bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of different surgical routes on pregnancy outcome of history-indicated cervical cerclage
Authors: QIN FENG , ZHOU Wei , YANG Yong , CHI Yugang , LIU Bao , CHEN Gongli
Published: October 2022

Objective
To study the guiding significance of medical history on laparoscopic and vaginal cervical cerclage in the treatment of cervical incompetence and its influence on pregnancy outcome.
Methods
A total of 53 cases of cervical cerclage by laparoscopy before pregnancy (laparoscopic group) and 73 cases of preventive cervical cerclage by vagina (vaginal group) at 12–14 weeks of pregnancy were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the influencing factors of delivery gestational weeks. To further compare the difference of delivery gestational weeks after cervical cerclage between laparoscopic group and vaginal group with high and low risk levels.
Results
The number of previous uterine cavity operations in laparoscopic group was more than that in vaginal group, the hospitalization days and operation time were longer than those in vaginal group, the delivery rate of cesarean section was higher than that in vaginal group, but the total hospitalization times were less than that in vaginal group(P < 0.05). The rate of delivery before 34 weeks of pregnancy and the incidence of premature rupture of membranes or premature labor in laparoscopic group were lower than those in vaginal group(P < 0.05). In the vaginal group, the increased number of prior PTB or STL and the history of cervical cerclage failure will increase the risk of premature delivery before 34 weeks of pregnancy. There was no significant difference in the influence of laparoscopic history on delivery before 34 weeks of pregnancy(P > 0.05). According to the risk level, in the high-risk group the delivery rate of laparoscopic group at gestational weeks < 37 weeks, < 34 weeks and < 28 weeks was lower than that of vaginal group.
Conclusion
Laparoscopic cervical cerclage is more effective in preventing premature delivery before 34 weeks of gestation, and its influence on delivery gestational weeks is not affected by related medical history. For high-risk patients, laparoscopic cervical cerclage is more effective than vaginal cervical cerclage in preventing extremely preterm 28 weeks ago, premature delivery 34 weeks ago and preterm delivery 37 weeks ago. Therefore, laparoscopic cervical cerclage is preferred for patients with high-risk medical history. However, laparoscopic cervical cerclage significantly increases the cesarean section rate, and the advantages and disadvantages of retaining laparoscopic cervical cerclage in situ still need further follow-up and research.
A cross-circulatory platform for monitoring innate responses in lung grafts
Authors: Matthieu Glorion , Florentina Pascale , Jérôme Estephan , Maxime Huriet , Carla Gouin , Céline Urien , Fany Blanc , Julie Rivière , Christophe Richard , Valérie Gelin , Julien De Wolf , Morgan Le Guen , Antoine Magnan , Antoine Roux , Isabelle Schwartz-Cornil , Edouard Sage
Published: October 2022

Lung transplantation is the only curative option of end-stage chronic respiratory diseases. However the survival rate is only about 50% at 5 years. Whereas experimental evidences support that innate allo-responses impact on the clinical outcome, the knowledge of the involved mechanisms is limited. Here, we evaluate a cross-circulatory platform for monitoring the early recruitment and activation of immune cells in an extracorporeal donor lung by coupling blood perfusion to cell mapping with a fluorescent marker in the pig, a commonly-used species for lung transplantation. The perfusing pig cells were easily detectable in lung cell suspensions, in broncho-alveolar lavages and in different areas of lung sections, indicating infiltration of the organ. Myeloid cells (granulocytes and monocytic cells) were the dominantly recruited subsets. Between 6 and 10 h of perfusion, recruited monocytic cells presented a strong upregulation of MHC class II and CD80/86 expression, whereas alveolar macrophages and donor monocytic cells showed no significant modulation of expression. Altogether the cross-circulation model permits to monitor the initial encounter between perfusing cells and lung graft, in an easy, rapid, and controllable manner, for generating robust information on innate response and testing targeted therapies for improvement of lung transplantation outcome.
Assessment of the Quantity and Quality of Harvested Rainwater in Igah Communities of Kogi State, North West Nigeria
Authors: Usman Victor O. , Ezenwaji Emmanuel E. , Ayatu Usman Ojonugwa , Azuoko George-Best , Akakuru Obinna C.
Published: October 2022

] 1 , Ayatu O. Usman[0000-0002-6039-5468] 2 , George-Best Azuoko*[0000-0002-8836-3062] 2 and Obinna C. Akakuru[0000-This study assessed the quantity and quality of harvested rainwater in Igah communities of Kogi state, Nigeria. Questionnaires were used in data collection, interview and secondary data sources. Stratified random sampling was employed in the sampling of the respondents. 395 copies of questionnaire were determined using Taro Yammane and administered, while 372 of them were completely returned. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to collapse the various variables responsible for the quantity of rainwater consumed into few underlying dimensions and the rainwater samples into significant orthogonal components. After the PCA, Principal Component Regression (PCR) analysis was used to express the relationship between the quantity of rainwater supplied and the four isolated components of the factors responsible for the quantity of rainwater in the area. Statistical analysis revealed that the mean rainwater consumption per person per day of 8.2 litres is far below the WHO recommended standard. Results also showed that all the physico-chemical parameters analyzed were below the WHO (2017) and NSDWQ (2007) permissible limit for drinking water standard. Again, total coliform count were far above the WHO (2017) drinking water specification of 0cfu/100ml but fell within the 10cfu/100ml permissible limit of NSDWQ (2007) and hence treatment is needed in terms of total coliform. Analysis of Water Poverty Index (WPI) showed low level of water poverty in the area. We recommend further investigation into water scarcity situation in the area and proper treatment of rainwater before consumption to avoid the incidence of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) related diseases.
Direct displacement-based design of hysteretic bracings for retrofitting of reinforced concrete buildings
Authors: Monti Giorgio , Rabi Raihan Rahmat , Vailati Marco
Published: October 2022

In this study, a direct displacement-based method is proposed for the design of hysteretic dissipative bracings to be applied to gravity-load-designed (GLD) reinforced concrete (RC) frames. The direct, i.e., non-iterative, design procedure aims at limiting the interstorey drifts of the GLD frame to prevent damage in the existing columns, thanks to the added stiffness and damping of the bracings. The method is based on a simplified yet accurate representation of the braced frame, through a so-called stick model, whose elements stiffness and damping are obtained by equivalent linearization of each braced storey. The method allows obtaining an optimal design of the bracing system at each storey, both in terms of stiffness and damping. The design method efficiency has been validated by comparing the performance of three GLD RC frames retrofitted with bracing systems designed with two other methods available in the literature.
Post-cardiac surgery fungal mediastinitis : clinical features, pathogens and outcome
Authors: HARIRI Geoffroy , GENOUD Mathieu , BRUCKERT Vincent , CHOSIDOW Samuel , GUEROT Emmanuel , KIMMOUN Antoine , NESSELER Nicolas , BESNIER Emmanuel , DAVIAUD Fabrice , LAGIER David , IMBAULT Julien , GRIMALDI David , BOUGLÉ Adrien , MONGARDON Nicolas
Published: October 2022

Objectives
The occurrence of mediastinitis after cardiac surgery remains a rare and severe complication associated with poor outcomes. Whereas bacterial mediastinitis have been largely described, little is known about their fungal etiologies. We report incidence, characteristics, and outcome of post-cardiac surgery fungal mediastinitis.
Methods
Multicenter retrospective study among 10 Intensive Care Units (ICU) in France and Belgium, of proven cases of fungal mediastinitis after cardiac surgery (2009–2019).
Results
73688 cardiac surgery procedures were reviewed, and of those, 40 patients developed fungal mediastinitis. Among them, five were supported with left ventricular assist device and five with veno-arterial ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation before initial surgery. Twelve patients received prior heart transplantation. Interval between initial surgery and mediastinitis was 38 [17–61] days. Only half of the patients showed local signs of infection. Septic shock was uncommon at diagnosis (12.5%). Forty-three fungal strains were identified: Candida spp (34 patients), Trichosporon spp (5 patients) and Aspergillus spp (4 patients). Hospital mortality was 58%. Survivors were younger (59 [43–65] vs 65 [60–73] yo; p = 0.013), had lower Body Mass Index (24 [20–26] vs 30 [24.5–32.7] kg/m2; p = 0.028) and lower Simplified Acute Physiology Score II score at ICU admission (37 [28–40] vs 54 [34–61]; p = 0.012).
Conclusion
Fungal mediastinitis is a very rare complication after cardiac surgery, associated with a high mortality rate. This entity should be suspected in patients with a smoldering infectious postoperative course, especially those supported with short or long-term cardiac devices, or following heart transplantation.
Chronic Comorbidities and Cervical Cancer Screening adherence in the Korean Population using KHNANES
Authors: Chuck Kumban Walter , hong seri , Lee Yunhwan
Published: October 2022

Purpose
To investigate the cervical cancer screening rates in women with comorbidities – obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in the Korean Population.
Methods
Data of 2,972 people came from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data 2019. Cancer-free women 30 years old and over were included. Recommended and ever cervical cancer screening rates were compared in participants with and without comorbidities. Comorbidities involving obesity were measured using body mass index in kilograms (BMI ≥ 30kg/m2), The presence of hypertension were measured by complete measurement of diastolic and systolic blood pressures while diabetes were defined based on people who had been diagnosed with diabetes by a physician and had received treatment for diabetes using insulin or other medication and those with fasting blood glucose of ≥ 126mg/dl. Baseline characteristics and cervical cancer screening rates were calculated using weighted frequencies and multivariable regression at 95% confidence interval in both participants.
Results
Ever and recommended cervical screening rates were significantly lower in diabetic patients P < 0.009 and p < 0.001 respectively than in those without diabetes. Recommended screening rate in hypertensive participants was lower, p < 0.036 compared to those without hypertension. Obese patients received lower screening rates, p < 0.013 compared with the non-obese participants.
Conclusion
Comorbidities including diabetes and obesity were less likely to have ever and recommended screening compared with those without diabetes and obesity. Greater efforts need to be made by physicians in high-risk groups to increase cervical cancer screening rates and to achieve parity.
RETRACTED: Design a generic Framework solution for e-detecting meters consumption
Authors: NAIM Ayman , BADDI Youssef , IDRISSI Younès EL BOUZEKRI EL
Published: October 2022

22 April, 2024. Research Square has removed this preprint due to author disagreement regarding preprinting and claims of copyrighted materials.
Outcomes of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Isono Taisuke , Hasemi Jiro , Hasegawa Airi , Nishida Takashi , Hosoda Chiaki , Kawate Eriko , Kobayashi Yoichi , Ishiguro Takashi , Kagiyama Naho , Kurashima Kazuyoshi , Yanagisawa Tsutomu , Takayanagi Noboru
Published: October 2022

Purpose No clinical trial has compared osimertinib with afatinib. We reviewed clinical data of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to identify predictive factors for clinical outcome of first-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), efficacy and safety of several EGFR-TKIs, and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
Methods We retrospectively studied 170 patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC who received first-line EGFR-TKIs from January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2021.
Results Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) tumor proportion score (TPS) was available in 66 patients, of whom 14, 25, and 27 had PD-L1 TPS ≥50%, 1-49%, and <1%, respectively. Twenty-four patients received ICIs after EGFR-TKIs. Objective response rate (ORR) and median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with EGFR-TKIs were 65.3% and 9.1 and 31.4 months, respectively. By multivariate analysis, osimertinib was associated with favorable ORR and median PFS but not with median OS, whereas ICI treatment was associated with favorable median OS. Osimertinib caused less diarrhea, stomatitis, and liver injury. Pneumonitis and neutropenia (mostly grade <2) were more frequent with osimertinib. ORR and median PFS and OS of ICIs were 25.0%, 2.3 months, and not reached (NR), respectively. Particularly, ICIs were more effective in patients with PD-L1 TPS ≥50% than 1-49% or <1% (ORR, 66.7 vs. 12.5 vs. 0.0%; median PFS, 14.3 vs. 3.4 vs. 1.2 months; median OS, NR vs. NR vs. 14.8 months).
Conclusion Osimertinib was more effective and less frequently caused severe adverse events. Patients treated with ICIs had better prognosis.
Design and Simulation of Piezoresistance Temperature Sensor for Electric Vehicle Battery Monitoring System
Authors: Rathnakannan K. , Parasuraman R. , VanajaRanjan P. , S Hosimin Thilagar
Published: October 2022

This paper discusses the design and simulation of a piezo resistance temperature sensor. The sensor was connected according to Wheatstone bridge configuration. The temperature sensor The COMSOL Multiphysics software was used for this study. With a 1µm piezo resistor of the graphene layer and an optimised doping profile of 1016 cm− 3, the simulated sensitivity is 24.90 mV/oC over a temperature range of -90oC to 90oC. The simulated results reveal that the sensitivity significantly depends on the piezo resistor layer thickness, combination of the materials, shape of the diaphragm, and the size of the diaphragm. With the low thermal mass and excellent sensitivity, the suggested temperature sensors based on graphene can be employed in battery health monitoring systems.
Feasibility, Safety and Effectiveness of Robot-assisted Retroperitoneal Partial Adrenalectomy with a new robotic surgical system: A Prospective, Single-Center, Single- Arm Clinical Study
Authors: Xu Weifeng , Dong Jie , Ji Ruoyu , Liu Guanghua , Zhou Jingmin , Wang Huizhen , Ji Zhigang , Cui Liang
Published: October 2022

Objectives:To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the newly developed KD-SR-01®robotic system for retroperitoneal partial adrenalectomy.Subjects and Methods:We prospectively enrolled patients with benign adrenal mass undergoing KD-SR-01®robot-assisted partial adrenalectomy in our institution from November 2020 to May 2022. Surgeries were performed via a retroperitoneal approach using the KD-SR-01®robotic system. The baseline, perioperative and short-term follow-up data were prospectively collected. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed.Results:A total of 23 patients were enrolled, including nine (39.1%) patients with hormone-active tumors.All patients received partial adrenalectomy via the retroperitoneal approach without conversions to other procedures. The median operative time was 86.5 minutes (interquartile range (IQR), 60.0-112.5) and the median estimated blood loss was 50 mL (range, 20-400). Three (13.0%) patients developed Clavien-Dindo grade I-II postoperative complications. The median postoperative stay was 4.0 days (IQR, 3.0-5.0). All surgical margins were negative. The short-term follow-up demonstrated complete or partial clinical and biochemical success as well as absence of imaging recurrence in all patients with hormone-active tumors.Conclusions: Initial results illustrate that the KD-SR-01®robotic system is safe, feasible and effective for the surgical management of benign adrenal tumors.
EFL/ESL Teachers’ Perception of Students with Learning Disabilities in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Rabiul
Published: October 2022

The number of students with special education needs is not clearly categorized in Bangladesh. Students with visible and perceptible physical and psychological disabilities may ask for supports and facilities that are required for their educational progress. But students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD do not get such services in Bangladesh. This paper focuses on the English language teachers in Bangladesh teaching at the pre-primary, primary, and secondary level to understand their perceptions of learning disabilities and intervention strategies. It also asks how the teachers would accommodate any students with learning disabilities in their classrooms. A blend of quantitative and qualitive data has been extracted in the process through in-person and virtual interviews with the teachers. Twelve teachers participated voluntarily in this study and shared their insight based on their personal experiences. Most of them claimed to have heard about learning disabilities but were not able to explain the term and relate with their experience. They expressed a positive inclination to accommodate children with any type of disabilities in their classrooms regardless of their pedagogical or infrastructural capacity. Further studies are required in this field since current literature largely exclude students with learning disabilities in Bangladesh.
Biochemical and functional characterization of rice straw for alternative industrial uses
Authors: Malik Kamla , Sharma Ajay , karthik Dandu Hari , RANI VIJAYA , Malik Anurag , Sangwan Punesh , Bhatia Tanvi , Rani Sunita , sindhu meena
Published: October 2022

As an agricultural state, Haryana (India) produces about six million metric tons (mt) of rice straw every year from rice cultivation. Currently, rice straw is either burned or ploughed into the field without being turned into a functional product. Burning of paddy straw pollutes the air, results in green house gas emission, particulate matter (2.5 and 10 µm) emission, considerable losses on the properties of the soil, soil nutrients, organic matter, productivity and biodiversity, and on and off-farm humans and animals’ health. The biochemically and functionally specified potential for optimal alternative use of the rice straw of 13 most widely produced rice varieties from Haryana’s eastern and western agro-climate zones was undertaken. Pusa-1401 variety had the highest cellulose (46.55%) and silica content (13.70%), while Pusa-1718 had hemicellulose (28.25%) and lignin (11.60%), respectively. Maximum nitrogen (0.81%), phosphorus (0.32%) and potassium (2.78%) were found in rice variety Pusa-1509, Pusa-1401 and Rice-6129. The findings seemed to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The biochemical profiles of rice straw cultivars were classified into distinct structural groups (C-H alkalanes, O-H alcohol, C = O, C–H alkanes) based on the FTIR spectrum in order to find the best alternative possibilities for bioethanol and compost production. According to the study, these rice straw varieties could be used to make lucrative industrial products.
Weakening of western disturbances in response to polar sea ice melt in climate model simulations
Authors: Chandra Varunesh , Sandeep Sukumaran , Hunt Kieran M R
Published: October 2022

The response of low-latitude weather and climate to polar sea ice melt is not well understood. In this study, we run a suite of coupled and uncoupled simulations using the Community Earth System Model to investigate the effects of polar sea ice melt on western disturbance (WD) activity over the Indian subcontinent. In the coupled model simulation, the albedo of the sea ice is reduced in such a way that the increased absorption of the solar radiation would melt the sea ice. Further, the monthly climatology of sea surface temperature (SST) and sea ice concentrations (SIC) from the coupled model runs are used to force the Community Atmospheric Model (CAM5) at higher resolution (50 km). WD vortices in the CAM5 simulations are tracked using a Lagrangian tracking algorithm. Our analyses reveal that WD activity is reduced in the CAM5 simulations forced with the SST and SIC from the sea ice melt experiment. We show that this is because the subtropical jet becomes more baroclinically stable and shifts equatorward in response to the polar sea ice melt. The weakening and widening of the subtropical jet is consistent with the predicted changes to thermal wind and upper-tropospheric meridional temperature gradient in response to the polar sea ice melt.
Monitoring environmental indicators by coupling remote sensing and weather data: applications to the Brazilian biomes
Authors: Teixeira Antônio , Leivas Janice , Takemura Celina , Bayma Gustavo , Garçon Edlene , Sousa Inajá , Farias Franzone , Silva Cesar
Published: October 2022

The SAFER (Simple Algorithm for Evapotranspiration Retrieving) algorithm and the radiation use efficiency (RUE) model were coupled to test large-scale environmental indicators in the Brazilian biomes. The MODIS MOD13Q1 reflectance product and weather data were used along the year 2016. The analyzed biomes were Amazon (AM), Caatinga (CT), Cerrado (CE), Pantanal (PT), Atlantic Forest (AF), and Pampa (PP). Significant differences on precipitation (P), actual evapotranspiration (ET), and biomass production (BIO) yielded differences on water balance (WB = P - ET) and water productivity (WP = ET/BIO). The highest WB and WP along the year were for the wettest AM, AF, and PP biomes, when compared with the driest CT. Precipitation (P) distribution along the year affected the magnitude of the evaporative fraction (ETf), i.e, the ratio of ET to reference evapotranspiration (ET0), however there was a gap between ETf and WB, what can be related to the time needed for recovering the good conditions of soil moisture levels after rainfalls. For some biomes, BIO was related to the levels of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (PARabs), which depends on the leaf area and soil cover (AM, AF, and PP), while for others BIO followed the soil moisture levels, represented by ETf (CT, CE, and PT). The large-scale modelling presented suitability for monitoring environmental parameters at a 250-m spatial and 16-day spatial and temporal resolutions, with great potential to subsidize public policies regarding the management and conservation of the natural resources, with possibility for replication of the methods in other countries.
The long term study of the difference in efficacy and effect rate of various concentrations of retinol (1500–6600 IU) in middle age women
Authors: Jang Sue Im , Jung Yu-Chul , Suk Jangmi , Lee Sieun , Han Jaeil , Suh Byung-Fhy , Kim Eunjoo
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Retinol is widely used for topical application for antiaging. However, the efficacy and effect rate of different concentrations of retinol have been rarely analyzed. Therefore, in this study, the efficacy and rate of effect of retinol concentrations from 1500 IU to 6600 IU, on various skin parameters, have been compared.

Patients and methods

Seventy-two Korean women aged 40 to 59 years participated in this study. Retinol was used by them for 24 weeks; the effects were measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks. The measurement parameters for aging were crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, nasolabial fold, dermal density, and elasticity and that for skin color were skin brightness, yellowness, redness, and standard deviation of skin brightness. The texture of the skin was measured by measuring the skin roughness and pores, and the skin barrier function was evaluated through hydration, sebum, and desquamation.

Results

Low concentration retinol (1500–2500 IU) had a significantly higher effect in skin color, brightness, and elasticity and faster improvement rate in skin brightness and elasticity compared to that for high concentration (3300–6600 IU). High concentration of retinol had a significantly higher effect in wrinkles, dermal density and pores and faster improvement rate for wrinkles, skin texture, pores, and desquamation compared to that for low concentration.

Conclusion

This study evaluated the changes caused by different concentration of retinol over a long period of time. The results of this study have great implications as the optimal concentration of retinol can be prescribed for an accurate period for the desired results without side effects.
Eco-friendly Green Composites Reinforced with Recycled Polyethylene for Engineering Applications
Authors: Azeko Salifu Tahiru , Mensah Jacob Kofi , Arthur Emmanuel Kwesi , Abiwu Napoleon , Flomo Moses Kingsford , Boadu Joseph Asiamah , Yamba Philip , Larson Enoch Asuako , Akayeti Anthony , Satankar Raf Kumar , Annan Ebenezer
Published: October 2022

Polyethylene (PE) and cement are serious industrial wastes that promote environmental pollution, with these pollutants having tremendous effects on the lives of humanity and other living creatures, including animals. Therefore, this research presents the results of experimental and theoretical modeling of green composites (without the inclusion of cement) reinforced with recycled polyethylene waste for applications in the Mechanical and Civil Engineering industry. The composites are produced using different weight percentages of laterite and molten PE mixed homogeneously to produce unique green composites with excellent mechanical properties. The green composite with 40 wt.% laterite and 60 wt.% PE exhibited the highest compressive strength, flexural strength and fracture toughness of 25 MPa, 7.3 MPa and 0.6 MPa√m, respectively. Additionally, the green composite recorded maximum yield stress of ∼2 MP. The maximum yield stress of the green composites falls under the minimum range of yield stress for traditional concrete structures. The SEM images reveal evidence of bonding and ligament bridging in the green composites reinforced with 40 wt.% laterite and 60 wt.% PE. The probability distribution plots show that the polyethylene in the green composites follows the Weibull distribution with low Anderson Darling Statics and p-values greater than the significance level of 5%.
Mobility Management in 5G Network on the Efficiency Hierarchical State of Slicing
Authors: CHAFFAI AMAL
Published: October 2022

Performing quality of service thanks to mobility management in network slicing such as seamless handover brings new challenges. Wherefore, to build and manage a 5G network, that cope and exceeds the emerging requirements of a full-scale range of users. Massive wireless data traffic from different application scenarios. Need, to transform it into a set of logical networks of a shared infrastructure. To configure and connect end-to-end anytime, anywhere, regardless of the access channels characteristics. To attend a defined business purpose and comprise all the required network resources. In this study, we discuss the background and related work in network slicing. Then, we present a framework for 5G network slicing mobility management, a versatile model based on a two-tier pattern. Handled by the massive wireless data traffic from different application scenarios. Keeping into consideration that depends on the design parameter PB blocking probability for homogenous models, and the generic value radii R = (r max) as the minimum communication range required in the heterogeneous models. To achieve a configurable balance between power saving and latency in 5G mobility management.
One-Pot Cascade Construction of Nonsubstituted Quinoline-Bridged Covalent Organic Frameworks
Authors: Xiang Yonggang , Pang Huaji , Huang Dekang , Zhu Yanqiu , Zhao Xiaodong
Published: October 2022

Irreversible locking of imine linkage into stable linkages represents a promising strategy to improve the robustness and functionality of covalent organic frameworks (COFs). We report, for the first time, a multi-component one-pot reaction (OPR) for imine annulation to construct highly stable nonsubstituted quinoline-bridged COFs (NQ-COFs), and equilibrium regulation of reversible/irreversible cascade reactions by addition of desiccant MgSO4is crucial to achieve high conversion efficiency and crystallinity. The higher long-range order and surface area of NQ-COFs synthesized by OPR than the reported two-step post-synthetic modification (PSM) facilitate charge carriers’ transfer and photogenerated ability of superoxide radical (O2•−), which makes these NQ-COFs be more efficient photocatalysts for O2•−mediated synthesis of 2-benzimidazole derivatives. The general applicability of this synthetic strategy is demonstrated by fabricating 12 other crystalline NQ-COFs with a diversity of topologies and functional groups.
Risk of respiratory diseases with use of psychotropic drugs: Results of a community-based cross-sectional study from South India
Authors: Eby Abhirami , Jacob Elsa , P Samuel Gideon George
Published: October 2022

Background A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire among patients on psychotropic medications or their caregivers at a community pharmacy. The study evaluated the effect of various psychotropic drugs on pulmonary function to identify the psychotropic drug class most commonly associated with risk of respiratory disorders. Since psychotropic medications have safety concerns for usage in the general population, their use in people with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is considered challenging. The study may also serve to draw evidence based practical recommendations for the treatment of people with COVID-19. Results Cronbach’s alpha and Intra class correlation coefficient values were found to be 0.92 and 0.85 respectively. In a sample of 198 patients, benzodiazepines were the commonly used medication among the population (43.9%) followed by selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (21.2%), anti-psychotics (15.1%), mood stabilizers (7.6%) and others (12.2%). Statistically significant association was observed between history of benzodiazepine usage, second generation antipsychotics and respiratory disorders (OR 1.56 [1.1–2.3, P < 0.1]). However the use of first generation antipsychotics were found to be less associated with respiratory infections. Conclusion History of benzodiazepine and second generation antipsychotic usage were found to be associated significantly with respiratory disorders including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress. Hence patients on psychotropics should be monitored for respiratory symptoms and choice of anti-psychotic medications should be made on existing clinical evidence. Psychotropic drugs which were found to be safer through the study conducted can be chosen to help improve the quality of psychiatric care in people with COVID-19, also promoting an optimal management of the psychiatric condition without worsening the medical condition due to COVID-19.
Unstable aluminum segregation phenomenon in blind keyhole laser welds of Al-Si coated hot stamping steel
Authors: Lin Wenhu , Zhang Zhenbo
Published: October 2022

Al-Si coated hot stamping steel is widely used in weight reduction of vehicles, due to its ultra-high strength and good formability. Aluminum coating promotes the formation of aluminum-rich brittle phase segregated in laser welds, such as delta ferrite, or Fe-Al intermetallics, which severely deteriorates the mechanical properties of tailor-welded blanks. A thorough understanding of segregation mechanism is beneficial for the chemical heterogeneity in macro scale. In this work, a three-dimension model is proposed to describe keyhole mode laser welding of coated Al-Si coating. The statistical analysis indicates aluminum element is uniformly distributed at top regions with a average concentration of 20 vol.% and fluid flow time of 25-38 ms whereas several random segregation regions appear at the bottom, and the keyhole opening at the bottom is unstable. The initial element distribution determines the segregation characteristics that coating element mainly comes from the upper surface, circular fluid flowing around the keyhole, but few from the front wall of the keyhole at the partial penetration stage.
Chest CT diagnostic potential as a tool for early detection of suspected COVID-19 cases in pandemic peaks
Authors: Chervenkov Lyubomir ,   Ralitsa Raycheva3, Rangelova Vanya , Doykova Katya
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in China at the end of 2019 has caused a large global outbreak and is a major public health issue. Our aim is to investigate the diagnostic potential of chest CT in screening patients suspected of COVID-19 in high-prevalence settings.
Materials and methods: This is a real-life, prospective, observational study involving 260 patients. All patients performed chest CT at the emergency department (ED) of Kaspela University Hospital, Plovdiv, Bulgaria and RT-PCR testing for suspected COVID-19 from March 27 to December 31, 2020. COVID-19 likelihood was assessed by assigning each CT scan to a particular category of the COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS). IBM SPSS software v.26 was used for processing the data.
Results: The male-to-female distribution was 1.4:1 – 150 (57.7%) males vs 110 (42.3%) females (p=0.014). The median age was 55 yrs. (46; 65 yrs.). Discharged patients were 247 (95.0%), the rest died in the COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU). Males were 4.13 times more likely to be diagnosed with CO-RADS≥3 score than females. Increasing age was associated with an increased likelihood of being classified with higher CO-RADS scores. The ROC curves analysis demonstrated that CO-RADS≥3 was the optimal cutoff for discriminating between a positive and negative PCR (Youden’s index J=0.67), with an AUC of 0.825 (95% CI: 0.72-0.93), sensitivity of 91.9% (95% CI: 87.7%-95.1%), specificity of 75.0% (95% CI: 53.3%-90.2%) and accuracy of 76.4% (95% CI: 70.7% to 81.4%).
Conclusion: Based on our study the CT examination provides a quick and accurate diagnosis of patients with suspected COVID-19 infection, as the PCR testing is time-consuming and the delay of obtaining results could be substantial when the incidence curve starts to grow rapidly.
Efficacy of a Single Session Mindfulness Based Intervention
Authors: Rubin Mikael , Fischer Caitlin , Telch Michael J
Published: October 2022

Objectives Loneliness, perceived stress, depression, and anxiety have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of existing mindfulness and compassion-based intervention are effective, but are time-intensive, decreasing overall accessibility and scalability. Single-session interventions (SSIs) serve as a promising alternative. The current pre-registered clinical trial evaluated a newly developed, manualized, mindfulness-based SSI. Methods 91 adults were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) one-hour mindfulness only telehealth intervention; (b) one-hour mindfulness and compassion telehealth intervention; or (c) one-week waitlist control (before randomization to an active intervention). Intervention sessions were conducted by graduate students in clinical psychology. The primary outcome was self-reported loneliness; secondary outcomes were self-reported perceived stress, depression, and anxiety. Bayesian multi-level models were conducted to test differences between active interventions and waitlist at the 1-week follow-up and between active interventions at the 2-week follow-up. Results We found overall reductions in self-reported loneliness at the 2-week follow-upb= -2.36, 95% Highest Density Interval (HDI) [-3.36, -1.36], however there was no difference between the active interventions and waitlist at the 1-week follow-up. Compared to the waitlist-control, the inclusion of a compassion component led to meaningful reductions in perceived stressb= -3.75, 95% HDI [-6.95, -0.59], anxietyb= -3.79, 95% HDI [-6.99, -0.53], and depressionb= -3.01, 95% HDI [-5.22, -0.78] at the 1-week follow-up. Conclusions Results suggest that a single-session mindfulness and compassion intervention may lead to meaningful reductions in perceived stress, symptoms of anxiety, and symptoms of depression, but not loneliness. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Hop (Humulus lupulus L.): Suitability of Traditional Cultivars to a Low-Trellis Farming System in a Semiarid Environment
Authors: Carrubba Alessandra , Marceddu Roberto , Sarno Mauro
Published: October 2022

Humulus lupulus is a dioecious twining herb, with an outstanding vertical development capacity. Hop plants are usually grown on trellises up to 4.5 to 6.0 m high, whose management requires intense use of water, fertilizers, pesticides, and labor. In semiarid Mediterranean areas, where native resources are often scarce, the adoption of low-trellis farming systems could be a sustainable option for hop cultivation. With the aim of evaluating hop suitability to low-trellis cultivation in a Mediterranean environment, in 2018 and 2019 three traditional hop genotypes (‘Cascade’, ‘Chinook’, and ‘Nugget’) were grown, and their development rate was evaluated and put in relation with the plants’ cone, root, and biomass yield. Moreover, organic (fragmented pine bark) and synthetic [black polyethylene (PE) plastic film] mulches were applied on the same cultivars, and both epigeal and hypogeal development were evaluated. The results showed that the faster the growth in the first two phases of plant elongation (up to 50% of the height of the upper wire), the lower the yield in both cones and total epigeal biomass. A fast growth rate was instead associated with a higher hypogeal biomass production. Mulching was able to significantly affect the hypogeal biomass, specifically for cv. Cascade, where the use of synthetic mulching allowed significant root biomass increases. The analysis of the results obtained showed that hop’s suitability to a low-trellis farming system is highly variable among varieties in the semiarid Mediterranean environment.
Effectiveness of the method of two measurements in determining the parameters of equivalent circuits of electrical network elements for the highest harmon-ic components of currents and voltages
Authors: Annenkov E. O. , Zubova E. V. , Seleznev A. S. , Fedosov D. S.
Published: October 2022

The feasibility of applying the method of two measurements in determining the parameters of equivalent circuits of electrical network elements for the highest harmonic components is analyzed. Experiments were carried out using a MATLAB Simulink model of the common coupling point that includes a distorting load in the form of a three-phase rectifier, a nondistorting linear load and a generalized power system without distortion sources. The parameters of an equivalent circuit in the form of active bipoles, consisting of current distortion and conductivity sources, were determined using the method of two measurements of mode parameters. Modes with variations in the active and reactive power of the studied distorting load and loads in the external electrical network were considered. The results of determining the equivalent circuit parameters under 20% and more variations in the power loading were established to be unstable (400% dispersion of actual values). Therefore, these parameter values appear to be unreliable due to their dependence on the value of external load power. At the same time, the simulation of random variations in loading parameters within 10% of the initial value allowed the parameters of an equivalent circuit to be correctly determined. It was shown that the equivalent circuit of a nondistorting linear load consists solely of conductivity, while the equivalent circuit of a distorting load can contain non-zero conductivity on the considered harmonic component. Thus, according to the performed study, the method of two measurements produces the results acceptable in terms of accuracy (deviation from actual values of less than 1%) not at a single significant variation in the mode parameters, but during a continuous monitoring of small natural variations in the parameters of the electric power system. The results obtained can be used when solving the problem of online assessing the effect of loads on the quality of electricity, since the initial data for this problem include the equivalent circuit parameters.
Application of an adaptive controller for controlling the rotational velocity of hydrogenerators taking into account the technological state of a Kaplan turbine
Authors: Achitaev A. A. , Valetskaya A. I. , Noskov M. F. , Tatarnikov V. I.
Published: October 2022

The impact of oil leakages in a turbine on the main power system parameters is investigated in reactive hydraulic turbines with adjustable-blade runners (Kaplan turbines) installed at Maynskaya, Nizhne-Bureiskaya and Vilyuyskaya hydroelectric power plants. The main theoretical relations and conclusions were obtained by the methods of mathematical simulation and integral calculations in the MATLAB software environment. A method is proposed for monitoring leakages in the housing of an adjustable-blade runner and smoothing the fluctuations of various parameters (amplitude, rotational velocity, phase angle, active power and generator current) of the power system in the case of oil leak-ages. The control is performed by means of a sensor installed in the runner, a fiber-optic cable and an optical-electrical converter located along the shaft from the runner blades to the oil receiver of the corresponding hydraulic unit. The performed analysis of the obtained mathematical model (frequency response and Nyquist plots were built) relative to the basic parameters of the electrical energy generated by a hydraulic unit showed that the proposed method of monitoring oil leakages contributes to an increase in the operational stability of a hydraulic unit. When constructing the model, the following parameters of the hydraulic unit were taken into account: rotational angle of runner blades and opening angle of hydraulic turbine guide vanes. The developed block diagram can be used to compare variations in the parameters both without oil leakage control and taking into account the automated control system proposed by the authors. It is shown that the obtained logarithmic Nyquist plot can be used to monitor variations in the amplitude, as well as its smoothening, both under normal conditions and taking into account oil leakages in the hydraulic turbine housing.
Evaluation of a modernization project of the main condensate scheme at CHP-10 power unit No. 5 using its customized simulation model
Authors: Zabuga F. V. , Alekseyuk V. E.
Published: October 2022

We investigate the effect of modernizing the main condensate scheme applied at the power unit No.5, CHP-10 of Baikal Energy Company LLC, on its energy and economic efficiency using a customized simulation model. Simulation modelling was carried out in the Machine Program Building System software environment. The constructed model was verified using the results of measuring control parameters in several operating modes according to a three-stage procedure of verifying the mathematical models of complex thermal power units. We propose an original approach to modernizing the main condensate thermal scheme at the power unit under study in order to reduce the specific fuel consumption for balance-of-plant needs. The idea was to expand the main condensate scheme by including an additional sealing pump to the feedwater electric pumps of the 1Кs-20-110 unit in order to avoid the incorrect selection of condensate pumps. The study showed that the redistribution of the main condensate flow between the existing condensate pumps and the proposed 1Ks-20-110 sealing pump leads to a reduction in the specific fuel consumption for the electric energy generation to 0.32 g of fuel per kWh across the range of electrical loads from 137 to 150 mW. As a result, the net efficiency of the power unit can be raised by 0.03%. It should be noted that the proposed modernization project may reduce the consumption of electricity for balance-of-plant needs when the feedwater electric pump is switched to the standby mode during an emergency shutdown of the power unit. Based on the performed energy and economic calculations, energy savings for the period of 2019 comprise 82,653 kWh, while the total annual savings are estimated at 78,030 rubles. Thus, the conducted research demonstrates the high efficiency of applying simulation modelling in the study and optimization of existing thermal power plants.
Operation of synthetic inertia units in electric power systems of various densities
Authors: Rudnik V. E. , Suvorov A. A. , Ruban N. Yu. , Andreev M. V. , Bay Yu. D.
Published: October 2022

This study is aimed at improving the efficiency of photovoltaic plants operated in the electric networks of various densities by adjusting the synthetic inertia algorithm and automatic frequency control circuits. To this end, the automatic control system of a photovoltaic plant was investigated using hybrid modelling methods in an all-mode online simulation complex of electric power systems. It was shown that the stability of photovoltaic power plants could be improved through the use of synthetic inertia. According to the conducted research, effective operation of this algorithm can be ensured by a correct determination of the bandwidth of automatic frequency control. Operation of this automatic frequency control circuit can lead to the oscillations of various frequencies during the installation of photovoltaic power plants in low-current electrical networks (electrical networks with the short circuit coefficient of less than 10 a.u.) and, subsequently, negatively affect the operability of the synthetic inertia algorithm. In addition, in high-current networks with an increased bandwidth of the automatic frequency control unit, the value of the network frequency reduction decreases (optimal bandwidth of 50 Hz). Conversely, in low-current networks, the automatic frequency control unit, under an increase in the bandwidth, decreases the response rate of the synthetic inertia algorithm, which leads to an increase in the frequency reduction value (optimal bandwidth of 0.3 Hz). Thus, the conducted investigations showed that the automatic frequency control circuit in the control system of a photovoltaic power plant can be used to alter the operation of the synthetic inertia algorithm. However, the nature of this effect depends on the electrical network density and can be both positive and negative. The effect observed in the tested power system was confirmed for a real-dimension power system.