bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Middle-age dementia risk scores and old-age cognition: a quasi-experimental population-based twin study with over 20-year follow-up
Authors: Iso-Markku Paula , Kaprio Jaakko , Lindgren Noora , Rinne Juha O , Vuoksimaa Eero
Published: November 2020

Background

Middle-age risk scores predict cognitive impairment, but it is not known if these associations are evident when controlling for shared genetic and environmental factors. Using two risk scores, self-report educational-occupational score and Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE), we investigated if twins with higher middle-age dementia risk have poorer old-age cognition compared with their co-twins with lower risk.

Methods

We used a population-based older Finnish Twin Cohort study with middle-age questionnaire data (n=15 169, mean age=52.0 years, SD=11.8) and old-age cognition measured via telephone interview (mean age=74.1, SD=4.1, n=4302). Between-family and within-family linear regression analyses were performed.

Results

In between-family analyses (N=2359), higher educational-occupational score was related to better cognition (B=0.76, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.83) and higher CAIDE score was associated with poorer cognition (B=−0.73, 95% CI −0.82 to -0.65). Within twin-pair differences in educational-occupational score were significantly related to within twin-pair differences in cognition in dizygotic (DZ) pairs (B=0.78, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.31; N=338) but not in monozygotic (MZ) pairs (B=0.12, 95% CI −0.44 to 0.68; N=221). Within twin-pair differences in CAIDE score were not related to within twin-pair differences in cognition: DZ B=−0.38 (95% CI −0.90 to 0.14, N=343) and MZ B=−0.05 (95% CI −0.59 to 0.49; N=226).

Conclusion

Middle-age dementia risk scores predicted old-age cognition, but within twin-pair analyses gave little support for associations independent of shared environmental and genetic factors. Understanding genetic underpinnings of risk score−cognition associations is important for early detection of dementia and designing intervention trials.
Sustainability principle for the ethics of healthcare resource allocation
Authors: Munthe Christian , Fumagalli Davide , Malmqvist Erik
Published: November 2020

We propose a principle of sustainability to complement established principles used for justifying healthcare resource allocation. We argue that the application of established principles of equal treatment, need, prognosis and cost-effectiveness gives rise to what we call negative dynamics: a gradual depletion of the value possible to generate through healthcare. These principles should therefore be complemented by a sustainability principle, making the prospect of negative dynamics a further factor to consider, and possibly outweigh considerations highlighted by the other principles. We demonstrate how this principle may take different forms, and show that a commitment to sustainability is supported by considerations internal to the ethical principles already guiding healthcare resource allocation. We also consider two objections. The first of these, we argue, is either based on implausible assumptions or begs the question, whereas the second can be adequately accommodated by the principle we propose.
Interscallop separations of the posterior mitral valve leaflet: a solution to the ‘borderline RHD’ conundrum?
Authors: Hunter Luke David , Monaghan Mark , Lloyd Guy , Lombard Carl , Pecoraro Alfonso Jan Kemp , Doubell Anton Frans , Herbst Philipus George
Published: November 2020

Objective

The World Heart Federation (WHF) criteria incorporate a Doppler-based system to differentiate between ‘physiological’ and ‘pathological’ mitral regurgitation (MR)—a sole criterion sufficient for the diagnosis of WHF ‘borderline’ rheumatic heart disease (RHD). We have identified that interscallop separations (ISS) of the posterior mitral valve (MV) leaflet, can give rise to pathological MR in an otherwise-normal MV. We aimed to establish and compare the prevalence of ISS-related MR among South African children at high and low risk for RHD.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional echocardiographic study of 759 school children (aged 13–18) was performed. Cases with MR≥1.5 cm underwent a second comprehensive study to determine the prevalence of RHD according to the WHF guideline and establish the underlying mechanism of MR.

Results

Of 400 high-risk children, two met criteria for ‘definite RHD’ (5 per 1000 (95% CI 1.4 to 18.0); p=0.5) and 11 for ‘borderline RHD’ (27.5 per 1000 (95% CI 15.4 to 48.6)). Of 359 low-risk children, 14 met criteria for borderline RHD (39 per 1000 (95% CI 23.4 to 64.4)). Comprehensive echocardiography identified an underlying ISS as the mechanism of isolated pathological MR in 10 (83.3%) high-risk children and 11 low-risk children (78.5%; p>0.99).

Conclusions

ISS are a ubiquitous finding among South African schoolchildren from all risk profiles and are regularly identified as the underlying mechanism of WHF pathological MR in borderline RHD cases. A detailed MV assessment with an emphasis on ascertaining the underlying mechanism of dysfunction could reduce the reported numbers of screened cases misclassified as borderline RHD.
Relationship between nitrate headache and outcome in patients with acute stroke: results from the efficacy of nitric oxide in stroke (ENOS) trial
Authors: Beishon Lucy , Woodhouse Lisa J , Bereczki Daniel , Christensen Hanne K , Collins Ronan , Gommans John , Kruuse Christina , Ntaios George , Ozturk Serefnur , Phillips Stephen , Pocock Stuart , Szatmari Szabolcs , Wardlaw Joanna , Sprigg Nikola , Bath Philip M
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Nitrate-induced headache is common and may signify responsive cerebral vasculature. We assessed the relationship between nitrate headache and outcome in patients with acute stroke.

Materials and methods

Patients were those randomised to glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) versus no GTN in the efficacy of nitric oxide in stroke trial. Development of headache by end of treatment (day 7), and functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale, primary outcome) at day 90, were assessed. Analyses are adjusted for baseline prognostic factors and give OR and mean difference (MD) with 95% CI.

Results

In 4011 patients, headache was more common in GTN than control (360, 18.0% vs 170, 8.5%; p<0.001). Nitrate-related headache was associated with: younger age, female sex, higher diastolic blood pressure, non-total anterior circulation syndrome, milder stroke and absence of dysphasia (p<0.05). Nitrate headache was not associated with improved functional outcome (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.10, p=0.30) or death (day 90) (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.02, p=0.062), but reduced death or deterioration (day 7) (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.82), death in hospital (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.88) and improved activities of daily living (Barthel index, MD 3.7, 95% CI 0.3 to 7.1) and cognition (telephone interview cognitive screen, MD 2.0, 95% CI 0.7 to 3.3) (day 90). Non-nitrate headache was not associated with death, disability or cognition.

Discussion and conclusion

Development of a nitrate headache by day 7 after stroke may be associated with improved activities of daily living and cognitive impairment at day 90, which was not seen with non-nitrate headache.
Inconsistent centralised versus non-centralised ischaemic stroke aetiology
Authors: Suo Yue , Jing Jing , Meng Xia , Li Zixiao , Pan Yuesong , Jiang Yong , Yang Xiaomeng , Liu Huan , Yan Hongyi , Liu Liping , Zhao Xingquan , Wang Yilong , Li Hao , Wang Yongjun
Published: November 2020

Background and purpose

The Trial of Org 10 172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) system is the most widely used aetiological categorisation system in clinical practice and research. Limited studies have validated the accuracy of routine aetiological diagnosis of patients with ischaemic stroke according to the TOAST criteria when the reported subtype is assumed to be correct. We investigated the agreement between centralised and non-centralised (site-reported, at discharge) stroke subtypes in the Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III), and analysed the influence of classification consistency on evaluation during hospitalisation and for secondary prevention strategy.

Methods

All patients with ischaemic stroke from the CNSR-III study with complete diffusion-weighted imaging data were included. We used multivariable Cox proportional-hazard regression models to evaluate the factors associated with consistency between centralised and non-centralised stroke subtypes. Sensitivity analyses were conducted of the subgroup of patients with complete information.

Results

This study included 12 180 patients (mean age, 62.3 years; and women, 31.4%). Agreement between centralised and non-centralised subtype was the highest for the large-artery atherosclerosis subtype stroke (77.4% of centralised patients), followed by the small-vessel occlusion subtype (40.6% of centralised patients). Agreements for cardioembolism and stroke of other determined aetiology subtypes were 38.7% and 12.2%, respectively. Patient-level and hospital-level factors were associated with the inconsistency between centralised/non-centralised aetiological subtyping. This inconsistency was related to differences in secondary prevention strategies. Only 15.3% of the newly diagnosed patients with cardioembolism underwent centralised subtyping with indications to receive oral anticoagulants at discharge. In comparison, 51.3% of the consistent cardioembolism group and 42.0% of the centrally reassigned cardioembolism group with anticoagulation indications were prescribed oral anticoagulants.

Conclusions

Substantial inconsistency exists between centralised and non-centralised subtyping in China. Inaccurate aetiological subtyping could lead to inadequate secondary prevention, especially in patients with cardioembolic stroke.
Switching stories: user testimonials on juul.com continue to contradict JUUL’s switch ≠ cessation narrative
Authors: Patterson Joanne G , LaPolt Devin T , Miranda Alexis R , Zettler Patricia J , Berman Micah , Roberts Megan E , Keller-Hamilton Brittney , Ferketich Amy K
Published: November 2020

Background

In January 2019, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) market leader Juul Labs (JUUL) launched an advertising campaign encouraging adult smokers to ‘make the switch’ from combustible cigarettes to JUUL. Our primary aim was to describe consumer perceptions of JUUL as communicated by members of JUUL’s online social community via testimonials promoted on JUUL’s website.

Methods

User testimonials that were displayed on the JUUL website in December 2019 and January 2020 were collected and coded by three reviewers. A total of 220 testimonials were coded for primary and secondary themes (eight codes within four broader themes).

Results

Testimonial writers were, on average, 43.0 years old (range 28 to 74) and reported using JUUL for an average of 21.8 months (range 9 to 59 months). The most prominent theme, present in nearly half of the testimonials, was a description of how to use JUUL, with a mention of JUUL’s benefits and tips on how to use the product. Nearly four in 10 statements encouraged smokers to give JUUL a try or noted that JUUL is a better product compared with cigarettes. About one in 10 statements focused on switching from smoking cigarettes to using JUUL.

Conclusion

This study presents a foundation for understanding how adult users describe JUUL, including their experiences using JUUL to ‘switch’ or stop smoking. Currently, the effectiveness of ENDS for smoking cessation is not supported by substantial evidence; however, if cessation is defined as ‘quitting combustible tobacco products’, then regulators should be aware that switch and cessation messages may not be distinct.
Simulating the density reduction and equity impact of potential tobacco retail control policies
Authors: Caryl Fiona M , Pearce Jamie , Reid Garth , Mitchell Richard , Shortt Niamh K
Published: November 2020

Background

Reducing the provision of tobacco is important for decreasing inequalities in smoking and smoking-related harm. Various policies have been proposed to achieve this, but their impacts—particularly on equity—are often unknown. Here, using national-level data, we simulate the impacts of potential policies designed to reduce tobacco outlet density (TOD).

Methods

Tobacco retailer locations (n=9030) were geocoded from Scotland’s national register, forming a baseline. Twelve policies were developed in three types: (1) regulating type of retailer selling tobacco, (2) regulating location of tobacco sales, and (3) area-based TOD caps. Density reduction was measured as mean percentage reduction in TOD across data zones and number of retailers nationally. Equity impact was measured using regression-based Relative Index of Inequality (RII) across income deprivation quintiles.

Results

Policies restricting tobacco sales to a single outlet type (‘Supermarket’; ‘Liquor store’; ‘Pharmacy’) caused >80% TOD reduction and >90% reduction in the number of tobacco outlets nationally. However, RIIs indicated that two of these policies (‘Liquor store’, ‘Pharmacy’) increased socioeconomic inequalities in TOD. Equity-promoting policies included ‘Minimum spacing’ and exclusion zones around ‘Child spaces’. The only policy to remove statistically significant TOD inequalities was the one deliberately targeted to do so (‘Reduce clusters’).

Conclusions

Using spatial simulations, we show that all selected policies reduced provision of tobacco retailing to varying degrees. However, the most ‘successful’ at doing so also increased inequalities. Consequently, policy-makers should consider how the methods by which tobacco retail density is reduced, and success measured, align with policy aims.
Intricate partial waves in nuclear scattering
Authors: von Geramb Heinrich Viktor
Published: November 2020

This article is meant as an encomium of the life-span endeavor of Jacques Raynal to relate nuclear scattering density matrices with numerical methods. The mathematical investigations he made involved intricate hypergeometric coupling algebras and transformations. He was among the first to appreciate the general importance of these studies. His efforts over 60 years are most praiseworthy and, for them, Jacques has gained much respect.
Chinese Herbal Medicine in Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Zheng Yang , Qi Shangfeng , Wu Fengqing , Hu Jintao , Zhong Ronglin , Hua Cong , Jiang Dashuai , Quan Renfu
Published: November 2020

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic disease associated with damaged neurological structures and has become a significant social and economic burden for the health care system and patients’ families. The use of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) to treat SCI has been increasing in recent years. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of CHM for patients with SCI. Therefore, we included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of CHM for SCI in seven databases. A total of 26 studies involving 1961 participants were included in this study. No serious heterogeneity or publication bias was observed across each study. The results showed that significant improvements of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)-grading improvement rate ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), clinical effective rate ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA motor score ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA sensory score (total) ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA sensory score (light touch) ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA sensory score (pinprick) ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), and activities of daily living (ADL) score ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) in CHM group compared with the control group. Among the CHM groups, Buyang Huanwu decoction was the most frequently prescribed herbal formula, while Astragalus membranaceus was the most commonly used single herb. In addition, there were no serious and permanent adverse effects in the two groups. The methodological quality of the most included RCTs was poor and the quality of evidence for the main outcomes was from very low to moderate according to the GRADE system. Current evidence suggests that CHM is an effective and safe treatment for SCI and could be treated as a complementary and alternative option with few side effects. However, considering the low quality, small size, and high risk of the studies identified in this meta-analysis, higher methodological quality, rigorously designed RCTs with large sample sizes are needed to confirm the results.
General description on extended homoclinic orbit solutions of the KdV-type bilinear equations
Authors: Liu Shu-Zhi , Zhang Da-Jun
Published: November 2020

The Korteweg–de Vries (KdV)-type bilinear equations always allow 2-soliton solutions. In this paper, for a general KdV-type bilinear equation, we interpret how the so-called extended homoclinic orbit solutions arise from a special case of its 2-soliton solution. Two properties of bilinear derivatives are developed to deal with bilinear equation deformations. A non-integrable (3+1)-dimensional bilinear equation is employed as an example.
Asymptotic profiles for damped plate equations with rotational inertia terms
Authors: Fukushima Tomonori , Ikehata Ryo , Michihisa Hironori
Published: November 2020

We consider the Cauchy problem for plate equations with rotational inertia and frictional damping terms. We derive asymptotic profiles of the solution in [Formula: see text]-sense as [Formula: see text] in the case when the initial data have high and low regularity, respectively. Especially, in the low regularity case of the initial data one encounters the regularity-loss structure of the solutions, and the analysis is more delicate. We employ the so-called Fourier splitting method combined with the explicit formula of the solution (high-frequency estimates) and the method due to [R. Ikehata, Asymptotic profiles for wave equations with strong damping, J. Differential Equations 257 (2014) 2159–2177.] (low-frequency estimates). In this paper, we will introduce a new threshold [Formula: see text] on the regularity of the initial data that divides the property of the corresponding solution to our problem into two parts: one is wave-like, and the other is parabolic-like.
Infinite Frobenius Groups Generated by Elements of Order 3
Authors: Yang Nanying , Lytkina Daria Victorovna , Mazurov Victor Danilovich , Zhurtov Archil Khazeshovich
Published: November 2020

A semidirect product [Formula: see text] of groups F and H is called a Frobenius group if the following two conditions are satisfied: (F1) H acts freely on F, that is, [Formula: see text] for f in F and h in H only if h = 1 or f = 1. (F2) Every non-identity element [Formula: see text] of finite order n induces in F by conjugation in G a splitting automorphism, that is, [Formula: see text] for every [Formula: see text]; in other words, the order of [Formula: see text] is equal to n. We describe the normal structure of a Frobenius group with periodic subgroup H generated by elements of order 3.
High-Dimensional Estimation, Basis Assets, and the Adaptive Multi-Factor Model
Authors: Zhu Liao , Basu Sumanta , Jarrow Robert A. , Wells Martin T.
Published: November 2020

The paper proposes a new algorithm for the high-dimensional financial data — the Groupwise Interpretable Basis Selection (GIBS) algorithm, to estimate a new Adaptive Multi-Factor (AMF) asset pricing model, implied by the recently developed Generalized Arbitrage Pricing Theory, which relaxes the convention that the number of risk-factors is small. We first obtain an adaptive collection of basis assets and then simultaneously test which basis assets correspond to which securities, using high-dimensional methods. The AMF model, along with the GIBS algorithm, is shown to have a significantly better fitting and prediction power than the Fama–French 5-factor model.
PipeArch
Authors: Kara Kaan , Alonso Gustavo
Published: November 2020

Data processing systems based on FPGAs offer high performance and energy efficiency for a variety of applications. However, these advantages are achieved through highly specialized designs. The high degree of specialization leads to accelerators with narrow functionality and designs adhering to a rigid execution flow. For multi-tenant systems this limits the scope of applicability of FPGA-based accelerators, because, first, supporting a single operation is unlikely to have any significant impact on the overall performance of the system, and, second, serving multiple users satisfactorily is difficult due to simplistic scheduling policies enforced when using the accelerator. Standard operating system and database management system features that would help address these limitations, such as context-switching, preemptive scheduling, and thread migration are practically non-existent in current FPGA accelerator efforts.

In this work, we propose PipeArch, an open-source project
1
for developing FPGA-based accelerators that combine the high efficiency of specialized hardware designs with the generality and functionality known from conventional CPU threads. PipeArch provides programmability and extensibility in the accelerator without losing the advantages of SIMD-parallelism and deep pipelining. PipeArch supports context-switching and thread migration, thereby enabling for the first time new capabilities such as preemptive scheduling in FPGA accelerators within a high-performance data processing setting. We have used PipeArch to implement a variety of machine learning methods for generalized linear model training and recommender systems showing empirically their advantages over a high-end CPU and even over fully specialized FPGA designs.
Autogrip: Enabling Force Feedback Devices to Self-Attach to End-Users' Fingers
Authors: Barnaby Gareth , Roudaut Anne
Published: November 2020

Autogrip is a new thimble that enables force feedback devices to autonomously attach themselves to a finger. Although self-attachment is a simple concept, it has never been explored in the space of force feedback devices where current thimble solutions require complex attachment procedures and often swapping between interchangeable parts. Self-attachment is advantageous in many applications such as: immersive spaces, multi-user, walk up and use contexts, and especially multi-point force feedback systems as it can allow a lone user to quickly attach multiple devices to fingers on both hands - a difficult task with current thimbles. We present the design of our open-source contraption, Autogrip, a one-size-fits-all thimble that retro-fits to existing force feedback devices, enabling them to automatically attach themselves to a fingertip. We demonstrate Autogrip by retrofitting it to a Phantom 1.5 and a 4-finger Mantis system. We report preliminary user-testing results that indicated Autogrip was three times faster to attach than a typical method. We also present further refinements based on user feedback.
Exploring User Defined Gestures for Ear-Based Interactions
Authors: Chen Yu-Chun , Liao Chia-Ying , Hsu Shuo-wen , Huang Da-Yuan , Chen Bing-Yu
Published: November 2020

The human ear is highly sensitive and accessible, making it especially suitable for being used as an interface for interacting with smart earpieces or augmented glasses. However, previous works on ear-based input mainly address gesture sensing technology and researcher-designed gestures. This paper aims to bring more understandings of gesture design. Thus, for a user elicitation study, we recruited 28 participants, each of whom designed gestures for 31 smart device-related tasks. This resulted in a total of 868 gestures generated. Upon the basis of these gestures, we compiled a taxonomy and concluded the considerations underlying the participants' designs that also offer insights into their design rationales and preferences. Thereafter, based on these study results, we propose a set of user-defined gestures and share interesting findings. We hope this work can shed some light on not only sensing technologies of ear-based input, but also the interface design of future wearable interfaces.
Approaching Electrochemical Limits of Mg
x
Cl
y

z+ Complex-Based Electrolytes for Mg Batteries by Tailoring the Solution Structure
Authors: Küpers V. , Weintz D. , Mück-Lichtenfeld C. , Bieker P. , Winter M. , Kolek M.
Published: November 2020

The future demand for energy storage requires the development of next generation batteries, e.g. based on magnesium (Mg). Mg as anode material offers great advantages such as low costs and a high volumetric capacity compared to state-of-the-art anodes. However, the lower standard potential of Mg∣Mg2+ (−2.36 V vs SHE) compared to Li∣Li+ (−3.04 V vs SHE) or Li+ intercalation/deintercalation into/from graphite (≈−2.95 V vs SHE) emerges the need for high voltage cathodes and suitable electrolytes to achieve competitive cell energy values. The oxidative stabilities of less than 3.5 V vs Mg∣Mg2+ for most of those electrolytes which enable Mg electrodeposition/-dissolution is too low to facilitate needed high-voltage Mg-based batteries. In this study, we therefore investigate the limits of oxidative stability of a commonly used Mg(TFSI)2- and MgCl2-based electrolyte by variation of solvents (ethers and ionic liquids) and salt ratios. Further on, we highlight the underlying reasons for the oxidative stability limits.
Muscle pain from an intramuscular injection of hypertonic saline increases variability in knee extensor torque reproduction
Authors: Smith Samuel A. , Micklewright Dominic , Winter Samantha L. , Mauger Alexis R.
Published: November 2020

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: We provide novel data demonstrating that the presence of muscle pain interferes with estimations of torque produced by the knee extensors, which could impair judgment of work rate during endurance exercise. The novelty of our study is in the application of the hypertonic saline experimental model into a quadriceps muscle during short, submaximal isometric contractions at an intensity that provides a more translatable assessment of the impact of exercise-induced pain on work-rate regulation during whole body exercise.
Effect of Capital Constraint in a Dual-Channel Supply Chain
Authors: Xu Lang , Shi Jia , Chen Jihong
Published: November 2020

Capital constraint is a significant factor that mainly restricts the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises. This paper explores the channel strategy and pricing decision in a dual-channel supply chain, which consists of one supplier and one retailer. Adequate and inadequate capital constraints for the supplier are distinguished by determining whether open the retail channel to sell. The observations offer managerial insights into supply chain member. First, the results indicate that the capital constraint is a key factor affecting channel strategies and pricing decisions. With the increased value of capital constraint, the wholesale price of offline channel and the selling price of online channel firstly decrease and then remain constant. Second, the results demonstrate that, with capital constraint, the supplier pays more attention to consumers’ brand loyalty if it chooses to open the online channel only. Additionally, the price-sensitivity parameter has no effect on the strategy of opening only the offline channel. Moreover, when the channel competition is too intense, the supplier will choose to only open the online channel strategy and increase the online selling price if the capital is insufficient.
Evaluation of the Green Innovation Efficiency of Chinese Industrial Enterprises: Research Based on the Three-Stage Chain Network SBM Model
Authors: Chen Wei , Wang Xiufeng , Peng Nan , Wei Xuan , Lin Chaoran
Published: November 2020

Green innovation is an important capability for an enterprise’s sustainable development. Evaluating the green innovation efficiency of China’s industrial enterprises can greatly affect its improvement. Considering the existing research results of green innovation efficiency evaluation, this paper added the impact of environmental factors in the technology industrialization stage. Various negative environmental externality indicators produced by industrial enterprise activities were incorporated into the undesired output, and an index system and model were constructed for evaluating the green innovation efficiency of China’s industrial enterprises. Combined with the actual data, a three-stage chain network SBM (slack-based measure) model was used to dynamically evaluate and analyze the industrial enterprises in 29 Chinese provinces. The results show that the overall efficiency of green innovation in China’s industrial enterprises has an upward trend, and the rise fluctuates during the technological development, achievement transformation, and industrialization stages. In the three major regions of China, industrial enterprises in the eastern area have the highest green innovation efficiency, and the industrial enterprises in the west and central regions have lower efficiencies. Based on the evaluation results, the corresponding countermeasures are proposed.
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials of Seed Oil from Carthamus tinctorius L. in the Management of Skin Injuries
Authors: Khémiri Ikram , Essghaier Badiaa , Sadfi-Zouaoui Najla , Bitri Lotfi
Published: November 2020

Infection of skin injuries by pathogenic microbial strains is generally associated if not treated with a lasting wound bed oxidative stress status, a delay in healing process, and even wound chronicity with several human health complications. The aim of the current study was to explore the antioxidant and antimicrobial potentialities of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) extracted oil from seeds by cold pressing which would be beneficial in the management of skin wounds. Antioxidant capacity of the oil was evaluated (scavenging ability against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2

′

-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)). Total phenolic, total flavonoid, total carotenoid, and total chlorophyll contents were determined. Antimicrobial activities of safflower oil were tested against 10 skin pathogenic microorganisms: 4 bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae), 3 yeast species strains (Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida sake), and 3 fungi species (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium digitatum, and Fusarium oxysporum). A notable antioxidant capacity was demonstrated for the tested oil that exhibited moreover high antibacterial effects by both bacteriostatic and bactericidal pathways including lysozyme activity. An antifungal effect was further observed on the spore’s germination. Safflower oil could be considered as a good natural alternative remedy in the management of skin wounds and their possible microbial infections.
Comparison of Supervised and Unsupervised Deep Learning Methods for Medical Image Synthesis between Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Li Yafen , Li Wen , Xiong Jing , Xia Jun , Xie Yaoqin
Published: November 2020

Cross‐modality medical image synthesis between magnetic resonance (MR) images and computed tomography (CT) images has attracted increasing attention in many medical imaging area. Many deep learning methods have been used to generate pseudo‐MR/CT images from counterpart modality images. In this study, we used U‐Net and Cycle‐Consistent Adversarial Networks (CycleGAN), which were typical networks of supervised and unsupervised deep learning methods, respectively, to transform MR/CT images to their counterpart modality. Experimental results show that synthetic images predicted by the proposed U‐Net method got lower mean absolute error (MAE), higher structural similarity index (SSIM), and peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR) in both directions of CT/MR synthesis, especially in synthetic CT image generation. Though synthetic images by the U‐Net method has less contrast information than those by the CycleGAN method, the pixel value profile tendency of the synthetic images by the U‐Net method is closer to the ground truth images. This work demonstrated that supervised deep learning method outperforms unsupervised deep learning method in accuracy for medical tasks of MR/CT synthesis.
Metabolic and Nutritional Characteristics in Middle-Aged and Elderly Sarcopenia Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: He Qinghua , Wang Xiuzhi , Yang Caizhe , Zhuang Xiaoming , Yue Yanfen , Jing Hongjiang , Hu Jing , Sun Mingxiao , Guo Lixin
Published: November 2020

Sarcopenia is considered to be a new complication of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) leading to increased risk of adverse outcome. We performed a survey to evaluate glucose metabolism and nutritional status in sarcopenia patients with T2DM. Diabetic participants aged ≥50 years were grouped into a probable sarcopenia group with low muscle strength (

n
=
405

) and a nonsarcopenia group with normal muscle strength (

n
=
720

) according to the revised recommendations from EWGSOP2 (2018). Compared to the controls, the probable sarcopenia participants were older and had lower waist-to-hip ratio and BMI, longer diabetes duration, higher fasting plasma glucose level and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate and lower bone mineral content, lower fatless upper arm circumference, lower appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), and muscle quality in both genders. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed increased age, male, low BMI, and increased HbA1c, combined with diabetic nephropathy and decreased serum albumin levels, were risk factors associated with low muscle strength in diabetes patients. In conclusion, diabetic patients with sarcopenia had worse glucose metabolism and nutritional status, decreased renal function and reduced muscle quality ,and muscle mass with a greater likelihood of osteoporosis, who need an overall health management to improve outcomes. This clinical trial registration is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-EOC-15006901.
Maximum Principle for the Space-Time Fractional Conformable Differential System Involving the Fractional Laplace Operator
Authors: Guan Tingting , Wang Guotao
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the authors consider a IBVP for the time-space fractional PDE with the fractional conformable derivative and the fractional Laplace operator. A fractional conformable extremum principle is presented and proved. Based on the extremum principle, a maximum principle for the fractional conformable Laplace system is established. Furthermore, the maximum principle is applied to the linear space-time fractional Laplace conformable differential system to obtain a new comparison theorem. Besides that, the uniqueness and continuous dependence of the solution of the above system are also proved.
Generalized Fractional Hadamard and Fejér–Hadamard Inequalities for Generalized Harmonically Convex Functions
Authors: Jung Chahn Yong , Yussouf Muhammad , Chu Yu-Ming , Farid Ghulam , Kang Shin Min
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we define a new function, namely, harmonically

α
,
h
−
m

-convex function, which unifies various kinds of harmonically convex functions. Generalized versions of the Hadamard and the Fejér–Hadamard fractional integral inequalities for harmonically

α
,
h
−
m

-convex functions via generalized fractional integral operators are proved. From presented results, a series of fractional integral inequalities can be obtained for harmonically convex, harmonically

h
−
m

-convex, harmonically

α

,

m

-convex, and related functions and for already known fractional integral operators.
The Use of Hellinger Distance Undersampling Model to Improve the Classification of Disease Class in Imbalanced Medical Datasets
Authors: Al-Shamaa Zina Z. R. , Kurnaz Sefer , Duru Adil Deniz , Peppa Nadia , Mirnezami Alex H. , Hamady Zaed Z. R.
Published: November 2020

Imbalanced class distribution in the medical dataset is a challenging task that hinders classifying disease correctly. It emerges when the number of healthy class instances being much larger than the disease class instances. To solve this problem, we proposed undersampling the healthy class instances to improve disease class classification. This model is named Hellinger Distance Undersampling (HDUS). It employs the Hellinger Distance to measure the resemblance between majority class instance and its neighbouring minority class instances to separate classes effectively and boost the discrimination power for each class. An extensive experiment has been conducted on four imbalanced medical datasets using three classifiers to compare HDUS with a baseline model and three state-of-the-art undersampling models. The outcomes display that HDUS can perform better than other models in terms of sensitivity, F1 measure, and balanced accuracy.
On Time-Series InSAR by SA-SVR Algorithm: Prediction and Analysis of Mining Subsidence
Authors: Shi Yun , Li Qianwen , Meng Xin , Zhang Tongkang , Shi Jingjian
Published: November 2020

Given the increasingly serious geological disasters caused by underground mining in the Hancheng mining area in China and the existing problems with mining subsidence prediction models, this article uses the small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SBAS-InSAR) technology to process 109 Sentinel-1A images of this mining area from December 2015 to February 2020. The results show that there are three subsidences: one in Donganshang, one in south of Zhuyuan village, and one in Shandizhaizi village. In the basin, the maximum annual average subsidence rate is 300 mm/a, and the maximum cumulative subsidence is 1000 mm. The SBAS-InSAR results are compared with Global Positioning System (GPS) observation results, and the correlation coefficient is 74%. Finally, a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is used to estimate the optimal parameters of a support vector regression (SVR) prediction model, which is applied for mining subsidence prediction. The prediction results are compared with the results of SVR and the GM (1, 1). The minimum value of the coefficient of determination for prediction with SA-SVR model is 0.57, which is significantly better than that those of the other two prediction methods. The results indicate that the proposed prediction model offers high subsidence prediction accuracy and fully meets the requirements of engineering applications.
A Survey on Prevalence and Knowledge of Family Planning among Women of Childbearing Age in the Provincial Settings of the Gambia: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Barrow Amadou
Published: November 2020

Background. Family planning (FP) is one of the fundamental pillars of safe motherhood and reproductive health rights. In developing countries, women with unmet need for FP constitute a significant proportion of all women of reproductive age and it is an ongoing public health challenge in the Gambia. The study aimed to determine the women’s proportion of contraceptive uptake and knowledge of FP methods. Methods. The study employed a community-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted for 643 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) from the selected clusters in rural Gambia through a multistage sampling technique. A pretested structured interview questionnaire was used to collect data. Univariate analysis using frequencies and percentages were used to present results in this study. Data entry and analysis were done using IBM SPSS version 24. Results. The overall contraceptive prevalence rate was 30.4%, while the CPR for married or in the union was 34.2%. About 86% of women reported child spacing as the major benefits of FP, while 49.5% reported amenorrhea as the most common side effect of contraceptives. Injectable (Depo-Provera, Noristerat, and ) and pills (progesterone and combined) were the two most common FP methods used at 58.5% and 44.0%, respectively. Conclusion. The present study showed a moderately low contraceptive uptake. Thus, there is a need to focus FP services for women in rural areas, emphasizing the quality of services and gender equality. The study further recommends strengthening and mainstreaming of male involvement and religious leaders participation in FP interventions and the initiation of a communication program that explicitly promotes interspousal communication.
Gastric Plexiform Fibromyxoma Arising in the Cardia in an Adolescent Male: A Rare Tumor with an Unusual Location
Authors: Nasralla Awrad , Alwabari Mufeed , Alsaif Osama , Amr Samir S.
Published: November 2020

Plexiform fibromyxoma of the stomach, also known as plexiform angiomyxoid myofibroblastic tumor, is a rare benign gastric mesenchymal tumor, first described in 2007, which usually arises in the gastric antrum and affects adults. Few cases have been reported in children and adolescents. It can present with different clinical manifestations including abdominal pain, dyspepsia, hematemesis, and vomiting. Preoperatively, this tumor is usually diagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), and the correct diagnosis is made only after histopathological examination following surgical resection. Most cases were reported from East Asia (China, Japan, and Korea), North America, and Europe. We report herein a unique case of plexiform fibromyxoma, the first to be reported from the Middle East, arising in the cardia of the stomach in a 16-year-old adolescent male, with a brief review of the literature.
A Case Report of Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis after FemtoSMILE Refractive Surgery
Authors: Alqahtani Saeed S.
Published: November 2020

Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) is not an uncommon complication of the small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) operation. Instrumental causes, such as contamination, are usually the underlying etiological route. Herein, we present an atypical case of DLK with numerous foci of cellular infiltrates on day 1. No evidence of any diffuse inflammatory response was reported. On the other hand, the multifocal response began to improve starting on the third day, after the administration of systemic steroids, with pain and discomfort significantly disappearing on the second day. Antibiotics were given as well, in the case of secondary infections. After 1 week of treatment and close monitoring, significant improvement was reported, and the slit-lamp examination was unremarkable.
Recurrent Ulcerations in an 84-Year-Old Male Diagnosed with Hailey-Hailey Disease
Authors: Al Qooz Fahad , Almuharraqi Mohammed , Salam Sajjad , Nagaraj Veena , Darwish Abdullah
Published: November 2020

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD), or familial benign chronic pemphigus, is a rare inherited acantholytic dermatosis. It is an autosomal dominant disease affecting the intertriginous areas. HHD has been characterized by flaccid blisters, erosions, and macerations that are limited to flexural (friction-prone) areas. The painful blisters and erosions significantly decrease patients’ quality of life. There are multiple types of therapy related to this disorder. Many of the studies have suggested benefits from steroid therapy in addition to oral antibiotics.
Novel Complex Unbalanced Dicentric X-Autosome Rearrangement in a Thoroughbred Mare with a Mild Effect on the Phenotype
Authors: Mendoza Mayra N. , Schalnus Sam A. , Thomson Bitsy , Bellone Rebecca R. , Juras Rytis , Raudsepp Terje
Published: November 2020

Complex structural X chromosome abnormalities are rare in humans and animals, and not recurrent. Yet, each case provides a fascinating opportunity to evaluate X chromosome content and functional status in relation to the effect on the phenotype. Here, we report the first equine case of a complex unbalanced X-autosome rearrangement in a healthy but short in stature Thoroughbred mare. Studies of about 200 cells by chromosome banding and FISH revealed an abnormal 2n = 63,X,der(X;16) karyotype with a large dicentric derivative chromosome (der). The der was comprised of normal Xp material, a palindromic duplication of Xq12q21, and a translocation of chromosome 16 to the inverted Xq12q21 segment by the centromere, whereas the distal Xq22q29 was deleted from the der. Microsatellite genotyping determined a paternal origin of the der. While there was no option to experimentally investigate the status of X chromosome inactivation (XCI), the observed mild phenotype of this case suggested the following scenario to retain an almost normal genetic balance: active normal X, inactivated X-portion of the der, but without XCI spreading into the translocated chromosome 16. Cases like this present unique resources to acquire information about species-specific features of X regulation and the role of X-linked genes in development, health, and disease.
Intervenção da fisioterapia na síndrome de Menkes
Authors: Santos Bianca Kons dos , Itaborahy Bianca Dana Horongozo , Belém Fabiula Joanita da Mata , Schivinski Camila Isabel Santos
Published: November 2020

Objetivo: Descrever a intervenção da fisioterapia motora e respiratória no caso de uma criança com Síndrome de Menkes. Método: Relato de caso, com base em registros retrospectivos, no qual são apresentados dados referentes ao acompanhamento fisioterapêutico de uma criança com o diagnóstico de Síndrome de Menkes. Os dados foram obtidos por meio do prontuário, entrevista com familiares e informações dos profissionais envolvidos. O referido paciente foi encaminhado para assistência fisioterapêutica aos 5 meses de vida, devido ao quadro de pneumonia com presença de atelectasia, associado as manifestações típicas da Síndrome, sendo então acompanhado por um período de 04 meses. Foram realizados 76 atendimentos, de um total de 91 agendamentos, os quais incluíram fisioterapia motora e respiratória, sendo aplicados métodos, técnicas, manuseios e posturas, para estimulação do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor, e realizadas técnicas e recursos fisioterapêuticos para desobstrução e reexpansão pulmonar. Resultados: A cada sessão, a criança apresentou evidente melhora imediata no padrão e tipo respiratório, na frequência respiratória, na ausculta pulmonar e nos sinais de desconforto respiratório. Além disso, a estimulação motora e manutenção do quadro músculo esquelético, impediram agravos e deformidades. Segundo relato da mãe, a criança mostrava-se menos agitada após as sessões, com melhora no padrão e conforto respiratório, o que impactou de forma positiva na sua qualidade de vida. Conclusão: A fisioterapia motora e respiratória se apresentam como terapêuticas favoráveis para condição de saúde geral de pacientes com Síndrome de Menkes e novos estudos devem ser conduzidos no sentido de elucidar essa intervenção, com amostras maiores.