bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary Lysine Requirements of Colossoma Macropomum (Cuvier, 1818) Based on Growth Performance, Hepatic and Intestinal Morphohistology and Plasma Biochemistry
Authors: Liebl Ariany Rabello da Silva , Nascimento Marcelo dos Santos , Duncan Wallice Luiz Paxiúba , Pantoja-Lima Jackson , Aride Paulo Henrique Rocha , Bussons Márcia Regina Fragoso Machado , Furuya Wilson Massamitu , de Oliveira Adriano Teixeira
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to determine the dietary lysine requirements of juvenile Colossoma macropomum tambaqui based on growth performance. We also evaluated gut and hepatic histomorphometry as well as blood metabolites in accordance with the increased levels of dietary lysine. The juveniles (33.88 ± 2.47 g) were fed until apparent satiation with diets containing 6.60, 9.72, 12.84, 15.96, 19.08 and 22.20 g/kg of lysine. Fish were randomly distributed in groups of 10 fish per tank and assays were performed in triplicate, during 90 days. Tambaqui fed with 15.96 g/kg dietary lysine showed higher final weight (p = 0.001) and optimized feed conversion ratio (p = 0.001). Morphohistological modifications were present in livers of fish fed with low levels of lysine. In the proximal intestine, mucosa layer density was greater at the level of 15.96 g/kg (p = 0.001). In the middle intestine, height (p = 0.001) and perimeter (p = 0.001) of the villi were greater at low levels of lysine (respectively, 9.72 and 12.84 g/kg dietary lysine). Tambaqui fed with 15.96 g/kg of lysine achieved higher plasma protein concentrations (p = 0.01). Using the second-order polynomial regression analysis as support, and based on protein efficiency rate and body weight gain, dietary lysine requirement for juvenile tambaqui was calculated as 15.4–15.6 g/kg of diet (5.7–5.8% of dietary protein).
Rapid Geographical Indication of Peppercorn Seeds Using Corona Discharge Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Charoensumran Preeyarad , Rauytanapanit Monrawat , Srichar Nontawat , Smith Barry L. , Wongravee Kanet , Maher Simon , Praneenararat Thanit
Published: May 2021

With increasing demands for more rapid and practical analyses, various techniques of ambient ionization mass spectrometry have gained interest due to its speed of analysis and the abundance of information provided. Herein, an ambient ionization technique that utilizes corona discharge was applied, for the first time, to analyze whole seeds of black and white peppers. This setup requires no solvent application or gas flow, thus resulting in a very simple and rapid analysis that can be applied directly to the sample without any prior workup or preparation. Combined with robust data pre-processing and subsequent chemometric analyses, this analytical method was capable of indicating the geographical origin of each pepper source with up to 98% accuracies in all sub-studies. The simplicity and speed of this approach open up the exciting opportunity for onsite analysis without the need for a highly trained operator. Furthermore, this methodology can be applied to a variety of spices and herbs, whose geographical indication or similar intellectual properties are economically important, hence it is capable of creating tremendous impact in food and agricultural industries.
A New Strategy for Using Historical Imbalanced Yield Data to Conduct Genome-Wide Association Studies and Develop Genomic Prediction Models for Wheat Breeding
Authors: Chu Chenggen , Wang Shichen , Rudd Jackie C. , Ibrahim Amir M.H. , Xue Qingwu , Devkota Ravindra N. , Baker Jason A. , Baker Shannon , Simoneaux Bryan , Opena Geraldine , Dong Haixiao , Liu Xiaoxiao , Jessup Kirk E. , Chen Ming-Shun , Hui Kele , Metz Richard , Johnson Charles D. , Zhang Zhiwu S. , Liu Shuyu
Published: May 2021

Using imbalanced historical yield data to predict performance and select new lines is an arduous breeding task. An association mapping panel of 227 Texas elite (TXE) wheat breeding lines was used for GWAS and a training population to develop prediction models for grain yield selection. An imbalanced set of yield data collected from 102 environments (year-by-location) over ten years was used. Based on correlations among data from different environments within two adjacent years and broad-sense heritability estimated in each environment, yield data from 87 environments were selected and assigned to two correlation-based groups. The yield best linear unbiased estimation (BLUE) from each group, along with reaction to greenbug and Hessian fly in each line, were used for GWAS to reveal genomic regions associated with yield and insect resistance. A total of 74 genomic regions were associated with grain yield and two of them were commonly detected in both correlation-based groups. Greenbug resistance in TXE lines was mainly controlled by Gb3 on chromosome 7DL in addition to two novel regions on 3DL and 6DS, and Hessian fly resistance was conferred by the region on 1AS. Genomic prediction models developed in two correlation-based groups were validated using a set of 105 new advanced breeding lines and the model from correlation-based group G2 was more reliable for prediction. This research not only identified genomic regions associated with yield and insect resistance but also established the method of using historical imbalanced breeding data to develop a genomic prediction model for crop improvement.
Improved Vehicle Detection Systems with Double-Layer LSTM Modules
Authors: Yang Wei-Jong , Liow Wan-Ju , Chen Shao-Fu , Yang Jar-Ferr , Chung Pau-Choo , Mao Songan
Published: May 2021

The vision-based smart driving technologies to increase road safety are the popular research topics for modern automobile industries. The development of precise moving object detection with continuously tracking capability is the most important technology for such purpose nowadays. In this paper, we propose an improved object detection system, which combines a selected object detector with its enhancements and long short term memory (LSTM) modules, to improve the detection performance for smart driving systems. First, from a selected object detector, we combine all vehicle classes and bypassing low-level features to improve its detection performance. After the spatial association of the detected objects, the outputs of the improved objector are then fed into the proposed double-layer LSTM (dLSTM) modules to successfully improve the detection of the vehicles in various conditions, including the newly-appeared, the detected and the gradually-disappearing vehicles. With stage-by-stage evaluations, the experimental results show that the proposed vehicle detection system with the improved procedures and dLSTM modules can precisely detect the vehicles without increasing computations.
Exercise-Induced Desaturation During a Six-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension : A Retrospective, Observational Study
Authors: Choi Jung Hyun , Shin Myung-Jun , Lee Beong-Ju
Published: May 2021

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the practical implication of exercise-induced oxygen desaturation (EID) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients.Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, observational study from April 2016 to March 2018. Twenty patients diagnosed with PAH after right-sided heart catheterization (RHC) were assessed using trans-thoracic echocardiogram (TTE), pulmonary function test (PFT) , 6-minute walking test (6MWT) with gas analysis, body composition test, and muscle power tests. The occurrence of adverse events was assessed. Results: Ten patients showed EID during the 6MWT. Patients were divided into an EID group and a non-EID group. Epidemiological characteristics, TTE data, and RHC data did not differ between the two groups. Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), 6-minute walking distance, and peak oxygen consumption were significantly lower in the EID group (all p<0.05). The EID group showed higher risk of emergency room visits, readmission, lung transplantation surgery, and death (OR = 13.5, 95% CI 1.20–152.21). We developed a predictive scale for exercise-induced desaturation (PSEID) in PAH (AUC=0.91, 95% CI 0.75–1.00). A PSEID score of 4 or more predicted EID with 90% sensitivity and 90% specificity.Conclusions: EID occurred in half of the PAH patients during the 6MWT, and this group showed poor prognosis with more events, such as emergency room visits, re-admission, lung transplantation, and death. Our PSEID using 6MWT and PFT can assist physicians in the early identification of patients at risk of adverse events.Trial registration: CRIS KCT0005132 (retrospectively registered 16 Jun 2020, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/index/index.do)
Impairment in Quantitative Microvascular Function in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy as Demonstrated Using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Slivnick Jeremy A. , Zareba Karolina M. , Truong Vien T. , Liu Ellen , Barnes Alexis , Mazur Wojciech , Binkley Philip
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Microvascular dysfunction (MVD)—defined as impaired augmentation of the microcirculation in response to stress—is present in various cardiovascular diseases and portends worse outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between MVD and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) utilizing stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) as compared to a cohort of control patients.
Methods

We retrospectively studied 41 consecutive patients with NICM (mean age 51 ± 14, 59% male) and 58 controls with preserved systolic function (mean age 51 ± 13, 31% male) who underwent adenosine stress CMR exams between 2011–2016. Microvascular function was assessed visually and with myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI), quantified using first pass perfusion imaging by comparing perfusion slopes of myocardium and blood pool at rest/stress. MVD was defined visually as presence of subendocardial stress perfusion defect and quantitatively by MPRI < 1.51. MPRI was compared between NICM and controls using univariate analysis and multivariable linear regression.
Results

Impaired MPRI was noted in 37 patients (23 in NICM and 14 in control cohorts). In patients with NICM, 23 (56%) had MVD by quantitative assessment, while 11 (27%) by visual evaluation. No differences in comorbidities were noted between cohorts. Compared with controls, NICM patients had lower rest perfusion slope (3.9 vs 4.9, p = 0.05), stress perfusion slope (8.8 vs 11.7, p < 0.001), and MPRI (1.41 vs 1.74, p = 0.02). MPRI remained associated with NICM after controlling for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, and late gadolinium enhancement (log MPR, β coefficient = -0.17, p = 0.009).
Conclusions

MVD assessed with stress CMR is highly prevalent in NICM as compared to control patients with preserved systolic function. Quantitative MPRI assessment identities more NICM patients with MVD as compared to visual evaluation. NICM remains independently associated with an impaired MPRI after controlling for covariates. Further studies are needed to determine whether targeted therapies to treat MVD are beneficial in NICM.
Clinical Outcomes of Non-diabetic COVID-19 Patients with Different Blood Glucose Levels: A Nationwide Turkish Study (TurCoGlycemia)
Authors: Haymana Cem , Demirci Ibrahim , Tasci Ilker , Cakal Erman , Salman Serpil , Ertugrul Derun , Ata Naim , Unluturk Ugur , Dagdelen Selcuk , Atmaca Aysegul , Sahin Mustafa , Celik Osman , Demir Tevfik , Emral Rifat , Sahin Ibrahim , Caglayan Murat , Satman Ilhan , Sonmez Alper
Published: May 2021

Purpose New coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a worse prognosis in patients with diabetes. However, there are insufficient data about the effect of hyperglycemia on COVID-19 prognosis in non-diabetic patients. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between random blood glucose levels measured at the time of diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19 disease in non-diabetic patients. Methods A nationwide retrospective cohort of non-diabetic patients with conﬁrmed COVID-19 infection from 11 March to 30 May 2020 in the Turkish Ministry of Health database was investigated. The patients were stratified into three groups according to blood glucose levels which were <100 mg/dL in group-1, in the range of 100-139 mg/dl in group-2, and the range of 140-199 mg/dl in group-3. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared among the groups. The primary outcome was mortality. Results A total of 12,817 non-diabetic patients (median age [IQR]: 44 [25] years, females: 50.9%) were included. Patients in group-2 (5%) and group-3 (14%) had higher mortality rates than patients in group-1 (2.1%). The rates of hospitalization, hospital stays longer than 8 days, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, ICU stay more than 6 days, and mechanical ventilation were also significantly higher in group-3 patients. Likewise, glucose levels in the range of 140-199 mg/dL were an independent associate of mortality and composite of ICU admission and/or mechanical ventilation. ConclusionHyperglycemia at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis is associated with poor prognosis in non-diabetic patients. Clinicians should be more careful in the treatment of non-diabetic COVID-19 patients with hyperglycemia.
Challenges in Current Nursing Home Care in Rural Germany and How They Can Be Reduced by Telehealth - an Exploratory Pre-post Study
Authors: May Susann , Jonas Kai , Zahn Thomas , Heinze Martin , Mühlensiepen Felix
Published: May 2021

BackgroundTelemedical care of nursing home residents in Germany, especially in rural areas, is limited to a few pilot projects and is rarely implemented as part of standard care. The possible merits of implementing video consultations in longer-term nursing care currently lack supporting evidence. In particular, there is little documentation of experiences and knowledge about the effects and potential benefits of the implementation in presently existing structures. ObjectiveThe goal was to assess the effect of implement medical video consultations into nursing home care addressing the following research questions:- How is medical care currently provided to nursing home residents, and where do problems in its implementation arise? - How can video consultations be used to reduce difficulties arising in everyday care? - How does implementation of video consultations impact day-to-day nursing home care delivery?MethodsTwenty-one guided interviews (pre-implementation n=13; post-implementation n=8) were conducted with a total of 13 participants (physicians, nurses and medical technical assistants). Narratives were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The results were contrasted in a pre-post analysis.ResultsChallenges described by the participants before implementation included a requirement for additional organisational and administrative efforts, interruptions in the daily care routine or delayed treatments, and risk for loss of patient-relevant information due to process diversity. After implementation, communication was facilitated upon introduction of assigned time slots for video consultations. Clinical information was less likely to be lost, additional work was spared, and medication and therapeutic and assistive devices were provided more quickly.ConclusionsTelehealth cannot replace physical, in-person visits, but does offer an alternative form of service delivery when properly integrated into existing structures. Our results suggest that the use of video consultations in nursing homes can reduce the burden and additional workload, and increase the efficiency of care provision for nursing home residents. Video consultations can complement in-person visits to nursing homes, especially to address the shortage of medical specialists in rural areas in Germany. To promote implementation and acceptance of video consultation in nursing homes, we need to increase awareness of its benefits and undertake further evaluation of video consultations in nursing home care.
An Embedded Multiple Case Study: Facilitating Uptake of Food Insecurity Screening Initiatives in Low Resource Primary Care Settings
Authors: Taher Sabira , Muramatsu Naoko , Odoms-Young Angela , Peacock Nadine , Fagen Michael C. , Suh Courtney K.
Published: May 2021

Background

Food insecurity (FI), limited access to healthy food, is a social determinant of health linked to poor dietary health and difficulty with disease management. Healthcare experts support the adoption of validated screening tools within primary care clinics to identify and connect FI patients to food resources. Yet, a lack of standard practices limits uptake. The purpose of this study was to understand program processes and outcomes of primary care focused FI screening initiatives that can guide wide-scale program implementation.
Methods

This was an embedded multiple case study of two primary care-focused initiatives implemented in two diverse health systems in Chicago and Suburban Cook County that routinely screened patients for FI and referred them to onsite food assistance programs. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and an iterative process were used to collect/analyze qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with N = 19 clinical staff. Intended program activities, outcomes, actors, implementation barriers/facilitators and overarching implementation themes were identified as a part of a cross-case analysis.
Findings:

Programs outcomes included: the number of patients screened and identified as FI; the number of patients referred to and participated in the onsite food assistance program. Overall, neither case achieved intended reach or participation. Limited financial, human and infrastructure support were implementation barriers. Existing community collaborations and clinic-level autonomy were critical facilitators during implementation that contributed to the flexibility of program activities. Programs were tailored to each context to assist in implementation feasibility, but contributed to low program fidelity.
Conclusions

Programs were highly adaptable and each context enhanced implementation feasibility across settings. These characteristics have the potential to support program uptake in other settings, but should be used with caution to preserve program fidelity and to achieve intended outcomes. A foundational model for the development and testing of standard clinical practice was the product of this study.
Effect of Gd doping on Structural, Morphological and Magnetic Properties of Mn-Zn Soft Ferrites Nanoparticles
Authors: Shrivastava Anjali , Shrivastava Ashwani Kumar
Published: May 2021

Co-precipitation technique was adopted to synthesize gadolinium doped manganese-zinc ferrite nano particles with varying concentration 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3. XRD patterns authenticated the ferrite innovate in the as-prepared samples. The lattice parameter, crystallite size, lattice strain and x-ray density has been calculated. The crystallite size is comes bent on be around 5 nm. The FTIR spectra reveal that every one the functional groups are present within the material. SEM images are accustomed to indicate the morphological characteristics of the as-prepared samples. Magnetic properties show the decrease in saturation magnetization from 37.57emu/g to 30.15emu/g with reference to increase in gadolinium doping from 0.1 to 0.3.
Fatal rhinocerebral mucormycosis in diabetic patients: report of two cases
Authors: Gomes Guilherme Borsato , Correia Leticia Sassaki , de Freitas Fernanda Schimidt , Carvalho Vinicius Almeida , Stabile Cecília Luiz Pereira , Stabile Glaykon Alex Vitti
Published: May 2021

Mucormycosis is a potentially serious and quite rare fungal infection, caused by the Saprophytic fungus, of the order Mucorales, Absidia, Mucor, Rhizomucor and Rhizopus. These agents are commonly isolated from decomposing soil and plant material and remain dormant in healthy individuals in the respiratory and digestive tubes when inhaling or ingesting contaminated food. It becomes pathogenic when the individual gets immunocompromised and debilitated, progressing to an aggressive and often lethal clinical picture, which requires accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. There are reports in the literature of its gastrointestinal, pulmonary, cutaneous, rhino-orbital-cerebral, endocardial and osteoarticular forms. Regardless of its location, treatment necessarily includes early clinical diagnosis, stabilization of systemic comorbidities and aggressive drug and surgical therapy, resulting in a mortality rate of up to 40% of cases. It is a relevant topic in tertiary care hospitals in terms of contamination, being a matter of concern if present in premature newborns and burn therapy units. The purpose of this article is to report a case of rhino-orbital-cerebral Mucormycosis acquired in the community by a decompensated diabetic patient who evolved with invasion of the hard palate, paranasal sinuses, orbits and cavernous sinus, spreading to the central nervous system and leading to thrombosis the cavernous sinus.
Shifts in outdoor activity patterns in the time of COVID-19 and its implications for exposure to vector-borne diseases in the United States.
Authors: Fernandez Maria , Bron Gebbiena , Kache Pallavi , Tsao Jean , Bartholomay Lyric , Hayden Mary , Ernst Kacey , Berry Kevin , Diuk-Wasser Maria
Published: May 2021

Unintended consequences of human behavioral changes induced by governmental and individual responses to COVID-19 risk are yet to be fully realized. Herein, we evaluated changes in outdoor activity patterns during the spring and summer of 2020 vs. 2019 in the Northeast and Midwest United States. We used self-reported data from daily surveys available through a smartphone application, The Tick App. We simultaneously assessed changes in exposure to tick vectors in relation to changes in outdoor recreation. Outdoor activities and particularly peridomestic activities, increased by two-fold between years, while recreational activities in green spaces decreased by 70%. Tick encounters increased by 30%, and were mainly associated with outdoor activities and living in a rural county. Changes in outdoor recreation were associated with statewide stay-at-home orders in 2020 and persisted as out-of-home mobility increased. Our findings suggest that public health response should also address competing hazards from COVID-19 related outdoor exposure.
Prevalence of narcolepsy in patients with H63D syndrome
Authors: Diamandis Carolina , Seideman David , Balaskas  , Papadopoulos Anastasios , Honda Riku
Published: May 2021

H63D syndrome is a phenotype of a homozygous mutation of the HFE gene H63D, which is otherwise known to cause at most mild classical hemochromatosis. H63D syndrome leads to an iron overload in the body (especially in the brain, heart, liver, skin and male gonads) in the form of non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) poisoning. Hallmark symptoms and causal factor for H63D syndrome is a mild hypotransferrinemia with transferrin saturation values >50%. H63D syndrome is an incurable multi-organ disease, leading to permanent disability. Our objective was to detect the prevalence of narcolepsy and narcolepsy with cataplexy in patients with H63D syndrome.
Facilitators and barriers to detection and treatment of depression, anxiety and experiences of domestic violence in pregnant women attending Midwife Obstetric Units (MOUs) in Cape Town, South Africa: A qualitative study
Authors: Abrahams Zulfa , Boisits Sonet , Schneider Marguerite , Honikman Simone , Lund Crick
Published: May 2021

Background
In South Africa, symptoms of common mental disorders (CMDs) such as depression and anxiety are highly prevalent during the perinatal period and linked to experiences of domestic violence. However, limited routine detection and treatment is available to pregnant women with these problems. We investigated facilitators and barriers of service-providers and -users in detecting and treating pregnant women with symptoms of CMDs and experiences of domestic violence.
Methods
Service-provider perspectives were informed by qualitative interviews with 37 healthcare workers providing care to pregnant women attending four midwife obstetric units (MOUs) in Cape Town. Qualitative interviews with 38 pregnant women attending the same MOUs for their first antenatal care visit provided service-user perspectives.
Results
Facilitators identified included the availability of a mental health screening questionnaire and the perceived importance of detection and treatment. Barriers included service providers’ heavy workload and discomfort with discussing mental health issues; lack of standardised referral pathways and poor uptake of referrals; lack of confidentiality and feelings of shame related to experiences of domestic violence.
Limitations:
Difficulty in linking perceptions of care with specific healthcare providers; social desirability bias - pregnant women’s responses to questions on domestic violence, and service providers’ responses to their role in providing care.
Conclusion
The facilitators and barriers identified indicate the need to strengthen health systems by training antenatal care nurses to detect symptoms of CMDs and experiences of domestic violence in pregnant women, developing standardised referral pathways and training lay healthcare workers to provide treatment for mild symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Should nurses be given the rights to autonomously initiate medications for adult patients’ experiencing acute pain at triage prior to a physicians’ consult in Singapore’s Emergency Departments? A Systematic Review
Authors: Charles Gerard
Published: May 2021

Background: Globally, in most countries, nurses are restricted from independent prescribing however, seven countries have achieved legislation to implement prescriptive authority to nurses with more countries in bid to follow suit. Since the inception of nurse-initiated medications in the 1990s, the increase in prescribing authority has shown a positive impact on the measured metrics with evidence improving patient care with timeliness to analgesia and greater pain control. Objectives: The objectives of this review is to rationalise the use of nurse-initiated medications at triage for patients’ presenting with acute pain in the emergency department, to critically analyse the risks and benefits of NIM and to generate ideas and make recommendations about practice implications regarding NIM at triage.Methods: A literature review using a systematic approach was undertaken. Multiple keyword combinations were incorporated, and an inclusion and exclusion criteria were set. All studies chosen were critically appraised using four different toolkits based on research design for rigour & quality. Ten studies were selected for this review. Thematic analysis was conducted, stitching the similarities identified within the studies and a discussion of the results with a conclusion was written. Results: Nurses who were given prescriptive authority significantly decreased time to analgesia in nine studies with the initiation of NIM at triage. There were no complaints or mentions of medication errors, special events or adverse reactions reported in the selected research papers. Thematic analysis identified pain assessment as a key indicator for nurses to initiate medications for patients upon triage. The introduction of NIM has attained clinically significant pain reduction scores and increased patient satisfaction. There was, however, little effect between NIM and ED length of stay. Safety concerns, anxiety, and overwhelming workload were identified as barriers for nurse prescribing with measures set in place to combat these issues.Conclusion: This review has found that nurse-initiated medications are beneficial as it does increase timeliness to analgesia and improve pain control for patients. It also highlights compelling evidence with an increase in timeliness to analgesia and that authority should be given to nurses in Singapore for the rights to autonomously prescribe analgesia for patients’ experiencing acute pain at triage prior to a physicians’ consultation. Prescriptive authority for nurses will be a step forward in contemporary emergency medicine. Further exploration and research should be undertaken about the concept and impact of NIM on safety issues, ED length of stay with randomised studies to solidify this initiation.
Emergency Gastrointestinal Surgery in Patients Undergoing Antithrombotic Therapy in a Single General Hospital: a Propensity Score-matched Analysis
Authors: Abe Shinya , Ami Katsunori , Katsuno Akira , Tamura Noriyasu , Harada Toshiko , Hamasaki Shunsuke , Kitagawa Yusuke , Machida Taku , Umetani Naoyuki
Published: May 2021

Background: This study aimed to review and evaluate the surgical outcomes, particularly intraoperative severe blood loss and postoperative blood complications, of emergency gastrointestinal surgery in patients undergoing antithrombotic therapy (AT). Emergency surgeries for patients with antithrombotic medication have been increasing in the aging population. However, the effect of AT on intraoperative blood loss and perioperative complications remains unclear. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 732 patients who underwent emergency gastrointestinal surgery between April 2014 and March 2019. Patients were classified into AT group and Non-AT group, and propensity score-matched analysis was performed to compare the short surgical outcomes between the groups. Additionally, risk factors in severe estimated blood loss (EBL) were assessed. The optimal value of EBL was determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: Altogether, 64 patients received AT; 50 patients and 12, and 2 were given antiplatelet and anticoagulant, and both drugs, respectively. After propensity score matching, EBL (101 vs. 99 ml; p = 0.466) and postoperative complications (14 vs. 16 patients; p = 0.676) were similar between the groups (63 patients matched paired). Intraoperative severe bleeding (EBL ≥ 113 ml) occurred 3 in 146 patients. Multivariate analysis using the full cohort revealed that anticoagulant drug use was an independent risk factor for severe bleeding (odds ratio, 6.50; 95% CI 1.4-36; p = 0.015). Conclusions: This study demonstrated antithrombotic drugs do not adversely affect the perioperative outcomes of emergency gastrointestinal surgery, although patients taking anticoagulant drugs or multiple antithrombotic drugs should undergo careful surgical performances and postoperative management.
Morphometric and Sinuosity Analysis of Tlawng River Basin: A Geographic Information System Approach
Authors: Lalramchulloa David , Bhaskra Rao Ch Udaya , Rinawma P.
Published: May 2021

Channel plan-form patterns of river Tlawng has been studied which shows that there is variation in the sinuosity index. This variation is a sign of changing characteristics and behavior of the river. The average sinuosity of the river is 1.41. The sinuosity index is higher in the lower course of the river as it flows through alluvial plain. GIS techniques have been used for studying morphometric parameters. There are 6736 streams in the Tlawng river basin which shows that the topography is still undergoing erosion as the number of stream is high (Zaidi, 2011). The river has low bifurcation ratio which indicates less possibilities of flooding. The drainage density indicates the higher permeable subsoil and moderate to thick vegetative cover. The stream frequency value of the Tlawng river basin is 1.30 streams / km2 which shows a positive relation with drainage density.
Study of nonlinear effects in a bolted joint using the base excitation as an input
Authors: Doranga Sushil , Wu Christine
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the nonlinearity detection, characterization and identification of a bolted beam assembly is presented. The methodology utilized in this work is based on the force reconstruction using the base excitation as an input and the nonlinear system identification. The force reconstruction procedure was carried out by exciting the bolted beam assembly at very low excitation with fully tightened bolt condition. The nonlinear effect in the bolted beam assembly was induced by reducing the bolt clamping loads. A collection of frequency response functions (FRFs) are shown at different clamping loads to detect and characterize the nonlinearities. Once the nonlinearities are detected and characterized, the restoring force surface method using the reconstructed force was used to identify the nonlinear parameters in the modal space. Four different base excitation (energy) levels with three different tightening torques were considered in the tests in order to study the energy dependence of the damping nonlinearities. In all the cases, the nonlinear system identification methodology employed was successful in identifying the damping and stiffness nonlinearities.
Güneş Enerjisi Santrali için Uygun Alanların CBS Tabanlı AHP Yöntemi ile Belirlenmesi: Mersin İli Örneği
Authors: GÜNER Esra Deniz , TEKİN Senem , ÇİLEK Müge , ÇİLEK Ahmet
Published: May 2021

Güneş enerji santrallerinin nihai yer seçim kriterleri çevresel, topografik, ekonomik, ve yasal mevzuatlar gibi bir çok değişkene bağlıdır. Yer seçimini etkileyen bu kriterler düşünüldüğünde, güneş enerji santrallerinin yer seçim yaklaşımları büyük yatırımlar için kritik bir konudur. Bu kriterlerin sistematik bir hiyerarşide düzenlemek zorunludur. Güneş enerjisi santrallerin yer seçiminin modern yöntemlerle seçilmesi ile ülke ekonomisine önemli bir katkı sağlanacağı düşünülmektedir. Bu doğrultuda mevcut çalışma, Coğrafi Bilgi Sistemleri (CBS) tabanlı çok kriterli bir karar verme (ÇKKV) tekniğini kullanarak Mersin İli’ndeki (Türkiye) güneş enerjisi santralleri için uygun yerlerin belirlenmesi amaçlamaktadır. Çevresel, ekonomik ve topografik kriterleri ağırlıklandırmak ve potansiyel alanların uygunluğunu değerlendirmek için analitik hiyerarşi yöntemi (AHP) uygulanmıştır. Sonuç olarak, çalışma alanının güneş enerjisi alanları için sahile yakın Tarsus, Yenişehir, Erdemli, Silifke, Anamur ilçelerinin ve çevresi alanların yüksek uygunluk düzeyine sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Çalışma alanının kuzeydoğusunda yer alan Çamlıyayla ilçesinin ise güneş enerji santralleri için az uygun alan olarak bulunmuştur
Güç Tutuşurluk Apresinin Denim Kumaş Performans Özelliklerine Etkisinin Araştırılması
Authors: BAYKAL Pınar Duru , KARATAŞ Eda
Published: May 2021

Bu çalışmanın amacı, performans özelliklerini (hava geçirgenliği, yırtılma mukavemeti ve yumuşaklık) kaybetmeden güç tutuşur denim kumaş üretmektir. Bu amaçla 4 farklı ön terbiye işlemine tabi tutulmuş 8 farklı kumaş numunesi üretilmiştir. Güç tutuşurluk özelliği, kumaşın alev geciktirici kimyasal ile terbiyesine göre elde edilmiştir. Ayrıca apreli kumaşlara 5 tekrarlı rins yıkama uygulanmıştır. Sonuçlar, sınırlı alev yayılma testi, hava geçirgenlik testi, yırtılma mukavemeti testi ve yumuşaklık testleri yapılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre güç tutuşurluk apresi yapılan numunelerde alevlenme, parlama veya delik oluşumu gözlenmemiştir. Genel olarak apre ve tekrarlanan yıkama işlemlerinin hava geçirgenlik değerlerini bir miktar düşürdüğü ancak ön terbiye işlemleri farklı olan bazı numunelerde değişiklik olmadığı görülmüştür. Tüm numunelerde güç tutuşurluk apresi sonrası yumuşaklık bir miktar azalmış ve kumaşlar sertleşmiştir. Apreli kumaşların yıkanmasından sonra genel olarak yumuşaklık değerlerinde artış gözlenmiştir.
Numerical Investigation of Effects of Different Injection Pressure on Diesel Engine Performance and NOX Emission
Authors: AVCU Adem , TÜCCAR Gökhan , CHOUP ANI Naghdali
Published: May 2021

Favourable efficiency of diesel engines makes them the most abundant type of internal combustion engines. However, diesel engines are also primary sources of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions formed as a result of the combustion process. There are many variables to affect the performance of diesel engine. One of them is injection pressure. Combustion process has a crucial effect on emission formation of diesel engines and this process is highly affected by fuel atomization. Injectors are one of the most important components of diesel engines that control the atomization of fuel. Today’s modern injectors provide high injection pressures to improve fuel atomization. To reduce exhaust emissions and fuel consumption, the effect of high-pressure fuel injection was investigated in fourcylinder engines numerically. Increased injection pressure improves smoke and fuel consumption, especially at low and medium speeds. However, some variables can be adversely affected by pressure increases. In this study, variables affecting engine performance were observed at different injection pressures for 500-800 bar and 800-1000 bar, and the results were shared.
Çelik Lif Katkılı Alüminyum Tüp İçine Beton Doldurulmuş Kirişlerin Eğilme Dayanımlarının İncelenmesi
Authors: YALTAY Namık , YAVUZ Demet , GÜLER Soner
Published: May 2021

Çelik tüp içine beton doldurulmuş (ÇTBD) kirişlerin özellikle yüksek yapılarda ve köprü kirişlerinde kullanımı gün geçtikçe artmaktadır. Ancak, son yıllarda normal ve paslanmaz çelik yerine daha hafif ve ucuz olan alüminyum tüp içine beton doldurulmuş (ATBD) kirişler inşaat uygulamalarında yaygın bir şekilde kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı çelik lif katkılı dikdörtgen en kesitli ATBD kirişlerin moment ve süneklik kapasitelerinin incelenmesidir. Çelik liflerin hacimsel lif oranları %0,5 ve %1,5 olarak, alüminyum tüp et kalınlıkları ise 2 ve 4 mm olarak seçilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, içi boş alüminyum tüplerin içine beton doldurulmasının ATBD kirişlerin dayanım ve süneklik kapasitelerini önemli oranda artırdığı belirlenmiştir. Çelik liflerin ATBD kirişlerin moment kapasitelerini arttırmada etkileri oldukça sınırlıyken, ATBD kirişlerin süneklik kapasitelerini arttırmada çok daha fazla etkili oldukları görülmüştür. Ayrıca, çelik lif hacimsel oranı %0,5’den %1,5’a çıkarıldığı zaman ATBD kirişlerin daha fazla elastik ötesi deformasyon yaptıkları ve bundan dolayı süneklik kapasitesindeki artışların daha belirgin olduğu belirlenmiştir
Numerical Analysis of Ampicillin Release from Electrospun Nanofibrous Mats
Authors: TATLİSÖZ Mehmet Melih , CANPOLAT Çetin
Published: May 2021

The electrospun nanofibrous mat is an emerging tool for drug release studies. Therefore, it is essential to predict this type of system's drug release behavior to overcome the existing problems and generate novel drug release systems. In the present work, a numerical study is performed for fulfilling this requirement, and the current numerical data is validated with the experimental study, which is available in the open literature. Transient Langmuir-Freundlich adsorption-desorption isotherm is employed for describing the drug release behavior of the electrospun nanofibrous system under perfect sink conditions. The effect of the diffusion phenomenon is also taken into account. Drug release rates are investigated for different initial drug concentrations, porosity values, permittivity mass coefficients, and mat surface areas. Moreover, the relationship between the porosity and the initial drug concentration is also presented. It can be reported that significant alterations occur in drug release rates through varied initial drug concentrations and porosity. Although the drug release rate is altered with permittivity coefficient or surface area, minor variations are observed compared to the parameters above. The results of the numerical code agree well with the experimental data.
Çelik Lifli Betonlarda Agrega Tipinin Kırılma Enerjisine Etkisi
Authors: DEMİRALP Merve , BEYCİOĞLU Ahmet , ÜRÜNVEREN Hüsamettin , KÖKSAL Fuat , ANADUT Hüseyin Okan
Published: May 2021

Beton, farklı özelliklerdeki malzemelerin birlikte kullanılmasıyla oluşturulan kompozit bir mühendislik malzemesidir. Bu kompoziti oluşturan her bileşenin fiziksel ve mekanik performans açısından önemli düzeyde etkileri bulunmaktadır. Betonun en önemli bileşenlerinden bir tanesi de agregalar olup agregaların birim ağırlığı, iç yapısı, mekanik özelikleri, yüzey formu vb. gibi birçok özelliği betonun fiziksel, mekanik, durabilite, radyoaktif etkilere karşı koyma yeteneği gibi mühendislik performanslarını doğrudan etkilemektedir. Bu çalışma kapsamında, farklı tipteki agregaların çelik lifli betonlarda taze ve sertleşmiş beton özelliklerine etkileri incelenmiştir. Bu doğrultuda, kırmataş agrega (KTA) ve doğal agrega (DOA) ile C35 dayanım sınıfında çelik lifli beton numuneler üretilmiştir. Üretilen betonların taze ve sertleşmiş beton özellikleri belirlendikten sonra agrega tipinin çelik lifli betonlarda kırılma enerjisine etkisini incelemek amacıyla çentikli kiriş numuneler üzerinde kırılma enerjisi deneyleri yapılmıştır. Sonuç olarak KTA ile üretilen betonların dolaylı çekme ve enerji yutma kapasitesi açısından DOA ile üretilen betonlara kıyasla daha iyi bir performans gösterdiği ve normal betonda bilinen bu durumun lifli betonlar için de geçerli olduğu belirlenmiştir.
PLC Kontrollü Kurutucu Konveyör Tasarımı
Authors: KÜÇÜKATAY Orçun , KÖSE Ercan , YILDIZ Zehra
Published: May 2021

Güneşle kurutma yönteminin dezavantajların ortadan kaldırılması için endüstriyel ortamda kurutma sistemleri geliştirilmiştir. PLC kontrollü kurutucu konve yör tasarımında, hiçbir elektriksel kaynak kullanılmadan tamamen çevreci bir şekilde gıdaların doğal güneş ışığını kullanarak kurutulması amaçlanmış ve sistem tasarlanmıştır. PLC kontrollü kurutucu konveyör sistemi, şeffaf bir materyalle üzeri kapatılmış dikdörtgen prizma şeklinde bir kurutma kabininden oluşmaktadır. Sisteme nem ve sıcaklık sensörleri ile ağırlık ölçer eklenmiş ve sistemin PLC ile kontrolü sağlanmıştır. Sistemde 1 saniyelik periyotlarda sıcaklık, nem ve kurutulan maddedeki ağırlık değişimleri algılanarak PLC hafızasına kaydedilmektedir. Tüm kurutma parametreleri algılayıcılar vasıtasıyla izlenip kaydedilerek cihazın kurutma performansı ve çevresel faktörlerdeki değişim, PLC hafızasında depolanan sayısal datalar vasıtasıyla PLC üzerinden grafiksel olarak izlenebilmektedir.
A festa das primícias na comunidade amazônica de Vila Verde/Pará
Authors: Lott Wanessa , Da Cruz Pereira de Oliveira Solange
Published: May 2021

O presente trabalho ressalta a importância da Festa das Primícias na comunidade de Vila Verde localizada no Estado do Pará. A festa ultrapassa o significado religioso pertinente aos membros da Assembleia de Deus e se coloca como um importante evento cultural para comunidade local. Optou-se por perceber a festa pelo recurso metodológico da observação participante, mas sem ter o intuito de fazer uma etnografia. Assim, a fala de membros da comunidade local e a observação da festa no ano de 2019 foram as fontes principais deste estudo, juntamente com o estudo bibliográfico sobre o tema.
The Molecular Mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi Stems and
Leaves Flavonoids in Promoting Neurogenesis and Improving Memory
Impairment by the PI3K-AKT-CREB Signaling Pathway in Rats
Authors: Shang Ya-Zhen , Liu Qian-Qian , Ding Sheng-Kai , Zhang Hui
Published: May 2021

Aim:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi stems and leaves flavonoids (SSF) in promoting neurogenesis and improving memory impairment induced by the PI3K-AKT-CREB signaling pathway.

Methods:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) was induced in the male Wistar rats by intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid beta peptide 25-35 (Aβ25-35) in combination with aluminum trichloride (AlCl3) and recombinant human transforming growth factor-β1(RHTGF-β1) (composited Aβ). The Morris water maze was used to screen the successful establishment of the memory impairment model of rats. The screened successful model rats were randomly divided into a model group and three groups of three different doses of the drug (SSF). Rats in the drug group were treated with 35, 70, and 140 mg/kg of SSF for 43 days. The Eight-arm maze was used to measure the spatial learning and memory abilities of the rat, including working memory errors (WME) and reference memory errors (RME). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of BrdU, an indicator of neuronal proliferation, in the hippocampal gyrus of rats. The mRNA and protein expressions of TRKB, PI3K, AKT, P-AKT, and IGF2 in the PI3K-AKT-CREB signaling pathway in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of the rats were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting methods.

Results:

Compared to the sham group, the spatial memory ability of rats with composited Aβ was decreased, the number of WME and RME (P < 0.01) was increased, the expression of BrdU protein (P < 0.01) in the hippocampal gyrus was reduced, the mRNA and protein expression levels of TRKB, AKT, and IGF2 (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex were lowered, and the mRNA expression level of PI3K (P < 0.01) in the cerebral cortex and the protein expression level of PI3K (P < 0.01) in the hippocampus were augmented. However, compared to the model group, the three-doses of SSF improved memory disorder induced by composited Aβ, reduced the number of WME and RME, increased the expression of BrdU protein in the hippocampal gyrus, and differently regulated the mRNA and protein expressions in composited Aβ rats.

Conclusions:

SSF improved memory impairment and neurogenesis disorder induced by composited Aβ in rats by activating the PI3K-AKT-CREB signaling pathway and up-regulating the mRNA and protein expressions of TRKB, PI3K, AKT, CREB, and IGF2.
Existing Drug Repurposing for Glioblastoma to Discover Candidate Drugs
as a New a Approach
Authors: Yang Bo , Wang Xiande , Dong Dong , Pan Yunqing , Wu Junhua , Liu Jianjian
Published: May 2021

Aims:

Repurposing of drugs has been hypothesized as a means of identifying novel
treatment methods for certain diseases.

Background:

Glioblastoma (GB) is an aggressive type of human cancer; the most effective treatment
for glioblastoma is chemotherapy, whereas, when repurposing drugs, a lot of time and money can be
saved.

Objective:

Repurposing of the existing drug may be used to discover candidate drugs for individualized
treatments of GB.

Method:

We used the bioinformatics method to obtain the candidate drugs. In addition, the drugs
were verified by MTT assay, Transwell® assays, TUNEL staining, and in vivo tumor formation experiments,
as well as statistical analysis.

Result:

We obtained 4 candidate drugs suitable for the treatment of glioma, camptothecin, doxorubicin,
daunorubicin and mitoxantrone, by the expression spectrum data IPAS algorithm analysis and
drug-pathway connectivity analysis. These validation experiments showed that camptothecin was
more effective in treating the GB, such as MTT assay, Transwell® assays, TUNEL staining, and in
vivo tumor formation.

Conclusion:

With regard to personalized treatment, this present study may be used to guide the research
of new drugs via verification experiments and tumor formation. The present study also provides
a guide to systematic, individualized drug discovery for complex diseases and may contribute
to the future application of individualized treatments.
MicroRNA in Implant Dentistry: From Basic Science to Clinical Application
Authors: Menini Maria , Dellepiane Elena , Pera Francesco , Izzotti Alberto , Baldi Domenico , Delucchi Francesca , Bagnasco Francesco , Pesce Paolo
Published: May 2021

Specific microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles have been reported to be predictive of
specific clinical outcomes of dental implants and might be used as biomarkers in implant dentistry
with diagnostic and prognostic purposes. The aim of the present narrative review was to summarize
current knowledge regarding the use of miRNAs in implant dentistry. The authors attempted
to identify all available evidence on the topic and critically appraise it in order to lay the
foundation for the development of further research oriented towards the clinical application of miRNAs
in implant dentistry.