bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Target Registration Errors in Navigation-assisted Mandibular Surgery According to the Tracking Methods and the Type of Markers
Authors: Kang Hee-Guen , Kang Sang-Hoon , Son Young-Don , Kim Hang-Keun
Published: August 2020

Background:

This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of navigation process according to the type of tracking methods and registration markers. The target registration errors (TREs) were measured at seven anatomical landmarks of the mandible for evaluation.
Methods:

Four different experiments were performed to obtain the TREs using two different tracking methods, the optical tracker (Polaris) and the electromagnetic (EM) tracker (Aurora), and two different types of registration markers, invasive and noninvasive markers. All comparisons of TREs were statistically analyzed using SPSS and Python-based statistical package (Pingouin).
Results:

The average TRE values obtained from the four different experiments were as follows: 1) 0.85 mm using invasive marker and Aurora, 2) 1.06 mm using invasive marker and Polaris, 3) 1.43 mm using noninvasive marker and Aurora, and 4) 1.57 mm using noninvasive marker and Polaris. All comparisons among the type of markers and the seven anatomical landmarks revealed statistically significant differences, except for the type of tracking system. Although the comparison between the modality of the tracking system showed no significant differences, the EM-based approach consistently demonstrated better performances than the optical type in all comparisons.
Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that, irrespective of the tracking modality, the invasive marker is a better choice in terms of accuracy. When using the noninvasive marker, it is important to consider the increased TREs. In the present study, the noninvasive marker caused a maximum increment of TREs of approximately 0.81 mm compared with the invasive marker. Furthermore, EM-based tracking using an invasive marker may result in the best accuracy for the mandible.
Angiotensin-(1-7) oral formulation improves physical performance in mountain bike athletes: a double-blinded crossover study
Authors: Moura Samara Silva de , Mendes Adália Táci Pereira , Martins-Júnior Francisco de Assis Dias , Totou Nádia Lúcia , Coelho Daniel Barbosa , Oliveira Emerson Cruz de , Motta-Santos Daisy , Santos Robson Augusto Souza dos , Becker Lenice Kappes
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study examined the effects of HPβ-CD-Ang-(1–7) oral supplement on performance of mountain bike (MTB) athletes.
Methods

Fourteen recreational athletes, involved in training programs for at least one year, participated in this crossover design study. Subjects underwent two days of testing with a seven-day interval. HPβ-CD-Ang-(1–7) (1.75 mg) and HPβCD-Placebo were provided in capsules three hours prior to tests. To determine the safety of the HPβ-CD-Ang-(1–7) formulation associated with physical effort, cardiovascular parameters heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were analyzed. Physical performance was measured using maximal oxygen uptake (VO2), total exercise time (TET), mechanical work (MW), mechanical efficiency (ME), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Respiratory exchange coefficient (REC), lactate and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) were measured. Maximal incremental tests were performed on a progressively loaded leg cycle ergometer.
Results

There were no significant differences in terms of HR or BP at rest and maximum effort between the Ang-(1–7) and placebo groups. The VO2max showed significant differences (p = 0.04). It was higher in the Ang-(1–7)condition (66.15 ml/kg/min) compared to the placebo (60.72 ml/kg/min). This was also observed for TET (Ang-(1–7) 39.10 min vs. placebo 38.14 min; p = 0.04), MW (Ang-(1–7) 156.7 vs. placebo 148.2; p = 0.04), and at the lowest RPE (Ang-(1–7) vs. placebo; p = 0.009). No significant differences were observed for REC, NEFAs, or Lactate.
Conclusion

These results suggest that HPβ-CD-Ang-(1–7) improves the physical performance of MTB recreational athletes and could be a promising supplement.
A case-control study of childhood trauma and recent adverse life events in the development of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Dong Zhiyu , Wang Xiaomei , Xuan Liqian , Wang Junwen , Zhan Tingting , Chen Ying , Xu Shuchang
Published: August 2020

Background: Childhood trauma has been found to be associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adulthood, whereas whether recent adverse life events affect the effect of childhood trauma on IBS is still poorly understood.Methods: 56 IBS and 50 healthy controls were enrolled. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Life Event Scale, IBS – Quality Of Life (IBS-QOL), IBS – Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) and MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were completed in IBS patients and healthy controls. The logistic regression model, correlation analysis and student t-test were used to investigate the relationship among childhood trauma, recent adverse life events and IBS.Results: Gender, emotional abuse and recent adverse life events were independent predictors for IBS in adulthood. The overall CTQ was highly correlated with IBS-QOL and mental component summary in SF-36, but was moderately and weakly correlated with IBS-SSS and physical component summary in SF-36 respectively. The similar correlation of overall CTQ with IBS-QOL, physical component summary and mental component summary was found in both subgroups stratified by recent adverse life events. However, the correlation between overall CTQ and IBS-SSS was blunted in IBS patients with recent adverse life events. There was no significant difference on severity of symptoms and life quality between IBS patients who had experience of childhood trauma with or without recent adverse life events.Conclusions Female gender, emotional abuse and recent adverse life events were associated with a higher prevelance of IBS in adulthood. Childhood trauma might enhence severity of symptoms and worsen quality of life in IBS patients. However, recent adverse life events might dilute this correlation of childhood trauma with severity of symptoms, but not stengthen the effect of childhood trauma on symptoms.
Connecting the Dots: Behavioral State Resource Selection in Wild Pigs in the Southeast United States
Authors: Clontz Lindsay , Pepin Kim M. , VerCauteren Kurt C. , Beasley James C.
Published: August 2020

Background

Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are behavioral generalists that have the potential to alter ecosystems across broad spatial scales. Elucidating the correlation between wild pig behavior and landscape attributes can aid in the advancement of management strategies for controlling populations.
Methods

Using GPS data from 49 wild pigs in the southeastern U.S., we used movement characteristics to distinguish and define behaviors and explore the connection between these behaviors and resource selection for both females and males between two distinct seasons based on forage availability. We extracted three biologically relevant behaviors of wild pigs from our movement data using hidden Markov models, which we inferred to represent resting, foraging, and traveling behavioral states. We then used multi-scale resource selection functions to quantify resource selection at the population and home-range scales for each behavioral state.
Results

Females demonstrated a crepuscular movement pattern in the high-forage season and a variable pattern in the low-forage season, with increased traveling and foraging activity during the daytime and evening hours, while males consistently demonstrated a nocturnal pattern across both seasons. At the population scale, wild pigs selected for forest vegetation types (i.e., upland pines, upland hardwoods, bottomland hardwoods) in both the low- and high-forage seasons, likely reflecting their ubiquitous establishment throughout the landscape. At the home-range scale, wild pigs selected for bottomland hardwoods and dense canopy cover in all behavioral states. In addition, males demonstrated selection for a variety of vegetation types while foraging in the low-forage season compared to the high-forage season and demonstrated an increased use of linear anthropogenic features (e.g., roads) across seasons while traveling.
Conclusions

Our results demonstrate male and female pigs exhibit clear differences in movement behavior. Further, although wild pigs can establish populations and home ranges in an array of landscapes and habitat types, there are key resources associated with common behaviors they select consistently at a fine scale that can be targeted in conservation and management programs across their invasive range.
Free Radical Conservation and Quantitative Research on Radiation Effects
Authors: Xia Hezhou , Wang Shaohua , Qiu Jianhui , Liao Tao , Chen Yuxia , Chen Mingli
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this article is to quantitatively study the influence of direct and indirect action on the radiation effect and its production mechanism. As the indirect action of radiation effects is triggered by the radiolysis of free water molecules, the free radical conservation equation for the same radiation effect is deduced by the definition and theoretical analysis of the radiation effects of microbial cells and biologically active macromolecules with different water contents. Through the free radicals conservation equation, these values were quantitatively calculated with different water contents, which were the D37 value of microbial cells or biological macromolecules, the proportion of direct action and indirect action, the influence on the target volume and number of targets, and the influence on radiation effects. These quantitative calculation results from the free radical conservation equation show that as the water content increases from 0, the radiation sensitivity of RNase and DNA molecules continues to increase, the direct actions gradually decrease, and the indirect actions continue to increase. The quantitative calculation value of D37 decreases with the increase of water content, and the quantitative calculation value of RNase target volume increases with the increase of water content. These quantitative calculation results are completely consistent with the theories and research results of radiation chemistry and radiation biology, fully revealing that the free radical conservation equation is in accordance with objective reality and is scientifically effective. It has laid a scientific theoretical foundation for the quantitative research and application of radiation effects in the future.
Retesting Positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Recovered COVID-19 Patients Reveals Low Levels of Non-Replicating Virus
Authors: Liotti Flora Marzia , Menchinelli Giulia , Marchetti Simona , Ricci Rosalba , Posteraro Brunella , Landi Francesco , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Cattani Paola
Published: August 2020

Background: The follow-up of COVID-19 recovered patients is especially important to assess their infectivity and/or transmissibility statuses in order to maximize the COVID-19 management and containment. The aim of this study was to determine both total (genomic) and replicative (sub-genomic) SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels in nasal/oropharyngeal swab (NOS) samples from patients at follow-up times after COVID-19 recovering. Materials/methods: We tested 176 NOS samples of COVID-19 recovered patients who were followed up at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS in Rome from 21 April to 18 June 2020, according to our COVID-19 care protocol. The RT-PCR tests were performed using the Allplex™ 2019-nCoV and the Quanty COVID-19 assays (for total RNA detection and quantification, respectively) and an in-house assay (for replicative RNA detection). Results: Of 176 NOS samples studied, 32 (18.2%) tested positive for total RNA, with CT values ranging from 29.3 to 38.8 for E, RdRP, and N genes (9 samples), 32.2 to 39.3 for RdRP and N genes (7 samples) or 35.8 to 39.8 for the N gene (16 samples). Consistently, viral loads ranged from 1.6 × 101 to 1.3 × 104 RNA copies/mL. Interestingly, we found replicative RNA in only one of 32 positive samples based on the presence of E-gene sub-genomic RNA (CT value of 39.1). The CT value (29.3) of E-gene genomic RNA in this sample was the lowest among the CT values of all 9 samples in which the E gene was detected. Testing samples obtained from the 32 patients at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis showed that the CT values ranged from 17.1 to 38.1 for E, RdRP, and N genes. Of note, the mean CT value of E-gene sub-genomic RNA (34.9) in these samples differed of 9.0 ± 2.8 from the mean CT value of E-gene genomic RNA (25.9). Finally, all but one of the 32 patients had positive serology results against SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: Our findings show that at least a proportion of COVID-19 recovered patients were still positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, despite to a lower extent, and that only a minority of them was likely to have actively replicating virus in the upper respiratory tract.
Determinants of Adequate Response of Patient Undergoing Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass Surgery
Authors: Silva Thales Philipe Rodrigues , Silva Flávia Moraes , Mendes Larissa Loures , D'assunção Alexandra Dias Moreira , Araujo Lauro Pinheiro Ferreira de , Matozinhos Isabela Penido , Lachtim Sheila Aparecida Ferreira , Andrade Roberto Guimarães Cabezas , Matozinhos Fernanda Penido
Published: August 2020

INTRODUCTION: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) is known to induce, on average,60 to 75% excess body weight loss between 18 and 24 months post-surgery. However, several studies have shown weight regain after two years post-surgery, thus patients must have adequate follow-up in order to guarantee and/or maintain response to RYGB. AIM: To evaluate the determinants of adequate response in patients who underwent RYGB. METHODS: A longitudinal study with 193 adults who underwent RYGB between 2012 and 2014. Adequate response to RYGB was determined by Excess Weight Loss (%EWL). Logistic regression models were constructed to verify the degree of association between adequate response of patient after RYGB and determinants of variable risk based on estimate Odds Ratios (OR). RESULTS: RYGB improves Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and body mass index (BMI). From the multivariate logistic regression model, being female and not having SAH and DM reduce the chance of inadequate RYGB response. Regarding preoperative BMI, an increase in one unit of kg/m2 was associated with increased odds of inadequate response after RYGB. And patients who did not receive follow-up care with a psychologist or psychiatrist in the postoperative period presented higher odds of inadequate response to RYGB. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study contribute to the effective planning of interventions by multi-professional teams involved in RYGB, aimed at offering a better follow-up care focused mainly on post-surgery changes and adequate RYGB response.
Determinants of Intraocular Pressure and time to blindness for Glaucoma patients at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Bar, Ethiopia; A Comparison of Separate and Joint Models
Authors: Muluneh Mitiku Wale , Tegegne Awoke Seyoum
Published: August 2020

Background

Due to the substantial increase in the number of glaucoma cases within the next several decades, glaucoma is a significant public health issue. The main objective of this study was to investigate determinants for the variation of intraocular pressure and time to blindness of glaucoma patients under treatment at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Materials and Method

A retrospective cohort study design was conducted on 328 randomly selected glaucoma patients in ophthalmology clinic at the hospital under the follow-up period from January 2014 up to December 2018. A linear mixed effects model for intraocular data, a semi-parametric survival model for the time-to-blindness data and joint modeling of the two responses were used for data analysis.
Result

The comparison of joint and separate models revealed that joint model was more adequate and efficient inferences because of its smaller standard errors in parameter estimations. This was also approved using AIC, BIC and based on a significant likelihood ratio test as well. The estimated association parameter (α) in the joint model was 0.0160 and statistically significant (p - value = 0.0349). This indicated that there was strong evidence for positive association between the effects of intraocular pressure and the risk of blindness. The result indicated that the higher value of intraocular pressure was associated with the higher risk of blindness. As age increased by one year, the average IOP of the patients was also increased by 0.0726 mmHg (p-value < 0.0001) keeping all variables constant.
Conclusion

The predictors; age, blood pressure, type of medication and cup-disk ratio were significantly associated with the two responses of glaucoma patients. Health professionals should give more attention for patients who have blood pressure and cup-disk ratio greater than 0.7 during the follow-up time to reduce the risk of blindness of glaucoma patients.
Porcine OCT4 Reporter System can Monitor Species-Specific Pluripotency During Somatic Cell Reprogramming
Authors: Kim Seung-Hun , Choi Kwang-Hwan , Lee Mingyun , Lee Dong-Kyung , Lee Chang-Kyu
Published: August 2020

l Background: The present study examined the activity and function of pig OCT4 enhancer in porcine reprogramming cells. Dual fluorescent protein reporter systems controlled by the upstream regulatory region of OCT4, which is one of the master regulators for pluripotency, are widely used in studies of the mechanism of pluripotency. We analyzed how this reporter system functions in FGF- or LIF-dependent reprogrammed porcine pluripotent stem cells using the previously established porcine-specific reporter system. l Results: Porcine embryonic fibroblasts were coinfected with the pOCT4-∆PE-eGFP (DE-GFP) and pOCT4-∆DE-DsRed2 (PE-RFP) vectors, and GFP and RFP expression was verified during a DOX-dependent reprogramming process. We demonstrated that the porcine OCT4 distal enhancer and proximal enhancer were activated in different expression patterns simultaneously as the changes in the expression of pluripotent marker genes during the establishment of porcine-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). l Conclusions: Porcine OCT4 upstream region-derived dual fluorescent protein reporter systems serve as live naïve/primed pluripotency indicators for porcine induced pluripotent cell establishment. This work demonstrates the applicability of the porcine OCT4 upstream region-derived dual fluorescence reporter system, which may be applied to investigations of species-specific pluripotency in porcine-origin cells. These reporter systems may be useful tools for studies of porcine-specific pluripotency, early embryo development and embryonic stem cells.
Predictive Value of Small Dense Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Remnant-like Particle Cholesterol for Cardiovascular Events in Chinese Elder Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Xu Li , Lu Feifei , Lu Jingfen , Xu Yan , Chen Nuoer , Zhou Xuewen , Xu Jianhong , Shen Hao
Published: August 2020

BackgroundAs a subcomponent of lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C) have been suggested to be a better predictor of cardiovascular diseases(CVD). This research was to evaluate the predictive of the sdLDL-C in cardiovascular events (CVs) in Chinese elder type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM) patients.MethodsSerum sdLDL-C measured by homogeneous method was compared in 386 consecutive type 2 DM patients between December 2014 and December 2016. Finally, 92 type 2 DM patients had CVs during the 48-month follow-up period. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used for assess the predictive value of baseline parameters to major CVs.ResultsNinety-two CVs occurred during the study period.The ROC curve manifested that sdLDL-C in the study population had a matchable discriminatory power (AUC for sdLDL-C was 0.7366, P = 0.003). In addition, kaplan-Meier event-free survival curves displayed a obvious increase of CVs risk for sdLDL-C ≧ 26 mg/dL (log-rank = 9.10,P = 0.003). This phenomenon had analogousresultsin patients who received statins at baseline (log rank = 7.336༌P = 0.007).The study discovered that the increase in HbA1c, glucose, LDL-C, sdLDL-C, non-HDL-C and ApoB and the decrease in ApoA1 were obviously interrelated with heightened CVs risk through Cox regression analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the increase of sdLDL-C and HbA1c was obviously correlated with CVs. The results of the study indicated that sdLDL-C (per 10 mg/dL) was a increased risk for CVs in the multivariate model (HR 1.281, 95% CI 1.225–16.032; P < 0.01).ConclusionThe consequences demonstrated that sdLDL-C was more effective than RLP-C in predicting the future CVs of Chinese elder type 2 DM patients
Diagnostic accuracy and value of chromosomal microarray analysis for chromosomal abnormalities in prenatal detection: a prospective clinical study
Authors: Huang Hailong , Wang Yan , Zhang Min , Lin Na , An Gang , He Deqin , Chen Meihuan , Chen Lingji , Xu Liangpu
Published: August 2020

Background

Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) has emerged as a primary diagnostic tool for the evaluation of developmental delay and structural malformations in children. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy and diagnostic value of CMA and karyotyping on chromosomal abnormalities in Fujian province of South China.
Methods

In the study, 410 samples were obtained from pregnant women between March 2015 and December 2016, including 3 villus (0.73%, 3/410), 296 amniotic fluid (72.20%, 296/410), and 111 umbilical cord blood (27.07%, 111/410). Each sample was screening for chromosomal abnormalities by both using CMA and karyotyping.
Results

The success rates of CMA and karyotyping were 100% (410/410) and 99.27% (407/410), respectively. 61 (14.88%, 61/410) samples were presented with chromosomal abnormalities using CMA, whereas 47 (11.46%, 47/410) samples were shown with chromosomal abnormalities using karyotyping. 31 (7.56%, 31/410) samples with normal karyotypes were found to have chromosomal abnormalities using CMA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of CMA on the diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities was 0.93, with 90.68% sensitivity and 94.40% specificity. The AUC of karyotyping on the diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities was 0.90, with 87.56% sensitivity and 91.22% specificity.
Conclusions

Our data demonstrated that CMA has a better diagnostic value for screening chromosomal abnormalities, especially for pregnant women with normal karyotypes.
To Ascertain the True or Faking and Ingredients of Silver-Coins by Using Specific Weight
Authors: Huang Kuo Ming , Hsu Ming-Hung , Wang Jang-Ping
Published: August 2020

The early twenty-first century has witnessed forgeries of antique silver coins (including Japanese coins, Qing Dynasty coins, Yuan-Shikai-era coins, and Republic of China coins). Some forgers wallow in extravagant profits from illegal trading in fake coins with correct weights that combine some silver with cheaper metals. Exceptional forgers can deceive coin collectors by delivering mostly silver pieces of the same weights and sizes as genuine silver coins. Specific gravity is the ratio of masses for equal volumes of different substances; even though numerous forgers understand coin weights and thus deliver fake products with the correct weights, the aforementioned forgery process cannot counterfeit the specific gravity values of silver coins. Hence, the specific gravity values of silver products can be used to distinguish genuine coins from counterfeits. This paper explains a multistep process for distinguishing genuine from counterfeit silver coins. Calculations of specific gravity are combined with a nonlinear constraint method to estimate the ingredients of alleged silver coins. When the ingredients of a coin have been ascertained, whether a coin is genuine or counterfeit can be proven.
Institutional Based Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study on Toxoplasmosis Sero-Prevalence, Awareness and Risk Behavior Among Pregnant Women Following Antenatal Care in Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital, Asella, Ethiopia 2018/19.
Authors: Elemo Shimeles Adugna
Published: August 2020

Background: Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), an obligate intracellular parasite. The infections produced a wide range of clinical syndromes in humans, land and sea mammals, and various bird species. Toxoplasmosis is especially important among Immune-compromised patients and pregnant women. Infection of mothers during pregnancy by Toxoplasma gondii may have serious consequences for fetus ranging from miscarriage, central nervous system involvement, retinochoroditis, or at birth subclinical infection.Objective: To determine Toxoplasmosis sero-prevalence, awareness and risk behavior among pregnant women following antenatal care in Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital, Asella, Ethiopia.Methods: An institutional based quantitative cross sectional study design was conducted on sample size of 384 from December 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Structured, a pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the demographic and risk factor related data. Serum sample, collected was tested for Toxoplasma Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Toxoplasma Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies using anti- IgG and IgM antibodies by Toxoplasma immune-chromatographic test (ICT) IgG-IgM test. A bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was applied to show association between the dependent and independent variables considering P < 0.05 and the 95% confidence interval. Result: The overall sero prevalence of T. gondii in the study area was 81.8 %. Three hundred and fourteen (81.8 %) of the pregnant women were IgG seropositive, fifty women (13 %) were IgM seropositive. fifty women were positive for both IgG and IgM. None of the pregnant women were positive exclusively for IgG and IgM ani-bodies. eating raw meat (COR=3.480, 95%CI: 1.450-8.352; P= 0.005, AOR=3.798, 95%CI: 1.249-11.550, P=0.19), using unpasteurized milk(COR=3.860, 95%CI: 2.118-7.037; P= 0.000, AOR=3.907, 95%CI:1.744-8.751, P=0.001), having three or more children(COR=2.194, 95%CI: 1.065-4.518; P= 0.033) and Consumption of raw egg(COR=2.042, 95%CI: 1.049-3.974; P= 0.036)Conclusion: The sero-prevalence of T. gondii antibodies was high among the pregnant women. Those who consumed raw meat and egg, unpasteurized milk and those who have three or more children were at higher risk of T. gondii infection. Hence, blood screening for Toxoplasmosis, health education and awareness creation among pregnant women should be done during antenatal follow up.
Boron Carbide Nanowires from Castor Oil for Optronic Applications: A Low-Temperature Greener Approach
Authors: Devi H. V. Saritha , Swapna M. S. , SANKARARAMAN S
Published: August 2020

The development of one-dimensional nanostructures has revolutionized electronic and photonic industries because of their unique properties. The present paper reports the low-temperature green synthesis of boron carbide nanowires, of diameter 14 nm and length 750 nm, by the condensation method using castor oil as the carbon precursor. The nanowires synthesized exhibit beaded chain morphology, and bandgap energy of 2.08 eV revealed through the Tauc plot analysis. The structure of boron carbide nanowires is revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. The photoluminescence study reveals the nanowire's blue light emission capability under ultraviolet excitation, which is substantiated by the CIE plot suggesting its potential in photonic applications.
Real-time credible online health information inquiring: a novel search engine misinformation notifier extension (SEMiNExt) during COVID-19-like disease outbreak
Authors: Hussein Molla Rashied , Shams Abdullah Bin , Rahman Ashiqur , Raihan Mohsin Sarker , Mostari Shabnam , Siddika Nazeeba , Kabir Russell , Apu Ehsanul Hoque
Published: August 2020

Public health-related misinformation spread rapidly in online networks, particularly, in social media during any disease outbreak. Misinformation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) drug protocol or presentation of its treatment from untrusted sources have shown dramatic consequences on public health. Authorities are utilizing several surveillance tools to detect, and slow down the rapid misinformation spread online, still millions of misinformation are found online. However, there is no currently available tool for receiving real-time misinformation notification during online health or COVID-19 related inquiries. Our proposed novel combinational approach, where we have integrated machine learning techniques with novel search engine misinformation notifier extension (SEMiNExt), helps to understand which news or information is from unreliable sources in real-time. The extension filters the search results and shows notification beforehand; it is a new and unexplored approach to prevent the spread of misinformation. To validate the user query, SEMiNExt transfers the data to a machine learning algorithm or classifier which predicts the authenticity of the search inquiry and sends a binary decision as either true or false. The results show that the supervised learning algorithm works best when 80% of the data set have been used for training purpose. Also, 10-fold cross-validation demonstrate a maximum accuracy and F1-score of 84.3% and 84.1% respectively for the Decision Tree classifier while the K-nearest-neighbor (KNN) algorithm shows the least performance. The SEMiNExt approach has introduced the possibility to improve online health communication system by showing misinformation notifications in real-time which enables safer web-based searching while inquiring on health-related issues.
Therapeutic Potential of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Renal Progenitor Cells in Experimental Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Ribeiro Patrícia de Carvalho , Lojudice Fernando Henrique , Fernandes-Charpiot Ida Maria Maximina , Baptista Maria Alice Sperto Ferreira , Araújo Stanley de Almeida , Mendes Gloria Elisa Florido , Sogayar Mari Cleide , Abbud-Filho Mario , Caldas Heloisa Cristina
Published: August 2020

BackgroundChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a global public health problem. Regenerative medicine using pluripotent stem cells represents an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of CKD.MethodsWe transplanted Mitomycin C (MMC)-treated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and renal progenitors cells (RPCs) into a CKD rat model system. The RPCs and hiPSCs cells were characterized by immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR. Untreated 5/6 nephrectomized rats were compared to CKD animals receiving the same amount of MMC-treated hiPSCs or RPCs. Renal function, histology and immunohistochemistry were evaluated 45 days post-surgery. ResultsWe successfully generated hiPSCs from peripheral blood and differentiated them into RPCs expressing renal progenitor genes (PAX2, WT1, SIX2, and SALL1) and podocyte-related genes (SYNPO, NPHS1). RPCs also exhibited reduced OCT4 expression, confirming the loss of pluripotency. After cell transplantation into CKD rats, the body weight change was significantly increased in both hiPSC and RPC groups, in comparison with the control group. Creatinine clearance (CCr) was preserved only in the hiPSC group. Similarly, the number of macrophages in the kidneys of the hiPSC group reached a statistically significant reduction, when compared to control rats. Both treatments reduced positive staining for the marker α-smooth muscle actin. Histological features showed decreased tubulointerstitial damage (interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy) as well as a reduction in glomerulosclerosis in both iPSC and RPC groups.ConclusionsIn conclusion, we describe that both MMC-treated hiPSCs and RPCs exert beneficial effects in attenuating CKD progression. Both cell types were equally efficient to reduce histological damage and weight loss caused by CKD. hiPSCs seems to be more efficient than RPCs, possibly due to an anti-inflammatory mechanism triggered by hiPSCs. These results demonstrate that the use of MMC-treated hiPSCs and RPCs improve clinical and histological CKD parameters, avoided tumor formation, and therefore may be a promising cell therapy strategy for CKD.
Exploring the role of meteorological factors in predicting incident pulmonary tuberculosis: A time-series study in eastern China
Authors: Li Zhongqi , Pan Hongqiu , Liu Qiao , Song Huan , Wang Jianming
Published: August 2020

BackgroundMany studies have compared the performance of time-series models in predicting pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Few studies regarding the role of meteorological factors in predicting PTB are available. This study aims to explore whether incorporating meteorological factors can improve the performance of time series models in predicting pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).MethodsWe collected the monthly number of PTB cases registered in three cities of China from 2005 to 2018, and data of six meteorological factors in the same period. We constructed three time-series models, including the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, the ARIMA with exogenous variables (ARIMAX) model, and the recurrent neural network (RNN) model. The construction of the ARIMA model did not incorporate meteorological factors, while the construction of ARIMAX and RNN models incorporated meteorological factors. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to compare the performance of models in predicting the monthly number of PTB cases in 2018.ResultsBoth the cross-correlation analysis and spearman rank correlation test showed that PTB was related to meteorological factors in the three cities. The prediction performance of both ARIMA and RNN models was improved after incorporating the meteorological factors. The MAPEs of the ARIMA, ARIMAX, and RNN models were 12.536%, 11.957%, and 12.360% in Xuzhou, 15.568%, 11.155%, and 14.087% in Nantong, and 9.700%, 9.660% and 12.501% in Wuxi, respectively. The RMSEs of the three models were 36.194, 33.956 and 34.785 in Xuzhou, 34.073, 25.884 and 31.828 in Nantong, and 19.545, 19.026 and 26.019 in Wuxi, respectively.ConclusionsOur study revealed a possible link between PTB and meteorological factors. Taking meteorological factors into consideration may increase the accuracy of time series models in predicting PTB.
The role of emergency medicine for postgraduate year one undifferentiated physician: a qualitative analysis of trainees' perspective
Authors: Shen Ching-Yi , Huang Chih-Chun , Tsai Weide , Liao Chen-Hao , Lin NaiHui , Hsu Chih-Chun , Kuo Kuan-Chih
Published: August 2020

Background

PGY1 program was initiated in 2003 for undifferentiated physicians in Taiwan, the program aimed to improve the general competency gap exposed during the SARS epidemic breakout in physicians. Many published studies discussed the effectiveness of the program. We were interested in the learning impacts gained from the physicians' perspectives during EM rotation in the PGY1 program, and little was known regarding this subject.
Methods

This retrospective study used grounded theory data analysis methods. 201 PGY1 physicians rotated in the emergency department from August 2014 to July 2017 answered three open-ended post-rotation survey questions and resulted in a dataset of 603 comments. A three-member team for code development reviewed all comments and established the code themes with the consensus of the team members. A four-member coding team coded applicable comments accordingly.
Results

We coded 563 (96%) comments and sorted 32 themes essential to characterize the clinical experiences into two categories. Twenty-six codes were relevant to professional development; 6 were related to the emotional issue. In the professional development category, patient care (33%) was the most frequently coded domains in the sub-level of six core competencies, followed by system-based practice (25%) and interpersonal and communication skills (19%). Senses of growth and improvement were the most frequently coded theme in the emotional issue category, followed by pressure at the workplace and on-the-spot-feedback. The top 3 lessons learned by physicians' perception were decision-making, team and patient communication, and prioritize tasks.
Conclusions

EM rotation had a productive role in professional development for undifferentiated physicians before receiving specialty discipline training. Gaining experiences on clinical judgment and communication were the strengths of the EM PGY1 program. This model of analysis might be used as a novel way of assessment on the achievement of learning objectives from the trainee's perspective. However, a prospective standardized study protocol is needed for a further affirmative conclusion.
LDL-C/HDL-C is Associated With Ischaemic Stroke in Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Xue , Wei Meng , Shang Lu-Xiang , Lu Yan-Mei , Zhang Ling , Li Yao-Dong , Zhang Jiang-Hua , Xing Qiang , Tu-Erhong Zu Kela , Tang Bao-Peng , Zhou Xian-Hui
Published: August 2020

Background
This study explored relationships between low-/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (LDL-C/HDL-C) and other clinical indicators and ischaemic stroke (IS) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients in Xinjiang, which could provide a theoretical and therapeutic basis for patients with NVAF.
Methods
NVAF patients who were admitted to 10 medical centres across Xinjiang were divided into the stroke (798 patients) and control (2671 patients) groups according to whether acute IS occurred. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the independent risk factors for IS in NVAF patients. We used factor analysis and principal component regression analysis to analyse the main influencing factors of IS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the optimal cut-off value of LDL-C/HDL-C in predicting IS.
Results
Multivariate logistic regression showed that the risk of IS in the highest quartile of LDL-C/HDL-C (≥ 2.73) was 16.23-fold that in the lowest quartile (< 1.22); IS risk was 2.27-fold higher in obese patients (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2) than in normal-weight subjects; IS risk was 3.15-fold higher in smoking than in non-smoking patients. The area under the ROC curve of LDL-C/HDL-C was 0.76, optimal critical value was 2.33, sensitivity was 63.53%, and specificity was 76.34%. Principal component regression analysis showed that LDL-C/HDL-C, age, smoking, drinking, LDL-C and hypertension were risk factors for IS in NVAF patients.
Conclusions
LDL-C/HDL-C > 1.22, smoking and BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 were independent risk factors for IS in NVAF patients, of which LDL-C/HDL-C was the main risk factor.
Effect of Mass Transfer Channels on Flexural Strength of C/SiC Composites Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser Assisted CVI Method with Optimized Laser Power
Authors: Wang Jing , Cao Liyang , Liu Yongsheng , Zhang Yunhai , Chen Jie , Fang Hui
Published: August 2020

In this work, femtosecond laser assisted-chemical vapor infiltration (LA-CVI) was employed to produce C/SiC composites with 1, 3, and 5 rows of mass transfer channels. The effects of laser machining power on the quality of produced holes were investigated. The results showed that the increase in power yielded complete hole structures. The as-obtained C/SiC composites with different mass transfer channels displayed higher densification degrees with flexural strengths reaching 546±15 MPa for row mass transfer channel of 3. The strengthening mechanism of the composites was linked to the increase in densification and formation of “dense band” during LA-CVI process. Multiphysics finite element simulations of the dense band and density gradient of LA-CVI C/SiC composites revealed C/SiC composites with improved densification and lower porosity due to the formation of “dense band” during LA-CVI process. In sum, LA-CVI method looks promising for future preparation of ceramic matrix composites with high densities.
Relationship between banking sector development and inclusive growth
Authors: Skliar Iryna , Saltykova Hanna , Pokhylko Svitlana , Antoniuk Nataliia
Published: August 2020

According to an inclusive growth framework, the top objectives of the economic policy shift from increasing incomes themselves to well-being. While banking sector development has conventionally been considered a growth factor, there is no clear understanding of its impact on inclusive growth. This article explores how the banking sector’s qualitative development, measured in dimensions of the services availability, lending supply, stability, and reliability of banking activity, relates to inclusive growth. To define the relations between banking system development and inclusive growth, the panel regression was employed for a sample of 46 economies selected based on the prescribed principles of sources reputability, methodology consistency, limits in data blanks, and differentiated into groups according to the World Bank’s classification. The regressions’ assessment and involved tests show evidence of the quality of constructed models and present the following results. The banking availability, approximated with the number of automated teller machines, fosters inclusive growth regarding all groups of countries. In contrast, the increase in the number of commercial banking branches has inverse relations between high-income and upper-middle-income countries, and direct for lower-middle-income countries. The bank credit expansion negatively influences the inclusive growth for high income and lower-middle-income countries. The banking sector stability approximated with bank capital to assets ratio matters in terms of inclusive growth for high-income countries only, while this indicator for upper middle and lower middle economies is statistically insignificant.
Antibacterial Activity of Biodegradable Particles based on Chitosan Containing Colloidal Silver
Authors: Reshetova V.Yu. , Krivoshchepov A.F. , Butorova I.A. , Feldman N.B. , Lutsenko S.V. , Kuskov A.N.
Published: August 2020

Chitosan beads with colloidal silver nanoparticles inclued in the polymer matrix have been obtained by the introduction of chitosan into an acidified nanosilver sol. Dual interconnection of drops of the resulting solution was then carried out by ionotropic gelation at the first stage and covalent crosslinking of the polymer matrix with adipic acid at the second stage. The surface morphology of the obtained beads was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Data of Fourier transform IR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of covalent bonds between chitosan and adipic acid. The antibacterial activity of obtained beads against S. aureus and E. coli was evaluated using agar diffusion test. It was shown that the сhitosan beads modified with nanostructured silver exhibited an antibacterial effect against the tested strains, and they can be used as a basis for creating biodegradable wound healing dressings with a prolonged antibacterial effect.

chitosan, silver nanoparticles, antibacterial activity, wound dressings

This work was supported by the "Russian Academic Excellence Project 5-100".

The study was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research in the framework of the Scientific Project no. 18-29-18039.
A OFICINA DE METODOLOGIA ATIVA E PRODUÇÃO ARTICULADA: DO PROJETO AOS RESULTADOS
Authors: Coêlho Diego Henrique Damasceno , Correa Camila Braga
Published: August 2020

O presente artigo tem por escopo principal narrar uma experiência didático-científica, realizada por alunos, então graduandos do 8º período do curso de Direito do Centro Universitário UNIFACIG e mestrandos do Programa de Pós-Graduação Justiça Administrativa da Faculdade de Direito da universidade Federal Fluminese – UFF, de agosto a dezembro de 2018 no âmbito da Oficina de Metodologia Ativa e Produção Articulada: Conciliação, Mediação e Arbitragem - OMAPA/CMA. A construção dos saberes apresentados, portanto, estão acostados em método descritivo, contemplando análises qualitativas e quantitativas das amostras de artigos científicos produzidos e o número de autores participantes em observação, ao mesmo tempo em que também desenvolve e relata percepções críticas e analíticas extraídas durante a execução da Oficina de Metodologia Ativa e Produção Articulada, descrevendo contextos, situações e adaptações durante os quatro meses de atividades contínuas das equipes na plataforma de edição virtual de textos utilizada. Ao final deste texto, são apontados os resultados alcançados pelo projeto, demonstrando ser possível integrar iniciativas entre a educação pública e a privada, na expectativa de que seja este um modelo pedagógico real, colaborativo e inspirador – sem medo de errar ou de inovar.
A CONSTRUÇÃO DE UM CURRÍCULO MÉDICO BASEADO NA PERSPECTIVA DA ANDRAGOGIA: ESTAMOS NO CAMINHO CORRETO?
Authors: Vasconcelos Pedro Fonseca de , Vasconcelos Pedro Fonseca de , Tagliaferre Rita De Cássia Silva , Teles Mauro Fernandes
Published: August 2020

Nos últimos anos com o avanço das tecnologias, tornou-se necessário trabalhar com novas metodologias em sala de aula. No curso de medicina, as condições de aprendizagem na Andragogia, os alunos assumem o compromisso de participar ativamente do processo de aprendizagem. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar se as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais norteiam a construção de um curso médico que se adequem à condição adulta. Os resultados apontaram que a construção de cursos de Medicina pautados em uma perspectiva andragógica devem englobar desde uma estrutura física adequada até um modo de avaliar qualitativo e condizente com a forma de aprender do adulto. Ainda há o que evoluir na elaboração de uma DCN que contemple todos os requisitos do modelo andragógico. Portanto, pode-se dizer que a Andragogia está evoluindo e se tornando uma abordagem importante no aprendizado nas Ciências Médicas, salutar na condução do adulto-aprendiz.
Influence of shield tunnel construction on ground surface settlement under the condition of upper-soft and lower-hard composite strata
Authors: Lv Jianbing , Li Xulong , Fu Helin , Tang Yong , Li Zhanrong , Zhao Hui
Published: August 2020

Taking the shield tunnel project of Guangzhou Metro Line 8 from Tongdewei Station to Shangbu Station as the research background, using the research method of finite element simulation and site monitoring, this paper analyses the influence rules of shield tunneling on ground subsidence under the condition of different hard rock height ratios. The research results show that in the process of crossing different hard rock height ratio composite stratum, as the hard rock height ratio decreases, the value of ground settlement decreases and settlement tank becomes shallow. The surface subsidence in different hard rock height ratio strata is obviously different, and the maximum difference is about 8.6 mm; The influence of the hard rock height ratio on the surface longitudinal settlement is mainly reflected in the position change of the beginning and the end of the settlement. With the increase of the hard rock height ratio, the shield construction reduces the amount of the surface longitudinal settlement and its influence range; Through the research, it is found that the hard rock height ratio in the 0-0.2 and 0.5-1 is the sensitive interval, and the settlement value in these two hard rock height ratio interval varies greatly. It is necessary to pay attention to the uneven settlement of the ground surface caused by shield construction in the sensitive hard rock height ratio interval. The research results of this paper can provide reference value for similar shield construction in upper soft and lower hard composite stratum.