bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of all cause mortality to quantify the consequences of covid-19 in Nembro, Lombardy: descriptive study
Authors: Piccininni Marco , Rohmann Jessica L , Foresti Luca , Lurani Caterina , Kurth Tobias
Published: May 2020

Objective

To quantify the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) on all cause mortality in Nembro, an Italian city severely affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

Design

Descriptive study.

Setting

Nembro, in the Bergamo province of Lombardy, northern Italy.

Population

Residents of Nembro.

Main outcome measures

Monthly all cause mortality between January 2012 and April 2020 (data to 11 April), number of confirmed deaths from covid-19 to 11 April 2020, and weekly absolute number of deaths between 1 January and 4 April across recent years by age group and sex.

Results

Nembro had 11 505 residents as of 1 January 2020. Monthly all cause mortality between January 2012 and February 2020 fluctuated around 10 per 1000 person years, with a maximum of 21.5 per 1000 person years. In March 2020, monthly all cause mortality reached a peak of 154.4 per 1000 person years. For the first 11 days in April, this rate decreased to 23.0 per 1000 person years. The observed increase in mortality was driven by the number of deaths among older people (≥65 years), especially men. From the outbreak onset until 11 April 2020, only 85 confirmed deaths from covid-19 in Nembro were recorded, corresponding to about half of the 166 deaths from all causes observed in that period.

Conclusions

The study findings show how covid-19 can have a considerable impact on the health of a small community. Furthermore, the results suggest that the full implications of the covid-19 pandemic can only be completely understood if, in addition to confirmed deaths related to covid-19, consideration is also given to all cause mortality in a given region and time frame.
Impact evaluation of the free maternal healthcare policy on the risk of neonatal and infant deaths in four sub-Saharan African countries: a quasi-experimental design with propensity score Kernel matching and difference in differences analysis
Authors: Dwomoh Duah , Agyabeng Kofi , Agbeshie Kwame , Incoom Gabriel , Nortey Priscilla , Yawson Alfred , Bosomprah Samuel
Published: May 2020

Objective

Despite the huge financial investment in the free maternal healthcare policy (FMHCP) by the Governments of Ghana and Burkina Faso, no study has quantified the impact of FMHCP on the relative reduction in neonatal and infant mortality rates using a more rigorous matching procedure with the difference in differences (DID) analysis. This study used several rounds of publicly available population-based complex survey data to determine the impact of FMHCP on neonatal and infant mortality rates in these two countries.

Design

A quasi-experimental study to evaluate the FMHCP implemented in Burkina Faso and Ghana between 2007 and 2014.

Setting

Demographic and health surveys and maternal health surveys conducted between 2000 and 2014 in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Zambia.

Participants

Children born 5 years preceding the survey in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Zambia.

Primary outcome measures

Neonatal and infant mortality rates.

Results

The Propensity Score Kernel Matching coupled with DID analysis with modified Poisson showed that the FMHCP was associated with a 45% reduction in the risk of neonatal mortality rate in Ghana and Burkina Faso compared with Nigeria and Zambia (adjusted relative risk (aRR)=0.55, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.76, p<0.001). In addition, infant mortality rate has reduced significantly in both Ghana and Burkina Faso by approximately 54% after full implementation of FMHCP compared with Nigeria and Zambia (aRR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.59, p<0.001).

Conclusion

The FMHCP had a significant impact and still remains relevant in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 and could provide lessons for other sub-Saharan countries in the design and implementation of a similar policy.
International epidemiology databases to evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) in sub-Saharan Africa, 2012–2019
Authors: Chammartin Frédérique , Dao Ostinelli Cam Ha , Anastos Kathryn , Jaquet Antoine , Brazier Ellen , Brown Steven , Dabis Francois , Davies Mary-Ann , Duda Stephany N , Malateste Karen , Nash Denis , Wools-Kaloustian Kara , von Groote Per M , Egger Matthias
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The objectives of the International epidemiology databases to evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) are to (i) evaluate the delivery of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in children, adolescents and adults in sub-Saharan Africa, (ii) to describe ART regimen effectiveness, durability and tolerability, (iii) to examine HIV-related comorbidities and coinfections and (iv) to examine the pregnancy-related and HIV-related outcomes of women on ART and their infants exposed to HIV or ART in utero or via breast milk.

Participants

IeDEA is organised in four regions (Central, East, Southern and West Africa), with 240 treatment and care sites, six data centres at African, European and US universities, and almost 1.4 million children, adolescents and adult people living with HIV (PLWHIV) enrolled.

Findings to date

The data include socio-demographic characteristics, clinical outcomes, opportunistic events, treatment regimens, clinic visits and laboratory measurements. They have been used to analyse outcomes in PLWHIV-1 or PLWHIV-2 who initiate ART, including determinants of mortality, of switching to second-line and third-line ART, drug resistance, loss to follow-up and the immunological and virological response to different ART regimens. Programme-level estimates of mortality have been corrected for loss to follow-up. We examined the impact of coinfection with hepatitis B and C, and the epidemiology of different cancers and of (multidrug resistant) tuberculosis, renal disease and of mental illness. The adoption of ‘Treat All’, making ART available to all PLWHIV regardless of CD4+ cell count or clinical stage was another important research topic.

Future plans

IeDEA has formulated several research priorities for the ‘Treat All’ era in sub-Saharan Africa. It recently obtained funding to set up sentinel sites where additional data are prospectively collected on cardiometabolic risks factors as well as mental health and liver diseases, and is planning to create a drug resistance database.
Understanding how community antiretroviral delivery influences engagement in HIV care: a qualitative assessment of the Centralised Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution programme in South Africa
Authors: Dorward Jienchi , Msimango Lindani , Gibbs Andrew , Shozi Hlengiwe , Tonkin-Crine Sarah , Hayward Gail , Butler Christopher C , Ngobese Hope , Drain Paul K , Garrett Nigel
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) for millions of people living with HIV requires efficient, client-centred models of differentiated ART delivery. In South Africa, the Centralised Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme allows over 1 million people to collect chronic medication, including ART, from community pick-up points. We aimed to explore how CCMDD influences engagement in HIV care.

Methods

We performed in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with clients receiving ART and healthcare workers in Durban, South Africa. We analysed transcripts using deductive thematic analysis, with a framework informed by ‘theories of practice’, which highlights the materialities, competencies, meanings and other life practices that underpin clients’ engagement in HIV care.

Results

Between March 2018 to August 2018 we undertook 25 interviews and four focus groups with a total of 55 clients, and interviewed eight healthcare workers. The material challenges of standard clinic-based ART provision included long waiting times, poor confidentiality and restricted opening hours, which discouraged clients from engagement. In contrast, CCMDD allowed quicker and more convenient ART collection in the community. This required the development of new competencies around accessing care, and helped change the meanings associated with HIV, by normalising treatment collection. CCMDD was seen as a reward by clients for taking ART well, and helped reduce disruption to other life practices such as employment. At private pharmacies, some clients reported receiving inferior care compared with paying customers, and some worried about inadvertently revealing their HIV status. Clients and healthcare workers had to negotiate problems with CCMDD implementation, including some pharmacies reaching capacity or only allowing ART collection at restricted times.

Conclusions

In South Africa, CCMDD overcame material barriers to attending clinics, changed the meanings associated with collecting ART and was less disruptive to other social practices in clients’ lives. Expansion of community-based ART delivery programmes may help to facilitate engagement in HIV care.

Trial registration number

STREAM study clinical trial registration: NCT03066128, registered February 2017.
Men living through multiple miscarriages: protocol for a qualitative exploration of experiences and support requirements
Authors: Williams Helen Marie , Jones Laura L , Coomarasamy Arri , Topping Annie E
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Up to 1 in 4 pregnancies and 1 in 20 subsequent pregnancies end in miscarriage. Despite such prevalence the psychosocial effects are often unrecognised and unsupported. In the absence of any biomedical sequelae among men such marginalisation may be intensified. Men living through multiple miscarriages may also find any grief or anxiety intensified by loss of hope for future parenthood, but robust qualitative studies of these experiences are limited. We aim to rectify the deficiency.

Methods and analysis

Our qualitative study will adopt the sounds of silence framework designed by Serrant-Green to hear the voices of populations possibly marginalised. We will listen and learn from 30 to 50 men with a history of two or more miscarriages. The research participants will be recruited from a recurrent miscarriage clinic at a large tertiary hospital in England, and from advertisements to be disseminated by the project sponsor and miscarriage charities.

Individual telephone interviews supported by a semistructured discussion guide will be audio-recorded, transcribed and anonymised. The transcriptions and any field notes will be interpreted by the framework method of Ritchie and Lewis embedded within the sounds of silence framework. Tentative findings will be presented to research participants in face-to-face focus group discussion, to enable member synthesis to enhance authenticity. The focus group discussion will be audio-recorded, transcribed, anonymised and similarly interpreted to contribute to our final synthesis.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol of this project received a favourable opinion from the West Midlands South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee (16/WM/0423). Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences, and disseminated via newsletters and social media of our clinical collaborators and miscarriage charities. Outputs are anticipated to inform future policy and practice in the management of multiple miscarriages.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN 21828561.
Avelumab in patients with previously treated metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma: long-term data and biomarker analyses from the single-arm phase 2 JAVELIN Merkel 200 trial
Authors: D'Angelo Sandra P , Bhatia Shailender , Brohl Andrew S , Hamid Omid , Mehnert Janice M , Terheyden Patrick , Shih Kent C , Brownell Isaac , Lebbé Celeste , Lewis Karl D , Linette Gerald P , Milella Michele , Georges Sara , Shah Parantu , Ellers-Lenz Barbara , Bajars Marcis , Güzel Gülseren , Nghiem Paul T
Published: May 2020

Background

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer associated with a high risk of metastasis. In 2017, avelumab (anti–programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)) became the first approved treatment for patients with metastatic MCC (mMCC), based on the occurrence of durable responses in a subset of patients. Here, we report long-term efficacy and safety data and exploratory biomarker analyses in patients with mMCC treated with avelumab.

Methods

In a cohort of this single-arm, phase 2 trial (JAVELIN Merkel 200), patients with mMCC and disease progression after prior chemotherapy received avelumab 10 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was confirmed objective response rate (ORR) by independent review per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors V.1.1. Other assessments included duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival (OS), safety and biomarker analyses.

Results

As of 14 September 2018, 88 patients had been followed up for a median of 40.8 months (range 36.4–49.7 months). The ORR was 33.0% (95% CI 23.3% to 43.8%), including a complete response in 11.4% (10 patients), and the median duration of response was 40.5 months (95% CI 18.0 months to not estimable). As of 2 May 2019 (≥44 months of follow-up), the median OS was 12.6 months (95% CI 7.5 to 17.1 months) and the 42-month OS rate was 31% (95% CI 22% to 41%). Of long-term survivors (OS >36 months) evaluable for PD-L1 expression status (n=22), 81.8% had PD-L1+ tumors. In exploratory biomarker analyses, high tumor mutational burden (≥2 non-synonymous somatic variants per megabase) and high major histocompatibility complex class I expression (30% of tumors with highest expression) were associated with trends for improved ORR and OS. In long-term safety assessments (≥36 months of follow-up), no new or unexpected adverse events were reported, and no treatment-related deaths occurred.

Conclusions

Avelumab showed continued durable responses and meaningful long-term survival outcomes in patients with mMCC, reinforcing avelumab as a standard-of-care treatment option for this disease.

Trial registration number

NCT02155647
Phenotypic and genetic correlations between feeding behaviours and feed efficiency in crossbred beef replacement females
Authors: Olson C.A. , Li C. , Block H. , McKeown L. , Basarab J.A.
Published: May 2020

The objectives of this study were to identify the phenotypic and genetic relationships and heritability (h2) of feeding behaviours (FB) in replacement beef females. Between 2005 and 2017, heifers (N = 1394) were tested for feed intake using an electronic feed bunk system. The various FB were feeding duration (DUR; min d−1), head down time (HD; min d−1), feeding frequency (FREQ; events d−1), time-to-bunk (TTB; min). Dry matter intake (DMI; kg d−1), and residual feed intake adjusted for off-test ultrasound back fat thickness (RFIFAT) were also reported. The h2 estimates for DUR, HD, FREQ, TTB, DMI, and RFIFAT were 0.25 ± 0.05, 0.26 ± 0.06, 0.27 ± 0.05, 0.29 ± 0.06, 0.26 ± 0.05, and 0.40 ± 0.07, respectively. These are the first h2 to be presented for these FB among developing replacement heifers on a high-forage diet.
Correlation between physicochemical properties of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and their reactivity with hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Javanbakht Taraneh , Laurent Sophie , Stanicki Dimitri , Frenette Mathieu
Published: May 2020

The present study focuses on the effects of the physicochemical properties of superparamagnetic PEG-modified, positively charged, and negatively charged iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) on their reactivity with hydrogen peroxide. Our hypothesis was that the reactivity of SPIONs in this reaction would depend on their surface properties. The comparative study of the nanoparticles with DLS and TEM revealed the average sizes of PEG-modified, positively charged, and negatively charged SPIONs. We observed that the reactivity of negatively charged SPIONs with hydrogen peroxide was less than that of positively charged SPIONs and that of these second nanoparticles was less than that of PEG-modified SPIONs. This difference in the reactivity of these SPIONs with hydrogen peroxide was attributed to the presence of carboxyl or amine groups on their surface. However, the values of the rate constants of the reactions of PEG-modified, positively charged, and negatively charged SPIONs with hydrogen peroxide showed that the reaction of negatively charged SPIONs with hydrogen peroxide was more rapid than that of PEG-modified SPIONs and the reaction of these second SPIONs with hydrogen peroxide was more rapid than that of positively charged SPIONs. The surface study of the SPIONs using XPS showed that the high-resolution spectra of these nanoparticles changed after reaction with hydrogen peroxide, which indicates their surface modifications. These investigations can help develop more appropriate nanoparticles with controlled physicochemical properties.
Nonlinear Schrödinger-type formulation of scalar field cosmology: Two barotropic fluids and exact solutions
Authors: Kritpetch Chonticha , Sanongkhun Jarunee , Vanichchapongjaroen Pichet , Gumjudpai Burin
Published: May 2020

Time-independent nonlinear Schrödinger-type (NLS) formulation of FRW cosmology with canonical scalar field is considered in the case of two barotropic fluids. We derived Friedmann formulation variables in terms of NLS variables. Seven exact solutions found by D’Ambroise [Ph.D. thesis, arXiv:1005.1410 ] and one new found solution are explored and tested in cosmology. The result suggests that time-independent NLS formulation of cosmology case should be upgraded to the time-dependent case.
The symmetry analysis of electrostatic micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)
Authors: Pinar Zehra
Published: May 2020

The model of electrostatic Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS) is considered without/with an external pressure. The model represents nonlinear elliptic or parabolic problem due to the steady or non-steady state problem, respectively. To obtain exact solutions in an explicit form, the symmetry analysis is considered. With symmetries, the transformations are obtained and by means of these transformations, solvable equations are hold. The obtained results have a major role in the literature so that the considered equation is seen in a large-scale applications.
Electrical and magnetic properties of ohmic contacts of the quantum hall resistance devices
Authors: Zhong Qing , Wang Xueshen , Li Jinjin , Zhong Yuan
Published: May 2020

Quantum Hall effect is used to realize resistance standard which is in terms of the Planck constant [Formula: see text] and elementary charge [Formula: see text] in metrology. The quantum Hall resistance devices are fabricated based on two-dimensional electron gas formed in [Formula: see text] as heterostructures. Low-resistance Ohmic contact to the 2DEG is crucial in fabricating quantum Hall devices to obtain reproducible and accurate results. Annealed Au/Ge/Ni multilayer is widely used for Ohmic contacts to GaAs. In this paper, electrical and magnetic properties of optimized Ohmic contacts of quantum Hall devices are studied. For the electrical property evaluation, contact resistances are measured by three-terminal method in the quantum Hall [Formula: see text] plateau regime. Most of the contacts were Ohmic with values less than 2.4 [Formula: see text] and a good yield of better than 99% is obtained. In the magnetic property study, the annealed Au/Ge/Ni multilayer shows much smaller magnetization than the as-deposited one. TEM-EDS study shows the pure Ni layer diffused into the GaAs and AlGaAs layer and converts into the compounds closed to Ni2GeAs and NiAs phase. Density functional theory is used to calculate the atomic moments of pure face-centered cubic Ni, hexagonal Ni2GeAs and NiAs. The calculation results explained the magnetization drop of annealed samples well.
Is a Bose–Einstein condensate a good candidate for dark matter? A test with galaxy rotation curves
Authors: Castellanos Elías , Escamilla-Rivera Celia , Mastache Jorge
Published: May 2020

We analyze the rotation curves that correspond to a Bose–Einstein Condensate (BEC)-type halo surrounding a Schwarzschild-type black hole to confront predictions of the model upon observations of galaxy rotation curves. We model the halo as a BEC in terms of a massive scalar field that satisfies a Klein–Gordon equation with a self-interaction term. We also assume that the bosonic cloud is not self-gravitating. To model the halo, we apply a simple form of the Thomas–Fermi approximation that allows us to extract relevant results with a simple and concise procedure. Using galaxy data from a subsample of SPARC data base, we find the best fits of the BEC model by using the Thomas–Fermi approximation and perform a Bayesian statistics analysis to compare the obtained BEC’s scenarios with the Navarro–Frenk–White (NFW) model as pivot model. We find that in the centre of galaxies, we must have a supermassive compact central object, i.e. supermassive black hole, in the range of [Formula: see text] which condensate a boson cloud with average particle mass [Formula: see text] eV and a self-interaction coupling constant [Formula: see text], i.e. the system behaves as a weakly interacting BEC. We compare the BEC model with NFW concluding that in general the BEC model using the Thomas–Fermi approximation is strong enough compared with the NFW fittings. Moreover, we show that BECs still well-fit the galaxy rotation curves and, more importantly, could lead to an understanding of the dark matter nature from first principles.
An effective cosmological constant from an entropic formulation of gravity
Authors: Díaz-Saldaña I. , López-Domínguez J. C. , Sabido M.
Published: May 2020

In this work, we study a Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe derived from a modified entropy–area relationship. By applying the first law of thermodynamics to the so-called apparent horizon and a modified entropy–area relationship, we obtain a modified Friedmann equation. Solving this model for a perfect fluid with vanishing cosmological constant, we find that for early times, the scale factor is the same as that of an FRW universe. In the late-time regime, although the cosmological constant is zero, the asymptotic behavior of the scale factor is exponential, and therefore, we can identify an effective cosmological constant. The origin of the effective cosmological constant can be traced to the modifications of the entropy–area relation.
Latent multi-view semi-supervised classification by using graph learning
Authors: Huang Yanquan , Yuan Haoliang , Lai Loi Lei
Published: May 2020

Multi-view learning is a hot research direction in the field of machine learning and pattern recognition, which is attracting more and more attention recently. In the real world, the available data commonly include a small number of labeled samples and a large number of unlabeled samples. In this paper, we propose a latent multi-view semi-supervised classification method by using graph learning. This work recovers a latent intact representation to utilize the complementary information of the multi-view data. In addition, an adaptive graph learning technique is adopted to explore the local structure of this latent intact representation. To fully use this latent intact representation to discover the label information of the unlabeled data, we consider to unify the procedures of computing the latent intact representation and the labels of unlabeled data as a whole. An alternating optimization algorithm is designed to effectively solve the optimization of the proposed method. Extensive experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.
Construction of a Preconditioner for General Elliptic Problems Using Riesz Map
Authors: El Hanine Raghia , Raghay Said , Sadok Hassane
Published: May 2020

The current work aspires to design and study the construction of an efficient preconditioner for linear symmetric systems in a Hilbert space setting. Compliantly to Josef Málek and Zdeněk Strakoš’s work [Preconditioning and the Conjugate Gradient Method in the Context of Solving[Formula: see text] PDEs, Vol. 1 (SIAM, USA).], we shed new light on the dependence of algebraic preconditioners with the resolution steps of partial differential equations (PDEs) and describe their impact on the final numerical solution. The numerical strength and efficiency of the proposed approach is demonstrated on a two-dimensional examples.
Factors Influencing the Realization of Competitive Advantage in the Private Portals Context
Authors: Ahmed Fadelelmoula Ashraf
Published: May 2020

The aim of this study is to empirically explore the influences of a set of key technological, organizational, and environmental (TOE) factors on the achievement of a strategic promised benefit of private portals, which is competitive advantage. Such exploration has not received attention in the web-based information systems’ area. To explore these influences, a theoretical model was developed on the basis of the information system adoption’s literature. The model postulates the TOE factors as crucial antecedents to the realization of competitive advantage. To validate the theoretical model, a questionnaire was constructed by focusing on the most precise measurements items for the TOE factors. A total of 241 responses were collected from the private portal’s users in a higher education institution in Saudi Arabia. The structural equation modeling approach was applied for conducting the required assessment. The results demonstrate that among the tested TOE factors, the relative advantage of private portals and the competitive pressure to adopt them have positive impacts on the achievement of competitive advantage. The empirical evidences produced by this study provide more clarifications about the factors that should be managed carefully to gain competitive advantage from the adopted information system innovations.
Fe-Doped UiO-66 Combined with ZnIn2S4 for Adsorption and Degradation of RhB Under Visible Light
Authors: Niu Litong , Hu Shaoping , Ma Yali , Wang Mingming , Lv Bolin , Meng Shuangyang , Hua Fenglin , Li Li , Su Bitao , Lei Ziqiang , Yang Zhiwang
Published: May 2020

Novel ZnIn2S4/FeUiO-66 (ZFeU) photocatalyst with different proportion of FeUiO-66 has been successfully prepared by a facile one-pot solvothermal reaction. The as-synthesized nanocomposites have been thoroughly characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) characterization, photoluminescence (PL) analysis and electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS). The photocatalytic performance of ZFeU nanocomposites for the photodegradation of RhB under visible light irradiation was better than that of ZnIn2S4 and FeUiO-66 alone. The experiment results showed the 20% ZFeU nanocomposites had the best photocatalytic properties. At the same time, a probable mechanism was discussed and it was believed that introduction of FeUiO-66 on ZnIn2S4 would minimize the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, leading to the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity.
Antisymmetry: Fundamentals and Applications
Authors: Padmanabhan Hari , Munro Jason M. , Dabo Ismaila , Gopalan Venkatraman
Published: May 2020

Symmetry is fundamental to understanding our physical world. An antisymmetry operation switches between two different states of a trait, such as two time states, position states, charge states, spin states, or chemical species. This review covers the fundamental concepts of antisymmetry and focuses on four antisymmetries, namely, spatial inversion in point groups, time reversal, distortion reversal, and wedge reversion. The distinction between classical and quantum mechanical descriptions of time reversal is presented. Applications of these antisymmetries—in crystallography, diffraction, determining the form of property tensors, classifying distortion pathways in transition state theory, finding minimum energy pathways, diffusion, magnetic structures and properties, ferroelectric and multiferroic switching, classifying physical properties in arbitrary dimensions, and antisymmetry-protected topological phenomena—are described.
Physiology Understanding Week in a public middle school in Southern Indiana: exercise and health
Authors: Terson de Paleville Daniela , Harman Kathryn , Richards Eileen , Jaggers Jason R. , King Kristi
Published: May 2020

The Physiology Understanding (PhUn) Week is a national outreach event sponsored by the American Physiological Society. Our PhUn team conducted an event for 551 students (12.5 ± 0.9 yr old) in a middle school in Indiana. The aims of this program were to: 1) teach about the negative consequences of inactivity on cardiovascular (CV) health and overall well-being; 2) help students to determine their own CV fitness level and design their fitness plan; and 3) test the hypothesis that students who are offered daily physical education (PE) classes are able to meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The University of Louisville PhUn team visited the school during school hours to execute the outreach program to students enrolled in Health and PE as their course elective. During the event, students were educated about CV physiology and the effects of exercise on CV fitness and metabolism. Additionally, students were asked to completed a questionnaire about their physical activity behaviors outside the school. Students were also educated about ways to increase energy expenditure by 150 METy (units of metabolism for youth) per day during 7 days. CV fitness levels were estimated by using the PACER (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) test, and students were asked to create a plan to increase energy expenditure daily. The results showed that 53% of the students did not perform enough physical activity outside school to meet the guidelines. In conclusion, the incorporation of PE in schools is critical to cultivate healthy lifestyles and decrease the sedentarism epidemic in the U.S.
Long Noncoding RNA HOTTIP Serves as an Independent Predictive Biomarker for the Prognosis of Patients with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Zhanxin , Wang Zichun , Wang Xiaoxiong , Lu Meisong , Chen Guang
Published: May 2020

Several studies have indicated that HOXA transcript at the distal tip (HOTTIP) play important roles in the tumorigenesis and development of various cancers. We aim to investigate the expression and prognostic value of HOTTIP in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). A systematic review of PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science databases was performed to select eligible literatures relevant to the correlation between HOTTIP expression and clinical outcome of different cancers. The association between the HOTTIP level and overall survival (OS), lymph node metastasis (LNM), or clinical stage was subsequently analyzed. Survival analyses were performed in a large cohort of more than 500 patients with ccRCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) using bioinformatic methods. Seventeen studies with a total of 1594 patients with thirteen kinds of carcinomas were included in this analysis. The result showed that high HOTTIP expression could predict worse outcome in cancer patients, with the pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 2.34 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.96–2.79, p<0.0001). The result also showed that elevated HOTTIP expression was correlated with more LNM (OR=2.61, 95% CI 1.91-3.58, p<0.0001) and advanced clinical stage (OR=3.57, 95% CI 2.58-4.93, p<0.0001). We further validated that ccRCC patients with higher HOTTIP expression tend to have unsatisfactory outcomes both in the entire TCGA dataset and different clinical stratums, like age, grade, and stage. The tumor of those patients was associated with a larger size, easier to metastasis, advanced clinical stage, and a higher pathological grade. These findings suggested that increased HOTTIP expression might act as a novel prognostic marker for ccRCC patients.
Pituranthos chloranthus Oil as an Antioxidant-Based Adjuvant Therapy against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity
Authors: Lahmar Aida , Dhaouefi Zaineb , Khlifi Rihab , Sioud Fairouz , Ghedira Leila Chekir-
Published: May 2020

The therapeutic outcome of cisplatin is limited due to its adverse side effects in normal tissues. Despite its potent antineoplastic effect, cisplatin is known by a relevant collateral action, for instance, acute renal failure. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Pituranthos chloranthus (PC) essential oil for contracting cisplatin-induced toxicity, in Balb/c mice. The standard mouse model of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), consisting of one intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (20 mg/kg), was adopted. Mice were pretreated by intraperitoneal administration of PC (5 and 10 mg/Kg b.w) for one week. Cisplatin induced alteration in renal and liver functions, evidenced by increased serum biomarkers levels (creatinine, ALT, and AST). Significant mitigation of cisplatin-induced toxicity was confirmed by lowered levels of serum biomarkers and reduced DNA damage in liver and kidney. PC also restored the alterations in oxidative stress markers and proinflammatory cytokine IFN-γ level. Overall, this study provides, for the first time, that PC can be applied as an antioxidant-adjuvant treatment to mitigate cisplatin-induced renal failure.
A Fast and Accurate Analytical Method for Parameter Determination of a Photovoltaic System Based on Manufacturer’s Data
Authors: Ndegwa Robinson , Simiyu Justus , Ayieta Elijah , Odero Nicodemus
Published: May 2020

Modeling and simulation of a photovoltaic solar system play a significant role in understanding its behavior in various environmental conditions. Utilization of the datasheet information in modeling and simulation of the PV system correlates the experimental data and the theory that instigate the mathematical predictions of an actual system. A single-diode model gives a simple, fast, and straightforward way of depicting the PV system performance. We have developed a new approach of determining the five unknown parameters of a single-diode model using manufacturer’s data at three main points: the open circuit point (OCP), short circuit point (SCP), and the maximum power point (MPP) of the IV and PV curves. The ideality factor (A) and the diode saturation current (Io) are the key unknown parameters that greatly affect the reduplication of the three main points. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ideality factor using simple calculation procedure starting from its optimal value (Ao) and other values within the proximity of Ao. The optimal value is obtained by assumptions of negligible series resistance (Rs) and very large shunt resistance (Rsh). Therefore, the choice of the other ideality factors in the neighborhood of its optimal value gives rise to different values of Rs, Rsh, and Iph that are more realistic in an experimental setup. Positive values of Rsh and Rs have been iteratively obtained by utilizing data at maximum power point combined with open and short circuit data. The five unknown parameters have been determined in the proximity of Ao and have been used to plot the PV curve with accuracy and precision of less than 0.5% error of maximum power and less than 0.1% error of Voc of manufacturer’s data. The proposed method has been implemented using fast, simple, and accurate procedures using GNU Octave programming software to calculate Ao, Io, Rs, Rsh, and Iph and to execute both Rs-Rsh and PV characteristic equations of BP3235T, KC200GT, BP-SX 150, and MSX60 PV modules. The reduced steps employed in the algorithm improve execution speed, thereby reducing the computation time.
DHA Supplementation Attenuates MI-Induced LV Matrix Remodeling and Dysfunction in Mice
Authors: Habicht I. , Mohsen G. , Eichhorn L. , Frede S. , Weisheit C. , Hilbert T. , Treede H. , Güresir E. , Dewald O. , Duerr G. D. , Velten M.
Published: May 2020

Objective. Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to scar development and malfunction. The marine omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are mediating cardioprotection and improving clinical outcomes in patients with heart disease. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation prior to LAD occlusion-induced myocardial injury (MI) confers cardioprotection in mice.Methods. C57BL/6N mice were placed on DHA or control diets (CD) beginning 7 d prior to 60 min LAD occlusion-induced MI or sham surgery. The expression of inflammatory mediators was measured via RT-qPCR. Besides FACS analysis for macrophage quantification and subtype evaluation, macrophage accumulation as well as collagen deposition was quantified in histological sections. Cardiac function was assessed using a pressure-volume catheter for up to 14 d.Results. DHA supplementation significantly attenuated the induction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α(PPAR-α) (2.3±0.4CD vs.1.4±0.3DHA) after LAD occlusion. Furthermore, TNF-α(4.0±0.6CD vs.1.5±0.2DHA), IL-1β(60.7±7.0CD vs.11.6±1.9DHA), and IL-10 (223.8±62.1CD vs.135.5±38.5DHA) mRNA expression increase was diminished in DHA-supplemented mice after 72 h reperfusion. These changes were accompanied by a less prominent switch inα/βmyosin heavy chain isoforms. Chemokine mRNA expression was stronger initiated (CCL2 6 h:32.8±11.5CD vs.78.8±13.6DHA) but terminated earlier (CCL2 72 h:39.5±7.8CD vs.8.2±1.9DHA; CCL3 72 h:794.3±270.9CD vs.258.2±57.8DHA) in DHA supplementation compared to CD mice after LAD occlusion. Correspondingly, DHA supplementation was associated with a stronger increase of predominantly alternatively activated Ly6C-positive macrophage phenotype, being associated with less collagen deposition and better LV function (EF 14 d:17.6±2.6CD vs.31.4±1.5DHA).Conclusion. Our data indicate that DHA supplementation mediates cardioprotection from MI via modulation of the inflammatory response with timely and attenuated remodeling. DHA seems to attenuate MI-induced cardiomyocyte injury partly by transient PPAR-αdownregulation, diminishing the need for antioxidant mechanisms including mitochondrial function, orα- toβ-MHC isoform switch.
A Method for Realizing Antifollower Jamming in Communication and Its Experimental Verification
Authors: Fan Xinfeng , Tan Zhiliang , Song Peijiao
Published: May 2020

The technical difficulty of antifollower jamming in communication systems is a wide concern in the peer. In order to solve the problem of difficulty to achieve antifollower jamming, a new identification method of follower jamming is proposed in this paper based on the characteristics of it and then follower jamming is cancelled out. A hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform is built by using FPGA. Then, experimental verification for mitigating performance of follower jamming is conducted based on the platform and the proposed method. Results show that signal-interference ratio (SIR) promotion is different for different jamming frequencies and the jamming mitigation performance is affected by interference intensity. The average SIR promotion can reach 10 dB when variance of jamming signal is between 0.75 and 1.5. In other cases, average SIR promotion is less than 10 dB. The proposed suppression method provides a useful way to antifollower jamming in frequency hopping (FH) communication.
Effect of East Gyro Drift and Initial Azimuth Error on the Compass Azimuth Alignment Convergence Time
Authors: He Dongxu , Zang Xinle , Ge Lei
Published: May 2020

The effect of gyro constant drift and initial azimuth error on the convergence time of compass azimuth is analyzed in this article. Using our designed compass azimuth alignment system, we obtain the responses of gyro constant drift and initial azimuth error in the frequency domain. The corresponding response function in the time domain is derived using the inverse Laplace transform, and its convergence time is then analyzed. The analysis results demonstrate that the convergence time of compass azimuth alignment is related to the second-order damping oscillation period, the gyro constant drift, and the initial azimuth error. In this study, the error band is set to 0.01° to determine convergence. When the gyro drift is less than 0.05°/h, compass azimuth alignment can converge within 0.9 damping oscillation periods. When the initial azimuth error is less than 5°, compass azimuth alignment can converge within 1.4 damping oscillation periods. When both conditions are met, the initial error plays a major role in convergence, while gyro drift has a smaller effect on convergence time. Finally, the validity of our method is verified using simulations.
A review of high frequency emission in 2-150 kHz range
Authors: Thomas Tomina , Michael Prawin Angel
Published: May 2020

This paper reviews state-of part of discussion that concern about high frequency emission. Sometimes there may be emission in the range of high frequencies because of the fast improvement of energy saving equipments in our homes. Investigators and standardized organization given a very much importance to the disturbances of power quality that occur in the range middle of 2-150 kHz. Disturbances of these high frequencies are becoming an increasing concern in the industry, particularly due to the growth of distributed and embedded generation. Now days, a large number of researches are proceeding at a large number of places, yet information regarding supraharmonics remains confined.
Water condensation system based on thermoelectric coller using solar energy
Authors: Abirami A.N. , Balamurugan C.R. , Meena D.
Published: May 2020

The main objective of the paper is to develop a water condensation system based on thermoelectric cooler using solar Energy to convert atmospheric moisture directly into usable and even drinking water. This idea can be extended further in future – For large scale implementation, RO and UV water filter can be used for producing such water that meets the standard of WHO and BIS easily. Peltier device has many types of models which are much efficient than TEC1. Those can be used. As the paper aims at producing water from atmosphere and keeping this device handy, large sized scrubbers are not used for better air filtration. Scrubbers can remove all the oxides from the air. For large implementation it can be handled. The concept of this paper can also be used as a better alternative in refrigeration science against conventional systems. It can also be observed in this way i.e. the usage of such low power semiconductor devices are indicating towards more prominent evolution of cooling engineering that is going to alter the whole scenario and myths about the power consumption of refrigeration science. Thus in near future we will be able to use such devices that are now limited within the paper.
Comparative Significance of Invasive Measures of Microvascular Injury in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Maznyczka Annette M. , Oldroyd Keith G. , Greenwood John P. , McCartney Peter J. , Cotton James , Lindsay Mitchell , McEntegart Margaret , Rocchiccioli J. Paul , Good Richard , Robertson Keith , Eteiba Hany , Watkins Stuart , Shaukat Aadil , Petrie Colin J. , Murphy Aengus , Petrie Mark C. , Berry Colin
Published: May 2020

Background:

The resistive reserve ratio (RRR) expresses the ratio between basal and hyperemic microvascular resistance. RRR measures the vasodilatory capacity of the microcirculation. We compared RRR, index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), and coronary flow reserve (CFR) for predicting microvascular obstruction (MVO), myocardial hemorrhage, infarct size, and clinical outcomes, after ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods:

In the T-TIME trial (Trial of Low-Dose Adjunctive Alteplase During Primary PCI), 440 patients with acute ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction from 11 UK hospitals were prospectively enrolled. In a subset of 144 patients, IMR, CFR, and RRR were measured post-primary percutaneous coronary intervention. MVO extent (% left ventricular mass) was determined by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging at 2 to 7 days. Infarct size was determined at 3 months. One-year major adverse cardiac events, heart failure hospitalizations, and all-cause death/heart failure hospitalizations were assessed.

Results:

In these 144 patients (mean age, 59±11 years, 80% male), median IMR was 29.5 (interquartile range: 17.0–55.0), CFR was 1.4 (1.1–2.0), and RRR was 1.7 (1.3–2.3). MVO occurred in 41% of patients. IMR>40 was multivariably associated with more MVO (coefficient, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.05–1.02];
P
=0.031), myocardial hemorrhage presence (odds ratio [OR], 3.20 [95% CI, 1.25–8.24];
P
=0.016), and infarct size (coefficient, 5.05 [95% CI, 0.84–9.26];
P
=0.019), independently of CFR≤2.0, RRR≤1.7, myocardial perfusion grade≤1, and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction frame count. RRR was multivariably associated with MVO extent (coefficient, −0.60 [95% CI, −0.97 to −0.23];
P
=0.002), myocardial hemorrhage presence (OR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.15–0.75];
P
=0.008), and infarct size (coefficient, −3.41 [95% CI, −6.76 to −0.06];
P
=0.046). IMR>40 was associated with heart failure hospitalization (OR, 5.34 [95% CI, 1.80–15.81]
P
=0.002), major adverse cardiac events (OR, 4.46 [95% CI, 1.70–11.70]
P
=0.002), and all-cause death/ heart failure hospitalization (OR, 4.08 [95% CI, 1.55–10.79]
P
=0.005). RRR was associated with heart failure hospitalization (OR, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.19–0.99]
P
=0.047). CFR was not associated with infarct characteristics or clinical outcomes.

Conclusions:

In acute ST-segment–elevationl infarction, IMR and RRR, but not CFR, were associated with MVO, myocardial hemorrhage, infarct size, and clinical outcomes.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02257294.
The Relationship between Locus of Control and Conformity
Authors: Maadal Ameer
Published: May 2020

This study was performed in an attempt to investigate the following three hypotheses: 1) There is a significant relationship between locus of control and conformity. 2) Women conform more in comparison to men. 3) Men have a more internal locus of control compared to women. For this purpose, 365 university students were selected randomly as the sample group, and a questionnaire regarding locus of control and conformity was presented to them. The results showed that there does not exist a significant relationship between them. Moreover, the results indicated that in different social positions, men conform significantly (.002) more than women. The only hypothesis in this study that was approved was the third one, such that in the scale of locus of control, men had a more significant (.003) internal locus of control compared to women. Finally, the limitations faced by this research and suggestions for future studies have been discussed.
The correspondence between environmental similarity and geographical sympatry in Uromastyx species
Authors: Kechnebbou Marwa , Lobo Jorge M. , Chammem Mohsen
Published: May 2020

Estimating the realized and potential distribution of species has become a very active field of research with capacity to propose likely speciation mechanisms. Here, environmental variables and point locality data derived from several sources were used to examine the concordance between geographical distributions and environmental niches derived from occurrences for eleven species of the genus Uromastyx (Reptilia, Agamidae). Our results indicate that the degree of geographical overlap is definitively and statistically lower than the degree of environmental similarity. This reinforces the hypothesis that speciation process within the genus Uromastyx will be mainly based on geographical isolation. However, the environmental divergence among some groups of species cannot be excluded; high environmental distances can be obtained for some related species and the environmental gradient represented by two unique climatic variables allows discriminating some species among which an ecological or environmental segregation would be a plausible explanation.