bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic Quality Assessment of Speech-Driven Synthesized Gestures
Authors: He Zhiyuan
Published: March 2022

The automatic synthesis of realistic gestures has the ability to change the fields of animation, avatars, and communication agents. Although speech-driven synthetic gesture generation methods have been proposed and optimized, the evaluation system of synthetic gestures is still lacking. The current evaluation method still needs manual participation, but it is inefficient in the industry of synthetic gestures and has the interference of human factors. So we need a model that can construct an automatic and objective quantitative quality assessment of the synthesized gesture video. We noticed that recurrent neural networks (RNN) have advantages in modeling advanced spatiotemporal feature sequences, which are very suitable for use in the processing of synthetic gesture video data. Therefore, to build an automatic quality assessment system, we propose in our work a model based on Bi-LSTM and make a little adjustment on the attention mechanism in it. Also, the evaluation method is proposed and experiments are designed to prove that the improved model of the algorithm can complete the quantitative evaluation of synthetic gestures. At the same time, in terms of performance, the model has an improvement of about 20% compared to before the algorithm adjustment.
Donor Blood Procurement, Safety, and Clinical Utilization: A Study of Blood Transfusion Services in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Nigeria
Authors: Nnachi Oluomachi Charity , Uzor Charles , Umeokonkwo Chukwuma David , Onwe Emeka Ogah , Okoye Augustine Ejike , Ewah Richard Lawrence , Nwani Favour Ogonna
Published: March 2022

Background. Donated blood is an essential component of the management of many diseases, and hospital-based blood banks in Nigeria are saddled with the responsibility of provision of safe blood and coordination of its appropriate utilization for patient care. Objective. This study reviewed the extent to which the hospital blood transfusion service ensures adequate safe blood supply and utilization. Materials/Methods. This was a retrospective study of 2 years record of the blood bank service of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching. Methods of donor blood procurement, transfusion transmissible infection status, the pattern of blood, and blood component usage across the hospital’s clinical departments were evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS, and data were presented as percentages. Fisher’s tests were used to test significance, and

p

value <0.05 is significant. Results. The highest proportion of donors was male family replacement donors aged 26–35 years (3634 (39.68%)) while total voluntary donors were 315 (2.65%). Hepatitis B had the highest seroprevalence 267 (2.22%) among blood-borne diseases screened. National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) supplied only 3 (0.03%) of total blood units used. The accident and emergency department had the highest proportion of persons who utilized whole blood; 4568 (99.96%). Conclusion. The hospital blood bank relies heavily on family replacement donors with little or no assistance from the National Blood Transfusion Service. Family replacement donors have the highest risk of TTIs, and hepatitis B infection has the highest prevalence. The high cost of blood component therapy increases the need for whole blood.
3D Deep Heterogeneous Manifold Network for Behavior Recognition
Authors: Chen Jinghong , Zhang Li , Jin Zhihao , Zhao Chong , Wang Qicong
Published: March 2022

With the broadening of application scenarios for Internet of Things, intelligent behavior recognition task has attracted more and more attention. Since human behavior is nonrigid motion with strong spatiotemporal topological association, modeling it directly with traditional Euclidean space-based methods may destroy its underlying nonlinearity. Based on the advantages of Riemannian manifold in describing 3D motion, we propose an end-to-end 3D behavior manifold feature learning framework composed of deep heterogeneous networks. This heterogeneous architecture aims to leverage the graph construction to guide manifold backbone network to mine more discriminative nonlinear spatiotemporal features. Therefore, we first model the nonlinear spatiotemporal co-occurrence of 3D behavior in the high-dimensional Riemannian manifold space. Secondly, we implement a non-Euclidean heterogeneous architecture on the Riemannian manifold so that the backbone network can learn deep spatiotemporal features while preserving the manifold topology. Finally, an end-to-end deep graph similarity-guided learning optimization mechanism is introduced to enable the overall model to fully utilize the complex similarity relationship between manifold features. We have verified our 3D deep heterogeneous manifold network on popular skeleton behavior datasets and achieved competitive results.
Comparison Study on Sonodirect and Sonoalternate Current Electrocoagulation Process for Domestic Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Mengistu Lelisa Regea , Samuel Zerihun Asmelash , Kitila Chali Dereje , Bayu Abreham Bekele
Published: March 2022

Nowadays, there is a problem related to wastewater handling which is released from different activities. The electrocoagulation method has been a dominant treatment method for wastewater treatment. There are different forms of electrocoagulation methods for wastewater treatment. Nevertheless, there was no comparison made for the removal efficiency of the sonoalternate current (SAC), alternate current (AC), sonodirect current (SDC), and direct current (DC) electrocoagulation process. The efficiency of electrocoagulation methods was compared for their removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from Jimma University domestic wastewater. Batch Reactor DC/AC electrocoagulation cell was used to determine the removal efficiency. During the comparison, the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to analyze and optimize the data taken from the laboratory. Besides, ANOVA was used to analyze the interaction effects of different parameters. The removal of COD from domestic wastewater was achieved with DCE, ACE, SDCE, and SACE which were 82.6%, 86.58%, 88.6%, and 92.5%, respectively, under optimal experimental conditions. From the finding, SACE was more successful at removing % COD than the DCE, ACE, and SDCE methods. For DCE and SDCE, the formation of an impermeable oxide layer at the cathode and the occurrence of corrosion at the anode due to oxidation made the COD removal process less efficient compared with SACE processes. From the experimental results it can be concluded that the SACE has the lowest power consumption and higher process efficiency than the other EC methods and can be a promising solution for removing pollutants from domestic wastewater.
Analysis and Optimization of Online Music Teaching System Based on Dynamic Model
Authors: Miao Miao
Published: March 2022

The online teaching system is based on a high-tech framework to realize the integration and utilization of existing resources. Applying the online teaching system to distance learning education will help practitioners or self-study people to obtain learning resources more conveniently and quickly. With the development of technology and the social environment, more and more people are participating in online teaching. This has led to rapid growth in online teaching. However, when users use it, there are still problems, such as poor system interaction performance, and cumbersome interface. The construction of a system dynamics model is based on powerful system dynamics methodology and rules to analyze and solve complex problems and make optimal judgments. Through this research, we can get (1). to design the dynamic model music online teaching components: student user table, teacher user table, administrator table, virtual classroom, electronic courseware table, and multimedia music library table. (2). To correct the audio quality, audio speed, audio height, initial efficiency, initial efficiency parameters, video quality, and video traffic. The 3A-10 group has the best effect (k = 13.9, c = 0.30, A = 3.27, α = 0.80, Β = 1.67, and γ = −4.31). (3). During the appreciation of different music types (groups A, B, C, D, E, and F), the scores were evaluated according to the dynamic model, and the scores were found to be better than 106. (4). The comparison of kinetic equations, Kuramoto, and LIF shows that the scores of the kinetic equations are significantly better than the other two models. In the kinetic model, F-s = 0.81, F-c = 0.66, D-s = 0.81, D-c = 0.71, H-s = 0.72, H-c = 0.56, V-s = 0.65, and V-c = 0.75.
Engineering Surveying and Mapping System Based on 3D Point Cloud and Registration Communication Algorithm
Authors: Qiang Liu , Ling Lin
Published: March 2022

In order to improve the effect of engineering surveying and mapping system, this paper improves the three-dimensional point cloud technology. The problem of inaccurate measurement results caused by complex terrain is solved. At the same time, an improved greedy projection triangulation communication reconstruction algorithm is proposed. That is, while homogenizing the point cloud density, the point cloud redundant point removal algorithm is used to remove the overlapping points. The registration algorithm is applied to the engineering system. Combined with the improved algorithm, the system framework of the engineering surveying and mapping system is constructed, and the system algorithm is verified by a simulation example. Finally, combined with the actual situation of engineering communication surveying and mapping, the performance verification of the system is designed and tested, the research results are counted, and the algorithm is evaluated. The system carries out engineering surveying and mapping through three-dimensional point cloud and improves the surveying and mapping accuracy through registration algorithm. The engineering surveying and mapping system based on three-dimensional point cloud and registration algorithm proposed in this paper has high accuracy and can meet the needs of practical engineering. The system solves the problem of inaccurate measurement results caused by complex terrain, complex terrain, and complex terrain.
Research on Chord-Constrained Two-Track Music Generation Based on Improved GAN Networks
Authors: Li Xinru , Niu Yizhen
Published: March 2022

Chords have a role in music for emotional expression, and the generated melodies have more richness through the constraining effect of chords. In this paper, based on a GAN network music generation model based on chord features, a GRU network is used in chord feature extraction in order to autonomously learn chords at 1 : t − 1 moments and generate chords at t moments, by saving the hidden layer state of each batch and constructing a layer of GRU combined with a generator, thus achieving the effect of automatically learning the overall style of chords. The performance of the four models is gradually optimized by weighted averaging, and the melodic pleasantness generated by all four models has a significant positive correlation with musical coherence and creativity.
Experimental Study on Lead-Smelting Slag as Paste Filling Cementing Material
Authors: Deng Daiqiang , Cao Guodong , Liang Yihua
Published: March 2022

Under the current pressure of mineral product price and market competition, as well as the tightening of ecological and environmental protection policies, energy saving, emission reduction and cost reduction, and efficiency increase have become inevitable trends. Lead-smelting slag of smelter, as an industrial byproduct, is harmful solid waste to be eliminated. In this research, a series of experiments on substitute for cement were done for filling cost reduction under premise of guaranteeing the filling strength, using PC32.5 cement as reference cementing material. Meanwhile, with Portland cement clinker, water quenching slag of BF ironmaking, and lead-smelting slag of smelter in different ratios, four cementing materials were made and named as cementing material I, cementing material II, cementing material III, and cementing material IV. Then, the above five cementing materials including PC32.5 cement were mixed, respectively, with tailing and water to prepare paste backfill slurry with different binder-tailing ratio and concentration. Backfill block was made and cured at 20°C; their uniaxial compressive strengths in different curing ages were measured. The result shows the strength of backfill test block using cementing material I (cement clinker and water quenching slag) without lead-smelting slag is far higher than that of test block using PC32.5 cement as cementing material. The strength of block with 16% lead-smelting slag increased dramatically, which was higher than the strength of block using PC32.5 as cementing material. However, the strength of test block decreased when the content of lead-smelting slag reached 32% and 40%. The more lead-smelting slag was added, the worse influence on strength of backfill would be. Because of large specific gravity of lead-smelting slag and low content of CaO, the hydration activity of lead-smelting slag is far lower than that of water quenching slag. Therefore, using moderate lead-smelting slag as substitute for cement will lead to increase of backfill strength and decrease filling cost.
Analysis of the Effect of Martial Arts on Students' Physical and Mental Health Based on Internet of Things Technology
Authors: Qu Zhiqiang
Published: March 2022

In order to explore the effect of martial arts on the improvement of students' physical and mental health, this article combines the Internet of Things technology to construct a martial arts learning platform. Moreover, this study improves the IoT node technology and energy consumption algorithm to reduce the system energy consumption of the IoT system, improve the operating efficiency of the IoT technology, and improve the accuracy of martial arts movement recognition and the effect of data transmission. In addition, this study combines the skeleton model to construct the martial arts action 3D human body model. The platform can be used as an intelligent system to improve the physical and mental health of students. In order to study the effect of martial arts on the improvement of students' physical and mental health, this study uses the system constructed as a test platform to allow college students to learn martial arts through this system platform and combines the questionnaire method to count the improvement of physical and mental health of students after learning martial arts. The experimental research results show that the martial arts learning platform based on the Internet of Things technology can play an important role in improving the physical and mental health of students.
Tobacco Smoking and Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk
Authors: Scherübl Hans
Published: March 2022

Background: Smoking tobacco is the most preventable cause of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer disease in Germany. The more and the longer you smoke, the higher your risk of GI cancer. About 28% of 18–64 year-old Germans are current smokers; in addition, 11% of the population is regularly exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke. Summary: Tobacco use is causally associated with esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, biliary, hepatocellular, colorectal, and anal cancers. Combining smoking with alcohol use, excess body weight, diabetes, or chronic infections synergistically enhances GI cancer risk. Smoking cessation effectively reduces tobacco-associated GI cancer risk. Key Messages: Smokers should be encouraged to stop smoking tobacco and join programs of risk-adaptive cancer screening.
Efficacy of the MRA-Based Road Mapping of the Para-Aortic Access Route before Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kobayashi Satoshi , Osanai Toshiya , Fujima Noriyuki , Hamaguchi Akiyoshi , Sugiyama Taku , Nakamura Toshitaka , Hida Kazutoshi , Fujimura Miki
Published: March 2022

Introduction: The aim of this study was to clarify whether magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)-based road mapping of the para-aortic transfemoral access route can reduce the procedural time of mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We further investigated the role of pre-procedural MRA-based road mapping in optimal initial catheter selection for rapid mechanical thrombectomy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 57 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy at our hospital between April 2018 and May 2021. Twenty-nine patients underwent MRA-based road mapping to visualize the para-aortic access route, whereas 28 patients only underwent routine head magnetic resonance imaging/angiography without MRA-based road mapping before neuro-interventional procedures. We then compared the basic procedural times required for mechanical thrombectomy, such as the time from femoral artery puncture to recanalization (“puncture to recanalization time”) and the time from the admission to recanalization (“door to recanalization time”), between the groups. Results: MRA-based road mapping significantly reduced the “puncture to recanalization time” (52.0 min vs. 70.0 min; p = 0.019) and the “door to recanalization time” (146 min vs. 183 min; p = 0.013). Conclusion: MRA-based road mapping of the para-aortic access route is useful to reduce the procedural time of mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke patients, possibly by enabling optimal initial catheter selection during the procedure.
BİTCOİN KULLANIMINI ETKİLEYEN FAKTÖRLER VE REZERV PARA BİRİMLERİ KARŞISINDAKİ DEĞERİ: KULLANICI PERSPEKTİFİNDEN DEĞERLENDİRME
Authors: TOPLU Erberk , KÜÇÜKALTAN Berk
Published: March 2022

Günümüzde dijital tabanlı teknolojilerin küresel boyutta yaygınlaşması, tedarik zinciri içinde finans ağırlıklı karşılaşılan bazı zorluklarla başa çıkmada etkili bir rol oynamaktadır. Nitekim, finansal piyasalarda kullanıma sunulan sanal para kavramı, ortaya çıktığı yıllardan itibaren çeşitli amaçlar çerçevesinde giderek artan ilgiye sahiptir. Ancak, literatürde sanal paralara ve özellikle de öncü bir kriptografik sanal para olarak kabul edilen Bitcoin’e yönelik bazı çalışmalar bulunsa da, Bitcoin’i rezerv para birimleriyle karşılaştırarak kullanıcı görüşleri doğrultusunda kullanım sebeplerini açıklayan kapsamlı bir çalışma bulunmamaktadır. Buradan hareketle, mevcut araştırma, kullanıcıların Bitcoin tercihine etki eden faktörleri nedenleri ve sonuçları ile açıklamayı ve Bitcoin’in değer değişimini rezerv para birimleriyle karşılaştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaçla, literatür araştırmasından ve 20 Bitcoin kullanıcısına uygulanan mülakat yönteminden elde edilen bulgular neticesinde, Bitcoin’in rezerv paralar karşısındaki değer değişimlerinin temelinde bazı devlet politikalarının yattığı, kullanıcıların Bitcoin’i tercih etmelerindeki öne çıkan nedenin ise para aktarım işlemleri olduğu bilgisine ulaşılmıştır. Sonuç itibariyle, mevcut araştırma anlamlı düzeyde akademik katkılar barındırmakta ve yatırımcılar başta olmak üzere çeşitli paydaş grupları için de önemli pratik katkılar sunmaktadır.
Mexctenapseudes boeschi, a new tanaidacean genus and species (Crustacea: Peracarida: Apseudomorpha: Parapseudidae) from the Mexican coast of Campeche with the designation of a new related Australian genus to receive Longiflagrum caeruleus (Boesch, 1973)
Authors: DRUMM DAVID T. , HEARD RICHARD W.
Published: March 2022

Two new genera of parapseudid Tanaidacea belonging to the Discapseudes-Halmyrapseudes Complex sensu Heard et al. (=Complex) are designated from Mexican and Australian waters. Mexctenapseudes boeschi n. gen., n. sp. is described from Campeche Mexico and Pseudolongiflagrum n. gen. is designated from Australia. The new Mexican genus displays similarities to the West Pacific and Indian Ocean genera Ctenapseudes Bamber, Ariyananda & Silva, 1997 and Longiflagrum Guţu, 1995. The new related genus, Pseudolongiflagrum, having affinities with Ctenapseudes and Mexctenapseudes n. gen., is designated to receive Longiflagrum caeruleus (Boesch) known from Australia. A key to the genera within the parapseudid subfamily Parapseudinae Guţu is presented and possible factors concerning the ecology, origins, and distribution of the members of the Complex considered.
The Impact of Organic Specialist Store Entry on Category Performance at Incumbent Stores
Authors: Maesen Stijn , Lamey Lien
Published: March 2022

Premium organic retailers are specialist retailers that exclusively offer organic products. Prior literature has not studied their entry, focusing instead on the impact of generalist store entry. This study examines the impact of premium organic specialist store entry on category performance at incumbent generalist stores for 47 packaged food and beverage categories. The results indicate that incumbent stores lose sales after a local organic store entry and that the impact of price on sales at generalist stores becomes stronger. The authors postulate that incumbent stores can reduce sales losses by reducing the relative distinctiveness of the entrant along three dimensions: variety, price–quality, and authenticity. Empirical results show that more variety in organic products, as well as more organic feature and display advertising, protect generalist stores from premium organic specialist store entry. Assortments composed of premium organic products are harmed less, whereas assortments in which organic products are subject to more frequent and deeper price promotions are harmed more. Furthermore, including products from an organic specialist brand in generalists’ organic assortments offers additional protection.
Technology, rurality and gender… false friends, but not enemies!
Authors: Kerras Hayet , Bautista Susana , de-Miguel Gómez María Dolores
Published: March 2022

Guaranteeing gender equality in the access and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has become today a determining element in the achievement of food security and as a consequence of the achievement of rural development, which constitutes one of the goals of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Indeed, the fight against digital gender gaps and other gaps in a general way allow a greater contribution in the agri-food sector, which is becoming increasingly digitized and technological. In fact, the objective of the study is to analyse the impact that have determined gaps, such as: force labour participation rate, literacy rate, pay rate and ICT study rate, on the participation rate gap in the agricultural sector. For this reason, a multiple linear regression is proposed that considers 64 countries and subsequently the situation of four of these countries is examined in more detail: France, Spain, Morocco and Algeria. The results of this show the existence of a positive correlation between our variables but also the effect that some socio-economic and cultural factors have on this achievement.
Food and Gift: On the ‘Words of Institution’ in the Gospel of Mark
Authors: Smit Peter-Ben
Published: March 2022

This article examines the significance of the notion of the ‘gift’ and ‘givenness’ in the account of Jesus’ last meal (‘last supper’) in the Gospel of Mark. It asks whether attention to the notion of the ‘gift’ can be a useful heuristic for the exegesis of the Markan account of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, particularly regarding the symbolic actions that Jesus performs during this meal. This question is answered affirmatively by highlighting how attention to the narrative representation of the ritual of Jesus’ last meal in the Gospel of Mark can enhance an understanding of Jesus’ violent death in terms of self-giving. The breaking of the bread at this meal becomes, then, a corollary to Jesus’ (bodily) giving of himself for others, as it is connected to the narrative of his violent death, and likely gains meaning beyond that of being a regular part of a meal and a necessary act that enables the sharing of bread.
‘Ex-Pagan Pagans’? Paul, Philo, and Gentile Ethnic Reconfiguration
Authors: McDonald Denys N.
Published: March 2022

In Paul: The Pagans’ Apostle (2017), Paula Fredriksen reminds us that gods and their cults were intertwined with ancient ethnic groups so much so that, when Gentiles committed themselves exclusively to Israel’s God, some Jews considered this ‘tantamount to changing ethnicity’. Fredriksen claims, however, that Paul’s Gentile addressees – whom she terms ‘ex-pagan pagans’ – remain separate ethnically from Jews despite forsaking their ancestral gods for Israel’s. Given that gods and ethnicity were intertwined, this article examines if it is reasonable to conclude that Paul thinks Gentile Christ-followers remain strictly Gentiles after they have abandoned their ethnic gods and entered into a relationship with Israel and its God. I argue that, similar to Philo’s proselyte inclusion strategy, Paul incorporates Gentiles-in-Christ into ethnic Israel. As Abraham’s ‘offspring’, Paul suggests that his addressees not only gain membership in Israel’s covenant on account of Israel’s messiah, but that they also acquire a new ethnic identity despite that their prior identities as ‘the Gentiles’ are not erased. This study, then, seeks to destabilize the binary that Fredriksen posits between ethnic Israel and Paul’s Gentiles-in-Christ as ethnic ‘other’. In the end, I demonstrate that Paul’s ethnic reconfiguration of Gentile identities resembles Philo’s proselyte discourse and is more disruptive ethnically than Fredriksen’s phrase ‘ex-pagan pagans’ would suggest.
Failing to Plan Is Planning to Fail: Toward an Expanded Notion of Democratically Planned Postcapitalism
Authors: Sorg Christoph
Published: March 2022

With the advent of digitalization, the more techno-optimist among critics of capitalism have articulated new calls for post-work and post-scarcity economics made possible by new advances in information and communication technology. Quite recently, some of this debate shifted for calls for digital-democratic planning to replace market-based allocation. This article will trace the lineages of this shift and present these new calls for digitally enabled and democratic planning. I will then argue that much of the discussion focuses on capitalism’s laws of economic motion, while rendering less visible capitalism’s social, political, and ecological ‘conditions of possibility’. To remedy this shortcoming I will ask how these fit into the recent debate and suggest avenues to extend the discussion of democratic planning in that way. Concretely, I will discuss features of a postcapitalist mode of reproduction that abolishes capital’s subordination of non-waged and waged care work. The following part will focus on both planning’s need to calculate ecological externalities and consequently determine sustainable and egalitarian paths for social and technological development on a world scale. The last section will elaborate on the ‘democratic’ in ‘democratic planning’ in terms of planning’s decision-making, multi-scalar politics, and politics of cultural recognition.
Synthesis characterization and application of hexafunctional epoxy resin and comparison against commercial epoxy resin
Authors: Raj Mahendrasinh , Maheta Jaykumar , Raj Lata
Published: March 2022

Current study compares the various analytical results of hexafunctional epoxy resins based on bisphenol-A with conventional epoxy resins. Reaction of bisphenol-A, formaldehyde, and epichlorohydrin produces hexafunctional epoxy resin. The curing properties of commercial epoxy resin and hexafunctional epoxy resin were determined using a variety of hardeners, including diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, phenalkamine, polyamido amines, and polyamides. The epoxy equivalent weight (EEW), hydrolyzable chlorine content, volatile content, Brookfield viscosity, weight average molecular weight, elemental analysis (C, H, N, O analysis), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the hexafunctional resin (FT-IR). Jute and glass reinforced composites were also prepared by using hexafunctional epoxy resins and commercial epoxy resins. Mechanical properties (tensile strength, flexural strength, Izod impact strength, and Rockwell hardness), thermal properties, and chemical resistance were determined for each composite. Hexafunctional epoxy resin-based composites exhibited superior mechanical characteristics, thermal resistance, and chemical resistance properties than commercial epoxy resin-based composites.
Isolated Aldosterone Deficiency Due to an Aldosterone Synthase Mutation: A Rare Cause of Life-Threatening Salt Wasting in Infancy
Authors: Azar Ahlam , El-Rahi Hiba , Makhoul Kevin , Makhoul Peter , Megarbane Andre
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

Isolated hypoaldosteronism is a rare cause of salt wasting in infancy caused by the loss of activity of aldosterone synthase (AS), which is encoded by the CYP11B2 gene. This condition may be life-threatening, especially in newborns.

Methods:

We are reporting the case of a newborn male born to consanguineous parents, who presented at the age of 1 month with severe dehydration, vomiting, and hypotonia.

Results:

Lab studies showed severe hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and metabolic acidosis. Hormonal assessment confirmed a normal corticotrope axis with severe deficiency in aldosterone. Genetic analysis revealed a novel mutation in the CYP11B2 gene in the highly conserved donor splice site of exon 3 and confirmed the isolated aldosterone deficiency. The patient was subsequently treated with fludrocortisone and sodium only, without hydrocortisone.

Conclusion:

AS deficiency is a rare inherited disease. There should be a high index of suspicion of cases with life-threatening salt-wasting in infancy as dramatic clinical improvements and good long-term prognosis can be achieved with timely replacement treatment.
The influence of temperature on the rheological properties of composite lithium-based magnetorheological grease
Authors: Ye Xudan , Wang Wenchao , Wang Jiong
Published: March 2022

This paper studies the effect of temperature on the rheological properties of composite lithium-based magnetorheological grease (MRG). Firstly, composite lithium-based MRG was prepared by a mechanical stirrer with a mass fraction of 70%, and the base oil kinematic viscosity was 10, 100, 350, and 500 mm2/s, they are called MRG10, MRG100, MRG350, and MRG500. Then the sedimentation stability of these MRGs was observed, it was concluded that the sedimentation stability of MRG500 was better than that of the other three MRGs. In addition, a magnetic field sweep experiment was performed on MRG500, it was found that with the increase of magnetic induction intensity, the change of shear stress, and viscosity of MRG500 passed through the growth area and the stable area. Finally, the viscosity curve and flow curve of MRG500 at different temperatures and magnetic induction intensity were tested and discussed. It was found that the viscosity curve of MRG500 exhibited shear thinning. When a magnetic field is applied, temperature will affect the apparent viscosity and shear stress of MRG500 and it will decrease as the temperature increases. In the mode of oscillating shear, the results show that the increase in temperature leads to a decrease in the storage modulus and loss factor. The rheological mechanism of MRG is studied through changes at different temperatures.
Studying WeChat Official Accounts with novel ‘backend-in’ and ‘traceback’ methods: Walking through platforms back-to-front and past-to-present
Authors: Yang Fan , Heemsbergen Luke , Marshall P. David
Published: March 2022

The paper presents a methodology to understand WeChat Official Accounts (WOAs) from their backend to their frontend, and from tracing the platform's history to its present. Our ‘Backend-in method’ proposes to study platform governance in the meso – between macro political economic concerns and the micro (and usually mobile) user-interface mediation. It shows how including backend platform media practices deepen ethnographic understandings of platform use. The ‘Traceback method’ uses researcher-informant collaboration to document and reflect on the shifts of platform affordances that have reconfigured media practices, organisational structures, and economic incentives over time. We show how these methods proved useful in mapping Chinese-Australian media organisations’ deployment of WOAs for news production. Together these methods contribute ways to understand previously hidden aspects of media practice and platform governance in a novel methodological design, which may have wider application for future research.
Urinary tract infection in childhood
Authors: Aslam Osman , Aslam Ismaa
Published: March 2022

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common in children and are caused by micro-organisms in the urinary tract, with Escherichia coli accounting for 85–90% of UTIs. The clinical presentation is variable depending on age and the location of the infection. UTIs are categorised as either upper or lower, with the former affecting the renal pelvis and kidneys, and the latter affecting the bladder and urethra. One of the difficulties in diagnosing UTIs in children is that the history and examination findings can be vague and non-specific; therefore, a urine sample is usually required, which is challenging to obtain in pre-continent children. If a UTI is missed, it can lead to renal scarring, hypertension, and end-stage renal disease. This article presents an overview of how to approach UTI in childhood to aid diagnosis and management, and thus to avoid any life-changing complications.
In vitro maturation and in vivo stability of bioprinted human nasal cartilage
Authors: Lan Xiaoyi , Liang Yan , Vyhlidal Margaret , Erkut Esra JN , Kunze Melanie , Mulet-Sierra Aillette , Osswald Martin , Ansari Khalid , Seikaly Hadi , Boluk Yaman , Adesida Adetola B
Published: March 2022

The removal of skin cancer lesions on the nose often results in the loss of nasal cartilage. The cartilage loss is either surgically replaced with autologous cartilage or synthetic grafts. However, these replacement options come with donor-site morbidity and resorption issues. 3-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology offers the opportunity to engineer anatomical-shaped autologous nasal cartilage grafts. The 3D bioprinted cartilage grafts need to embody a mechanically competent extracellular matrix (ECM) to allow for surgical suturing and resistance to contraction during scar tissue formation. We investigated the effect of culture period on ECM formation and mechanical properties of 3D bioprinted constructs of human nasal chondrocytes (hNC)-laden type I collagen hydrogel in vitro and in vivo. Tissue-engineered nasal cartilage constructs developed from hNC culture in clinically approved collagen type I and type III semi-permeable membrane scaffold served as control. The resulting 3D bioprinted engineered nasal cartilage constructs were comparable or better than the controls both in vitro and in vivo. This study demonstrates that 3D bioprinted constructs of engineered nasal cartilage are feasible options in nasal cartilage reconstructive surgeries.
Neurorrhaphy of anterior and posterior interosseous nerves in the prevention of neuroma following a radical neurectomy: A case report
Authors: Sioufi Krystelle , Alam Peter , Bédard Sonia , Patenaude Nicolas
Published: March 2022

Selective wrist denervation is a surgical technique frequently performed for the treatment of chronic wrist pain. While this technique is often effective in pain reduction, it is still associated with certain complications such as pain recurrence secondary to neuroma formation. We present a case report that details the clinical case of a young yoga teacher suffering from debilitating chronic wrist pain, refractory to conservative treatments. We describe a new surgical technique for the treatment of chronic wrist pain: posterior interosseous nerve and anterior interosseous nerve neurectomy followed by neurorrhaphy in preventing neuroma formation. Post-operatively, the patient’s wrist pain continuously improved and completely resolved without any signs of recurrence. Posterior interosseous nerve and anterior interosseous nerve neurectomy followed by an end-to-end neurorrhaphy can be used as an effective novel surgical technique in the management of chronic wrist pain with prevention of neuroma formation.
Buranjis and the Asian History Writing Tradition
Authors: Narzary Dharitri
Published: March 2022

The historiographical tradition of Assam called Buranji reached the Northeast of India with the coming of Ahoms in the first quarter of thirteenth century. The history of pre-colonial Assam is largely constructed on the basis of buranji and most modern historians mainly from the region have engaged with the buranji literature reproduced and interpreted by native scholars after the coming of the British. While the main focus of modern historians have been on the relevance and importance of buranji in the historical study of Assam, no significant study is visible in tracing the historical journey of this tradition itself. This article, thus, is an attempt to locate the buranji tradition in a trans-regional context by linking it with the historiographical practices of East and Southeast Asia, particularly by looking at the Chinese historical tradition to propose that certain similarities found in them are highly suggestive of a more active historical interaction between the Tai (Shan) and the Chinese, bearings of which can be seen in the buranji tradition.
Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in children
Authors: Griese Matthias , Panagiotou Panagiota , Manali Effrosyni D. , Stahl Mirjam , Schwerk Nicolaus , Costa Vanessa , Douros Konstantinos , Kallieri Maria , Urbantat Ruth Maria , von Bernuth Horst , Kolilekas Lykourgos , Morais Lurdes , Ramos Ana , Landwehr Kerstin , Knoflach Katrin , Gothe Florian , Reiter Karl , Papaevangelou Vassiliki , Kaditis Athanasios G. , Kanaka-Gantenbein Christina , Papiris Spyros A.
Published: March 2022

In childhood, a multitude of causes lead to pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), an excessive surfactant accumulation in the alveolar space, limiting gas exchange. Autoantibodies against granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) causing autoimmune PAP, the principal aetiology in adults, are rare.

In this first case series on autoimmune PAP, we detail the presentation and management issues of four children.

Whereas three children presented insidiously with progressive dyspnoea, one was acutely sick with suspected pneumonia. During management, one patient was hospitalised with coronavirus disease 2019, noninvasively ventilated, and recovered. All treatment modalities known from adults including whole-lung lavage, augmentation of GM-CSF by inhaled GM-CSF, removal of neutralising antibody by plasmapheresis and interruption of antibody production using rituximab were considered; however, not all options were available at all sites. Inhaled GM-CSF appeared to be a noninvasive and comfortable therapeutic approach.

The management with best benefit-to-harm ratio in autoimmune PAP is unknown and specialised physicians must select the least invasive and most effective treatment. To collect this cohort in a rare condition became feasible as patients were submitted to an appropriate registry. To accelerate the authorisation of novel treatments for autoimmune PAP, competent authorities should grant an inclusion of adolescents into trials in adults.
CD4, CD8 and natural killer cells are depressed in patients with alopecia areata: their association with disease activity
Authors: Younes Abdel-Khalek , Hammad Refaat , Othman Mona , Sobhy Ali
Published: March 2022

Background

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common inflammatory disorder targeting the hair follicles leading to non-scaring hair loss. The pathogenesis of AA is still unclear, despite the accumulating evidence of the immune-mediated nature of this disease. So, in this study, we aimed to assess the level of CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells and natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood of patients with active AA and control subjects, and to evaluate the association between the level of those cells and the duration of disease in different subtypes of AA.

Results

Fifty female patients and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this case control study. CBC analysis and the level of CD4, CD8 T cells and NK cells were evaluated during the active stage of the disease. We found that CD4, CD8 T cells and NK cells proportion was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in patients with active stage AA compared with healthy subjects, however, the ratio of CD4:CD8 T cells was significantly higher in patients than control subjects. The level of CD4, CD8 T cells CD56 bright CD16−% NK cells were positively correlated with the disease duration.

Conclusion

Active stage of AA disease is associated with a reduction of the circulating CD4, CD8 T cells and NK cells and an increase in CD4/CD8 T cells ratio, however, the level of those cells were higher with prolonged disease duration. Our findings confirm that immune mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of AA.
Effects of combining two techniques of non-invasive brain stimulation in subacute stroke patients: a pilot study
Authors: Pipatsrisawat Sutthikit , Klaphajone Jakkrit , Kitisak Kittipong , Sungkarat Somporn , Wivatvongvana Pakorn
Published: March 2022

Background

Strokes have recently become a leading cause of disability among Thai people. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) seems to give promising results in stroke recovery when combined with standard rehabilitation programs.

Objective

To evaluate the combined effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the non-lesional primary motor cortex on upper limb motor recovery in patients with subacute stroke. No reports of a combination of these two techniques of NIBS were found in the relevant literature.

Methods

This pilot study was a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial of ten patients with subacute stroke admitted to the Rehabilitation Medicine Inpatient Unit, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai University. They were randomized into two groups: five in an active and five in a sham intervention group. Fugl-Meyer’s upper extremity motor score (FMA-UE) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) were used to assess motor recovery at baseline, immediately, and 1 week after stimulation.

Results

A two-way repeated ANOVA (mixed design) showed a significant improvement in FMA-UE scores in the active intervention group both immediately and 1 week after stimulation in comparison to the baseline, [time, F (2, 16) = 27.44, p < 0.001, time x group interaction, F (2, 16) = 13.29, p < 0.001]. Despite no statistical significance, a trend toward higher WMFT scores was shown in the active intervention group.

Conclusions

A single session of low-frequency rTMS and cathodal tDCS over the non-lesional primary motor cortex may enhance upper limb motor recovery in patients with subacute stroke.
Sex differences in body composition affect total airway resistance during puberty
Authors: Kim Ju Hee , Kim Jin Ah , Ha Eun Kyo , Jee Hye Mi , Lee Seung Won , Jung Mo Kyung , Lee Sanghoo , Shin Yoon Ho , Yoo Eun-Gyong , Han Man Yong
Published: March 2022

Background

During puberty, changes in body composition due to sex hormones are associated with lung mechanics. However, little is known about the mediation effect of sex differences in body composition during puberty with total airway resistance.

Methods

We prospectively recruited 620 children (10–12 years old) from the general population and conducted a cross-sectional study. This study assessed pubertal status according to the five Tanner stages using a questionnaire, line drawings, and each subject’s blood sex hormone profile. Both the impulse oscillation system for total lung mechanics and multifrequency bioelectrical impedance for body composition analyses were conducted. The effects of puberty on body composition and subsequent total lung resistance were evaluated using mediation analysis.

Results

Among the 503 children enrolled, there were 261 males (51.9%) and 242 females (48.1%). In males, higher testosterone levels corresponded with reduced total lung resistance (β = –0.13, 95% CI = –0.21 to –0.05, p < 0.001), and the proportion of the mediating effect through the muscle-fat ratio was 19% (95% CI = 4 to 59, p = 0.02). In contrast, in females, pubertal status reduced total lung resistance (β = –0.27, 95% CI = –0.58 to –0.05, p = 0.04), however, the proportion of the mediating effect through the body mass index was –51% (95% CI = –244 to –4%, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

The muscle-fat ratio in adolescent males had a synergistic effect with testosterone on improving total airway resistance, whereas improvements in lung resistance by pubertal status were partially masked by body mass index in adolescent females. In conclusion, body composition changes during puberty between males and females have differing effects on total airway resistance.
Prevalence and perception of substance abuse and associated economic indicators and mental health disorders in a large cohort of Kenyan students: towards integrated public health approach and clinical management
Authors: Mutiso Victoria N. , Ndetei David M. , N.Muia Esther , Musyimi Christine , Osborn Tom L. , Kasike Rita , Onsinyo Lydia , Mbijjiwe Jane , Karambu Pamela , Sounders Andre , Weisz John R. , Swahn Monica H. , Mamah Daniel
Published: March 2022

Background

The earlier younger people begin to use drugs, the more vulnerable they become to both their short term and long-term harmful effects. The overall aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse, the socio-demographic characteristic, perception of abuse and associated economic indicators and mental disorders and how they inform potential intervention in a cohort of Kenyan students.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study on a total of 9742 high school, college and university students. We used tools to document socio-demographic characteristics, economic indicators, drug and alcohol use and related perceptions and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) related psychiatric disorders. Basic descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations for numerical variables and frequencies for nominal and ordinal variables) were done. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association and odds ratios between the use of a given substance and the use of the other substances, as well as associations with the various available socio-demographic factors and economic indicators. Chi-squared tests were used in socio-economic characteristics disaggregated by current alcohol use.

Results

The mean age was 21.4 ± 2.4; median = 21.3 (range 15–43) years. We found a wide range of different drugs of abuse. Alcohol abuse was the commonest and inhalants were the least, with different perceptions.Both alcohol and drug abuse were associated with various economic indicators and various mental disorders.

Conclusion

This study has established for the first time in Kenya the multifaceted associations and predictors of alcohol and drug abuse in a cross-sectional student population ranging from high school to college and university levels. In the process, the study contributes to global data on the subject. These associations call for an integrated and multifaceted approach in addressing alcohol and substance abuse. This approach should take into account various associations and predictors as part of holistic approach in both public awareness and clinical interventions.