bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Individualized Versus Traditional Power Training on Strength, Power, Jump Performances, and Body Composition in Young Male Nordic Athletes
Authors: Prieske Olaf , Chaabene Helmi , Kullmann Niclas , Granacher Urs
Published: January 2022

Purpose:This study aimed to examine the effects of individualized-load power training (IPT) versus traditional moderate-load power training (TPT) on strength, power, jump performance, and body composition in elite young Nordic athletes.Methods:In a randomized crossover design, 10 young male athletes (ski jumpers, Nordic combined athletes) age 17.5 (0.6) years (biological maturity status: +3.5 y postpeak height velocity) who competed on a national or international level performed 5 weeks of IPT (4 × 5 repetitions at 49%–72% 1-repetiton maximum [RM]) and TPT (5 × 5 repetitions at 50%–60% 1-RM) in addition to their regular training. Testing before, between, and after both training blocks comprised the assessment of muscle strength (loaded back squat 3-RM), power (maximal loaded back squat power), jump performance (eg, drop-jump height, reactive strength index), and body composition (eg, skeletal muscle mass).Results:Significant, large-size main effects for time were found for muscle strength (P < .01;g = 2.7), reactive strength index (P = .03;g = 1.6), and drop-jump height (P = .02;g = 1.9) irrespective of the training condition (IPT, TPT). No significant time-by-condition interactions were observed. For measures of body composition, no significant main effects of condition and time or time-by-condition interactions were found.Conclusions:Our findings demonstrate that short-term IPT and TPT at moderate loads in addition to regular training were equally effective in improving measures of muscle strength (loaded back squat 3-RM) and vertical-jump performance (reactive strength index, drop jump, and height) in young Nordic athletes.
Kinetics and Stabilization of the Tuck Jump Assessment
Authors: Kember Lucy S. , Lloyd Rhodri S. , Myer Gregory D. , Moore Isabel S.
Published: January 2022

Context: Kinetic profiles of athletes performing the tuck jump assessment (TJA) are unknown and may provide insight into the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury. Design: The purpose of this study was to (1) analyze vertical kinetics of the TJA and (2) determine the stabilization of the kinetics across successive jumping cycles. Methods: Twenty-five healthy female athletes (age = 22.0 [4.6] y; height = 1.69 [0.07] m; body mass = 69.3 [10.3] kg) completed one trial of repeated tuck jumps on a force plate for 10 seconds. Results: Vertical ground reaction force data were used to calculate the following variables across all jump cycles: time of jump cycle (0.65 [0.04] s), ground contact time (0.22 [0.03] s), flight time (0.43 [0.04] s), duty factor (0.34 [0.05]), jump height (0.23 [0.04] m), peak vertical force (5.52 [0.91] body weight [BW]), peak center of mass displacement (0.15 [0.02] m), vertical leg stiffness (27.09 [7.06] BW·m−1), vertical average loading rate (105.94 [28.43] BW·s−1), vertical instantaneous loading rate (140.90 [28.49] BW·s−1), and net impulse (0.43 [0.03] BW·s). A sequential averaging technique indicated a minimum of 11 jumps were required for stabilization of the kinetics. Conclusions: The TJA exposes athletes to high magnitudes of vertical force. Based on the high variability of performance during early repetitions and the potential to miscategorize high-risk landing in female athletes, practitioners should consider scoring the TJA after 11 successive cycles and using kinetic profiling to support landing assessments.
Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of a Human Fungal Pathogen Reveals Synteny among Geographically Distinct Species
Authors: Voorhies Mark , Cohen Shirli , Shea Terrance P. , Petrus Semar , Muñoz José F. , Poplawski Shane , Goldman William E. , Michael Todd P. , Cuomo Christina A. , Sil Anita , Beyhan Sinem
Published: January 2022

Histoplasma
species are dimorphic fungi causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. These fungi grow as mold in the soil and as budding yeast within the human host.
Histoplasma
can be isolated from soil in diverse regions, including North America, South America, Africa, and Europe.
Transcriptional Landscape of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Their Host Provides Insight into N Uptake from Forest Soil
Authors: Rivera Pérez Carmen Alicia , Janz Dennis , Schneider Dominik , Daniel Rolf , Polle Andrea
Published: January 2022

Although EMF are well known for their role in supporting tree N nutrition, the molecular mechanisms underlying N flux from the soil solution into the host through the ectomycorrhizal pathway remain widely unknown. Furthermore, ammonium and nitrate availability in the soil solution is subject to frequent oscillations that create a dynamic environment for the tree roots and associated microbes during N acquisition.
Congenital granular cell epulis: a rare paediatric tumour of newborn
Authors: Xavier Arun Mamachan , Janardhanan Mahija , Veeraraghavan Ravi , Varma Balagopal R
Published: January 2022

Congenital granular cell epulis is a congenital growth rarely found on the gingiva of neonates. These remarkably large tumours present in an infant’s mouth may impede with feeding, respiration or adequate mouth closure. Recognition of this entity and prompt treatment are essential for preventing any difficulties for the neonate. This is a case report of a 35-day-old female neonate who presented with a single exophytic lesion in the maxillary alveolar ridge. The differential diagnosis, management regimens and complications of this condition are reviewed. The lesion was excised under intravenous sedation and subjected to histopathological analysis. Based on the microscopic findings, the diagnosis of congenital granular cell epulis was confirmed. Clinicians including paediatricians, sonographers, dentists and surgical pathologists should be able to timely recognise and intervene such tumours as they may be potentially harmful to the infant.
Neorectum prolapse after rectal cancer surgery corrected with perineal stapled prolapse resection
Authors: Baltazar Joanna Pauline A , Lopez Marc Paul J , Onglao Mark Augustine S
Published: January 2022

A 61-year-old woman developed neorectal prolapse after laparoscopic low anterior resection, total mesorectal excision with partial intersphincteric resection and handsewn coloanal anastomosis for rectal cancer. She presented with a 3 cm full thickness reducible prolapse, with associated anal pain and bleeding. A perineal stapled prolapse resection was performed to address the rectal prolapse, with satisfactory results.
Hypoventilation and progressive encephalopathy in a neonate with MTHFR deficiency
Authors: Vemireddy Kiran , Panigrahy Nalinikanta , Lingappa Lokesh , Chirla Dinesh
Published: January 2022

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive inherited inborn error of metabolism, which presents with various severity depending on the level of residual enzyme activity. In neonates, it can present with recurrent hypoventilation episodes, persistent encephalopathy with or without microcephaly. MTHFR deficiency also results in hyperhomocysteinemia, homocystinuria and hypomethionemia. We report a male neonate with severe MTHFR deficiency presenting to us on third week of life with progressive encephalopathy, microcephaly, seizures, central hypoventilation. There was similar history in the previous sibling. The patient’s blood lactate, ammonia, tandem mass spectrometry for amino acids and acyl carnitine were normal. He remained encephalopathic with progressive increase in need of respiratory support in spite of supportive treatment and metabolic cocktail consisting of riboflavin, pyridoxine, coenzyme Q and carnitine. This neonate had novel homozygous mutation, which results in MTHFR deficiency. In newborn with hypoventilation or recurrent apnoea with encephalopathy and microcephaly, MTHFR deficiency should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Mutation study helps in confirming diagnosis; however, extended newborn metabolic screening with homocysteine level could help in early diagnosis of these cases.
Protein supplementation versus standard feeds in underweight critically ill children: a pilot dual-centre randomised controlled trial protocol
Authors: Wong Judith Ju Ming , Ong Jacqueline Soo May , Ong Chengsi , Allen John Carsen , Gandhi Mihir , Fan Lijia , Taylor Ryan , Lim Joel Kian Boon , Poh Pei Fen , Chiou Fang Kuan , Lee Jan Hau
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Protein–energy malnutrition, increased catabolism and inadequate nutritional support leads to loss of lean body mass with muscle wasting and delayed recovery in critical illness. However, there remains clinical equipoise regarding the risks and benefits of protein supplementation. This pilot trial will determine the feasibility of performing a larger multicentre trial to determine if a strategy of protein supplementation in critically ill children with body mass index (BMI) z-score ≤−2 is superior to standard enteral nutrition in reducing the length of stay in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Methods and analysis

This is a randomised controlled trial of 70 children in two PICUs in Singapore. Children with BMI z-score ≤−2 on PICU admission, who are expected to require invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours, will be randomised (1:1 allocation) to protein supplementation of ≥1.5 g/kg/day in addition to standard nutrition, or standard nutrition alone for 7 days after enrolment or until PICU discharge, whichever is earlier. Feasibility outcomes for the trial include effective screening, satisfactory enrolment rate, timely protocol implementation (within first 72 hours) and protocol adherence. Secondary outcomes include mortality, PICU length of stay, muscle mass, anthropometric measurements and functional outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial protocol was approved by the institutional review board of both participating centres (Singhealth Centralised Institutional Review Board and National Healthcare Group Domain Specific Review Board) under the reference number 2020/2742. Findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04565613.
Improving Skin cancer Management with ARTificial Intelligence (SMARTI): protocol for a preintervention/postintervention trial of an artificial intelligence system used as a diagnostic aid for skin cancer management in a specialist dermatology setting
Authors: Felmingham Claire , MacNamara Samantha , Cranwell William , Williams Narelle , Wada Miki , Adler Nikki R , Ge Zongyuan , Sharfe Alastair , Bowling Adrian , Haskett Martin , Wolfe Rory , Mar Victoria
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can diagnose skin cancers with impressive accuracy in experimental settings, however, their performance in the real-world clinical setting, including comparison to teledermatology services, has not been validated in prospective clinical studies.

Methods and analysis

Participants will be recruited from dermatology clinics at the Alfred Hospital and Skin Health Institute, Melbourne. Skin lesions will be imaged using a proprietary dermoscopic camera. The artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, a CNN developed by MoleMap Ltd and Monash eResearch, classifies lesions as benign, malignant or uncertain. This is a preintervention/postintervention study. In the preintervention period, treating doctors are blinded to AI lesion assessment. In the postintervention period, treating doctors review the AI lesion assessment in real time, and have the opportunity to then change their diagnosis and management. Any skin lesions of concern and at least two benign lesions will be selected for imaging. Each participant’s lesions will be examined by a registrar, the treating consultant dermatologist and later by a teledermatologist. At the conclusion of the preintervention period, the safety of the AI algorithm will be evaluated in a primary analysis by measuring its sensitivity, specificity and agreement with histopathology where available, or the treating consultant dermatologists’ classification. At trial completion, AI classifications will be compared with those of the teledermatologist, registrar, treating dermatologist and histopathology. The impact of the AI algorithm on diagnostic and management decisions will be evaluated by: (1) comparing the initial management decision of the registrar with their AI-assisted decision and (2) comparing the benign to malignant ratio (for lesions biopsied) between the preintervention and postintervention periods.

Ethics and dissemination

Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval received from the Alfred Hospital Ethics Committee on 14 February 2019 (HREC/48865/Alfred-2018). Findings from this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, non-peer reviewed media and conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04040114.
Effectiveness and scalability of an electronic patient-reported outcome measure and decision support tool for family-centred and participation-focused early intervention: PROSPECT hybrid type 1 trial protocol
Authors: Kaelin Vera , Villegas Vivian , Chen Yi-Fan , Murphy Natalie , Papautsky Elizabeth , Litfin Jodi , Leland Natalie , Maheshwari Varun , McManus Beth , Khetani Mary
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Early intervention (EI) endorses family-centred and participation-focused services, but there remain insufficient options for systematically enacting this service approach. The Young Children’s Participation and Environment Measure electronic patient-reported outcome (YC-PEM e-PRO) is an evidence-based measure for caregivers that enables family-centred services in EI. The Parent-Reported Outcomes for Strengthening Partnership within the Early Intervention Care Team (PROSPECT) is a community-based pragmatic trial examining the effectiveness of implementing the YC-PEM e-PRO measure and decision support tool as an option for use within routine EI care, on service quality and child outcomes (aim 1). Following trial completion, we will characterise stakeholder perspectives of facilitators and barriers to its implementation across multiple EI programmes (aim 2).

Methods and analysis

This study employs a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation study design. For aim 1, we aim to enrol 223 caregivers of children with or at risk for developmental disabilities or delays aged 0–3 years old that have accessed EI services for three or more months from one EI programme in the Denver Metro catchment of Colorado. Participants will be invited to enrol for 12 months, beginning at the time of their child’s annual evaluation of progress. Participants will be randomised using a cluster-randomised design at the EI service coordinator level. Both groups will complete baseline testing and follow-up assessment at 1, 6 and 12 months. A generalised linear mixed model will be fitted for each outcome of interest, with group, time and their interactions as primary fixed effects, and adjusting for child age and condition severity as secondary fixed effects. For aim 2, we will conduct focus groups with EI stakeholders (families in the intervention group, service coordinators and other service providers in the EI programme, and programme leadership) which will be analysed thematically to explain aim 1 results and identify supports and remaining barriers to its broader implementation in multiple EI programmes.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the institutional review boards at the University of Illinois at Chicago (2020-0555) and University of Colorado (20-2380). An active dissemination plan will ensure that findings have maximum reach for research and practice.

Trial registration number

NCT04562038.
Quality of life of adolescents with menstrual problems in Klang Valley, Malaysia: a school population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Mariappen Uma , Chew Kah Teik , Zainuddin Ani Amelia , Mahdy Zaleha Abdullah , Abdul Ghani Nur Azurah , Grover Sonia
Published: January 2022

Objective

To describe the prevalence of menstrual problems (heavy menses bleeding, dysmenorrhoea and oligomenorrhoea) and its impact towards quality of life among adolescents in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Adolescent girls at secondary schools in the Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Population

729 adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years.

Method

A questionnaire survey using Menorrhagia Questionnaire and Paediatric Quality of Life-Teen Report Ages 13–18 (PedsQL).

Main outcome measures

Self reports of menstrual bleeding patterns, morbidities and effect on quality of life.

Results

The prevalence of menstrual problems among adolescents was 63.9% in the Klang Valley. Adolescents with menstrual problems had significant lower mean total score of PedsQL (70.23±13.53 vs 76.36±14.93, p=0.001), physical health summary score (74.10±16.83 vs 79.00±15.86, p<0.001) and psychosocial health summary score (68.05±14.27 vs 73.21±13.09, p=0.001) compared with those without menstrual problem. Adolescents experiencing heavy menses bleeding had the lowest physical and emotional function. Those with oligomenorrhoea had the lowest social function, whereas those with dysmenorrhoea had the lowest school function. Cigarette smoking, alcohol and medical illness had lower health-related quality of life, whereas taking oral contraceptive pills for menstrual problems was associated with higher scores in these adolescents.

Conclusion

Menstrual problems among adolescents have a significant impact on their quality of life. It is probably wise to screen them at the school level, to identify those with low functional scores and to refer them for proper management at a tertiary adolescent gynaecology centre.
Association between hormone replacement therapy and carpal tunnel syndrome: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Tang Hsien-Chin , Cheng Ya-Yun , Guo How-Ran
Published: January 2022

Objective

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive focal mononeuropathy, and the increased incidence in postmenopausal and pregnant women suggests its association with oestrogen. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the occurrence of CTS.

Design

Population-based case-control study.

Setting

Nationwide health insurance programme operated by the government with a near 100% coverage rate.

Participants

We identified women ≥45 years old in the Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, which contains data on a representative sample of one million enrollees. After exclusion of those who were diagnosed with CTS before the prescription of HRT, a total of 118 309 participants were included and followed up for 15 years starting from 1 January 1996. Both HRT and occurrence of CTS were identified using the insurance claims.

Main outcome measures

We identified incident patients of CTS and evaluated the association between HRT and CTS by calculating the OR.

Results

Of the 4535 participants who developed CTS during the study period, 2334 (51.5%) were HRT recipients. In participants without CTS, the proportion of HRT recipients was 28.1%, yielding an OR of 2.72 with a 95% CI of 2.56 to 2.88. After adjustment for age, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, gout and obesity, the OR of CTS associated with HRT was 2.04 (95% CI 1.91 to 2.17). While HRT, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and gout had similar effects on CTS across all age groups, hypothyroidism and obesity had different effects on different groups.

Conclusion

This study observed a positive association between HRT and CTS, independent of age, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, gout and obesity. While the ORs of CTS associated with HRT were similar across age groups, those associated with hypothyroidism and obesity were not, indicating effect modifications by age.
Identifying occupational health hazards among healthcare providers and ancillary staff in Ghana: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Tawiah Philip Apraku , Baffour-Awuah Alberta , Appiah-Brempong Emmanuel , Afriyie-Gyawu Evans
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The formation, modification and implementation of occupational health and safety policy for the Ghana healthcare industry hinge on data and reviews on occupational exposures. However, there is no synthesised review to speak to the issues of these occupational exposures. A scoping review on occupational exposures among the health workforce in Ghana will provide a broad overview of exposures, and can guide and assist in making decisions on occupational health issues relating to healthcare workers.

Methods and analysis

Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review methodology framework will guide the conduct of this scoping review. Primary research studies, government documents and other information on occupational exposures among healthcare workers published in the English language will be retrieved from databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO and Google scholar. A systematic search strategy will be employed to identify articles from 1 January 2010 until 30 November 2021. Also, grey literature sources in Ghana including government and tertiary institutions websites will be searched. A reference list of key studies and other available non-electronic materials will also be screened to identify relevant studies for inclusion. The review will consider studies that address prevalence, knowledge and predisposing factors of occupational exposures along with the use of occupational hazards control/preventive measures. After removal of duplicates, and title and abstract screening, relevant articles will be subjected to full-text analysis. The screening processes will be conducted independently by two reviewers. Data will then be extracted and presented in tabular form with a narrative to aid easy comprehension.

Ethics and dissemination

This scoping review does not require ethical approval. The findings will be disseminated through publications, conference presentations and stakeholder meetings.
Behavioural microclimate selection and physiological responses to environmental conditions in a hibernating bat
Authors: Boyles Justin G. , Johnson Emily M. , Fuller Nathan W. , Silas Kirk A. , Hou Lily , Frick Winifred F. , McGuire Liam P.
Published: January 2022

Hibernators adjust the expression of torpor behaviourally and physiologically to balance the benefits of energy conservation in hibernation against the physiological and ecological costs. Small fat-storing species, like many cave-hibernating bats, have long been thought to be highly constrained in their expression of hibernation because they must survive winter relying only on endogenous energy stores. We evaluated behavioural microclimate selection in tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus (F. Cuvier, 1832)) across a 3-month hibernation experiment under laboratory conditions. We also opportunistically tested for evidence of acclimatization in torpid metabolic rate (TMR). When given access to gradients in microclimate, bats tended to choose the warmest temperature available (11 °C) while almost completely avoiding the driest condition available (85% relative humidity at 8 °C). Furthermore, bats held at different temperatures over the course of the hibernation showed no differences in TMR when measured under common conditions at the end of hibernation. Taken together, our results suggest that selective pressures to conserve energy during hibernation are not overwhelmingly strong and further support the proposition that optimal expression of hibernation is something less than the maximal expression of hibernation unless the animal is nearing starvation.
DIRICHLET PROBLEM OF POISSON EQUATIONS ON A TYPE OF HIGHER-DIMENSIONAL FRACTAL SETS
Authors: ZHU LE , WU YIPENG , CHEN ZHILONG , YAO KUI , HUANG SHUAI , WANG YUAN
Published: January 2022

Poisson equation is a partial differential equation with broad utility in theoretical physics. Dirichlet problem of Poisson Equations can be solved by Green’s function. It is a very attractive problem to look for analogous results of the above problem in the fractal context. This paper studies the network set Higher-Dimensional Sierpinski Gaskets, solves Dirichlet problem of Poisson Equations on them by expressing Green’s function explicitly.
The Hierarchical Subspace Iteration Method for Laplace–Beltrami Eigenproblems
Authors: Nasikun Ahmad , Hildebrandt Klaus
Published: January 2022

Sparse eigenproblems are important for various applications in computer graphics. The spectrum and eigenfunctions of the Laplace–Beltrami operator, for example, are fundamental for methods in shape analysis and mesh processing. The Subspace Iteration Method is a robust solver for these problems. In practice, however, Lanczos schemes are often faster. In this article, we introduce the
Hierarchical Subspace Iteration Method (HSIM)
, a novel solver for sparse eigenproblems that operates on a hierarchy of nested vector spaces. The hierarchy is constructed such that on the coarsest space all eigenpairs can be computed with a dense eigensolver. HSIM uses these eigenpairs as initialization and iterates from coarse to fine over the hierarchy. On each level, subspace iterations, initialized with the solution from the previous level, are used to approximate the eigenpairs. This approach substantially reduces the number of iterations needed on the finest grid compared to the non-hierarchical Subspace Iteration Method. Our experiments show that HSIM can solve Laplace–Beltrami eigenproblems on meshes faster than state-of-the-art methods based on Lanczos iterations, preconditioned conjugate gradients, and subspace iterations.
An Inverse Procedural Modeling Pipeline for SVBRDF Maps
Authors: Hu Yiwei , He Chengan , Deschaintre Valentin , Dorsey Julie , Rushmeier Holly
Published: January 2022

Procedural modeling is now the de facto standard of material modeling in industry. Procedural models can be edited and are easily extended, unlike pixel-based representations of captured materials. In this article, we present a semi-automatic pipeline for general material proceduralization. Given Spatially Varying Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions (SVBRDFs) represented as sets of pixel maps, our pipeline decomposes them into a tree of
sub-materials
whose spatial distributions are encoded by their associated mask maps. This semi-automatic decomposition of material maps progresses hierarchically, driven by our new spectrum-aware material matting and instance-based decomposition methods. Each decomposed sub-material is proceduralized by a novel multi-layer noise model to capture local variations at different scales. Spatial distributions of these sub-materials are modeled either by a by-example inverse synthesis method recovering Point Process Texture Basis Functions (PPTBF) [
30
] or via random sampling. To reconstruct procedural material maps, we propose a differentiable rendering-based optimization that recomposes all generated procedures together to maximize the similarity between our procedural models and the input material pixel maps. We evaluate our pipeline on a variety of synthetic and real materials. We demonstrate our method’s capacity to process a wide range of material types, eliminating the need for artist designed material graphs required in previous work [
38
,
53
]. As fully procedural models, our results expand to arbitrary resolution and enable high-level user control of appearance.
What Do We Know About the Genetic Architecture of Psychopathology?
Authors: Giangrande Evan J. , Weber Ramona S. , Turkheimer Eric
Published: January 2022

In the second half of the twentieth century, twin and family studies established beyond a reasonable doubt that all forms of psychopathology are substantially heritable and highly polygenic. These conclusions were simultaneously an important theoretical advance and a difficult methodological obstacle, as it became clear that heritability is universal and undifferentiated across forms of psychopathology, and the radical polygenicity of genetic effects limits the biological insight provided by genetically informed studies at the phenotypic level. The paradigm-shifting revolution brought on by the Human Genome Project has recapitulated the great methodological promise and the profound theoretical difficulties of the twin study era. We review these issues using the rubric of genetic architecture, which we define as a search for specific genetic insight that adds to the general conclusion that psychopathology is heritable and polygenic. Although significant problems remain, we see many promising avenues for progress.
Catching Up on Multilevel Modeling
Authors: Hoffman Lesa , Walters Ryan W.
Published: January 2022

This review focuses on the use of multilevel models in psychology and other social sciences. We target readers who are catching up on current best practices and sources of controversy in the specification of multilevel models. We first describe common use cases for clustered, longitudinal, and cross-classified designs, as well as their combinations. Using examples from both clustered and longitudinal designs, we then address issues of centering for observed predictor variables: its use in creating interpretable fixed and random effects of predictors, its relationship to endogeneity problems (correlations between predictors and model error terms), and its translation into multivariate multilevel models (using latent-centering within multilevel structural equation models). Finally, we describe novel extensions—mixed-effects location–scale models—designed for predicting differential amounts of variability.
Redox Flow Capacitive Deionization in a Mixed Electrode Solvent of Water and Ethanol
Authors: Tang Lufan , Wei Qiang , Yan Jiawei , Hu Yudi , Chen Xuncai , Wang Guannan , Aung Su Htike , Oo Than Zaw , Yan Dongliang , Chen Fuming
Published: January 2022

In redox flow electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI), the solubility of the redox electrolyte and flowability of the carbon slurry have a great influence on the salt removal rate and energy consumption. In this work, a mixed solvent electrolyte is proposed for FCDI, which consists of iodide/triiodide redox couples and a carbon slurry in a mixed solvent of water and ethanol (1:1). At a current density of 5 mA cm−2, the salt removal rate in the mixed solvent can reach up to 2.72 μg cm−2 s−1, which is much higher than the value of 1.74 μg cm−2 s−1 and 2.37 μg cm−2 s−1 obtained in aqueous and ethanol solutions, respectively. This is attributed to the fast transport of ions during the redox reaction in organic solvents and the excellent flowability of the carbon slurry under aqueous conditions, which can provide more reaction sites for iodide/triiodide redox reactions and faster electron transportation. This unique FCDI with organic and aqueous mixed solvent electrolytes provides a new perspective for the development of redox flow electrochemical desalination.
Binder and conductive diluents free NaVPO4F based free-standing positive electrodes for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Kumar V. Kiran , Ghosh Sourav , Naresh Vangapally , Ummethala Govind , Malladi Sai Rama Krishna , Martha Surendra K.
Published: January 2022

Herein, we report a carbon-fiber-based freestanding electrode for NaVPO4F cathodes in sodium-ion batteries. The replacement of conventional aluminium foil with a carbon fiber mat-based current collector results in significant improvement in capacity at high rates and charge-discharge cycle stability. Petroleum-pitch (P-Pitch) has dual functions. P-pitch is used as a binder to bind NaVPO4F particles onto the carbon fiber mat, which helps to eliminate typical organic binders. At the same time, P-Pitch acts as a conducting precursor to coat onto NaVPO4F particles. The amount of P-pitch required to achieve stable electrochemical performance is optimized. As a result, 15 and 20% of P-pitch in the composite NaVPO4F electrodes (15P_NVPF@CF and 20P_NVPF@CF) shows stable electrochemical performances. A reversible capacity of 120 and 119 mAh g−1 is observed for 15P_NVPF@CF and 20P_NVPF@CF, with 97 and 98% retention in capacity after 300 cycles, respectively. Further, at a 0.5 C current rate, 15P_NVPF@CF and 20P_NVPF@CF electrodes show 86 and 87% capacity retention after 1000 cycles. The significant electrochemical performance of these freestanding electrodes is ascribed to the interlinked carbon matrix with NaVPO4F particles and carbon-fiber mat, which provides a continuous path for electronic conduction and faster kinetics of NaVPO4F particles.
Investigation on Quality of Life and Economic Burden of Children with Cerebral Palsy in Changzhou
Authors: Bian Chaorong , Peng Feng , Guo Haibin , Chen Kejin
Published: January 2022

Based on the data of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Changzhou obtained by the Disabled Persons’ Federation, this study sampled some children with CP and investigated their survival status, treatment cost, and family burden so as to provide scientific decision-making basis and policy suggestions for coping with disease hazards and improving children’s quality of life. In this study, a simple random sampling method was used to conduct household surveys of the selected children with CP. The economic burden of CP is measured by direct and indirect methods, and the quality of life of patients of children with CP and their families is analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by the EuroQol Five Dimensions (EQ-5D) Questionnaire. The average family economic burden of each case of CP in Changzhou was about 4,188,500 yuan, of which the direct medical burden was 205,800 yuan and the indirect economic burden was 3,982,700 yuan. The socioeconomic burden of CP in Changzhou is as high as about 2.244 billion yuan. From the EQ-5D measurement results of 55 children with CP, the average index score was 0.423, which was lower than the national general population level. The proportions of patients with CP who have problems in the five aspects of action, self-care, daily activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression are 72.73%, 81.82%, 81.82%, 83.64%, and 92.73%, respectively, which are significantly higher than those of the national general population. The average score of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is 58.09, which is significantly lower than the national general population level. The only major factor affecting the quality of life of patients with CP and their families is the health status represented by the EQ-5D score. To liberate and develop the labor ability of patients and their direct caregivers through clinical treatment, rehabilitation, and special education is the most effective way to reduce the socioeconomic burden of CP. Relevant government departments should perform their duties, integrate social assistance resources, implement early intervention, and launch targeted support and assistance policy.
[Retracted] Newly Synthesized Micro‐Nano Transition Metal Complexes of Hexadecanoic Acid as Anti‐Microbial Agents: Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Investigations
Authors: Govindarajan Kavitha , Parasuraman Vijayarohini , Perumalswamy Sekar Parasuraman , Colak Ilhami , Hailemeskel Balkew Zewge
Published: January 2022

The synthesis of several metal complexes of d‐block elements of hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid) and its antimicrobial activity was reported in this study. UV‐Vis and FT‐IR spectroscopy studies were used to characterize and confirm the produced metal complexes by the shift in the absorbance and the formation of M‐O linkage. The X‐ray diffraction method was mainly used to examine the crystallographic faces of the complexes based on the transition metals. Thermal gravimetric investigation revealed that all metal palmitate complexes had high thermal stability in the range of 250‐300°C. The metal complexes of hexadecanoic acid were examined for microbicidal activity against diverse bacterial strains and fungal pathogens using the agar well diffusion method. The copper palmitate complex presented excellent antibacterial activity among the other metal complexes. These outcomes suggest of using fatty acid metal complexes as a suitable candidate in several biomedical applications.
Economic Market Fluctuation Model Based on Internet of Things Technology
Authors: Zhai Lu
Published: January 2022

In order to explore the impact of the Internet of Things technology on economic market fluctuations and the analysis effect of the Internet of Things technology on economic market fluctuations, this paper uses the Internet of Things algorithm to improve the economic fluctuation model. Moreover, this paper uses the Internet of Things algorithm to locate economic transactions and performs data processing to optimize the intelligent network system to improve the operating effect of the economic system. In addition, this paper improves the sensor node algorithm and proposes to use the weighted value of network node density to balance the positioning problem caused by the unbalanced distribution of network nodes in the detection area. Finally, this paper analyzes the market economy volatility model through the Internet of Things technology, combined with simulation experiments to explore the application of the Internet of Things technology in the economic market volatility model. Through experimental research, it can be known that economic market fluctuation models based on Internet of Things technology can play an important role in market economic analysis.
Superresolution Reconstruction of Remote Sensing Image Based on Middle-Level Supervised Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Xiu
Published: January 2022

Image has become one of the important carriers of visual information because of its large amount of information, easy to spread and store, and strong sense of sense. At the same time, the quality of image is also related to the completeness and accuracy of information transmission. This research mainly discusses the superresolution reconstruction of remote sensing images based on the middle layer supervised convolutional neural network. This paper designs a convolutional neural network with middle layer supervision. There are 16 layers in total, and the seventh layer is designed as an intermediate supervision layer. At present, there are many researches on traditional superresolution reconstruction algorithms and convolutional neural networks, but there are few researches that combine the two together. Convolutional neural network can obtain the high-frequency features of the image and strengthen the detailed information; so, it is necessary to study its application in image reconstruction. This article will separately describe the current research status of image superresolution reconstruction and convolutional neural networks. The middle supervision layer defines the error function of the supervision layer, which is used to optimize the error back propagation mechanism of the convolutional neural network to improve the disappearance of the gradient of the deep convolutional neural network. The algorithm training is mainly divided into four stages: the original remote sensing image preprocessing, the remote sensing image temporal feature extraction stage, the remote sensing image spatial feature extraction stage, and the remote sensing image reconstruction output layer. The last layer of the network draws on the single-frame remote sensing image SRCNN algorithm. The output layer overlaps and adds the remote sensing images of the previous layer, averages the overlapped blocks, eliminates the block effect, and finally obtains high-resolution remote sensing images, which is also equivalent to filter operation. In order to allow users to compare the superresolution effect of remote sensing images more clearly, this paper uses the Qt5 interface library to implement the user interface of the remote sensing image superresolution software platform and uses the intermediate layer convolutional neural network and the remote sensing image superresolution reconstruction algorithm proposed in this paper. When the training epoch reaches 35 times, the network has converged. At this time, the loss function converges to 0.017, and the cumulative time is about 8 hours. This research helps to improve the visual effects of remote sensing images.
Intra-Abdominal Hemorrhagic Catastrophe due to Large Subserous Myomatous Capsular Venous Rupture
Authors: Sethupathy Tamilselvi , Madathupalayam Madhankumar , Arun Prasad Krithika
Published: January 2022

Uterine leiomyoma is a common benign uterine tumor of women in the reproductive age group. Although the common symptoms of leiomyoma are menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea, this patient presenting as a near collapse is a rare finding. The patient presented with abdominal pain and worsening anemia within a span of hours and hypotension, tachycardia, and tachypnoea needing urgent surgical intervention and blood transfusion and intensive care support is relatively rare. Though every effort to know the exact cause of intraperitoneal hemorrhage in this patient was taken, the rarer diagnosis of capsular venous rupture was not identified prior to surgical intervention. Initially, laparoscopy was introduced first to identify the cause of massive hemorrhage; the approach was changed to open myomectomy keeping in mind the general condition of the patient. Hence, for any patient with a prior diagnosis of myoma with hemodynamic instability, the rarer diagnosis of leiomyomatous capsular venous erosion should be a differential diagnosis to aid in the appropriate management of the women. The team of interdisciplinary expertise will definitely improve the outcomes in such cases.
ARID1A Is a Prognostic Biomarker and Associated with Immune Infiltrates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Feng Yuanyuan , Tang Xinfang , Li Changcheng , Su Ying , Wang Xiaoyu , Li Ning , Zhang Anna , Jiang Feng , Wu Chuyan
Published: January 2022

Objective. ARID1A has been discovered as a potential cancer biomarker. But its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is subject to considerable dispute. Methods. The relationship between ARID1A and clinical factors was investigated. Clinicopathological variables related to overall survival in HCC subjects were identified using Cox and Kaplan–Meier studies. The connection between immune infiltrating cells and ARID1A expression was investigated using the tumor Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset for gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Finally, a cell experiment was used to confirm it. Results. The gender and cancer topography (T) categorization of HCC were linked to increased ARID1A expression. Participants with advanced levels of ARID1A expression had a worse prognosis than someone with lower levels. ARID1A was shown to be a risk indicator of overall survival on its own. ARID1A expression is inversely proportional to immune cell infiltration. In vitro, decreasing ARID1A expression substantially slowed the cell cycle and decreased HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Conclusion. The expression of ARID1A could be used to predict the outcome of HCC. It is closely related to tumor immune cell infiltration.
Establishment of a Prognostic Prediction and Drug Selection Model for Patients with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma by Multiomics Data Analysis
Authors: Jiang Aimin , Bao Yewei , Wang Anbang , Gong Wenliang , Gan Xinxin , Wang Jie , Bao Yi , Wu Zhenjie , Liu Bing , Lu Juan , Wang Linhui
Published: January 2022

Rationale. Patients with clear cell renal cell cancer (ccRCC) may have completely different treatment choices and prognoses due to the wide range of heterogeneity of the disease. However, there is a lack of effective models for risk stratification, treatment decision-making, and prognostic prediction of renal cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to establish a model to stratify ccRCC patients in terms of prognostic prediction and drug selection based on multiomics data analysis. Methods. This study was based on the multiomics data (including mRNA, lncRNA, miRNA, methylation, and WES) of 258 ccRCC patients from TCGA database. Firstly, we screened the feature values that had impact on the prognosis and obtained two subtypes. Then, we used 10 algorithms to achieve multiomics clustering and conducted pseudotiming analysis to further validate the robustness of our clustering method, based on which the two subtypes of ccRCC patients were further subtyped. Meanwhile, the immune infiltration was compared between the two subtypes, and drug sensitivity and potential drugs were analyzed. Furthermore, to analyze the heterogeneity of patients at the multiomics level, biological functions between two subtypes were compared. Finally, Boruta and PCA methods were used for dimensionality reduction and cluster analysis to construct a renal cancer risk model based on mRNA expression. Results. A prognosis predicting model of ccRCC was established by dividing patients into the high- and low-risk groups. It was found that overall survival (OS) and progression-free interval (PFI) were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.01). The area under the OS time-dependent ROC curve for 1, 3, 5, and 10 years in the training set was 0.75, 0.72, 0.71, and 0.68, respectively. Conclusion. The model could precisely predict the prognosis of ccRCC patients and may have implications for drug selection for ccRCC patients.
A Specific Method for Solving Fractional Delay Differential Equation via Fraction Taylor’s Series
Authors: Du Ming-Jing
Published: January 2022

It is well known that the appearance of the delay in the fractional delay differential equation (FDDE) makes the convergence analysis very difficult. Dealing with the problem with the traditional reproducing kernel method (RKM) is very tricky. The feature of this paper is to gain a more credible approximate solution via fractional Taylor’s series (FTS). We use the FTS to deal with the delay for improving the accuracy of the approximate solutions. Compared with other methods, the five numerical examples demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method in this paper.
Arab and Malay Students’ Attitudes toward Statistics and Their Learning Styles: A Rasch Measurement Approach
Authors: Fayomi Aisha , Mahmud Zamalia , Algarni Ali , Almarashi Abdullah M.
Published: January 2022

Students’ learning of statistics has been studied from a variety of angles, and this study is no different. The main purpose is to compare the Malay and Arab students’ attitudes toward learning statistics and their learning styles in understanding statistics. A survey questionnaire and face-to-face interview techniques were used to elicit information from 150 students based on the cohort. They were asked about how they learn to solve statistical problems based on Kolb’s four learning cycles: feeling, reflective observation, thinking, and doing. Attitude responses were numerically recorded based on a five-point Likert scale, while preference for learning styles was recorded as 1 (Do and Feel) or 0 (Watch and Think). Both attitude and learning style data were combined and subjected to Rasch analysis. Results show that a majority of the Arab and Malay students have moderate to high positive attitude toward learning statistics. Generally, students from both cultures are classified as the “Accommodating” type with a preference for doing and feeling from the experience of doing statistical problems. Arab students are classified as the “Assimilating” type with a preference for thinking, reflecting, and learning from observation, while Malay students are classified as the “Converging” type with a preference for thinking and doing statistical exercises.