bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aortopathy in pregnancy
Authors: Curtis Stephanie Louise , Swan Lorna
Published: February 2022

Aortic dissection is one of the most common causes of death in pregnancy. Most cases are caused by hereditary thoracic aortopathy (HTA), and women are often unaware they are at risk. Awareness, early recognition and involvement of senior clinicians from the expert cardio-obstetric team are essential to facilitate early diagnosis and carefully planned and coordinated antenatal and postnatal care. Frequent imaging antenatally and good blood pressure control are key. Delivery needs particular attention with optimal pain control and techniques to minimise maternal effort. Dissection is most common post partum and a period of close surveillance with meticulous blood pressure control after delivery is crucial, as well as follow-up of the baby in paediatric services. All women with a family history of aortic dissection or sudden death should be investigated. Women with known HTA should be offered specialist individualised pre-pregnancy counselling, including advice about genetics and inheritance, before starting a family. Future research is directed towards more individualised risk assessment, pre-pregnancy advice and pharmacological options to reduce dissection risk.
Delayed cardiac repolarisation as a predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Fishbein Joanna , Coleman Kristie M , Bhullar Amarbir , Sharma Nikhil , Zafeiropoulos Stefanos , Ansari Umair , Bimal Tia , Liu Yan , Mountantonakis Stavros E
Published: February 2022

Objective

With the rapid influx of COVID-19 admissions during the first wave of the pandemic, there was an obvious need for an efficient and streamlined risk stratification tool to aid in triaging. To this date, no clinical prediction tool exists for patients presenting to the hospital with COVID-19 infection.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted in one of 13 Northwell Health Hospitals, located in the wider New York Metropolitan area between 1 March 2020 and 27 April 2020. Inclusion criteria were a positive SARS-CoV-2 nasal swab, a 12-lead ECG within 48 hours,and a complete basic metabolic panel within 96 hours of presentation.

Results

All-cause, in-hospital mortality was 27.1% among 7098 patients. Independent predictors of mortality included demographic characteristics (male gender, race and increased age), presenting vitals (oxygen saturation <92% and heart rate >120 bpm), metabolic panel values (serum lactate >2.0 mmol/L, sodium >145, mmol/L, blood urea nitrogen >40 mmol/L, aspartate aminotransferase >40 U/L, Creatinine >1.3 mg/dL and glycose >100 mg/L) and comorbidities (congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease). In addition to those, our analysis showed that delayed cardiac repolarisation (QT corrected for heart rate (QTc) >500 ms) was independently associated with mortality (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.90). Previously mentioned parameters were incorporated into a risk score that accurately predicted in-hospital mortality (AUC 0.78).

Conclusion

In the largest cohort of COVID-19 patients with complete ECG data on presentation, we found that in addition to demographics, presenting vitals, clinical history and basic metabolic panel values, QTc >500 ms is an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality.
Potential pitfalls in multiplex PCR-based next-generation sequencing: a case-based report
Authors: Tung Jack K , Devereaux Kelly A , Erdmann Archana Lal , Schrijver Iris , Zehnder James , Suarez Carlos J
Published: February 2022

Amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays employ highly sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective methods to detect clinically actionable mutations for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of patients with cancer. However, recognition of certain limitations inherent to amplicon-based NGS assays is crucial for the correct interpretation and reporting of variants in the clinical setting. In this report, we illustrate three different potential pitfalls related to amplicon-based NGS assays based on our institutional experience and highlight how the risk of such events can be minimised.
MMR profile and microsatellite instability status in colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma with synchronous metastasis: a new clue for the clinical practice
Authors: Parente Paola , Malapelle Umberto , Angerilli Valentina , Balistreri Mariangela , Lonardi Sara , Pucciarelli Salvatore , De Luca Caterina , Pepe Francesco , Russo Gianluca , Vigliar Elena , Danza Angela , Scaramuzzi Fabio , Troncone Giancarlo , Graziano Paolo , Fassan Matteo
Published: February 2022

Aims

Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MA) is associated with a high frequency of microsatellite instability (MSI). In the metastatic setting, it is crucial to establish mismatch repair (MMR) and/or MSI status. However, genetic heterogeneity between primary tumour and synchronous metastasis and the diagnostic accuracy of the assay may hamper the MMR/MSI status evaluation.

Methods

In this study, we assessed the concordance rate of the MMR/MSI status between primary tumour and paired synchronous metastasis of 25 MAs. MMR status was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC), while MSI status was evaluated by using three different molecular approaches: microfluidic electrophoresis of PCR products (TapeStation 4200 platform), full-closed RTqPCR system (Idylla system) and multiplex amplification with fluorescent primers and subsequent DNA fragment analysis on an automated sequencer (Titano MSI test).

Results

The concordance rate between primary MA and metastasis was 21/21 (100%), 23/25 (92.0%), 23/25 (92.0%) and 21/25 (84%) by using IHC, Idylla system, Titano MSI test and TapeStation 4200 system. All the four methods used in our study displayed high concordant rate, ranging from 91.0% (IHC vs Tapestation 4200 platform) to 98.0% (IHC vs Titano).

Conclusions

Several methodologies are frequently adopted in routine practice to successfully perform MMR/MSI status analysis. The most relevant issues related to MMR/MSI status analysis in MAs concern with low percentage of neoplastic cell and abundant mucine that may affect the molecular analysis. Thus, it might be useful to acquire both primary and metastatic sample to evaluate the MMR/MSI status by integrating IHC evaluation and molecular methodologies to successfully perform molecular profiling for MA patients.
Roles of LINC01473 and CD74 in osteoblasts in multiple myeloma bone disease
Authors: Peng Fengping , Yan Siyang , Liu Hui , Liu Zhaoyun , Jiang Fengjuan , Cao Panpan , Fu Rong
Published: February 2022

The suppression of osteoblast (OB) activity is partially responsible for multiple myeloma (MM) bone disease. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a vital role in bone formation and resorption. However, their functions in OBs from patients with MM have rarely been reported. Through high-throughput sequencing of OBs from patients with MM and healthy controls, we identified several lncRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) with different expression profile and validated them using quantitative real-time PCR. In total, 22 upregulated and 21 downregulated lncRNAs were found in OBs from patients with MM. Moreover, 18 upregulated protein-coding mRNAs were identified. The expression levels of LINC01473 and its associated co-expression mRNA, CD74, were higher in patients with MM than in healthy controls (p=0.047 and p=0.016, respectively). LINC01473 expression demonstrated a negative correlation with serum interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor α levels, whereas the expression of mRNA CD74 was positively associated with serum lactic dehydrogenase in patients with MM. Aberrant expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs was observed in OBs from patients with MM. This study identifies new promising targets for further research on imbalanced bone formation and resorption and MM immune escape.
Medical treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Pitre Tyler , Mah Jasmine , Helmeczi Wryan , Khalid Muhammad Faran , Cui Sonya , Zhang Melanie , Husnudinov Renata , Su Johnny , Banfield Laura , Guy Brent , Coyne Jade , Scallan Ciaran , Kolb Martin RJ , Jones Aaron , Zeraatkar Dena
Published: February 2022

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a respiratory disorder with a poor prognosis. Our objective is to assess the comparative effectiveness of 22 approved or studied IPF drug treatments.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and clinicaltrials.gov from inception to 2 April 2021. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for adult patients with IPF receiving one or more of 22 drug treatments. Pairs of reviewers independently identified randomised trials that compared one or more of the target medical treatments in patients with IPF. We assessed the certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach for network meta-analysis. We calculated pooled relative risk (RR) ratios and presented direct or network estimates with 95% credibility intervals (95% CI), within the GRADE framework.

Results

We identified 48 (10 326 patients) eligible studies for analysis. Nintedanib [RR 0.69 (0.44 to 1.1), pirfenidone [RR 0.63 (0.37 to 1.09); direct estimate), and sildenafil [RR (0.44 (0.16 to 1.09)] probably reduce mortality (all moderate certainty). Nintedanib (2.92% (1.51 to 4.14)), nintedanib+sildenafil (157 mL (–88.35 to 411.12)), pirfenidone (2.47% (–0.1 to 5)), pamrevlumab (4.3% (0.5 to 8.1)) and pentraxin (2.74% (1 to 4.83)) probably reduce decline of overall forced vital capacity (all moderate certainty). Only sildenafil probably reduces acute exacerbation and hospitalisations (moderate certainty). Corticosteroids+azathioprine+N-acetylcysteine increased risk of serious adverse events versus placebo (high certainty).

Conclusion and relevance

Future guidelines should consider sildenafil for IPF and further research needs to be done on promising IPF treatments such as pamrevlumab and pentraxin as phase 3 trials are completed.
Properties of charged particle multiplicities in anti-neutrino interactions of the CHORUS experiment
Authors: Kamışcıoğlu Çağın
Published: February 2022

In this study, the charged particle multiplicity distribution produced in anti-neutrino interactions in nuclear emulsion is investigated in terms of the log-normal parametric model and KNO-G scaling for the first time. The results are based on the data collected by the CHORUS experiment in the$$\nu _{\mu }$$νμbeam from CERN SPS. The analysis of 369$$\bar{\nu }_{\mu }$$ν¯μCC events showed that anti-neutrino charged-particle multiplicity data shape is well described by a log-normal distribution. Furthermore, KNO-G scaling has been successfully applied to the data and results confirm the validity of KNO-G scaling for the anti-neutrino interactions. Finally, results are presented in detail in the form of figures and tables.
Anomalies in B mesons decays: a phenomenological approach
Authors: Alda J. , Guasch J. , Peñaranda S.
Published: February 2022

The experimental measurements on flavour physics, in tension with Standard Model predictions, exhibit large sources of lepton flavour universality violation. We perform an analysis of the effects of the global fits on the Wilson coefficients assuming the Standard Model Effective Field Theory with semileptonic dimension six operators at 1 TeV, and by including a set of different scenarios in which the New Physics contributions to the Wilson coefficients are present in one, two or three of the Wilson coefficients at a time. We compare the results of the global fit with respect to two cases: the Standard Model and the more general case in which new physics modifies three independent Wilson coefficients. The last mentioned scenario is the favoured one for explaining the tension between Standard Model predictions and B-physics anomalies, but a specific more restricted scenario can provide similar goodness with a smaller set of free parameters. A discussion of the implications of our analysis in leptoquark models is included.
A Systemic Review for Ethnopharmacological Studies onIsatis indigoticaFortune: Bioactive Compounds and their Therapeutic Insights
Authors: Wong Li Wen , Goh Calvin Bok Sun , Tan Joash Ban Lee
Published: February 2022

Isatis indigotica Fortune is a biennial Chinese woad of the Cruciferae family. It is primarily cultivated in China, where it was a staple in indigo dye manufacture till the end of the 17th century. Today, I. indigotica is used primarily as a therapeutic herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The medicinal use of the plant is separated into its leaves (Da-Qing-Ye) and roots (Ban-Lan-Gen), whereas its aerial components can be processed into a dried bluish-spruce powder (Qing-Dai), following dehydration for long-term preservation. Over the past several decades, I. indigotica has been generally utilized for its heat-clearing effects and bodily detoxification in TCM, attributed to the presence of several classes of bioactive compounds, including organic acids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, as well as lignans, anthraquinones, glucosides, glucosinolates, sphingolipids, tetrapyrroles, and polysaccharides. This paper aims to delineate I. indigotica from its closely-related species (Isatis tinctoria and Isatis glauca) while highlighting the ethnomedicinal uses of I. indigotica from the perspectives of modern and traditional medicine. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, PMC, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was done for articles on all aspects of the plant, emphasizing those analyzing the bioactivity of constituents of the plant. The various key bioactive compounds of I. indigotica that have been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-allergic properties, along with the protective effects against neuronal injury and bone fracture, will be discussed. Collectively, the review hopes to draw attention to the therapeutic potential of I. indigotica not only as a TCM, but also as a potential source of bioactive compounds for disease management and treatment.
Attribute Reduction Algorithm Based on Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization and Variable Precision Rough Set
Authors: She Zhiyong , Song Tao , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2022

Attribute reduction is proved to be a non-deterministic polynomial problem (NP). Minimal attribute reduction is the main research content in rough set theory. We find that in the traditional rough set attribute reduction algorithm, the rough set attribute reduction based on discrete particle swarm optimization (DPSO) performs well. However, the fitness function of this method has some limitations. When the minimum attribute reduction result is the conditional attribute set itself, the correct result cannot be obtained. For enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of attribute reduction, we propose an attribute reduction algorithm based on DPSO and variable precision rough set (VPRS). The proposed algorithm uses VPRS to process data more accurately. The new fitness function is constructed, and the attribute dependence is used as the function judgment basis. It can be adjusted automatically as the discrete binary particle swarm evolves, ensuring the convergence speed and evolution direction. Experimental results show that compared with traditional method, the proposed algorithm has stronger effectiveness and higher application value.
Elastic Buckling and Free Vibration of Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Nanobeams Using Nonlocal Integral Models
Authors: Ren Yanming , Qing Hai
Published: February 2022

Previously it was shown that nonlocal piezoelectric differential models will lead to inconsistent bending response for Euler–Bernoulli beams under different loadings and boundary conditions. In this paper, the general strain- and stress-driven two-phase local/nonlocal integral piezoelectric models are applied to analyze the elastic buckling and free vibration of functionally graded piezoelectric (FGP) Euler–Bernoulli beams under different boundary conditions. The differential governing equations and standard boundary conditions are derived by the Hamilton’s principle. The relations between the general strain and general nonlocal stresses are expressed as integral equations, which are further transformed equivalently to differential forms with constitutive boundary conditions. Several nominal variables are introduced to simplify the differential governing and constitutive equations, as well as the standard and constitutive boundary conditions. The general differential quadrature method is applied to obtain the numerical results of buckling loads and vibration frequencies of the FGP Euler–Bernoulli beam. Numerical results show that general strain- and stress-driven two-phase local/nonlocal integral piezoelectric models will lead to consistently softening and toughening size-dependent responses, respectively.
Low regularity well-posedness for generalized Benjamin–Ono equations on the circle
Authors: Kim Kihyun , Schippa Robert
Published: February 2022

New low regularity well-posedness results for the generalized Benjamin–Ono equations with quartic or higher nonlinearity and periodic boundary conditions are shown. We use the short-time Fourier transform restriction method and modified energies to overcome the derivative loss. Previously, Molinet–Ribaud established local well-posedness in [Formula: see text] via gauge transforms. We show local existence and a priori estimates in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and local well-posedness in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] without using gauge transforms. In case of quartic nonlinearity we prove global existence of solutions conditional upon small initial data.
Runtime Adaptation of Data Stream Processing Systems: The State of the Art
Authors: Cardellini Valeria , Lo Presti Francesco , Nardelli Matteo , Russo Gabriele Russo
Published: February 2022

Data stream processing (DSP) has emerged over the years as the reference paradigm for the analysis of continuous and fast information flows, which often have to be processed with low-latency requirements to extract insights and knowledge from raw data. Dealing with unbounded dataflows, DSP applications are typically long running and thus, likely experience varying workloads and working conditions over time. To keep a consistent service level in face of such variability, a lot of effort has been spent studying strategies for runtime adaptation of DSP systems and applications. In this survey, we review the most relevant approaches from the literature, presenting a taxonomy to characterize the state of the art along several key dimensions. Our analysis allows us to identify current research trends as well as open challenges that will motivate further investigations in this field.
Investigation on the Transformation of B-Defect in As-Grown Czochralski Silicon Crystal during Annealing Process
Authors: Li Zhan , Liu Yun , Wei Tao , Li Minghao , Wang Ziwen , Xue Zhongying , Wei Xing
Published: February 2022

When a silicon ingot is grown by the Czochralski method, different defects, such as A-defect (a dislocation loop or dislocation loops cluster), B-defect (widely accepted as an interstitial atoms cluster), COP (crystal originated particle, a void), and grown-in oxygen precipitates will emerge. Nowadays most crystal defects can be characterized directly. However, due to the extremely small size and stress, B-defects can only be indirectly characterized by the formation of oxygen precipitates. What’s more, it is unclear whether B-defects transform into oxygen precipitates directly or B-defects grow and transform into A-defects firstly and further facilitate oxygen precipitation via the dislocation pinning effect. In this work, after implementing an optimized anneal at 900 °C for 3 h and HCl vapor-phase etch at 900 °C for 2 min, nano-scale defects transformed from B-defects are efficiently detected by a surface particle counter. Scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results prove that these nano-scale defects are all oxygen precipitates. This explicit result indicates that B-defects can induce the formation of oxygen precipitates directly rather than relying on the formation of A-defects, which would help to better understand the characteristic of B-defect in relatively low temperature and the transformation process between different defects in silicon ingot.
The Temperature Effect on the Physical Properties of CoMnSb Half-Heusler Ferromagnetic: Density Functional Theory and Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Azouaoui A. , Hourmatallah A. , Benzakour N. , Bouslykhane K.
Published: February 2022

In this work, we have studied the effect of temperature on structural, magnetic, electronic, elastic, thermodynamical properties of half-Heusler CoMnSb by using density functional theory (DFT) and Monte Carlo simulations. The semi-classical Boltzmann transport theory in combination with DFT is implemented to evaluate the thermoelectric (TE) properties. The obtained ground state properties show that CoMnSb has a half metallic character with a magnetic moment value of about 3μ

B
. Thermodynamical parameters have been studied using quasi-harmonic approximation (QHA) in the range of temperature 0–1000 K. The results of QHA show that the CoMnSb maintain their mechanical stability under temperature. The obtained results of TE properties show that CoMnSb exhibits a low lattice thermal conductivity and that ZT increases with temperature and reaches the maximum value of 0.098 at 1000K. The Monte Carlo simulation is used to investigate the magnetic properties of CoMnSb. Moreover, the transition temperature T

C
and the hysteresis cycle are calculated. These properties show that the CoMnSb half-Heusler is a good candidate for spintronic applications.
Proprioception: a new look at an old concept
Authors: Héroux Martin E. , Butler Annie A. , Robertson Lucy S. , Fisher Georgia , Gandevia Simon C.
Published: February 2022

Proprioception, which can be defined as the awareness of the mechanical and spatial state of the body and its musculoskeletal parts, is critical to motor actions and contributes to our sense of body ownership. To date, clinical proprioceptive tests have focused on a person’s ability to detect, discriminate, or match limb positions or movements, and reveal that the strength of the relationship between deficits in proprioception and physical function varies widely. Unfortunately, these tests fail to assess higher-level proprioceptive abilities. In this Perspective, we propose that to understand fully the link between proprioception and function, we need to look beyond traditional clinical tests of proprioception. Specifically, we present a novel framework for human proprioception assessment that is divided into two categories: low-level and high-level proprioceptive judgments. Low-level judgments are those made in a single frame of reference and are the types of judgments made in traditional proprioceptive tests (i.e., detect, discriminate or match). High-level proprioceptive abilities involve proprioceptive judgments made in a different frame of reference. For example, when a person indicates where their hand is located in space. This framework acknowledges that proprioception is complex and multifaceted and that tests of proprioception should not be viewed as interchangeable, but rather as complimentary. Crucially, it provides structure to the way researchers and clinicians can approach proprioception and its assessment. We hope this Perspective serves as the catalyst for discussion and new lines of investigation.
Lisfranc Sprain with Second Metatarsal Base Adaptive Stress Response in High-Level Athletes: Case Series and Novel Perspective on a Distinct Entity of Chronic Low-Energy Lisfranc Injury
Authors: Lim WanYin , Heysen Jonathan , Ilic James , Beamond Ben , Zadow Steven
Published: February 2022

Lisfranc injury is increasingly being recognised in the high-performance athletic cohort, particularly in contact sports. In this cohort, there is a pattern of low-energy Lisfranc injury which combines magnetic resonance findings of both ligamentous sprain and adaptive bone stress response that infers a longer timeframe of stress than the duration of symptoms would suggest. This has not been previously described, and the authors believe that this is an unrecognized subset of midfoot sprain in the context of sustained stress to the midfoot. This retrospective case report describes MRI findings of three index cases of this entity in professional athletes presenting with acute foot pain. Two responded with conservative management whilst the third ultimately required surgery. All athletes were eventually able to return to play.
Schwann Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment: Need More Attention
Authors: Sun Leqi , Chen Shuhai , Chen Mingyou
Published: February 2022

The tumor microenvironment (TME), which is composed of various cell components and signaling molecules, plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of tumors and has become the central issue of current cancer research. In recent years, as a part of the TME, the peripheral nervous system (PNS) has attracted increasing attention. Moreover, emerging evidence shows that Schwann cells (SCs), which are the most important glial cells in the PNS, are not simply spectators in the TME. In this review article, we focused on the up-to-date research progress on SCs in the TME and introduced our point of view. In detail, we described that under two main tumor-nerve interaction patterns, perineural invasion (PNI) and tumor innervation, SCs were reprogrammed and acted as important participants. We also investigated the newest mechanisms between the interactions of SCs and tumor cells. In addition, SCs can have profound impacts on other cellular components in the TME, such as immune cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), involving immune regulation, tumor-related pain, and nerve remodeling. Overall, these innovative statements can expand the scope of the TME, help fully understand the significant role of SCs in the tumor-nerve-immune axis, and propose enlightenments to innovate antitumor therapeutic methods and future research.
Intangible Cultural Heritage Management Using Machine Learning Model: A Case Study of Northwest Folk Song Huaer
Authors: Huang Liusuo , Song Yan
Published: February 2022

Machine learning is the core field of artificial intelligence. It provides a guarantee for the digital intangible cultural heritage management of artificial intelligence. However, the existing theoretical and practical research points out that there are still many gaps in this field. Huaer is a folk song popular in Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and individual regions of Xinjiang. It is known as the soul of the northwest. It is a national human intangible cultural heritage. It was listed as human intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations in September 2009. With the rapid development of network technology and machine learning, it is very important to manage the network communication and deep mining of Huaer information. In this regard, use of machine learning natural language processing to mine the information of Huaer lyrics is proposed. By constructing the Huaer model of recurrent neural network (RNN), data mining of Huaer lyrics is carried out, and the built-in language module in Python is interconnected with dynamic Web pages. Four Huaer image segmentation methods and five deep learning algorithms are proposed, and the steps of image segmentation algorithm and BP neural network algorithm based on block technology are introduced. The results can provide new ideas for the protection and inheritance of music intangible cultural heritage and provide effective and high-quality information for Huaer art researchers and lovers.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Tube Carcinoma after Esophagectomy Contributes to Long-Term Outcomes
Authors: Hashimoto Satoru , Sato Hiroki , Mizuno Ken-ichi , Takahashi Kazuya , Takatsuna Masafumi , Yokoyama Junji , Ichikawa Hiroshi , Takeuchi Manabu , Kobayashi Masaaki , Terai Shuji
Published: February 2022

The incidence of gastric tube carcinoma (GTC) after esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma has increased in recent years. Surgical removal of the reconstructed gastric tube is associated with high mortality, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a promising alternative. There are limited reports of ESD for GTC. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of ESD in GTC. This single-center retrospective study examined patients who underwent ESD for GTC after esophagectomy at our institution between 2003 and 2018. The curability of GTC with ESD was evaluated histologically according to the Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines. Patient characteristics and procedural and long-term outcomes were analyzed. Overall, 31 patients (29 men and 2 women; median age, 73 years) with 45 GTC lesions underwent ESD. The mean period between primary esophagectomy and the diagnosis of GTC was 10.6 years. Bleeding during ESD was noted in two patients (6.5%). No other adverse or fatal events such as perforation were noted. Complete resection and curative resection were documented in 80.6% and 48.4% of cases, respectively. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 67.6% and 47.7%, respectively. The 3-year and 5-year disease-specific survival rates were 100% and 92.9%, respectively. One patient died of GTC, and fourteen patients died of other diseases, including primary carcinoma in five cases. ESD was safe and provided good long-term outcomes in patients with GTC. Regular long-term gastroscopy is required for the early detection of GTC. Patients with GTC after esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma have a high risk of other primary carcinomas or comorbidities after ESD.
Computational Simulations; Abundant Optical Wave Solutions Atangana Conformable Fractional Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Khater Mostafa M. A. , Inc Mustafa , Attia Raghda A. M. , Lu Dianchen
Published: February 2022

This research paper explores the Atangana conformable nonlinear fractional Schrödinger equation’s optical soliton wave solutions through three recently introduced computational schemes. The simplest expanded equation, the generalized Kudryashov method, and the sech-tanh expansion approaches are used for describing the structure of optical solitons by nonlinear optical fibers with the modern fractional operator. Several formulas such as hyperbolic, trigonometric, logical, dim, light, moon-bright hybrid, singular, combined singular, and regular wave solutions have been created. The employed methods are effective and worthy of being tested. The features of the Hamiltonian process were used to analyze the stability properties of the solutions obtained.
Farber Disease Mimicking Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: The First Reported Case in Qatar and Review of the Literature
Authors: Al-Naimi Amal , Toma Haneen , Hamad Sara G. , Ben Omran Tawfeg
Published: February 2022

Farber disease (FD) is an extremely rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by the deficiency of lysosomal acid ceramidase. It is characterized by a triad of progressive multiple joints’ involvement, subcutaneous nodules, and hoarseness of voice. In this report, we describe a 23-month-old boy diagnosed with Farber disease. Initially, he was misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) because he presented with joint swelling. However, the associated hoarseness of voice, subcutaneous nodules, and poor response to treatment all have questioned the diagnosis of JIA and prompted the suspicion of Farber disease as an alternative diagnosis. The diagnosis was later confirmed genetically by the presence of a homozygous pathogenic variant (p.Gly213Glu; c.638G > A in exon 8) in the ASAH1 gene. The present case illustrates the diagnostic journey of a child with Farber disease as well as highlights that FD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of early onset arthritis in the presence of subcutaneous nodules and/or hoarseness of voice.
Smartphone Use, Experience of Learning Environment, and Academic Performance among University Students: A Descriptive Appraisal
Authors: Faimau Gabriel , Tlhowe Kelebogile , Tlhaolang Omphile
Published: February 2022

In our contemporary digital society, the smartphone is at the center of a powerful technological revolution affecting multiple domains. In the context of higher learning, the use of smartphones among students has been an area of interest. Previous studies on smartphone use and academic performance have generally focused on measuring the impact that smartphone use has on the academic performance of students. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which gender differences and the experience of a particular learning environment contributes to the use of smartphones for academic purposes. Data were collected through the use of a standardized self-report questionnaire completed by 300 first-year and 203 fourth-year undergraduate students from the University of Botswana. Our analysis is guided by the following specific objectives: first, to explore gender and the patterns of smartphone use for academic purposes; second, to appraise the contributing value of the experience of a learning environment on the use of smartphones to enhance academic achievement; and third, to examine smartphone use and its possible contribution to the performance outcome of students. Overall, we argue that the use of a smartphone for academic purposes is partly influenced by the extent to which a student is familiar with or understands the multiple contexts that shape his/her learning environment. For further studies in the field of smartphone use and academic performance, we suggest using multiple methods of data collection to uncover how students attach meanings to the use of smartphones and the role of smartphone use in improving their academic performance outcomes.
Exemplar Parents’ Practices of Engagement with Their Children’s Learning in Finland and Portugal: A Multiple-Case Study
Authors: Levinthal Cristiana , Kuusisto Elina , Tirri Kirsi
Published: February 2022

Parental engagement is a central aspect of children’s holistic education, i.e., schooling-related and nonschooling-related learning. Parents’ role in supporting such integrative learning is increasingly necessary to develop students’ social, emotional, and intellectual skills. Nonetheless, it remains unclear which parental practices support holistic learning. The purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to identify and describe the current practices of engagement with learning of four exemplar parents in Finland (N = 2) and Portugal (N = 2). These four parents of primary-school-age children were individually interviewed, and abductive content analysis was performed to analyze their narratives. Our results evidence four patterns of exemplar practices: showing active interest in the child, supporting autonomy, building a partnership with the teacher and the school, and visiting the child’s school. The study concludes that even though exemplar parents use a variety of specific engagement practices, they support holistic learning through their ownership of action in such interactions, clear awareness about their parental role, and consistency in their intentions. Exemplar parental engagement within different cultural contexts was discussed. Recommendations for teachers’ pedagogy are presented regarding the benefits of digital communication, goal-oriented invitations to school, and promotion of family time in the home for enhancing children’s holistic learning.
COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance among Healthcare Staff in Sudan, 2021
Authors: Yassin Eman Omer Mohamed , Faroug Haybat Awad Allah , Ishaq Zainab Bushra Yousif , Mustafa Mustafa Mohammed Alfaki , Idris Mohammed Meshal Abdulkareem , Widatallah Samah Elnour Khalifa , Abd El-Raheem Ghada Omer Hamad , Suliman Maha Y.
Published: February 2022

Elderly and patients with comorbid conditions have higher risk of infection and complications. Vaccination hesitancy is defined as the refusal of vaccine or the delay in accepting it despite the availability of vaccines and vaccination services. This study was aimed at assessing knowledge, perception, and acceptability of healthcare staff towards different types of COVID-19 vaccination. A multicenter hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was implemented to study the knowledge, perception, and acceptability of healthcare staff towards COVID-19 vaccination. Multistage sampling technique was applied. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire filled by the participants. 400 participants were studied. 61% of the participants were females, and the most frequent age reported was between 18 and 35 years (67%). A statistically significant association (

p
=
0.048

) was found between knowledge about vaccination and professions. The most common vaccine type known and accepted was AstraZeneca vaccine. On assessing acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination, acceptance rate was high (63.8%) and 22.7% of the participants had already got vaccinated. The rejection rate among our staff was 27.4%. This study was conducted in April, 2021. Majority of our healthcare staff believed that vaccination is the key to combat the pandemic. One of the issues and concerns about vaccination was the safety and the risk of developing acute adverse events (

p
=
0.001

). Encouraging factor for vaccination was the fear of getting infection themselves and their families. The present study revealed the presence of good knowledge and acceptability among medical staff towards COVID-19 vaccinations in Sudan.
Data Fusion Algorithm for Myocardial Proteomics and Its Research in Sports
Authors: Song Ditao , Hu Xiaoyong
Published: February 2022

Sport is a type of comprehensive activity that the human body consciously engages in to improve physical fitness. Proteomics is a comprehensive technology dedicated to the study of all protein profiles expressed by a species, individual organ, tissue, or cell under specific conditions and specific times. Proteomics is a science that studies the protein composition of cells, tissues, or organisms and their changing laws with proteomics as the research object. Related technologies are now widely used in sports and other fields. The purpose of this article is to study myocardial proteomic technology and its application in sports. During the research process, the main methods used in this study are literature survey and controlled experiment. The results achieved and the problems in this field, followed by selecting 30 SD rats into 3 groups for control experiments. The results of the study showed that among the three groups of rats, the left ventricular ejection fraction of the sham operation group was the highest, which was 7.7% and 4.6% higher than that of the operation group and the model group, respectively. The operation group had the highest left ventricular short axis shortening rate, and the left ventricle diastolic inner diameter is the longest. It can be seen that myocardial proteomics can accurately reflect the heart condition of rats. In addition, the length, diastolic velocity, and diastolic time of cardiomyocytes of the three groups of rats were different. Among them, the cardiomyocytes of the operation group had the longest time and the longest diastolic time, which were 37.1% and 8.5% higher than those of the sham operation group and the model group.
A Compact Frequency and Radiation Reconfigurable Antenna for 5G and Multistandard Sub-6 GHz Wireless Applications
Authors: Ullah Shakir , Elfergani Issa , Ahmad Inzamam , Din Iftikhar Ud , Ullah Sadiq , Rehman Khan Wasi Ur , Ahmad Toufeeq , Habib Usman , Zebiri Chemseddine , Rodriguez Jonathan
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a reconfigurable antenna operating in three modes at different frequency bands with pattern reconfiguration. Frequency and pattern reconfigurability are achieved using four PIN diodes. In particular, two diodes are mounted in the radiating part of the hexagon shape to perform the frequency reconfiguration of the antenna. The other two PIN diodes are connected with the inverted L-shaped and CPW ground by changing the main lobe beam steering to achieve the pattern reconfiguration. An antenna has been designed, fabricated, and numerically and experimentally assessed. The prototype of the antenna is fabricated on a commercially available FR-4 substrate of thickness 1.6 mm (

ε

r

 = 4.3). Thus, the proposed antenna supports several 5G sub-6 GHz bands (3.1 GHz, 4.1 GHz, and 3.8 GHz), WiFi (2.45 GHz), as well as (7.8 GHz, 9.5 GHz) X-Band Satellite applications. The obtained results are quite promising. In particular, it is observed that the measured results are in close agreement with the simulation results, and the proposed (compact) antenna prototype can be a prospective candidate for future portable devices, sensor networks, and telecommunication applications.
Study on the Creep and Fracture Evolution Mechanism of Rock Mass with Weak Interlayers
Authors: Zhao Na , Zhang Yibin , Miao Haibin , Meng Lixin
Published: February 2022

To study the influence of weak interlayers on the creep failure characteristics of rock masses, based on the continuous-discontinuous method (CDEM), the uniaxial compression creep experiments of rock masses containing weak layers were numerically simulated; and the weakened rock masses under different conditions were analyzed in detail. We focused on the final failure mode and creep curve of the rock mass with a weak interlayer (θ = 30°, d = 20 mm, c = 1) as examples by selecting the crack distribution state of the model during compression at different time steps. We analyzed the propagation and convergence mode of cracks in a rock mass with weak layers. The research results show that the existence of weak interlayers affects the integrity of the rock mass and the creep failure mode. With the increase in the inclination of the weak interlayer, the failure mode of the rock mass changes from shear failure through the weak layer to slip along the weak layer. For shear failure, the total strain and steady-state creep rate of the rock mass first decrease and then increase, showing a U-shaped distribution; as the thickness of the weak interlayer increases, the rock mass always follows the shear in the weak layer. Creep failure occurs on the fracture surface, and the total strain and steady-state creep rate of the rock mass are positively correlated with the thickness. If the thickness continues to increase, there is no significant difference in the creep characteristics of the rock mass; the volume occupied by the soft rock in the body increases, the overall rigidity of the rock mass decreases, and the plastic deformation increases. The form of creep failure of the rock mass changes from sliding shear failure along the weak layer to sliding shear failure through the weak interlayer. The total strain and steady-state creep rate of the rock mass increase with the increase in the number of weak layers; the greater the distance between the weak layers, the smaller the total strain and steady-state creep rate of the rock mass. The slower the crack growth rate, the less likely the rock mass to undergo creep damage.
The Comparative Effect of Online Instruction, Flipped Instruction, and Traditional Instruction on Developing Iranian EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Knowledge
Authors: Mundir  , Ahmed Alim Al Ayub , Keezhatta Muhammed Salim , Khair Amal Bakhrul , Sharma Sandhir , Shanan Asaad Jassaim , Ali Muneam Hussein , Farooq Haidari Mir Mohammad
Published: February 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, using online and flipped instruction is the best alternative for traditional instruction. Therefore, this study compared the effects of three instructions, including online, flipped, and traditional, on improving Iranian EFL learners’ vocabulary knowledge. To do so, 90 Iranian intermediate EFL learners were selected among 119 students as the participants of this study. The target participants were randomly divided into three equal groups (online, flipped, and traditional). After that, all groups were pretested by a vocabulary test. Then, the participants of one group received the treatment by using fully online instruction, and the other group participants received a flipped instruction. On the other hand, the participants of the third group received conventional vocabulary instruction. After teaching 100 new English words to all groups with three different instructions, a vocabulary posttest was administered to all participants. The paired samples t-test and one-way ANOVA results indicated that both online and flipped groups outperformed the control group in the vocabulary posttest. In addition, the findings revealed the flipped group outflanked the online group in the posttest of vocabulary. The implications of this study can encourage both EFL teachers and learners to integrate the flipped and online instructions into their teaching and learning processes.
Honey on Basketball Players’ Physical Recovery and Nutritional Supplement
Authors: Tang Huaming
Published: February 2022

Sports injury is a subject that every athlete will face, and it is the easiest to happen in training and competition, especially for basketball players. Moreover, the excessive fatigue caused by sports not only reduces the person’s ability to play sports, but also it reduces the person’s participation in normal training and competition. Sugar and fat play a dominant role in energy metabolism, while protein only plays an auxiliary role. For competitive sports, sugar is the most important energy, and the main components of honey are glucose and fructose. Therefore, this paper attempts to explore the effect of honey on the physical recovery and nutritional supplement of basketball players. In this paper, 10 basketball players in our city were selected as the experimental objects and the data of their physiological and biochemical indexes were analyzed. The results showed that the average hemoglobin of the experimental group decreased from 14.45 g·100 ml−1 in the first week to 13.23 g·100 ml−1 in the second week, increased to 14.25·100 ml−1 in the third week, and increased to 15.79.100 ml−1 in the fourth week. Adding honey can improve the content of HB and CK of basketball players in higher vocational colleges and reduce the increase of BUN, to slow down fatigue and accelerate the speed of physical recovery.