bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence and predictors of violence from clients, intimate partners and police in a prospective US-based cohort of women in sex work
Authors: Decker Michele , Rouhani Saba , Park Ju Nyeong , Galai Noya , Footer Katherine , White Rebecca , Allen Sean , Sherman Susan
Published: November 2020

Objective

Gender-based violence threatens women’s health and safety. Female sex workers (FSWs) experience violence disproportionately, yet prospective data on violence predictors is lacking. In the first US-based prospective FSW cohort study, we examine incidence rates (IRs) and predictors of violence from distinct perpetrators: paying clients, non-paying intimate partners and police.

Methods

The parent cohort (Sex Workers and Police Promoting Health In Risky Environments) recruited street-based cisgender FSWs in urban Baltimore, MD (n=250) with 5 assessments at 3-month intervals through 12-month follow-up. Stratifying by violence perpetrator, we characterise violence at baseline, IR over the study period and time-varying predictors using Poisson models.

Results

The violence IR per person year was highest for client-perpetrated violence (0.78), followed by intimate partner violence (IPV; IR 0.39), and police violence (IR 0.25). Prevalence over the 12-month follow-up period among participants with complete visit data (n=103), was 42% for client violence, 22% for IPV and 16% for police violence. In adjusted analyses, risk factors for incident violence varied across perpetrators and included entry to sex work through force or coercion (adjusted IR ratio (aIRR)IPV2.0; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.6), homelessness (aIRRIPV2.0; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.9; aIRRpolice2.7; 95% CI 1.3 to 5.8) and daily injection drug use (aIRRclient1.9; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.0). Risk of incident client violence and IPV was elevated by past abuse from each respective perpetrator. Help-seeking following abuse was limited.

Conclusions

FSWs face profound, enduring risk for violence from a range of perpetrators, likely enabled by criminalisation-related barriers to justice and perpetrator impunity. FSWs represent a priority population for access to justice, trauma-informed healthcare and violence-related support services. Structural vulnerabilities including homelessness and addiction represent actionable priorities for improving safety and health.
An update on the performance of STI services for gay and bisexual men across European cities: results from the 2017 European MSM Internet Survey
Authors: Doran Jason , Weatherburn Peter , Hickson Ford , Marcus Ulrich , Reid David , Schmidt Axel Jeremias
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Rectal STIs compromise health and are common in men who have sex with men (MSM). However, the European-MSM-Internet-Survey (EMIS-2010) showed that in 2010, the prevalence of anal swabbing during STI screening by MSM varied widely across 40 European cities. In this paper, we replicate a variety of measures of STI testing performance using 2017–18 data and extending the geographic spread of the analysis.

Methods

Data were analysed from the EMIS-2017, a 33-language online sexual health survey accessible from 18 October 2017 to 31 January 2018. We focus on a subsample of 38 439 respondents living in the same 40 European cities we reported on in 2010. For a broader perspective, we also included an additional 65 cities in the analysis (combined n=56 661). We compared the prevalence of STI screening in MSM and disclosure of same-sex sexual contacts to the healthcare provider. We applied multivariable logistic regression models to compare the odds of MSM receiving each of four diagnostic procedures, including anal swabbing in the previous 12 months, controlling for age, HIV diagnosis, pre-exposure prophylaxis use and number of sexual partners.

Results

In 2017, across 40 European cities, the proportion of respondents screened for STIs ranged from under 19% in Belgrade to over 59% in London. At an individual level, in comparison to London, the adjusted OR (AOR) of having received anal swabbing ranged from 0.03 in Belgrade, Bucharest and Istanbul to 0.80 in Oslo, with little evidence for a difference in Amsterdam and Dublin. Since 2010, most cities in West and South-west Europe have substantially narrowed their performance gap with London, but some in East and South-east Europe have seen the gap increase.

Conclusions

Although comprehensive STI screening in MSM has expanded across many European cities, the low prevalence of anal swabbing indicates that rectal STIs continue to be underdiagnosed, particularly in East/South-east Europe.
Alternating Primal-Dual Algorithm for Minimizing Multiple-Summed Separable Problems with Application to Image Restoration
Authors: Wang Peng , Xiong Shengwu
Published: November 2020

In order to discover the difference among dual strategies, we propose an alternating primal-dual algorithm (APDA) that can be considered as a general version for minimizing problem which is multiple-summed separable convex but not necessarily smooth. First, the original multiple-summed problem is transformed into two subproblems. Second, one subproblem is solved in the primal space and the other is solved in the dual space. Finally, the alternating direction method is executed between the primal and the dual part. Furthermore, the classical alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is extended to solve the primal subproblem which is also multiple summed, therefore, the extended ADMM can be seen as a parallel method for the original problem. Thanks to the flexibility of APDA, different dual strategies for image restoration are analyzed. Numerical experiments show that the proposed method performs better than some existing algorithms in terms of both speed and accuracy.
Design of Memristor with Hard-Switching Behavior Employing Only One CCCII and One Capacitor
Authors: Yesil Abdullah , Babacan Yunus
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we present second generation current-controlled conveyor (CCCII)-based simple memristor circuit which exhibits a hard-switching voltage-current relationship. The proposed memristor circuit contains only single CCCII and single grounded capacitor that are attractive for the integrated circuit designers. The proposed memristor emulator has four main advantages: hard-switching behavior, not utilizing multiplier circuit, biasing current or voltage source (excluding DC current or voltage source), and being free of body effect for all transistors. Cadence Spectre Analog Environment with TSMC 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m process parameters is used for all simulations. The memristive chip occupies only 81.85[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m area. All simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed circuit by changing some parameters such as frequency, temperature, DC power supply voltages and process variations. Also, the robust performance of the proposed memristor is confirmed via Monte Carlo simulations. The simulation results for designed memristor are in accordance with theoretical memristive behavior.
A dimension-reduction model for brittle fractures on thin shells with mesh adaptivity
Authors: Almi Stefano , Belz Sandro , Micheletti Stefano , Perotto Simona
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we derive a new 2D brittle fracture model for thin shells via dimension reduction, where the admissible displacements are only normal to the shell surface. The main steps include to endow the shell with a small thickness, to express the three-dimensional energy in terms of the variational model of brittle fracture in linear elasticity, and to study the [Formula: see text]-limit of the functional as the thickness tends to zero.

The numerical discretization is tackled by first approximating the fracture through a phase field, following an Ambrosio–Tortorelli like approach, and then resorting to an alternating minimization procedure, where the irreversibility of the crack propagation is rigorously imposed via an inequality constraint. The minimization is enriched with an anisotropic mesh adaptation driven by an a posteriori error estimator, which allows us to sharply track the whole crack path by optimizing the shape, the size, and the orientation of the mesh elements.

Finally, the overall algorithm is successfully assessed on two Riemannian settings and proves not to bias the crack propagation.
DG approach to large bending plate deformations with isometry constraint
Authors: Bonito Andrea , Nochetto Ricardo H. , Ntogkas Dimitrios
Published: November 2020

We propose a new discontinuous Galerkin (dG) method for a geometrically nonlinear Kirchhoff plate model for large isometric bending deformations. The minimization problem is nonconvex due to the isometry constraint. We present a practical discrete gradient flow that decreases the energy and computes discrete minimizers that satisfy a prescribed discrete isometry defect. We prove [Formula: see text]-convergence of the discrete energies and discrete global minimizers. We document the flexibility and accuracy of the dG method with several numerical experiments.
Modeling glioma invasion with anisotropy- and hypoxia-triggered motility enhancement: From subcellular dynamics to macroscopic PDEs with multiple taxis
Authors: Corbin Gregor , Klar Axel , Surulescu Christina , Engwer Christian , Wenske Michael , Nieto Juanjo , Soler Juan
Published: November 2020

We deduce a model for glioma invasion that accounts for the dynamics of brain tissue being actively degraded by tumor cells via excessive acidity production, but also according to the local orientation of tissue fibers. Our approach has a multiscale character: we start with a microscopic description of single cell dynamics including biochemical and/or biophysical effects of the tumor microenvironment, translated on the one hand into cell stress and corresponding forces and on the other hand into receptor binding dynamics. These lead on the mesoscopic level to kinetic equations involving transport terms with respect to all considered kinetic variables and eventually, by appropriate upscaling, to a macroscopic reaction–diffusion equation for glioma density with multiple taxis, coupled to (integro-)differential equations characterizing the evolution of acidity and macro- and mesoscopic tissue. Our approach also allows for a switch between fast and slower moving regimes, according to the local tissue anisotropy. We perform numerical simulations to assess the importance of each tactic term and investigate the influence of two models for tissue dynamics on the tumor shape. We also suggest how the model can be used to perform a numerical necrosis-based tumor grading or support radiotherapy planning by dose painting. Finally, we discuss alternative ways of including cell level environmental influences in such a multiscale modeling approach, ultimately leading in the macroscopic limit to (multiple) taxis.
The Validity of Multinomial Logistic Regression and Artificial Neural Network in Predicting Sukuk Rating: Evidence from Indonesian Stock Exchange
Authors: Nurhakim Muhammad Luqman , Kisman Zainul , Syihab Faizah
Published: November 2020

The Sukuk (shariah bond) market is developing in Indonesia and potentially will capture the global market in the future. It is an attractive investment product and a hot current issue in the capital market. Especially, the problem of predicting an accurate and trustworthy rating. As the Sukuk market developed, the issue of Sukuk rating emerged. As ordinary investors will have difficulty predicting their ratings going forward, this research will provide solutions to the problems above. The objective of this study is to determine the Indonesian Sukuk rating determinants and comparing the Sukuk rating predictive model. This research uses Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR) as the predictive analysis model. Data in this study are collected by purposive sampling and employing Sukuk rated by PEFINDO, an Indonesian rating agency. Findings in this study are debt, profitability and firm size significantly affecting Sukuk rating category and the ANN performs better predictive accuracy than MLR. The implications of the results of the research for the issuer and bondholder are a higher level of credit enhancement, a higher level of profitability, and the bigger size of firm rewarding higher Sukuk rating.
Magnesium diethynylporphyrin derivatives with strong near-infrared absorption for solution-process bulk heterojunction organic solar cells
Authors: Ogumi Keisuke , Nakagawa Takafumi , Nakano Masahiro , Matsuo Yutaka
Published: November 2020

Magnesium diethynylporphyrin derivatives with strong near-infrared absorption were obtained. These derivatives possess electron rich units directly introduced to the porphyrin core. The electron rich units caused strong absorption on the near-infrared region due to an intramolecular charge transfer. Theoretical calculation also proved that the derivatives showed large oscillator strength at the Q band. As a donor material, such large absorption coefficient in the range of long wavelength region is a desirable characteristic for organic solar cells. Organic photovoltaic devices using these diethynylporphyrin derivatives gave a PCE of 2.91% in optimal conditions.
Stability of traveling wave fronts for nonlocal diffusive systems
Authors: Meng Yanling , Yu Zhixian , Zhang Shengqiang
Published: November 2020

This paper is concerned with stability of traveling wave fronts for nonlocal diffusive system. We adopt [Formula: see text]-weighted, [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-energy estimates for the perturbation systems, and show that all solutions of the Cauchy problem for the considered systems converge exponentially to traveling wave fronts provided that the initial perturbations around the traveling wave fronts belong to a suitable weighted Sobolev spaces.
SCENARIOS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE IN THE POWER SECTOR IN A PORTFOLIO OF MITIGATION OPTIONS
Authors: MORRIS JENNIFER , KHESHGI HAROON , PALTSEV SERGEY , HERZOG HOWARD
Published: November 2020

Using the MIT Economic Projection and Policy Analysis (EPPA) model, we explore factors influencing carbon capture and storage (CCS) deployment in power generation and its role in mitigating carbon emissions. We find that in the 2∘C scenario with EPPA’s base-case technology cost and performance assumptions, CCS plays an important role in the second half of the century: by 2100 CCS is applied to almost 40% of world electricity production, with a third coming from coal with CCS and the other two-thirds from gas with CCS. Results on CCS deployment depend on the assumed fraction of carbon captured in CCS power plants, as emissions constraints get tighter and the carbon price rises. Adding options for higher capture fractions or offsetting uncaptured emissions leads to greater deployment of CCS than in the 2∘C base case. We provide a sensitivity analysis by making favorable assumptions for CCS, nuclear and renewables. We also explore regional differences in the deployment of CCS. We find that US and Europe mostly rely on gas CCS, whereas China relies on coal CCS and India pursues both options. We also assess how these projections align with assessment of CO2 storage potential, and find that storage potential is larger than storage demand at both global and regional scales. Ultimately, we find that under stringent mitigation scenarios, the power sector relies on a mix of technological options, and the conditions that favor a particular mix of technologies differ by region.
Strategic Decisions in Takeover Auctions: Recent Developments
Authors: Eckbo B. Espen , Malenko Andrey , Thorburn Karin S.
Published: November 2020

We review recent research into how firms navigate four complex decisions in corporate takeovers: ( a) deal initiation, ( b) pre-offer toehold acquisition, ( c) the initial (public) offer price, and ( d) the payment method. We focus the evidence on public targets and the theory on first-price or English (ascending-price) auctions with two competing bidders and a single (pivotal) seller. The evidence shows that nearly half of bids are initiated by the target (not a bidder). Notwithstanding the large offer premiums, only a small fraction of bidders acquire a target toehold prior to bidding. The first bid rarely attracts rival bidders, suggesting effective competition deterrence. Bid jumps are high, as predicted when bidding costs are large. Pre-bid stock price run-ups reflect rational market deal anticipation and are understood as such by the deal negotiators. Bidders select stock payment when concerned with adverse selection on the target side of the deal.
The ABCs of Sterol Transport
Authors: Plummer Ashlee M. , Culbertson Alan T. , Liao Maofu
Published: November 2020

Cholesterol homeostasis and trafficking are critical to the maintenance of the asymmetric plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells. Disruption or dysfunction of cholesterol trafficking leads to numerous human diseases. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters play several critical roles in this process, and mutations in these sterol transporters lead to disorders such as Tangier disease and sitosterolemia. Biochemical and structural information on ABC sterol transporters is beginning to emerge, with published structures of ABCA1 and ABCG5/G8; these two proteins function in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway and mediate the efflux of cholesterol and xenosterols to high-density lipoprotein and bile salt micelles, respectively. Although both of these transporters belong to the ABC family and mediate the efflux of a sterol substrate, they have many distinct differences. Here, we summarize the current understanding of sterol transport driven by ABC transporters, with an emphasis on these two extensively characterized transporters.
Regulation of Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uptake
Authors: Murphy Elizabeth , Steenbergen Charles
Published: November 2020

Mitochondria are responsible for ATP production but are also known as regulators of cell death, and mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ is a key modulator of both ATP production and cell death. Although mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and efflux have been studied for over 50 years, it is only in the past decade that the proteins responsible for mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and efflux have been identified. The identification of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) led to an explosion of studies identifying regulators of the MCU. The levels of these regulators vary in a tissue- and disease-specific manner, providing new insight into how mitochondrial Ca2+ is regulated. This review focuses on the proteins responsible for mitochondrial transport and what we have learned from mouse studies with genetic alterations in these proteins.
Trends in Abortion Policies in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Allotey Pascale , Ravindran T.K. Sundari , Sathivelu Vithiya
Published: November 2020

The decision to terminate a pregnancy is not one that is taken lightly. The need for an abortion reflects limited sexual autonomy, ineffective or lack of access to contraceptive options, or a health indication. Abortion is protected under human rights law. That notwithstanding, access to abortions continues to be contested in many parts of the world, with vested interests from politically and religiously conservative states, patriarchal societies, and cultural mores, not just within local contexts but also within a broader geopolitical context. Criminalization of a women's choice not to carry a pregnancy is a significant driver of unsafe procedures, and even where abortions are provided legally, the policies remain constrained by the practice or by a lack of coherence. This review outlines the trends in abortion policy in low- and middle-income countries and highlights priority areas to ensure that women are safe and able to exercise their reproductive rights.
Electrochemical Coreduction of Gd(III) with Pb(II) and Recovery of Gd from LiCl-KCl Eutectic Assisted by Pb Metal
Authors: Han Wei , Wang Wenjuan , Li Mei , Meng Yangyang , Ji Wenjing , Sun Yang
Published: November 2020

To recover Gd from LiCl-KCl eutectic, the coreduction mechanism of Gd(III) with Pb(II) was investigated using electrochemical methods. The formation potentials related to the formation of three Gd-Pb intermetallics were detected by cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry and chronopotentiometry, and the formation mechanism of Gd-Pb compounds could be described as xPb(II) + 2xe− = xPb. Meanwhile, the electroreduction of Gd on liquid Pb electrode was explored. The diffusion coefficient of Gd metal in liquid metallic Pb was determined by anodic chronopotentiometry. The kinetic parameters of Gd(III)/Gd(in Pb) couple in the temperature range from 723 K to 873 K were determined employing linear polarization (LP) method. Based on the relationship of exchange current density and temperature, the reaction activation energy was estimated to be 23.17 kJ mol−1. In addition, the recovery of Gd from molten salts was performed assisted by liquid Pb electrode by constant potential electrolysis (CPE) and constant current electrolysis (CCE). The products characterized using XRD, SEM with EDS are comprised of GdPb3 and Pb phases. The concentration change of Gd during CCE process was monitored by ICP-AES, and the recovery rate was estimated. The results showed that Gd concentration decreased and recovery rate increased with the duration.
Electrochemical Signatures of Interface-Dominated Behavior in the Testing of Calcium Foil Anodes
Authors: Melemed Aaron M. , Gallant Betar M.
Published: November 2020

Fundamental research and practical assembly of rechargeable calcium (Ca) batteries will benefit from an ability to use Ca foil anodes. Given that Ca electrochemistry is considered a surface-film-controlled process, understanding the interface’s role is paramount. This study examines electrochemical signatures of several Ca interfaces in a benchmark electrolyte, Ca(BH4)2/tetrahydrofuran (THF). Preparation methodologies of Ca foils are presented, along with Ca plating/stripping through either pre-existing, native calcium hydride (CaH2), or pre-formed calcium fluoride (CaF2) interfaces. In contrast to earlier work examining Ca foil in other electrolytes, Ca foils are accessible for reversible electrochemistry in Ca(BH4)2/THF. However, the first cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycle reflects persistent, history-dependent behavior from prior handling, which manifests as characteristic interface-derived features. This behavior diminishes as Ca is cycled, though formation of a native interface can return the CV to interface-dominated behavior. CaF2 modification enhances such interface-dominance; however, continued cycling suppresses such features, collectively indicating the dynamic nature of certain Ca interfaces. Cell configuration is also found to significantly influence electrochemistry. With appropriate preparation of Ca foils, the signature of interface-dominated behavior is still present during the first cycle in coin cells, but higher current density compared to three-electrode cells along with moderate cycle life are readily achievable.
Regional Credit, Technological Innovation, and Economic Growth in China: A Spatial Panel Analysis
Authors: Zhou Huan , Qu Shaojian , Yang Xiaoguang , Yuan Qinglu
Published: November 2020

Based on data of 31 provinces in China for the period 2007–2017, this paper establishes spatial models by means of a transcendental logarithmic production function and analyzes the impact of regional credit and technological innovation on regional economic growth. The Jenks natural breaks method, kernel density function, and Moran index are introduced for spatial statistical analysis. Spatial weight matrices are constructed from two aspects of geographical characteristics and innovative input characteristics. The empirical results show significant spatial heterogeneity and spatial autocorrelation in economic growth, regional credit, and technological innovation. Both regional credit and technological innovation are important impacts to economic growth, whereas the interaction of regional credit and technological innovation has a negative effect on provincial economic growth. Therefore, we argue that China should rationally allocate regional credit resources, strengthen technological innovation capabilities, and boost the integrated development of regional credit and technological innovation. It is a particularly important way to facilitate regional economic integration and sustainable development.
Dietary Sources and Nutrient Adequacy Potential of Local Foods among Children (6–23 Months) in Urban Slums of West Oromia (Ethiopia)
Authors: Berra Wondu Garoma
Published: November 2020

Background. Identifying the combination of local foods that optimize nutrient intake is challenging. This study addressed how local foods could be rationally combined to provide basic nutritional needs, while limiting the use of commercial foods among children in Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was carried out to estimate dietary intakes of 396 children (6–23 months of age) using 24-hour recall and WDR. Anthropometrics (weight and height) of the children was taken to calibrate energy and protein requirements to body sizes during ProPAN analysis. Model parameters were defined using dietary and market-survey data. ProPAN (2.0), SAS (9.2), and NutriSurvey for Windows were used for data analysis. Results. Age-specific optimal combinations of local foods that achieve nutrient adequacy set by the WHO/FAO (≥70% RDA) for 9 nutrients were successfully generated. Overall, the percentage of children consuming ≥ EAR for most nutrients obtained from median servings was 54.3%, 89.9%, 61.8%, 12.9%, 85.6%, 79.7%, and 34.2% for energy, protein, iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium, respectively. The percentage of RDA was 46.3% for zinc, 56.7% for vitamin A, 24.3% for vitamin C, and 40% for calcium among infants (6–11 months), whereas the respective percentage of RDA was 78.1% for zinc, 100% for vitamin A, 43.3% for vitamin C, and 50% for calcium in older children (12–23 months of age). However, careful combination of local foods, slightly complimented by commercial foods, has shown substantial improvement in nutrient adequacy, ensuring ≥99% RDA for all target nutrients. Conclusions. Careful combinations of local foods have the potential to achieve optimum dietary intakes of essential nutrients. However, minimal consideration of commercial foods has been inevitable, especially for infants aged 6–11 months.
Circulating Levels of CILP2 Are Elevated in Coronary Heart Disease and Associated with Atherosclerosis
Authors: Hu Wenjing , Li Ke , Han Hongdong , Geng Shan , Zhou Baoyong , Fan Xiaoyun , Xu Shangcheng , Yang Mengliu , Liu Hua , Yang Gangyi , Liu Yongsheng
Published: November 2020

Background and Objectives. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown that cartilage intermediate layer protein 2 (CILP2) is associated with blood lipid levels and coronary heart disease (CHD). However, no study has reported whether CILP2 is related to atherosclerosis in humans. The purpose of the current study is to identify the associations between CILP2 and atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo. Methods and Results. Circulating CILP2 levels (measured by ELISA) were compared to various insulin resistance- and atherosclerosis-related parameters in normal subjects and newly diagnosed CHD patients. THP-1 cells were cultured and treated with indicated stimulators. Western blots and RT-PCR were performed to examine protein and mRNA expressions. The results showed that there were significantly higher circulating CILP2 levels in CHD patients relative to healthy controls. Circulating CILP2 correlated positively with waist-hip ratio (WHR), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), HbA1c, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and Gensini scores. In an in vitro study, we found that CILP2 increased oxidatively modified LDL-stimulated lipid accumulation in THP-1 macrophages via the upregulation of CD36 expression. Inhibition of PPARγ signaling eliminated the CILP2 regulation of CD36 expression in THP-1 macrophages. CILP2 positively regulated CD36 transcription through PPARγ-mediated action on two peroxisome-proliferator-responsive elements (PPREs) binding sites of CD36 promoter, PPRE-G, and PPRE-J. Conclusions. Our findings have uncovered a novel role for CILP2 in lipid uptake and foam cell formation. This role is mediated by CD36 through the activation of PPARγ pathway.
Microbial Decontamination of Beef Carcass Surfaces by Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid, and Trisodium Phosphate Sprays
Authors: Sallam Khalid Ibrahim , Abd-Elghany Samir Mohammed , Hussein Mohammed Abdullah , Imre Kálmán , Morar Adriana , Morshdy Alaa Eldin , Sayed-Ahmed Mohamed Zakaria
Published: November 2020

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of lactic acid (LA), acetic acid, (AA) and trisodium phosphate (TSP) spray on the microbiological population of beef carcass surfaces slaughtered in a traditional abattoir in Zagazig, Egypt. Higher microbial populations were determined on the shoulder than on the thigh surfaces, and meat sampling by tissue excision technique yielded significantly higher (P < 0.01) microbial count than swabbing method. The application of LA (2%), AA (2%), and TSP (12%) sprays for 30 seconds significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the microbial population counts on the beef surfaces by 0.9 to 2.2 logs. A complete inhibition of enterococci growth was achieved by LA and AA sprays. In general, LA and AA sprays were more efficient as antimicrobial agents than the TSP spray. Among the studied organisms, enterococci were the most reducible bacteria by LA and AA, followed by Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms, while Staphylococcus aureus being the least. This study also indicated that microbial populations determined on the shoulder were higher than on the thigh surfaces, and meat sampling by tissue excision technique yielded significantly higher (P < 0.01) microbial count than swabbing method.
Nontarget-Based Global Registration for Unorganized Point Clouds Obtained in the Dynamic Shipyard Environment
Authors: Song Jinho , Ko Kwanghee
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we propose a method for registering unorganized point clouds without using targets or markers. Motivated by the 4-points congruent sets (4PCS) algorithm, which is a nontarget-based registration method commonly used in the related fields, we develop a feature-based 4PCS algorithm (F-4PCS). The method combines the basic approach of the 4PCS algorithm with geometric feature information to produce consistent global registration results efficiently. We use the features from the point feature histogram descriptor and the ones that capture the surface curvature. The experimental results show that the proposed method successfully registers point clouds of both the outdoor and indoor scenes and demonstrates better performance than the existing 4PCS-based registration methods.
DRG-Oriented Mathematical Calculation Model and Method of Integrated Medical Service Cost
Authors: Sun Xiaowei , Zhu Yi
Published: November 2020

In the context of the new round of medical and health reform, in order to alleviate the problem of “difficult to see a doctor and expensive to see a doctor,” the state focuses on reducing the cost of medical services, so it puts forward the calculation and method research of medical costs. The purpose of this study is to calculate and predict the cost of medical services in a DRG-oriented integrated environment. In this study, activity-based costing and weighted moving average methods are used. First, basic data of medical services are collected, then all medical activities are confirmed and all service costs are collected, then a cost database is established, and a calculation model of medical costs is designed. Finally, calculation suggestions and optimization methods are put forward by analyzing the calculated data. The experimental results show that the actual demand of drugs predicted by the general moving average method is relatively insufficient, with the maximum error of 41%, the minimum of 5%, and the average error of 19.8%; the maximum error of drug demand predicted by the weighted moving average method is 24%, the minimum is 2%, and the average is 15.4%. It can be concluded that the prediction effect of the weighted moving average method is better than that of the ordinary moving average method, which plays a good and effective role in the prediction of medical cost. The activity-based costing method is more detailed and organized for the cost calculation and classification of medical services. It provides a certain value for the effective management and control of medical service cost.
PD-L1 Immunohistochemistry Comparability and Their Correlation with Clinical Characteristics in NSCLC
Authors: Wu Chiao-En , Chang Ching-Fu , Kou-Sheng Liao , Chiang Ju , Lee Shih-Wei , Chiu Yu-Chi
Published: November 2020

Background. PD-L1 expression is an important predictive factor of response to therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This study was designed to retrospectively analyze the concordance of PD-L1 measurements using three different assays (Dako22C3, Dako28-8, and SP142) in NSCLC patients and to find possible predictors of high PD-L1 expression. Materials and Methods. Data of 144 patients with histologically confirmed NSCLC and available PD-L1 measurements treated at the Taoyuan General Hospital from 2018 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed in the study. Patients’ characteristics, including age, sex, clinical stage (T, N, and M) of NSCLC (AJCC, 8th edition), and EGFR/ALK alterations, were analyzed for association with PD-L1 expression. Results. Measurements of PD-L1 expression levels with Dako22C3 and Dako28-8 were comparable while SP142 showed lower levels of PD-L1 expression. The overall agreement between Dako22C3 and Dako28-8 was 82.2% and 91.6% for both 1% and 50% TPS cut-offs, respectively. The above findings were confirmed by Cohen’s kappa. In addition, we found that PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with advanced N stage but not with T and M stages. Conclusion. Dako22C3 and Dako28-8 showed comparable results in assessing PD-L1 levels. Future prospective studies are needed to validate these findings. N stage may be a good predictor for PD-L1 expression.
Pistacia lentiscus Hydrosol: Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis and Anti-Inflammatory Activity Mediated by NF-κB and the Citrate Pathway
Authors: Santarsiero Anna , Onzo Alberto , Pascale Raffaella , Acquavia Maria Assunta , Coviello Marianna , Convertini Paolo , Todisco Simona , Marsico Michela , Pifano Corrado , Iannece Patrizia , Gaeta Carmine , D’Angelo Salvatore , Padula Maria Carmela , Bianco Giuliana , Infantino Vittoria , Martelli Giuseppe
Published: November 2020

Pistacia lentiscus shows a long range of biological activities, and it has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of various kinds of diseases. Moreover, related essential oil keeps important health-promoting properties. However, less is known about P. lentiscus hydrosol, a main by-product of essential oil production, usually used for steam distillation itself or discarded. In this work, by using ultra-high-resolution ESI(+)-FT-ICR mass spectrometry, a direct identification of four main classes of metabolites of P. lentiscus hydrosol (i.e., terpenes, amino acids, peptides, and condensed heterocycles) was obtained. Remarkably, P. lentiscus hydrosol exhibited an anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) activated primary human monocytes. In LPS-triggered U937 cells, it inhibited NF-κB, a key transcription factor in inflammatory cascade, regulating the expression of both the mitochondrial citrate carrier and the ATP citrate lyase genes. These two main components of the citrate pathway were downregulated by P. lentiscus hydrosol. Therefore, the levels of ROS, NO, and PGE2, the inflammatory mediators downstream the citrate pathway, were reduced. Results shed light on metabolic profile and anti-inflammatory properties of P. lentiscus hydrosol, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent.
Behavioral Medicine Methods in Treatment of Somatic Conditions
Authors: Białkowska Joanna , Juranek Jakub , Wojtkiewicz Joanna
Published: November 2020

Background. The aim of this article is to present a short review of noninvasive, nonpharmacological treatment methods used in somatic illnesses that fall under the umbrella of approach called behavioral medicine. Methods. The narrative review method was applied in the study. Science paper databases, including PubMed, had been used to retrieve papers on therapeutic methods used in clinical setting that meet the broad criteria of behavioral medicine definition as stated in the Charter of International Behavioral Medicine Society Results. Main groups of methods, disorders in which they are being employed and their effectiveness, have been identified. Conclusions. Behavioral medicine is grouping treatment methods and interventions that hold large potential for clinical setting. Two groups of methods can be distinguished by the scrutiny and level of evidence gathered in their effectiveness assessment; for biofeedback, guided imagery, and hypnosis techniques, comprehensive evidence reports in the framework of U.S. Evidence Synthesis Program exist. Meditation techniques, disclosure therapies, and relaxation methods are less well assessed. Broader employment of behavioral medicine therapies in clinical setting is possible after addressing two major problems in the field, which are deficiencies in quality evidence of effectiveness for many of the methods and their insufficiencies in underlying therapeutic mechanism knowledge.
Prognostic Value of Long Noncoding RNA SPRY4‐IT1 on Survival Outcomes in Human Carcinomas: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis with TCGA Database
Authors: Wang Hai-mei , Li Hui-jie , Chen Jun-zhen , Pei Ke , Zhang Qian , Liu Zhai-dong , Qi Yuan-fu
Published: November 2020

Background. Emerging evidences have shown that long noncoding RNA SPRY4‐IT1 can be aberrantly expressed in human cancers, and it could be an unfavorable prognostic factor in cancer patients. However, the prognostic mechanism of SPRY4‐IT1 is still unclear. This study is aimed at evaluating its potential predictive value for cancer prognosis. Methods. We thoroughly searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and MEDLINE databases so as to explore the relationship between SPRY4‐IT1 expression and cancer prognosis value. Then, TCGA datasets were used to validate the results of our meta‐analysis. Results. In all, seventeen studies involving 1650 patients were included in this meta‐analysis. Pooled results showed that high expression of SPRY4‐IT1 was significantly correlated with poor OS (HR = 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.47‐2.62, P < 0.001) in cancer patients. Furthermore, exploration of TCGA dataset further validated that SPRY4‐IT1 was aberrantly expressed in various cancers, which partially confirmed our results in this meta‐analysis. Conclusions. The present systematic review and meta‐analysis implicated that the aberrant expressions of lncRNA SPRY4‐IT1 were strongly associated with clinical survival outcomes in various cancers and therefore might serve as a promising biomarker for predicting prognosis of human cancers.
Prevalence, Clinical Presentation, and Outcome of Tuberculosis in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Nepal
Authors: Pradhan Ravi R. , Sigdel Mahesh Raj
Published: November 2020

Background. Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health threat in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at higher risk of developing new infection as well as reactivation of TB. We aimed to determine the prevalence, clinical presentations, and outcome of TB in patients with CKD in Nepal. Methods. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was performed at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), a tertiary level referral centre in Kathmandu, Nepal. We included patients older than 16 years with the diagnosis of CKD stage 3, 4, 5, and 5D (CKD 5 on maintenance dialysis); renal transplant recipients and patients living with HIV/AIDS were excluded. Tuberculosis was diagnosed based on clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings. Prior written informed consent was obtained. Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Institute of Medicine. Data entry and statistical analysis were performed using SPSS v21. Results. A total of 401 patients with CKD were included in the study (mean age, 50.92 ± 17.98 years; 64.8% male). The prevalence of TB in CKD patients was found to be 13.7% (55), out of which 49 were newly diagnosed cases. The most common clinical presentations of TB in CKD were anorexia (85.7%), fever (83.7%), weight loss (51%), and cough (49%). Thirty-eight patients (69.1%) had extrapulmonary TB (EPTB), 12 (21.8%) had pulmonary TB, 3 (5.5%) had disseminated TB, and 2 (3.6%) had miliary TB. Only 4.1% of cases were sputum smear positive. Pleural effusion (34.2%) was the most common EPTB. At 2 months of starting antitubercular therapy, 29 patients out of the 49 newly diagnosed cases of TB (59.2%) had responded to therapy. Mortality at 2 months was 28.6% (14 died amongst 49 patients). Four out of 49 patients (8.2%) did not improve, and 2 (4%) patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusion. Prevalence and mortality of TB were higher in patients with CKD. Special attention must be given to these people for timely diagnosis and treatment as the presentation is different and diagnosis can be missed.
Nine Limit Cycles in a 5-Degree Polynomials Liénard System
Authors: Cai Junning , Wei Minzhi , Zhu Hongying
Published: November 2020

In this article, we study the limit cycles in a generalized 5-degree Liénard system. The undamped system has a polycycle composed of a homoclinic loop and a heteroclinic loop. It is proved that the system can have 9 limit cycles near the boundaries of the period annulus of the undamped system. The main methods are based on homoclinic bifurcation and heteroclinic bifurcation by asymptotic expansions of Melnikov function near the singular loops. The result gives a relative larger lower bound on the number of limit cycles by Poincaré bifurcation for the generalized Liénard systems of degree five.
E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) Mimicking COVID-19 Disease
Authors: Rodriguez Jose A. , Roa Alejandra A. , Lemos-Ramirez Juan C.
Published: November 2020

Background. Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus associated with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causing a pandemic worldwide in 2020. There are other noninfectious diseases that can present exactly as COVID-19, and the management and approach are completely different, hence the importance of understanding and having a wide differential in patients presenting with similar characteristics. Case Report. A 23-year-old male, with a history of childhood asthma, presented to the Emergency Department in a hospital in south Florida in the USA with complaints of a 2-day duration of subjective fever, chills, dry cough, dyspnea, and myalgia. His vital signs were blood pressure 135/65 mmHg, temperature 39°C, pulse 134 bpm, respiratory rate 22 breaths per minute, and saturation of oxygen 96% in room air. Laboratory analysis was significant for white blood cells

15.3
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/μL, ALT 69 U/L, AST 66 U/L, ferritin 375.6 ng/mL, C-reactive protein 27.70 mg/dL, and procalcitonin 1.43 ng/mL. A respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) and a SARS-CoV-2 test were both negative. The patient was given empiric antibiotic treatment and hydroxychloroquine. Two more tests for SARS-CoV-2 were negative, and the patient reported that he smoked marijuana through an e-cigarette. The patient was started on high-dose steroids, and symptoms improved. Conclusion. COVID-19 is an emergent lung disease that is affecting the population worldwide; many other noninfectious diseases can mimic its presentations and laboratory characteristics; the importance of having a broad differential diagnosis especially in causing confusion during pandemic times is valuable in the management of patients with such presentations, such as EVALI, and glucocorticoids will be indicated in this circumstances.
The Electric Shock during Acupuncture: A Normal Needling Sensation or a Warning Sign
Authors: Guo Yongsong , Zhu Ke , Guo Jing , Kuang Yongbing , Zhao Zhihui , Li Weihong
Published: November 2020

The electric shock has been proposed as one of the new needling sensations in recent years. In acupuncture sensation scales, the electric shock is included by ASS and SNQS, but not SASS, MASS, and C-MMASS. Some scholars argue that the electric shock is a normal needling sensation, but some researchers do not agree with this view. This problem has not been resolved due to a lack of evidence from basic research. Literature and research point out that the electric shock is caused by inserting a needle into the nerve directly. A question of considerable scientific and practical interest is whether the electric shock should be a normal needling sensation. In this article, we review the historical documentation of the needling sensation and the process of formulating and improving acupuncture sensation scales to suggest that the electric shock may not be a normal needling sensation. Secondly, we collected and analyzed cases of nerve injury caused by acupuncture accompanied by the electric shock and why acupuncture caused the electric shock without nerve injury. It suggests that there may be a correlation between the electric shock and peripheral nerve injury, and acupuncture manipulation is an essential factor in adverse acupuncture events. Finally, we put forward that the electric shock during acupuncture is a warning sign that the peripheral nerve may be injured, rather than a normal needling sensation. In the future, we hope to have experimental studies on the mechanism of the electric shock or observational studies on the correlation between the electric shock and peripheral nerve injury to verify.
Biodynamic Response of Seated Human Body to Roll Vibration and Correlation between Roll and Lateral Directions
Authors: Lin Zefeng , Zhang Junhong , Li Jinlu , Yin Weitan , Liu Chi , Lin Jiewei
Published: November 2020

Within 30 Hz, the discomfort caused by whole-body vibration in rotational direction is higher than vertical vibration at similar equivalent magnitude. Roll vibration, in particular, produces greater discomfort comparing with pitch and yaw vibrations. It is critical to understand the biodynamic characteristics of seated human body under roll vibration for both comfort assessment and vibration control. Experiments are carried out to obtain the biodynamic response of seated human body under random roll vibrations at four r.m.s. magnitude levels. It is found that the principal resonance in the roll apparent inertia is about 1 Hz, but varied from 0.7 to 1.5 Hz depending on the magnitude of vibration (0.5 to 2.0 rad/s2), and the secondary resonance locates around 3 Hz with a much lower modulus. It is noted that the human response to roll vibration has some features in common with that in the lateral direction. Two lumped parameter models are developed and calibrated to study the correlation between the two excitation axials. The equivalent relationships of magnitude and phase between roll and lateral vibrations are obtained on condition that they produce similar rotational responses of the upper human body. It suggests an equivalence approach between translational and rotational vibrations that can benefit the comfort assessment when exposed to multiaxial excitations.