bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and development of a coaxial cryogenic probe for precision measurements of the quantum Hall effect in the AC regime
Authors: Marzano Martina , Tran Ngoc Thanh Mai , D'Elia Vincenzo , Serazio Danilo , Enrico Emanuele , Ortolano Massimo , Pierz Klaus , Kucera Jan , Callegaro Luca
Published: July 2021

The quantum Hall effect is the basis for the realisation of the resistance and impedance units in the International System of units since 2019. This paper describes a cryogenic probe that allows to set graphene Hall devices in quantisation conditions in a helium bath (4.2 K) and magnetic fields up to 6 T, to perform precision measurements in the AC regime with impedance bridges. The probe has a full coaxial wiring, isolated from the probe structure, and holds the device in a TO-8 socket. First, characterization experiments are reported on a GaAs device, showing quantisation at 5.5 T. In the AC regime, multiple-series connections will be employed to minimize the residual error, quantified by electrical modelling of the probe.
ОТ СТОИМОСТИ К ИНСТИТУЦИОНАЛЬНОЙ ЦЕННОСТИ
Authors: ЛЕМЕЩЕНКО П.
Published: July 2021

Экономическая наука не только познает, открывает, рекомендует, проверяет... Она, если действительно находится в хорошем «рабочем» состоянии, занимая достойное место в социальной структуре, явно или неявно объединяет людей общим представлением об окружающем мире, о нормах взаимоотношения между людьми, об эффективности и справедливости. И никто этого не может сделать лучше нее…
ПРОБЛЕМЫ РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЯ ИНФЛЯЦИОННЫХ ПРОЦЕССОВ В РЕСПУБЛИКЕ БЕЛАРУСЬ
Authors: ЛУЧЕНОК А.
Published: July 2021

В статье исследуются проблемы государственного регулирования инфляционных процессов в экономике Республики Беларусь. Показано, что в после девальвации белорусского рубля в 2011 году в белорусской экономике стала доминировать инфляция предложения (издержек), что резко понизило эффективность монетарных мер регулирования экономики. Даны рекомендации по дополнению денежно-кредитных рычагов ограничения инфляции инструментами антимонопольной политики, введению дополнительных мер социальной защиты населения на основе совершенствования показателей оценки уровня инфляции.
Screening of metallic pollution in complex environmental samples through a transcriptomic fingerprint method
Authors: Cregut Mickael , Hua Anna , Jouanneau Sulivan , Assaf Ali , Cordella Christophe BY , Thouand Gérald , Durand Marie-José
Published: July 2021

Characterizing waste ecotoxicity is labourious because of both the undefined nature of environmental samples and the diversity of contaminants that can be present. With regard to these limitations, traditional approaches do not provide information about the nature of the pollution encountered. To improve such assessments, a fluorescent library of 1,870 transcriptomic reporters from E. coli K12 MG1655 was used to report the ecotoxic status of environmental samples. The reliability of the approach was evaluated with 6 metallic pollutants (As, Cu, Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn) used alone and in mixture in pure and complex matrices. A total of 18 synthetic samples were used to characterize the specificity of the resulting metallic contamination fingerprints. Metallic contamination impacted 4.5 to 10.2% of the whole transcriptomic fingerprint of E. coli. The analysis revealed that a subset of 175 transcriptomic reporters is sufficient to characterize metallic contamination, regardless of the nature of the sample. A statistical model distinguished patterns due to metallic contamination and provided information about the level of toxicity with 93–98% confidence. The use of the transcriptomic assessment was validated for 17 complex matrices with various toxicities and metal contaminants, such as activated sludge, wastewater effluent, soil, wood and river water. The presence of metals and their associated toxicity, which seems linked to their bioavailabilities, were thereby determined. This method constitutes a possible tool to screen unknown complex samples for their metallic status and identify those for which a deeper characterization must be achieved by the use of traditional biosensors and analytical methods.
Communicable Disease Pandemic: A Simulation Model Based on Community Transmission and Social Distancing
Authors: Bhoi Sourav Kumar , Jena Kalyan Kumar , Mohapatra Debasis , Singh Munesh , Kumar Raghvendra , Long Hoang Viet
Published: July 2021

Communicable disease pandemic is a severe disease outbreak all over the countires and continents. Swine Flu, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 (COrona VIrus Disease-19), etc. are some of the global pandemics in the world. The major cause of becoming pandemic is community transmission and lack of social distancing. Recently COVID-19 is such an largest outbreak all over the world. This disease is a communicable disease which is spreading fastly due to Community Transmission, where the affetced people in the community aftects the heathy people in the community. Government is taking precautions by imposing Social Distancing in the countries or state to control the impact of COVID-19. Social Distancing can reduce the community transmission of COVID-19 by reducing the number of infected persons in an area. This is performed by staying at home and maintaining social distance with people. It reduces the density of people in an area by which it is difficult for the virus to spread from one person to other. In this work, the community transmission is presented using simulations. It shows how an infected person affects the healthy persons in an area. Simulations also show how social distancing can control the spread of COVID-19. The simulation is performed in GNU Octave programming platform by considering number of infected persons and number of healthy persons as parameters. Results show that using the social distancing the number of infected persons can be reduced and heathy persons can be increased. Therefore, from the analysis it is concluded that social distancing will be a better solution of prevention from community transmission.
Compressed Sensing System for a Fingerprint Image Recognition Using Sensing Matrix with Chaotic Model-Based Deterministic Row Indexes
Authors: Hailemariam Workneh Wolde , Gupta Pallavi
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes a novel design approach for a secured compressed sensing system for fingerprint imaging and its transmission. In the proposed design, the first stage is acquiring the signal followed by sparsely modeling it using Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) algorithm. In addition to compressing, to guaranty its security, we multiply the sparse modeled data by a novel deterministic partially orthogonal Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) sensing matrix. Furthermore, the construction of the sensing matrix uses a modified Multiplicative Linear Congruential Generator (MLCG) to select the row index appropriately from chaotically re-arranged rows of DCT pseudo-randomly. On the other hand, the simultaneous recovering and decryption of the compressed image accomplished with the help of a convex optimization method. The proposed system tested by employing different image and security assessment techniques. The results show that we have archived better Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) than the recommended value for wireless transmission using samples below 25%.
Changes of community structure and functional feeding groups of benthic macrofauna after mangrove afforestation in a subtropical intertidal zone, China
Authors: Rao Yiyong , Cai Lizhe , Zhou Xiping , Fu Sujing , Peng Wenqing , Chen Xinwei , Zheng Bin
Published: July 2021

Afforestation is a primary response to the loss and degradation of mangroves worldwide. The successful restoration of mangrove ecosystems is in part indicated by the rebuilding of macrobenthic community. However, the community dynamic of benthic macrofauna after mangrove afforestation was poorly known. Here, three quarterly surveys (2006–2007, 2014–2015, 2019–2020) of the benthic macrofauna and sediment grain size were conducted in a mix-planted mangrove stand (Kandelia obovata + Sonneratia apetala) in Xiamen Tong'an Bay, China. Our results showed that the community structure of benthic macrofauna differed significantly after mangrove afforestation. These differences were accompanied by the declines in the species number, abundance, biomass, and diversity (H'), as well as the fining of sediments. We also found that the epifauna and infauna exhibited different adaptabilities to mangrove vegetation. Additionally, shifts in the composition of the functional feeding groups were observed, indicating the modification of trophic structure after mangrove afforestation. We recommend that future mangrove afforestation programs call for a guide to coordinate habitats for different taxa.
A Threshold Signature Scheme Without Trusted Center for Blockchain-Based Medical Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Zhou Xianfei , Huang Jing , Chen Fulong , Tang Yuqing , Wang Canlin , Wang Taochun , Xie Dong , Zhao Chuanxin
Published: July 2021

With the rapid development of medical information technology, the medical cyber-physical system is undergoing a rapid transformation, and the safe storage and sharing of medical data are facing great challenges. It makes the work of safe medical data storage, privacy protection and data sharing get more difficult. In this paper, we propose the combination of private blockchain and consortium blockchain that can protect information security and realize data sharing. In the system, the medical records of each node are stored in the private blockchain, and the shared data is on the consortium blockchain so as to improve the data storage and reduce data redundancy. And the threshold signature scheme without trusted center is applied in the system. In order to initiate threshold signature, a set of nodes is constructed by the sponsoring doctor, in which the threshold signature process is initiated. When there are no less than $t$ nodes sending part-signatures, the signature can be synthesized to group signature. This scheme can be well applied to the scene of multidisciplinary joint consultation in the medical blockchain. The scheme proposed in this paper has high security and computing efficiency.
Evaluation of Subacute Thyroiditis: Frequency, Clinical Manifestation and Laboratory Findings
Authors: Bagheri Marziyeh , Abbasi farhad , Mirzaei Kamran , mohamadi Manizhe , kalantarhormozi mohammadreza
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a type of viral thyroiditis, which is often a self-limiting illness, but it causes diagnostic mistakes due to a number of clinical symptoms and leads to inappropriate treatment. In this study, clinical, laboratory and demographic findings of patients have been investigatedMethods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 40 patients (27 female-13 male) with subacute thyroiditis during one year. Data included age, sex, clinical symptoms (fever, sore throat, otalgia, fatigue, sweating ...) and laboratory findings. (ESR, CRP, TSH, T4 and WBC). Their files were extracted and analyzed with SPSS.Results: In this study, 67% of the patients were women with the mean age of 38.48 ± 8.7. Female to male ratio was 2.7 to 1. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (57.5%) and sore throat (55%). Laboratory findings: ESR, TSH,T4 and WBC with average of 67.32, 0.283, 15.368 and 12.456, respectively. CRP positive in 80% of patients who underwent this test. 80 percent of the patients responded to the treatment. The recurrence rate was estimated 42% and 11% for those who received NSAIDs and Prednisolone, respectivelyConclusion: In this study, SAT was most prevalent in women in their fourth decade of life. Clinical symptoms were consistent with most studies in terms of prevalence and incidence. There was no significant association between the age and sex of the patients and their clinical manifestations and laboratory results from laboratory considerations, low concentrations of TSH, high levels of ESR and positive CRP were found to be helpful in diagnosis. Prednisolone proved to be more effective in treating SAT.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of clinicians about antimicrobial stewardship and resistance among hospitals of Pakistan: A multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Ashraf Sohaib , Ashraf Shoaib , Ashraf Moneeb , Imran Muhammad Ahmad , Choudhary Zawar Ahmad , Hafsa Hadiqa Tul , Awais Abeer Bin , Kalsoom Larab , Farooq Iqra , Habib Zaighum , Ashraf Sidra , Iqbal Qurrat Ul Ain , Ghufran Muhammad , Sherazi Syed Sami Hussain , Akram Muhammad Kiwan , Akmal Rutaba , Rafique Sundas , Nawaz Khawar , Safdar Zartasha , Khalid Noman , Hassan Muhammad , Arshad Shahroze , Virk Abdul Rehman , Ashraf Muhammad , Saboor Qazi Abdul , Humayun Ayesha , Izhar Mateen
Published: July 2021

Considering that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global challenge, there is a dire need to gauge the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of clinicians in endemic countries. The aim of the current multicenter, cross-sectional study was to highlight the knowledge, aptitude and practice gaps in antimicrobial (AM) stewardship and AMR among practicing doctors working in public tertiary care teaching hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. A KAP survey, based on a self-administered questionnaire containing 45 questions, was conducted among 336 clinicians practicing in 6 randomly selected hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. Overall, 92% of the clinicians considered AMR as a worldwide problem but only 66% disagreed that cold and flu symptoms require antibiotics. Moreover, around 68% doctors felt confident about their practice in AM but still 96% felt need to get more knowledge about AM. Need to establish courses on rational antibiotic use was demanded by 84% of participants. The main contributing factors considered for AMR by the doctors included excessive AM usage in medical profession (87.1%) and multiple antibiotics per prescription (76.4%). Pharmacologically, AM spectrum was accurately chosen by 1.4% (ampicillin), 0.003% (erythromycin) and 0% (levofloxacin). Clinically, a more than 50% of clinicians used miscellaneous AM for empirical therapy of respiratory tract infection and cholecystitis. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The knowledge of clinicians is relatively poor in AM spectrum and drugs of choice for certain infections. However, they know about their short comings with positive approach towards improvement.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Sm+3 Activated NaCdVO4 Phosphors for Red Emitting Material
Authors: Enneffati Marwa , Rasheed Mohammed , Aouani Narjes , Louati Bassem , Guidara Kamel , Barillé Regis
Published: July 2021

Sm3+ activated NaCdVO4 phosphors were prepared by the simple solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction, dispersive energy (EDS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), infrared as well as photoluminescence (PL) techniques were used to characterize obtained samples. Irregular and non-uniform structures were observed by SEM. EDS spectra confirmed the presence of Na, Cd, V, O and Sm elements in each sample. Uuder 405nm excitation, the NaCd1 − xVO4: xSm (x = 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05) exhibits a bright red emission consisting mainly of four wavelength peaks at 556, 593, 650 and 700 nm. The highest emission intensity was found with a composition of x = 0.05. The analysis of PL spectra suggest that studied samples can be used as a red emitting phosphors candidates for fabrication of white LEDs. The CIE chromaticity coordinates of prepared samples were close to the blue-emitting phosphors for NaCdVO4 and red-emitting ones for NaCd0.99Sm0.01VO4, NaCd0.97Sm0.03VO4, and NaCd0.95Sm0.05VO4. The band gap energies of phosphors were calculated from reflectance data using K-M function.
The Reconstruction and Extension of Terrestrial Water Storages Based On A Combined Prediction Model
Authors: Meng Erhao , Huang Shengzhi , Huang Qiang , Cheng Linyin , Fang Wei
Published: July 2021

The monthly changes in total water storage (△TWS) can be employed for drought and flood monitoring and early warning and can be obtained from the total water storage anomalies (TWSA) of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE). However, the relatively short GRACE time series limits its further wide application. To this end, a combined prediction (CP) model including Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was proposed in this study for the reconstruction and extension of monthly TWSA from 1960 to 2012. Moreover, an innovative input selection strategy is proposed to build a monthly TWSA prediction model, in which the partial correlation algorithm is used to select the best input variables from candidate input variables. These candidate input variables include streamflow, precipitation, evaporation, and soil moisture storage (SMS). The Yunnan province, a typical humid area in China, was selected as a case study. The results show that: (1) The innovative input selection strategy effectively improves the simulation ability of the model, especially when the candidate input variables influence each other; (2) The performance of the CP model using the innovative input selection strategy is best; (3) The monthly △TWS obtained from the extension of TWSA recorded five of the seven extreme meteorological drought events in Yunnan Province from 1961 to 2001, therefore, the reliability of the expanded TWSA is better than GLDAS TWSA. Generally, the findings of this study showed that the CP model using an innovative input selection strategy is a useful and powerful tool for monthly TWSA prediction.
Natural Radiation Exposure and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Among Women in Karunagappally, Kerala, India.
Authors: Nandakumar Athira , Sreeku Ananthakrishnakurup , Nair Abhilash , Amma Jayalekshmi , Ahammed Riyaz , Nair Rekha , Nair Raghu , Koriyama Chihaya , Sasaki Michiya , Akiba Suminori , Nakamura Seiichi , Konishi Junji , Endo Keigo
Published: July 2021

Background

A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between natural radiation exposure and intima-media thickness (IMT), an atherosclerosis indicator, among female residents in Karunagappally, Kerala, South India, which is known to have areas with high natural background radiation (HNBR) derived mainly from thorium.
Methods

Cumulative radiation doses received during childhood, adulthood, and entire life were estimated on the basis of annual indoor and outdoor radiation doses and hours spent indoors and outdoors. In 2013–2014, IMT of the carotid artery was measured with ultrasonography among 400 women aged 29–60 years in Karunagappally. Since there were three subjects with outlying maximum IMT values, corrected IMT values excluding those outliers were calculated. For statistical analysis, raw and corrected IMT values were used.
Results

The regression analysis adjusting for age and religion showed a statistically significant association of mean and maximum IMT with radiation. The most strongly related radiation dose was with the adult dose. Its association with IMT became stronger when paediatric dose was also taken into account. When adjusted for fasting blood sugar and HbA1c, adult dose was statistically significantly related to raw mean IMT (P = 0.008) and corrected mean IMT (P = 0.018). Maximum IMT values were also related to adult doses but the association was not statistically significant (raw maximum IMT, P = 0.061 and corrected maximum IMT, P = 0.138).
Conclusions

Among female residents in the HNBR areas in south India, mean IMT statistically significantly increased in relation to the adult dose. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the causal association of the observation.
Multi-Tasking Community-Based Bilingual Doulas are Bridging Gaps – Despite Standing on Fragile Ground. A Qualitative Study of Doulas’ Experiences in Sweden
Authors: Lindgren Helena , Eltayb Amani , Wahlberg Anna , Tsekhmestruk Nataliia , Small Rhonda , Schytt Erica
Published: July 2021

Background: Community-based Bilingual Doulas (CBDs) are women from migrant communities trained to support and comfort migrant women during labour and birth. The aim of the study was to describe CBDs’ experiences of supporting migrant women during labour and birth, working alongside caregivers, and to explore CBDs perceptions of their work situation in a Swedish setting. Methods: As part of an ongoing randomised trial of CBD support in Stockholm, Sweden, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with nine of the 35 participating CBDs. Results: The overarching theme which emerged was “Multi-tasking bilingual doulas bridging gaps – despite standing on fragile ground”. To reach out a helping hand and receive appreciation from the women when their needs were met, motivated the CBDs to continue despite the constraints related to roles, working conditions and boundaries. The CBDs felt proud of being acknowledged, although they did also feel a need for more supervision and education. Conclusion: The CBDs experienced their doula tasks as meaningful and emotionally rewarding, which mostly outweighed the challenges of their work which they saw as insecure, exhausting and underpaid. If CBDs are implemented on a larger scale, the scope of their role, education, access to supervision and working conditions all need to be better addressed.
Mechanism of Interannual Variability of Ocean Bottom Pressure in the South Pacific
Authors: Qin Jianhuang , Cheng Xuhua , Yang Chengcheng , Ou Niansen , Xiong Xiaoqin
Published: July 2021

The study of ocean bottom pressure (OBP) is useful for understanding the barotropic processes variability that contribute to sea level rise. Previous studies have reported the strong OBP anomalies in the Southern Ocean on different time scales. In this study, the characteristic and mechanisms of the energetic interannual OBP variability in the southeastern Pacific are examined using 14 years of GRACE data. It is found that the OBP anomalies are positive (negative) related to the convergence (divergence) of Ekman transport forced by local winds variability. The sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies shows a wavenumber-3 structure in the high latitude of the South Pacific, which benefits a strong and persistent anticyclone over the southeastern Pacific, leading to the positive OBP anomalies there. Such SLP anomalies are similar to the second Pacific-South American (PSA2). Moreover, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) plays an important role in the austral spring (August-November) OBP variability and leads the austral autumn (March-June) OBP variability by 1 season. These results highlight the influence of atmospheric variability on OBP anomalies and are validated by a mass conservation (non-Boussinesq) ocean model, which is expected to not only better understanding of OBP mechanisms in a longer time, but also predict OBP variation in the global scale.
Sleeping Beauties and their Princes in Solid Waste Research
Authors: Tang Zheng
Published: July 2021

A “sleeping beauty” (SB) is a paper that goes unnoticed for a long time, and then, almost suddenly, is awakened by a “prince” (PR), attracting from there on a lot of attention in terms of citations. Although there are some studies on the SB and PR phenomena in science, little research on the awakening mechanisms between them has been conducted. Based on a comprehensive dataset with more than 10000 papers published in solid waste research from 1956 to 2010, we compared three typical methods of identifying SBs, and the parameter-free criterion worked better than the average-based and quartile-based criterion in some aspects. Besides, through a case study of the top 10 in SBs, we applied three criteria to discover the candidate PRs with high citation, high co-citation, and publication time close to the awakening time. Moreover, we discussed the mechanisms involved in the SBs and PRs, which were divided into three types: the synergistic effect, leading effect, and hysteresis effect. This work develops and validates a bibliometric framework for identifying the SBs and PRs in solid waste research, to figure out the awakening mechanisms, and promote potentially valuable research in other fields.
Prevalence of Porcine Cysticercosis in India: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: BHANGALE GAJENDRA
Published: July 2021

Porcine cysticercosis (PCC) caused due to Taenia solium a tapeworm; is one of the important neglected tropical diseases with a significant zoonotic importance. In view of the underdeveloped swine husbandry practices coupled with negligence of people towards hygienic food habits, a comprehensive estimate on the presence of porcine cysticercosis in India will be helpful for planning control measure. We performed a systematic literature review regarding data about PCC epidemiology in India and meta-analyses for its prevalence in different zones of country and the methods employed for detection and based on this discussed possible control strategies. A total 27 studies spanned over period from 2000 to 2019 from different parts of India were included for meta-analysis which were obtained through a systematic search from online free databases. The overall prevalence using random effects model was found 5.21% with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 96.52, p = 0.0001). However subgroup analysis revealed higher prevalence due to smaller sample size and also method of detection has also significant effect on the pooled data. Considering the zoonotic significance as well as economic losses to pork industry, control strategies need to be devised with regards to health monitoring, improvements in ante-mortem diagnostics, hygienic meat practices coupled with education to both the producers and consumers about this important disease through one health approach.
Exploration of the Molecular Characteristics of the Tumor–Immune Interaction and Analysis of Immune Implication of CXCR4 in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Wen Fang , Lu Xiaona , Huang Wenjie , Chen Xiaoxue , Ruan Shuai , Gu SuPing , Wang Yulan , Li Ye , Liu Jiatong , Liu Shenlin , Shu Peng
Published: July 2021

Background:Gastric cancer (GC) is rated as one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Despite the emergence of a combination of surgery, surveillance endoscopy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and various novel treatment strategies in recent years, the prognosis for patients with gastric cancer is far from optimistic due to its predisposition to invasion or metastasis and low rate of early diagnosis. GC exists in a complex tumor–immune microenvironment. Immune cell infiltration and tumor–immune molecules play a key role in tumor development and are closely related to the prognosis of patients. Therefore, understanding the cellular composition and function of TME is essential to grasp the tumor progression of GC, and is helpful to find molecular markers with the prognostic value that affect the immune response of GC patients.Methods:In this study, we performed multiple machine learning algorithms to identify immunophenotypes and immunological characteristics in GC patient’s data from the TCGA database and identified immune-related genes involved in the GC-immune interaction. In addition, we used R software and online databases to assess the status of lymphocytes and clarified the association between the hub gene and GC immunity, as well as the signaling pathways that regulate the immune response mediated by the hub gene.Results:In this study, we found a close linkage between CXCR4 and the immunity of GC. The CXCR4 gene expression was associated with immune cell infiltration levels and immunomodulators. We established an immune gene model for GC using CXCR4-associated immunomodulators. The risk scores derived from the gene signatures were significantly associated with survival in GC. And, our results demonstrated that the risk scores derived from CXCR4-associated immunomodulators could distinguish risk groups defined by differential expression of a set of signature genes.Conclusions: Our findings provided evidence of CXCR4's implication in tumor immunity, suggesting that CXCR4 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for GC. The prognostic immune markers from CXCR4-associated immunomodulators could independently predict the overall survival of GC. The prognostic immune model using CXCR4-associated immunomodulators contribute to the individualization of the clinical treatment strategy to improve the survival chances of patients.
Comparing ERAS-Outpatient Versus Standard-Inpatient Hip and Knee Replacements: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring the Experience of Patients Who Underwent Both
Authors: Hardy Alexandre , Gervais-Hupé Jonathan , Desmeules François , Hudon Anne , Perreault Kadija , Vendittoli Pascal-André
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND
Optimizing patients’ total joint arthroplasty (TJA) experience is as crucial for providing high quality care as improving safety and clinical effectiveness. Yet, little evidence is available on patient experience in standard-inpatient and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)-outpatient programs. Therefore, this study aimed to gain a more in-depth understanding of the patient experience by exploring the patient experience of ERAS-outpatient programs compared to standard-inpatient programs, identifying elements that could optimize patients’ experience and determining how it is associated with patient characteristics, clinical outcomes and care components satisfaction.
METHODS
We conducted a convergent mixed methods study of 48 consecutive patients who experienced both standard-inpatient and ERAS-outpatient TJA contralaterally. A reflective thematic analysis was conducted based on data collected via a questionnaire. Bivariate correlations between the patient experience and patients’ characteristics, clinical outcomes and care components satisfaction were performed. Then, the quantitative and qualitative data were integrated together.
RESULTS
The theme Support makes the difference—for better and for worse was identified in both programs and throughout the entire TJA care episode. Patients identified 3 main themes distinguishing the ERAS-outpatient program from their standard-inpatient experience: 1) Minimizing inconvenience, 2) Home sweet home and 3) Returning to normal function and activities. Providing more preoperative information and postoperative rehabilitation sessions (if needed) and ensuring better coherence of care between orthopaedic and homecare teams could further optimize the patient experience. Weak to moderate positive and statistically significant correlations were found between patients’ TJA experience and satisfaction with pain management, hospital stay, postoperative recovery, homecare and overall results (rs = + [0.36–0.66], p-value < 0.01)
CONCLUSION
Whatever the perioperative program, the key to improving patients’ TJA experience lies in improving support throughout the care episode. Compared to standard-inpatient care, the ERAS-outpatient program improves patients’ experience by providing dedicated support in post-operative care, reducing postoperative inconvenience, optimizing pain management, returning home sooner, and recovering and regaining function sooner. Patients’ TJA experience could further be enhanced by optimizing the information provided to the patient, the rehabilitation program and the coherence between care teams.
Microcontroller PIC 16F877A Standard based on Solar Cooker using PV- Evacuated Tubes with an Extension of Heat Integrated Energy System
Authors: Prabu Arulraj Simon , Chithambaram Venkatesan , Bennet Maria Anto , Shanmugan Sengottaiyan , Pruncu Catalin Iulian , Lamberti Luciano , Elsheikh Ammar Hamed , Panchal Hitesh , Janarthanan Balasubramani
Published: July 2021

The unavailability of sunlight during nighttime and cloudy weather condition has limited the usage of solar cookers throughout the day. This study will attempt to engineer a solar cooker with PV (Photovoltaic panel), evacuated tubes with CPC reflectors, battery and charge controller using the microcontroller PIC 16F877A. A mathematical model is developed to predict the electrical power (Ep) required during cloudy weather condition and nighttime as well as the temperatures occurring at different parts of the cooker. The proposed model is validated against experimental observations gathered for one of the typical working days of the system. The cooker is tested for various cooking loads to find the cooking time and it is proven that the proposed cooker can be utilized over 24/7 without interruption.
Deep Learning Generates Custom-made Logistic Regression Models for Explaining how Breast Cancer Subtypes are Classified
Authors: Shibahara Takuma , Wada Chisa , Yamashita Yasuho , Fujita Kazuhiro , Sato Masamichi , Okamoto Atsushi , Ono Yoshimasa
Published: July 2021

Breast cancer is the most frequently found cancer in women and the one most often subjected to genetic analysis. Nonetheless, it has been causing the largest number of women's cancer-related deaths. PAM50, the intrinsic subtype assay for breast cancer, is beneficial for diagnosis but does not explain each subtype’s mechanism. Deep learning can predict the subtypes from genetic information more accurately than conventional statistical methods. However, the previous studies did not directly use deep learning to examine which genes associate with the subtypes. To reveal the mechanisms embedded in the PAM50 subtypes, we developed an explainable deep learning model called a point-wise linear model, which uses meta-learning to generate a custom-made logistic regression for each sample. We developed an explainable deep learning model called a point-wise linear model, which uses meta-learning to generate a custom-made logistic regression for each sample. Logistic regression is familiar to physicians, and we can use it to analyze which genes are important for prediction. The custom-made logistic regression models generated by the point-wise linear model used the specific genes selected in other subtypes compared to the conventional logistic regression model: the overlap ratio is less than twenty percent. Analyzing the point-wise linear model’s inner state, we found that the point-wise linear model used genes relevant to the cell cycle-related pathways.
The Effect of Interpersonal Psychotherapy on Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients With Common Mental health Disorder: A Randomized Control Trial At Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital
Authors: Belay Winini , Kaba Mirgissa , Labisso Wajana Lako , Tigeneh Wondemagegnehu , Sahle Zekariyas , Zergaw Ababi , Ejigu Abebe , Baheretebeb Yonas , Gufue Zenawi Hagos , Haileselassie Werissaw
Published: July 2021

Purpose: To determine the effect of interpersonal psychotherapy on anxiety, depression, and quality of life among breast cancer patients with mental health disorders at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.Methods: A two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial study was conducted among 114 (n=57 intervention, and n= 57 control group) breast cancer patients with common mental health disorder at the oncology center of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. The hospital anxiety and depression measurement scale was used to assess depression and anxiety disorder and a 30-item quality of life questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. General Linear Model analysis was done, confounding factors were controlled, and P<0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results: Patients in the intervention group showed a significant improvement in the anxiety (coefficient -3.68; 95% CI -5.67,-1.69; P<0.001), depression (coefficient -3.22; 95% CI -4.7,-1.69; P<0.001), physical functioning (coefficient 10.55; 95% CI 3.13, 17.98; P=0.006), health related quality of life (coefficient 21.85; 95% CI 14.1, 29.59; P<0.001), Insomnia (coefficient -19.56; 95% CI -31.87, -7.25; P=0.002), and fatigue (coefficient -11.37; 95% CI -21.49, -1.24; P=0.028) respectively. Conclusions: The adapted Ethiopian version of interpersonal psychotherapy had improved anxiety, depression, and some domains of health-related quality of life. Hence, health programmers should consider incorporating it as a treatment option in oncology centers.Trial registration number: PACTR202011629348967 granted on 20 November 2020 which was retrospectively registered.
Relocation and Storage Assignment Strategies Evaluation in a Multiple-deep Tier-captive Automated Vehicles Storage and Retrieval System with Undetermined Retrieval Sequence
Authors: Marolt Jakob , Kosanić Nenad , Lerher Tone
Published: July 2021

This paper studies multiple-deep automated vehicle storage and retrieval systems (AVS/RS) known for their high throughput performance and flexibility. Compared to a single-deep system, multiple-deep AVS/RS has a better space area utilisation. However, a relocation cycle occurs, reducing the throughput performance whenever another stock-keeping unit (SKU) blocks a retrieving SKU. The SKU retrieval sequence is undetermined, meaning that the arrangement is unknown, and all SKUs have an equal probability of retrieval. In addition to the shuttle carrier, a satellite vehicle is attached to the shuttle carrier and is used to access storage locations in multiple depths. A discrete event simulation of multiple-deep AVS/RS with a tier captive shuttle carrier was developed. We focused on the dual command cycle time assessment of nine different storage and relocation assignment strategies combinations in the simulation model. The results of a simulation study for (i) Random, (ii) Depth-first and (iii) Nearest neighbour storage and relocation assignment strategies combinations are examined and benchmarked for five different AVS/RS case study configurations with the same number of storage locations. The results display that the fivefold and sixfold deep AVS/RS outperform systems with fewer depths by utilising Depth-first storage and Nearest neighbour relocation assignment strategies.
Sample Attrition Analysis in a Prospective Cohort Study of Medical Graduates in China
Authors: Li Mingyue , Wang Ziyue , Zhang Baisong , Wei Tiantian , Hu Dan , Liu Xiaoyun
Published: July 2021

Background: A major challenge of prospective cohort studies is attrition in follow-up surveys. This study investigated attrition in a prospective cohort comprised of medical graduates in China. We described patterns of attrition, identified participants with higher possibility of attrition, and examined if attrition affect the estimation of the key outcome measures. Methods: The cohort study recruited 3,620 new medical graduates from four medical universities in central and western China between 2015-2019. Online follow-up surveys were conducted on an annual basis. Follow-up status was defined as complete (meaning that the participant completed all the follow-up surveys) and incomplete, while incomplete follow-up was further divided into ‘always-out’, ‘rejoin’ and ‘other’. Multivariable logistic and linear regressions were used to examine factors predicting attrition and the influence on the outcome measures of career development. Results: 2364 (65.3%) participants completed all follow-up surveys. For those with incomplete data, 520 (14.4%) were ‘always-out’, 276 (7.6%) rejoined in the 2020 survey. Unwillingness to participate in residency training (OR=1.311, 95%CI[1.028-1.672]) and unwillingness to provide sensitive information in the baseline survey predicted a higher rate of attrition (providing scores for university entrance exam (OR=1.313, 95%CI[1.064-1.620]; providing contact information (OR=2.762, 95%CI[1.660 - 4.593]; providing household income (OR=1.679, 95%CI[1.122-2.512]). Participants with compulsory rural service (OR=1.516, 95%CI[1.050-2.190]) and those providing university entrance scores (OR=1.639, 95%CI[1.152-2.334)) were more likely to rejoin the follow-up survey. These factors associated with follow-up status did not have significant impact on key outcome measures of career development. Conclusion: Graduates who were unwilling to participate in residency training or not providing sensitive information were associated with higher attrition and should be targeted early in the cohort study to reduce attrition. On the contrary, medical graduates with compulsory rural service and those who provided university entrance scores were more likely to rejoin in the cohort. The overall attrition is unlikely to affect the estimates of outcome measures.
An Evaluation of Carbon Sequestration in Melaleuca cajuputi Powell forest in U Minh Ha National Park, Ca Mau, Viet Nam
Authors: Loi Le Tan , Hoang Nguyen Xuan , Phong Nguyen Tan
Published: July 2021

Melaleuca forests significantly contribute to economic development through silviculture and play an important role in carbon sequestration and supply of oxygen. Currently, Melaleuca seedlings are planted on bunds in inundated areas or on trenches in elevated areas. Little is known of what planting methods and growth stage of Melaleuca trees are best for developing new forest areas and sequestering highest levels of carbon. We selected U Minh Ha National Park in search for answers to the questions. We established 12 standard plots (10m x 10m) in the park where Melaleuca trees at two ages (10 years of age and 15 years of age) were planted on bunds and trenches. We employed Anova analysis, SPSS software and numerical analysis for analyzing and evaluating carbon sequestration by Melaleuca trees. We found that planting method significantly contributes to developing new forest areas in terms of tree volume, biomass, and carbon sequestration. Bund-based planting proves to be more cost-effective in developing new forest areas and carbon sequestration than trench-based planting. Trees at the age of 10 planted on bunds has been the most effective category for sequestering carbon. Our methodology in examining the relationship proves to be a feasible reference to new forest development and payment for forest service scheme in the Mekong Delta region or elsewhere in the broader region.
Keeping Calm on a Busy Day—An Interpersonal Skill Home Care Patients Desire in Health Workers: Hermeneutical Phenomenological Method
Authors: Watz Siw , Ingstad Kari
Published: July 2021

BackgroundIn Western countries, many health and social care provisions have been transferred to primary care, and most older patients wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. For older patients who live alone, health workers could be their only personal contacts. Hence, health workers’ personal skills affect their relationships with these patients. Accordingly, this study aimed to shed light on the interpersonal skills needed by health workers to establish good relationships with older home care patients and highlight the importance of interpersonal skills training in nursing education.Methods The qualitative method was used to elicit data on patients’ perspectives. Ten home care patients were interviewed individually in their own homes between December 2019 and January 2020.Results Despite individual variations, health workers’ interpersonal skills are of significance with regard to the social well-being of patients living at home. The findings revealed that patients want health workers to be mentally present, congruent in their communications, calm and relaxed during the available time spent with them, and capable of facilitating autonomy.Conclusions It is important to present patients’ perspectives to ensure that nursing education is geared towards patients’ best interests.Registration number: The Norwegian Centre for Research Data (NSD): 953937.
The Compensatory Increased BDNF and NGF in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Following Home-based Aerobic Training and Vitamin D Supplementation During COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Bahmani Elahe , Hoseini Rastegar , Amiri Ehsan
Published: July 2021

Background: Lifestyle modifications (physical activity and diet) are among the most promising strategies in MS rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of home-based aerobic training and vitamin D supplementation in patients with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 outbreak.Methods: In this randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 38 females with Multiple sclerosis with EDSS: 3-5 (aged 20–40 years with body mass index [BMI] of 25–30 kg/m2) were randomly assigned into four groups: aerobic training + Vitamin D supplementation (AT+Vit D; n=10); aerobic training (AT; n=9); Vitamin D supplementation (Vit D; n=9), and Control (Placebo) (n=10). The AT program consisted of 50-70% of HRMax, 25-40 min/day, three days/wk for eight weeks. Participants in the Vit D group consumed 50000 IU of Vitamin D supplement capsules per week for eight weeks. The data were analyzed through paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance, as well as Tukey's post hoc test at the signification level of P<0.05.Results: BDNF and NGF levels improved significantly from pre-test to post-test within all experimental groups. BDNF and NGF decreased significantly in AT+Vit D, AT, and Vit D compared to C. Also, the results show that the AT+Vit D had significantly lower BDNF and NGF compared to AT (P=0.023 and P=0.011) and Vit D (P=0.001 and P=0.002). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the combination of AT+Vit D improves BDNF and NGF status more effectively than AT or Vit D alone in female Multiple sclerosis patients.
Biocompatibility and Bioactivity of BCP/Dox Scaffolds Containing Doxycycline Microspheres for Rat Silencing Pparγ Gene Transfected Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Lin Tao , Liu Zemiao , Kong Jie
Published: July 2021

Background: In our previous study, we have found that PPARγ-silenced BMSCs decreased adipogenic differentiation, but increased osteogenic differentiation after being induced by doxycycline. We demonstrated biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaﬀold coated with multilayer of hydroxyapatite/poly-L-Lactide (HA/PLLA) nanocomposites is an excellent substitute for damaged and defect bone in bone tissue engineering. Combination of biomaterial scaffolds and therapeutic agents could contribute to a more predictable outcome with the potential of inducing bone formation while preventing bacterial infection. The delivery of BMSCs into Dox implant scaffolds aiming at enhancing the inﬂuence of BMSCs on the biocompatibility of the Dox implant has not been reported yet. Methods: The Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid-Methoxypolyethylene glycols (PLGA-mPEG) microspheres were prepared by encapsulating the doxycycline, and they were incorporated into three dimensional BCP scaﬀold to build a doxycycline sustained release system of BCP scaﬀold. The preprocessed BCP scaﬀold is present to tBMSCs, then tBMSCs viability, tBMSCs proliferation and differentiation capacities are detected in vitro. Results: The microspheres were uniformly loaded on the BCP scaffolds and the pore structure was not affected, the BCP/Dox scaffolds were a good porous scaffold for the sustained release Dox for 2 months. The BCP/Dox scaffolds could promote transfected tBMSCs adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in vitro. Conclusions: The BCP/Dox scaffold is a suitable carrier for localized delivery of the Dox, and he BCP/Dox scaffolds could promote adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of undifferentiated tBMSCs in vitro, but more work is needed to research to meet the demands of tissue engineering.