bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COPAHS Study: protocol of a randomised experimental study comparing the effects of hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, and spiritual practices on experimental pain in healthy adults
Authors: Ferreira-Valente Alexandra , Pimenta Filipa , Costa Rui M. , Day Melissa A. , Pais-Ribeiro José , Jensen Mark P.
Published: February 2021

Background

There has been an increasing interest in studying the potential benefits of so-called complementary and alternative approaches for pain management, such as hypnosis and mindfulness-based interventions. More recently, researchers have been interested in studying the effects of spiritual practices on pain experience as well. These practices may increase pain tolerance, result in a positive re-appraisal of pain and influence other psychological variables that are known to be associated with pain experience. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the immediate effects of self-hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, and a spiritual intervention relative to a control condition for increasing pain tolerance and reducing pain intensity and pain-related stress, in response to experimental painful stimulation.

Methods and analysis

Recruitment is anticipated to start in November 2020. This is a randomised quantitative experimental mixed-design repeated-measures study with three assessment points: baseline (T0), pre-test (T1) and post-test (T2). Eligible healthy adults will be randomised to one of the four study conditions. Interventions will be a 20-minute audio-guided practice of either self-hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, or Christian prayer. Participants in the control group will not be instructed to use any specific strategy during the painful stimulation. Participants will be submitted to a first cycle of Cold Pressor Arm Wrap. They will then listen to a 20-minute audio recording inducing one of the three interventions, or, in the case of the control group, to a 20-minute audio recording of text from a natural history textbook. Primary outcomes are pain intensity and pain tolerance. Pain-related stress as measured by salivary cortisol level and heart rate variability are secondary outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by ISPA—University Institute’s internal Ethics Committee for Research on 3rd December 2018 (reference I/010/12/2018). Findings will be published in peer-reviewed indexed journals and presented at conferences.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT04491630). Stage: pre-results.
Examination of patient characteristics and hydroxychloroquine use based on the US Food and Drug Administration’s recommendation: a cross-sectional analysis in New York
Authors: Kim Eun Ji , Coppa Kevin , Hirsch Jamie S , Abrahams Sara , Johnson Jennifer , Lesser Martin , Davidson Karina W , Conigliaro Joseph
Published: February 2021

Objective

To describe the pattern of hydroxychloroquine use and examine the association between hydroxychloroquine use and clinical outcomes arising from changes in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s recommendation during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis.

Setting and participants

We included hospitalised adult patients at Northwell Health hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 infections between 1 March 2020 and 11 May 2020. We categorised changes in the FDA’s recommendation as pre-FDA approval (1 March 2020–27 March 2020), FDA approval (28 March 2020–23 April 2020), and FDA warning (24 April 2020–11 May 2020). The hydroxychloroquine-treated group received at least one dose within 48 hours of hospital admission.

Primary outcome

A composite of intubation and inpatient death.

Results

The percentages of patients who were treated with hydroxychloroquine were 192/2202 (8.7%) pre-FDA approval, 2902/6741 (43.0%) FDA approval, and 176/1066 (16.5%) FDA warning period (p<0.001). Using propensity score matching, there was a higher rate of the composite outcome among patients treated with hydroxychloroquine (49/192, 25.5%) compared with no hydroxychloroquine (66/384, 17.2%) in the pre-FDA approval period (p=0.03) but not in the FDA approval period (25.5% vs 22.6%, p=0.08) or the FDA warning (21.0% vs 15.1%, p=0.11) periods. Coincidently, there was an increase in number of patients with COVID-19 and disease severity during the FDA approval period (24.1% during FDA approval vs 21.4% during pre-FDA approval period had the composite outcome). Hydroxychloroquine use was associated with increased odds of the composite outcome during the pre-FDA approval period (OR=1.65 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.51)) but not during the FDA approval (OR=1.17 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.39)) and FDA warning (OR=1.50 (95% CI 0.94 to 2.39)) periods.

Conclusions

Hydroxychloroquine use was associated with adverse clinical outcomes only during the pre-FDA approval period but not during the FDA approval and warning periods, even after adjusting for concurrent changes in the percentage of patients with COVID-19 treated with hydroxychloroquine and the number (and disease severity) of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 infections.
Digital Dementia Registry Bavaria—digiDEM Bayern: study protocol for a multicentre, prospective, longitudinal register study
Authors: Dietzel Nikolas , Kürten Lara , Karrer Linda , Reichold Michael , Köhler Laura , Nagel Andreas , Chmelirsch Christina , Seebahn Kathrin , Hladik Markus , Meuer Sebastian , Kirchner Anna , Holm Kristina , Selau Marina , Wendel Marco , Trinkwalter Jörg , Prokosch Hans-Ulrich , Graessel Elmar , Kolominsky-Rabas Peter L
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Dementia is one of the most relevant widespread diseases, with a prevalence of currently 50 million people with dementia worldwide. The care of people with dementia will be one of the major challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Digitalisation offers new possibilities to improve both dementia healthcare and health outcomes research as a fundament for national healthcare planning. The ‘Digital Dementia Registry Bavaria—digiDEM Bayern’ aims to improve the understanding of the complexity and long-term progression of dementia and the current care situation in Bavaria. Moreover, by offering digital services, digiDEM will actively contribute to improving the care situation in Bavaria.

Methods and analysis

digiDEM will recruit people with dementia and their family caregivers in all administrative regions of Bavaria. All participants will undergo dementia screening prior to study inclusion in order to identify people with mild cognitive impairment and mild-to-moderate dementia. Participants will be followed up over a period of three years. Sociodemographic data, type of dementia, symptoms, diagnosis, cognitive trajectories, activities of daily living, behavioural and psychological symptoms, falls, resource utilisation, caregiver burden, quality of life, needs of people with dementia and their caregivers, mobility, use of media and sources of information will be assessed. The project will implement a digital web-based platform for data collection. Data will be collected by means of standardised online or face-to-face interviews.

Ethics and dissemination

The study obtained ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty of Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) (application number: 253_20 B). Findings will be used for evidence-based decision-making for health decision-makers in order to optimise dementia healthcare in the state of Bavaria. Specific analyses will be conducted for the participating research partners. Results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed journals.
Trend of pneumonia diagnosis in emergency departments as a COVID-19 surveillance system: a time series study
Authors: Murtas Rossella , Decarli Adriano , Russo Antonio Giampiero
Published: February 2021

Objective

In Italy, the first diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed on 20 February 2020 in the Lombardy region. Given the rapid spread of the infection in the population, it was suggested that in Europe, and specifically in Italy, the virus had already been present in the last months of 2019. In this paper, we aim to evaluate the hypothesis on the early presence of the virus in Italy by analysing data on trends of access to emergency departments (EDs) of subjects with a diagnosis of pneumonia during the 2015–2020 period.

Design

Time series cohort study.

Setting

We collected data on visits due to pneumonia between 1 October 2015 and 31 May 2020 in all EDs of the Agency for Health Protection of Milan (ATS of Milan). Trend in the winter of 2019–2020 was compared with those in the previous 4 years in order to identify unexpected signals potentially associated with the occurrence of the pandemic. Aggregated data were analysed using a Poisson regression model adjusted for seasonality and influenza outbreaks.

Primary outcome measures 

Daily pneumonia-related visits in EDs.

Results 

In the studied period, we observed 105 651 pneumonia-related ED visits. Compared with the expected, a lower occurrence was observed in January 2020, while an excess of pneumonia visits started in the province of Lodi on 21 February 2020, and almost 10 days later was observed in the remaining territory of the ATS of Milan. Overall, the peak in excess was found on 17 March 2020 (369 excess visits compared with previous years, 95% CI 353 to 383) and ended in May 2020, the administrative end of the Italian lockdown.

Conclusions 

An early warning system based on routinely collected administrative data could be a feasible and low-cost strategy to monitor the actual situation of the virus spread both at local and national levels.
Characterizing tumor shrinkage as a measure of clinical benefit for immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Kelleher Thomas , Cai Junliang , Botwood Nicholas AJ , Labriola Dominic F
Published: February 2021

Background

We explored whether the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can be characterized by incorporating a composite of duration of response (DOR) to complement traditional Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria for objective response rate (ORR) in an intent-to-treat (ITT) population. Furthermore, the correlation of this novel endpoint, characterized by the restricted mean time in response (RMTR), with overall survival (OS) will be examined.

Methods

We analyzed ORR alone or in combination with DOR (RMTR) in available phase I, II, and III trials evaluating nivolumab monotherapy or in combination with ipilimumab across solid tumor types. ORR was evaluated per RECIST V.1.1. DOR was estimated using individual patient data in ITT populations regardless of RECIST response, with non-responders imputed as zero. Associations between ORR alone or RMTR and OS were evaluated in the ITT population. DOR curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method, and 6-month RMTR, a measure of response durability, was derived from the area under the curves. For ORR and RMTR in the ITT population, the strength of association with OS was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients (r).

Results

Nivolumab treatment was associated with longer response durations than active control in responder and ITT populations. Similarly, ORR and RMTR were both significantly correlated with OS (ORR vs OS: r=0.684, p=0.02; RMTR vs OS: r=0.695, p=0.018).

Conclusions

Combining ORR and DOR (RMTR) to objectively characterize tumor shrinkage in an ITT patient population is a novel approach that appears to correlate well with OS in patients treated with nivolumab monotherapy or in combination with ipilimumab. This endpoint may provide a more complete characterization of tumor shrinkage to incorporate into the design of future ICI clinical trials. However, confirmation of this approach will require further research.
Endovascular thrombectomy time metrics in the era of COVID-19: observations from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Multicenter Collaboration
Authors: Czap Alexandra L , Zha Alicia M , Sebaugh Jacob , Hassan Ameer E , Shulman Julie G , Abdalkader Mohamad , Nguyen Thanh N , Linfante Italo , Starosciak Amy Kathryn , Ortega-Gutierrez Santiago , Farooqui Mudassir , Quispe-Orozco Darko , Vora Nirav A , Rai Vivek , Nogueira Raul G , Haussen Diogo C , Jillella Dinesh V , Rana Ameena , Yu Siyuan , Thon Jesse M , Zaidat Osama O , Khandelwal Priyank , Bach Ivo , Sheth Sunil A , Jadhav Ashutosh P , Desai Shashvat M , Jovin Tudor G , Liebeskind David S , Siegler James E
Published: February 2021

Background

Unprecedented workflow shifts during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have contributed to delays in acute care delivery, but whether it adversely affected endovascular thrombectomy metrics in acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) is unknown.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of observational data from 14 comprehensive stroke centers in nine US states with acute LVO. EVT metrics were compared between March to July 2019 against March to July 2020 (primary analysis), and between state-specific pre-peak and peak COVID-19 months (secondary analysis), with multivariable adjustment.

Results

Of the 1364 patients included in the primary analysis (51% female, median NIHSS 14 [IQR 7–21], and 74% of whom underwent EVT), there was no difference in the primary outcome of door-to-puncture (DTP) time between the 2019 control period and the COVID-19 period (median 71 vs 67 min, P=0.10). After adjustment for variables associated with faster DTP, and clustering by site, there remained a trend toward shorter DTP during the pandemic (βadj=-73.2, 95% CI −153.8–7.4, Pp=0.07). There was no difference in DTP times according to local COVID-19 peaks vs pre-peak months in unadjusted or adjusted multivariable regression (βadj=-3.85, 95% CI −36.9–29.2, P=0.80). In this final multivariable model (secondary analysis), faster DTP times were significantly associated with transfer from an outside institution (βadj=-46.44, 95% CI −62.8 to – -30.0, P<0.01) and higher NIHSS (βadj=-2.15, 95% CI −4.2to – -0.1, P=0.05).

Conclusions

In this multi-center study, there was no delay in EVT among patients treated for intracranial occlusion during the COVID-19 era compared with the pre-COVID era.
Modelling short-term monotonic response of timber–concrete composite structures
Authors: Liu Cong , Ferche Anca C. , Vecchio Frank J.
Published: February 2021

Timber–concrete composite is an efficient hybrid construction material that exploits the advantageous properties of timber and concrete. The use of shear connectors enables the two dissimilar materials to act together, resulting in an increase in global stiffness as well as load-carrying capacity. As this composite material is becoming increasingly more popular in the construction industry, there is a need to develop analysis tools that have general applicability to timber–concrete composite systems with variations in loading schemes, specimen configurations, materials, and types of shear connectors. One such tool, a generic two-dimensional nonlinear finite element model, is proposed in this paper; it is verified through numerical simulations of six experiment series carried out by other researchers. Good agreement between experimentally observed behaviour and numerical simulations was generally obtained.
Interpolating sequences for weighted Bergman spaces on strongly pseudoconvex bounded domains
Authors: Keshavarzi Hamzeh
Published: February 2021

Let [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] be a strongly pseudoconvex bounded domain with a smooth boundary in [Formula: see text]. We will study the interpolation problem for weighted Bergman spaces [Formula: see text]. In the case, [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the conjugate exponent of [Formula: see text] (let [Formula: see text], for [Formula: see text]), we show that a sequence in [Formula: see text], the unit ball in [Formula: see text], is interpolating for [Formula: see text] if and only if it is separated.
Emergence of maximal acceleration from non-commutativity of spacetime
Authors: Harikumar E. , Lakkaraju Leela Ganesh Chandra , Rajagopal Vishnu
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we show that the causally connected four-dimensional line element of the [Formula: see text]-deformed Minkowski spacetime induces an upper cut-off on the proper acceleration and derive this maximal acceleration, valid up to first order in the deformation parameter. We find a contribution to maximal acceleration which is independent of [Formula: see text] and thus signals effect of the non-commutativity alone. We also construct the [Formula: see text]-deformed geodesic equation and obtain its [Formula: see text]-deformed Newtonian limit, valid up to first order in deformation parameter. Using this, we constrain non-commutative parameters present in the expression for maximal acceleration. We analyze different limits of the maximal acceleration and also discuss its implication to maximal temperature. We also obtain a bound on the deformation parameter.
Effects of strong magnetic field on the formation of wakes in thermal QCD
Authors: Hasan Mujeeb , Patra Binoy Krishna
Published: February 2021

We have investigated how the wakes in the induced charge density and in the potential due to the passage of highly energetic partons through a thermal QCD medium get affected by the presence of strong magnetic field [Formula: see text]. For that purpose, we wish to analyze first the dielectric responses of the medium both in presence and absence of strong magnetic field. Therefore, we have revisited the general form for the gluon self-energy tensor at finite temperature and finite magnetic field and then calculate the relevant structure functions at finite temperature and strong magnetic field limit (SMF: [Formula: see text] as well as [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is the electric charge (mass) of [Formula: see text]th flavor). We found that for slow moving partons, the real part of dielectric function is not affected by the magnetic field whereas for fast moving partons, for small [Formula: see text], it becomes very large and approaches towards its counterpart at [Formula: see text], for large [Formula: see text]. On the other hand the imaginary part is decreased for both slow and fast moving partons, due to the fact that the imaginary contribution due to quark loop vanishes. With these ingredients, we found that the oscillation in the (scaled) induced charge density, due to the very fast partons becomes less pronounced in the presence of strong magnetic field whereas for smaller parton velocity, no significant change is observed. For the (scaled) wake potential along the motion of fast moving partons (which is of Lennard–Jones (LJ-)type), the depth of negative minimum in the backward region gets reduced drastically, resulting in the reduction of the amplitude of oscillation. On the other hand in the forward region, it remains as the screened Coulomb one, except the screening now becomes much stronger for higher parton velocity. Similarly for the wake potential transverse to the motion of partons in both forward and backward regions, the depth of LJ potential for fast moving partons gets decreased severely, but still retains the forward–backward symm etry. However, for lower parton velocity, the magnetic field does not affect it significantly.
On the dynamics of spinning particle in nonlinear relativity
Authors: Guergouri H. , Foughali T.
Published: February 2021

In order to study the dynamics of spinning particles in R-Minkowski space–time, first we have used the Bhabha–Corben model to describe how a spinning particle behave in a uniform electromagnetic field. Then, to extend the Mathisson–Papapetrou equations to R-Minkowski space–time, that correspond to de Sitter space–time given by a conformally flat metric, it was necessary to determine the Killing vectors, which allowed us to find the equations of motion that describe the dynamics of spinning particles.
A Digitally Controlled Multichannel Spectrally Efficient Low-Power Transceiver for Ultra-Wideband Cognitive Radio Applications
Authors: Saoudi Hanen , Ghariani Hamadi
Published: February 2021

A multichannel transceiver design with low hardware complexity, flexibility and efficient spectrum use intended for Impulse Radio (IR) Ultra-Wideband (UWB) apertures, is proposed in this paper. The transceiver supports 14 channels and is implemented in TSMC CMOS process. The transmitter adopts a symmetrical triangular narrow pulse generator, a multiband LC-VCO, a mixer and a Variable-Gain Amplifier. A digital control of transmitter output power and carrier frequency is achieved by a current-steering Digital-to-Analog Converter (CS-DAC). The receiver follows the noncoherent Energy Detection (ED) scheme including Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) which takes the benefits of the body biasing technique to further reduce power consumption, squarer and comparator. The LNA achieves high gain of up to 30[Formula: see text]dB allowing to enhance the receiver sensitivity which is [Formula: see text]83.7[Formula: see text]dBm at 25[Formula: see text]Mbps. The transmitter provides output pulses with a width of 3[Formula: see text]ns, a pulse repetition rate of 20[Formula: see text]ns and a maximum Power Spectral Density (PSD) of [Formula: see text]42[Formula: see text]dBm/MHz. The power consumptions of transmitter and receiver are 35.6[Formula: see text]pJ/bit and 0.207[Formula: see text]nJ/bit at 25[Formula: see text]Mbps, respectively. Maximizing utilization of the scarce wireless spectrum, enhancing spectral flexibility and efficiency and reducing power consumption are the main contributions brought by this work, enabling this transceiver to be able to deal with the current debate on producing single multifunctional Cognitive Radio (CR) UWB systems.
Symmetric solutions for a 2D critical Dirac equation
Authors: Borrelli William
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we show the existence of infinitely many symmetric solutions for a cubic Dirac equation in two dimensions, which appears as effective model in systems related to honeycomb structures. Such equation is critical for the Sobolev embedding and solutions are found by variational methods. Moreover, we also prove smoothness and exponential decay at infinity.
An asymptotic expansion for the fractional p-Laplacian and for gradient-dependent nonlocal operators
Authors: Bucur Claudia , Squassina Marco
Published: February 2021

Mean value formulas are of great importance in the theory of partial differential equations: many very useful results are drawn, for instance, from the well-known equivalence between harmonic functions and mean value properties. In the nonlocal setting of fractional harmonic functions, such an equivalence still holds, and many applications are nowadays available. The nonlinear case, corresponding to the [Formula: see text]-Laplace operator, has also been recently investigated, whereas the validity of a nonlocal, nonlinear, counterpart remains an open problem. In this paper, we propose a formula for the nonlocal, nonlinear mean value kernel, by means of which we obtain an asymptotic representation formula for harmonic functions in the viscosity sense, with respect to the fractional (variational) [Formula: see text]-Laplacian (for [Formula: see text]) and to other gradient-dependent nonlocal operators.
Stationary measures on infinite graphs
Authors: Baraviera Alexandre , Duarte Pedro , Torres Maria Joana
Published: February 2021

We extend the theory of isospectral reductions of Bunimovich and Webb to infinite graphs, and describe an application of this extension to the problems of existence and approximation of stationary measures on infinite graphs.
Additive mappings and identities on unit groups of algebraic algebras
Authors: Bien M. H. , Ramezan-Nassab M.
Published: February 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be an infinite field and [Formula: see text] be an algebraic [Formula: see text]-algebra. It is known that if [Formula: see text], the unit group of [Formula: see text], satisfies a group identity, then [Formula: see text] satisfies a polynomial identity. In this paper, using additive mappings, we generalize this result to some kinds of identities. Particularly, assume that ∗ is an involution of [Formula: see text]. We show that if [Formula: see text] satisfies a ∗-group identity, then [Formula: see text] satisfies a polynomial identity.
On the lengths of group algebras of finite abelian groups in the modular case
Authors: Guterman Alexander , Khrystik Mikhail , Markova Olga
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we address the question of finding the length of group algebras of finite abelian groups in the case when the characteristic of the ground field divides the order of the group. We evaluate the exact length for an arbitrary abelian [Formula: see text]-group. For other groups we provide upper and lower bounds for the length of their group algebras.
Pre-Lie analogues of Poisson-Nijenhuis structures and Maurer–Cartan equations
Authors: Liu Jiefeng , Wang Qi
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we study pre-Lie analogues of Poisson-Nijenhuis structures and introduce [Formula: see text]-structures on bimodules over pre-Lie algebras. We show that an [Formula: see text]-structure gives rise to a hierarchy of pairwise compatible [Formula: see text]-operators. We study solutions of the strong Maurer–Cartan equation on the twilled pre-Lie algebra associated to an [Formula: see text]-operator, which gives rise to a pair of [Formula: see text]-structures which are naturally in duality. We show that KVN-structures and HN-structures on a pre-Lie algebra [Formula: see text] are corresponding to [Formula: see text]-structures on the bimodule [Formula: see text], and KVB-structures are corresponding to solutions of the strong Maurer–Cartan equation on a twilled pre-Lie algebra associated to an [Formula: see text]-matrix.
E-tourism: How ICTs Help the Local Tourist District Drive Economic Vitality. The Case of Campania, Italy
Authors: Marino Alfonso , Pariso Paolo
Published: February 2021

The purpose of the study is to answer to the following Research Question (RQ): “What are the perception and the application of ICTs for e-tourism in different LTDs in Campania?” To answer the RQ a qualitative study was done with a questionnaire to 144 managers of Local Tourist Districts (LTDs) in Campania, Italy. The questionnaire was summited in 2017. The acquired data were processed using the factor analyses. The study of the region’s 12 LTDs allowed for the identification of three district typologies i.e. three homogeneous groups. The one, defined as proactive, exhibited positive results thanks to the skills and competencies of its managers. By contrast, despite the wealth of attractions, the other districts did not fare as well mostly due to management inadequacies and organizational culture. The research was limited to only 12 LTDs located in Italy. Possible measures to address operational and cultural problems in the region have been identified in implementation of ITCs’ applications to foster e-tourism and the local entrepreneurial ecosystem as well as the accumulation of knowledge to enhance the awareness of the education as a strategic factor [ Masele , J. J. ( 2015 ). Towards e-commerce use for pro-poor tourism promotion: Local providers’ ICT training needs in Tanzania. International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 12(4), 1550020]. Moreover, at the national and international level, other strategic elements can be identified in: analysis of good practices and cross contamination of proactive district managers with the participated and insensitive district managers.It is the first research paper on the Campania districts since their inception. The analysis of the phenomenon may be extended to other countries too.
Representation of integers by k-generalized Fibonacci sequences and applications in cryptography
Authors: Badidja Salim , Mokhtar Ahmed Ait , Özer Özen
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to construct a relation between tribonacci numbers and generalized tribonacci numbers. Besides, certain conditions are obtained to generalize the representation of a positive integer [Formula: see text] which is determined in [S. Badidja and A. Boudaoud, Representation of positive integers as a sum of distinct tribonacci numbers, J. Math. Statistic. 13 (2017) 57–61] for a [Formula: see text]-generalized Fibonacci numbers [Formula: see text]. Lastly, some applications to cryptography are given by using [Formula: see text].
Hom-Leibniz 2-algebras
Authors: Wang Chunyue , Wei Zhu , Zhang Qingcheng
Published: February 2021

We define a Hom-Leibniz 2-algebra, which can be considered as the deformation and categorification of Leibniz algebras. We give the notion of 2-term strongly homotopy (sh) Hom-Leibniz algebras. We prove that the 2-term sh Hom-Leibniz algebras are equivalent to the Hom-Leibniz 2-algebras. We show that there exists a one-to-one correspondence between crossed modules of Hom-Leibniz algebras and 2-term Hom-differential graded Leibniz algebras. We also prove that the skeletal 2-term sh Hom-Leibniz algebras can be classified by using the third cohomology group of Hom-Leibniz algebras. We construct a Hom-Leibniz 2-algebra from an Omni-Hom-Lie 2-algebra. Moreover, we also give the construction of Hom-Leibniz 2-algebras from Hom-associative Rota–Baxter algebras.
Assessing the Moderation Role of ICT in the Relationship Between Supply Chain Integration and SME Performance
Authors: Amoako Timothy , Sheng Zhang Huai , Dogbe Courage Simon Kofi , Pomegbe Wisdom Wise Kwabla
Published: February 2021

This paper investigates the direct effects of Supply Chain Integration (SCI) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on firm performance, as well as the moderator effect of ICT. In the Abossey-Okai business enclave, the cross-sectional method was used to distribute questionnaires to owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to evaluate the various dimensions of the study. The results indicate that all SCI dimensions (customer, internal, and supplier) had a positive and significant effect on firm performance. Also, ICT had a positive moderating influence on the relationship between SCI dimensions and firm performance. ICT had a significant impact on firm performance. Practically, this research will assist owners and managers of SMEs in coordinating with various departments and implementing internal practices that will build up cooperation by sharing vital information and instituting ways of decreasing cost. With these structures in place, it will help focal firms cooperate and coordinate well with external players diligently and access vital information to improve overall performance. Examining the individual dimensional effect of SCI on SMEs performance and extending the framework by individually moderating the relationship with ICT tools, this research adds to SCI’s and ICT’s available literature.
EE-6S: an integrated approach for introducing early clinical exposure in the new Egyptian medical curriculum
Authors: Seif Ansam Aly , Eldamanhoury Hayam M. , Darahim Khaled , Boulos Dina N. K. , Bahaa Nevine , A M Ciraj , Velladath Saleena Ummer , Kamath M. Ganesh
Published: February 2021

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is the primary diagnostic tool in cardiovascular diseases. Hence its interpretation is a core competency in medicine, where obvious deficiencies have been reported among learners. The aim of this study was to introduce the fundamentals of ECG knowledge and interpretation through early clinical exposure (ECE) based on a six-step approach for preclinical students ( n = 110) and to study its influence on their knowledge and interpretation skills thereafter. The first step employed a blended learning format using didactic lectures on normal and pathological ECGs, each preceded by preinstructional videos. The second step focused on psychomotor skills and utilized laboratory exercises for ECG recording and interpretation. The third step focused on vertical integration, where the clinical relevance of the procedure was established with integrated lectures. The fourth step used the Moodle platform, where opportunities for peer interactions and clarifications by clinical faculty were made available. The fifth step incorporated clinical and diagnostic reasoning through cardiology ward visits and interpretation of patient ECGs. The sixth step was designed for critical thinking and problem solving through case-based discussions with peers and faculty. Students were assessed with multiple-choice questions and objective structured practical examination. Learner perceptions of the approach were evaluated with a feedback questionnaire and focus group discussion. Statistical analysis showed that ECE through a six-step approach significantly enhanced knowledge and interpretation of ECG as evidenced by the pre- and posttest scores. Analysis of the focus group data revealed that learner engagement and skills of critical thinking were enhanced along with diagnostic and clinical reasoning.
Corn? When did I eat corn? Gastrointestinal transit time in health science students
Authors: Keendjele Tuwilika P. T. , Eelu Hilja H. , Nashihanga Tunelago E. , Rennie Timothy W. , Hunter Christian John
Published: February 2021

The objective of this study was to determine gastrointestinal transit time in first-year health science students with a laboratory practical exercise conducted in two cohorts (classes of 2018 and 2019) of first-year health sciences students at the Health Science Campus in Windhoek, Namibia. All first-year health science students undertaking the Physiology course were invited to take part in the laboratory exercise. The primary outcome was the measurement of gastrointestinal transit time from the amount of time taken for ingested whole-kernel sweetcorn to be eliminated, which was calculated as the time period between ingestion of corn and the time of corn first seen in the stool and the time corn was last seen in the stool. The secondary outcome was an association between emotional irritability and/or anxiety and gastrointestinal transit time. The study analyzed responses of 175 students, who reported a median transit time of 29 (1–99) h. There was no difference in gastrointestinal transit time between male and female students. Likewise, there was no difference in the duration of the corn in the bowel between male and female students. Students who reported being worried and irritable during the exercise had more bowel movements before they saw corn in their stool and had slower transit times, respectively. A wider range of transit time was reported in a group of young, healthy students compared with previous studies in the literature. There were no differences between male and female student bowel activity. Anxiety did impact the bowel activity of the participants.
Benzamil-mediated urine alkalization is caused by the inhibition of H+-K+-ATPases
Authors: Ayasse Niklas , Berg Peder , Andersen Jesper Frank , Svendsen Samuel Levi , Sørensen Mads V. , Fedosova Natalya U. , Lynch I. Jeanette , Wingo Charles S. , Leipziger Jens
Published: February 2021

Bolus application of epithelial Na+ channel (EnaC) blockers causes marked and acute increases of urine pH. Here, we provide evidence that the underlying mechanism involves direct inhibition of the H+-K+ pump in the collecting duct. This could provide a fundamental revision of the previously assumed mechanism that suggested a key role of ENaC inhibition in this response.
Experimental Study on the Anisotropic Characteristics and Engineering Application of Tight Sandstone
Authors: Wei Yuanlong , Liu Wei , Hou Zhenkun
Published: February 2021

The anisotropy of tight sandstone (a type of unconventional gas reservoirs) is a significant factor influencing the characteristics of cracks network under hydrofracturing; thus, it also has a large influence on the final production capacity of the gas reservoirs. To improve the understanding of anisotropy degree and mechanical properties of the tight sandstone of Xujiahe Formation and thus to provide reliable reference for the establishment of hydrofracture model and parameter designing in fracture field, a series of experiments including ultrasonic wave velocity and uniaxial and triaxial compression tests of the tight sandstone samples obtained from Xujiahe Formation with different inclination angles (the angle between sample drilling direction and bedding plane) have been conducted. With the increase of inclination angle, the velocity of the longitudinal wave and elastic modulus both show the tendency of decreasing, whereas the compressive strength shows a “U” shape varying pattern, which is high on sides and low in the middle region. The values of uniaxial compression strength (UCS) are the lowest of sandstone with the inclination angles of 30° and 45°. The fracture patterns are dominant by splitting fracture under uniaxial compression tests. However, shear fracture and dilatancy morphology is the main pattern under triaxial compression test. But the local morphology of the failure surfaces behaves different if the inclination angle is changed. Combining the mechanic theory of transversely isotropic material, the anisotropy parameters of the tight sandstone are analyzed, as well as the influence on the hydrofracturing technology for tight sandstone in the field.
A Network Pharmacology Study on the Molecular Mechanisms of FDY003 for Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Lee Ho-Sung , Lee In-Hee , Kang Kyungrae , Park Sang-In , Moon Seung-Joon , Lee Chol Hee , Lee Dae-Yeon
Published: February 2021

Herbal medicines have drawn considerable attention with regard to their potential applications in breast cancer (BC) treatment, a frequently diagnosed malignant disease, considering their anticancer efficacy with relatively less adverse effects. However, their mechanisms of systemic action have not been understood comprehensively. Based on network pharmacology approaches, we attempted to unveil the mechanisms of FDY003, an herbal drug comprised of Lonicera japonica Thunberg, Artemisia capillaris Thunberg, and Cordyceps militaris, against BC at a systemic level. We found that FDY003 exhibited pharmacological effects on human BC cells. Subsequently, detailed data regarding the biochemical components contained in FDY003 were obtained from comprehensive herbal medicine-related databases, including TCMSP and CancerHSP. By evaluating their pharmacokinetic properties, 18 chemical compounds in FDY003 were shown to be potentially active constituents interacting with 140 BC-associated therapeutic targets to produce the pharmacological activity. Gene ontology enrichment analysis using g:Profiler indicated that the FDY003 targets were involved in the modulation of cellular processes, involving the cell proliferation, cell cycle process, and cell apoptosis. Based on a KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, we further revealed that a variety of oncogenic pathways that play key roles in the pathology of BC were significantly enriched with the therapeutic targets of FDY003; these included PI3K-Akt, MAPK, focal adhesion, FoxO, TNF, and estrogen signaling pathways. Here, we present a network-perspective of the molecular mechanisms via which herbal drugs treat BC.
[Retracted] Prevalence, Mechanisms, Treatment, and Complications of Hypertension Postliving Kidney Donation
Authors: Deoraj Stuart , Moutzouris Dimitrios Anestis , Bellini Maria Irene
Published: February 2021

Living kidney donors represent a unique population of patients. Potential donors are selected based on the belief that their preoperative fitness is likely to mitigate the risks of long‐ and short‐term harm following uninephrectomy. Studies performed on postdonation outcomes have largely focused on mortality and the risk of end‐stage renal failure, but have also investigated secondary outcomes such as cardiovascular morbidity and hypertension. It has been postulated that hypertension is a possible outcome of living kidney donation. A variety of studies have been conducted to investigate the prevalence, epidemiology, mechanisms, treatment strategies, and long‐term ramifications of hypertension postdonation. These studies are heterogeneous in their population, design, methodology, and outcome measures and have presented contradicting outcomes. Additionally, the absence of a well‐matched control group has made it challenging to interpret and generalise the reported findings. As such, it is not possible to definitively conclude that hypertension occurs at a higher rate among donors than the general population. This article will review the evidence of postdonation hypertension prevalence, mechanisms, treatment, and complications.
Developing of a Mathematical Model to Perform Measurements of Axial Vertebral Rotation on Computer-Aided and Automated Diagnosis Systems, Using Raimondi’s Method
Authors: Hurtado-Aviles José , Roca-González Joaquín , Kurochka Konstantsin Sergeevich , Sanz-Mengibar Jose Manuel , Santonja-Medina Fernando
Published: February 2021

Introduction. Axial vertebral rotation (AVR) is a basic parameter in the study of idiopathic scoliosis and on physical two-dimensional images. Raimondi’s tables are the most used method in the quantification of AVR. The development of computing technologies has enabled the creation of computer-aided or automated diagnosis systems (CADx) with which measurement on medical images can be carried out more quickly, simply, and with less intra and interobserver variabilities than manual methods. Although there are several publications dealing with the measurement of AVR in CADx systems, none of them provides information on the equation or algorithm used for the measurement applying Raimondi’s method. Goal. The aim of this work is to perform a mathematical modelling of the data contained in Raimondi’s tables that enable the Raimondi method to be used in digital medical images more precisely and in a more exact manner. Methods. Data from Raimondi’s tables were tabulated on a first step. After this, each column of Raimondi’s tables containing values corresponding to vertebral body width (D) were adjusted to a curve determined by AVR = f (d). Third, representative values of each rotation divided by D were obtained through the equation of each column D. In a fourth step, a regression line was fitted to the data in each row, and from its equation, the mean value of the D/d distribution is calculated (value corresponding to the central column, D = 45). Finally, a curve was adjusted to the obtained data using the least squares method. Summary and Conclusion. Our mathematical equation allows the Raimondi method to be used in digital images of any format in a more accurate and simplified approach. This equation can be easily and freely implemented in any CADx system to quantify AVR, providing a more precise use of Raimondi’s method, as well as being used in traditional manual measurement as it is performed with Raimondi tables.
An Online Semisupervised Learning Model for Pedestrians’ Crossing Intention Recognition of Connected Autonomous Vehicle Based on Mobile Edge Computing Applications
Authors: Ji Shicai , Peng Ying , Zhang Hongjia , Wu Shengbo
Published: February 2021

One of the major challenges that connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) are facing today is driving in urban environments. To achieve this goal, CAVs need to have the ability to understand the crossing intention of pedestrians. However, for autonomous vehicles, it is quite challenging to understand pedestrians’ crossing intentions. Because the pedestrian is a very complex individual, their intention to cross the street is affected by the weather, the surrounding traffic environment, and even his own emotions. If the established street crossing intention recognition model cannot be updated in real time according to the diversity of samples, the efficiency of human‐machine interaction and the interaction safety will be greatly affected. Based on the above problems, this paper established a pedestrian crossing intention model based on the online semisupervised support vector machine algorithm (OS3VM). In order to verify the effectiveness of the model, this paper collects a large amount of pedestrian crossing data and vehicle movement data based on laser scanner, and determines the main feature components of the model input through feature extraction and principal component analysis (PCA). The comparison results of recognition accuracy of SVM, S3VM, and OS3VM indicate that the proposed OS3VM model exhibits a better ability to recognize pedestrian crossing intentions than the SVM and S3VM models, and the accuracy achieves 94.83%. Therefore, the OS3VM model can reduce the number of labeled samples for training the classifier and improve the recognition accuracy.
Assessing Dry Weight of Hemodialysis Patients via Sparse Laplacian Regularized RVFL Neural Network with L2,1‐Norm
Authors: Guo Xiaoyi , Zhou Wei , Lu Qun , Du Aiyan , Cai Yinghua , Ding Yijie
Published: February 2021

Dry weight is the normal weight of hemodialysis patients after hemodialysis. If the amount of water in diabetes is too much (during hemodialysis), the patient will experience hypotension and shock symptoms. Therefore, the correct assessment of the patient’s dry weight is clinically important. These methods all rely on professional instruments and technicians, which are time‐consuming and labor‐intensive. To avoid this limitation, we hope to use machine learning methods on patients. This study collected demographic and anthropometric data of 476 hemodialysis patients, including age, gender, blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), years of dialysis (YD), and heart rate (HR). We propose a Sparse Laplacian regularized Random Vector Functional Link (SLapRVFL) neural network model on the basis of predecessors. When we evaluate the prediction performance of the model, we fully compare SLapRVFL with the Body Composition Monitor (BCM) instrument and other models. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of SLapRVFL is 1.3136, which is better than other methods. The SLapRVFL neural network model could be a viable alternative of dry weight assessment.
Influence of Microscopic Effects on the Static Tensile Strength of Gray Cast Iron HT200 Specimens
Authors: Fan L. , Hu H. B. , Tang X. S. , He J. J. , Chen W.
Published: February 2021

Gray cast iron HT200 material is a kind of pearlitic gray cast iron. Flake graphite in the gray cast iron greatly destroys the integrity of the matrix and affect the static strength. The influence of microscopic effects on the tensile static strength of gray cast iron HT200 specimens is investigated. The microstructures are observed by the scanning electron microscope. The failure tests are done under the static loads for the cylinder specimens of gray cast iron HT200. Then, an energy density zone (EDZ) model is applied to the simulation of the fracture process of the specimens. The energy density zone model is a macro/micro‐trans‐scale crack growth model that can depict a fracture process from an initial microdefect at the microscale to the final break at the macroscale. Three scale transitional functions as well as the size of the initial microdefect in the model represent the microscopic effects in a fracture process. Three scale transitional functions are speculated in view of the physical failure mechanisms. Two other material parameters in the model are determined from the test data. Thereby, the fracture process of gray cast iron specimens is numerically simulated, and the static strength values are calculated. The calculated values of static strength of gray cast iron specimens are identical to the test values. It is seen that the energy density zone model can accurately describe a fracture process of brittle materials like gray cast iron. In addition, the calculated results show that the microscopic effects did affect the static strength of gray cast material.