bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generative Adversarial Networks for Pre-training of Medical Image Segmentation Networks
Authors: Chen Kun , Wang Manning , Song Zhijian
Published: January 2020

Background: Deep neural networks have been widely used in medical image segmentation and have achieved state-of-the-art performance in many tasks. However, different from the segmentation of natural images or video frames, the manual segmentation of anatomical structures in medical images needs high expertise so the scale of labeled training data is very small, which is a major obstacle for the improvement of deep neural networks performance in medical image segmentation. Methods: In this paper, we proposed a new end-to-end generation-segmentation framework by integrating Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) and a segmentation network and train them simultaneously. The novelty is that during the training of the GAN, the intermediate synthetic images generated by the generator of the GAN are used to pre-train the segmentation network. As the advances of the training of the GAN, the synthetic images evolve gradually from being very coarse to containing more realistic textures, and these images help train the segmentation network gradually. After the training of GAN, the segmentation network is then fine-tuned by training with the real labeled images. Results: We evaluated the proposed framework on four different datasets, including 2D cardiac dataset and lung dataset, 3D prostate dataset and liver dataset. Compared with original U-net and CE-Net, our framework can achieve better segmentation performance. Our framework also can get better segmentation results than U-net on small datasets. In addition, our framework is more effective than the usual data augmentation methods. Conclusions: The proposed framework can be used as a pre-train method of segmentation network, which helps to get a better segmentation result. Our method can solve the shortcomings of current data augmentation methods to some extent.
ECG Biometrics using RNN and CNN
Authors: Belo David , Bento Nuno , Silva Hugo , Fred Ana , Gamboa Hugo
Published: January 2020

Background: Biometric Systems (BS) are based on a pattern recognition problem where the individual traits of a person are coded and compared. The Electrocardiogram (ECG) as a biometric emerged, as it fulfills the requirements of a BS. Methods: Inspired by the high performance shown by Deep Neural Networks(DNN), this work proposes two architectures to improve current results in both identification and authentication: Temporal Convolutional Neural Network (TCNN) and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN). The last two results weresubmitted to a simple classifier, which exploits the error of prediction of theformer and the scores given by the last. Results: The robustness and applicability of these architectures were tested onFantasia, MIT-BIH and CYBHi databases. The TCNN outperforms the RNNachieving 100%, 96% and 90% of accuracy, respectively, for identification and 0.0%, 0.1% and 2.2% equal error rate for authentication. Conclusions: When comparing to previous work, both architectures reachedresults beyond the state-of-the-art. Even though this experience was a success,the inclusion of these techniques may provide a system that could reduce thevalidation acquisition time.
Mutation Screening of DUOX2 Gene in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism
Authors: Chen Xiao-Yu , Liu Yong , Liu Jian-Hua , Qin Xiaosong
Published: January 2020

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism(CH) is generally known as the most common neonatal endocrine disorder. However, the mutational spectrum of DUOX2 gene and the relationship between genotype and phenotype have not been fully established among Chinese CH patients. Therefore, The aim of this study was to screen DUOX2 mutations in Chinese patients with CH and to research the relationship between DUOX2 genotype and clinical phenotype.Methods: Eighty-six patients with CH were recruited from northeastern region of China. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected, genomic DNA was extracted , PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were used to analyze all exons of DUOX2. Detailed medical data were collected, and the relationship between DUOX2 genotype and the clinical phenotype was preliminarily investigated.Results: NGS analysis of DUOX2 gene identified a total of 20 different gene variants in 26 patients(30.2%), which was consistent with the gene variants in Asian populations, among these variants 16 were known to be pathogenic or likely to be pathogenic, and four were suspected to be of uncertain significance. Three mutations (p.K530X, p.L1343F and p.R1110Q) were highly recurrent in our patient cohort. By using protein homology modeling method, the analysis of its three-dimensional structure suggested that the mutations p.336_337del and p.T1107fs caused the change of the protein.Conclusions: In our study, p.336_337del and p.T1107fs were found to be novel variants and p.K530X with the highest prevalence. Children with DUOX2 single allele heterozygous mutation or compound heterozygous mutation exhibited different morphological developments of the thyroid.
A Cost-of-Illness analysis of β-Thalassaemia major in children in Sri Lanka
Authors: Reed-Embleton Hamish , Arambepola Savinda , Dixon Simon , Maldonado Behrouz Nezafat , Premawardhena Anuja , Arambepola Mahinda , Khan Jahangir A. M. , Allen Stephen
Published: January 2020

Background Sri Lanka has a high prevalence of β-thalassaemia major. Clinical management is complex and long-term and includes regular blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy. The economic burden of β-thalassaemia for the Sri Lankan healthcare system and households is currently unknown. Methods A prevalence-based, cost-of-illness study was conducted on the Thalassaemia Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Kandy Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. Data were collected from clinical records, consultations with the head of the blood bank and a consultant paediatrician directly involved with the care of patients, alongside structured interviews with families to gather data on the personal costs incurred such as those for travel. Results Thirty-four children aged 2-17 years with transfusion dependent thalassaemia major and their parent/guardian were included in the study. The total average cost per patient year to the hospital was $US 2601 of which $US 2092 were direct costs and $US 509 were overhead costs. Mean household expenditure was $US 206 per year with food and transport per transfusion ($US 7.57 and $US 4.26 respectively) being the highest cost items. Nine (26.5%) families experienced catastrophic levels of healthcare expenditure (>10% of income) in the care of their affected child. The poorest households were the most likely to experience such levels of expenditure.
Veber’s Rules in Terahertz Light
Authors: Plinski Edward F , Plinska Stanislawa
Published: January 2020

Background: The Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) technique of spectroscopy in combination using the terahertz technique is being investigated to find rotatable bonds, which are considered as one of the rules of thumb given by Veber et al.. Results: Histidine, as one of the most studied pharmacological preparations, is used in an experiment to test our research. Three rotatable bonds have been found and thus the results published in pharmaceutical data guides have been confirmed. Conclusion: The results are obtained in a terahertz spectrometer equipped with a Dove prism, where an ATR technique is applied. The samples in two forms, polycrystalline and as a solution in alcohol, are used to check the methodology. Histidine molecules, dissolved in alcohol and thus freed from intermolecular bonds, exposed the rotations around the three bonds. Thus, the validity of the ATR-THz research methodology used in the search for rotating bonds in drug candidates molecules is confirmed. The goal of the method presented in the paper is to support pharmacological research, and pharmaceutical industry, as well.
Virtual Screening of DPP-4 Inhibitors Using QSAR-Based Artificial Intelligence and Molecular Docking of Hit Compounds to DPP-8 and DPP-9 Enzymes
Authors: Hermansyah Oky , Bustamam Alhadi , Yanuar Arry
Published: January 2020

Background: Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are becoming an essential drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but some classes of these drugs have side effects such as joint pain that can become severe to pancreatitis. It is thought that these side effects appear related to their inhibition against enzymes DPP-8 and DPP-9. Objective: This study aims to find DPP-4 inhibitor hit compounds that are selective against the DPP-8 and DPP-9 enzymes. By building a virtual screening workflow using the Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) method based on artificial intelligence (AI), millions of molecules from the database can be screened for the DPP-4 enzyme target with a faster time compared to other screening methods. Result: Five regression machine learning algorithms and four classification machine learning algorithms were used to build virtual screening workflows. The algorithm that qualifies for the regression QSAR model was Support Vector regression with R 2 pred 0.78, while the classification QSAR model was Random Forest with 92.21% accuracy. The virtual screening results of more than 10 million molecules from the database, obtained 2,716 hit compounds with pIC50 above 7.5. Molecular docking results of several potential hit compounds to the DPP-4, DPP-8 and DPP-9 enzymes, obtained CH0002 hit compound that has a high inhibitory potential against the DPP-4 enzyme and low inhibition of the DPP-8 and DPP-9 enzymes. Conclusion: This research was able to produce DPP-4 inhibitor hit compounds that are potential to DPP-4 and selective to DPP-8 and DPP-9 enzymes so that they can be further developed in the DPP-4 inhibitors discovery. The resulting virtual screening workflow can be applied to the discovery of hit compounds on other targets. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; DPP-4; KNIME; Machine Learning; QSAR; Virtual Screening
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Orocecal Transit Time in Patients of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Shi Haitao , Mao Lijuan , Wang Lianli , Quan Xiaojing , Xu Xiaoyu , Cheng Yan , Zhu Shanshan , Dai Fei
Published: January 2020

Background: To explore the frequency of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and orocecal transit time (OCTT) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: 103 patients with NAFLD and 49 healthy controls were enrolled. Clinical indicators such as body mass index (BMI), liver function, blood lipids, HOMA-IR, serum endotoxin of NAFLD patients were collected and examined. Fibro Touch was used to detect the (controlled attenuation parameter) CAP and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). SIBO and OCTT were measured by lactulose hydrogen breath test. Results: The incidence of SIBO in NAFLD patients (58.3%) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (26.5%). The level of serum endotoxin in NAFLD patients was higher than that in healthy controls. The levels of CAP, LSM, serum endotoxin, ALT, AST and HOMA-IR in SBIO-positive NAFLD patients were higher than those in SIBO-negative patients. There was no significant difference in GGT, TG, LDL and BMI between the two groups. OCTT in NAFLD patients was longer than that in healthy controls. It was also observed that OCTT in SIBO-positive NAFLD patients was significantly delayed compared with SIBO-negative NAFLD patients. Conclusions: Patients with NAFLD exhibit the increased incidence rate of SIBO and prolonged OCTT; SIBO in NAFLD patients is a contributing factor to the elevated transaminase, hepatic steatosis, progression of liver fibrosis and prolonged OCTT.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of heterocyclic 1,2,4-Triazole scaffolds as promising pharmacological agents
Authors: Kumari Mukesh , Tahlan Sumit , Narasimhan Balasubramanian , Ramasamy Kalavathy , Lim Siong Meng , Shah Syed Adnan Ali , Mani Vasudevan , Kakkar Saloni
Published: January 2020

Background: Triazole is an important heterocyclic moiety that occupied a unique position in heterocyclic chemistry, due to its large number of biological activities. It exists in two isomeric forms i.e. 1,2,4-triazole and 1,2,3-triazole and used as core molecule for the design and synthesis of many medicinal compounds. 1,2,4-Triazole possess broad spectrum of therapeutically interesting drug candidates such as analgesic, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiurease , anti-inflammatory, diuretics, anticancer, anticonvulsant, antidiabetic, antimigrain agents.Methods: The structure of all synthesized compounds were characterized by physicochemical properties and spectral means (IR and NMR). The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (B. subtilis), Gram-negative (P. aeruginosa and E. coli) bacterial and fungal (C. albicans and A. niger) strains by tube dilution method using ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin and fluconazole as standards. In-vitro antioxidant and anti-urease screening was done by DPPH assay and indophenol method, respectively. The in-vitro anticancer evaluation was carried out against MCF-7 and HCT116 cancer cell lines using 5-FU and cisplatin as standards.Results, discussion and conclusion: The biological screening results reveal that the compounds T5 (MICBS, EC = 24.7µM, MICPA, CA = 12.3 µM) and T17 (MICAN = 27.1µM) exhibited potent antimicrobial activity as comparable to standards ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin (MICCipro = 18.1µM, MICAmo = 17.1µM) and fluconazole (MICFlu = 20.4µM), respectively. The antioxidant evaluation showed that compounds T2 (IC50 = 34.83 µg/ml) and T3 (IC50 = 34.38 µg/ml) showed significant antioxidant activity and comparable to ascorbic acid (IC50 = 35.44 µg/ml). Compounds T3 (IC50 = 54.01µg/ml) was the most potent urease inhibitor amongst the synthesized compounds and compared to standard thiourea (IC50 = 54.25 µg/ml). The most potent anticancer activity showed by compounds T2 (IC50 = 3.84 μM) and T7 (IC50 = 3.25 μM) against HCT 116 cell lines as compared to standard 5-FU (IC50 = 25.36 μM).
Isolation, Characterization, Structural Elucidation and Anti-Bacterial Activities of Roots Extracts of Cucumis Ficifolius
Authors: Nigussie Gashaw , Ashenef Sintayehu
Published: January 2020

Cucumis ficifolius (family Cucurbitaceae) is traditionally used for the treatment of diarrhea, teeth-ach, wound, burns, bleeding from external cuts and against different infectious diseases. With the absence of previous scientific report on the roots of the plant, this study was focused on isolation of chemical constituents and evaluation of their anti-bacterial activities of the roots of C. ficifolius. The n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the roots of C. ficifolius were investigated for their phytochemical constituents and the results revealed that C. ficifolius is rich in many secondary metabolites such as saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, and steroids. But tannins and alkaloids were not observed. The ethyl acetate extract was subjected to column chromatography over silica gel and furnished three compounds namely compound-1, compound- 2 and compound-3. The structures of these compounds were characterized using FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and DEPT-135. The crude extracts and the isolated compounds were tested against four bacteria strains (Gram negative, E. coli and p. aeruginosa; Gram positive, S. aureus and B. subtilis) using Agar well diffusion method, the results showed that the methanol extracts and compound-2 were active against all the tested bacteria. Accordingly, 12.34, 18.25 and 23.75 mm zone of inhibition against B. subtilis were found at the concentration of 20, 30 and 40 μg/mL MeOH extract respectively. Similarly 9.5, 13.25 and 17.25 mm zone of inhibition were found for the same bacteria strains and concentrations of compound-2. These results showed the increase of inhibition zone with concentration. However, the n-hexane crude extract was found not to have anti-bacterial activity towards the tested bacteria strains.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors Induce Expression of Chromosomally Tagged Variant-Specific Surface Protein Genes in Giardia lamblia
Authors: Orozco Daniel Roberto , Garlapati Srinivas
Published: January 2020

ObjectiveEpigenetic mechanisms involving histone acetylations have been proposed to explain the process of antigenic variation in Giardia lamblia. However, due to limited availability of specific antibodies for all the vsp variants present in the genome, it was difficult to monitor vsp gene switching. In this study, we have used endogenous tagging method to tag specific vsp genes vsp1267 and vsp9B10A with a sequence encoding hemagglutinin (HA) epitope at the 3’end of the coding sequences without altering the 5’ upstream elements. With this method we have monitored the expression of the tagged vsp genes in cells treated with histone deacetylase inhibitors using RT-PCR. ResultsOur results show that vsp1267-3XHA can be induced by treatment with sodium 4-phenylbutyrate, M344 and splitomicin but not by apicidin and Trichostatin A, while vsp9B10A-3XHA expression can be induced by Trichostatin A and splitomicin but not by sodium 4-phenylbutyrate, M344 and apicidin. The induced expression of these variants was not due to growth inhibition. These results support the hypothesis that histone acetylations play a role in vsp gene expression.
Immunophenotyping of the PD-L1-positive cells in angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma and Hodgkin disease
Authors: Tiemann Markus , Samoilova Vera , Atiakshin Dmitri , Buchwalow Igor
Published: January 2020

Objective Programmed Death-1(PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 are now used as predictive biomarkers to guide clinical decisions. Precise characterization of PD-L1-positive cells may contribute to our knowledge of which patients derive benefit from the PD-L1 blockade therapy. ResultsTo address this issue, we performed immunophenotyping of PD-L1-positive cells in Hodgkin lymphoma and in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) employing multiple immunofluorescent immunolabeling. We found that PD-L1-positive cells and PD-1-positive cells both in Hodgkin lymphoma and in AITL belong to two completely different cell lineages. In both lymphomas, PD-1 was found exclusively in T-lymphocytes, whereas PD-L1 was revealed in the tumor microenvironment cells including macrophages. PD-L1 was also detected in CD30-positive cells in Hodgkin lymphoma but not in AITL. The marker of B-cell lineage, CD20, was not detectable in PD-L1-positive cells both in AITL and in Hodgkin. Our study highlights the importance of comprehensive assessment of PD-1/PD-L1 regulatory pathways for employing PD-L1 as a predictive biomarker in clinical practice. PD-L1-antibody therapy is proven in Hodgkin lymphoma. Comparative immunophenotyping of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis provides a support for attempts to prove this principle also for AITL.
The role of culture and religion on sexual and reproductive health indicators and help-seeking behaviour amongst 1.5 generation migrants in Australia: A quantitative pilot study
Authors: Dune Tinashe , Ayika David , Thepsourinthone Jack , Mapedzahama Virginia , Mengesha Zelalem , Perz Janette
Published: January 2020

Background: 1.5 generation migrants in Australia (those who migrate as children) often enter a new cultural and religious environment, with its own set of constructs of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), at a crucial time in their psychosexual development—puberty/adolescence. 1.5 generation migrants may thus have to contend with constructions of SRH from at least two cultures which may be at conflict on the matter. This study was designed to investigate the role of culture and religion on sexual and reproductive health indicators and help-seeking behaviour amongst 1.5 generation migrants.Methods: 111 participants completed an online survey which included questions about their cultural connectedness, religion, sexual and reproductive health and help-seeking behaviour. Kruskall-Wallis tests were used to analyse the data. Results: There was no significant difference between ethnocultural groups or levels of cultural connectedness in relation to sexual and reproductive health help-seeking behaviours. The results do suggest differences between religious groups in regards to seeking help specifically from young peoples’ parents. Notably, youth who reported having ‘no religion’ were more likely to seek help with sexual and reproductive health matters from their parent(s). Conclusions: Managing cross-cultural experiences are often noted in extant literature as a barrier to sexual and reproductive health help-seeking. However, while cultural norms of migrants’ country of origin can remain strong it is religion that seems to have more of an impact on how 1.5 generation migrants seek help for SRH issues. This suggests that while 1.5 generation migrants may need to adapt to a new ethnocultural environment little about their religious beliefs or practices may require adaptation in Australia. Given that religion can play a role in young peoples’ sexual and reproductive health religious organisations are well placed to encourage young people’s help-seeking behaviours.
Accounting for regional transmission variability and the impact of malaria control interventions in Ghana: A population level mathematical modelling approach.
Authors: Awine Timothy , Silal Sheetal P
Published: January 2020

Background Assessing the effectiveness of malaria control measures in Ghana will require taking transmission dynamics of the disease into account given the influence of climate variability in the region of interest. The impact of preventative interventions on malaria incidence and the prospects of meeting program timelines in Ghana have been investigated using mathematical models based on regionally diverse climatic zones. Methods An ordinary non-linear differential equation model with its associated rate parameters was developed incorporating the transitions between various disease compartments for three ecological zones in Ghana. Model parameters were estimated using data captured on the District Health Information Management System in Ghana from 2008 to 2017.The impact of insecticide treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying on the incidence of malaria were simulated at various levels of coverage and protective effectiveness in each ecological zone. To fit the model, Approximate Bayesian Computational sampling approach was adopted. Results Increasing the coverage levels of both long lasting insecticide treated bed nets or indoor residual spraying activities without a corresponding increase in their proper use or patronage does not impact highly on averting predicted incidence of malaria in Ghana. Improving on the protective efficacy of long lasting insecticide treated bed nets through proper usage could lead to substantial reductions in the predicted incidence of malaria. Similar results were obtained with indoor residual spraying across all zones. Conclusions Projected goals set in the National Strategic plan for malaria control 2014-2020 as well as WHO targets for malaria pre-elimination by 2030 are only likely be achieved if a substantial improvement in treated bed net usage is achieved coupled with targeted deployment of indoor residual spraying with high efficacy.
Alix and Syntenin-1 direct amyloid precursor protein and amyloid beta trafficking into extracellular vesicles
Authors: Cone Allaura S. , Hurwitz Stephanie N. , Lee Glorida S. , Yuan Xuegang , Zhou Yi , Li Yan , Meckes David
Published: January 2020

Background: Endosomal trafficking and amyloidogenic cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) is believed to play a role in the neurodegeneration observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent evidence has suggested that packaging and secretion of APP and amyloid beta into small extracellular vesicles (EVs) may facilitate uptake of these neurotoxic factors during disease progression. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying trafficking of APP into EVs are poorly understood. Results: In this study, the mechanism and impact of amyloid precursor protein (APP) trafficking into extracellular vesicles (EVs) were assessed by a series of inducible gene knockdowns. We demonstrate that vesicle-associated proteins Alix and Syntenin-1 are essential for proper subcellular localization and efficient EV secretion of APP via an endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT)-independent pathway. The neurotoxic metabolite amyloid beta (Aβ) is similarly secreted in association with small vesicles. These mechanisms are conserved in terminally differentiated neuron-like cells. Furthermore, knockdown of Alix and Syntenin-1 alters the subcellular localization of APP, sequestering the precursor protein to endoplasmic reticulum and endolysosomal compartments, respectively. Finally, transfer of small EVs containing APP confers an increase in reactive oxygen species production and neurotoxicity to human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical neurons and naïve primary neurons, an effect that is ameliorated by Alix and Syntenin-1 depletion. Conclusions: Altogether these findings elucidate a novel mechanism for understanding the intracellular trafficking of APP and Aβ into secreted extracellular vesicles, and the resultant potential impact on neurotoxicity in the context of Alzheimer’s disease amyloidopathy.
Medical exercise and physiotherapy frequency and compliance as predictors for a recurrence of chronic nonspecific low back pain
Authors: Krause Frieder , Niederer Daniel , Banzer Winfried , Vogt Lutz
Published: January 2020

Purpose A considerable part of nonspecific low back pain patients suffer from a recurrence of symptoms after therapy cessation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of active and passive treatments and treatment modalities on a recurrence of back pain after cessation of medically prescribed therapy. Methods Patients with unspecific low back pain from a health- and therapy-center were included. Treatments and treatment modalities as therapy measures were monitored and categorized as active or passive measures. During the year after therapy cessation, patients were monitored to retrieve information about recurrence of symptoms. Patients were dichotomized (recurrence versus no recurrence). An ROC-Analysis was used to determine optimal cut-offs for relevant treatment characteristics’ impact on recurrence risk. The relative risk for a recurrence was calculated based on Chi 2 -test. Results Data from 96 patients (56f, 49±11 years) were analysed. A total of 34 patients had recurring back pain. The frequency of active treatment differed significantly between groups with or without recurrence. A therapy frequency of 1.45 active treatments/week was a sensitive cut-off (sensitivity: 0.73) to discriminate the recurrence groups. Participants with a therapy frequency of less than 1.45 treatments per week showed an 82% increased relative recurrence risk (RR: 1.824 (95%-CI: 1.077-3.087)). Conclusions The results empathize the importance of active treatments (i.e. exercise) in the therapy and (secondary) prevention of unspecific low back pain. Less than 1.45 active treatment sessions/week increases the 1-year-risk of a recurrence by 82%.
Assessment of the Efficacy of the Far Cortical Locking Technique for Proximal Humeral Fractures: A Comparison with the Conventional Bicortical Locking Technique
Authors: Seo Joong-bae , Yoon Sunghyun , Yi Hyung-Seok , Kim Jun-Kyom , Kim Kyu-Beom , Yoo Jae-Sung
Published: January 2020

Background Locking plate fixation is one of the treatment strategies for the management of proximal humeral fractures. However, stiffness after locking plate fixation is a clinical concern. The mechanical stiffness of the standard locking plate system may suppress the interfragmentary motion necessary to promote secondary bone healing by callus formation. The far cortical locking (FCL) technique was developed to address this limitation in 2005. FCL allows axial motion and promotes uniform callus formation. Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of the FCL technique when implemented in proximal humeral fracture management. Furthermore, we compared the surgical outcomes of FCL with those of the conventional bicortical locking (BCL) screw fixation technique. Methods Forty-five consecutive patients who had undergone locking fixation for proximal humeral fractures were included in this study. A proximal humeral locking plate (PHILOS) system with BCL screw fixation was used in the first 27 cases, and the periarticular proximal humeral locking plate with FCL screw fixation was used in the final 18 consecutive cases. Functional capacity was assessed using the constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and range of motion. Radiographic outcomes were evaluated using the Paavolainen method of measuring the neck-shaft angle (NSA). Results No significant differences in clinical outcomes (ASES score, constant score, and range of motion) were found between the two groups. The union rate at 12 weeks was significantly higher in the FCL group (94.4%) than in the BCL group (66.7%, p = 0.006). No significant differences in NSA were found between the two treatment strategies. The complication rate was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions When implemented in proximal humeral fractures, the FCL technique showed satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes as compared with the conventional BCL technique. The bone union rate at 12 weeks after surgery was significantly higher in the FCL group than in the BCL group. However, no significant difference in the final bone union rate was found between the two groups.
The Leadership of Enterprise Education on Poverty Alleviation and Unemployment in Africa
Authors: Dum A.B.N. , Nwafor B.C.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this research is to investigate the often-neglected interactions between the leadership of enterprise/entrepreneurship education, poverty alleviation, and unemployment reduction. The relevance of leadership of enterprise education is to produce graduates with awareness, mindset, and capability to generate original ideas in response to identified needs. The broad aim of this study is to shed light on enterprise education and its impact on poverty and unemployment in Africa. In this modern world, with the rapid development of technologies and an ever-changing market environment, the leadership of enterprise education could be facing significant uncertainty in Africa. The paper aims to identify solutions that would help to remove fundamental barriers to pave the way to the seamless implementation of enterprise education. It analyses a transitional pilot program to test the effect on poverty and unemployment trends. The paper culminates in a set of recommendations based on the findings. In terms of the methodology that was undertaken, a survey comprising of pre-tested and close-ended questions with self-monitoring capability was distributed to participants. Regression analysis was undertaken to understand the nature and scope of interactions between enterprise education and poverty alleviation. Stratified sampling was also employed to gather undiluted data to ascertain the influence of early education, in particular, enterprise education on youth. The study finds that enterprise education creates a supportive environment for jobs and wealth creation. It facilitates individual as well as national growth and development, and it creates sustained employment and poverty elimination. The paper finds that the youth engagement and empowerment can improve Gross Domestic Product (GDP), arrest social unrest, reduce crime rates, and eliminate economic insecurity.
Keywords: enterprise, leadership, entrepreneurship, security, youth, poverty alleviation, education, unemployment.
Legal Aspects of Ethical Decision-Making in the Event of Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace
Authors: George B.
Published: January 2020

Sexual harassment-related complaints in the workplaces have increased multifold in the recent past. It is unclear whether this is because of more frequent harassment incidents because victims feel more emboldened to report, or only because more media reports happen on these complaints these days. Regardless, employers have improved both preventive and recovery mechanisms in order to minimize the incidents, or if they happen, support the victims in the best possible manner and also to protect themselves from adverse judicial scrutiny. While courts do not necessarily consider the job related and psychological consequences of harassment cases, organizations also need to worry about these – even as they build lawsuit-proof systems. In this paper, we discuss five historically important US Supreme Court lawsuits that would later have major consequences for how sexual harassment complaints are dealt within our contemporary workplaces. The five pioneering cases that would be discussed are Meritor v. Vinson; Faragher v. City of Boca Raton; Burlington Industries v. Ellerth; Gebser et al. v. Lago Vista Independent School District; and, Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education. The paper specifically elaborates on the implications of the court decisions upon these cases for subordinate-supervisor and student-teacher relationships in the US universities. Most harassment cases in the university contexts are not between employees but between employees/faculty and customers/students and this makes straightforward interpretation of court rulings difficult. The resultant ambiguity, along with the interest of universities to protect their reputations by suppressing incidents, make pursuing harassment investigations difficult. While these cases did not succeed in providing a saturated sample for generating a cohesive or comprehensive set of guidelines, they nevertheless guided future court judgements and also organizational policies with respect to managing sexual harassment. In the conclusion section of this paper, the author offers a glimpse into newer forms of sexual harassment, particularly those mediated by social media technologies, and offers ways for organizations to deal with them. Keywords: business ethics, discrimination, sexual harassment, lawsuits, Civil Rights Act of 1964, Universities, Supreme Court, United States.
EVALUATION OF THE INTER-REPAIR OPERATION PERIOD OF ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP UNITS
Authors: Habibov Ibrahim Abulfaz , Abasova Sevinj Malik
Published: January 2020

In recent years, in the oil and gas industry of Azerbaijan, the use of electric submersible pumps (SEP) as one of the effective way to increase the level of production of well products. Currently, electric centrifugal pumping units (ECPU) are widely used both on land and in offshore fields. Currently, a total of about 15 % of SOCAR’s oil wells are produced using electric submersible pumping units.

ECPU effectiveness is largely determined by both the period of their operation and the frequency of repair and restoration work.

It is established that the use of ECPUs contributes to an increase in the service life of equipment and the effectiveness of a mechanized method of oil production. To assess the benefits of the latter, the most important factor is the inter-repair period (Tir) of the equipment.

Existing methods for determining the inter-repair period of oilfield equipment are accompanied by large errors, which significantly reduce their reliability.

In this regard, the article is tasked with developing a more practical and reliable method for determining the inter-repair period, where the point of change in the nature of the failure rate is adopted as the determining parameter
APPLICATION OF KOHONEN SELF-ORGANIZING MAP TO SEARCH FOR REGION OF INTEREST IN THE DETECTION OF OBJECTS
Authors: Skuratov Victor , Kuzmin Konstantin , Nelin Igor , Sedankin Mikhail
Published: January 2020

Today, there is a serious need to improve the performance of algorithms for detecting objects in images. This process can be accelerated with the help of preliminary processing, having found areas of interest on the images where the probability of object detection is high. To this end, it is proposed to use the algorithm for distinguishing the boundaries of objects using the Sobel operator and Kohonen self-organizing maps, described in this paper and shown by the example of determining zones of interest when searching and recognizing objects in satellite images. The presented algorithm allows 15–100 times reduction in the amount of data arriving at the convolutional neural network, which provides the final recognition. Also, the algorithm can significantly reduce the number of training images, since the size of the parts of the input image supplied to the convolution network is tied to the image scale and equal to the size of the largest recognizable object, and the object is centered in the frame. This allows to accelerate network learning by more than 5 times and increase recognition accuracy by at least 10 %, as well as halve the required minimum number of layers and neurons of the convolutional network, thereby increasing its speed.
THE PLACE OF PSYCHOMETRIC TESTING IN PILOT SELECTION
Authors: Clem Peter
Published: January 2020

Aim

Pilot training has always been a relatively expensive undertaking. So attempts to control these costs by predicting the likelihood of success or failure is a constant that is almost as old as aviation itself. Incorporation of Psychometric testing was made to pilot selection in the years between the first and second world wars. Despite the many changes that have occurred in this area, psychometric testing continues to feature in modern systems of pilot aptitude testing. This paper reviews some of the history of psychometric testing in pilot selection.
DANGERS OF DEFIBRILLATION IN FLIGHT
Authors: Beebeejaun Adam , Roby Howard
Published: January 2020

Aim

Defibrillation is a critical aspect of advanced life support, but the inherent risks in the procedure are increased when used during an aeromedical retrieval. The dangers of defibrillation in flight can be divided in to fire, electrical, avionic interference and physical carriage and packaging. A limited body of evidence exists concerning defibrillation in flight, in part, due to under-reporting. Changes in incident reporting, increased team based simulation training and awareness of the dangers of defibrillation should allow aeromedical teams to defibrillate patients safely and expediently.
Dialektika Social Entrepreneurship dan Fiqih Sosial
Authors: Fittria Anis
Published: January 2020

This paper aims to find out dialectics social entrepreneurship and social fiqh. Social entrepreneurship is a concept that combines social empowerment and entrepreneurship. Social Fiqh is fiqh that able to dialogue with development era. This study include in field research that uses qualitative research methods. The results of this study indicate that social entrepreneurship is in accordance with the concept of fiqh social that has five things (al-dharuriyyat al-khamsah). First, social entrepreneurship according to hifdz al-din (religion maintain). Second, hifdz al-aql (mind maintain). Third, hifdz al-nafs (soul maintain). Fourth, hifdz al-mal (wealth maintain). Fifth, hifdz al-nasl (generation maintain), also hifdz al-bi’ah (environtment maintain)
Pengaruh Pertumbuhan Asuransi Syariah terhadap Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Indonesia
Authors: Mainata Dedy , Pratiwi Angrum
Published: January 2020

This study aims to determine the effect of growth in Islamic insurance on economic growth. By using secondary data sources, secondary data in the form of total Islamic insurance assets during 2015-2017 originated from the report of the Non Islamic Bank Financial Industry in the official website. This study analyzes the influence of the growth variables of Islamic insurance on economic growth. With the Independent variable in this study is the growth of Islamic insurance with total assets as an indicator (X). And the dependent variable in this study is Indonesia's economic growth using the indicator Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Y). The results of the study show that the growth variables of Islamic insurance have an effect on Indonesia's economic growth.
Occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in sewage treatment plants of South India
Authors: Praveenkumarreddy Yerabham , Akiba Masato , Guruge Keerthi Siri , Balakrishna Keshava , Vandana Kalwaje Eshwara , Kumar Virendra
Published: January 2020

Antibiotics received by sewage treatment plants may be the causative factor in spreading antibiotic resistance bacteria in the aquatic environment. The current study investigates the distribution of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in four sewage treatment plants (STPs) in South India receiving hospital and domestic wastewater in different proportions. A total of 221 E. coli isolates were checked for antimicrobial resistance against 16 antimicrobials. Among the antimicrobials tested, ampicillin (AMP) and cefazolin (CFZ) showed resistance between 20% and 90%, nalidixic acid (NAL) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) showed resistance between 15% and 75% and chloramphenicol (CHL) showed resistance between 2% and 20%. Based on the observations, there is no significant difference between the wastewater inlet and outlet, suggesting that treatment process was not effective in reducing the resistance. In conclusion, the trends of antimicrobial resistance pattern show that the levels of resistance were slightly higher in hospital wastewater than domestic wastewater.

This article has been made Open Access thanks to the generous support of a global network of libraries as part of the Knowledge Unlatched Select initiative.
Assessment of localized seasonal precipitation variability in the upper middle catchment of the Olifants River basin
Authors: Nkhonjera German K. , Dinka Megersa O. , Woyessa Yali E.
Published: January 2020

This study used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model together with regional climate downscaled (RCD) data from the CORDEX (Africa project), to assess the local seasonal precipitation variability in the upper middle catchment (UMC) of the Olifants River basin. The study results, based on two scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), showed a wider monthly and seasonal variability of precipitation. The study also indicated a strong decreasing trend of east-to-west direction of spatial precipitation, with most precipitation concentrated in the eastern part of the study area. Within the western part of the UMC, we also noted another decreasing trend of precipitation from south-to-north with northern areas of the study area receiving the least amount of precipitation. This study has also revealed a considerable general reduction of future seasonal precipitation especially in the mid-term period (2021–2050). The general reduction in future seasonal precipitation, combined with the increasing temperatures in the area, may exacerbate the drought conditions and reduction in streamflow of the main river (Olifants) and its tributaries, consequently having a negative impact on the economic activities in the basin.
Mpg-C3N4-ZIF-8 composites for the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride using visible light
Authors: Li Dan , Liu Heng , Niu Chaoqun , Yuan Jiren , Xu Feigao
Published: January 2020

It was found that mesoporous graphite carbon nitride (mpg-C3N4) prepared using melamine as the precursor and ammonium chloride as the bubble template, has good photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. In order to improve the photocatalytic performance of mpg-C3N4, it was combined with metal-organic framework ZIF-8. Taking tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) solution as a model pollutant, the photocatalytic activity of composites was studied to select the optimal composite ratio and pH value. The initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide and active oxidation species were also investigated. The results showed that when the loading of ZIF-8 was 40 wt%, the removal efficiency was the best and 74.8% of TC could be removed. The degradation efficiency of TC was negatively affected under extreme pH conditions, but the composite photocatalyst mpg-C3N4-ZIF-8 had a relatively higher degradation efficiency on TC at mild pH values (4–8). The removal efficiency was the best at pH 8, and 75.1% of TC could be removed; the adsorption capacity was 430.7 mg·g−1 and the photodegradation capacity was 548.6 mg·g−1. The order of active species affecting the photocatalytic degradation of TC by mpg-C3N4-ZIF-8 was hole > superoxide radical > hydroxyl radical.
Bir Kaide Olarak Beden: İçim Dışım Bir
Authors: Parten Altuncu Arzu
Published: January 2020

Geçtiğimiz yüzyıldan bu yana, insan bedeninin adeta yeniden keşfedildiği ve bedene olan ilgi ve tecrübelerin hiç olmadığı kadar genişleyen bir alana doğru açıldığına tanıklık etmekteyiz. Sanat farklı disiplinler ile olan ilişkilerini çoğaltırken, değişen yapısı ile birlikte bedene olan yaklaşımı ve aktarımları da değişmiştir. Sanatın sorumluluk alanlarını genişleten sanatçı, kendi özgürlük alanlarının da genişletmesi yönünde bedene yönelirken, onu bir mekâna ya da bir kaideye dönüştürmektedir. Bu çalışma, değişen beden algısını felsefe ve sosyal içerikleri bakımından araştırmakta ve Çağdaş Sanatın beden ile kurduğu ilişkileri tarihsel boyutta değerlendirmektedir. Bu eksen dâhilinde, Kocaeli üniversitesi Güzel Sanatlar Fakültesi Heykel Bölümü seçmeli alan dersi kapsamında, tarafımdan yürütülen ‘Beden Takı Heykel’ dersi içerisinde ‘İçim Dışım Bir’ kavramı bağlamında ortaya çıkan üretimler üzerinden konuyu aktarmayı ve tartışmayı amaçlamıştır. Bu örnekler, hem öğrenci çalışmalarının literatüre kazandırılması, hem de konunun sanat eğitimi ile ne türden ilişki örüntüleri kurduğunu ortaya koymayı hedeflemektedir.
Nanoparticles in Combating Cancer: Opportunities and Limitations: A Brief Review
Authors: Pedziwiatr-Werbicka Elzbieta , Horodecka Katarzyna , Shcharbin Dzmitry , Bryszewska Maria
Published: January 2020

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Nanomedicine is a good alternative to traditional methods of cancer treatment but does not
solve all the limitations of oncology. Nanoparticles used in anticancer therapy can work as carriers of
drugs, nucleic acids, imaging agents or they can sensitize cells to radiation. The present review focuses
on the application of nanoparticles to treating cancer, as well as on its problems and limitations.
Using nanoparticles as drug carriers, significant improvement in the efficiency of transport of compounds
and their targeting directly to the tumour has been achieved; it also reduces the side effects of
chemotherapeutic drugs on the body. However, nanoparticles do not significantly improve the effectiveness
of the chemotherapeutic agent itself. Most nanodrugs can reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy,
but do not significantly affect the effectiveness of treatment. Nanodrugs should be developed
that can be effective as an anti-metastatic treatment, e.g. by enhancing the ability of nanoparticles to
transport chemotherapeutic loads to sentinel lymph nodes using the immune system and developing
chemotherapy in specific metastatic areas. Gene therapy, however, is the most modern method of
treating cancer, the cause of cancer being tackled by altering genetic material. Other applications of
nanoparticles for radiotherapy and diagnostics are discussed.