bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of slicing parameters on measured fill density for 3D printing of precision cylindrical constructs using Slic3r
Authors: Ravi Prashanth , Shiakolas Panos S.
Published: February 2021

The goal of this research is to develop and verify an algorithm to predict the fill density of 3D printed cylindrical constructs as a function of critical slicing parameters. Open-source 3D printing is being applied to the pharmaceutical and biomedical domains where characteristics including drug release rate and compressive strength depend on fill density. Understanding how slicing parameters affect fill density in the printed construct is important to appropriately tailor these characteristics. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between slicing fill density (SFD), extrusion width (EW), layer height (LH), construct diameter and measured fill density (MFD). The developed algorithm provides novel insight into the effects of interconnects and rasters on the distribution of intra-matrix material. We analyze 27 combinations involving 3 levels of EW (0.40, 0.44, 0.48 mm), SFD (15, 25, 35%) and LH (0.15, 0.20, 0.25 mm). The SFD is smaller than and deviates from MFD with a maximum error of 18.62% and from predicted fill density (PFD) with a maximum error of 19.50% compared to the maximum error of 4.30% between PFD and MFD. The predicted interconnect contribution and error reduce with increasing SFD and cylinder diameter but are more prominent at lower values. Our work highlights the perils of employing open-source 3D printing without a sound understanding of the underlying parametric relationships. The proposed predictive model could be used in conjunction with Slic3r, an open-source slicing software, to predict fill density to a reasonable degree of accuracy (less than 5% error) for relatively smaller cylindrical constructs.
Ultraviolet absorbance of Sphagnum magellanicum, S. fallax and S. fuscum extracts with seasonal and species-specific variation
Authors: Tienaho J. , Silvan N. , Muilu-Mäkelä R. , Kilpeläinen P. , Poikulainen E. , Sarjala T.
Published: February 2021

Bryophytes, including Sphagnum, are common species in alpine and boreal regions especially on mires, where full sunlight exposes the plants to the damaging effects of UV radiation. Sphagnum species containing UV-protecting compounds might offer a biomass source for nature-based sunscreens to replace the synthetic ones. In this study, potential compounds and those linked in cell wall structures were obtained by using methanol and alkali extractions and the UV absorption of these extracts from three common Sphagnum moss species Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum fuscum and Sphagnum fallax collected in spring and autumn from western Finland are described. Absorption spectrum screening (200–900 nm) and luminescent biosensor (Escherichia coli DPD2794) methodology were used to examine and compare the protection against UV radiation. Additionally, the antioxidant potential was evaluated using hydrogen peroxide scavenging (SCAV), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and ferric reducing absorbance capacity (FRAP). Total phenolic content was also determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The results showed that methanol extractable compounds gave higher UV absorption with the used methods. Sphagnum fallax appeared to give the highest absorption in UV-B and UV-A wavelengths. In all assays except the SCAV test, the methanol extracts of Sphagnum samples collected in autumn indicated the highest antioxidant capacity and polyphenol content. Sphagnum fuscum implied the highest antioxidant capacity and phenolic content. There was low antioxidant and UV absorption provided by the alkali extracts of these three species.
SSRE: Cell Type Detection Based on Sparse Subspace Representation and Similarity Enhancement
Authors: Liang Zhenlan , Li Min , Zheng Ruiqing , Tian Yu , Yan Xuhua , Chen Jin , Wu Fang-Xiang , Wang Jianxin
Published: February 2021

Accurate identification of cell types from single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data plays a critical role in a variety of scRNA-seq analysis studies. This task corresponds to solving an unsupervised clustering problem, in which the similarity measurement between cells affects the result significantly. Although many approaches for cell type identification have been proposed, the accuracy still needs to be improved. In this study, we proposed a novel single-cell clustering framework based on similarity learning, called SSRE. SSRE models the relationships between cells based on subspace assumption, and generates a sparse representation of the cell-to-cell similarity. The sparse representation retains the most similar neighbors for each cell. Besides, three classical pairwise similarities are incorporated with a gene selection and enhancement strategy to further improve the effectiveness of SSRE. Tested on ten real scRNA-seq datasets and five simulated datasets, SSRE achieved the superior performance in most cases compared to several state-of-the-art single-cell clustering methods. In addition, SSRE can be extended to visualization of scRNA-seq data and identification of differentially expressed genes. The matlab and python implementations of SSRE are available at https://github.com/CSUBioGroup/SSRE.
A retrospective descriptive study based on etiology of appendicitis among patients undergoing appendectomy
Authors: Shahmoradi Mohammad Kazem , Zarei Farshad , Beiranvand Mania , Hosseinnia Zahra
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT

Objectives:

Appendicitis is one of the common abdominal injuries that requires surgical intervention, appendectomy. It is associated with a number of common and uncommon etiologies including gastrointestinal diseases and infection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the etiology of appendicitis among the patients who underwent appendectomy at our center.

Method:

In this retrospective descriptive study, patients who were referred to (XXX) for appendectomy were included. The patients’ data was accessed to extract demographic data and histopathological findings following appendectomy. The data was analyzed using SPSSv22.

Result:

Out of 733 people included in the study, 437 were male (59.6%) and 296 were female (40.4%) with the overall average age of 28.1 years. 10.64% of patients reported underwent negative appendectomy negative, which was reported in 35.89% women and 64.1% men. Acute inflammation was the most common findings, seen in 152 patients (20.74), followed by gangrenous appendix in 98 patients (13.37%).

Conclusions:

Unusual findings from appendectomy is uncommon for which all appendectomy should undergo histopathological analysis.

Highlights
Seeding Ice Clouds with Wildfire Emissions
Authors: Shultz David
Published: February 2021

Wildfires create airborne plumes of organic and inorganic matter as they burn. These particles can nucleate cloud-forming ice crystals and affect cloud dynamics, precipitation, and climate.
Biallelic CDK9 variants as a cause of a new multiple-malformation syndrome with retinal dystrophy mimicking the CHARGE syndrome
Authors: Nishina Sachiko , Hosono Katsuhiro , Ishitani Shizuka , Kosaki Kenjiro , Yokoi Tadashi , Yoshida Tomoyo , Tomita Kaoru , Fukami Maki , Saitsu Hirotomo , Ogata Tsutomu , Ishitani Tohru , Hotta Yoshihiro , Azuma Noriyuki
Published: February 2021

CDK9 has been considered a candidate gene involved in the CHARGE-like syndrome in a pair of cousins. We report an 8-year-old boy with a strikingly similar phenotype including facial asymmetry, microtia with preauricular tags and bilateral hearing loss, cleft lip and palate, cardiac dysrhythmia, and undescended testes. Joint contracture, no finger flexion creases, and large halluces were the same as those of a previously reported patient with homozygous CDK9 variants. The ocular phenotype included blepharophimosis, lacrimal duct obstruction, eyelid dermoids, Duane syndrome-like abduction deficit, and congenital cataracts. Optical coherence tomography and electroretinography evaluations revealed severe retinal dystrophy had developed at an early age. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing identified compound heterozygous variants in CDK9 [p.(A288T) of maternal origin and p.(R303C) of paternal origin] in the patient. Variants’ kinase activities were reduced compared with wild type. We concluded that CDK9 biallelic variants cause a CHARGE-like malformation syndrome with retinal dystrophy as a distinguishing feature.
Bioinspired polydopamine supported on oxygen-functionalized carbon cloth as a high-performance 1.2 V aqueous symmetric metal-free supercapacitor
Authors: Moloudi Masumeh , Rahmanifar Mohammad S. , Noori Abolhassan , Chang Xueying , Kaner Richard B. , Mousavi Mir F.
Published: February 2021

Mussel-inspired polydopamine film is electrodeposited on oxygen-functionalized carbon cloth that acts a high performance, flexible, and all-solid-state supercapacitor across almost the whole stability window of aqueous electrolytes.
Regio- and stereoselective electrochemical synthesis of sulfonylated enethers from alkynes and sulfonyl hydrazides
Authors: Du Wu-Bo , Wang Ning-Ning , Pan Chao , Ni Shao-Fei , Wen Li-Rong , Li Ming , Zhang Lin-Bao
Published: February 2021

An electrooxidative direct difunctionalization of internal alkynes with sulfonyl hydrazides has been developed for the construction of sulfonated enethers.
N-Alkenylation of hydroxamic acid derivatives with ethynyl benziodoxolone to synthesize cis-enamides through vinyl benziodoxolones
Authors: Shimbo Daisuke , Maruyama Toshifumi , Tada Norihiro , Itoh Akichika
Published: February 2021

Ethynyl benziodoxolone enabled the chemoselective N-functionalization of O-alkyl hydroxamic acids derived from amino acids and pharmaceuticals. The synthesized cis-vinyl benziodoxolone was derivatized to hydroxamic acid-derived enamides.
Likelihood ascent search augmented sphere decoding receiver for MIMO systems using M‐QAM constellations
Authors: Ullah Arif , Abbas Ziaul Haq , Zaib Alam , Ullah Irfan , Muhammad Fazal , Idrees Muhammad , Khattak Shahid
Published: February 2021

MIMO systems employing sphere decoding (SD) algorithm are known to achieve near maximum likelihood (ML) performance at a reduced complexity by restricting the candidate search space to a sphere of a certain radius. The performance of SD depends on the precise estimation of its soft output. In this paper, a low complexity modified Likelihood Ascent Search (LAS) algorithm is proposed to be used within a SD receiver in order to precisely estimate the counter‐hypothesis for its winner candidates. The LAS algorithm is modified to search for the best counter‐hypothesis in only one‐half of the signal lattice thereby improving the performance of MIMO receiver. Our results challenge the popular perception that for a SD receiver a large number of candidates within the search sphere is essential for good performance. Instead, it is shown that accurate estimation of the counter‐hypothesis is equally important and in fact, the performance of the proposed augmented SD receiver with only single candidate approaches that of a classical SD with multiple candidates. Bit error rate performance of the proposed method when compared with the existing research works on soft output generation for the same number of candidates shows that our proposed method outperforms them by upto 3 dB.
Efficient hybrid Neumann series based MMSE assisted detection for 5G and beyond massive MIMO systems
Authors: Khurshid Kiran , Imran Muhammad , Khan Adnan Ahmed , Rashid Imran , Siddiqui Haroon
Published: February 2021

Massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (M‐MIMO) is one of the cutting edge technologies that provides significant improvement in throughput, coverage and spectral efficiency. The challenge with M‐MIMO systems is to extract individual signals from the composite signal, thus making optimal detectors prohibitively complex. Recently, approximate message passing (AMP) and its variant detectors have gained substantial importance due to their decreased complexity and improved performance. However, AMP algorithm does not always converge. Non‐linear detectors like vertical Bell‐Labs layered space‐iime improve the bit error rate (BER) but with high complexity, whereas, linear minimum mean square error (MMSE) detector offers low complexity while compromising on BER performance. Neumann series based MMSE detectors further reduce MMSE computational complexity, however, the BER performance remains the same. In this work, the authors propose a hybrid Neumann series based MMSE detector which decomposes the detected signal into its constituent components and apply a neighbourhood selection algorithm on the obtained components thus improving the overall performance. Another contribution of this work is derivation of an off‐set value for optimised neighbourhood set selection that enables more accurate detection while further reducing computational complexity. Simulation results confirm that the proposed scheme outperforms aforementioned algorithms in terms of BER performance and computational complexity in a continuously changing Rayleigh channel.
DOA estimation algorithm based on DFT and multiple regression
Authors: Mao Yuqian , Zhang Gong
Published: February 2021

In order to address the problem that the direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimation is restricted by the number of array elements, this study comes up with a novel DOA estimation algorithm based on discrete‐Fourier‐transformation (DFT) and multiple regression, which focuses on the direct data domain from each array element rather than the traditional covariance domain of the whole array. In this algorithm, the authors regard each channel of the array signal model as an independent form of multiple regression and achieve the DOA by estimating the regression coefficient of the reconstructed source signal from each array element one by one iteratively. In addition, the DOAs estimated from the multiple array elements are averaged to improve the accuracy by exploiting the asymptotic normality. This algorithm is proposed, modelled, and developed theoretically at first. Then the capabilities that the authors' algorithm can estimate not only the very close DOAs since they distinguish the irrelevant sources by the DFT on temporal frequency but also the DOAs when the number of sources is larger than that of array elements are fully demonstrated by simulations. Furthermore, no requirement for the known number of sources brings the algorithm broader application foreground.
Model predictive position tracking control for motion system with random communication delay
Authors: Qiu Li , Yang Xiaomei , Ahsan Usama , Pan Jianfei , Zhang Bo , Yang Rong
Published: February 2021

This study focuses on position tracking control for the networked predictive motion control system with random communication delay. First, the output feedback controller is designed by networked predictive control law to actively compensate the time delay induced by the random channels of the motion control system. A closed‐loop model is established for the networked predictive motion control system with random bounded communication delay, modelled by a Markov chain. Then, the sufficient conditions of stability for the networked predictive motion control system are provided, by constructing the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, followed by the theoretical proof. Furthermore, the output feedback controller is constructed and the linear matrix inequality method is applied to obtain the designed controller gain. Last, the simulation and experimental results are presented to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Computational complexity of fractal image compression algorithm
Authors: Gupta Richa , Mehrotra Deepti , Tyagi Rajesh Kumar
Published: February 2021

This study presents insights into the computational complexity of fractal image compression (FIC) algorithms. Unlike JPEG, a fractal encoder necessitates more CPU time in contrast to the decoder. The study examines various factors that impact the encoder and its computational cost. Many researchers have dedicated themselves to the field of fractal encoding to overcome the computational cost of the FIC algorithm. Here, this study offers a look over the approaches in the aspect of time complexity. The automated baseline fractal compression algorithm is studied to demonstrate the understanding of delay in the encoder. The study establishes how various approaches trade‐off between the quality of decoder, compression ratio, and CPU time. The experiment section shows the bargain between fidelity criteria of the baseline algorithm.
Assessing Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy by 99mTc-3PRGD2 Scintigraphy Targeting Integrin αvβ3 in a Rat Model
Authors: Sui Shi , Hou Yang
Published: February 2021

The present study evaluated interstitial alterations in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy using a radiolabeled RGD peptide 99mTc-3PRGD2 specific for integrin αvβ3 that targets myofibroblasts.

Cardiomyopathy was induced in 20 Sprague-Dawley rats by intraperitoneal doxorubicin injections (2.5 mg/kg/week) for up to six weeks. 99mTc-3PRGD2 scintigraphy was performed in control rats (n = 6) at baseline and three, six, and nine weeks after first doxorubicin administration (n = 6, 6, and 5 for each time point). For another three rats of 6-week modeling, cold c(RGDyK) was co-injected with 99mTc-3PRGD2 to evaluate specific radiotracer binding. Semi-quantitative parameters were acquired to compare radiotracer uptake among all groups. The biodistribution of 99mTc-3PRGD2 was evaluated by a γ-counter after scintigraphy. Haematoxylin and eosin, and Masson’s staining were used to evaluate myocardial injury and fibrosis, while western blotting and immunofluorescence co-localization were used to analyze integrin αvβ3 expression in the myocardium.

The 99mTc-3PRGD2 half-life in the cardiac region (Heartt
1/2) of the 9-week model and heart radioactivity percentage (%Heart20 min, %Heart40 min and %Heart60 min) of the 6 and 9-week models were significantly increased compared to the control. Heart-to-background ratio (HBR20 min, HBR40 min and HBR60 min) increase began in the third week, continued until the sixth week, and was reversed in the ninth week, which paralleled the changing trend of cardiac integrin αvβ3 expression. The myocardial biodistribution of 99mTc-3PRGD2 was significantly correlated with integrin β3 expression.

The 99mTc-3PRGD2 scintigraphy allows for non-invasive visualization of interstitial alterations during doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy.
Lösungsansätze für den Zugang digitaler Gesundheitsanwendungen zur Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung: eine qualitative Studie
Authors: Düvel Juliane Andrea , Gensorowsky Daniel , Hasemann Lena , Greiner Wolfgang
Published: February 2021

Ziel der Studie Nutzstiftende digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen (DiGA) sind bislang nicht hinreichend in den ersten Gesundheitsmarkt integriert. Um eine gezielte und sichere Anwendung von geprüften digitalen Produkten zu ermöglichen, sollte jedoch die Implementierung in das Leistungsspektrum der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung anvisiert werden. Die Studie zielte auf die Entwicklung von Lösungsstrategien zur Verbesserung der Zugangsmodalitäten von DiGA in das deutsche Gesundheitssystem ab. Ein erster Schritt in diese Richtung wurde zwischenzeitlich mit Einführung des Digitale-Versorgung-Gesetzes (DVG) vorgenommen.

Methodik Im Rahmen qualitativer Fokusgruppeninterviews wurden die relevanten Stakeholder zentraler Zugangswege zu 3 im Vorfeld entwickelten Reformoptionen befragt. Diese reichten von der Anpassung bestehender Strukturen an die Anforderungen digitaler Lösungen bis hin zur Einführung einer originären Leistungskategorie für DiGA. Die Auswertung erfolgte mittels zusammenfassender Inhaltsanalyse. Abschließend werden die Projektergebnisse den Vorgaben des DVG gegenübergestellt.

Ergebnisse Die 3 Lösungsstrategien wurden heterogen und positionsabhängig diskutiert. Der größte Konsens konnte hinsichtlich der Einführung einer zentralen Beratungsstelle beobachtet werden. Auch Einzelmaßnahmen aus der ersten Reformoption, wie die Schaffung eines Erprobungsverfahrens zur Generierung notwendiger Evidenz, wurden als sinnvoll bewertet. Dennoch wurde mehrheitlich darauf hingewiesen, dass eine Aushöhlung des bestehenden Evidenzniveaus grundsätzlich zu vermeiden sei. Gleichwohl entsprechende Vorteile im Vergleich zu den anderen Lösungsvorschlägen gesehen wurden, ist insbesondere die Einführung einer gänzlich neuen Leistungskategorie kritisch bewertet worden. Gegenargumente waren der zeitliche Aufwand sowie die fragliche Legitimation eines DiGA-spezifischen Zugangsverfahrens.

Schlussfolgerung Die grundsätzliche Anpassung bestehender Strukturen auf die spezifischen Anforderungen digitaler Versorgungslösungen wurde als sinnvoll bis notwendig erachtet. Um Potenziale von DiGA kurzfristig sinnvoll nutzen zu können, sollten primär Anpassungen an den bestehenden Strukturen und Verfahren vorgenommen werden. Das DVG ist als erster Schritt positiv zu bewerten, stimmt jedoch nur bedingt mit den Ergebnissen und Einschätzungen aus den Fokusgruppeninterviews überein. Insbesondere mit Blick auf diagnostische und therapeutische DiGA scheinen die Neuregelungen noch nicht umfassend genug zu sein.
Transition von Jugendlichen mit Diabetes in die Erwachsenenbetreuung – eine Expertenbefragung
Authors: Roeper Marcia , Reinauer Christina , Biester Torben , Jivan Marcelus , Wendenburg Jutta , Klinkert Christof , Kapellen Thomas Michael , Müther Silvia , Meissner Thomas
Published: February 2021

Einleitung Der Transitionsprozess für Jugendliche mit chronischen Erkrankungen ist vielerorts noch ungeregelt, eine fachärztliche Weiterbetreuung ist oftmals nicht gesichert. Ziel der Studie war es, das derzeitige Vorgehen und mögliche Defizite bei der Transition von Jugendlichen mit Diabetes zu evaluieren und das Interesse und die Bereitschaft zur flächendeckenden Einführung von strukturierten Transitionsprogrammen in Deutschland zu erfragen.

Methode Eine anonymisierte Onlinebefragung der Mitglieder der „Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Pädiatrische Diabetologie e. V.“ (AGPD) wurde im Zeitraum von Oktober 2019 bis April 2020 durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse 60 der 492 über den strukturierten E-Mail-Newsletter kontaktierten Mitglieder der AGPD nahmen an der Befragung teil. 81,1 % der Studienteilnehmer gaben an, die Transition im Rahmen von regulären Ambulanzterminen mit den Patienten zu besprechen. 25,8 % nutzen ein intern erarbeitetes oder extern unterstütztes strukturiertes Transitionsprogramm. Die Befragten schätzen, dass 50 % der Patienten eine intensive Unterstützung bei der Transition benötigen und 20 % im Transitionsprozess den Kontakt zur spezialisierten medizinischen Betreuung verlieren. Fast alle Befragten (91,4 %) sahen Verbesserungsbedarf im aktuellen Transitionsprozedere. Im Vordergrund stehen dabei insbesondere eine engere Zusammenarbeit von Kinderdiabetologen und Erwachsenendiabetologen, die Einführung eines strukturierten, standardisierten Vorgehens sowie eine Optimierung der Vorbereitung und Motivation der Jugendlichen. Die Einführung von strukturierten Transitionsprogrammen mit externer Unterstützung wird von der überwiegenden Zahl der Befragten als dringend notwendig (27,6 %) bzw. wichtig (41,4 %) bewertet.

Schlussfolgerung Die Nutzung standardisierter strukturierter Transitionsprogramme in der Behandlung von Jugendlichen mit Diabetes ist in Deutschland bisher noch gering, aber notwendig, um eine kontinuierliche fachärztliche Betreuung zu gewährleisten. Die flächendeckende Einführung geeigneter und finanzierter Programme kann den Transitionsprozess und damit auch das langfristige Outcome der Patienten verbessern. Gerade in der Umbruchphase der Adoleszenz ist ein zuverlässiger Ansprechpartner erforderlich, der die Übernahme der Selbstverantwortung für den Diabetes begleitet.
Techniken und klinische Anwendungen der MR-Lymphangiografie in Diagnostik und Therapie von Lymphgefäßerkrankungen
Authors: Pieper Claus Christian
Published: February 2021

Neue Methoden der Lymphgefäßbildgebung werden zunehmend in Diagnostik und Therapie von Lymphgefäßerkrankungen eingesetzt. Die Magnetresonanz-Lymphangiografie nimmt dabei als strahlungsfreies und non- bzw. minimalinvasives Verfahren eine zentrale Rolle ein. Es stehen verschiedene Techniken zur Verfügung, die Informationen sowohl über Anatomie als auch Funktion des peripheren und zentralen Lymphgefäßsystems liefern können. Damit trägt die Magnetresonanz-Lymphangiografie insbesondere in der Differenzialdiagnostik und in der Therapieplanung von Patienten mit Lymphödemen, Lymphgefäßleckagen und komplexen Lymphgefäßanomalien zur Ermöglichung einer zielgerichteten, minimalinvasiven und insbesondere individualisierten Therapie betroffener Patienten bei. Im Folgenden soll ein Überblick über den aktuellen Stand der MR-Lymphangiografie als neue Methode zur Untersuchung von Patienten mit Lymphgefäßerkrankungen gegeben werden, diese in das Spektrum anderer verfügbarer Bildgebungsmethoden eingeordnet und mögliche klinische Indikationen aufgezeigt werden.
Invasive Beatmungstherapie im Sterbeprozess beenden – Schritt für Schritt
Authors: Schwartz Jacqueline , Meier Stefan , Simon Steffen T. , Michels Guido
Published: February 2021

Eine invasive mechanische Beatmung kann beendet werden durch sofortige (palliative) Extubation oder durch schrittweise Reduktion der Beatmung mit Belassen des Beatmungszugangs (terminales Weaning). Beide Verfahren sind ethisch gleichwertig und im Alltag durchführbar, sodass individuelle Patientenfaktoren und die Erfahrung des Behandlungsteams ausschlaggebend sind. Im Vordergrund steht immer das Ziel: Patient und Angehörige sollen nicht leiden.
Validation of the German Version of the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale
(MEWS-G)
Authors: Nakovics Helmut , Benoit Dorit , Asherson Philip , Luderer Matthias , Alm Barbara , Vollstädt-Klein Sabine , Philipsen Alexandra , Mowlem Florence , Fischer Nicole , Sobanski Esther
Published: February 2021

Increasing evidence shows that unintentional mind wandering is linked to Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and that its frequency contributes to symptom
severity and functional impairment in ADHD. However, empirical data on mind wandering in
adult ADHD are still scarce, and a validated scale to assess mind wandering in German
adult ADHD patients is lacking. The primary aim of this study is to assess the
psychometric properties of the German version of the recently published Mind Excessively
Wandering Scale (MEWS-G) in terms of factorial structure and factor stability, internal
consistency and construct validity. Analyses were performed in 128 adults with ADHD,
clinical and healthy controls. As described for the original English 15-item version of
the scale, we found lowest item-total-correlations for items 6, 10 and 14 with item-total
correlation of all: 0.54/ADHD: 0.32 (item 6), all: 0.55/ADHD: 0.39 (item 10) and all:
0.11/ADHD: −0.04 (item 14). Item-total correlations for the remaining items were 0.65–0.86
and Cronbach Alpha was 0.96 indicating good internal consistency of the 12-item version of
scale, on which we based all further analyses. Principal component analysis indicated a
one- and two- factorial scale structure respectively explaining 71.7 % and 78.7 % of
variance. Both factors showed good stability with lower stability of the factor-2 solution
if sample size was reduced. The two-factorial solution also had many cross-loadings and a
strong correlation of both factors in confirmatory factorial analysis (rf1f2 = 0.87). It
probably describes related and interdependent, but not distinct facets of mind wandering,
which strongly argues for the one factorial structure of the scale. Mean MEWS-G score in
ADHD was 23.77 ± 7.85 compared to 7.64 ± 7.27 in controls (p < .0001). According to
ROC, the optimal cut-off point to discriminate ADHD and controls is at MEWS-G score = 13.
On the symptom level, MEWS-G score was correlated with ADHD, depressive and total
psychiatric symptom scores, on the personality level with neuroticsm and negatively with
conscientiousness and on the functional level with social interaction difficulties and
impaired self-efficacy. In summary, our study shows that MEWS-G is a reliable, valid
instrument to assess spontaneous mind wandering in adult ADHD and to discriminate between
ADHD and controls.
Total Mycosynthesis: Rational Bioconstruction and Bioengineering of Fungal Natural Products
Authors: Kahlert Lukas , Schotte Carsten , Cox Russell J.
Published: February 2021

Total biosynthesis in fungi is beginning to compete with traditional chemical total synthesis campaigns. Herein, the advantages, disadvantages and future opportunities are discussed within the scope of several recent examples.

1 Introduction

2 Synthetic Examples

2.1 2-Pyridones

2.2 Cytochalasans

2.3 Sorbicillinoids

2.4 Decalins: Solanapyrone

2.5 α-Pyrone Polyenes: Citreoviridin and Aurovertin

2.6 Anditomin and Related Meroterpenoids

2.7 Tropolone Sesquiterpenoids

3 Conclusion
A New One-Pot Three-Component Synthesis of 4-Aryl-6-cycloamino-1,3,5-triazin-2-amines under Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Dolzhenko Anton V. , Bin Shahari Muhammad Syafiq , Junaid Ahmad , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: February 2021

A new method for the fast synthesis of diverse 4-aryl-6-cycloamino-1,3,5-triazin-2-amines was developed. The synthesis is performed under microwave irradiation in a one-pot manner from cyanoguanidine, aromatic aldehydes, and cyclic amines. Their three-component reaction in the presence of hydrochloric acid produced dihydrotriazines, which were then converted (without isolation) into the targeted compounds via aromatic dehydrogenation in the presence of alkali. The reaction tolerated various aromatic aldehydes (including heterocyclic) and cyclic amines. Crystal structures of two representative 4-aryl-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazin-2-amines were established by X-ray crystallography. The results of preliminary biological screening identified potent antileukemic activity for 6-[3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl]-4-phenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine.
Toward Personalized Treatment for Patients with Low von Willebrand Factor and Quantitative von Willebrand Disease
Authors: O'Donnell James S.
Published: February 2021

The biological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 and type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD) have been studied extensively. In contrast, although accounting for the majority of VWD cases, the pathobiology underlying partial quantitative VWD has remained somewhat elusive. However, important insights have been attained following several recent cohort studies that have investigated mechanisms in patients with type 1 VWD and low von Willebrand factor (VWF), respectively. These studies have demonstrated that reduced plasma VWF levels may result from either (1) decreased VWF biosynthesis and/or secretion in endothelial cells and (2) pathological increased VWF clearance. In addition, it has become clear that some patients with only mild to moderate reductions in plasma VWF levels in the 30 to 50 IU/dL range may have significant bleeding phenotypes. Importantly in these low VWF patients, bleeding risk fails to correlate with plasma VWF levels and inheritance is typically independent of the VWF gene. Although plasma VWF levels may increase to > 50 IU/dL with progressive aging or pregnancy in these subjects, emerging data suggest that this apparent normalization in VWF levels does not necessarily equate to a complete correction in bleeding phenotype in patients with partial quantitative VWD. In this review, these recent advances in our understanding of quantitative VWD pathogenesis are discussed. Furthermore, the translational implications of these emerging findings are considered, particularly with respect to designing personalized treatment plans for VWD patients undergoing elective procedures.
Genomic Analysis for the Detection of Bleeding and Thrombotic Disorders
Authors: Gomez Keith
Published: February 2021

The development of high-throughput sequencing technologies has ushered in a new era of genomic testing in clinical medicine. This has greatly enhanced our diagnostic repertoire for hemostatic diseases particularly for milder or rarer bleeding disorders. New genetic causes for heritable platelet disorders have been discovered along with the recognition of clinical manifestations outside hemostasis, such as the association of leukemia with RUNX1 variation. Genome-wide association studies in heritable thrombophilia have demonstrated that some of the genetic variants that are commonly included in thrombophilia testing are of no clinical relevance, while uncovering new variants that should potentially be included. The implementation of new technology has necessitated far-reaching changes in clinical practice to deal with incidental findings, variants of uncertain significance, and genetic disease modifiers. Mild bleeding disorders that were previously considered to have a monogenic basis now appear to have an oligogenic etiology. To harness these advances in knowledge large databases have been developed to capture the new genomic information with phenotypic features on a population-wide scale. The use of this so-called “big data” requires new bioinformatics tools with the promise of delivering precision medicine in the foreseeable future. This review discusses the use of these technologies in clinical practice, the benefits of genomic testing, and some of the challenges associated with implementation.
Direct Oral Anticoagulants Plasma Levels Measurement: Clinical Usefulness from Trials and Real-World Data
Authors: Renon Francesca , Rago Anna , Liccardo Biagio , D'Andrea Antonello , Riegler Lucia , Golino Paolo , Nigro Gerardo , Russo Vincenzo
Published: February 2021

Measurement of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) activity is not routinely necessary. Indeed, evaluation of DOACs plasmatic concentration is discouraged for the majority of patients, due to the lack of outcome data supporting this approach. Nevertheless, DOAC measurements may be useful in emergency situations such as serious bleeding events, need for urgent invasive procedures, and acute ischemic stroke or in managing anticoagulation in “special populations” not adequately studied in clinical trials, for example the very elderly or those at the extremes of body weight. The aim of this review is to describe and summarize the methods for DOACs activity evaluation and the settings in which their plasma level measurement may be indicated, analyzing indications from scientific societies and evidence from clinical trials, as well as real world data on the usefulness of DOACs plasma levels “monitoring.”
Type 2B von Willebrand Disease in Pregnancy: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Makhamreh Mona M. , Russo Melissa L. , Karl Taylor , Delgado Natalie , Lackritz Katherine , Skupski Daniel W. , Al-Kouatly Huda B.
Published: February 2021

Our objective was to review the maternal characteristics and obstetric complications in women with type 2B von Willebrand disease (VWD). A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov. We included all publications that addressed type 2B VWD in pregnancy. Our primary and secondary outcomes were incidence of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and incidence of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Two reviewers independently identified eligible studies and abstracted data including maternal characteristics, hematologic characteristics, treatment, and delivery outcomes. Twenty studies met inclusion criteria. There were 27 women (32 pregnancies) with type 2B VWD. Primary PPH was reported in 9/20 women (45%) and secondary PPH was reported in 6/13 women (46%). Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy was present in 27/28 women (96%); 23/27 women (85%) had platelet count <100 × 109/L, mean 33.7 ± 22.7 × 109/L. Factor concentrate treatment was administered before delivery (n = 16) and postpartum (n = 18), some women received both. Seventeen deliveries required blood products postpartum with 13/17 (76%) platelet transfusions and 6/17 (35%) red blood cell transfusions. No maternal mortality was reported. Women with type 2B VWD have significant morbidity in pregnancy related to high incidence of severe thrombocytopenia and primary and secondary PPH.
Diversifying relationships: Russian policy toward GCC
Authors: Issaev Leonid , Kozhanov Nikolay
Published: February 2021

The interaction between Russia and Gulf countries represents the story of ups and downs, severe conflicts and sharp warmings that can largely be explained by the permanently changing role and place of each of these players at the global and Middle Eastern political arenas. After Russia's “return” to the Middle East in 2012–2015, Moscow's foreign policy towards the Gulf can be explained in terms of a bargaining strategy. On the one hand, Russia is trying to underline its importance and relevance to the GCC by putting forward diplomatic and political initiatives. The Kremlin uses its direct or indirect presence in the key regional conflicts such as the Syrian, Libyan and Yemeni civil wars as well as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iran’s nuclear issue. On the other hand, Russia is interested in building up stronger economic cooperation with the GCC, drawing bigger volumes of investments from the Gulf to Russia’s broken economy, as well as coordinating efforts with Saudi Arabia in the global oil market. While, in the near future, the qualitative evolution of Russia’s relations with the GCC is hardly possible, there are still options for their deepening within the current level of interaction between Moscow and the Gulf.
Questions in algebra and mathematical logic. Scientific heritage of S. I. Adian
Authors: Atabekyan V. S. , Beklemishev L. D. , Guba V. S. , Lysenok I. G. , Razborov A. A. , Semenov A. L.
Published: February 2021

This is a survey of results on the Burnside problem and properties of Burnside groups, the finite basis problem for group identities, periodic products of groups and Malcev’s problem, construction of groups with special properties (Tarski monsters), constructive bounds in the Burnside- Magnus problem, and algorithmic problems: the problem of recognition of group properties, the word problem for semigroups with one relation, and semi-Thue systems. The focus is on the most important results obtained in papers of Adian and his students.

Bibliography: 81 titles.
Physical activity and its association with cognitive function in middle‐ and older‐aged Chinese: Evidence from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 2015
Authors: Zhou Xiuxiu , Liao Shiming , Qi Ling , Wang Ruoxi
Published: February 2021

Background

Despite the known benefits of physical activity (PA) on cognitive function, the specific dimensions of PA that are associated with cognitive function require further research in China. We aimed to explore the patterns of PA and elucidate the association between cognitive function and different levels of PA in middle aged and elderly Chinese individuals.

Methods

A total of 8,023 participants aged ≥45 years were selected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The PA intensity was categorized as: vigorous (VPA), moderate (MPA), and light (LPA). The associations of frequency and duration of PA at different intensities with cognitive function were examined using the multivariable linear model, including all respondents and urban‐rural subgroups.

Results

Compared with those who had no VPA, those who spent 6–7 days/week (β = −0.59, 95% CI: −1.10, −0.09) or more than 240 min/each time on VPA had poorer cognitive function among rural respondents, whereas cognitive function was only associated with the duration in urban respondents. Compared with those who had no MPA, the rural respondents who spent 1–5 days/week (β = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.12, 1.20) or 6–7days/week, or spent < 2 hours each time had better cognitive function. For LPA, frequency and duration were both positively associated with cognitive function, and were observed in both rural and urban sub‐groups.

Conclusions

The association between cognitive function and PA depended largely on the intensity and area. Cultural context and geographical differences should be considered when designing intervention policies.

Highlights

The prevalence of PA increased as the intensity decreased and was higher in rural respondents than in urban respondents.

Cognitive function was related to the intensity, frequency, and duration of PA. However, the magnitude and direction of the association depended mainly on the intensity and geographical area.

VPA was negatively correlated with cognitive function, and the association was significant only in rural respondents. However, MPA and LPA were positively correlated with cognitive function, while the association between LPA and cognitive function was significant in both rural and urban respondents.
Optimal control and optimization algorithm for a class of stochastic dynamic systems in intelligent control
Authors: Xiao Xiaonan
Published: February 2021

As we all know, big data and intelligent computing have been widely used in information science, life science, computer science and intelligent control, intelligent robots, vehicle networking, space technology, marine development and other fields, especially in the future life science and medical field. This paper is based on a new digital optimal decision-making idea of intelligent signal processing and control. On the basis of extending non-digital signal processing and information prediction to signal processing and information prediction in the digital generalized information measurement space, and making full use of optimization algorithms such as digital filtering and frequency spectrum analysis, this article discusses in depth the intelligent optimal control of a class of non-stationary random processes in artificial intelligence, biomedicine, radio communication, automatic control and other scientific and technological fields. It provides a new theory, a new approach and an effective and reliable new method for the mathematical modeling and optimal control of such processes, and has broad application prospects and value.
Research on cloud computing in the key technologies of railway intelligent operation and maintenance sharing platform
Authors: Yu Shu-Dan
Published: February 2021

Cloud data center has become a trend and mainstream, and the first phase of the main data center of National Railway Group has been completed, and the main data center also adopts cloud computing technology. Compared with traditional data centers, cloud data centers bring great convenience of unified and flexible resource scheduling to railroads, but also bring many new security risks. Therefore, the study of security architecture and key technologies for cloud data centers becomes an important requirement for securing railroad cloud data centers. While cloud computing brings convenience to railroads, it also brings new security risks. By studying the information security model, we construct a cloud security architecture that meets the actual situation of railroads. In terms of responsibility, according to the level protection responsibility sharing model should be divided into cloud-based security protection and cloud platform foundation protection; in terms of construction, according to the sliding scale model, it should overlap and evolve, and gradually complete the security construction in several stages of infrastructure security, deep defense, active defense and threat intelligence.
Application of identity resolution and blockchain technology in the whole industrial chain management of electrical equipment
Authors: Cui Jianye , Wang Huanjuan , Xue Wenhao , Wang Bin
Published: February 2021

As the proportion of electric energy in the world energy consumption increases year by year, the demand and usage of electrical equipment also increase. For a lot of electrical equipment management, the traditional management method is unable to get through data barriers that exist in the industrial chain; the information interaction between each link is more and more untimely, leading to a great increase of each link’s error rate. Not only reduces the safety of electrical equipment, but affects the response efficiency of other links when one link sends a request, lowers the quality of service. To solve this problem, this paper proposes the method of integrating the identity resolution system with blockchain technology to standardize the management of the whole industrial chain of electrical equipment. The data barriers between links are broken through the identity resolution system, and the blockchain technology is used to speed up the response of each link, and the key information is stored on the blockchain. This method carries out comprehensive management on the whole life cycle chain, conducts better standardized management on the field of electrical equipment in terms of intelligent trading, intelligent operation and maintenance, etc., and puts forward efficient management mode for the management of electrical equipment.
Network consumption demand analysis and structure optimization based on big data
Authors: Zhao Juanxia , Zhu Chunhong , Huang Yanmin
Published: February 2021

By studying the role and architecture of big data analysis, it is clear that it has a huge supporting role in analyzing customer behavior trajectory, discovering customer consumption habits and preferences, improving online consumption experience and promoting business decision-making. The big data analysis combined with scenario analysis can avoid the misreading of data analysis; strengthen the prediction ability of big data analysis, so as to create a truly satisfying customer experience. Based on the analysis and structure optimization of big data network consumption demand, the whole process network consumption experience theoretical model includes the experience demand model and experience behavior model. In order to deal with a large number of various types of data effectively, enterprises need to master the technology and ability of big data analysis. For online consumption platform enterprises, the most important consideration in the process of delivering customer experience is the customer group and customer needs and motivation, as well as customer perception of product and service experience process.
Analysis of renewable energy implementation in remote areas of Indonesia: study review
Authors: Fikriyyah A K , Boedoyo M S
Published: February 2021

Indonesia is the largest archipelago with 17,503 islands where 6000 populated islands and most of the islands are remote areas. This condition causes limited access to energy supplies such as electricity and fuel. Meanwhile, Indonesia has a variety of natural resources including renewable energy sources that have not been applied optimally. It is expected that the utilization of local renewable energy sources can guarantee the availability of electricity in remote areas so that it can support national development and security. To optimize renewable energy in remote areas, the government made Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation 38/2016 concerning the acceleration of electrification in undeveloped, remote, bordered, and small-populated rural areas through the implementation of small scale electricity supply businesses. To analyses the regulation and other supports, the SWOT method is used to know the impact of the regulation in the remote area. Coordination is needed between the Central Government and the Regional Governments. Also, control and evaluation of existing policies are required so that people in remote areas can get access to electricity optimally.