bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating Petrophysical Properties of Shale Rock Using Conventional Neural Networks CNN
Authors: Misbahuddin Mohammed
Published: October 2020

Digital Rock Physics (DRP) serves as a powerful computational tool for analyzing the petrophysical properties of rock. Obtaining the properties of a fine-grained sample, such as shale is very challenging due to its highly variable and complex nature. Capturing the micro-features of this structure requires advanced microscopy techniques such as SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and FIB-SEM (Focused ion beam- scanning electron microscopy). However, performing advanced microscopy techniques to capture the heterogeneity of the sample is quite difficult; the slow speeds of data collection and analysis are two critical problems that limit more extensive use of this technology. In this study, an alternative approach is proposed to quantify the physical properties of the rock sample. This study aims to accelerate the process of SEM image analysis and reduce the computational cost by using machine learning. A deep learning-based method, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), is utilized to predict the properties from the 2D grayscale SEM images of Marcellus shale. The image data set is segmented by applying watershed segmentation to extract the pore network of the sample. Porosity and average pore size are the two properties computed for this study. The SEM images are down sampled to low-resolution images which are fed as an input, and the computed properties are used for training and validation of the CNN network. A detailed description of the image segmentation process, CNN architecture and the predicted results are discussed in this work.
Nano to Macro Scale Investigation into Low Salinity Waterflooding in Carbonate Rocks
Authors: Tetteh Joel T.
Published: October 2020

Low salinity waterflooding (LSWF) in carbonates has proven to improve oil recovery through both fluid-fluid and rock-fluid interactions. However, most of the experimental and modelling studies related to LSWF has been based on macroscale observations such as coreflooding analysis. In this work, a length scale approach from nano- to macro- scale was developed to investigate the underlying mechanisms associated with LSWF and how they impact improved oil recovery (IOR) at each scale.

At the fluid-fluid interface, nanoscale characterization of the oil phase after encountering low salinity brine (∼2,000 ppm) showed the formation of water-in-oil micro-dispersions using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Low interfacial tension (IFT) and high dilatational surface elasticity (DSE) at oil-seawater (∼33,000 ppm) interface resulted in more rigid oil-brine interface as compared to using both formation water (∼160,000 ppm) and low salinity brines. At the microscale, injection of seawater brine through a constricted pore throat suppressed oil snap-off and improved sweep efficiency. Microdispersions were also observed after injecting low salinity brine into oil saturated microfluidic devices during a waterflooding process, resulting in oil remobilization and improving the sweep efficiency.

Reduced electrostatic bond attraction and repulsive disjoining pressure at the crude oil-brine-rock (COBR) interface observed at the nanoscale, contributed to wettability alteration from oil wet to intermediate wet as brine salinity reduced and in the presence of Mg2+ions on the limestone surface. Calcite dissolution accompanied with a spike in brine pH contributed to the reduced electrostatic bond attraction and impacted the wettability state of the rock. These factors at the nanoscale influenced the improved oil recovery at the macroscale through limestone wettability alteration.

This project demonstrated that using a length scale approach provided a detailed understanding of the underlying mechanism influencing the observed wettability alteration and IOR in limestone rocks during LSWF.
Comparison of gluteus medius strength between obese and eutrophic individuals: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fenato Rafael Ratti , Araujo Allan Cezar Faria , Guimarães Ana Tereza Bittencourt
Published: October 2020

Background: The hip abductor muscles, primarily the gluteus medius, play an important role in stabilizing the pelvis during gait. Gluteus medius weakness is associated with biomechanical changes and musculoskeletal disorders. Obese individuals can have great difficulty maintaining abductor muscular function due to being overweight and possibly experiencing a decrease in muscle mass. However, it is still unclear whether the musculature of obese individuals can compensate for these changes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare gluteus medius strength between obese and normal-weight individuals using a digital hand-held dynamometer.Methods: Twenty-five obese (BMI > 35 kg/m2) participants were matched for sex, age, and height with normal-weight individuals. Gluteus medius strength was measured by a single examiner using a belt-stabilized hand-held digital dynamometer placed on the knee of the individuals positioned in lateral decubitus. Three measurements were recorded with rest intervals, and only the highest value measured for each limb was used for analysis. The differences between pairs were calculated, and the normality of the data was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test (p < 0.05). The matrices of the variables were standardized and analysed using principal component analysis (PCA).Results: For the strength variables (Newtons) on both sides, no significant differences were detected between the groups (p > 0.05). However, significant differences were detected in these variables between the groups (p < 0.05) when the measurements were normalized to body weight (Newtons/kilograms). PCA indicated that both the absolute and normalized values of strength are lower in obese than in normal-weight individuals.Conclusions: These findings indicate that obese individuals have the same or less strength (PCA) to move more mass, which may suggest a relative weakness that induces functional limitations.Trial registration: The study was approved by the UNIOESTE Human Research Ethics Committee (#1.180.202) in July 2015.
The Application of Lactate Dehydrogenase in Coronavirus Disease 2019 as the Best Indicator for the Progression and Clinical Status: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Li Yang , Zhou Xian , Ai Jing-wen , Wang Hongyu , Weng Taoping , Zhang Haocheng , Huang Yuxian , Zhang Wenhong
Published: October 2020

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now officially a pandemic. Current studies observed extensive abnormal indexes in COVID-19 patients and significant differences between mild and severe patients. However, which index would perform better as the indicator of disease progression merits further investigation.Methods We enrolled COVID-19 patients who were admitted to Shanghai Public Health Clinical center. We closely monitored the following candidate indictors: white blood cell, lymphocyte, platelet, CD4 T cell, CD8 T cell, alanine aminotransferase, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), fibrin degradation products (FDP), D-dimer, creatine kinase, myoglobin, troponin T (TnT), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), lactase dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin. The correlation with illness severity were assessed by Spearman analysis and the ability of differentiating the clinical statuses was quantified as the AUC value of the ROC curve. Results A total of 326 patients were enrolled, including 299 mild-ordinary and 27 severe-critical patients. At admission, D-dimer and CRP were elevated above normal range both in mild-ordinary and severe-critical patients. LDH, NT-proBNP, myoglobin, CD4 T cell, eGFR, FDP and PCT were beyond normal range in the mild-ordinary stages of severe-critical patients, but remained normal in the persistently mild-ordinary patients. Top 5 parameters with highest spearmen coefficient were LDH, procalcitonin, NT-proBNP, myoglobin and D-dimer (Spearman coefficient: 0.488, 0.453, 0.414, 0.412, 0.407). Comparing between mild-ordinary stage and severe/critical stage, LDH showed the highest receiver operating characteristics (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) of 0.951. PCT ranked second, with the ROC AUC of 0.905. Comparing between mild-ordinary and severe stages, only LDH had the ROC AUC of over 0.90 (0.927). Conclusions This study found LDH to be a superior indicator for COVID-19 status and had the potential to optimize the clinical management strategy.
Epidemiology and Clinical Significance of pLVPK-Like Virulence Plasmid in KPC-2-Producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae Infections in A Tertiary Hospital in Eastern China
Authors: Xu Min , Yang Qing , Liu Yanchao , Chen Xiao , Kong Haishen , Fu Zhangrong , Chen Yu , Fu Yiqi
Published: October 2020

Background: By acquiring a pLVPK-like virulence plasmid (pVir), Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-kp) evolves to a hypervirulent variant, however, controversies exist. The aim of present study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of patients infected with pVir+-KPC-kp.Methods: Between 2014 and 2018, 662 carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) were collected from a tertiary hospital in eastern China. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, multilocus sequence typing and detection of blaKPC, pLVPK-related genetic loci (rmpA, rmpA2, iucA and iroN) to identify pVir+-KPC-kp. The clinical characteristics of pVir+-KPC-kp were retrospectively evaluated.Results: Of the 662 CRKP, 86.6% (573/662) were KPC-kp including 285 (49.7%) pVir+-KPC-kp and 288 (50.3%) pVir--KPC-kp. Notably, the prevalence of pVir+-KPC-kp by year increased remarkably from 2014 (19.5%, 8/41) to 2018 (60.0%, 90/150). Sequence type (ST) 11 was the most predominant ST, accounting for 88.9% of all pVir+-KPC-kp. For the 352 KPC-kp infection cases (186 with pVir+-KPC-kp and 166 with pVir--KPC-kp), multivariable analysis indicated neurosurgery (P =0.002) was independently associated with pVir+-KPC-kp infections. Although patients with pVir+-KPC-kp infections had higher incidence of septic shock (P =0.03), the two groups showed no significant differences in 7-day mortality (P =0.24) or 28-day mortality (P =0.75). Conclusions: A wide dissemination of pVir in ST11 KPC-kp has emerged in our region. Neurosurgery is an independent risk factor for acquisition of pVir+-KPC-kp infections. The mortality rates were similar between patients infected with pVir+-KPC-kp or pVir--KPC-kp, suggesting uncertain impact of pVir in clinical outcomes.
Breast Cancer Detection from a Urine Sample by Dog Sniffing
Authors: Kure Shoko , Iida Shinya , Yamada Marina , Takei Hiroyuki , Yamashita Naoyuki , Sato Yuji , Miyashita Masao
Published: October 2020

Background: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Several studies have demonstrated that dog can sniff and detect cancer in the breath or urine sample of a patient. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess whether the trained dog can detect breast cancer from urine samples.Methods: A nine-year-old female Labrador Retriever was trained to identify cancer from urine samples of breast cancer patients. Urine samples from patients histologically diagnosed with primary breast cancer, those with non-breast malignant diseases, and healthy volunteers were obtained, and a double-blind test was performed. Results: 40 patients with breast cancer, 142 patients with non-breast malignant diseases, and 18 healthy volunteers were enrolled, and their urine samples were collected. In 40 times out of 40 runs of a double-blind test, the trained dog could correctly identify urine samples of breast cancer patients. Sensitivity and specificity of this breast cancer detection method using dog sniffing were both 100%.Conclusions: The trained dog in this study could accurately detect breast cancer from urine samples of breast cancer patients. These results indicate the feasibility of a method to detect breast cancer from urine samples using dog sniffing in the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Association of physical restraint requirement with unfavorable neurologic outcomes in subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Akiyama Kyoko , Inoue Akihiko , Hifumi Toru , Nakamura Kentaro , Taira Takuya , Nakagawa Shun , Jinno Keisuke , Manabe Arisa , Kinugasa Sayaka , Matsumura Hikaru , Shishido Hajime , Yokoyama Shota , Okazaki Tomoya , Hamaya Hideyuki , Takano Koshiro , Kiridume Kazutaka , Shinohara Natsuyo , Kawakita Kenya , Kuroda Yasuhiro
Published: October 2020

BackgroundThe association between physical restraint requirement and neurological outcome in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has not been fully examined. The aim of this study was to examine the association between physical restraint and neurological outcomes in patients with SAH.MethodsA single-center, retrospective study was conducted on patients with acute phase SAH treated for >72 h in the intensive care unit from 2014 to 2020. Patients were divided into three groups based on the amount of time required for physical restraint during the first 24–72 h after admission: no，intermittent，and continuous use of physical restraint. Unfavorable neurologic outcome, assessed using the modified Rankin scale upon hospital discharge, has been considered as primary end-point.ResultsOverall, 101 patients were included in the study, with 52 patients (51.5%) having unfavorable neurological outcomes. Among them, 46 patients (45.5%) did not use physical restraint, and 55 (54.5%) patients used physical restraint during the first 24–72 h after admission: 26 (25.7%) intermittent and 29 (28.7%) continuous. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that continuous use of physical restraint during the first 24–72 h after admission compared to no physical restraint was significantly associated with unfavorable neurological outcomes in patients with SAH (odds ratio [OR], 3.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–11.54; p = 0.045]).ConclusionsContinuous use of physical restraint during the first 24–72 h after admission was more significantly associated with unfavorable neurological outcomes than no physical restraint among patients with SAH during the acute phase.
LncRNA MALAT1 Regulates iPSC-derived Β-cell Differentiation by Targeting the miR-15b-5p/Ihh Axis
Authors: Wang Yao , Lin Xinxing , Lv Jin , Zhu Jiachen , Fan Haowen , Sha Jinqi , Xu Zhen , Zhu Biwen , Guo Qinsong , Wang Zhiwei , Zhu Shajun
Published: October 2020

Background: iPSCs-derived β-like cell differentiation provides a novel strategy for type 1 diabetes treatment. Clarifying the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs in β-like cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is not only significant for understanding the development of pancreas or pancreatic β cells, but also helpful for improving the quality of β-like cells for stem cell therapy.Methods: β-like cells derived from iPSCs followed a three-step protocol. RNA-sequencing was carried out to screen the differentially expressed lncRNAs which was probably involved in the differentiation of pancreatic β cells. Bioinformatics was performed to analyze the putative target genes of significantly differentially expressed lncRNAs. LncRNA Malat1 was chosen for further research. Lentivirus victor, siRNA victor, antagomir victor and mimic victor were constructed for overexpression of lncRNA Malat1, knockdown of lncRNA Malat1, knockdown of miR-15b-5p and overexpression of miR-15b-5p respectively. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western Blot and Immunofluorescence (IF) staining were carried out to detect the functions of pancreatic β cells at mRNA and protein level separately. Cytoplasmic and nuclear RNA fractionation and Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were to ventilate the subcellar location of lncRNA Malat1 in β-like cells. Flow cytometry and ELISA were performed to examine differentiation efficiency and function of insulin secretion from β-like cells after being stimulated with different concentrations of glucose. Structural interactions between lncRNA Malat1 and miR-15b-5p and between miR-15b-5p and Ihh were detected by Dual luciferase reporter assay (LRA).Results: We found that expression of lncRNA Malat1 was on the decline during the differentiation and overexpression of this lncRNA obviously impaired the differentiation and maturation of β-like cells derived from iPSCs in vitro and in vivo. Localized to the cytoplasm, lncRNA Malat1 could function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-15b-5p to regulate the expression of Ihh according the bioinformatic prediction, mechanistic analysis and downstream experiments.Conclusion: This study built an unreported regulatory network of lncRNA Malat1 and miR-15b-5p/Ihh axis during differentiation of iPSCs into β-like cells. Except for acting as a proverbial oncogene promoting tumorigenesis, lncRNA Malat1 may provide effective and novel molecule for diabetes cell therapy in the future.
Timing outweighs amount of rainfall in shaping population dynamics
Authors: Li Guoliang , Wan Xinrong , Yin Baofa , Wei Wanhong , Hou Xianglei , Zhang Xin , Batsuren Erdenetuya , Zhao Jidong , Huang Shuli , Xu Xiaoming , Liu Jing , Song Yiran , Ozgul Arpat , Dickman Christopher , Wang Guiming , Krebs Charles , Zhang Zhibin
Published: October 2020

Climate variability has been widely documented to have bottom-up effects on the population dynamics of animals1,2, but the mechanisms underlying these effects have been rarely investigated through field manipulative experiments that control for confounding factors3. Here, we examined the effects of different rainfall patterns (i.e. timing and amount) on the population size of Brandt’s voles Lasiopodomys brandtii in semi-arid steppe grassland in Inner-Mongolia by conducting a 10-year (2010-2019) rainfall manipulation experiment in twelve 0.48 ha field enclosures. We found that moderate rainfall increase during the early rather than late growing season drove marked increases in population size through increasing the biomass of preferred plant species, whereas heavily increased rainfall produced no further increase in vole population growth. The increase in vole population size was more coupled with increased reproduction of overwintered voles and increased body mass of young-of-year than with better survival. Our results provide the first experimental evidence for the bottom-up effects of changing rainfall on the population growth of small mammals, and highlight the importance of rainfall timing on the population dynamics of wildlife in the steppe grassland environment.
Magnetic evidence for an extended hydrogen exosphere at Mercury
Authors: Schmid Daniel , Plaschke Ferdinand , Erkaev Nikolay , Volwerk Martin , Baumjohann Wolfgang , Narita Yasuhito , Anderson Brian , Lammer Helmut
Published: October 2020

Remote sensing observations of the Mariner 10 and MESSENGER spacecraft have shown the existence of atomic (H) and molecular (H2) hydrogen in the exosphere around Mercury. However, to date the hydrogen number densities could only be estimated indirectly from exospheric models, based on Lyman-α radiances for H and the H2 detection threshold of the Mariner 10 occultation experiment. Here we show the first in-situ measured altitude-density profile of atomic H, derived from magnetic field observations by MESSENGER. Our results reveal an extended H corona with densities decreasing from 1000 − 100 cm−3 between 2 − 8 Mercury radii. These densities are 2-3 orders of magnitude larger than previously predicted, but in good agreement with the Lyman-α radiances. The large H densities result from the dissociation of H2. We can reproduce the observed H densities using an exospheric model which includes ionization, dissociation and recombination, that allows us to constrain the H2 surface density to ∼ 5×10^5 cm−3. This is two orders of magnitude smaller than the previously assumed upper limit.
Social Approach in Autism: Modeling Objective Measurements of Child Movement in a Naturalistic Environment
Authors: Banarjee Chitra , Tao Yudong , Fasano Regina M. , Vitale Laura , Song Chaoming , Shyu Mei-Ling , Perry Lynn K. , Messinger Daniel S.
Published: October 2020

Background. Atypicalities in social approach are thought to be characteristic of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but few studies have quantified the social movement of children with ASD using objective measures. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new method—computational modeling of radio frequency identification (RFID) child tracking—for studying children with ASD in a naturalistic setting. We present the use of RFID measurements to investigate the velocity and social approach of children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children interacting together in preschool inclusion classrooms during repeated multi-hour observations. Methods. Observations of 14 preschoolers with ASD and 16 TD preschoolers in two inclusion classrooms on a total of 10 days yielded approximately 10 hours of data per child. Objective measurements of position and orientation were collected using four corner-mounted Ubisense ultra-wide sensors, which tracked a right and left tag worn by each child (in a vest) and teacher in the classroom. We calculate angular velocity, velocity, and social approach, and compare ASD and TD children on these parameters using multilevel statistical models. Results. In this initial exploration of the ASD phenotype in situ, children with ASD did not differ from TD children in angular velocity or velocity of movement in the classroom. Rather, pairs of TD children moved toward and away from each other at higher velocities than both pairs of children with ASD and pairs in which one child had ASD and the other child was TD. Children with ASD, however, moved toward and away from teachers at higher velocities than TD children. Limitations. Illustrative data from repeated observations of 30 children in two classrooms are reported. Results are preliminary. Conclusions. Multi-hour, objective measurements in a preschool inclusion classroom indicated that children with ASD did not move through space or turn at higher velocities than other children. Instead, ASD differences were evident in social approach. Children with ASD were slower in approaching peers but quicker in approaching teachers than were TD children. The results suggest the potential of modeling RFID measurements to produce a quantitative understanding of the ASD phenotype in naturalistic social contexts.
Preoperative Lymphocyte-To-Monocyte Ratio as a Prognostic Predictor of Long-term Mortality Among Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis Based on a 4-year Follow-up Cohort
Authors: Zhou Zhuoming , Liang Mengya , Huang Suiqing , Weng Rennan , Hou Jian , Wu Zhongkai
Published: October 2020

BackgroundCardiac surgery is associated with a specific inflammatory response. The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) has been shown to be related to the prognosis of many cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the preoperative LMR in patients who underwent cardiac surgery.MethodsClinical data were extracted from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care (MIMIC)-III database. The optimum cutoff value of the LMR for 4-year mortality was determined by X-tile software. The Cox proportional hazard model was applied for the identification of independent prognostic factors of 4-year mortality. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. The 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) method was performed to balance the influence of selection bias and potential confounding factors.ResultsA total of 1701 patients were included. The X‐tile software indicated that the optimum cutoff value of the LMR for 4-year mortality was 3.58. After PSM, 489 pairs of score-matched patients were generated. The Cox proportional hazard model showed that patients with an LMR < 3.58 had a significantly higher 4-year mortality than patients with an LMR ≥ 3.58 in the entire cohort (HR = 1.925, 95%CI: 1.509-2.456, p < 0.001) and the PSM subset (HR = 1.568, 95%CI: 1.2-2.05, p = 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that patients with an LMR < 3.58 had a significantly lower 4-year survival rate in the entire cohort (71.7% vs. 88.5%, P < 0.001) and the PSM subset (73.2% vs. 81.4%, P = 0.002).ConclusionsA lower LMR (< 3.58) was associated with a higher risk of 4-year mortality and can potentially predict the long-term mortality of cardiac surgery patients.
Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma Found by Surgery for Acute Appendicitis is Associated with Older Age – A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Alemany Victor S. , Skendelas John P. , Au Vincent , Rao Devika , McNelis John , Kim Peter K.
Published: October 2020

Background: Appendectomy for acute appendicitis is the most common procedure performed emergently by general surgeons in the United States. The current management of acute appendicitis is increasingly controversial as non-operative management gains favor as a primary therapy. Appendiceal neoplasms are found rarely and often as an incidental finding in the setting of appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Criteria and screening for appendiceal neoplasms are not standardized among surgical societies.Methods: We reviewed electronic medical records for a nine-year period (2010-2018) of patients who underwent appendectomy in two municipal hospitals in The Bronx, New York City. The authors also examined patients undergoing appendectomy during the same time interval through a query of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Results: We found a 1.7% incidence of appendiceal neoplasms locally and a 0.53% incidence of appendiceal tumors in available national population sample. Both groups demonstrated an increased incidence of appendiceal carcinoma by age. This finding was most pronounced after the age of 40 in both local and national populations. In our study, the incidence of appendiceal tumors increased with each decade interval up to the age of 80, and peaked at 2.1% in patients between 70 and 79 years.Conclusions: We submit that the management of acute appendicitis involves a consideration of appendiceal neoplasm in patients over the age of 40. This should be considered in the management of older patients with acute appendicitis before a decision to embark on non-operative therapy. If this is undertaken, interval appendectomy or further cancer screening and surveillance should be performed.
A Comparative Study of Different Techniques of Brachial Plexus Block in Upper Limb Surgery
Authors: Ahsan Mustafa  , Atif Mohammed  , Shaher Banu
Published: October 2020

Background: Different techniques of Brachial Plexus block in upper limb surgery depending on the site of operation the approach of the brachial plexus was chosen. For the operations around the shoulder joint interscalene approach was chosen; for the operations up to the shoulder either interscalene or supraclavicular or Infraclavicular routes were chosen and for the operations up to and around the elbow joint any one of the four approaches were tried. Objective of this study was to evaluate its clinical applications and practical utility in providing good analgesia for the upper extremity surgery in elective as well as emergency cases.Design: This was a hospital based retrospective study. Duration: One Year i.e. from June 2018 to June 2019. Participants: 80 patients.Subjects and Methods:The present study includes 80 blocks of brachial plexus by four different routes. 1. Supraclavicular approach – 20 cases. 2. Infraclavicular approach – 20 cases. 3. Axillary perivascular approach – 20 cases. 4. Interscalene – 20 cases. The cases were selected at random, who were subjected for various types of surgery of upper extremity both elective and emergency as in-patients.Results:In this series of 80 blocks, when the type of the surgery (emergency or elective) is considered, it has been that about one third of the patients underwent emergency surgery successfully with the brachial plexus block. In the remaining two-third of the patients, the surgery was planned procedure.Conclusion:Thus, our study reveals that the brachial plexus block can be equally safely employed for emergency surgery as for any elective procedure. Some-times the brachial plexus block can be the only choice with no alternatives affording a reasonable chance to a moribund patient to undergo emergency surgery. The dosage of the drug was modified according to the patient’s general condition.
A Comparative Evaluation of Dexamethasone and Tramadol as Adjuvant to Levobupivacaine in Supraclavicular Block
Authors: Rangit Priyakar Pandey  , Richa Chandra
Published: October 2020

Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate and compare dexamethasone and tramadol as adjuvant to levobupivacaine in supraclavicular block. Subjects and Methods: The present study was conducted on 50 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I and II. Patients were divided in to two groups of 25 each. In group I, 30 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine hydrochloride plus 2 ml tramadol (100 mg) was used. In group II, 30 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine hydrochloride plus 2 ml dexamethasone (8 mg) was used. Visual Analogue Scale was used. The onset of sensory and motor block was evaluated.Results: The mean onset of sensory block in group I was 5.41 minutes and in group II was 3.86 minutes, motor onset was 9.12 minutes in group I and 7.25 minutes in group II, duration of sensory block in group I was 12.14 hours and in group II was 15.34 hours, duration of motor block in group I was 14.34 hours and I group II was 16.23 hours, duration of analgesia in group I was 16.1 hour and in group II was 18.4 hours. The difference was significant difference (P<0.05). The mean VAS score in group II was better as compared to group I (P <0.05). Conclusion:Authors found that dexamethasone is a better adjuvant than tramadol when added to levobupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
The Effect of Nebulized Magnesium Sulphate on the Incidence of Postoperative Sorethroat
Authors: T. Padma  , Raju B  , Raviraj GS
Published: October 2020

Background: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a well-recognized complication that remains unresolved in patients undergoing endotracheal intubation for general anaesthesia. The wide variation in these figures is presumably due to different skills and techniques among anesthetists and to differences between patients in the definition of sore throat. The main aim is to study the attenuating effect of Magnesium sulphate nebulization on the incidence of post-operative sore throat. Subjects and Methods: This is a prospective randomized clinical study. A total number of 100 patients of ASA grade 1 & 2, in the age group of 18 - 60 years. The study has been carried out at Sri Venkateswara Ram Narayana Ruia Government General Hospital, Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati, over a period of 12 months. Results: There was no significant difference among the groups in terms of age, gender and weight. Whereas Magnesium sulphate significantly lessens the POST during swallowing at 4th hour as compared to Normal saline (p< 0.05) and this statement can be attributed to any population. Conclusion:  Post-operative sore throat is one of the most common undesirable anesthesia-associated problems in the patients undergoing GA with an endotracheal tube for routine surgical cases for up to 24 h. Magnesium sulphate was significantly reduces the incidence of POST compared to Normal saline , and it is safe, simple and effective in reducing postoperative sore throat.
Complete Adipose Replacement of Bilateral Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle - A Cadaveric Case Report
Authors: Nichols Charles , Liu Elizabeth , Liu Howe
Published: October 2020

Sarcopenia and infiltration of intermuscular adipose tissue are often seen in older adults due to aging process, but a muscle is completely replaced by adipose tissue is rarely reported. In this cadaveric case, we describe an observation of bilateral symmetric adipose replacement of the medial gastrocnemius muscles (GM) on both left and right leg in an 82-year old Caucasian female, whose cause of death was advanced dementia. The white adipose tissue replaced the entire medial GM muscle belly with pennate-like arrangement, indicating adipose tissue infiltration very likely into the original muscle cells. Where and how these adipose tissues come from are discussed.
Improvement of Architecture Based on Hierarchical Message Bus
Authors: Wang Zhengwei , Li Jinhui , Wang Kun
Published: October 2020

The traditional architecture based on the hierarchical message bus has defects such as strict component requirements and lack of support for reuse. The article introduces message-message modem and interface-message modem construction middleware to propose a new hierarchical message bus. The structure new hierarchical message bus solves the problem that the hierarchical message bus architecture requires too strict system components, and the components that fail to provide corresponding interfaces lack support for reuse. Firstly, the paper introduces the traditional hierarchical message bus architecture and its existing defects. Secondly, the article proposes new hierarchical message bus. based on the hierarchical message bus architecture. Finally, the article summarizes the architecture new hierarchical message bus proposed in this paper.
A Comparative Study of Face Recognition Classification Algorithms
Authors: Wang Changyuan , Li Guang , Xue Pengxiang , Wu Qiyou
Published: October 2020

Due to the different classification effects and accuracy of different classification algorithms in machine learning, it is inconvenient for scientific researchers to choose which classification algorithm to use. This paper uses the face data published by Cambridge University as an experiment. The experiment first reduces the dimensionality of the data through the principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm, extracts the main features of the data, and then respectively through linear logic classification, linear discrimination LDA, nearest neighbor algorithm KNN, support vector machine SVM and the integrated algorithm Adaboost are used for classification. By comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the classification performance and complexity of different algorithms, the final review reviews accuracy, recall, f1-score, and AUC as evaluation indicators.
Interview with the Inventor of the Future Network IPV9
Authors: Chen Guoshao , Wang Yubian
Published: October 2020

With the rapid development of the Internet, from the PC terminal to the mobile terminal, from big data systems to intelligent hardware, technology has shown the unique charm of the Internet. With the development of the Internet, the network information security and network sovereignty issues involved have become increasingly prominent. Therefore, only in an environment of security, equality, and mutual assistance can the Internet play its due economic and social value. The emergence of a new generation of Internet IPV9 marks a key step for China to move towards an autonomous and controllable future network. IPV9 is to further safeguard national network sovereignty on the basis of fully guaranteeing network information security. But the defamation of IPV9 still exists. Recently, in order to further clarify the facts, we hereby interviewed Xie Jianping, the inventor of the Decimal Network, to conduct an in-depth discussion on the new generation Internet IPV9.
Efecto antimicrobiano de curcumina sobre Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus y Candida albicans
Authors: Núñez Solano Asurim A. , Cerecero Aguirre Patricia , Sánchez Vargas Luis Octavio , Robles Navarro Julio B. , Bermeo Escalona Josué Roberto
Published: October 2020

Introducción: Debido al desarrollo de resistencia de los microorganismos a múltiples fármacos, se han realizado investigaciones exhaustivas de agentes terapéuticos derivados de fuentes naturales, como la curcumina. La curcumina (diferuloilmetano) es un compuesto fenólico, principal curcuminoide presente en la especie Curcuma longa L. En virtud de sus múltiples propiedades farmacológicas (antibacterianas, antifúngicas y antiinflamatorias) ha sido de gran interés para los científicos en los últimos años. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto antimicrobiano de la curcumina a través de la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) sobre cepas de Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus y Candida albicans.Método: Se evaluó la actividad antibacteriana in vitro de la curcumina contra E. faecalis (ATCC 51299), E. coli (ATCC 25922) y S. aureus (ATCC 25923), siguiendo el protocolo de acuerdo con las recomendaciones del Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) en su documento M-07-A8. La actividad antifúngica in vitro de la curcumina contra C. albicans (ATCC 26790) se evaluó siguiendo el protocolo de acuerdo con las recomendaciones del CLSI en su documento M27-A.Resultados: Los valores de la CMI de la curcumina fueron de 125 μg/ml, 31.2 μg/ml, 31.2 μg/ml y 125 μg/ml para E. faecalis, E. coli, S. aureus y C. albicans, respectivamente.Conclusión: Los resultados de este estudio revelaron que la curcumina en bajas concentraciones tiene efecto antimicrobiano sobre cepas de E. faecalis, E. coli, S. aureus y C. albicans.
Caracterización sensorial y percepción del nuevo consumidor de feijoa (Acca sellowiana (Berg) Burret)
Authors: Matías Jesús Alberto Nolasco , Montes Arturo Hernández , Medel Roberto Rendón , Cruz Castillo Juan Guillermo
Published: October 2020

Introducción: El fruto de la feijoa ha cobrado relevancia internacional debido a sus altas propiedades nutraceúticas. En contraste con Nueva Zelanda, Colombia o Turquía, en México, su cultivo es incipiente y hasta el momento se produce solamente en los estados de México, Michoacán, Puebla y Veracruz. Un problema que existe en México para la venta de este fruto es su baja comercialización. Así, estudiar las variables que influyen en el proceso de decisión de compra es relevante. El objetivo del presente estudio fue caracterizar algunos atributos sensoriales del nuevo consumidor de feijoa fresca, así como el grado de afectividad que tienen por esta fruta.Método: Las características sensoriales de la feijoa (Acca sellowiana), carambola (Averrhoa carambola), kiwi (Actinidia chinensis) y guayaba (Psidium guajava) fueron analizadas. Con el perfil sensorial de estos frutos, se realizó un análisis descriptivo cuantitativo (ADC), y posteriormente se llevó a cabo una prueba de aceptabilidad que determinó la afectividad de los consumidores sobre determinados atributos sensoriales del fruto. También, se realizó una prueba de preferencia afectiva por pares entre la feijoa y la guayaba.  Resultados y discusión: los atributos sensoriales que caracterizaron a la feijoa fueron su aroma dulce, intensidad de aroma y sabor residual frutal; la carambola sobresalió en jugosidad; la guayaba en intensidad de aroma y acidez; y el kiwi en acidez y homogeneidad. De las cuatro frutas comparadas, la feijoa presentó los valores más altos en acidez, aroma dulce, intensidad de aroma, homogeneidad, dureza y sabor residual frutal. En cuanto a aceptabilidad global, la guayaba, el kiwi y la feijoa fueron las más gustadas por los consumidores.Conclusión: La feijoa mostró superioridad en la mayoría de los atributos sensoriales. El aroma dulce y la intensidad del aroma favorecieron su aceptación con respecto al kiwi, carambola y guayaba. En contraste, su jugosidad, pegajosidad, y acidez tuvieron valores que afectaron negativamente su aceptabilidad. La guayaba fue aceptada mientras tenga menor acidez. El kiwi tuvo atributos como pegajosidad y bajo sabor residual frutal aceptados favorablemente. La carambola tuvo la menor aceptación debido a la alta acidez, sin embargo, tuvo atributos como homogeneidad y jugosidad que gustaron a los consumidores.
Znaczenie tomografii komputerowej w diagnostyce nowotworów wątroby
Authors: Głodek Aleksandra Monika
Published: October 2020

Badania obrazowe są integralną częścią diagnostyki chorób nowotworowych. Do badań tych zalicza się między innymi: ultrasonografię (USG), tomografię komputerową (TK) oraz rezonans magnetyczny (MRJ). Wykonanie ultrasonografii jest stosunkowo proste i tanie. W oparciu o przeprowadzone badanie USG, radiolog zazwyczaj jest w stanie ocenić wielkość wątroby, echogeniczność, czy obecność struktur patologicznych w jej obrębie. W celu uzyskania bardziej szczegółowej wiedzy na temat zmiany, pacjentom zaleca się badanie tomograficzne lub badanie rezonansem magnetycznym z użyciem środka kontrastowego. TK wykorzystuje promieniowanie jonizujące, dzięki czemu powinna być zlecana według ściśle określonych wskazań. W trakcie jednego badania wykonuje się wiele zdjęć rentgenowskich, co istotnie wpływa na dawkę zaabsorbowaną w ciągu roku przez pacjenta. Nowotwory wątroby stanowią 7% wszystkich nowotworów. Do czynników zwiększających ryzyko zachorowania na nowotwór wątroby zalicza się między innymi marskość wątroby, zakażenie wirusem B lub C, a także nadużywanie alkoholu. Badanie TK pozwala na zdefiniowanie charakteru zmiany, a także jest pomocne w  określeniu jej zasięgu. Procedura ta umożliwia opisanie stosunku guza do struktur położonych w pobliżu. MRJ może być alternatywą w przypadku braku uzyskania satysfakcjonującej wiedzy na temat nowotworu w badaniach poprzednich.
Spatial-temporal trends analysis of flood events in the Republic of Armenia in the context of climate change
Authors: Galstyan Hrachuhi , Khan Shamshad , Sayadyan Hovik , Sargsyan Artur , Safaryan Tatevik
Published: October 2020

The primary goal of the study is to analyze the spatial-temporal trends and distribution of flood events in the context of climate change in Armenia. For that purpose, some meteorological parameters, physical-geographical factors and the flood events data were studied for the 1994–2019 period. The linear trends demonstrate an increasing tendency of air temperature and precipitation. Those trends expressed increased flood occurrences, especially for the 2000s, whereas the Mann–Kendall (MK) trend test reveals no significant change. The number of flood events reaches its maximum in 2011 with its peak in May. Out of 191 flood events, half of the occurrences are recorded in the flat areas and southern aspects of the mountains (22% of the country's territory). There is a certain clustering of flood events in the areas with up to 5° slopes (66% of flood events). The most flood vulnerable areas were analyzed and mapped via Geographical Information System (GIS). The GIS-based mapping shows the location of flood vulnerable areas in the central, northern parts of the country, and the coastal areas of Lake Sevan. Our methodological approach elaborates the localization of flood-prone sites. It can be used for the flood hazard assessment mapping and risk management.
The art of coming home. Experiencias de reinserción laboral de migrantes deportados de Estados Unidos
Authors: Jardón Hernández Ana Elizabeth , Ronzón Hernández Zoraida
Published: October 2020

El objetivo del artículo es analizar la experiencia de la deportación y reinserción laboral de una mujer migrante que se ha establecido en el municipio de Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México desde 2016. A partir de una metodología cualitativa y un enfoque biográfico recuperamos la voz de nuestra informante y su subjetividad sobre la experiencia vivida en Estados Unidos, así como de las acciones emprendidas para autoemplearse en un contexto urbano. Los hallazgos advierten que entre la población migrante deportada es necesario cambiar la mirada del norte al sur para una reinserción laboral exitosa, aunque ello no necesariamente signifique que pueden despojarse del que consideran su hogar en ese país. Asimismo, se destaca el papel de la persona migrante como agente y de los capitales humano, social y político como recursos para la implementación de iniciativas que promueven la reinserción laboral individual y colectiva de los migrantes deportados.
MODELOS DIDÁTICOS NA CONSTRUÇÃO DO CONHECIMENTO SOBRE EVOLUÇÃO DAS ESPÉCIES
Authors: Azevedo Cyntia , Emmanuel Araújo Severo Thiago , Thalita de Oliveira Martins Janielle , Souza Silva Lorena , Juliete de Paiva Silva Karla
Published: October 2020

Quatro operações configuram a organização, construção e integração do conhecimento, sendo essas: ligação, separação, análise e síntese. O ensino formal brasileiro tem voltado sua atenção para separação e análise do conhecimento, resultando em uma educação reducionista, na qual os alunos não são estimulados a formular suas ideias, a pensar o conhecimento e, por conseguinte não são ensinados a criar. Dessa forma, as atividades lúdicas e interdisciplinares são vistas como fins pedagógicos válidos no processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho é analisar o uso de modelos didáticos na construção do conhecimento sobre a evolução das espécies e outros temas relacionados (nicho ecológico, habitat, radiação adaptativa) em uma sequência didática proposta pelo Programa Institucional de Bolsa de Iniciação à Docência, subprojeto Interdisciplinar UFRN, com alunos do 7º ano do ensino fundamental II e do 4º período da Educação de Jovens e Adultos da Escola Estadual Professor Antônio Fagundes – Natal-RN.
O USO DE APLICATIVOS INTERATIVOS COMO FERRAMENTA DIDÁTICA PARA O ENSINO DE FÍSICA EM TURMAS DO PRIMEIRO ANO DO ENSINO MÉDIO
Authors: Bezerra de Carvalho Mendes Bárbara , Nunes da Silva Beatriz , Rufino de Freitas Jucarlos , Cunha Filho Moacyr
Published: October 2020

O ensino de Física nas turmas iniciais do ensino médio apresenta-se como um desafio diário para o professor e estudantes, visto que a maioria dos estudantes aponta dificuldade com relação aos conteúdos, além de demonstrarem falta de atenção na aula, ocasionada em alguns casos pelo uso excessivo do celular na sala de aula. Dessa forma, este trabalho buscou analisar e descrever as contribuições do aplicativo “PhET Interactive Simulations” como ferramenta de ensino de Física com estudantes séries iniciais do ensino médio. Realizou-se uma intervenção didática utilizando o aplicativo, em seguida, os estudantes foram avaliados através de uma lista de exercícios durante a aplicação da intervenção didática. Através de testes estatísticos, foi observado um crescimento significativo do conhecimento adquirido dos estudantes entre a prova prática e a intervenção.
MEDIAÇÃO DE LEITURA NO CURSO MULHERES MIL
Authors: Silva Meire Celedônio da , Alves Marcelo Victor dos Santos , Costa Daryjane Pereira , Martins Maria Eduarda Alves , Costa Dallyane Débora Pereira
Published: October 2020

Este artigo consiste em apresentar um relato de experiência vivenciada na curadoria realizada no curso FIC – Modalidade Mulheres Mil 2017.2, que teve como tema meio ambiente, voltado à reciclagem, ofertado pelo Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Norte – IFRN – Campus Avançado Lajes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi mediar a leitura do conto “Amor”, de Clarice Lispector, com as mulheres participantes do curso, trazendo um momento de leitura, interpretação e reflexão do texto, contribuindo para a formação de leitores. O trabalho realizado teve como suporte os pressupostos de Vygotsky (1996), sobre mediação e aprendizagem, além dos pressupostos do Interacionismo Sociodiscursivo sobre o papel da linguagem no desenvolvimento humano ao longo da vida. O trabalho desenvolvido aponta para uma possível tomada de consciência sobre a importância da leitura tanto das estudantes curadoras quanto das estudantes cursistas.