bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of psychological distress in Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress in Germany
Authors: Renner Anna , Jäckle David , Nagl Michaela , Hoffmann Rahel , Röhr Susanne , Jung Franziska , Grochtdreis Thomas , Dams Judith , König Hans-Helmut , Riedel-Heller Steffi , Kersting Anette
Published: August 2021

Syria has been the main country of citizenship of refugees in Germany since 2013. Syrians face numerous human rights violations in their country that can be accompanied by the experience of potentially traumatic events, loss and displacement. Along the migration process, refugees are exposed to various factors that can have an impact on mental health. The aim of this study is to investigate sociodemographic, war- and flight-related as well as post-migration factors as predictors of posttraumatic stress, depression, somatization and anxiety in Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms based in Germany. Data were based on the baseline sample of the “Sanadak” randomized-controlled trial. A total of 133 adult Syrian refugees participated in the study. A questionnaire covered sociodemographic and flight-related questions as well as standardized instruments for symptoms of PTSD (PDS-5), depression (PHQ-9), somatization (PHQ-15), anxiety (GAD-7), generalized self-efficacy (GSE), religiousness (Z-Scale), social support (ESSI) and mental health stigma (SSMIS-SF). Linear regression models were executed to predict mental health outcomes. Sociodemographic predictors (i.e., female sex, higher education) and flight-related predicting factors (i.e., variability of traumatic events) have a negative impact on mental health in Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms in Germany. Mental health stigma predicts worse mental health outcomes. Post-migration factors have a major impact on mental health, such as low income, lack of social support, low life satisfaction or a strongly felt connection to Syria. Somatization is an important manifestation of mental distress in Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms. Our study showed a range of factors predicting the mental health of Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms. Measures to foster mental health could be securing financial security, promoting gender equality and tailored psychosocial programs addressing mental health stigma, loss and social support networks.
Perchlorate exposure does not induce obesity or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in zebrafish
Authors: Minicozzi Michael R. , Axlid Erik G. , von Hippel Frank A. , Espinoza Joseph , Funke Aubrey , Phillips Quentin P. , Buck C. Loren
Published: August 2021

Perchlorate is a water-soluble contaminant found throughout the United States and many other countries. Perchlorate competitively inhibits iodide uptake at the sodium/iodide symporter, reducing thyroid hormone synthesis, which can lead to hypothyroidism and metabolic syndromes. Chronic perchlorate exposure induces hepatic steatosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developing threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). We hypothesized that perchlorate would also induce zebrafish (Danio rerio) to develop phenotypes consistent with NAFLD and to accumulate lipids throughout the body. We exposed zebrafish embryos to four concentrations of perchlorate treated water (10μg/L, 10mg/L, 30mg/L, and 100mg/L) and a control (0mg/L) over the course of 133 days. Adult zebrafish were euthanized, sectioned, H&E and Oil Red-O stained, and analyzed for liver morphology and whole body lipid accumulation. In a representative section of the liver, we counted the number of lipid droplets and measured the area of each droplet and the total lipid area. For whole body analysis, we calculated the ratio of lipid area to body area within a section. We found that zebrafish exposed to perchlorate did not differ in any measured liver variables or whole body lipid area when compared to controls. In comparison to stickleback, we see a trend that control stickleback accumulate more lipids in their liver than do control zebrafish. Differences between the species indicate that obesogenic effects due to perchlorate exposure are not uniform across fish species, and likely are mediated by evolutionary differences related to geographic location. For example, high latitude fishes such as stickleback evolved to deposit lipid stores for over-winter survival, which may lead to more pronounced obesogenic effects than seen in tropical fish such as zebrafish.
The witchweed Striga gesnerioides and the cultivated cowpea: A geographical and historical analysis of their West African distribution points to the prevalence of agro-ecological factors and the parasite’s multilocal evolution potential
Authors: Sadda Abou-Soufianou , Coppens d’Eeckenbrugge Geo , Saidou Abdoul-Aziz , Diouf Abdoulaye , Jangorzo Nouhou Salifou , Issoufou Hassane Bil-Assanou , Malam-Issa Oumarou
Published: August 2021

The increasing severity of Striga gesnerioides attacks on cowpea across West Africa has been related to its prolificity, seed mobility and longevity, and adaptation to aridity, in a context of agricultural intensification. To understand this fast extension, we analyzed (1) the distributions of the crop and the witchweed with ecological niche modeling and multivariate climate analysis, and (2) the chronological information available from collections and the literature. The ecoclimatic envelope of S. gesnerioides attacks on cowpea is the same as on wild hosts. Consistently, the modeled distribution of cowpea infestations is closely similar to the simple superposition of the parasite model (involving all hosts) and the crop model. Striga gesnerioides infestations are restricted to the driest component of the cultivated cowpea ecoclimatic niche, corresponding to the Sahelian and Sudano-Sahelian belts and the Dahomey gap. Thus, the parasite distribution, determined by its own requirements, does not constrain cowpea cultivation under Guinean climates. The spatial and temporal distributions of S. gesnerioides field infestations are consistent with an earlier impact on cowpea production in eastern West Africa, related itself to a similar trend in cowpea cultivation intensification from Niger, Nigeria and Benin to Burkina Faso and Ghana. Mali and Senegal were affected later, and literature reports of Senegalese strains of S. gesnerioides from the wild developing virulence on cowpea offer a model for the diffusion of witchweed parasitism by multilocal evolution, through host-driven selection, instead of epidemic diffusion. A contrario, in Côte d’Ivoire, cowpea is much less widespread, so the parasite has remained confined to the wild compartment. Thus, both historical and ecogeographic analyses refute the vision of S. gesnerioides as an invader. Instead, they point to the increasing importance and intensification of the crop, and the consequent loss of biodiversity, as the main drivers of the extension and diversification of its crop-specific strains.
Mental health among healthcare workers and other vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic and other coronavirus outbreaks: A rapid systematic review
Authors: Uphoff Eleonora P. , Lombardo Chiara , Johnston Gordon , Weeks Lauren , Rodgers Mark , Dawson Sarah , Seymour Catherine , Kousoulis Antonis A. , Churchill Rachel
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Although most countries and healthcare systems worldwide have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, some groups of the population may be more vulnerable to detrimental effects of the pandemic on mental health than others. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise evidence currently available from systematic reviews on the impact of COVID-19 and other coronavirus outbreaks on mental health for groups of the population thought to be at increased risk of detrimental mental health impacts.

Materials and methods

We conducted a systematic review of reviews on adults and children residing in a country affected by a coronavirus outbreak and belonging to a group considered to be at risk of experiencing mental health inequalities. Data were collected on symptoms or diagnoses of any mental health condition, quality of life, suicide or attempted suicide. The protocol for this systematic review was registered in the online PROSPERO database prior to commencing the review (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=194264).

Results

We included 25 systematic reviews. Most reviews included primary studies of hospital workers from multiple countries. Reviews reported variable estimates for the burden of symptoms of mental health problems among acute healthcare workers, COVID-19 patients with physical comorbidities, and children and adolescents. No evaluations of interventions were identified. Risk- and protective factors, mostly for healthcare workers, showed the importance of personal factors, the work environment, and social networks for mental health.

Conclusions

This review of reviews based on primary studies conducted in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic shows a lack of evidence on mental health interventions and mental health impacts on vulnerable groups in the population.
A mathematical modelling framework for the regulation of intra-cellular OCT4 in human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Wadkin L. E. , Orozco-Fuentes S. , Neganova I. , Lako M. , Parker N. G. , Shukurov A.
Published: August 2021

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have the potential to differentiate into all cell types, a property known as pluripotency. A deeper understanding of how pluripotency is regulated is required to assist in controlling pluripotency and differentiation trajectories experimentally. Mathematical modelling provides a non-invasive tool through which to explore, characterise and replicate the regulation of pluripotency and the consequences on cell fate. Here we use experimental data of the expression of the pluripotency transcription factor OCT4 in a growing hPSC colony to develop and evaluate mathematical models for temporal pluripotency regulation. We consider fractional Brownian motion and the stochastic logistic equation and explore the effects of both additive and multiplicative noise. We illustrate the use of time-dependent carrying capacities and the introduction of Allee effects to the stochastic logistic equation to describe cell differentiation. We conclude both methods adequately capture the decline in OCT4 upon differentiation, but the Allee effect model has the advantage of allowing differentiation to occur stochastically in a sub-set of cells. This mathematical framework for describing intra-cellular OCT4 regulation can be extended to other transcription factors and developed into predictive models.
Epidemiology of fractures and their treatment in Malawi: Results of a multicentre prospective registry study to guide orthopaedic care planning
Authors: Schade Alexander Thomas , Mbowuwa Foster , Chidothi Paul , MacPherson Peter , Graham Simon Matthew , Martin Claude , Harrison William James , Chokotho Linda
Published: August 2021

Importance

Injuries cause 30% more deaths than HIV, TB and malaria combined, and a prospective fracture care registry was established to investigate the fracture burden and treatment in Malawi to inform evidence-based improvements.

Objective

To use the analysis of prospectively-collected fracture data to develop evidence-based strategies to improve fracture care in Malawi and other similar settings.

Design

Multicentre prospective registry study.

Setting

Two large referral centres and two district hospitals in Malawi.

Participants

All patients with a fracture (confirmed by radiographs)—including patients with multiple fractures—were eligible to be included in the registry.

Exposure

All fractures that presented to two urban central and two rural district hospitals in Malawi over a 3.5-year period (September 2016 to March 2020).

Main outcome(s) and measure(s)

Demographics, characteristics of injuries, and treatment outcomes were collected on all eligible participants.

Results

Between September 2016 and March 2020, 23,734 patients were enrolled with a median age of 15 years (interquartile range: 10–35 years); 68.7% were male. The most common injuries were radius/ulna fractures (n = 8,682, 36.8%), tibia/fibula fractures (n = 4,036, 17.0%), humerus fractures (n = 3,527, 14.9%) and femoral fractures (n = 2,355, 9.9%). The majority of fractures (n = 21,729, 91.6%) were treated by orthopaedic clinical officers; 88% (20,885/2,849) of fractures were treated non-operatively, and 62.7% were treated and sent home on the same day. Open fractures (OR:53.19, CI:39.68–72.09), distal femoral fractures (OR:2.59, CI:1.78–3.78), patella (OR:10.31, CI:7.04–15.07), supracondylar humeral fractures (OR:3.10, CI:2.38–4.05), ankle fractures (OR:2.97, CI:2.26–3.92) and tibial plateau fractures (OR:2.08, CI:1.47–2.95) were more likely to be treated operatively compared to distal radius fractures.

Conclusions and relevance

The current model of fracture care in Malawi is such that trained orthopaedic surgeons manage fractures operatively in urban referral centres whereas orthopaedic clinical officers mainly manage fractures non-operatively in both district and referral centres. We recommend that orthopaedic surgeons should supervise orthopaedic clinical officers to manage non operative injuries in central and district hospitals. There is need for further studies to assess the clinical and patient reported outcomes of these fracture cases, managed both operatively and non-operatively.
Explaining the difference between men’s and women’s football
Authors: Pappalardo Luca , Rossi Alessio , Natilli Michela , Cintia Paolo
Published: August 2021

Women’s football is gaining supporters and practitioners worldwide, raising questions about what the differences are with men’s football. While the two sports are often compared based on the players’ physical attributes, we analyze the spatio-temporal events during matches in the last World Cups to compare male and female teams based on their technical performance. We train an artificial intelligence model to recognize if a team is male or female based on variables that describe a match’s playing intensity, accuracy, and performance quality. Our model accurately distinguishes between men’s and women’s football, revealing crucial technical differences, which we investigate through the extraction of explanations from the classifier’s decisions. The differences between men’s and women’s football are rooted in play accuracy, the recovery time of ball possession, and the players’ performance quality. Our methodology may help journalists and fans understand what makes women’s football a distinct sport and coaches design tactics tailored to female teams.
Feature extraction and machine learning techniques for identifying historic urban environmental hazards: New methods to locate lost fossil fuel infrastructure in US cities
Authors: Tollefson Jonathan , Frickel Scott , Restrepo Maria I.
Published: August 2021

U.S. cities contain unknown numbers of undocumented “manufactured gas” sites, legacies of an industry that dominated energy production during the late-19th and early-20th centuries. While many of these unidentified sites likely contain significant levels of highly toxic and biologically persistent contamination, locating them remains a significant challenge. We propose a new method to identify manufactured gas production, storage, and distribution infrastructure in bulk by applying feature extraction and machine learning techniques to digitized historic Sanborn fire insurance maps. Our approach, which relies on a two-part neural network to classify candidate map regions, increases the rate of site identification 20-fold compared to unaided visual coding.
Risk factor analysis of fragility fractures in rheumatoid arthritis: A 3-year longitudinal, real-world, observational, cohort study
Authors: Lin Po-Heng , Yu Shan-Fu , Chen Jia-Feng , Chen Ying-Chou , Lai Han-Ming , Chiu Wen-Chan , Hsu Chung-Yuan , Wang Yu-Wei , He Hsiao-Ru , Chen You-Yin , Cheng Chu-Yin , Cheng Tien-Tsai
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To explore the risk factors for fragility fractures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using a 3-year longitudinal, observational cohort study.

Methods

This RA registry study included consecutive RA patients in the outpatient clinic of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital since September 1, 2014. The demographics, clinical characteristics, lifestyle, evidence of previous fracture, risk factors according to the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX®), and the FRAX score of each participant were recorded. The participants were categorized into the new incident fracture (group A) and no incident fracture (group B) groups based on evidence or absence of new incident fractures and propensity score matching (age and gender, 1:2).

Results

Overall, 477 participants completed the 3-year observation period. After matching, 103 and 206 participants were allocated to groups A and B, respectively. The non-adjusted model revealed, presented as hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval [CI]), that the presence of co-morbidity (1.80 [1.17–2.78], p = 0.008), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (1.35 [1.07–1.69], p = 0.010), lower baseline hip bone mineral density (0.11 [0.02–0.48], p = 0.004), longer disease duration (1.02 [1.00–1.04], p = 0.026), higher FRAX score of major fracture (1.03 [1.02–1.04], p<0.001) or hip fracture (1.03 [1.02–1.04], p<0.001), and previous fracture history (2.65 [1.79–3.94], p<0.001) were associated with new incident fracture. After adjustment, it was disclosed that a previous fracture is an independent risk factor for fragility fractures in RA patients (2.17 [1.20–3.90], p = 0.010).

Conclusions

In addition to aging and disease-related factors, previous fracture history is the most important risk factor for fragility fractures in RA patients.
Economic analysis of the costs associated with Hidradenitis suppurativa at a German University Hospital
Authors: Frings Verena Gerlinde , Schöffski Oliver , Goebeler Matthias , Presser Dagmar
Published: August 2021

Background and objectives

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) significantly affects the patient`s quality of life and leads to multiple medical consultations. Aim of this study was to assess the utilization of medical care of HS patients.

Patients and methods

All patients presenting in 2017 for an outpatient, day patient and / or inpatient treatment with leading claim type HS at the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Würzburg, were included. Primary outcome was the economic burden of HS patients, measured by resource utilization in €.

Results

The largest share of the direct medical costs for HS were the inpatient costs with a leading surgical diagnosis-related group (DRG). Antiseptics were the predominant topical prescription. While doxycycline was the most frequently prescribed systemic therapy, adalimumab was the main cost driver. The difference between in-patient (€ 110.25) and outpatient (€ 26.34) direct non-medical costs was statistically significant (p < 0.001). With regards to indirect medical costs, a statistically significantly higher loss of gross value added (inpatient mean € 1,827.00; outpatient mean € 203.00) and loss of production (inpatient mean € 1,026.00; outpatient mean € 228.00) could be noted (p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

The present study on disease-specific costs of HS confirms that the hospital care of patients with this disease is cost-intensive. However, the primary goal of physicians is not and should not be to save costs regarding their patients`treatment, but rather the premise to utilize the existing resources as efficient as possible. Reducing the use of costly therapeutics and inpatient stays therefore requires more effective therapy options with an improved cost-benefit profile.
Genetic underpinnings of regional adiposity distribution in African Americans: Assessments from the Jackson Heart Study
Authors: Anwar Mohammad Y. , Raffield Laura M. , Lange Leslie A. , Correa Adolfo , Taylor Kira C.
Published: August 2021

Background

African ancestry individuals with comparable overall anthropometric measures to Europeans have lower abdominal adiposity. To explore the genetic underpinning of different adiposity patterns, we investigated whether genetic risk scores for well-studied adiposity phenotypes like body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) also predict other, less commonly measured adiposity measures in 2420 African American individuals from the Jackson Heart Study.

Methods

Polygenic risk scores (PRS) were calculated using GWAS-significant variants extracted from published studies mostly representing European ancestry populations for BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR) adjusted for BMI (WHRBMIadj), waist circumference adjusted for BMI (WCBMIadj), and body fat percentage (BF%). Associations between each PRS and adiposity measures including BF%, subcutaneous adiposity tissue (SAT), visceral adiposity tissue (VAT) and VAT:SAT ratio (VSR) were examined using multivariable linear regression, with or without BMI adjustment.

Results

In non-BMI adjusted models, all phenotype-PRS were found to be positive predictors of BF%, SAT and VAT. WHR-PRS was a positive predictor of VSR, but BF% and BMI-PRS were negative predictors of VSR. After adjusting for BMI, WHR-PRS remained a positive predictor of BF%, VAT and VSR but not SAT. WC-PRS was a positive predictor of SAT and VAT; BF%-PRS was a positive predictor of BF% and SAT only.

Conclusion

These analyses suggest that genetically driven increases in BF% strongly associate with subcutaneous rather than visceral adiposity and BF% is strongly associated with BMI but not central adiposity-associated genetic variants. How common genetic variants may contribute to observed differences in adiposity patterns between African and European ancestry individuals requires further study.
Predictive factors of relapse after dose reduction of oral 5-aminosalicylic acid in patients with ulcerative colitis in the remission phase
Authors: Madarame Akira , Fukuzawa Masakatsu , Yamauchi Yoshiya , Kono Shin , Sugimoto Akihiko , Yamaguchi Hayato , Morise Takashi , Koyama Yohei , Uchida Kumiko , Suguro Maya , Matsumoto Taisuke , Yasuyuki Kagawa , Kawai Takashi , Itoi Takao
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Useful indices to determine whether to reduce the dose of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) during remission remain unclear. We aimed to analyze the rate and risk factors of relapse after reducing the dose of oral 5-ASA used for maintenance therapy of UC.

Methods

UC patients whose 5-ASA dose was reduced in clinical remission (partial Mayo score of ≤ 1) at our institution from 2012 to 2017 were analyzed. Various clinical variables of patients who relapsed after reducing the dose of oral 5-ASA were compared with those of patients who maintained remission. Risk factors for relapse were assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Cumulative relapse-free survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

A total of 70 UC patients were included; 52 (74.3%) patients maintained remission and 18 (25.7%) patients relapsed during the follow-up period. Multivariate analysis indicated that a history of acute severe UC (ASUC) was an independent predictive factor for clinical relapse (p = 0.024, odds ratio: 21, 95% confidence interval: 1.50–293.2). Based on Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, the cumulative relapse-free survival rate within 52 weeks was 22.2% for patients with a history of ASUC, compared with 82.0% for those without. the log-rank test showed a significant difference in a history of ASUC (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Dose reduction of 5-ASA should be performed carefully in patients who have a history of ASUC.
The reciprocal relationships between social media self-control failure, mindfulness and wellbeing: A longitudinal study
Authors: Du Jie , Kerkhof Peter , van Koningsbruggen Guido M.
Published: August 2021

This paper aims to shed light on the question whether, and how, social media self-control failure is related to mindfulness and wellbeing. Using a 3-wave longitudinal design, the present study among 594 daily social media users examined the reciprocal relationships between social media self-control failure and mindfulness, and between social media self-control failure and wellbeing (as assessed by subjective vitality and life satisfaction). Results of the random-intercept cross-lagged panel model showed that social media self-control failure has a time-invariant negative association with mindfulness and subjective vitality. No full reciprocal influence was found between social media self-control failure and mindfulness, yet part of this trajectory was observed, suggesting that social media self-control failure could impair mindfulness, which, in turn, might increase future social media self-control failure. For wellbeing, life satisfaction was found to predict subsequent drops in social media self-control failure.
Towards a better characterisation of deep-diving whales’ distributions by using prey distribution model outputs?
Authors: Virgili Auriane , Hedon Laura , Authier Matthieu , Calmettes Beatriz , Claridge Diane , Cole Tim , Corkeron Peter , Dorémus Ghislain , Dunn Charlotte , Dunn Tim E. , Laran Sophie , Lehodey Patrick , Lewis Mark , Louzao Maite , Mannocci Laura , Martínez-Cedeira José , Monestiez Pascal , Palka Debra , Pettex Emeline , Roberts Jason J. , Ruiz Leire , Saavedra Camilo , Santos M. Begoña , Van Canneyt Olivier , Bonales José Antonio Vázquez , Ridoux Vincent
Published: August 2021

In habitat modelling, environmental variables are assumed to be proxies of lower trophic levels distribution and by extension, of marine top predator distributions. More proximal variables, such as potential prey fields, could refine relationships between top predator distributions and their environment.In situdata on prey distributions are not available over large spatial scales but, a numerical model, the Spatial Ecosystem And POpulation DYnamics Model (SEAPODYM), provides simulations of the biomass and production of zooplankton and six functional groups of micronekton at the global scale. Here, we explored whether generalised additive models fitted to simulated prey distribution data better predicted deep-diver densities (here beaked whalesZiphiidaeand sperm whalesPhyseter macrocephalus) than models fitted to environmental variables. We assessed whether the combination of environmental and prey distribution data would further improve model fit by comparing their explanatory power. For both taxa, results were suggestive of a preference for habitats associated with topographic features and thermal fronts but also for habitats with an extended euphotic zone and with large prey of the lower mesopelagic layer. For beaked whales, no SEAPODYM variable was selected in the best model that combined the two types of variables, possibly because SEAPODYM does not accurately simulate the organisms on which beaked whales feed on. For sperm whales, the increase model performance was only marginal. SEAPODYM outputs were at best weakly correlated with sightings of deep-diving cetaceans, suggesting SEAPODYM may not accurately predict the prey fields of these taxa. This study was a first investigation and mostly highlighted the importance of the physiographic variables to understand mechanisms that influence the distribution of deep-diving cetaceans. A more systematic use of SEAPODYM could allow to better define the limits of its use and a development of the model that would simulate larger prey beyond 1,000 m would probably better characterise the prey of deep-diving cetaceans.
What teachers in the United States should know about undocumented students
Authors: Cramer Gregory J. , Fons Christopher A.
Published: August 2021

In order to be effective in today’s diverse American K-12 classrooms, teachers must teach all students – including immigrant, undocumented and mixed-status students. This article suggests three ways for teachers to become effective educators for all students: by gaining historical perspective on immigration law and policy in the United States; by becoming knowledgeable about undocumented and mixed-status students; and by adopting a cosmopolitan human rights stance regarding migration, membership and human belonging.
The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good?, Michael J. Sandel (2020)
Authors: Davies Ian
Published: August 2021

Review of: The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good?, Michael J. Sandel (2020)

London: Allen Lane, 272 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-241-40759-2, h/bk, £20
Deuterium depletion inhibits lung cancer cell growth and migration in vitro and results in severalfold increase of median survival time of non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving conventional therapy
Authors: G Somlyai , BZs Kovács , I Somlyai , A Papp , LI Nagy , LG Puskás
Published: August 2021

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for 84% of all lung cancer diagnoses. In advanced NSCLC, including adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, median survival time (MST) rarely exceeds 10-12 months. Reduced deuterium (D) concentration in water of tissue culture media and in drinking water for humans has shown a strong anticancer effect in previous investigations. In the present study, 1 parts per million (ppm) decrease of D-concentration every 8 hours resulted in reduced growth rate of the A459 lung cancer cell line in vitro, and the cell migration was also dose-dependently reduced. Retrospective study of 183 NSCLC patients consuming commercially available deuterium-depleted water (DDW) revealed a severalfold increase of MST, which was 149 months for 19 patients and 40 months for 110 patients, who started DDW-consumption at early or advanced stage, respectively. Interestingly, MST showed a significant difference by gender (107 months in females and 41.2 months in males). Application of DDW in combination with surgery plus other conventional therapies (68 patients) gave 149 months MST, while for DDW combined with chemotherapy only (48 patients) MST was 43.7 months. The present results support earlier data that integration of D-depletion to conventional therapies increases the efficacy of therapy, reduces relapse rate and increases MST.
Enhanced Lunar Topographic Mapping Using Multiple Stereo Images Taken by Yutu-2 Rover with Changing Illumination Conditions
Authors: Wan Wenhui , Wang Jia , Di Kaichang , Li Jian , Liu Zhaoqin , Man Peng , Wang Yexin , Yu Tianyi , Liu Chuankai , Li Lichun
Published: August 2021

In a planetary-rover exploration mission, stereovision-based 3D reconstruction has been widely applied to topographic mapping of the planetary surface using stereo cameras onboard the rover. In this study, we propose an enhanced topographic mapping method based on multiple stereo images
taken at the same rover location with changing illumination conditions. Key steps of the method include dense matching of stereo images, 3D point-cloud generation, point-cloud co-registration, and fusion. The final point cloud has more complete coverage and more details of the terrain than
that conventionally generated from a single stereo pair. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by experiments using the Yutu-2 rover, in which two data sets were acquired by the navigation cameras at two locations and under changing illumination conditions. This method, which
does not involve complex operations, has great potential for application in planetary-rover and lander missions.
Entorno pedagógico para la enseñanza en básica primaria mediante el uso de sistema robótico comercial
Authors: Ortega Díaz Glen Camilo , Téllez Rodríguez Andrés Felipe , Guarnizo Marin Jose Guillermo , Camacho Poveda Edgar Camilo
Published: August 2021

Contexto: En este artículo se presenta el diseño de un sistema robótico aplicado para la enseñanza en básica primaria, dirigido a la población infantil. El sistema robótico es controlado mediante una aplicación en un teléfono celular, a partir del cual dos equipos de niños compiten moviendo un robot en una pista cuando responden correctamente una pregunta. El sistema está diseñado para ser operado por personas sin conocimientos avanzados en informática o robótica.
Método: Inicialmente se realizó una revisión de los resultados de las pruebas Pisa para Colombia, donde se evidenció que en educación básica primaria existen fuertes deficiencias en matemáticas. Posteriormente se procede al diseño del sistema utilizando la plataforma robótica Lego Mindstorm y una aplicación para teléfono celular. El sistema es validado en una actividad con 40 niños de grados tercero y quinto, validando la actividad por medio de encuestas.
Resultados: Las encuestas reflejaron una satisfacción general de los estudiantes al realizar la actividad, mostrando mucho interés, así como concentración. Se evidenció disciplina de los niños en la actividad. La actividad fue acompañada por el docente del espacio académico, quien consideró que el ejercicio realizado fue positivo y contribuye al desarrollo académico de los estudiantes.
Conclusiones: El uso de plataformas robóticas contribuye a los procesos de aprendizaje en la población infantil al ser atractivas, interactivas y fortalecer el trabajo en equipo. Este tipo de plataformas deben ser de fácil uso, ya que las actividades serían acompañadas por docentes de distintas formaciones. Se debe buscar que las plataformas sean accesibles y de bajo costo, pero con un diseño llamativo para la población a la que va dirigida.
Agradecimientos: Este proyecto ha sido financiado por la “Decimocuarta convocatoria interna para el fomento de la investigación y la innovación FODEIN 2020” de la Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogotá D.C., Colombia, titulado “Optimización de trayectorias mediante algoritmos bio-inspirados aplicado a robots móviles con percepción local”, código de proyecto: 2036004.
The COVID trap: pediatric diagnostic errors in a pandemic world
Authors: Fatemi Yasaman , Coffin Susan
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced strains in the diagnostic process through uncertainty in diagnosis, changes to usual clinical processes, and introduction of a unique social context of altered health care delivery and fear of the medical environment. These challenges created a context ripe for diagnostic error involving both systems and cognitive factors.

Case presentation

We present a series of three pediatric cases presenting to care during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic that highlight the heightened potential for diagnostic errors in the pandemic context with particular focus on the interplay of systems and cognitive factors leading to delayed and missed diagnoses. These cases illustrate the particular power of availability bias, diagnostic momentum, and premature closure in the diagnostic process.

Conclusions

Through integrated commentary and a fishbone analysis of the cognitive and systems factors at play, these three cases emphasize the specific influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric patients.
Mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced asphalt concrete: Finite element simulation and experimental study
Authors: Gao Huan , Zhang Lizhe , Zhang Dongbo , Ji Tao , Song Jun
Published: August 2021

Polymer fiber reinforcement can elevate the pavement performance indicators of asphalt concrete, including low temperature crack resistance, high temperature stability, and water stability. Fiber-reinforced asphalt concrete (FRAC) is a suitable solution to improve the road performance of asphalt concrete. However, the mechanism of the fiber parameters in asphalt concrete has still not been introduced. Herein we studied the influence of fiber geometry characteristics on improving the mechanical properties of asphalt concrete through numerical simulation. The finite element method (FEM) was used to establish an elastoplastic mesoscopic model for indirect tensile test of the asphalt mixtures via ABAQUS. The best fiber length, volume ratio, diameter, and modulus were confirmed based on the simulated results. Furthermore, the indirect tensile tests were undertaken to prove the influence of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber parameters on the FRAC’s splitting stability. This study fills the gap between theoretical simulations and laboratory experiments, and it is a promising solution to improve engineered FRAC road performance.
A cogeneration scheme with biogas and improvement of frequency stability using inertia based control in AC microgrid
Authors: Santra Subhendu Bikash , Ogungbe Babatunde Tolu
Published: August 2021

Currently, penetration of the renewable energy sources (RES) like solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbine-based plants is increasing in the conventional power grid to combat pollution, global warming, and to enhance energy sustainability. Fast power electronic converters are necessary to extract power from these sources which do not have any inertia. When more renewable sources are connected to the power grid, it reduces the effective system inertia which results in unacceptable grid frequency changes for any transient. This leads to frequent tripping, cascading fault, and instability of the overall system which can create large-scale blackouts. This work is related to the generation of physical inertia through the biogas plant and emulates inertia from the dc-link capacitor to control the rate of change of frequency (RoCoF) under abrupt load change. The stored energy in a biogas plant and dc-link capacitor in an AC microgrid (MG) can support momentary power requirement which improves the transient performance of grid frequency under unavailability of PV power. A storage system can help to compensate for abrupt frequency change during transient but due to its higher cost and relatively lesser lifetime, these systems can’t be relied upon in the long run. The proposed scheme of cogeneration and frequency control can provide better performance which is simulated in MATLAB 2013 (b). The control system is implemented in hardware using NI-cRiO 9082 in 500 W AC MG which shows 53.57% improvement in RoCoF which complies with the requirement of IEEE/IEC 60255-118-1.
Coordinated power management and control of renewable energy sources based smart grid
Authors: Malla Siva Ganesh , Malla Jagan Mohana Rao , Malla Priyanka , Ramasamy Sreekanth , Doniparthi Satish Kumar , Sahu Manoj Kumar , Subudhi Pravat Kumar , Awad Hilmy
Published: August 2021

Renewable energy-based smart grids are famous nowadays due to their high intellectual properties. The world is starting new inventions in renewable energy-based electrical power generation systems to reduce global warming. However, a single renewable energy source cannot maintain a proper energy management system and reliability of power towards loads. Hence, integrating two or more systems is very important and can form a smart grid with an appropriate energy management system. Effective energy management system for a 4-wire 1-MW smart grid system is proposed in this paper. The system is composed of three solar plants and three wind farms with a battery bank. The battery energy management system can operate the complete system as a smart grid with the proper design of the controllers. The maximum power points of PV plants are tracked using a hybrid algorithm that merges the merits of Modified Invasive Weed Optimization and Perturb and Observe (P&O). Thus, the maximum power is obtained under partial shading conditions. The P&O algorithm is also developed to track the maximum power of wind farms. All the loads and generation units are connected in a ring-configuration distribution with a centralized battery energy management system. The loads are selected to be unbalanced, nonlinear and reactive to simulate practical cases. TS-Fuzzy based common inverter controller is implemented to maintain acceptable power quality, which is linked to the battery. The proposed inverter controller can work as a reactive power compensator, active power filter, voltage regulator under unbalanced load, and power balancing device between generation and load. Extensive Hardware-in-Loop (HIL) results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed system.
Carcinogen sodium arsenite disrupts antioxidant and redox homeostasis in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Oyibo Aghogho , Abolaji Amos O. , Odunola Oyeronke A.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The inadvertent exposure to environmental contaminants has been reported to induce cancer in different animal models. Here, we investigated the toxicity of Sodium Arsenite (SA), a Class I Carcinogen in Drosophila melanogaster.

Methods

Harwich fly strain (1–3 days old) of both sexes were orally exposed to SA (0, 0.0312, 0.0625 and 0.125 mM) for 14 days for survival study. Thereafter, 5 days exposure period was selected to assess the toxic effects of SA on oxidative stress and antioxidant markers.

Results

The results indicated that SA induced significant reduction in survival and emergence rate of flies. Furthermore, SA significantly increased Nitric Oxide (NO, nitrite and nitrate) and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) levels in flies compared with control (p<0.05). In addition, SA inhibited catalase and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, and depleted total thiol and glutathione (GSH) contents. Moreover, acetylcholinesterase activity significantly increased in flies treated with SA when compared with control.

Conclusions

Sodium arsenite-induced reduction in survival and emergence rates of flies occurred via the disruption of oxidative stress-antioxidant homeostasis in D. melanogaster.
Analysis of the influence of asymmetric geological conditions on stability of high arch dam
Authors: Ding Zelin , Zhu Xuanyi , Zhang Hongyang , Ban Hanlin , Chen Yuan
Published: August 2021

Geological conditions play a decisive role in the stability of arch dam engineering, and the asymmetric geological conditions of the abutment have a very negative impact on the safety of the arch dam. This article takes Lizhou arch dam as the research object, and determines that the arch dam is preliminarily affected by the geological asymmetric characteristics. Through the geomechanical model test method, the overload failure test of the Lizhou arch dam was carried out, and the resistance body, the instability deformation of the structural plane of the two dam abutments, and the influence of each structural plane on the dam body are obtained, and the safety factor is determined. According to the test results under the condition of asymmetric foundation of arch dam, for the structural plane which affects the geological asymmetry of the arch dam, the corresponding reinforcement measures are carried out. The feasibility of the reinforcement scheme is verified by the finite element method, and the safety factor after reinforcement is obtained. According to the results, it is suggested that some engineering measures can be taken to reduce the geological asymmetry between the two banks and ensure the safe and stable operation of the arch dam in the future.
Acute Responses to Cycling Exercise With Blood Flow Restriction During Various Intensities
Authors: Lauver Jakob D. , Moran Austin , Guilkey Justin P. , Johnson Kelly E. , Zanchi Nelo E. , Rotarius Timothy R.
Published: August 2021

Lauver, JD, Moran, A, Guilkey, JP, Johnson, KE, Zanchi, NE, and Rotarius, TR. Acute responses to cycling exercise with blood flow restriction during various intensities. J Strength Cond Res 36(12): 3366–3373, 2022—The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute physiological responses during cycling at various intensities with blood flow restriction (BFR). Subjects (N = 9; V̇o
2peak = 36.09 ± 5.80 ml·kg−1·min−1) performed 5 protocols: high-intensity (HIGH), control (CON-90), 90% of ventilatory threshold (VT) work rate with BFR (90-BFR), 70% of VT with BFR (70-BFR), and 30% V̇o
2peak with BFR (30-BFR). Protocols consisted of five 2-minute work intervals interspersed with 1-minute recovery intervals. Blood flow restriction pressure was 80% of limb occlusion pressure. V̇o
2, muscle excitation, tissue oxygen saturation (StO2), discomfort, and level of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed. Muscle excitation was higher during HIGH (302.9 ± 159.9 %BSL [baseline]) compared with 70-BFR (99.7 ± 76.4 %BSL) and 30-BFR (98.2 ± 70.5 %BSL). StO2 was greater during 90-BFR (40.7 ± 12.5 ∆BSL), 70-BFR (34.4 ± 15.2 ∆BSL), and 30-BFR (31.9 ± 18.7 ∆BSL) compared with CON-90 (4.4 ± 11.5 ∆BSL). 90-BFR (39.6 ± 12.0 ∆BSL) resulted in a greater StO2-Avg compared with HIGH (20.5 ± 13.8 ∆BSL). Also, HIGH (23.68 ± 5.31 ml·kg−1·min−1) resulted in a greater V̇o
2 compared with 30-BFR (15.43 ± 3.19 ml·kg−1·min−1), 70-BFR (16.65 ± 3.26 ml·kg−1·min−1), and 90-BFR (18.28 ± 3.89 ml·kg−1·min−1); 90-BFR (intervals: 4 = 15.9 ± 2.3; intervals: 5 = 16.4 ± 2.5) resulted in a greater RPE compared with 30-BFR (intervals: 4 = 13.3 ± 1.4; intervals: 5 = 13.7 ± 1.7) during intervals 4 and 5. These results suggest that when adding BFR to various intensities of aerobic exercise, consideration should be given to peak work and VT to provide a balance between high local physiological stress and perceptual responses.
Clinical Characteristics and Durations of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Beijing: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhao Wen , Zha Xiangyi , Wang Ning , Li Dongzeng , Li Aixin , Yu Shikai
Published: August 2021

Objective: To provide information on clinical characteristics and different durations of COVID-19 and to identify the potential risk factors for longer hospitalization of patients with COVID-19.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 77 patients (age 52±20 years; 44.2% males) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to Beijing YouAn Hospital between January 21 and February 8, 2020. Epidemiological, clinical, and radiological data on admission were collected; complications and outcomes were followed up until February 26, 2020. The end point of the study was discharge alive within 2 weeks. Cox proportional-hazards regression was performed to identify risk factors for longer hospitalization.

Results: Of 77 patients, there were 34 males (44.2%), 24 (31.2%) with comorbidities, 22 (28.6%) with lymphopenia, 20 (26.0%) with severe COVID-19, and 28 (36.4%) with complications. By the end of follow-up, 64 patients (83.1%) were discharged home, eight remained in hospital, and five had died. Thirty-six patients (46.8%) were discharged within 14 days and thus reached the study end point, including 34 of the 57 patients with nonsevere COVID-19 (59.6%) and two of the 20 patients with severe COVID-19 (10%). The overall cumulative probability of the end point was 48.3%. Hospital length of stay and the duration from exposure to discharge for the 64 discharged patients were 13 (10–16.5) days and 23 (18–24.5) days, respectively. A multivariable stepwise Cox regression model showed that bilateral pneumonia on CT scan, shorter time from illness onset to admission, severity of disease, and lymphopenia were independently associated with longer hospitalization.

Conclusions: COVID-19 has a shorter duration of disease and hospital length of stay than severe acute respiratory syndrome. Bilateral pneumonia on CT scan, shorter period from illness onset to admission, lymphopenia, and severity of disease are the risk factors for longer hospitalization of patients with COVID-19.