bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiratory Function at 3 Months After Hospital Discharge in Critically Ill Patients With Covid-19
Authors: Filho Joaquim Henrique de Carvalho Lobato , Tavares Guilherme Bruarca , Neto Francisco de Souza Trindade , Souza Suellen Christine de Carvalho , Freitas Hugo Leonardo , Cruz Adlyene Muniz da Silva , Silva Ana Chaves , de Azevedo Jose Raimundo Araujo
Published: March 2023

Background: Up to 20% of patients with COVID-19 get critically ill and require intensive care unit (ICU)admission. At hospital discharge, most patients still have physical and mental limitations, which affect their quality of life. Pulmonaryfunctional alterations in patients with COVID-19 vary from the absence of functional abnormalities to restrictive and diffusion impairments. We aimed to describe pulmonary function abnormalities as well as their impact on the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT) and SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) score in patients with COVID-19 at ≥ 3 months after hospital discharge.
Methods: Weincluded 65 patients aged ≥ 18 years with severe COVID-19 confirmed throughreal-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction andadmitted to the ICU between April 2020 and October 2021. Patients were evaluated at ≥ 3 months after hospital discharge using the 6 MWT, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and the PCS score.
Results: Among the included patients, 27patients had abnormal PFT findings, 21 (32.3%) had forced vital capacity < 80%, 17 (26.1%) had forced expiratory volume in 1 s< 80%, and 4 (6.1%) had a maximal mid-expiratory flow< 65%. Compared with patients without abnormal PFT findings, patientswith abnormal PFT findings were older and had significantlyhigher ferritin levels. There were no significant between-group differences ininvasive and noninvasive respiratory support, mechanical ventilation duration, vasopressor use,and renal replacement therapy. However, compared with patients with normalPFT findings, patients with abnormal PFT findings showed asignificantly lower 6-MWT score [78% (0.0–92) vs.95% (75–100), p = 0.01] and worse PCS scores [39.4 (32.1–51.3) vs. 52.0 (47.4–57.3), p = 0.007]. There was an independent association between the PCS scores and PFT findings.
Conclusions: We found that a significant proportion of patients present pulmonary functional alterations ≥ 3 months after discharge from the hospital after treatment forsevere COVID-19; further, these alterations affectphysical functional capacity and quality of life.
Trial registration: The trial protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital Sao Domingos (Number 5.403.663) in May 12, 2022 and registered in clinical trials. Gov(NCT05249842), February 22, 2022.
Comparison of Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus viral load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and oral fluids of HIV-negative individuals aged 3 to 89 years from Uganda
Authors: Nalwoga Angela , Marshall Vickie , Miley Wendell , Labo Nazzarena , Whitby Denise , Newton Robert , Rochford Rosemary
Published: March 2023

We previously found that age, sex, and malaria were associated with KSHV viral load in individuals from Uganda. In this study, we have evaluated factors associated with presence of EBV DNA in blood and oral fluids among the same individuals, using the same biological samples. Overall, 74% of oral fluids samples and 46% of PBMCs had detectable EBV, compared to 24% and 11% for KSHV respectively Individuals with EBV in PBMCs were more likely to have KSHV in PBMCs (P=0.016). The peak age for detection of EBV in oral fluids was 3-5 years while that of KSHV was 6-12 years. In PBMCs, the peak age for detection of EBV was 66+ years and KSHV was 3-5 years. Individuals with malaria had higher levels of EBV in PBMCs compared to malaria-negative individuals (P=0.002). In summary, our results show that younger age and malaria are associated with higher levels of EBV and KSHV in PBMCs suggesting malaria impacts immunity to EBV and KSHV.
From tropical forest to agroecosystems: Changes in lizard functional diversity and species diversity in southeastern Mexico
Authors: Badillo-Saldaña Luis M. , Pineda Eduardo , Ramírez-Bautista Aurelio
Published: March 2023

The transformation of tropical forests to agricultural systems modifies the diversity of species. Species respond differentially to disturbance depending on how they interact with their environment; therefore, the diversity of species that results following the transformation of a tropical forest could depend on the type of agricultural system that is established and the traits and functions of the species that make up the native communities. In this study, the effect of establishing two agricultural systems on an assemblage of tropical forest lizards was evaluated. To do so, the functional diversity and species diversity of lizards in tropical forest, a citrus crop and a coconut crop in southeastern Mexico were analyzed. The results showed that both the functional diversity and the diversity of species decrease when the tropical forest was transformed into either of these agricultural systems. However, this decrease differs in magnitude depending on the type of crop, since in the citrus crop (less heterogeneous) there was a greater reduction in richness of species, of functional groups, and of the members of the functional groups than in the coconut crop (more heterogeneous). The agricultural systems studied are not capable of maintaining the diversity of native species or the functional diversity of tropical forest lizards. Therefore, in landscapes modified by humans, it is essential to maintain fragments of native forest between agricultural plots to conserve those species highly susceptible to tropical forest transformation, as well as assemblages of species with a wide variety of functional traits.
Deep-sea benthic foraminiferal response to the early Oligocene cooling: A study from the Southern Ocean ODP Hole 1138A
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Singh Dharmendra Pratap , Maurya Abhayanand Singh
Published: March 2023

Ongoing rapid climate change has a major effect on marine fauna, and understanding these faunal changes analogous to future climatic periods is crucial. The Oligocene is commonly considered a critical transition period, linking the archaic world of the tropical Eocene and the more modern ecosystems of the Miocene. Here, we show the response of marine benthic foraminifera to the early Oligocene climatic changes at Ocean Discovery Program (ODP) Hole 1138A of the Southern Ocean (Indian Sector). We made use of the diversity parameters, the relative abundance of dominant benthic foraminifera and isotopic data to understand past oceanographic changes. Our results suggest that the early Oligocene was an interval of unstable conditions dominated by the species of high oxygen, intermediate food supply, and well-ventilated, cold, corrosive bottom water conditions. The high value of diversity parameters coincides with the Oligocene events (Oi events). The species richness abruptly decreases at the end of the studied interval, which shows the major Southern hemisphere glaciation. During this time, species were characterized by relatively cold and carbonate corrosive bottom water. Additionally, the present study of the benthic foraminiferal abundance and diversity indices reveals the cooling of the Southern Ocean at the early and late stages of the studied interval interrupted by a short-lived warming event. The study further enhances the understanding of paleo-marine ecology by evaluating the response of deep-sea benthic foraminifera to global climate change.
Epigenome-wide analysis identifies methylome profiles linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder, disease severity, and treatment response
Authors: Ramirez Alfredo , Campos-Martin Rafael , Bey Katharina , Elsner Bjoern , Reuter Benedikt , Klawohn Julia , Philipsen Alexandra , Kathmann Norbert , Wagner Michael
Published: March 2023

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder affecting 2-3% of the general population. The dynamic nature of epigenetics provides a unique opportunity to find biomarkers of OCD symptoms, clinical progression, and treatment response. Consequently, we analyzed a case-control study on Illumina Methylation EPIC BeadChip from 185 OCD patients and 199 controls. Patients and controls were assessed by trained therapists using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. We identified 12 CpGs capable of classifying OCD patients and predicting symptom severity. These CpGs are enriched with the sweet-compulsive brain hypothesis, which proposes that OCD patients may have impaired insulin signaling sensitivity due to abnormal dopaminergic transmission in the striatum. Three of the twelve CpG signals were replicated in an independent study reported in the Han Chinese population. Our findings support the role of epigenetic mechanisms in OCD and may help pave the way for biologically-informed and individualized treatment options.
Investigation of the dynamics of a coating flow on a vertical fiber immersed in surrounding liquid phase
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Liu Rong , Chen Xue
Published: March 2023

In the present paper, we investigated experimentally the dynamics of coating flow on a vertical fiber immersed in a liquid phase environment. This flow exhibits rich dynamics which is different from the coating flow in air. In the experiments, it is found that the dynamics of immersed coating flow at different flow rates exhibited three flow regimes, i.e., highly regular beads chain, bound state and beads-like flow with irregular coalescence. The regular and irregular beads-like flows correspond to absolute instability and convective instability, respectively. The bound state flow occurs at the boundary of absolute instability and convective instability. The behavior of immersed coating flow is examined by analyzing the spatiotemporal diagram. In addition, we quantitatively investigated three important characteristic parameters of the immersed coating flow, i.e., wave thickness, wave spacing and wave speed in different flow regimes.
Towards standardized and simplified practices in membrane science: new simplified equations and a proposed protocol for membrane characterization and water flux prediction
Authors: Aschmoneit Fynn , Tiraferri Alberto , Malaguti Marco , Mohamed Madina , Giagnorio Mattia
Published: March 2023

The development of new membranes, membrane materials, and membrane-based separation processes should be accompanied by a standardization of the protocols applied for membrane characterization and for data analysis by the community of academic and industrial stakeholders. For example, there exists no recognized and robust protocol for membrane characterization, with characterization conditions often unreported or unclear, which impairs reproducibility and the possibility of comparison between data originated from different stakeholders. Also, regarding membrane analysis, one of the obstacles to the simple use of the classical transport equations to extract membrane transport parameters and to perform predictive flux calculations, is the fact that the magnitude of concentration polarization must be known, which is not always the case and in all cases complicates calculations requiring numerical solutions. Here, a protocol for the experimental characterization of the transport properties of dense membranes is discussed and the results are compared to those expected from classical models of species transport. In addition, new, streamlined equations for the calculation of the water flux and of the solute permeability coefficient in pressure-driven dense membrane processes and in the presence of salt in the feed stream are presented. In contrast to the classical mathematical expression for water flux, the respective equation proposed in this study is algebraic. This characteristic poses the advantage of simple calculation, whereas the classical equation needs to be solved iteratively or numerically. Moreover, in contrast to the solution of the traditional expression for the solute permeability coefficient, which requires knowledge of the hydrodynamics conditions to estimate the magnitude of concentration polarization, the respective equation proposed in this study only requires readily available bulk parameters. Non-dimensional variables for water flux, driving pressure, and mass transfer are introduced as parameters of the new equations. In particular, the non-dimensional variables address the effect of concentration polarization and relate this phenomenon directly to a decline in water flux, allowing for the definition of a filtration efficiency, a useful parameter also in terms of process design.
Imprecise Evidence in Social Learning
Authors: Liu Zixuan , Crosscombe Michael , Lawry Jonathan
Published: March 2023

Social learning is a collective approach to decentralised decision making and is comprised of two process; evidence updating and belief fusion. In this paper we propose a social learning model in which agents’ beliefs are represented by a set of possible states, and where the evidence collected can vary in its level of imprecision. We investigate this model using agent-based and robot simulations and demonstrate that it is robust to imprecise evidence. Our results also show that certain kinds of imprecise evidence can enhance the efficacy of the learning process in the presence of sensor errors.
Characterization of the soft-tissue wall lining residual periodontal pockets and implications in periodontal wound healing
Authors: Gousopoulou Evangelia , Bakopoulou Athina , Laskaris Dimitrios , Gousopoulos Epameinondas , Apatzidou Danae A.
Published: March 2023

Aim

To characterize the soft-tissue wall of remaining periodontal pockets for wound healing-related parameters versus healthy gingival crevices in the same individuals.

Materials & Methods

Gingival tissue collected from the diseased interface of pockets (GT-biopsies) and from healthy gingival crevices (G-biopsies) were subjected to RT2-profiler PCR-Array for wound healing-related markers and network analysis of differentially expressed genes. Lymphangiogenesis-related gene expression was determined by qRT-PCR. The migration potential of mesenchymal-stem cells isolated from GT-biopsies (GT-MSCs) and G-biopsies (G-MSCs) was evaluated by the Scratch- and the Transwell Migration Assays. The total collagen protein content was determined in GT-MSC and G-MSC homogenates.

Results

Gene-Ontology analysis on significantly upregulated genes expressed in GT-biopsies revealed enrichment of several genes involved in processes related to matrix remodeling, collagen deposition and integrin signaling. No significantly expressed genes were seen in G-biopsies. Regarding lymphangiogenesis-related genes, GT-biopsies demonstrated greater expression for PROX1 than G-biopsies (p = 0.05). Lower migration potential (p < 0.001), yet greater production of collagen protein (p = 0.05) was found for GT-MSCs over G-MSCs.

Conclusion

Differential expression patterns of various molecular pathways in biopsies and cell cultures of diseased versus healthy gingival tissues indicate a potential of the former for tissue remodeling and repair.

Clinical relevance

In the course of periodontitis granulation tissue is formed within a periodontal defect in an attempt to reconstruct the site. Following treatment procedures periodontal granulation tissue remains inflamed but appears to retain healing potential.
Usefulness of mobile apps for achieving sustainable diving tourism
Authors: Demircan Hakan B. , Ozturen Ali , Irani Foad
Published: March 2023

Leisure activities have the potential to have substantial impacts on vulnerable natural resources. Adopting innovative technologies while adhering to sustainability principles is critical for promoting environmental conservation among various stakeholders. This study investigates the effects of mobile applications’ perceived usefulness on achieving sustainable diving tourism through m-learning, environmentally responsible underwater behaviors, green marketing activities, and green competitive advantage. An online questionnaire was conducted at Cyprus and Turkey scuba diving centers and schools. Moreover, the impacts of green competitive advantage and environmentally responsible underwater behaviors of sustainable diving tourism were analyzed. The proposed hypotheses were tested using ADANCO software, a modeling tool for structural equations. This study underlines an essential contribution to the technology management literature regarding the implications of adopting mobile technologies and promoting environmentally responsible underwater behavior. The findings of this study contribute to the extension of the TAM theory to comprehend the impact of the perceived usefulness of mobile applications on recreational scuba diving tourism via knowledge of green market activities, green competitive advantage, M-learning, and environmentally friendly responsible underwater behavior. The results reflect that sustainable diving tourism in Turkey and Cyprus can be realized by adopting mobile applications via environmentally responsible behaviors and activities.
Almost contact metric manifolds with certain condition
Authors: Bayour Benaoumeur , Beldjilali Gherici , Sinacer Moulay Larbi
Published: March 2023

The object of this article is to study a new class of almost contact metric structures which are integrable but non normal. Illustrativeexamples are given.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). Primary 53C15; Secondary 53C55.
Evaluation of Intraoperative Peripheral Nerve Stimulator Assisted Percutaneous Medial Pin Placement for Supracondylar Humerus Fractures in Children
Authors: Hamza Mohamed Safwat , El-Mahboub Nehad Mahmoud , Abo-Elfath Ali Mohamed , Ismail Sameh
Published: March 2023

Background: Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are widely regarded as the most common fractures around the elbow in pediatric age group, and account for around 60–70% of all pediatric elbow fractures. Proper management of supracondylar fractures is important as they may lead to undesired catastrophic consequences. The treatment options depend on the fragment displacement degree and the presence of a neurovascular injury. An accepted widely known classification of these fractures is the AO/Gartland system, as modified by Wilkin.
Objective: To assess the accuracy, feasibility, and reliability of the peripheral nerve stimulator during and after medial pin placement in surgical management of supracondylar fractures in children.
Patients and Methods: This prospective interventional clinical trial was conducted on 50 children with supracondylar fracture of humerus; in the Orthopedics Department of Suad Kafafi Teaching Hospital, Misr University for Science and Technology, School of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt. All patients were subjected to complete clinical picture and careful clinical examination. All patients needed X-ray films; AP/lateral view.
Results: Age was distributed as 6.28 ± 2.36 years with minimum of 2 years and maximum of 11 years. Regarding sex distribution, male represents majority with 72% and female with 28%. Median time before surgery was zero with minimum of zero and maximum of 8 days. Intraoperatively, medial epicondyle was palpated in all patients.
Conclusion: The peripheral nerve stimulation during the percutaneous medial pinning of supracondylar fractures in children is a simple, economical, and easily implemented technique, which is helpful in avoiding iatrogenic injury. It can be applied with the equipment already existing in the operation room, as it is also routinely used by anesthesiologists.
A mixed precision LOBPCG algorithm
Authors: Kressner Daniel , Ma Yuxin , Shao Meiyue
Published: March 2023

The locally optimal block preconditioned conjugate gradient (LOBPCG) algorithm is a popular approach for computing a few smallest eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenvectors of a large Hermitian positivedefinite matrix A. In this work, we propose a mixed precision variant of LOBPCGthat uses a (sparse) Cholesky factorization of A computed in reduced precision as the preconditioner. To further enhance performance, a mixed precision orthogonalization strategyis proposed. To analyze the impact of reducing precision in the preconditioner on performance, we carry out a rounding error and convergence analysis of PINVIT, a simplified variant of LOBPCG. Our theoretical results predict and our numerical experiments confirm that the impact on convergence remains marginal.In practice, our mixed precision LOBPCG algorithm typically reduces thecomputation time by a factor of 1.4--2.0 on both CPUs and GPUs.
MSC Classification: c
Prescription of Therapeutic Exercise in Migraine. An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline of the Professional College of Physiotherapists of the Community of Madrid
Authors: Touche Roy La , Fierro-Marrero José , Sánchez-Ruíz Irene , de Rivera-Romero Borja Rodríguez , Cabrera-López Carlos Donato , Lerma-Lara Sergio , Requejo-Salinas Néstor , Fernández-Martínez Francisco de Asís , Elizagaray-García Ignacio , Fernández-Carnero Josué , Matesanz-García Luís , Pardo-Montero Joaquín , Paris-Alemany Alba , Reina-Varona Álvaro
Published: March 2023

The main objective of this clinical practice guideline is to provide a series of recommendations for healthcare and exercise professionals, such as neurologists, physical therapists, and conditioning coaches, regarding exercise prescription for patients with migraine. This guideline was developed following the methodology and procedures recommended in the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE). The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were evaluated with the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). A systematic literature review was performed and an established appraisal process was employed to rate the quality of relevant scientific research (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology). The evaluation of the current evidence, the elaboration of the grades of recommendation, and their validation show a B grade of recommendation for aerobic exercise, moderate-continuous aerobic exercise, yoga, and exercise and lifestyle recommendations for the improvement of symptoms, disability, and quality of life in patients with migraine. Relaxation techniques, high-intensity interval training, low-intensity continuous aerobic exercise, exercise and relaxation techniques, and resistance exercise obtained a C grade of recommendation for the improvement of migraine symptoms and disability.
Optimized enantioselective (S)-2-hydroxypropiophenone synthesis by free- and encapsulated-resting Pseudomonas putida cells
Authors: Kordesedehi Reihaneh , Asadollahi Mohammad Ali , Shahpiri Azar , Biria Davoud , Nikel Pablo Iván
Published: March 2023

BackgroundAromatic α-hydroxy ketones such as S-2-hydroxypropiophenine (S-2-HPP) are highly valuable chiral building blocks useful for the synthesis of various pharmaceuticals and natural products. In the present study, enantioselective synthesis of S-2-HPP was investigated by free and immobilized whole cells ofPseudomonas putidaATCC 12633 starting from readily-available aldehyde substrates. Whole resting cells ofP. putidagrown in a culture medium containing ammonium mandelate are a source of native benzoylformate decarboxylase (BFD) activity. BFD synthesized by inducedP. putidaresting cells is a highly active biocatalyst without any further treatment in comparison with partially purified preparation. These cells can convert benzaldehyde and acetaldehyde into the acyloin compound 2-HPP by BFD catalyzed enantioselective cross-coupling reaction.ResultsThe reaction was carried out in the presence of exogenous benzaldehyde (20 mM) and acetaldehyde (600 mM) as substrates in 6 ml of 200 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7) for 3 hours. The optimal biomass concentration was assessed to be 0.006 g DCW/ml. 2-HPP titer, yield and productivity using the free cells were 1.2 g L-1, 0.56 g 2-HPP/g benzaldehyde (0.4 mol 2-HPP/mol benzaldehyde), 0.067 g 2-HPP/g DCW h, respectively, under optimized biotransformation conditions (30 ⁰C, 200 rpm). Calcium alginate (CA)–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-boric acid (BA)-beads were used for the cell entrapment. Encapsulated whole-cells were successfully employed in four consecutive cycles for 2-HPP production under aerobic conditions without any noticeable degradation of the beads. Moreover, there was no production of benzyl alcohol as an unwanted by-product.ConclusionThus, bioconversion byP. putidawhole resting cells is an efficient strategy for the production of 2-HPP and other α-hydroxyketones.
Noise control for high subsonic jet by inner wall treatment
Authors: Mao Huyue , Tang Xiaolong , Yang Xiaoquan , Ding Jue , Weng Peifen
Published: March 2023

Subsonic jet nozzles, commonly used in passenger aircrafts, generate significant noise that travels both downstream and upstream due to large-scale or fine-scale turbulences in the jet plume. To reduce jet noise, a novel wall treatment method, termed the wavy inner wall (WIW), is proposed. With this method, the smooth inner wall near the exit of the nozzle is replaced by treated walls that carry small wavy patterns. Numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the effects of the WIW treatment. Large eddy simulations (LES) were used to predict the unsteady flow field and the far-field noise, followed by the analogy method proposed by Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings. To better understand the mechanism behind the noise reduction achieved by the WIW treatment, the shear-layer instability, radial and azimuthal auto-correlation functions, turbulent kinetic energy, and acoustic source term from the Tam-Auriault (TA) jet-noise model were analyzed. Results indicated that the WIW treatment advances the onset of jet flow instability in the shear-layer, leading to the early breakdown of jet shear-layer and production of different scales of downstream turbulent structures. As a result, the distribution and production of turbulent kinetic energy are affected, and the generation and emission of jet noise are controlled. The WIW treatment enables the control of fine scale turbulence, resulting in the reduction of mid- to high-frequency noise in the far field, while ensuring a low thrust loss. This feature makes the WIW method a promising approach for jet noise control.
On solutions for several systems of complex nonlinear partial differential equations with two variables
Authors: Xu Hong Yan , Xu Yi Hui , Liu Xiao Lan
Published: March 2023

Note: Please see pdf for full abstract with equations.
This article is devoted to describe the entire solutions of several systems of the first order nonlinear partial differential equations. By using the Nevanlinna theory and the Hadamard factorization theory of meromorphic functions, we establish some interesting results to reveal the existence and the forms of the finite order transcendental entire solutions of several systems of the first order nonlinear partial differential equations. Moreover, some examples are given to explain that there are significant differences in the forms of solutions from some previous systems of functional equations.
(auz1 + buz2) (cvz1 + dvz2) = eg,
(avz1 + bvz2) (cuz1 + duz2) = eg,

(auz1 + bvz2) (cuz2 + dvz1) = eg,
(auz2 + bvz1) (cuz1 + dvz2) = eg,
and
(auz1 + bvz1) (cuz2 + dvz2) = eg,
(auz2 + bvz2) (cuz1 + dvz1) = eg,
where a, b, c, d ∈ C, and g is a polynomial in C2. Moreover, some examples are given to explain that there are significant differences in the forms of solutions from some previous systems of functional equations.
Mathematical Subject Classification (2010): 30D35, 35M30.
Major depressive disorders and the risk of susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and hospitalization: findings from the Employees’ Health Cohort Study of Iran (EHCSIR)
Authors: Nasirpour Nastaran , Esmailzadehha Neda , Hajebi Ahmad , Savari Ebtesam , Motevalian Abbas
Published: March 2023

Purpose
The association of major depressive disorder (MDD) with higher risk of susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and hospitalization remained inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the both hypotheses in the Employees’ Health Cohort Study of Iran (EHCSIR).
Methods
Among 4886 EHCSIR participants, 3355 subjects who had a complete data on major depressive disorder and two annual telephone follow-ups from January 2020 to March 2022 were recruited in this study. Trained psychologists applied the Persian version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-2.1) to recognize major depressive disorders at baseline assessment. Log binomial regression models were separately applied to investigate the association between MDD and risk of susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, adjusting for sociodemographic factors and background health conditions.
Results
The lifetime and twelve-month prevalence of MDD at the baseline of the cohort study were 11.4% and 7.3%, respectively. During the pandemic, 876 (26.1%) of the participants were infected with COVID-19 and 126 of these patients (14.4%) were hospitalized. The risk of susceptibility to COVID-19 infection among study participants who had lifetime MDD was significantly higher than unexposed participants (ARR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.06–1.47). Among the COVID-19 cases, neither lifetime MDD (ARR = 1.26, 95% CI: 0.71–2.24) nor twelve-month MDD (ARR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.48–2.15) was independently associated with hospitalization.
Conclusion
Preexisting major depressive disorder may cause a higher risk of susceptibility to COVID-19 infection, but it is not associated with higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization.
Comparison of triplanar Chevron osteotomy with Chevron osteotomy in the treatment of hallux valgus for preventing transfer metatarsalgia
Authors: Cao Jianming , Guo Jialiang , Xu Lihui , Ni Yulong , Niu Chao , Jin Liang , Zhang Fengqi
Published: March 2023

Background: Hallux valgus (HV) is often accompanied by metatarsalgia. The purpose of this study was to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of the new triplanar Chevron osteotomy (TCO) and Chevron osteotomy (CO) in the treatment of hallux valgus (HV), especially on plantar callosities and metatarsalgia.
Methods: In this retrospective analysis, 90 patients (45 patients per group) with mild to moderate HV and plantar callosities were treated with TCO and CO from July 2020 to January 2022. In both procedures, the apex was located in the centre of the head of the first metatarsal bone, and the CO was oriented towards the fourth MTPJ at a 60° angle. Plantar-oblique Chevron osteotomy (POCO) was defined as Chevron osteotomy and a 20° plantar tilt; TCO was defined as POCO-based metatarsal osteotomy with a 10° tilt towards the metatarsal head. Primary outcome measures included X-ray measurements of the preoperative and postoperative HVA, IMA, DMAA, FML, SMHH and clinical measurements including VAS and AOFAS scores and changes in callosity grade and area and in the number of people with metatarsalgia. Secondary outcomes included complications, recurrence rates, and cosmetic appearance.
Results: The HVA, IMA, and DMAA measurements were signiﬁcantly decreased after surgery (P <0.001) in all patients. In the TCO group, the mean FML and SMHH increased significantly postoperatively (P<0.001). The AOFAS and VAS scores improved postoperatively in both groups (P < 0.001). All patients experienced satisfactory pain relief and acceptable cosmesis. The plantar callosity areas were smaller postoperatively in both the TCO and CO groups, but the change in the area (Δarea) of the TCO group was significantly different from that of the CO group (P < 0.001). The number of postoperative metatarsalgia patients and the plantar callosity grades in the TCO group were both significantly lower than those in the CO group after osteotomy (P<0.05 for both).
Conclusions: TCO prevents dorsal shift of the metatarsal head and preserves and even increases the FML, thereby preventing future metatarsalgia in patients. Therefore, compared with CO, TCO has better orthopaedic outcomes and is an effective method for treating mild to moderate HV and preventing transfer metatarsalgia.
Deriving Full-Range Vapor Pressure Equation and Acentric Factor from Boiling Point, and Estimation of Critical Pressure
Authors: Lee Jai-yeop
Published: March 2023

In a vapor pressure equation in the form of the Antoine equation, A and B can be expressed as van der Waals constants. If C is defined as c by dividing it into gas constant and critical temperature, c can be expressed as a function in the form of a third-degree polynomial of reduced temperature. Using this, the vapor pressure of full-range temperature can be calculated. The c function is third-degree polynomial, but since the values are known at absolute zero and critical points, there are two required coefficients. Using the characteristics of the c function, a full-range vapor pressure equation can be derived from only one vapor pressure data such as boiling point, and acentric factor can be obtained, and critical pressure estimated. For 32 substances including 6 elements, this method was applied to estimate the full-range vapor pressure, acentric factor, and critical pressure from only the boiling point data, and the results were compared with actual data. In addition, it was applied to 16 elements to derive a full-range vapor pressure equation. Using the characteristics of local minimum point, the critical pressures of unknown elements like phosphorous, arsenic, and gold could be estimated in addition to the 21 elements whose critical pressures were previously known.
Environmental Regulation and Industrial Green Transformation in the Yangtze River Economic Zone --- A Perspective Based on Emission Heterogeneity
Authors: Liying Liying Li , Weihong Zhang
Published: March 2023

Accelerating the green transformation of industry is the way to promote the comprehensive green and low-carbon development of the Yangtze River Economic Zone. The results show that there is a positive effect of environmental regulation on the green transformation of industry in the Yangtze River Economic Zone, which is consistent with the "Porter hypothesis", and the heterogeneity of the effect of environmental regulation on the green transformation of industry in the Yangtze River Economic Zone. In addition, the green development strategy of the Yangtze River Economic Belt implemented since 2016 has effectively enhanced the role of environmental regulations in promoting the green transformation of industries in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. In general, the intensity of environmental regulations in the Yangtze River Economic Belt is low, and the policy effects have not been fully exploited. To further promote the green transformation of industries in the Yangtze River Economic Zone, we should take the characteristics of emission heterogeneity as an important reference, formulate targeted environmental regulation policies by classification and zoning, accelerate the construction of a regional consultation mechanism for environmental regulation, and promote the continuous enrichment and dynamic optimization of environmental regulation policies.
Vital dye lymphoscintigraphy: An answer to decision making between single or two-stage laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy intraoperatively
Authors: Nandan Ruchira , Kumar Deepak , Pandey Vaibhav , Kumar Ishan , Kulkarni Paresh
Published: March 2023

Introduction
We hypothesized that vital dye lymphoscintigraphy (VDL) can be used to assess the testicular supply via vessel to vas and can be used to decide whether to go for single-stage Fowler-Stephens (FS1) or two-staged Fowler-Stephens (FS2) orchidopexy. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of FS1 and FS2 orchidopexy and to assess the role of the VDL technique.
Methods
A prospective study was done to include patients with high intraabdominal testis. They were subjected to the study protocol. During laparoscopic FS orchidopexy, VDL was performed. Around 0.5ml subcapsular injection of methylene blue was administered in the testis. The flow of methylene blue was observed and categorized as definitive, intermediate, or no flow along the vas for 10 mins. Testicular volume, testicular atrophy index, and hormonal response were studied and compared between the two groups. The post-operative relative testis atrophy percentage was calculated.
Result
The outcome of FS1 and FS2 orchidopexy was similar in terms of testicular volume, testicular atrophy index, and hormonal response. On VDL, 6 patients had no flow, of which 2 had FS1 and 4 FS2. The two patients who had no flow on VDL and had FS1, both developed testicular atrophy post-operatively. The four patients who had no flow on VDL and had FS2, none had testicular atrophy.
Conclusion
The outcome of FS1 and FS2 orchidopexy was similar. VDL can be used intraoperatively for deciding between the FS1 and FS2 orchidopexy. If VDL is added for intraoperative vascularity assessment, FS1 can be used as standard treatment for high intraabdominal testis.
Modified axial pullout resistance factors of geostrip and metal strip reinforcements in sand considering transverse pull effects
Authors: Karnamprabhakara Bhargav Kumar , Chennarapu Hariprasad , Balunaini Umashankar
Published: March 2023

The pullout resistance of reinforcement is an important parameter in the design of reinforced retaining structures. At incipient failure, the kinematics of failure in a reinforced retaining structure shows that the sliding mass of soil pulls the reinforcement obliquely along the slip surface. The response of reinforcement to oblique pull can be considered to be made up of equivalent axial and transverse components of the oblique pull. Accordingly, axial and transverse pullout tests were conducted on geostrip, and metal strip (both smooth and ribbed) reinforcements embedded in uniform sand. Ribbed metal strip reinforcement registered higher pullout resistance than smooth metal strip and geostrip reinforcements. The modified axial pullout resistance factors accounting for transverse pull ranged from 0.44 to 1.23, 1.4 to 3.5, and 2.0 to 5.2 for geostrip, smooth-metal-strip, and ribbed-metal-strip reinforcements, respectively. While the axial pullout resistance factors ranged from 0.34 to 0.65, 0.75 to 1.1, and 0.94 to 1.3.
Enhanced electrochemical supercapacitors from the metal silicates by multi-step treatment of natural green algaes
Authors: Zhang Shaoqing , Lu Yueyue , Shi Danjiao , Yao Yue , Wang Xuchun , Meng Changgong
Published: March 2023

Metal-silicates (Zn, Mn, Ni and Co) were prepared from natural green algaes (GAs) as supercapacitor electrodes. In this study, multi-step treatment with two kinds of porogenes was used to produce larger specific surface area and more abundant hierarchical pores. Firstly, GAs was treated with 1.0 M NaCl solution, then metal-silicates were prepared by the GAs using hydrothermal reaction. Lastly, the as-synthesized samples were soaked in 3.0 M NaOH solution to obtain the products (m-C-MSi, M = Zn, Mn, Ni and Co). Compared with the samples without multi-step treatment, the electrodes in this study exhibit much better electrochemical performance both as electrodes and as HSCs. This work proved that the multi-step treatment with porogenes is an effective method to enhance the electrochemical performance of the metal-silicate supercapacitors.
De-identification technique with facial deformation in head CT images
Authors: Uchida Tatsuya , Kin Taichi , Saito Toki , Shono Naoyuki , Kiyofuji Satoshi , Koike Tsukasa , Sato Katsuya , Niwa Ryoko , Takashima Ikumi , Kawahara Takuya , Oyama Hiroshi , Saito Nobuhito
Published: March 2023

Head CT, which includes the facial region, can visualize faces using 3D reconstruction, raising concern that individuals may be identified. We developed a new de-identification technique that distorts the faces of head CT images. Head CT images that were distorted were labeled as "original images" and the others as "reference images." Reconstructed face models of both were created, with 400 control points on the facial surfaces. All voxel positions in the original image were moved and deformed according to the deformation vectors required to move to corresponding control points on the reference image. Three face detection and identification programs were used to determine face detection rates and match confidence scores. Intracranial volume equivalence tests were performed before and after deformation, and correlation coefficients between intracranial pixel value histograms were calculated. Output accuracy of the deep learning model for intracranial segmentation was determined using Dice Similarity Coefficient before and after deformation. The face detection rate was 100%, and match confidence scores were < 90. Equivalence testing of the intracranial volume revealed statistical equivalence before and after deformation. The median correlation coefficient between intracranial pixel value histograms before and after deformation was 0.9965, indicating high similarity. Dice Similarity Coefficient values of original and deformed images were statistically equivalent. We developed a technique to de-identify head CT images while maintaining the accuracy of deep-learning models. The technique involves deforming images to prevent face identification, with minimal changes to the original information.
Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy Combined with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and PD-1 Inhibitors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Yu Bingran , Zhang Ning , Feng Yun , Zhang Yongfa , Zhang Ti , Wang Lu
Published: March 2023

Purposes: To compare the efficacy and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) immunotherapy versus combination therapy of transarterial chemotherapy (TACE), TKIs and PD-1 inhibitors in the treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: The data of 302 patients with HCC receiving HAIC combined with TKIs and PD-1 inhibitors (HAIC-TP group) and 446 patients receiving TACE combined with TKIs and PD-1 inhibitors (TACE-TP group) were retrospectively collected. The progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), tumor response and adverse events were compared between two groups. Propensity-score matching (PSM) analysis were utilized to minimize the bias.
Results: HAIC-TP group exhibited longer PFS (17.1 months versus 8.9 months, P < 0.001), longer OS (not reached versus 14.3 months, P < 0.001) and better objective response rate (RECIST: 33.1% versus 7.8%, P < 0.001; mRECIST: 51.4% versus 17.5%, P < 0.001) than TACE-TP group. Nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain were more frequent in the HAIC-TP group, while liver dysfunction occurred more common in the TACE-TP group. PSM analysis showed the same results.
Conclusions: In patients with HCC, the combination of HAIC with TKIs and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy is an effective and safe therapeutic regimen over TACE-based combination therapy. A prospective study with a large sample size is needed to validate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy.
The effect of environmental change on the long-term outcome of common mental disorders
Authors: Tyrer Peter , Duggan Conor , Yang Min , Tyrer Helen
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To examine the nature of positive and negative environmental change on clinical outcome in 210 patients presenting with anxiety and depression and followed up over 30 years.

Methods

In addition to clinical assessments, major environmental changes, particularly after 12 and 30 years, were recorded in all patients by a combination of self-report and taped interviews. Environmental changes were separated into two major groups, positive or negative, determined by patient opinion.

Results

Using a combined measure of clinical and social outcomes positive and negative environmental changes were compared. Positive changes were more likely than negative ones to be associated with a good outcome at 12 and 30 years (39% v 3.6% and 30.2% v 9.1% respectively). Similar greater improvement in accommodation (P = 0.009), relationships (P = 0.007), and substance use (p = 0.003) were found with positive changes at 12 years, and psychiatric admissions P = 0.011 (12 years) and social work contacts (P = 0.043)(30 years) were also similarly reduced. Those with personality disorder at baseline had fewer positive changes (P = 0.018) than others at 12 years and fewer positive occupational changes at 30 years (P = 0.041). Service use was greatly reduced in those with positive events with 50–80% more time free of all psychotropic drug treatment (P < 0.001). Instrumental positive change had greater effects than imposed changes.

Conclusions

Positive environmental change has a favourable impact on clinical outcome in common mental disorders. Although studied naturalistically in this study the findings suggest that if harnessed as a therapeutic intervention, as in nidotherapy and social prescribing, it would yield therapeutic dividends.
The full-stage creep model based on fractional differentiation and Perzyna overstress function for deeply buried soft rock
Authors: Yang Liu , Zhou Hui , Liu Rongfei , Yang Fanjie , Zhang Chuanqing , Liu Wenbo
Published: March 2023

Aiming at the problem that the traditional rock creep constitutive model cannot accurately describe the full-stage creep characteristics of rock, this paper proposes the FBNVP model that can describe the creep characteristics of deeply buried soft rocks in full-stage. Based on fractional differential theory, this model improves the viscosity element and can accurately describe the nonlinear growth process in the stable creep stage. The nonlinear viscoplastic element is constructed based on fractional exponential equation, which can accurately describe the accelerated growth process of creep stage III. The model accurately expresses the three-dimensional constitutive equation under viscoplastic conditions based on the Perzyna overstress function. The indoor uniaxial and triaxial creep test results of chlorite schist in Jinping II hydropower station verify the correctness of the one-dimensional and three-dimensional analytical solutions of the FBNVP model. The results show that compared with the traditional creep model the FBNVP model can accurately describe the creep characteristics of deeply buried soft rock in the full-stage. The model has the characteristics of accurate description, few parameters, clear physical significance and wide application range. It can provide reliable theoretical support for creep analysis of deeply buried soft rock.
Gap-filling properties of adhesives used for cross-laminated timber
Authors: Miyazaki Junko , Miyamoto Kohta , Tomura Shinichiro , Ohashi Yoshinori , Matsumoto Kazushige , Furuta Naoyuki , Takanashi Ryuya
Published: March 2023

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) laminates layers of laminae side by side, with the fiber direction of each layer orthogonal to each other. Therefore, any error in the thickness of the laminae may cause gaps in the glue lines, leading to adhesion failure. In this study, a three-layer CLT with a thin lamina inserted in the inner layer was manufactured, and the gap-filling performance of adhesives and the allowable error for lamina thickness were investigated. The outer layer of CLT was arranged with 30.0 mm-thick laminae, and the inner layer alternated between 30.0 mm-thick lamina and thin laminae (29.9, 29.7, and 29.5 mm). One-component polyurethane adhesives (PUR), emulsion polymer-isocyanate (EPI) adhesives, and phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde resin (PRF) were used. The glue line thickened when the lamina thinned down in PUR and EPI. By contrast, the glue line thickness at the lamina thickness of 29.5 mm in PRF was almost the same as the glue line thickness without gaps. Delamination tests and block shear test showed that the PUR had a low delamination even at 29.5 mm thickness and a high wood failure rate (WF, > 95%), indicating good adhesion. For EPI, the lamina thicknesses of 29.7 and 29.5 mm showed an increase in delamination and a decrease in WF. For the PRF, an increase in delamination and a decrease in WF were observed at a lamina thickness of 29.5 mm. These results indicated that good adhesive properties can be obtained with a lamina thickness error of 0.1 mm for EPI and 0.3 mm for PRF.