bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ixodid ticks in Southern part of Eastern Siberia and Mongolia and their spontaneous infectiveness by infectious agents
Authors: Danchinova G. A. , Khasnatinov M. A. , Zlobin V. I. , Kozlova I. V. , Verkhozina M. M. , Sountsova O. V. , Shulunov S. S. , Abmed D. . , Bataa J. . , Bat-Ochir D. . , Tsend N. . , Badueva L. N. , Lisak O. V. , Gorina M. O.
Published: April 2021

The goal of the study is to reveal the species of Ixodid ticks in Eastern Siberia and Mongolia, having epidemiological value and pathogens that transmit to humans via their bites. The tasks is to determine ecologo-epidemiologial characteristics of the main vectors and genetic characteristics of the agents of tick-borne infections. Characterization of the materials. There are materials of the study of more than 200 000 Ixodid ticks of 4 species and their rate of infection by different pathogens with zooparasitological, epidemiological, virological, microbiological, molecular-biological standard and modified to the goals and tasks of the study. Most abundance and dangerous species is Ixodes persulcatus P.Sch. ticks, that is widespread in region investigated. The agents of known vector-borne infections in Eastern Siberia and Mongolia are tick-borne encephalitis virus, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afze- lii, Rickettsia sibirica, R. sp. DnS14 group.
Mechanisms of erythrocytes' damage after toxic effects of methemoglobin poisons
Authors: Filippova O. N. , Shperling I. A. , Rogov O. A. , Saprykina E. V. , Ryazantseva N. V. , Novitsky V. V.
Published: April 2021

Structural properties of lipid component of erythrocyte membrane of Wistar rats with methemoglobinemia were investigated after one injection of sodium nitrite and phenylhydrazin chloride in DL50 dose. It was shown that in methemoglobinemia cholesterol, lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylserine levels are increased and phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidyletanolamine levels are decreased, and an increase of microviscousity of erythrocyte membrane lipid matrix was elevat-ed. The degree of the elucidated changes depends on a xenobiotic and a time of methemoglobinemia period.
Ethics of duty and bioethics: problem of social regulation
Authors: Donskikh O. A.
Published: April 2021

The author demonstrates that a new collective consciousness is being formed (contrary to the «axis time» transition from col- lective consciousness to individual consciousness), and in this situation ethical relationships are being transformed into juridical re- lationships. In parallel to this process, the ethics of duty with its address to clan consciousness is being pushed out by utilitarian eth- ics. Meanwhile the secularization of reality is being realized. In these conditions bioethics play a major part in the process of avoid- ing ethical responsibility.
Morphology of the solid phase of biological liquidsas method of diagnostics in medicine
Authors: Maksimov S. A.
Published: April 2021

The history of development of methods for estimation of morphology of the solid phase of biological liquids, the area of their application in medical studies, as well as brief features of modern methods are presented. In addition, problematic aspects of practical application to crystallography in diagnostics are discussed.
Ambulatory care of patients with pancreatic diabetes: experienceof application of hospital-substituting technologies
Authors: Kravets Ye. B. , Adamyan A. T. , Zubrilin I. S. , Koschevets T. U. , Yadmaa O. , Astafurov A. N.
Published: April 2021

Under conditions of epidemic of pancreatic diabetes (PD), it is necessary to enhance the prehospital stage of diabetological care. Capabilities of hospital-substituting technologies are used insufficiently in endocrinology now. Organization of a day endocrinological hospital based on the Tomsk Municipal Hospital No. 3 was an attempt to apply hospital-substituting forms at the municipal level. In this day hospital, 260 patients with Type 1 and 2 pancreatic diabetes have been treated. The cost for treatment of one patient in the day hospital was 3.16 times lower than that in a twenty-four hour hospital. Patients of the day endocrinological hospital have achieved the target values of postprandial glycemia. With proper organization of the prehospital stage of diabetic care, it is possible to achieve medical targets of treatment of Type 1 and 2 PD.
Нepatoprotective properties of polyphenolic complexes from woodand cellular culture of maackia amurensis
Authors: Saratikov A. S. , Chuchalin V. S. , Rat`kin A. V. , Rat`kin E. V. , Fedoreyev S. A. , Bulgakov V. P.
Published: April 2021

Annot For finding-out of a role of separate groups of polyphenols in realization hepatoprotective properties of maksar we investigate activity of polyphenolic complexes (PPC) from duramen and cellular culture of maakia amur. Experiments are carried out on 40 not purebred white rats with an experimental СCl4-hepatites. Therapeutic efficiency of researched objects estimated on their influence on survival rate of animals, morphological and biochemical parameters of a liver and wheys of blood. In rat's CCl4-hepatitis PPC from duramen and cellular culture of maakia amur reduce the acute toxity of tetrachloromethane, decrease the necrosis of hepatocytes and cellural infiltration of liver's parenchyma, prevent from development of fatty and protein dystrophy of a liver, normalize the activity of amino transferase, -glutamyltransferase in blood, the concentration of proteins and lipids, stimulate conjugation of bilirubin. The therapeutic effect of PPC of cellular culture is more evident. The hepatoprotective action is caused by a presence of isoflavonoids daidzein, retuzin, genistein, afromozin, formononetin, orobol, tektorigenin, maakiain and medicarpin. PPC from a culture of cells doesn't influence on a level of cholesterol in blood, that apparently is caused by an absence of mono- and dimeric stilbenes in its structure.
Conception of clinical anthropology in medicine
Authors: Kornetov N. A.
Published: April 2021

Historic retrospective of development of integral approach to medicine has been stated. Some result and systematization of multiple investigations on the problem «constitution and illness» has been summarized. New data has been introduced about absence of tropism of schizophrenia, peptic ulcer, cerebrovascular diseases to definite constitution type. In this association contemporary images about human constitution have been formulated. Theoretic bases of coming-to-be of integrative anthropology have been considered in native medicine and psychology; its sections have been distinguished. Definitions, principles and methods of clinical anthropology have been given and its value for medicine has been considered including medical education.
The structurally functional organization of cells in respiratory waysto norm and at a pathology
Authors: Sukhodolo I. V. , Gereng Ye. A.
Published: April 2021

The term the APUD-system represents an abbreviation of four English words: Amine Precursore Uptake and Decarboxylation, these cells designating the basic property: ability to absorb predecessors entered from the outside biogenic amine to subject them decarboxylation with the subsequent formation biogenic amine and hormones. Biologically active substances which are produced by cells APUD-systems, are responsible for formation of conditioned reflexes, stages of memory and a dream, for formation of painful and emotional sensations.
Application of magnetic nanoparticles in biomedicine
Authors: Pershina A. G. , Sazonov A. E. , Milto I. V.
Published: April 2021

The use of nanomaterials offers many advantages due to their unique properties. They can be used as building blocks for the fabrication of various functional diagnostic systems and agents of therapy. This article focuses on the application of magnetic nanoparticles in biomedicine such as magnetic separation, biosensor, contrast agents for MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), local operated hyperthermic treatment of tumors, drug delivery, gene therapy, tissue engineering.
Burzhinsky Pavel Vasilievich (to the 150th anniversary)
Authors: Vengerovsky A. I.
Published: April 2021

Scientific biography of Pavel Vasilievich Burzhinsky, first Siberian pharmacologist, founder of Pharmacology Chair in Imperial Tomsk University — Siberian State Medical University.
Characterization of morphofunctional status of esofagogastroduodenal complex in course of gallstone disease
Authors: Bogoutdinov M. Sh. , Gibadulina I. O. , Gibadulin N. V.
Published: April 2021

In order to understand characteristics of morphofunctional status of upper gastrointestinal, 72 patients suffered from the gallstone disease were chosen for the recent survey. Factors were determined that stipulated severity of blennosis, nature of the acid produced, and intensity of motor-evacuation disorders of stomach and duodenum. It was proved that dismotor evidence and lowering resistance of the mucus membrane of stomach and duodenum were the main causes to form the GI tract pathology for the mentioned patients.
Preventive maintenance of pyoinflammatory complications and cosmetic defects at appendectomy
Authors: Fomin S. A.
Published: April 2021

It is developed and takes root slanting pararektal mini-invasive access to a dome of a blind gut at sharp appenditcite. Indications for use of mini-access are certain. The technics of performance of operation is described. For an estimation of an operational trauma the comparative analysis of changes LII, dynamics leucocites, temperature reaction of an organism, level CRB and the CIC is lead. Advantages and lacks of the offered access are revealed. It is studied microbic contaminations a belly cavity, an operational wound before processing by antiseptics. The bacteriological method leads allocation from an operational wound of microorganisms and their identification on morphological, tinktorial, fermential and to antigenic properties. Efficiency of processing of an operational wound is estimated by various antiseptics. Duration of operation appendectomy from mini-access averaged 39,5 minutes, at traditional access — 46 minutes. Time of a finding of patients in a hospital with 8,75 till 6,1 days has decreased.
Cognitive disorders in multiple sclerosis: correlation between neuropsychological, neurophysiological and neuroimaging characteristics
Authors: Musina N. F.
Published: April 2021

Multiple sclerosis (MS) — autoimmune disease of CNS, characterized by myelin destruction and axonal damage. To study cognitive functions, the authors used the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the frontal assessment battery, the procedure developed by A.R. Luriya, neurophysiological characteristics. 71 patients were underwent magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of the study was to analyse the parameters of neuropsychological method, cognitive evoked potentials P300 and the role of brain atrophy in MS. The cognitive functions, the activity of the disease and the expression of brain atrophy are bound by the certain way.
Evaluation of a Sliding Window mechanism as DataAugmentation over Emotion Detection on Speech
Authors: Farias da Silva Matheus Almeida , De Carvalho Rafael Lima , Almeida Tiago da Silva
Published: April 2021

Emotion analysis is an important field of study, with many applications for security, financial, and politician. Despite beinga subjective branch of study, emotion analysis can be simulated by Machine Learning algorithms that are trained for this purpose, throughcataloged audio datasets, they can recognize patterns in these media that could be related to corresponding emotion. Neural NetworkAlgorithms are able to work on the recognition of these emotions, with a focus only on audio, known as Speech Emotion Recognition(SER). Neural Network Algorithms generally obtain unequal averages of referring results such as recognition of emotions when applied todifferent audio datasets. This research evaluates a Data Augmentation method called Slide Window, which generates more data samplesin order to increase the averages of classification rates. The method has been applied to three public datasets: EMO-DB, SAVEE, and RAVEDESS. The experiments have shown effectiveness in the increasing of the recognition rates of about to 11.95% on the EMO-DBbase, 22.76% on SAVEE, and 18.82% on RAVEDESS when compared to other approaches in the literature.
Optimal Nutritional Factors Influencing the Duration of Mechanical Ventilation among Critically ill Adults in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Koontalay Apinya , Suksatan Wanich , Prabsangob Kantapong
Published: April 2021

Background: Malnutrition is associated with a complication problem affecting critically ill patients throughout the trajectory of their illness and which may increase the duration of hospitalization and mechanical ventilation and mortality. To explore nutritional factors impact on the duration of mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients. Methods: In this single-center, prospective observational study in a critical care unit. The sample of the study consisting of a total of 100 critically ill patients who were included in the regression analyzed by purposive sampling, performed to address the research objectives. The data were collected for each patient who participated in the study for 2 consecutive days with SGA, Dyspnea assessment form, APACHE II, and time to initial EN on the 24 hours of hospital admitted and the daily calories target requirement on the seven days. Results: At the end of monitoring, the nutrition status, time to initial EN, and calories, target requirements were moderate positive statistically significant related to the duration of mechanical ventilation (R = 0.54, R = 0.30, R= 0.40, p < 0.05). However, age, the severity of illness, and dyspnea scales were not related to the duration of mechanical ventilation (p> 0.05). Therefore, nutrition status and calory target requirements could be a predictor of the duration of mechanical ventilation. The predictive power was 28.0 percent of variance (R2 = 0.28, p< 0.01). Conclusion: The finding supports which assessment of the nutritional status and calory target requirement within 7 days revealed with reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients.
Savouring as an Intervention to Decrease Negative Affect in Anxious Mothers of Children with Autism and Neurotypical Children
Authors: Pereira Ariel S. , Azhari Atiqah , Hong Chloe A. , Gaskin Gerin E. , Borelli Jessica , Esposito Gianluca
Published: April 2021

Savouring is an emotion regulation strategy and intervention that focuses on the process of attending, intensifying and prolonging positive experiences and positive affect associated with these memories. Personal savouring involves a reflection on positive memories that are specific to the individual and do not involve others. In contrast, relational savouring entails reflecting on instances when people were responsive to the needs of their significant others. Such interventions hold potential to benefit parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mothers of children with ASD tend to experience higher anxiety, lower positive affect (PA) and more negative affect (NA) compared to mothers of neurotypical children, leading to a diminished overall well-being. Moreover, ASD has multiplied by up to four times in the recent decade. Thus, this paper investigates whether savouring may enhance the overall well-being of mothers of young children with ASD by increasing positive affect and decreasing negative affect. 52 mothers of neurotypical children and 26 mothers of children with ASD aged 3-7 years old were given a series of questionnaires and randomly assigned to either relational savouring or personal savouring conditions. In relational savouring, mothers were asked to reflect upon a shared positive experience with their child while in the personal savouring condition, a personal positive experience was recalled. Across mothers of children with ASD and neurotypical children, findings suggest that savouring leads to a decrease in NA (p < .01) but not increases in PA. Similarly, mothers with higher levels of anxiety experience a greater decrease in NA (p < .001) compared to mothers with lower levels of anxiety post-savouring. This study proposes that a brief savouring intervention may be effective among mothers of preschoolers. As lower levels of negative affect is linked to healthier psychological well-being, mothers might be able to engage in more effective and warm parenting after savouring exercises, which would cultivate positive mother-child relationships that benefit their children in the long-term.
Prediction on Domestic Violence in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 Outbreak Using Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Hossain Md. Murad , Asadullah Md. , Rahaman Abidur , Miah Md Sipon , Hasan Md. Zahid , Paul Tonmay , Hossain Mohammad Amzad
Published: April 2021

In Southern Asia, Bangladesh is a well-known developing country. Because of COVID-19, we continuously face challenges. Not only can these issues occur beyond economic or health concerns, but they also generate dangerous social problems, such as family abuse. Since the inception of this epidemic, multiple social crimes are looming. Remaining home during the lockout period enhances divorce rates. This research presents a customized forecast of family violence during the COVID-19 outbreak by using machine learning methods. In this paper, we have applied Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and Naive Bayes machine learning classifiers to predict family violence and discovered the feature importance. The performance of the classifiers is evaluated based on accuracy, precision, recall, and F-score. We have employed an oversampling strategy named synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) to solve the imbalance problem of our data. Even, we have tried to compare three machine learning model performances before and after balancing of normalization data. Finally, ROC analyses and confusion matrices were developed and analyzed by using data augmentation. Our proposed system with the random forest classifier performed better with 77% accuracy in comparison with other two machine learning classifiers.
The Clampdown Effect: On The Expulsion of Super-Intelligence
Authors: Bhattacharjee Deep
Published: April 2021

There exists an implicit potential limitation in every physical discoveries that has been implemented and understood. However, the limitations can be bounded within a safe limit to prevent any constructing theory to be free from errors. As, it’s the inert nature of the humans, to go far beyond the scope of experimental findings in order to pursue any studies with the sole help of logical reasoning and mathematics, the argument can be prevailed in the form of WEAK Clampdown Effect & STRONG Clampdown Effect. More, the theories are constructed out of physical nature, more the theory gets hypothetical without any finding evidence, but that does or doesn’t actually justify the phenomenon, that too with the more increment of KARDASHEV Scale, more moderate ways of experimentation got developed curbing down the limitations within the human limit of ‘ERRORS’, that does can be neglected by approximation. Relationship being cross-judgmental on the basis of the computational limits and calculation accuracy, leading to a soft singularity, as a warning, that if computer powers cannot be checked on the basis of error approximations, then this may lead to the hitting of a hard singularity, that in phase with the forbidden gap (or after the optimum limit that arises at the core constraints of nature) to prevent the computation being carried off with respect to super-intelligence machines that are cognitive capability oriented future computers responsible for self growth & reproduction with more improvement algorithm, restricting all forms of humanity & constraints the human growth by virtue of limiting capacities of the humans as compared to computers.
The Obverse/Reverse Pavilion: An Example of Form-Finding With Isogeometric Analysis in the Design of Temporary, Low-Cost and Eco-Friendly Structure
Authors: Łątka Jerzy F. , Święciak Michał
Published: April 2021

Temporary pavilions play an important role as experimental fields for architects, designers and engineers, apart from providing exhibition spaces. Novel structural and formal solutions applied in pavilions also can give them unusual appearance that attracts eyesight of spectators. In this article authors explore the possibility of combination of structural novelty, visual attractiveness and low-cost by a design and construction of a temporary pavilion. For that purpose, an innovative structural system and design approach was applied, i.e. membrane structure designed in Rhino and Grasshopper environments with the use of Kiwi!3D IsoGeometric analysis tool. The designed pavilion, named Obverse/Reverse, was built in Opole, Poland, for the occasion of World Architecture Day in July 2019. Design and construction was performed by the authors in cooperation with students’ organisation Humanisation of Urban Environment from the Faculty of Architecture Wroclaw University of Science and Technology. The Rresultant pavilion proved the possibility of obtaining a low-budgets but visually attractive architectural solution with the adaption of parametrical design tools and some scientific background with innovative structural systems.
PBRM1 Cooperates with YTHDF2 to Control HIF-1Alpha Protein Translation
Authors: Shmakova Alena , Frost Mark , Kenneth Niall S , Rocha Sonia
Published: April 2021

PBRM1, a component of the chromatin remodeller SWI/SNF, is often deleted or mutated in human cancers, most prominently in renal cancers. Core components of the SWI/SNF complex have been shown to be important for the cellular response to hypoxia. Here we investigated how PBRM1 controls HIF-1alpha activity. We find that PBRM1 is required for HIF-1alpha transcriptional activity and protein levels. Mechanistically, PBRM1 is important for HIF-1alpha mRNA translation, as absence of PBRM1 results in reduced activly transalting HIF-1alpha mRNA. Interestingly, we find that PBRM1, but not BRG1, interacts with the m6A reader protein YTHDF2. HIF-1alpha mRNA is m6A modified, bound by PBRM1 and YTHDF2. PBRM1 is necessary for YTHDF2 binding to HIF-1alpha mRNA and reduction of YTHDF2 results in reduced HIF-1alpha protein expression in cells. Our results identify a SWI/SNF independent function for PBRM1, interacting with HIF-1alpha mRNA and the epitranscriptome machinery. Furthermore, our results suggests that the epitranscriptome associated proteins play a role in the control of hypoxia signalling pathways
Bilateral Tempered Fractional Derivatives
Authors: Ortigueira Manuel D. , Bengochea Gabriel
Published: April 2021

The bilateral tempered fractional derivatives are introduced generalising previous works on the one-sided tempered fractional derivatives and the two-sided fractional derivatives. An analysis of the tempered Riesz potential is done and showed that it cannot be considered as a derivative.
An Uniform Model for Dark Matter and Dark Energy
Authors: Izmaïlov George N.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, after reviewing some of the most important concepts about Dark Matter and methods of its registration, in particular by using SQUIDs, a toy uniform model for Dark Matter and Dark Energy is proposed. In the frame of the model Dark Matter particles is interpreted as an excitation of Dark Energy field. The devices based on SQUID, in particular the SQUID-paramagnetic absorber and the SQUID-magnetostrictor systems, both suitable for investigations of above problems, are considered. Estimates, is carried out within this model, indicate the possibility of experimental detection of the "ether wind" pressure, created by the non-corpuscular incoming flow, corresponding to the galactic orbital motion of the Earth.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy of Mobile-linked Point-of-Care Diagnostics in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Osei Ernest , Nkambule Sphamandla Josias , Vezi Portia Nelisiwe , Mashamba-Thompson Tivani P.
Published: April 2021

Mobile health devices are emerging applications that could help deliver point-of-care (POC) diagnosis, particularly in settings with limited laboratory infrastructure, such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The advent of coronavirus has resulted in an increased deployment and use of mHealth-linked POC diagnostics in SSA. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of mobile-linked point-of-care diagnostics in SSA. Our systematic review and meta-analysis were guided by the Preferred Reporting Items requirements for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). We exhaustively searched PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and CINAHL with full-text via EBSCOhost databases from mHealth inception to March 2021. The statistical analyses were conducted using OpenMeta-Analyst software. All 11 included studies were considered for the meta-analysis. The included studies focused on malaria infections, Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma mansoni, soil-transmitted helminths, and trichuris trichiura. The pooled summary of sensitivity and specificity estimates were moderate compared to the gold reference standard. The overall pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio of mobile-linked POC diagnostic devices were as follows: 0.499 (95% CI: 0.458-0.541); 0.535 (95% CI: 0.401-0.663); 0.952 (95% CI: 0.60-1.324); 1.381 (95% CI: 0.391-4.879); and 0.944 (95% CI: 0.579-1.538), respectively. Evidence shows that mobile-linked POC diagnostics' diagnostic accuracy is presently moderate in detecting infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Future research is recommended to evaluate mHealth devices' diagnostics with excellent sensitivities and specificities in diagnosing diseases in this setting.
Chromosome and Molecular Analyses Reveal Significant Intraspecific Karyotype Diversity and Provide New Evidence on the Origin of Tetraploid Grass Aegilops columnaris
Authors: Badaeva Ekaterina D. , Chikida Nadezhda N. , Fisenko Andrey N. , Surzhikov Sergei A. , Belousova Maria Kh. , Özkan Hakan , Dragovich Alexandra Yu , Kochieva Elena Z.
Published: April 2021

Aegilops columnaris Zhuk. is tetraploid grass species (2n=4x=28, UcUcXcXc) closely related to Ae. neglecta and growing in Western Asia and a western part of the Fertile Crescent. Genetic diversity of Ae. columnaris was assessed using C-banding, FISH, nuclear and chloroplast (cp)DNA analyses, and gliadin electrophoresis. Cytogenetically Ae. columnaris was subdivided into two groups, C-I and C-II, showing different karyotype structure, C-banding and FISH patterns. Group C-I was more similar to Ae. neglecta. All types of markers revealed significant heterogeneity of the C-II group, although group C-I was also polymorphic. Two chromosomal groups were consistent with plastogroups identified in a current study based on sequencing of three chloroplast intergenic spacer regions. The similarity of group C-I of Ae. columnaris with Ae. neglecta and their distinctness from C-II indicate that divergence of the C-I group was associated with minor genome modifications. Group C-II could emerge from C-I relatively recently, probably due to introgression from another Aegilops species followed by a reorganization of the parental genomes. Most C-II accessions were collected from the very narrow geographic region, and they might originate from a common ancestor. We suggest that the C-II group is at the initial stage of species divergence and undergoing an extensive speciation process.
Some New Models of Strange Stars in 5-D Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet Gravity
Authors: Malaver Manuel , Daei Kasmaei Hamed
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we present some new models for anisotropic compact stars within the framework of 5-dimensional Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) gravity with a linear and nonlinear equation of state considering a metric potential proposed for Thirukkanesh and Ragel (2012) and generalized for Malaver (2014). The new obtained models satisfy all physical requirements of a physically reasonable stellar object. Variables as energy density, radial pressure and the anisotropy are dependent of the values of the Gauss-Bonnet coupling constant
Quality Measures to Deliver Safe, High-Quality Care on Hand Surgery Outreach Trips to Low and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Shapiro Lauren M. ,   the Global Quality in Upper Extremity Surgery and Training (Global QUEST) Investigators
Published: April 2021

Background:

The burden of hand surgery in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is immense and growing. Although outreach trips to LMICs have been increasing, there has remained a gap regarding assessment of quality of care on outreach trips. We developed quality measures to assess hand surgery outreach trips to LMICs.

Methods:

We followed the recommendations set forth by the World Health Organization for practice guideline development. We used the results of a systematic review to inform the development of quality measures. Eight hand and upper-extremity surgeons with extensive global outreach experience (mean surgical outreach experience of >15 years, completed >3,000 surgeries in 24 countries) completed a modified RAND/UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) Delphi process to evaluate the importance, the feasibility, the usability, and the scientific acceptability of 83 measures. Validity was defined according to established methods.

Results:

A tiering system that was based on the resources available at an outreach site (essential, intermediate, and advanced) was developed to classify the application of the measures since care delivery in LMICs often is constrained by local resources. Twenty-two (27%) of 83 measures were validated. All 22 (100%) were classified as essential (e.g., availability of interpretation services for the visiting team); no measures that were classified as intermediate or advanced were validated.

Conclusions:

Field-testing and implementation of quality measures served to identify the safety and the quality of hand surgical care that was provided on outreach trips to LMICs and inform improvement efforts. Tiers of care can be applied to quality measures to incorporate resource and capacity limitations when assessing their performance.

Clinical Relevance:

Ensuring safety and high-quality care on hand surgical outreach trips to LMICs is foundational to all participating organizations and physicians. Valid quality measures can be implemented by organizations undertaking outreach trips to LMICs.
Practice Patterns and Pain Outcomes for Targeted Muscle Reinnervation
Authors: Hoyt Benjamin W. , Gibson Jeffery A. , Potter Benjamin K. , Souza Jason M.
Published: April 2021

Background:

Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) and regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) procedures have been shown to improve patient-reported outcomes for the treatment of symptomatic neuromas after amputation; however, the specific indications and comparative outcomes of each are unclear. The primary research questions were what complement of nerves most frequently requires secondary pain intervention after conventional amputation, whether this information can guide the focused application of TMR and RPNI to the primary amputation setting, and how the outcomes compare in both settings.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective review of records for patients who had undergone lower-extremity TMR and/or RPNI at our institution. Eighty-seven procedures were performed: 59 for the secondary treatment of symptomatic neuroma pain after amputation and 28 for primary prophylaxis during amputation. We reviewed records for the amputation level, TMR and/or RPNI timing, pain scores, patient-reported resolution of nerve-related symptoms, and complications or revisions. We evaluated the relationship between the amputation level and the frequency with which each transected nerve required neurologic intervention for pain symptoms.

Results:

The mean pain score decreased after delayed TMR or RPNI procedures from 4.3 points to 1.7 points (p < 0.001), and the mean final pain score (and standard deviation) was 1.0 ± 1.9 points at the time of follow-up for acute procedures. Symptom resolution was achieved in 92% of patients. The sciatic nerve most commonly required intervention for symptomatic neuroma above the knee, and the tibial nerve and common or superficial peroneal nerve were most problematic following transtibial amputation. None of our patients required a revision pain treatment procedure after primary TMR targeting these commonly symptomatic nerves. Failure to address the tibial nerve during a delayed procedure was associated with an increased risk of unsuccessful TMR, resulting in a revision surgical procedure (odds ratio, 26 [95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 368]; p = 0.02).

Conclusions:

There is a consistent pattern of symptomatic nerves that require secondary surgical intervention for the management of pain after amputation. TMR and RPNI were translated to the primary amputation setting by using this predictable pattern to devise a surgical strategy that prevents symptomatic neuroma pain.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Pediatric Scaphoid Fracture Associated with Osteopetrosis
Authors: Chaudhry Sonia , Jorgensen Anna , Pasternack Jordan
Published: April 2021

Case:

A 12-year-old boy with osteopetrosis sustained a scaphoid waist fracture, which has not previously been reported with this condition. Healing was successfully achieved with percutaneous cannulated compression screw fixation, albeit with prolonged healing as is typical for this condition.

Conclusion:

A lack of osteoclastic remodeling predisposes patients with osteopetrosis to fractures, commonly in long bones. Increased risks of infection, anesthesia, and broken hardware along with limited ability to compress bone may discourage operative management. Internal fixation should still be considered in select cases to limit displacement while allowing early range of motion.
ANTISPERMATOGENIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CALINA PAPAYA LEAVES ON SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES WISTAR RATS
Authors: Setiawan Haris , Wulandari Sri Wijayanti , Agustina Erlita Devi
Published: April 2021

Indonesia is a country with high birth rate and the rate continues to increase each year. Methods to reduce high birth rate are needed, especially herbal based contraceptives. This research aims to study the possibility of Calina papaya leaf ethanolic extract as an antispermatogenic agent which hopefully could be expanded into natural antifertiliy drug candidate. Research was done using 24 white male Wistar rats divided into four groups. Dosages were given as follows: 0 mg/Kg W (control group), 100 mg/Kg W (P1), 200 mg/Kg W (P2) and 300 mg/Kg W (P3). Treatment was given in 30 days period. Rats were sacrificed on Day 31 and the testes were taken. Testes were then made into histological specimen using paraffin block and stained using Haematoxylin-Eosin. The diameter and surface area of seminiferous tubules, lumen surface area, and spermatogenesis index were then observed. Results showed that there is a significant difference (p0.05) on lumen surface area and spermatogenesis index between control and treatment groups. It is also found that the optimum dosage given to attain the desirable effect is 300 mg/Kg W. There is no significant difference found on surface area and diameter of tubulus seminiferous between control and treatment group (p0.05). Based on the results, papaya leaf (Calina variety) ethanolic extract has the potential a natural antispermatogenic with the optimum dose of 300 mg/Kg W.
Reservoir Simulation: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Watts J. W.
Published: April 2021

Reservoir simulation is a mature technology, and nearly all major reservoir development decisions are based in some way on simulation results. Despite this maturity, the technology is changing rapidly. It is important for both providers and users of reservoir simulation software to understand where this change is leading. This paper takes a long-term view of reservoir simulation, describing where it has been and where it is now. It closes with a prediction of what the reservoir simulation state of the art will be in 2007 and speculation regarding certain aspects of simulation in 2017.

Introduction

Today, input from reservoir simulation is used in nearly all major reservoir development decisions. This has come about in part through technology improvements that make it easier to simulate reservoirs on one hand and possible to simulate them more realistically on the other; however, although reservoir simulation has come a long way from its beginnings in the 1950's, substantial further improvement is needed, and this is stimulating continual change in how simulation is performed.

Given that this change is occurring, both developers and users of simulation have an interest in understanding where it is leading. Obviously, developers of new simulation capabilities need this understanding in order to keep their products relevant and competitive. However, people that use simulation also need this understanding; how else can they be confident that the organizations that provide their simulators are keeping up with advancing technology and moving in the right direction?

In order to understand where we are going, it is helpful to know where we have been. Thus, this paper begins with a discussion of historical developments in reservoir simulation. Then it briefly describes the current state of the art in terms of how simulation is performed today. Finally, it closes with some general predictions.
Seasonal patterns and related microclimatic drivers of soil inorganic nitrogen in an urban montane cloud forest
Authors: Dominguez-Eusebio Carlo Alberto , Briones Oscar Luis , Perroni Yareni
Published: April 2021

Understanding the matter and energy dynamics in environments with strong human influence is essential since it allows us to know relevant ecological drivers in urban green land areas. It has been hypothesized that biogeochemical cycles in urban forests are more open (susceptible to nutrients soil losses) with respect to rural forests near cities. However, it is not clear if this ecosystem function occurs in the same way in systems from different latitudes. Soil nutrient dynamics and microclimatic conditions of an urban and a nearby rural montane cloud forest were registered from January 2016 to July 2017. Our objective was to compare edaphic and micro-climatic factors that drive soil inorganic N dynamics in these forests. Climate was slightly cooler and drier, and soil C, N, P and organic matter were lower in the urban than the rural forest. Seasonal soil inorganic N forms were related to above ground conditions in the urban forest, but to the belowground conditions in the rural forest. Consistently low NH4:NO3 ratio indicated high susceptibility to N soil loss in the urban forest. Our results support the hypothesis that urban cloud forests are functioning as open ecosystems in contrast to the rural forests.
Outcome Measures in Solid Organ Donor Management Research - a Systematic Review
Authors: Bera Kasia D , Shah Akshay , English  , Ploeg RJ
Published: April 2021

BackgroundTo systematically review published outcome measures across randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of donor management interventions. MethodsThe systematic review was conducted in accordance with recommendations by the Cochrane Handbook and PRISMA statement. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science as well as trial databases from 1980 to February 2021 for RCTs of donor management interventions. ResultsTwenty-two RCTs (n = 3432 donors) were included in our analysis. Fourteen RCTs (63.6%) reported a primary outcome relating to a single organ only. Eight RCTs primarily focused on aspects of donor optimisation in critical care. Thyroid hormones and methylprednisolone were the most commonly evaluated interventions (five and four studies, respectively). Only two studies, focusing on single organs (e.g. kidney), evaluated outcomes relating to other organs. The majority of studies evaluated physiological or biomarker-related outcomes. No study evaluated recipient health-related quality of life. Only one study sought consent from potential organ recipients. ConclusionsThe majority of RCTs evaluating donor management interventions only assessed single organ outcomes or effects on donor stability in critical care. There is a need for an evaluation of patient-centred recipient outcomes, and standardisation and reporting of outcome measures for future donor management RCTs. PROSPERO Registration CRD42018109487
Assessing the efficiency of COVID-19 NPIs in France: a retrospective study using a novel methodology
Authors: Lansiaux Edouard , Caut Jean-Luc , Forget Joachim , Pébaÿ Philippe P.
Published: April 2021

After an initial phase of low reactivity from the French public health authorities, in the face of the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in February 2020, various Non Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) were put in place (strict stay-at-home orders, followed by mandatory mask wearing in public places, curfews, partial lockdowns, etc.). In our knowledge, no study has independently assessed their respective effectiveness in an independent manner nor a synergistic manner. Our study has retrospectively studied (from 03/01/2020 to 30/01/2021), using metropolitan France data, the association strength (using normalized mutual information) as well as the linear correlation (using Pearson’s correlation) between more restrictive NPIs (mrNPIs) and epidemiological markers of COVID-19. All mrNPIs were moderately associated with a viral reproduction rate decrease but were associated neither with a decrease in COVID-19 daily hospitalizations, nor with COVID-19 daily ICU admissions. This paper is only for academic discussion, conclusions need to be confirmed by further research. Data and codes were available here http://gitlab.com/covid-data-2/lockdown-and-curfew.
Serum zinc and dietary intake of zinc in relation to risk of different breast cancer subgroups and serum levels as a marker of intake: A prospective nested case-control study
Authors: Bengtsson Ylva , Sandsveden Malte , Borgquist Signe , Manjer Jonas
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Zinc has been suggested to be protective against breast cancer, but the evidence remains inconclusive. One reason for inconsistent findings in previous studies may be that zinc only influences the risk of developing certain subtypes of breast cancer. Our study is the first study assessing zinc levels in relation to the risk of different breast cancer subgroups, defined by their tumor characteristics. In addition, we analyze serum zinc as a marker of dietary intake.

Methods

The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study is a population-based cohort study that took place 1991-1996 in Malmö, Sweden. Until end of follow-up, 31 December 2013, 1186 incident cases were identified and matched to an equal number of controls. Odds ratios (ORs) for breast cancer, and having a certain tumor characteristic, were estimated in quartiles of baseline serum zinc and zinc intake and adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

No associations were found between zinc, measured in serum or diet pre-diagnostically, and breast cancer risk. The adjusted OR for breast cancer in serum zinc Q4 compared to Q1 was 1.09 (0.85-1.41) and in zinc intake Q4 versus Q1 was 0.97 (0.77-1.23). Moreover, there were no clear associations between zinc and any breast cancer characteristics. The kappa value, 0.025 (P=0.022), showed poor agreement between serum zinc and zinc intake.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that there is no clear association between zinc and overall breast cancer risk or risk of different breast cancer subgroups. Finally, our results suggest that serum zinc is a poor marker of zinc intake.
Ecological Footprint, Public-Private Partnership Investment in Energy and Financial Development in Brazil: A Gradual Shift Causality Approach
Authors: Akinsola Gbenga Daniel , Awosusi Abraham Ayobamiji , Kirikkaleli Dervis , Umarbeyli Sukru , Adeshola Ibrahim , Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday
Published: April 2021

The present study aims to close this gap in the literature by exploring the effect of public-private partnerships in energy and financial development on Brazil’s ecological footprint by considering the impact of renewable energy and economic growth using data spanning from 1983 to 2017. The study utilized several techniques such as ARDL, FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR to examine the relationship between ecological footprint and the determinants, while the Gradual shift causality test was utilized to capture the causal linkage between the series in the presence of structural break. The outcome of the Maki Cointegration test revealed evidence of a long-run association among the variables of interest. Furthermore, the results of the ARDL, FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR tests revealed that economic growth and public and private investment in energy increase environmental degradation while both renewable energy and financial development mitigates it. Moreover, the Gradual shift causality test revealed a bidirectional causal linkage between ecological footprint and economic growth. The present study recommends establishing a forum that will foster public and private partnerships to enhance communication, which will create collaboration for new initiatives for green technological innovations. Additionally, the financial market can be assisted by the government by formulating a framework that would promote low carbon technology development.
Comparison of spatial interpolation methods for estimating the precipitation distribution in Portugal
Authors: Antal Alexandru , Guerreiro Pedro M. P. , Cheval Sorin
Published: April 2021

Precipitation has a strong and constant impact on different economic sectors, environment, and social activities all over the world. An increasing interest for monitoring and estimating the precipitation characteristics can be claimed in the last decades. However, in some areas the ground-based network is still sparse and the spatial data coverage insufficiently addresses the needs. In the last decades, different interpolation methods provide an efficient response for describing the spatial distribution of precipitation. In this study, we compare the performance of seven interpolation methods used for retrieving the mean annual precipitation over the mainland Portugal, as follows: local polynomial interpolation (LPI), global polynomial interpolation (GPI), radial basis function (RBF), inverse distance weighted (IDW), ordinary cokriging (OCK), universal cokriging (UCK) and empirical Bayesian kriging regression (EBKR). We generate the mean annual precipitation distribution using data from 128 rain gauge stations covering the period 1991 to 2000. The interpolation results were evaluated using cross-validation techniques and the performance of each method was evaluated using mean error (ME), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) and Taylor diagram. The results indicate that EBKR performs the best spatial distribution. In order to determine the accuracy of spatial distribution generated by the spatial interpolation methods, we calculate the prediction standard error (PSE). The PSE result of EBKR prediction over mainland Portugal increases form south to north.
Geometrically Weighted Direction of Arrival Estimation Method for Small Scale Square Array
Authors: Yetiş Suat , TAMER Özgür
Published: April 2021

In this work, a combined direction-of-arrival (DoA) estimation method for a four element square array is presented. A four element array is a very small planar array and estimation performance with ordinary DoA estimation techniques is considerably low. Main goal in this work is to improve the estimation performance of such an array by estimating the DoA with different geometrical configurations of the array elements and combine the results to evaluate the resulting DoA estimation. The geometrical structures employed are based on the circular, L shaped and linear configurations of the array elements. Performances of the geometries are evaluated and a combining filter based on the weighted results of the geometries is generated. The weighted results evaluated at the output of the filter are superior when compared with individual results of each of the geometries.