bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Pattern of Patient Care in Otorhinolaryngology Practice in a Tertiary Referral Centre
Authors: Sharma Kalpana , Goswami Abhilasha , Sarun S. M.
Published: January 2021

To study the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on patient load in a tertiary care centre and the innovations and methods used to improve the safety of the healthcare workers, to provide adequate treatment in the department of Otorhinolaryngology. This study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, at a tertiary care hospital centre in North-East India. This study included data collected from the patient registers maintained in our department, and included data over a 4-month period, from April, 2020 to July, 2020. Age, gender, place of residence, clinical diagnosis and the operative procedure performed were included in the data profile for analysis. The above-mentioned registers were also reviewed to retrieve details about the rate of admission during the study period in the previous year. Data was collected and represented, in both descriptive and tabular forms, after proper statistical analysis. We found out that there is a drastic reduction in number of patients attending in our department of Otorhinolaryngology during this COVID-19 pandemic. Certain innovative methods for protecting healthcare workers from viral transmission were put into our practice based on the peer reviewed articles, from June, 2020 and the rate of elective procedures and in-patient admissions were thus increased. Knowledge of new innovative methods in Otorhinolaryngology will help overcome the difficulties faced during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
p53 immunohistochemistry discriminates between pure erythroid leukemia and reactive erythroid hyperplasia
Authors: Alexandres Christina , Basha Basma , King Rebecca L. , Howard Matthew T. , Reichard Kaaren K.
Published: January 2021

Pure erythroid leukemia (PEL) is a rare, aggressive subtype of acute myeloid leukemia with a poor prognosis. The diagnosis of PEL is often medically urgent, quite challenging, and is typically a diagnosis of exclusion requiring meticulous distinction from non-neoplastic erythroid proliferations, particularly florid erythroid hyperplasia/regeneration. Given the frequency of TP53 mutations in the molecular signature of PEL, we hypothesize that differential p53 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) may be useful in distinguishing PEL versus non-neoplastic erythroid conditions. We performed p53 IHC on 5 normal bone marrow, 46 reactive erythroid proliferations, and 27 PEL cases. We assessed the positivity and intensity of nuclear staining in pronormoblasts and basophilic normoblasts using a 0–3+ scale with 0 being absent (with internal positive controls) and 3 being strong nuclear positivity. A total of 26/27 PEL cases showed strong, uniform, diffuse intense staining by the neoplastic pronormoblasts versus 0/5 and 0/46 normal and reactive controls, respectively. The control cases show various staining patterns ranging from 0 to 3+ in scattered erythroid precursor cells. Uniform, strong p53 positivity is unique to PEL and discriminates this entity from a benign erythroid mimic. Thus, p53 IHC may be a useful marker in urgent medical cases to assist in the confirmation of a malignant PEL diagnosis while awaiting the results of additional ancillary studies such as cytogenetics.
What comprises the plate-like structure between the pancreatic head and the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery? A proposal for the term “P–A ligament” based on anatomical findings
Authors: Muro Satoru , Sirirat Wachirawit , Ban Daisuke , Nagakawa Yuichi , Akita Keiichi
Published: January 2021

A plate-like structure is located posterior to the portal vein system, between the pancreatic head and roots and/or branches of two major arteries of the aorta: the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery. We aimed to clarify the distribution and components of this plate-like structure. Macroscopic examination of the upper abdomen and histological examination of the plate-like structure were performed on 26 cadavers. The plate-like structure is connected to major arteries (aorta, celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery) and the pancreatic head; it contains abundant fibrous bundles comprising nerves, vessels, collagen fibers, and adipose tissue. Furthermore, it consists of three partly overlapping fibrous components: rich fibrous bundles (superior mesenteric artery plexus) fused to the uncinate process of the pancreas; fibrous bundles arising from the right celiac ganglion and celiac trunk that spread radially to the dorsal side of the pancreatic head and superior mesenteric artery plexus; and fibrous bundles, accompanied by the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, entering the pancreatic head. The plate-like structure is the pancreas–major arteries (aorta, celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery) ligament (P–A ligament). The term “P–A ligament” may be clinically useful and can facilitate comprehensive understanding of the anatomy surrounding the pancreatic head and provide an anatomical basis for further pancreatic surgery studies.
Anticholinergic Burden Does Not Influence Delirium Subtype or the Delirium–Mortality Association in Hospitalized Older Adults: Results from a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Rawle Mark James , McCue Laura , Sampson Elizabeth L. , Davis Daniel , Vickerstaff Victoria
Published: January 2021

Background

Anticholinergic burden (ACB) is associated with an increased risk of delirium in the older population outside of the acute hospital setting. In acute settings, delirium is associated with increased mortality, and this association is greater with full syndromal delirium (FSD) than with subsyndromal delirium (SSD). Little is known about the impact of ACB on delirium prevalence or subtype in hospitalized older adults or the impact on mortality in this population.

Objectives

Our objectives were to determine whether ACB moderates associations between the subtype of delirium experienced by hospitalized older adults and to explore factors (including ACB) that might moderate consequent associations between delirium and mortality in hospital inpatients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 784 older adults with unplanned admission to a North London acute medical unit between June and December 2007. Univariate regression analyses were performed to explore associations between ACB, as represented by the Anticholinergic Burden Scale (ACBS), delirium subtype (FSD vs. SSD), and mortality.

Results

The mean age of the sample was 83 ± standard deviation (SD) 7.4 years, and the majority of patients were female (59%), lived in their own homes (71%), were without dementia (75%), and died between hospital admission and the end of the 2-year follow-up period (59%). Mean length of admission was 13.2 ± 14.4 days. Prescription data revealed an ACBS score of 1 in 26% of the cohort, of 2 in 12%, and of ≥ 3 in 16%. The mean total ACBS score for the cohort was 1.1 ± 1.4 (range 0–9). Patients with high ACB on admission were more likely to have severe dementia, to have multiple comorbidities, and to live in residential care. Higher ACB was not associated with delirium of either subtype in hospitalized older adults. Delirium itself was associated with increased mortality, and greater associations were seen in FSD (hazard ratio [HR] 2.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.70–3.01) than in SSD (HR 1.58; 95% CI 1.2–2.09); however, ACB had no impact on this relationship.

Conclusions

ACB was not found to be associated with increased delirium of either subtype or to have a demonstrable impact on mortality in delirium. Prior suggestions of links between ACB and mortality in similar populations may be mediated by higher levels of functional dependence, greater levels of residential home residence, or an increased prevalence of dementia in this population.
Oscillating friction of nanoscale capillary bridge
Authors: Wu Shuai , He Yuqing , Zheng Quanshui , Ma Ming
Published: January 2021

The presence of a capillary bridge between solid surfaces is ubiquitous under ambient conditions. Usually, it leads to a continuous decrease of friction as a function of bridge height. Here, using molecular dynamics we show that for a capillary bridge with a small radius confined between two hydrophilic elastic solid surfaces, the friction oscillates greatly when decreasing the bridge height. The underlying mechanism is revealed to be a periodic ordered-disordered transition at the liquid–solid interfaces. This transition is caused by the balance between the surface tension of the liquid–vapor interface and the elasticity of the surface. This balance introduces a critical size below which the friction oscillates. Based on the mechanism revealed, a parameter-free analytical model for the oscillating friction was derived and found to be in excellent agreement with the simulation results. Our results describe an interesting frictional phenomenon at the nanoscale, which is most prominent for layered materials.
FAJIT: a fuzzy-based data aggregation technique for energy efficiency in wireless sensor network
Authors: Bhushan Shashi , Kumar Manoj , Kumar Pramod , Stephan Thompson , Shankar Achyut , Liu Peide
Published: January 2021

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is used to sense the environment, collect the data, and further transmit it to the base station (BS) for analysis. A synchronized tree-based approach is an efficient approach to aggregate data from various sensor nodes in a WSN environment. However, achieving energy efficiency in such a tree formation is challenging. In this research work, an algorithm named fuzzy attribute-based joint integrated scheduling and tree formation (FAJIT) technique for tree formation and parent node selection using fuzzy logic in a heterogeneous network is proposed. FAJIT mainly focuses on addressing the parent node selection problem in the heterogeneous network for aggregating different types of data packets to improve energy efficiency. The selection of parent nodes is performed based on the candidate nodes with the minimum number of dynamic neighbors. Fuzzy logic is applied in the case of an equal number of dynamic neighbors. In the proposed technique, fuzzy logic is first applied to WSN, and then min–max normalization is used to retrieve normalized weights (membership values) for the given edges of the graph. This membership value is used to denote the degree to which an element belongs to a set. Therefore, the node with the minimum sum of all weights is considered as the parent node. The result of FAJIT is compared with the distributed algorithm for Integrated tree Construction and data Aggregation (DICA) on various parameters: average schedule length, energy consumption data interval, the total number of transmission slots, control overhead, and energy consumption in the control phase. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is better in terms of energy efficiency.
Biogas production as energy source and strategy for managing waste and climate change
Authors: Elizabeth Funmi Aransıola , Abiodun Suleiman Momodu , Inioluwa Deborah Okunade , Tofunmi Dorcas Adepoju
Published: January 2021

The study presents technical and economic approaches of upscaled laboratory experiment using yard waste (YW) and heterogeneous slurry (HS) to produce heat and power, as a means of bridging the gap between energy production and climate change management strategies. A combination of YW:HS in ratio 2:3 with slurry obtained from a functional digester serving as inoculum was fed into the digester. These were mixed in the ratios of substrates/inoculum/water of 3.5:0.173:6.28 and theoretically upscaled for field-scale biodigesters. The modeled result shows that about 2.5 m3gas is produced per 5-m3-sized digester over a 30-day hydraulic retention time and estimated project life of 20 years. A business model was adopted for cost recovery of the proposed waste-to-energy system and life cycle cost analysis for the production costs of the seven 5-m3digesters. Avoided emissions of CO2from other equivalent energy sources are 4.36 kg, 10.16 kg, 10.37 kg, and 81.32 kg, respectively, for LPG, kerosene, diesel and fuel wood/charcoal. The project is sustainable in for profit, people and planet.
Hydrochemical assessment of the Beeshazar and associated lakes in Central Nepal
Authors: Pant Ramesh Raj , Chalaune Tarka Bahadur , Dangol Alina , Dhital Yam Prasad , Sharma Motee Lal , Pal Khadka Bahadur , Shah Syed Tallataf H. , Shrestha Ashok Kumar , Thapa Lal B.
Published: January 2021

Water quality deterioration has threatened aquatic life around the world including Nepal, which has been a serious issue for environmental sustainability and economic development. This study evaluated and interpreted hydrochemical parameters of the Beeshazar and associated lakes in Central Himalaya, Nepal. The study revealed that the water in the lake was slightly alkaline as the average pH was 7.52. The correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) identified both geogenic and anthropogenic processes as the controlling factors of hydrochemistry whereas the cluster analysis (CA) showed relatively more pollution in the associated Laxmi Lake. Also, the water quality index (WQI) classified the water as “good” for drinking purposes (i.e., WQI = 33.90), while the pollution index (PI) values were characterized as sub-cleanness and slightly polluted. In general, both the WQI and PI signify that water in the lake complex is currently safe for drinking purposes. It is further confirmed from the comparative analysis of chemical variables with other lakes in the region, WHO and national water quality guidelines for aqua culture that the most of the analyzed water parameters exhibited relatively low concentrations and were within the prescribed guidelines. However, the elevated concentrations of NO3−and PO43−may pose serious problems for retaining water quality in the future. The results could be considered for future planning and management of the Ramsar Lakes of the lowland areas in the Himalaya and also as a valuable reference for the freshwater researchers at the national and international levels.
Environmental geology assessment on the regional Pitay landfill site: a case study in Kupang, Indonesia
Authors: Titu-Eki Adept , Kotta Herry Z.
Published: January 2021

The Provincial Government of East Nusa Tenggara of Eastern Indonesia has intended to construct a new regional landfill site in Pitay–Kupang, which would accommodate municipal waste of two cities. Considering that environmental degradation in landfill sites has been a substantial issue for many developing cities in Indonesia, this study evaluates the pre-determined site on a local scale based on environmental geology parameters. It employs a conventional Geographical Information System based—Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (GIS-MCDA) method which is based on the analysis of regional criterion, assessed by expressing values on each parameter presented on thematic maps and overlaid altogether as a screening process, and the exclusion criterion analysis, which sets a buffer zone to filter out irrelevant locations. The regional criterion parameters are: Lithology, groundwater depth, slope gradient and rainfall intensity, whilst the exclusion criterion parameters are: Distance from rivers and lakes, shorelines, settlements, main roads, airports and protected areas, distance from potential geological hazards such as fault zones, floods and mass movements, and distance from any geological potential which may be developed in the future. The biggest area reduction for suitable landfill site candidate is lithology, correlating with groundwater depths, and distance from rivers. Here we identified four potential sites located west and centre of Pitay, situated on Bobonaro scaly clay lithology unit, arguably possessing no groundwater with a slope gradient of 0–20%, rainfall intensity below 1000 mm, and is distant from any potential hazards, promising geological resources and other unfavorable criteria relating to environmental degradation.
Structural, thermal and electrical properties of composites electrolytes (1−x) CsH2PO4/x ZrO2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) for fuel cell with advanced electrode
Authors: Singh Deshraj , Kumar Pawan , Singh Jitendra , Veer Dharm , Kumar Aravind , Katiyar Ram S.
Published: January 2021

Composites proton conducting material based on cesium dihydrogen phosphate (CDP) doped with zirconium oxide (1−x) CsH2PO4/x ZrO2 were synthesized with different concentration having in the range such as x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 by ball milling method. The prepared solid acid composites were dried at 150 °C for 6 h. Structural and thermal characterization of solid acid composite proton electrolytes were carried out by X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy respectively. Phase transition of the prepared materials was carried out by using differential scanning calorimetry and conductivity was measured by LC Impedance meter in the range 1 Hz to 400 kHz. The ionic conductivity of ZrO2 doped CsH2PO4 (CDP) was increased up to 1.3 × 10–2 S cm−1 at the 280 °C under environment atmospheric humidification which showed high stability as compared to pure CsH2PO4 (CDP). This obtaining result would be useful for establishing and design the next generation fuel cell.
A review of the methods used to determine the target site or the mechanism of action of essential oils and their components against fungi
Authors: Mani-López Emma , Cortés-Zavaleta Orlenda , López-Malo Aurelio
Published: January 2021

Essential oils (EOs) are complex mixtures of compounds derived from plants that exhibit antimicrobial activity. Several studies have demonstrated their antifungal activity in food matrices or in vitro via vapor phase or direct addition. Recently, researchers are focusing on elucidating the target site or the mechanism of action of various EOs. Past research has suggested evidence of how EOs act in the fungal cells via assays assessed from cell wall alterations or gene expression modifications. However, no previous reports have summarized most methods for finding the target site of the mechanism of action for EOs. Therefore, this review presents the methods and assays used to discover the target site or the mechanism of action of EOs against fungal cells. Researchers commonly analyze the plasma membrane integrity using various techniques as well as the changes in cell morphology. Meanwhile, the quantification of the activity of the mitochondrial enzymes, ROS species, and gene expression are less assayed.
Solar power plants site selection for sustainable ecological development in Nigde, Turkey
Authors: Soydan Orhun
Published: January 2021

Turkey's population is constantly increasing, and thus, the energy consumption is also increasing. Wind turbines, nuclear power plants, and boron and uranium resources are used for energy needs. Turkey meets its energy needs using these resources. Sun which is a natural and unlimited resource among these resources is one of the most important natural energy resources. The most important issue to consider in order to utilize solar energy in the most efficient way and to obtain advantages is the selection of the suitable place for solar plants. The aim of this study is to select the most suitable location for solar energy plants and provide to build solar power plants in suitable places. Eleven data layers (sunshine duration, solar radiation, slope, aspect, road, water sources, residential areas, earthquake fault line, mine areas, power line and transformers) that were prepared using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method in GIS were used and analysed. Based on the results of the analysis, the location of the areas where solar energy could be built was selected. As a result of the study, it was determined that in particular the north-east of the Nigde is the most suitable for solar plants. Ulukisla district has the most suitable feature for solar plants among the Nigde districts. 80% of the existing solar plants are located in the detected areas. It has been determined that the other 20% of the solar plant is also in the suitable areas, but their location is not suitable for the most efficiency.
Spent mushroom substrate: a crucial biosorbent for the removal of ferrous iron from groundwater
Authors: Menaga D. , Rajakumar S. , Ayyasamy P. M.
Published: January 2021

A new approach was carried out with the spent mushroom substrate (SMS) of Pleurotus florida on ferrous iron (Fe2+) removal using live, dead and pretreated substrate. In this study, the various dosage levels of SMS namely, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0 and 1.50 g/50 mL were used for the removal of Fe2+ at different time intervals for 90 min. The effect of various temperatures and pH on Fe2+ removal was studied with optimized dosages and time intervals. The biosorption potential of P. florida SMS was checked against the iron-contaminated groundwater collected from in and around Salem, Namakkal and Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu. The biosorption data were obtained and analyzed in terms of their kinetic behavior. Among the SMS of P. florida, the live SMS showed potential Fe2+ removal (100%) from aqueous metal solution in all the tested concentrations. SMS of P. florida showed high potential removal of Fe2+ in neutral pH, at room temperature and explored an efficient sorption ability (100%) in the tested water sample (SW10). The adsorption kinetic values fitted very well with pseudo-second-order when comparing with pseudo-first-order reaction. FTIR, SEM and EDX analysis proved the accumulation of Fe2+ by the SMS. The present study confirmed that the live SMS of P. florida may serve as a potential and eco-friendly biosorbent for removal of Fe2+ from the iron-contaminated water.

Graphic abstract
Correction to: A review of pebble flow study for pebble bed high temperature gas-cooled reactor
Authors: Jiang Shengyao , Tu Jiyuan , Yang Xingtuan , Gui Nan
Published: January 2021

The article “A review of pebble flow study for pebble bed high temperature gas-cooled reactor” written by Shengyao Jiang, Jiyuan Tu, Xingtuan Yang, and Nan Gui, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 11 June 2019 without open access. After publication in Volume 1, Issue 3, page 159–176, the author(s) decided to opt for Open Choice and to make the article an open access publication. Therefore, the copyright of the article has been changed to © The Author(s) 2020 and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
State-business Relations and Industrial Upgrading in the Digital Era: The Cases of Software and Aerospace Sectors in Mexico (2000–2012)
Authors: Rangel-Padilla Mariana
Published: January 2021

Developing countries face the daunting challenge of stimulating innovation-intensive sectors to increase their participation in the knowledge economy. In this context, two pressing questions arise: What types of state-business relations foster the adoption of industrial upgrading policies? And, what are the mechanisms through which some state-business relations configurations shape the likelihood of policy adoption under more democratic and open conditions? Bridging developmental state and business politics literature, this paper presents a novel framework that posits that the levels of bureaucratic quality and business cohesion generate diverse industrial upgrading policymaking patterns, and thus outcomes. An in-depth case study of the software sector and a cross-case comparison of the aerospace sector in Mexico during the 2000s illustrate and refine the framework. This article makes three main contributions. First, it expands extant political economy theories of industrial upgrading in developing democracies. Second, it improves our understanding of the private sector by carefully analyzing sectoral business cohesion. And third, the paper specifies the mechanisms through which bureaucrats and firms in democratic developing countries collaborate to enact programs that spur high-tech industries in the twenty-first century.
Prevalence, risk factors and sources of anxiety among Emergency Department healthcare workers in Pakistan during COVID-19 pandemic: A single center survey
Authors: Haroon N. , Owais S. S. , Khan A. S. , Amin J.
Published: January 2021

COVID-19 has challenged the mental health of healthcare workers confronting it world-wide. Our study identifies the prevalence and risk of anxiety among emergency healthcare workers confronting COVID-19 in Pakistan. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in an Emergency Department using the Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7), and questions about sources of anxiety. Of 107 participants, 61.7% were frontline workers. The prevalence of anxiety was 50.5%. Nonparametric tests determined that nurses, younger and inexperienced staff, developed significant anxiety. Multivariate ordinal regression determined independent risk factors for developing anxiety were younger age (OR 2.11, 95% CI 0.89–4.99) and frontline placement (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.33–1.66). Significant sources of stress were fear of infecting family (P = 0.003), lack of social support when the health care providers were themselves unwell (P = 0.02) and feelings of inadequate work performance (P = 0.05). Our study finds that HCWs’ anxiety is considerable. Appropriate measures for its alleviation and prevention are required.
Internal reliability, homogeneity, and factor structure of the ten-item Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) with two additional response categories
Authors: Bertrams Alex
Published: January 2021

The ten-item short form of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) has been used to efficiently assess autistic traits in the general population; however, the psychometric properties of the AQ-10 in terms of its internal reliability and its unifactorial structure have recently been questioned. In the present study (N = 797), whether the internal reliability is increased when the AQ-10 is applied with six rather than the conventional four response categories has been investigated. Moreover, correlational and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine the reason for potential inhomogeneity within the AQ-10. The results suggest that the internal reliability of the AQ-10 was slightly increased but is still unsatisfactory, likely due to the incompatibility of items from two subdimensions: attention to detail and imagination. With six of the AQ-10 items, crucial aspects of the autistic personality may be measured, but other important aspects would be neglected; thus, the measure requires further psychometric development.
Perceived role of hot food in the pathogenesis of oesophageal cancer: a qualitative study in the Arsi Zone, Oromia, Central Ethiopia
Authors: Deybasso Haji Aman , Roba Kedir Teji , Belachew Tefera
Published: January 2021

Observational studies in Ethiopia have identified a positive association between hot wheat porridge consumption and oesophageal carcinoma. However, a single dietary intake cannot be a sufficient predictor of cancer among populations that have diverse dietary practices. The present study was carried out to explore the community's perspectives on the role of hot foods in the pathogenesis of oesophageal cancer in Ethiopia. Focus group discussions were conducted from May to August 2019 among purposefully selected 112 participants. Data were collected by using open-ended questions; memo writing, audio recordings and photo pictures. All tape-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductively coded using Atlas.ti Version 7.0.71 software. Finally, the analysis was performed according to the standard thematic framework analysis techniques. The finding showed that hot foods (porridge, coffee and soup) consumption patterns were perceived as the principal dietary risk of oesophageal cancer. Cooking in unventilated rooms, monotonous cereal-based foods, poor vegetable, and fruit intake, not taking milk with porridge, eating fast, swallowing large bolus of hot porridge and exposure to carcinogens in foods were regarded as predisposing dietary practices to oesophageal carcinoma. Socio-demographic, economic and cultural backgrounds were reported as the underlying risk factors associated with oesophageal cancer. There was a strong perception within the community that oesophageal cancer is linked to several but sequentially interlinked dietary and related practices. Cumulative thermal injuries from the consumptions of hot food could be the immediate dietary risk factors associated with increased risk of oesophageal cancer.
STATIONARY REFLECTION
Authors: HAYUT YAIR , UNGER SPENCER
Published: January 2021

We improve the upper bound for the consistency strength of stationary reflection at successors of singular cardinals.
Asymptotic stability of spatial homogeneity in a haptotaxis model for oncolytic virotherapy
Authors: Tao Youshan , Winkler Michael
Published: January 2021

This study considers a model for oncolytic virotherapy, as given by the reaction–diffusion–taxis system
\[\begin{eqnarray*} \left\{ \begin{array}{l} u_t = \Delta u - \nabla (u\nabla v)-\rho uz, \\ v_t = - (u+w)v, \\ w_t = D_w \Delta w - w + uz, \\ z_t = D_z \Delta z - z - uz + \beta w, \end{array} \right. \end{eqnarray*}\]
in a smoothly bounded domain Ω ⊂ ℝ2, with parameters Dw > 0, Dz > 0, β > 0 and ρ ⩾ 0.

Previous analysis has asserted that for all reasonably regular initial data, an associated no-flux type initial-boundary value problem admits a global classical solution, and that this solution is bounded if β < 1, whereas whenever β > 1 and $({1}/{|\Omega |})\int _\Omega u(\cdot ,0) > 1/(\beta -1)$, infinite-time blow-up occurs at least in the particular case when ρ = 0.

In order to provide an appropriate complement to this, the current study reveals that for any ρ ⩾ 0 and arbitrary β > 0, at each prescribed level γ ∈ (0, 1/(β − 1)+) one can identify an L∞-neighbourhood of the homogeneous distribution (u, v, w, z) ≡ (γ, 0, 0, 0) within which all initial data lead to globally bounded solutions that stabilize towards the constant equilibrium (u∞, 0, 0, 0) with some u∞ > 0.
Carotenoid profile in breast milk and maternal and cord plasma: a longitudinal study in Southwest China
Authors: Sun Hanxiao , Wu Ting , Mao Yingyi , Tian Fang , Cai Xiaokun , Kuchan Matthew J. , Zhang Lishi , Zhao Yanrong , Chen Jinyao
Published: January 2021

Carotenoids are increasingly being implicated to have an important role in brain and eye development. This study aimed to quantify the content and profile of carotenoids in human breast milk, maternal plasma and neonatal umbilical cord plasma in Chengdu, an urban area in Southwest China. In this study, fifty-four healthy mothers were enrolled. Maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk were collected. Concentrations of carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin,β-cryptoxanthin,β-carotene and lycopene) were analysed by HPLC. We found that carotenoid concentrations decreased from colostrum to mature milk. Hydrocarbon carotenoids with weaker polarity decreased more than the polar carotenoids. Lycopene concentrations dropped by 99 %,β-carotene by 92 %,β-cryptoxanthin by 83 %, lutein by 32 % and zeaxanthin by 22 %. Lycopene andβ-carotene accounted for 70 % of the total carotenoids in colostrum, and lutein predominated amongst carotenoids in transitional milk and mature milk (51–55 %). Carotenoid concentrations in maternal plasma were much higher than that in cord plasma. Lutein predominated in cord plasma. The concentrations of all carotenoids in maternal plasma were correlated with those of cord plasma and human milk. These results are consistent with selective transport mechanisms in the mammary gland related to the polarity of carotenoids, and each carotenoid has its own implications, which may have different priorities in the early life development of infants. These findings may help guide dietary recommendations for carotenoid inclusion in infant formulas.
BEES AND VULTURES: EGYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHS IN AMMIANUS MARCELLINUS
Authors: Foster Frances
Published: January 2021

In his Res Gestae, the historian Ammianus Marcellinus describes the Egyptian city of Thebes and the obelisks that can be found there. There is an unusual passage in which he describes hieroglyphic writings. He goes on to show, through two examples, how hieroglyphs might seem bizarre, but in fact contain their own logic which can be explained (Amm. Marc. 17.4.10–11, translation mine):

non enim ut nunc litterarum numerus praestitutus et facilis exprimit quicquid humana mens concipere potest, ita prisci quoque scriptitarunt Aegyptii, sed singulae litterae singulis nominibus seruiebant et uerbis; non numquam significabant integros sensus. cuius rei scientiam his inseram duobus exemplis. per uulturem naturae uocabulum pandunt, quia mares nullos posse inter has alites inueniri rationes memorant physicae, perque speciem apis mella conficientis indicant regem moderatori cum iucunditate aculeos quoque innasci debere his signis ostendentes. et similia plurima.

For the ancient Egyptians did not write as nowadays, when a prescribed and easy series of letters expresses whatever the human mind can imagine; but individual characters served as individual nouns and verbs; and sometimes they signified whole ideas. I will show the knowledge of this with these two examples. They represent the word for ‘nature’ by a vulture, because no males can be found among these birds, as natural history records; and by the figure of the bee making honey they indicate ‘a king’, showing by these signs that in a ruler stings also ought to arise from sweetness. And there are many similar instances.
THE FAILURE OF ‘CORE CAPACITIES’ UNDER THE WHO INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS
Authors: Bartolini Giulio
Published: January 2021

Analyses related to the Covid-19 pandemic have mainly addressed measures adopted in response to this event without paying attention to provisions included in the 2005 International Health Regulations which require States to develop predefined core capacities to prevent, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease. The legal architecture related to these obligations has, however, various shortcomings and States have largely failed to implement the required measures. Only recently has some practice been developed by the WHO to address these deficiencies, and further action is still required to finally implement this (neglected) cornerstone of the global health system.
A novel technique for protecting staff during microlaryngoscopy procedures
Authors: Zoabi T , Ronen O
Published: January 2021

Objective

Microlaryngoscopy is an aerosol-generating procedure. This paper presents a novel approach for better protecting staff during microlaryngoscopy.

Methods

A clear plastic microscope drape is attached to the objective lens. Instead of using the drape to cover the microscope, it is pulled down to cover the patient's head and torso. The holes designated for the binoculars of the microscope are used for the surgeon hands, forming protective clear plastic sleeves.

Conclusion

The proposed technique, which is simple, relatively inexpensive and technically feasible for any hospital to perform during microlaryngoscopy procedures, can increase safety and minimise droplet and aerosol exposure in the operating theatre.
Online open-book examination of undergraduate medical students – a pilot study of a novel assessment method used during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Authors: Sarkar S , Mishra P , Nayak A
Published: January 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has posed a new challenge for medical educators worldwide. While teaching and learning shifted online, assessment posed a roadblock. A pilot study was performed to check the feasibility and acceptability of online open-book examination.

Methods

A pilot study was carried out on sixth semester (fourth year) students. An online open-book examination was conducted on an ENT topic, and feedback was obtained using a pre-validated questionnaire. Two teachers scored and collated the answers, and the marks were averaged for each candidate.

Results

Ninety-eight students appeared for the examination: 21.4 per cent failed and 78.6 per cent passed. Eight students scored above 75 per cent correct. Only 55 students volunteered to give feedback; most agreed that the best advantage of this assessment was that it was stress-free. The disadvantage most complained of was network connectivity issues.

Conclusion

Online open-book examination has the potential to be the new normal in the present circumstances and beyond.
Dynamic Modeling and Mobility Analysis of the 3-R(RRR)R+R Antenna Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Guoxing , Zheng Donghao , Guo Jinwei , Hou Yulei , Zeng Daxing
Published: January 2021

A novel 3-R(RRR)R+R (R as revolute joint) hybrid antenna mechanism (HAM) is proposed for noncircular polarized antenna. First, its mobility characteristic is analyzed. Besides, its kinematics is deduced, and the velocity and acceleration are obtained. Afterward, its dynamic model is established. The actuation torques of each actuation joint are obtained. Its actuation torques are verified by mathematical model analysis and dynamic simulation. Furthermore, its workspace is also presented. Finally, the motion characteristics experimental results show that the 3-R(RRR)R+R HAM can carry out the azimuth and pitch motion. This research work serves as a fundamental theoretical basis for its further application.
Modeling and Effective Foot Force Distribution for the Legs of a Quadruped Robot
Authors: Biswal Priyaranjan , Mohanty Prases K.
Published: January 2021

This paper presents the detailed dynamic modeling of a quadruped robot. The forward and inverse kinematic analysis of each leg of the proposed model is deduced using Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) parameters. It desires to calculate the optimal feet forces of the quadruped robot’s joint torque, which is essential for its online control. To find out the optimal feet force distribution, two approaches are implemented to fulfill the locomotion objective. The four-legged quadruped robot and torso body’s detailed dynamics are modeled to generate an equation of motion for the robot control system. The Euler–Langrage theory has been used to find out the joint motion. The computer simulation results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the dynamic model.
A Survey on Brachiation Robots: An Energy-Based Review
Authors: Andreuchetti Sibyla , Oliveira Vinícius M. , Fukuda Toshio
Published: January 2021

Many different control schemes have been proposed in the technical literature to control the special class of underactuated systems, the- so-called brachiation robots. However, most of these schemes are limited with regard to the method by which the robot executes the brachiation movement. Moreover, many of these control strategies do not take into account the energy of the system as a decision variable. To observe the behavior of the system’s, energy is very important for a better understanding of the robot dynamics while performing the motion. This paper discusses a variety of energy-based strategies to better understand how the system’s energy may influence the type of motion (under-swing or overhand) the robot should perform.
Key factors affecting the quality of maritime education and training: empirical evidence from China
Authors: Bao Junzhong , Li Yan , Duan Zunlei , Li Tingting , Zhang Pengfei
Published: January 2021

Recently, the quality of Maritime Education and Training (MET) has drawn more attention from employers of the shipping industry, because incompetent officers have frequently contributed to ship accidents. The authors intend to explore answers to three questions: (1) Is the quality of Chinese MET satisfactory to the maritime stakeholders? (2) What are the major factors affecting the quality of cadet training? (3) Are there feasible solutions to improve the quality of MET? The authors take China, a major seafarers supplying country, as empirical evidence to disclose the causes of the problems. By an exploratory factor analysis technique, this paper presents the findings of semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys and identifies four principal factors affecting the quality of MET in China. Shortage of skillful instructors, lack of onboard training, over-reliance on theoretical teaching, and limited funding sources are prominent factors in this context. Practical solutions are proposed for the purpose of improving the overall competence of Chinese cadets expected to become the dynamic workforce for the global shipping industry.
Estimation of case-fatality rate in COVID-19 patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus in the New York state: a preliminary report
Authors: Ge Yang , Sun Shengzhi , Shen Ye
Published: January 2021

Pre-existing health conditions may exacerbate the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to estimate the case-fatality rate (CFR) and rate ratios (RR) for patients with hypertension (HBP) and diabetes mellitus (DM) in the New York state. We obtained the age-specific number of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths from public reports provided by the New York State Department of Health, and age-specific prevalence of HBP and DM from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2017. We calculated CFR and RR for COVID-19 patients with HBP and DM based on the reported number of deaths with the comorbidity divided by the expected number of COVID-19 cases with the comorbidity. We performed subgroup analysis by age and calculated the CFR and RR for ages of 18–44, 45–64 and 65+ years, respectively. We found that the older population had a higher CFR, but the elevated RRs associated with comorbidities are more pronounced among the younger population. Our findings suggest that besides the elderly, the young population with comorbidity should also be considered as a vulnerable group.
Validation of estimated glycaemic index and glycaemic load, stratified by race, in the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2)
Authors: Wright Carmen N , Jaceldo-Siegl Karen , Mashchak Andrew , Singh Pramil N , Fraser Gary E
Published: January 2021

Objective:

Few studies have validated FFQ estimates of dietary glycaemic index (GI) and load (GL). We investigated how well our estimates of overall GI and GL from FFQs correlate with estimates from repeated 24 h recall data to validate overall GI and GL in the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2).

Design:

The AHS-2 is a prospective population-based cohort of 95 873 Seventh-day Adventist adult church members enrolled from 2002 to 2007 to investigate diet, cancer and mortality.

Setting:

A 204-item FFQ was used to assess race- and gender-specific validity of GI and GL and 24 h recall data, from the calibration sub-study, were used as the reference.

Participants:

The 734 calibration study participants were randomly selected by church and included approximately equal numbers of blacks and whites but were otherwise similar to the whole cohort with respect to gender, age, education and vegetarian status.

Results:

The deattenuated correlation coefficients for overall GI ranged from 0·19 (95 % CI −0·06, 0·53) in black men to 0·46 (95 % CI 0·40, 0·60) in black women, with both non-black men and women falling between those values (0·45 (95 % CI 0·35, 0·65) and 0·38 (95 % CI 0·27, 0·57), respectively). GL correlations were somewhat higher for all study participants. When looking at the entire cohort, the deattenuated validity correlation value for overall GI was (r 0·38, 95 % CI 0·36, 0·47) and GL was (r 0·39, 95 % CI 0·34, 0·49).

Conclusions:

Our findings support the cautious use of our FFQ in epidemiological studies when assessing associations of overall GI and GL with disease risk. However, observed differences by race should be considered when interpreting results.
Are the recommendations of paediatricians about complementary feeding aligned with current guidelines in Uruguay?
Authors: Vidal Leticia , Bove Isabel , Brunet Gerónimo , Girona Alejandra , Alcaire Florencia , Antúnez Lucía , Ares Gastón
Published: January 2021

Objective:

To explore Uruguayan paediatricians’ personal recommendations about complementary feeding and to assess if they are aligned with current guidelines and scientific evidence.

Design:

A questionnaire composed of open-ended questions was used to explore foods recommended to start complementary feeding, foods regarded as the most important during the first meals, recommendations for delayed introduction of foods and foods that should be avoided. Reasons underlying the recommendations were also explored.

Setting:

Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay (Latin America).

Participants:

A total of 212 paediatricians were recruited during a National Pediatrics Conference, organised by the Uruguayan Society of Pediatrics.

Results:

The recommendations about complementary feeding provided by paediatricians to parents and caregivers in Uruguay seemed not to be fully aligned with the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health. Paediatricians recommend a rigid food introduction sequence, characterised by the early introduction of soft pureed vegetables and fruits, followed by meat and the delayed introduction of allergenic foods. Food diversity and the concept of ultra-processed were not frequently identified in the responses.

Conclusions:

Results stress the importance of developing educational and communication approaches targeted at paediatricians to contribute to the uptake of updated recommendations regarding complementary feeding.
Advice to use infant formula and free samples are common in both urban and rural areas in China: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Li Jia , Nguyen Tuan T , Duan Yifan , Mathisen Roger , Yang Zhenyu
Published: January 2021

Objective:

To examine the association between the place of residence and receiving free samples and advice to feed the baby with infant formula.

Design:

A cross-sectional study.

Setting:

The current study covered twelve counties/districts in China.

Participants:

5112 mothers with infants aged 0–5·9 months.

Results:

About 16 % of the mothers received free samples of infant formula. During pregnancy, this likelihood was higher among mothers in small and medium cities (OR: 1·96; 95 % CI 1·14, 3·38) and non-poor rural counties (OR: 4·65; 95 % CI 1·65, 13·14) compared with mothers in big cities. During the hospital stay, it was lower in big cities. After discharge, it was lower in poor rural counties (OR: 0·14; 95 % CI 0·05, 0·41). About 26 % of the mothers were advised to feed their infants with infant formula. The likelihood of receiving advice to feed the baby with infant formula from hospitals was lower in non-poor (OR: 0·37; 95 % CI 0·21, 0·66) and poor rural counties (OR: 0·35; 95 % CI 0·13, 0·91) than in big cities. Mothers in non-poor rural counties were less likely to receive advice from traditional mass media (OR: 0·17; 95 % CI 0·06, 0·48), while mothers in small and medium cities were more likely to receive advice from modern mass media (OR: 1·84; 95 % CI 1·20, 2·80) compared with mothers in big cities.

Conclusions:

The promotion strategy of infant formula varies from different places of residence in China. The study suggests the need to strengthen enforcement of relevant regulations, especially within health facilities and through modern mass media.
RECURSION FOR MASUR-VEECH VOLUMES OF MODULI SPACES OF QUADRATIC DIFFERENTIALS
Authors: Kazarian Maxim
Published: January 2021

We derive a quadratic recursion relation for the linear Hodge integrals of the form

$\langle \tau _{2}^{n}\lambda _{k}\rangle $
. These numbers are used in a formula for Masur-Veech volumes of moduli spaces of quadratic differentials discovered by Chen, Möller and Sauvaget. Therefore, our recursion provides an efficient way of computing these volumes.