bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Living donor liver transplantation for Budd‒Chiari syndrome with right posterior segment graft and patch plasty using the superficial femoral vein: a case report
Authors: Une Norikazu , Tokodai Kazuaki , Kanai Norifumi , Saitoh Yoshikatsu , Ohta Mineto , Sasaki Kengo , Miyazawa Koji , Kashiwadate Toshiaki , Fujio Atsushi , Nakanishi Wataru , Miyagi Shigehito , Unno Michiaki , Kamei Takashi
Published: June 2021

Background

In living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for patients with Budd‒Chiari syndrome (BCS), there are several concerns about reconstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatic veins. Herein, we report the case of a patient with BCS who underwent LDLT with right posterior segment graft (RPSG) and patch plasty for reconstruction of the hepatic venous outflow, using the patient’s own superficial femoral vein (SFV).

Case presentation

A 19-year-old man, who was diagnosed with primary BCS, underwent LDLT. His main hepatic veins were totally obstructed, and membranous stenosis was seen in the IVC. The LDLT donor was his mother; however, liver volumetric analysis showed that only her RPSG was appropriate. In the recipient surgery, 16 cm of the left SFV was harvested and was cut longitudinally and opened. The right hepatic vein (RHV) of the RPSG was anastomosed to the sidewall of the SFV graft. After explantation of native diseased liver was completed, the stenotic and thickened wall of the IVC was widely resected, and a large anastomotic orifice was created. Patch cavoplasty was performed with the RHV‒SFV graft patch. After portal reperfusion started, hepatic venous outflow was satisfactory, and there was no venous graft congestion. Both his postoperative course and his long-term course after discharge were uneventful.

Conclusions

In LDLT for BCS patients, ingenuity is required for the reconstruction of venous outflow. The SFV patch can be safely harvested from liver transplant recipients and is suitable for venous reconstruction. In addition, RPSG is an alternative type of liver graft for LDLT if a conventional right- or left-lobe graft cannot be used.
Time Course of Metabolic, Neuroendocrine, and Adipose Effects During 2 Years of Follow-up After Gastric Bypass in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Almby Kristina E , Katsogiannos Petros , Pereira Maria J , Karlsson F Anders , Sundbom Magnus , Wiklund Urban , Kamble Prasad G , Eriksson Jan W
Published: June 2021

Context

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) markedly improves glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but underlying mechanisms and changes over time are incompletely understood.

Objective

Integrated assessment of neuroendocrine and metabolic changes over time in T2D patients undergoing RYGB.

Design and Setting

Follow-up of single-center randomized study.

Patients

Thirteen patients with obesity and T2D compared to 22 healthy subjects.

Interventions

Blood chemistry, adipose biopsies, and heart rate variability were obtained before and 4, 24, and 104 weeks post-RYGB.

Results

After RYGB, glucose-lowering drugs were discontinued and hemoglobin A1c fell from mean 55 to 41 mmol/mol by 104 weeks (P < 0.001). At 4 weeks, morning cortisol (P < 0.05) and adrenocorticotropin (P = 0.09) were reduced by 20%. Parasympathetic nerve activity (heart rate variability derived) increased at 4 weeks (P < 0.05) and peaked at 24 weeks (P < 0.01). C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells were rapidly reduced (P < 0.01). At 104 weeks, basal and insulin-stimulated adipocyte glucose uptake increased by 3-fold vs baseline and expression of genes involved in glucose transport, fatty acid oxidation, and adipogenesis was upregulated (P < 0.01). Adipocyte volume was reduced by 4 weeks and more markedly at 104 weeks, by about 40% vs baseline (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

We propose this order of events: (1) rapid glucose lowering (days); (2) attenuated cortisol axis activity and inflammation and increased parasympathetic tone (weeks); and (3) body fat and weight loss, increased adipose glucose uptake, and whole-body insulin sensitivity (months-years; similar to healthy controls). Thus, neuroendocrine pathways can partly mediate early glycemic improvement after RYGB, and adipose factors may promote long-term insulin sensitivity and normoglycemia.
High Proton Conductivity from Titanium Oxide Nanosheets and Their Variation Based on Crystal Phase
Authors: Yasutake Hiroki , Islam Md Saidul , Rahman Mohammad Atiqur , Yagyu Junya , Fukuda Masahiro , Shudo Yuta , Kuroiwa Keita , Sekine Yoshihiro , Hayami Shinya
Published: June 2021

The specific structural arrangement of atoms in the different crystalline phases of a polymorph material has a significant influence on their electrochemical behavior. Herein, we have demonstrated the proton conductivity of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanosheets based on their different crystalline phases. The successful preparation of three different crystalline phases including rutile (r-TiO2), anatase (a-TiO2) and brookite (b-TiO2) with the sheet size within nanometer range was confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. The corresponding TiO2 membrane films were prepared through a reduced pressure-driven route followed by humidity and temperature-dependent proton conductivities measurement. At room temperature and 90% relative humidity, b-TiO2 shows a high proton conductivity of 3.04 × 10−3 S cm−1 which is almost one order higher than a-TiO2 (4.41 × 10−4 S cm−1) and two orders higher than that of the corresponding r-TiO2 (8.04 × 10−6 S cm−1). The activation energies below 0.35 eV for all samples suggest that the proton conduction occurred through the Grotthuss mechanism. The differences in the structural arrangement in each crystal phase of TiO2, which is responsible for the water adsorption ability, can be attributed to the current findings of different proton conductivity.
Associations Between Static and Dynamic Field Balance Tests in Assessing Postural Stability of Female Undergraduate Dancers
Authors: Clarke Frances , Koutedakis Yiannis , Wilson Margaret , Wyon Matthew
Published: June 2021

Balance testing on dancers has used a wide variety of assessment tools. However, as most field balance tests have been developed for either sport or elderly populations, the evidence of associations between tests and their functional relevance to dance is inconclusive. We assessed possible associations between five such field balance tests . A total of 83 female undergraduate dance students (20±1.5 years; 163 ± 6.6 cm; 61 ± 10.8 kg) volunteered for the tests. They executed the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), the modified Romberg test, the Airplane test, the BioSway Balance System (Biodex, Shirley, New York, USA), and a dance-specific pirouette test. Spearman's correlation coefficients examined relationships between the measures of the balance tests. Results showed strongest relationships between some SEBT reach directions (p < 0.01) and very weak to moderate relationships between some balance tests, including some SEBT directions, Romberg, Airplane, Biosway, and pirouette (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that current tests used to assess dancers' postural stability need further investigation to ensure functionality and relevance.
Music as a non-arbitrary avenue for exploration of the social
Authors: Ojala Juha
Published: June 2021

The article examines how music affords exploration of social aspects of semiosis: how music signifies the social, beyond the fact that music is an inherently participatory social process.

Pentti Määttänen extends Peirce’s notion of ‘hard fact’ to ‘soft facts’ to which we accommodate our behaviour in order to get along in society. As mutual beliefs, soft facts are continuously tested and updated in inquiry. Representation of oneself is also continuously correlated, thrown together, with that of the rest of the world, yielding positioning of self in ways we call emotions.

In music, com-positions of sound constitute hard facts that stand for other facts, soft or hard, by being their metaphors. Shaping and reshaping music allows for safe playing and testing of acts and events, anticipating upcoming situations and changes through virtual situations of the world, social and non-social.

Music analysis examines how features of sound offer complex ways of constructing and interpreting metaphors, and how the narratives in music unfold through presentation of metaphors of subjects’ existence, identity and relations, evoking dialogue, drama, tension, even crises to be resolved.
Mapping the Clinical Experience of a New York City Residency Program During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Rhee David W , Pendse Jay , Chan Hing , Stern David T , Sartori Daniel J
Published: June 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has dramatically disrupted the educational experience of medical trainees. However, a detailed characterization of exactly how trainees' clinical experiences have been affected is lacking. Here, we profile residents' inpatient clinical experiences across the four training hospitals of NYU's Internal Medicine Residency Program during the pandemic's first wave. We mined ICD‐10 principal diagnosis codes attributed to residents from February 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020. We translated these codes into discrete medical content areas using a newly developed “crosswalk tool.” Residents' clinical exposure was enriched in infectious diseases (ID) and cardiovascular disease content at baseline. During the pandemic's surge, ID became the dominant content area. Exposure to other content was dramatically reduced, with clinical diversity repopulating only toward the end of the study period. Such characterization can be leveraged to provide effective practice habits feedback, guide didactic and self‐directed learning, and potentially predict competency‐based outcomes for trainees in the COVID era.
Trauma-informed practice
Authors: Sunderland Margot
Published: June 2021

The symptoms of ADHD, autism and other common child diagnoses often match those of childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences. Dr Margot Sunderland looks at the implications
Peramalan Arus Kas dengan Pendekatan Time Series Menggunakan Support Vector Machine
Authors: Audina Bella , Fatekurohman Mohamat , Riski Abduh
Published: June 2021

Cash flow is a form of financial report that is used as a measure of the company success in the investment world. So that companies need to forecast the cash flow to manage their finances. Statistics can be applied for the forecasting of cash flow using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) method on the time series data. The aim of this research is to determine the optimal parameter pair model of the Radial Basic Function kernel and to obtain the forecasting results of cash flow using the SVM method on the time series data. The independent variable is needed the data on cash flow from operating income, expenditure and investment expenditure, sum of all cash flow. While the dependent variable is the financial condition based on the Free Cash Flow. The result of this research is a model with the best parameter pairs of the SVM tuning results with the greatest accuracy that is 75%, 82%, 88%, 64% and the forecasting financial condition of PT Cakrawala for the next 16 months.

Keywords: cash flow, forecasting, time series, support vector machine.
Ultrasound for Critical Care Physicians: Sometimes It’s Better to Be Lucky than Smart
Authors:   HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale, AZ USA, Raschke Robert , Weisman Randy
Published: June 2021

We recently responded to a code arrest alert in the rehabilitation ward of our hospital. The patient was a 47-year-old man who experienced nausea and diaphoresis during physical therapy. Shortly after the therapists helped him sit down in bed, he became unconsciousness and pulseless. The initial code rhythm was a narrow-complex pulseless electrical activity (PEA). He was intubated, received three rounds of epinephrine during approximately 10 minutes of ACLS/CPR before return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and was subsequently transferred to the ICU. Shortly after arriving, a 12-lead EKG was performed (Figure 1), and PEA recurred. Approximately ten-minutes into this second episode of ACLS, a cardiology consultant informed the code team of an S1,Q3,T3 pattern on the EKG. A point-of-care (POC) echocardiogram performed during rhythm checks was technically-limited, but showed a dilated hypokinetic right ventricle (Video 1). Approximately twenty-minutes into the arrest, 50mg tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was administered, and return …
Endovascular treatment of an unruptured ophthalmic artery aneurysm with a flow diverter: a case report
Authors: Hidayat Rakhmad , Asmaniar Fadila , Priambodo Affan , Mesiano Taufik , Kurniawan Muhammad , Rasyid Al , Harris Salim
Published: June 2021

An unruptured aneurysm is often asymptomatic or present without neurological deficits, causing severe morbidity. However, the potential of this defect to rupture requires proper management. Herein, we report a case of an unruptured saccular aneurysm of the ophthalmic artery with initial clinical seizures. The patient was treated by flow diversion which redirects the blood flow that normally leads to the protrusion of the aneurysm back to the main vessel. Flow diversion is chosen because it is less risky and has a faster recovery time than other treatment options, but it is more expensive than others. Although this technology is not new, there is no report on its implementation in Indonesia. The patient was prescribed antiplatelet treatment for at least 6 months post-treatment, then she showed no sign of seizure or new focal neurological deficits 4 months post-treatment. The patients were expected to undergo digital subtraction angiography evaluation 6 months after flow diversion treatment, but it has not been performed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
TRPM8 modulates temperature regulation in a sex-dependent manner without affecting cold-induced bone loss
Authors: Lelis Carvalho Adriana , Treyball Annika , Brooks Daniel J. , Costa Samantha , Neilson Ryan J. , Reagan Michaela R. , Bouxsein Mary L. , Motyl Katherine J.
Published: June 2021

Trpm8(transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 8) is expressed by sensory neurons and is involved in the detection of environmental cold temperatures. TRPM8 activity triggers an increase in uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1)-dependent brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. Bone density and marrow adipose tissue are both influenced by rodent housing temperature and brown adipose tissue, but it is unknown if TRPM8 is involved in the co-regulation of thermogenesis and bone homeostasis. To address this, we examined the bone phenotypes of one-year-oldTrpm8knockout mice (Trpm8-KO) after a 4-week cold temperature challenge. MaleTrpm8-KOmice had lower bone mineral density than WT, with smaller bone size (femur length and cross-sectional area) being the most striking finding, and exhibited a delayed cold acclimation with increased BAT expression ofDio2andCideacompared to WT. In contrast to males, femaleTrpm8-KOmice had low vertebral bone microarchitectural parameters, but no genotype-specific alterations in body temperature. Interestingly,Trpm8was not required for cold-induced trabecular bone loss in either sex, but bone marrow adipose tissue in females was significantly suppressed byTrpm8deletion. In summary, we identified sex differences in the role of TRPM8 in maintaining body temperature, bone microarchitecture and marrow adipose tissue. Identifying mechanisms through which cold temperature and BAT influence bone could help to ameliorate potential bone side effects of obesity treatments designed to stimulate thermogenesis.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding neonatal jaundice among caregivers in a tertiary health facility in Ghana
Authors: Salia Solomon Mohammed , Afaya Agani , Wuni Abubakari , Ayanore Martin Amogre , Salia Emmanuel , Kporvi Doreen Dzidzor , Adatara Peter , Yakong Vida Nyagre , Eduah-Quansah Sean Augustine , Quarshie Shine Seyram , Dey Eric Kwame , Akolga Dominic Amoah , Alhassan Robert Kaba
Published: June 2021

Background

Neonatal jaundice is a major reason babies are frequently re-admitted after hospital discharge following delivery. One means of improving neonatal care and reducing potential mortality associated with neonatal jaundice in resource-limited settings is to create awareness among caregivers. Caregivers who tend to have higher knowledge and awareness, also have positive attitudes, and are not guided by outmoded socio-cultural beliefs and practices are more likely to seek early care and treatment for neonatal jaundice.

Objective

This study investigated caregivers’ knowledge, attitude and practices regarding neonatal jaundice in a tertiary health facility in the Volta region of Ghana.

Methods

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that employed a quantitative approach for data collection. A total of 202 caregivers from the Ho Teaching Hospital in the Volta region of Ghana were sampled using a systematic random sampling strategy where quantitative data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed with STATA version 14.0. Ordered logistic regression was used to determine the factors that were associated with caregivers’ knowledge regarding neonatal jaundice and attitude after controlling for relevant covariates.

Results

Less than half of the caregivers demonstrated good knowledge (45.5%) and attitude (47.5%) but 58.9% had good practices regarding neonatal jaundice. Caregivers who had prior awareness and education on neonatal jaundice were three times more likely to have good knowledge about jaundice than those without previous education [AOR = 3.02, (95%CI: 1.59–5.74), p = 0.001]. A caregiver employed in the public sector was two times more likely to have a good attitude about jaundice than those employed in the private sector [AOR = 2.08, (95%CI: 1.03–4.21), p = 0.042].

Conclusion

Less than two thirds of the caregivers demonstrated good practice with limited knowledge and poor attitude. Efforts to promote well informed and improved caregivers’ attitude will advance positive maternal health-seeking behavior and reduce disabilities and death through early detection and intervention of infants with neonatal jaundice. Public awareness and education about neonatal jaundice especially among caregivers in the private sector should also be intensified.
Assessment of depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 during the second wave of epidemic in Myanmar: A cross-sectional single-center study
Authors: Htun Ye Minn , Thiha Kyaw , Aung Aung , Aung Nay Myo , Oo Thet Wai , Win Pyae Sone , Sint Nay Hein , Naing Kaung Myat , Min Aung Khant , Tun Kyaw Myo , Hlaing Kyaw
Published: June 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a great impact on every aspect of society. All countries launched preventive measures such as quarantine, lockdown, and physical distancing to control the disease spread. These restrictions might effect on daily life and mental health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 at the Treatment Center.

Methods

A cross-sectional telephone survey was carried out at Hmawbi COVID-19 Treatment Center, Myanmar from December 2020 to January 2021. A total of 142 patients with COVID-19 who met the criteria were invited to participate in the study. A pre-tested Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used as a tool for depressive symptoms assessment. Data were analyzed by using binary logistic regression to identify associated factors of depressive symptoms. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to determine the level of significance with a p < 0.05.

Results

The prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 was 38.7%, with the means (± standard deviation, SD) subscale of somatic symptom, negative effect, and anhedonia were 4.64 (±2.53), 2.51 (± 2.12), and 5.01 (± 3.26), respectively. The patients with 40 years and older (AOR: 2.99, 95% CI: 1.36–6.59), < 4 of household size (AOR: 3.45, 95% CI: 1.46–8.15), ≤ 400,000 kyats of monthly family income (AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.02–5.54) and infection to family members (AOR: 4.18, 95% CI: 1.74–10.07) were significant associated factors of depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

The high prevalence of depressive symptoms, approximately 40%, was found in patients with COVID-19 in the Treatment Center. Establishments of psychosocial supports, providing psychoeducation, enhancing the social contact with family and friends, and using credible source of information related COVID-19 would be integral parts of mental health services in COVID-19 pandemic situation.
Random forest analysis of factors affecting urban carbon emissions in cities within the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Wang Zhaohan , Zhao Zijie , Wang Chengxin
Published: June 2021

China became the country with the largest global carbon emissions in 2007. Cities are regional population and economic centers and are the main sources of carbon emissions. However, factors influencing carbon emissions from cities can vary with geographic location and the development history of the cities, rendering it difficult to explicitly quantify the influence of individual factors on carbon emissions. In this study, random forest (RF) machine learning algorithms were applied to analyze the relationships between factors and carbon emissions in cities using real-world data from Chinese cities. Seventy-three cities in three urban agglomerations within the Yangtze River Economic Belt were evaluated with respect to urban carbon emissions using data from regional energy balance tables for the years 2000, 2007, 2012, and 2017. The RF algorithm was then used to select 16 prototypical cities based on 10 influencing factors that affect urban carbon emissions while considering five primary factors: population, industry, technology levels, consumption, and openness to the outside world. Subsequently, 18 consecutive years of data from 2000 to 2017 were used to construct RFs to investigate the temporal predictability of carbon emission variation in the 16 cities based on regional differences. Results indicated that the RF approach is a practical tool to study the connection between various influencing factors and carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from different perspectives. Furthermore, regional differences among the primary carbon emission influencing factors for each city were clearly observed and were related to urban population characteristics, urbanization level, industrial structures, and degree of openness to the outside world. These factors variably affected different cities, but the results indicate that regional emission reductions have achieved positive results, with overall simulation trends shifting from underestimation to overestimation of emissions.
Potential effects of GPS collars on the behaviour of two red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) in Rotterdam Zoo
Authors: van de Bunte Wiene , Weerman Janno , Hof Anouschka R.
Published: June 2021

GPS collars are frequently used to study the (behavioural) ecology of species. However, such collars can cause behavioural changes and can have negative physiological effects on the individuals wearing them. A pilot study to obtain data on behavioural and physiological effects of GPS collars on the target species would therefore be recommended, especially when it concerns rare or endangered species. The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a small carnivore endemic to the mountains of Central Asia that is currently classified as endangered. There is a lack in knowledge on the species ecology which could be enhanced by a study using GPS-technology. As a pilot study, the two adult red pandas in Rotterdam Zoo were observed before and after fitting a GPS-collar, to determine possible behavioural effects of wearing a collar. Although the study did not take place under ideal circumstances, indications of both behavioural, e.g. increased shaking behaviour, and physical, e.g. abrasions, effects of the collar were found. Even though our results were only based on two individuals, our findings stress the need for pilot studies in controlled environments before GPS collars to ensure safety of the study species and validity of the collected data.
Rater agreement for assessment of equine back mobility at walk and trot compared to quantitative gait analysis
Authors: Spoormakers T. J. P. , Graat E. A. M. , Serra Bragança F. M. , Weeren P. R. van , Brommer H.
Published: June 2021

Background

Lameness assessment in horses is still predominantly performed using subjective methods. Visual assessment is known to have moderate to good intra-rater agreement but relatively poor inter-rater agreement. Little is known about inter- and intra-rater agreement on the evaluation of back motion, for which no objective measurement technique in a clinical setting is available thus far.

Objectives

To describe inter- and intra-rater agreement of visual evaluation of equine back mobility.

Study design

Rater reliability study using a fully crossed design in which all horses are rated by all observers. This data is compared with objective gait analysis.

Methods

Seventy equine professionals (veterinarians and physiotherapists) and veterinary students evaluated videos of 12 healthy horses at walk and trot on a hard, straight line. Nine parameters related to back mobility were scored: general mobility, thoracic, lumbar, lumbosacral flexion and extension and left and right thoracolumbar latero-flexion. All parameters were compared with simultaneously measured quantitative motion parameters. After 1 month, six randomly chosen horses were re-evaluated by 57 observers.

Results

For each parameter inter- and intra-rater agreements were calculated using intra-class correlation coefficients. For all parameters, inter-rater agreement was very poor (<0.2). The mean intra-rater agreement of all observers and for all parameters was poor (~0.4) but varied between 0.0 and 0.96 for individual observers. There was no correlation between the visual subjective scoring and objective gait analysis measurements.

Main limitations

Horses were scored from videos and by lack of any existing (semi-) quantitative system, a custom-made system had to be used.

Conclusions

The poor inter- and intra-rater agreements of visual scoring of mobility of the equine back and the disagreement between subjective and objective gait analysis data, demonstrate the need for the development and introduction of objective, quantitative and repeatable techniques to assess equine back motion.
Randomized controlled evaluation of the psychophysiological effects of social support stress management in healthy women
Authors: Heimgartner Nadja , Meier Sibylle , Grolimund Stefanie , Ponti Svetlana , Arpagaus Silvana , Kappeler Flurina , Gaab Jens
Published: June 2021

Considering the high and increasing prevalence of stress, approaches to mitigate stress-related biological processes become a matter of public health. Since supportive social interactions contribute substantially to mental and physical health, we set out to develop a social support stress management intervention and examined its effects on psychophysiological stress responses as well as self-reported stress in healthy women. In a parallel-group randomized controlled trial, registered in the DSRK (DRKS00017427), 53 healthy women were randomly assigned to a social support stress management or a waitlist control condition. All participants underwent a standardized psychosocial stress test where physiological and emotional stress responses were assessed by repeated measurements of cortisol, heart rate, heart rate variability and state anxiety. Also, all participants completed self-report questionnaires of perceived stress and social support at pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up four weeks later. Participants in the social support stress management showed a significantly attenuated integrated state anxiety response in comparison to those in the control condition, but conditions did not differ in any of the assessed physiological stress responses. The intervention significantly reduced perceived stress in comparison to the control condition, but perceived stress levels returned to baseline at follow-up. Our results indicated that the intervention had no effect on physiological responses to acute psychosocial stress, even though anxiety responses to stress were attenuated. However, the social support stress management intervention had a significant, albeit transient impact on perceived stress.
Biting behaviour and infectivity of Simulium damnosum complex with Onchocerca parasite in Alabameta, Osun State, Southwestern, Nigeria
Authors: Busari Lateef O. , Ojurongbe Olusola , Adeleke Monsuru A. , Surakat Olabanji A. , Akindele Akeem A.
Published: June 2021

A longitudinal study was carried out to investigate species composition, seasonal abundance, parity and transmission potential ofSimulium damnosumcomplex in Alabameta community in Osun State, Southwestern, Nigeria. AdultSimulium damnosumcomplex were collected along Owena River, Alabameta, by two dark complexioned vector collectors from 07:00hr to 18:00hr weekly using collecting tubes from November 2014 to April 2015. The flies were morphologically identified and dissected for the purpose of detecting Onchocerca parasite using dissecting microscope. The Monthly Biting Rate (MBR) of flies was determined using World Health Organization standard formula. A total of four hundred and forty flies were collected during the study period with all of them identified as forest species ofSimulium damnosumcomplex. There was significant variation in monthly collection of the flies with the month of November having the highest number of flies (194) (44%) while the month of April recorded the lowest number of flies (31) (7%) (p<0.05). The morning biting peak (09hr - 11hr) (137) was higher than the evening biting peak (15hr -17hr) (64) (p<0.05) while nulliparous flies (294) (67%) were more abundant than the parous flies (146) (33%) (p<0.05). There was absence of infection (zero infectivity) of the flies (p<0.05). The zero infectivity in the flies may plausibly indicate the possibility of zero transmission ofOnchocercaparasite in the community which if sustained over a period of time may signify the possibility of onchocerciasis elimination. Also, the presence of forest species of the flies reduces the risk of resident’s intense exposure to blinding savannah strain of onchocerciasis.
Comparative efficacy of treatments for previously treated patients with advanced esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancer: A network meta-analysis
Authors: Lin Shuiyu , Liu Tingting , Chen Jun , Li Guang , Dang Jun
Published: June 2021

Background

It remains unclear which treatment is the most effective for previously treated patients with advanced esophageal and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer. We conducted a network meta-analysis to address this important issue.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant phase II and III randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Overall survival (OS) was the primary outcome of interest, which was reported as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Sixteen RCTs involving 3372 patients and evaluating 15 treatments were included in this network meta-analysis. Ramucirumab+chemotherapy (CT) (HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.35–0.77) and use of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, including camrelizumab (HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.57–0.88), sintilimab (HR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50–0.98), nivolumab (HR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62–0.94), and pembrolizumab (HR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72–0.98), conferred better OS than CT; however, this OS benefit was not observed for PD-L1 inhibitor (avelumab) and other target agents (trastuzumab, everolimus, gefitinib, and anlotinib). In subgroup analysis, ramucirumab+CT and pembrolizumab showed significant improvement in OS, when compared to CT, in esophageal/EGJ adenocarcinoma (AC) cases; moreover, all PD-1 inhibitors had significant OS advantage over CT in treating esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Based on treatment ranking in terms of OS, ramucirumab+CT and camrelizumab were ranked the best treatments for patients with AC and SCC, respectively.

Conclusions

Ramucirumab+CT and PD-1 inhibitors were superior to CT for previously treated cases of advanced esophageal/EGJ cancer. Ramucirumab+CT seemed to be the most effective treatment in patients with esophageal/EGJ AC, while use of PD-1 inhibitors, especially camrelizumab, was likely to be the optimal treatment in patients with esophageal SCC.
Habitus and field: Punk record labels in Spain
Authors: O’Connor Alan
Published: June 2021

Following the method of Bourdieu’s Distinction (1984) and especially The Weight of the World (1999), this article presents interviews with four Spanish record labels, which provide case studies of the workings of the field. Distinction shows that uses of culture are affected by social class. The Weight of the World presents lightly edited interviews with marginalized groups in France. The interviews presented in this article attempt to relate the lifestyle or class habitus of the person interviewed to their strategies of operating a punk record label. The recorded interviews also provide a great deal of concrete information on independent punk labels in Spain.
Why the Ramones Matter, Donna Gaines (2018)
Authors: Dougan John
Published: June 2021

Review of: Why the Ramones Matter, Donna Gaines (2018)

Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 150 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-47731-871-3, p/bk, $16.95
Killing Joke: Are You Receiving?, Jyrki ‘Spider’ Hämäläinen (2020)
Authors: Zager Brian
Published: June 2021

Review of: Killing Joke: Are You Receiving?, Jyrki ‘Spider’ Hämäläinen (2020)

New Haven, CT: New Haven Publishing Ltd, 203 pp.,

ISBN 1-91258-740-8, p/bk, $21
Shake the Foundations: Militant Funk & the Post-Punk Dancefloor 1978–1984, 3CD Box Set, Various Artists
Authors: Loydell Rupert
Published: June 2021

Review of: Shake the Foundations: Militant Funk & the Post-Punk Dancefloor 1978–1984, 3CD Box Set, Various Artists

London: Cherry Red, £19.99
Treatment of Marigold Flower Processing Wastewater Using a Sequential Biological- Electrochemical Process
Authors: Akula Lokesh Kumar , Oruganti Raj Kumar , Bhattacharyya Debraj , Kurilla Kiran Kumar
Published: June 2021

Agriculture is the mainstay of the Indian economy. The agro-based industries produce high volumes of highstrength wastewaters that need to be treated and reused to prevent environmental pollution and water wastage. This study evaluated the performances of a sequential biological-electrochemical process for treating an anaerobically digested effluent of a Marigold flower processing agro-industry. The uniqueness of this wastewater possess a major challenge to its treatment since not many studies have been conducted on this wastewater. The biological treatment was carried out in a Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR). The treated water was further polished in a Continuous Bipolar-mode Electrochemical Reactor (ECR) to remove the residual organics. The anaerobically digested effluent Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), Total Nitrogen (TN), Total Phosphorus (TP) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) were 5750 ± 991 mg/L, 980 ± 120 mg/L, 692 ± 60 mg/L, 9.7 ± 1.1 mg/L, and 1144 ± 166 mg/L, respectively. A significant level of treatment was achieved in the SBR. The combined system was able to remove 79% of COD, 85% of DOC, 53% of TN, and almost 100% of TP, TSS, and Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS). Several organic compounds belonging to the category of natural plants compound, pesticide, fungicide, etc. were detected in the raw wastewater. Most of the compounds were almost completely removed by the treatment system. The final effluent was almost colorless and free from suspended solids. However, for reuse, the water needs to be further treated in an advanced oxidation process.
Optimization of Hydraulic Retention Time and Organic Loading Rate in Anaerobic Digestion of Squeezed Pineapple Liquid Wastes for Biogas Production
Authors: Pattharaprachayakul Napisa , Kesonlam Narumon , Duangjumpa Pongpitak , Rungsardthong Vilai , Suvajittanont Worakrit , Lamsal Buddhi
Published: June 2021

Pineapple wastes are produced in huge amount during the industrial canning process of pineapple; in Thailand over 400,000 tons per annum of canned pineapple exported leaving behind the waste. Besides the pulps and peels as solid wastes, the squeezed pineapple liquid wastes (SPLW) extracted from solid wastes can also be used for anaerobic digestion. In the present study, the anaerobic digestion of liquid squeezed from industrial pineapple peels was carried out using a lab-scale hybrid reactor. The reactor was operated for over 170 days with the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 20 days decreasing down to 5 days and simultaneous control of organic loading rate (OLR). Under controlled conditions in the hybrid reactor, pH was maintained at 6.5–7.6 by adding alkaline for anaerobic microbial activity. Results showed that the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was at ≥ 90% for all conditions. The biogas production (mL/day) increased thoroughly from longer HRT to shorter HRT, as same as methane production with the maximum values (HRT 5 days, OLR 5 g/COD/ day with recirculation) of 55,130 and 30,322 mL/day, respectively. Moreover, the highest yields of biogas and methane were also investigated under similar conditions with the values of 0.504 and 0.277 L/gCOD, respectively. Interestingly, this optimization of both HRT and OLR of lab-scale anaerobic digestion process could be further practically applied to pilot or industrial scale in canned pineapple factories for biogas production.
Recuperación y clasificación de arquitecturas software en GitHub para reutilización, soportado por ontologías
Authors: Ordoñez-Erazo Hugo-Armando , Ordóñez Camilo , Buchelli Víctor
Published: June 2021

Para definir una arquitectura de un nuevo proyecto de software es clave reutilizar componentes existentes en proyectos previos. Estos proyectos previos pueden ser de la organización o estar disponibles en internet a través de GitHub. Los componentes reutilizados permiten tomar decisiones arquitecturales y así economizar tiempo y recursos. Sin embargo, actualmente buscar componentes de software en GitHub es ineficiente, pues las búsquedas son por cadenas de texto. En este trabajo se presenta OntoGitHubSearch como un modelo de búsqueda que permite la recuperación y clasificación de arquitecturas de software almacenadas en GitHub. El modelo recupera todos los repositorios que coincidan con los conceptos de arquitectura buscados; para darle semántica y contexto a la búsqueda, el modelo implementa la ontología de dominio específico Service-Oriented Architecture Ontology Version 2.0. Adicionalmente, se implementa procesamiento de lenguaje natural para analizar el texto del repositorio. Los repositorios son identificados y clasificados según el contexto que se expresa en el texto y en los conceptos encontrados en las descripciones del mismo. Para el proceso de evaluación del modelo propuesto se desarrolló una aplicación web denominada WebOntoGitHubSearch, la cual permite la interacción con usuarios en el proceso de consulta. La evaluación se realizó con la participación de desarrolladores y arquitectos de software de varias empresas colombianas, se utilizaron métricas de recuperación de información tales como Precision at k. Los resultados obtenidos en el proceso de evaluación son promisorios y permiten verificar la eficacia del modelo propuesto.
Comparison of different methods used in drugs of abuse for sample validity testing including pH methods, specific gravity methods, TECO™ Drug Adulteration Test Strip and oxidant assay
Authors: Mina Ashraf , Stathopoulos John , Sinanian Taveet , McNeice Leah , Holmes Deirdre , Fletcher Kristi-Lee , Bottero Emily , Banukumar Shanmugam , Vazquez Santiago
Published: June 2021

Objectives

In the absence of sample validity testing, a healthcare provider may fail to identify a patient’s adulteration of their urine sample. This study compared different methods for specific gravity (SG), pH, TECO™ Drug Adulteration Test Strip (dipstick) and oxidant assay to explain the differences and also make an informative decision on method selection.

Methods

Creatinine, SG and pH measurements are essential in sample validity testing. SG and pH automated chemical methods are compared against pH meter method, SG refractometer and dipstick method. Also, oxidant assay was compared against dipstick method.

Results

SG chemical method agreement with refractometer is 81.9% and with dipstick method is 64.7%. The refractometer method agreement with dipstick method is 66.1%. pH chemical method agreement with pH Meter method is 74.3% and with dipstick method is 81.4%. pH meter method agreement is 85.7% with dipstick method. Results were analysed using Deming regression analysis and F-test. SG chemical method correlated better with refractometer than the dipstick method. Oxidant assay correlated well with dipstick method in detecting adulterants such as pyridinium chlorochromate, nitrite and bleach.

Conclusions

Varying degrees of differences were seen in the SG and pH measurements. These differences were both method and instrument dependent. The automated chemical methods are recommended alongside oxidant assay for consistency, accuracy and faster turn-around time as part of sample validity testing for drugs of abuse.
Precaution, Social Distancing and Tests in a Model of Epidemic Disease
Authors: Obiols-Homs Francesc
Published: June 2021

I develop an extension of a canonical epidemiology model in which the policy in place determines the probability of transmission of an epidemic disease during economic and social interaction. I use the model to evaluate the effects of isolating symptomatic individuals, of increasing social distancing and of tests such as polymerase chain reaction – PCR – or Rapid Diagnostic Test that discriminate between currently infected agents, and its combination with a serology test like Neutralization Assay that is able to discriminate between immune and vulnerable healthy individuals, together with the role of enforcement to prevent interactions involving infected but asymptomatic agents. I find that isolating symptomatic individuals has a large effect at delaying and reducing the pick of infections. The combination of this policy with a PCR test is likely to represents only a negligible improvement in the absence of enforcement, whereas with full enforcement there is an additional delaying and reduction in the pick of infections. Social distancing alone cannot achieve similar effects without incurring in enormous output losses. I explore the combined effect of social distancing at early stages of the epidemic with a following period of tests and find that the best outcome is obtained with a light reduction of human interaction for about three months together with a subsequent test of the population over 40 days.
Evaluation the effect of the ambient temperature on the liquid petroleum gas transportation pipeline
Authors: Abd Ammar Ali , Naji Samah Zaki , Tye Ching Thian , Othman Mohd Roslee
Published: June 2021

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plays a major role in worldwide energy consumption as a clean source of energy with low greenhouse gases emission. LPG transportation is exhibited through networks of pipelines, maritime, and tracks. LPG transmission using pipeline is environmentally friendly owing to the low greenhouse gases emission and low energy requirements. This work is a comprehensive evaluation of transportation petroleum gas in liquid state and compressible liquid state concerning LPG density, temperature and pressure, flow velocity, and pump energy consumption under the impact of different ambient temperatures. Inevitably, the pipeline surface exchanges heat between LPG and surrounding soil owing to the temperature difference and change in elevation. To prevent phase change, it is important to pay attention for several parameters such as ambient temperature, thermal conductivity of pipeline materials, soil type, and change in elevation for safe, reliable, and economic transportation. Transporting LPG at high pressure requests smaller pipeline size and consumes less energy for pumps due to its higher density. Also, LPG transportation under moderate or low pressure is more likely exposed to phase change, thus more thermal insulation and pressure boosting stations required to maintain the phase envelope. The models developed in this work aim to advance the existing knowledge and serve as a guide for efficient design by underling the importance of the mentioned parameters.
Nano- and microgels: a review for educators
Authors: Zhilin Denis M. , Pich Andrij
Published: June 2021

Nano- and microgels are promising soft polymer materials for different application fields: stabilizers, sensors, catalysts, selective sorbents, drug delivery carriers etc. They are composed of cross-linked polymer chains swollen with a solvent. The building blocks, synthesis approaches and architecture of nano- and microgels are reviewed. The mechanisms of responsiveness to various stimuli are described, examples of applications are provided. Micro- and nanogels are good objects for learning projects and the ideas for learning projects with microgels are described.
Local and parallel stabilized finite element methods based on full domain decomposition for the stationary Stokes equations
Authors: Zheng Bo , Shang Yueqiang
Published: June 2021

Based upon full domain decomposition, local and parallel stabilized finite element methods for the stationary Stokes equations are proposed and analysed, where the quadratic equal-order finite elements are employed for the velocity and pressure approximations, and a stabilized term based on two local Gauss integrations is used to offset the discrete pressure space to circumvent the discrete inf-sup condition. In the proposed parallel method, all of the computations are performed on the locally refined global grids that are fine around the interested subdomain and coarse elsewhere, making the method easy to implement based on a sequential solver with low communication cost. Stability and optimal error estimates of the present methods are deduced. Numerical results on examples including a problem with known analytic solution, lid-driven cavity flow, backward-facing step flow and flow around a cylinder are given to verify the theoretical predictions and demonstrate the high efficiency of the method. Results show that our parallel method can provide an approximate solution with the convergence rate of the same order as the solution computed by the standard stabilized finite element method, with a substantial reduction in computational time.
Influences on the Hydrophobicity of Concrete Surfaces Treated with Alkyl Trialkoxysilanes
Authors: Antons U. , Raupach M. , Weichold O.
Published: June 2021

The paper focuses on how alkaline media, UV radiation, and carbonation as well as on-going cement hydration affects hydrophobic treatments of concrete and influences the properties of these water-repellent layers. Single-sided nuclear magnetic resonance measurements show that layers formed by impregnating samples with alkyl trialkoxysilanes are stable even under long-term exposure to alkaline solution and UV radiation, with the damage of the latter being limited to the topmost surface layers. Microstructural changes during accelerated carbonation of blast furnace slag cement based concrete have a major impact on the hydrophobic layer properties, while the carbonation of Portland cement concrete has no influence. On-going hydration additionally influences the hydrophobic layer properties.