bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and uses of IT knife nano
Authors: Takamaru Hiroyuki , Saito Yutaka
Published: March 2022

IT knife nano® (Olympus Medical Co., Tokyo, Japan) is a knife device specialized for esophageal and colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The IT knife nano has a smaller insulated tip than that of the IT knife 2, making it easier to handle the submucosal layer in the colorectum. The disk behind the insulated tip is also smaller to reduce thermal damage to the muscle layer. Furthermore, the IT knife nano is considered to have more power for incision because the IT knife nano has a large amount of electric current at the blade compared to other devices. Therefore, the IT knife nano can resect a larger amount of submucosal layer tissue at once, enabling a faster and more reliable detachment of the submucosal dissection as well as a circumferential mucosal incision. When performing submucosal dissection using an IT knife nano, the knife should be moved from the outside to the inside. While in a difficult situation, moving the knife gradually from the center (inside) to the outside can help perform a safe colorectal ESD. The IT knife nano is considered an option for difficult situations, such as lesions with severe fibrosis, or when rapid submucosal dissection is required. We herein provided technical aspects of the IT knife nano in detail and compared it with other needle-type devices.
Potential mechanisms of resistance to current anti-thrombotic strategies in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Comerford Claire , Glavey Siobhan , O’Sullivan Jamie M. , Quinn John
Published: March 2022

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a common haematological malignancy that is associated with a high rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with almost 10% of patients suffering thrombosis during their disease course. Recent studies have shown that, despite current thromboprophylaxis strategies, VTE rates in MM remain disappointingly high. The pathophysiology behind this consistently high rate of VTE is likely multifactorial. A number of factors such as anti-thrombin deficiency or raised coagulation Factor VIII levels may confer resistance to heparin in these patients, however, the optimal method of clinically evaluating this is unclear at present, though some groups have attempted its characterisation with thrombin generation testing (TGT). In addition to testing for heparin resistance, TGT in patients with MM has shown markedly varied abnormalities in both endogenous thrombin potential and serum thrombomodulin levels. Apart from these thrombin-mediated processes, other mechanisms potentially contributing to thromboprophylaxis failure include activated protein C resistance, endothelial toxicity secondary to chemotherapy agents, tissue factor abnormalities and the effect of immunoglobulins/“M-proteins” on both the endothelium and on fibrin fibre polymerisation. It thus appears clear that there are a multitude of factors contributing to the prothrombotic milieu seen in MM and further work is necessitated to elucidate which factors may directly affect and inhibit response to anticoagulation and which factors are contributing in a broader fashion to the hypercoagulability phenotype observed in these patients so that effective thromboprophylaxis strategies can be employed.
Educational and scientific potential: humanitarian challenges of the XX
Authors: Bohomaz Oksana , Morska Nataliia , Kasianenko Karolina , Romanova Iryna , Bortnyk Nadiia
Published: March 2022

The article reflects the key problems of humanitarian-scientific discourse characteristic of the modern educational environment. Sociocultural realities dictate new rules and conditions for the development of all spheres of social activity. The educational and scientific sphere is no exception, as a rule, which is rather vulnerable to various types of transformations. Globalization of the current civilizational progress as a strategic constant and a short-term, but significant impact on the values of society associated with the pandemic COVID-19 - had a direct impact on the processes in education and science. At present, the issues of transforming certain attitudes that will allow not to lose the educational-scientific potential, but to continue its development already in the new conditions are actualized. Among the fundamental shifts in the humanitarian sphere of modernity, we note increasing dynamism of educational process and scientific research (linear thinking demonstrates an inability to respond quickly to changes), the actualization of interdisciplinary discourse (challenges facing society are complex in their essence and to solve them. based on the integration of scientific knowledge), the influence of informatization of education and science on humanitarian and moral standards of these branches (application of new information and computer technologies.The article aims to develop a clear system of methodologically axiological settings in modern humanitarian-scientific discourse. The general scientific methodology was used to achieve the set tasks. Using the method of analysis, the main criteria for the proposed attitudes have been achieved. The philosophical-scientific methods of synergetics and dialectics allow evaluating the results and problem aspects of the implementation of value orientations to the humanitarian discourse of today.Practical elements of the obtained results of the article can be used as methodological recommendations for the working curricula at all educational levels and value components of scientific research. Consequently, dynamism, interdisciplinarity, integration, informatization, and humanization are the attitudes that contribute to the functioning of an effective system of education and science both in the global-civilization dimension and in the national-identity dimension.
Resist and advance in public education: contributions of historical-critical pedagogy
Authors: Soares Lucas de Vasconcelos , Colares Maria Lilía Imbiriba Sousa , Lombardi José Claudinei
Published: March 2022

The study stems from the analysis of the 2016 Legal-Media-Parliamentary Coup that triggered a sharp crisis, mainly in the educational field. In view of this situation, it establishes dialogues with a counter-hegemonic pedagogical tendency: the Historical-Critical Pedagogy (PHC), proposing to answer what have been the contributions of the PHC to thinking about the public school in the context of crisis in Brazilian education. Through bibliographic research, the results indicate that, under a context of dismantling and vulnerabilities, the PHC is incorporated in educational debates and practices as an instrument of humanization, defending free public schools, omnilateral training, class struggle and the construction of an emancipatory praxis. As a pedagogical theory, PHC represents a fresh start in the face of the contestation of decontextualized curricula and processes, indicating the integration of individual/collective knowledge and universal knowledge, a movement conducive to the formation of articulated individuals in favor of social transformation.
Pendidikan Orang Tua terhadap Kemampuan Literasi Membaca pada Anak Usia Dini di Masa Pandemi
Authors: Baiti Noor , Yusuf Muhammad , Murni Anggia
Published: March 2022

Children’s learning while at home requires guidance from parents. One of them is in the use of gadgets and parental knowledge as the main factor in developing children’s literacy skills. The ability of children’s literacy is the ability to read. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of parental education on children’s reading literacy skills during pandemics. The method used in this study is quantitative method. The data were collected by using questionnaire, observation, and interviews. The results of the study are that parental education has an influence on early childhood reading literacy skills in pandemic times. Parental education plays a role in helping children in learning, especially in improving children’s reading skills. Learning can be applied through storytelling activities.
Intense Cooling during Composite Rock Breaking of High-Pressure CO2 Jet-Polycrystalline Diamond Cutter
Authors: Cai Can , Yang Xian-Peng , Gao Chao , Pu Zhi-Cheng , Zhang Pei , Tan Zheng-Bo , Li Bangrun , Xie Song
Published: March 2022

In deep well drilling, rock breaking has some problems, such as low rock breaking efficiency, serious thermal wear of cutters, short service life, and high cost. It is noticed that the application of CO2 drilling fluid in the oil and gas underbalanced drilling is an efficient approach to achieve the reduction of CO2 emissions. Thus, based on the rock-breaking advantages of CO2 jetting, a new rock-breaking method of combing high-pressure CO2 jet and polycrystalline diamond cutter (PDC) is proposed in our study. The cooling mechanism and influencing during rock breaking by using the high-pressure CO2 jet-PDC are conducted. With the test system during composite rock breaking of the high-pressure CO2 jet-PDC, the composite rock-breaking experiment of the high-pressure CO2 jet-PDC was carried out. In the experiment, the comparison of the CO2 jet, N2 jet, water jet, and without a jet was conducted and analyzed. And based on the numerical simulation analysis, the intense cooling mechanism was expounded. In the process during composite rock breaking of the high-pressure CO2 jet-PDC, the intense cooling mechanism was mainly attributed to three main reasons: the thermal effect of the jet flow, the expansion endothermic effect of the jetted flow, and the phase transformation cooling effect of the CO2 jet. The effects of rock samples, jet temperatures, jet flow pressures, and rock temperatures on the cutting temperature were experimentally explored, and finally, the intense cooling rules of composite rock breaking were obtained. The experimental results showed that the CO2 jet had a stronger cooling effect on granite than that of the sandstone. In a certain range, jet pressure was positively correlated with the cutting temperature, whereas jet temperature and heating time were negatively correlated with cutting temperature. The study provides the theoretical support for the CO2 application as a drilling medium in underbalanced drilling.
Polymyositis as a Paraneoplastic Syndrome of a Patient With Primary Pulmonary Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma: a Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Lei Yu , Liu Caiyang , Wan Xiu , Yang Yanhui , Yao Yi , Luo Lei , Huang Tingyu , Li Ji
Published: March 2022

Background Pulmonary lymphoepithelima-like carcinoma (LELC) is a rare type of non-small cell lung cancer, which mostly occurred in non-smoking Asian populations. The prognosis of this tumor is better than other lung cancers. Polymyositis, a kind of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, may negatively affected the prognosis of patients with lung cancer as a paraneoplastic syndrome (PNPS). LELC seldomly accompanied with paraneoplastic syndrome, thus the treatment strategy and prognosis should be discussed.Case presentationWe report a 49-year-old female patient who was hospitlaized for “ symmetric limb weakness and pain for more than 2 months”. Glucocorticoid-based anti-inflammatory therapy had been performed for over 3 weeks before the patient being hospitalized, however, in vain. The result of serum autoimmune antibody showed Anti-nRNP/Sm (+). The serum level of myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase elevated significantly. Electromyogram revealed peripheral nerves injury and myogenic damages. Imaging showed a mass in the posterior basal segment of the left lung. Percutaneous transthroacic needle biopsy was performed and the pathological result was LELC. The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary LELC accompanied with polymyositis. Positron emission tomography computed tomography showed only lpsilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the left lower lobe resection and systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy were performed. Postoperative pathological stage was T2N2M0, IIIa(UICC 8th), and the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent radiotherapy. The patient was followed up for 5 months with no recurrence of tumor and the limb weakness and pain relieved apparently after the successful comprehensive treatment of her primary tumor.Conclusion PM is associated with lung cancer, ignoring this relationship may lead to missed diagnosis in clinic. Pulmonary LELC is a rare subtype of NSCLC seldomly accompanied with PNPS. Though PNPS negatively affected the prognosis of patients with other lung cancers,surgery based comprehensive treatment of primary tumor can lead to a prospective prognosis in pulmonary LELC patients with PNPS. And successful treatment of pulmonary LELC can also improve symptoms of PNPS.
Assessment of Patients Health-Related Quality of Life During Complications of Pregnancy in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: a Prospective Study
Authors: Jain Vartika , Singh Avinash kumar
Published: March 2022

Background and Objective: Pregnancy has undesirable effects on women lives which lead to reduction in quality of life. Assessment of Quality of Life is necessary among pregnant women because of association with the various complications. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the patient’s health-related quality of life during complications of pregnancy.
Method: A prospective observational single centered study was conducted on 81 pregnant women who were diagnosed with complications (Anemia, UTI, Pre-eclampsia and Hyperemesis gravid arum) in Obstetrics & Gynecology department of NIMS Hospital, Jaipur, (Rajasthan).
Result: The mean score of physical component scale (PCS) and mental component scale (MCS) was found to be 58.43±0.70 and 75.8±1.25 respectively. The mean score at the time of discharge were physical functioning 69.8±13.77, role limitation due to physical problems 79.01±16.15, role limitation due to emotional problems 68.00±17.10, vitality 48.68±7.30, mental health 98.64±4.25, social functioning 87.22±18.71, bodily pain 80.61±12.67, general health 72.5±4.06 and reported health transition 82.71±12.89 and overall score at p-value was found to be significant.
Conclusion: HRQoL of pregnant women associated with complications has been improved where mental health tends to recover more quickly than physical health.
Keywords: Quality of Life; Anemia; UTI; Pre-eclampsia; Hyperemesis gravidarum.
Impact of six weeks trimodal prehabilitation program on short-term functional recovery for elderly patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery
Authors: Liu Bin , Zheng Lei , Li Yousheng
Published: March 2022

Background and objectives
The impact of prehabilitation on physical fitness and postoperative course after colorectal cancer surgery for elderly patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess whether a 6-week trimodal prehabilitation program (exercise, nutritional supplementation, and counseling on relaxation techniques) is sufficient to modify physical fitness, nutritional status, and postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery for elderly patients.
Materials and methods
From January 2018 to October 2021, the clinical data of patients undergoing cancer surgery in our department were collected. Patients were assigned to either a prehabilitation (n=26) or matched time control group (n=26). Patients before the introduction of prehabilitation were included as historical control subjects for 1:1 propensity score-matching (control group). Over the 6-week period prior to surgery, patients in prehabilitation group participated in a trimodal prehabilitation program. Patients in control group received the same program but only postoperatively. The 6-min walk test (6MWT) was used for assessment of functional walking capacity. Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) score was recorded before intervention and before operation. The recovery of intestinal function, postoperative complications, the length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups.
Results
Over the preoperative period, serum albumin levels were significantly deteriorated in the control group, whereas this index did not deteriorate or even improved in the prehabilitation group. By performing prehabilitation, prehabilitation group significantly increased the amount of moderate and vigorous intensity physical activities that they performed. Prehabilitation group patients also demonstrated a greater improvement in 6MWT compared to Control group during the prehabilitation period. Although the overall incidence of postoperative complications did not differ between the two groups, the postoperative hospital stay and recovery of intestinal function was shorter in the prehabilitation group than in the control group.
Conclusions
These findings highlight that the positive effects of a trimodal prehabilitation program can significantly improve the perioperative physical function, psychological status and nutritional status of patients on elderly colorectal cancer patients within the 6-week prehabilitation period are an achievable goal and could have a significant effect on the cancer care continuum.
Future Land Use/Land Cover Scenarios Considering Natural Hazards Using Dyna-CLUE in Uzungöl Nature Conservation Area (Trabzon-NE Turkey)
Authors: Aydın ABDURRAHİM , Eker Remzi
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to determine past and potential future temporal and spatial changes in land use/land cover (LULC) and to evaluate its interactions with natural hazards (especially snow avalanches and rockfalls) in Uzungöl Nature Conservation Area (UNCA) (Trabzon- NE Turkey). The objectives were; 1) to assess past LULC change for last 60 years (1955–2015), 2) to simulate future LULC with Dyna-CLUE by 2050 considering two different scenarios, and 3) to evaluate interactions of past and future LULC change with natural hazards. The analysis of past LULC change showed an increase of 51.03 ha in settlement for last 60 years resulted from conversion fully from agriculture. From future LULC simulations, Scenario 1 resulted that settlement will grow towards areas exposed to snow avalanches, from 68 ha in 2015 up to 97.5 ha in 2035, and 126.5 ha in 2050. Scenario 2 resulted that these settlement areas will grow up to 119.75 ha in 2035 and 137.75 ha in 2050. In addition, Scenario 1 resulted that settlement exposed to rockfall hazard will change from 28 ha in 2015 to 24 ha in 2035 and 28.25 ha in 2050, whereas Scenario 2 resulted that these areas will change to 26.25 ha in 2035, 28.75 ha in 2050. This study showed how LULC dramatically changed since 1955 due to population growth and changes in consumption patterns in society, and how could be changed potentially in the future. It was concluded that an obligatory increase in settlement towards dangerous areas will be observed in future.
A Novel Ultra-Miniaturized THz Refractive Index-Based Material Sensor
Authors: Mathivanan Anbuselvi , Veeraselvam Aruna , Mohammed Gulam Nabi Alsath
Published: March 2022

This paper discusses the design, characterization and analysis of an ultra-miniaturized and highly sensitive metamaterial THz sensor for material sense. A novel spin-shaped resonator integrated with hexagonal is designed as an absorber to perform material sensing operations. The footprint of the proposed sensor is 0.67λeff × 0.67λeff where λeff is the effective wavelength calculated at 7.16 THz. The proposed THz sensor is analyzed based on the absorption characteristics by estimating the sensitivity of the metamaterial sensor. The proposed sensor offers 99.9% absorptivity under free-space conditions. The proposed THz sensor exhibits rotational symmetry and hence it is insensitive to polarization changes. Furthermore, the proposed sensor is angularly stable for oblique incidences up to 60˚. The sensor performance is estimated for different refractive indices of various analytes and the average sensitivity is estimated as 1.37 THz/Refractive Index Unit (RIU). The impact of the thickness of the analyte is analyzed and the average deviation of 59 GHz/µm is reported. Thus, it is concluded that the proposed metamaterial THz sensor is best suitable for different material sensing applications.
An integrative review of adult patient-reported reasons for non-urgent use of the emergency department
Authors: McIntyre Amanda , Janzen Shannon , Shepherd Lisa , Kerr Mickey , Booth Richard
Published: March 2022

Aim
To conduct an integrative review of the scientific literature to explore adult patient-reported reasons for using the emergency department (ED) non-urgently.
Design:
Integrative review.
Data Sources:
A literature search of CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE was conducted with filters for humans, published January 1, 1990-September 1, 2021, and English language.
Review Methods:
Methodological quality was assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist for qualitative and National Institutes Health (NIH) Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies for quantitative studies. Data was extracted on study and sample characteristics, and themes/reasons for ED use. Cited reasons were coded using thematic analysis.
Results
93 studies met inclusion criteria. Seven themes were found: need to be risk averse with respect to the health issue; knowledge and awareness of alternative sources of care; dissatisfaction with primary care provider; satisfaction with ED; ED accessibility and convenience resulting in low access burden; referred to the ED by others; and relationships between patients and health care providers.
Conclusion
For many ED patients, they have a very clear problem which needed to be addressed. Future studies should explore psychosocial factors driving decision-making (e.g., health literacy, health-related personal beliefs, stress and coping ability).
Impact:
This integrative review examined patient-reported reasons for attending the ED on a non-urgent basis. The findings suggest that ED patients are heterogenous and many factors influence their decision-making. Considering the complexity with which patients live, treating them as a single entity may be problematic. Limiting excessive non-urgent visits likely requires a multi-pronged approach.
Is Time of Ruptured Membranes A Risk Factor for Low Apgar? A Case-Control Study of Apgar Score Less Than Seven At Five Minutes in Term Pregnancy Accessing Many Variables
Authors: Junior Luis Carlos Machado , Pinto Camila Nazareth , Gerencer Caroline Sangalan , Prol Elisa Caroline Giacometti , Carvalho Heráclito Barbosa
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE To search for maternal, labor related and fetal variables associated with low Apgar in the fifth minute in term pregnancy. METHODS Retrospective case-control study with term births in a public teaching hospital from 2013 to 2020. Cases were term births with Apgar score less than seven in the fifth minute, and controls, the next one or two births following a case, with Apgar of seven or more. Were excluded non cephalic presentations, multiples and malformations. We accessed 100 cases and 190 controls. We considered significant values of p < 0.05. RESULTS Were accessed 27 variables which could be risk factors, from which 12 were associated with the outcome. We found a protective effect of prelabor cesarean for the outcome, odds ratio (OR) 0.37, p=0.011. Consequently, we conducted two sets of analyses: in the whole group and in the group of laboring women. The values OR were in general greater in the group of laboring women, compared with the whole group. We conducted multivariate analysis within the group of women in labor. The variables which fitted best in the model were nulliparity, male sex of the fetus, less than six prenatal visits and abnormal cardiotocography; all remained significant. It was found an association of rupture of membranes more than 360 minutes with the outcome, even after controlling for duration of labor; adjusted OR 2.45, p=0.023. CONCLUSION Twelve variables were associated with the outcome. Prelabor cesarean had a protective effect. Time of ruptured membranes was associated with low Apgar.
NNMT is a immune-related prognostic biomarker that modulates the tumor microenvironment in pan-cancer
Authors: Liu Wenxiu , Zhu Meng , Li Xiaoming , Er Limian , Li Shengmian
Published: March 2022

Background: Emerging evidence revealed the significant roles of Nicotinamide n-methyltransferase (NNMT) in cancer initiation, development, and progression, but there is no pan-cancer analysis of NNMT. Here, we aimed to analyze the expression and prognostic value of NNMT in pan-cancer and to gain insights into the association between NNMT and immune infiltration.Methods: We analyzed NNMT expression patterns and the association between NNMT expression levels and prognosis in pan-cancer via the Oncomine, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), and Kaplan–Meier Plotter databases. After that, TIMER2 and Immune Cell Abundance Identifier (ImmuCellAI) databases were applied to investigate the relation between NNMT expression and immune infiltration across different cancer types. Signaling pathways related to NNMT expression were identified by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).Results: NNMT was significantly upregulated in various common cancers, and it was associated with prognosis. High expression of NNMT was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in various common cancers, such as Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), Ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV) and stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). NNMT remarkably correlated with the levels of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and Macrophage cells infiltration. Conclusion: NNMT may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker in pan-cancer andhas positive association with immune infiltrates.
Almond Shell as Coarse Aggregate Replacement in Concrete
Authors: Hama Mohammed Fadhil
Published: March 2022

The utilization of organic waste materials in concrete is an important beneficial factor for the environment. One of those organic wastes in the KRG Iraq are almond shells. Few studies have been conducted on the use of almond shells in concrete and have shown good potential. This study has investigated the properties and the mechanical behavior of almond shells partially replacing the conventional aggregates in concrete. The replacements were 5, 10, 25 and 75%. The almond shells show a uniform grading in its natural state when obtained from local farmers. Since the organic material is highly porous, it tends to absorb much of the water content in the mix which reduces the slump. Furthermore, with a 5% almond shells replacement, the specimens have shown a compressive strength of 17.03 MPa with a density of 1850 kg/m3 which is within the limits of the ACI and BS standards and identified as a structural lightweight concrete. Further recommendations for future studies have been identified based on the results of this study.
Ulinastatin alleviates rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury by suppressing inflammation and apoptosis via inhibiting TLR4/ NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Wang jinxiang , Xu Guowu , Jin Heng , Chai Yanfen , Yang xinyue , Liu Ziquan , Hou Shike , Fan Haojun
Published: March 2022

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important complication of rhabdomyolysis(RM),but there is lack of effective treatments.Ulinastatin (UTI) is a broad-spectrum serine protease inhibitor isolated and purified from human urine with strong anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective actions.The aim of this research was to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of UTI on RM-induced AKI(RM-AKI). We established RM-induced AKI model and myoglobin (Mb) stimulated- NRK-52E cells model.In vivo, twenty-four rats were randomly divided into three groups(n = 8):control, RM-AKI and RM-AKI + UTI. In vitro,the NRK-52E cells were divided into six groups according to the different treatment method.Mb stimulated- NRK-52E cells were treated with UTI or si-TLR4 transfection to characterize the mechanisms of UTI in RM-AKI. Indicators of the kidney injury, cell viability, cell cycle, oxidative stress, inflammation,apoptosis and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway were assessed.In vivo and in vitro,UTI significantly decreased the expression of TLR4 and p65.In vivo, UTI significantly improved renal function,reduced inflammatory reaction and kidney injury.In vitro,UTI protected NRK-52E cells from Mb stimulation by suppressing cells cytotoxicity, cell cycle inhibition, overproduction of ROS, inflammation and apoptosis. Additionally, UTI played a protective role by down regulating the TLR4 expression.The results indicate that UTI alleviates RM-AKI by suppressing the inflammatory response and apoptosis via inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.Our study provides a new mechanism for the protective effect of UTI on RM-AKI.
Experiences of Academic and Professional Burn-out in Medical Students and Residents During First COVID-19 Lockdown in Belgium: a Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Mouedden Issrae El , Hellemans Catherine , Anthierens Sibyl , Michels Nele Roos , DeSmet Ann
Published: March 2022

COVID-19 has presented a substantial burden on students and healthcare staff. This mixed-method, descriptive and correlational study aimed to : 1) describe academic; and 2) professional burnout levels; 3) their associations with working in COVID-19-related care; and 4) with perceived COVID-19 impact on studies and internships among medical students and residents. During first lockdown in Belgium, a cross-sectional survey assessed academic burnout (MBI-SS) and professional burnout in relation to internships and residency (MBI-HSS). Correlations and t-tests tested associations of burnout with involvement in COVID-19-related care and perceived impact of COVID-19 on studies and work (SPSS). Participants provided open-ended comments which were thematically analysed (NVivo). In total, 194 medical students and residents participated (79.5% female, M age = 24.9 ± 2.5). Emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation were high in professional burnout, but moderate in academic burnout. Those involved in COVID-19 related care perceived a higher impact of COVID-19 on their studies and internship/residency and have higher professional burnout, but do not show a higher academic burnout. Those who have a higher perceived impact of COVID-19 on their studies scored higher on academic burnout. Participants mentioned an increased workload, distress, fewer learning opportunities, lack of relatedness with patients and supervisors and cynicism towards remote care or non-medical tasks. Students and residents showed indications of professional and academic burnout in relation to the COVID-19 situation. Interventions are needed that can meet the needs of achieving learning outcomes, managing extreme situations and relatedness.
Are nutrients or salinity the drivers of macroinvertebrate community composition in wetlands of the desert Southwest?
Authors: Piña Anna Elisa , Lougheed Vanessa
Published: March 2022

The relatively rare freshwater ecosystems in the arid southwestern United States serve as biodiversity hotspots, yet they remain among the most threatened systems in the world due to human impacts and climate change. Water quality and macroinvertebrate data were collected over 2 years from 14 different wetland and riparian sites spanning across West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. This project aims to shed light on the factors that drive macroinvertebrate community composition of wetlands of the US desert Southwest. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that salinity related variables such as chloride, sulfate and conductivity were the greatest drivers of environmental variance (32%) among sampled desert wetlands. Nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate described a second axis, with 22% of variation in environmental data explained, where we found a clear distinction between wastewater and non-wastewater wetlands. Subsequently, nutrients were shown to have the greatest impact on macroinvertebrate communities with wetlands of higher nutrient loads showing more uneven functional diversity and lower Simpson Index scores. Increased salinity levels were shown to correlate with lower Simpson Index scores and a higher abundance of tolerant macroinvertebrates such as coleopterans and amphipods. Overall, these data may be crucial in forecasting whether high nutrient levels lead to homogenization of macroinvertebrate communities within wastewater wetlands.
High-energy Charge Separation State for Photocatalytic Nonoxidative Methane Conversion
Authors: Wang Guangming , Mu Xiaowei , Li Jiayang , Pan Ziye , Zhan Qingyun , Tan Ruike , Fu Rong , Li Lu
Published: March 2022

The nonoxidative coupling of methane (NOCM) under mild conditions is a promising technique for low-cost H2 and carbon feedstock productions. Here, we fabricate a Ce-Zr solid solution photocatalyst containing nonstoichiometric CeO2 − x nano-islands with stepped surfaces and abundant oxygen vacancies, enabling unprecedented adsorption of methane and ideal for the photocatalytic NOCM at room temperature. It is revealed that the Ce-Zr photocatalyst can undergo a cooperative and reversible photo-induced transition from the initial resting state to the charge-separation state that stores sufficient energy to dissociate the inert methane C-H bond, thereby resulting in excellent photocatalytic activity with long-term stability (> 40 h, > 20 cycles) and high selectivity, exceeding that of traditional Ce-based photocatalysts by two orders of magnitude. This work not only provides fresh insight into the catalyst design for methane conversion but also extends the boundaries of conventional photocatalysts with the unique ability of storage and delayed release of solar energy.
Use of InSAR Data for the Measurement of Land Subsidence in Response to Groundwater Fluctuations and Climate Change (Case Study: Ardabil Plain, Iran)
Authors: Ghorbani Zahra , Khosravi Ali , Mojtahedi Farid Fazel , Javadnia Eslam , Nazari Ali , Fellow Yasser Maghsoudi Research
Published: March 2022

The Ardabil plain, with an approximate area of 1097.2 km² in northwestern Iran, has experienced land subsidence due to intensive groundwater withdrawal and long seasons of drought in recent years. Different techniques have been used to investigate and evaluate subsidence in this region including: Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Levelling, and Geotechnical methods. These methods are typically expensive, time-consuming, and identify only a small fraction of the areas prone to subsidence. This study employs an Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technique to measure the long-term subsidence of the plain. An open-source SAR interferometry time series analysis package, LiCSBAS, that integrates with the automated Sentinel-1 InSAR processor (COMET-LiCSAR) is used to analyze Sentinel-1 satellite images from October 2014 to January 2021. Processing of Sentinel-1 images shows that the Ardabil plain has been facing rapid subsidence due to groundwater pumping and reduced rainfall, especially between May 2018 to January 2019. The maximum subsidence rate was 45 mm/yr, measured at the southeastern part of the plain. While providing significant advantages (less processing time and disk space) over other InSAR processing packages, implementation of the LiCSBAS processing package and its accuracy for land subsidence measurements at different scales needs further evaluation. This study provides a procedure for evaluating its efficiency and accuracy for land subsidence measurements by comparing its measurements with the results of the GMTSAR and geotechnical numerical modeling. The results of geotechnical numerical modeling showed land subsidence with an average annual rate of 3.8 cm between 2006 and 2020, which was close to measurements using the InSAR technique. Comparison of the subsidence measurements of the Ardabil plain using the LiCSBAS package with results obtained from other techniques shows that LiCSBAS is able to accurately detect land deformation at large scales (~ km). However, they may not be optimized for more local deformations such as infrastructure monitoring.
Effectiveness of a risk warning system: A driving simulation study
Authors: Fengxiang GUO , Yiwen ZHOU , Wenchen YANG , Huasen WAN
Published: March 2022

In order to improve the traffic safety condition of intersections, a real-time traffic conflict risk warning system (RTCRWS) is proposed for uncontrolled intersections. To evaluate the effectiveness of this system, a driving simulation experiment was designed and conducted. In this study, a virtual experimental scene including static road, traffic environment and dynamic traffic flow was constructed, and 45 drivers were recruited to complete the driving simulation experiment at 13 intersections. Three different data analysis methods were employed: (1) descriptive analysis of driving behavior characteristics; (2) descriptive analysis of physiological and psychological reactions of drivers; (3) Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) of RTCRWS. The results show that RTCRWS can effectively control the vehicle speed and reduce the driver's tension. In addition, the following conclusions are also drawn: (1) The early warning signs with better warning effect among the two types signs of RTCRWS were compared; (2) Among the elderly and young and middle-aged drivers, RTCRWS has a better warning effect on the elderly drivers. (3) Among the male and female drivers, RTCRWS has a better warning effect on female drivers.
Beta amyloid deposition and cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease: a study of the PPMI cohort
Authors: Mihaescu Alexander , Valli Mikaeel , Uribe Carme , Diez-Cirarda Maria , Masellis Mario , Graff-Guerrero Ariel , Strafella Antonio P.
Published: March 2022

The accumulation of beta amyloid in the brain has a complex and poorly understood impact on the progression of Parkinson's disease pathology and much controversy remains regarding its role, specifically in cognitive decline symptoms. Some studies have found increased beta amyloid burden is associated with worsening cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease, especially in cases where dementia occurs, while other studies failed to replicate this finding. To better understand this relationship, we examined a cohort of 25 idiopathic Parkinson's disease patients and 30 healthy controls from the Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative database. These participants underwent [18F]Florbetaben positron emission tomography scans to quantify beta amyloid deposition in 20 cortical regions. We then analyzed this beta amyloid data alongside the longitudinal Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores across 3 years to see how participant’s baseline beta amyloid levels affected their cognitive scores prospectively. The first analysis we performed with these data was a hierarchical cluster analysis to help identify brain regions that shared similarity. We found that beta amyloid clusters differently in Parkinson’s disease patients compared to healthy controls. In the Parkinson’s disease group, increased beta amyloid burden in cluster 2 was associated with worse cognitive ability, compared to deposition in clusters 1 or 3. We also performed a stepwise linear regression where we found an adjusted R2 of 0.495 (49.5%) in a model explaining the Parkinson’s disease group’s Montreal Cognitive Assessment score one-year post-scan, encompassing the left gyrus rectus, the left anterior cingulate cortex, and the right parietal cortex. Taken together, these results suggest regional beta amyloid deposition alone has a moderate effect on predicting future cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease patients. The patchwork effect of beta amyloid deposition on cognitive ability may be part of what separates cognitive impairment from cognitive sparing in Parkinson’s disease. Thus, we suggest it would be more useful to measure beta amyloid burden in specific brain regions rather than using a whole-brain global beta amyloid composite score and use this information as a tool for determining which Parkinson’s disease patients are most at risk for future cognitive decline.
Larger Lesion Volume in People with Multiple Sclerosis is Associated with Increased Transition Energies Between Brain States and Decreased Entropy of Brain Activity
Authors: Tozlu Ceren , Card Sophie , Jamison Keith , Gauthier Susan , Kuceyeski Amy
Published: March 2022

The mapping between severity or location of this brain tissue damage and an individual's impairment remains challenging in multiple sclerosis (MS). Network control theory (NCT) can be used to characterize the brain's energetic landscape using an individual's structural connectome and brain activity dynamics. We apply brain activity dynamics analysis and NCT to functional time series and structural connectomes in controls and MS patients with and without disability and compare the three groups' resulting metrics. We also assessed the entropy of the three groups' brain activity time series. NCT was used to compute the energy required to transition between each pair of recurring dynamic brain states which were identified with k-means approach applied on fMRI time series. Larger transition energies were associated with MS patient who had disability compared to controls. Entropy was negatively correlated with lesion volume as was transition energy in MS. Functional compensation of brain activity in MS patients without disability may result in decreased transition energies between states compared to controls, but, as this mechanism diminishes, transition energies increase and disability occurs. Larger volumes of MS-related lesions may result in greater energetic demands to transition between brain states which then leads to lower overall entropy of brain activity.
Forming characteristics of the novel robot tube bending process
Authors: Guo xunzhong , Sun zhenbiao , Liu chunmei , Huang zushu , Zheng shuo , Cheng cheng , Tao jie
Published: March 2022

Along with the development of “Industrial 4.0”, the application of industrial robot is becoming more and more extensive. Based on the industrial robot platform, a novel robot tube bending technology has been proposed. In order to provide guidance for the forming quality of tube bent by robot, using the plastic forming theory and simulation analysis method, compared with the rotary draw bending, the forming mechanism and characteristics of robot tube bending were analyzed. The Al6061 thin-walled tube with small diameter was taken as the research object. The results show that, in the novel robot tube bending process, since the bending die is feeding in the direction of the pipe axis while rotating, it will reduce to some extent the axial tensile stress T on the pipe during the bending process. Therefore, compared with the traditional rotary draw bending, the tensile stress and strain and thinning rate on the outer side of bent tube are both smaller, while the compressive stress and strain and thickening rate of the inner tube are instead larger in the robot tube bending process. With the increase of bending angle, the maximum cross-sectional distortion of bent tube in the robot tube bending process remains basically unchanged and is always smaller than that in the rotary draw bending process, and the greater the bending angle, the more obvious the difference. In summary, the robot tube bending technology plays a more positive role in reducing the thickness reduction and section distortion of the small diameter tube.
Tribology and corrosion behavior of Gray Cast Iron brake discs coated with Inconel 718 by Direct Energy Deposition
Authors: CHIOIBASU Diana , MIHAI Sabin , COTRUT Cosmin M. , VOICULESCU Ionelia , POPESCU Andrei C.
Published: March 2022

There has been an increased concern related to environmental pollution, caused by the emission of particles released during the braking process. In the future, environmental safety laws will be increasingly restrictive and the development of new viable alternative technologies will be inherent. Because gray cast iron (GCI) has a low cost and mechanical properties compatible with this type of application, it will be difficult to identify a similar material to replace it. In the case of vehicles that serve passenger transport, the most convenient solution is to cover the brake discs made of GCI with materials that reduce wear and corrosion, but which at the same time maintain or improve their functional performance. This research aims to improve the mechanical properties of the brake discs by laser cladding using Inconel 718 (IN718) metallic powder by Direct Energy Deposition (DED) method. The interface between substrate and the deposited material was uniform, forming a compact bonding of the two materials. The average hardness of the IN718 deposited material was twice higher than the one of the GCI substrates. The friction coefficient (CoF) of the IN718 coatings was higher by 0.12 compared with the substrate material. The depth of the wear track for the layers deposited with IN718 was -50 µm, while the depth of the wear track of the exposed substrate GCI was 3 times higher (-150 µm). The corrosion resistance of the coating was superior by four orders of magnitude to that of GCI substrate in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution.
Ataluren Suppresses a Premature Termination Codon in an MPS I-H Mouse
Authors: Wang Dan , Xue Xiaojiao , Gunn Gwen , Du Ming , Siddiqui Amna , Weetall Marla , Keeling Kim M.
Published: March 2022

Suppressing translation termination at premature termination codons (PTCs), termed readthrough, is a potential therapy for genetic diseases caused by nonsense mutations. Ataluren is a compound that has shown promise for clinical use as a readthrough agent. However, some reports suggest that ataluren is ineffective at suppressing PTCs. To further evaluate the effectiveness of ataluren as a readthrough agent, we examined its ability to suppress PTCs in a variety of previously untested models. Using NanoLuc readthrough reporters expressed in two different cell types, we found that ataluren stimulated a significant level of readthrough. We also explored the ability of ataluren to suppress a nonsense mutation associated with Mucopolysaccharidosis I-Hurler (MPS I-H), a genetic disease that is caused by a deficiency of a-L-iduronidase that leads to lysosomal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from Idua-W402X mice, we found that ataluren partially rescued a-L-iduronidase function and significantly reduced GAG accumulation relative to controls. Two-week oral administration of ataluren to Idua-W402X mice led to significant GAG reductions in most tissues compared to controls. Together, these data reveal important details concerning the efficiency of ataluren as a readthrough agent and the mechanisms that govern its ability to suppress PTCs.