bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repertorios interpretativos del comerciante informal venezolano en la red social Twitter
Authors: Yalta Gonzales Edgar Mauro , Robles Muñoz Mirella Alexandra , Lovón Cueva Marco Antonio
Published: January 2022

La migración venezolana en Latinoamérica es considerada el fenómeno migratorio más importante de los últimos años (Blouin, 2019) y el Perú no ha sido ajeno a este fenómeno. La comunidad venezolana en el Perú suele ser víctima de procesos xenófobos y racistas por motivos vinculados con la informalidad y el uso de los espacios públicos. El rechazo frecuentemente se evidencia en los medios de comunicación, especialmente por los usuarios en las redes sociales. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar, desde el enfoque de la Psicología Discursiva, los repertorios interpretativos que se construyeron para expresar discursivamente el rechazo por parte de los usuarios peruanos hacia el comerciante informal venezolano en la red social Twitter. Para ello, seleccionamos un conjunto de tuits representativos que explicitan este rechazo hacia los comerciantes informales venezolanos. Los resultados evidencian el uso de tres principales repertorios interpretativos: invasores de los espacios públicos, criminalización y el nacionalismo-pertenencia.
Ultrafast Doppler imaging and Ultrasound Localization Microscopy reveal the complexity of vascular rearrangement in chronic spinal lesion
Authors: Beliard Benoit , Ahmanna Chaimae , Tiran Elodie , Kante Kadia , Deffieux Thomas , Tanter Mickael , Nothias Fatiha , Soares Sylvia , Pezet Sophie
Published: January 2022

Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to severe damage to the microvascular network. The process of spontaneous repair is accompanied by formation of new blood vessels; their functionality, however, presumably very important for functional recovery, has never been clearly established, as most studies so far used fixed tissues. Here, combining ultrafast Doppler imaging and Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM) on the same animals, we proceeded at a detailed analysis of structural and functional vascular alterations associated with the establishment of chronic SCI, both at macroscopic and microscopic scales. Using a standardized animal model of SCI, our results demonstrate striking hemodynamic alterations in several subparts of the spinal cord: a reduced blood velocity in the lesion site, and an asymmetrical hypoperfusion caudal but not rostral to the lesion. In addition, the worsening of many evaluated parameters at later time points suggests that the neoformed vascular network is not yet fully operational, and reveals ULM as an efficient in vivo readout for spinal cord vascular alterations. Finally, we show statistical correlations between the diverse biomarkers of vascular dysfunction and SCI severity. The imaging modality developed here will allow evaluating recovery of vascular function over time in pre-clinical models of SCI. Also, used on SCI patients in combination with other quantitative markers of neural tissue damage, it may help classifying lesion severity and predict possible treatment outcomes in patients.
Blood Supply Management Amidst COVID -19 Pandemic
Authors: DEVGAN KIRTI , Gupta Subrat , SHARMA VIJAY
Published: January 2022

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The mandatory lockdown restrictions and curtailment strategies towards mass gatherings imposed by the government amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the organization of the voluntary blood donation camps were suspended and in house donations were limited leading to scarcity of blood With this we intend to assess the effect of this mass lockdown on our blood supply management in four phases [phase-I prior to the outbreak] ,phase-II[during the outbreak], Phase-III: The declining phase [Oct20-Feb21] and Phase IV: The second wave [March21-may21] MATERIALS AND METHOD : This is a retrospective study of twenty months of a blood bank supplying to a 1200 bedded multi-specialty Tertiary Care Academic Hospital in Lucknow. The study was divided into four phases namely: • Phase-I: Pre-pandemic phase [Oct’19 to Feb’20] • Phase-II: The full-blown pandemic phase [Mar 20-Sep 20] • Phase-III: The declining phase [Oct20-Feb21] • Phase IV: The second wave [March21-may21] Details of the blood units collected both in-house as well as in the VBDC’s were used for the study. The date of collection, expiry and date of issue for each packed red blood cell [PRBC] units were noted. The components prepared from the whole blood was also noted. The average In-house donations were tabulated. The various components issued month wise was also noted. The supply of Convalescent plasma in all the three phases was tabulate RESULT: The average whole blood collection pre pandemic was 1103 units (55%), 768units (51%) in pandemic phase, 1219units (61%) in declining phase and only 692units (21%) in second wave of the pandemic. In Phase I 27 VBDC collected 1153 units (58%) and in Phase III 8 VBDC collected 236units(12%) Due to restrictions in mass gatherings and lockdown enforced, the whole blood collections from Phase II and Phase IV was 93units (6.5%) and 76units (2.2%) only. In Phase I, the average In House Donation was 33.6%, In Phase II it was12%, In Phase III was 5.75% and lastly in Phase IV was 5.4% The PRBC issued on an average in the four phases was 59%, 48%, 55% and 26% respectively. Similarly the FFP issued in Phase I , II, III and IV was 62%,34%,58% and 20%. Lastly the RDP issued was 15%, 13%, 19% and 4.5% in all the various phases. CONCLUSION: Our study concluded that COVID 19 pandemic had a negative impact on total number of In-house donations, voluntary blood donation camps, blood stock inventory and transfusion recipients along with taking a major toll on health and safety of our blood bank staff as well. With little insight of the disease and everyday learning, by motivating more voluntary donors and health care workers the efficient chain of blood supply and demand can be maintained as the virus is to stay with us for a long time.
Comparing Health Gains, Costs and Cost-Effectiveness of 100s of Interventions in Australia and New Zealand: An Online Interactive League Table
Authors: Carvalho Natalie , Sousa Tanara , Mizdrak Anja , Jones Amanda , Wilson Nick , Blakely Tony
Published: January 2022

Background

This study compares the health gains, costs, and cost-effectiveness of hundreds of Australian and New Zealand (NZ) health interventions conducted with comparable methods in an online interactive league table designed to inform policy.
Methods

A literature review was conducted to identify peer-reviewed evaluations (2010 to 2018) arising from the Australia Cost-Effectiveness (ACE) research and NZ Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness (BODE3) Programmes, or using similar methodology, with: health gains quantified as health-adjusted life years (HALYs); net health system costs and/or incremental cost-effectiveness ratio; time horizon of at least 10 years; and 3–5% discount rates.
Results

We identified 384 evaluations that met the inclusion criteria, covering 14 intervention domains: alcohol; cancer; cannabis; communicable disease; cardiovascular disease; diabetes; diet; injury; mental illness; other non-communicable disease; overweight and obesity; physical inactivity; salt; tobacco. There were large variations in health gain across evaluations: 33.9% gained less than 0.1 HALYs per 1000 people in the total population over the remainder of their lifespan, through to 13.0% gaining >10 HALYs per 1000 people. Over a third (38.8%) of evaluations were cost-saving.
Conclusions

League tables of comparably conducted evaluations illustrate the large health gain (and cost) variations per capita between interventions, in addition to cost-effectiveness. Further work can test the utility of this league table with policy makers and researchers.
TiO2 Nanoparticles As Heterogeneous Catalyst For WCO Biodiesel Production: Engine Parameters Optimization and Prediction of Biodiesel/Diesel/Cadmium (II) Coordination Polymer Blends Fuel By Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Elkelawy Medhat , Etaiw Safaa El-din H. , Radwan Ahmed Mohamed , Panchal Hitesh , Bastawissi Hagar Alm-Eldin
Published: January 2022

Nowadays, combustion technologies decarbonization, reduction of harmful emission, and improving thermal efficiency have gained more attention by using clean, sustainable, alternative, and reliable biofuels coupled with using nano particles technologies. Nano heterogeneous catalysts are new promising technologies for converting triglycerides (oil, fats,..etc) into biodiesel, which characterized with saving in the total cost of production. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nano heterogeneous catalyst used to convert triglyceride represented in waste cooking oil (WCO) into FAME as bio-diesel, where bio-diesel yield fitted the ASTM. In the present research, the results show 95% as a maximum yield at optimum process conditions of 0.01 Wt.% TiO2 loading, 0.3 Wt.% NaoH, reaction temperature (60 ºC), reaction time (60 min), 10:1 methanol to oil volumetric percentage. Effect of mixing different percentage (35, and 70 ppm) of {[Cd (EIN)2(SCN)2]}, SCP 1, Cadmium (II coordination polymer as nanoparticle enhancer, with diesel fuel/biodiesel (60:40 v/v%) (D60B40) on the behavior of one-cylinder direct-injection diesel (DI) engine parameters were examined experimentally and analytically through RSM methodologies. The engine operating variables have been optimized by using CCD method to achieve an optimal BTE. Engine load and nano particles quantity were considered as process input variables to optimize BTE, UHC, and NOx emissions as engine responses. The quadratic regression models were significant and adequate statistically as indicated by the Analysis of variance (ANOVA). The obtained results from (RSM) optimizer indicated that BTE, NOx, and UHC have optimum values of 16.2605%, 544.9157 ppm, and 117.6023 ppm respectively, at 70 ppm of SCP 1 nanoparticles and 2.1919 Kw of break power as optimal predicted values. A validation examination was carried out and the percent of error was within the limit of 5%. BTE, UHC, and NOx have an error percentage of 2.05%, 1.03%, and 1.63%, respectively.
An Intelligent Literature Review: an Inductive Approach to define Machine Learning Applications in the clinical domain
Authors: Sabharwal Renu , Miah Shah Jahan
Published: January 2022

Big data analytics utilizes different analytics techniques to transform large volume and diversified big dataset. The analytics uses various computational methods such as different Machine Learning (ML) in convert raw data to valuable insights. The ML assist individuals to perform work activities quicker and better, and empower decision-makers in system use. Since academics and industry practitioners have growing interests on ML, how different applications of ML in specific problem domains have been explored, but not in a holistic manner from the past literature. This paper aims to promote the utilization of intelligent literature review for researchers by introducing a step-by-step framework on a case providing the code template. We offer an intelligent literature review to obtain in-depth analytical insight of ML applications in the clinical domain to: a) develop the intelligent literature framework using traditional literature and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling, b) analyze research documents using traditional systematic literature review revealing ML applications, and c) identify topics from documents using LDA topic modeling. We used a PRISMA framework for the traditional literature review, reviewed four databases (e.g. IEEE, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar), which are published between 2016 and 2021 (September). The framework comprises two stages – Traditional systematic literature review and LDA topic modeling. The intelligent literature review framework reviewed 305 research documents in a transparent, reliable, and faster way.
Utilizing Multi-Temporal Thermal Data To Assess Environmental Land Degradation Impacts: Example From Suez Canal Region, Egypt.
Authors: Arnous Mohamed , Mansour Basma
Published: January 2022

Land surface temperature (LST) analysis of Satellite data is critical for studying the impacts of geo-environmental, hydrometeorological, and land degradation. However, challenges arise to resolve the LST and ground field data resulting from the constant development of land use and land cover (LULC). This study aims to monitor, analyze, assess, and map the environmental land degradation impacts utilizing image processing and GIS tools of space-borne thermal data and fieldwork. Two thermal and optical sets of multi-temporal Landsat TM+5 and TIRS+8 satellite data dated 1984 and 2018 were used to test, detect, and map the thermal and LULC change and their land degradation in the Suez Canal region (SCR). The LULC classification was categorized into seven classes: water bodies, urban, agricultural land, barren land, wetland, clay, and salt crust. LULC and LST change detection and mapping results revealed that the impervious surface, industrial area, saline soil, and urban area have high LST, while wetlands, vegetation cover, and water bodies suffered low LST. The spectral, LST profiles and statistical analyses examined the association between LST and LULC deriving factors. The cluster analyses defined the relationship between LST and LC patterns at the LU level, where the fast transformation of LULC had significant changes in LST. According to these analyses and the fieldwork observations, the SCR was divided into six main areas. These areas vary in LST in association with land degradation and hydro-environmental impacts such as rising groundwater levels, salt accumulation, active seismic fault zones, water pollution, and urban and agricultural activities.
Experimental Investigation On a Novel Design of Hemispherical Solar Distiller With v-Corrugated Iron Trays And Wick Materials For Improving Freshwater Production
Authors: Attia Mohammed El Hadi , Zayed Mohamed , Abdelgaied Mohamed , Sharshir Swellam , Kabeel Abd Elnaby
Published: January 2022

The low energy efficiency of the solar distillers is one of the most key barriers to their effectual usage in the desalination domain. In this work, an experimental investigation was conducted to enhance the freshwater productivity of the hemispherical solar distiller. This was achieved by utilizing flat and v-corrugated iron trays configurations on the bottom of the distiller basin in order to increase the vaporization surface area for better heat transfer of saline water. Three distillers were designed and examined; namely, conventional hemispherical solar distiller (CHSD), hemispherical solar distiller with flat iron trays (HSD-FIT), and hemispherical solar distiller with v-corrugated iron trays (HSD-VIT). Moreover, the effects of using wick materials (WM) in the basin of HSD-FIT and HSD-VIT have been also investigated and compared to that of CHSD. A comparative thermo-economic analysis of HSD-VITWM, HSD-FITWM, HSD-VIT, HSD-FIT, and CHSD has been conducted to determine the better modification that maximizes the performance of hemispherical stills. Experiments were carried out at the desert climate conditions of El-Oued (33°27′N, 7°11′E), Algeria. The results showed that all modifications revealed good thermo-economic performance enhancements and the HSD-VITWM achieved the maximal improvement from both freshwater production and energo-economic performance. The freshwater productivity and energy efficiency of the HSD-VITWM were improved by 83.12 and 81.67%, respectively, relative to CHSD. Additionally, the cost of freshwater production was lowered by 41.72%.
Activity Cliffs As Protein-Related Phenomenon: Investigation Using Machine Learning Against Numerous Protein Kinases
Authors: Daoud Safa , Taha Mutasem
Published: January 2022

Activity cliffs (ACs) are analogous compounds of significant affinity discrepancies against certain biotarget. We propose that the ACs phenomenon is protein-related and that the propensity of certain target to have ACs can be predicted by some intrinsic protein properties. We pursued this assumption by collecting the crystallographic structures of 84 protein kinases, each of which has numerous reported inhibitors (hundreds). Following data augmentation using synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE), we attempted to correlate the presence/absence of ACs within the ligand pools of collected protein kinases with their corresponding protein properties using genetic algorithm (GA) coupled with variety of machine learners (MLs). Very good GA-ML models were achieved with accuracies of around 75% against external testing set. The models were further validated by Y-scrambling. Shapely additive explanations highlighted the significance of protein rotatable bonds, hydrophobic and acidic residues in relation to the presence of ACs. These results support the hypothesis that ACs are protein-related.
Outcomes of Tunneled Dialysis Catheter In Hemodialysis Patients In A Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Tahir Misbah , Ali Muhammad , Siddiqui Danial Khalid , Durrani Noureen , Iqbal Jawaid , Mustafa Khalid
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND: To evaluate tunnel dialysis catheter (TDC) patency and its outcome among patients receiving TDC in a tertiary care hospital.METHODS: Retrospectively patients’ records were reviewed who underwent TDC placement during February 2016 to November 2020 at Department of Interventional Radiology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Patients’ age, gender, residence, comorbidity, catheter placement site, use of antibiotics before catheter insertion, reasons for catheter removal and total catheter days were retrieved from patients’ medical record file.RESULTS: 130 patients received TDC with a median follow-up of 148 (inter-quartile range: 60.8 – 274.3) days. 94(72.3%) catheters were electively removed whereas 18(13.8%), 16(12.3%) and 2(1.5%) catheters were removed due to infections, blockage and physical damage respectively. None of the mortality was observed due to catheter related complication. The incidence of overall infection, bacteremia and other infections during one year was 7.3, 5.01 and 3.19 per 10,000 patient-days respectively. Infection free survival rate was 68% with mean time to infection was 676.63 (95% CI: 593.87 – 759.39) days. During the study, total catheter patency was 53.2%. None of the patients’ characteristics was associated with catheter related infections and catheter patency.CONCLUSION: TDCs are the best available alternative for short to intermediate term use for hemodialysis when all preventive measures are taken to avoid catheter related complications either infectious or non-infectious until permanent dialysis access is achieved or renal transplant is done. It may also serve as long term hemodialysis mode in patients in whom permanent access or transplant is not preferred.
The Psychological Aspect of Polypharmacy in Patients with Chronic Diseases. A Case Control Study about The Impact of Polypharmacy Regime Amongst Patients in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Authors: Rasool Banan , Amen Shwan , Amin Redar , Abdullah Gazang , Ferra Ondřej , Hassan Salah , Othman Elaf , Fattah Harez , Maaroof Payam , Lucero-Prisno Don Eliseo III
Published: January 2022

Background:Patients on Polypharmacy regime due to having a chronic illness are at a higher risk of developing some form of negative psychological outcome as a result of their disease. This study aims to determine the impact of polypharmacy on the psychological aspects of a patient living with a chronic disease.Method:A case-control study conducted amongst patients in an outpatient clinic of an Internist (July 1st to September 1st, of 2021) in the city of Erbil, Iraq. Data was extracted from a self-assessed questioner. 200 participants were divided into polypharmacy (case group) and non-polypharmacy group (control group). Polypharmacy, being defined as the use of 5 or more medication which meant that participants in the case group must fit into these criteria. A ‘Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale’ (HADS) was used to determine the presence of symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.Results:A totally of 200 patients were included in the study. Of these 100 participants were from the non-polypharmacy group while the remaining 100 were from the polypharmacy group. Of these, depression among non-polypharmacy group (control) participants were 11% while 76% were found to be non-cases of depression. Compared to that, 31% of the polypharmacy group had depression while 51% were non-cases for depression. Also. the prevalence of depression and anxiety was increasing with an increase in number of medications taken by the patients. Depression was present in 11% of patients who took 4 or less medications while the prevalence increased to 21.1%, 34.9% and 42.1% in patients who took five, six to eight, and more than nine medications, respectively.Conclusion: There is a significant link between polypharmacy and psychological distress in patients with chronic diseases with a focus on depression and anxiety. Healthcare providers can help in detecting polypharmacy and in providing recommendations for simplifying medication regimes and reducing the outcomes of chronic diseases. Trial registration: - This article doesn’t contain any health care intervention on human participants.
Circ_0039908/miR-let-7c/RRM2 Axis Was Identified Played an Important Role in Lung Adenocarcinoma by Integrated Analysis
Authors: Zhang Weijie , Chen Jun , Li Yue , Zhang Ruochen , Wang Anqi , Zeng Yuanyuan , Zhu Jianjie , Liu Zeyi , Huang Jianan
Published: January 2022

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are shown to play a significant role in cancer initiation and progression by interacting on microRNAs (miRNAs) which act as one kind of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) for the regulation effect on target gene expressions. This study was performed to explore the prognosis-related circRNAs in LUAD patients by integrated analysis and find the mechanism it worked.
Methods

The miRNAs and mRNAs, accompanied with circRNAs expressions were obtained through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, The cytoHubba app of Cytoscape was used to identify hubgenes. q-RT PCR was performed to identify the expression of circRNA, miRNA and mRNA, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and clone formation assays were used to evaluate the proliferation ability of different kinds of cells in vitro. Transwell assays were utilized to assess the motility of tumor cells.
Results

Finally, circRNA_0039908/let7c-5p/RRM2 axis were identified in our research, it can play an important role in the LUAD pathogenesis progression and we found that the ability of proliferation and metastasis of LUAD cells can be suppressed after knockdown of circRNA_0039908. This work indicates that circRNA_0039908/let7c-5p/RRM2 axis may be a promising target in the prognosis and treatment of LUAD patients.
Conclusion

Circ_0039908/miR-let-7c/RRM2 axis can promote the ability of proliferation, migration and invasion of LUAD cells.
A Reconstruction Method for Cross-Cut Shredded Documents Based on the Extreme Learning Machine Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Zhenghui , Zou Juan , Zheng Jinhua , Yang Shengxiang , Gong Dunwei , Pei Tingrui
Published: January 2022

Reconstruction of cross-cut shredded text documents (RCCSTD) has important applications for information security and judicial evidence collection. The traditional method of manual construction is a very time-consuming task, so the use of computer-assisted efficient reconstruction is a crucial research topic. Fragment consensus information extraction and fragment pair compatibility measurement are two fundamental processes in RCCSTD. Due to the limitations of the existing classical methods of these two steps, only documents with specific structures or characteristics can be spliced, and pairing error is larger when the cutting is more fine-grained. In order to reconstruct the fragments more effectively, this paper improves the extraction method for consensus information and constructs a new global pairwise compatibility measurement model based on the extreme learning machine algorithm. The purpose of the algorithm's design is to exploit all available information and computationally suggest matches to increase the algorithm's ability to discriminate between data in various complex situations, then find the best neighbor of each fragment for splicing according to pairwise compatibility. The overall performance of our approach in several practical experiments is illustrated. The results indicate that the matching accuracy of the proposed algorithm is better than that of the previously published classical algorithms and still ensures a higher matching accuracy in the noisy datasets, which can provide a feasible method for RCCSTD intelligent systems in real scenarios.
Differential Effects of Acute and Chronic Antagonist And An Irreversible Antagonist Treatment On Cocaine Self-Administration Behavior in Rats
Authors: Wetzel Hanna N. , Tsibulsky Vladimir L. , Norman Andrew B.
Published: January 2022

According to pharmacological theory, the magnitude of an agonist-induced response is related to the number of receptors occupied. If there is a receptor reserve, when the number of receptors is altered the fractional occupancy required to maintain this set number of receptors will change. Therefore, any change in dopamine receptor number will result in a change in the concentration of cocaine required to induce the satiety response. Rats that self-administered cocaine were treated with the irreversible monoamine receptor antagonist, EEDQ, or were infused continuously for 14 days with the D1-like antagonist, SCH23390, treatments known to decrease or increase, respectively, the number of dopamine receptors with a concomitant decrease or increase in response to dopaminergic agonists. The rate of maintained cocaine self-administration increased or decreased in rats treated with EEDQ or withdrawn from chronic SCH23390 infusion, respectively. After EEDQ treatment, the effect ratio of a single dose of SCH23390 or eticlopride were unchanged, indicating that the same dopamine receptor populations mediated the accelerated cocaine self-administration. The satiety threshold likely corresponds to a specific number of activated dopamine receptors. Changing the receptor reserve is a key determinant of the rate of cocaine self-administration because the resulting increased or decreased concentration of cocaine results in an accelerated or decelerated rate of cocaine elimination as dictated by first-order kinetics. Changes in dopamine receptor number that may occur after continuous treatment with antagonists may account for the apparent lack of efficacy of these antagonists in clinical trials for cocaine use disorder.
The Prevalence of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Using Gene Xpert Among Tuberculosis Suspected Patients in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Diriba Kuma Urgeya , Churiso Gemechu
Published: January 2022

Background
Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease remains a major global health problem and the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. Even though many of the WHO recommended TB control strategy was implemented; there is still a major gap in TB case detection and treatment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis among presumptive TB patients in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 TB suspected patients in Gedeo Zone from February to July 2021. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Laboratory examination was processed using Xpert-MTB/RIF assay. Data entry was made using Epi info version 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 24. Logistic regression models were used to determine the risk factors.
Results
Out of 384 study participants suspected with TB, M tuberculosis was isolated from 103 giving an overall prevalence of 26.8%. Males (AOR) = 1.95; 95% CI 1.56-2.65, P=0.01) were more likely to develop TB than females. Study participants who were illiterate (AOR 2.10; 95% CI 1.17-2.51, p=0.014) were more likely to develop TB than the educated one. Cigarette smokers (AOR 2.89; 95% CI 2.10-3.84, p=0.01), khat chewers (AOR 2.86; 95% CI 1.28-3.79, p=0.01), vaccination (AOR 0.52; 95% CI 0.21-0.88, p=0.02), close contact (AOR 3.42; 95% CI 2.24-4.50, p=0.01) and being positive for HIV (AOR 2.01; 95% CI 1.07-3.52, 0.01) were more likely to develop TB.
Conclusion
Despite implementation of national and international TB control strategies, TB still remains one of the major public health problems in the country especially in the study area. The high prevalence of MTB was reported different risk groups. Early case detection and management of TB should be given special attention to strengthen and an appropriate control and prevention methods to reduce the emergence and increasing of MTB cases.
Mapping the conformational energy landscape of Abl kinase using ClyA nanopore tweezers
Authors: Li Fanjun , Fahie Monifa , Gilliam Kaitlyn , Pham Ryan , Chen Min
Published: January 2022

Protein kinases play central roles in cellular regulation by catalyzing the phosphorylation of target proteins. Kinases have inherent structural flexibility allowing them to switch between active and inactive states. Quantitative characterization of kinase conformational dynamics is challenging. Here we used nanopore tweezers to access the conformational dynamics of Abl kinase domain, which was shown to interconvert between two major conformational states where one conformation comprises three sub-states. Analysis of kinase-substrate and kinase-inhibitor interactions uncovered the functional roles of relevant states and enabled the elucidation of the mechanism underlying the catalytic deficiency of an inactive Abl mutant G321V. The energy landscape of Abl kinase was revealed by quantifying the population and transition rates of the conformational states.
On the Relativistic Harmonic Oscillator
Authors: Zarmi Yair
Published: January 2022

In view of interest in relativistic harmonic oscillations in media, through which the speed of light is orders of magnitude smaller than in vacuum, the solution of the equation of motion is analyzed in the extreme- and weak-relativistic limits. Using scaled variables, it is shown rigorously how the equation of motion exhibits the characteristics of a boundary-layer problem in the extreme-relativistic limit: The solution differs from a sharp asymptotic pattern only around the turning points of oscillations over a vanishingly small fraction of the period. The sharp asymptotic pattern of the solution is a saw-tooth composed of linear segments. The velocity profile tends to a periodic step function and the phase-space plot tends to a rectangle. An expansion of the solution in terms of a small parameter that measures the proximity to the limit (v/c) → 1 yields an excellent approximation for the solution throughout the whole period of oscillations. In the weak-relativistic limit the same approach yields an approximation to the solution that is significantly better than in traditional asymptotic expansion procedures.
SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Responses in Individuals with Antibody Deficiency: Findings From The COV-AD Study
Authors: Shields Adrian M , Faustini Sian E. , Hill Harriet J. , Al-Taei Saly , Tanner Chloe , Ashford Fiona , Workman Sarita , Moreira Fernando , Verma Nisha , Wagg Hollie , Heritage Gail , Campton Naomi , Stamataki Zania , Klenerman Paul , Goddard Sarah , Johnston Sarah , Huissoon Aarnoud , Bethune Claire , Elcombe Suzanne , Lowe David M. , Patel Smita Y. , Savic Sinisa , Burns Siobhan O. , Richter Alex G. , Consortium COV-AD
Published: January 2022

Background
Vaccination prevents severe morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in the general population. The immunogenicity and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with antibody deficiency is poorly understood.
Objectives
COVID in patients with antibody deficiency (COV-AD) is a multi-site United Kingdom study that aims to determine the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in patients with primary or secondary antibody deficiency, a population that suffers from severe and recurrent infection and does not respond well to vaccination.
Methods
Individuals on immunoglobulin replacement therapy or with an IgG less than 4g/L receiving antibiotic prophylaxis were recruited from April 2021. Serological and cellular responses were determined using ELISA, live-virus neutralisation and interferon gamma release assays. SARS-CoV-2 infection and clearance were determined by PCR from serial nasopharyngeal swabs.
Results
5.6% (n=320) of the cohort reported prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, but only 0.3% remained PCR positive on study entry. Seropositivity, following two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, was 54.8% (n=168) compared with 100% of healthy controls (n=205). The magnitude of the antibody response and its neutralising capacity were both significantly reduced compared to controls. Participants vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine were more likely to be seropositive (65.7% vs 48.0%, p=0.03) and have higher antibody levels compared with the AstraZeneca vaccine (IgGAM ratio 3.73 vs 2.39, p=0.0003). T cell responses post vaccination were demonstrable in 46.2% of participants, were associated with better antibody responses but there was no difference between the two vaccines. Eleven vaccine-breakthrough infections have occurred to date, 10 of them in recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Conclusion
SARS-CoV-2 vaccines demonstrate reduced immunogenicity in patients with antibody deficiency with evidence of vaccine breakthrough infection.
Assessment of Undernutrition Using Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) and its Determinants: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Rural Area of Bogor District in Indonesia
Authors: Permatasari Tria Astika Endah , Chadirin Yudi
Published: January 2022

Background: Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) can assess anthropometric failure by combining the three conventional index measurements of weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, and weight-for-length/height to determine the nutritional status of children under five years. This study aims to assess undernutrition using the CIAF and its determinants on children under five years in the rural area of ​​Bogor District, in Indonesia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during February-May 2019 among 330 pairs of mother-children (under five years). Sample selected by systematic random sampling from four villages as undernutrition pockets in the rural area of ​​Bogor District, Indonesia. The nutritional status of children was assessed by measuring weight and length/height. Then, Z-score was calculated using WHO Anthro software and categorized based on conventional indices that included weight-for-age (WAZ), length/height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-length/height (WHZ). CIAF is measured based on a combination of conventional index measurements. In addition, the characteristics of mother’s and child, and clean living behavior measured by structured questionnaires. Meanwhile, environmental sanitation is assessed by the environment meter. Binary logistic regression analysis with SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyze the dominant factors associated with undernutrition.Results: The prevalence underweight, stunted, and wasted was 27.8%, 29.7%, and 10.6% respectively. Children who are undernutrition are 42.1% according to the CIAF of which about a quarter (17.8%) of undernutrition children experience a single anthropometric failure, about half (22.2%) had dual failure, and 2.1% had multiple failures. The most dominant factor associated with underweight, stunted, and wasted is family income [p-value=0.018; AOR=5.44; 95% CI: 1.34-22.11], mother's height [p-value=<0.001; AOR=3.29; 95% CI:1.83-5.91], and child's age [p-value=0.013; AOR=2.59; 95% CI: 1.22-5.47] respectively. Mother's height is the most dominant factor associated with anthropometric failure (CIAF) [p-value=0.008; AOR=1.95; 95% CI: 2.19-3.19].Conclusion: CIAF is worthwhile in preventing undernutrition in children under five years. The CIAF can identify more malnourished children than the conventional index. CIAF can use more widely in various regions in Indonesia and other developing countries. Furthermore, improvements in improving nutrition for mother’s in the child since the First 1000 days of life period are needed to determine optimal nutritional status as an indicator of growth success.
Stress Accumulation and Earthquake Activity on the Great Sumatran Fault, Indonesia
Authors: Rafie Muhammad Taufiq , Sahara David P. , Cummins Phil R. , Triyoso Wahyu , Widiyantoro Sri
Published: January 2022

The seismically active Sumatra subduction zone has generated some of the largest earthquakes in the instrumental record, and both historical accounts and paleogeodetic coral studies indicate such activity has historical recorded megathrust earthquakes and transferred stress to the surrounding, including the Great Sumatran Fault (GSF). Therefore, evaluating the stress transfer from these large subduction earthquakes could delineate the highly stressed area as potential-earthquake region along the GSF. In this study, we investigated eight megathrust earthquakes from 1797 to 2010 and resolved the accumulated Coulomb stress changes onto the 18 segments along the GSF. Additionally, we also estimated the rate of tectonic stress on the GSF segments which experienced large earthquake using the case of: (1) no sliver movement and (2) with sliver movement. Based on the historical stress changes of large earthquakes and the increase in tectonic stress rate, we analysed the historical stress changes time evolution on the GSF. The Coulomb stress accumulation of megathrust earthquakes between 1797-1907 increase the stress changes mainly on the southern part of GSF which followed by four major events between 1890-1943. The estimation of tectonic stress rates using case (1) produces low rate and long recurrence intervals which implies that the megathrust earthquakes plays an important role in allowing the GSF earthquake to occur. When implementing the arc-parallel sliver movement of case (2) to the calculation, the tectonic stress rates is 9 to 58 times higher than case (1) of no sliver movement. The observed slip rate of 15-16 mm/yr at the GSF is consistent with the recurrence interval for full-segment rupture of 100-200 years obtained from case (2). This suggests that the GSF earthquake is more controlled by the rapid arc-parallel forearc sliver motion. Furthermore, the analysis of stress changes time evolution model shows that some segments such as Tripa (North and South), Angkola, Musi and Manna appear to be brought back in their seismic cycles since these segments have experienced full-segment rupture and likely locked, increasing their earthquake hazard potentials.
Correlation between Red Blood Cell Distribution width, Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Neutrophil to Platelet Ratio with 3-month Prognosis of Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Shaafi Sheida , Bonakdari Ehsan , Sadeghpour Yalda , Nejadghaderi Seyed Aria
Published: January 2022

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter that indicates the heterogeneity of red blood cell size and could be as a prognostic factor in some diseases. Also, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is considered a vascular event with a high mortality rate. Here, we aimed to examine the role of RDW, neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR) and neutrophil to platelet ratios (NPR) in predicting the prognosis of patients with ICH.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study which conducted on 140 patients with ICH admitted to the neurology ward and intensive care unit (ICU) in Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Demographic data, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and complete blood count (CBC) test parameters evaluated within 24 hours after hospitalization. These variables collected and re-evaluated three months later. Results: The mean age of the study population was 61.14 (±16) years and 51% were male. RDW had a significant positive correlation with hemoglobin concentration (r=0.3; p<0.001) and significant negative correlation with MCHC (r=-0.57; p<0.001) and neutrophil count (r=-0.235; p=0.006). Also, the mean NLR (p=0.05), neutrophil and platelet count (p=0.05), NIHSS (p=0.05), and RDW (p=0.01) had a significant difference between the deceased patients and those who partially recovered after 3 months. Moreover, the results of logistic regression showed variables including RDW (p=0.006) and NIHSS (p<0.001) levels were correlated significantly with mortality. Conclusion: RDW could be an appropriate prognostic factor and predictor in determining 3-months survival in ICH. Nevertheless, further large-scale prospective cohorts might be needed to evaluate the associations.
Group-Based Trajectory Modeling A Retrospective Study To Assess Adherence To Direct Oral Anticoagulants or Warfarin Among Atrial Fibrillation Patients and Comorbid Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, and Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Study.
Authors: Mohan Anjana , Majd Zahra , Trinh Trang , Paranjpe Rutugandha , Abughosh Susan
Published: January 2022

Background

Poor adherence to oral anticoagulants is a significant problem in atrial fibrillation (AF), especially among patients with comorbid hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and hyperlipidemia as it increases the risk for cardiac and thromboembolic events. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) has been used to depict longitudinal patterns of adherence.
Aim

This primary objective was to describe adherence trajectory patterns of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or warfarin among AF patients with HTN, DM, and hyperlipidemia using GBTM. The secondary objective was to report the clinical outcomes and concomitant drug use among DOAC/warfarin cohort
Method

This retrospective study was conducted among continuously enrolled Medicare Advantage Plan from January 2016-December 2019. AF patients were included in this study if they had comorbid HTN, DM, and hyperlipidemia with at least one pharmacy claim for warfarin/DOAC prescription. Monthly adherence to DOAC/warfarin was measured using proportion of days covered (PDC) and then modeled in a logistic GBTM to describe patterns of adherence. Patient’s demographic, clinical characteristics, and concomitant use of DOACs/warfarin with CYP3A4,P-gp inhibitors were measured and compared across trajectories.
Results

Among 317 patients, 137 (59.62%) and 79 (24.92%) were DOAC, and warfarin users, respectively. The trajectory model for DOACs included gradual decline in adherence (GD, 40.4%), adherent (38.8%), and rapid decline (RD, 20.8%). The trajectories for warfarin adherence included gradual decline (GD, 18.9%), adherence (59.4%), and gaps in adherence (GA, 21.7%).
Conclusion

Adherence to oral anticoagulants is suboptimal. Interventions tailored according to past adherence trajectories may be effective in improving patient’s adherence.
Mechanical Properties and Failure Modes of CRCB Specimen Under Impact Loading
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Yang Ke , Dou Litong , Wei Zhen , Chi Xiaolou , Xu Rijie
Published: January 2022

To explore the dynamic mechanical characteristics of coal-rock combined body (CRCB) load-bearing structures, impact tests were performed on CRCB specimens by using a separated Hopkinson pressure bar test device (SHPB) combined with an ultra-high-speed camera system. The propagation characteristics of stress wave , dynamic stress-strain relationship, energy evolution law, and distribution characteristics of CRCB crushed particles in the impact tests were analyzed. The obtained results showed that: with the increasing of impact velocity, the effect of the wave impedance difference between the CRCB specimens and incident bar on stress wave propagation is gradually weakened. The peak strength (sII) and peak strain of the CRCB had obvious strain-rate effects, the ratio of reflected energy decreases linearly. In addition, with increased impact velocity, the growth rate of the peak strength and ratio of absorbed energy gradually dropped, changing approximately as a power function. Macro-fractures of the CRCB mainly occurred at the coal or rock ends which is far away from the interface. When the stress at the crack tip is greater than the "weakened" coal or rock strength, the crack will continue to develop across the coal and rock interface. With the increasing of impact velocity and rock strength, the crushed coal particles gradually transform from massive to powdering, and the average size of crushed coal blocks decreases, which leads to a gradual increase in the fractal dimension of the CRCB specimens. Therefore, the monitoring and prevention of dynamic loads should be strengthened in the coal mines with thick and hard roofs.
Fixed-time Active Disturbance Rejection Consensus Tracking Control of A Multi-Agent System via Event-Triggered Mechanism
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Yuwei
Published: January 2022

A fixed-time active disturbance rejection control (FTADRC) consensus tracking strategy is proposed for a class of non-affine nonlinear multi-agent systems with an event-trigger-based communication. Non-affine followers are transformed into affine ones by combining the implicit function theorem with the mean value theorem. A distributed event-triggered estimator is introduced based on its neighbor output information. It is for estimation of a leader’s signal for parts of followers, who are not able to access the leader signal in a direct manner. A distributed FTADRC control strategy is then developed via an event-triggered communication in the framework of backstepping technology. With the help of the fixed-time control, the settling time of an MAS is assignable and independent on initial conditions. Extended state observers and tracking differentiators are employed to compensate unknown dynamics of each follower in real time and estimate derivatives of virtual control laws, respectively. It is proven theoretically that the MAS achieves input-to-state practically stability and the consensus tracking error converges to a neighborhood around the origin in a fixed time. Also, Zeno behavior is excluded. Finally, two examples are performed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Evaluation of Bacterial Diversity in a Swine Manure Composting System Contaminated With Veterinary Antibiotics (VAs)
Authors: Bohrer Robson Evaldo Gehlen , Carissimi Elvis , Guerra Divanilde , Silva Danni Maisa , Lorensi Eduardo de Souza , Vasconcelos Marlon de Castro , Wolff Delmira Beatriz , Rodriguez Adriane Assis Lawisch
Published: January 2022

The objective of this work was identify microorganisms present in swine effluent composting system, under the contamination by most use veterinary drugs in Brazil. The composting took place for 150 days, where was addition of 200 liters of manure (these 25 liters initially contaminated with 17 antibiotics) in 25 kg of eucalyptus wood shavings. Microorganisms were measured at times (0 until 150 days), and were identified in the V3-V4 regions of the 16S RNAr for Bacteria, by means of next-generation sequencing (NSG). The results showing 7 different Bacteria Phyla and, 70 Bacteria Genus identified (more than 1% significance), in total there were more than 26 phyla and 585 genera of bacteria. The genus Brucella was found during mesophilic and thermophilic phases, this genus, not yet been reported in article involving composting process. These results suggested the potential of adaptation of the bacterial community with antibiotics denoted through the antibiotics.