bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Quality Index to Control Data Loss in Real-Life Cardiac Monitoring Applications
Authors: Vila Gaël , Godin Christelle , Charbonnier Sylvie , Campagne Aurélie
Published: July 2021

Wearable cardiac sensors pave the way to advanced cardiac monitoring applications based on heart rate variability (HRV). In real-life settings, heart rate (HR) measurements are subject to mo-tion artifacts that can be timely removed from the recordings. This leads to frequent data loss in the HR signal, especially for commercial devices based on photoplethysmography (PPG). The cur-rent study had two main goals: (i) to provide a white-box quality index that estimates the amount of missing samples in any piece of HR signal; and (ii) to quantify the impact of data loss on feature extraction in a PPG-based HR signal. This was done by comparing real-life recordings from com-mercial sensors featuring both PPG (Empatica E4) and ECG (Zephyr BioHarness 3). After an out-lier rejection process, our quality index was used to isolate portions of ECG-based HR signal that could be used as benchmark, to validate the output of Empatica E4 at the signal level and at the feature level. Our results showed high accuracy for estimating the mean HR, poor accuracy for short-term HRV features and moderate accuracy for longer-term HRV features. Levels of error could be substantially reduced by using our quality index to identify time windows with few or no missing data.
Combining Remote Sensing Derived Data and Historical Maps for Long-Term Back-Casting of Urban Extents
Authors: Uhl Johannes H. , Leyk Stefan , Li Zekun , Duan Weiwei , Shbita Basel , Chiang Yao-Yi , Knoblock Craig A.
Published: July 2021

Abstract: Spatially explicit, fine-grained datasets describing historical urban extents are rarely available prior to the era of operational remote sensing. However, such data are necessary to better understand long-term urbanization and land development processes and for the assessment of coupled nature-human systems, e.g., the dynamics of the wildland-urban interface. Herein, we propose a framework that jointly uses remote sensing derived human settlement data (i.e., the Global Human Settlement Layer, GHSL) and scanned, georeferenced historical maps to automatically generate historical urban extents for the early 20th century. By applying unsupervised color segmentation to the historical maps, spatially constrained to the urban extents derived from the GHSL, our approach generates historical settlement extents for seamless integration with the multi-temporal GHSL. We apply our method to study areas in countries across four continents, and evaluate our approach for two U.S. study sites against historical settlement extents derived from the Historical Settlement Data Compilation for the US, HISDAC-US, achieving Area-under-the-Curve values >0.9. Our results are largely in agreement with model-based urban areas from the HYDE database, and demonstrate that the integration of remote sensing derived observations and historical cartographic data sources opens up new, promising avenues for assessing urbanization, and long-term land cover change in countries where historical maps are available.
Students’ Perception of Doctoral Defense Formats
Authors: Lantsoght Eva O.L.
Published: July 2021

The doctoral defense is an important step in the doctoral journey and an essential requirement for obtaining the doctoral degree. Past research on the doctoral defense has focused solely on national practices. In this work, I investigate the potential link between the doctoral defense format based on its major and minor elements and the perception of the defense by the student. For this purpose, I first reviewed the different defense formats used internationally to extract the different elements of the doctoral defense, as well as the literature on students’ perceptions of the doctoral defense. Then, I carried out an international survey which received 297 responses, of which 204 completed surveys which I used for the analysis in this article. I first analyzed the outcomes of the survey using qualitative and quantitative methods, and then cross-correlated the outcomes of defense format to the outcomes of student perception. From this analysis, I observe that the defense elements that positively impact the students’ perception are: publication of the thesis before the defense, receiving committee feedback before the defense, knowing the recommendation of one or more committee members in advance, having the supervisor present in the audience or as part of the committee, using a dress code, and including a laudatio. The final conclusion of this work is threefold. The first conclusion is that the details of the defense format impact most the students’ perception. The second conclusion is that doctoral students on average value the defense as a positive experience. The third conclusion is that the defense format cannot influence two important aspects of how a student perceives the defense: the student’s inner life and lived experience during the defense, and the behavior of the committee members.
Identification of the Planetary Magnetosphere Boundaries with the Wavelet Multi-Resolution Analysis
Authors: Bolzan Mauricio , Echer Ezequiel , Franco Adriane Marques de Souza , Hajra Rajkumar
Published: July 2021

The Haar wavelet decomposition technique is used to detect the planetary magnetosphere boundaries and discontinuities. We use the magnetometer data from the CASSINI and MESSENGER spacecraft to identify the abrupt changes in the magnetic field when the spacecraft crossed the magnetospheric bow shocks and magnetopauses of Saturn and Mercury, respectively. The results confirm that the Haar transform can efficiently identify the planetary magnetosphere boundaries characterized by the abrupt magnetic field changes. It is suggested that this technique can be applied to detect the planetary boundaries as well as the discontinuities such as the shock waves in the interplanetary space.
The probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from naniura (a traditional Batak food)
Authors: Hang Mato
Published: July 2021

Naniura is a traditional Batak food that is made without going through a heating process, but is made through a fermentation process using acid and salt. The use of acid and salt acts as a preservative because it can inhibit the growth of pathogenic microbes and spoilage microbes. In addition, naniura fermentation has the potential to be a growth medium for lactic acid bacteria, most of which strains can act as probiotics. However, the potential for probiotic naniura is still rarely studied and studied, so this review article is made to examine the potential for probiotic naniura and the health effects that can be obtained. The writing of this journal uses the literature study method, namely by collecting information from various scientific sources. Several studies have shown that naniura contains lactic acid bacteria that can act as broad-spectrum antimicrobials and can specifically inhibit the growth of Salmonella typhi, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium botulinum, E. coli and S. aureus. Consuming probiotic foods can have a positive effect on health, including improving the quality of the digestive tract, increasing the immune system in the body and degrading lactose so that it can be used for lactose intolerant sufferers.
Nuevos registros y observaciones sobre la historia natural del puercoespín pardo, Coendou vestitus (Rodentia: Erethizontidae)
Authors: Cortés-Suárez Javier E. , Peña Francisco , Sanchez-Ojeda Federico , Amaya-Villabona Diego , Laverde-Bohórquez Natalia , Torres-Martínez Maria M. , Ramírez-Chaves Héctor E.
Published: July 2021

El puercoespín pardo, Coendou vestitus, se encuentra entre los roedores endémicos más amenazados de Colombia, con presencia corroborada en pocas localidades de la cordillera Oriental, en los departamentos de Boyacá y Cundinamarca. Presentamos registros recientes para tres localidades y observaciones de historia natural, como horarios de actividad y el uso de la cola a manera de soporte durante el desplazamiento. Como parte del conocimiento local se ha identificado el uso de sus púas como defensa ante animales domésticos y el consumo de cañas de chusque (Chusquea sp.), al igual que el uso de las espinas por parte de pobladores de las zonas de registro, relacionado con sus creencias. Nuestros registros, amplían a diez el número de localidades para el flanco occidental de la cordillera Oriental, en la ecorregión Selvas Montanas del Valle del Magdalena. Los registros fueron obtenidos durante el día y la noche, lo que hace necesario estudiar los patrones de actividad de los Coendou, generalizados como nocturnos, y obtener nuevos datos sobre la historia natural de esta especie.
Movilizaciones sociales en una década de transformación: un balance del libro América Latina na encruzilhada
Authors: Saldaña Paucar Katherine
Published: July 2021

-
A Extensão como ampliação educacional: a experiência do projeto “Café com Segurança”
Authors: Zanotti Fernanda , Schüler Márcia , Donatti Andreia
Published: July 2021

O Curso Técnico em Segurança do Trabalho forma profissionais de nível médio em Segurança do Trabalho para que atuem em sociedade executando as atribuições que a profissão requer. Para além de formar tecnicamente, há a expectativa de uma educação libertadora que estimule a crítica e a reflexão. Nesse contexto, objetiva-se entender a complementação e expansão da aprendizagem, provocadas por meio do projeto de extensão nomeado Café com Segurança, desenvolvido no período de 2016 a 2019, em uma unidade de ensino da rede federal de educação. A metodologia de análise selecionada foi mista, tomando como fonte as avaliações entregues e respondidas pelo público participante ao final de cada evento. O projeto de extensão proporcionou aos estudantes o contato e a troca de experiências com profissionais renomados, em áreas correlatas à Segurança e Saúde no Trabalho (SST), em 23 eventos organizados e efetivados. Sendo assim, o projeto se constituiu positivamente no contexto de formação, trazendo igualmente aos egressos momentos de retorno para atualização de conhecimentos, contribuindo para sua reflexão, crítica e manutenção no mercado de trabalho.
Jardim sensorial como ferramenta didática e de inclusão
Authors: Souza Alexandra Goede de , Lucia Freitas Paniz Vera , Cony Quinteiro Silvana , De Assis Pereira Bruna , Bara Orlando , Cesar Lourenço Brayon
Published: July 2021

Apesar da importância do componente curricular Floricultura, Paisagismo e Jardinagem oferecida no curso Técnico em Agropecuária, integrado ao Ensino Médio no Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC) – Campus Rio do Sul, percebe-se que muitos estudantes não desenvolvem interesse pelos conteúdos dessa disciplina. Isso se manifesta em relatos dos próprios estudantes, nos quais revelam que não acham esses conteúdos importantes para sua vida profissional ou acadêmica. A utilização de projetos e de espaços não formais de ensino no processo educacional podem despertar o interesse dos estudantes pelos conteúdos dos componentes curriculares. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi implementar um jardim sensorial como ferramenta no processo de ensino/aprendizagem dos estudantes do primeiro ano do referido curso, no componente curricular Floricultura, Paisagismo e Jardinagem, e disponibilizar a sua utilização/visitação aos alunos atendidos pela Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais (APAE). Os resultados do projeto foram positivos, pois houve, por parte dos estudantes do IFC, sensibilização sobre o tema da inclusão social, além da dedicação no planejamento e implantação coletiva do jardim sensorial. Os estudantes avaliaram como positiva a estratégia de ensino fora do ambiente tradicional. Os alunos atendidos pela APAE, que visitaram o jardim sensorial, apresentaram melhora no desenvolvimento intelectual, motor, cognitivo e socioafetivo, além de demonstrarem grande entusiasmo na realização das atividades. Esta técnica apresenta potencialidade para ser utilizada continuamente como ferramenta no processo de ensino/aprendizado para todos os públicos, em especial, os com deficiência.
Tópicos em Educação Antirracista: um projeto de extensão na rede de ensino federal brasileira
Authors: Araujo Giselle Maria Santos de , Paré Stephanie Machado , Mariano Victória Costa Alves , Rodrigues Natália Ceconelo
Published: July 2021

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar resultados de pesquisas efetuadas a partir do projeto de Extensão Tópicos em Educação Antirracista, uma ação de extensão que ofereceu formação a professores, funcionários e alunos tanto da comunidade externa quanto do Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS) – Campus Alvorada, para a prática de uma educação antirracista. Ancorados na Lei 10.639, discutiu-se temas e questões relativas ao racismo e à educação antirracista, tendo como ponto de partida textos de literatura brasileira de escritoras negras, a saber, Maria Firmina dos Reis, Carolina Maria de Jesus, Eliane Alves Cruz, Conceição Evaristo, Cidinha da Silva, Ana Maria Gonçalves, Mirian Alves, Lia Vieira, Adriana Ortega, Giselle Maria e Débora Garcia. O projeto foi realizado em dez encontros on-line semanais de duas horas de duração, mediados por tecnologias de rede, como os aplicativos Google Classroom e Google Meet. O projeto surgiu como uma ferramenta para a aplicação de um plano de ação contra o racismo nas instituições de ensino. A ação de extensão contou com 82 participantes assíduos, sendo 62% formado por pessoas negras, 63% com ensino superior e 71,3% professores das redes municipal e estadual de diversos estados brasileiros. Vários profissionais relataram mudanças em práticas educativas a partir dos conhecimentos obtidos. Tivemos também a participação de três bolsistas de extensão do Ensino Médio Técnico que desenvolveram pesquisas de abordagem bibliográfica de caráter qualitativo referentes aos tópicos trabalhados. Os resultados dessas pesquisas são apresentados neste trabalho.
Extensão Universitária: promovendo o aleitamento materno em tempos de pandemia
Authors: Pereira Raquel Ruzicki , Rosa Eduarda Costa da , Bianchi Gabriela , Fritzen Liandra , Rocha Alexia Diovana Fernandes da , Maahs Marcia Angelica Peter , Almeida Sheila Tamanini de , Berbert Monalise Costa Batista
Published: July 2021

A Organização Mundial da Saúde recomenda a amamentação exclusiva durante os primeiros seis meses de vida e complementada até os dois anos, visto os inúmeros benefícios desta prática para díade mãe-bebê. O projeto de extensão Falando em Amamentação visa a promover e apoiar o aleitamento materno por meio da divulgação do conhecimento na área a fim de assegurar às gestantes, puérperas e profissionais da saúde auxílio e informações seguras quanto à prática. Este trabalho objetiva descrever como se deram as ações presenciais e como foram adaptadas remotamente, com o mesmo foco de informar e motivar o público-alvo quanto à importância da amamentação, mostrando que, mesmo em tempos de crise, é possível desenvolver novas habilidades. Para contemplar tal objetivo, a partir de reuniões virtuais, o projeto se organizou e se reinventou através de posts no Instagram, lives, oficinas, campanhas, produção de cartilhas, participação em congressos e eventos online e produções científicas. Neste período, no Instagram foram desenvolvidas 38 publicações e obtiveram-se 444 seguidores com alcance médio de 229 contas e 295,7 impressões. Foram oferecidas 3 oficinas teórico-práticas e uma live. Contou-se com a produção e publicação de artigos científicos, resumos, campanha e capítulo de livro, conquistando duas premiações no âmbito científico. Diante do quadro pandêmico, o projeto conseguiu difundir o conhecimento com o público-alvo, materno-infantil e estudantes de graduação, compartilhando informações seguras e promovendo o aleitamento materno.
The Deep Roots of Geology: Tectonic History of Australia and its Margins expressed by Mantle Anisotropy
Authors: Eakin Caroline
Published: July 2021

The Australian continental crust preserves a rich geological history, but it is unclear to what extent this history is expressed deeper within the mantle. Scattering of surface waves predominantly between 100-200 km depth by lateral gradients in seismic anisotropy, termed Quasi-Love waves, offer potential new insights. Across Australasia over 275 new scatterers are detected, and are found to be preferentially located near (1) the passive continental margins, and (2) the boundaries of major geological provinces within Australia. Such lateral anisotropic gradients imply pervasive fossilized lithospheric anisotropy within the continental interior, on a scale that mirrors the crustal geology at the surface, and a strong lithosphere that preserves this signal over billions of years. Along the continental margins, lateral anisotropic gradients may indicate either the edge of the thick continental lithosphere, or small-scale dynamic processes in the asthenosphere, such as edge-drive convection, tied to the transition from oceanic to continental lithosphere.
Composite Test inclusive of Benford’s Law, Noise reduction and 0-1 Test for effective detection of Chaos in Rotor-Stator Rub
Authors: Srivast Aman Kumar , Tiwari Mayank , Singh Akhilendra
Published: July 2021

Segregating noise from chaos in a dynamical system has been one of the most challenging work for the researchers across the globe due to their seemingly similar statistical properties. Even the most used tools such as 0-1 test and Lyapunov exponents fail to distinguish chaos from regular dynamics when signal is mixed with noise. This paper addresses the issue of segregating the dynamics in a rotor-stator rub system when the vibrations are subjected to different levels of noise. First, the limitation of 0-1 test in segregating chaotic signal from regular signal mixed with noise has been established. Second, the underexplored Benford’s Law and its application to the vibratory dynamical rotor-stator rub system has been introduced for the first time. Using the Benford’s Law Compliance Test (BLCT), successful segregation of not only noise from chaos but also very low Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) signals which are mainly stochastic has been achieved. The Euclidean Distance concept has been used to explore the scale-invariant probability distribution of systems that comply with Benford’s Law to separate chaos from noise. Moreover, for moderate bands of noise in signals, we have shown that the Schreiber’s Nonlinear Noise Reduction technique works effectively in reducing the noise without damaging the dynamic properties of the system. Combining these individual layers (0-1 Test, BLCT and Noise reduction) on a rotor system, a Decision Tree based method to effectively segregate regular dynamics from chaotic dynamics in noisy environment has been proposed.
Opposition-based learning Multi-Verse Optimizer with disruption operator for optimization problems
Authors: Shehab Mohammad , Abualigah Laith
Published: July 2021

Multi-Verse Optimizer (MVO) algorithm is one of the recent metaheuristic algorithms used to solve various problems in different fields. However, MVO suffers from a lack of diversity which may trapping of local minima, and premature convergence. This paper introduces two steps of improving the basic MVO algorithm. The first step using Opposition-based learning (OBL) in MVO, called OMVO. The OBL aids to speed up the searching and improving the learning technique for selecting a better generation of candidate solutions of basic MVO. The second stage, called OMVOD, combines the disturbance operator (DO) and OMVO to improve the consistency of the chosen solution by providing a chance to solve the given problem with a high fitness value and increase diversity. To test the performance of the proposed models, fifteen CEC 2015 benchmark functions problems, thirty CEC 2017 benchmark functions problems, and seven CEC 2011 real-world problems were used in both phases of the enhancement. The second step, known as OMVOD, incorporates the disruption operator (DO) and OMVO to improve the accuracy of the chosen solution by giving a chance to solve the given problem with a high fitness value while also increasing variety. Fifteen CEC 2015 benchmark functions problems, thirty CEC 2017 benchmark functions problems and seven CEC 2011 real-world problems were used in both phases of the upgrade to assess the accuracy of the proposed models.
Defining Climate Zone of Borneo based on Cluster Analysis
Authors: Sa'adi Zulfaqar , Shahid Shamsuddin , Shiru Mohammed Sanusi
Published: July 2021

Although Borneo Island is one of the most vulnerable tropical regions to climate change, maps depicting the local climate conditions employing climate classification are still not well defined. The present study attempted regional climate classification to divide the Borneo region into several homogenous groups based on long-term average climate behavior. Daily gridded rainfall and temperature (Tavg, Tmax, and Tmin) data at 0.25o resolution spanning 56-years (1960−2016) was used. The classification was done using non-hierarchical k-mean and several hierarchical methods, namely, Single, Complete, McQuitty, Average, Centroid, Median, and two algorithms of Ward's method, wardD, and wardD2. The results showed that k-mean, wardD, and wardD2 were able to classify the climate of Borneo into four zones, namely 'Dry and hot' (DH), 'Wet and hot' (WH), 'Wet' (W), and 'Wet and cold' (WC) with a considerable difference at the boundaries. Spatial relevancy, stability, and variability of the clusters based on correlation and compromise programming showed that the wardD method was the most likely to yield acceptable results with optimum 4-cluster to partition the area into four principal climate zones. The constructed cluster plot, centroid plot, and probability distribution function (PDF) showed a distinct climatic characteristic between the climate zones in terms of rainfall, temperature, and seasonality. The proposed climate zonation for Borneo can help in better understanding climate regionality and climate-related development planning.
WITHDRAWN: The effectiveness of Fractional CO2 laser and long-pulsed ND- YAG laser in managing striae
Authors: AF Hendawy , DG Aly , HA Shokeir , NA Samy
Published: July 2021

Background: Striae Distansae (SD) are a disfiguring dermal condition, characterized by linear bands of atrophic skin, occurring at sites of dermal damage caused by stretching. They affect adolescents and more than 70% of pregnant females due to stretching of the skin. Aims: To evaluate and to compare the efficacy of 1, 064 nm Long Pulsed Nd: YAG laser and Fractional CO2 laser in the management of SD. Patients/Methods: Thirty female patients with bilateral symmetrical SD were treated with Fractional CO2 laser on one side and long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser on the other side. All patients received 3 sessions at 3 weeks interval. Global Aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and was used to evaluate improvement 3 months post treatment. Four mm punch biopsies were taken from each side before treatment and 3 months after the last session to measure epidermal and collagen thickness. Findings: More significant clinical improvement was noted with the Nd:YAG laser than Fractional CO2 laser. Both GAIS and satisfaction score were significantly higher in the Nd:YAG laser treated side epidermal and collagen thickness were evidently increased in the Nd: YAG laser treated lesions than those treated by Fractional CO2 laser with no significant difference. Conclusions: Long pulsed Nd-YAG laser is clinically more effective than the Fractional CO2 laser in treating SD without serious side effects, although there was no significant difference between them histopathologically.
Highly Sensitive THz Refractive Index Sensor Based on Folded Split-Ring Metamaterial Graphene Resonators
Authors: Nickpay Mohammad-Reza , Danaie Mohammad , Shahzadi Ali
Published: July 2021

A highly sensitive absorption-based sensor based on folded split-ring metamaterial graphene resonators (FSRMGRs) is designed, and its biomedical application in terahertz (THz) spectrum is investigated. The sensor has a nearly perfect absorption with a spectral absorption coefficient of 99.75% at 4 THz, with a high Q-factor (average) of 13.76. The resonance peak frequency is sensitive to the refractive index (RI) of the test medium (analyte) and a fairly high sensitivity of 851 GHz/RIU has been obtained. The specifications of the sensor can be tuned by an external DC-bias voltage applied to the graphene layer. According to the obtained results, the developed absorber appears to be a good candidate bio-sensing applications.
A Randomized Controlled Trail of A Narrative Therapy Technique Intervention To Facilitate The Life Meaning In Chinese Breast Cancer Patients During Chemotherapy: Study Protocol
Authors: Lu Lijing , Lu Ningning , Lou Ying , Shan Jingyi , Meng Aifeng , Wang Pengcheng , Tang Lin , Cheng Fang
Published: July 2021

Aim:The purpose of this protocol is to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of face-to-face intervention based on narrative therapy to enhance the sense of meaning in life and other relevant psychological indicators for Chinese breast cancer patients during chemotherapy.Background:The sense of meaning in life can relieve the negative emotions,improve patients' quality of life,enhance treatment compliance,tap the potential of coping with trauma and so on.Breast cancer patients with chemotherapy are facing more severe psychological distress and the existing intervention studies are less and the target population is not suitable for breast cancer patients with chemotherapy.Through narrative psychotherapy,the psychological growth of patients can be achieved.This protocol is based on a brief face‐to‐face narrative therapy technique intervention to improve life meaning for breast cancer patients during chemotherapy.Design:A non-blinded randomized controlled trial.Methods:92 breast cancer chemotherapy patients were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group in a 1:1 ratio,and 6 face-to-face individualized interventions were conducted.The four evaluations were conducted after diagnosis,the third intervention,the last intervention,and three months after the last intervention.The main evaluation indicators were the sense of meaning of life,the level of anxiety and depression,the level of post-traumatic growth,psychological distress and medical coping style.Discussion:The purpose of this study is to construct an intervention program based on narrative therapy technology to improve the life meaning of Chinese breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.If the intervention program is effective and feasible,it can be applied in clinic and benefit patients.Impact:This study will provide a reference template for clinical psychological intervention,allowing breast cancer patients to reconstruct the meaning of life in trauma.If this protocol is effective,it will be applied in clinic.Trial registration:This trial was registered on Chinese clinical Trials.gov (ChiCTR2000034409),the registration date is 04/07/2020.Registered url is http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspxThis study was reviewed by the ethics committee of Nanjing Medical University. The results showed that the rights and interests of the subjects were fully protected, and there was no potential risk for the subjects. This study was agreed to carry out.
Quantifying SARS-Cov-2 Nucleocapsid Antigen in Oropharyngeal Swabs Using Single Molecule Array Technology
Authors: Olsen Dorte Aa. , Brasen Claus L. , Kahns Søren , Madsen Jeppe B. , Kierkegaard Helene , Christensen Henry , Jensen Anders , Sydenham Thomas V. , Møller Jens K. , Madsen Jonna S. , Brandslund Ivan
Published: July 2021

Background: This study aimed to develop a highly sensitive SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen assay using the single molecule array (Simoa) technology and compare it with real time RT-PCR as used in routine clinical practice with the ambition to achieve a comparative technical and clinical sensitivity. Methods: Samples were available from 148 SARS-CoV-2 real time RT-PCR positive and 73 SARS-CoV-2 real time RT-PCR negative oropharyngeal swabs. For determination of technical sensitivity SARS-CoV-2 virus culture material was used. The samples were treated with lysis buffer and analyzed using both an in-house and a pre-commercial SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen assay on Simoa. Results: Both nucleocapsid antigen assays have a technical sensitivity corresponding to around 100 SARS-CoV-2 RNA molecules/mL. Using a cut-off at 0.1 pg/mL the pre-commercial SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen assay had a sensitivity of 96% (95% CI, 91.4-98.5%) and specificity of 100% (95% CI, 95.1-100%). In comparison the in-house nucleocapsid antigen assay had sensitivity of 95% (95% CI, 89.3-98.1%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 95.1-100%) using a cut-off at 0.01 pg/mL. The two SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen assays correlated with r=0.91 (p<0.0001). Conclusions: The in-house and the pre-commercial SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen assay demonstrated technical and clinical sensitivity comparable to real-time RT-PCR methods for identifying SARS-CoV-2 infected patients and thus can be used clinically as well as serve as a reference method for antigen Point of Care Testing.
Performance Analysis for Wireless Power Transfer in Bi-directional DF Relaying aid MRC over Nakagami-m Fading.
Authors: PRAJAPATI DHARMENDRA , Hossain Ashraf , Baghel Gaurav Singh
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we research the performance of a bi-directional three-node cooperative relaying network that aids simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) in a direct connection region that is inuenced by the Nakagami-m fading environment. The information transfer between source nodes can be completed in three equal time phases if we consider two source nodes with direct links and a battery-enabled node.[1] . The maximum-ratio combining (MRC) approach was used at the destination node to use both the direct and relay links. In the rst two stages, the harvested energy at the relay node was used for power splitting (PS), and in the third phase, the harvested energy was used for information processing (IP) and broadcasting. We extract simple and detailed generalized average bit error rate (ABER) expressions for BFSK, BPSK, QPSK, and 4-PAM for the Consider scheme. The derived expressions are applicable to any coherent modulation scheme.
CureCancer Digital Platform In The Routine Clinical Oncology Practice Facilitates Patients’ Self-Data Recording, Communicating With Health Care Professionals, Treatment Adherence And “Distancing Interventions” During Covid-19 And Reduces Costs. A Feasibility And Satisfaction Study*.
Authors: Galiti Dimitra , Linardou Helena , Agelaki Sofia , Karampeazis Athanasios , Tsoukalas Nikolaos , Psyrri Amanda , Karamouzis Michalis , Syrigos Konstantinos , Ardavanis Alexandros , Athanasiadis Ilias , Arvanitou Eleni , Sgourou Stavroula , Kouloulias Vasileios , Mala Anastasia , Vallilas Christos , Boukovinas Ioannis
Published: July 2021

Purpose: We assessed CureCancer’s feasibility and patients’ and HCPs’ satisfaction. CureCancer is a patient-centric/driven platform, which enables patients to self-create their profile, report symptoms and communicate with physicians.Methods: Patients from 18 Centers were asked to register at CureCancer, upload their data and complete a questionnaire on demographics, disease and treatment characteristics, and their satisfaction. Results: 159 patients were enrolled and 144 (90.6%) registered. 114 of 144 (79.1%), 63 males and 51 females, median age 54.5 years, completed the questionnaire. 64 patients were University and 35 were high School graduates. 46 patients had metastatic disease, 87 were on active treatment and 51 received supportive care. All patients also visited non-oncology HCPs. Nineteen patients changed work status and 49 had children below 24 years. Registration was “very/very much” easy for 98 (86.0 %) patients. File uploading was “very/very much” easy for 47 (41.2%) patients. Over 80% of patients and physicians preferred the digital way. 99 patients and all HCPs will recommend CureCancer to others. Easy data access, improved communication, feeling safe, treatment adherence, interventions from distance, particularly during covid-19 pandemic and saving time and money, were highly commented by patients and HCPs. Conclusion: CureCancer was feasible and patients and HCPs were satisfied. File uploading changed to become more user friendly. Integration of CureCancer in the routine practice is expected to improve cancer care and reduce cancer costs. Patients’ self-reporting, with CureCancer, can increase the accuracy of clinical trial results and map social/work/economic issues following cancer diagnosis to assist health care policy.
Efficacy of Stylet Angulation at the Holding Position During Tracheal Intubation with a Videolaryngoscope: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wakabayashi Ryo , Shiko Yuki , Kodaira Tomofumi , Shiroshita Yuko , Otsuka Hitomi , Baba Kosuke , Hishinuma Norimasa
Published: July 2021

The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the efficacy of stylet angulation at the holding position during tracheal intubation with a McGRATH™ MAC videolaryngoscope. Patients were randomized to a group for intubation without stylet angulation at the holding position (non-angulation group) and to a group for intubation with stylet angulation at the holding position (angulation group). The primary outcome was the time for placement of the tracheal tube. Sixty patients were analyzed. The mean (standard deviation) times for tube placement were 21.3 (5.6) s in the non-angulation group and 16.9 (3.8) s in the angulation group (P < 0.001). The scores of operator's perception of difficulty in tube delivery, number of attempts for tube delivery, and degrees of extension, abduction, internal rotation of the right upper arm and extension of the right wrist during tube placement in the angulation group were significantly smaller than those in the non-angulation group (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Our results suggest that stylet angulation at the holding position improves maneuverability of the tracheal tube and enables easy tube placement during tracheal intubation with a McGRATH™ MAC videolaryngoscope.
Clinical Practice Guideline for End-of-Life Care in Patients with Cancer: A Modified ADAPTE Process
Authors: Irajpour Alireza , hashemi maryam , Taleghani Fariba
Published: July 2021

PurposeThis study seeks to adapt a guideline for end-of-life care in patients with cancer to be used by healthcare teams.MethodsThis methodological study was conducted by modifying the ADAPTE process and adding to it a qualitative study and consensus ratings by a multidisciplinary panel of experts. A qualitative study was thus performed to identify the end-of-life needs of patients with cancer. Then, the source guidelines and the results of the qualitative study were used to draft the initial version of the guideline, with 85 adaptation recommendations. A multidisciplinary panel of healthcare experts performed the external review of the recommendations based on the four criteria of relatedness, comprehensibility, usefulness, and feasibility and scored them on a scale of 1-9. The mean score of each recommendation was calculated, and the recommendations were classified into three categories: Appropriate (mean score of 7-9), uncertain (mean score of 4-6.99), and inappropriate (mean score of 1-3.99).ResultsAll the recommendations were approved, as they all had a mean score of 7 or higher, and were then categorized into 11 dimensions: Communication management; participatory and evidence-based decision-making management; pain management; dyspnea management; nausea and vomiting management; anorexia and cachexia management; constipation management; death rattle management; management of delirium, anxiety, and restlessness; hydration management; and pharmacological considerations.ConclusionThe adaptation of the guideline for end-of-life care in patients with cancer in Iran was performed by modifying the ADAPTE process with the participation of multidisciplinary stakeholders and based on the local needs.
Extracurricular Activity on Music and Visual Art Associates with Children’ Academic Achievement by Transferring Each Subject Score
Authors: Ishiguro Chiaki , Ishihara Toru , Morita Noriteru
Published: July 2021

The present longitudinal study examined whether extracurricular activities in the arts have a positive association with general academic performance, which is mediated by improved art scores. Data was collected from 700 seventh-grade children (379 boys and 321 girls) for over three years. Information regarding their participation in extracurricular activities in music and visual arts, grade points in general academic performance (i.e., Japanese, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and English), music, and arts were obtained, at the end of the seventh and ninth grades. Structural equation modeling revealed that both participation in extracurriculars in music and visual arts was positively associated with improvements in general academic performance from seventh to ninth grade, and these associations were mediated by improvements in music and visual arts scores. This finding suggests that arts education can contribute to improving general academic performance.
Exploration of Core Genes Signature and Prognostic Implication for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast
Authors: Zhang Jiao , Lin Hui , Hou Lei , Xiao Hui , Gong Xilong , Guo Xuhui , Cao Xuchen , Liu Zhenzhen
Published: July 2021

Background: Following the implementation of breast screening programs, the occurrence of DCIS has risen as an early form of neoplasm. Although the prognosis is good, 20-50% of DCIS patients will develop invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) if they are not handled. It is important to look for promising biomarkers for predicting DCIS prognosis.Methods: The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database provided three microarray profile datasets. The expression of genes that differed between DCIS and normal tissue was investigated. To describe the biological role and intrinsic process pathway, enrichment analysis was used. The Cancer Genome Atlas Breast Cancer Dataset was used to classify the hub genes and further verify the findings using CytoHubba and MCODE, two Cytoscape plugins. The prognostic ability of the core genes signature was determined through time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC), Kaplan-Meier survival curve, Oncomine databases, and UALCAN databases. In addition, in proliferation assays, the prognostic value of core genes was verified.Results: We identified 217 common DEGs, with 101 up-regulated and 138 down-regulated genes in the present study. The top genes were obtained from the PPI network (protein-protein interaction). For DCIS prognosis prediction, a novel six gene signature (including GAPDH, CDH2, BIRC5, NEK2, IDH2, and MELK) was developed. Centered on the TCGA cohort, the ROC curve showed strong results in prognosis prediction. The six core genes signature is often overexpressed in DCIS, which has a weak prognosis. Furthermore, transfected with small interfering RNAs, downregulation of core gene expression significantly inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation, implying a great potential for using core genes in DCIS prognosis.Conclusions: The six core genes signature for promising DCIS biomarkers was validated in our research, which may assist in clinical decision-making for individual care.
Comparison of OSCE Performance Between 6- and 7-Year Medical School Curricula in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Jr-Wei , Cheng Hao-Min , Huang Shiau-Shian , Liang Jen-Feng , Huang Chia-Chang , Yang Ling-Yu , Shulruf Boaz , Yang Ying-Ying , Chen Chen-Huan , Hou Ming-Chih , Sheu Wayne Huey-Herng
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThe year 2013 marks a watershed in the history of medical education in Taiwan. Following Taiwan's Taskforce of Medical School Curriculum Reform recommendations, the medical school curriculum was reduced from 7 to 6 years. This study aimed to analyze the impact of medical school curriculum reform on medical students' performance in objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the OSCE records at Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Taipei VGH), one of Taiwan's largest tertiary medical centers, between November 2016 and July 2020. The eligibility criteria were medical students receiving a full one-year clinical internship training at Taipei VGH and in their last year of medical school. All medical students received a mock OSCE-1 at the beginning of their internship, a mock OSCE-2 after six months of training, and a national OSCE at the end of their internship. The parameters for performance in OSCEs included “percentage of scores above the qualification standard” and “percentage of qualified stations.” ResultsBetween November 2016 and July 2020, 361 undergraduates underwent clinical internship training at Taipei VGH. Among them, 218 were taught under the 7-year curriculum, and 143 were instructed under the 6-year curriculum. Based on baseline-adjusted ANCOVA results, medical students under the 7-year curriculum had a higher percentage of scores above the qualification standard than those under the 6-year curriculum at the mock OSCE-1 (7-year curriculum vs. 6-year curriculum: 33.8% [95% CI 32.0–35.7] vs. 28.2% [95% CI 25.9–30.4], p<0.001), and mock OSCE-2 (7-year curriculum vs. 6-year curriculum: 89.4% [95% CI 87.4–91.4] vs. 84.0% [95% CI 81.5–86.4], p=0.001). Moreover, medical students in the 7-year curriculum had a higher percentage of qualified stations in mock OSCE-1 (7-year curriculum vs. 6-year curriculum: 89.4% [95% CI 87.4–91.4] vs. 84.0% [95% CI 81.5–86.4], p=0.001) and mock OSCE-2 (7-year curriculum vs. 6-year curriculum: 91.9% [95% CI 90.1–93.8] vs. 86.1% [95% CI 83.8–88.3], p=0.001). After clinical internship training, there were no differences in the percentage of scores above the qualification standard (7-year curriculum vs. 6-year curriculum: 33.5% [95% CI 32.2–34.9] vs. 34.6 [95% CI 32.9–36.3], p=0.328) and percentage of qualified stations (7-year curriculum vs. 6-year curriculum: 89.4% [95% CI 88.1–90.7] vs. 90.2% [95% CI 88.6–91.8], p=0.492). ConclusionsAt the beginning of the internship, medical students under the 7-year curriculum had better OSCE performance than those under the 6-year curriculum. After the clinical internship training in Taipei VGH, there was no difference in the national OSCE score between the 6- and 7-year curricula. Our study suggests that clinical internship is crucial for the development of clinical skills and performance in the national OSCE.
Aspect Dependent-based Ghost Suppression for Extended Targets in Through-the-wall Radar Imaging under Compressive Sensing Framework
Authors: Rambika Mugundu , Abdalla Abdi , Amour Idrissa , Maiseli Baraka Jacob , Mwambela Alfred
Published: July 2021

Several approaches have been proposed to suppress multipath ghost in through-the-wall radar imaging (TWRI). One classical approach, called Aspect Dependent (AD), exploits locations of ghosts in the images without demanding prior knowledge of the reflecting geometry. This operation strategy makes the method superior over multipath exploitation-based approaches. However, the AD method assumes a point target that emulates unreal environment. Therefore, reconstructing extended targets with this method leads to incorrect scene interpretation. This work proposes a ghost suppression method for extended targets based on the AD feature that exploits duo sub-apertures. Firstly, we evaluate the best suppression method using a performance metric called relative clutter peak. Next, the evaluated method is extended to encompass the target extent during sub-images reconstruction. Following this strategy, an effective image fusion method suitable for extended targets is proposed. The method considers pixel neighborhood to effectively recover the given extended target. Simulation results show that the proposed method significantly improves signal-to-clutter ratio and relative clutter peak by 8.8% and 23.8%, respectively, relative to the existing AD based methods under point target assumption.
Heart failure in childhood cancer survivors – A systematic review protocol
Authors: Berg Tove , Böhmer Jens , Nwaru Bright , Karason Kristjan , Jarfelt Marianne
Published: July 2021

BackgroundOver the past decades, survival rate for childhood cancer has greatly improved. However, the risk of late cardiac complications after such treatment remains high. Previous studies have shown that the risk for heart failure among childhood cancer survivors is significantly higher than that observed in the general population. The aim of this systematic review is to identify, critically appraise and synthesize existing population-based studies reporting on the frequency of heart failure, both incidence or prevalence, that may develop after treatment of childhood cancer.Method:The following databases will be searched from their inception date until May 17th 2021: Medline, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, CAB International, AMED, Global Health, Psycinfo, Web of science and Google Scholar. Population-based studies reporting on the incidence and/or prevalence of heart failure after treatment of any type of childhood cancer will be included. Screening of articles, data extraction and quality assessment will be performed independently by two reviewers. The quality and risk of bias in the studies included will be assessed by using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. A narrative synthesis of the extracted data will be undertaken and, for studies that are sufficiently homogenous, a meta-analysis using random-effects models performed.DiscussionThis systematic review will provide a clearer picture of the epidemiology of heart failure after treatment of childhood cancer. Collected data will be of value for future childhood cancer treatment protocols and also offer guidance for post-treatment cardiac surveillance among survivors.Systematic review registrationThis protocol follows the structure of the recommendation of the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) and has been submitted in PROSPERO on April 28th 2021, awaiting assignment of registration number.
Combination of Texture and Shape Features Using Machine and Deep Learning Algorithms for Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Gargouri Norhene , Mokni Raouia , Damak Alima , Sellami Dorra , Abid Riadh
Published: July 2021

Worldwide, breast cancer is a commonly occurring disease in women. Automatic diagnosis of the lesions based on mammographic images is playing an essential role to assist experts. A novel Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CADx) scheme of breast lesion classification is proposed in this paper based on an optimized combination of texture and shape features using machine and deep learning algorithms for mass classification as benign-malignant namely C(M-ZMs)*.
The main advantage of using Zernike moments for shape feature extraction is their scale, translation, and rotation invariance property, this allows omitting some of the preprocessing stages in our case. We implemented for texture feature extraction the Monogenic-Local Binary Pattern taking the advantage of lower time and space complexity because monogenic signal analysis needs fewer convolutions and generates more compact feature vectors. Therefore, we used Zernike moments for shape feature extraction due to their scale, translation, and rotation invariance property, this allows omitting some of the preprocessing stages in our proposed system.
The proposed system proves its performance on some challenging breast cancer cases where the lesions exist in dense breast tissues. Validation has been undertaken on 520 mammograms from the Digital Database for Screening Mammography Database (DDSM), yielding an accuracy rate of 99.5\%.