bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-World Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes in Canadian Patients With AML Unfit for First-Line Intensive Chemotherapy
Authors: Sanford David , Desjardins Pierre , Leber Brian , Assouline Sarit , Lembo Paola , Fournier Pierre-André , Leitch Heather
Published: August 2022

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy that predominantly affects the elderly. Prognosis declines with age. For those who cannot tolerate intensive chemotherapy, historically established treatment options have been hypomethylating agents (HMAs), low dose cytarabine (LDAC), and best supportive care (BSC). As the standard of care evolves for those unfit for intensive chemotherapy, there is a need to understand established treatment pathways, clinical outcomes and healthcare resource utilization in Canada. The CURRENT study was a retrospective chart review of AML patients not eligible for intensive chemotherapy who initiated first-line treatment between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018. Data were collected from 170 Canadian patients treated at six hematology centers, of whom 118 received systemic therapy and 52 received BSC as first-line treatment. Median overall survival was 8.58 months and varied from 2.96 months for BSC to 13.31 months for HMAs. Over 80% of patients had at least one outpatient visit, and 67% of patients receiving systemic therapy and 71% of those receiving BSC had at least one admission to hospital, during their first line of therapy. A total of 96 (81.4%) patients receiving first line systemic therapy and 39 (75.0%) of those receiving first line BSC had at least one red blood cell or platelet transfusion. These findings highlight the unmet need for novel therapies for patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.
Conceptualizing the Human Drivers of Low Tree Diversity in Planted Urban Landscapes
Authors: Hilbert Deborah R. , Koeser Andrew K. , Andreu Michael , Hansen Gail , Roman Lara A. , Thetford Mack , Thompson Grant L.
Published: August 2022

Despite the abundance of tree diversity in the natural world, and generally high tree species richness in urban areas, urban forests continue to be dominated by a limited number of species. As socio-ecological systems, urban forests are shaped by historical and current management efforts and decision-making of a wide range of human actors. Drawing on past research, we offer a conceptual framework for describing the complex interactions among tree producers and consumers as trees are selected, grown, specified, and planted in private and public urban areas. We illustrate how multiple layers of selection criteria filter down the entirety of potential local tree diversity to a handful of commonly used and accepted tree species. We detail the actors and decision makers who impact tree composition and diversity across several land types. Finally, we identify research, education and outreach needs as they relate to creating more diverse and resilient urban forest ecosystems.
Peramalan Jumlah Penderita DBD di Provinsi Jawa Barat dengan Metode Hybrid Sarimax-Ann
Authors: Indriany Rahayu  , Marwati Rini , Rachmatin Dewi
Published: August 2022

Indonesia is one of the tropical countries in the world, therefore Indonesia has two seasons, namely the dry season and the rainy season. Because it has two seasons, it can cause tropical diseases that is growing very fast is Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). DHF is time series data tha can be collected annually and has a seasonal cycle. Because it is time series data, it can be forecasted using SARIMAX method, but SARIMAX is only able to solve linear problems and to overcone non-linear prolblems it can be solved using the ANN Backpropagation method. Therefore, in this study using the Hybrid SARIMAX-ANN method. The data in this study contained the dependent variable and the independent variable. The dependent variable is DHF data, while the independent variable is air humidity, air temperature, and rainfall data. The result obtained in this study, namely the factor that greatly affects DHF is air humidity. Forecasting result form Januari 2021 to June 2021 are 1.081, 960, 1.132, 1.103, 2.467, and 1.605. the it produces a MAPE value of 16,33% which means a good level of accuracy.
Optimal Control Solution for Rabies Disease Transmission within Free-ranging Dog
Authors: Eti Dwi Wiraningsih  , Z. Jamaludin  , A. P. Ramadhan  , Jamaludin M. Misbach
Published: August 2022

This paper considers deterministic model for transmission dynamics of rabies virus in the free-ranging dog population. The stability of system near by Disease Free Equilibrium point is analized using Next Generation Matrix. The effect of vaccination in susceptible dog population is considered on the model. We then present the effective reproduction number in the present of the vaccination. Further we developed the formula to obtain the optimal vaccination to eliminate the endemic equilibrium, via the Pontryagin Maximum Principle. Numerical example are presented  to show the properties of the optimal control solution.
Management of Chronic Transtibial Articulocutaneous Fistula After All-Inside ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Boushnak Mohammad O. , Moussa Mohamad K. , Alayane Ali , Mirzoyan Hamlet , Hajjar Samer
Published: August 2022

Case:

A 29-year-old man presented 2 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction by autologous semitendinosus graft and suspensory fixation on both tibial and femoral sides for chronic drainage of clear fluid from an anteromedial wound at the site of the tibial tunnel with a visible sinus tract. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a transtibial articulocutaneous fistula. The patient was treated by tunnel debridement, impaction bone grafting, bioresorbable interference screw, and cement to fully seal the tunnel. The surgery was successful with good clinical outcomes for recurrence and knee stability.

Conclusion:

Communicating transtibial articulocutaneous fistulas are rare complications after ACL reconstruction. Tunnel debridement and filling with graft material affected by an interference screw seem to be an effective method for dealing with such a clinical scenario.
Determination of residual low-order detonation particle characteristics from Composition B mortar rounds
Authors: Bigl Matthew , Beal Samuel , Ramsey Charles
Published: August 2022

Empirical measurements of the spatial distribution, particle-size distribution, mass, morphology, and energetic composition of particles from low-order (LO) detonations are critical to accurately characterizing environ-mental impacts on military training ranges. This study demonstrated a method of generating and characterizing LO-detonation particles, previously applied to insensitive munitions, to 81 mm mortar rounds containing the conventional explosive formulation Composition B. The three sampled rounds had estimated detonation efficiencies ranging from 64% to 82% as measured by sampled residual energetic material. For all sampled rounds, energetic deposition rates were highest closer to the point of detonation; however, the mass per radial meter varied. The majority of particles (>60%), by mass, were <2 mm in size. However, the spatial distribution of the <2 mm particles from the point of detonation varied be-tween the three sampled rounds. In addition to the particle-size-distribution results, several method performance observations were made, including command-detonation configurations, sampling quality control, particle-shape influence on laser-diffraction particle-size analysis (LD-PSA), and energetic purity trends. Overall, this study demonstrated the successful characterization of Composition B LO-detonation particles from command detonation through combined analysis by LD-PSA and sieving.
Screening dredged material to meet placement requirements
Authors: Welp Timothy
Published: August 2022

Certain types of dredging projects require screening of the dredged material (DM) to achieve the project’s DM placement requirement(s). Screening in the context of this report will be defined as the separation of an oversized fraction of the DM from the remaining fraction to meet project-specific placement compliance criteria (or criterion). Examples of DM placement requirements include aspects such as removing Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) to address safety concerns and extracting over-sized material for beneficial use of DM (e.g., gravel and debris from sand to meet beach nourishment placement standards). Welp et al. (2008) provide detailed guidance for personnel involved in dredging projects with sediment containing MEC. The purpose of this document is to not only update the previous MEC-centric guidance with newly developed or identified technology but to also expand upon screening aspects to provide guidance for personnel involved in dredging projects that require removal of an oversized fraction for screening purposes other than just MEC removal.
Deep-water Tectono-Stratigraphy at a Plate Boundary Constrained by Large N-Detrital Zircon and Micropaleontological Approaches: Peninsular Ranges Forearc, Baja California, Mexico
Authors: Kane Ian A. , Hodgson David M. , Hubbard Stephen M. , McArthur Adam D. , Poyatos-Moré Miquel , Soutter Euan L. , Flint Stephen S. , Matthews William
Published: August 2022

The distribution of sedimentary systems on Earth’s surface is intimately linked to tectonics, therefore, at plate boundaries the stratigraphic archive can unlock the timing and style of tectonism and relative plate motions. Using large-n detrital zircon and micropaleontological analyses, tied to field mapping and data collection, we unravel the timing of strike-slip motion and its influence on the development of a Cretaceous submarine canyon on a long-lived oblique-convergent margin. Structural analysis demonstrates that the canyon bedrock, composed of fluvial rocks (La Bocana Roja Fm., of maximum depositional age (MDA): 93.6±1.1 Ma), underwent both syn- and post-depositional contractional and extensional deformation during the Cenomanian-Turonian in response to dextral strike-slip movement. Relative sea-level rise associated with basin subsidence and hinterland uplift was coincident with incision and fill of a submarine canyon system (Punta Baja Fm., MDA 87.1±1.5 Ma to 84.9±2.0 Ma), which exploited structural lineaments in the bedrock. The canyon was filled by sediment derived from an uplifted magmatic arc during the Coniacian to Santonian, most likely shed from erosional topography associated with plutonic intrusions to the NE. Structural data suggest that oblique dextral strike-slip motion on the Pacific margin controlled the development and location of submarine erosion, and had ended by the earliest Santonian, significantly earlier than previously estimated. Basinward tilting led to uplift, followed by transgression and wave ravinement of the canyon fill, which was then overlain by a shallow-marine to fluvial system. Thus, the canyon was cut, filled, buried, uplifted and rotated basinward, planed off through wave ravinement, and onlapped by shallow-marine to fluvial sediments within an 8 Myr period. Our findings, in part, reconcile contrasting basin evolution models for the Late Mesozoic Pacific margin.
Designing forecasting assistant of the Bitcoin price based on deep learning using the market sentiment analysis and multiple feature extraction
Authors: Fakharchian Sina
Published: August 2022

Nowadays, the issue of fluctuations in the price of digital Bitcoin currency has a striking impact on the profit or loss of people, international relations, and trade. Accordingly, designing a model that can take into account the various significant factors for predicting the Bitcoin price with the highest accuracy is essential. Hence, the current paper presents several Bitcoin price prediction models based on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Long-Short-Term Memory (LSTM) using market sentiment and multiple feature extraction. In the proposed models, several parameters, including Twitter data, news headlines, news content, Google Trends, Bitcoin-based stock, and finance, are employed based on deep learning to make a more accurate prediction. Besides, the proposed model analyzes the Valence Aware Dictionary and Sentiment Reasoner (VADER) sentiments to examine the latest news of the market and cryptocurrencies. According to the various inputs and analyses of this study, several effective feature selection methods, including mutual information regression, Linear Regression, correlation-based, and a combination of the feature selection models, are exploited to predict the price of Bitcoin. Finally, a careful comparison is made between the proposed models in terms of some performance criteria like Mean Square Error (MSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Median Absolute Error (MedAE), and coefficient of determination (R2). The obtained results indicate that the proposed hybrid model based on sentiments analysis and combined feature selection with MSE value of 0.001 and R2 value of 0.98 provides better estimations with more minor errors regarding Bitcoin price. This proposed model can also be employed as an individual assistant for more informed trading decisions associated with Bitcoin.
A Deep Learning based Intrusion Detection Approach for MANET
Authors: Meddeb Rahma , Jemili Farah , Triki Bayrem , Korbaa Ouajdi
Published: August 2022

Defining efficient Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) have gained a lot of attractions due to the massive increase in different sorts of attacks in Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET). The Mobile Data Analysis (MDA) and Network Security Monitoring put under seruting the traffic patterns on a mobile network to select the most suspicious part. It contains the rules or the patterns which extracted precise network traffic and identified a malicious node on the network. In this paper, we introduced a Stacked auto-encoder approach for enhancing Intrusion Detection Systems; Stacked autoencoder based approach for MANET (Stacked AE-IDS) is a neural network approach in Machine Learning (ML) for reducing correlation. It attempts to model relevant features with high-level and to get a good representation features from Data Correlation by using multiple processing layers. Stacked AE-IDS method tries to reproduce our input where the dimensionality of the input is the same as the of the output with a reducing correlation. Our proposed Deep Learning-based IDS consists of two phases. The output of the auto-encoder is used as the input of the Deep Neural network (DNN) classifier (DNN-IDS). It focuses on Denial of Services (DoS) attack within labeled datasets which are available for intrusion detection and employs the most potential attacks impact routing services in Mobile Network.
Validity and Reliability of the Japanese Version of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment for Patellar Tendinopathy (VISA-P-J): A prospective cohort study
Authors: Togashi Ishin , Nagao Masashi , Nishio Hirofumi , Nozu Shojiro , Shiota Yuki , Takazawa Yuji
Published: August 2022

Background: This study aimed to translate, adapt, and test the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Victorian Institute of sports assessment for patellar tendinopathy (VISA-P-J) according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN).Methods: This prospective cohort study registered 43 participants ≥18 years old with a history of painful symptoms in the inferior pole of the patella to the proximal patellar tendon lasting ≥1 month. Pain in daily life and during sports activities, symptom classification, and patient global impression of change (PGIC) were assessed at the baseline, 1 week, and 12 weeks. The psychometric properties of the VISA-P-J were calculated according to the COSMIN.Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)2,1 for test-retest reliability was 0.87 (p<0.01), and the standard error of measurement was 0.89. The Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency was 0.81. A correlation was observed with other external criteria (p<0.01) for criterion validity. All hypotheses of the hypothesis-testing method to evaluate construct validity and responsiveness were substantiated. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was 7 points.Conclusion: We demonstrated that the VISA-P-J, based on the COSMIN, was a reliable, valid, and responsive assessment method for individuals with chronic pain in the patellar tendon.
Land Use Classification System in Bangladesh: Inconsistencies and Their Consequences
Authors: Faria Meher Afjun , Tonmoy Md. Efti Manna , Haque Afsana
Published: August 2022

A unified land use classification system with mutually exclusive definitions of each land use category helps to avoid inconsistencies in the planning process and most importantly ensures effective implementation of development control tools. In Bangladesh, the planning authorities prepare land use plans independently deciding the land use classes. This study aims to explore the nature of inconsistencies in the land use classification systems followed by different planning institutions in Bangladesh and to understand corresponding consequences. To conduct the study, land use plans prepared by different planning institutions have been collected. Based on descriptive analysis, the study reveals that types of land use classes in land use plans vary across time, administrative unit, and geographic location. Even authorities are not consistent in maintaining a classification system in their subsequent plans. Moreover, the plans retain ambiguous definitions of land use classes. The classification and definitions of the land use classes are not well-linked with different national acts, rules, and policies relating to environmental and natural conservation which makes it strenuous to control development and protect natural, environmental, and cultural resources. This study has the prospects to understand the importance of a unified land use classification system. It also identifies the strategies which could be useful to develop a unified system for countries like Bangladesh.
Training Trainers in the Management of Older Persons with Dementia during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Parodi José F. , Aguilar-Navarro Sara , Runzer-Colmenares Fernando M. , Cano-Gutierrez Carlos
Published: August 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, education activities for the prevention and management of chronic health conditions needed to adapt to meet their learning objectives. Dementia is a chronic disease that is one of the contemporary epidemics in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Objective: To describe and analyse the impact of the design and results of "The Management of the Elderly with Dementia” Course of the Latin American Academy of Medicine of the Elderly (ALMA) remotely taught to teachers and specialists in geriatrics from various countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Methodology: A course focused on learning and competencies was designed, including two phases of synchronous and asynchronous activities. An evaluation strategy was designed to assess the level of learning and the teaching strategy itself.Results: Of the 120 university geriatrics professors who applied, 60 participants were selected, one of whom declined to participate before starting the course. On the course initiation, 89 participants from 20 countries included teachers (6 speakers, 12 advisors, and 12 tutors) and students (59). The participants were professors from 49 universities in LAC and 3 in Europe. A total of 57 (98.25%) students achieved a satisfactory grade, and 17 (29.8%) obtained an excellent grade. Only one student failed. No student dropped out from the course. Self-perception of learning was greater than 70%. The opinions regarding the evaluation of the design, teaching methodology, content quality, quality of teachers, and virtual learning environment were mainly "good and very good". Conclusions: The virtual course model implemented was successful and efficient and can be used for teaching the topic analysed or adjusted to another issue.
Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders and Long-Term Survival after Liver Transplantation in Transplant Facilities with a Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison Team: a Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Kimura Hiroyuki , Kishi Shinichi , Narita Hisashi , Tanaka Teruaki , Okada Tsuyoshi , Fujisawa Daisuke , Sugita Naoko , Noma Shun’ichi , Matsumoto Yosuke , Ohashi Ayako , Mitsuyasu Hiroshi , Yoshida Keizo , Kawasaki Hiroaki , Nishimura Katsuji , Ogura Yasuhiro , Ozaki Norio
Published: August 2022

Objective
Comorbid psychiatric disorders negatively affect the survival rate of patients with some physical disorders. In liver transplant recipients, various psychiatric disorders have been identified as worsening prognosis. However, little is known about how the presence of any comorbid (overall) disorders affect the survival rate of transplant recipients. In this study, we examined the effect of overall comorbid psychiatric disorders on survival rate in liver transplant recipients.
Methods
A total of 1006 recipients who underwent liver transplantation between September 1997 and July 2017 across eight transplant facilities with a psychiatric consultation-liaison team were identified consecutively. Recipients were categorized into those with comorbid psychiatric disorders and those without comorbid psychiatric disorders. In the comorbid psychiatric disorder group, psychiatric disorder diagnosis and time of diagnosis were investigated retrospectively.
Results
Of the 1006 recipients, 294 (29.2%) had comorbid psychiatric disorders. Comorbid psychiatric disorders in the 1006 recipients were insomnia (N = 107, 10.6%), delirium (N = 103, 10.2%), major depressive disorder (N = 41, 4.1%), adjustment disorder (N = 19, 1.9%), anxiety disorder (N = 17, 1.7%), intellectual disability (N = 11, 1.1%), autism spectrum disorder (N = 7, 0.7%), somatic symptom disorder (N = 4, 0.4%) schizophrenia (N = 4, 0.4%), substance use disorder (N = 24, 2.4%) and personality disorder (N = 2, 0.2%). The most common time of psychiatric disorder diagnosis was within the first 3 months after liver transplantation (51.6%). The final mortality in patients with comorbid psychiatric disorder diagnosis during the five periods (pretransplant, transplant to 3 months, months to 1 year, 1 to 3 years, and over 3 years posttransplant) was 16.2%, 18.8%, 39.1%, 28.6%, and 16.2% respectively, and there were no significant differences between the five periods (χ2=8.05, df = 4, p = 0.09). Overall comorbid psychiatric disorders were significantly associated with shorter survival time (log-rank test: p = 0.01, hazard ratio: 1.60 [95% confidence interval: 1.15–2.24], survival rate at the endpoint [%]: 62.0 vs. 83.3). However, after adjusting for confounding variables using Cox proportional hazards regression, there was no significant effect of overall comorbid psychiatric disorders on prognosis.
Conclusion
Comorbid psychiatric disorders did not affect the survival rate of liver transplant recipients in this study.
Methyl Orange Dye Adsorbed Biochar as a Potential Brønsted Acid Catalyst for Microwave Assisted Biodiesel Production
Authors: CHELLAPPAN SUCHITH , Kallingal Aparna , Vandana Sajith , Nair Vaishakh , Chinglenthoiba Chingakham
Published: August 2022

Biodiesel production from non-edible oils using a highly efficient eco-friendly catalyst is a crucial requirement replacing fossil fuels. In the present work, biochar has been used for both environmental and energy applications. Using slow pyrolysis, the biochar was prepared from various biomass, mainly cassava peel, irul wood sawdust, and coconut shell. All biochars were used as adsorbents to remove an anionic dye (methyl orange) by conducting batch adsorption studies. The cassava peel based biochar showed maximum dye adsorption and was characterized using various sophisticated analytic tools, showing hydroxyl and acidic groups. Further, the dye adsorbed biochar based on cassava peel was used as a Brønsted acid catalyst for microwave assisted biodiesel production from Millettia pinnata seed oil.
Portable and Low-cost Hologram Verification Module That Uses Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Mukundan Arvind , Tsao Yu-Ming , Lin Fen-Chi , Wang Hsiang-Chen
Published: August 2022

One of the challenges in differentiating a duplicate hologram from an original one is reflectivity. A slight change in lighting condition will completely change the reflection pattern exhibited by a hologram, and consequently, a standardized duplicate hologram detector has not yet been created. In this study, a portable and low-cost hyperspectral imaging (HSI)-based housing module for differentiating between original and duplicate holograms was proposed. The module consisted of a Raspberry Pi 4 processor, a Raspberry Pi camera, a display, and a light-emitting diode lighting system with a dimmer. A visible HSI algorithm that could convert an RGB image captured by the Raspberry Pi camera into a hyperspectral image was established. A specific region of interest (ROI) was selected from the spectral image and mean gray value (MGV) and reflectivity were measured. Results suggested that shorter wavelengths are the most suitable for differentiating holograms when using MGV as the parameter for classification, while longer wavelengths are the most suitable when using reflectivity. The key features of this design include low cost, simplicity, lack of moving parts, and no requirement for an additional decoding key.
Spatial assortment of soil organisms supports the size-plasticity hypothesis
Authors: Sun Xin , Isabwe Alain , Yao Haifeng , Zhang Shixiu , Jiang Yuji , Breed Martin
Published: August 2022

The size-plasticity hypothesis posits that larger size organisms are less plastic in their metabolic rates and therefore are more strongly environmental-filtered than smaller organisms. Many studies have supported this hypothesis by evaluating the relative roles of environmental filtration and dispersal for different taxonomic groups of soil organisms. Most observations are made at large spatial scales, which are assumed to have a wide array of varying habitats. However, since urbanization causes habitat fragmentation at smaller regional scales, testing the size-plasticity hypothesis at this scale would help better understand the spatial assortment of urban soil organisms which, in turn, would help to develop improved management and conservation strategies of urban soil health. Here, we used DNA metabarcoding on five groups of soil biota (bacteria, fungi, protists, nematodes, and soil invertebrates) to assess the relative importance of dispersal and environmental filters to examine the size-plasticity hypothesis at this spatial scale in an urban environment. We observed strong distance-decay of community similarities associated with higher levels of stochastic changes in bacteria, nematode and protist communities but not fungal or invertebrate communities. Bacterial communities occupied the widest niche followed by protists and nematodes, potentially because of their higher dispersal abilities compared to the larger soil organisms. Null deviation of communities varied with taxonomic groups where bacteria and nematodes were mainly driven by homogenizing dispersal, protists and fungi by drift and soil invertebrates by environmental selection. We further identified a small percentage of locally-adapted taxa (2.1%) that could be focal taxa for conservation and restoration efforts by, for example, restoring their habitats and enhancing their regional connectivity. These results support the size-plasticity hypothesis at the relatively unexplored regional scale in an urbanization context, and provide new information for improving urban soil health and sustainable city models and urban soil health.
Treating Acute EXacerbation of COPD with Chinese HerbAL MedIcine to aid AntiBiotic Use Reduction (EXCALIBUR): study protocol of a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Hu Xiao-Yang , Oliver Tom , Willcox Merlin , Simpson Catherine , Thorne Kerensa , Trill Jeanne , Francis Nick , Stuart Beth , Thomas Michael , Little Paul , Liu Jian-Ping , Griffiths Gareth , Moore Michael
Published: August 2022

Background:Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are a major reason for consultations in primary care, hospital admissions, deterioration in function, and mortality. 70% of patients presenting with AECOPD in UK primary care are currently in receipt of antibiotics which is part of the standard care. However, the majority of exacerbations are not caused by bacteria. Finding effective non-antibiotic treatments for COPD exacerbations is a priority to reduce antibiotic use. The Chinese herbal medicine Shufeng Jieduâ (SFJD) has the potential to reduce treatment failure and duration of hospital stay. This study aims to test the feasibility of a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on SFJD in AECOPD.Methods:This study is a phase III, two-arm individually double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled feasibility trial with nested qualitative study, coordinated by the Southampton clinical trial unit (SCTU). Patients aged ≥40 years old, with a current AECOPD, presenting with increased sputum purulence/ volume, or breathlessness, and for whom the GP is considering use of antibiotics, will be eligible to participate. We aim to recruit seven eligible participants per month, randomise them to receive either the patent Chinese herbal medicine SFJD capsules or placebo for 14 consecutive days and to follow up for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes include the feasibility of recruitment, study retention, and the completion of trial diaries.Discussion:If this trial demonstrates the feasibility of recruitment, delivery and follow-up, we will seek funding for a fully powered placebo-controlled trial of SFJD for the treatment of AECOPD in primary care.Trial registration: This trial is registered via ISRCTN on 1stJuly 2021, identifier: ISRCTN26614726.
GPU accelerated digital twins of the human heart open new routes for cardiovascular research
Authors: Viola Francesco , Corso Giulio Del , De Paulis Ruggero , Verzicco Roberto
Published: August 2022

The recruitment of patients for rare or complex cardiovascular diseases is a bottleneck for clinical trials and digital twins of the human heart have recently been proposed as a viable alternative.
In this paper we present an unprecedented cardiovascular computer model which, relying on the latest GPU–acceleration technologies, replicates the full cardiac dynamics within a few hours. This opens the way to extensive simulation campaigns to study the response of synthetic cohorts of patients to cardiovascular disorders, novel prosthetic devices or surgical procedures. As a proof– of–concept we show the results obtained for left bundle branch block disorder and the subsequent cardiac resynchronization obtained by pacemaker implantation. The in–silico results closely match those obtained in clinical practice, confirming the reliability of the method.
This innovative approach makes possible a systematic use of digital twins in cardiovascular research, thus reducing the need of real patients with their economical and ethical implications. This study is a major step towards in–silico clinical trials in the era of digital medicine.
New π-Conjugated Oligomers based on pyrrole and anthracene for Applications in Organic Electronics Devices
Authors: Kacimi R. , Chemek M. , Bourass M. , Toupance T. , Samaher C. , Bennani M. N. , Alimi K. , Bejjit L , Bouachrine M.
Published: August 2022

The aim of this work is to study the optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic (PV) of organic material ‎based on anthracene and pyrrole units named Anthracene-Pyrole and noted ANT-PPY; the ‎discussion and interpretation of the obtained results will be devoted to the characterization based on an theoretical analysis (FTIR, UV-vis and PL), using the method DFT level of the B3LYP (Becke three-parameter Lee–Yang–Parr) exchange ‎correlation functional with 6-31G (d, p). Electronic charge distribution and the intramolecular charge ‎transfer (ICT) and electron density difference maps (EDDM) between the excited and ground states ‎of copolymer have been examined through a computational approach with the density functional ‎theory (DFT) and time-dependent-DFT (TD-DFT) and CAM-B3LYP methods. Non-linear optical (NLO) property of the ‎copolymer, the dipole moment, polarizability and first-order hyperpolarizability have been studied and ‎interpreted in this study. The obtained results show that optoelectronic qualities and photovoltaic properties are related (PV) of the copolymer suggest that ‎this copolymer can be a better candidate for used in organic electronic devices that will be ‎mentioned and studied.‎
CT-Guided Ozone Combined With Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block In The Treatment Of Atypical Facial Pain
Authors: YANG Mao-Jiang , Bhetuwal ANUP , Xian QIONG , ZHANG Hang-Wen , Han-Feng YANG , Xiao-Xue XU
Published: August 2022

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of CT-guided ozone combined with sphenopalatine ganglion block in the treatment of atypical facial pain. Materials and Methods: 92 patients with atypical facial pain admitted to our department from February 2014 to October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into experimental group and control group according to the method of computer random number table, 46 in each group. All patients in the experimental group were treated with CT-guided transpterygopalatine fossa ozone combined with sphenopalatine ganglion block, while those in the control group received simple sphenopalatine ganglion block. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the degree of pain, and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the quality of sleep. The degree of pain and sleep quality before and after operation were compared between the two groups, and the related complications were recorded. RESULTS: Both groups of patients were followed up to 6 months. The VAS score of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Sleep therapy volume of the experimental group was significantly improved within 6 months after treatment, and PSQI score was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The main complications in the experimental group included short-term facial pain and discomfort, facial numbness, no bleeding, intracranial infection and other serious complications. Conclusion: CT-guided transpterygopalatine fossa ozone combined with sphenopalatine ganglion block is safe and effective in the treatment of atypical facial pain, which can effectively relieve pain and improve the quality of life of patients.
High-throughput exploration of structural and functional properties of the high entropy nitride system (Ti-Co-Mo-Ta-W)N
Authors: Suhr Ellen , Krysiak Olga , Strotkoetter Valerie , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Ludwig Alfred
Published: August 2022

High entropy nitrides are largely unexplored materials with high potential to show good mechanical properties, high stability against chemicals, but also promising catalytic properties. The latter is due to their good electrical conductivity compared to (high entropy) oxides. The high entropy nitride system (Ti-Co-Mo-Ta-W)N was investigated, to combine binary and ternary nitrides, which show good water splitting activities. Continuous composition spread thin film materials libraries were deposited using reactive co-sputter deposition at 300 and 500°C. X-ray diffraction results show that the films consist of a single-phase solid solution in NaCl-type structure. The surface morphology, examined using scanning electron and atomic force microscopy, is related to the deposition temperature. (TiCoMoTaW)N films show low resistivity values in the range from 1.72 to 5.2 µΩ*cm. Their oxygen evolution reaction activity was measured using a scanning droplet cell, with a maximum current density of 1.78 \(\frac{\text{m}\text{A}}{{\text{c}\text{m}}^{2}}\) at 1700 mV vs. RHE at a Co-rich area. However, the stability under electrochemical load is critical.
Barriers and Facilitators for Evidence-Based Self-Care Counselling in Community Pharmacy, a qualitative study
Authors: Zande Rian Lelie- van der , Koster Ellen , Teichert Martina , Bouvy Marcel
Published: August 2022

Background Community pharmacy is easily accessible for self-care advice, supported by self-care guidelines. Such guidelines were introduced in several countries, including the Netherlands, in the 1990s. Previous studies have shown room for improvement of self-care advice in daily pharmacy practice.AimTo map community pharmacists’ and pharmacy assistants’ views on their role in self-care advice and barriers and facilitators for providing evidence-based advice in the community pharmacy. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face or online with pharmacists and assistants using a topic guide based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were deductively analysed to identify barriers and facilitators.ResultsIn total, 13 pharmacists and 12 assistants were interviewed to reach data saturation. Overall, important barriers were lacking ready knowledge, lacking cooperation with GPs, time-pressuring due to crowded waiting areas, prioritising the handling of prescribed medications, beliefs that WWHAM questions would always lead to correct advice and consumers’ trust in commercial drug information. Important facilitators were availability of guidelines, conversational, process and analytical skills, training and assessment and access to patient records.ConclusionPharmacists should strive for an optimal environment in the pharmacy for self-care advice, such as minimising environmental stressors and providing sufficient time for advice. In addition, they should arrange knowledge and skills training, assessing themselves and their team to improve the quality of self-care advice. Pharmacists should also improve cooperation with GPs and raise awareness of the importance of appropriate use of self-care products with consumers.
Carbohydrates and Ginsenosides in Shenmai Injection Jointly Improve Hematopoietic Function during Chemotherapy-induced Myelosuppression in Mice
Authors: Zhang Shiyu , Mi Yinxiao , Ye Tingting , Lu Xiaoyan , Liu Li , Qian Jing , Fan Xiaohui
Published: August 2022

Background:Shenmai injection (SMI), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) injection prepared from Red ginseng and Ophiopogonis Radix, is widely used in clinics to treat chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. Similar to other TCM injections, SMI contains a high amount of carbohydrates (fructose, sucrose, and maltose) in addition to the bioactive substances, specifically ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, and Rb1). To date, the role of these carbohydrates in the hematopoietic function of SMI remains unclear.Purpose:We aimed to investigate the hematopoietic effects and potential mechanisms of SMI and its components, focusing on the carbohydrates present in SMI.Experimental design/methods:First, we evaluated the hematopoietic effect of SMI on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced myelotoxicity in a tumor-bearing mouse model. Then we prepared mixtures of ginsenosides and carbohydrates according to their proportions in SMI and evaluated their hematopoietic function in mice with 5-FU-induced myelosuppression. Finally, hematopoiesis-related molecular networks were built based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of the bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), and the potential mechanisms of carbohydrates and ginsenosides were evaluated.Results:SMI attenuated 5-FU-induced myelotoxicity in tumor-bearing mice. Both ginsenosides and carbohydrates increased the bone marrow nucleated cell (BMNC) count and improved the bone marrow morphology in myelosuppressive mice; they promoted the proliferation of BMSCs derived from those myelosuppressive mice. Bioinformatics analyses revealed ECM-receptor interaction, Hippo signaling, and Wnt signaling are common pathways regulated by both ginsenosides and carbohydrates;Gstt1, Gstp2, Gsta4andOplahin Glutathione metabolism pathway andCd19, Cd79a,andCd79bin B cell receptor pathway are uniquely regulated genes related to carbohydrates but not ginsenosides.Conclusions:Carbohydrates may collaborate with ginsenosides and contribute to the hematopoietic function of SMI. Carbohydrates could be considered as a bioactive component in this TCM injection.
Are lighter male faces consciously and perceptually privileged?
Authors: Amd Micah
Published: August 2022

Across many non-Western communities, lighter skinned individuals are favorably evaluated over their darker intragroup counterparts (colorism). Three studies explored whether ‘colorist’ biases could be detected across native Melanesian participants along evaluative and perceptual processing levels. All studies presented ‘lighter’ and ‘darker’ emotionally neutral face targets matched along attractiveness, sex and race. Across Study 1, N = 305 participants evaluated target attractiveness using ordinal scales. Across Study 2, N = 153 participants viewed target faces across four brief implicit association tests. Across Study 3, N = 61 participants viewed visually processed faces during sorting tests and as upright/inverted monocular targets during a (breaking) continuous flash suppression task. Lighter, highly attractive upright male variants entered conscious awareness (‘broke suppression’) significantly faster then darker variants. Reliable colorist biases were estimated in the presence of male and (some) female faces following attractiveness ratings and sorting tests viz across measures affording extensive deliberation opportunities. Procedurally constraining deliberation (during implicit tests and flash suppression) revealed colorist biases across attractive male faces only.
Anti-HMGCR myopathy frequently coexists with other myositis-specific autoantibodies
Authors: Oh Eun Kyoung , Lee Seung-Ah , Lee Hyun Joon , Cha Yoon Jin , Kim Sungjun , Lee Hyung-Soo , Suh Bum Chun , Shin Ha Young , Kim Seung Woo , Yoon Byeol-A , Oh Seong-il , Kim Yoo Hwan , Cho Joong-Yang , Cho Jeong Hee , Kwon Ki-Han , Choi Young-Chul , Park Hyung Jun
Published: August 2022

To understand the characteristics of Korean patients with anti-HMGCR myopathy, we measured anti-HMGCR antibodies and analyzed clinical, radiological, and pathological features. We measured titers of anti-HMGCR antibodies in the sera of 99 patients with inflammatory myopathy using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We tested 16 myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) in all patients with anti-HMGCR myopathy. Positivity for the anti-HMGCR antibody was observed in 17 (4 males and 13 females) of 99 patients with inflammatory myopathy. The median age at symptom onset was 60 years. Ten (59%) of the anti-HMGCR positive patients had taken statins. The most common symptoms were proximal muscle weakness in 15 (88%), followed by myalgia in 9 (53%), neck weakness in 4 (24%), dysphagia in 3 (18%), and skin lesions in 2 (12%). The median titer of anti-HMGCR antibody was 202 U/ml. We found eight different MSAs in nine (53%) patients. The median disease duration from symptom onset to diagnosis was significantly shorter in the MSA-positive group than in the MSA-negative group (p = 0.027). In conclusion, our study is the first to measure anti-HMGCR antibodies with inflammatory myopathy, and identify new findings including the coexistence of other MSAs in Korean patients.
Design Factors of High- speed Turbo-electric Distributed Propulsion System
Authors: Eqbal Mithun , Marino Matthew , Fernando Nuwantha , Wild Graham
Published: August 2022

Turbo-electric Distributed Propulsion (TeDP) is a promising concept to achieve the operational goals of more electric aircraft. The application of TeDP architecture can achieve the desired weight reduction of an aircraft power system. The use of a superconducting machine is expected to provide the workaround for the weight issue, but its current state of technology has not yet been extensively tested for aircraft applications. Another more practical option is to directly couple the aircraft's propeller system to a high-speed permanent magnet (PM) electrical machine, eliminating the gear part that also contributes to the total weight. A critical part of the design for a high-speed PM machine is choosing the optimum magnet configurations. This study used finite element modelling to analyze the impact of scaling the PM’s critical parameters on the weight and machine speed. A prototype testing of a 2-KW high-speed machine, suitable for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), was developed and tested. The results confirmed the following critical parameters that should be carefully designed to achieve the optimum output, such as the (a) number of winding turns, (b) stack length, (c) sleeve thickness, and (d) terminal voltage.
Influence of the static contact angle on the liquid film coverage for falling-film systems
Authors: Kandukuri Prudviraj , Deshmukh Sandip , Katiresan Supradeepan
Published: August 2022

The coverage of the liquid film over the horizontal tubes, particularly the wetting ratio, is important for gravity-driven evaporators and absorbers to achieve a better heat transfer mechanism. A 2D, two-phase CFD model was developed to examine the falling-film hydrodynamics and transient flow mechanism for Reynolds numbers ranging from 100-500, static contact angles spanning from 0°/30°/60°/90°, and tube-to-tube distance of 10 mm. The VOF method is used in this article to capture the liquid-gas interface. The findings showed that the complete spreading of the liquid film is difficult at low Reynolds numbers and high contact angles. The formation of dry regions on the tube wall as a result of insufficient liquid supply, liquid film breakage, and liquid film shrinkage. Furthermore, as the Reynolds number increases and contact angle decrease, the wetting ratio over the tube surface increases. It is worth noting that each contact angle must have a minimum Reynolds number in order to keep the surface completely wet. The research also revealed that for higher Reynolds numbers, the influence of contact angle on wettability of tube wall can be ignored. For the same Reynolds number, the liquid propagation time required to wet the tube surface increases as the contact angle value increases. Fouling over the tubes can be aided by the formation of air voids near the lower stagnation zone.
Synthesis and Characterization of Green Phenolic Resin with Olive-oil Mill Wastewater
Authors: ÖZBAY Günay , Ayrilmis Nadir , AHMAD Muhammad Syarhabil
Published: August 2022

Olive mill wastewater (OMW), a by-product of the olive-oil industry, each year is generated millions of tons all over Mediterranean countries. Uncontrolled disposal of the OMW leads to a massive environmental problem including soil and water pollution. In this experimental study, the OMW was used to partly replace clean water for getting prepared formaldehyde solution. Then, phenol and formaldehyde solution was synthesised under alkali conditions to obtained more green PF resin. The effect of the OMW substitution level on the chemical and thermal properties of PF resin was examined by The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectral and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis respectively. Also, the bonding strength of each PF resin was evaluated under dry and wet conditions. It was found that FT-IR measurements showed that the PF resin containing various amounts of OMW had a chemical structure very similar to the PF resin. The thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the low-molecular‐weight organics in OMW has negatively affected the thermal stability of PF resins. In addition, the wood samples bonded with PF resin containing up to %30 OMW met the minimum requirements of interior and exterior bonding performance according to EN 12765 standard. The OMW could be replaced by clean water up to 30% for the production of green phenolic resin.