bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advance care planning for adolescents with cancer and their parents: study protocol of the BOOST pACP multi-centre randomised controlled trial and process evaluation
Authors: van Driessche Anne , De Vleminck Aline , Gilissen Joni , Kars Marijke C. , van der Werff ten Bosch Jutte , Deliens Luc , Cohen Joachim , Beernaert Kim
Published: September 2021

Background

Research has highlighted the need for evidence-based interventions to improve paediatric advance care planning (pACP) in adolescents with cancer. Although adolescents express the desire and ability to share their values, beliefs and preferences for treatment, there is a lack of structured multicomponent interventions to improve parent-adolescent communication on different ACP themes including those not limited to end-of-life care. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation, context and mechanisms of impact of a novel ACP program in paediatric oncology.

Methods

We will conduct a multi-centre parallel-group randomised controlled superiority trial with embedded mixed-methods process evaluation in Flanders, Belgium. Adolescents aged 10–18 who have cancer, and their parent(s) will be recruited via all four university hospitals in Flanders, Belgium, and support groups. Families will be randomised to receive care as usual or the multicomponent BOOST pACP program, consisting of three conversation sessions between an external facilitator and the adolescent and parent(s).

The primary endpoint is improved parent-adolescent communication from the perspective of the adolescent. Secondary endpoints are adolescents’ and parents’ attitudes, self-efficacy, intention and behaviour regarding talking about ACP themes with each other, parents’ perspective of shared decision making in the last clinical encounter, and the paediatric oncologist’s intention and behaviour regarding talking about ACP themes with the family.

Measurements will be performed at baseline, at 3 months and at 7 months using structured self-reported questionnaires. We will perform a process evaluation in the intervention group, with measurement throughout and post-intervention, using structured diaries filled out by the facilitators, interviews with facilitators, interviews with involved paediatric oncology teams, and audio-recordings of the BOOST pACP conversations.

Discussion

The BOOST pACP program has been developed to stimulate conversations on ACP themes between parent(s) and the adolescents, simultaneously lowering the threshold to discuss similar themes with healthcare professionals, initiating a process of normalization and integration of ACP in standard care. This combined outcome and process evaluation aims to contribute to building the necessary evidence to improve ACP in paediatric oncology.

Trial registration

The study is registered at ISRCTN, ISRCTN33228289. Registration date: January 22, 2021.
In vitro inhibitory effect of obtusofolin on the activity of CYP3A4, 2C9, and 2E1
Authors: Liu Na , Chen Ping , Du Xiaojun , Sun Junxia , Han Shasha
Published: September 2021

Background

Obtusofolin is the major active ingredient of Catsia tora L., which possesses the activity of improving eyesight and protecting the optic nerve. Investigation on the interaction of obtusofolin with cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450s) could provide a reference for the clinical application of obtusofolin.

Methods

The effect of obtusofolin on the activity of CYP450s was investigated in the presence of 100 μM obtusofolin in pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs) and fitted with the Lineweaver–Burk plots to characterize the specific inhibition model and kinetic parameters.

Results

Obtusofolin was found to significantly inhibited the activity of CYP3A4, 2C9, and 2E1. In the presence of 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 μM obtusofolin, the inhibition of these CYP450s showed a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 values of 17.1 ± 0.25, 10.8 ± 0.13, and 15.5 ± 0.16 μM, respectively. The inhibition of CYP3A4 was best fitted with the non-competitive inhibition model with the Ki value of 8.82 μM. While the inhibition of CYP2C9 and 2E1 was competitive with the Ki values of 5.54 and 7.79 μM, respectively. After incubating for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30 min, the inhibition of CYP3A4 was revealed to be time-dependent with the KI value of 4.87 μM− 1 and the Kinact value of 0.0515 min− 1.

Conclusions

The in vitro inhibitory effect of obtusofolin implying the potential drug-drug interaction between obtusofolin and corresponding substrates, which needs further in vivo validations.
Predictive factors of diagnostic and therapeutic divergence in a nationwide cohort of patients seeking second medical opinion
Authors: Sanchez Stéphane , Adamowicz Isabelle , Chrusciel Jan , Denormandie Philippe , Denys Pierre , Degos Laurent
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the profile of patients who sought a second medical opinion (SMO) on their therapeutic or diagnostic strategy using nationwide data from a French physician network dedicated to SMOs.

Methods

An observational cohort study was conducted and the study population consisted of patients residing in France or in the French overseas territories who submitted a request for an SMO through a dedicated platform between January 2016 and October 2020. Patient characteristics were compared between convergent and divergent SMOs. The divergent rate for all patients excluding those with mental diseases were described. Logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of a divergent SMO according to patient characteristics.

Results and discussion

In total, 1,552 adult patients over several French regions were included. The divergence rate was 32.3 % (n = 502 patients). Gynecological [Odds Ratio (OR) and 95 % CI: 5.176 (3.154 to 8.494)], urological [OR 4.246 (2.053 to 8.782)] and respiratory diseases [OR 3.639 (1.357 to 9.758)] had the highest probability of a divergent SMO. Complex cases were also associated with a significantly higher risk of a divergent opinion [OR 2.78 (2.16 to 3.59)]. Age, sex, region and profession were not found to be predictive of a divergent second opinion.

Conclusions

Policymakers should encourage new research on patient outcomes such as mortality and hospitalization rates after a SMO. When proven effective, SMO networks will have the potential to benefit from specific public funding or even play a key role in national healthcare quality improvement programs.
Mitochondrial links between brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Wilkins Heather M. , Swerdlow Russell H.
Published: September 2021

Advancing age is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This raises the question of whether AD biology mechanistically diverges from aging biology or alternatively represents exaggerated aging. Correlative and modeling studies can inform this question, but without a firm grasp of what drives aging and AD it is difficult to definitively resolve this quandary. This review speculates over the relevance of a particular hallmark of aging, mitochondrial function, to AD, and further provides background information that is pertinent to and provides perspective on this speculation.
Human gut-derived B. longum subsp. longum strains protect against aging in a d-galactose-induced aging mouse model
Authors: Xiao Yue , Yang Chao , Yu Leilei , Tian Fengwei , Wu Yarong , Zhao Jianxin , Zhang Hao , Yang Ruifu , Chen Wei , Hill Colin , Cui Yujun , Zhai Qixiao
Published: September 2021

Background

Probiotics have been used to regulate the gut microbiota and physiology in various contexts, but their precise mechanisms of action remain unclear.

Results

By population genomic analysis of 418Bifidobacterium longumstrains, including 143 newly sequenced in this study, three geographically distinct gene pools/populations, BLAsia1, BLAsia2, and BLothers, were identified. Genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis, particularly peptidoglycan biosynthesis, varied considerably among the core genomes of the different populations, but accessory genes that contributed to the carbohydrate metabolism were significantly distinct. Although active transmission was observed inter-host, inter-country, inter-city, intra-community, and intra-family, a singleB. longumclone seemed to reside within each individual. A significant negative association was observed between host age and relative abundance ofB. longum, while there was a strong positive association between host age and strain genotype [e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms in the arginine biosynthesis pathway]. Further animal experiments performed with theB. longumisolates via using ad-galactose-induced aging mouse model supported these associations, in whichB. longumstrains with different genotypes in arginine biosynthesis pathway showed divergent abilities on protecting against host aging possibly via their different abilities to modify the metabolism of gut microbes.

Conclusions

This is the first known example of research on the evolutionary history and transmission of this probiotic species. Our results propose a new mechanistic insight for promoting host longevity via the informed use of specific probiotics or molecules.
Critical peak rebate strategy and application to demand response
Authors: Yang Hejun , Zhang Xinyu , Ma Yinghao , Zhang Dabo
Published: September 2021

Time-of-use (TOU) pricing strategy is an important component of demand-side management (DSM), but the cost of supplying power during critical peak periods remains high under TOU prices. This affects power system reliability. In addition, TOU prices are usually applicable to medium- and long-term load control but cannot effectively regulate short-term loads. Therefore, this paper proposes an optimization method for TOU pricing and changes the electricity consumption patterns during the critical peak periods through a critical peak rebate (CPR). This reduces generation costs and improves power system reliability. An optimization model for peak-flat-valley (PFV) period partition is established based on fuzzy clustering and an enumeration iterative technique. A TOU pricing optimization model including grid-side and customer-side benefits is then proposed, and a simulated annealing particle swarm optimization (SAPSO) algorithm is used to solve the problem. Finally, a CPR decision model is developed to further reduce critical peak loads. The effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm is illustrated through different case studies of the Roy Billinton Test System (RBTS).
Decreased vitamin D levels in children with primary mono-symptomatic nocturnal enuresis
Authors: El-Baz Farida M. , Abdelsayed Marian G. R. , Abdel-Hafeez Aziza S. , Abdelmageed Reham I.
Published: September 2021

Background

Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is a common voiding problem in pediatric populations. Relatively, few studies have investigated the 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and NE associations in children, which may open up a new research area on the effect of vitamin D as nutritional therapy in the treatment of NE. The aim of this study was to determine the level of 25-hydroxyl vitamin D among children and adolescents with nocturnal enuresis in comparison to non-enuretic Egyptian children.

Results

Fifty children (24 females, 26 males) who presented with primary mono-symptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) and 50 healthy children (23 females, 27 males) were recruited in this study. A structured questionnaire focusing on demographic, socioeconomic, and frequency of bed-wetting were collected, and vitamin D serum levels were assessed in all children. In the NE group, the mean value of serum vitamin D levels was lower than the control (19.0 ± 6.5 versus 23.89 ± 4.19; P < 0.0001). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were abnormal (< 20 ng/mL) in 46% of children with NE and 16% of controls (P < 0.001). The higher bed-wetting frequencies were associated with lower levels of 25(OH) D (Every night: 7.0 ± 1.4, 3–5 time/week: 11.2 ± 1.7, 1–3 times/week: 17.6 ± 3.7, < 2times/week: 22.4 ± 2.9, Once/6 month: 24.1 ± 4.3 (ng/ml), P < 0.001).

Conclusion

A difference in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels was found between the two study groups. There is a need for more studies to explain vitamin D deficiency in larger series so that this test can be used in regular enuretic child investigations.
Assessment of serum vitamin D levels in Egyptian children with beta-thalassemia major
Authors: Abdelmotaleb Ghada Saad , Behairy Ola Galal , El Azim Khalid Eid Abd , El-Hassib Dalia Mohamed Abd , Hemeda Tasbeh Mohamed
Published: September 2021

Background

Beta-thalassemia major patients are at increased risk of complications including endocrinopathies and bone disease due to iron overload. So, this study aimed to assess the growth parameters, serum levels of 25-OH-vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorous in children with beta-thalassemia major. This was a case-control study that included 55 children with beta-thalassemia major compared with 30 sex- and age-matched healthy children that served as a control group. All enrolled children were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination including anthropometric measurements, and laboratory investigations including complete blood count, serum ferritin, levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, and 25-OH-vitamin D.

Results

Body mass index was statistically significantly lower in the thalassemic group (P < 0.001). It was observed that vitamin D levels were significantly lower in thalassemic patients than in controls (P value < .0001). The mean serum 25-OH-vitamin D levels were 19.84 ± 5.79 ng/ml and 44.98 ± 5.77 ng/ml, respectively; 22 cases (40%) had insufficient vitamin D, and 5 cases (9%) had deficient vitamin D. Regarding serum calcium and phosphorous, there was no significant difference between the thalassemic and control groups.

Conclusion

Children with beta-thalassemia major had low body mass index and metabolic abnormality in the form of lower serum levels of vitamin D that signify the importance of therapeutic interventions.
Pseudotail with closed neural tube defect and neurogenic bladder masquerading as posterior urethral valve: a case report
Authors: Singh Ram Jeewan , Ali Md Mokarram , Kumar Amit , Rashi Rashi , Sinha Amit Kumar , Kumar Bindey
Published: September 2021

Background

Pseudotail with occult spinal dysraphism with neurological deficit is a rare phenomenon. Ignoring pseudotail as sign of occult spinal dysraphism may lead to catastrophe in diagnosis and further management.

Case presentation

We are reporting a case of a 30-month-old male child who presented with a tail-like structure at lower back and dribbling of urine since birth. On initial evaluation at some other hospital, he was misdiagnosed as posterior urethral valve and underwent fulguration of valve. However, dribbling of urine persisted after initial procedure. On evaluation at our center, he was found to have pseudotail with occult spinal dysraphism and neurogenic bladder.

Conclusion

Pseudotail with occult spinal dysraphism with neurological deficit is a rare phenomenon. Neurogenic bladder in such case can be misdiagnosed as posterior urethral valve. So, neurogenic bladder with pseudotail should be evaluated cautiously to avoid misdiagnosis and mismanagement.
Application of a density-based spatial clustering algorithm for fully automatic picking of surface-wave dispersion curves
Authors: Rovetta Diego , Kontakis Apostolos , Colombo Daniele
Published: September 2021

Surface waves can be used to enhance the characterization of the shallow subsurface in desert environments. A high-resolution shear-wave velocity model is typically obtained by inverting dispersion curves, which correspond to different propagation modes of the surface waves. A common approach to estimate the dispersion curves is to manually pick the magnitude maxima from the frequency-phase velocity spectra of the seismic data. This approach is inefficient, time consuming, highly subjective, and not feasible for large surveys. Automatic picking of dispersion curves has become a topic of interest recently in the oil and gas research community, where many of the developed algorithms were inherited from the fields of image processing and machine learning. By exploring in the area of unsupervised learning, we recently derived an algorithm and workflow for fully automatic picking of surface-wave dispersion curves by employing a density-based spatial clustering technique. Our approach has been tested on the SEG Advanced Modeling Corporation Arid model synthetic data set and a field data set acquired in a desert environment. The results of the synthetic tests show that the estimated dispersion curves match the true dispersion curves with high accuracy, and they can be inverted for shear-wave velocities, successfully recovering the shallow near-surface features. The application of the method to field data provides high-resolution geology-consistent shear-wave velocity information that can be converted into a compressional-wave velocity model in agreement with uphole observations.
Marlim R3D phase 3: The marine magnetotelluric regional model and associated data set
Authors: Correa Jorlivan L. , Menezes Paulo T. L.
Published: September 2021

Synthetic data provided by earth models are essential to investigate several geologic problems. Marlim R3D (MR3D) is an open-source realistic earth modeling project for electromagnetic simulations of the postsalt reservoirs of the Brazilian offshore margin. In phase 3, we have conducted a 3D marine magnetotelluric (MMT) study with the finite-difference method to generate the synthetic magnetotelluric (MT) data set for the MR3D earth model. To that end, we upscaled the original controlled-source electromagnetic model to preserve all local-scale features, such as the thin-layer turbidite reservoirs, and to include several geologic regional features, such as the coastline, land topography, basement rocks representing the continental crust, and mantle rocks. Then, we simulated an MMT survey with 500 receivers evenly spaced at 1 km intervals along the rugged seafloor of the MR3D model. To accurately represent the MMT model with a 329 × 329 × 200 km volume, we have produced a mesh with 161 × 136 × 242 cells (approximately 5.3 million cells). We computed the full MT and tipper tensor at 25 periods in the time range of 1–10,000 s. The data set, the model, and companion material are freely distributed for research or commercial use under the Creative Commons License at the Zenodo platform.
Student Zone
Authors: Accomando Filippo
Published: September 2021

The University of Naples Federico II SEG Student Chapter was recently awarded an SEG outreach grant. The grant enabled members of the student chapter to create a field experience titled “Neapolitan volcanism: First-hand experience on risks and resources,” which was held 13–14 May 2021 in Naples, Italy.
The Transcriptome and Epigenome Reveal Novel Changes in Transcription Regulation During Pancreatic Rat Islet Maturation
Authors: Lien Yu-Chin , Lu Xueqing Maggie , Won Kyoung-Jae , Wang Paul Zhiping , Osei-Bonsu Wendy , Simmons Rebecca A
Published: September 2021

Islet function is critical for normal glucose homeostasis. Unlike adult β cells, fetal and neonatal islets are more proliferative and have decreased insulin secretion in response to stimuli. However, the underlying mechanisms governing functional maturity of islets have not been completely elucidated. Pancreatic islets comprise different cell types. The microenvironment of islets and interactions between these cell types are critical for β-cell development and maturation. Thus, the study of intact islets is optimal to identify novel molecular mechanisms controlling islet functional development. Transcriptomes and genome-wide histone landscapes of H3K4me3, H3K27me3, and H3K27Ac from intact islets isolated from 2- and 10-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were integrated to elucidate genes and pathways modulating islet development, as well as the contribution of epigenetic regulation. A total of 4489 differentially expressed genes were identified; 2289 and 2200 of them were up- and down-regulated in 10-week islets, respectively. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed critical pathways regulating functional maturation of islets, including nutrient sensing, neuronal function, immune function, cell replication, and extracellular matrix. Furthermore, we identified significant changes in enrichment of H3K4me3, H3K27me3, and H3K27Ac marks, which correlated with expression changes of genes critical for islet function. These histone marks were enriched at critical transcription factor-binding motifs, such as Hoxa9, C/EBP-β, Gata1, Foxo1, E2f1, E2f3, and Mafb. In addition, our chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data revealed multiple potential bivalent genes whose poised states changed with maturation. Collectively, our current study identified critical novel pathways for mature islet function and suggested a role for histone modifications in regulating islet development and maturation.
Neurodegenerative Disease: Roles for Sex, Hormones, and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Sumien Nathalie , Cunningham J Thomas , Davis Delaney L , Engelland Rachel , Fadeyibi Oluwadarasimi , Farmer George E , Mabry Steve , Mensah-Kane Paapa , Trinh Oanh T P , Vann Philip H , Wilson E Nicole , Cunningham Rebecca L
Published: September 2021

Neurodegenerative diseases cause severe impairments in cognitive and motor function. With an increasing aging population and the onset of these diseases between 50 and 70 years, the consequences are bound to be devastating. While age and longevity are the main risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases, sex is also an important risk factor. The characteristic of sex is multifaceted, encompassing sex chromosome complement, sex hormones (estrogens and androgens), and sex hormone receptors. Sex hormone receptors can induce various signaling cascades, ranging from genomic transcription to intracellular signaling pathways that are dependent on the health of the cell. Oxidative stress, associated with aging, can impact the health of the cell. Sex hormones can be neuroprotective under low oxidative stress conditions but not in high oxidative stress conditions. An understudied sex hormone receptor that can induce activation of oxidative stress signaling is the membrane androgen receptor (mAR). mAR can mediate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX)-generated oxidative stress that is associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer disease. Further complicating this is that aging can alter sex hormone signaling. Prior to menopause, women experience more estrogens than androgens. During menopause, this sex hormone profile switches in women due to the dramatic ovarian loss of 17β-estradiol with maintained ovarian androgen (testosterone, androstenedione) production. Indeed, aging men have higher estrogens than aging women due to aromatization of androgens to estrogens. Therefore, higher activation of mAR-NOX signaling could occur in menopausal women compared with aged men, mediating the observed sex differences. Understanding of these signaling cascades could provide therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.
One and Indivisible?
Authors: Covo Manuel
Published: September 2021

Histories of the French Revolution usually locate the origins of the “one and indivisible Republic” in a strictly metropolitan context. In contrast, this article argues that the French Revolution's debates surrounding federation, federalism, and the (re)foundation of the French nation-state were interwoven with colonial and transimperial matters. Between 1776 and 1792 federalism in a French imperial context went from an element of an academic conversation among bureaucrats and economists to a matter of violent struggle in Saint-Domingue that generated new agendas in the metropole. Going beyond the binary language of union and secession, the article examines the contest over federation and federalism in Saint-Domingue between free people of color and white planters who, taking inspiration from both metropolitan and non-French experiences with federalism, sought to alter the colony's relationship with the metropole while also maintaining the institution of slavery. Revolutionaries on both sides of the Atlantic, unsure which direction to take and without the benefit of hindsight, used the language of federalism to pursue rival interests despite a seemingly common vocabulary. This entangled history of conflicts, compromises, and misunderstandings blurred ideological delineations but decisively shaped the genesis of the French imperial republic.

Généralement, les histoires de la Révolution française placent les origines de la « République une et indivisible » dans un contexte strictement métropolitain. Cet article soutient en revanche que les débats de la Révolution française sur la fédération, le fédéralisme et la (re)-fondation de l'Etat-nation français étaient liés à des questions coloniales et transimpériales. Dans le contexte impérial français, entre 1776 et 1792, le fédéralisme ne fut plus seulement un objet de débats académiques entre bureaucrates et économistes, mais devint un élément central dans une lutte violente à Saint-Domingue qui contribua à infléchir les choix politiques faits en métropole. Au-delà du langage binaire de l'union et de la sécession, l'article examine les conflits cristallisés par les notions de fédération et de fédéralisme entre des libres de couleur et des planteurs blancs qui, s'inspirant d'expériences fédéralistes métropolitaines et étrangères, cherchèrent à modifier la relation de la colonie avec la métropole tout en maintenant l'institution esclavagiste. Des deux côtés de l'Atlantique, les révolutionnaires, qui ne savaient quelle direction emprunter, employèrent le langage du fédéralisme pour défendre des intérêts contradictoires malgré l'usage d'un vocabulaire apparemment commun. Cette histoire faite de conflits, de compromis et de malentendus contribua à brouiller les partages idéologiques mais n'en influença pas moins la genèse de la République impériale française.
The Challenges of Universal Health Insurance in Developing Countries: Experimental Evidence from Indonesia’s National Health Insurance
Authors: Banerjee Abhijit , Finkelstein Amy , Hanna Rema , Olken Benjamin A. , Ornaghi Arianna , Sumarto Sudarno
Published: August 2021

To investigate barriers to universal health insurance in developing countries, we designed a randomized experiment involving about 6,000 households in Indonesia who are subject to a government health insurance program with a weakly enforced mandate. Time-limited subsidies increased enrollment and attracted lower-cost enrollees, in part by reducing the strategic timing of enrollment to correspond with health needs. Registration assistance also increased enrollment, but increased attempted enrollment much more, as over one-half of households who attempted to enroll did not successfully do so. These findings underscore how weak administrative capacity can create important challenges in developing countries for achieving widespread coverage. (JEL D82, G22, H51, I13, I18, O15)
Study on Distortion Compensation of Underwater Archaeological Images
Acquired through a Fisheye Lens and Practical Suggestions for Underwater
Photography
- A Case of Taean Mado Shipwreck No. 1 and No. 2 -
Authors: Jung Young-Hwa , Kim Gyuho , Yoo Woo Sik
Published: September 2021

Underwater archaeology relies heavily on photography and video image recording during surveillances and excavations like ordinary archaeological studies on land. All underwater images suffer poor image quality and distortions due to poor visibility, low contrast and blur, caused by differences in refractive indices of water and air, properties of selected lenses and shapes of viewports. In the Yellow Sea (between mainland China and the Korean peninsula), the visibility underwater is far less than 1 m, typically in the range of 30 cm to 50 cm, on even a clear day, due to very high turbidity. For photographing 1 m x 1 m grids underwater, a very wide view angle (180o) fisheye lens with an 8 mm focal length is intentionally used despite unwanted severe barrel-shaped image distortion, even with a dome port camera housing. It is very difficult to map wide underwater archaeological excavation sites by combining severely distorted images. Development of practical compensation methods for distorted underwater images acquired through the fisheye lens is strongly desired. In this study, the source of image distortion in underwater photography is investigated. We have identified the source of image distortion as the mismatching, in optical axis and focal points, between dome port housing and fisheye lens. A practical image distortion compensation method, using customized image processing software, was explored and verified using archived underwater excavation images for effectiveness in underwater archaeological applications. To minimize unusable area due to severe distortion after distortion compensation, practical underwater photography guidelines are suggested.
Experimental Research of Piece-Mold Casting: Gilt-Bronze Pensive Bodhisattva
Authors: Yun Yong-Hyun , Cho Nam-Chul , Doh Jung-Mann
Published: September 2021

We have tried the experimental research of lost-wax casting to reconstruct Gilt-Bronze Pensive Bodhisattva; preliminary and reconstruction experiment based on ancient texts. Main object to reconstruct is Korean National Treasure No.83, Gilt-Bronze Pensive Bodhisattva (Maitreya), then we measure alloy ratio and casting method based on the scientific analysis. Other impurities were removed from the base metal components(copper : tin : lead) and their ratio was set to 95.5 : 6.5 : 3 where the ratios for tin and lead were increased by 2.5% each. The piece-mold casting method was used, and piece-mold casting experiments were carried out twice in this study but supplementary research on piece-mold casting was necessary. The microstructure was confirmed to be typical cast microstructure and the component analysis result was similar to that of the prior study. Analysis of the chemical composition is confirmed to copper, tin, lead, and zinc, and the chemical composition of the matrix was 87.8%Cu-7.5%Sn-2.7%Pb-2.1%Zn, and similar to previous experimental research. Also resulted in the detection of small impurity in Zn. Analysis of the mould revealed that the mould was fabricated by adding quartz and organic matter for structural stability, fire resistance, and air permeability. We expect that our research will contribute to provide base data for advanced researches in future.
Accuracy of digital dental models and three-dimensional printed dental models in linear measurements and Bolton analysis
Authors: Suryajaya William , Purbiati Maria , Ismah Nada
Published: September 2021

Background: Due to advances in digital technology, it is possible to obtain digital dental models through intraoral scanning. The stereolithographic data collected from the scanner can subsequently be printed into a three-dimensional dental model in resinic material. However, the accuracy between digital dental models and printed dental models needs to be evaluated since it might affect diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontic treatment.

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of digital models scanned by a Trios intraoral scanner and three-dimensional dental models printed using a Formlabs 2 3D printer in linear measurements and Bolton analysis.

Methods: A total of 35 subjects were included in this study. All subjects were scanned using a Trios intraoral scanner to obtain digital study models. Stereolithographic data from previous scanning was printed using a Formlabs 2 3D printer to obtain printed study models. Mesiodistal, intercanine, intermolar, and Bolton analysis from all types of study models were measured. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess intraobserver and interobserver reliability. All data were then statistically analyzed.

Results: The reliability tests were high for both intraobserver and interobserver reliability, which demonstrates high reproducibility for all measurements on all model types. Most of the data compared between study models showed no statistically significant differences, though some data differed significantly. However, the differences are considered clinically insignificant.

Conclusion: Digital dental models and three-dimensional printed dental models may be used interchangeably with plaster dental models for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes.

Keywords: Accuracy, 3D printing, digital dental model, printed dental model.
pyam: Analysis and visualisation of integrated assessment and macro-energy scenarios
Authors: Huppmann Daniel , Gidden Matthew J. , Nicholls Zebedee , Hörsch Jonas , Lamboll Robin , Kishimoto Paul N. , Burandt Thorsten , Fricko Oliver , Byers Edward , Kikstra Jarmo , Brinkerink Maarten , Budzinski Maik , Maczek Florian , Zwickl-Bernhard Sebastian , Welder Lara , Álvarez Quispe Erik Francisco , Smith Christopher J.
Published: September 2021

The open-source Python package pyam provides a suite of features and methods for the analysis, validation and visualization of reference data and scenario results generated by integrated assessment models, macro-energy tools and other frameworks in the domain of energy transition, climate change mitigation and sustainable development. It bridges the gap between scenario processing and visualisation solutions that are "hard-wired" to specific modelling frameworks and generic data analysis or plotting packages.

The package aims to facilitate reproducibility and reliability of scenario processing, validation and analysis by providing well-tested and documented methods for working with timeseries data in the context of climate policy and energy systems. It supports various data formats, including sub-annual resolution using continuous time representation and "representative timeslices".

The pyam package can be useful for modelers generating scenario results using their own tools as well as researchers and analysts working with existing scenario ensembles such as those supporting the IPCC reports or produced in research projects. It is structured in a way that it can be applied irrespective of a user's domain expertise or level of Python knowledge, supporting experts as well as novice users.

The code base is implemented following best practices of collaborative scientific-software development. This manuscript describes the design principles of the package and the types of data which can be handled. The usefulness of pyam is illustrated by highlighting several recent applications.
Sentiment analysis on myindihome user reviews using support vector machine and naïve bayes classifier method
Authors: Hakim Sulton Nur , Putra Andika Julianto , Khasanah Annisa Uswatun
Published: September 2021

In the era of globalization, the internet has become a human need in doing various things. Many internet users are an opportunity for internet service providers, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom). One of PT Telkom's products is IndiHome. As the only state-owned enterprise engaged in telecommunications, PT Telkom is expected to meet the needs of the Indonesian people. However, based on the rating obtained by IndiHome products through the myIndiHome application on Google Play, it is 3.5 out of 87,000 more reviews. The reviews focus on how important the effect of word-of-mouth is on choosing and using internet provider products. The review data was collected on November 1, 2020 to December 15, 2020, with a total of 2,539 reviews as a sample.  The sentiment analysis process that has been carried out shows that the number of reviews included in the negative sentiment class was 1.160 reviews, and the positive class was 1.374 reviews out of a total of 2,539 reviews. The results indicate that service errors in IndiHome services are still quite high, reaching 46.7% as indicated by the number of negative reviews. The classification results show that the average value of the total accuracy of the Support Vector Machine (SVM) method is 86.54% greater than Naïve Bayes Classifier (NBC) method which has an average total accuracy of 84.69%.  Based on fishbone diagram analysis, there are 12nd problems on negative reviews that classify problems 5P factors: Price, People, Process, Place, and Product.
Dynamics of Milk Material Fermentation with Whey Protein Hydrolysate
Authors: Novokshanova Alla L’vovna , Ganina Vera Ivanovna , Ababkova Anna Aleksandrovna , Kuzin Andrey Alekseevich
Published: September 2021

Using the whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) in yogurt manufacture contributes to the development of a number of fermenting microorganisms and accelerates the fermentation process, which would ultimately reduce production costs and the overall cost of the product. The objective of the presented study was a comparative analysis of the fermentation processes in buttermilk and skimmed milk caused by starter microorganisms in the presence of WPH. The authors were looking to create a probiotic product with typical consumer characteristics. WPH hydrolysate with a high degree of hydrolysis (DH not less than 60%) was used as a functional food ingredient to improve the nutritional value of the product. Samples of skimmed milk and buttermilk without WPH were used for control. Standard physical and chemical methods for studying the composition and indicators of dairy raw materials were applied. The titrated and active acidity were analyzed by indicator and potentiometric methods respectively. The osmotic concentration was determined with using an osmometer-cryoscope. The synthesized lactate and the degree of acid formation increase have been calculated. Qualified experts have bee detected the organoleptic evaluation of raw materials in control and experimental samples. The processes of lactic acid fermentation of skimmed milk and buttermilk both containing from 1-3 wt% of WPH and monostrain and monospecies multistrain starter microorganisms were studied. The main attention in the study was paid to the organoleptic as well as physical and chemical parameters of fermented milk clots, the characteristics of fermentation processes, and the influence of WPH on the development of microorganisms have been revealed. WPH using in the studied types of milk materials helps to increase the protein content, raise the biological value, and ensure a normalized amount of starter microbiota including probiotic bacteria. So, it has been found that using skimmed milk or buttermilk with added WPH as a basic material in the starter, probiotic cultures should be used in combination with thermophilic lactic streptococci to develop a fermented milk product for dietary prophylactic purposes.
Treatment of Metabolic Alkalosis with Rice Broth
Authors: Aledan Hayder , Rasheed Jawad , Jasim Zahraa , Razak Manal Abdul
Published: September 2021

The available treatments of metabolic alkalosis should be given in the hospital and may be associated with serious adverse events. We aimed to use rice broth for treatment of metabolic alkalosis. Patients with metabolic alkalosis were received oral rice broth solution; serum electrolytes and acid-base parameters were measured before and after the treatment. The majority of patients were older and in the ICU. After treatment with rice broth solution, there was statistical significant decreased in blood PH and serum [HCO3-] from a mean of 7.45 ± 0.03 to 7.4 ± 0.009 and 34.5 ± 4.4 to 24.9 ± 1.1 mmol/l respectively and statistical significant increase in serum [Na+], serum [Cl-], serum [K+], serum [Ca+2], serum [PO4-2] and serum [Mg+2] from a mean of 132.5 ± 3.7 to 136.5 ± 1.9 mmol/l, 93.2 ± 5.4 to 101.9 ± 2.7 mmol/l, 3.1 ± 0.3 to 3.6 ± 0.2 mmol/l, 0.99 ± 0.1 to 1 ± 0.1mmol/l, 3.4 ± 0.5 to 3.6 ± 0.4 mg/dl and 1.88 ± 0.2 to 2.28 ± 0.17 mg/dl respectively. Rice broth is an effective oral treatment of metabolic alkalosis.
Hand hygiene in practice
Authors: Cox-Nowak Kayleigh
Published: September 2021

Kayleigh Cox-Nowak examines the evidence for hand hygiene procedures, the selection of appropriate hand cleaning products, and the dermatological impact on skin
Comprehensive analysis of pathological changes in hip joint capsule of patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip
Authors: Li Chuan , Peng Zhi , Zhou You , Su Yongyue , Bu Pengfei , Meng Xuhan , Li Bo , Xu Yongqing
Published: September 2021

Aims

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a complex musculoskeletal disease that occurs mostly in children. This study aimed to investigate the molecular changes in the hip joint capsule of patients with DDH.

Methods

High-throughput sequencing was used to identify genes that were differentially expressed in hip joint capsules between healthy controls and DDH patients. Biological assays including cell cycle, viability, apoptosis, immunofluorescence, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and western blotting were performed to determine the roles of the differentially expressed genes in DDH pathology.

Results

More than 1,000 genes were differentially expressed in hip joint capsules between healthy controls and DDH. Both gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed that extracellular matrix (ECM) modifications, muscle system processes, and cell proliferation were markedly influenced by the differentially expressed genes. Expression of Collagen Type I Alpha 1 Chain (COL1A1), COL3A1, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1), MMP3, MMP9, and MMP13 was downregulated in DDH, with the loss of collagen fibres in the joint capsule. Expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) was downregulated, while that of TGF-β2, Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (SMAD3), and WNT11 were upregulated in DDH, and alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), a key myofibroblast marker, showed marginal increase. In vitro studies showed that fibroblast proliferation was suppressed in DDH, which was associated with cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 and G2/M phases. Cell cycle regulators including Cyclin B1 (CCNB1), Cyclin E2 (CCNE2), Cyclin A2 (CCNA2), Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), E2F1, cell division cycle 6 (CDC6), and CDC7 were downregulated in DDH.

Conclusion

DDH is associated with the loss of collagen fibres and fibroblasts, which may cause loose joint capsule formation. However, the degree of differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts needs further study. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(9):558–570.
Bi-level Flow Based Anomalous Activity Identification System for IoT Devices
Authors: Babu Meenigi Ramesh , Veena K. N.
Published: September 2021

With the advanced technologies, IoT has widely emerged with data collection, processing, and communication as well in smart applications. The wireless medium in the IoT devices would broadcast the data, which makes them easily targeted by the attacks. In the local network, the normal communication attack is restricted to small local domain or local nodes. However, the attack present in IoT devices gets expanded to a large area that would cause destructive effects. The heterogeneity and distribution of IoT services/applications make the security of IoT a more challenging and complex one. This paper aims to propose a bi-level flow based anomalous activity identification system in IoT. Initially, the flow based features get extracted along with the statistical features like mean, median, variance, correlation, and correntropy. Subsequently, Bi-level classification is carried out in this work. In level 1, the presence of attack is detected and the level 2 classification classifies the type of attack. A decision tree is used for detecting the attacks by checking whether the network traffic is anomalous traffic or normal traffic. In level 2, an Optimized Neural network (NN) is used for categorizing the attacks in IoT with the knowledge of flow features and statistical features. To make the detection and classification more accurate, the weight of NN will be optimally tuned by a new Combined Whale SeaLion Algorithm (CWSA) that hybridizes the concepts of both SLnO and WOA. At last, the performance of the adopted method is computed over other traditional models in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, FPR, FDR, FNR, NPV, F1-score, and MCC.
Bidirectional confocal measurement of a microsphere
Authors: Schaude Janik , Baumgärtner Benjamin , Hausotte Tino
Published: September 2021

This paper presents the bidirectional confocal measurement of a microsphere, which enables the simple measurement of the sphere with a similar number of measuring points taken on its upper and its lower hemispheres. The innovative measuring strategy is the placement of the sphere above a mirror and the subsequent measurement of the upper hemisphere on the real sphere and the lower hemisphere on the mirrored sphere. While theoretical explanations are given first, the main focus of the paper is the presentation of the idea itself and the very promising empirical findings. We believe these findings prove that the measuring strategy presented has the potential to become a prime method for the optical characterization of microspheres.
Survival and growth of saprotrophic and mycorrhizal fungi in recalcitrant amine, amide and ammonium containing media
Authors: Stenholm Åke , Backlund Anders , Holmström Sara , Backlund Maria , Hedeland Mikael , Fransson Petra
Published: September 2021

The elimination of hazardous compounds in chemical wastes can be a complex and technically demanding task. In the search for environmental-friendly technologies, fungal mediated remediation and removal procedures are of concern. In this study, we investigated whether there are fungal species that can survive and grow on solely amine-containing compounds. One compound containing a primary amine group; 2-diethylaminoethanol, one compound with a primary amide group; 2,6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM), and a third compound containing a quaternary ammonium group; N3-trimethyl(2-oxiranyl)methanaminium chloride, were selected. The choice of these compounds was motivated by their excessive use in large scale manufacturing of protein separation media (2-diethylaminoethanol and the quaternary amine). 2,6-dichlorobenzamide, the degradation product of the herbicide 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (dichlobenil), was chosen since it is an extremely recalcitrant compound. Utilising part of the large fungal diversity in Northern European forests, a screening study using 48 fungal isolates from 42 fungal species, including saprotrophic and mycorrhizal fungi, was performed to test for growth responses to the chosen compounds. The ericoid (ERM) mycorrhizal fungus Rhizoscyphus ericae showed the best overall growth on 2-diethylaminoethanol and BAM in the 1–20 g L-1 concentration range, with a 35-fold and 4.5-fold increase in biomass, respectively. For N3-trimethyl(2-oxiranyl)methanaminium chloride, the peak growth occurred at 1 g L-1. In a second experiment, including three of the most promising fungi (Laccaria laccata, Hygrophorus camarophyllus and Rhizoscyphus ericae) from the screening experiment, a simulated process water containing 1.9% (w/v) 2-diethylaminoethanol and 0.8% (w/v) N3-trimethyl(2-oxiranyl)methanaminium chloride was used. Laccaria laccata showed the best biomass increase (380%) relative to a control, while the accumulation for Rhizoscyphus ericae and Hygrophorus camarophyllus were 292% and 136% respectively, indicating that mycorrhizal fungi can use amine- and amide-containing substrates as nutrients. These results show the potential of certain fungal species to be used in alternative green wastewater treatment procedures.