bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on TD-LTE wireless communication network propagation model optimization based on visual simulation and GIS
Authors: Li Tongyan , Hua Shuchun , Kang Le , Chang Sheng-Hung
Published: July 2021

With the support of GIS spatial analysis technology, based on an in-depth study of the wireless propagation environment of a city, combined with the analysis of project requirements, it proposes to use the SPM model to correct the propagation model parameters, using SPM. The wireless propagation model, and research and analysis of the SPM wireless propagation model correction algorithm, further corrected the parameters of a city's SPM wireless propagation model. On this basis, the propagation loss of several classic propagation models in different environments is compared, and the SPM propagation model suitable for the signal frequency band and propagation environment of this study is selected. The correction of the SPM propagation model is based on the designed correction principle and correction process, that is, the weighted least square method is used to fit and analyze the measured level data to obtain an SPM prediction improvement model with local characteristics, and according to the designed verification link. Evaluation of the correction results shows that the accuracy requirements are met. Based on the corrected SPM prediction model, link loss calculations were performed on the 13 test base stations studied in the experiment, and the effective coverage radius of each base station community was obtained. In combination with GIS technology, model parameters and workers of each base station participated in the electronic map loading of the area Go to the network planning software to get the wireless signal coverage prediction map of each base station. Finally, according to the technical requirements of the TD-LTE system network planning and network optimization engineering, the objectiveness and rationality of the site selection and number of base stations in the area were verified, and specific problems regarding poor coverage and overlapping coverage in the area were proposed.
Efficacy of adipose tissue-derived stem cells in locomotion recovery after spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis on animal studies
Authors: Rafiei Alavi Seyedeh Niloufar , Madani Neishaboori Arian , Hossein Hasti , Sarveazad Arash , Yousefifard Mahmoud
Published: July 2021

Background

Considerable disparities exist on the use of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Hence, the current systematic review aimed to investigate the efficacy of ADSCs in locomotion recovery following SCI in animal models.

Methods

A search was conducted in electronic databases of MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science until the end of July 2019. Reference and citation tracking and searching Google and Google Scholar search engines were performed to achieve more studies. Animal studies conducted on rats having SCI which were treated with ADSCs were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were lacking a non-treated control group, not evaluating locomotion, non-rat studies, not reporting the number of transplanted cells, not reporting isolation and preparation methods of stem cells, review articles, combination therapy, use of genetically modified ADSCs, use of induced pluripotent ADSCs, and human trials. Risk of bias was assessed using Hasannejad et al.’s proposed method for quality control of SCI-animal studies. Data were analyzed in STATA 14.0 software, and based on a random effect model, pooled standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence interval was presented.

Results

Of 588 non-duplicated papers, data from 18 articles were included. Overall risk of bias was high risk in 8 studies, some concern in 9 studies and low risk in 1 study. Current evidence demonstrated that ADSCs transplantation could improve locomotion following SCI (standardized mean difference = 1.71; 95%CI 1.29–2.13; p < 0.0001). A considerable heterogeneity was observed between the studies (I2 = 72.0%; p < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis and meta-regression revealed that most of the factors like injury model, the severity of SCI, treatment phase, injury location, and number of transplanted cells did not have a significant effect on the efficacy of ADSCs in improving locomotion following SCI (pfor odds ratios > 0.05).

Conclusion

We conclude that any number of ADSCs by any prescription routes can improve locomotion recovery in an SCI animal model, at any phase of SCI, with any severity. Given the remarkable bias about blinding, clinical translation of the present results is tough, because in addition to the complexity of the nervous system and the involvement of far more complex motor circuits in the human, blinding compliance and motor outcome assessment tests in animal studies and clinical trials are significantly different.
Nonlocal Lazer–McKenna-type problem perturbed by the Hardy’s potential and its parabolic equivalence
Authors: Bayrami-Aminlouee Masoud , Hesaaraki Mahmoud , Karim Hamdani Mohamed , Thanh Chung Nguyen
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we study the effect of Hardy potential on the existence or nonexistence of solutions to the following fractional problem involving a singular nonlinearity:$$\begin{aligned} \textstyle\begin{cases} (-\Delta )^{s} u = \lambda \frac{u}{ \vert x \vert ^{2s}} + \frac{\mu }{u^{\gamma }}+f & \text{in } \Omega, \\ u>0 & \text{in } \Omega, \\ u=0 & \text{in } (\mathbb{R}^{N} \setminus \Omega ). \end{cases}\displaystyle \end{aligned}$${(−Δ)su=λu|x|2s+μuγ+fin Ω,u>0in Ω,u=0in (RN∖Ω).Here$0 < s<1$0<s<1,$\lambda >0$λ>0,$\gamma >0$γ>0, and$\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^{N}$Ω⊂RN($N > 2s$N>2s) is a bounded smooth domain such that$0 \in \Omega $0∈Ω. Moreover,$0 \leq \mu,f \in L^{1}(\Omega )$0≤μ,f∈L1(Ω). For$0< \lambda \leq \Lambda _{N,s}$0<λ≤ΛN,s,$\Lambda _{N,s}$ΛN,sbeing the best constant in the fractional Hardy inequality, we find a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a positive weak solution to the problem with respect to the dataμandf. Also, for a regular datum off, under suitable assumptions, we obtain some existence and uniqueness results and calculate the rate of growth of solutions. Moreover, we mention a nonexistence and a complete blowup result for the case$\lambda > \Lambda _{N,s}$λ>ΛN,s. Besides, we consider the parabolic equivalence of the above problem in the case$\mu \equiv 1$μ≡1and some suitable$f(x,t)$f(x,t), that is,$$\begin{aligned} \textstyle\begin{cases} u_{t}+(-\Delta )^{s} u = \lambda \frac{u}{ \vert x \vert ^{2s}} + \frac{1}{u^{\gamma }}+f(x,t) & \text{in } \Omega \times (0,T), \\ u>0 & \text{in } \Omega \times (0,T), \\ u =0 & \text{in } (\mathbb{R}^{N} \setminus \Omega ) \times (0,T), \\ u(x,0)=u_{0} & \text{in } \mathbb{R}^{N}, \end{cases}\displaystyle \end{aligned}$${ut+(−Δ)su=λu|x|2s+1uγ+f(x,t)in Ω×(0,T),u>0in Ω×(0,T),u=0in (RN∖Ω)×(0,T),u(x,0)=u0in RN,where$u_{0} \in X_{0}^{s}(\Omega )$u0∈X0s(Ω)satisfies an appropriate cone condition. In the case$0<\gamma \leq 1$0<γ≤1or$\gamma >1$γ>1with$2s(\gamma -1)<(\gamma +1)$2s(γ−1)<(γ+1), we show the existence of a unique solution for any$0< \lambda < \Lambda _{N,s}$0<λ<ΛN,sand prove a stabilization result for certain range ofλ.
Asymptotic iteration method for solving Hahn difference equations
Authors: MacQuarrie Lucas , Saad Nasser , Islam Md. Shafiqul
Published: July 2021

Hahn’s difference operator $D_{q;w}f(x) =({f(qx+w)-f(x)})/({(q-1)x+w})$

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Developments of some new results that weaken certain conditions of fractional type differential equations
Authors: Bashir Shahid , Saleem Naeem , Aydi Hassen , Husnine Syed Muhammad , Rwaily Asma Al
Published: July 2021

We introduce double and triple F-expanding mappings. We prove related fixed point theorems. Based on our obtained results, we also prove the existence of a solution for fractional type differential equations by using a weaker condition than the sufficient small Lipschitz constant studied by Mehmood and Ahmad (AIMS Math. 5:385–398, 2019) and Hanadi et al. (Mathematics 8:1168, 2020). As applications, we ensure the existence of a unique solution of a boundary value problem for a second-order differential equation.
Optimal cloud assistance policy of end-edge-cloud ecosystem for mitigating edge distributed denial of service attacks
Authors: Li Teng
Published: July 2021

Edge computing has become a fundamental technology for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. To provide reliable services for latency-sensitive applications, edge servers must respond to end devices within the shortest amount of time possible. Edge distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which render edge servers unusable by legitimate IoT applications by sending heavy requests from distributed attacking sources, is a threat that leads to severe latency. To protect edge servers from DDoS attacks, a hybrid computing paradigm known as an end-edge-cloud ecosystem provides a possible solution. Cloud assistance is allowed with this architecture. Edge servers can upload their pending tasks onto a cloud center for a workload reduction when encountering a DDoS attack, similar to borrowing resources from the cloud. Nevertheless, before using the ecosystem to mitigate edge DDoS attacks, we must address the core problem that edge servers must decide when and to what extent they should upload tasks to the cloud center. In this study, we focus on the design of optimal cloud assistance policies. First, we propose an edge workload evolution model that describes how the workload of the edge servers change over time with a given cloud assistance policy. On this basis, we quantify the effectiveness of the policy by using the resulting overall latency and formulate an optimal control problem for seeking optimal policies that can minimize such latency. We then provide solutions by deriving the optimality system and discuss some properties of the optimal solutions to accelerate the problem solving. Next, we introduce a numerical iterative algorithm to seek solutions that can satisfy the optimality system. Finally, we provide several illustrative numerical examples. The results show that the optimal policies obtained can effectively mitigate edge DDoS attacks.
Association between infection with Campylobacter species, poor oral health and environmental risk factors on esophageal cancer: a hospital-based case–control study in Thailand
Authors: Poosari Arisara , Nutravong Thitima , Sa-ngiamwibool Prakasit , Namwat Wises , Chatrchaiwiwatana Supaporn , Ungareewittaya Piti
Published: July 2021

Background

Previous studies have shown the association between Campylobacter species infection and that environmental factors, poor oral hygiene in particular, are linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer (EC). However, no study has reported on these factors in Thailand. Thus, this study’s objective was to evaluate the impact of the relationship between Campylobacter infection and environmental factors on EC incidence in the population of Thailand.

Methods

Data from a case–control study were collected from 105 newly diagnosed EC cases and 105 controls recruited from 2007 to 2017. Infection with Campylobacter spp. was detected in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue of EC taken from gastroesophageal biopsy specimens obtained from the participants, and evaluated using TaqMan® real-time PCR. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and perform data analysis.

Results

Smoking, alcohol use, a family history of cancer, history of gastroesophageal reflux disease, poor oral hygiene and Campylobacter spp. infection were shown to be significant risk factors for EC (p  <  0.05). The combination of poor oral hygiene and infection with Campylobacter spp. constituted significant risk for EC (p  <  0.001). In addition, the risk of EC in subjects co-infected with C. rectus and C. concisus that practiced poor oral hygiene was even higher and was significant (ORadj  =  4.7; 95% CI 2.41–9.98; p  =  0.003).

Conclusions

In Thailand, the major risk factors for EC are smoking status, alcohol drinking, family history of cancer, GERD, poor oral hygiene and Campylobacter spp. infection. This study found Campylobacter spp. prevalence to be associated with EC and appears to be enhanced by poor oral hygiene, suggesting that a combination of poor oral hygiene and Campylobacter species infection may together act as an important etiological risk factor for EC.
Host habitat is the major determinant of the gut microbiome of fish
Authors: Kim Pil Soo , Shin Na-Ri , Lee Jae-Bong , Kim Min-Soo , Whon Tae Woong , Hyun Dong-Wook , Yun Ji-Hyun , Jung Mi-Ja , Kim Joon Yong , Bae Jin-Woo
Published: July 2021

Background

Our understanding of the gut microbiota of animals is largely based on studies of mammals. To better understand the evolutionary basis of symbiotic relationships between animal hosts and indigenous microbes, it is necessary to investigate the gut microbiota of non-mammalian vertebrate species. In particular, fish have the highest species diversity among groups of vertebrates, with approximately 33,000 species. In this study, we comprehensively characterized gut bacterial communities in fish.

Results

We analyzed 227 individual fish representing 14 orders, 42 families, 79 genera, and 85 species. The fish gut microbiota was dominated by Proteobacteria (51.7%) and Firmicutes (13.5%), different from the dominant taxa reported in terrestrial vertebrates (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes). The gut microbial community in fish was more strongly shaped by host habitat than by host taxonomy or trophic level. Using a machine learning approach trained on the microbial community composition or predicted functional profiles, we found that the host habitat exhibited the highest classification accuracy. Principal coordinate analysis revealed that the gut bacterial community of fish differs significantly from those of other vertebrate classes (reptiles, birds, and mammals).

Conclusions

Collectively, these data provide a reference for future studies of the gut microbiome of aquatic animals as well as insights into the relationship between fish and their gut bacteria, including the key role of host habitat and the distinct compositions in comparison with those of mammals, reptiles, and birds.
HumGut: a comprehensive human gut prokaryotic genomes collection filtered by metagenome data
Authors: Hiseni Pranvera , Rudi Knut , Wilson Robert C. , Hegge Finn Terje , Snipen Lars
Published: July 2021

Background

A major bottleneck in the use of metagenome sequencing for human gut microbiome studies has been the lack of a comprehensive genome collection to be used as a reference database. Several recent efforts have been made to re-construct genomes from human gut metagenome data, resulting in a huge increase in the number of relevant genomes. In this work, we aimed to create a collection of the most prevalent healthy human gut prokaryotic genomes, to be used as a reference database, including both MAGs from the human gut and ordinary RefSeq genomes.

Results

We screened > 5,700 healthy human gut metagenomes for the containment of > 490,000 publicly available prokaryotic genomes sourced from RefSeq and the recently announced UHGG collection. This resulted in a pool of > 381,000 genomes that were subsequently scored and ranked based on their prevalence in the healthy human metagenomes. The genomes were then clustered at a 97.5% sequence identity resolution, and cluster representatives (30,691 in total) were retained to comprise the HumGut collection. Using the Kraken2 software for classification, we find superior performance in the assignment of metagenomic reads, classifying on average 94.5% of the reads in a metagenome, as opposed to 86% with UHGG and 44% when using standard Kraken2 database. A coarser HumGut collection, consisting of genomes dereplicated at 95% sequence identity—similar to UHGG, classified 88.25% of the reads. HumGut, half the size of standard Kraken2 database and directly comparable to the UHGG size, outperforms them both.

Conclusions

The HumGut collection contains > 30,000 genomes clustered at a 97.5% sequence identity resolution and ranked by human gut prevalence. We demonstrate how metagenomes from IBD-patients map equally well to this collection, indicating this reference is relevant also for studies well outside the metagenome reference set used to obtain HumGut. All data and metadata, as well as helpful code, are available athttp://arken.nmbu.no/~larssn/humgut/.
Beyond difficulties in self-regulation: the role of identity integration and personality functioning in young women with disordered eating behaviours
Authors: Biberdzic Marko , Tang Josephine , Tan Junhao
Published: July 2021

Background

Past research has established individual relationships between disordered eating behaviours (DEB) and both self-regulation difficulties and identity disturbance. However, no research has looked at the shared influence of these constructs on DEB nor at personality functioning in individuals with DEB.

Methods

In the present study, self-regulation was explored in terms of effortful control, impulsivity and emotion regulation while identity integration was measured in terms of impairments in self-functioning using a sample of 247 undergraduate students.

Results

Significant associations were found between all components of self-regulation and DEB, with the exception of impulsivity. Identity instability was also associated with self-regulation difficulties and DEB. Structural Equation Modelling analyses indicated that identity instability partially mediated the relationship between self-regulation and DEB. Lastly, disordered eating was associated with difficulties in personality functioning, with young women presenting with DEB reporting significantly greater difficulties in both self and interpersonal personality functioning.

Conclusion

Behavioural eating anomalies should be considered as epiphenomena secondary to a possible deeper issue that reflects difficulties related to identity integration and potential personality functioning. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Window dressing: possibilities and limitations of incremental changes in solitary confinement
Authors: Augustine Dallas , Barragan Melissa , Chesnut Kelsie , Pifer Natalie A. , Reiter Keramet , Strong Justin D.
Published: July 2021

Background

In light of mounting evidence of the physical and psychological harms associated with solitary confinement, many correctional systems, state legislators, courts, and even international human rights bodies are increasingly recommending and implementing reforms to mitigate the harms of solitary confinement, if not abolish the practice entirely. In this piece, we examine three specific infrastructural changes to solitary confinement conditions and practices implemented in Washington state prisons with such harm minimization goals in mind: (1) building so-called “nature imagery rooms” to play videos of outdoor spaces, (2) eliminating punishments for self-harm, and (3) conducting daily cell-front wellness checks.

Results

Drawing on 183 in-depth qualitative interviews with both staff working in and people imprisoned in solitary confinement units conducted in Washington state restrictive housing units in 2017, we find that these three reforms not only resulted in limited successes but also generated new conflicts. Institutional logics such as deprivation, risk-management, and responsibilization ultimately impeded even the most modest attempts to mitigate the inherently harsh practice of solitary confinement. The limits of these reforms are due in part to individual choices made by people imprisoned in solitary confinement and staff working in these units, as well as the larger cultural norms that shape life in restrictive housing units.

Conclusions

Incrementalist reforms aimed at softening the environment of solitary confinement may actually serve to increase the strain and stress experienced by people confined to and working within them. Even the most well-intentioned reforms, like those attempted by the Washington DOC, should be scrutinized in order to determine if they are producing the desired outcomes, or instead, reproducing a different, but nonetheless damaging set of harms to people imprisoned in solitary confinement. Further, even well-intentioned reforms are often stymied by the underlying institutional logics of restrictive housing spaces.
Body Appreciation Scale (BAS-2): measurement invariance across genders and item response theory examination
Authors: Zarate Daniel , Marmara Joshua , Potoczny Camilla , Hosking Warwick , Stavropoulos Vasileios
Published: July 2021

Background

The present study considers a measure of positive body image, the Body Appreciation Scale-2, which assesses acceptance and/or favourable opinions towards the body (BAS-2). Potential variations of the psychometric properties of the scale across males and females, as well as across its different items invite for further investigation. The present study contributes to this area of knowledge via the employment of gender Measurement Invariance (MI) and Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses.

Methods

A group of 386 adults from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America (USA) were assessed online (N = 394, 54.8% men, 43.1% women, Mage = 27.48; SD = 5.57).

Results

MI analyses observed invariance across males and females at the configural level, and non-invariance at the metric level. Further, the graded response model employed to observe IRT properties indicated that all items demonstrated, although variable, strong discrimination capacity.

Conclusions

The items showed increased reliability for latent levels of ∓ 2 SD from the mean level of Body Appreciation (BA). Gender comparisons based on BAS-2 should be cautiously interpreted for selected items, due to demonstrating different metric scales and same scores indicating different severity. The BAS-2 may also not perform well for clinically low and high BA levels. Thus, it should optimally be accompanied by clinical interviews for formal assessment in such cases.
Novel strategies for immuno-oncology breakthroughs with cell therapy
Authors: Liu Hongtao , Pan Chongxian , Song Wenru , Liu Delong , Li Zihai , Zheng Lei
Published: July 2021

Cell therapy has evolved rapidly in the past several years with more than 250 clinical trials ongoing around the world. While more indications of cellular therapy with chimeric antigen receptor – engineered T cells (CAR-T) are approved for hematologic malignancies, new concepts and strategies of cellular therapy for solid tumors are emerging and are discussed. These developments include better selections of targets by shifting from tumor-associated antigens to personalized tumor-specific neoantigens, an enhancement of T cell trafficking by breaking the stromal barriers, and a rejuvenation of exhausted T cells by targeting immunosuppressive mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Despite significant remaining challenges, we believe that cell therapy will once again lead and revolutionize cancer immunotherapy before long because of the maturation of technologies in T cell engineering, target selection and T cell delivery. This review highlighted the recent progresses reported at the 2020 China Immuno-Oncology Workshop co-organized by the Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network (CAHON), the China National Medical Product Administration (NMPA), and Tsinghua University.
Predicting LQ45 financial sector indices using RNN-LSTM
Authors: Hansun Seng , Young Julio Christian
Published: July 2021

As one of the most popular financial market instruments, the stock has formed one of the most massive and complex financial markets in the world. It could handle millions of transactions within a short period of time and highly unpredictable. In this study, we aim to implement a famous Deep Learning method, namely the long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, for the stock price prediction. We limit the stocks to those that are included in the LQ45 financial sectors indices, i.e., BBCA, BBNI, BBRI, BBTN, BMRI, and BTPS. Rather than using too deep network architecture, we propose using a simple three-layer LSTM network architecture to predict the stocks’ closing prices. We found that the prediction results fall in the reasonable forecasting category. Moreover, it is worth noting that two of the considered stocks, namely, BBCA and BMRI, have the lowest MAPE values at 19.1020 and 18.6135, which fall in the good forecasting results. Hence, the proposed LSTM model is most recommended to be used on those two stocks.
Multi-layer cell-free scaffolds for osteochondral defects of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical evidence
Authors: Boffa Angelo , Solaro Luca , Poggi Alberto , Andriolo Luca , Reale Davide , Di Martino Alessandro
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical results provided by multi-layer cell-free scaffolds for the treatment of knee osteochondral defects.

Methods

A systematic review was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane to identify studies evaluating the clinical efficacy of cell-free osteochondral scaffolds for knee lesions. A meta-analysis was performed on articles reporting results of the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Tegner scores. The scores were analyzed as improvement from baseline to 1, 2, and ≥ 3 years of follow-up. The modified Coleman Methodology Score was used to assess the study methodology.

Results

A total of 34 studies (1022 patients) with a mean follow-up of 35 months was included. Only three osteochondral scaffolds have been investigated in clinical trials: while TruFit® has been withdrawn from the market for the questionable results, the analysis of MaioRegen and Agili-C™ provided clinical improvements at 1, 2, and ≥ 3 years of follow-up (all significantly higher than the baseline, p < 0.05), although with a limited recovery of the sport-activity level. A low rate of adverse events and an overall failure rate of 7.0% were observed, but the overall evidence level of the available studies is limited.

Conclusions

Multi-layer scaffolds may provide clinical benefits for the treatment of knee osteochondral lesions at short- and mid-term follow-up and with a low number of failures, although the sport-activity level obtained seems to be limited. Further research with high-level studies is needed to confirm the role of multi-layer scaffold for the treatment of knee osteochondral lesions.
Impact of an antimicrobial stewardship in a 126-bed community hospital with close communication between pharmacists working on post-prescription audit, ward pharmacists, and the antimicrobial stewardship team
Authors: Nakamura Satoshi , Arima Takashi , Tashiro Ryoichi , Yasumizu Satomi , Aikou Hayato , Watanabe Emi , Nakashima Takashi , Nagatomo Yuho , Kakimoto Ikuyo , Motoya Toshiro
Published: July 2021

Background

Antimicrobial stewardship (AS) is defined as coordinated interventions to improve and measure the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents. However, available resources for AS differ depending on the size of the clinical setting. Therefore, AS programs based on guidelines need to be selected in order to implement AS in small- to medium-sized hospitals. The present study compared the impact of AS in a 126-bed community hospital between pre- and post-AS periods.

Methods

The present study was retrospectively performed by selecting data on eligible patients from electronic medical records stored in the central database of the hospital. The roles of the AS team included weekly rounds and recommendations on the appropriate use of antimicrobials, and pharmacists working on post-prescription audits and pharmaceutical care at the bedside closely communicated with the AS team to assist with its implementation. As process measurements, the order rate of culture examinations, the conducting rate of de-escalation, antimicrobial use density (AUD), days of therapy (DOT), and the AUD/DOT ratio of carbapenems and tazobactam-piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC) were measured. Thirty-day mortality and recurrence rates were examined as clinical outcomes.

Results

A total of 535 patients (288 in the pre-AS period and 247 in the post-AS period) were enrolled in the present study. The recommendation rate to prescribers significantly increased (p < 0.01) from 10.4% in the pre-AS period to 21.1% in the post-AS period. The order rate of culture examinations increased from 56.3 to 73.3% (p < 0.01). The conducting rate of de-escalation increased from 10.2 to 30.8% (p < 0.05). The AUD of carbapenems and TAZ/PIPC significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The DOT of carbapenems (p < 0.01) and TAZ/PIPC (p < 0.05) also significantly decreased. The AUD/DOT ratio of carbapenem significantly increased from 0.37 to 0.60 (p < 0.01). Thirty-day mortality rates were 11.2 and 14.2%, respectively, and were not significantly different. The 30-day recurrence rate significantly decreased (p < 0.05) from 14.7 to 7.5%.

Conclusions

The implementation of AS in this hospital improved the appropriate use of antimicrobials without negatively affecting clinical outcomes. These results may be attributed to close communication between pharmacists working on post-prescription audits and pharmaceutical care at the bedside and the AS team.
Recurrent DKA results in high societal costs – a retrospective study identifying social predictors of recurrence for potential future intervention
Authors: Lyerla Ryan , Johnson-Rabbett Brianna , Shakally Almoutaz , Magar Rekha , Alameddine Hind , Fish Lisa
Published: July 2021

Aims

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an emergency with high morbidity and mortality. This study examined patient factors associated with hospitalization for recurrent DKA.

Methods

Characteristics of 265 subjects admitted for DKA at Hennepin County Medical Center between January 2017 and January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Differences between subjects with a single admission versus multiple were reviewed.

Results

Forty-eight out of 265 patients had recurrent DKA. Risk factors included African American race (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) versus white non-Hispanic = 4.6, 95% CI 1.8–13, p = 0.001) or other race/ethnicity (aOR = 8.6, 2.9–28, p < 0.0001), younger age (aOR 37-52y versus 18-36y = 0.48, 0.19–1.16, p = 0.10; aOR 53-99y versus 18-36y = 0.37, 0.12–0.99, p = 0.05), type 1 diabetes mellitus (aOR = 2.4, 1.1–5.5, p = 0.04), ever homeless (aOR = 2.5, 1.1–5.4, p = 0.03), and drug abuse (aOR = 3.2, 1.3–7.8, p = 0.009). DKA cost a median of $29,981 per admission.

Conclusions

Recurrent DKA is costly, and social determinants are strong predictors of recurrence. This study highlights the need for targeted preventative care programs.
University students’ perceptions towards using exemplars dialogically to develop evaluative judgement: the case of a high-stakes language test
Authors: Chong Sin Wang
Published: July 2021

The revived interest in the notion of ‘evaluative judgement’ in higher education is motivated by commitment of researchers and practitioners to effectively implement learning-oriented assessment and cultivate this high-order cognitive ability to develop students’ capacity for self-regulated learning. Recent studies have examined the affordances and constraints of using exemplars to develop students’ evaluative judgement in the fields of Education, Nutrition, Biology, and English for Academic Purposes. The present study, which focuses on use of exemplars in IELTS, analyzes patterns of teacher-students dialogues and 129 university students’ perceptions of using exemplars to develop their understanding of assessment standards of IELTS academic writing tasks. Qualitative data were collected through an online questionnaire, individual semi-structured interviews, and workshop observations. Findings suggest that the IELTS instructor/researcher utilized various interactive strategies to develop students’ hard, soft, and dynamic dimensions of evaluative judgement. Students identified affordances and limitations of using exemplars for language test preparation. Implications related to dialogic exemplar use to develop students’ evaluative judgement are discussed in light of the findings.
The effect of 4-hexylresocinol administration on SCC-9 cells: mass spectrometric identification of proteins and cDNA microarray analysis
Authors: Kang Yei-Jin , Kim Seong-Gon
Published: July 2021

Background

In stress situations, bacteria produce dormancy-inducing factors to stop cell growth. The dormancy-inducing factors may have an inhibitory effect on tumor cell growth. Here we analyzed the differentially expressed protein profiles after 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR), one of the dormancy-inducing factors, administration using in vitro oral squamous carcinoma cells (SCC-9).

Method

The control group was SCC-9 cells culture without 4HR administration. The experimental group received 10 μg/mL of 4HR. Collected proteins from each group were loaded for 2D electrophoresis. Among the separated proteins, 20 differentially expressed proteins were selected and processed for LC-MS/MS.

Results

In proteomic analysis, the expression of keratin 1, keratin 10, and histone H2B were increased. In cDNA microarray assay, the genes related to the cellular differentiation (involucrin, keratin 13, 14) were highly expressed in the 4HR treated group (fold ratio > 2.0; Table 2). Interestingly, histone family was upregulated in the cDNA microarray assay.

Conclusion

The administration of 4HR on SCC-9 cells increased epithelial cell differentiation markers and histone.
Catheter-induced anaphylaxis and determination of the causative catheter in a patient undergoing neuroendovascular surgery: a case report
Authors: Sugiyama Yuki , Numata Kaori , Watanabe Natsuko , Urasawa Masatoshi , Murakami Toru , Murakami Ikuko , Koyama Jun-Ichi , Kawamata Mikito
Published: July 2021

Background

Anaphylaxis caused by a catheter itself used for endovascular surgery is rare, and a method for detection of a causative catheter has not been established. We report a case of catheter-induced anaphylaxis in which the causative catheter was successfully detected.

Case presentation

A 47-year-old male underwent neuroendovascular surgery. During surgery, blood pressure suddenly dropped and the level of tryptase indicated the occurrence of anaphylaxis. There were 24 candidate agents for the cause of anaphylaxis including 8 catheters. We performed the basophil activation test by directly mixing the catheter with blood. One catheter coated with a hyaluronic acid product showed a positive reaction, and we confirmed the result by a modified skin test using an elution solution of the catheter. Later, we successfully completed the neuroendovascular surgery without the catheter.

Conclusions

The methods used in this case can be useful for the detection of the causative agent in catheter-induced anaphylaxis.
Opportunities for dietitians to promote a healthy dietary intake in pregnant women with a low socio-economic status within antenatal care practices in the Netherlands: a qualitative study
Authors: Super Sabina , Beulen Yvette H. , Koelen Maria A. , Wagemakers Annemarie
Published: July 2021

Background

A healthy dietary intake during pregnancy is important for maternal and child health. However, pregnant women with a low socio-economic status often fail to meet dietary guidelines and requirements for healthy nutrition. Dietitians may play an important role in providing nutritional advice during pregnancy because midwives often experience a lack of nutritional knowledge, time and skills to provide adequate advice. However, there is limited research on the support that dietitians can offer in antenatal care practices for pregnant women. Therefore, this study aims to explore the opportunities for dietitians to support pregnant women with a low socio-economic status in concurrent antenatal care practices in the Netherlands.

Methods

In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 pregnant women with a low socio-economic status and 13 dietitians to identify barriers for healthy eating for pregnant women and the associated opportunities for dietitians to support these women in making healthy dietary changes.

Results

Four opportunities for dietitians to support pregnant women in making dietary changes could be discerned: (1) creating awareness of healthy and unhealthy eating patterns, (2) providing reliable and personally relevant information, (3) help identifying barriers and solutions for healthy eating and (4) making healthy eating manageable. Dietitians indicated that supporting pregnant women with a low socio-economic status in consuming a healthy diet requires the investment of sufficient time, effort and money.

Conclusions

Dietitians are trained and well-equipped to provide extensive support to pregnant women to promote a healthy dietary intake, especially when the complex interplay of barriers that pregnant women with a low socio-economic status experience for healthy eating needs to be addressed. In addition, there is a strong need for strengthening the collaboration between dietitians and midwives because midwives are the primary care provider for pregnant women in the Netherlands, but they often lack sufficient opportunities to provide adequate nutrition support. Strengthening this collaboration could promote that nutrition becomes a recurring and standard topic in antenatal care.
Principle of restoration ecology reflected in the process creating the National Institute of Ecology
Authors: Kim A. Reum , Lim Bong Soon , Seol Jaewon , Lee Chang Seok
Published: July 2021

Background

The creation of the National Institute of Ecology began as a national alternative project to preserve mudflats instead of constructing the industrial complexes by reclamation, and achieve regional development. On the other hand, at the national level, the research institute for ecology was needed to cope with the worsening conditions for maintaining biodiversity due to accelerated climate change such as global warming and increased demand for development. In order to meet these needs, the National Institute of Ecology has the following objectives: (1) carries out studies for ecosystem change due to climate change and biodiversity conservation, (2) performs ecological education to the public through exhibition of various ecosystem models, and (3) promotes regional development through the ecological industry. Furthermore, to achieve these objectives, the National Institute of Ecology thoroughly followed the basic principles of ecology, especially restoration ecology, in the process of its construction. We introduce the principles and cases of ecological restoration applied in the process.

Results

We minimized the impact on the ecosystem in order to harmonize with the surrounding environment in all the processes of construction. We pursued passive restoration following the principle of ecological restoration as a process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem degraded for all the space except in land where artificial facilities were introduced. Reference information was applied thoroughly in the process of active restoration to create biome around the world, Korean peninsula forests, and wetland ecosystems. In order to realize true restoration, we pursued the ecological restoration in a landscape level as the follows. We moved the local road 6 and high-voltage power lines to underground to ensure ecological connectivity within the National Institute of Ecology campus. To enhance ecological diversity, we introduced perch poles and islands as well as floating leaved, emerged, wetland, and riparian plants in wetlands and mantle communities around the forests of the Korean Peninsula in the terrestrial ecosystem. Furthermore, in order to make the public aware of the importance of the intact nature, the low-lying landscape elements, which have disappeared due to excessive land use in most areas of Korea, was created by imitating demilitarized zone (DMZ) landscape that has these landscape elements.

Conclusions

The National Institute of Ecology was created in an eco-friendly way by thoroughly reflecting the principles of ecology to suit its status and thus the impact on the existing ecosystem was minimized. This concept was also designed to be reflected in the process of operation. The results have become real, and a result of analysis on carbon budget analysis is approaching the carbon neutrality.
Stereotactic cryoablation of large tumors of the sellar region with intraoperative CT scans—technical note
Authors: Patil Arun Angelo
Published: July 2021

Background

Cryoablation has been used by neurosurgeons in the past and is currently being used by other disciplines to treat kidney cancer, skin lesions, and cardiac conduction defects. Because the currently available cryogenic probes can safely create large lesions and the lesion generation (in the form of ice-ball) can be monitored on intraoperative CT images, cryoablation was used to treat large tumors in and around the sella. In this paper, the author describes a technique to perform this procedure.

Main body

Three large tumors in 3 patients were treated with this method. Age of the patients was 26–58 years with a male/female ratio of 2/1. Patient 1 had a non-secreting pituitary adenoma (measuring 8 × 8 cm) and presented with long-standing total visual loss in both eyes, severe headache, and seizures. She had previous resection and radiation therapy. Patient 2 had prolactinomas (measuring 5.1 × 4.6 cm) and presented with progressive loss of vision and diplopia. Patient 3 had recurrent craniopharyngioma (measuring 7.2 × 5 cm) with prior treatment with resection radiation and frequent drainage of the cyst. He presented with headache and progressive worsening of his vision.

The procedure was done on the CT table with intraoperative scans, using Patil stereotactic frame and argon cryoablation probe (Healthtronics). 3-D images were used to plan targets and trajectories. The probe was placed at the target via a trans-nasal trans-sphenoidal route. One to 3 lesions measuring 2.5–3 cm in diameter were made to ablate the tumor. Ice-ball formation was monitored live on CT images.

There is no complication. One patient had near-complete resolution of the tumor, two had partial resolution of their tumors, and all had resolution of their presenting symptoms at follow-up of 3–24 months (median 6 months). In one patient, symptoms reoccurred due to the formation of new tumor masses.

Short conclusion

Cryoablation of intracranial tumors and can be done safely and effectively. Live monitoring of lesion generation using CT imaging is a major advantage of this technique.
The journey of polycarbonate-based composites towards suppressing electromagnetic radiation
Authors: Sushmita Kumari , Madras Giridhar , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: July 2021

Electronic devices’ widespread usage has led to a new form of pollution, known as electromagnetic (EM) pollution, causing serious problems like equipment malfunctioning and affecting its reliability. This review article presents a comprehensive literature survey on the various polycarbonate (PC)-based materials for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications comprising of PC-based composites, blend composites, foams, and more recently, multilayered architectures. Following the state-of-the-art literature available from the previous decade, it is apparent that the properties (conductivity, permittivity and permeability) of nanofiller/fillers and nanocomposite processing/fabrication techniques control the EMI shielding properties in PC-based materials. Researchers have explored a variety of fillers, but high aspect ratio carbonaceous nanofillers have gained significant attention. Through morphological modifications of PC composites, one can obtain a percolation threshold as low as 0.021 wt% of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). However, higher connectivity of conductive filler need not necessarily lead to high EMI shielding performance. Thus, detailed insight into the shielding mechanism is also highlighted. This review article will help researchers design PC-based materials with superior EMI shielding performance coupled with good mechanical stability.

Graphical abstract
Bacterial gastroenteritis in children below five years of age: a cross-sectional study focused on etiology and drug resistance of Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp.
Authors: Uddin Mohammad Sharif , Rahman Md. Mijanur , Faruk Md. Omar , Talukder Asma , Hoq Md. Imranul , Das Suman , Islam K. M. Shariful
Published: July 2021

Background

Gastroenteritis is a common infectious disease in children, which results in high mortality and morbidity, especially in resource-poor countries. This study presents the selected main gastroenteritis causing bacteria, including Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella and Shigella species delineating their prevalence and resistance pattern to the clinically used antibiotics.

Results

A total of 346 stool specimens from children of clinically suspected gastroenteritis below five years have been obtained, and bacterial pathogens were recovered using selective media, biochemical and serologic tests. We found that 35 (10%) of them were confirmed bacterial gastroenteritis (BGE) with either Escherichia coli O157 (14%), Salmonella spp. (43%), and Shigella spp. (43%). Nevertheless, the prevalence of E. coli O157, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp. in this study were documented as 1.45%, 4.34%, and 4.34%, respectively. Moreover, 2 (40%) of E. coli O157, 4 (26.67%) of Salmonella spp., and 14 (93%) of the Shigella spp. were found as multidrug-resistant. Nonetheless, Shigella spp. isolates showed 100%, 87%, and 73% resistance to cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin respectively, while E. coli O157 showed 80% resistance to cotrimoxazole and 60% to ciprofloxacin and azithromycin. On the contrary, cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and tetracycline were resistant in 40%, 47%, 27%, and 53% of Salmonella spp. isolates respectively.

Conclusion

These findings generate significant insights on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of the three major gastroenteritis causing bacteria in the study area. Therefore, it will help physicians and policymakers selecting the right antibiotics in essential cases, particularly, reevaluation of recommending cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin in the management of bacterial gastroenteritis.
Transcription factor UvMsn2 is important for vegetative growth, conidiogenesis, stress response, mitochondrial morphology and pathogenicity in the rice false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens
Authors: Xu Yuandi , Wu Shuang , Yu Zhaomeng , Moeketsi Emily Kolojane , Yang Zhixiang , Zhang Zhengguang , Zhang Haifeng
Published: July 2021

Transcription factors (TFs) play critical roles in the control of development and pathogenicity of phytopathogens by directly or indirectly regulating the expression of downstream genes. Here, we identified and characterized a zinc finger TF UvMsn2 in Ustilaginoidea virens, a homolog of MoMsn2 from the rice blast fungus. Heterogenous complementation assay revealed that UvMsn2 fully restored the defects of the ∆Momsn2 mutant in vegetative growth, conidiation and pathogenicity. Deletion of UvMsn2 in U. virens led to a reduction of the pathogen in vegetative growth, aerial hyphae and conidiation. Additionally, the ∆Uvmsn2 mutant displayed defects in conidial morphology and germination, as well as mitochondrial morphology. Pathogenicity and toxicity assays revealed that the ∆Uvmsn2 mutant was non-pathogenic and less inhibitory to rice seed germination. The ∆Uvmsn2 mutant showed different sensitivity to various stresses. Further microscopic examination found that UvMsn2 was localized in both cytosol and nucleus, and translocated from cytosol to nucleus under the treatment of NaCl. Our results demonstrate that UvMsn2 is a critical TF that regulates the vegetative growth, conidiogenesis, stress response, mitochondrial morphology and virulence in the rice false smut fungus.