bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Dose Atorvastatin Raises Threshold of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Abdel-Galeel Ahmed , Taha Salma , Elmaghraby Khaled M. , Ghaleb Ramadan , Hanafy Amr , D’Ascenzo Fabrizio , Elsharef M. Abdelfatah , Abdel-Wahid Lobna , Ibrahim Ayman
Published: February 2021

Background. Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a significant complication of angiographic procedures resulting from injection of iodinated contrast media (CM). Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at the highest risk of CIN. Statins have recently been proposed for protection against CIN due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Aim of Work. To investigate the potential benefit of acute pretreatment with high-dose atorvastatin (80 mg) in reduction of the incidence of CIN in diabetic patients indicated for elective coronary intervention. Patients and Methods. 200 diabetic patients with indication for coronary intervention were enrolled in the study. 100 patients will be randomly assigned to receive atorvastatin (80 mg) just before coronary intervention (statin group) and 100 patients received placebo (control group). CIN was defined as a rise of serum creatinine of more than 25% or ≥0.5 mg/dl (44 μmol/l) from baseline within 48 hours of the angiography. After the procedure, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow of the culprit vessel was reported, as well as the volume of used contrast media and time of X-ray exposure. Results. Our study reported a CIN incidence of 12, 18, and 6% among the whole study, placebo, and statin groups, respectively,

P

value of 0.001. Among the placebo group, CIN is likely to develop after a 13.5-minute X-ray exposure time with a specificity of 73.2% and sensitivity of 77.8%, area under the curve (AUC) of 0.879 (CI: 0.798–0.960), and

P

value of 0.001, while in the statin group, CIN is likely to develop after 14.5-minute X-ray exposure time with a specificity of 74.5% and sensitivity of 83.3%, AUC of 0.818 (CI: 0.727–0.910), and P value of 0.009. In the placebo group, CIN is likely to develop after injection of 145 ml of contrast media with a specificity of 75.6% and sensitivity of 77.8%, AUC of 0.855 (CI: 0.757–0.952), and

P

value of 0.001, while in the statin group, CIN is likely to develop after injection of 165 ml of contrast media with a specificity of 84% and sensitivity of 83.3%, AUC of 0.878 (CI: 0.811–0.944), and

P

value of 0.002. Conclusions. Acute pretreatment with high-dose atorvastatin can effectively protect against CIN and was associated with a marked decrease in the prevalence of CIN in diabetic patients undergoing coronary interventions. Moreover, pretreatment with high-dose atorvastatin raises the threshold of X-ray exposure time and the amount of contrast media beyond which CIN is likely to develop. The trial is registered with NCT04375787.
A Gas Sensor for Application as a Propane Leak Detector
Authors: Bonilla José Trinidad Guillen , Bonilla Héctor Guillen , Rodríguez-Betancourtt Verónica-M. , Bonilla Alex Guillen , Zamora Antonio Casillas , Alonso Oscar Blanco , Ortega Jorge Alberto Ramírez
Published: February 2021

A propane gas detector was built based on the semiconductor nickel antimonate oxide (NiSb2O6) by means of an analog electronic circuit. The gas detector was designed for monitoring atmospheres where the leakage of propane gas could possibly occur. The prototype’s construction methodology is presented in 5 stages: (1) synthesis of NiSb2O6 oxide powders, (2) characterization of the powders by XRD and TEM, (3) manufacture and electrical characterization of the chemical gas sensor, (4) design of the analog circuit based on the electrical response of the gas sensor, and (5) functionality tests. The gas detector was built at low cost and showed excellent functionality. The operating conditions were as follows: 200°C, gas concentration of 5 ppm, electronic circuit gain of 5, and sensor sensitivity of 0.41.
[Retracted] Analysis of Molecular Mechanism of YiqiChutan Formula Regulating DLL4‐Notch Signaling to Inhibit Angiogenesis in Lung Cancer
Authors: Li Jiayin , Han Rui , Li Jing , Zhai Linzhu , Xie Xinying , Zhang Jing , Chen Yao , Luo Jiamin , Wang Sisi , Sun Zhe , Cao Yang , Lin Lizhu , Yang Qiuye
Published: February 2021

In order to explore the specific mechanism of YiqiChutan formula (YQCTF) in inhibiting the angiogenesis of lung cancer and its relationship with delta‐like ligand 4‐ (DLL4‐) Notch signaling, 30 healthy BALB/c‐nu/nu rats were selected and divided into three groups: A549 group (implanted with lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549), NCI‐H460 group (implanted with human lung large‐cell carcinoma cell line NCI‐H460), and NCI‐H446 group (implanted with human lung small cell carcinoma cell line NCI‐H446) for constructing lung cancer transplanted tumor models. After modeling, the group treated with normal saline was taken as control group, 200 mg/kg of YQCTF was adopted for intervention, and the tumor volume and growth inhibition rate were compared with the vascular targeted inhibitor Sorafenib. HE staining, CD31 fluorescent antibody staining, and microelectron microscopy were adopted to observe the neovascular endothelial cells of the transplanted tumor. The expression of VEGF, HIF‐1α, DLL4, and Notch‐1 in the transplanted tumors in each group was detected by Western blot and RT‐PCR at the protein level or mRNA level. Compared with the control group, the YQCTF‐treated group had obvious inhibitory effect on lung cancer transplanted tumor and lung cancer angiogenesis. In the YQCTF‐treated group, the density of angiogenesis decreased significantly and the vascular lumen structure also decreased, and the expression levels of VEGF, HIF‐1α, DLL4, and Notch‐1 in the YQCTF‐treated group were all lower than those in the control group. YQCTF could inhibit the growth of lung cancer transplanted tumor through antiangiogenesis, and it could also reduce the amount of angiogenesis in lung cancer transplanted tumor. In addition, the generation of lumen structure was also hindered, which was realized through the VEGF signaling pathway and DLL4‐Notch signaling pathway.
Hard Disk Drive Failure Prediction for Mobile Edge Computing Based on an LSTM Recurrent Neural Network
Authors: Shen Jing , Ren Yongjian , Wan Jian , Lan Yunlong
Published: February 2021

With the increase in intelligence applications and services, like real-time video surveillance systems, mobile edge computing, and Internet of things (IoT), technology is greatly involved in our daily life. However, the reliability of these systems cannot be always guaranteed due to the hard disk drive (HDD) failures of edge nodes. Specifically, a lot of read/write operations and hazard edge environments make the maintenance work even harder. HDD failure prediction is one of the scalable and low-overhead proactive fault tolerant approaches to improve device reliability. In this paper, we propose an LSTM recurrent neural network-based HDD failure prediction model, which leverages the long temporal dependence feature of the drive health data to improve prediction efficiency. In addition, we design a new health degree evaluation method, which stores current health details and deterioration. The comprehensive experiments on two real-world hard drive datasets demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves a good prediction accuracy with low overhead.
Tetragonia tetragonioides Relieves Depressive-Like Behavior through the Restoration of Glial Loss in the Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Choi Yujin , Kim Yunna , Lee Hwa-Young , Cho Seung-Hun
Published: February 2021

Tetragonia tetragonioides, which is a halophyte and grows widely in Asian-Pacific regions, has been used for the treatment of digestive disorders in traditional oriental medicine. This study examined the potential antidepressant effect of Tetragonia tetragonioides in an astroglial degeneration model of depression, which was established based on the postmortem study of depressive patients’ brain presenting diminished astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex. C57BL/6 male mice were exposed to glial ablation in the prefrontal cortex by the administration of the gliotoxin, L-alpha-aminoadipic acid (L-AAA) to induce depression. Tetragonia tetragonioides at doses of 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, imipramine at a dose of 15 mg/kg, and distilled water were orally administrated to mice for 18 days. Behavioral tests including the open field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST) were carried out after 2 days of L-AAA injection. The expression levels of GFAP and NeuN in the prefrontal cortex were determined by immunohistochemistry. Mice subjected to glial ablation in the prefrontal cortex displayed decreased sucrose consumption in SPT and increased immobility time in FST and TST. Treatment with imipramine and Tetragonia tetragonioides remarkably ameliorated the behavioral despair induced by L-AAA. In addition, immunohistochemistry analysis showed that treatment with Tetragonia tetragonioides significantly restored the glial loss as indicated by the elevated GFAP expression level. These findings suggest that Tetragonia tetragonioides exerts an antidepressant effect through the restoration of glial loss under conditions of depression and can be a candidate for an antidepressant agent.
A Decision-Making Model for Autonomous Vehicles at Urban Intersections Based on Conflict Resolution
Authors: Wang Zi-jia , Chen Xue-mei , Wang Pin , Li Meng-xi , Ou Yang-jia-xin , Zhang Han
Published: February 2021

The decision-making models that are able to deal with complex and dynamic urban intersections are critical for the development of autonomous vehicles. A key challenge in operating autonomous vehicles robustly is to accurately detect the trajectories of other participants and to consider safety and efficiency concurrently into interactions between vehicles. In this work, we propose an approach for developing a tactical decision-making model for vehicles which is capable of predicting the trajectories of incoming vehicles and employs the conflict resolution theory to model vehicle interactions. The proposed algorithm can help autonomous vehicles cross intersections safely. Firstly, Gaussian process regression models were trained with the data collected at intersections using subgrade sensors and a retrofit autonomous vehicle to predict the trajectories of incoming vehicles. Then, we proposed a multiobjective optimization problem (MOP) decision-making model based on efficient conflict resolution theory at intersections. After that, a nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) are employed to select the optimal motions in comparison with each other. Finally, a simulation and verification platform was built based on Matlab/Simulink and PreScan. The reliability and effectiveness of the tactical decision-making model was verified by simulations. The results indicate that DDPG is more reliable and effective than NSGA-II to solve the MOP model, which provides a theoretical basis for the in-depth study of decision-making in a complex and uncertain intersection environment.
Role of Gene Length in Control of Human Gene Expression: Chromosome-Specific and Tissue-Specific Effects
Authors: Brown Jay C.
Published: February 2021

This study was carried out to pursue the observation that the level of gene expression is affected by gene length in the human genome. As transcription is a time-dependent process, it is expected that gene expression will be inversely related to gene length, and this is found to be the case. Here, I describe the results of studies performed to test whether the gene length/gene expression linkage is affected by two factors, the chromosome where the gene is located and the tissue where it is expressed. Studies were performed with a database of 3538 human genes that were divided into short, midlength, and long groups. Chromosome groups were then compared in the expression level of genes with the same length. A similar analysis was performed with 19 human tissues. Tissue-specific groups were compared in the expression level of genes with the same length. Both chromosome and tissue studies revealed new information about the role of gene length in control of gene expression. Chromosome studies led to the identification of two chromosome populations that differ in the expression level of short genes. A high level of expression was observed in chromosomes 2-10, 12-15, and 18 and a low level in 1, 11, 16-17, 19-20, 22, and 24. Studies with tissue-specific genes led to the identification of two tissues, brain and liver, which differ in the expression level of short genes. The results are interpreted to support the view that the level of a gene’s expression can be affected by the chromosome and the tissue where the gene is transcribed.
Research on Effect and Mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction on CHD Based on Meta-Analysis and Network Pharmacology
Authors: Kui Fuguang , Gu Wenwen , Gao Fan , Niu Yuji , Li Wenwen , Zhang Yaru , Guo Lijuan , Wang Junru , Guo Zhenzhen , Cen Shihong , Du Gangjun
Published: February 2021

Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZY) is an ancient compound widely used in the treatment of coronary heart disease. However, its efficacy evaluation is not complete and its mechanism of action is not clear enough. In an attempt to address these problems, the efficacy was evaluated by meta-analysis and the mechanism was elucidated by the network pharmacology method. We systematically searched relevant studies in PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, and other databases from 2007 to 2019. The association between XFZY treatment and CHD was estimated by risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The compounds and the potential protein targets of XFZY were obtained from TCMSP, and active compounds were selected according to their oral bioavailability and drug similarity. The potential genes of coronary heart disease were obtained from TTD, OMIM, and GeneCards. The potential pathways related to genes were determined by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. The compound-target and compound-target-pathway networks were constructed. Molecular docking validates the component and the target. A total of 21 studies including 1844 patients were enrolled in the present meta-analysis, indicating that XFZY has a greater beneficial on total effect (fixed effect RR = 1.30; 95% Cl: 1.24–1.36;

P
=
0.82

; I2 = 0.0%) and electrocardiogram efficacy (fixed effect RR = 1.40; 95% Cl: 1.26–1.56;

P
=
0.96

; I2 = 0.0%) compared with the control group. A total of 1342 components in XFZY were obtained, among which, 241 were chosen as bioactive components. GO and KEGG analyses got top 10 significantly enriched terms and 10 enriched pathways. The C-T network included 192 compounds and 3085 targets, whereas the C-T-P network included 10 compounds, 109 targets, and 5 pathways. There was a good binding activity between the components and the targets. XFZY has the curative effect on coronary heart disease, and its mechanism is related to 10 compounds, 10 core targets, and 5 pathways.
Emphasizing Fish, Fisher, and Sea for the Mission of Christian Churches in the Context of the Marine Ecological Crisis: A Response to the Ten Commandments of Food
Authors: Maggang Elia
Published: February 2021

This article offers a theological response to the Ten Commandments of Food (TCF) in the context of the marine ecological crisis. The TCF is a unique and effective campaign for food security which advocates for sustainable living through the mission of Christian churches. As the campaign includes farmers, it reframes food security and sustainability as a part of ecclesial life. However, the neglect of fish, fisher, and sea in the TCF has negative consequences for marine ecosystem. This exclusion endangers the sustainability of marine life and all those who depend on the sea for livelihood and sustenance. Therefore, this article suggests that it is essential to include fish, fisher, and sea in the TCF – noting that they have a crucial place in Christianity as depicted particularly in the ministry of Jesus and his disciples. This will make the TCF a more comprehensive campaign with positive contributions for marine life.
‘Throwing a Baby with Bathwater,’ Restoration of the Tanzanian Indigenous Justice System: The Case of Sukuma, Kinga and Iraqwi Ethnic Groups
Authors: Gabagambi Julena Jumbe
Published: February 2021

The indigenous justice systems were modes of resolving conflicts in Tanzanian communities for millenia before the introduction of the common law system as it was applied in England. The introduced mode, despite its success, is encumbered with a number of challenges. Apart from the challenges, the restoration of one’s customs and traditions is what makes one a human. The conventional justice system being ‘water’ to clean off dirt, the ‘baby’ is celebrated for what it has so far achieved; thus, the washed baby should not have been thrown into the water because in Africa, and Tanzania in particular, no one denies how valuable a baby is to parent and the community at large. Despite Tanzania’s efforts in capturing the bits of indigenous justice systems, the laws in place to a great extent roll on the bits of the conventional justice system. Protecting and preserving one’s customs has caught the interest of the international and regional community. That should awaken Tanzanians to look for the baby (indigenous justice systems) and appreciate its beauty. Ratification of the convention on tribal and indigenous people is optional; its negation devalues one’s customs and traditions. This paper comes with a reformatory agenda. The pumpkin in the homestead cannot be uprooted i.e. indigenous traditions must be preserved.
Development of Unconstitutional Change of Government under the Malabo Protocol – From Prohibition to Over-Criminalisation?
Authors: Sanghvi Niriksha
Published: February 2021

Post-colonial Africa has been caught in military coups and civil wars. Incumbent leaders have refused to step down and hand over power post-elections or amended the constitution to not get voted out of power. In this context, three main challenges to democracy in Africa are military coups, lack of free and fair elections and illegal constitutional amendments to entrench de facto monarchy. To combat this, the Malabo Protocol, which introduces criminal jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, criminalises unconstitutional change of government (‘UCG’). The article outlines the progression of UCG from a violation of the democracy and rule of law principles under the African Charter to a prosecutable crime under the Malabo Protocol and analyses the difficulties an actual prosecution will face on account of vague definition, lack of international recognition and the major roadblock due to Heads of State immunity under the Protocol.
Towards A Model of How Populist Leaders Disappear from the Media
Authors: Mjelde Hilmar
Published: February 2021

Research shows that the media have been one decisive factor in the rise of the most high-profile populist leaders across Western democracies, but also that media attention can begin to dip when populists become established actors. However, the circumstances under which a populist leader can experience loss of media interest in him or her have not been theorized. Therefore, this article makes a contribution towards filling this gap. I offer an explorative and reflective analysis of the diverging political trajectories of Sarah Palin and Donald Trump as a means of suggesting circumstances under which a populist leader is likely to be upstaged by another populist leader taking over the public spotlight. However, this first cut at identifying relevant variables in such a scenario highlights serious conceptual, methodological, and theoretical considerations that must be confronted in future research taking on this research question, and that I deliberately sidestep in this analysis.
Queiroziella gen. nov., a new genus of jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) from Southern Brazil associated with Mimosa scabrella (Leguminosae)
Authors: BURCKHARDT DANIEL
Published: February 2021

Queiroziella gen. nov., a new genus of Psylloidea (Psyllidae, Ciriacreminae), is erected for five new species developing on the multipurpose tree Mimosa scabrella (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, mimosoid clade): viz. Queiroziella erato sp. nov., Q. euterpe sp. nov., Q. melpomone sp. nov., Q. terpsichore sp. nov. and Q. thalia sp. nov. Another species from Paraguay, associated with an unidentified Mimosa species, is transferred to the new genus as Queiroziella borealis (Burckhardt, 1987), comb. nov., from Zonopelma (Aphalaroidinae). The new taxa are diagnosed, described and illustrated, and keys are provided for the identification of adults and immatures. Morphologically, Queiroziella resembles Heteropsylla which is also associated with mimosoid legumes and with which it may be closely related. As their host, the new species are restricted to Southern Brazil. Queiroziella euterpe, Q. melpomone and Q. terpsichore are reported from the states of Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and São Paulo, Q. thalia from Paraná and São Paulo, and Q. erato from Paraná. No clear phenological patterns were found though it seems that high psyllid populations coincide with new flush of the host plants. Despite that the psyllids occur sometimes in very high numbers, no visible damage could be detected on host trees. On the other hand, the honeydew of the psyllids may provide a food source for honey-bees during non-flowering periods of Mimosa scabrella.
Historical and fossil evidence of an extinct endemic species of Leiocephalus (Squamata: Leiocephalidae) from the Guadeloupe Islands
Authors: BOCHATON CORENTIN , CHARLES LAURENT , LENOBLE ARNAUD
Published: February 2021

Documenting recent extinction events against the backdrop of increasing human-induced environmental pressure is complicated by the lack of historical and subfossil evidence for most parts of the world. This paucity of data renders it particularly difficult to evaluate the human impact on fragile environments, such as small islands, that may have been heavily altered by historical human exploitation. Here we describe a new species of an extinct Leiocephalus lizard from Guadeloupe, Leiocephalus roquetus sp. nov. based on recent discoveries of both a previously undocumented historically taxidermy specimen and of a large assemblage of subfossil bone remains from La Désirade Island. This new species presents a primitive morphology compared to all extant species of its genus and provides evidence for the past existence of a Lesser Antillean clade of Leiocephalus lizards that was completely wiped out in the centuries following the European colonization of these islands. Our study demonstrates how paleontological approaches can help to better understand the history of human environmental impact as well as the degree of degradation of modern ecosystems.
Two new species of the genus Trilacuna from Chongqing Municipality, China (Araneae, Oonopidae)
Authors: WANG YING , TONG YANFENG , BIAN DONGJU , LI SHUQIANG
Published: February 2021

Two new species of the genus Trilacuna Tong & Li, 2007, T. difeng Tong & Li, sp. nov. (male, female) and T. wenfeng Tong & Li, sp. nov. (male, female) are described from Chongqing, China. A key to all the species of this genus from China is provided.
Eucinetus linskyi, a new replacement name for preoccupied Eucinetus bicolor Lawrence, 2019, non Reitter, 1887 (Insecta: Coleoptera: Eucinetidae)
Authors: LAWRENCE JOHN F.
Published: February 2021

The species name Eucinetus bicolor Lawrence was proposed by Lawrence (2019, p. 155) for a new coleopteran species from eastern Victoria, Australia. However, this name was already used for the Palaearctic Eucinetus bicolor Reitter (1887, p. 514), currently combined as Nycteus bicolor (Reitter, 1887), and thus the names are primary homonyms according to ICZN Articles 53.3 and 57.2 (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1999). To resolve this primary homonymy, in accordance with ICZN Article 60.3 (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1999), Eucinetus linskyi is here proposed as a replacement name for Eucinetus bicolor Lawrence, 2019, non Reitter. This name is a patronym based on Marek Linský of Bratislava, Slovakia, who called my attention to this homonymy.
Identification and Worker Responses to Workplace Change: Evidence from Four Cases in India
Authors: Ranganathan Aruna
Published: February 2021

This article uses ethnographic and interview data about four cases in two work settings in India to examine identification as a factor in workers’ reactions to workplace change. Novel technology and management practices are frequently introduced into work settings as the world of work changes. Workers tend to cooperate more with some workplace changes than with others. The previous employment relations literature has invoked interests, cultural values, and worker power to explain workers’ responses to change. This article introduces an additional factor: whether a change fosters or impairs workers’ identification with their work. The author examines identification at three levels—occupational, organizational, and that of the work itself—and finds that workers are more likely to cooperate with workplace change that protects and fortifies their pre-existing sources of identification.
Adverse childhood experiences are associated with illicit drug use among pregnant women with middle to high socioeconomic status: findings from the All Our Families Cohort
Authors: Currie Cheryl L. , Tough Suzanne C.
Published: February 2021

Background

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with illicit drug use among pregnant women who are socioeconomically vulnerable. While it is assumed that the impact of ACEs on illicit drug use in pregnancy is reduced among women with higher socioeconomic status (SES), this assumption is not well tested in the literature. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of maternal ACEs on illicit drug use in a community-based sample of pregnant women with middle to high SES.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study that collected data from 1660 women during and after pregnancy in Calgary, Canada between 2008 and 2011 using mailed surveys. Illicit drug use in pregnancy was self-reported by women at 34–36 weeks gestation. An established scale examined maternal ACEs before 18 years. Logistic regression models and 95% confidence intervals tested associations between maternal ACE scores and illicit drug use in pregnancy.

Results

Overall, 3.1% of women in this predominantly married, well-educated, middle and upper middle income sample reported illicit drug use in pregnancy. Women with 2–3 ACEs had more than a two-fold increase, and women with 4 or more ACEs had almost a four-fold increase in illicit drug use in pregnancy, relative to women with 0–1 ACEs after adjustment for confounders. Exposure to child abuse was more consistently associated with illicit drug use in pregnancy than exposure to household dysfunction in childhood.

Conclusions

Maternal ACEs were common and associated with a moderate increase in the odds of illicit drug use in pregnancy among Canadian women with middle to high SES.
Associations between treatment goals, patient characteristics, and outcome measures for patients with musculoskeletal disorders in physiotherapy practice
Authors: Amundsen Olav , Vøllestad Nina Køpke , Meisingset Ingebrigt , Robinson Hilde Stendal
Published: February 2021

Background

Goal setting is linked to person-centred care and is a core component in physiotherapy, but the associations between goal classes, patient characteristics and outcome measures for musculoskeletal disorders has not been investigated. The study’s purpose was to examine 1) how goals used in clinical practice for patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are distributed in classes based on ICF, 2) if goal classes were associated with patient characteristics and 3) whether goal classes were associated with treatment outcome.

Methods

Data analysis from a longitudinal observational study (N = 2591). Goals were classified in symptom, function/structure, activity/participation and non-classifiable. Associations between patient characteristics and goal classes were examined using x2 and one-way ANOVA. Association between goal classes and outcomes were examined using multiple logistic and linear regression models. Outcomes are reported at 3 months or end of treatment if prior to 3 months.

Results

There was a high variability in goals used for patients with MSD. 17% had symptom goals, 32.3% function/structure, 43.4% activity/participation and 7.4% non-classifiable goals. We found significant associations between goal classes and age, gender, severity, region of pain/diagnosis and emotional distress (all p < .001). Activity/participation goals were associated with better outcomes on GPE (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.23–2.66). Non-classifiable goal was associated with poorer outcomes on pain intensity (B .87, 95% CI .32–1.43).

Conclusion

There is an association between goal classes and patient characteristics. Including activity/participation in the main goal was associated with better outcomes for GPE and having a non-classifiable goal was associated with poorer outcomes for pain intensity.

Trial registration

The project is approved by the Regional committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics in Norway (REC no. 2013/2030). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03626389.
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2-induced euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis unmasks latent autoimmune diabetes in a patient misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a case report
Authors: Vadasz Brian , Arazi Mattan , Shukha Yousef , Koren Ofir , Taher Riad
Published: February 2021

Background

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis is an uncommon but life-threatening complication associated with the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors that causes lower than expected blood glucose levels typically seen in diabetic ketoacidosis.

Case presentation

We present a case of 64-year-old Caucasian male patient previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes treated with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor who developed severe ketoacidosis. Serum glucose levels on initial presentation were slightly above normal baseline level. The patient was revealed to have latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.

Conclusion

This case highlights the importance of prescribing sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors to the correct patient population and the significance of accurately differentiating between various types of diabetes.
Stress-sensitive permeability of matrix cores and artificially fractured cores with nonproppant-filled fractures under high-pressure conditions
Authors: Nie Ren-Shi , Wang Zheng , Chen Zhangxin , Wang An-Cheng , Zhou Chang-Hong , Lei Jian-Yong , Pan Yi
Published: February 2021

Stress-sensitive permeability (SSP) influences gas well productivity and is a crucial element influencing gas reservoir development. SSP for high-pressure fractured gas reservoirs with an initial reservoir pressure of more than 20 MPa has never been comprehensively evaluated to the best of our knowledge. SSP experiments with special procedures were designed by adopting the variable confining pressure (VCP) and variable internal pressure (VIP) methods. VCP is a test method in which the confining pressure is altered and a constant internal pressure is maintained for the experimental core holder. VIP is a test method in which the internal pressure is changed and a constant confining pressure is maintained. A four-stage curve analysis method was developed to perform regressions on semilogarithmic curves and exponential curves of experimental data. A method to evaluate the SSP was developed using stress sensitivity coefficients obtained via regressions. A calculation approach for determining the degrees of permeability damage and permeability recovery also was evaluated. In total, six matrix cores and six cores with artificial fractures from a high-pressure fractured sandstone gas reservoir were tested using the two methods. The SSP curves for high-pressure reservoirs were characterized by four-stage variation trends, which show differentiation with low-pressure reservoirs with an initial reservoir pressure less than 20 MPa. The stress sensitivity of the VCP method was stronger than that of the VIP method. The core samples mainly showed a “medium”/“medium-strong” stress sensitivity under low/high effective stress conditions. Compared with matrix cores, fractured cores showed stronger stress sensitivity owing to strong plasticity and weak elasticity. The maximum permeability damage degree reached 99.67%, and the minimum permeability recovery was only 6.9%. Our method of experimental design, four-stage curve analysis, stress sensitivity evaluation, and our overall findings can provide references for future studies on SSP in high-pressure fractured sandstone gas reservoirs.
Mass-constrained basin basement mapping
Authors: Mendonça Carlos A. , Chaves Carlos A. M.
Published: February 2021

The irregular interface model setting side by side two dense homogeneous media has found many applications in gravity-data exploration such as for petroleum and gas in sedimentary basins, groundwater resources in buried paleochannels, characterization of abandoned landfills, and variable regolith-depth mapping. Despite its simplicity and wide range of applicability, the determination of the interface position from inverting surface gravity data configures an ill-posed problem requiring specialized regularizing procedures to produce reliable results. Common approaches to obtain stable and reliable solutions require a judicious choice of regularizing functionals, each of them able to convey a desired geologic attribute that the unknown interface is expected to feature. In assuming a style that the unknown interface may have, a mathematical procedure is elected to convey such an attribute when the interface is mapped from gravity data inversion. We have developed a different approach to the interface mapping problem by imposing a common constraint that all model solutions must have, meanwhile preventing oscillations for the interface to be mapped. As a constraint that the solutions must have, we fix the volume or the cross section for 2D structures that the anomalous density structure has. This volume (or 2D cross section) is determined by applying the mass excess theorem to the measured gravity data and assuming as known the density contrast caused by the two media paired by the interface. We find that this simple formulation for the interface-mapping problem is effective in imaging a variety of basin styles without introducing specific information about the interface attributes. Our technique is applied to invert previously published gravity data in cases with good drillhole control or with a known interface.
Evaluation of 3D shear-wave anisotropy based on elastic-wave velocity variations around the borehole
Authors: Xu Song , Tang Xiao-Ming , Torres-Verdín Carlos , Li Zhen , Su Yuanda
Published: February 2021

Aligned fractures/cracks in rocks are a primary source of elastic anisotropy. In an azimuthally anisotropic formation surrounding a borehole, shear-waves (S-waves) split into fast and slow waves that propagate along the borehole and are recorded by a borehole logging tool. However, when the formation has conjugate fractures with orthogonal strike directions, the azimuthal anisotropy vanishes. Hence, azimuthal anisotropy measurements may not be adequate to detect orthogonal fracture sets. We have developed a method for obtaining azimuthal and radial S-wave anisotropy parameters simultaneously from 4C array waveforms. The method uses a velocity tomogram around the borehole. The azimuthal and radial anisotropy were determined by integrating a shear velocity radiation profile along the radial direction at different azimuthal angles. Results indicate that this approach is reliable for estimating anisotropy properties in aligned crack systems. The advantage of this interpretation method is shown in multiple conjugate crack systems. Field data processing examples are used to verify the application of the proposed technique. Comparison of results against those obtained with a conventional procedure shows that the new method can not only provide estimates of azimuthal anisotropy, but also of the radial anisotropy parameter, which is important in fracture network evaluation.
Integration of gravity, magnetic, and seismic data for subsalt modeling in the Northern Red Sea
Authors: Le Magoarou Camille , Hirsch Katja , Fleury Clement , Martin Remy , Ramirez-Bernal Johana , Ball Philip
Published: February 2021

Rifts and rifted passive margins are often associated with thick evaporite layers, which challenge seismic reflection imaging in the subsalt domain. This makes understanding the basin evolution and crustal architecture difficult. An integrative, multidisciplinary workflow has been developed using the exploration well, gravity and magnetics data, together with seismic reflection and refraction data sets to build a comprehensive 3D subsurface model of the Egyptian Red Sea. Using a 2D iterative workflow first, we have constructed cross sections using the available well penetrations and seismic refraction data as preliminary constraints. The 2D forward model uses regional gravity and magnetic data to investigate the regional crustal structure. The final models are refined using enhanced gravity and magnetic data and geologic interpretations. This process reduces uncertainties in basement interpretation and magmatic body identification. Euler depth estimates are used to point out the edges of high-susceptibility bodies. We achieved further refinement by initiating a 3D gravity inversion. The resultant 3D gravity model increases precision in crustal geometries and lateral density variations within the crust and the presalt sediments. Along the Egyptian margin, where data inputs are more robust, basement lows are observed and interpreted as basins. Basement lows correspond with thin crust ([Formula: see text]), indicating that the evolution of these basins is closely related to the thinning or necking process. In fact, the Egyptian Northern Red Sea is typified by dramatic crustal thinning or necking that is occurring over very short distances of approximately 30 km, very proximal to the present-day coastline. The integrated 2D and 3D modeling reveals the presence of high-density magnetic bodies that are located along the margin. The location of the present-day Zabargad transform fault zone is very well delineated in the computed crustal thickness maps, suggesting that it is associated with thin crust and shallow mantle.
Echofacies interpretation of Pleistocene to Holocene contourites on the Demerara Plateau and abyssal plain
Authors: Tallobre Cédric , Loncke Lies , Droz Laurence , Marsset Tania , Uusõue Mirjam , Roest Walter R. , Fanget Anne-Sophie , Bassetti Maria-Angela , Giresse Pierre , Bayon Germain
Published: February 2021

Off French Guiana and Suriname, North Atlantic Deep Water and Antarctic Bottom Water oceanic currents contour the Demerara marginal plateau, which promotes the formation of contourites. We have studied these contourites thanks to a new compilation of high-resolution subbottom profiles calibrated by sedimentary cores. The echofacies and isopach maps that we constructed highlight a sedimentary distribution parallel to the isobaths. The presence of moats along the slope is confirmed by the observation of parallel, elongated, sedimentary depleted zones and echofacies strongly affected by diffraction hyperbola and transparent echofacies. We interpret these features to be related to eroded slopes and mass-transport deposits. In contrast, the sedimentary drifts that we mapped are characterized by elongated and thick slope-parallel depocenters displaying bedded echofacies with wave-like bedforms. According to our interpretation, they result from interactions between the currents and the seafloor. Seismic wipeouts frequently affect those drifts, possibly resulting from high water or organic contents.
Spatial delineation of rock types in the Meramec Formation by integrating core and seismic measurements, Loyal area, Kingfisher County, Anadarko Basin
Authors: Patel Swetal , Gupta Ishank , Fu Jing , Tinni Ali , Marfurt Kurt J. , Sondergeld Carl , Rai Chandra
Published: February 2021

The Mississippian-age Sooner Trend Anadarko Canadian Kingfisher (STACK) area of Oklahoma is one of the more important new resource plays in North America. It consists of multilevel drilling targets, including mudrock, siltstone, and carbonate reservoirs, some of which are self-sourced and all of which require hydraulic fracturing to produce commercial quantities of oil. The efficacy of the fracturing relies on whether the created fracture network drains from producible rock types. We have integrated data at core and seismic resolution scales to map the rock types’ spatially exhaustive lateral and vertical variation for this new play. We measured porosity, permeability, saturated compressional wave (P-wave) and shear wave (S-wave) velocity, and density in the laboratory at 2 ft intervals on the cores. We defined rock types corresponding to engineering flow units based on porosity and permeability measurements. We mapped these rock types against alternative elastic property crossplots, including P-impedance, S-impedance, Poisson’s ratio, lambda-rho, and mu-rho. P- and S- impedance are the only two independent elastic properties measured on the core samples, and other elastic properties are calculated from these. Hence, the rock types showed equal sensitivity to all of the elastic property pairs. We observe a 30% difference between the core and seismic elastic values, attributed to dispersion and effective media effects. We managed this discrepancy between the core and surface seismic elastic values by simple linear scaling. We found that the P-impedance and Poisson’s ratio core measurements were easier to scale linearly to the corresponding seismic frequency measurements. Once scaled, we used Bayesian classification to map the P-impedance and Poisson’s ratio rock type template defined by the core measurements to the same elastic parameters measured by prestack seismic inversion. As we move away from the six cored wells deeper into the basin and more distal from the shelf, we encounter P-impedance/Poisson’s ratio pairs not seen in the core, resulting in areas where the rock type is “unknown.” The seismically predicted rock types show an excellent correlation at the well locations and provided stratigraphically reasonable images away from the wells, suggesting that as more wells are cored, these unknown rock types can be classified.
Relationship between Serum Nutritional Factors and Bone Mineral Density: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Qu Zihao , Yang Fangkun , Yan Yishang , Hong Jianqiao , Wang Wei , Li Sihao , Jiang Guangyao , Yan Shigui
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Multiple risk factors have been implicated in the development of osteoporosis. This study examined potential associations between serum nutritional factors and bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods

Six nutritional factors were selected as exposures. Outcomes included total body BMD (n = 66 945); BMD at the forearm (FA), femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) (n = 8143, n = 32 735, and n = 28 498, respectively); estimated heel BMD (HL eBMD) (n = 394 929); and HL eBMD stratified by sex (n = 206 496). A 2-sample Mendelian randomization approach was adopted to estimate the association between serum nutritional factors and BMD. The threshold for adjusted P value was 1.39 × 10−3.

Results

Serum calcium levels were inversely associated with LS BMD (effect = −0.55; 95% CI, −0.86 to −0.24; P = 0.001), whereas serum selenium levels were positively correlated with HL eBMD (effect = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.33; P = 1.70 × 10−4). Regarding nominal significance, there was a positive association between serum selenium levels and FA BMD. Nominally significant results were also obtained for serum retinol as well as vitamin E levels and HL eBMD. Moreover, sex-specific effects of serum retinol and vitamin E levels on BMD were observed in men.

Conclusion

Serum calcium and selenium levels influence BMD at specific skeletal sites. This implies that these nutritional factors play crucial roles in bone metabolism.
Conceptualization, Development and Validation of an Instrument to Measure Learners’ Perceptions of their Active Learning Strategies within an Active Learning Context
Authors: Shroff Ronnie H. , Ting Fridolin S. T. , Lam Wai Hung , Cecot Tomasz , Yang Jian , Chan Lap Ki
Published: February 2021

This study describes the development and validation of a psychometrically-sound instrument, the Active Learning Strategies Inventory (ALSI), designed to measure learners’ perceptions of their active learning strategies within an active learning context. Active learning encompasses a broad range of pedagogical practices and instructional methods that connect with an individual learner's active learning strategies. In order to fulfill the study's goals, a conceptual framework on learners’ active learning strategies was developed and proposed, drawing upon the research literature on active learning. The development and construct validation of the Active Learning Strategies Inventory (ALSI), based on the conceptual and methodological underpinnings, involved identifying five scales of learners’ active learning strategies: engagement, cognitive processing, orientation to learning, readiness to learn and motivational orientation. An item pool of 20 items was generated following an extensive review of the literature, standardized card sorting procedures including confirmatory factor analysis and scale validation of a pilot (n = 407) survey. The ALSI scale demonstrated strong internal consistency and reliability with a Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.81 to 0.87. High item loading scores from the factor analysis provided initial support for the instrument's construct validity of the five-factor model. The ALSI scale provides a reliable and valid method for researchers and academicians who wish to measure learners' perceptions of their active learning strategies within an active learning context. Finally, we discuss the implications and address the limitations and directions for future research.
Effect of decreasing pressure on soliton self-compression in higher-order modes of a gas-filled capillary
Authors: Wan Ying , Chang Wonkeun
Published: February 2021

We numerically investigate soliton self-compression in the higher-order modes of a gas-filled capillary with decreasing pressure. We demonstrate four times enhancement in the compression with the decreasing pressure compared to the equivalent constant pressure case in the HE12 mode, reaching sub-cycle duration of 1.85 fs at its output. Moreover, the negative pressure gradient effectively suppresses the intermodal coupling in the later stage of the compressor, which helps to maintain high output mode purity. These findings are of direct benefit for applications that require ultrashort light pulses in unconventional spatial beam profiles, including in nonlinear frequency conversion, microscopy, micromachining, and particle manipulation.