bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Maternal Psychological Status, The Couple’s Relationship and Mother-Child Interaction: A Prospective Study.
Authors: Savelon Sylvie Viaux , Maurice Paul , Rousseau Alexandra , Laufer Chloé , Renout Manon , Berlingo Laura , Cohen David , Jouannic Jean-Marie
Published: February 2022

Background: To compare the rate of postpartum depression (PPD) during the first COVID-19 lockdown with the rate observed prior to the pandemic, and to examine factors associated with PPD.Methods: This was a prospective study. Women who gave birth during the first COVID-19 lockdown (spring 2020) were offered call-interviews at 10 days and 6-8 weeks postpartum to assess PPD using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Post-traumatic symptoms (Perinatal Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire, PPQ), couple adjustment, and interaction and mother-to-infant bonding were also evaluated. The observed PPD rate was compared to the one reported before the pandemic. Factors associated with an increased risk of PPD were studied. The main outcome measures were comparison of the observed PPD rate (EPDS score>12) to pre-pandemic rate. Results: Of the 164 women included, 27 (16.5% [95%CI: 11.14 – 23.04]) presented an EPDS score>12 either at 10 days or 6-8 weeks postpartum. This rate was similar to the one of 15% reported prior to the pandemic (p=0.6). Combined EPDS>12 or PPQ>6 scores were observed in 20.7% of the mothers [95%CI: 14.8 – 0.28]. Maternal hypertension/preeclampsia (p=0.007), emergency cesarean section (p=0.03), and neonatal complications (p=0.008) were significantly associated with an EPDS>12 both in univariate and multivariate analysis (OR=10 [95%CI: 1.5 – 68.7], OR=4.09[95%CI: 1.2 – 14], OR=4.02[95%CI: 1.4 – 11.6], respectively).Conclusions: The rate of major PPD in our population did not increase during the first lockdown period. However, 20.7% of the women presented with post-traumatic/depressive symptoms.Trial Registration: NCT04366817
Identifying Molecular Aetiology of Syndromic and Non syndromic Renal Disorders using Exome Analysis
Authors: Priya Aruna , Kumar Santosh , Iyer Gayatri R , Hasan Qurratulain
Published: February 2022

Aim: Renal disorders (RDs) are heterogeneous in nature with different ages of onset ranging from in-utero to adults that arise as independent disease and also as syndromes. RDs are of both heritable and acquired type. The aim of this study was to utilize Next Generation Sequencing to identify the molecular basis of syndromic and non syndromic RDs for management and preventative counselling.Methods: In the present study cases of RDs which were identified as a solitary health issue and those which had renal disease as part of syndromic features were offered exome analysis by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) followed by a specific gene panel evaluation after informed consent. Results: In our study twenty cases were evaluated by NGS based panel tests, a genetic variant was identified in 95% (19/20) of the cases which could be correlated with the renal phenotype. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines 89% (17/19) of the cases were reported with a Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant and 10% (2/19) with a Variant of uncertain significance. As expected 8/9 cases with features of polycystic Kidney disease and all eleven cases with syndromic RD had a variant which correlated with phenotype.Discussion & Conclusion: NGS enables molecular diagnosis of RD without subjecting patients to invasive tests like renal biopsy as early as the fetal stage. The management and prevention of disease in the family through appropriate genetic counseling is an added advantage.
Effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation and cognitive therapy based on mindfulness on inhibitory control and selective attention in adults with attention deficient/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Mikaieli Niloofar , kelarde Sara moradi , Narimani Mohammad , Khanzadeh Abbasali Hossein , Salvat Habibeh
Published: February 2022

Background: Hyperactivity disorder/attention deficit is one of the most adverse neurological disorders that are associated with multiple defects in cognitive and behavioral dimensions, and sometimes continues until adulthood. Today, due to side effects of drugs, compulsion to continue consumption in order to maintain the effects and weak adherence to drug therapy, Non-drug treatments has been welcomed for this disorder. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of cognitive therapy based on mind awareness and transcranial direct current stimulation on inhibition control and selective attention. Method: This experimental study has multi-groups pretest-posttest design in which an experimental group is exposed to electrical stimulation intervention (5 sessions of 20-minute interventions of electrical stimulation with flow of 1 mA) and one another experimental group was exposed to Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (8 sessions 90 minutes, three days a week) and the control group did not receive any intervention. The statistical population is all people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Rasht. Participants in this study were 45 subjects (15 in each group), which were selected by the convenience method and also in recall. Results: The results showed that cognitive therapy based on mind awareness and electrical stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex had a significant effect on inhibition control and selective attention. Conclusions: Based on the findings, it is recommended that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and transcranial direct current stimulation methods be used by psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists in neurological clinics and psychological services as a method of intervention and prevention.
The Effect of Education Based on Health Belief Model on Hand Hygiene Behavior in the Staff of Tehran Dentistry Centers
Authors: Kouhi Reza , Amjadian Mohiadin , Panahi Rahman , Sobhani Mohsen Amin , Khodakarim Soheila , Ramezankhani Ali
Published: February 2022

Background and Objectives: Considering the increasing prevalence of dental services in the community and the impossibility of identifying each infected patient, hand sanitation is the most critical factor in controlling infection in these centers. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention on the hand health behavior of the staff of Tehran dentistry clinics based on the Health Belief Model.Materials and methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 128 employees of the health centers were selected through multistage sampling method and they were placed in two groups of intervention and control (every 64 people). The data was collected using a questionnaire devised by the researcher. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were determined. The questionnaire consisted of demographics, knowledge, structures of the health belief model, and behavior variables. Then, the intervention was administered based on the health belief method. Data were analyzed by SPSS16 and independent t-test, Man Whitney, Chi-square, and variance analysis tests. Results: Before the intervention, the two intervention and control groups did not differ significantly in terms of demographic variables, mean score of knowledge, constructs of health belief model, and behavior scores (P>0.05) while the intervention group was scored higher significantly compared to the control one after the intervention (P<0.001).Conclusion: According to the findings, the health belief model can be used as a framework for designing educational interventions to improve the health behavior of the hand to control infection in health centers.
Early Treatment Regimens Achieve Sustained Virologic Remission in Infant Macaques Infected with SIV at Birth
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Vincent Eunice , Siddiqui Summer , Turnbull Katherine , Lu Hong , Blair Robert , Wu Xueling , Watkins Meagan , Ziani Widade , Shao Jiasheng , Doyle-Meyers Lara , Russell-Lodrigue Kasi , Bohm Rudolf , Veazey Ronald , Xu Huanbin
Published: February 2022

Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-infected infants generally fails to achieve a sustained state of ART-free virologic remission, leading to rapid viral rebound, even after years of analytical treatment interruption. Our studies showed that in contrast to adults, skewing of viral integration was observed in neonatal macaques intravenously exposed to SIV at birth. Further, one month of ART regimen combined an integrase inhibitor, initiated at day 3 but not day 4 and 5 post infection, efficiently and rapidly suppressed viremia to undetectable levels. Finally, interventions initiated at day 3 post infection for 9 months achieved a sustained virologic remission in ~80% infants. Collectively, an early intervention strategy with a key time checkpoint and regimen may resulted in viral remission for neonatal SIV infection, which may be clinically relevant for optimizing treatment strategies for HIV-infected infants.
Modulatory Effects of Cilostazol; an Nrf2/HO-1 activator against NAFLD in Rats Confirmed by Molecular Docking and FTIR Studies
Authors: A.Sedik Ahmed , A.Amer Asmaa
Published: February 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex hepato-metabolic syndrome withmulti-etiological pathways. No effective drugs have been settled for the effective therapy ofNAFLD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the modulatory effects of cilostazol (CILO,50 and 100 mg/kg.p.o.) against NAFLD induced by high fat diet rich in cholesterol (HFD- CH)for 10 weeks. Thirty male Sprague dawely rats were divided into 4 groups (8 rat / group).Normal control group supplied with normal chow diet. Control positive group received high fatdiet rich in cholesterol for 10 weeks. In addition, two CILO groups received (CILO, 50 and 100mg/kg.p.o.). Oral administration of (CILO; 100 mg/kg) showed promising results in reducingfasting glucose and insulin levels. Moreover, CILO could reduce the elevated hepatic lipids,oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines. In addition, CILO succeeded to restorethe total protein levels and activate nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2/ heme oxygenase-1(Nrf2/HO-1) activity. Furthermore, administration of CILO for NAFLD rats succeeded to showcorrected and normalized FTIR spectra. We also investigated the plausible binding interactionsof CILO with various biological targets using a molecular docking approach, and the resultsshowed that CILO had an excellent docking energy score and significant binding interactionswith the core amino acids involved in the active pocket for the enzymes studied. This studydepicts that CILO exerted new intervention for NAFLD due to its complementary antihyperlipdemic,anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant potential, via Nrf2/HO-1 activation.
A Probabilistic Deformation-based Seismic Hazard Model for Iran
Authors: Lotfi Alireza , Zafarani Hamid , Khodaverdian Alireza
Published: February 2022

Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, as the most prevalent approach to evaluate earthquake hazard, is commonly based on earthquake catalogs. Although previous studies show that the recurrence time of large-magnitude ( M w > 7.0) events in Iran is more than ~1000-2000 years, the available instrumentally recorded earthquakes are limited to less than 100 years. With the idea of having another proxy for seismicity rates, we propose a methodology to evaluate activity rates from strain rates in a combination of regional estimates of and . Considering the comprehensive deformation model of the Iranian Plateau, we found that the deformation-based occurrence rates are more than the catalog-based occurrence rates in all seismotectonic provinces in the Iranian Plateau. Except for Central Iran, the ratios of the deformation-based to the catalog-based occurrence rate are between 1.21-3.95. For the first time, a probabilistic deformation-based seismic hazard model for the Iranian plateau is also developed and Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) values for 10% and 2% POEs in 50 years are estimated. The highest levels of PGA are found in the Azerbaijan and Alborz seismotectonic provinces, where the highest value of strain rates is located. The spatial averages of PGA with 10% POE in 50 years from the deformation-based model are up to 30% higher than the results of a traditional probabilistic seismic hazard for almost all provinces except the Zagros region.
A Retrospective Comparison Of Platelet Indices For Diagnosing Infected Nonunion
Authors: Wang Zhen , Mao Hai-Jun , Qiu Xu-Sheng , Chen Yi-Xin , Xu Guang-Yue
Published: February 2022

Background: Previous studies have been conducted to evaluate the diagnostic values of platelet indices in some infectious diseases. However, the predictive values of platelet indices for infected nonunion have not yet been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of platelet indices in infected nonunion.Methods: This study was performed retrospectively on patients who underwent primary fracture nonunion revision surgeries from January 2016 to December 2021. 297 patients with 96 infected nonunion (group A) and 201 aseptic nonunion (group B) who met our inclusion criteria were included. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity, and specificity of preoperative clinical parameters were analyzed and compared. Results: The demographic characteristics were similar and had no significant difference between two groups. Compared with group B, the levels of WBC, CRP, ESR, plasma fibrinogen, plasma D-dimer, PC, PCT, and PC/MPV were significantly higher, but the levels of MPV and PDW were significantly lower in group A (p < 0.05). ROC curves showed that PC/MPV and plasma fibrinogen outperformed the other coagulation indicators, with areas under the curve of 0.801 and 0.807, respectively. The multiple tests of ESR, plasma fibrinogen and PC/MPV had good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of infected nonunion, and the diagnostic values of PC/MP was better than ESR and plasma fibrinogen in the subgroup. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the diagnostic performance of coagulation indicators, plasma fibrinogen and PC/MPV, are high and they can increase the accuracy of infected nonunion diagnosis.
The effect of salience of rewards on effort-based decision making in psychotic disorders
Authors: Renz Katharina Elisabeth , Lincoln Tania Marie
Published: February 2022

Background: Although motivational negative symptoms account for reduced functioning and quality of life in individuals with psychotic disorders, the underlying mechanisms are yet not fully understood. Neuroimaging studies suggest that an impaired perception of reward cues could result in a lack of incentive value that then leads to a decrease in goal-directed behavior. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the effect of increasing the salience of reward cues on goal-directed behavior. Methods: We recruited a sample of n=30 participants with a psychotic disorder and at least mild negative symptoms and n=30 healthy controls. We used the Balloon Effort Task, an effort-based decision-making paradigm, to assess amotivation on a behavioral level. We manipulated the salience of rewards in the paradigm by highlighting the monetary rewards in half of the trials. Results: Effort expenditure did not differ between participants with and without psychotic disorders, but participants with psychotic disorders showed a significantly reduced effort allocation to the level of rewards. The salience of rewards manipulation significantly increased effort expenditure both in participants with psychotic disorders and in the healthy controls, but had no impact on effort allocation. Conclusions: Increasing the salience of reward cues promotes goal-directed behavior. This opens up new possibilities for interventions addressing amotivation in individuals with negative symptoms by facilitating the perception of reward cues.
The Response of N2-Fixing Bacteria To PH Changes, Temperature, And Elevated Levels of CO2 Can Depend On Their Nutrient Status
Authors: Fernández-Juárez Víctor , Zech Elisa H. , Pol-Pol Elisabet , Ag Nona S.R
Published: February 2022

Ocean acidification and warming are current global challenges that marine diazotrophs, i.e., bacteria capable to reduce gas N 2 to ammonium, must cope with. Barely nothing is known about the effects of changes in pH and temperature with increased CO 2 levels in combination with different nutrient regimes in N 2 -fixers, especially in heterotrophic bacteria, and those found in association with seagrasses. Here, we selected four cultivable diazotrophs, i.e., cyanobacteria and heterotrophic bacteria, found in association with the endemic Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica . We tested different pH (from pH 4 to 8) and temperature levels (from 12 to 30 ºC), both under different nutrient levels of phosphorus, P (0.1 µM and 1.5 mM) and iron, Fe (2 nM and 1 µM). We also tested different CO 2 concentrations [410 and 1000 particles per million (ppm)] under different P/Fe and temperature levels (12, 18 and 24 ºC). We reveal the sensitivity of the diazotrophs tested to lower pH (pH < 7-8) and warmer temperatures (ºC > 12-24). Growth responses were dependent on their nutrient status, as was evidenced for the heterotrophic bacteria, which displayed a higher susceptibility to changes in pH, temperature, and CO 2 than the cyanobacterial species. High CO 2 levels (1000 ppm) decreased heterotrophic growth only when cultures were nutrient-limited, regardless of the temperature. On the other hand, cyanobacteria were insensitive to CO 2 increased levels, independently of the nutrient and temperature levels. Changes in N 2 -fixation were mainly controlled by changes in growth. Our findings show that diazotrophic responses against climate change factors can be dependent on their nutrient status and their mode of life.
Preoperative factors predicting the preservation of the posterior cruciate ligament in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Liu Qiang , Wang Yi , Zhang Liyi , lin Jianhao , Zhou Diange
Published: February 2022

Objective: We aimed to analyze the preoperative factors predicting the successful preservation of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed TKAs consecutively performed by a single surgeon between January 2019 and August 2021 who had been preoperatively planned to undergo implantation of cruciate-retaining (CR) prostheses. The outcome was whether the PCL was retained successfully. When the PCLs were sacrificed, we used anterior-stabilized (AS) tibial bearings intraoperatively. We retrospectively obtained age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and preoperative diagnosis from the patients’ medical records. We measured the medial-lateral width of epicondyle (MLW), the medial posterior condyle height (MPCH), the lateral posterior condyle height (LPCH), the ratio of MLW and MPCH and the ratio of MLW and LPCH, the insall-salvati index, and the severity of the varus or valgus deformity using preoperative radiographs. We fitted univariate and multivariate logistic regression to assess the association of these factors with the successful retention of PCL. We also compared the size of the tibial and femoral components, the thickness of the polyethylene insert, and the replacement of the patella between the CR and AS groups using t tests or chi-square tests to examine the influence of sacrifice of the PCL on the surgical procedure.Results: Among 307 TKAs, 89 (29.0%) procedures sacrificed the PCL and converted to AS prostheses intraoperatively. Knees with rheumatoid arthritis (p<0.01), lower insall-salvati index (p<0.01), and more severe varus deformity (p=0.011) were at a higher risk of sacrificing the PCL intraoperatively. No significant differences in age, sex, BMI, MLW, MPCH, LPCH, ratio of MLW and MPCH, ratio of MLW and LPCH, size of the tibial and femoral components, or replacement of the patella were identified between the CR and AS groups. Converting from CR to AS was associated with a thicker polyethylene insert (p<0.01).Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis, lower insall-salvati index, and more severe varus deformity were associated with an increased risk of sacrificing the PCL in TKAs planned to undergo implantation CR prostheses. Converting to AS tibial bearing may result in a thicker polyethylen insert. These factors should be carefully considered for the appropriate selection of prosthesis type.
Protein Potential of Desmodesmus Asymmetricus Grown in Greenhouse as an Alternative Food Source for Aquaculture
Authors: Huaynate Alberto Isidoro Oscanoa , Cervantes Miguel , Flores Leenin , Ruiz Anthony
Published: February 2022

During ten months, batch culture of Desmodesmus asymmetricus microalgae was carried out under greenhouse conditions. The inoculation ratio was 1:1 inoculum-treated water. The cultures were maintained for 5 days with 12 h:12 h light:dark photoperiod and constant aeration mixed with CO2. The biomass was concentrated by centrifugation and dried by lyophilization; subsequently, total proteins and amino acid concentration were determined. A relationship between biomass production and seasonal variation was observed, the lowest dry biomass productivity was recorded in June (38.8 ± 1.0 mg L-1 day-1) and July (43.3 ± 0.1 mg L-1 day-1); while the highest values ​​were greater than 70 mg L-1 day-1. There was a high positive correlation between wet and dry biomass (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) with a mean conversion of 26%. The mean percentage of protein was 26.1 ± 2.6%, the highest percentage was registered in March (31.03 ± 1.48%) as well as the concentration of amino acids. Regarding amino acids, arginine obtained the highest concentration (4.08 ± 0.43 g 100 g-1), followed by aspartic acid (3.36 ± 0.23 g 100 g-1), while the lowest values were for methionine (0.55 ± 0.21 g 100 g-1), histidine (0.77 ± 0.07 g 100 g-1) and tyrosine (1.01 ± 0.17 g 100 g-1). Finally, according to the essential amino acid index (in fish ≥ 0.90, in crustaceans > 0.80), the biomass of D. asymmetricus has potential as a food supplement for the production of feed in aquaculture.
Joint Associations of Daily Sitting Time and Leisure-Time Physical Activity with Body Fat Distribution Among US Adults, NHANES 2011-2018
Authors: Liao Jingwen , Hu Min , Imm Kellie , Holmes Clifton , Cao Chao , Yang Lin
Published: February 2022

Background: Prolonged sitting and reduced physical activity lead to low energy expenditures. However, little is known about the impact of daily sitting time jointly with physical activity on body fat distribution.Methods: We investigated the independent and joint associations of daily sitting time and physical activity with body fat distribution among through a cross-sectional analysis of US nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018 among adults aged 20 years or older. Daily sitting time and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) were self-reported using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body fat distribution (total and trunk fat percentage) was determined via dual X-ray absorptiometry.Results: Among 10,808 adults (weighted population: 127,746,295; mean [SE] age, 39.4 [0.2] years; 5371 [49.7%] females), about 58.8% of adults spent ≥6h/d sitting; more than half reported no LTPA (inactive) or <150 minutes/week LTPA (insufficiently active) with only 40.6% reported ≥150 minutes/week LTPA (active) in the past week. After adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, prolonged sitting time and low levels of LTPA were associated with higher total and trunk fat percentages in both sexes. In particular, sitting >8 h/d was associated with 2.03% (95% CI, 1.16 to 2.90) and 1.91% (95% CI, 1.11 to 2.70) increases in trunk fat in male and female adults, respectively, after accounting for LTPA. When stratifying by LTPA, the association between daily sitting time and body fat percentages appeared to be stronger in those who are inactive/insufficient active. In the joint analyses, inactive/insufficiently active adults who reported sitting >8 h/d had the highest total (male: 3.79% [95% CI, 2.75 to 4.82]; female: 3.99% [95%, 3.09 to 4.88]) and trunk body fat percentages (male: 4.07% [95% CI, 2.95 to 5.19]; female: 4.21% [95% CI, 3.09 to 5.32]) compared with those who were active and sitting <4 h/d.Conclusions: Prolonged daily sitting time was associated with increased body fat among US adults. The higher body fat associated with 6 h/d sitting may not be offset by achieving recommended levels of physical activity.
Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of Trophinin-associated protein expression and its relationship with P53 status in pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma: A retrospective multicenter study based on bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Zhang Xinke , Li Zizi , Lyu Shanshan , Lei Xianhua , Wang Suijing , Liu Jun , Luo Rongzhen , chen jiewei
Published: February 2022

Trophinin-associated protein (TROAP) levels and P53 status have been used to predict the prognosis of various human tumors. However, the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of TROAP expression and P53 status in pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) has not yet been elucidated. TROAP gene was selected as candidate by bioinformatics analysis based on TCGA and GEO database. We investigated TROAP and P53 expression in 168 cases of surgically resected PSC in three cancer centers using immunohistochemistry (IHC), and then analyzed the correlation between TROAP expression and various clinicopathological parameters, including P53 status and patient prognosis, using several statistical models. The results showed that lung cancer patients with high TROAP mRNA levels had worse prognosis by TCGA and GEO databases. The significant association between the high expression of TROAP, aberrant P53 expression, and adverse overall survival and disease-free survival (P < 0.05) was identified using univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that TROAP expression in PSC acted as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P < 0.05). Risk stratified analysis demonstrated that patients in high risk group had the worst overall survival (P < 0.001) and disease-free survival (P = 0.006) compared with that in the other two groups, based on TROAP expression and P53 status. High TROAP expression might be important in conferring a more aggressive behavior in PSC. Thus, TROAP expression might be regarded as a novel independent prognostic biomarker for patients with PSC and for PSC harboring aberrant P53 expression.
Factors Influencing Uptake and Utilization of Mutual Health Insurance in Cameroon: The case of Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province Health Assistance
Authors: Asah Flora Nah , Fr)
Published: February 2022

Background: Mutual health insurance schemes are a tool to curb excessive out-of-pocket payments for healthcare services to the poor and vulnerable communities. However, the uptake and utilization of these insurance schemes are low. This study explores factors that influence the uptake and utilization of mutual health insurance schemes.Methods: This was a descriptive qualitative case study conducted among 20 Adherents and seven staff of BEPHA Kumbo. Multiple data sources were used, including semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and a review of documents. We used the content analysis method to analyze the data. Results: While mutual health insurance schemes can increase access to healthcare and potentially protect households against impoverishment caused by out-of-pocket payments, they face multiple factors that hinder uptake and utilization. The findings revealed that trust and access to the insurer were classified as enablers. At the same time, annual contribution, adverse selection, and no national policy were threats influencing uptake and utilization of the schemes. Conclusions: MHI schemes can expand access to healthcare and improve the quality of care for its members. However, the lack of national policy threatens uptake and utilization and, hence, sustainability of these schemes.
Development of AI-Based Framework for COVID-19 Patient Tracking System in Modern Smart Cities
Authors: Prematilake R.D.D.
Published: February 2022

COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in the works, forcing people, organizations, and governments to rethink their policies, objectives, and actions. These shifts are acting as a spur for technological advancement and creativity. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become more prevalent in the health field, especially COVID-19. To address pandemic responses, this article presents the development of COVID-19 patient tracking system based on the AI. ANN based approach was utilized to develop the proposed system with the aid of wearable sensor data and questionnaire-based data.
BenchMetrics Prob: Benchmarking of probabilistic error/loss performance evaluation instruments for binary-classification problems
Authors: Canbek Gürol
Published: February 2022

Performance evaluation is key to building, training, validating, testing, comparing, and publishing classifier models for machine-learning-based classification problems. Two categories of performance instruments are confusion-matrix-derived metrics such as accuracy, true positive rate, and F1 and graphical-based metrics such as area-under-receiver-operating-characteristic-curve. Probabilistic-based performance instruments that are originally used for regression and time series forecasting are also applied in some binary-class or multi-class classifiers, such as artificial neural networks. Besides widely-known probabilistic instruments such as Mean Squared Error (MSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and LogLoss, there are many instruments. However, it is not identified that any of those is proper to use specifically in binary-classification performance evaluation. This study proposes BenchMetrics Prob, a qualitative and quantitative benchmarking method, to systematically evaluate probabilistic instruments via five criteria and fourteen simulation cases based on hypothetical classifiers on synthetic datasets. These criteria and cases give more insights to select a proper instrument in a binary-classification performance evaluation. The method was tested on over 31 instruments/instrument variants and the results have distinguished that three instruments are the most robust for binary-classification performance evaluation, namely Sum Squared Error (SSE), MSE with RMSE variant, and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). The results also showed that instrument variants with summarization functions other than mean (e.g., median and geometric mean) and the instrument subtypes proposed later to improve performance evaluation in regression such as relative/percentage/symmetric-percentage error instruments are not robust. Researchers should be aware of using those instruments in selecting or reporting performance in binary classification problems.
Visual outcomes of secondary lens implants in children with different etiologies
Authors: SHAH MEHUL , Shah Shreya , Kataria Apeksha , Korane Ashvini
Published: February 2022

Aim: This study investigated visual outcomes and factors that impact vision in children receiving secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implants.Methods: Children who had traumatic or congenital cataracts and underwent secondary lens implantation for aphakia at Drashti Netralaya between 2000 and 2019 were retrospectively examined. We included all the eyes with secondary implants for aphakia correction with placement either in the bag or sulcus or through scleral fixation. We obtained data from electronic medical records and analyzed using SPSS 22 through descriptive analysis, cross tabulation, and t test.We evaluated visual outcomes among different patients.Results: Our cohort consisted of 84 eyes (mean age: 7.88 ± 6.07 years). Of the 84 eyes, 24 (28.6%) and 60 (71.4%) were female and male patients, respectively, and 32 (38.1%) had traumatic cataract. We observed significant improvements in vision following lens implantation (p=0.000). Those with nontraumatic cataracts exhibited better outcomes that did the traumatic cataract group (p = 0.004). Corneal opacity caused comorbidities in the traumatic group (14/52,14.29%). Visual outcomes significantly improved in young patients and were not affected by other variables.Conclusion: Secondary lens implantation significantly improved vision in aphakic children. Young patients and those with nontraumatic cataracts demonstrated more favorable visual outcomes.
Clinical profile and visual outcome of complicated cataracts in eye care center in western central India
Authors: SHAH MEHUL , Shah Shreya , Kataria Apeksha , Korane Ashvini , Vaghela Mrugesha
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Complicated cataract having poor prognosis, because of comorbidities. We tried to study visual outcomes in all clinical conditions. Methods: This is prospective cohort study to develop scoring system to predict visual outcome in case of complicated cataracts. We enrolled all complicated cataracts fulfilling inclusion criteria between august 2019 to 2020.For All enrolled cases data collected in pre tested online format in Electronic medical records. All data exported and analysed with SPSS 22 using descriptive, cross tabulation and One sample T test functions.Results: Our cohort was consisted of 230 eyes of 230 patients with mean age 44+/-21.22 years with 121/230(52.6%) female and 109/230(47.4%) male.Traumatic cataracts (64/230) Cataract with Corneal opacity (45/230) Post uveitic cataract (43/230) Neglected cataract (39/230).We had 37/230 (16.1%) pediatric population with significant poor outcome. We found significant difference in pre and post-operative visual outcome. Conclusion: Complicated cataracts with different co morbidities has significant improvement in visual outcome following comprehensive management. Neglected cataracts has better outcome than other categories.
Time for Risk: Future Time Perspective and Tolerance to Ambiguity as Factors Explaining Positive and Negative Risk-Taking in Adulthood
Authors: Fryt Joanna , Szczygieł Monika , Duell Natasha
Published: February 2022

Risk-taking persists across the lifespan, but we know it is not ubiquitous across all adults. As goals and motivations vary across individuals and age groups, so too does risk behavior. Although risk is often considered in the context of maladaptive behaviors, risks can also be positive, allowing individuals to pursue meaningful goals in a socially accepted way. In this study, we were interested in examining positive and negative risk-taking in adults. The first aim of the study was to test associations among future time perspective, tolerance to ambiguity, and sensitivity to reward and punishment with positive and negative risk-taking in adults (N = 275, ages 19–71 years). The second aim of the study was to explore profiles of adult risk-takers using cluster analysis. Results indicated that greater future time perspective and reward sensitivity, but lower punishment sensitivity, were associated with greater positive risk-taking while higher reward sensitivity was associated with greater negative risk-taking. Further, cluster analysis yielded three groups of adult risk-takers: (1) oldest average age and lowest overall risk-taking, future time perspective, and reward sensitivity; (2) medium age, highest overall risk-taking, future time perspective, tolerance to ambiguity, and lowest punishment sensitivity; (3) youngest average age and average levels of all key variables. The knowledge gained from the study can lay the foundation for future work on how positive risk-taking may be cultivated across multiple domains of adults’ lives.
Evidence for ABL amplification in multiple myeloma and therapeutic implications
Authors: Huang He , Guo Wenjian , He Licai , Yao Ronxin , Lin Ying , Yu Kang , Li Qian
Published: February 2022

Background: Cytogenetic abnormalities are considered initiating events in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM) and are assumed to be of clinical significance. Methods: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to analyze chromosomal architecture in 101 patients with MM. We evaluated overall patient survival and assessed cytotoxicity of imatinib against MM cells using a CCK8 assay.Results: ABL gene amplification was detected in 67 patients (66.3%). However, ABL gene amplification was not associated with clinical features, cytogenetic abnormalities (c-Myc amplification, IGH rearrangement, RB1 deletion, p53 deletion, or 1q21 amplification), or overall survival. ABL amplification in MM cell lines (LP-1 and U266) was revealed by FISH. Furthermore, the ABL protein was easily detectable in MM cell lines and some tumor cells by western blotting. A CCK8 assay indicated limited cytotoxicity of imatinib against MM cells.Conclusions: Our study firstly discussed ABL gene amplification was prevalent in MM cells, and we believe ABL gene would potentially be a useful target in the treatment of combination strategy for MM with ABL amplification in future.
Numerical analysis of an unsaturated capillary barrier cover system under transient state
Authors: Shenas Mohammad Ali - Hagh , Sharafi Hassan , Colindres Ana
Published: February 2022

Waste management of landfills is a vital challenge for developing countries. In a landfill facility contaminant are unintentionally removed from a waste pile through water infiltration, which consequently leads to soil and groundwater pollution. To protect landfill facilities and diminish the risk of contaminant migration to soil and groundwater, inclined multi-layered barriers can be used to confine the infiltration through implementation of the capillary barrier effect. In this study, the effect of rainfall, evaporation, and transpiration on the hydraulic properties of inclined covers was assessed by performing a series of simulations using HYDRUS-2D numerical models. Key results were used to evaluate the response of multi-layered inclined capillary cover barriers. The material of the intended layers included clay loam soil as a seepage control layer, sandy soil as a moisture retention layer, and gravel as a capillary break layer. Based on the key results of numerical analyses, Darcian velocity in the moisture retention layer was nearly constant throughout the slope due to the hydraulic properties of the materials and the pressure head. Lateral diversion in the interface between the seepage control layer and moisture retention layer occurred as a result of the significant slope of said layers and the low permeability of the moisture retention layer. At the reduced degree of saturation, water did not move easily from the seepage control layer to the moisture retention layer as well as from the moisture retention layer to the capillary break layer due to the low hydraulic conductivity. The negative pressure head in the seepage control layer – caused by evapotranspiration, surface runoff, and lateral drainage – had minimal effect on the water content in the moisture retention layer. Water content increased in the seepage control layer and the moisture retention layer during the first 10-year period simulation, which demonstrated a reliable prediction.
Collecting Duct Carcinoma of The Kidney: Analysis of 74 Cases From Multiple Centers
Authors: Chen Jinchao , Cai Desheng , Gong Kan , Wang Hua , Wang Zongping , Zhu Shaoxing
Published: February 2022

ObjectivesCollecting duct carcinoma (CDC) of the kidney is a rare, aggressive histological subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We aimed to comprehensively describe the nature of the CDC.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively collected data from 74 patients with CDC from two centers between January 2001 and December 2020. The clinical characteristics, imaging and pathological features, and diagnostic and treatment methods were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate overall survival (OS).ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 61.5 years, and 54.1% were males. The most common symptoms were low back pain (39.2%), hematuria (29.7%), and fatigue (14.9%). Computed tomography (CT) was not specific, with 10.8% of the patients diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma and 4.1% with infectious disease. Thirty-two patients had metastasis to the lymph node (32.4%), bone (13.5%) and lung (8.1%) at presentation, while 17.6% had tumor thrombus in the venous system. Twenty-two patients underwent renal biopsy, and 50% of the patients were diagnosed with CDC. Sixty-one renal surgeries were performed, and the pathological median diameter of the CDC was 6.5 cm. Eight patients received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and the objective remission rate (ORR) was 50%. The median follow-up time was 16 months, while the median overall survival (OS) was 24.0 months. The Univariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, sarcomatoid differentiation, increasing stage, and absence of renal surgery were predictors of mortality.ConclusionsCDC is highly aggressive. Patients are commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage. Early surgical treatment can improve prognosis. Though there is still a lack of standard treatment, ICIs bring new hope for the treatment of CDC.
DBSHD: Dynamic Burst-aware Source Host Detection in the Cloud
Authors: Rahmani Somayeh , khajehvand vahid , torabian mohsen
Published: February 2022

One of the essential phases during the Virtual Machine (VM) consolidation is to detect the source (underloaded and overloaded) hosts. Bursts with a sudden and transient increase in the workload have an adverse effect on this process. Also, burst-aware methods for detecting the overloaded and underloaded hosts play a key role in achieving performance and energy efficiency tradeoffs in the cloud computing systems. In this study, we deal with these methods as an open issue in the resource management process. We present a dynamic burst-aware method for detecting the overloaded and underloaded hosts. The principal idea in our proposed method is to keep the weighted average load of the hosts within a dynamic range. The thresholds and weights (impact factors) are obtained from the analysis of the historical data related to hosts. Furthermore, we have used the CloudSim simulator and PlanetLab real-world dataset in order to measure the performance of our proposed method. The simulation results verify the superiority of the proposed technique in achieving performance and energy efficiency tradeoffs, compared to the benchmark methods.
Mathematical Analysis And Performance Evaluation Of The Cell-Free Mmimo Networks Based On Cognitive Relays
Authors: Shalaby Mohamed , Shahein Mohamed , Shokair Mona
Published: February 2022

The Cell-Free mMIMO networks can provide a satisfied performance for 5G networks and beyond even there are shadowed users or indoor ones. The performance of cell-Free mMIMO networks was mathematically analyzed and simulated. This work aims to apply the cognitive relays in cell-Free mMIMO networks. The cell-Free mMIMO system, based on cognitive relays, is mathematically analyzed and simulated. The proposed work depends on two axes. Firstly, the relays can improve the performance of cell-Free mMIMO networks especially at shadowed users and cell-edge ones. Secondly, the cognitive radio can mitigate the interference in a cell-Free mMIMO network. The Cell-Free mMIMO network, based on cognitive relays, is proposed. The system is mathematically analyzed and simulated. The spectral efficiency SE and signal to interference plus noise ratio SINR is deduced and given in a closed form formula. It can be concluded that the cognitive relays can improve; SINR, SE, and Energy Efficiency EE of a cell-Free mMIMO network.
Active Power Observation through Stability Analysis in IEEE 14 Bus System
Authors: Mohsin Md. , Paul Proshanto , Shahabuddin Md.
Published: February 2022

Active power flow through a transmission line is one of the main index for reliable operation of power system. During abnormal condition this power can be observed using stability analysis. In this paper, IEEE 14 bus system has been selected for this time domain simulation. A three phase fault has been considered as an abnormal condition for the power system. In addition, this work also observed the rotor angle of the synchronous generators of the system. Results of these observations would be helpful for an operator to take necessary steps for normal operation of a power system as well as planning to improve the system.
Review of the Linear Electrical Generator for Electricity Generation from the Oceanic Wave
Authors: Molla Selim
Published: February 2022

The fossil fuel based generation of electricity is very harmful for the environment due to emission of greenhouse gas. In order to avoid the problem, the tendency of renewable energy utilization is urgently required to increase. At present, there are different types of renewable energy such as solar, wind, biomass, geothermal etc. popularly applied to generate electricity. Besides, oceanic wave energy becomes much popular day by day due to having some special features. For harvesting energy, linear electrical generator is widely applied for wave energy conversion. In this paper, electricity generation system in Bangladesh is presented. Further, a comparison among solar, wind, and oceanic wave energy is presented. It is shown that oceanic wave energy has many advantages than solar and wind energy. For this reason, the generation of electricity from this source is highlighted. In addition, the oceanic wave energy conversion system is also explained. Further, the basic structure and working principle of linear generator, list of wave energy projects, and development progress of linear generator have been presented.
Clustering of banks by the level of digitalization in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kolodiziev Oleh , Shcherbak Valeriia , Vzhytynska Kseniia , Chernovol Olena , Lozynska Olha
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the operating environment for banks around the world. Determining the drivers of digitalization of banking services based on the principles of corporate social responsibility of banks makes it possible to find a way out of the crisis. The objective of the study is to develop a model for clustering banks in terms of the level of digitalization on the principles of corporate social responsibility.In this study, a twofold model has been proposed: the first part includes the calculation of the level of digitalization of banking, and the second part includes mathematical simulation of the clustering of bank digitalization level. This study reveals new possible solutions to the digitalization of banking in the face of new threats. In particular, factor analysis identifies the main factors, cluster analysis ranks banks into three categories (A, B, C) of service digitalization, and a dendrogram identifies digitalization drivers. The model was tested on 22 banks. Eight per cent of the banks are rated A “Very good” and B “Good”. 92% have Level C “Satisfactory”. The results of the study prove that the model should be validated. It should be confirmed that the application of the developed methodology for increasing the digitalization of banking services will increase customer loyalty by 15%, improve sustainability by reducing risk by 10%, and make banks attractive for investment by 15-20%.
Analysis of the Effect of Gender, High School Origin, Middle School Department, College Motivation on Academic Achievement of Students of Accounting and Finance Department: Case Study on One of Private University in Indonesia
Authors: Angelus Michael , Witjaksono Armanto
Published: February 2022

This research aims to know the learning patterns and student’s abilities in education performance by identify and analyze the influence of gender, the high school origin, high school programs, motivation on academic achievement. The methods of data collection are carried out through the following methods of questionnaires, literature studies. This study is quantitative explanatory and retrieves important accounting items. Based on the data analysis was conducted, the results showed that gender, high school programs, college motivation are not significantly affected in the GPA While the origin of high school significantly affects the GPA. This study suggested that future studies adopt other methods of data analysis and take the dependent variable other than academic achievement.