bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wound healing potential: evaluation of molecular profiling and amplification of Lucilia sericata angiopoietin-1 mRNA mid-part
Authors: Alipour Hamzeh , Shahriari-Namadi Marziae , Ebrahimi Saeedeh , Moemenbellah-Fard Mohammad D.
Published: July 2020

Objective

High prevalence of chronic ulcers and the burden of disease necessitate the increasingly significant production of new recombinant proteins in the world. The angiopoietin-1 enzyme is a part of the growth factors group which is secreted byLucilia sericata(Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae when they meet lesions to ensure maggot therapy. It is one of the most potent proteins in wound healing. Given its essential role, the angiopoietin-1 gene ofL. sericatawas characterized, which provided some necessary information on its identity.

Results

The mid-part of the angiopoietin-1 mRNA sequence was thus characterized based on the design of different primers such as exon-exon junction, conserved regions, and specific region primers via conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Its structural features were configured by in silico method. The sequence of mid-part (390 bp) of angiopoietin-1 was determined empirically, and BLAST analysis unraveled its high identity (85%) with the sequence of angiopoietin-1 mRNA of the larval housefly,Musca domestica. The homology of this enzyme also exhibited that its nucleic acid sequence was very similar to the domains of angiopoietin-1 inLucilia cuprina. The current data are instructive and critical to evaluate the action of this enzyme in recombinant protein production in future molecular studies on wound healing.
Pigment production by Fusarium solani BRM054066 and determination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Authors: Menezes Bruna S. , Solidade Lucas S. , Conceição Aparecido A. , Santos Junior Manoel N. , Leal Patrícia L. , de Brito Edy S. , Canuto Kirley M. , Mendonça Simone , de Siqueira Félix G. , Marques Lucas M.
Published: July 2020

The fungal kingdom has been widely studied as a source of bioactive compounds of interest to the pharmaceutical and food industry. This paper studies the production of natural red pigments by Fusarium solani BRM054066 in the submerged fermentation system, using Doehlert experimental design to determine optimal cultivation conditions. The chemical composition of the red pigment was determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Antioxidant activity was assessed by the ability to sequester of free radical DPPH. In the analysis of anti-inflammatory activity, murine peritoneal macrophages activated by LPS were used, and the gene expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 was determined using qPCR. As a result, it was found that agitation at 200 rpm and glucose concentration ≥ 20 g/L promote the best results in the production of red pigment. The chemical compounds identified were two naphthoquinones, fusarubin and dihydrofusarubin, and an anthraquinone, a bostrycoidin, being fusarubin the majority compound. The red pigment showed antioxidant activity by scavenge 50% of the DPPH radical, in a concentration of 24 µg/mL. The pigment also showed an effective anti-inflammatory capacity by reducing the overexpression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-17, in murine macrophages activated by LPS (p < 0.05). According to the results, the fungus F. solani BRM054066, under optimized conditions of cultivation, proved to be a promising source of biologically active natural pigments with wide industrial applicability.
Anthelmintic resistance among gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle on dairy calf to beef farms in Ireland
Authors: Kelleher Anne C. , Good Barbara , de Waal Theo , Keane Orla M.
Published: July 2020

Background

The control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of cattle in pasture-based production systems such as Ireland is highly dependent on the availability of efficacious anthelmintics. There is very little information available on the efficacy of the broad-spectrum anthelmintics against GIN of cattle in Ireland and the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance on dairy calf to beef farms.

Results

GIN burden was monitored on thirty-six recruited farms by performing herd level faecal egg counts (FEC) every 2 weeks. Of these, nine farms were lost from the study as calves were treated with an anthelmintic for Dictyocaulus viviparus, two were lost as they treated for GIN, one dropped out of the study and on one the herd FEC did not reach the threshold for carrying out the Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT). On the remaining 23 farms, once the herd FEC reached 100 eggs per gram, a FECRT was carried out. Pre and post-treatment larval cultures were also performed to identify the GIN to genus level. The efficacy of fenbendazole, levamisole, ivermectin and moxidectin was evaluated on 15, 11, 16 and 11 farms respectively. Resistance to fenbendazole was identified on 9 farms (60%) with resistance suspected on a further farm. Resistance to levamisole, ivermectin and moxidectin was detected on 2 (18%), 16 (100%) and 8 (73%) farms respectively. The predominant genera detected pre and post-treatment were Cooperia and Ostertagia with both genera detected post-treatment with fenbendazole and ivermectin. Due to the low proportion of Ostertagia spp. pre-treatment, the efficacy of levamisole or moxidectin against this genus could not be reliably established.

Conclusions

Anthelmintic resistance was widespread on the sampled dairy calf to beef farms in Ireland with resistance to benzimidazole, levamisole, ivermectin and moxidectin detected.
Performance analysis of NOMA-based mobile edge computing with imperfect CSI
Authors: Jiang Huan , Wang Yafei , Yue Xinwei , Li Xuehua
Published: July 2020

In this paper, a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA)-based mobile edge computing (MEC) system is proposed, where paired users (the mth user and the nth user) offload tasks to the MEC server under imperfect channel state information (ipCSI) condition. To evaluate the effect on performance under ipCSI condition in NOMA-MEC system, this study derives new exact and asymptotic expressions of the offloading outage probability for two users under ipCSI and perfect channel state information (pCSI) conditions. On the basis of the theoretical derivation, the diversity orders of the nth user under ipCSI and pCSI conditions are zero and n, respectively, while those for the distant user are all zeros. In addition, we also investigate the system throughput and energy efficiency of NOMA-MEC in delay-limited transmission. Numerical results show that (1) the offloading outage behaviors of NOMA-MEC are better than those of time division multiple address (TDMA), (2) the offloading outage performance of paired users under ipCSI is worse than that under pCSI, and (3) the NOMA-MEC system achieves higher throughput and energy efficiency than does the TDMA-MEC system.
Clustered nuclei splitting based on recurrent distance transform in digital pathology images
Authors: Roszkowiak Lukasz , Korzynska Anna , Pijanowska Dorota , Bosch Ramon , Lejeune Marylene , Lopez Carlos
Published: July 2020

The accuracy of the applied technique for automated nuclei segmentation is critical in obtaining high-quality and efficient diagnostic results. Unfortunately, multiple objects in histopathological images are connected (clustered) and frequently counted as one. In this study, we present a new method for cluster splitting based on distance transform binarized with the recurrently increased threshold value and modified watershed algorithm. The proposed method treats clusters separately, splitting them into smaller sub-clusters and conclusively into separate objects, based solely on the shape feature, making it independent of the pixel intensity. The efficiency of these algorithms is validated based on the labeled set of images from two datasets: BBBC004v1 and breast cancer tissue microarrays. Results of initial nuclei detection were significantly improved by applying the proposed algorithms. Our approach outperformed the state-of-the-art techniques based on recall, precision, F1-score, and Jaccard index. The proposed method achieves very low amount of under-segmented, as well as over-segmented objects. In summary, we provide novel and efficient method for dividing the clustered nuclei in digital images of histopathological slides.
Coefficient inequalities for certain subclasses of multivalent functions associated with conic domain
Authors: Ur Rehman Muhammad Sabil , Ahmad Qazi Zahoor , Srivastava H. M. , Khan Nazar , Darus Maslina , Tahir Muhammad
Published: July 2020

A number of families of q-extensions of analytic functions in the open unit disk $\mathbb{U}$
U
have been defined by means of basic (or q-)calculus and considered from many distinctive prospectives and viewpoints. In this paper, we generalize and study certain subclasses of analytic functions involving higher-order q-derivative operators. We settle characteristic equations for these presumably new classes and also study numerous coefficient inequalities. For the results obtained in this presentation, we also carry out appropriate connections with those in multiple other concerning works on this subject.
Lyapunov-type inequality and solution for a fractional differential equation
Authors: Ma Dexiang , Yang Zifa
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we consider the linear fractional differential equation
"Equation missing" By obtaining the Green’s function we derive the Lyapunov-type inequality for such a boundary value problem. Furthermore, we use the contraction mapping theorem to study the existence of a unique solution for the corresponding nonlinear problem.
Study of transmission dynamics of novel COVID-19 by using mathematical model
Authors: Ud Din Rahim , Shah Kamal , Ahmad Imtiaz , Abdeljawad Thabet
Published: July 2020

In this research work, we present a mathematical model for novel coronavirus-19 infectious disease which consists of three different compartments: susceptible, infected, and recovered under convex incident rate involving immigration rate. We first derive the formulation of the model. Also, we give some qualitative aspects for the model including existence of equilibriums and its stability results by using various tools of nonlinear analysis. Then, by means of the nonstandard finite difference scheme (NSFD), we simulate the results for the data of Wuhan city against two different sets of values of immigration parameter. By means of simulation, we show how protection, exposure, death, and cure rates affect the susceptible, infected, and recovered population with the passage of time involving immigration. On the basis of simulation, we observe the dynamical behavior due to immigration of susceptible and infected classes or one of these two.
On subclasses of analytic functions based on a quantum symmetric conformable differential operator with application
Authors: Ibrahim Rabha W. , Elobaid Rafida M. , Obaiys Suzan J.
Published: July 2020

Quantum calculus (the calculus without limit) appeared for the first time in fluid mechanics, noncommutative geometry and combinatorics studies. Recently, it has been included into the field of geometric function theory to extend differential operators, integral operators, and classes of analytic functions, especially the classes that are generated by convolution product (Hadamard product). In this effort, we aim to introduce a quantum symmetric conformable differential operator (Q-SCDO). This operator generalized some well-know differential operators such as Sàlàgean differential operator. By employing the Q-SCDO, we present subclasses of analytic functions to study some of its geometric solutions of q-Painlevé differential equation (type III).
Factors associated with early long-acting reversible contraceptives discontinuation in Ethiopia: evidence from the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey
Authors: Fekadu Gedefaw Abeje , Omigbodun Akinyinka O. , Roberts Olumuyiwa A. , Yalew Alemayehu Worku
Published: July 2020

Background

Ethiopia is struggling to achieve the 2020 family planning target. But the current contraceptive prevalence uptake is low and dominated by short-acting methods. Contraceptive discontinuation rate is also high. This analysis was done to identify the reasons and factors associated with long-acting and reversible contraceptives (LARC) discontinuation in Ethiopia.

Methods

The unit of analysis was LARC-use episodes in the 5 years preceding the survey, generated from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. A total of 1385 LARC episodes were included. Data analysis was done using STATA 15. The event file generated from the contraceptive calendar was merged to the original data set to identify factors associated with LARC discontinuation. Univariate, bivariate and inferential analyses were done for 12 months LARC discontinuation.

Result

Approximately 82% of LARC episodes were implants. About 45% of intrauterine device (IUD) and 61% of implant episodes were discontinued by 36 months. Side effects and the desire to become pregnant were the main reasons for discontinuation. Women aged 25–34 (HR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.20–0.35) and those aged 35–49 (HR = 0.17; 95%CI: 0.11–0.26), women who participated in decision-making partially (HR = 0.53; 95%CI: 0.37–0.78), or fully (HR = 0.55; 95%CI: 0.40–0.74) and primiparous women (HR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.33–0.86) had a lower hazard of discontinuing LARCs. On the other hand, women who had only primary education (HR = 1.32; 95%CI: 1.02–1.72) and women who were not sure about their fertility intention (HR = 2.11; 95%C: 1.28–3.46) had a higher likelihood of discontinuing these methods.

Conclusion

Majority of LARC episodes were discontinued early, mainly due to the desire for pregnancy or experience of side effects. Older women, particularly those involved in household decision-making, and primipara were less likely to discontinue LARC. Women with only primary education and those uncertain about their fertility intention had a higher likelihood of discontinuation. Family planning service providers should focus on fertility intention and side effects when counseling women for contraceptive choice. Improving women’s participation in household decision-making may decrease LARC discontinuation in Ethiopia.
The Portuguese version of the body investment scale: psychometric properties and relationships with disordered eating and emotion dysregulation
Authors: Vieira Ana Isabel , Fernandes Joana , Machado Paulo P. P. , Gonçalves Sónia
Published: July 2020

Background

This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Body Investment Scale (BIS) in a nonclinical sample of students and a clinical sample of outpatients with eating disorders, to analyse the differences in the BIS factors between the samples and to explore the relationships among body investment, eating disorder symptoms and difficulties in emotion regulation.

Methods

The clinical (n = 93) and nonclinical (n = 448) samples completed self-report measures.

Results

In contrast to the nonclinical sample, confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable fit for the original four-factor solution of the BIS in the clinical sample. This scale also demonstrated adequate internal consistency in both samples. Significant differences in BIS factors were found between the samples; outpatients with eating disorders presented more negative feelings about the body, less comfort with touch and lower levels of body protection than those of the students. In the clinical sample, significant relationships were found between these factors and a higher severity of disordered eating, as well as between these factors and higher difficulties in emotion regulation.

Conclusions

The Portuguese version of the BIS is a psychometrically sound measure for the assessment of body investment, and it is especially appropriate in a clinical setting of outpatients with eating disorders.
Correction to: Salvator Mundi: an investigation of the painting’s materials and techniques
Authors: Gutman Rieppi Nica , Price Beth A. , Sutherland Ken , Lins Andrew P. , Newman Richard , Wang Peng , Wang Ting , Tague Thomas J.
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Prevalence and determinants of self-reported high blood pressure among women of reproductive age in Benin: a population-based study
Authors: Ekholuenetale Michael , Barrow Amadou
Published: July 2020

Background

Addressing chronic diseases is a challenge for healthcare systems worldwide, which have largely developed to deal with acute episodic care, rather than to provide organized care for people with age-long conditions. Therefore, exploring the prevalence and identifying the risk factors is a major approach to prevention and control of chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and factors associated with self-reported high blood pressure among women of reproductive age in Benin.

Methods

We utilized population-based cross-sectional data from Benin Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). BDHS 2017–18 is the round V of the survey. A total of 7712 women of reproductive age were included in this study. The outcome variable was self-reported high blood pressure. Percentages, chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. Results from the multivariable logistic model were presented as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and confidence interval (95%CI). The significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The total prevalence of self-reported high blood pressure among women of reproductive age in The Gambia was about one-tenth (9.9%). Furthermore, geographical region was associated with high blood pressure. Women aged 45–49 years had increased odds of high blood pressure, when compared with women aged 15–19 years (aOR = 2.73; 95%CI: 1.10, 6.79). In addition, increased maternal enlightenment gave higher odds of high blood pressure, when compared to women with low maternal enlightenment (aOR = 1.41; 95%CI: 1.08, 1.84). Women with highest neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantaged status (poor women) had 30% reduction in the odds of high blood pressure, when compared with women of low neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantaged status (aOR = 0.70; 0.50, 0.99). Women having increased lifetime number of sex partners (total of 3 lifetime number of sex partners: aOR = 1.40; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.94; more than 3 total lifetime number of sex partners: aOR = 1.53; 95%CI: 1.01, 2.32) were more likely to have high blood pressure, when compared to women with only one lifetime number of sex partner.

Conclusions

Emphasis on high blood pressure prevention methods and involvement of multiple sectors could help to disseminate health care interventions widely. Also, a concerted effort from the stakeholders in health care system and decision-makers is needed to address the drivers of high blood pressure while maintaining health system improvement strategies. The findings could prompt appropriate policy responses towards improving the knowledge and control of high blood pressure in Benin.
Immune reaction and regulation in transplantation based on pluripotent stem cell technology
Authors: Otsuka Ryo , Wada Haruka , Murata Tomoki , Seino Ken-ichiro
Published: July 2020

The development of pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based technologies provides us a new therapeutic approach that generates grafts for transplantation. In order to minimize the risk of immune reaction, the banking of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from donors with homozygous human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotype is planned in Japan. Even though pre-stocked and safety validated HLA-homozygous iPSCs are selected, immunological rejection may potentially occur because the causes of rejection are not always due to HLA mismatches. A couple of studies concerning such immunological issues have reported that genetic ablation of HLA molecules from PSC combined with gene transduction of several immunoregulatory molecules may be effective in avoiding immunological rejection. Also, our research group has recently proposed a concept that attempts to regulate recipient immune system by PSC-derived immunoregulatory cells, which results in prolonged survival of the same PSC-derived allografts. PSC-based technologies enable us to choose a new therapeutic option; however, considering its safety from an immunological point of view should be of great importance for safe clinical translation of this technology.
Evidence on result-based financing in maternal and child health in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
Authors: James Nigel , Lawson Kenny , Acharya Yubraj
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Result-Based Financing (RBF) is an umbrella term for financial mechanisms that link incentives to outputs or outcomes. International development agencies are promoting RBF as a viable financing approach for the realization of universal health coverage, with numerous pilot trials, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is limited synthesized evidence on the performance of these mechanisms and the reasons for the lack of RBF institutionalization. This study aims to review the evidence of RBF schemes that have been scaled or institutionalized at a national level, focusing on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) programming in LMICs.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The authors identified and reviewed country-level RBF evaluation reports for the period between January 2000 and June 2019. Data were extracted from both published and gray literature on RBF application in MNCH using a predesigned matrix. The matrix headers included country of application; program setting; coverage and duration; evaluation design and methods; outcome measures; and key findings. A content thematic analysis approach was used to synthesize the evidence and emerging issues.

Results

The review identified 13 reports from 11 countries, predominantly from Sub-Saharan Africa. Performance-based financing was the most common form of RBF initiatives. The majority of evaluation designs were randomized trials. The evaluations focused on outputs, such as coverage and service utilization, rather than outcomes. RBF schemes in all 11 countries expanded their scope, either geographically or accordingly in terms of performance indicators. Furthermore, only three studies conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis, and only two included a discussion on RBF’s sustainability. Only three countries have institutionalized RBF into their national policy. On the basis of the experience of these three countries, the common enabling factors for institutionalization seem to be political will, domestic fund mobilization, and the incorporation of demand-side RBF tools.

Conclusion

RBF evidence is still growing, partial, and inconclusive. This limited evidence may be one of the reasons why many countries are reluctant to institutionalize RBF. Additional research is needed, particularly regarding cost-effectiveness, affordability, and sustainability of RBF programs.
Informative missingness in electronic health record systems: the curse of knowing
Authors: Groenwold Rolf H. H.
Published: July 2020

Electronic health records provide a potentially valuable data source of information for developing clinical prediction models. However, missing data are common in routinely collected health data and often missingness is informative. Informative missingness can be incorporated in a clinical prediction model, for example by including a separate category of a predictor variable that has missing values. The predictive performance of such a model depends on the transportability of the missing data mechanism, which may be compromised once the model is deployed in practice and the predictive value of certain variables becomes known. Using synthetic data, this phenomenon is explained and illustrated.
Developing drought stress index for monitoring Pinus densiflora diebacks in Korea
Authors: Cho Nanghyun , Kim Eunsook , Lim Jong-Hwan , Seo Bumsuk , Kang Sinkyu
Published: July 2020

Background

The phenomenon of tree dieback in forest ecosystems around the world, which is known to be associated with high temperatures that occur simultaneously with drought, has received much attention. Korea is experiencing a rapid rise in temperature relative to other regions. Particularly in the growth of evergreen conifers, temperature increases in winter and spring can have great influence. In recent years, there have been reports of group dieback of Pinus densiflora trees in Korea, and many studies are being conducted to identify the causes. However, research on techniques to diagnose and monitor drought stress in forest ecosystems on local and regional scales has been lacking.

Results

In this study, we developed and evaluated an index to identify drought and high-temperature vulnerability in Pinus densiflora forests. We found the Drought Stress Index (DSI) that we developed to be effective in generally assessing the drought-reactive physiology of trees. During 2001–2016, in Korea, we refined the index and produced DSI data from a 1 × 1-km unit grid spanning the entire country. We found that the DSI data correlated with the event data of Pinus densiflora mass dieback compiled in this study. The average DSI value at times of occurrence of Pinus densiflora group dieback was 0.6, which was notably higher than during times of nonoccurrence.

Conclusions

Our combination of the Standard Precipitation Index and growing degree days evolved and short- and long-term effects into a new index by which we found meaningful results using dieback event data. Topographical and biological factors and climate data should be considered to improve the DSI. This study serves as the first step in developing an even more robust index to monitor the vulnerability of forest ecosystems in Korea.
Half-dose sugammadex with neostigmine versus full-dose sugammadex for reversal of rocuronium in laparoscopic bariatric surgery
Authors: Ghanem Mohamed A. , Nasr Mohamed , el Aziz Motawee Abd , El-kenany Samah
Published: July 2020

Background

Sugammadex reverses rocuronium more effective than neostigmine during deeper neuromuscular blockade levels. Relying upon the high cost of sugammadex we hypothesized that combined neostigmine with half-dose sugammadex (1.2 mg/kg) would be as effective as the full dose (2.4 mg/kg IBW) in reversing rocuronium-induced deep neuromuscular block in obese patients. A multimodal approach would be an effective cost saving strategy, while preserving the advantages of this novel agent.

Patient and methods

A prospective randomized study done on 50 morbid obese patients undergoing elective laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy operation. Patients were allocated into two groups each of 25. Group NS received sugammadex 1.2 mg/kg and neostigmine 50 μg/kg with atropine 20 μg/kg. Group S received sugammadex 2.4 mg/kg and 10 mL of normal saline.

Primary outcome

Interval between administration of reversal and reaching TOF of 90%.

Secondary outcomes

Total dose of rocuronium (mg), duration between last dose rocuronium and reverse, number of patients reached TOF of 90% within 5 min, duration between IV reversal and extubation, and the number of patients with residual neuromuscular blockade.

Results

Number of patients who reached TOF 90% within 5 min, the interval between reversal and 90% TOF, the interval between reversal and extubation were comparable between the study groups.

Conclusion

As regards neuromuscular blocker reversal in obese patients, the neostigmine 50 μg/kg plus sugammadex half dose (1.2 mg/kg) is as effective as full-dose sugammadex (2.4 mg/kg) alone.

Trial registration

Institutional Research Board: (IRB code number):
MS/17.12.195 on 16 January 2018.
Single-dose intrathecal analgesia: a safe and effective method of labor analgesia for parturients in low resource areas
Authors: Chauhan Gian , Samyal Poonam , Pathania Anshit Abhi
Published: July 2020

Background

Epidural analgesia is often said the gold standard of the labor analgesia. But in the areas where the availability of epidural catheters, multiparameter monitors, trained staff is scarce, we need to rethink for single-dose intrathecal analgesia as an alternate yet effective method to provide labor analgesia. The combination we chose for single-shot spinal was heavy bupivacaine 2.5 mg + fentanyl 25 μg + morphine 250 μg, so as to provide an optimal time period of analgesia and lesser need for supplemental analgesics.

Methods

The prospective open-label study was conducted on 100 parturients. Group S (N = 50) received intrathecal injection of 0.5 ml of heavy bupivacaine (2.5 mg) and 0.5 ml of fentanyl (25 μg), and 1 ml of preservative free morphine (250 μg/ml) was given (total volume of 2 ml) using 26 G Quincke spinal needle. Group C (N = 50) were managed according to the institutional protocol of programmed labor for normal vaginal delivery. The duration of analgesia, VAS score, safety and side effects, and progress of labor was noted and compared.

Results

The progress of labor, mode of delivery, and fetal parameters was similar in both the groups. But the parturients in the group S had lower VAS score with a pain-free period of 238.96 ± 21.88 min, without any noted side effects.

Conclusion

Single-dose intrathecal analgesia with heavy bupivacaine 2.5 mg + fentanyl 25 μg + morphine 250 μg can be used efficaciously covering the complete duration of labor in both primigravida and multigravida with no increase in instrumental delivery or C-section rate or other side effects.

Trial registration

Institutional Ethics Committee, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla. Number: ECR/533/IST/HP/2014. Registered on 12 August 2017
German hospital capacities for prolonged mechanical ventilator weaning in neurorehabilitation – results of a representative survey
Authors: Platz Thomas , Bender Andreas , Dohle Christian , Gorsler Anna , Knecht Stefan , Liepert Joachim , Mokrusch Thomas , Sailer Michael
Published: July 2020

A brief survey among members of the German Neurorehabilitation Society aimed to document the hospital capacities (“beds”) for prolonged weaning from a mechanical ventilator for patients with neuro-disabilities that require simultaneous multi-professional neurorehabilitation treatment. Sixty-eight institutions declared to have capacities with a broad distribution across Germany and its federal states. Overall, 1094 “beds” for prolonged weaning (and neurorehabilitation) were reported, 871 together with further information regarding their identification and hence regional location. These units had on average 16.1 beds for prolonged weaning (95% confidence interval 12.6 to 19.6) with a range from 2 to 68 beds per organization. The data indicate substantial capacities for the combined prolonged weaning and neurorehabilitation treatment in Germany. For most “beds” included in this analysis a basic validation was possible. While a reasonable coverage of these specialized service capacities by the survey is likely, the number reported could still be biased by underreporting by non-response. Both the broad variation of number of “beds” for prolonged weaning per unit and their unequal geographical distribution across federal states (per capita rate) warrant a more refined follow-up survey that will provide insights into reasons for the observed pattern of variation for these specialized hospital capacities.
Assessing the impact of a combination of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir treatment for hepatitis C virus infection on heart rate, rhythm and heart rate variability using 24-hour ECG monitoring
Authors: El Missiri Ahmed Mohamed , Rayan Mona Mostafa , Awad Mohamed Medhat , El Desoky Ahmed Ibrahim
Published: July 2020

Background

Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) cure patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Concerns have arisen the occurrence of significant bradyarrhythmias during treatment with DAAs. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a DAA combination for the treatment of HCV infection on heart rate, rhythm, and heart rate variability (HRV) using 24-h ECG monitoring.

Results

A prospective randomized study of 50 treatment-naïve patients with HCV infection treated with a combination of sofosbuvir 400 mg daily and daclatasvir 60 mg daily for 12 weeks. Surface ECG and 24-h ECG monitoring were performed at baseline and after completion of therapy to assess PR interval, corrected QT interval (QTc), minimum heart rate (HR), maximum HR, average HR, HRV time-domain and frequency-domain measures, significant pauses, tachycardias, bradycardias, premature atrial contractions (PACs), and premature ventricular contraction (PVCs).

No differences were detected in all examined parameters between baseline and after completion of treatment. PR interval was 154 ± 25.95 vs 151.4 ± 23.82 ms, respectively (p = 0.124). QTc interval was 397.34 ± 29.38 vs 395.04 ± 30.23 ms, respectively (p = 0.403). No differences were detected for minimum HR, maximum HR, average HR, HRV time-domain and frequency-domain measures, the occurrence of significant pauses, sinus tachycardia episodes, sinus bradycardia episodes, PACs, and PVCs. No episodes of bradyarrhythmias, syncope, and atrial fibrillation, supraventricular, or ventricular tachycardias were reported or detected.

Conclusion

In non-cardiac patients receiving no cardioactive medications, the combination of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir for the treatment of HCV infection has no effect on HR, rhythm, conductivity, or HRV. No symptomatic bradycardias, tachycardias, or syncope were reported or detected using 24-h ECG monitoring.
Multi-objective economic operation of modern power system considering weather variability using adaptive cuckoo search algorithm
Authors: Kavuturu K. V. Kumar , Narasimham P. V. R. L.
Published: July 2020

Currently, most of the power systems are being integrated with flexible AC transmission system devices and renewable energy sources for operating with enhanced security margins and balancing the increasing demand cost-effectively. On the other side, the trend of increasing global warming and extremely changing weather conditions is continuing across the world. Under this scenario, it is essential to realize their effect on various power system components and its economic operation. In this paper, the parameters namely resistance of the transmission line/transformer, load and solar photovoltaic generation are modeled considering ambient temperature effect. Later, economic schedule under changing weather conditions is proposed for attaining multi-objectives simultaneously like total operating cost of conventional energy, real power loss, average voltage collapse point indicator index and average voltage deviation index. Also, the dispatchable problems in the transmission system and various practical operating constraints are handled via optimally setting the parameters of optimal unified power flow controller. The optimization problem is solved using adaptive cuckoo search algorithm (ACSA), in which a dynamically increasing switching parameter in a power of three is adopted for adjusting the random walk between local optima and global optima. The superiority of the proposed ACSA in solving the multiobjective, nonlinear complex optimization problem over basic CSA and particle swarm optimization, chicken swarm optimization and flower pollination algorithm is presented by illustrating various case studies on standard IEEE 14, 30 and 118–bus test systems.
Impact of grit on voice behavior: mediating role of organizational commitment
Authors: Nisar Asma , Butt Tahira Hassan , Abid Ghulam , Farooqi Saira , Qazi Tehmina Fiaz
Published: July 2020

Employee voice is the voluntary, non-formal and upward communication of ideas, concerns or solutions to work associated problems by an employee. Drawing on conservation of resources theory, our study investigated the direct impact of two antecedents of behavioral outcomes (i.e., grit and organizational commitment) on voice behavior. Moreover, study also examined the mediating influence of organizational commitment in the relationship between grit and voice behavior. Data were collected in two waves time over a 2-month time period from public sector employees and their immediate supervisors. PROCESS macro by Hayes was used on actual sample of 300 employees and 19 supervisors from different job functions. All the direct as well as indirect hypothesized relationships are empirically supported. The results of the study add to the improved understanding of one of the most evolving construct, namely, voice behavior. Theoretical and practical implications alongside recommendations have also been given for future empirical research on voice behavior.
The relationship between alcohol-related hospital admission and specialist alcohol treatment provision across local authorities in England since passage of the Health and Social Care Act 2012
Authors: Roberts Emmert , Hotopf Matthew , Drummond Colin
Published: July 2020

To our knowledge no previous studies have been conducted at the local authority level assessing relationships between alcohol-related hospital admission, specialist alcohol treatment provision and socioeconomic deprivation since the UK government passed the Health and Social Care Act in 2012. Our results, using publicly available national data-sets, suggest that the local authority areas in England most in need of adequately funded specialist alcohol treatment, because of high prevalence of alcohol dependence and deprivation, are not receiving targeted increased funding, and that the national rise in alcohol-related hospital admissions may be fuelled by local authority funding cuts to specialist alcohol treatment.
The Early Mathematics of Welfare
Authors: Pomini Mario
Published: July 2020

Bruno de Finetti (1906–1985) is well known as the founder of the subjective theory of probability. Less known is his contribution to economic theory. The article presents the contributions of de Finetti in the field of welfare economics. He advanced a new mathematical tool: the theory of simultaneous maxima. On this base, he criticized the laissez-faire interpretation of the Paretian theory and advanced the idea of a social welfare function, reflecting the debate on economic planning among Italian corporatist economists.
The Temperature of the Brain
Authors: Mueller Thomas Michael
Published: July 2020

In 1881, Francis Ysidro Edgeworth attempted to provide a solid psychological basis for utility measurement. I will show that Edgeworth’s main struggle was to provide a possible measurement scale for a feeling—pleasure—using some kind of physical magnitude that would have allowed both intra and interpersonal comparisons, thus justifying the use of mathematical techniques to answer welfare issues. Edgeworth found inspiration in a similar quest, the invention of temperature, which had permitted the transformation of a feeling, “coldness,” into a physical quantity, temperature. Edgeworth faced two kinds of criticisms: concerning the use of psychological notions in economics and concerning the nature of utility itself. Both criticisms were also stated in terms of the thermodynamic metaphor, and the thermometer analogy played a major role in the exchanges. Following those criticisms and his own analysis, Edgeworth would move from a ratio to an ordinal understanding of utility, despite never abandoning the idea that economics should be psychologically grounded.
The osteoclast cytoskeleton – current understanding and therapeutic perspectives for osteoporosis
Authors: Blangy Anne , Bompard Guillaume , Guerit David , Marie Pauline , Maurin Justine , Morel Anne , Vives Virginie
Published: July 2020

Osteoclasts are giant multinucleated myeloid cells specialized for bone resorption, which is essential for the preservation of bone health throughout life. The activity of osteoclasts relies on the typical organization of osteoclast cytoskeleton components into a highly complex structure comprising actin, microtubules and other cytoskeletal proteins that constitutes the backbone of the bone resorption apparatus. The development of methods to differentiate osteoclasts in culture and manipulate them genetically, as well as improvements in cell imaging technologies, has shed light onto the molecular mechanisms that control the structure and dynamics of the osteoclast cytoskeleton, and thus the mechanism of bone resorption. Although essential for normal bone physiology, abnormal osteoclast activity can cause bone defects, in particular their hyper-activation is commonly associated with many pathologies, hormonal imbalance and medical treatments. Increased bone degradation by osteoclasts provokes progressive bone loss, leading to osteoporosis, with the resulting bone frailty leading to fractures, loss of autonomy and premature death. In this context, the osteoclast cytoskeleton has recently proven to be a relevant therapeutic target for controlling pathological bone resorption levels. Here, we review the present knowledge on the regulatory mechanisms of the osteoclast cytoskeleton that control their bone resorption activity in normal and pathological conditions.
Parasite infection directly impacts escape response and stress levels in fish
Authors: Allan Bridie J. M. , Illing Björn , Fakan Eric P. , Narvaez Pauline , Grutter Alexandra S. , Sikkel Paul C. , McClure Eva C. , Rummer Jodie L. , McCormick Mark I.
Published: July 2020

Parasites can account for a substantial proportion of the biomass in marine communities. As such, parasites play a significant ecological role in ecosystem functioning via host interactions. Unlike macropredators, such as large piscivores, micropredators rarely cause direct mortality. Rather, micropredators impose an energetic tax, thus significantly affecting host physiology and behaviour via such sublethal effects. Recent research suggests that infection by gnathiid isopods (Crustacea) causes significant physiological stress and increased mortality rates. However, it is unclear whether infection causes changes in the behaviours that underpin escape responses or changes in routine activity levels. Moreover, it is poorly understood whether the cost of gnathiid infection manifests as an increase in cortisol. To investigate this, we examined the effect of experimental gnathiid infection on the swimming and escape performance of a newly settled coral reef fish and whether infection would lead to increased cortisol levels. We found that micropredation by a single gnathiid caused fast-start escape performance and swimming behaviour to significantly decrease and cortisol levels to double. Fast-start escape performance is an important predictor of recruit survival in the wild. As such, altered fitness related traits and short-term stress, perhaps especially during early life stages, may result in large scale changes in the number of fish that successfully recruit to adult populations.
An Analytical Solution for Transversely Isotropic Simply Supported Thick Rectangular Plates Using Displacement Potential Functions
Authors: Nematzadeh M , Eskandari-Ghadi M , Neya B Navayi
Published: July 2020

Using a complete set of displacement potential functions, the exact solution of three-dimensional elasticity equations of a simply supported rectangular plates with constant thickness consisting of a transversely isotropic linearly elastic material subjected to an arbitrary static load is presented. The governing partial differential equations for the potential functions are solved through the use of the Fourier method, which results in exponential and trigonometric expression along the plate thickness and the other two lengths respectively. The displacements, stresses, and internal forces are determined through the potential functions at any point of the body. To prove the validity of this approach, the analytical solutions developed in this paper are degenerated for the simpler case of plates containing isotropic material and compared with the existing solution. In addition, the numerical results obtained from this study are compared with those reported in other researches for the isotropic material, where excellent agreement is achieved for both thin and thick plates. The results show that increasing the thickness ratios of the plate causes compressive axial forces and central shear forces inside the plate. Finally, the internal forces and displacement components are calculated numerically for several kinds of transversely isotropic materials with different anisotropies and are compared with a finite element (FE) solution obtained from the ANSYS software, where the high accuracy of the present method is demonstrated. The effects of the material anisotropy are clearly revealed in the numerical results presented.
An Investigation into Strain Partitioning in Mismatched HSLA-65 Steel Welds
Authors: Backman D , Huang J , Cowal C
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study was to quantify strain partitioning in HSLA-65 joints, welded with three types of weld filler: 6011 undermatched weld filler, 7018 matched weld filler, and 9016 overmatched weld filler. Strain measurements were made using a three-dimensional digital image correlation system while specimens were tested on a displacement controlled servo-hydraulic test frame. Crosshead displacement rates ranged from 0.056 mm/s to almost 56 mm/s. Coupons were cut from flux-core arc welded HSLA-65 plates to characterize the base metal, weld filler materials, and mismatched welds. Constitutive material properties could be extracted reliably for all coupons at the lowest displacement rate and showed that, as expected, all weld fillers had similar elastic modulus values but different yield strengths. A comparison of the peak strains at 85 per cent of maximum elongation showed that overall the failure strain was inversely related to the crosshead displacement rate. Analysis of the mismatched coupons found that the failure location was a function of weld filler and was independent of strain rate. Higher magnification imaging of the weld nugget showed that strain partitioning occurred within the weld zone, with slightly lower strains in the cap pass as opposed to the root pass.
A Design Equation for the Stress Concentration Factor of an Oblate Ellipsoidal Cavity
Authors: Chiang C-R
Published: July 2020

The stress concentration factor (SCF) of an oblate ellipsoidal cavity in an isotropic material subjected to a uniform normal stress at infinity perpendicular to the equator of the cavity is determined by the equivalent inclusion method. Numerical results are obtained for general cases; particularly, explicit and exact results are obtained for cases of strongly oblate cavities. To extend the range of validity for these cases, a two-dimensional model is developed for finding the correction terms and a simple equation for the SCF of an oblate ellipsoidal cavity is thus obtained. The accuracy of the equation is probed and it is shown that the proposed formula is sufficiently accurate for design purposes.
„Co to są czary? Co za znaki ich?”
Authors: Sawicki Mariusz
Published: July 2020

„What Is Witchcraft? What Signify It ?” Lithuanian Sermons And Methods Against Witchcraft From ThE End Of 17th And 18th Centuries

Witchcraft as a crime attracted the attention of Polish-Lithuanian society in many aspects at the turn of 17th and 18th centuries. On the one hand, it was connected with a belief in its efficiency, in the existence of witches and sorcerers, and their covenant with the devil. The article analyzes two manuscripts: a prayer „Modlitwa przeciwko czarom i niebezpieczeństwom” and a sermon „Jako się strzedz czarów i potwarzy o nie”. The sermon utilizes contemporary rhetoric, stresses the importance of sin and appeals to the receivers through fear. What is somewhat surprising, the text maintains that most witchcraft happened with God’s permission, as God allows the devil to function in the society. The preacher was very skillful in using listeners’ emotions, building suspension and condemning peoples’ sins and bad deeds. There is no doubt he managed to attract the attention of the audience and had a real impact on the surrounding reality.