bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A model of increasing predictability of atrial fibrillation related stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: You Ling , He Webin , Zhen Yanjie , Yang Jing , Wang Lianxia , Zhao Yanlei , Xie Ruiqin
Published: August 2022

Objective: Our aim for this study was to develop a model using clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic factors, in addition to CHA2DS2-VASC score, to increase predictability of AF related stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical history, clinical characteristics, laboratory and echocardiographic data of 373 patients with NVAF.Results: In multiple logistic regression, CHA2DAS2 VASC score (OR 1.22 (95%CI 1.04-1.43), P=0.016), anion gap (OR 1.19 (95%CI 1.08-1.30), P < 0.001), e-peak deceleration time （EDT） (OR 1.01 (95%CI 1.00-1.01), P=0.001) and the left atrial appendage emptying rate （LAAEV） (OR 0.99 (95%CI 0.97-0.99), P=0.013) were risk factors for predicting stroke in NVAF patients. For patients with low CHA2DAS2 VASC score, anion gap (OR 1.35 (95%CI 1.03-1.77), P=0.028) and EDT (OR 1.01 (95%CI 1.00-1.02), P=0.043) were associated with stroke.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that area under curve (AUC) is 11% higher in the model including anion gap, EDT， LAAEV and CHA2DS2-VASc score, compared to only using CHA2DS2-VASc score as predictor (0.70 (95%CI 0.64-0.75) vs 0.59 (95%CI 0.54-0.65)).Conclusions: Our study showed that incorporating anion gap, EDT and LAAEV into CHA2DS2-VASC score increases the ability to predict atrial fibrillation related stroke.
Posture-Induced Changes in Intraocular Pressure after Ab Externo XEN45 Gel-Stent Implantation in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Jin Hyung Nam , Nam Jeong Woo , Haowei Zhang , Sung Mi Sun , Park Sang Woo
Published: August 2022

We investigated posture-induced changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) after ab externo XEN45 gel-stent implantation in patients with medically uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Overall, thirty-two eyes with POAG that underwent XEN45 gel-stent implantation as a standalone procedure using an ab externo approach at Chonnam National University Hospital were analyzed. IOP was measured sequentially in the sitting position, supine position, and lateral decubitus position (LDP) before and at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after surgery using an iCare IC200 rebound tonometer. In the LDP, the eye with XEN45 gel-stent implantation was in the dependent position. IOP at each position was significantly reduced after XEN45 gel-stent implantation. Posture-induced changes in IOP were maintained during the follow-up. The range of postural IOP changes was reduced at 1 month; however, no significant change was observed after that point compared with baseline levels. A XEN45 gel stent inserted using the ab externo approach can reduce IOP in various body positions, but seems to have limited effects on posture-induced changes in IOP in patients with POAG.
Article Analyzing the potential influencing factors in the perception of artistic style transfer
Authors: Lyu Yanru , Chang Ching-Wen , Wang Xiaohui , Sun Yikang , Lin Rungtai
Published: August 2022

There have been many successful implementations of artistic style transfer technology in recent years. However, as the perception of art is too complex, there is a vast gap between artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and humans, which leads to the failure of style simulation to convey the high-level attributes accurately. This study aims to explore the potential influencing factors in the perception of artistic style transfer and then put forward some suggestions for the application of AI in the art field. Based on art communication theory, the appreciation of art is divided into technical, semantic, and effectiveness levels. In this study, three operation outputs generated by AI, artists, and cooperation with AI and artists were taken as experimental stimuli, and the perceptual distance between humans and algorithms was compared. The results demonstrate a gap between humans and AI in the perception of artistic style. The semantic and effectiveness layers should be critical indicators for predicting, optimizing, and evaluating artistic style transfer using AI.
‘If I am playing football, I forget that I have this virus’: The challenges and coping strategies of adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Loveday Marian , Furin Jennifer , Hlangu Sindisiwe , Mthethwa Thabile , Naidoo Tasneem
Published: August 2022

Background: Adolescents who have acquired HIV perinatally (ALHIV) face unique challenges in taking lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART), but little is known about what factors affect their adherence over the course of their lifelong treatment journey. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study with ALHIV who had periods of poor adherence to ART in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa using Participant-generated Visual Methodologies (PVM). Participants used photography to represent their perspectives and experiences. Results: 14 individuals participated in the research process. We developed a framework and identified four social domains which combined with the adolescent’s own experiences and sense of self to either support or undermine adherence. Periods of non-adherence were reported by all participants. Participants described the importance of supportive relationships and households as well as the benefits of ART as supporting adherence. The fear of inadvertent disclosure of their HIV status and the side-effects of ART were barriers to adherence. Possible interventions to support adolescents in their treatment journey are identified.Conclusions: Current models of adherence support fail to address the challenges to lifelong therapy ALHIV face. Ongoing education and honest communication with health care providers, interventions that build resilience together with peer support, have the potential to improve adherence in ALHIV.
Adverse outcomes and prognostic factor prediction of infantile acquired hydrocephalus: A single-centre experience
Authors: Zhou Faliang , Yang Zhao , Tang Zezhong , Zhang Yang , Wang Hongmei , Sun Guoyu , Zhang Rui , Jiang Yi , Zhou Congle , Hou Xinlin , Liu Lili
Published: August 2022

Aim: To assess the etiologies and poor outcomes of infantile acquired hydrocephalus and predict prognosis.Methods: A total of 129 infants diagnosed with acquired hydrocephalus were recruited from 2008 to 2021. Adverse outcomes were included death and significant neurodevelopmental impairment which was defined as Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III score <70, cerebral palsy, visual or hearing impairment, epilepsy. Chi-squared was used to evaluate the prognostic factors of adverse outcomes. A receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated to determine the cutoff value.Results: Of 113 patients with outcome data, 55 patients (48.7%) had adverse outcomes. Late surgical intervention time (13 days) and severe ventricular dilation were associated with adverse outcomes. The combination of surgical intervention time and cranial ultrasonography (cUS) indices was a better predictive marker compared with any of them (surgical intervention time, P=0.05; cUS indices, P=0.002). Post-hemorrhage (54/113, 48%), post-meningitis (28/113, 25%), and hydrocephalus arising from both hemorrhage and meningitis (17/113, 15%) accounted for a large proportion of the etiologies in our study. Hydrocephalus occurs secondary to post-hemorrhage had a favorable outcome compared with other etiologies in both preterm and term groups. A significant difference in adverse outcome between inherited error of metabolism as a cause and other etiologies (P=0.02).Conclusion: Late surgical treatment times and severe ventricular dilation can predict adverse outcomes in infants with acquired hydrocephalus. It is crucial to identify the causes of acquired hydrocephalus to predict the adverse outcomes. Research into measures of improving adverse outcomes following infantile acquired hydrocephalus is urgently necessary.
Modeling Trip Generation Pattern by Adopting Multiple Linear Regression in at Existing Traffic Condition
Authors: MANUKA DAGIMWORK ASELE , LACHORE TAREKEGN SHIRKO
Published: August 2022

The beginning of this study is made with the objective of developing the predicted household trip generation models for Hossana town that involve the socioeconomic characteristics and land use trends. For the purpose of this study, Addis sub town was used in the analysis. In this sub town, 9 nodes of the road segment were also selected for travel flow analysis. Totally 384 forms were distributed in the town for home interview purpose. The data collected was analyzed and classified in order to qualify the social and economic features in each zone using principal component analysis method. Finally, the regression analysis taken under four components reduced by principal component analysis. The relationship between daily household trips and socioeconomic characteristics were developed using Multiple Linear Regression technique under four components reduced by principal component analysis using SPSS software package. P – Values of all variables are less than 0.05 as summarized in the table below. Which show all the variables/components/ are statistically significant within a given confidence interval. R 2  = 0.519 shows that 51.9% of the variation of the dependent variable explained by the explanatory/independent/ variables. The value of goodness of fit indicates that the model is well defined and the trips are a function of the variables chosen for this study.
Quantum critical Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid in the anisotropic triangular antiferromagnet Ca3ReO5Cl2
Authors: Choi Kwang Yong , Lee Suheon , Lee Chanhyeon , Wang Chennan , Luetkens Hubertus
Published: August 2022

We report on a local-probe study of two-dimensional anisotropic triangular antiferromagnet Ca3ReO5Cl2 using 35Cl nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and muon spin relaxation (µSR) techniques. The 35Cl spin-lattice relaxation rate obeys a power-law dependence 1/T1∝T1/2K−1 below 20 K and the intra- and interchain spin diffusion constants deduced from LF-µSR are highly anisotropic in their thermal evolution. Our NMR and µSR data evince that the Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid (one-dimensionalization) is driven by anisotropic spin diffusion. Moreover, we observe a universal scaling of T1/2K−1(1/T1) with K = 1 and a time-field scaling (t/Hγ) of the muon spin polarization with γ = 1 − 1/2K = 0.5. These findings instantiate that Ca3ReO5Cl2 with intermediate spatial anisotropy realizes a quantum critical Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid in the zero-field limit.
Association between Anxiety and Disease Pathophysiology in Participants of Longitudinal Observational Studies in Aging during the COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Servaes Stijn , Lussier Firoza , Tissot Cécile , Therriault Joseph , Bezgin Gleb , Wang Yi-Ting , Stevenson Jenna , Rahmouni Nesrine , Pallen Vanessa , Elgbeili Guillaume , Arias Jaime Fernandez , Kang Min Su , Benedet Andrea , Chamoun Mira , Pascoal Tharick , Ng Kok Pin , Bzdok Danilo , King Suzanne , Gauthier Serge , Rosa-Neto Pedro
Published: August 2022

The burden imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic deferentially interferes with the outcomes of clinical trials of aging and dementia. We examined the impact of the lockdown on cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), anxiety, and COVID-19-related stress in participants from the Translational Biomarkers In Aging and Dementia (TRIAD) cohort using neuropsychiatric assessments, tau and amyloid PET. We found that, before the lockdown, anxiety was higher in cognitively impaired individuals (CI) and positively associated with brain tau load. However, during the lockdown, anxiety increased only in the cognitively unimpaired (CU) and was positively associated with COVID-19 related stress. Interestingly, we found that in patients, tau load was anti-correlated with higher anxiety during lockdown. Our findings contribute to a framework for interpreting the effects of the pandemic on neuropsychiatric symptoms among clinical trial participants. Collectively, our results suggest that caregivers are more vulnerable to external stressors than patients.
Behavioural Change Techniques in Health Coaching-Based Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Almulhim Abdullah , Hartley Hannah , Norman Paul , Caton Samantha , Goyder Elizabeth
Published: August 2022

Background: Given the high rates globally of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), there is a clear need to target health behaviours through person-centred interventions. Health coaching is one strategy that has been widely recognised as a tool to foster positive behaviour change. However, it has been used inconsistently and has produced mixed results. This systematic review sought to explore the use of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) in health coaching interventions and identify which BCTs are linked with increased effectiveness in relation to HbA1C reductions.Methods: Studies were systematically identified through database searches for relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in papers published between January 1950 and April 2020. Included papers were screened on the reported use of BCTs based on the BCT taxonomy. The effectiveness of included interventions was assessed by using Cohen’s d.Results: Twenty-one RCTs were identified. Thirteen interventions were shown to have medium to large effects on HbA1c reduction (d=0.50 to d=1.30). Twenty-three BCTs were identified, with a mean of 5.3 (SD = 3.6) BCTs used in each study. Of these, Goal setting (behaviour) and Problem solving were the most frequently identified BCTs. The intervention with the largest effect size (d=1.30) used five different BCTs: Goal setting (behaviour), Problem Solving, Goal setting (outcome), Self-monitoring of outcome of behaviour, and framing/reframing. However, there was little evidence to link the use of specific BCTs to reductions in HbA1c across the studies included in the reviewConclusion: A relatively small number of BCTs have been used in RCTs of health coaching interventions for T2DM. Moreover, other possible BCTs directly related to the theoretical underpinnings of health coaching were absent. It is recommended that key BCTs are identified at an early stage of intervention development, although further research is needed to examine the most effective BCTs to use in health coaching interventions.
Learning observer-based fault-tolerant tracking control for hypersonic vehicle with actuator faults
Authors: Cao Teng , Gong Huajun , Xue Yixuan , Yu Wencheng
Published: August 2022

This paper studies a novel learning observer-based fault-tolerant tracking control strategy for a hypersonic vehicle attitude system with external disturbance, parameter uncertainty and actuator faults. Without obtaining the prior knowledge of lumped disturbance, a novel learning observer combined with the barrier function is first proposed to estimate the attitude angular velocities and reconstruct lumped disturbance accurately and quickly. By introducing the estimation value into the controller design process, a backstepping fault-tolerant tracking controller is developed to solve the attitude tracking problem of hypersonic vehicle. The stability of the hypersonic vehicle faulty attitude system using the observer-based fault-tolerant control method is analyzed by Lyapunov framework. Finally, the feasibility and superiority of the fault-tolerant control scheme is proved by comparing with different existing observer and control strategy through numerical simulations.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies in human populations of Sokodé, Togo
Authors: Setondji Komi Victor-Mari , Traoré Kuan Abdoulaye , Ouoba Jean-Bienvenue , Taale Essodolom , Ouoba Bruno Lalidia , Nyakou Bissah Kokou , Roques Pierre , Karou Simplice Damintoti. , Barro Nicolas
Published: August 2022

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies prevalence is reported globally worldwide. However, there is still some countries where data are not well reported or even studied as in Togo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of HEV among human populations and analyze demographic variables related to the infection in the city of Sokodé, in central area of Togo. Results: A total of 289 individuals including 195 blood donors (24 women and 171 men), and 94 pregnant women were recruited from May to October 2020 and socio-economic status were assessed. All obtained sera were tested for the presence of anti-HEV antibodies with the immunochromatography test (MP Diagnostics ASSURE IgM Rapid test) and the MP Diagnostics HEV-IgM and HEV-IgG ELISA. The association between anti-HEV status and potential risk factors was assessed. Total HEV antibodies were in 5.6% (95% CI: 3.8 - 7.3%) of all samples. HEV IgM antibodies were detected in 11.7% (95% CI: 9.8-13.5%) of the samples, of which 29 (14.8%) were from the blood donors group and 5 (5.3%) from pregnant women group. Gender, water storage container, type of latrine used and washing hands after toilet were associated to anti-HEV IgM seropositivity in population. (p ≤ 0.05).Conclusion: These findings from asymptomatic population suggest a probable HEV circulation at significant levels. These data are the first step to understand the epidemiology of the HEV infection in Togo that deserved to be extended both in timing and Togo’s region.
Naturally-occurring carboxylic acids from traditional antidiabetic plants as potential pancreatic islet FABP3 inhibitors. A molecular docking–aided study
Authors: Hyder Ayman
Published: August 2022

The antidiabetic action of traditional plants is mostly attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These plants are still having some secrets, making them an attractive source that allows for investigating new drugs or uncovering precise pharmacologic antidiabetic functions of their constituents. In diabetes, which is a lipid disease, long-term exposure of pancreatic islet beta cells to fatty acids (FAs) increases basal insulin release, reduces glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, causes islet beta cell inflammation, failure and apoptosis. Pancreatic islet beta cells express fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3) that receives long-chain FAs and traffics them throughout different cellular compartments to be metabolized and render their effects. Inhibition of this FABP3 may retard FA metabolism and protect islet beta cells. Since FAs interact with FABPs by their carboxylic group, some traditionally-known antidiabetic plants were reviewed in the present study, searching for their components that have common features of FABP ligands, namely carboxylic group and hydrophobic tail. Many of these carboxylic acids were computationally introduced into the ligand-binding pocket of FABP3 and some of them exhibited FABP3 ligand possibilities. Among others, the naturally occurring ferulic, cleomaldeic, caffeic, sinapic, hydroxycinnamic, 4-p-coumaroylquinic, quinoline-2-carboxylic, chlorogenic, 6-hydroxykynurenic, and rosmarinic acids in many plants are promising candidates for being FABP3-specific inhibitors. The study shed light on repurposing these phyto-carboxylic acids to function as FABP inhibitors. However, more in-depth biological and pharmacological studies to broaden the understanding of this function are needed.
Pair interaction between catalytically active colloids
Authors: Sharan Priyanka , Daddi-Moussa-Ider Abdallah , Agudo-Canalejo Jaime , Golestanian Ramin , Simmchen Juliane
Published: August 2022

Due to the intrinsically complex non-equilbrium behavior of the constituents of active matter systems, a comprehensive understanding of their collective properties is a challenge that requires systematic bottom-up characterization of the individual components and their interactions. For self-propelled particles, an intrinsic complexity stems from the fact that the polar nature of the colloids necessitates that the interactions depend on positions and orientations of the particles, leading to a $2 d-1$ dimensional configuration space for each particle, in $d$ dimensions. Moverover, the interactions between such non-equilibrium colloids are generically non-reciprocal, which makes the characterization even more complex. Therefore, derivation of generic rules that enable us to predict the outcomes of individual encounters as well as the ensuing collective behavior will provide an important progress. While significant advances have been made on the theorical front, such systematic experimental characterizations using simple artificial systems with measurable parameters are scarce. Here, we study two different, contrasting types of colloidal microswimmers, which move in opposite directions and show distinctly different interactions. To facilitate the extraction of parameters, we introduce an experimental platform in which we confine them on a 1D track. Furthermore, we develop a theoretical model for interparticle interactions near a substrate, including both phoretic and hydrodynamic effects, which reproduces their behavior. For subsequent validation, we increase the degrees of freedom to two-dimensional motion and predict the resulting trajectories, finding remarkable agreement.
Our results may prove useful in characterizing the overall alignment behavior of interacting self-propelling active swimmer and may find application in guiding the design of active-matter systems involving phoretic and hydrodynamic interactions.
Reversible Flowering of CuO Nanoclusters via Conversion Reactions for Dual-Ion Li Metal Batteries
Authors: Li Siying , Lee Jung-Hun , Hwang Soo Min , Kim Young-Jun
Published: August 2022

Dual-ion Li metal batteries based on non-flammable SO2-in-salt inorganic electrolytes ( Li–SO2 batteries) offer high safety and energy density. The use of cupric oxide (CuO) as a self-activating cathode material achieves a high specific capacity with cost-effective manufacturing in Li–SO2 batteries, but its cycle retention performance deteriorates owing to the significant morphological changes of the cathode active materials. Herein, we report the catalytic effect of carbonaceous materials used in cathode material of Li–SO2 batteries, which act as templates to help recrystallize the active materials in the activation and conversion reactions. We found that the combination of oxidative-cyclized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with N-doped carbonaceous materials and multi-yolk-shell CuO (MYS-CuO) nanoclusters as cathode active materials can significantly increase the specific capacity to 315.9 mAh g− 1 (93.8% of the theoretical value) at 0.2 C, which corresponds to an energy density of 1295 Wh kgCuO−1, with a capacity retention of 84.46% at the 200th cycle, and the cathode exhibited an atypical blossom-like morphological change.
Barriers and opportunities to improve Smoke-free Area implementation in Aceh province, Indonesia
Authors: Sufri Sofyan , Maulana Teuku , Elvin Said Devi , Nurhasanah Nurhasanah , Ahsan Abdillah , Jannah Misbahul , Mardhiah Ainal , Rutherford Shannon , Bakri Saiful
Published: August 2022

Background: Aceh province has the greatest risk of death due to smoking-related heart diseases. To reduce this tobacco epidemic in Aceh, the local government has established Smoke-free Areas (SFA/Kawasan Tanpa Rokok/KTR) local regulations (Qanuns). However, the implementation of the established Qanuns remains suboptimal with many violations throughout the province. Methods: This study investigated the challenges and opportunities for improving implementation of KTRs in Banda Aceh municipality using in-depth interviews and document reviews.Results: Various barriers to effective implementation of KTRs were identified: lack of commitment of Banda Aceh authorities in implementing KTR policies; lack of understanding of the KTRs among involved actors; inadequate socialization of KTRs to communities; and misunderstanding of “enclosed areas” as KTRs. However, some important opportunities were identified: the Ministry of Education regulation that promotes KTRs at schools; and smoking prohibition as part of Sharia laws and other religious recommendations. Conclusion: This study has identified barriers and enablers for effective KTR implementation in Banda Aceh. Some key major recommendations are provided to enhance the implementation of KTR policies in Banda Aceh municipality.
Oxygenation index in the first 21 days of life is a predictor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia grade in very preterm infants
Authors: Chou Fu-Sheng , Leigh Rebekah M. , Rao Srinandini , Narang Arvind , Yeh Hung-Wen
Published: August 2022

Background
BPD grades are associated with long-term respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Identification of additional early-life predictors is in need to improve the performance of their early prediction. The objective of the study was to assess the association of the oxygenation index (OI) trajectory in the first three weeks of life with BPD grades.
Methods
A single-center retrospective study was performed. Generalized additive mixed modeling was used to model OI trajectories for each BPD grade subgroup. A multinomial regression model was then developed to quantify the relationship between OI dynamics and the odds of BPD grades.
Results
254 infants were identified for inclusion in the trajectory modeling, including 242 infants with sufficient OI data for multinomial regression analysis. A total of 6,243 OI data points were available for modeling. Average OI change was − 0.33 ± 0.52 (n = 85) in the No-BPD group, -0.04 ± 0.75 (n = 82) in the Low-Grade BPD group, and 0.22 ± 0.65 (n = 75) in the High-Grade BPD group. OI modeling showed distinct trajectory patterns for the No-BPD, Low-Grade, and High-Grade BPD subgroups. A multinomial regression analysis showed that the initial OI value and the average OI daily change in the first 3 weeks of life both independently correlated with BPD grade outcomes after adjusting for birth gestation, birth weight z-score, and sex.
Conclusion
Early-life OI trajectory is a useful marker for BPD grade prediction. Prospective studies are needed to further validate the findings. Alternatives to OI, such as respiratory severity score or oxygen saturation index, also merit further studies to improve clinical usability.
Copula based multivariate analysis of hydro-meteorological drought
Authors: Shaw Balaram , N.R. Chithra
Published: August 2022

Droughts have a wide range of adverse impacts on the environment, society, and economy ranging from regional to national levels. Multivariate analysis of drought characteristics (i.e., drought duration, severity, peak, etc.) is necessary to get a picture of the actual drought situation in a region as these characteristics are interrelated. However, such studies are limited. Therefore, the current study developed a framework to investigate the meteorological and hydrological droughts based on a multivariate analysis of drought characteristics in the Pennar river basin of India which is located in a semi-arid region where agricultural activity is dominant. Long-term observations of precipitation, temperature, and streamflow for the period of 1980-2015 were used to calculate Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Streamflow Drought Index (SDI), at a 3-month timescale. Based on these indices, three drought characteristics (i.e., drought duration, severity, and peak) were abstracted using the Run Theory. The best-fit marginal distribution was determined for each of the drought variables and those best-fit marginal distributions were used to get the bivariate joint probability distribution, i.e., the copula function. The Copula function was used to figure out the joint probability distribution of multiple variables. Based on the best-fit copula function, joint multivariate distributions have been established and the joint probabilities and the joint return period have been estimated. Results revealed that, out of the nine copula functions, for the overall region of the river basin, for meteorological drought, Frank Copula is found to be the best-fit copula function for the joint risk of drought duration and severity, whereas Survival Clayton copula is found to be the best-fit copula for the combination of both drought duration and peak as well as drought severity and peak. The probability of occurrence of a drought event with specified characteristics of duration, severity, and peak was obtained for the study area based on Copula-based joint probability analysis. The joint return period of a drought event with characteristics greater than the 25th percentile of the same for the study area is varying from 1 to 2 years whereas it varies from 1 year to 45 years for the 50th percentile. This analysis will provide important information required for water management and planning in a region to mitigate droughts.
Temporal trends of Acute Hepatitis A in Brazil and its regions
Authors: Grandi Giuliano , Lopez Luis Fernandez , Burattini Marcelo Nascimento Burattini Nascimento
Published: August 2022

Background: Hepatitis A are responsible for 126,000,000 cases of acute viral hepatitis distributed heterogeneously worldwide, high disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates, especially in low-income countries. Data related to Hepatitis A provides information to improve control-measures and identify population at risk. This study aims to analyze temporal trends of Hepatitis A in Brazil and its regions from 2007 to 2018, based on official notification data. Methods: Data related to Hepatitis A reported cases from 2017 to 2018 were fitted to a join point model by Brazilian regions, Age Groups and Gender, allowing the calculation of Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) and Annual Percentage Change (APC) to estimate trends of Hepatitis A in Brazil. Findings: From 2007 to 2018, 65,284 Hepatitis A cases notified in Brazil were available for analysis. The Northeast region reported 18,732 (28.69%) cases, followed by North 18,430 (28.23%), Southeast 14,073 (21.55%), South 7,909 (12.11%) and Central-West 6,140 (9.4%), respectively. Temporal trend analysis showed that Hepatitis A incidence decreased from 2007 to 2016 in all Brazilian regions for individuals with less than 20 years and increased in South and Southeast in males between 10 and 39 years after 2016. Conclusions: Hepatitis A endemicity is heterogeneous among Brazilian regions. In addition, an unexpected outbreak of HAV among Southeast and South adult males in 2016 resembles the outbreak in Europe, revealing a vulnerable population that should be prioritized by vaccination programs and control measures.
A Study on the Synergetic Effects of Self /Induced Crystallization and Nanoparticles on the Mechanical Properties of Semi-Crystalline Polymer Nanocomposites: Experimental and Analytical Approaches
Authors: Hojatzadeh Saeideh , Rahimpour Farshad , Sharifzadeh Esmail
Published: August 2022

This study investigates the effects of nanoparticle content, aggregation/agglomeration, polymer/particle interphase, and crystallinity on the mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites. Different samples of HDPE nanocomposites, containing 0.5, 0.75, and 2 wt.% of pure and surface-modified silica nanoparticles, were prepared by the melt-mixing method. The pure silica nanoparticles (PSN) and surface-modified silica (AMS) with (3-Aminopropyl) tri-ethoxy silane were characterized with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to estimate the crystallinity and crystal size of the samples. Finally, tensile testing was performed on the nanocomposites to establish the relationship between mechanical properties and nanoparticle loading, and surface modification. The results indicate that the crystallinity and elastic modulus of the nanocomposites increased with increasing nanoparticle content. Moreover, the Gutzow-Dobreva theory was used to determine the induced crystallinity. A mechanical model (Equivalent Box Model) was proposed to determine the crystalline, amorphous modulus, thickness and tensile modulus of the polymer/particle interphase region, which shows a decreasing trend with the nanoparticles content and indicates that this region is thicker for the HDPE/AMS relative to HDPE/PSN.
The magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of radicular cysts and granulomas
Authors: Watanabe Hiroshi , Wamasing Natnihca , Yomtako Supasith , Sakamoto Junichiro , Kayamori Kou , Kurabayashi Tohru
Published: August 2022

Limited studies have differentiated radicular cysts and granulomas with magnetic resonance imaging. Therefore, we investigated the magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of the two lesions and clarified features for distinguishing between them. We collected data of 27 radicular cysts and 9 granulomas definitively diagnosed by histopathology and reviewed the fat-saturated T2-weighted, T1-weighted, and contrast-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted images. We measured the maximum diameter and apparent diffusion coefficient values of the lesions. We employed Fisher’s exact test, Mann–Whitney U test, and independent t-tests to compare the two lesions and created a decision tree for discriminating them. There were significant differences between radicular cysts and granulomas with respect to five imaging characteristics—signal intensity of the lesion centre on fat-saturated T2-weighted images; signal intensity, texture, and contrast enhancement of the lesion centre on contrast-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted images; and maximum diameter of the lesion. The cut-off diameter for radicular cysts was 15.9 mm. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.971, 85.2%, and 100%, respectively. From the decision tree analysis, maximum diameter, lesion centre contrast enhancement on contrast-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted images, and lesion centre signal intensity on fat-saturated T2-weighted images were important for discriminating between the two lesions.
Effect of instantaneous and spectral diffusions on the pulsed EPR SECSY signal of an electron-nuclear spin-coupled system in a gamma-irradiated malonic acid single crystal
Authors: Misra Sushil K. , Salahi Hamid Reza
Published: August 2022

The many-body effects of instantaneous and spectral diffusions due to electronic dipolar interactions of an observer electron spin of an electron-nuclear spin-coupled system of a molecule in a gamma-irradiated malonic acid single crystal, characterized by the electronic spin ½ and the nuclear spin ½, with the electrons of the other molecules in the crystal in the vicinity on the SECSY signal are investigated rigorously by numerical computation. The spectral diffusion is taken into account by considering the relevant relaxation matrix elements in the Liouville von Neumann equation, specifically, that caused by a random spin flip of the interacting electronic dipole moment in the crystal vicinity, using the analytical expression, derived by Salikhov et. al. [J. Magn. Reson (1969), 42(2), pp.255–276. (1981)]. On the other hand, the instantaneous diffusion of the observer electron due to the dipolar interaction with the electrons in the crystal vicinity, which are at, or close to, resonance of the observer electron, is taken into account by considering their random spin flips by a probability determined by the Monte-Carlo technique. It is found that the instantaneous diffusion together with the spectral diffusion, brings a better agreement of the calculated signal with the experiment.
A Comprehensive Survey and Analysis on Multi-Domain Digital Forensic Tools, Techniques and Issues
Authors: D Paul Joseph , Perumal Viswanathan
Published: August 2022

.Forensics is a term that can be used by both the physical and digital world. In the physical world, forensics is associated with physical science investigations such as DNA examination and bloodstains. On the other hand, the digital world consists of seizure, analysis, and protection of digital evidence that can be obtained from physical or virtual storage devices. Forensic investigators retrieve and analyze data using forensic tools that cover a range of features and capabilities. However, these tools have not achieved a high degree of reliability and accuracy yet. As there are many tools currently available for researchers to utilize, this survey provides an extensive assessment of forensic domains and the complex issues and tools applicable for each domain. Additionally, this survey provides a balanced evaluation of the most popular forensic investigation tools in use today. In this survey, tools are experimentally evaluated by considering features of the tools as well as their respective product, performance, and functional metrics. The assessed tools are ranked using the weighted means of tool features, specifically in terms of reliability, scalability, and accuracy. These bench marked results and the discussion of open issues in digital forensics will serve in suggesting future research directions and aid in selecting the most suitable forensic tool for investigation in a timely manner.
Time to Develop Phlebitis and Its Predictors among Patients with Peripheral Intravenous Cannula at Public Hospitals of Bahir Dar City, Amhara, Ethiopia, 2022: A Prospective Follow up Study
Authors: Lidetu Tadios , Yirga Alemshet
Published: August 2022

Background:Phlebitis is the inflammation of the vein and common complication of peripheral intravenous cannula. Phlebitis leads the patient to sepsis and pulmonary embolism that increase mortality. Literature on Phlebitis is scanty in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study focuses on the time to develop (incidence) and predictors of phlebitis.Methods and Materials:An institution based prospective follow up study was conducted at public Hospitals of Bahir Dar city and 462 patients who were selected through systematic random sampling technique. Phlebitis was identified by Jackson’s Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scoring System. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used.Results:In this study, 462 patients participated, of those, 171(37.01%) acquired phlebitis. The median survival time to develop phlebitis was six days. Age group > 60 years (AHR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.29-0.82) was preventive factor. Whereas, Chronic-diseases (AHR =1.50, 95% CI 1.09-2.07), drugs and blood administer in one vein (AHR=2.03, 95% CI 1.44-2.86), inappropriate cannula dressing (AHR=1.81, 95% CI 1.31-2.51), large cannula size (AHR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.08-2.15) and longer cannula dwelling time (AHR =7.39, 95% CI 4.12-13.32) found as risk factors of phlebitis.Conclusion and recommendation:Younger age, chronic disease, using one intravenous line for more than one purpose, larger cannula size, inappropriate cannula dressing and longer cannula dwelling time were found as risk factors for phlebitis. Therefore, patients with those risk factors need to get special care and follow up.
Influence of ocean tidal loading on continuous gravity observations in eastern China
Authors: Zhao Yabo , Wei Jin , Hu Minzhang , Jiang Ying , Zhang Xiaotong , Liu Ziwei
Published: August 2022

Global and regional ocean tidal models were used to analyze the gravity effects of ocean tidal loading on continuous gravity observations in eastern China. The accuracies of tidal loading gravity correction results for 21 gPhone and superconducting gravity stations were evaluated. The global ocean tidal model was most effective for gravity correction at inland stations (up to 90%), but less effective at coastal stations (only 60%). Taking into account regional ocean tidal models, the effectiveness of tidal loading correction increased to 80%, and the root sum square of the residual gravity series was 0.7450 ~ 0.9733\({\times 10}^{-8}\text{m}{\text{s}}^{-2}\). The best tidal loading gravity correction was obtained by combing the global FES2004 model and regional OSU.chinasea.2010 model (root sum square of 0.7450\({\times 10}^{-8}\text{m}{\text{s}}^{-2}\)). Using this combination, the tidal loading gravity amplitude in the China Sea and adjacent areas was calculated; tidal loading gravity was. Very low gravity effects were obtained inland and for island interiors; however, tide loading gravity was relatively larger along the coast, especially the southeast coast and Bohai Bay. Moreover, the amplitude changed drastically possibly owing to offshore topography. Our results provide a reference for selecting ocean tidal models for high-precision analysis of continuous gravity observations in China.
Loss of the Ash2l subunit of histone H3K4 methyltransferase complexes promotes chromatin compaction at promoters
Authors: Barsoum Mirna , Stenzel Alexander T , Bochynska Agnieszka , Kuo Chao-Chung , Sayadi-Boroujeni Roksaneh , Bussmann Philip , Lüscher-Firzlaff Juliane , Costa Ivan G , Lüscher Bernhard
Published: August 2022

Changes in gene expression programs are intimately linked to cell fate decisions. Post-translational modifications of core histones contribute to control gene expression. Methylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4) correlates with active promoters and gene transcription. This modification is catalyzed by KMT2 methyltransferases, which require interaction with 4 core subunits, WDR5, RBBP5, ASH2L and DPY30, for catalytic activity. Ash2l is necessary for organismal development and for tissue homeostasis. In mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs), Ash2l loss results in gene repression, provoking a senescence phenotype. We now find that upon knockout of Ash2l both H3K4 mono- and tri-methylation (H3K4me1 and me3, respectively) were deregulated. In particular, loss of H3K4me3 at promoters correlated with gene repression, especially at CpG island promoters. Ash2l loss resulted in increased loading of histone H3 and chromatin compaction at promoters, accompanied by an increase of repressing and a decrease of activating histone marks. Moreover, we observed altered binding of CTCF upon Ash2l loss. Lost and gained binding was noticed at promoter-associated and intergenic sites, respectively. Thus, Ash2l loss and reduction of H3K4me3 correlate with chromatin compaction and altered transcription factor binding. These findings contribute to a more detailed understanding of mechanistic consequences of H3K4me3 loss and associated repression of gene repression and thus of the observed cellular consequences.
Determination of the viscosity of the cytoplasm of M-HeLa cells using fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles and an electromagnetic needle
Authors: Ramazanova Iliza , Suslov Maxim , Sibgatullina Guzel , Petrov Konstantin , Fedorenko Svetlana , Mustafina Asiya , Samigullin Dmitry
Published: August 2022

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have recently begun to be actively used in biomedicine as magnetic biosensors for targeted drug delivery in tissue engineering, and in magnetic resonance imaging. The study of the magnetic field effect on magnetic nanoparticles internalized into cells is of particular importance since it allows a non-invasive influence on cellular activity. There is data stating the possibility to manipulate and control individual MNPs by utilizing the local magnetic field gradient created with the help of electromagnetic needles (EN). The measuring of the movement rate of MNPs inside cells under the action of a known magnetic force allows to evaluate the viscous properties of the cell’s cytoplasm. The present work demonstrates the influence of the local magnetic field gradient created by EN on the luminescent MNPs internalized in HeLa cancer cells. It describes a method for controlling the intensity of this field and estimates the attractive force of EN. Both designs of EN and its main characteristics are also described. The applicability of the developed method in measuring the viscosity of the HeLa cancer cells cytoplasm is highlighted.
Measures to reduce carpenters’ occupational exposure to mineral wool fibers and total dust while working indoors in Norway
Authors: Moazami Therese Nitter , Klefstad Ragnhild , Grønlien Hilde , Jørgensen Rikke Bramming
Published: August 2022

Background
This study aimed to assess the effect of various measures in reducing the concentrations of total dust and mineral wool fibers carpenters are exposed to by one of the largest building contractors in Norway.
Methods
Personal samples, each taken over a 4-h to 9-h period of total dust (42) and mineral wool fiber (19) concentrations were collected from carpenters working indoors with insulation, steel studs, and drywall. Samples were collected for one week under normal cleaning procedures, then again for a week with additional cleaning measures. The results were analyzed using a linear mixed effects model.
Results
The time-weighted average (TWA) for total dust concentration ranged from 0.8 mg/m3 to 9.2 mg/m3, with mean concentrations of total dust for the three exposure groups of 3.2 mg/m3, 2.0 mg/m3, and 5.0 mg/m3 for insulation, steel studs, and drywall, respectively. The TWA for mineral wool fiber concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.04 fibers/cm3. The differences in exposure among the groups were insignificant. No differences in the concentrations of total dust and mineral wool fibers were observed between the weeks with and without extra cleaning measures. However, no changes in carpenters’ cleaning habits were observed either. Only a few workers used personal respiratory protection.
Conclusions
Concentrations close to the limit for total dust were measured during drywall work. Dust reduction measures can potentially lower exposure concentrations while benefiting the construction industry financially. However, prior to implementing any dust reduction measures, knowledge of the potential health effects caused by exposure must be increased.
Trial registration:
This study is not a clinical trial and are not registered.
Google Hacking Database Attributes Enrichment and Conversion to Enable the Application of Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Evangelista João Rafael Gonçalves , Sassi Renato José , Romero Márcio
Published: August 2022

In the initial phase of the pentest, named Open Source Intelligence, we use passive recognition with Google Hacking. Google Hacking is a practice that uses strings called Dorks. To support them, the Google Hacking Database is available with thousands of Dorks. However, the Google Hacking Database contains a reduced number of attributes, all with textual values, which makes it impossible to apply Machine Learning techniques. one way to enrich the Google Hacking Database with attributes is with Natural Language Processing and the transformation of textual values ​​to numeric, converting Dorks characters to ASCII. So, the objective was to apply Natural Language Processing to enrich Google Hacking Database with attributes and convert its textual values ​​to ASCII, to enable the application of Machine Learning techniques. The computational experiments were conducted in seven steps: Selection of the GHDB Base, Removal of Hyperlinks and Deletion of Attributes, Removal of the Site Parameter from Dorks, Removal of Outliers and Stopwords, Enrichment with Natural Language Processing, Base Transformation, and Application of the SOM. The results obtained with the application of the SOM were considered good, depending on the values ​​presented by the metrics that evaluated the network. Thus, it is considered that the objective of this paper was achieved.