assessment requires an understanding of its quantitative factors to provide indicators that are easy to interpret. Effective reconfigurability assessment can be achieved by measuring quantitatively its six characteristics (modularity, integrability, convertibility, diagnosability, scalability and customization). This paper aims at identifying the quantitative factors of each characteristic and their inter-relationships by using Total Interpretive Structural Modelling (TISM). The structural model obtained by TISM is applied to understand the dependency quantitative factors. Based on TISM results, a classification of quantitative factors is determined using « Matrice d'Impacts Croisés, Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement » (MICMAC) analysis. This paper may be helpful to understand the previously mentioned characteristics of reconfigurable supply chain in order to facilitate the measuring and the assessment of reconfigurability.
Ventilation Conversion Mechanisms in Karst Caves
Authors: Fan Baoxiang , Zhou Zhongfa , Dong Hui , Yan Lihui , Shi Liangxing , Ding Shengjun
Published: October 2021

Ventilation modes in karst caves are of great significance for exploring issues regarding "carbon sources and sinks" in karst areas. Therefore, this study conducted continuous monitoring of air temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentrations inside and outside the Dafeng cave in Suiyang, Guizhou from August 2015 to July 2020 in order to comprehensively analyze each element using a systematic analysis method. The results revealed that: (1) the Dafeng cave is mainly divided into three ventilation modes: ① during summer and autumn, the inside of the cave is mainly in a restricted ventilation mode, wherein air exchange inside and outside the cave is suppressed, and the CO2 concentration in the cave easily forms a cumulative effect; ②during winter, the inside of the cave is mainly in an active ventilation mode, wherein there is strong air exchange, and the CO2 concentration inside the cave is close to that outside the cave; ③ during spring, due to the variable climate and rising temperature, the inside of the cave gradually transitions from an active to restricted ventilation mode and the air exchange intensity gradually changes. The isotope data change characteristics outside the cave at the Yemingzhu monitoring site verifies the ventilation mode of the tunnel during each season. (2) Due to the influence of tourists, air changes inside and outside the cave, and the structure of the tunnel, there may be multiple ventilation modes within a single season. Tourists and tunnel structure primarily affect the structure of the tunnel. A change in the air environment outside the cave mainly affects the virtual temperature outside the cave, increasing or reducing the virtual temperature difference between the inside and outside of the cave, thereby affecting the ventilation mode. Thus, our study suggests that more consideration should be given to changes in external climate or weather conditions when studying the conversion mechanism of karst cave ventilation modes.
Silicon-Doped Nanotube (Si-CNT) as Drug Delivery Nanocarrier for Osteoporosis Drug: Quantum Chemical Study
Authors: Al-Sawaff Zaid , Kandemirli Fatma , Dalgic Serap Senturk
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential and capability of Si-CNT to detect and adsorb BMSF-BENZ ((4-bromo-7-methoxy-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-5-{[3-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]methyl}-2-[4-(propane-2-))yl) phenyl]-1H-1,3-benzothiazole) molecular. For this purpose, we considered different configurations for adsorbing BMSF-BENZ drug on the surface of the Si-CNT nanocluster. All considered configurations are optimized using DFT theory at the 6-31G** basis set and B3LYP level of theory, and then from optimized structures, for each nanoparticle, we selected four stable models for the adsorption of BMSF-BENZ from (Br, N8, N9, N58, O35, O41 and S) active sites on the surface the selected nanoparticle. and Quantum theory of atoms in Molecular Analysis (QTAIM), and Molecular Orbital Analysis (MO) was also established. The calculated results indicate that the distance between nanocluster and drug from the N8 site is lower than from all other locations sites for all investigated nanoparticles, and adsorption of BMSF-BENZ from the N8 site is more favorable especially for the Si-CNT nanotube. The adsorption energy, hardness, softness, and fermi energy results reveal that the interaction of BMSF-BENZ with Si-CNT, is an encouraging adsorbent for this drug as Eads of BMSF-BENZ/Si-CNT complexes are (-5.15, -24.21, -8.22, -17.03, -13.16, -2.22, -12.70) kcal/mol in the gas phase. As well, the appropriate and spontaneous interaction between the BMSF-BENZ drug and Si-CNT nanoparticle was confirmed by investigating the quantum chemical molecular descriptors and solvation Gibbs free energies of all atoms. Si-CNT can be used as an amperometric sensor to detect the BMSF-BENZ drug molecule. Thus, we propose that the Si-CNT can be a promising candidate as a drug delivery vehicle for BMSF-BENZ drug molecules.
The Time Value of Carbon Storage
Authors: Parisa Zack , Marland Eric , Sohngen Brent , Marland Gregg , Jenkins Jennifer
Published: October 2021

Widespread concern about the risks of global climate change is increasingly focused on the urgent need for action (IPCC, 2018; IPCC, 2021), and natural climate solutions are a critical component of global strategies to achieve low temperature targets (e.g. Griscom et al. 2017, Roe et al. 2019). Yet to date, the full potential of natural systems to store carbon has not been leveraged because policy-makers have required long-term contracts to compensate for permanence concerns, and these long-term contracts substantially raise costs and limit deployment. In this paper, we lay out the rationale that our time preference for early action embedded in the Global Warming Potentials (GWP) leads to the conclusion that multiple tons of short-term storage of carbon in ecosystem stocks can be considered to have equal value – as measured by the social cost of carbon -- as 1 ton of carbon sequestered permanently. This equivalence can be used to quantify the value of short-term carbon storage, thereby removing one of the most significant barriers to participation in the carbon market and enabling the full climate mitigation potential of the land sector to be realized.