bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of logistics performance determinants on export performance
Authors: Ait Lhassan Imad , Ezekari Manal , Belamhitou Mahmoud , El Hachimi Ikram
Published: June 2022

From the mid-1980s, Morocco confirmed its choice to liberalize trade so that international trade could become a lever for development. However, despite these ambitions, the persistence of the trade deficit has led us to reflect on the challenges of exports and the factors that can trigger the emergence of new competition. At this level, logistics has become one of the key factors to circumvent the obstacles that affect the supply of Moroccan exports. This paper aims to study and assess the impact of the determinants of logistics performance on export performance in the Moroccan context. It follows that the general concepts will be defined, and a review of the literature on the importance of the determinants of logistics performance in exporting companies will be presented, as well as the theoretical and practical research work that has studied the impact of determinants of logistics performance on export performance. The data were collected from the logistics directors and managers of 90 Moroccan exporting companies and later were analyzed by using the structural equation modelling technique to test the hypotheses and validate the research model. The results of our empirical study showed that the three determinants of logistics performance (collaboration, information sharing and logistics strategy) positively affect the export performance of Moroccan firms, also, we have distinguished that the three determinants play a very important role in improving the company's activities and strengthening the relationship between suppliers and customers, and finally, we found that all hypotheses of our study are validated. Our study has shown that there are certain determinants of logistics performance (collaboration, information sharing and logistics strategy) that contribute to the improvement of export performance in companies. In addition, we will verify our conceptual model in other countries which would allow us to identify universal trends and we have distinguished that there are other determinants and other important variables that will be integrated in our future research model.
High Temperature Superconductivity Arising in a Metal Sheet Full of Holes
Authors: Zen Nobuyuki
Published: June 2022

By drilling periodic thru-holes in a suspended film, the phonon system can be modified. Being motivated by the BCS theory, the technique, so-called phonon engineering, was applied to a niobium sheet. The newly emergent high-Tc superconductivity, however, cannot be accounted for by the BCS theory. Rather, its exposed configuration, namely a square-lattice oxygen network, is reminiscent of the copper--oxygen plane in cuprate high-Tc superconductors. It turns out that its magnetic result is consistent with the principle of giant atom, which was developed by another heroes of superconductivity, Fritz London and John Slater, in the 1930s, several decades earlier than the propagation of BCS theory. The superconducting transition feature is discussed on the basis of a comprehensive theory of the giant atom---the theory of hole superconductivity.
Rosmarinic Acid Multifunctional Sunscreen: Comet Assay and in Vivo Establishment of Cutaneous Attributes
Authors: Cândido Thalita Marcílio , Ariede Maíra Bueno , Pinto Claudinéia Aparecida Sales de Oliveira , Magalhães Wagner Vidal , Pedro Natália Mencacci Esteves , Padovani Giovana , Sufi Bianca da Silva , Velasco Maria Valéria Robles , Rosado Catarina , Baby André Rolim
Published: June 2022

The skin acts as a protective barrier, guarding the body against microorganisms, chemicals, and several environmental factors. Accordingly, this all-important organ must be kept healthy to maintain its optimal functionality. One approach to maintain skin health is the application of multifunction bioactive sunscreens containing antioxidant molecule(s). Rosmarinic acid (RA), a phenolic compound, is known for its antioxidant activity. Herein, the safety and efficacy of a multifunction prototype sunscreen were investigated, aiming to probe putative synergies of this polyphenol with two known and widely used UV filters (bemotrizinol and octyl p-methoxycinnamate). Samples protected the DNA fragmentation compared to UV control, by the comet assay, and showed good skin compatibility in subjects. Formulations F1 and F3 were able to increase skin hydration, and, possibly, the RA interfered with this attribute. An increase in transepidermal water loss was observed for formulations F1, F2 and F4, which may be related to vehicle containing or not the RA. No decreases were observed in the inflammatory reaction caused by the ethyl nicotinate with any of the evaluated formulations. As a perspective, we suggest trials with a greater number of subjects or protocol modifications. Altering the vehicle qualitative and quantitative composition is also a pertinent perspective.
Genotype-Phenotype Correlation and Functional Insights for Two Monoallelic Trex1 Missense Variants Affecting the Catalytic Core
Authors: Amico Giulia , Hemphill Wayne O , Severino Mariasavina , Moratti Claudio , Pascarella Rosario , Bertamino Marta , Napoli Flavia , Volpi Stefano , Rosamilia Francesca , Signa Sara , Perrino Fred W , Zedde Marialuisa , Ceccherini Isabella
Published: June 2022

The TREX1 exonuclease degrades DNA to prevent aberrant nucleic acid sensing through the cGAS-STING pathway, and dominant Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome type 1 (AGS1) represents one of numerous TREX1-related autoimmune diseases. Monoallelic TREX1 mutations were identified in patients showing early-onset cerebrovascular disease, ascribable to small vessel disease, and CADASIL-like neuroimaging. We report the clinical-neuroradiological features of two patients with AGS-like (Patient A) and CADASIL-like (Patient B) phenotypes carrying the heterozygous p.A136V and p.R174G TREX1 variants, respectively. Genetic findings, obtained by a customized panel including 183 genes associated with monogenic stroke, were combined with interferon signature testing and biochemical assays to determine the mutations’ effects in vitro. Comprehensive studies revealed no pathological impact on TREX1 enzymatic function for the p.A136V variant. The p.R174G variant modestly altered exonuclease activity consistently with perturbation of substrate interaction rather than catalysis, which represents the first robust enzymological data for a TREX1 variant identified in a CADASIL-like patient. In conclusion, functional analysis allowed us to interpret the impact of TREX1 variants on patients’ phenotypes. Whilst Patient A’s manifestations are not related to p.A136V variant, Patient B’s phenotype is likely related to the p.R174G variant. Further functional investigations of TREX1 variants found in CADASIL-like patients are warranted to establish a causal link and interrogate the molecular disease mechanism.
Dark Energy from Virtual Gravitons (GCDM Model vs ΛCDM Model)
Authors: Marochnik Leonid , Usikov Daniel
Published: June 2022

The dark energy from virtual gravitons is consistent with observational data on supernova with the same accuracy as the CDM model. The fact that virtual gravitons are capable of producing of a de Sitter accelerated expansion of the FLRW universe was established in 2008 (see references). The combination of conformal non–invariance with zero rest mass of gravitons (unique properties of the gravitational field) leads to the appearance of graviton dark energy in a mater-dominated era. Тhis fact explains the relatively recent appearance of the dark energy and answers the question “Why now?”. The transition redshifts (where deceleration is replaced by acceleration) that follow from the graviton theory are consistent with model independent transition redshifts derived from observational data. Prospects for testing the GCDM model (the graviton model of dark energy where G stands for gravitons) and comparison with the CDM model are discussed.
Traffic Flow as a Simple Fluid: Towards a Scaling Theory of Urban Congestion
Authors: Laval Jorge
Published: June 2022

The analogy between the theory of phase transitions in simple fluids and vehicular traffic flow has long been suspected, promising a new level of understanding of urban congestion by standing on one of the firmer foundations in physics. The obstacle has been the interpretation of the thermal energy of the gas-particle system, which remains unknown. This paper proposes the flow of cars through the network as a viable interpretation, where the fundamental diagram for traffic flow would be analogous to the coexistence curve in gas-liquid phase transitions. Thanks to the power-law form of the coexistence curve, it was possible to formalize that the resulting network traffic model belongs to the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang universality class. The scaling relationships arising in this universality class are found to be consistent with West's scaling theory for cities. It is shown that congestion costs (delays + fuel consumption) scale superlinearly with city population, possibly and worryingly more so than predicted by West's theory. Implications for sustainability and resiliency are discussed.
Porous TiO2/Carbon Dots Nanoflowers with Enhanced Surface Areas for Improving Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Song Fengyan , Sun Hao , Ma Hailong , Gao Hui
Published: June 2022

Electron-hole recombination and narrow range utilization of sunlight limit the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2. We synthesized a carbon dots (CDs) modified TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with flower-like mesoporous structure, i.e., porous TiO2/CDs nanoflowers. Among such hybrid parti-cles, CDs worked as photosensitizers for the mesoporous TiO2 and enabled the resultant TiO2/CDs nanoflowers with a wide-range light absorption. Rhodamine B (Rh-B) was employed as a model organic pollutant to investigate the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2/CDs nanoflowers. The results demonstrated that the decoration of CDs on both TiO2 nanoflowers and P25 NPs enabled a significant improvement of the photocatalytic degradation efficiency compared with the pristine TiO2. TiO2/CDs nanoflowers with porous structure and larger surface areas than P25 showed a higher efficiency owing to prevent local aggregation of carbon materials. All the results revealed that the introduced CDs and the unique mesoporous structure, large surface areas and loads of pore channels of the prepared TiO2 NPs played important roles in the enhancement of the photocatalytic efficiency of the TiO2/CDs hybrid nanoflowers. Such TiO2/CDs composite NPs also opens a door for photodegradation, photocatalytic water splitting and enhanced solar sun-light as light source.
Peningkatan Kualitas Pembelajaran Bahasa Arab Menggunakan Buku al-lisan al-Umm
Authors: Hadiyanto Andy , Ulfah Siti Maria , Samitri Cendra
Published: June 2022

Tujuan pengabdian ini adalah memberikan pelatihan pembelajaran bahasa Arab menggunakan buku Al-Lisan Al-Umm bagi guru bahasa Arab di Pondok Pesantren Nurul Huda guna menciptakan keterampilan berbahasa, keterampilan budaya, serta keterampilan berkomunikasi lisan dan tulisan. Dalam kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini digunakan metode kualitatif yang meliputi wawancara mendalam dan observasi partisipasi. Di dalam pelaksanaannya, dilakukan melalui serangkaian kegiatan yang meliputi: sesi teori dan sesi peerteaching. Program utama dalam pengabdian ini, yaitu: (1) Program Pelatihan Intensif Bahasa Arab Komunikatif bagi guru-guru di Pesantren, (2) Program penyuluhan dan pelatihan bagi guru untuk penggunaan dan pengembangan buku ajar Al-Lisan Al-Umm. Pelaksanaan program ini berjalan lancar dan mendapat apresiasi dari warga masyarakat, khususnya mereka yang terlibat dalam pelatihan pembelajaran bahasa Arab komunikatif.
Sosialisasi Bahaya Radikalisme di Majelis Ta’alim Daarul Hikmah Cendekia Kota Tangerang
Authors: Syafrudin Iqbal , Casmana Asep Rudi , Maiwan Moh. , Sae M. Fajar
Published: June 2022

Perkembangan teknologi memang tak bisa dicegah berbagai dampaknya, termasuk juga perkembangan serta meluasnya globalisasi di seluruh dunia termasuk Indonesia. Degradasi nilai-nilai Pancasila salah satunya ditandai dengan muncuknya paham-paham yang menyimpang dari ideologi Pancasila, salah satunya faham Radikalisme. Paham Radikal adalah paham atau aliran yang menghendaki perubahan sosial dan politik dengan cara menggunakan tindakan kekerasan sebagai batu loncatan untuk menjustifikasi keyakinan mereka yang dianggap benar. Berdasarkan analisis permasalahan maka dirumuskan permasalahan mitra yaitu ‘Bagaimanakah sosialisasi tentang bahaya radikalisme dilakukan?’ Permasalahan ini akan dilakukan penyelesainya dengan mitra dalam bentuk kolaboratif kegiatan-kegiatan penyuluhan, pengajian dan diskusi pada Majelis Ta' Lim Daarul Hikmah Cendikia di kota Tangerang.  Pada permasalahan ini jenis kegiatan yang dilakukan adalah penyuluhan, diskusi tentang bahaya radikalisme, dan kajian tentang bahaya radikalisme. Simpulan dari kegiatan ini adalah para peserta aktif bertanya mengenai bahaya radikalisme dan bisa mencontohkan kegiatan-kegiatan yang mencerminkan nilai-nilai Pancasila. Melihat antusias dari para peserta diskusi, maka dapat disimpulkan permasalahan terkait bahaya radikalisme dapat ditangani dan diselesaikan, sehingga tidak ada kekhawatiran yang berlebih dari para warga terhadap penyebaran radikalisme karena sudah mempunyai bekal pengetahuan yang cukup tentang ideologi Pancasila dan pencegahan radikalisme.
Penyuluhan Peran Keluarga Dalam Penguatan Karakter Religius Melalui Kegiatan Pengajian di Majelis Ta’lim Ar-Rahmah Pasawahan Kabupaten Purwakarta
Authors: Sutarjo Sutarjo , Bintang Kejora Muhamad Taufik
Published: June 2022

Majlis Ta’lim mempunyai peran strategis dalam pembentukan karakter umat Islam khususnya bagi keluarga di Indonesia. Sebagai lembaga pendidikan non formal, peran penting ini perlu mendapatkan perhatian dan prioritas guna menginternalisasikan nilai-nilai penguatan pendidikan karakter (PPK) yang selama ini digaungkan oleh pemerintah. Pasalnya, program PPK tidak akan meraih pencapaian maksimal tanpa mendapatkan dukungan masyarakat sebagai bagian dari tripusat pendidikan. Metode yang digunakan dalam kegiatan pengabdian pada masyarakat adalah ceramah dan diskusi melalui aktivitas pengajian di majlis ta’lim. Hasil kegiatan menunjukan adanya peningkatan wawasan, antusias dan kesadaran masyarakat tentang pentingnya membangun karakter. Masyarakat bersama pengurus majlis Ta’lim bersedia berperan aktif dalam membangun karakter religius, nasionalis, integritas, mandiri dan gotong royong melalui kegiatan sosial keagamaan. Dalam hal ini, majlis ta’lim berkomitmen untuk meningkatkan fungsi kontrol sosial bagi masyarakat sebagai bagian dari upaya membentuk budaya masyarakat berkarakter.
Penguatan Spiritualitas Islam pada Remaja Muslim di Masa Pandemi
Authors: Wajdi Firdaus
Published: June 2022

Penguatan spiritualitas adalah upaya untuk meningkatkan kesadaran diri akan Tuhan YME untuk meningkatkan perilaku akhlak islami dan kualitas diri. Muslim dan lembaga pendidikan dapat berperan dalam penguatan spiritualitas ini. Namun demikian terkadang ditemukan permasalahan terkait upaya penguatan spiritualitas Islam. Karena itu  program pengabdian masyarakat ini berupaya untuk mengidentifikasi pengaruh pandemi Covid-19 terhadap spiritualitas remaja dan upaya untuk meningkatkan spiritualitas remaja melalui kegiatan kajian yang dilaksanakan secara daring. Identifikasi pengaruh pandemi Covid-19 dilakukan dengan penyebaran kuesioner dan upaya peningkatan spiritualitas dilaksanakan dengan kegiatan kajian keagamaan. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini dilaksanakan secara daring dengan melibatkan dosen Program Studi Pendidikan Agama Islam, Universitas Negeri Jakarta dan remaja lulusan SMA di Jakarta dan sekitarnya. Hasil kegiatan ini adalah teridentifikasinya pengaruh Pandemi Covid-19 terhadap spiritualitas para remaja dan peningkatan pemahaman para remaja terkait tema spiritualitas dari perspektif Al-Qur’an dan Hadis.
Intersectional Stigma and Prevention Among Gay, Bisexual, and Same Gender–Loving Men in New York City, 2020: System Dynamics Models
Authors: Lutete Priscila , Matthews David W. , Sabounchi Nasim S. , Paige Mark Q. , Lounsbury David W. , Rodriguez Noah , Echevarria Natalie , Usher DaShawn , Walker Julian J. , Dickerson Alexis , Hillesheim Joseph , Frye Victoria
Published: June 2022

Objectives. To create causal loop diagrams that characterize intersectional stigma experiences among Black, gay, bisexual, same gender–loving, and other men who have sex with men and to identify intervention targets to reduce stigma and increase testing and prevention access.

Methods. Between January and July 2020, we conducted focus groups and in-depth interviews with 80 expert informants in New York City, which were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. These qualitative insights were developed iteratively, visualized, and validated in a causal loop diagram (CLD) using Vensim software.

Results. The CLD revealed 3 key feedback loops—medical mistrust and HIV transmission, serosorting and marginalization of Black and gay individuals, and family support and internalized homophobia—that contribute to intersectional HIV and related stigmas, homophobia, and systemic racism. On the basis of these results, we designed 2 novel intervention components to integrate into an existing community-level anti-HIV stigma and homophobia intervention.

Conclusions. HIV stigma, systemic racism, and homophobia work via feedback loops to reduce access to and uptake of HIV testing, prevention, and treatment.

Public Health Implications. The CLD method yielded unique insights into reciprocal feedback structures that, if broken, could interrupt stigmatization and discrimination cycles that impede testing and prevention uptake. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S4):S444–S451. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306725 )
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome with Postoperative Hematoma After C4-C6 Spinal Fusion: A Case Report
Authors: Porter Matt , Schmitz Miguel A.
Published: June 2022

Case:

A 71-year-old woman with a 2-year history of spondylosis and radiculopathy presented with progressively worsening cervical spine pain and neurological dysfunction for 2 years. The patient developed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) after postoperative hematoma in the retroesophageal and retropharyngeal areas. This occurred status post anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) of C4-C6. One year postoperatively, the patient recovered with full ambulation, neurological improvement, and resolution of all PRES signs and symptoms.

Conclusion:

We present a case of a previously undescribed outcome of PRES as a complication of ACDF likely related to postoperative hypertension and fragile blood vessels.
Pre-processing of handwritten signature images for following recognition
Authors: Akhundjanov U. Yu. , Starovoitov V. V.
Published: June 2022

In the process of handwritten signature recognition, preprocessing is an important step before calculation its informative features. Signatures of any person always have some differences, in addition, they can be of different colors, sizes and orientations. After signature digitization, their images may contain some noise. The purpose of signature image preprocessing is to obtain the most invariant representation of the digital image of a person's signature, which will allow us to identify him or define that the signature is forged.

This paper describes a sequence of transformations necessary to perform preprocessing of the signature image and form its representation of a single orientation and size. It is assumed that there are no graphic elements in the image that are not related to the signature and the background is relatively uniform. The transformations under consideration sequentially perform binarization of the signature image, its filtering, rotation, cropping of the circumscribed rectangle and scaling to a fixed size.

The described preprocessing procedures were applied to a number of available digital signature image databases, such as CEDAR, BHSig260-Bengali, BHSig260-Hindi. Experiments on signature recognition confirm that the presented approach to the signature image preprocessing leads to increasing of the recognition accuracy.
Seaweed (Gracilariopsis funicularis) biochar incorporation into a goat manure-food waste vermicompost for optimized vermi-degradation and nutrient release
Authors: Katakula Asteria , Gawanab Werner , Handura Berthold , Itanna Fisseha , Mupambwa Hupenyu Allan
Published: June 2022

Vermicomposts are organic fertilizer sources that are being promoted, however their concentration of macro nutrients such as (NPK) are very low. This study therefore evaluated the biochar from seaweed ( Gracilariopsis funicularis ) incorporated into a goat manure-food waste mixture at 0% (control); 2%; 4%; 6% and 8% on compost degradation and macro-nutrient release. After 10 weeks of vermicomposting the highest pH of 9.06 was observed within the control whilst the lowest was 8.7 in the 8% treatment. The electrical conductivity showed a positive relationship with the level of biochar incorporation with the highest of 16.5 mS/cm from the 8% treatment whilst the lowest was within the control with 6 mS/cm. There were no significant differences between treatments on humification parameters, however there were significant differences on the changes of C/N ratio with the final C/N ratio of 14.4; 14.9; 16.7; 15.1 and 14.4 for the control; 2%; 4%; 6%; and 8% treatments respectively. Higher incorporation rate resulted in the higher concentration of potassium with a value of 32.3 g/kg at week 8. The final percentage change in Olsen P was 19%: 14.2%; 7.3%; 4.1% and 3.0% for the 8%; 6%; control; 4%; and 2% treatments, respectively. An optimized level of 6 to 8 % biochar incorporation ratio can be recommended. However, incorporation of G. funicularis biochar does not seem to influence changes in the vermi degradation efficiency, though it can significantly improve the macro nutrients like P, K and Mg concentrations as well as the macro element concentrations.
Annular structures in perturbed low mass disc-shaped gaseous nebulae II: general and polytropic models
Authors: PLETSER Vladimir
Published: June 2022

This is the second of two papers where we study additional analytical solutions of a bidimensional low mass gaseous disc rotating around a central mass and submitted to small radial perturbations. In a first Paper, hydrodynamics equations were solved for the equilibrium and perturbed configurations and a wave-like equation for the gas perturbed specific mass was deduced and solved analytically for several cases of exponents of the power law distributions of the unperturbed specific mass and sound speed. In this paper, two other general cases of exponents, including a polytropic case, are solved analytically for small frequencies of the perturbations. Similar conclusions to the ones of Paper I are found, namely that the maxima of the gas perturbed specific mass are exponentially spaced and that their distance ratio is a constant, function of disc characteristics and of the perturbations frequency. Gaseous annular structures would eventually be formed in the disc by inward and outward gas ows from zones of minima toward zones of maxima of perturbed specific mass.
CD44+/CD24-Flow Cytometry and Immunohistochemistry on Therapy Response to the Administration of Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Sihombing Unedo Hence Markus , Andrijono Andrijono , Purwoto Gatot , Gandamihardja Supriadi , Harahap Alida R. , Rustamadji Primariadewi , Kekalih Aria , Widyawati Retno , Fuady Dzicky Rifqi
Published: June 2022

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest women’s cancers. There is much chemoresistance to ovarian cancer standard therapy. CD44+/CD24- have an essential role in developing chemoresistance and poor prognosis for the patients. We aimed to study CD44+/CD24- relationship with ovarian cancer chemoresistance and its ability to predict chemoresistance. This study is an ambispective cohort study of 32 people in each group at the Obstetrics-gynecology and pathology Department of Cipto Mangunkusumo, Tarakan, Dharmais, and Fatmawati Hospital
Study of the Accuracy of a Radial Arterial Pressure Waveform Cardiac Output Measurement Device After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Ordoñez-Rufat Pilar , Mancho-Fora Núria , Tebé-Cordomí Cristian , Polit-Martínez Victoria , Abellán-Lencina Ricardo , Fernandez-Álvarez Joaquin , Lopez-Delgado Juan Carlos
Published: June 2022

Background: Less invasive monitoring, such as radial arterial pulse contour analysis (ProAQT® sensor), represents an alternative when hemodynamic monitoring is necessary to guide postoperative resuscitation and invasive monitoring is not technically feasible. The aim of the study is to evaluate the accuracy of the ProAQT® sensor measurements in comparison with Pulmonary Artery Catheter (PAC) during the postoperative course of patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.Case presentation: Prospective observational study in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary university hospital. Ten patients with a mean age of 73.5 years were included. The main comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and the preoperative left ejection fraction was 43.8±14.5%. Regarding the type of surgery, six patients underwent valve surgery, two underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and two underwent aortic surgery. The cardiac index measured simultaneously by the ProAQT® sensor was compared with the PAC. The parameters were evaluated at predefined time points during the early postoperative courses (6h, 12h, 24h, 48h and 72h). The degree of agreement with the cardiac index between the PAC and the ProAQT® sensor along the time points was measured using the concordance correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman analysis and four-quadrant plot.Sixty-three pairs of measurements were analyzed. We showed that measurements of cardiac index were slightly higher with PAC (β ̂=-0.146, p-value=0.094). The concordance correlation coefficient for the additive model of cardiac index was 0.64 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.36, 0.82), indicating a high concordance between both sensors. Bland-Altmann analysis showed a mean bias of 0.45 L·min-1·m-2, limits of agreement from -1.65 to 2.3 L·min-1·m-2, and percentage of error was 82.5%. Four-quadrant plot of changes in cardiac index showed a good concordance rate (75%), which increases after applying the exclusion zone (87%).Conclusion: In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, the ProAQT® sensor may be useful to monitor cardiac index during the postoperative period, especially when more invasive monitoring is not possible.
Functional improvement and satisfaction with a wearable hip exoskeleton in community- living adults
Authors: Kim Jihye , Chun Hyelim , Lee Su-Hyun , Lee Hwang-Jae , Kim Yun-Hee
Published: June 2022

Background
Demand for wearable devices and supportive technology is growing as these devices have the potential to enhance physical function and quality of life in users. The purpose of this study was to investigate usability and satisfaction after performing functional and gait exercise with a wearable hip exoskeleton in community-living adults.
Methods
Two-hundred and twenty-five adults (mean age 67.52 ± 10.99) residing in the local community participated in this study. All participants (middle-aged group, n = 75; old-aged group, n = 150) performed 40-minutes of exercise once with a wearable hip exoskeleton in various environments. The EX1 (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon, Republic of Korea), which functions as a wearable hip exoskeleton, was used. Physical function was assessed before and after exercise with the EX1 using the 10-meter walking test (10MWT), four square step test (FSST), timed up and go test (TUG), 6-minute walking test (6MWT), and short physical performance battery (SPPB). In addition, after completing exercise with the EX1, the usability and satisfaction questionnaires were evaluated.
Results
Gait speed, TUG, and FSST showed statistically significant improvements after exercise with the EX1 in both groups (p < 0.05). In 6MWT, a significant increase was observed in the middle-aged group (p < 0.05) but not in the old-aged group. In SPPB, there was a significant improvement in the old-aged group (p < 0.05) but not in the middle-aged group. On the other hand, positive results in usability and satisfaction were noticed in both groups. In preference between resistance and assist mode of the EX1, the old-aged group preferred the assist mode and the middle-aged group preferred the resistance mode.
Conclusion
These results demonstrate that a single session of exercise with the EX1 was effective in improving physical performance of both middle- and old-aged adults, with positive feedback from most of the participants.
Trial registration:
Clinical trials registration information: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05106881 (04/11/2021).
How I treat recurrent paediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG): A Europe-wide survey study
Authors: Perwein Thomas , Giese Barbara , Nussbaumer Gunther , Bueren André O. , Buiren Miriam , Benesch Martin , Kramm Christof Maria
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND: As there is no standard of care treatment for recurrent/progressing paediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG), we aimed to gain an overview of different treatment strategies. METHODS: In a web-based questionnaire, members of the SIOPE-BTG and the GPOH were surveyed on therapeutic options in four case scenarios (children/adolescents with recurrent/progressing HGG).RESULTS: Most respondents (139 clinicians from 22 European countries) preferred further oncological treatment in three out of four cases and chose palliative care in one case with marked symptoms. Depending on the case, 8-92% would initiate a re-resection (preferably hemispheric pHGG), combined with molecular diagnostics. Throughout all case scenarios, 55-77% recommended (re-)irradiation, preferably local radiotherapy >20 Gy, and most respondents would participate in clinical trials and use targeted therapy (79-99%), depending on molecular genetic findings (BRAF alterations: BRAF/MEK inhibitor, 64-88%; EGFR overexpression: anti-EGFR treatment, 46%; CDKN2A deletion: CDK inhibitor, 18%; SMARCB1 deletion: EZH2 inhibitor, 12%). 31-72% would administer chemotherapy (CCNU, 17%; PCV, 8%; temozolomide, 19%; oral etoposide/trofosfamide, 8%), and 20-69% advocated immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors, 30%; tumour vaccines, 16%). Depending on the individual case, respondents would also include bevacizumab (6-18%), HDAC inhibitors (4-15%), tumour-treating fields (1-26%), and intraventricular chemotherapy (4-24%). CONCLUSIONS: In each case, experts would combine conventional multimodal treatment concepts, including reirradiation, with targeted therapy based on molecular genetic findings. International cooperative trials combining a (chemo-)therapy backbone with targeted therapy approaches for defined subgroups may help to gain valid clinical data and improve treatment in paediatric patients with recurrent/progressing HGG.
Coupled plasma filtration adsorption for the treatment of sepsis or septic shock ： a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Yuting , Li Hongxiang , Guo Jianxing , Wang Youquan , Zhang Dong
Published: June 2022

Background: The effect of coupled plasma filtration adsorption(CPFA) for the treatment of sepsis or septic shock is controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of CPFA on all-cause mortality in patients with sepsis or septic shock.Methods: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases for randomized controlled trials(RCTs) and cohort studies from inception to the 1st of May 2022. We included studies involving patients (˃14 years) with sepsis or septic shock. All authors reported our primary outcome of all-cause mortality(hospital mortality, 28-day mortality or 30-day mortality). Results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) with accompanying 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: Six studies including 537 patients were included. The primary outcome of this meta-analysis showed that the all-cause mortality was about 54.2% (119/243 in the CPFA group and 172/294 in the control group). There was no statistically significant difference in the all-cause mortality between two groups(odds ratio [OR]=0.75;95% CI, 0.53 to 1.06; P=0.11;Chi2=14.04; I2=64%).Conclusions: The treatment of CPFA failed to decrease all-cause mortality of sepsis or septic shock patients. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the ability of this therapy to improve clinical outcomes are still required to confirm these results.
Relation between derived cardiovascular indices, body surface area, blood pressure/heart rate recovery among active and inactive Nigerian student
Authors: Ewah Patrick Ayi , Oyeyemi Adetoyeje Y
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUNDThe ease in the computation of derived cardiovascular indices such as mean arterial pressure [MAP], rate pressure product [RPP], and pulse pressure [PP]), make them attractive for use in making clinical decisions for patient management in resource-deprived environments. This study sought to determine the relationship between these indices and heart-rate/blood pressure drops during recovery state among physically active and inactive individuals following submaximal exercise. RESULTSThis quasi-experimental study conveniently sampled 105 apparently healthy male subjects aged 18-35 years of the University of Maiduguri. Inter-group categorization was executed by IPAQ. The derived indices were calculated using heart rate and blood pressure measurement while the body surface area (BSA) was determined using height and weight. The subjects were subjected to a submaximal exercise test using a bicycle ergometer. Data analysis include; descriptive statistic, Pearson correlation, student t-test, analysis of covariance, and multiple linear regression. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 at a significance of p<0.05. The mean BSA and resting-PP, MAP, and RPP were 1.84±0.16 m2, 41.23±7.57 mmHg, 85.92±9 mmHg, and 8266.45±1404.05 respectively. The resting-RPP of the physically inactive subjects was significantly higher than that of the active (8742.71±1496.31 vs 7790.18±1131.59, p=0.00) however, the active subject had a higher resting MAP than the inactive (87.91±7.98 Vs 83.93±9.59, p=0.03). The relationship between the RPP and the Absolute/percent recovery HR was r=-0.23, p=0.02/r=-0.34, p=0.00. The relationship between the PP and absolute recovery SBP was r=0.22, p= 0.03. The relationship found between the MAP and absolute recovery SBP was (r= 0.33, p= 0.00). The best negative predictor of recovery HR was the RPP while the MAP was the best positive predictor of recovery HR and SBP.CONCLUSIONSOverall, the physically active subjects coped better during the exercise than their inactive counterpart because of lower cardiac work and better blood perfusion to vital body organs. An inverse relationship was found between the RPP and absolute/percent recovery HR at one-minute post-exercise while a positive relationship was found between the PP and absolute drop in SBP/percent drop in DBP one minute post-exercise. The best predictor of recovery in HR and blood pressure was the RPP.
Comparison between direct anterior approach and minimally invasive posterolateral approach for bipolar hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients with femoral neck fracture
Authors: Liu Wei , Lin Wei , Hao Congqiang , Zong Yaqi
Published: June 2022

Background To compare the clinical effect after bipolar hemiarthroplasty（BHA）via the direct anterior approach（DAA）or minimally invasive posterolateral approach（MIPA）following the elderly patients with femoral neck fracture. Methods 196 elderly patients with femoral neck fracture were divided into DAA group (n=98) and MIPA group (n=98) according to the surgical approach. The clinical data，postoperative pain and complications，the time to keep seating for 1 hour and walking independently，postoperative Harris score of functional activity in 6 weeks and 2 years and mortality at 2 years after surgery were compared between the two groups. Results （1）The patients in group DAA had longer operation time, but the patients with pneumonia 72 hours after the operation was less，the VAS score of DAA patients decreased after 24 hours of operation, and the time of keep seating for 1 hour and walking independently was earlier (P< 0.05).（2）6 weeks after the operation, the Harris score of wearing socks and shoelaces , sitting on chairs and climbing stairs in the DAA group was better than that in the MIPA group (P< 0.05). After 2 years, there was no significant difference in Harris scores between the two groups (P> 0.05). Conclusion In the elderly patients with BHA, DAA can be more effective than MIPA to reduce the incidence of complications associated with long-term bed rest, relieve early postoperative pain, and improve the early postoperative hip function.
The Performance Analysis of 802.11p with Cooperative Communication and Dynamic Contention Window
Authors: Septa Neha
Published: June 2022

Road safety applications provided by the Vehicular ad hoc networks demand less delay, high throughput, and reliable communication under highly dense traffic conditions. It becomes very challenging to design a network that suits the high mobility of vehicles and frequently chang ing network topology. To overcome these challenges in the network, we propose a new algorithm to dynamically adapt the contention window size (DYCW) to the vehicle density conditions. Along with that, we have introduced a cooperative relay vehicle for relaying the safety mes sages that failed to reach the destination. We have also carried out analytical study of the proposed model and the simulation results for the our model show that using DYCW enhances the system functioning by leading to higher throughput with stability in the performance and decreases both the delay and the packet drop ratio (PDR) of the system.
Role of Maraviroc and/or Rapamycin in Aging Liver Processes
Authors: Pérez-Martínez Laura , Romero Lourdes , Verdugo-Sivianes Eva M. , Muñoz-Galván Sandra , Rubio-Mediavilla Susana , Amiama Ana , Carnero Amancio , Blanco José Ramón
Published: June 2022

Cellular senescence and low-grade inflammation favor the acceleration of aging. The liver is an essential metabolic organ because changes related to its function are related to age-related diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of maraviroc (MVC) and/or rapamycin (RAPA) on liver tissue in an experimental model of aging in mice. Eighty male homozygous IL10KO mice were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups (n = 20): i) IL10KO group; ii) MVC group, iii) RAPA group, and iv) MVC-RAPA group. Liver samples were analyzed. Gene expression quantification, western blotting and histopathological analyses were also performed. The proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-18 were decreased in MVC and MVC/RAPA groups, and TNF-α was decreased in all therapeutic groups. Galactosidase beta-1, was also significantly reduced in all therapeutic groups, as were NK-kB1 and NF-kB2. In all groups, mTOR and CCL5 were significantly reduced. CCR5 expression was decreased in the MVC and MVC/RAPA groups. MVC and RAPA may protect against some factors involved in liver aging. More studies will be necessary to verify their clinical applications.
The unique nano- and microstructure of twinned foraminiferal shell calcite
Authors: Lastam J. , Griesshaber E. , Yin X. , Rupp U. , Sánchez-Almazo I. , Heß M. , Walter P. , Checa A. , Schmahl Wolfgang W.
Published: June 2022

Diversification of biocrystal arrangement patterns, incorporation of biopolymers at many scale levels and a hierarchical architecture are keys for biomaterial optimization. In contrast to molluscan microstructures that consist of ordered assemblies of regularly shaped biocrystals, shells of modern rotaliid foraminifera comprise variously sized and highly irregularly shaped crystals. Benthic and planktonic foraminiferal shell crystals are mesocrystals. Crystal morphologies range from polyhedral, fibrous, to bladed-platy, with most of them having fractal-dendritic morphologies. In this contribution we investigate the nanometer-scale structure and microstructural arrangement of the fractal-dendritic crystals and demonstrate for planktonic Pulleniatina obliquiloculata, Rotaliida, that these consist of twinned calcite. Each fractal-dendritic crystal-unit comprises twin individuals misoriented to each other by 60°. We report for the twinned crystals a unique microstructure, not yet observed for crystals of other carbonate-shelled organisms. The fractal-dendritic, twinned, crystals consist, at the site of nucleation in a rhizopodial-network, of minute fibrils. With distance away from the nucleation site, fibrils change shape and size and evolve to large, twinned, bladed/platy crystals. Arrays of the latter seam outer shell surfaces. We demonstrate that the twinned, fractal-dendritic, crystals form through growth competition at high supersaturation and pH and discuss the main determinants that lead to P. obliquiloculata calcite formation.
Ubiquitous and Increasing Ferric Iron on Lunar Surface Revealed by Chang’E-5 Samples
Authors: Xian Haiyang , Zhu Jianxi , Yang Yiping , Li Shan , Lin Xiaoju , Xi Jiaxin , Xing Jieqi , Wu Xiao , Yang Hongmei , Zhou Qin , Tsuchiyama Akira , He Hongping , Xu Yigang
Published: June 2022

Though ferric iron indisputably exists on the highly reduced Moon, its formation mechanism and evolution have yet to be disclosed. Here we show that micrometeorite impact-induced ferrous disproportionation could produce a large amount of ferric iron (average Fe3+/∑Fe > 0.4) in agglutinate melts returned by Chang’e-5 mission. The disproportionation reaction synchronously generated nanophase metallic iron (npFe0), a dominant formation pathway of npFe0 within the lunar agglutinate glass. The discovery of the disproportionation reaction in the agglutinates suggests that much more Fe3+ could be ubiquitously present on the Moon than previously thought, and its abundance is progressively increasing with micrometeoroid impacts.
The Importance of Gravity Vector on Adult Mammalian Organisms: Effects of Hyper-Gravity on Mouse Testis
Authors: Bonetto Valentina , Magnelli Valeria , Sabbatini Maurizio , Caprì Flavia , Tavella Sara , Masini Maria Angela
Published: June 2022

In the time of space explorations, the effect of hyper-gravity on the human physiology is a topic relatively neglected. Nevertheless, astronauts have several experiences of hyper-gravity during their mission. The main disturbance of altered gravity can be imputed to cell cytoskeleton alteration and physiologic homeostasis of the body. Testis has been revealed to be an organ particularly sensible, to be affected by environmental alteration and physiological disturbance. This makes testis an organ eligible for investigating the alteration following exposure to altered gravity. In our study, mice were exposed to hypergravity (3g for 14 days) in Large Diameter Centrifuge. We have observed morphological alteration of the regular architecture of the seminiferous tubules of testis as well as an altered expression of factors involved in junctional complexes of Sertoli cells, responsible to assure the morpho-functional integrity of the organ. The expression of key receptors in the physiological performance, such as Androgen Receptors and Interstitial Cells Stimulating Hormone (ICSH) receptors have been found lower expressed. All these findings indicate the occurrence of altered physiological performance of the organ such as the reduction of the spermatozoa number and an altered relationships with the endocrine physiology following hypergravity exposure.
Rectifying disorder of extracellular matrix to suppress urethral stricture by protein nanofilm-controlled drug delivery from urinary catheter
Authors: Juanhua Tian , Delai Fu , Liu Yongchun , Yibing Guan , Miao Shuting , Chen Ke , Shanlong Huang , Zhang Yanfeng , Xue Li , Tie Chong , Yang Peng
Published: June 2022

Urethral stricture, which afflicts both patients and urologists, involves excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the submucosal and periurethral tissues. Although various anti-fibrotic drugs have been applied to urethral stricture by irrigation or submucosal injection, their clinical feasibility and effectiveness are limited. To prevent stricture after endoscopic therapy, urethroplasty, and traumatic catheterization, we designed a protein-based nanofilm-controlled drug delivery system and assembled it on the catheter to target inordinate extracellular matrix deposition. This approach is simple to manufacture and simultaneously integrates excellent anti-biofilm property into a urinary catheter in one step. Stable and controlled drug delivery over tens of days ensures optimal efficacy and negligible side effects. Anti-fibrotic catheters maintain extracellular matrix homeostasis by reducing fibroblast-derived collagen production and enhancing metalloproteinase 1-induced collagen degradation in a rabbit model of urethral injury, resulting in the greatest improvement in lumen stenosis than other topical therapies for urethral stricture prevention. Such biocompatible coating with antibacterial contamination and sustained-drug-release functionality could also be an advanced paradigm for a range of biomedical applications.
Retrospective evaluation of association between hypertension and clinical, and physical findings of covid-19 infected patients
Authors: Aslanbeigi Fatemeh , Rahimi Habiballah , Malekipour Adeleh , Pahlevani Hamed , Najafizadeh Maedeh , Kashani Hamed Haddad
Published: June 2022

Background
The sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19), which originated from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV2) infection, has recently become an international public health emergency. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical symptoms and physical findings in both hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients infected with covid-19.
Methods
Retrospective observational study with diagnosis of corona-induced pneumonia by laboratory-confirmed test was conducted on 280 consecutive unselected patients. The demographics, laboratory, and clinical findings data were extracted from the hospital registry database.
Results
Of our two hundred and eighty patients in the study, there were 70 men (47%) and the male-female ratio was 1.17:1 and 138 (50%) were older than 60 years (mean = 67.75), and also 50 in-hospital deaths occurred (mortality rate, 17%). totally 19(6.9%) were taking tobacco, opioid, and weed. There were no significant differences in the percentages of fever, cough, sputum production, gastrointestinal symptoms, muscle ache, and headache in the both hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups. The prevalence of underlying diseases was significantly higher in older patients in comparison with younger ones (p-value = 0 < 0.05), Clinical worsening was higher in patients with hypertension relative to patients with average blood pressure (P-value = 0 < 0.05).
Conclusion
The most common comorbidities in several reports was hypertension. People with high blood pressure are also slightly more likely to experience poor prognosis and even higher rate of mortality.in the other hand, hypertension may have associated with higher risk of severe or fatal COVID-19 disease.