bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation and ranking of regional primary health care and public health systems in Iran
Authors: Rashidian Arash , Jahanmehr Nader , Farzadfar Farshad , Khosravi Ardeshir , Shariati Mohammad , Sari Ali Akbari , damiri soheila , Majdzadeh Reza
Published: November 2020

Background

The present study has been undertaken with the aim to evaluate performance and ranking of various universities of medical sciences that are responsible for providing public health services and primary health care in Iran.
Methods

Four models; Weighted Factor Analysis (WFA), Equal Weighting (EW), Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) have been applied for evaluating the performance of universities of medical sciences. This study was commenced based on the statistical reports of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) census data from the Statistical Center of Iran, indicators of Vital Statistics, results of Multiple Indicator of Demographic and Health Survey 2010, and results of the National Survey of Risk Factors of non-communicable diseases.
Results

The average performance scores in WFA, EW, SFA, and DEA methods for the universities are 0.611, 0.663, 0.736 and 0.838, respectively. Based on the ranking of Gilan University, with an average score of 4.75, and Rafsanjan University, with an average score of 0.41, these universities have obtained the first and the last rank in the performance of their primary health care and public health systems, respectively. According to the results of all four models, the Universities of Gilan, Ardebil, and Bojnourd were the strongest ranking in this regard and the Universities of Rafsanjan, Kerman, Ahvaz, and Jiroft ranked weakest in performance.
Conclusions

The average performance of the universities of medical sciences is not acceptable at the present level in which they stand in Iran. Of course, this condition is not prevalent in all universities and there is much dispersion in the performance of universities at the country level today. Designing the evaluation system and annual ranking of universities of medical sciences by using the methodology of the present study can lead to the improvement of performance of this system and, consequently, the improvement of heath indicators, by attracting the society and attention of policymakers to the domain of primary and public health care and creating a healthy competition among different regions of the country.
Quantitative DCE-MRI : An efficient diagnostic technique for evaluating early micro-environment permeability changes in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Yang Hui , Jiang Ling , Li Jiang , Zheng Xiuzhu , Yao Qianqian , Li Changqin , Zhu Jianzhong , Qin Jian
Published: November 2020

Background: In the management of early inflammatory joint of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), there is a need for reliable noninvasive quantitative monitoring biomarker to closely assess status of synovitis progression.Cognizant to this,studies geared on improving techniques for quantitative evaluation of micro-environment permeability of the joint space are necessary.Such improved techniques may provide tissue perfusion as important biological parameters and can further help in understanding the origin of early changes associated with AS.The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance and determine longitudinal relationships of early micro-environment active in the joint space of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) with a rat model by using quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI).Methods: Thirty wistar male rats were randomly assigned to the model (n= 15) or control (n = 15) group. All rats underwent DCE-MRI of SIJ region at fixed time points(12, 17 and 22 weeks),between September 2018 and October 2019. Differences in permeability parameters between the two groups at the same time point were compared by using an independent samples t test. Spearman correlations of DCE-MRI parameters with different time points in model group were analyzed.All statistical analyses were performed with software.Results: At 12 weeks,the Ktrans,Kep and Ve values in the model group were slightly lower than those in control group,but all the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05).Compared with control group,the transfer constant (Ktrans)values increased significantly at 17 weeks and 22 weeks in model group,while the rate constant (Kep) and volume of extravascular extracellular space(Ve) significantly increased only at 22 weeks(p<0.05).The Ktrans,Kep and Ve were positively correlated with increasing time points (r=0.946, P＜0.01 for Ktrans; r=0.945, P＜0.01 for Kep; and r= 0.832, P＜0.01 for Ve).Conclusion: Quantitative DCE-MRI parameters are valuable for evaluating the early longitudinal relationship of micro-environment permeability changes in the joint space of SIJ.
Changes in Patient Visits and Diagnoses seen in an Academic Ophthalmology Department during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Berkenstock Meghan K , Liberman Paulina , McDonnell Peter J , Chaon Benjamin C
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND: To minimize the risk of viral transmission, ophthalmology practices limited face to face encounters to only patients with urgent and emergent ophthalmic conditions, in the weeks after the start of the COVID-19 epidemic in the United States. The impact of this is unknown. METHODS: We did a retrospective analysis of the change in the frequency of ICD-10 code use and patient volumes in the six weeks before and after the changes in clinical practice associated with COVID-19.RESULTS: The total number of encounters decreased four-fold after the implementation of clinic changes associated with COVID-19. The low vision, pediatric ophthalmology, general ophthalmology, and cornea divisions had the largest total decrease of in-person visits. Conversely, the number of telemedicine visits increased sixty-fold. The number of diagnostic codes associated with ocular malignancies, most ocular inflammatory disorders, and retinal conditions requiring intravitreal injections increased. ICD-10 codes associated with ocular screening exams for systemic disorders decreased during the weeks post COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmology practices need to be prepared to experience changes in practice patterns, implementation of telemedicine, and decreased patient volumes during a pandemic. Knowing the changes specific to each subspecialty clinic is vital to redistribute available resources correctly.
Differences in standing and sitting spinopelvic sagittal alignment for patients with posterior lumbar fusion: important considerations for the changes of unfused adjacent segments lordosis
Authors: Sun Zhuoran , Zhou Siyu , Wang Wei , Zou Da , Li Weishi
Published: November 2020

Objective: This study aimed to describe the changes in spinopelvic sagittal alignment in the sitting position after posterior lumbar fusion, and to identify the factors influencing unfused adjacent segment lordosis.Methods: Consecutive patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion between December 2010 and April 2012 were recruited. Lateral full spine radiographs were obtained in the standing, erect sitting, and natural sitting positions. Spinopelvic parameters were measured preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Results: The data of 63 patients were analyzed in this study. The average age was 61.6±11.0 years. When changing from standing to sitting at the final follow-up, all spinopelvic sagittal parameters with the exceptions of pelvic incidence and thoracic kyphosis were significantly altered. The most noticeable changes occurred in the natural sitting position, with the spine slumped toward achieving a C-shaped sagittal profile. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that when changing to a natural sitting position, age and fusion levels reflected the changes in lumbar lordosis (ΔLL), age and lumbosacral fusion reflected the changes in upper residual lordosis (ΔURL). Conclusion: The most noticeable changes in spinopelvic sagittal alignment occurred in the natural sitting position after lumbar fusion. Age, fusion levels, and lumbosacral fusion significantly influenced the differences in LL and URL between the standing and natural sitting position. These characteristics should be fully considered when planning spinal realignment surgery and investigating the etiological factors of junctional complications.
The Analysis of Fertility Quality of Life and the Influencing Factors of Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure
Authors: Ni Ying , Tong Chenye , Huang Limin , Zhou Wenjie , Zhang Aijun
Published: November 2020

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the current status of fertility quality of life (QoL) and explore the influencing factors for infertile women with repeated implantation failure (RIF).Methods: The sample consisted of 137 infertile women with RIF who were under treatment from January 2019 to December 2019 in the Reproductive Medical Center of Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine in China. A general information questionnaire, FertiQoL scale, perceived social support scale (PSSS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to analyse the fertility QoL and related factors of RIF patients.Results: The total fertility QoL score of RIF patients was 60.44 ± 11.60. The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that residence, financial difficulties, male infertility, BMI index, depression, and family social support were the main factors that influenced the fertility QoL of RIF patients (adjusted R2 = 0.762).Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, RIF patients’ psychological status must be addressed. Corresponding interventions such as building a sound family and social support system, creating a good medical environment and offering diverse health education should be provided to improve the fertility QoL of RIF patients.
Cross-talk between transcriptome, phytohormone and HD-ZIP gene family analysis illuminates the molecular mechanism underlying fruitlet abscission in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L) 
Authors: Qiu Zhilang , Wen Zhuang , Hou Qiandong , Qiao Guang , Yang Kun , Hong Yi , Wen Xiaopeng
Published: November 2020

Background
The shedding of premature sweet cherry (Prunus avium L) fruit has significantly impacted production, which in turn has a consequential effect on economic benefits.
Result
To better understand the molecular mechanism of sweet cherry fruitlet abscission, pollens viability and structure had observed from the pollination trees. Subsequently, the morphological characters of shedding fruitlet, the plant hormone titers of dropping carpopodium, transcriptome of the abscising carpopodium, as well as the HD-ZIP gene family were investigated. These findings showed that the pollens giving rise to heavy fruitlet abscission were malformed in structure, and their viability was lower than the average level. The abscising fruitlet and carpopodium characterized in red color, and embryos of abscising fruitlets were aborted, which was highly ascribed to the low pollen viability and malformation. Transcriptome analysis showed 6,462 were significantly differentially expressed, of which 2,456 genes were up-regulated and 4,006 down-regulated. Among these genes, the auxin biosynthesis and signal transduction genes (α-Trp, AUX1), was down-regulated, while 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase gene (ACO) affected in ethylene biosynthesis, was up-regulated in abscising carpopodium. About genes related to cell wall remodeling (CEL, PAL, PG EXP, XTH), were up-regulated in carpopodium abscission, which reflecting the key roles in regulating the abscission process. The results of transcriptome analysis considerably conformed with those of proteome analysis as documented previously. In comparison with those of the retention fruitlet, the auxin contents in abscising carpopodium were significantly low, which presumably increased the ethylene sensitivity of the abscission zone, conversely, the abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation was considerably higher in abscising carpopodium. Furthermore, the ratio of (TZ + IAA + GA3) / ABA also obviously lower in abscising carpopodium. Besides, the HD-ZIP gene family analysis showed that PavHB16 and PavHB18 were up-regulated in abscising organs.
Conclusion
Our findings combine morphology, cytology and transcriptional regulation to reveal the molecular mechanism of sweet cherry fruitlet abscission. It provides a new perspective for further study of plant organ shedding.
Poaceae Orthologs of Rice OsSGL, DUF1645 Domain-Containing Genes, Positively Regulate Drought Tolerance, Grain Length and Weight in Rice
Authors: Liu Kai , Li Mingjuan , Zhang Bin , Cui Yanchun , Yin Xuming , Xia Xinjie , wang manling
Published: November 2020

BackgroundGrain yield is a polygenic trait influenced by environmental and genetic interactions at all growth stages of the cereal plant. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for coordinating the trade-off or cross-talk between these traits remain elusive.ResultsWe characterized the hitherto unknown function of four STRESS_tolerance and GRAIN_LENGTH (OsSGL) Poaceae ortholog genes, all encoding DUF1645 domain-containing proteins, in simultaneous regulation of grain length, grain weight, and drought stress-tolerance in rice. In normal growth conditions, the four ortholog genes were mainly expressed in the developing roots and panicles of the corresponding species. Over-expressing or heterologous high-level expressing Poaceae OsSGL ortholog genes conferred remarkably increased grain length, weight, and seed setting percentage, as well as significantly improved drought-stress tolerance in transgenic rice. Microscopical analysis also showed that the transgene expression promoted cell division and development. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses revealed 73.8% (18,711) overlapped DEGs in all transgenic plants. Moreover, GO and KEGG analyses of different comparisons revealed that the key DEGs participating in drought stress-response belonged to hormone (especially auxin and cytokinin) pathways, and signaling processes were apparently affected in the young panicles. ConclusionTogether, these results suggest the four OsSGL orthologs perform a conserved function in regulating stress-tolerance and cell growth by acting via a hormone biosynthesis and signaling pathway. It may also induce a strategy for tailor-made crop yield improvement.
Analysis of key university leadership factors based on their international rankings (QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education)
Authors: Polyakov Maxim , Bilozubenko Vladimir , Korneyev Maxim , Nebaba Natalia
Published: November 2020

In the context of globalization of the educational services market, competition between universities is becoming more intense. This manifests itself, among other things, in the struggle for positions in international university rankings. Given that universities are evaluated according to many criteria in such rankings, it becomes necessary to identify the most significant factors in determining their positions.This study aims to identify the key factors determining the world’s leading universities’ leadership in international university rankings. The numerical values of the criteria for compiling the QS World University Rankings (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE) rankings were an empirical basis for the study. The analysis covered the Top 50 universities (according to the QS ranking) and was conducted based on reports for 2020 and 2021.At first, clustering was carried out (method – k-means); the data set was the combination of numerical values of QS and THE criteria (six and five criteria, respectively). The universities were divided into three clusters in 2020 (23, 19, 8 universities) and 2021 (23, 17, 10 universities). This showed the universities’ leadership relative to each other for each year.At the second stage, classification processing was performed (method – decision trees). As a result, criteria combinations that give an absolute separation of all clusters (2020 – five combinations; 2021 – eight combinations) were identified. The obtained combinations largely determine universities’ affiliation to clusters; their criteria are recognized as key factors of their leadership in the rankings. This study’s results can serve as guidelines for improving universities’ positions in the rankings.
Development and Validation of a Gas Chromatographic Method for the Quantification of Minor Alkaloids in Cocaine
Authors: Maldaner Adriano , Zacca Jorge , Botelho Élvio , Silva Dina , Oliveira Fillipe
Published: November 2020

The quantification of minor alkaloids in seized cocaine can provide information for drug profiling and law enforcement initiatives. This work presents the development and validation of an analytical method to quantitate minor alkaloids in cocaine samples using gas chromatography with flame ionization detector, after derivatization. The method was validated in accordance with the ISO/IEC 17.025:2017 requirements. The calibration was linear (determination coefficient (R2) ≥ 0.998), ranging from 1.0 to 3,500 mg L-1 for all target analytes with suitable selectivity and precision (relative standard deviation lower than 10%). The method showed stability and robustness with respect to analytical parameter variations and presented good accuracy (recovery ranging from 90 to 108%). The method was considered adequate to routine forensic analysis in simultaneous quantification of anhydroecgonine methyl ester, anhydroecgonine, methylecgonine, tropacocaine, norcocaine, N-formylcocaine, trimethoxycocaine, ecgonine, benzoylecgonine, trans- and cis-cinnamoylcocaine. Eleven cocaine samples seized in different Brazilian regions were analyzed and their relative amounts of tropacocaine and trimethoxycocaine with respect to cocaine indicate both the possible varieties of coca leaf used for cocaine production and the likely origin of drug samples (Bolivia/Peru or Colombia). The contents of other minor alkaloids depict aspects of sample history such as purification by oxidation, hydrolysis and dehydration by thermal processes.
The effect of marine growth and damage severity on the modal parameters of offshore wind turbine supporting structures: an experimental study
Authors: Jahjouh Mahmoud
Published: November 2020

This contribution investigates the effect of marine growth and damage severity on the modal parameters of a scaled experimental model of a monopile used in supporting offshore wind turbines. A quick glimpse of the literature review reveals that this topic has not been well investigated as the majority of previous research focuses on the effect of marine growth on the hydrodynamic loads transferred to the test structure, with little focus on its effect on the modal parameters of a structure. Nevertheless, from a monitoring standpoint, it is important to differentiate between the effect of marine growth and damage on the modal parameters, especially when these parameters are used as damage indicators, further improving existing structural health monitoring techniques in determining if the changes observed in modal parameters are caused by actual damage rather than the growth of marine organisms with time. The results provided in this contribution provide differences between the effect of marine growth and damage, which is recommended to be included in current monitoring techniques. Furthermore, a recommendation to investigate the effect of damage on damping and, possibly, the potential of using changes in damping characteristics as damage indicators is also made.
Molecular Genetics of Early- and Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Uddin Md. Sahab , Hasana Sharifa , Hossain Md. Farhad , Islam Md. Siddiqul , Behl Tapan , Perveen Asma , Hafeez Abdul , Ashraf Ghulam Md
Published: November 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly and this
complex disorder is associated with environmental as well as genetic factors. Early-onset AD
(EOAD) and late-onset AD (LOAD, more common) are major identified types of AD. The genetics
of EOAD is extensively understood, with three gene variants such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2
leading to the disease. Some common alleles, including APOE, are effectively associated with
LOAD identified, but the genetics of LOAD is not clear to date. It has been accounted that about
5-10% of EOAD patients can be explained through mutations in the three familiar genes of EOAD.
The APOE ε4 allele augmented the severity of EOAD risk in carriers, and the APOE ε4 allele was
considered as a hallmark of EOAD. A great number of EOAD patients, who are not genetically explained,
indicate that it is not possible to identify disease-triggering genes yet. Although several
genes have been identified by using the technology of next-generation sequencing in EOAD families,
including SORL1, TYROBP, and NOTCH3. A number of TYROBP variants are identified
through exome sequencing in EOAD patients and these TYROBP variants may increase the pathogenesis
of EOAD. The existence of the ε4 allele is responsible for increasing the severity of
EOAD. However, several ε4 allele carriers propose the presence of other LOAD genetic as well as
environmental risk factors that are not identified yet. It is urgent to find out missing genetics of
EOAD and LOAD etiology to discover new potential genetic facets which will assist in understanding
the pathological mechanism of AD. These investigations should contribute to developing a new
therapeutic candidate for alleviating, reversing and preventing AD. This article, based on current
knowledge, represents the overview of the susceptible genes of EOAD, and LOAD. Next, we represent
the probable molecular mechanism that might elucidate the genetic etiology of AD and highlight
the role of massively parallel sequencing technologies for novel gene discoveries.
Molecular Docking, 3D-QSAR, Fingerprint-Based 2D-QSAR, Analysis of Pyrimidine, and Analogs of ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) Inhibitors as an Anticancer Agent
Authors: Yadav Vivek , Tonk Rajiv Kumar , Khatri Ramchander
Published: November 2020

Background:

ALK inhibitors have become a plausible option for anticancer therapy with
the availability of several FDA-approved molecules and clinical trial candidates. Hence, the design
of new ALK inhibitors using computational molecular docking studies on the existing inhibitors, is
an attractive approach for anticancer drug discovery.

Methods:

We generated six types of independent models through structural based molecular docking
study, three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) study, and 2DQSAR
approaches using different fingerprints, such as dendritic, linear, 2D molprint, and radial.

Results:

Comparison of the generated models showed that the hinge region hydrogen bond interacted
with amino acids ASP1206, MET1199, and LYS1150 in docking analysis and the hydrophobic
interacted with amino acids GLU1210, ARG1209, SER1206, and LYS1205 residues are responsible
for the ALK inhibition. In the 3D-QSAR study, the hydrogen bond donor features of 2,4-
diaryl aminopyrimidine substituents, isopropyl phenyl ring groups in hydrophobic features, and
electron-withdrawing groups matched the generated contour plots. The 2D-QSAR fingerprint studies
indicated that higher potency was associated with the 2-hydroxy-5-isopropyl benzamide functional
group and substituted phenylamine at the second position of the pyrimidine group.

Conclusion:

We conclude that the incorporation of these functional groups in the design of new
molecules may result in more potent ALK inhibitors.
Current Evidence Regarding Low-carb Diets for The Metabolic Control of Type-2 Diabetes
Authors: Sousa Adriana Andrade , Renke Guilherme , Leal Jr Aluysio , Rassi Marcela Mascarenhas Braga , Feuser Cristianne Serafim , Cunha Heber , Silva Flávia Moraes , Arbex Alberto
Published: November 2020

:

The management of diabetes requires a medical nutritional therapy as an essential part of this treatment. There
should be no "one-size-fits-all" eating pattern for different patient´s profiles with diabetes. It´s clinically complex to
suggest an ideal percentage of calories from carbohydrates, protein and lipids recommended for all patients with diabetes.
Among the eating patterns that have shown beneficial effects on metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes is the
Low-Carb diet, since the carbohydrate ingestion is viewed as the most important determinant of postprandial glucose and
insulin response. In this context, theoretically it could make sense to reduce the daily amount of carbohydrates ingested,
willing to achieve lower levels of HbA1c. There could be associated risks to this approach. The adherence to a Low-Carb
Diet is here also discussed. This narrative review works on the current evidence for answering these questions regarding
Low-Carb Diet as a possible alternative eating pattern for type 2 diabetes.
Development of Nanomaterials as Photo Catalysts for Environmental Applications
Authors: Abu-Dief Ahmed M. , Mohamed W. S.
Published: November 2020

Lack of environmental sustainability is a growing and pivotal matter due to the issues
such as disturbances associated with biodiversity pollution and climate change. Pollutants are the
major cause of these environmental threats in the atmosphere. At present, nano-based photocatalysts
are at the forefront of the author's interest because of their promising potential as a green
chemical-based compound, high catalytic activity, suitable and controllable surface area for
wastewater treatment. Semiconductor materials on a nano-sized scale have electronic and optical
properties depending on their building block size, which plays a vital role in developing smart materials
that are well-efficient for simultaneously destroying harmful chemical contaminants from
our environment. This makes these materials useful in many possible industrial applications, such
as water purification. In this review, we have reported the most significant results contributing to
the progress in the area of environmental hazardous pollutant detection and removal focused on
water purification especially through photocatalysis to give readers an overview of the present research
trends. Moreover, we have analyzed previous studies to indicate key principles of photocatalysis
and provide guidelines that can be used to fabricate more efficient photocatalysts.
Formulation Development and Evaluation of Novel Vesicular Carrier for Enhancement of Bioavailability of Poorly Soluble Drug
Authors: Sharma Sumit , Bhatt Shailendra , Saini Vipin
Published: November 2020

Background::

Niosomes are a vesicular carrier system comprised of a Nonionic surfactant
bilayer surrounding an aqueous compartment. Niosomes are presumed to raise the intake of
the poorly water-soluble drugs by M cells of Peyer's patches present in the intestine's lymphatic tissues,
thereby avoiding the first-pass metabolism and increasing its oral bioavailability. Biodegradability,
nonimmunogenic nature, minimal side effects, low cost, good stability, and flexibility to incorporate
hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs are other advantages of niosomes.

Objective::

To formulate and evaluate a novel vesicular carrier system of a poorly soluble drug
Lurasidone hydrochloride for the enhancement of its solubility and bioavailability.

Methods::

The thin-film hydration technique used to prepare Lurasidone hydrochloride loaded niosomes
using different grades of nonionic surfactants like Brij, Span, and Tween. They evaluated
for particle size, zeta potential, percent entrapment efficiency, in-vitro drug release, and in-vivo
study.

Results::

Niosomes comprised of Brij S-100 in drug: cholesterol: surfactant (1:1:1) showed particle
size (1.15 ± 0.21 μm) and percent entrapment efficiency (97.02 ± 0.21%) and was selected for further
studies. Various pharmacokinetic parameters like Cmax (281.27ng/ml), Tmax (5 h), and AUC
(2640.197) were found to be significantly improved compared to plain drug solution.

Conclusion::

The Niosomal formulation could be the promising drug delivery system for the controlled
and sustained release of Lurasidone.
Feasibility of Bentonite as an Internal Curing Agent in Concrete
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Phaneendra Ch. L. , Saiveer G.S. , Chandravanshi Saurabh , Sharma Udit , Deo Shirish V.
Published: November 2020

Background:

There is a requirement for internal curing, especially in areas where water is
scarce and where it is difficult to cure concrete due to inaccessibility of the site. About five times higher
water is consumed in curing than the water used in making concrete. Furthermore, the quality of water
that is to be used for these activities is required to be of a certain standard. If the requirement of water
can be reduced, it becomes both economically and ecologically viable.

Objective:

The present research is carried out to determine the technical and economic feasibility of
bentonite as an internal curing agent with properties of concrete to be used in the field.

Methods:

This paper compares the compressive and flexural strength parameters for standard and bentonite
infused concrete and whether this can be considered as a suitable addition in concrete. The flexural
strength is measured using four-point test. Both the tests are carried out in accordance with IS codes.

Results:

There is an increase in compressive strength for both intermittent and air curing of internally
cured concrete in comparison to control concrete. Furthermore, air curing of internally cured concrete is
comparable to intermittent curing of control concrete. Also, the compressive strength of intermittent curing
concrete with bentonite is comparable with the strength obtained by pond curing of control concrete.

Conclusion:

The results indicate that bentonite can be considered as a viable addition to concrete, especially
in cases of air curing. The use of bentonite is thus recommended for air curing and intermittent
curing conditions.
Kanser tanısı almış hastalarda ortaya çıkan zona zoster vakalarının retrospektif değerlendirilmesi
Authors: YILDIZ ÇELTEK Nagihan , ÜNLÜ Ufuk
Published: November 2020

Amaç: Zona, varicella zoster virüsünün sorumlu tutulduğu, özellikle yaşlı ve immün sistemi baskılanmış bireylerde görülen enfeksiyöz bir hastalıktır. Çalışmadaki amacımız kanser tanılı hastada zona enfeksiyonlarını klinik ve demografik açıdan değerlendirerek önemine dikkat çekmek ve bu grup hastalarda takip ve profilaksinin oluşturulacak protokollerde yer alması gerektiğini vurgulamaktır. Gereç ve yöntem: Ekim 2009-Temmuz 2019 tarihleri arasında Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesinde onkolojik tedavi görmekte iken zona tanısı alan 100 hasta çalışmaya alındı. Hasta dosyaları ve otomasyon sistemindeki bilgiler retrospektif olarak incelenerek veriler elde edildi. Hesaplamalarda hazır istatistik yazılımı kullanıldı. Bulgular: Araştırmaya dahil edilen vakaların yaş ortalaması 64,1±11,89, tanı anında ortalama kanser süresi 23,24±22,5 ay, %42’si kadın ve %58’i erkek cinsiyet olarak bulunmuştur. Hastalarda kolorektal kanser %20, akciğer kanseri %14 ve mide kanseri %11 oranları ile en sık saptanan türler olmuştur. Radyoterapi alan 28, almayan 72 kişi iken, kemoterapi alan 53, almayan 47 kişidir. Erkeklerde zona görülme sıklığı kadınlara göre istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı derecede yüksek bulunmuştur (p:0,030). Zona vakalarının en sık gözlendiği mevsimler sonbahar (%30) ve kış (%30) olarak saptanmıştır. Hastalarımızda %67 oranı ile en sık torakal dermatom tutulumu gözlenmiştir. Tedavide en sık tercih edilen ilaç kombinasyonu sistemik valasiklovir tedavisi, B12 vitamini takviyesi ve topikal olarak önerilen krem veya merhemlerdir(%34). Hastaların %14’ünde zona nüks etmiş, %8’inde postherpetik nevralji gelişmiştir. Sonuç: Kanser gibi immün sistemi etkileyen hastalığı bulunan bireylerde zonanın erken tanı ve tedavisi, hastanın sık aralıklarla takip edilmesi son derece önemlidir. Bunun için aile hekimleri sık görülebilen zona lezyonları hakkında bilgilendirilmeli ve bu hastalarda gelişebilecek komplikasyonları takip açısından gerekli eğitimlerle desteklenmelidirler.
Viabilidad de introducir contratos de derivados de gas natural en el Mercado Mexicano de Derivados: Un enfoque Hubbert-Grey
Authors: García-Pérez Luis Enrique , Ortiz Arango Francisco , Cruz Aké Salvador
Published: November 2020

A partir de la promulgación de la reforma energética de 2013 en México, se abrió la posibilidad de incorporar en el Mercado Mexicano de Derivados (MexDer) contratos de derivados de gas natural. Esta investigación examina la viabilidad de introducir contratos de derivados de gas natural en el MexDer. Para ello, la proyección de la oferta de gas natural se calcula con el modelo de Hubert, y la de la demanda se obtiene mediante una novedosa combinación de los modelos de Grey y de Vasicek. Posteriormente mediante simulación Monte Carlo se calculan las primas de un contrato de futuros y uno de opciones europeas sobre el precio del gas natural, los cuales fueron diseñados acorde a la normatividad del MexDer. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que por el momento dichos contratos no son viables, fundamentalmente por el reducido volumen de los posibles contratos de cobertura, lo anterior constituye un resultado relevante para las finanzas del país, dado que actualmente el gobierno mexicano solo contrata coberturas petroleras en mercados de derivados extranjeros.
Innovation in Pain Rehabilitation Using Co-Design Methods During the Development of a Relapse Prevention Intervention: Case Study
Authors: Elbers Stefan , van Gessel Christa , Renes Reint Jan , van der Lugt Remko , Wittink Harriët , Hermsen Sander
Published: November 2020

Background

Many intervention development projects fail to bridge the gap from basic research to clinical practice. Instead of theory-based approaches to intervention development, co-design prioritizes the end users’ perspective as well as continuous collaboration between stakeholders, designers, and researchers throughout the project. This alternative approach to the development of interventions is expected to promote the adaptation to existing treatment activities and to be responsive to the requirements of end users.

Objective

The first objective was to provide an overview of all activities that were employed during the course of a research project to develop a relapse prevention intervention for interdisciplinary pain treatment programs. The second objective was to examine how co-design may contribute to stakeholder involvement, generation of relevant insights and ideas, and incorporation of stakeholder input into the intervention design.

Methods

We performed an embedded single case study and used the double diamond model to describe the process of intervention development. Using all available data sources, we also performed deductive content analysis to reflect on this process.

Results

By critically reviewing the value and function of a co-design project with respect to idea generation, stakeholder involvement, and incorporation of stakeholder input into the intervention design, we demonstrated how co-design shaped the transition from ideas, via concepts, to a prototype for a relapse prevention intervention.

Conclusions

Structural use of co-design throughout the project resulted in many different participating stakeholders and stimulating design activities. As a consequence, the majority of the components of the final prototype can be traced back to the information that stakeholders provided during the project. Although this illustrates how co-design facilitates the integration of contextual information into the intervention design, further experimental testing is required to evaluate to what extent this approach ultimately leads to improved usability as well as patient outcomes in the context of clinical practice.
The Influence of Average Temperature and Relative Humidity on New Cases of COVID-19: Time-Series Analysis
Authors: He Zonglin , Chin Yiqiao , Yu Shinning , Huang Jian , Zhang Casper J P , Zhu Ke , Azarakhsh Nima , Sheng Jie , He Yi , Jayavanth Pallavi , Liu Qian , Akinwunmi Babatunde O , Ming Wai-Kit
Published: November 2020

Background

The influence of meteorological factors on the transmission and spread of COVID-19 is of interest and has not been investigated.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the associations between meteorological factors and the daily number of new cases of COVID-19 in 9 Asian cities.

Methods

Pearson correlation and generalized additive modeling (GAM) were performed to assess the relationships between daily new COVID-19 cases and meteorological factors (daily average temperature and relative humidity) with the most updated data currently available.

Results

The Pearson correlation showed that daily new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were more correlated with the average temperature than with relative humidity. Daily new confirmed cases were negatively correlated with the average temperature in Beijing (r=–0.565, P<.001), Shanghai (r=–0.47, P<.001), and Guangzhou (r=–0.53, P<.001). In Japan, however, a positive correlation was observed (r=0.416, P<.001). In most of the cities (Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur), GAM analysis showed the number of daily new confirmed cases to be positively associated with both average temperature and relative humidity, especially using lagged 3D modeling where the positive influence of temperature on daily new confirmed cases was discerned in 5 cities (exceptions: Beijing, Wuhan, Korea, and Malaysia). Moreover, the sensitivity analysis showed, by incorporating the city grade and public health measures into the model, that higher temperatures can increase daily new case numbers (beta=0.073, Z=11.594, P<.001) in the lagged 3-day model.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that increased temperature yield increases in daily new cases of COVID-19. Hence, large-scale public health measures and expanded regional research are still required until a vaccine becomes widely available and herd immunity is established.
Virtual Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: A Call for Evaluation (Preprint)
Authors: Levine Oren Hannun , McGillion Michael , Levine Mark
Published: November 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

The interplay of virtual care and cancer care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is unique and unprecedented. Patients with cancer are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and have worse outcomes than patients with COVID-19 who do not have cancer. Virtual care has been introduced quickly and extemporaneously in cancer treatment centers worldwide to maintain COVID-19–free zones. The outbreak of COVID-19 in a cancer center could have devastating consequences. The virtual care intervention that was first used in our cancer center, as well as many others, was a landline telephone in an office or clinic that connected a clinician with a patient. There is a lack of virtual care evaluation from the perspectives of patients and oncology health care providers. A number of factors for assessing oncology care delivered through a virtual care intervention have been described, including patient rapport, frailty, delicate conversations, team-based care, resident education, patient safety, technical effectiveness, privacy, operational effectiveness, and resource utilization. These factors are organized according to the National Quality Forum framework for the assessment of telehealth in oncology. This includes the following 4 domains of assessing outcomes: experience, access to care, effectiveness, and financial impact or cost. In terms of virtual care and oncology, the pandemic has opened the door to change. The lessons learned during the initial period of the pandemic have given rise to opportunities for the evolution of long-term virtual care. The opportunity to evaluate and improve virtual care should be seized upon.
Interdisciplinary Online Hackathons as an Approach to Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case Study (Preprint)
Authors: Braune Katarina , Rojas Pablo-David , Hofferbert Joscha , Valera Sosa Alvaro , Lebedev Anastasiya , Balzer Felix , Thun Sylvia , Lieber Sascha , Kirchberger Valerie , Poncette Akira-Sebastian
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 outbreak has affected the lives of millions of people by causing a dramatic impact on many health care systems and the global economy. This devastating pandemic has brought together communities across the globe to work on this issue in an unprecedented manner.

OBJECTIVE

This case study describes the steps and methods employed in the conduction of a remote online health hackathon centered on challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to deliver a clear implementation road map for other organizations to follow.

METHODS

This 4-day hackathon was conducted in April 2020, based on six COVID-19–related challenges defined by frontline clinicians and researchers from various disciplines. An online survey was structured to assess: (1) individual experience satisfaction, (2) level of interprofessional skills exchange, (3) maturity of the projects realized, and (4) overall quality of the event. At the end of the event, participants were invited to take part in an online survey with 17 (+5 optional) items, including multiple-choice and open-ended questions that assessed their experience regarding the remote nature of the event and their individual project, interprofessional skills exchange, and their confidence in working on a digital health project before and after the hackathon. Mentors, who guided the participants through the event, also provided feedback to the organizers through an online survey.

RESULTS

A total of 48 participants and 52 mentors based in 8 different countries participated and developed 14 projects. A total of 75 mentorship video sessions were held. Participants reported increased confidence in starting a digital health venture or a research project after successfully participating in the hackathon, and stated that they were likely to continue working on their projects. Of the participants who provided feedback, 60% (n=18) would not have started their project without this particular hackathon and indicated that the hackathon encouraged and enabled them to progress faster, for example, by building interdisciplinary teams, gaining new insights and feedback provided by their mentors, and creating a functional prototype.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insights into how online hackathons can contribute to solving the challenges and effects of a pandemic in several regions of the world. The online format fosters team diversity, increases cross-regional collaboration, and can be executed much faster and at lower costs compared to in-person events. Results on preparation, organization, and evaluation of this online hackathon are useful for other institutions and initiatives that are willing to introduce similar event formats in the fight against COVID-19.
Impact of Interventional Policies Including Vaccine on COVID-19 Propagation and Socio-Economic Factors: Predictive Model Enabling Simulations Using Machine Learning and Big Data (Preprint)
Authors: Wu Haonan , Banerjee Rajarshi , V Indhumathi , Percy-Hughes Daniel , Chougale Praveen
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

A novel coronavirus disease has emerged (later named COVID-19) and caused the world to enter a new reality, with many direct and indirect factors influencing it. Some are human-controllable (e.g. interventional policies, mobility and the vaccine); some are not (e.g. the weather). We have sought to test how a change in these human-controllable factors might influence two measures: the number of daily cases against economic impact. If applied at the right level and with up-to-date data to measure, policymakers would be able to make targeted interventions and measure their cost.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to provide a predictive analytics framework to model, predict and simulate COVID-19 propagation and the socio-economic impact of interventions intended to reduce the spread of the disease such as policy and/or vaccine. It allows policymakers, government representatives and business leaders to make better-informed decisions about the potential effect of various interventions with forward-looking views via scenario planning.

METHODS

We leveraged a recently launched opensource COVID-19 big data platform and used published research to find potentially relevant variables (features), completing feature selection and engineering via in-depth data quality checks and analytics. An advanced machine learning pipeline has been developed. It contains the ensemble models, auto/semi-auto hyperparameter tuning and customized interpretability functions. And It is self-evolving as always learned from the most recent data. The output predicts daily cases and economic factors (e.g. small business revenue) to allow simulation of interventions including a vaccine (proxied by an influenza vaccination efficacy model). This framework is built using an open-source technology stack and we make the source code being publicly available as well.

RESULTS

This model is self-evolving and deployed on modern machine learning architecture. It has high accuracy for trend prediction (back-tested with r-squared). We bring simulation and interpretability in the framework. It models not just daily-cases, but also socio-economic demographics.

CONCLUSIONS

Human behaviour and extreme natural disasters are hard to measure with data points. No model can provide an answer that is correct 100% of the time; however, with high-quality model and big data, a forward-looking view can be inferred or at least noted. This predictive model can help the policymakers to test scenarios, plan proactive actions, optimize logistics, measure the cost and create an open dialogue with the general public.
After the Pandemic Disease, Could the Economic World Resume the Sustainability Path?
Authors: Antonio COSSIGA Dott. Giovanni
Published: November 2020

Is there any chance that the global economy struggling with the pandemic, could be able to recover soon or would the times get longer? Answering this question becomes quite hard because we can’t rely on any precedent. The statistical projections rely on the hypothesis “tomorrow the same as today”, thus showing some uncertainty. However, we cannot forget that the pre-coronavirus world was and still is troubled by a creeping deflation; this is a sign that the economy goes through an unstable condition and has lost the route of the correct relationship with nature. On the other hand, we are witnessing an exceptional exploit in the performance of some Asian countries, in particular China and India. A phenomenon that should be interpreted as the result of a natural correction tending to the resource and culture appropriate distribution between continents. A phenomenon that worked as an accelerator of global development and that has now almost stopped, due to the substantial parity of China with Europe and North America. Then there is the issue of the unequal wealth distribution in the major Nations with an accumulation at the top of society and an increasing poverty spread. A phenomenon that is contrasting the economic development and is causing serious social tensions. The natural correction is entrusted to the subordinate financial cycle which, however, plays to the advantage of the real economy. Any projection of the post-pandemic economic performance should therefore consider the action of the whole series of events. We can say that the lockdown of the global economy has the result of a forced recession that we may consider as actually playing a natural role in reducing the instability inside the economy. And this can give the result of a rising inflation (now too low) and therefore of a potential improvement in the economic climate. Regarding the issue of resource redistribution between continents, we may expect that -after Asia- also Africa and Latin America would be involved in the development acceleration process. This eventuality of the reciprocal interests between competing countries, whether applied with a greater energy, would certainly be a driving force towards the global development. Finally, the issue of great wealth and great poverty will be a valid reason for a substantial attention by the fiscal and monetary policy, because the correction of these anomalies will be a necessary direction in order to avoid economic and social problems that could twist like dangerous snakes.