bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Clinical Characteristics According to the Existence of Secondary appendicitis in Pediatric Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Single Center study
Authors: Choi Soyoon
Published: June 2020

Background

In patients with acute gastroenteritis, radiologic findings are sometimes accompanied by secondary inflammation of the appendix. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of acute gastroenteritis with secondary inflammation of the appendix.
Methods

Medical records from patients who underwent abdominal ultrasonography or computed tomography among those admitted for acute gastroenteritis at Haeundae Paik Hospital from June 2017 to May 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical features were compared by distinguishing patients with inflammation of the appendix from those without, based on their symptoms and laboratory findings.
Results

Of the 165 patients, 12 (7.3%) had secondary inflammation of the appendix on ultrasonography and/or computed tomography. Patients with secondary inflammation of the appendix were significantly older than those without (11.7 vs 6.1 years, p = 0.011) and more frequently had fever (83.3% vs 49.0%, p = 0.033), and high values of C-reactive protein (5.38 vs 0.32 mg/dl, p < 0.001). The proportion of viral pathogens was higher in patients without secondary appendicitis (0% vs 40.7%, p = 0.012), and the proportion of bacterial pathogens was higher in patients with secondary inflammation of the appendix (60% vs 15.1%, p = 0.004).
Conclusions

Patients with acute gastroenteritis accompanied by secondary appendicitis more commonly have fever, higher C-reactive protein levels, higher bacterial pathogen detection rates, and longer hospital stays. Treatment equivalent to that of bacterial infection is required for patients with secondary appendicitis, and that their symptoms should be closely and continuously monitored and followed-up.
Microbial diversity in rhizosphere soil of soybean grass under different cultivation methods in an alpine region
Authors: Zhang Ying , Liu Wenhui , Li Xilai , Zhang Zhiying , Su Beibei , Dao Ri-na , Wang Yan
Published: June 2020

Background

A large number of studies have shown that soybean grass with mixed seeding cultivation can significantly improve the yield and quality of forage grass compared with clean culture cultivation.This study explores the differences in the characteristics of the composition and diversity of the microbial community in the rhizosphere of soybean grasses between clean culture and mixed seeding methods in an alpine region. We used high-throughput sequencing technology to determine the microbial diversity and analytical methods to determine the physicochemical characteristics of plant rhizosphere soil of Avena sativa L. and Vicia sativa L.
Results

There were no significant differences in pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium in the rhizosphere soil samples of soybean grasses under the clean culture and mixed seeding methods, while there were significant differences in the available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, and organic matter content (P < 0.05). The bacterial diversity of the rhizosphere soil of Avena sativa L. was the highest under the clean culture method, and the fungal diversity of the rhizosphere soil of Vicia sativa L. was the highest under the clean culture method. Furthermore, the microbial diversity of the rhizosphere was significantly different under the different cultivation methods (P < 0.05). The differences between the microbial species in the rhizosphere of the treated soil were at three class level. The abundance of Alphaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria in the rhizosphere of Avena sativa L. and Vicia sativa L. under the mixed seeding method was conspicuously higher than that of Avena sativa L. and Vicia sativa L. under the clean culture method, while the abundance of Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospira, and Acidimicrobiia were significantly lower than that obtained under the clean culture method. Regarding fungal predominance, Mortierellomycetes was the most abundant (32.66%) under the mixed seeding method, while the abundance of Sordariomycetes and Leotiomycetes were significantly lower than that under clean culture. The distribution of bacterial and fungal community species in the rhizosphere differed significantly between the treatments. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes metabolism analysis showed that the metabolic pathways of functional genes in the soil microbial communities were similar.
Conclusions

Mixed sowing changed the diversity of plant rhizosphere microbial community structure and promoted plant yield.
The Involvement of Male Partners in Care: Socio Determinants of Health Among Women in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission Program in Malawi
Authors: Triulzi Isotta , Keiser Olivia , Somerville Claire , Salimu Sangwani , Ciccacci Fausto , Palla Ilaria , Sagno Jean Baptiste , Gondwe Jane , Marazzi Cristina , Orlando Stefano , Palombi Leonardo , Turchetti Giuseppe
Published: June 2020

Background
Male partners are rarely present during PMTCT (Prevention-Mother-To-Child-Transmission) services in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The involvement of men is increasingly recognised as an important element of women’s access to care. The study aims to identify the socio-demographic characteristics, HIV-Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among women accompanied and not accompanied by the male partners to the facilities.
Methods
We included pregnant women enrolled in PMTCT programme between August 2018 and November 2019 in the Southern Region of Malawi. Eligible women were aged 18 years or older, lived with a male partner, enrolled for the first time in four DREAM facilities. We provided a KAP survey to women and their partners attending the facilities. Our primary outcome was to assess and analyse the proportion of women who were accompanied by their partner at least once. We applied descriptive statistics, and logistic regressions to study the association between being accompanied and explanatory variables.
Results
We enrolled 128 HIV-positive women: 82 (64.1%) were accompanied by their male partners and 46 (35.9%) were alone. Women with high level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS are more likely to be accompanied by the male partners (53.7% vs 34.8%, p = 0.040). Level of attitude and practice were not different between women accompanied or not. Patients owning a mean of transport were more likely to go alone to facility (OR 4.16, 95% CI 1.02–16.94). Women who travelled more than 90 minutes to get to the facilities (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.49) with high HIV-knowledge (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.16–0.91) are more likely to be accompanied.
Conclusions
Our study showed a good male partner involvement compared to other studies performed in SSA. To our knowledge this is the first study showing that women’s knowledge on HIV and healthcare system inequality as geographical accessibility, social class, gender norms and masculinity play a key role on male partner involvement. Therefore, considering the socio determinant of health is crucial to improve the health of all the family.
A Comparison of Diagnostic Algorithms and Clinical Parameters to Diagnose Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Rahimibashar Farshid , Miller Andrew Carl , Yaghoobi Mojtaba H. , Vahedian-Azimi Amir
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND: Suspicion and clinical criteria continue to serve as the foundation for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) diagnosis, however the criteria used to diagnose VAP vary widely. Data from head-to-head comparisons of clinical diagnostic algorithms is lacking, thus a prospective observational study was performed to determine the performance characteristics of the Johanson criteria, Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC/NHSN) criteria as compared to Hospital in Europe Link for Infection Control through Surveillance (HELICS) reference standard. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study was performed in three mixed medical-surgical ICUs from one academic medical center from 1 October 2016 to 30 April 2018. VAP diagnostic criteria were applied to each patient including CDC/NHSN, CPIS, HELICS and Johanson criteria. Tracheal cultures and serum procalcitonin values were obtained for each patient. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were enrolled (VAP 45, controls 41), mean age 46.94±18.9 years with a male predominance (72.94%). Using HELICS as the reference standard, the true positive (TP; sensitivity) and false negative (FN; miss rate) rates were CDC/NHSN (TP 44%; FN 0%), CPIS (TP 43%; FN 1%), Johnson (TP 43%; FN 1%). The highest true negative rate was seen with CPIS. CPIS had the highest Youden index; CDC/NHSN had the lowest. The positive tracheal culture rate was 81.2%. The sensitivity for positive tracheal culture with the serum procalcitonin level >0.5 ng/ml was 51.8%. CDC/NHSN had the highest false positive correlation with tracheal aspirate cultures. CONCLUSION: VAP remains a considerable source of morbidity and mortality in modern ICUs. The optimal diagnostic method remains unclear. Using HELICS criteria as the reference standard, CPIS displayed greater diagnostic accuracy compared to CDC/NHSN and Johanson criteria. Accuracy was improved with the addition of serum procalcitonin >0.5 ng/ml, but not positive quantitative endotracheal aspirate culture.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not indicated for this study type.
Residents Working With Médecins Sans Frontières: Training and Pilot Evaluation
Authors: Ripoll-Gallardo Alba , Ragazzoni Luca , Mazzanti Ettore , Meneghetti Grazia , Franc Jeffrey Michael , Costa Alessandro , Corte Francesco Della
Published: June 2020

BackgroundWell-prepared humanitarian workers are now more necessary than ever. Essential to the preparation process are:clearly defined learning objectives, curricula tailored to the nuances of humanitarian settings, simulation-based training, and evaluation.This paper describes a training program designed to prepare medical residents for their first field deployment with Médecins Sans Frontières and presents the results of a pilot assessment of its effectiveness.MethodsThe training was jointly developed by the Research Center in Emergency and Disaster Medicine-CRIMEDIM of the Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy, and the humanitarian aid organization Médecins Sans Frontières- Italy (MSF-Italy); the following topics were covered: disaster medicine, public health, safety and security, infectious diseases, psychological support, communication, humanitarian law, leadership, and job-specific skills. It used a blended-learning approach consisting of a 3-month distance learning module; 1-week instructor-led coaching; and a field placement with MSF. We assessed its effectiveness using the first three levels of Kirkpatrick’s training evaluation model.ResultsEight residents took part in the evaluation. Four were residents in emergency medicine, 3 in anesthesia, and 1 in pediatrics; 3 of them were female and the median age was 31 years. Two residents were deployed in Pakistan, 1 in Afghanistan, 1 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 1 in Iraq, 2 in Haiti and 1 on board of the MSF Mediterranean search & rescue ship. Mean deployment time was 3 months. The average median score for the overall course was 5 (excellent). There was a significant improvement in post-test multiple choice scores (p = 0.001) and in residents’ overall performance scores (P = 0.000001). ConclusionResidents were highly satisfied with the training program and their knowledge and skills improved as a result of participation. Trial registration: This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (date 24-02-2016, study code UPO.2015.4.10)
Development of a repertoire and a food frequency questionnaire for estimating dietary fiber intake considering prebiotics: input from the FiberTAG project
Authors: Neyrinck Audrey M , Nazare Julie-Anne , Rodriguez Julie , Jottard Romain , Dib Sarah , Sothier Monique , Berghe Laurie Van Den , Alligier Maud , Alexiou Hélène , Maquet Véronique , Vinoy Sophie , Bischoff Stephan C , Walter Jens , Laville Martine , Delzenne Nathalie
Published: June 2020

BackgroundTo develop a dedicated database and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) allowing detailed dietary fiber (DF) intake estimation including prebiotic (oligo)saccharides.MethodsA repertoire of DF detailing total, soluble DF, insoluble DF and prebiotic (oligo)saccharides (inulin-type fructans, fructo-oligosaccharides and galacto-oligosaccharides) in food products consumed in Europe has been established on basis of the German and Canadian databases and published data. A 12-month FFQ was developed and submitted to 15 healthy volunteers (mean age: 21 yrs; mean BMI: 22 kg/m2) from the FiberTAG study (https://www.fibertag.eu/).ResultsThe FiberTAG repertoire details DF and prebiotic (oligo)saccharides in 283 food items allocated into 4 categories and 15 subcategories. The FiberTAG FFQ consists in 302 items regrouped in 4 high DF-containing food groups (vegetables including legumes, fruits including nuts and seed, cereal products and others), proposes intake frequency scales, photographs for portion size evaluation and considers the seasonal occurrence for vegetables or fruits. Our data in the tested population report a total DF intake of 38 g/d (1/3 of soluble and 2/3 of insoluble DF). Fructan and fructo-oligosaccharides intake, linked notably to condiments (garlic and onions) ingestion, reached 5 and 2 g/d, respectively, galacto-oligosaccharides intake level being lower (1 g/d).ConclusionsThe FiberTAG repertoire and FFQ are major tools for the evaluation of the total amount of DF including prebiotics. Their use can be helpful in intervention or observational studies devoted to analyze microbiota-nutrient interactions in different pathological contexts, as well as to revisit DF intake recommendations as part of healthy lifestyles considering specific DF.Trial registrationNCT03494491(clinicaltrials.gov)
Deep Sedation using Propofol Target-Controlled Infusion for Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Procedures: A Retrospective Cohort Study*
Authors: GUZZO MARIA EUGENIA GARCIA , Fernandez María Sol , Novas Delfina Sánchez , Salgado Sandra S. , Terrasa Sergio A. , Domenech Gonzalo , Teijido Carlos Alberto
Published: June 2020

Background: Propofol sedation is effective for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, but its narrow therapeutic window highlights the importance of identifying an optimal administration technique regarding effectiveness and safety. This study aimed to determine the incidence of significant adverse events in adult patients scheduled for gastrointestinal endoscopy under anaesthetist-performed sedation using propofol target-controlled infusion and determine its potentially improved safety over other anaesthetic strategies. Methods: This single-centre, retrospective cohort study took place in a tertiary referral university hospital. Medical records of 823 patients (age >18 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification scores I–III) who had undergone elective gastrointestinal endoscopy under propofol target-controlled infusion sedation during September 2018 were reviewed. Outcomes included hypoxia, hypotension, and bradycardia events, requirement of vasoactive drugs, unplanned tracheal intubation or supraglottic device insertion, and need for advanced cardiac life support. Results: The most frequently encountered adverse event was oxygen desaturation <95% with an incidence of 22.35%. Vasoactive drug administration, hypotension, and oxygen desaturation <90% followed, with incidences of 19.2%, 12.64%, and 9.92%, respectively. Only 0.5% of patients required advanced airway management. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between hypotension events, colonoscopic procedures, and propofol doses (odds ratio: 3.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.43 to 6.61; P=0.004 and odds ratio: 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.29; P=0.046). A strong dose-effect relationship was found between hypoxia and obesity; patients with body mass index ≥40 were nine times (odds ratio: 10.22, confidence interval: 95% 2.83 to 36.99) more likely to experience oxygen desaturation <90% events. Conclusions: Propofol sedation using target-controlled infusion appears to be a safe and effective anaesthetic technique for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures with low rates of adverse events and could be more widely adopted in clinical practice.
Early fibroproliferative changes on high-resolution CT predict mortality in COVID-19 pneumonia patients with ARDS
Authors: Zeng Zhilin , Xiang Min , Guan Hanxiong , liu Yiwen , Zhang huilan , Xia Liming , Juan Zhan , Hu Qiongjie
Published: June 2020

Objectives: To investigate the chest high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and to evaluate its relationship with clinical outcome.Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, seventy-nine COVID-19 patients with ARDS were recruited. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records and analyzed. HRCT scans, obtained within 3 days before clinical ARDS onset, were evaluated by three independent observers and graded into six ﬁndings according to the extent of ﬁbroproliferation. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to assess the independent predictive value of the CT score and radiologically ﬁbroproliferation. Patient survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis.Results: Compared with survivors, non-survivors showed higher of lung ﬁbroproliferation, whereas there no signiﬁcant differences in the area of increased attenuation without traction bronchiolectasis or bronchiectasis. A HRCT score <230 enabled prediction of survival with 73.5% sensitivity and 93.3% speciﬁcity (AUC= 0.9; 95% CI 0.831 to 0.968). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that the HRCT score is a significant independent risk factor for mortality (HR 13.007; 95% CI 3.935 to 43.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed HRCT score≥230 was associated with higher fatality rate. Organ injury occurred less frequently in patients with HRCT score<230 compared to those with HRCT score≥230.Conclusion: Early pulmonary ﬁbroproliferative changes in HRCT predicts increased mortality and susceptibility to organ injury in COVID-19 pneumonia patients with early ARDS.
High Smad7 in the early post-operative recurrence of Crohn’s disease
Authors: Zorzi Francesca , Calabrese Emma , Fusco Davide Di , De Cristofaro Elena , Biancone Livia , Casella Sara , Palmieri Giampiero , Monteleone Giovanni
Published: June 2020

Background
In Crohn’s disease (CD), one of the major inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in human beings, there is over-expression of Smad7, an intracellular inhibitor of the suppressive cytokine TGF-β1. The aim of this study was to assess whether Smad7 over-expression occurs in the early and/or late phases of CD.
Methods
Mucosal samples were taken from the neo-terminal ileum of CD patients undergoing ileocolonic resection, with or without (early CD) post-operative endoscopic recurrence, and terminal ileum of CD patients with long-standing disease undergoing intestinal resection (late CD). Smad7 was examined by immunohistochemistry and cytokine expression was analysed by flow-cytometry.
Results
Before the appearance of endoscopic lesions, the mucosa of the neo-terminal ileum contained high number of Smad7-expressing cells in both the epithelial and lamina propria compartments. Transition from this stage to endoscopic recurrence was marked by persistence of high number of Smad7-positive cells, which reduced significantly in the late stages of the disease, where Smad7 expression remained, however, greater than that seen in normal controls. In samples with early lesions, Smad7 expression positively correlated with the number of interferon-γ-secreting cells.
Conclusions
Smad7 induction is an early event in the inflammatory sequence occurring in CD, thus suggesting that knockdown of Smad7 can help prevent post-operative recurrence.
Predictive Accuracy of Biomarkers for Survival Among Cardiac Arrest Patients With Hypothermia: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study in Japan
Authors: Okada Yohei , Kiguchi Takeyuki , Irisawa Taro , Yoshiya Kazuhisa , Yamada Tomoki , Hayakawa Koichi , Noguchi Kazuo , Nishimura Tetsuro , Ishibe Takuya , Yagi Yoshiki , Kishimoto Masafumi , Shintani Hiroshi , Hayashi Yasuyuki , Sogabe Taku , Morooka Takaya , Sakamoto Haruko , Suzuki Keitaro , Nakamura Fumiko , Nishioka Norihiro , Matsuyama Tasuku , Matsui Satoshi , Shimazu Takeshi , Koike Kaoru , Kawamura Takashi , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Iwami Taku
Published: June 2020

Background:There is little information onthe predictive accuracy of commonly used predictors, such as lactate,pH or serum potassium for the survival among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients with hypothermia. This studyaimed to identify the predictive accuracy of these biomarkers forsurvival among OHCA patients with hypothermia.Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the data from a multicenter, prospective nationwide registry among OHCA patients transported to emergency departments in Japan (the JAAM-OHCA Registry). We included all adult (≥18 years) OHCA patients with hypothermia (≤32.0°C)who were registeredfrom June 2014 to December 2017and whose blood test results on hospital arrival were recorded. We calculated the predictive accuracy of pH and lactate for 1-month survival.Results: Of the 34,754 patients in the JAAM-OHCA database, we included 754 patients from 66 hospitals. The 1-monthsurvival was 5.8% (44/754). The areas under the curve of the predictors were as follows: pH 0.829[0.767–0.877] and lactate 0.843[0.793–0.882]. On setting the cutoff points of 6.9 in pH, and 120 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L) in lactate, the predictors had a high sensitivity (lactate: 0.91, and pH 0.91) and a low LR- (lactate: 0.14 and pH 0.13), which are suitable to rule-out 1-month survival.Conclusion: Among adult OHCA patients with hypothermia, pH 6.9 and lactate 120 mg/dLcan predictivelyrule out 1-month survival.
Relationships of Family Food Environment with Food and Nutrition Literacy in Chinese School-Age Children
Authors: Li Niuniu , Su Xiao , Liu Tan , Sun Jing , Zhu Wenli
Published: June 2020

Background Eating behavior is influenced by multiple factors and understanding the interplay of these factors is necessary to promote children’s healthy food choices. This study investigated the relations of family food environment (FFE) factors with food and nutrition literacy (FNL) in Chinese school-age children.Methods A total of 605 children aged 7 ~ 13 years from grade 1 to 5, and their caregivers participated in the cross-sectional study in Beijing of China during April 2019. The FFE was assessed by the validated Family Food Environment Questionnaire for Chinese School-age Children (FFEQ-SC). For the children of grade 3 to 5 (n = 260), the FNL, including cognitive and skill domains, was assessed by Food and Nutrition Literacy Questionnaire for Chinese School-age Children (FNLQ-SC). Both FFEQ-SC and FNLQ-SC were developed firstly for Chinese school-age children and had good reliability. The anthropometric data (height and weight) was derived from local health information management system for primary schools.Results Overall, 68.9% of the children’s families had higher level of FFE. The total FNL score of 260 children from grade 3–5 was 63.23 ± 10.32. Comparison of children’s FNL score among different levels of FFE showed the children with higher level of FFE, especially higher level of caregiver’s educational degree and FNL, were more likely to have significant higher FNL scores (P < 0.05). The multivariate analysis showed the children’s total FNL score was significantly related with family caregiver (β= -0.123, P = 0.04) and caregiver’s nutritional literacy (β = 0.210, P = 0.002). Furthermore, the children with higher level of caregiver’s nutritional knowledge were less likely to be overweight or obesity (OR = 0.043, P = 0.04).Conclusions and Implications: Family food environment, especially caregivers’ FNL, were significantly related with children’s FNL, even the risk of overweight. These findings highlight the importance of targeting nutritional knowledge of family caregivers to facilitate the children’s FNL to maintain good health.
Sheltered homeless adults use more shelter services, have fewer health risk factors, and report lower stress than unsheltered adults
Authors: Ra Chaelin Karen , Hebert Emily , Alexander Adam , Kendzor Darla , Suchting Robert , Businelle Michael
Published: June 2020

Background: In the United States, approximately 568,000 individuals are homeless on a single night. Homelessness can be categorized into three subgroups: sheltered homeless, unsheltered homeless, and unstably housed. Few studies have examined the relations between homelessness subtypes, shelter service utilization, levels of stress experienced, and health risk factors. Methods: Data were collected at multiple homeless shelters in 2016 in the Oklahoma City area (N=575). Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine relations between homelessness subgroups and outcomes.Results: Results indicated that the sheltered group was younger and more likely to be White than the unsheltered group, and had higher levels of education than the unstably housed group. In addition, unsheltered homeless and unstably housed adults used fewer shelter-based health services, exhibited more health risk factors, experienced greater levels of stress, and had higher levels of food insecurity than sheltered homeless adults.Conclusions: Homeless adults who reside at shelters benefit most from available shelter services. The development of policies and programs targeted toward increasing sheltering options for unsheltered and unstably housed adults is needed.
Transfer learning based ensemble support vector machine model for automated COVID-19 detection using lung computerized tomography scan data
Authors: Singh Mukul , Bansal Shrey , Ahuja Sakshi , Dubey Rahul Kumar , Panigrahi Bijaya Ketan , Dey Nilanjan
Published: June 2020

The novel discovered disease coronavirus popularly known as COVID19 is a lung infection disease that causes adverse effects on the human respiratory system. It is caused due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). For COVID-19 detection, chest radiography, i.e., computerized tomography(CT) scan, X-rays, etc. are widely investigated. In the proposed work, a deep learning model, i.e., truncated VGG16(Visual Geometry Group from Oxford) is implemented to screen COVID-19 CT scans. The VGG16 architecture is fine-tuned and used to extract features from CT Scan images. Further Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is used for feature selection. The final classification is performed using four different classifiers, namely deep convolutional neural network(CNN) , Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), Online sequential ELM, and Bagging Ensemble with support vector machine (SVM) . The best performing classifier Bagging Ensemble with SVM within 385 ms achieved an accuracy of 95.7%, precision of 95.8%, Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.958, and an F1 score of 95.3% on 208 test images. The results obtained on diverse datasets prove the superiority and robustness of the proposed work in comparison to the techniques available in the literature.
Quick laboratory methodology for determining the effectiveness of face mask respirators in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Joshi Manish , Khan Arshad , Sapra B. K.
Published: June 2020

Recent crisis in the form of COVID-19 has rendered wearing a face mask mandatory for patients, health care workers and even members of public worldwide. This has caused a sudden shift of focus on availability, effectiveness, re-use and development of face masks. It is imperative that commercialization of face masks is subjected to certification, following standard procedures, from authorized agencies. However, at times, there is a need to conduct a quick investigation on their performance, specially, when new materials are being used for making the masks. In the current pandemic situation, the shortage of masks has also led to a rethinking on strategies of reuse of masks after due sterilization. For such situations, a quick laboratory methodology to test/determine the effectiveness of face mask respirators has been developed. The testing parameters include the particle capture efficiency of the mask material, pressure drop and the fit factor. Two different, simple, make-shift set-ups have been adopted for the present context. The first is used to measure the intrinsic particle capture efficiency and pressure drop of the filter material and the second is employed as a ‘full mask sampler’ to assess the leakages through seams and joints. For particle filtration efficiency, measurements in optical particle diameter range (0.3-20 µm) are most important as they cover the most penetrating particle size (MPPS) range; nevertheless, we also measured aerosol number concentration in sub-micrometer and ultrafine size ranges. Experiments conducted with atomized NaCl test aerosols, using these setups on three types of face masks viz. commercial N-95, surgical mask and cloth mask have been used for the validation and interpretation of results. This paper hopes to provide a crucial laboratory link between the face mask developers and the final certification agencies in the times of urgency.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of 3D Cf/SiBCN composites fabricated by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis
Authors: Chen Bowen , Ding Qi , Ni De-Wei , Wang Hongda , Ding Yusheng , Zhang Xiangyu , Dong Shaoming
Published: June 2020

In this work, 3D Cf/SiBCN composites were fabricated by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) with poly(methylvinyl)borosilazane as SiBCN precursor. The 3D microstructure evolution process of the composites was investigated by an advanced x-ray computed tomography (XCT). The effect of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) initiator addition on the crosslinking process, microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the composites were uncovered. With the addition of DCP initiator, the liquid precursor can cross-link to solid-state at 120 °C. Moreover, DCP addition decreases the release of small molecule gas during pyrolysis, leading to an improved ceramic yield 4.67 times higher than that without DCP addition. After 7 PIP cycles, density and open porosity of the final Cf/SiBCN composite with DCP addition are 1.73 g·cm-3 and ~10%, respectively, which are 143.0% higher and 30.3% lower compared with the composite without DCP addition. As a result, the flexural strength and elastic modulus of Cf/SiBCN composites with DCP addition (371 MPa and 31 GPa) are 1.74 and 1.60 times higher than that without DCP addition (213 MPa and 19.4 GPa).
TECHNOLOGY OF CULINARY (FRYING) FATS
Authors: Udovenko Oleksiy , Gladkiy Fedir , Shkredov Ivan , Havriushenko Kateryna , Litvinenko Olena , Kunitsia Katerina
Published: June 2020

The increased popularity of deep-fried foods has put health and safety concerns on the agenda. Factors that affect the quality and safety of culinary (frying) fats include the fatty acid profile, as well as cooking modes and time, especially when renewal rates are low. The industry is currently facing a top-of-mind technology challenge: to reduce the “oil content” of fried foods by developing a frying fat that would meet up-to-date food production standards. In other words, there is a need for a frying fat, which should last as long as possible without oxidizing and changing colour. Furthermore, its uptake by foods, fried in it, must be 40–50 % less than that of conventional fats. To this end, the authors put forward an innovative technology for producing culinary (frying) fats through esterification of fatty acids with high molecular weight alcohols. The research work that has been carried out so far prove the possibility of producing specialty fats by such modification to the applicable regulatory requirements: the melting range is between 29.6 and 34.65 °С, the acid value is up to 0.4 mg КОН/g. The viscosity of modified fats is lower than that of oils, which is due to the fat structure, and this circumstance will have a positive effect on the fat content in a finished product. The researchers has identified a numerical relationship (expressed as a regression model) of the yield of the desired fraction of a modified fat versus the ratio of reagents, reaction time, and process temperature, as well as calculated rational process parameters.

The aim of the research is to develop the technology of obtaining culinary (frying) fats by esterification of fatty acids with high molecular weight alcohols
Bounds on the entanglement entropy by the number entropy in non-interacting fermionic systems
Authors: Kiefer-Emmanouilidis Maximilian , Unanyan Razmik , Sirker Jesko , Fleischhauer Michael
Published: June 2020

Entanglement in a pure state of a many-body system can be
characterized by the Rényi entropies S^{(\alpha)}=\ln\textrm{tr}(\rho^\alpha)/(1-\alpha)S(α)=lntr(ρα)/(1−α)
of the reduced density matrix \rhoρ
of a subsystem. These entropies are, however, difficult to access
experimentally and can typically be determined for small systems only.
Here we show that for free fermionic systems in a Gaussian state and
with particle number conservation, S^{(2)}S(2)
can be tightly bound—from above and below—by the much easier accessible
Rényi number entropy S^{(2)}_N=-\ln \sum_n p^2(n)SN(2)=−ln∑np2(n)
which is a function of the probability distribution
p(n)p(n)
of the total particle number in the considered subsystem only. A
dynamical growth in entanglement, in particular, is therefore always
accompanied by a growth—albeit logarithmically slower—of the number
entropy. We illustrate this relation by presenting numerical results for
quenches in non-interacting one-dimensional lattice models including
disorder-free, Anderson-localized, and critical systems with
off-diagonal (bond) disorder.
Электродинамическая модель редокс-сорбции кислорода металлсодержащими нанокомпозитами
Authors: Кравченко Т. А. , Конев Д. В. , Вахнин Д. Д. , Чумакова А. В.
Published: June 2020

Предложена электродинамическая модель редокс-сорбции кислорода из воды на зернистых слоях металл-ионообменных нанокомпозитов. Особенностью является одновременное описание процесса восстановления кислорода по электрохимическому и химическому маршрутам. В связи с неоднородным окислением наночастиц металла кислородом проведен учет меняющегося по высоте и во времени омического сопротивления зернистого слоя нанокомпозита. Проверена адекватность модели на примере медьсодержащего нанокомпозита.
Металлосодержащие нанокомпозиты на основе солей насыщенных монокарбоновых кислот кобальта(II)
Authors: Семенов С. А. , Пронин А. С. , Дробот Д. В. , Джардималиева Г. И. , Попенко В. И.
Published: June 2020

Синтезированы соли кобальта(II) насыщенных монокарбоновых кислот – муравьиной, масляной, валериановой, капроновой, энантовой, каприловой. Полученные соединения охарактеризованы с помощью элементного анализа, ИК-спектроскопии, термогравиметрии и дифференциально-сканирующей калориметрии. В результате термического разложения синтезированных карбоксилатов, а также ацетата кобальта получены кобальтсодержащие нанокомпозиты. Полученные нанокомпозиты исследованы методами элементного анализа, ИК-спектроскопии, сканирующей и просвечивающей электронной микроскопии, энергодисперсионной рентгеновской спектроскопии и рентгенофазового анализа. Проведены магнитные исследования полученных нанокомпозитов.
The use of Frontier Analysis to assess the technical rigor of water loss performance indicators
Authors: Wyatt Alan S.
Published: June 2020

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has developed and disseminated advanced methods and performance indicators for assessing and reducing water losses in North America, based in large part on the methods and indicators developed by the International Water Association (IWA). However, many utilities and regulators still use the old, inaccurate, %NRW indicator. A robust, quantitative assessment of the technical rigor of water loss indicators was needed but could not be found in the literature. So, an innovative approach was developed, using Frontier Analysis which provided such a score of ‘technical rigor’. This paper presents this method, applied to three datasets from North America, assessing 15 candidate indicators for total water losses, apparent losses and real losses. The results provide quantitative ‘scores’ of the technical rigor of the candidate indicators. Indicators with relatively high scores align with indicators used in the IWA best practices. Other indicators, such as the %NRW indicator, were found to have low technical rigor. The conclusion of the paper summarizes the rigorous indicators, and suggests areas for further application of this method, and for further research.
Approaches to the mitigation of ammonia inhibition during anaerobic digestion – a review
Authors: Mutegoa Eric , Hilonga Askwar , Njau Karoli N.
Published: June 2020

The digestion process of organic waste rich in high ammonia content has always been a gridlock during the methanogenesis process. The free ammonia may increase inhibition/toxicity, which in turn affects the microbial community in the digester and eventually leads to process failures. Substantial methods have been proposed and assessed for curtailing ammonia emissions in anaerobic digesters to attain a safe and steady process so that, along with high methane production, high quality effluents can also be recovered. There are several means for lowering the erratic ammonia in organic wastes that are in use currently, such as decrease of pH, which favours the formation of ammonium over ammonia in the equilibrium; for example, the use of chemical additives that attach ammonium-N. Ammonia can also be removed from nitrogen-rich substrates during anaerobic digestion through other methods such as struvite precipitation, membrane distillation, air stripping, ion exchange, and adsorption. A thorough survey of different articles has shown that ion exchange, adsorption and changing of the C/N ratio through the co-digestion technique are the most commonly studied methods for mitigating ammonia inhibition in wastewater during anaerobic digestion. A detailed review of these methods in the context of nitrogen-rich substrates will be discussed in this paper.
Characterization of dissolved organic matter at a water treatment plant with closed systems in different seasons
Authors: Hudori Hudori , Yamada Toshiro , Suzuki Yukitaka , Rosadi Maulana Yusup , Tamaoki Hiroto , Li Fusheng
Published: June 2020

This research focuses on characterizing the dissolved organic matter found at water treatment plants with closed systems. Recycled water generated as a by-product of water treatment is added to raw water in those systems. The dissolved organic matter in the raw water was found to be higher in summer than in winter, but the water treatment process was able to produce purified water of the similar quality in both seasons. The recycled water contained mostly low molecular weight and protein-like substances, and this composition was different from that of the raw water, which mainly contained humic-like substances. The recycled water did not influence the concentration of humic-like substances or the molecular weight distribution in the influent water.
Innovative Forms and Methods of Teaching Giften Children in a Geneal Education School
Authors: Chugunova Olga Pavlovna
Published: June 2020

The article discusses the features of teaching gifted children at secondary
school. The article reveals the forms and methods of teaching gifted children.
Structural Relationship Study of Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient of Some Sulfa Drugs Using GA-MLR and GA-ANN Methods
Authors: Dadfar Etratsadat , Shafiei Fatemeh , Isfahani Tahereh M.
Published: June 2020

Aim and Objective:

Sulfonamides (sulfa drugs) are compounds with a wide range of biological
activities and they are the basis of several groups of drugs. Quantitative Structure-Property
Relationship (QSPR) models are derived to predict the logarithm of water/ 1-octanol partition coefficients
(logP) of sulfa drugs.

Materials and Methods:

A data set of 43 sulfa drugs was randomly divided into 3 groups: training,
test and validation sets consisting of 70%, 15% and 15% of data point, respectively. A large number
of molecular descriptors were calculated with Dragon software. The Genetic Algorithm -
Multiple Linear Regressions (GA-MLR) and genetic algorithm -artificial neural network (GAANN)
were employed to design the QSPR models. The possible molecular geometries of sulfa
drugs were optimized at B3LYP/6-31G* level with Gaussian 98 software. The molecular descriptors
derived from the Dragon software were used to build a predictive model for prediction
logP of mentioned compounds. The Genetic Algorithm (GA) method was applied to select the most
relevant molecular descriptors.

Results:

The R2
and MSE values of the MLR model were calculated to be 0.312 and 5.074 respectively.
R2
coefficients were 0.9869, 0.9944 and 0.9601for the training, test and validation sets of the
ANN model, respectively.

Conclusion:

Comparison of the results revealed that the application the GA-ANN method gave better
results than GA-MLR method.
COVID-19 from Food Safety and Biosecurity Perspective
Authors: Salem Samara Bin , Jagadeesan Premanandh
Published: June 2020

Most recently emerged pneumonia of unknown cause named COVID-19 has a devastating impact on public health and economy surpassing its counterparts in morbidity and mortality. Asymptomatic spread appears to be prevalent in China from where it is originated, lacking a clear and precise understanding of the transmission dynamics. Precautionary approach on certain ethnic food from mammalian sources like bats and its possible transmission source has been presented. Biosecurity measures should also be considered. The application of accurate predictive modeling in the alleviation of infectious diseases has also been discussed. The COVID-19 outbreak seems to be an alarming lesson to the global community to start preparing for an open, transparent, and coordinated action by all relevant stakeholders.
Effectiveness of Deep Breathing and Body Scan Meditation Combined with Music to Improve Sleep Quality and Quality of Life in Older Adults
Authors: Nanthakwang Nitayapa , Siviroj Penprapa , Matanasarawoot Anuchart , Sapbamrer Ratana , Lerttrakarnnon Peerasak , Awiphan Ratanaporn
Published: June 2020

Background:

In older adults, physiological changes affect sleep and may cause impaired daily function and Reduced Quality of Life (QOL). This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of deep breathing exercises and body scan meditation combined with music to improve sleep quality and QOL.

Methods:

A randomized controlled trial with allocation concealment method was conducted. Fifty-nine older adults with poor sleep quality were recruited using block randomization to intervention and control groups. The intervention group was instructed to do deep breathing and body scan meditation while listening to music through Bluetooth speakers once a day for thirty minutes before sleeping, a daily practice to last for eight weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Pictorial Thai Quality of Life (PTQL) were administered to both groups prior to the intervention and 8-week post-baseline of the intervention.

Results:

The global PSQI in the intervention group significantly decreased following the intervention, whereas the control group showed no difference. There was a decrease in individual PSQI components as well for the intervention group, namely, sleep efficiency, perceived sleep quality, and daily disturbance. The intervention group did not differ from the control group in sleep efficiency or perceived sleep quality, but there was a significant difference in the daily disturbance. Additionally, the total PTQL in the intervention group significantly increased between the two time periods, whereas there was no difference in the controls. The intervention group scored higher in each domain of PTQL, except for the economic domain.

Conclusion:

A daily practice of deep breathing and body scan meditation combined with music has a positive effect on improving sleep quality and QOL among older adults. Hence, this intervention should be implemented to improve sleep quality and promote QOL in older adults.
Erectile Dysfunction among Diabetic Patients in a Tertiary Hospital of Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Hurisa Abdisa D. , Negera Getandale Z.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is defined as the persistent inability to achieve and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Few studies have examined the prevalence of ED among men diabetic patients in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of ED among diabetic patients in a tertiary hospital of Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods:

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on male diabetic patients on follow-up at the diabetic clinic of Jimma Medical Center (JMC), Southwest Ethiopia.

Results:

350 male diabetic patients were enrolled in the study. The mean (+SD) age of the study participants was 47.9 (+12.2) years. The majority, 212 (60.4%) of the diabetic patients had varying degrees of ED and almost all, 207 (97.6%) of the patients were not treated for ED. Independent predictors of ED were older age (AOR: 4.6; 95%CI: [2.84, 7.55]; p<0.001) and longer duration of diabetes (AOR: 3.5; 95%CI: [2.12, 5.70]; p<0.001).

Conclusion:

This study confirmed a high prevalence of ED in diabetic male patients in Jimma Medical Center (JMC). Periodic assessment and management of ED should be a routine part of the diabetic care, particularly for those aged above 40 years and living with diabetes mellitus for many years.
The Effect of Market Structure on Bank Performance in Central Java
Authors: Sakti Imanuel Madea
Published: June 2020

Abstract: The research on the Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) hypothesis in the banking industry has been done many times, including in Indonesia. However, it still focuses on commercial banks. This research aims to examine the relationship between market structure and bank performance by involving commercial banks and rural banks (Bank Perkreditan Rakyat/BPR) when they are in the same market in the regency/city level. It uses panel data from 565 banks in Central Java: 261 BPR and 304 Commercial Banks, divided into 34 regencies/cities during 2012-2016. Independent variables involve market concentration and market share which is also as moderating variable, and the dependent variable is bank performance. The hypotheses are examined by multiple linear regression with a random effect model. In general, the results support that the market structure has a significant positive effect on bank performance. Another result has found no collusive behavior among dominant banks. Keywords: Structure-Conduct-Performance, Commercial Bank, Rural Bank, Market Structure, Bank Performance Pengaruh Struktur Pasar terhadap Kinerja Bank di Jawa Tengah Abstrak: Penelitian mengenai hipotesis Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) pada industri perbankan telah banyak dilakukan, termasuk di Indonesia. Namun, penelitian tersebut hanya berfokus pada bank umum saja. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji hubungan antara struktur pasar dan kinerja bank dengan melibatkan bank umum dan Bank Perkreditan Rakyat (BPR) ketika berada di pasar yang sama di tingkat kabupaten/kota. Penelitian ini menggunakan data panel terdiri dari 565 bank di Jawa Tengah: 261 BPR dan 304 Bank umum, yang terbagi ke dalam 34 kabupaten/kota selama tahun 2012-2016. Variabel independen yaitu konsentrasi pasar dan pangsa pasar yang sekaligus sebagai variabel moderasi, dan variabel dependen adalah kinerja bank. Hipotesis diuji menggunakan regresi linier berganda dengan random effect model. Secara umum, hasil mendukung bahwa struktur pasar berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap kinerja bank. Hasil lainnya menunjukkan tidak terdapat perilaku kolusif di antara bank-bank besar. Kata kunci: . Structure-Conduct-Performance, Bank Umum, BPR, Struktur Pasar, Kinerja Bank.