bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation and adjustment of the Patient Experience Questionnaire (PEQ) based on a Norwegian hospital study.
Authors: ADDO SETH AYISI JUNIOR , OLSEN ESPEN , MYKLETUN REIDAR JOHAN
Published: March 2021

Background- This paper assesses the psychometric qualities of the Patient Experience Questionnaire (PEQ), thereby validating a patient-oriented service climate measurement model in a hospital environment, and modifies the model based on empirical results. This study employed survey data gathered by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health from adult inpatients at somatic hospitals in the Health South-East RHF in Norway. The survey engaged 4,603 patients out of 8,381 from 5 main hospitals in the region. Data was analysed with the aid of AMOS, SPSS, and Microsoft Excel.Results- The study found that an 8-factor model of the PEQ generally showed good fitness to the data, but assessment of discriminant validity showed that this was not the optimal factor solution among 4 of the 8 dimensions. After comparisons of models, support was finally found for a model with a second-order factor for 4 of the factors: “nurse services”, “doctor services”, “information”, and “organisation”, collectively named “treatment services”. The proposed model demonstrated good validity and reliability results.Conclusions- The results present theoretical and practical implications. The study recommends that inferential analyses on the PEQ should be done with the second-order factor. Also, a revision of the PEQ is recommended subject to more confirmatory studies with larger samples in different regions. The study indicates a second-order factor structure for assessing and understanding patient experiences, a finding having both theoretical and managerial implications.
Residual limb volume changes in transfemoral amputees
Authors: Paternò Linda , Ibrahimi Michele , Rosini Elisa , Menfi Giuseppe , Monaco Vito , Gruppioni Emanuele , Ricotti Leonardo , Menciassi Arianna
Published: March 2021

This study constitute the first attempt to systematically quantify residual limb volume changes in transfemoral amputees. The study was carried out on 24 amputees to investigate changes due to prosthesis doffing, physical activity, and testing time. A proper experimental set-up was designed, including a 3D optical scanner, to improve precision and acceptability by amputees. The first test session aimed at measuring residual limb volume at 7 time-points, with 10 minute intervals, after prosthesis doffing. This allowed for evaluating the time required for volume stabilization after prosthesis removal, for each amputee. In subsequent sessions, 16 residual limb scans in a day for each amputee were captured to evaluate volume changes due to prosthesis removal and physical activity, in two times per day (morning and afternoon). These measurements were repeated in three different days, a week apart from each other, for a total of 48 scans for each amputee. Volume changes overtime after prosthesis doffing showed a two-term decay exponential trend (R2 = 0.97), with the highest change in the initial 10 minutes and an average stabilization time of 30 minutes. A statistically significant increasing effect of both prosthesis removal and physical activity was verified. No differences were observed between measures collected in the morning and in the afternoon.
Evolution of altruistic punishments among heterogeneous conditional cooperators
Authors: Battu Balaraju
Published: March 2021

Although altruistic punishments solve the free rider problem in repeated public good games, it has been a puzzle why altruistic punishers willing to incur personal costs in order to improve the group benefits. It has been shown that when the population consists of a finite set of pure strategies along with altruistic punishers, altruistic punishments evolve in the population. These models the population consists of a finite set of strategies and the strategies do not depend on the past strategies of the population. Unlike assumptions made in these models, the population is heterogeneous in their conditional cooperative strategies and the individuals who are more willing to donate also are more willing to punish the free riders. I propose an evolutionary agent-based model, each agent’s donation depends on the difference between the number of donations in the past and the threshold value and a propensity value. Altruistic punishment depends on the difference between the threshold value of altruistic punisher and random matched another agent. The proposed model overcomes the unrealistic assumptions made in the previous models and altruistic punishments evolve for a large set of parameters. The simulations show that, for certain inflicted costs of punishments, generous altruistic punishments evolve in the population and establish stable cooperation. The conditional nature of cooperation implies that, unlike previous models, it is not necessary to punish all free riders equally, but it is necessary to do so in the case of the selfish free riders but not in the case of negative reciprocators.
Geothermal Power Project’s Manageable Risks in Hungary
Authors: Toth Aniko , Szucs Peter , Fenerty David K.
Published: March 2021

There are many compelling arguments for using geothermal energy in Hungary. One of the most important is that the country could thereby exploit its abundant, relatively untapped network of geothermal reservoirs. These are considerably warmer and closer to the surface than in most of Europe. In the foreseeable future, Hungary’s geothermal resources can satisfy the conditions required for efficient energy production. The tremendous amount of energy stored in our geothermal reservoirs could satisfy much of the country’s long-term energy demand.Every geothermal project is designed to fulfill its project objectives by meeting time, budget, technical, and legal/regulatory provisions. Geothermal development is necessarily exposed to risks of varying degrees throughout its development, something which distinguishes geothermal from other kinds of renewable-energy projects. These risks most often concern the availability, amount, suitability, sustainability and use-potential of the geothermal resource, but may also include market, financing, commercial and macro-economic risks.
Symmetry of Surface States in Graphene Superlattices Terminated With Magnetic Cap Layers
Authors: Xu Huaizhe , Yan Qiqi , Wang Liying , Wang Sansheng , Zhang Yaping
Published: March 2021

The symmetry of surface states in graphene superlattices (SLs) terminated with a magnetic cap layer has been identified with numerical calculations. It is found that the surface states in pure electric SLs with As ≥ 0 are symmetric about ky = 0 to those with As ≤ 0 . While those in pure magnetic SLs with the same As are symmetric about E = 0. Additionally, the surface states in SLs of general complex electric/magnetic basis show no symmetry. The symmetry of surface states in terminated SLs is mainly determined by the nature of the basis and its configuration. These interesting results provide a useful guideline to the experimental exploration of carbon-based quantum electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Identification of damage development in the core of steel cord belts with the diagnostic system
Authors: Blazej Ryszard , Jurdziak Leszek , Kirjanow-Blazej Agata , Kozłowski Tomasz
Published: March 2021

Belt conveyors are used for transporting bulk materials over distances. The core of the belt, by transferring the longitudinal stresses and ensuring proper frictional coupling of the belt, enables belt movement and transportation of materials on its surface. As the belt cover and edges are used, the belt becomes abraded, and the core is subject to fatigue. The result is the development of cracks in rubber covers across the belt, which leads to the development of damage not only along the cables (the natural direction of water migration and corrosion) but also in the direction transverse to the belt axis. Conducting a series of scans of the St-type belt operating in one of the underground copper ore mines in Poland allowed identifying the number of failures as well as their size and changes over time. These data were in turn used to determine the measures defining the condition of the belt such as the density of defects (the number of defects per 1 m of the belt), the density of the area of damage (the area of damage per 1 m of the belt) and the change in the average area of a single defect over time. By determining the regression of these measures in time and the rate of damage development in both directions (along the axis of the belt and across the belt), it was possible to forecast future states of the belt, as well as to evaluate the costs of different belt replacement strategies and the economic rationalization of the decision to replace them. This research has become possible owing to the development of the DiagBelt system for two-dimensional imaging of the damage to the core of steel-cord belts with resolution sufficiently high to allow tracking the development of single core defects.
Association of number of children and birth order with body mass index in children and adolescents: The CASPIAN-V study
Authors: Hemati Zeinab , Mozafarian Nafiseh , Heshmat Ramin , Rastad Hadith , Ejtahed Hanieh-Sadat , Daniali Seyede Shahrbanoo , Goudarzi Masoomeh , Motlagh Mohammad Esmaeil , Qorbani Mostafa , Kelishadi Roya
Published: March 2021

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the association of the number of family children and birth order with later body mass index (BMI) in a pediatric population.
Methods

This cross-sectional nationwide study was conducted in the framework of the fifth survey of a national school-based surveillance program, entitled Childhood and Adolescence Surveillance and PreventIon of Adult Noncommunicable disease (CASPIAN-V) Study. Participants were 14,400 students, aged 7–18 years, who were selected by random cluster sampling from 30 provinces in Iran. Multinomial regression models were used to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the number of family children or the birth order for later excess weight.
Results

The first-born children had significantly higher OR for obesity, and the third-born children had higher OR of underweight compared to the first-born ones (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05–1.42). Moreover, children within the three-, four-, and five-child families had higher OR of underweight than those with one-child families (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.77- 1).
Conclusion

The birth order and number of children were associated with underweight and overweight or obesity in children and adolescents. Future studies are necessary to assess the underlying determinants.
Theoretical studies of novel high energy density materials based on oxadiazoles
Authors: Xia Wenxin , Zhang Renfa , Xu Xiaosong , Ma Congming , Ma Peng , Pan Yong , Jiang Juncheng
Published: March 2021

In this study, 32 energetic compounds were designed using oxadiazoles (1,2,5-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole) as the parent by inserting different groups as well as changing the bridge between the parent. These compounds had high-density and excellent detonation properties. The electrostatic potentials of the designed compounds were analyzed using density functional theory (DFT). The structure, heat of formation (HOF), density, detonation performances (detonation pressure P , detonation velocity D , detonation heat Q ), and thermal stability of each compound were systematically studied based on molecular dynamics. The results showed that the -N 3 group has the greatest improvement in HOF. For the detonation performances, the directly linked, -N=N-, -NH-NH- were beneficial when used as a bridge between 1,2,5-oxadiazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole, and it can also be found that bridge changing had little effect on the trend of detonation performance, while energetic groups changing influenced differently. The designed compounds (except for A2 , B2 , B4 ) all had higher detonation properties than TNT, A6 ( D = 9.41 km s -1 , P = 41.86 GPa, Q = 1572.251 cal g -1 ) was the highest, followed D6 had poorer performance ( D = 8.96 km s -1 , P = 37.46 GPa, Q = 1354.51 cal g -1 ).
Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of nurse's role in primary care settings: an integrative review
Authors: Busca Erica , Savatteri Alessia , Calafato Tania Lorenza , Mazzoleni Beatrice , Barisone Michela , Molin Alberto Dal
Published: March 2021

Background The rapid evolution of the epidemiological picture and the recent SARS-COV-2 pandemic has expressed the vulnerabilities of health systems and focuses attention on the population's needs.The nurse's figure in the care teams is universally identified; however, the implementation of the role within some care settings turns out to be complex and challenging. This integrative review aims to identify the barriers and facilitators in implementing the role of the nurse in primary care settings.MethodsAn integrative review was conducted on the Medline and Cinahl databases until 9 June 2020. Qualitative, quantitative, and Mixed-method research studies were selected to identify studies related to the barriers and facilitators of the nurse's role in nursing facilities' primary care. For the extraction of the results, the Consolidating Framework for Research Implementation (CFIR) was used to identify the factors that influence implementation in health care.ResultsFollowing the duplicates' removal, the search identified 18257 articles, of which 56 were relevant to the inclusion criteria; therefore, they were included in the summary.The selected studies were conducted in thirteen countries, most from Oceania, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean.The barriers reported most frequently concern the nursing profession's regulatory and regulatory aspects within the contexts of care, cultural and organizational aspects, training, and the transfer of specific skills, which were previously designated to doctors.The facilitators are mainly linked to the nurse's adaptability to the various contexts of care, recognizing the patient's role, and the desire to develop multidisciplinary and effective working groups to respond to the health needs of the population in primary care contexts.ConclusionThis review highlighted the main barriers and facilitators in implementing the nurse's role in primary care settings. These results offer useful elements for stakeholders to identify effective strategies in preparing programs and activities for implementing the nurse's role, acting on the elements identified as barriers and favouring the aspects that emerge as facilitators.
Development of a prognostic model based on immunogenomic landscape analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: lu ligong , Liu Shaoqing , Hua Shengni , Zhang Zhenlin , Zhan Meixiao , Zhao Wei , Xiao Jing , Li Yong , He Xu , Xin Yongjie , Qiu Lige , Zhang Fujun , Cao Zhixing , Peng Yongjun
Published: March 2021

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common subtype of liver cancer, and the systematic exploration of its prognostic indicators is urgently needed. In this study, we obtained 12 IRGs for the construction of a risk score prediction model in HCC by bioinformatics analysis.
Methods

Differentially expressed genes were screened using the R software edgeR package. Functional enrichment analysis was performed through gene ontology analyses as well as the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. Single factor and multi-factor Cox analysis were employed for survival analysis. We used the Timer software to examine the correlation between risk score and tumor-infiltrating immune cells.
Results

We identified 3,215 up-regulated and 1,044 down-regulated genes in HCC tissues based on a cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Differentially expressed immune-related genes (IRGs) and survival-associated IRGs were further identified. We also integrated multivariate Cox regression analyses to obtain 12 IRGs for the construction of a risk score prediction model, whose performance was verified using the Kaplan-Meier survival and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Our findings suggest that the risk score was associated with clinical characteristics and the infiltration of immune cells in HCC patients.
Conclusions

We obtained a risk score prediction model of 12 IRGs in HCC by bioinformatics analysis and confirmed its performance.
A Larger Sized Cup Accelerates Cartilage Erosion of Acetabulum after Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty in Elderly with Femur Neck Fracture
Authors: Kim Sang Min , Shah Saumil Ashvin , Kim Jae Young , Cho Hyun Woo , Shon Won Yong
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty (BHA) is one of the common procedures done for the treatment of femur neck fracture. One of the frequently encountered complication with this surgery is erosion of the acetabular cartilage. This study was conducted to investigate acetabular erosion after BHA according to the difference in diameter between femoral head and implanted cup at minimum 10-year follow-up.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 117 patients (117 hips) undergoing BHA with fracture of neck of the femur. Their mean age was 77.8 years (range, 65-96 years) and male: female ratio was 32:85. Patients were divided into 3 groups; Group A- bipolar cup size > actual head size, Group B- cup size < head size, Group C- cup size = head size. The degree of both superior and medial acetabular cartilage erosion was identified and calculated on postoperative radiographs using line of acetabular margin and Kohler’s line.Results: The mean superior and medial acetabular erosion were 1.62 ± 1.6 mm (range, 0 – 4.4) and 4.15 ± 2.7 mm (range, 0 – 8.2) in Group A, 1.30 ± 1.3 mm (range, 0 – 3.8) and 4.11 ± 2.7 mm (range, 0 – 7.8) in Group B, and 0.90 ± 1.1 mm (range, 0 – 2.6) and 3.16 ± 2.9 mm (range, 0 – 7.9) in Group C (p=0.039 and p=0.187, respectively). The superior acetabular erosion showed significant difference between the three groups. During mean follow-up period of 12.3 years, five patients (5/117, 4.3%) underwent conversion to THA due to superior acetabular erosion. All of three patient underwent BHA with a larger bipolar cup than the actual femoral head.Conclusion: A lager sized cup accelerated superior cartilage erosion of acetabulum after bipolar hemiarthroplasty. An optimal cup size should be considered when undergoing BHA in elderly patients.
Equality of surgical fee schedule in Japan: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Nakata Yoshinori , Watanabe Yuichi , Otake Hiroshi
Published: March 2021

Background

The purpose of this study is to examine how the degree of inequality of Japanese surgical fee schedule changed during the study period by applying Gini coefficients for efficiency scores computed from data envelopment analysis.
Methods

All the surgeries that were performed in the main operating rooms of Teikyo University Hospital in 2013-18 were candidates used for the analysis of efficiency and equality of fee schedule. The decision making unit was defined as a surgeon with the highest academic rank in the surgery. Inputs were defined as (1) the number of assistants, and (2) the duration of operation. An output was defined as the surgical fee that was charged for reimbursement. Each surgeon’s efficiency score was calculated using data envelopment analysis. Using the medians of efficiency scores in each surgical specialty, the authors inferred Gini coefficients and their standard errors in each year and in each surgical fee schedule by the Bootstrap methods.
Results

The authors analyzed 16,307 surgical procedures during the study period of 2013-18. There was no statistically significant difference in the Gini coefficients between the years and between the surgical fee schedules (p > 0.05).
Conclusions

The authors demonstrated that the degree of inequality of Japanese surgical fee schedule remained constant from 2013 through 2018.
Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among small mammals in Tatarstan, Russian Federation
Authors: Shamaev Nikolai , Shuralev Eduard , Nikitin Oleg , Mukminov Malik , Davidyuk Yuriy , Belyaev Alexander , Isaeva Guzel , Ziatdinov Vasil , Khammadov Nail , Safina Regina , Salmanova Gaysha , Akhmedova Guzel , Khaertynov Kamil , Saito Taizo , Kitoh Katsuya , Takashima Yasuhiro
Published: March 2021

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite with a wide host range that includes humans, domestic animals and wild animals. Small mammals serve as intermediate hosts for T. gondii and may contribute to the persistence of this parasite in the environment. Mass mortality in wild animals and deaths in rare endemic species make the study of this parasite of growing importance. In this study, T. gondii infection prevalence was evaluated in brain tissues from 474 small mammals captured at 26 trapping points in urban and rural areas of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. Nested PCR was used to detect the T. gondii B1 gene in the samples. Overall, 40/474 samples (8.44 %) showed B1 gene positivity. T. gondii infection among the wild small mammals trapped in the rural area was significantly higher as a whole than that of the urban area as a whole. Multivariate logistical regression analysis also showed that the trapping area (rural or urban) significantly contributed to T. gondii positivity. Vegetation in the trapping points, small mammal species, sex, age or distance from the trapping points to the nearest human settlements did not significantly affect T. gondii positivity in the sampled small mammals.
Clinical effect of a new type of transpedicular reducer for fracture reduction via pedicle and bone grafting combined with pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar burst fractures
Authors: Cai Menghan , Xin Zhijun , Kong Weijun , Du Qian , Ji Wenjun , Wu Fujun , Li Jin , He Jialin , Liao Wenbo
Published: March 2021

Background: Short-segment transpedicular screw fixation is a common method for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures (TBFs),but this technique has many problems.Therefore,the purpose of this article is to observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy of a new type of transpedicular reducer that we designed for fractured vertebral body reduction and bone grafting in the treatment of TBFs.Methods:From July 2018 to November 2020, 70 cases of TBFs were included. 35 cases were treated with the new transpedicular reducer for fracture reduction via pedicle and bone grafting combined with pedicle screw fixation (observation group), 35 cases were treated with short-segment transpedicular screw fixation (control group).Before operation, after application of the transpedicular reducer(not needed in the control group),3 days after operation, 3 months after operation, 6 months after operation, and 12 months after operation, the two groups were recorded and compared respectively: the anterior and middle heights of the injured vertebrae, the ratios of the anterior and middle heights of the injured vertebral body to the respective heights of the adjacent uninjured vertebral bodies (AVBHr and MVBHr, respectively), and the Cobb angle of patients.And we compared the pain VAS score and quality of life GQOL-74 score at the last follow-up.At last,we evaluated the distribution of bone grafts and bone healing 12 months after the operation.Results:All 70 cases were followed up for at least 12 months.The observation group's anterior and middle heights of the injured vertebral, AVBHr and MVBHr were higher than those of the control group at 3 days,3 months,6 months and 12 months after operation, the cobb angle was smaller than that in control group, the pain VAS score and the quality of life GQOL-74 score at the last follow-up were better than those of the control group, and these difference were statistically significant (P <0.05). The observation group showed no obvious defects on CT at 12 months after operation, and the bone healing was good. Conclusion: The new type of transpedicular reducer for fracture reduction via pedicle and bone grafting combined with pedicle screw fixation for TBFs has a good clinical efficacy.
Effect of Hyperhomocysteinemia on a Murine Model of Smoke-Induced Pulmonary Emphysema.
Authors: Nakano Hiroshi , Inoue Sumito , Igarashi Akira , Tokairin Yoshikane , Yamauchi Keiko , Kimura Tomomi , Nishiwaki Michiko , Nemoto Takako , Otaki Yoichiro , Sato Masamichi , Sato Kento , Machida Hiroyoshi , Yang Sujeong , Murano Hiroaki , Watanabe Masafumi , Shibata Yoko
Published: March 2021

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) was reported to enhance endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and subsequent apoptosis in several cells. However, the precise mechanisms of smoking susceptibility associated with HHcy has not been fully elucidated. This study included seven- to nine-week-old C57BL6 male mice induced with HHcy and were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS). A549 cells (human alveolar epithelial cell line) were cultured with homocysteine and were exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) to observe cell viability and expression of proteins related to the ER stress. After 6 months of CS exposure, pulmonary emphysema was more severely induced in the group under the condition of HHcy compared to that in the control group. The apoptotic A549 cells increased as Hcy concentration increased and that was enhanced by CSE. Protein expression levels of ER stress markers were significantly increased after simultaneous stimulation. Notably, vitamin B12 and folate supplementation improved ER stress after simultaneous stimulation of A549 cells. HHcy exacerbated smoking-induced pulmonary emphysema and ER stress-induced alveolar cell apoptosis. ER stress in alveolar cells was reversed by vitamin B12 and folate supplementation, suggesting that HHcy could be the new therapeutic target to improve smoking susceptibility.
Methodological Approach to Assessing the Effectiveness of Managing the Investment Potential of International Financial Corporations
Authors: Chernogorskiy Sergey , Kostin Konstantin , Mühlfriedel Bernd
Published: March 2021

Assessing the management of the investment potential of international financial corporations is an important research problem, since it helps to substantiate the significance of decisions made, which increases the efficiency of international corporations in general. One of the main indicators that evaluate the quality of enterprise management is operational efficiency. The effectiveness of the enterprise means the ability of the enterprise to ensure the constant production of material (information, social, etc., depending on the segment of the enterprise) goods, in any given situation. This article touches upon the issue of assessing the effectiveness of managing the investment potential of an enterprise. The general approach to the methodology is based on a model of making a personal decision based on synthesis, while a personal decision is being the basis of any activity, regardless of the sphere of management. The article uses a methodology for assessing the effectiveness, based on the construction of a complex system. The methodology is also stipulated by: firstly, the basic laws of the subject area (basic physical, social and technical laws), and secondly, the ultimate goal of the system development. This approach is based on the system integration of the basic processes for managing the investment potential of the enterprise and represents a solution to the inverse management problem. This synthesis-based approach ensures the achievement of the goal of management. Within the process of development of the approach to assessing the effectiveness of managing the investment potential of an enterprise, a synthesis-based mathematical model was developed.
Mapping Revealed Two Additive QTLs and Fourteen Epistatic QTLs for Late Leaf Spot Resistance in a Cultivated Groundnut Breeding Line VG 9514.
Authors: Mondal Suvendu , Motagi Babu N. , Badigannavar Anand M.
Published: March 2021

A late leaf spot resistant breeding line VG 9514 was bred through interspecific hybridization between Arachis hypogaea L. and Arachis cardenasii. Genetic study involving segregation for late leaf spot resistance in F2 and recombinant inbred line population of a cross between VG 9514 X TAG 24 revealed duplicate recessive resistance for the disease. Integration of newly developed SSR markers from A02 chromosome with existing linkage map generated a new genetic linkage map with 278 markers and 2679.1 cM map distances. QTL mapping involving this genetic linkage map and phenotypic field score of late leaf spot identified two major consensus additive QTLs in the A02 chromosome of cultivated groundnut. Epistatic interaction between these two major QTLs was also noticed through an epistatic QTL analysis in Ici-Mapping 4.1. In all the fourteen epistatic QTLs, a common component locus was remained within the major additive QTL at 90 cM in chromosome A02. Sequence analysis within the major additive QTL peaks revealed open reading frame of genes that code LRR domain containing proteins which are involved in disease resistance in crop plants.
Improvement of N-Type Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell Performance Using Novel Texturization Method.
Authors: Ray Soma , Mondal Anup , Gangopadhyay Utpal
Published: March 2021

Texturization of diamond cut crystalline silicon wafers undergoes a great difficulty due to deep saw marks on all over the surface of the wafer which makes hindrance to manufacture high efficiency solar cell. Textural result is not satisfactory after conventional texturization by potassium hydroxide (KOH)-isopropyl alcohol (IPA) followed by the saw damage removal by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) aqueous solution. The non-uniform texture surface has been observed with noticeable spots on the wafer surface. Surface texturization of diamond cut silicon wafer has been improved after introducing a new method in this paper. Small amount of surfactant along with KOH-IPA solution and curtailing saw damage removal step created better textural result than conventional texturization method. Optimize etching solution exhibited excellent anisotropic etching which eventually paved to improve solar cell characteristics than conventional surface texturing. About 15% efficiency is found for conventional texturization in diamond cut wafers while above 19% efficiency was found for our proposed method. Batch process compatibility has been studied using stainless steel container instead of commercially available borosil glass bath.
Iprodione and Chlorpyrifos, Alone and in a Mixture, Impaired Male Fertility and Sexual Behavior in Adult Rats via Suppression of Steroidogenic Genes and SIRT1/TERT/PGC-1α Pathway
Authors: Abd-Elhakim Yasmina M. , Sharkawy Nabela I. El , Bohy Khlood M. El , Hassan Mona A. , Gharib Heba S.A. , El-Metwally Abeer E. , Arisha Ahmed Hamed , Imam Tamer S.
Published: March 2021

There is cumulative evidence that the iprodione (IPR) fungicide and the chlorpyrifos (CPF) insecticide are endocrine disruptors that can evoke reproductive toxicity. Yet, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Besides, the outcomes of their co-exposure to male sexual behavior and male fertility are still unknown. The effects of IPR (200 mg/kg b.wt) and CPF (7.45 mg/kg b.wt) single or mutual exposure for 65 days on sexual behavior, sex hormones, testicular enzymes, testis, and accessory sex gland histomorphometric measurements, apoptosis, and oxidative stress biomarkers were investigated. In addition, expression of nuclear receptor subfamily group A (NR5A1), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD17B3), silent information regulator type-1 (SIRT1), telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) genes have been assessed. Our results revealed that the individual or concurrent IPR and CPF exposure significantly disturb the sexual behavior, semen characteristics, testicular enzymes, and male hormones level. Oxidative stress caused by IPR and CPF activates apoptosis by inducing Caspase 3 and reducing Bcl-2. Downregulation of HSD17B3, NR5A1, and SIRT1/TERT/PGC-1α pathway was evident. Of note, most of these disturbances were exaggerated in rats co-exposed to IPR and CPF compared to IPR or CPF alone. Conclusively, our findings verified that IPR and CPF possibly damage the male reproductive system and concurrent exposure should be avoided.
A Risk Stratification Model for Predicting Survival in Breast Cancer Patients With Lung Metastasis: A Study of the SEER Database and A Chinese Cohort
Authors: Han Xiang-Chen , Pei Yu-Chen , Wang Yun-Jin , Li Xiao-Guang , Lu Xun-Xi , Guo Lin-Wei , Han Bo-Yue , Gong Yue , Ling Hong , Hu Xin
Published: March 2021

Background Distant metastases are the leading cause of death among breast cancer (BC) patients, and lung is the second preferential colonized sits. However, there has been no prognostic evaluation of BC patients with lung metastases so far. This research aimed to predict the overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) for BC patients with lung metastases and stratify them into different risk groups.Result A total of 3888 patients from the SEER database were eligible for the subsequent analyses, with the training cohort of 1944 patients and the validation cohort I of 1944 patients. In addition, 374 patients from the Chinese XXX database were assigned as the validation II. Race, age, grade, subtype, number of metastatic sites, surgery, and chemotherapy were identified as determinant prognostic variables and integrated to construct the nomogram. Ultimately, a risk stratification model was established, and all patients were classified as three risk groups. Conclusion We constructed prognostic prediction and risk stratification models for BC patients with lung metastases and validated it in both the SEER cohort and the Chinese cohort; these could assist clinicians in risk prediction, prognosis evaluation, and decision making on an individualized basis.
Pure retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy with delayed occlusion of the proximal inferior vena cava (DOPI) technique for renal tumor with level II-III venous tumor thrombus
Authors: Liu Zhuo , Hong Peng , Zhu Guodong , Zhang Li , Zhao Xun , Tang Shiying , Yang Feilong , Tian Xiaojun , Wang Guoliang , Zhang Shudong , Zhang Hongxian , Huang Yi , Liu Chunxia , Liu Cheng , Ma Lulin
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To explore the safety and effectiveness of delayed occlusion of the proximal inferior vena cava (DOPI) technique in retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) and thrombectomy for renal tumor with level II-III venous tumor thrombus (VTT).
Materials and Methods

From August 2016 to October 2018, a total of 145 patients with renal tumor and VTT were admitted to our centre. Seventy-five patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, and 70 patients underwent open surgery. Among these patients, 17 patients underwent retroperitoneal LRN and thrombectomy with the DOPI technique. Clinical data were collected retrospectively, and a descriptive statistical analysis was conducted.
Results

All the patients successfully underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. The mean operation time was 345.9 ± 182.9 min; the mean estimated blood loss was 466.7 ± 245.5 ml. Postoperative complications occurred in three patients, including two patients of Clavien grading system level IVa and one patient of level II. There were no complications related to carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum, such as gas embolism, acidosis, and subcutaneous emphysema. During 21 months of median follow-up time, no local recurrence was found, and distant metastasis occurred in four patients. Cancer-specific death occurred in two patients.
Conclusions

The DOPI technique is safe and feasible in the treatment of renal tumor and level II-III VTT. With the DOPI technique, the procedures of dissociating and exposing proximal inferior vena cava are simplified.
Minimum Ten-Year Outcome of a Triple-Tapered Femoral Stem Implanted With Line-To-Line Cementing Technique
Authors: Ohashi Hirotsugu , Iida Satoshi , Minato Izumi
Published: March 2021

Background A triple-tapered polished femoral stem was implanted with line-to-line cementing technique. The purpose of this study was to determine the survivorship, loosening rate, stem subsidence, radiologic changes and clinical outcomes in the minimum ten-year follow-up. Methods This was a retrospective study done in three institutes. Finally, 118 hips in 97 patients could be followed-up at the mean follow-up period of 126.9 months. The survivorship, radiological and clinical outcomes were investigated. Results Radiologically, 107 hips (90.7%) were categorized to Barrack cementing grade A, and 108 stems (91.5%) were inserted in neutral position. All hips were not loose and were not revised due to aseptic loosening. Survival with revision for any reason as the endpoint was 100% after 10 years. At the last follow-up, the mean subsidence was 0.41 mm, and the subsidence was less than 1 mm in 110 hips (93.2%). JOA hip score improved from 42.7 ± 9.2 points preoperatively to 92.9 ± 6.8 points at the last follow-up. No patient complained thigh pain. Conclusions Line-to-line cementing technique with use of a triple-tapered polished stem was effective to achieve good cementation quality and centralization of the stem. The subsidence was small, and the minimum ten-year results were excellent without any failures related to the stem.Trial registration: Retrospectively registered
Challenges to Manage Pandemic of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Iranian Special Situation: A Qualitative Multi-Method Study
Authors: Khankeh Hamidreza , Farrokhi Mehrdad , Roudini Juliet , Pourvakhshoori Negar , Ahmadi Shokoufeh , Abbasabadi-Arab Masoumeh , Bajerge Nader Majidi , Farzinnia Babak , Delshad Vahid , Mazhin Sadegh Ahmadi , Moghaddam Ali Sadeghi , Bahrampouri Saiedeh , Sack Ulrich , Stuck Marcus , Domres Bernd
Published: March 2021

BackgroundWith the unprecedented expansion of COVID-19 in the world since December 2019, the Iranian health system like other countries faced various challenges in managing the disease, which led to obtaining numerous experiences and lessons learned. The aim of this study is to identify these challenges, in regard with unique political, economic, and cultural issues which could help to other countries with similar situation.MethodsThe present study was performed using a qualitative multi-method approach with a content analysis method. The data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews and Focused Group Discussions with 60 key persons, policy makers, health care workers and affected people by the disease, and the review of all available national reports between February 21, 2020, and December 22, 2020. The data collection and analysis process took place simultaneously.ResultsIn this study, critical challenges related to the management of COVID-19 in the health system were, including; The limited evidence and scientific controversies, Poor social prevention and social inequalities, Burnout and sustained workload among health care workers, Improper management of resources and equipment, Lack of guideline for case contact tracing and patient-flow, Community mental health problem. ConclusionsAccording to the study, measurements should be taken to conduct a continuous comprehensive risk assessment and develop a national response plan with an emphasis on exact case contact tracing, active screening, patient flow, paying attention to the psychological and social dimensions of the disease and also transparency of social inequalities in the face of risk factors of the COVID-19. And finally, supporting vulnerable groups using community capacity and cooperating international community to provide vaccine which is difficult to procure due to the sanction.
Floral diversity of abandoned mansions and the influence of soil properties on these unique vegetations.
Authors: Hasan Md. , Sultana Tania , Laskar Md. Ashikur , Islam Md. , Das Subroto
Published: March 2021

The findings of this research will give a better understanding about soil-plant interaction and will reveal a new area in bioscience to develop new technologies regarding in situ plant species conservation.
Assessment of Drought Event, its Trend and Teleconnected Factors Over Burundi, Central East Africa
Authors: Nkunzimana Athanase , Shuoben Bi , Guojie Wang , Abdallah Ahmed Alriah Mohamed , Sarfo Isaac , Zhihui Xu , Vuguziga Floribert , Odhiambo Brian Ayugi
Published: March 2021

This study assessed the drought events across Burundi for 37 years ranging from 1981 to 2017. The drought assessment was conducted using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at 1, 3, 6 and 12-month time scales. The Mann Kendall and Modified Mann Kendall trend tests and Sen’s slope statistic tests were used to analyse the spatiotemporal drought trend. The overall analysis of SPI-3, SPI-6 and SPI-12 outputs revealed that the Northern part of Burundi was the most threatened by dry events, and more than 80% of the extremely and severely dry events occurred within the period 1993–2000. The drought magnitude varied highly in the short rains season (SOND) than during the long rains season (MAM) specifically during the 1990s decade. The cumulative frequency of extremely dry events was very high in the North with 5.2%, 6.1% and 7.4 % at 3, 6 and 12-month time scales respectively. Likewise, the northern part experienced both short, medium and long dry periods, thus 88 consecutive dry months within only 8 years. The North and East regions exhibited a positive increasing trend over annual and seasonal time scales at both 3, 6, and 12 months of SPI analysis while the mountainous region and the South experienced a significant decreasing trend. The first abrupt point issued by forward and backward sequential statistics occurred in 1990, the year corresponding to the beginning of the driest period. Dry years are associated with circulation anomalies over the Indian Ocean and La Nina events.
“Nobody complies with it anyway. Well yes, those who do not smoke” – Combining methods for understanding adolescents’ approach to a smoke-free agreement.
Authors: Glenstrup Stine , Tjørnhøj-Thomsen Tine , Andersen Anette , Bast Lotus Sofie
Published: March 2021

Background: Non-smoking agreements has shown effective in preventing smoking among adolescents. However, to date, this is the first study to explore: 1) if adolescents who do or do not sign have specific characteristics, 2) adolescents’ attitudes towards signing and committing to these smoke-free agreements (SFA). Methods: This is explored by combining questionnaire and focus group data. The questionnaire data is gathered as part of the evaluation of X:IT study II; a smoking preventive intervention targeting adolescents in 7 th -9 th grade. In this paper data from second follow (8 th grade) up is used. Eight focus groups (N=43) were conducted with the adolescents in 8 th grade at two Danish secondary schools. Inspired by theory integration we draw from resistance theory to combine the results from the methods. Results: The questionnaire data showed that adolescents who were partaking in smoking or smoking-related behavior including current or ever smoked as well as have ever tried hash, snuff or electronic cigarettes to a less degree signed a SFA. Focus group analysis showed that even though the adolescents at the two schools emphasized a lack of attention to the SFA, the lack of attention was ascribed to different approaches to smoking and the SFA. In general, adolescents at one of the schools had no intention of smoking and thus willingly signed and committed. Whereas, adolescents at the other school expressed a greater resistance to signing as well as committing to the SFA. Instead, what seemed important for the adolescents at this school was a desire to act freely and appear with no strains, including possibility to smoke, which the SFA seemingly threated. Conclusion: Although non-smoking agreements, implemented in the school setting, have been effective in decreasing smoking among adolescents in other studies, our results suggest that the SFA may appeal differently to adolescents according to certain characteristics, while getting overall very little attention.
The Effect of 2D and 3D Cell Cultures on E-Cadherin Profile and Drug Resistance in Huh7 Cell
Authors: Shao Jiaqi , Zou Haoyu , Ye Jing , Zhou Meixia , Yu Lei , Yan Zhiqiang
Published: March 2021

Studies have validated three-dimensional (3D) culture of cells differs significantly from the two-dimensional (2D) model in terms of drug efficacy due to complex mechanisms, including up-regulation of drug efflux, acquisition of stem cell-like properties by the cancer cells, aberrant apoptotic, etc. This study aimed to delineate the change of expression profile of E-cadherin in hepatoma cells Huh7 under the 3D condition and 2D condition. Cells were culture in ultra-low attachment plates to form multicellular 3D spheroids. The expression profile of E-cadherin and drug resistance were compared between 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids. E-cadherin was located at cell boundaries and cell membrane in 3D spheroids of Huh7 cells, however, E-cadherin was expressed on the cytoplasm and nuclei in 2D monolayers. In addition, high expression of E-cadherin and hepatic stem cell markers were found in 3D spheroids, and 3D spheroids showed greater resistance to pharmacological compounds. It seems 3D culture promoted the membrane localization of E-cadherin, and the change of MDR-related markers enhanced resistance in Huh7 3D spheroids. This study increases the knowledge of the effect of 3D arrangement in cancer cells.
Preparation and characterization of multifunctional sponge-gourd fibers (Luffa cylindrica)/ hydroxyapatite composites for removal of lead and methylene blue
Authors: Oun Ahmed A. , Kamal Kholod H. , Farroh Khaled , Ali Esmat F. , Hassan Mohamed A.
Published: March 2021

Cellulose, oxidized-fibers, and oxidized-nanocellulose were isolated from sponge-gourd fibers (Luffa cylindrica). Isolated materials showed different morphology (shape and size), chemical, crystalline properties, and removal efficiency against methylene blue (MB) and lead ions (Pb2+). The cellulosic materials showed high efficiency in removing MB more than Pb2+. So, different luffa forms/hydroxyapatite (HAp) composites were prepared and used as adsorbents for removal of both MB and Pb2+ from aqueous solutions. The effect of sorbent type, contact time, and initial MB and Pb2+ concentrations were studied. HAp was successfully synthesized on the surface of luffa with an average length of 40–56 nm and width of 14–19 nm. Kinetic and adsorption studies of MB and Pb2+ ions were well fitted with the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity of MB was 25.2 mg/g, 30.8 mg/g, and 36.2 mg/g for oxidized-fibers/HAp, oxidized-fibers, and cellulose, respectively, and for Pb2+ was 625 mg/g, 714 mg/g, and 714.5 mg/g for oxidized-fibers/HAp, oxidized-nanocellulose/HAp, and cellulose/HAp, respectively. Also, more than 85% of MB (25 mg/L) and 95% of lead (500 mg/L) were removed within the first 5 min. Oxidize-fibers/HAp composite showed effective adsorption with both MB and Pb2+ in a very short time.
Failure mechanism and stability analysis of bank slope deformation under the synergistic effect of heavy rainfall and blasting vibration
Authors: Ma Chenyang , Wu Li , Sun Miao , Lei Dexing
Published: March 2021

Underwater drilling blasting technique is often adopted to clear away the obstructed reef and dredge-cut in the mountainous waterway dredging engineering. However, the vibration of the underwater blasting and excavation of the riverbed has a certain influence on the stability of bank slopes. Combined with the partial bank collapse phenomenon in the waterway regulation project between two dams in the Three Gorges reservoir area, the change of pore water pressure of unsaturated soil under heavy rainfall and the increase of permanent displacement of soil under blasting vibration in the reservoir area are discussed. This paper explains the weakening effect of rainfall infiltration and blasting vibration on the stability of the bank slope. By studying the law of slope failure deformation under the separate action and coupling action, it is found that rainfall infiltration promotes the increase of slope permanent displacement and the blasting vibration enlarges the infiltration area of the soil, which demonstrated the accelerated failure mechanism of the rainfall-blasting slope.