bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Versus Elective Neck Dissection: Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes in Clinically Node-Negative Tongue Cancer
Authors: Park Woori , Jin Hokyung , Heo Yujin , Jeong Han-Sin , Son Young-Ik , Chung Man Ki , Baek Chung-Hwan
Published: March 2021

Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term oncologic outcomes of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) versus elective neck dissection (END) in clinically node-negative (cN0) tongue cancer.Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with cN0 tongue cancer from a single institution, including 91 patients in the SLNB group and 120 patients in the END group.Results. The overall recurrence rate showed no significant difference between the two groups. The regional control rate was also comparable between the two groups (P=0.490). The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was slightly better in the SLNB group than in the END group (P=0.427). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 89.9% in the SLNB group versus 91.9% in the END group (P=0.737). In a propensity-matched subgroup analysis, the type of neck management did not affect RFS or OS.Conclusion. SLNB showed non-inferior oncologic outcomes compared to END in patients with cN0 tongue squamous cell carcinoma.
Cord Compression from Bony Metastasis: An Important Quality of Life Issue which can be Resolved by a Spinal MDT Tumor Board
Authors:   Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan., Ali Sheikh Muhammad Ebad , Sahito Badaruddin ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan., Chinoy Muhammad Amin ,   Department of Orthopaedics, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan., Abbasi Ahmed Nadeem ,   Department of Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan., Khatri Adil ,   Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Published: March 2021

Cancer prevalence is increasing over the past few decades. Spinal osseous metastasis is one of the most common sites of secondary neoplastic disease among cancer patients [1]. Spinal malignancies can broadly be classified into primary spinal cancers and secondary spinal metastasis. Metastatic spinal cancers are more common than primary malignancy of the spine. Metastatic spinal cancers are further subdivided into two parts based on the involvement of the dura mater; metastasis external to dura mater can be termed as metastatic epidural spinal cancers (MESC); metastasis inside the dura mater is called metastatic intradural spinal cancers (MISC) [2]. Bony involvements of vertebrae are common at the presentation of MESC while the involvement of the spinal cord and meninges is a prominent feature of MISC. However, the clinical presentation is quite overlapping and timely-decision making is quite challenging in several cases. Several grading systems have been developed to assess the severity of spinal cancers [3-6]. Such ambiguities require a need for teamwork between different specialties to decide the management plan for better patient care. Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards (MDT) are the practical venue where different specialists are present for the discussion [7].
Substantiation of Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Score in Risk Assessment of Febrile Neutropenic Patients in Hematological Disorders: A Regional Study from Pakistan
Authors:   Department of Clinical Hematology & BMT, National Institute of Blood Disease & Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan., Rizvi Qurratul Ain , Jamal Aisha ,   Department of Clinical Hematology & BMT, National Institute of Blood Disease & Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan., Fatima Naveena ,   Department of Research & Development, National Institute of Blood Disease & Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan., Borhany Munira ,   Department of Clinical Hematology & BMT, National Institute of Blood Disease & Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan., Zaidi Uzma ,   Department of Clinical Hematology & BMT, National Institute of Blood Disease & Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan., Shamsi Tahir Sultan ,   Department of Clinical Hematology & BMT, National Institute of Blood Disease & Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan.
Published: March 2021

Abstract: Background: The incidence of neutropenia in hematological malignancies comprises of huge burden of febrile neutropenia. Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk index score is the most widely used model for forecast of complications. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic accuracy of MASCC scoring system in febrile neutropenia patients suffering from hematological disorders. Materials & Methods: Patients suffering from hematological disorders and presenting with febrile neutropenia were stratified into low and high risk groups according to MASSC score. The standard score range from 0 to 26 points; score of more than or equals to 21 were considered to be low risk and score of less than 21 was high-risk category. As an in-patient at National Institute of Blood Disease & Bone Marrow Transplantation, they were followed over the course of illness for development of any serious medical condition until resolution of febrile neutropenia. Results: Of 217 patients, serious medical conditions were documented in (63%) of individuals among the high-risk group cohort and (13%) developed serious medical conditions in low-risk cohort. Major disease encountered was acute leukemia (69%). Hypotension 14 (22.2%) and hepatic failure 14 (22.2%) were among the two most common variables of established serious medical condition. The overall sensitivity and specificity of MASCC score was 69.8% and 81.8%, with the positive and negative predictive value of 61.1% and 86.8% respectively. Conclusion: The score has been re-validated in this study and determined its significance in ascertainment of high-risk cohort among febrile neutropenic patients in the current era, thereby helping the physicians to tailor the management approach accordingly. Keywords: MASCC, Febrile neutropenia, Leukemia, Hematological disorders, Cytotoxic chemotherapy.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Global COVID-19 Research
Authors:   Islamabad Medical & Dental College, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Ahmed Shaheer , Waqar Usama ,   Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan., Lohana Kantesh Kumar ,   Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan., Khan Daniyal Ali ,   Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Published: March 2021

Abstract: Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has influenced all continents, prompting extraordinary efforts on worldwide research and publications to alleviate the crisis. Methods: We conducted a bibliometric review using Scopus to assess its impact on global scientific production. We searched for the following terms in titles, abstracts, and keywords to identify relevant literature published until 9th January 2021: 2019 novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, coronavirus disease-19, coronavirus disease 2019. Results: Our results retrieved 86,624 documents from 159 countries with the USA, China, and UK being the top three contributors. Overall citation count was 769,811 with documents from China being cited most. In terms of h-index, China, USA, and UK ranked highest respectively. Conclusion: Most publications were associated with developed countries that were hit the earliest and/or hardest. This impact on scientific publications was less pronounced in developing countries like Pakistan, highlighting the immediate need to support and facilitate research on COVID-19 in these countries. Keywords: COVID-19, Research, Bibliometric analysis, Publications, SARS-CoV-2, Developing countries, Research and development.
Iatrogenic Venous Compression Syndrome due to Surgical Lumbar Hardware
Authors:   Department of Cardiology, Cardiac Center of Texas, Baylor Heart Hospital, Plano, TX, USA., Khan Muhammad Akram , Khan Zahoor ,   Department of Cardiology, Cardiac Center of Texas, Baylor Heart Hospital, Plano, TX, USA., Azam Abeera ,   Department of Cardiology, Cardiac Center of Texas, Baylor Heart Hospital, Plano, TX, USA.
Published: March 2021

Abstract: Background: The Iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) is most commonly due to May-Thurner variant, an anatomic variant where in the right common iliac artery overlies the left common iliac vein and compresses it against the lumbar spine. The compression of the common venous outflow tract of the left lower extremity may cause discomfort, swelling, or deep vein thrombosis in the iliofemoral veins. The role of the pelvic surgery particularly the lumbar hardware in the development of symptomatic Venous compression syndrome in patients with May-Thurner syndrome is not well understood. The incidence is presumably very low. Herein, we present six patients who developed IVCS after Lumbar hardware. Method: The cases were diagnosed between Nov. 2016 to Oct. 2019 in the Outpatient Cath Lab of McKinney, TX. The patient’s medical records were retrospectively analyzed looking for risk factors, clinical features, venogram findings, and post venogram. The evaluation of each case was described, and common trends were later presented in a cross-case analysis. Conclusion: The cases presented in this report suggest that the hardware used in lumbar/spinal surgery could lead to an IVCS. Patient’s symptoms are unspecific. Venogram/venoplasty is the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment. It is imperative having a high level of suspicion and familiarizing with the natural history of IVCS due to the invasive nature of venogram and the relevance of an early diagnosis to reduce the occurrences of complications. Keywords: Venous disease, Iliac vein compression, May-Thurner syndrome, Lumbar surgery complications, Unexplained edema of left leg, May-Thurner Syndrome, Lumbar hardware, Venous compression, IVUS, Venogram, Angioplasty
APPLICATION OF HYBRID GA-PSO TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF DECISION TREE C5.0
Authors: Nur Achmad Zain , Suyono Hadi , Aswin Muhammad
Published: March 2021

Data mining is a data extraction process with large dimensions and information with the aim of obtaining information as knowledge to make decisions. Problems in the data mining process often occur in high-dimensional data processing. The solution to handling problems in high-dimensional data is to apply the hybrid genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization (HGAPSO) method to improve the performance of the C5.0 decision tree classification model to make decisions quickly, precisely and accurately on classification data. In this study, there were 3 datasets sourced from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) machine learning repositories, namely lymphography, vehicle, and wine. The HGAPSO algorithm combined with the C5.0 decision tree testing method has the optimal accuracy for processing highdimensional data. The lymphography and vehicle data obtained an accuracy of 83.78% and 71.54%. The wine dataset has an accuracy of 0.56% lower than the conventional method because the data dimensions are smaller than the lymphography and vehicle dataset.
Application of Data Mining Techniques on Tourist Expenses in Malaysia
Authors: Cai Miao , An Tan Shi
Published: March 2021

Tourism plays an important role in Malaysia’s economic development as it can boost business opportunity in its surrounding economic. By apply data mining on tourism data for predicting the area of business opportunity is a good choice. Data mining is the process that takes data as input and produces outputs knowledge. Due to the population of travelling in Asia country has increased in these few years. Many entrepreneurs start their owns business but there are some problems such as wrongly invest in the business fields and bad services quality which affected their business income. The objective of this paper is to use data mining technology to meet the business needs and customer needs of tourism enterprises and find the most effective data mining technology. Besides that, this paper implementation of 4 data mining classification techniques was experimented for extracting important insights from the tourism data set. The aims were to find out the best performing algorithm among the compared on the results to improve the business opportunities in the fields related to tourism. The results of the 4 classifiers correctly classifier the attributes were JRIP (84.09%), Random Tree (83.66%), J48 (85.50%), and REP Tree (82.47%). All the results will be analyzed and discussed in this paper.
Velocity and Volume Fraction Measurements of Granular Flows in a Steep Flume
Authors: Sarno Luca , Papa Maria Nicolina , Carleo Luigi , Villani Paolo
Published: March 2021

Laboratory experiments on granular flows remain essential tools for gaining insight into several aspects of granular dynamics that are inaccessible from field-scale investigations. Here, we report an experimental campaign on steady dry granular flows in a flume with inclination of 35°. Different flow rates are investigated by adjusting an inflow gate, while various kinematic boundary conditions are observed by varying the basal roughness. The flume is instrumented with high-speed cameras and a no-flicker LED lamp to get reliable particle image velocimetry measurements in terms of both time averages and second-order statistics (i.e., granular temperature). The same measuring instruments are also used to obtain concurrent estimations of the solid volume fraction at the sidewall by employing the stochastic-optical method (SOM). This innovative approach uses a measurable quantity, called two-dimensional volume fraction, which is correlated with the near-wall volume fraction and is obtainable from digital images under controlled illumination conditions. The knowledge of this quantity allows the indirect measurement of the near-wall volume fraction thanks to a stochastic transfer function previously obtained from numerical simulations of distributions of randomly dispersed spheres. The combined measurements of velocity and volume fraction allow a better understanding of the flow dynamics and reveal the superposition of different flow regimes along the flow depth, where frictional and collisional mechanisms exhibit varying relative magnitudes.
Debris-Flow Hazard Assessments: A Practitioner's View
Authors: Jakob Matthias
Published: March 2021

Substantial advances have been achieved in various aspects of debris-flow hazard assessments over the past decade. These advances include sophisticated ways to date previous events, two- and three-dimensional runout models including multi-phase flows and debris entrainment options, and applications of extreme value statistics to assemble frequency–magnitude analyses. Pertinent questions have remained the same: How often, how big, how fast, how deep, how intense, and how far? Similarly, although major life loss attributable to debris flows can often, but not always, be avoided in developed nations, debris flows remain one of the principal geophysical killers in mountainous terrains. Substantial differences in debris-flow hazard persist between nations. Some rely on a design magnitude associated with a specific return period; others use relationships between intensity and frequency; and some allow for, but do not mandate, in-depth quantitative risk assessments. Differences exist in the management of debris-flow risks, from highly sophisticated and nation-wide applied protocols to retroaction in which catastrophic debris flows occur before they are considered for mitigation. Two factors conspire to challenge future generations of debris-flow researchers, practitioners, and decision makers: Population growth and climate change, which are increasingly manifested by augmenting hydroclimatic extremes. While researchers will undoubtedly finesse future remote sensing, dating, and runout techniques and models, practitioners will need to focus on translating those advances into practical cost-efficient tools and integrating those tools into long-term debris-flow risk management.
What Facets of Picky Eating Relate to Eating Concerns in Undergraduate Students?: The Moderating Effects of Negative Psychological Correlates
Authors: Barnhart Wesley R. , Dial Lauren A. , Jordan Amy K. , Studer-Perez Emma I. , Kalantzis Maria A. , Musher-Eizenman Dara R.
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Picky eating (PE) can occur in adulthood and is associated with mental health concerns. PE is often conceptualized as distinct from disordered eating (DE), but recent research maps positive relationships between these maladaptive eating phenotypes. Precisely what PE facets relate to DE remain unknown, as do factors such as negative psychological correlates that might explain relationships between PE facets and DE.Methods: A large, undergraduate sample (N=509) completed an online survey assessing PE facets (Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire; meal presentation, food variety, meal disengagement, and taste aversion), disordered eating (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire), specifically eating concerns, and negative psychological correlates such as mental health concerns (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items) and inflexible eating (Inflexible Eating Questionnaire).Results: Positive relationships emerged between PE facets, eating concerns, and negative psychological correlates. Negative psychological correlates moderated relationships between PE facets and eating concerns. Meal presentation, meal disengagement, and taste aversion were more strongly associated with eating concerns when mental health concerns and inflexible eating were higher. Food variety did not significantly explain variance in eating concerns.Conclusions: Considering PE multidimensionally may yield important insights beyond the broader construct. Mental health concerns and inflexible eating may be treatment and research targets in addressing the overlap between PE facets such as meal presentation, meal disengagement, and taste aversion and eating concerns. Level of Evidence: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
Potential relationships between exposure to arsenic (As) in the environment and endemic disease in southwestern China
Authors: Li Donglin , Zhang Hucai , Chang Fengqin , Duan Lizeng , Zhang Yang
Published: March 2021

There have been many reported cases of a strange disease exhibiting clinical features of limb gangrene, blisters, ulceration and exfoliation in Daping village, Yunnan Province in southwestern China. The prevalence rate of the disease is very high compared to other places in Yunnan Province and greater China. The pathogenesis is unknown and has bewildered doctors for many years. In this study, the content of As in soil (n=31) , water (n=55) , and plants (n=7) were systematically measured. The results show a high As concentration in plants and soil samples from the area, and the source of As linked to the weathering of black shale strata. We assessed the risks of human exposure to As through six possible exposure pathways. Ingestion of soil and plants are found to be the two main ways that children and adults are exposed to As, and children have a higher health risk than adults. Our study sheds new light on the environmental geochemistry and health links of this disease.
Validity of the Emergency Severity Index in a Finnish Emergency Department 
Authors: Kemp Kirsi Maria , Alakare Janne , Kätkä Minna , Lääperi Mitja , Lehtonen Lasse , Castren Maaret
Published: March 2021

Background: The purpose of acuity assessment, triage, in the emergency department is to recognize critically ill patients and to allocate resources. The Emergency Severity Index (ESI) is used widely around the world and has been shown to be at least as good as other 5-level assessment instruments. In this study, we assess validity of the ESI triage system in a Finnish Emergency department for predicting 30-day mortality as primary outcome and hospital admissions, high dependency unit or intensive care unit admissions as secondary outcomes, and efficiency for predicting emergency department length-of-stay and utilized resources as secondary outcomes. Methods: We collected data of all adult patient visits to the emergency department during a one-month period. The data was analyzed for the primary and secondary outcomes stratified by age: younger adults (18-64 years), older adults (65-79 years) and oldest old (>80 years). Results: Of the 5909 visits, 5511 were eligible for analysis, 2725 of them men. Median age was 59 years; 30-day mortality was 150 (2.7%). In all age groups, 30-day mortality was consecutively higher with statistical significance between each step from between categories 1 to 3. There were 2274 admissions, 190 of the to HDU or ICU.  Hospital admission rates were significantly higher between each step between categories 2 to 4 for all adults. HDU/ICU admissions were higher in category 2 than in category 3 in all age groups. Resource utilization was higher in category 3 than in category 4; categories 4 and 5 differed only in the younger adult group. Most patients in categories 4 and 5 required ≥2 and 0 resource, respectively. Median length of stay at the emergency department was 3h 47min. For all patients ED-LOS varied without linearity; LOS was longest in category 3 in all age groups. Conclusions: ESI seems to be a valid tool for acuity assessment in all age groups in our population: it recognized severely ill patients by predicting mortality and hospital admissions in the higher triage categories in all age groups. Having failed to predict both resource consumption and ED-LOS, ESI was not associated with efficiency in our population.
Technological Shells in the Processes of Rolling Thin Sheets From Hard-To-Deform Materials
Authors: Salikhyanov Denis R , Kamantsev Ivan
Published: March 2021

The present work is devoted to the study of deformability of high-strength and hard-to-deform materials. Today the most promising technology for their forming is a rolling in a ductile shell also known as sandwich rolling. Despite the fact that the use of such technological shells allows to effectively reduce the rolling forces and soften the stress state, they have not got wide application in manufacturing practice due to the accompanying disadvantages. On the basis of finite element (FE) simulation, we carried out an all-around analysis of the effect of shell material on process parameters of method: rolling force, total reduction of hard-to-deform material, deformation inhomogeneity and thickness variation of rolled sheet, stress state scheme. Analysis of computer models allowed us to highlight the main reason for the low efficiency of the known method and propose a new design of technological shells. Preliminary FE-simulation of the rolling process of hard-to-deform material in the new technological shells showed an improvement in process parameters and method efficiency. Approbation was carried out via rolling U12 high-carbon tool steel (Russian analogue of DIN C110W2 tool steel), which has low plasticity and high hardness, on the rolling mill Duo 250 under laboratory conditions. Evaluation according to technological criteria – reducing the rolling force, increase of the total reduction and the deformation uniformity of hard-to-deform material, improvement of its deformability – showed the prospects of using proposed technological shells in manufacturing practice.
Low prevalence of hypertension in children with renal cysts and diabetes syndrome is the hallmark of the disease
Authors: Seeman Tomas , Weigel Friederike , Blahova Kveta , Fencle Filip , Pruhova Stepanka , Hermes Katharina , Klaus Richard , Lange-Sperandio Bärbel , Grote Veit , John-Kroegel Ulrike
Published: March 2021

Cystic kidney diseases such as autosomal recessive or dominant polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD and ADPKD) are associated with high prevalence of arterial hypertension. On the contrary, studies on hypertension in children with renal cysts and diabetes (RCAD) syndrome caused by abnormalities in the HNF1B gene are rare. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of hypertension in children with RCAD syndrome due to HNF1B gene abnormalities and to search for possible risk factors for development of hypertension. Data on all children with genetically proven RCAD syndrome from three pediatric nephrology tertiary centers were retrospectively reviewed (office blood pressure (BP), ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), creatinine clearance, renal ultrasound, echocardiography, albuminuria/proteinuria). Hypertension was defined using the current ESH 2016 criteria and/or by the use of antihypertensive drugs. Thirty-two children with RCAD syndrome were investigated. Three children received ACE-inhibitors for hypertension and/or proteinuria. Hypertension was diagnosed using office BP in 22% of the children (n = 7) In the 7 performed ABPM 1 child (14%) was diagnosed with hypertension. Creatinine clearance, proteinuria, albuminuria, body mass index, enlargement or hypodysplasia of the kidneys and prevalence of HNF1B-gene deletion or mutation were not significantly different between hypertensive and normotensive children. Conclusion: Hypertension is rare in children with RCAD syndrome. The low prevalence of hypertension seems to be the hallmark of the disease.
Emission sources, Characteristics and risk assessment of particulate bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) from traffic sites
Authors: Ambade Balram , Kumar Amit , Latif Mohd
Published: March 2021

Atmospheric PM2.5 size particulate-associated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed from December 2018 to May 2019 over three traffic sites of Chota Nagpur Plateau (CNP) of India were analyzed to study their temporal and seasonal variations. Over the last few decades, CNP becomes a hotspot of air pollution due to traffic and anthropogenic activities. The PM2.5 concentration was higher than the value given by the National Ambient Air Quality (NAAQ) standard value. The results show the total average concentration of PAHs was found 141.48±22.86, 163.80 ±30.43, and 171.60±26.23 ng/m3 over site (Adityapur) ADP, (Sakchi) SKI, and Mango (MGO), respectively. The PM2.5 total average concentration was found 67.91± 14.04, 79.70± 13.53, and 103.20± 21.77µg/m3 over site ADP, SKI, and MGO, respectively. Diagnostic ratio analysis reveals that the source of PM2.5 associated with PAHs was petrogenic, pyrogenic, coal combustion, and vehicular emission. Backward trajectories model and fire count data were also used for air parcel movement up to height 4500 m above the earth’s surface. The traffic campaign has provided a rare opportunity for the CNP region for the collection of more air pollution baseline data, which could be helpful in the formulation of air pollution reduction policies in the future
Design and fabrication of high performance photovoltaic based Controllable SnS/rGO hybrid composite: An excellent counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cell
Authors: Indhumathy M. , Praksam A , Hegazy H. H.
Published: March 2021

To catalyse the decrease of triiodide in the electrolyte, state-of-the-art dye-sensitized sun directed cells (DSSCs) usually use respectable and uncommon Pt as counter electrodes, which greatly limits the practical applications of DSSCs. Appropriately, choices with low cost, fabulous electro- catalytic action, and predominant electrochemical stability to Pt are exceedingly looked for after. Herein, we report tin sulfide/reduced graphene oxide (SnS/rGO) composites are facile synthesized via a simple one-pot hydrothermal route and characterized by XRD, FESEM, Raman, UV-DRS, BET and PL studies. Due to the synergic effect between the SnS nanoparticles and rGO, these composite samples showed outstanding electro-catalytic property on reducing the triiodide. Therefore, the DSSC equipped with SnS/rGO nanocomposite CE achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.72%, which was higher than those of use SnS nanoparticles (5.21%). The improved mechanism of SnS/rGO nanocomposite was also discussed.
Synergistic Effect of Ag and Cu Codoping on the Structural, Optical and Photocatalytic Performance of BiVO4
Authors: Velusamy Maheskumar , Jiang Zhenyi , Lin Yanming , Bhojan Vidhya , S Sasikumar
Published: March 2021

In this work, Ag or/and Cu doped BiVO 4 samples has been prepared successfully via hydrothermal and photoreduction method. Ag/Cu co-doped BiVO 4 exhibited high photocatalytic degradation efficiency in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and displayed a significantly superior property compared to pure BiVO 4, as well as only Ag or Cu doped BiVO 4 upon exposure to visible light source. Interestingly, we found that enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag/Cu co-doped BiVO 4 arises from the synergistic effect between the Ag and Cu co-doped BiVO 4 with smaller crystalline size, improved photocatalytic reaction sites, improved life-time and enhanced separation of photogenerated charge carriers which are confirmed using different characterization techniques. The degradation of MB was mainly indicated by superoxide radical species as confirmed by the trapping experiment. Based on the collective results obtained an excellent photocatalytic activity in Ag/Cu co-doped BiVO 4 has been confirmed.
Trade, skill premium and the gender wage gap: Evidence from manufacturing industries
Authors: Guei Kore Marc Antoine
Published: March 2021

The paper assesses the impact of trade liberalization on the labour market by focusing on skill wage premium. The paper tests these effects by developing a monopolistic competition model with two factors of production characterized by their skill levels (skilled and unskilled labour). The paper finds that tariff’s level reductions cause a moderate increase in the wage gap. Thus, our analysis shows that a 10% decrease in tariffs is accompanied by a 16.1 % increase in the skill premium. Also, the same level of tariffs’ cut will on average increase the gender wage gap by 26.8%. The study implies that trade liberalization tends to benefit more workers in the skilled labour market compared to workers in the unskilled labour market.
Endogenous miR-21 and TIMP-1 Regulate Hepatic Injury and Fibrosis by Bile Duct Ligation in Vivo
Authors: Lee Chung-Hsin , Yang Yi-Chin , Hung Yi-Wen , Cheng Ching-Chang , Peng Yen-Chung
Published: March 2021

TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1) has been identified as a multifunctional molecule with divergent functions. It participates in wound healing and regeneration, cell morphology and survival, tumor metastasis, angiogenesis, and inflammatory responses. An imbalance of Matrix Metalloproteinase/TIMP regulation has been implicated in several inflammatory diseases. TIMP-1 could be considered an important regulator in the process of liver fibrosis and bile duct degeneration. Thus, we aimed to determine the role of TIMP-1 in a rat model of Common Bile Duct Ligation (CBDL). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into several groups, including those with/ without CBDL surgery and those with/without amiodarone or simvastatin administration. Amiodarone/simvastatin treatment was given at a daily dose of 15 mg/kg and 18 mg/kg by means of intergalactic gavage, which began 7 days prior to CBDL induction. Two weeks after surgery, the animals in each group were sacrificed and hepatocyte degeneration severity was examined using histological morphologies. Large-scale array for secretory factors is intended for the purpose of finding key functional protein after CBDL. The hepatic level of miR-21 was determined through Taqman miRNA analysis. Furthermore, the TIMP-1 level in liver tissue was also visualized by histological stain. Liver injury and fibrosis were founded in CBDL rats based upon histopathological examination and serum biochemical analysis. Hepatic miR-21 and TIMP-1 were significantly up-regulated in CBDL rats, while being slightly rescued in response to amiodarone or simvastatin treatment. Up-regulation of miR-21 and TIMP-1 may result in the progression of hepatic cirrhosis after bile duct obstruction. Drug intervention for cirrhosis, like the use of statin, may function via similar mechanisms.
Direct Cost Analysis of Patients With Brain Tumors Submitted to Microsurgical Neurosurgical Procedures - An Epidemiological and Economic Analysis in a Large Developing Country
Authors: Paiva Aline Lariessy Campos , Vitorino-Araujo João Luiz , Lovato Renan Maximilian , Costa Guilherme Henrique Ferreira da , Veiga José Carlos Esteves
Published: March 2021

Purpose

In low- and middle-income countries, there is a lack of data on neurosurgical costs. These data are relevant to help international cooperation, especially for huge trials. This study aims to estimate the direct cost of an adult neurooncological patient during hospital admission in the largest philanthropic hospital in Latin America.
Methods

This observational economic analysis describes the direct cost of a neurooncological patient at Santa Casa de São Paulo, Brazil. For this analysis, only adult patients with the two more common primary brain tumors were considered.
Results

Between January 2008 and December 2019 a total of 1279 charts were reviewed. 53.57% were female patients. Most patients had an age range between 56 and 65 years (22.5%). A statistically significant sample of patients with meningiomas and gliomas were analyzed. The estimated mean cost of neurosurgical hospitalization was U$ 4.166. The operating room and ICU costs represented the largest proportion of the total cost (29.24% and 24.95%, respectively). 17.5% of patients had some types of infection and 66.67% them occurred in nonelective procedures. The mortality rate was 12.7% and 92.3% occurred in emergency procedures.
Conclusions

This study evaluated the cost of oncological neurosurgical patients. The operating room was the most expensive variable, followed by the ICU hospitalization period. Surgery performed in an emergency was more associated with infections and mortality. Findings from this study could be used by stakeholders and policymakers for resource allocation and to perform economic analyses to establish the value of neurosurgery in achieving global health goals.
Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Management Under a Tiered Medical System in China
Authors: Mao Ruolin , Liu Zilong , Zhao Yunfeng , Du Chunlin , Zhou Jintao , Wang Qian , Lu Jinchang , Gao Lei , Cui Bo , Ma Yuan , Sun Tieying , Zhu Lei , Chen Zhihong
Published: March 2021

Background: Early diagnosis and proper management of a large number of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are great challenges for the Chinese health care system. Although tiered medical services have been promoted by the Chinese government since 2015, they have not been ideally implemented for COPD diagnosis and management.Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study. Eligible COPD patients (n=648) and physicians (n=161) were consecutively recruited from 8 hospitals in different tiers in East China. COPD characteristics and treatments were compared among hospitals in different tiers. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors associated with airflow limitation, symptoms and acute exacerbation.Results: The PFT rate at first diagnosis was 99%, 69.4% and 29.9% in teaching, second-tier and community hospitals (P<0.001). Only approximately 10.9%, 1.7% and 9.6% and 21.8%, 6.9% and 32% of COPD patients received influenza or pneumococcal vaccines (P<0.001). The proportion of patients who did not use inhaled drugs or had irregular inhalation was 2%, 24.6% and 78.8% (P <0.001). Education level (RR-1=-41.26%, P=0.007), FEV1%pred (RR-1=-2.76%, P<0.001), and influenza vaccination in the last year (RR-1=-64.53%, P=0.006) were all negatively correlated with COPD acute exacerbation (AE). COPD duration (RR-1=131.73%, P=0.009), AE (RR-1=151.39%, P<0.001), and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores (RR-1=3.82%, P=0.019) were all positively correlated with COPD airflow limitation severity. Conclusions: Differences exist in the diagnosis, treatment and management of COPD among different tiers of hospitals in East China. Teaching and second-tier hospitals can manage COPD patients relatively well. There are still some gaps compared with developed countries.
Clinical features and prognostic factors for status epilepticus in the pediatric emergency department: A retrospective study
Authors: Eun Sohyun , Kwon Hye Eun , Kim Heoung Jin , Yoon Seo Hee , Kim Moon Kyu , Kim Se Hee , Lee Joon Soo , Kim Heung Dong , Kang Hoon-Chul , koo Chungmo
Published: March 2021

Background: Uncontrolled seizures cause damage to all organs, especially the brain. Although there are guidelines regarding the management of status epilepticus (SE) involving motor seizures, the timing for administering first-line rescue medications (RMeds) remains unclear. Therefore, we analyzed patients with persistent SE lasting for >30 min and who visited the pediatric emergency department (pED) to determine clinical features and risk factors and provide directions for management on arrival to the pED. Methods: This study was conducted by retrospectively reviewing medical charts of patients aged 0–19 years who were diagnosed with SE accompanying motor seizures and who visited the pED between January 2010 and December 2019. After pED arrival, patients were divided into two groups, namely ≥30 min (n = 12) and <30 min (n = 13), according to the additional seizure time and receipt of the first dose of RMeds before and after 5 min.Results: Seizures lasting for <30 min were mainly observed for the etiology of idiopathic SE in the pED. Among four SE patients who needed intensive care unit (ICU) management, three had delayed administration of RMeds of more than 5 min, which was statistically significant because more hospitalizations in the ICU were observed when RMed administration was delayed. (p = 0.047). In acute symptomatic SE such as encephalitis, more than three doses of RMeds were needed to stop seizures.Conclusions: Patients with convulsive status epilepticus should receive RMeds after arrival at the pED.
Relationship Between Creatinine and Body Weight Ratio and Diabetes Mellitus in a Chinese Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Chen Zhuangsen , Yang Fan , Ding Xiaohan , Cao Changchun , Hu Haofei , Zou Yang
Published: March 2021

Background: Research on the relationship between Creatinine to Body Weight Ratios (Cre/BW ratios) and the prevalence of diabetes is still lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between Cre/BW ratios and incident of diabetes in Chinese adults.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in 199,526 patients from Rich Healthcare Group in China from 2010 to 2016. The participants were divided into quartiles of the Cre/BW ratios. Multivariate multiple imputation and dummy variables were used to handle missing values. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to investigate the association of Cre/BW and diabetes. Generalized additive models(GAM) were used to identify non-linear relationships.Results: Of all participants,after handling missing values and adjustment for potential confounders, the multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that Cre/BW ratios was inversely associated with diabetes risk( HR: 0.268; 95% CI:0.229 to 0.314, P < 0.00001).For men, the hazard ratios(HRs) of incident diabetes was 0.255(95%CI: 0.212-0.307);and for women HR= 0.297 (95%CI: 0.218-0.406).Moreover, sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the results. Furthermore, GAM revealed a saturation effect on the independent association between Cre/BW and incident of diabetes.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that increased Cre/BW is negatively correlated with incident of diabetes in Chinese for the first time. And we found that the relationship between Cre/BW and incident of diabetes was non-linear.
Low-carbon City Inventory Method for the Local Scale
Authors: Osman T.
Published: March 2021

Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory has played a fundamental role in providing scientific political-making evidence in mitigation. For a particular case study, Japan offers a positive performance in reducing GHG emissions since an early age, and the GHG Inventory Office of Japan was established in 2002 and is making efforts on publishing both “National GHGs Inventory Report of Japan” and “GHGs Emissions Data of Japan” annually. This paper covers local Japanese inventory development from a global range to a domestic level and offers its general reporting criteria nationwide. Furthermore, through a case study of recalculating 2010 Saga Prefecture’s GHG emission, local inventory methodology is investigated in six GHGs (including CO2, CH4, N2O, HFC, PFC, and SF6) and forestry sectors. In this section, recalculating methodologies, especially regarding calculated fields and basic formulations categorized by GHG types, are introduced in detail. Then, it provides limitations and improvements of the inventory reformation. Further, future research directions are discussed as well. This research exhibits an inventory method at the local scale and offers its improvements by the author to provide some experiences and lessons for the research and mitigation policy-making practices in other parts of the world.
STUDY OF LOADING OF THE LOAD-BEARING STRUCTURE OF HOPPER WAGONS ON Y25 BOGIES
Authors: Fomin Oleksij , Lovska Alyona , Ivanchenko Dmytro , Zinchenko Sergii , Píštěk Václav
Published: March 2021

To increase the efficiency of using railway transport, the possibility of using new designs of bogies, for example, Y25 under "wide gauge" wagons was considered. In order to substantiate the proposed solution, mathematical modeling of the dynamic loading of the hopper wagon Y25 bogies was carried out. A hopper wagon for the transportation of pellets and hot sinter model 20-9749 built by the State Enterprise "Ukrspetsvagon" (Ukraine) was chosen as a prototype. The simulation results showed that the use of Y25 bogies for hopper wagons allows to reduce the acceleration of its load-bearing structure, in comparison with the use of conventional 18100 bogies, by 36 %. Other performance indicators are also significantly improved.
The use of Y25 bogies for hopper wagons with actual parameters allows to reduce the acceleration of its load-bearing structure, in comparison with the use of conventional 18100 bogies, by 28 %.
The determination of the main indicators of the strength of the bearing structure of the hopper wagon Y25 bogie was carried out. The calculation was carried out in the SolidWorks Simulation software package (CosmosWorks), (France), which implements the finite element method. The calculations showed that the maximum equivalent stresses in the load-bearing structure of a hopper wagon with nominal parameters are 17 % lower than the stress acting in the load-bearing structure of a wagon on bogies 18–100 V of the load-bearing structure of a hopper wagon with actual parameters, the maximum equivalent stresses are 12 % lower per voltage in the load-bearing structure on bogies 18100.
The conducted research will help to reduce the load on the load-bearing structures of hopper wagons in operation, improve the dynamics and strength indicators, as well as their service life
ASSESSMENT OF CONSUMERS POWER CONSUMPTION OPTIMIZATION BASED ON DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT
Authors: Denysiuk Serhii , Zaichenko Stefan , Opryshko Vitalii , Derevianko Denys
Published: March 2021

To ensure the functioning of the energy system, coordination and increase the efficiency of its parts need new control mechanisms. Generation, transmission and consumption of electricity needed control mechanisms that include integration of self-organizing power and heat supply systems, built on multi-agent principle. Also they must correspond intellectual basis, monitoring and accumulation. This includes effectiveness assessment of the state and analysis of technical, technological and organizational management mechanisms. One of the main parts is interaction principles of energy systems in accordance with European Community policy at various levels at liberalized electricity market.
In most developed countries, demand management programs are widely used as a means of harmonizing the modes of generation and consumption in the power supply system. The main direct methods are set in the form of electricity tariffs. Indirect methods are set in the form of programs to manage electricity demand and the possibility of their application to manage electricity demand. Methods for estimating the unevenness of the daily schedule of electricity consumption and the factors influencing the technological environment are presented.
The work aims at scientific and applied problem – finding methods of estimation and features of managing the demand for electricity.
The use of the proposed estimation methods of electricity consumption influence non-uniformity on the level of power supplies system losses based on Frize QF power and optimization of consumers’ operation modes in the power supply system is considered.
Approaches and optimization mechanisms of the daily electricity consumption on the example of a residential complex with the possibility of energy accumulation are offered
The Effect of Embryo Transfer Process Duration on Implantation Success
Authors: Kasapoglu Isıl , Aslan Kiper , Orhan Adnan , Albayrak Ozge , Haskoylu Seyma , Kuspinar Goktan , Avcı Berrin , Uncu Gürkan
Published: March 2021

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the embryo transfer duration of standard and simple embryo transfer method.
STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary ART Centre, between June 2018- September 2018. Day 5 fresh embryo transferred patients aged between 18 - 40, BMI <35 kg/m2 without uterine pathology were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Group-1 consisted of patients who had successful implantation and Group-2 consisted of patients who did not have implantation. Groups were compared according to their embryo transfer durations. Ninety-two patients were enrolled in the study. Also, sub-steps of as; cleaning of the cervical mucus and placing the outer catheter in the cervix, loading the embryo to the catheter, the period between embryo loading and embryo transfer, and following that, time spent for retracting the outer catheter evaluated.
RESULTS: Between Group-1 and Group-2, there was no significant difference for the period of cervical cleaning and placing the outer catheter into the cervix (Respectively; 63 sec vs. 76 sec; p=0.18), the period of embryo loading (Respectively; 69sec vs. 71sec; p=0.46), the period between embryo loading and embryo transfer (Respectively; 10 sec vs. 10 sec; p=0.74, retracing the outer catheter (Respectively; 25.5sec vs. 24sec; p=0.42 and the total period of embryo transfer (182sec vs. 182.5 sec; p=0.55).
CONCLUSION: The embryo transfer duration is not related to implantation rates. The duration of the embryo transfer process steps is not a distinguishing factor if a good-quality embryo transfer is done.