bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How much residual deformity is acceptable according to SRS-22r and satisfaction scores after posterior spinal fusion for Lenke type 1 and 2 curves in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
Authors: Mimura Tetsuhiko , Ikegami Shota , Kuraishi Shugo , Uehara Masashi , Oba Hiroki , Takizawa Takashi , Munakata Ryo , Hatakenaka Terue , Kamanaka Takayuki , Miyaoka Yoshinari , Koseki Michihiko , Takahashi Jun
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVE

In recent years, it has become possible to predict postoperative correction and residual deformity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery based on the technique used and extent of fixation. However, the recommended degree of correction has not yet been established. In this study, the authors aimed to clarify the extent to which a residual postoperative deformity would be acceptable according to Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)–22r and satisfaction scores after AIS surgery.

METHODS

Overall, 92 patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion for Lenke type 1 or 2 AIS were retrospectively included. The Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) cutoff values for each SRS-22r domain were calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to obtain predictive values of treatment satisfaction 2 years after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed with deformity parameters and demographic data as explanatory variables, and achieving the PASS cutoff value of each SRS-22r domain and treatment satisfaction were objective variables. Cutoff values were calculated using ROC analysis.

RESULTS

The PASS cutoff values for SRS-22r domains were 3.69 (area under the ROC curve [AUC] 0.86) for self-image, 4.25 (AUC 0.82) for mental health, and 4.22 (AUC 0.82) for the subtotal. The residual main thoracic Cobb angle was not remarkably related to SRS-22r or treatment satisfaction. The residual thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) Cobb angle was significantly associated with treatment satisfaction, with a cutoff value of 12.5° (AUC 0.75). The parameters of deformity that were significantly associated with achieving the PASS cutoff value for self-image were the TL/L Cobb angle and main thoracic apical vertebral translation, although their respective AUCs were < 0.7.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with Lenke type 1 and 2 AIS, the residual postoperative TL/L Cobb angle was significantly associated with achieving the PASS cutoff values for self-image and treatment satisfaction. Satisfaction with treatment was more likely when the TL/L Cobb angle was ≤ 12.5°.
Poor Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Two Tertiary Care Centers during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Oli Jagatkiran , Pant Ved Prakash , Niraula Apeksha , Lamsal Madhab
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Lockdown enforced to control the rapid transmission of novel coronavirus has resulted in the confinement of people in the home and restrictions of movement. This may have altered the lifestyle and glycemic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This study aimed to find the prevalence of poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in two tertiary care centres during COVID-19 lockdown.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 259 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in selected hospitals from 1st September to 30th September 2020 after receiving ethical approval from the Departmental Research Unit, Biochemistry under Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: DRU/01/2020). A convenience sampling method was used. Data analysis was done by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data.
Results: Among 259 patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, 183 (70.65%) (65.10-76.20 at 95% Confidence Interval) had poor glycemic control during the lockdown period. Mean fasting and post-prandial blood glucose among these patients were 164.16±49.30 mg/dl and 246.76±69.86 mg/dl respectively.
Conclusions: Our study depicts that the majority of the type 2 diabetes mellitus patients had poor glycemic control during the lockdown period which was similar when compared to other studies.
An Infant with Congenital Diaphragmatic Eventration with Dextrocardia: A Case Report
Authors: Rajkarnikar Ramana , Thami Rabin , Dahal Priyanka , Lacaul Robal , Shrestha Rashmi
Published: March 2022

Diaphragmatic eventration is a rare condition, and its association with dextrocardia is even a rarer clinical entity. Patients are usually asymptomatic, but the typical features include rapid breathing and recurrent respiratory infections. Here we present a rare case of a seven months old infant, who presented with cough, noisy breathing and chest retraction. The patient was diagnosed to have dextrocardia with diaphragmatic eventration with pneumonia by chest imaging and was treated in coordination with the medical team for underlying pneumonia. Afterwards, plication of the diaphragm was done through the trans-abdominal approach and the symptoms gradually improved postoperatively. For dextrocardia, since there were no structural abnormalities, the patient was kept in regular follow-up in the pediatric cardiology unit. Though most patients are asymptomatic, diaphragmatic eventration increases the risk of recurrent chest infection and hampers the quality of life of the patient, so timely diagnosis and intervention will greatly improve their quality of life.
Potential Drug-drug Interaction among the Patients Admitted in Intensive Care Units of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ghimire Rakesh , Prasad Pravin , Parajuli Subigya , Basnet Rabin , Lamichhane Pratik , Poudel Nirmal , Shrestha Pramesh Sunder , Kharel Shristi , Pokharel Akritee , Mudvari Anish
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Drug interactions are one of the major contributors to increase hospital stay, inflate health care expenses, and cause serious adverse events and end-organ damage. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit are already critically sick and are at greater risk of these adverse outcomes. The study aimed to find out the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions in the Intensive Care Units of a tertiary care centre.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the patients admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary care hospital from April-June 2019. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Board at the institute (Reference number: 399). Convenience sampling method was used. Data was collected using proforma and potential drug-drug interactions were identified using Lexicomp® drug-interactions version 1.1 (Wolters Kluwer). All the drug interactions identified were classified and the severity scale of interactions was also defined. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17.0 was used for data analysis. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and mode.
Results: Out of 101 patients, the prevalence of the drug-drug interaction was found to be 90 (89.11%) (83.04-95.18 at 95% Confidence Interval). A total of 490 drug-drug interactions were identified. In severity scale, it was seen that 311 (63.46%) were of moderate severity and 303 (61.83%) of drug interactions were categorised as category C in risk rating.
Conclusions: Prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions was higher compared to similar published literature. The most common drug with potential interaction was fentanyl and among pairs was fentanyl plus paracetamol.
The Abraham Accords between Israel, UAE and Bahrain in the context of changing of the geopolitical reality in the Middle East
Authors: Liokumovich Iakov
Published: March 2022

The article analyzes the geopolitical significance of the normalization agreements between Israel, UAE and Bahrain, which were signed in September 2020 and became known as the Abraham Accords (the title refers to the Biblical Abraham, who is considered to be the forefather of both Arabs and Jews). The authors examine the historical background of the agreements, their features and differences from the previous acts on the Arab-Israeli settlement, as well as their impact on the geopolitical reality of the Middle East. In addition, the article contains predictions on the possible prospects of the remaining Gulf States (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait) joining the agreements.
As the authors note, the normalization between Israel and the two Gulf monarchies has become possible due to three main factors. The first factor is the presence of the common enemy, Iran, which threatens both the Jewish state and the Gulf monarchies. The second factor is the consequential decline of the importance of the Palestinian issue among the Gulf leaders, disappointed with the stubbornness of Palestinian leadership and interested in cooperation with Israel. Finally, the authors underline the pro-Israeli policies of D.J.Trump, which strongly stimulated the acceleration in the normalization process, focusing on the Arab-Israeli normalization before reaching a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Thus, according to the authors, the Abraham Accords have a potential to stimulate an acceleration to Arab-Israeli reconciliation all across the MENA region as it already did with Morocco and Sudan, which followed UAR and Bahrain in normalizing with Israel shortly after the accords were signed.
Russian-Chinese “borders” of security. What does the Beijing’s message of V.V. Putin and Xi Jinping mean?
Authors: Luzyanin Sergey G.
Published: March 2022

The signing on February 4, 2022 in Beijing of a joint Russian-Chinese statement "On international relations entering a new era and global sustainable development" and a block of bilateral trade, economic and energy agreements means a qualitative expansion of the scope of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Russia and China politically position themselves not only as a global and regional center of power and security, but also as powers that offer the world the development of common human values and concepts - democracy, indivisible security, openness and equality, oppose the politicization of sports, for the expansion of anti-pandemic measures to combat the common evil of COVID-19.
China supported the proposals put forward by Russia on its security guarantees in Europe, which helps to further form a common strategic space of Eurasian security from the western part of the Pacific Ocean to the Eastern European conditional line "Black Sea - Belarus". There is no need to reformat the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership into a military alliance in modern conditions.
The economic block of cooperation is based on systemic and mutually beneficial energy cooperation, which is implemented in the increase in successful gas contracts, including transactions for the sale of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline gas, oil projects and sales, the construction of new power units by Russia at Chinese nuclear power plants (NPPs), and the expansion of supplies coal, etc.
In the context of a significant increase in the volume of Russian-Chinese trade in 2021 by a third compared to 2020, the expansion of the practice of settlements in national currencies (ruble - yuan), bypassing the dollar, acquires additional importance. In the face of American threats to shut down the SWIFT international payment system, it is relevant to create an independent Russian-Chinese payment system for transactions that provides not only energy transactions, but also the entire range of bilateral trade, economic and interbank transactions.
The formation of the Greater Eurasian Partnership involves a wide range of trade, economic, investment, transport and institutional measures to deepen Eurasian cooperation. The key component in this area is to increase the efficiency of the process of interface between the projects of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Chinese initiative "One Belt and One Road", the implementation of joint mutually beneficial infrastructure projects.
Technical assistance to enhance the institutionalization of operations research within the Philippines Family Planning Program
Authors:   Population Council
Published: March 2022

This technical assistance project supports the goal of the Asia Near East Operations Research and Technical Assistance (ANE OR/TA) project of helping strengthen family planning (FP)/reproductive health (RH) operations research (OR) capabilities in the Philippines. During the extension period of the ANE OR/TA project, four OR studies were implemented in the Philippines dealing with cross-cutting issues, including a study to assess the feasibility of integrating RTI management within FP/MCH programs; an intervention study dealing with improving quality of care via expanded FP counseling; an intervention to address high unmet need in Pangasinan Province; and an intervention study to increase male involvement in RH in Bukidnon Province. These efforts, along with a study of factors affecting use and discontinuation of the IUD, have generated demand for technical assistance, along with corresponding personnel needed to provide such assistance, thereby necessitating this initiative. Activities include providing advice on technical questions, serving as resource persons in training on research design and methodology, assisting in data analysis, disseminating project findings, traveling to project sites, and monitoring and coordinating activities. The report specifies activities undertaken to fulfill the objectives of capacity building and institutionalization of OR in the country covered under this contract.
United States and Europe against Terrorism of Fundamentalist Origin: Legal Measures and the Shadow of Populism
Authors: Gonzales-Varas Ibanez Alejandro
Published: March 2022

The United States was the first country to suffer from terrorism of Islamic fundamentalist origin in 2001. Subsequently, several European countries have suffered attacks of the same origin. Legal measures have been enacted on both sides of the Atlantic to combat it. These attacks, and the presence of new religious denominations in some countries, have also led to the increase of populist trends in these territories. This article examines the relationship between Law, politics and populism in the United States and in the European context.
Some Remarks regarding the Criminalization and the Forensic Investigation of the Crime of Computer Forgery in the Romanian Legislation
Authors: Moise Adrian Cristian
Published: March 2022

The article presents and analyzes issues related to the criminalization of the offence of computer forgery, provided by the Article 325 of the Romanian Criminal Code, as well as issues related to the criminalization of the offence of computer forgery in the main legal instrument in the field of combating cybercrime at the European level: the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. Moreover, the article also mentions some aspects related to the criminalization of the crime of computer forgery in some countries of the European Union. Finally, this study also presents the main issues to be clarified in the forensic investigation process of the crime of computer forgery.
Glaubensbezogene Wertbindungen und Zugehörigkeitserfahrungen junger Frauen mit Anbindung an russlanddeutsche Freikirchen
Authors: Demmer Christine , Hahn Rebekka
Published: March 2022

Wie sich Menschen an Werte binden und inwiefern diese im Kontext des eigenen Lebensentwurfs aufrechterhalten, transformiert oder verworfen werden, wurde bislang empirisch kaum untersucht. Vor dem Hintergrund alternativer Zugehörigkeitskontexte und der Umstrukturierung familialer und weiterer sozialer Beziehungen wird der Adoleszenz eine hervorgehobene Bedeutung für die Prüfung und Aktualisierung von primärsozialisatorisch erworbenen Werten beigemessen. So lässt sich fragen, inwiefern Wertbindungen im Zusammenhang mit Zugehörigkeitserfahrungen in der Phase der Adoleszenz biographisch bearbeitet werden und sich in den Selbst- und Weltverhältnissen junger Menschen niederschlagen. Diese Frage spezifizieren wir im Folgenden mit Blick auf glaubensbezogene Wertbindungen und gehen ihr anhand der biographischen Narrationen junger Frauen mit russlanddeutscher Familiengeschichte nach, die in Anbindung an eine russlanddeutsche Freikirche aufgewachsen sind. Kulturhistorisch bis in die Gegenwart gelten geteilte Glaubenswerte explizit wie implizit als Begründungsmuster für das Zugehörigkeits- und Selbstverständnis freikirchlicher Russlanddeutscher; die Migrations- und Glaubensgeschichte gilt für diese Gruppe als eng miteinander verknüpft. Inwiefern die bereits in Deutschland geborene und aufgewachsene zweite Generation ihre Selbst- und Weltentwürfe an jene ethnokonfessionell geprägten Glaubenswerte einerseits und an die Prämissen, Optionen und Erwartungen einer vorrangig säkularisierten (Migrations-) Gesellschaft andererseits anschließt, ist eine offene empirische Frage. Anhand von drei kontrastiv ausgewählten Fällen legen wir dar, wie glaubensbezogene Wertbindungen im Kontext von familialen und gemeindeinternen Beziehungen und Glaubenspraktiken sowie prospektiven Selbstentwürfen biographisch verhandelt und reflexiv begründet werden.
„Pflegesklavinnen und Pflegehelden?“ Migrantinnen in der häuslichen Pflege und Betreuung in Deutschland
Authors: von Plato Judith
Published: March 2022

Der Artikel beschäftigt sich mit häuslicher Senior_innenbetreuung in Deutschland durch Pendelmigrant_innen aus Mittel- und Osteuropa. Der Fokus liegt auf den Perspektiven einzelner Pflegerinnen. Empirische Grundlage bilden narrative Interviews mit vier Pflegemigrantinnen aus Polen. Theoretisch wird die Tätigkeit als intime und emotionale Arbeit (Boris und Parreñas 2010, Hochschild 1999) verortet, durch die vier zentrale Aspekte der häuslichen Pflege analysiert werden: zwischenmenschliche Beziehungen zwischen Arbeitgeber_innen und Arbeitnehmer_innen, die Rolle des Körpers, die emotionale Arbeit, die Pflegekräfte zu leisten haben, und abschließend Strategien der Aneignung durch die Betreuerinnen. Die Forschung zeigt, dass einseitige Darstellungen von entweder ausgebeuteten oder selbstbestimmten Pflegekräften unzureichend sind. Die häusliche Betreuung als Teil des transnationalen Pflegesystems ist von ungleichen Machtverhältnissen durchzogen und beruht auf sozialen Ungleichheiten. Gleichzeitig sind Erfahrungen von einzelnen Pflegekräften ebenso ernst zu nehmen, die teilweise aus der Arbeit Freude und Stolz schöpfen und bereichernde Bezie-hungen knüpfen. Dies sollte allerdings keinesfalls romantisiert werden, da die Pflegerinnen auch die psychischen und physischen Folgen der Tätigkeit betonen. Ihre Erfahrungen widersprechen Darstellungen von Vermittlungsagenturen, die emotionale Arbeit der Pflegekräfte herunterspielen, indem sie auf Geschlecht und Herkunft verweisen, welche sie auf vermeintlich „natürliche“ Weise für die Pflegearbeit prädestinieren.
Ontology Summit 2021 Communiqué: Ontology generation and harmonization
Authors: Baclawski Ken , Bennett Michael , Berg-Cross Gary , Dickerson Leia , Schneider Todd , Seppälä Selja , Sharma Ravi , Sriram Ram D. , Westerinen Andrea
Published: March 2022

Advances in machine learning and the development of very large knowledge graphs have accompanied a proliferation of ontologies of many types and for many purposes. These ontologies are commonly developed independently, and as a result, it can be difficult to communicate about and between them. To address this difficulty of communication, ontologies and the communities they serve must agree on how their respective terminologies and formalizations relate to each other. The process of coming into accord and agreement is called “harmonization.” The Ontology Summit 2021 examined the overall landscape of ontologies, the many kinds of ontology generation and harmonization, as well as the sustainability of ontologies. The Communiqué synthesizes and summarizes the findings of the summit as well as earlier summits on related issues. One of the major impediments to harmonization is the relatively poor quality of natural language definitions in many ontologies. The summit surveyed the state of the art in natural language definition development, based on lexicographic principles, as well as examples of ongoing projects that are explicitly dealing with harmonization and sustainability.
Safety and Usefulness of Lumbar Puncture for the Diagnosis and Management of Young-Onset Cognitive Disorders
Authors: Soo See Ann , Zailan Fatin Zahra , Tan Jayne Yi , Sandhu Gurveen Kaur , Wong Benjamin Yi Xin , Wang Brian Zhiyang , Ng Adeline Su Lyn , Chiew Hui Jin , Ng Kok Pin , Kandiah Nagaendran
Published: March 2022

Background: Young-onset cognitive disorders (YOCD) often manifests with complex and atypical presentations due to underlying heterogenous pathologies. Therefore, a biomarker-based evaluation will allow for timely diagnosis and definitive management. Objective: Here, we evaluated the safety and usefulness of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling through lumbar puncture (LP) in YOCD patients in a tertiary clinical setting. Methods: Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia with age of onset between 45-64 years were evaluated. Patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging and their medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) was rated. LP side-effects and the impact of the CSF findings on diagnosis and management were analyzed. Results: 142 patients (53 (37.32%) MCI, 51 (35.92%) dementia of the Alzheimer’s disease [DAT] type, and 38 (26.76%) non-AD type dementia) who underwent LP between 2015 to 2021 were analyzed. Using post-LP results and MTA ratings, 74 (52.11%) patients met the AT(N) criteria for AD. 56 (39.44%) patients (28 out of 53 (50.0%) MCI, 12 out of 51 (21.43%) DAT, and 16 out of 38 (28.57%) non-AD dementia) had a change in diagnosis following LP. 13 (9.15%) patients developed side-effects post-LP (11 (84.62%) patients had headache, 1 (7.69%) patient had backache, and 1 (7.69%) patient had headache and backache). 32 (22.54%) patients had a change in management post-LP, 24 (75.0%) had medication changes, 10 (31.30%) had referrals to other specialists, and 3 (9.40%) was referred for clinical trial with disease modifying interventions. Conclusion: LP is well-tolerated in YOCD and can bring about relevant clinical decisions with regards to the diagnosis and management of this complex clinical condition.
Increased Serum Beta-Secretase 1 Activity is an Early Marker of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Nicsanu Roland , Cervellati Carlo , Benussi Luisa , Squitti Rosanna , Zanardini Roberta , Rosta Valentina , Trentini Alessandro , Ferrari Clarissa , Saraceno Claudia , Longobardi Antonio , Bellini Sonia , Binetti Giuliano , Zanetti Orazio , Zuliani Giovanni , Ghidoni Roberta
Published: March 2022

Background: Beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques formation. BACE1 activity is increased in brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and plasma levels of BACE1 appears to reflect those in the brains. Objective: In this work, we investigated the role of serum BACE1 activity as biomarker for AD, estimating the diagnostic accuracy of the assay and assessing the correlation of BACE1 activity with levels of Aβ1 - 40, Aβ1 - 42, and Aβ40/42 ratio in serum, known biomarkers of brain amyloidosis. Methods: Serum BACE1 activity and levels of Aβ1 - 40, Aβ1 - 42, were assessed in 31 AD, 28 MCI, diagnosed as AD at follow-up (MCI-AD), and 30 controls. The BACE1 analysis was performed with a luciferase assay, where interpolation of relative fluorescence units with a standard curve of concentration reveals BACE1 activity. Serum levels of Aβ1 - 40, Aβ1 - 42 were measured with the ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array technology. Results: BACE1 was increased (higher than 60%) in AD and MCI-AD: a cut-off of 11.04 kU/L discriminated patients with high sensitivity (98.31%) and specificity (100%). Diagnostic accuracy was higher for BACE1 than Aβ40/42 ratio. High BACE1 levels were associated with worse cognitive performance and earlier disease onset, which was anticipated by 8 years in patients with BACE1 values above the median value (> 16.67 kU/L). Conclusion: Our results provide new evidence supporting serum/plasma BACE1 activity as an early biomarker of AD.
ABI3 Is a Novel Early Biomarker of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Cao Min , Liu Jing , Zhang Xiaomin , Yang Tingting , Wang Yaqi , Hou Yuli , Song Qiao , Cui Yuting , Wang Yifei , Wang Peichang
Published: March 2022

Background: The Abi3 gene has been suggested to be an important regulator of microglia during Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the diagnostic power of ABI3 in neurodegenerative disease has rarely been reported. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of ABI3 in AD patients. Methods: ELISAs were used to measure the ABI3 level in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients as well as in the serum of APP/PS1 mice. RT-PCR and western blot were further performed to detect the expression levels of ABI3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AD subjects as well as in the hippocampus and cortical tissue of APP/PS1 mice. The correlation of cognitive ability with ABI3 level was estimated by linear regression analysis. Moreover, the diagnostic value of ABI3 for AD was assessed with ROC analysis. Results: The ABI3 levels all decreased significantly in the serum, CSF, and PBMCs of AD patients and showed a good diagnostic performance. In addition, the ABI3 levels were observed to decrease markedly in the hippocampus from 5-month-old mice, but the dramatic change only appeared in the cortical tissue in the 9-month-old APP/PS1 mice. The ABI3 levels in serum and in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice were significantly correlated with cognitive capacity. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that ABI3 in serum, CSF, and PBMCs could be a novel early diagnostic biomarker of AD. Moreover, ABI3 had potential to be a novel tracer marker in hippocampus of early AD.
Association of Alzheimer’s Disease with COVID-19 Susceptibility and Severe Complications: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Chung Seok Jong , Chang Yoonkyung , Jeon Jimin , Shin Jae Il , Song Tae-Jin , Kim Jinkwon
Published: March 2022

Background: Identification of patients at high susceptibility and high risk of developing serious complications related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is clinically important in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To investigate whether patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection and whether they have a higher risk of developing serious complications. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the Korean nationwide population-based COVID-19 dataset for participants who underwent real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays for COVID-19 between January 1 and June 4, 2020. A 1 : 3 ratio propensity score matching and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate the association between AD and the susceptibility or severe complications (i.e., mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, or death) of COVID-19. Results: Among 195,643 study participants, 5,725 participants had AD and 7,334 participants were diagnosed with COVID-19. The prevalence of participants testing positive for COVID-19 did not differ according to the presence of AD (p = 0.234). Meanwhile, AD was associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 complications (OR 2.25 [95% CI 1.54–3.28]). Secondary outcome analyses showed that AD patients had an increased risk for mortality (OR 3.09 [95% CI 2.00–4.78]) but were less likely to receive mechanical ventilation (OR 0.42 [95% CI 0.20–0.87]). Conclusion: AD was not associated with increased susceptibility to COVID-19 infection, but was associated with severe COVID-19 complications, especially with mortality. Early diagnosis and active intervention are necessary for patients with AD suspected COVID-19 infection.
Chronic Stress Induces Hippocampal Mitochondrial Damage in APPPS1 Model Mice and Wildtype Littermates
Authors: Clement Amalie , Madsen Marianne Juul , Kastaniegaard Kenneth , Wiborg Ove , Asuni Ayodeji A. , Stensballe Allan
Published: March 2022

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia worldwide. Despite decades of investigation, the etiology of AD is not fully understood, although emerging evidence suggest that chronic environmental and psychological stress plays a role in the mechanisms and contributes to the risk of developing AD. Thus, dissecting the impact of stress on the brain could improve our understanding of the pathological mechanisms. Objective: We aimed to study the effect of chronic stress on the hippocampal proteome in male APPPS1 transgenic mice and wildtype (WT) littermates. Methods: APPPS1 and WT mice were subjected to 4 weeks of chronic stress followed by 3 weeks of continued diurnal disruption. Hippocampal tissue was used for proteomics analysis using label-free quantitative DIA based LC-MS/MS analysis. Results: We identified significantly up- and downregulated proteins in both APPPS1 and WT mice exposed to chronic stress compared to the control groups. Via interaction network mapping, significant proteins could be annotated to specific pathways of mitochondrial function (oxidative phosphorylation and TCA cycle), metabolic pathways, AD pathway and synaptic functions (long term potentiation). In WT mice, chronic stress showed the highest impact on complex I of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, while in APPPS1 mice this pathway was compromised broadly by chronic stress. Conclusion: Our data shows that chronic stress and amyloidosis additively contribute to mitochondrial damage in hippocampus. Although these results do not explain all effects of chronic stress in AD, they add to the scientific knowledge on the topic.
Effects of Physical Exercise on the Incidence of Delirium and Cognitive Function in Acutely Hospitalized Older Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sáez de Asteasu Mikel L. , Cuevas-Lara Cesar , García-Hermoso Antonio , Ramírez-Vélez Robinson , Martínez-Velilla Nicolás , Zambom-Ferraresi Fabricio , Cadore Eduardo Lusa , Izquierdo Mikel
Published: March 2022

Background: Acute care hospitalization increases the likelihood of developing cognitive impairment and delirium in older adults. Objective: To summarize evidence about the effectiveness of exercise and physical rehabilitation interventions on the incidence of delirium and cognitive impairment in acutely hospitalized older patients. Methods: Relevant articles were systematically searched (PubMed, Web of Science, and CINHAL databases) until 26 August 2021. Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials of in-hospital physical exercise interventions and rehabilitation programs compared to usual care performed for older patients (> 65 years) hospitalized for an acute medical condition were selected. The primary endpoints were changes in the incidence of delirium and cognition during acute hospitalization. The secondary endpoints included functional independence, psychological measures, well-being status, length of hospital stay, transfer after discharge, fall occurrence, hospital readmissions, and mortality rate. The endpoints were evaluated at different time points (at admission, at discharge, and after discharge). Results: Eleven studies from 8 trials (n = 3,646) were included. The methodological quality of the studies was mostly high. None of the studies reported any adverse events related to the intervention. Early rehabilitation improved cognitive function at 3 months postdischarge (Hedge’s g = 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19 to 0.46, p < 0.001). No between-group differences were found for incident delirium and cognitive impairment during hospitalization (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: In-hospital physical exercise and early rehabilitation programs seem to be safe and effective interventions for enhancing cognitive function after discharge in older patients hospitalized for an acute medical condition. However, no potential benefits were obtained over usual hospital care for the incidence of delirium.
Interval-valued pointwise sustaining degree fuzzy reasoning methods based on the left-continuous t-representable t-norms
Authors: Luo Minxia , Xu Donghui
Published: March 2022

In this paper, the concept of α (x, y)-interval-valued pointwise sustaining degree based on the left-continuous t-representable t-norms is put forward. And then, as a general extension based on the interval-valued pointwise sustaining degree, the interval-valued α (x, y)-full implication triple I method model, the interval-valued α (x, y)-quintuple implication principle models and the interval-valued α (x, y)-similarity measure method models are given. Moreover, the interval-valued R -type α (x, y)-fuzzy reasoning solutions with triple I method, quintuple implication principle and similarity measure method are given. Some existing results are special cases of the main conclusions in this paper.
Design of an optimized fuzzy system for edge detection in images
Authors: Azimirad Ehsan
Published: March 2022

Edge Detection is the first stage in the image division into separate parts. Image division is the partitioning of a digital image to the different zones or the set of pixels. Edge detection is one of the techniques applied in digital image processing often. The purpose of detecting pixels is to match the edges in the image. Filtering, Enhancement, and Detection are three steps in edge detection. Images are usually destroyed by casual changes in intensity intervals called noise or confusion. some noise variations include salt and pepper, pulse, and Gaussian. However, there is a relation between edge detection power and noise reduction. Using filters to the noise reduction causes the loss of edge detection power. For facilitating the edges detection, it is essential for the determination of pixels’ intensity constraints in their neighborhood. Many points in an image have a nontransparent slope, and all of them are not the edges of the joint space. Therefore, some of the linear and nonlinear methods such as Sobel, Prewitt, and Robert have to be used to determine the edge points. The fuzzy logic and the system based on it, is one of the most effective methods for edge detection. This paper presents an optimized rule-based fuzzy inference system and designs the efficiency mask matric. The simulation results for edge detection are presented using the traditional edge detection techniques, including Binary Filter, Sobel Filter, Prewitt Filter, and Robert Filter. Also, it is presented using the fuzzy approach. The simulation results show that the designed fuzzy system has been able to detect the edges of the image more accurately and help to increase the sharpness and quality of the edges. Therefore, the proposed method has more accurate and more reliable results and reduces false edge detection comparison to the traditional methods.
Model variational consumer preferences based on online reviews using sentiment analysis and PSO-based DENFIS approaches
Authors: Jiang Huimin , Guo Gaicong , Sabetzadeh Farzad , Chan Kit Yan
Published: March 2022

Previous studies developed consumer preference models mainly through customer surveys, ignoring the variability of consumer preferences over time. In addition, it is difficult to obtain time series data based on the customer surveys. In recent years, some previous studies tried to analyse consumer preferences based on online reviews. However, they have not solved the problems of modelling variational consumer preference based on time series data with the consideration of the ambiguity of emotions expressed by customers in online reviews. To solve the above problems, this article proposes the particle swarm optimization (PSO) based dynamic evolving neural-fuzzy inference system (DENFIS) method to model variational consumer preferences based on online customer reviews. Using the time series data mined by the sentiment analysis method and the product attribute settings of the review products, the PSO-based DENFIS method is offered to dynamically model consumer preferences, in which PSO is used to adjust DENFIS parameters adaptively.
An efficient classification rule generation for coronary artery disease diagnosis using a novel discrete equilibrium optimizer algorithm
Authors: Haouassi Hichem , Mahdaoui Rafik , Chouhal Ouahiba , Bekhouche Abdelaali
Published: March 2022

Many machine learning-based methods have been widely applied to Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and are achieving high accuracy. However, they are black-box methods that are unable to explain the reasons behind the diagnosis. The trade-off between accuracy and interpretability of diagnosis models is important, especially for human disease. This work aims to propose an approach for generating rule-based models for CAD diagnosis. The classification rule generation is modeled as combinatorial optimization problem and it can be solved by means of metaheuristic algorithms. Swarm intelligence algorithms like Equilibrium Optimizer Algorithm (EOA) have demonstrated great performance in solving different optimization problems. Our present study comes up with a Novel Discrete Equilibrium Optimizer Algorithm (NDEOA) for the classification rule generation from training CAD dataset. The proposed NDEOA is a discrete version of EOA, which use a discrete encoding of a particle for representing a classification rule; new discrete operators are also defined for the particle’s position update equation to adapt real operators to discrete space. To evaluate the proposed approach, the real world Z-Alizadeh Sani dataset has been employed. The proposed approach generate a diagnosis model composed of 17 rules, among them, five rules for the class “Normal” and 12 rules for the class “CAD”. In comparison to nine black-box and eight white-box state-of-the-art approaches, the results show that the generated diagnosis model by the proposed approach is more accurate and more interpretable than all white-box models and are competitive to the black-box models. It achieved an overall accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 93.54%, 80% and 100% respectively; which show that, the proposed approach can be successfully utilized to generate efficient rule-based CAD diagnosis models.
Product design evaluation based on FAHP and cloud model
Authors: Chai Shaolong , Wang Zeng
Published: March 2022

In view of the shortcomings of the existing evaluation methods in fully considering the fuzziness and randomness of product design evaluation, a novel product design evaluation method based on FAHP and cloud model is proposed. First, a hierarchical structure model of product design evaluation is established. Second, fuzzy pairwise comparison of criteria is constructed through questionnaire survey, and the digital characteristics of weight cloud model are acquired by the proposed fuzzy weight model. Then, based on the factor scores, the digital characteristics of scoring cloud model are obtained by backward cloud. Finally, the digital characteristics of comprehensive evaluation cloud model are obtained by using the proposed improved fuzzy composite operator, and the forward cloud is used to get the cloud picture for evaluation. Taking reading lamp as an example, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified. The results show that compared with the other two methods, the Kendall rank correlation coefficients of entropy of the method are increased by 0.17 and 0.33, respectively, which proves that the method achieves more accurate evaluation result under the complex criteria, and provides a more effective tool for decision makers and designers to evaluate and optimize design schemes.
Operational risk analysis in business processes using decomposed fuzzy sets
Authors: Cebi Selcuk , Gündoğdu Fatma Kutlu , Kahraman Cengiz
Published: March 2022

Risk assessment takes place depending on the expertise and subjective linguistic assessments of experts. Expert judgements are collected via a questionnaire or an interview including qualitative data. Pessimistic or optimistic status of experts can affect their perceptions on risk. Furthermore, expert judgments are affected by questions’ structure based on whether it is a positive type question (e.g., ‘What is the occurrence probability of the accident?) or a negative type question (e.g., ‘What is the non-occurrence probability of the accident?). All of these cases create uncertainties in the risk assessment process. For this reason, there are various studies using fuzzy risk analysis models to address these uncertainties in risk assessment. However, there is not any risk assessment tool that considers the uncertainties caused by the factors mentioned above, simultaneously. Therefore, in this paper, we introduce the concept of decomposed fuzzy sets (DFS) to model human thoughts and perceptions in a more realistic and detailed way through optimistic and pessimistic membership functions. We present the basic operations on decomposed fuzzy sets and their properties. To demonstrate the utility of the proposed method, the method is applied to operational risk analysis in business processes. The data used in the application are collected from the managerial board of a construction company. The application results and advantages of the proposed method are presented together with a comparative analysis.
A fuzzy logic modelling approach on psychological data
Authors: Rad Dana , Rad Gavril , Maier Roxana , Demeter Edgar , Dicu Anca , Popa Mihaela , Alexuta Daniel , Floroian Dan , Mărineanu Vasile Doru
Published: March 2022

Meeting basic psychological needs could be difficult to maintain in current pandemic times, mainly due to preventive measures involving social distancing or full quarantine, which seem to play a very important role in well-being. The theory of basic psychological needs is a sub-theory of human motivation theory known as the theory of self-determination. This theory argues that meeting the needs of autonomy, relatedness and competence is crucial for motivation, optimal development, efficient functioning and health. Several research, examining the effects of basic psychological needs on well-being, concluded that changes in meeting the three needs had a significant effect on well-being. Because perceived stress plays a vital role in daily life, several coping strategies have been shown to effectively manage stress and reduce its negative consequences. In this study, coping mechanisms refer to both cognitive and behavioral efforts to alleviate or overcome stressful situations, especially when an automatic response is not readily available. The present study aims to examine a predictive model of competence need satisfaction based on adaptive coping mechanisms: active coping and positive reframing, on a convenience sampling of 403 Romanian respondents. Results show that 3% of the variance in competence need satisfaction is explained by active coping and positive reframing. In this work, we have used fuzzy logic modelling on our psychological data to deal with the imprecision and vagueness inherent in input data and build a more reliable model for estimating psychological variables relations. Implications and conclusions are discussed.
Deep convolutional neural network for environmental sound classification via dilation
Authors: Roy Sanjiban Sekhar , Mihalache Sanda Florentina , Pricop Emil , Rodrigues Nishant
Published: March 2022

In the recent time, enviromental sound classification has received much popularity. This area of research comes under domain of non-speech audio classification. In this work, we have proposed a dilated Convolutional Neural Network approch to classify urban sound. We have carried out feature extraction, data augmentation techniques to carry out our experimental strategy smoothly. We also found out the activation maps of each layers of dilated convolution neural network. An increamental dilation rate has exploited Overall we achieved 84.16% of accuracy from the proposed dilated convolutional method. The gradual increaments of dilation rate has exploited the worse effect of grindding and has lowered down the computational cost. Also, overall classification performance, precision, recall,overall truth and kappa value have been obtained from our proposed method. We have considered 10 fold cross validation for the implementation of the dilated CNN model.
Certificate-less authenticated key agreement scheme with anonymity for smart grid communications
Authors: Vallent Thokozani Felix , Hanyurwimfura Damien , Kim Hyunsung , Mikeka Chomora
Published: March 2022

The modern grid has various functionalities by using remote sensor automation in power management, monitoring and controlling the system. Thus, it is imperative to ensure secure communications for various agents in smart grid, since the system is information communication based. Being information based the smart grid encounters security and privacy challenges impeding its adoption. One way of dealing with these cyber concerns is in devising robust cryptosystem for data encryption and authenticated key agreement in the communications of these remotely controlled smart devices. However, many proposed solutions are provided at the expense of computations cost. Thus, this paper designs a novel authenticated key agreement scheme with anonymity based on widely acceptable elliptic curve cryptography with efficiency. The scheme ensures optimal computation and communication overload whilst achieving mutual authentication and anonymity in the key agreement process. The scheme is proven in both formal and informal security analysis in portraying its satisfaction of the standard and extended Canetti–Krawczyk (eCK) security requirements. A comparative analysis with related schemes indicates that the proposed scheme have merits over others.
Simplified effective method for identifying semantic relations from a knowledge graph
Authors: Tran Thien Khai , Ta Chien D.C. , Phan Tuoi Thi
Published: March 2022

Semantic relations have been adopted in many research fields, including the semantic web, information retrieval, and Q&A systems. The aim of the semantic relations is to remove conceptual and terminological confusion. This is achieved by specifying a set of general concepts that characterize domains and their definitions and interrelationships. This research describes how to detect semantic relations, including synonyms, hyponyms, and hypernym s based on WordNet and entities of a knowledge graph (KG). This KG was built from two resources: ACM Digital Library and Wikipedia. We used natural language processing and the deep learning approach for processing data before generating the KG with an effective algorithm. We chose five of 245 categories in the ACM Digital Library to evaluate the proposed method. The generated results show that our system has excellent performance.