bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing the Sensitivity of Protections in Electrical Networks up to 1 kV by Using Microprocessor and Semiconductor Release Tripping Devices
Authors: Kapustsinski A. Yu. , Kаnstantsinava S. N.
Published: October 2021

The paper deals with the problem of increasing the efficiency of the functioning of electric networks up to 1 kV, namely, the possibility of increasing the sensitivity of protections in networks up to 1 kV, which helps to reduce the protection response currents and, accordingly, reduce the cross-section of cable and wire products. The topicality of this problem is shown and the research tasks are defined. Much attention is paid to the concept of selectivity; attention is also paid to the concepts of full and partial selectivity. “Which protective devices can be considered selective?” is a question that is considered and worked out in sufficient depth in the paper. The negative phenomena that occur when ensuring the selectivity of protections in networks up to 1 kV are systematized and described in detail. Based on a comparative analysis of the parameters of circuit breakers with release tripping devices of various types, a solution to this problem is proposed by using circuit breakers with microprocessor and semiconductor release tripping devices. Additional advantages of microprocessor-based circuit breakers are considered and indicated, as well as their disadvantages are indicated, too. The main expected positive effects from the use of circuit breakers with microprocessor release tripping devices are listed, taking into account the fact that this type of circuit breakers is considered as a complex of devices replaced by it. The article can be recommended to employees of electric power specialties working with networks up to 1 kV.
Mathematical Model and Characteristics of the Induction Motor with a Power Supply from a Current Source
Authors: Malyar V. S. , Malyar A. V.
Published: October 2021

. Methods and mathematical models for studying the modes and characteristics of the three-phase squirrel-cage induction motor with the power supplied to the stator winding from the current source have been developed. The specific features of the algorithms for calculating transients, steady-state modes and static characteristics are discussed. The results of the calculation of the processes and characteristics of induction motors with the power supply from the current source and the voltage source are compared. Steady-state and dynamic modes cannot be studied with a sufficient adequacy based on the known equivalent circuits; this requires using dynamic parameters, which are the elements of the Jacobi matrix of the system of equations of the electromechanical equilibrium. In the mathematical model, the state equations of the stator and rotor circuits are written in the fixed two-phase coordinate system. The transients are described by the system of differential equations of electrical equilibrium of the transformed circuits of the motor and the equation of the rotor motion and the steady-state modes by the system of algebraic equation. The developed algorithms are based on the mathematical model of the motor in which the magnetic path saturation and skin effect in the squirrel-cage bars are taken into consideration. The magnetic path saturation is accounted for by using the real characteristics of magnetizing by the main magnetic flux and leakage fluxes of the stator and rotor windings. Based on them, the differential inductances are calculated, which are the elements of the Jacobi matrix of the system of equations describing the dynamic modes and static characteristic. In order to take into account the skin effect in the squirrel-cage rotor, each bar along with the squirrel-cage rings is divided height-wise into several elements. As a result, the mathematical model considers the equivalent circuits of the rotor with different parameters which are connected by mutual inductance. The non-linear system of algebraic equations of electrical equilibrium describing the steady-state modes is solved by the parameter continuation method. To calculate the static characteristics, the differential method combined with the Newton’s Iterative refinement is used.
Automated Analysis of Service Life of Air-Lines of the Electricity Transmission of Electric Power Systems
Authors: Farhadzadeh E. M. , Muradaliyev A. Z. , Abdullayeva S. A. , Nazarov A. A.
Published: October 2021

Basic EPS objects, which service life has exceeded normative value, increasingly affect – every year to a greater extent – the efficiency of overall performance. This manifests itself in increase of a number of automatic emergency shutdowns, an amount and complexities of accident-hazardous defects. After the expiration of the standard service life, there is a special need for a quantitative assessment of reliability and safety of an object. It is recommended to organize the operation, maintenance and repair of these objects according to their technical condition, and since it determines the reliability and safety of the object, these properties should be taken into account more fully. The relevant recommendations in electric power systems are implemented at a qualitative level, intuitively, according to the operating experience. There are neither quantitative evaluations nor methodology for their performance. Therefore, a method and algorithm of quantitative assessment of integral indicators of reliability and safety of operation of thermal power units of thermal power plants as concentrated objects of continuous operation were previously analyzed by the authors. The present paper examines distributed objects of continuous operation, viz. overhead power transmission lines with a voltage of 110 kV and higher, whose service life exceeds the standard value. Attention is paid to the issues of quantitative assessment of the degree of aging for a set of overhead power transmission lines, classification of these lines to identify the most significant classes and methodology for assessing the difference in the degree of aging when classifying them according to specified types of signs (for example, the difference in the degree of aging of overhead power transmission lines of grid enterprises of electric power systems). It is shown that it unacceptable to use the estimates of the relative number of overhead power transmission lines, the service life of which exceeds the calculated one, for comparison since it causes a great risk of an erroneous decision. The methodology and algorithm of methodological support of the management of electric power systems and grid enterprises in the organization of operation, maintenance and repair have been developed.
Evaluation of the Efficiency of Transfer Processes in a Rotary Apparatus
Authors: Volk A. M. , Vilkotsky A. I. , Pyzhcova O. N.
Published: October 2021

This paper considers the possibility of using vortex devices for interphase interaction while carrying out various physical and chemical processes in the chemical, food, gas production, construction and other industries. In the processes of mass transfer, one or several distributed components perform the transition from one phase to another through the active surface of their interface. To perform the implementation of these processes in absorbers, rectifiers, adsorbers, extractors effectively, the developed surface of the interacting phases acquire s a particular significance. Most of the chemical reactions in reaction devices and heterogeneous media occur when the initial distributed substances are supplied to the reaction zone and when the resulting products are removed from the chemical interaction zone through the phase interface. The processes under consideration are also used in solving environmental problems, viz. for sanitary cleaning of ventilation gases, wet cleaning of emissions. During evaporation, absorption, rectification, wet cleaning of gases and other processes, the problem of preventing the entrainment of liquid droplets with the gas flow is of great importance. One of the designs of a rotary multistage mass transfer apparatus is considered which makes it possible to achieve a finely dispersed liquid spray, uniform in height, with an ascending cross-flow of gas. The diagrams of installations for carrying out the experiment are given. On the basis of experimental studies, the dependence of the average diameter of dispersed liquid droplets on the geometric and hydrodynamic parameters has been obtained. The dispersed composition is described and dependences are given for determining the main characteristics used in physicochemical processes. The theoretical calculation of the movement of particles of the dispersed phase in the working volume of the apparatus at different flow rates of liquid and gas has been carried out. Theoretical and experimental methods were used to estimate the carryover of the liquid phase, an analysis of the process was carried out, and practical recommendations were given.
Development and Rationale of Two-Disk Operating Body of Agricultural Machine for Tillage
Authors: Ivanov A. S. , Puzyrev M. S. , Chikishev E. M.
Published: October 2021

One of the main problems in the design of agricultural machines, including tillage machines, is to ensure the optimal energy intensity of various technological operations. The design, kinematic and technological parameters of rotary tillage machines have a significant impact on the indicators of the energy intensity of the process and the quality of tillage. These parameters include the diameter of the operating body of the agricultural machine, the angular speed and rotational speed of the disks, the number of cutting elements, the translational speed of the operating body, the height of the ridge formed during soil cultivation, the thickness of the cut chips. An important agrotechnical parameter of a rotary tillage machine is the ridging of the furrow bottom. The height of the ridges formed should not be less than 20 % of the depth of the cultivated soil. Currently, in order to ensure the required height of the ridges in the designs of rotary machines, there are a number of restrictions that determine the operating mode and parameters of the units. The degree of influence of the parameters of the developed operating body and the energy consumption on the quality of tillage has been assessed in the process of the research. The experiments have been carried out on an installation that included an operating body, a power unit, control and instrumentation equipment. As the power section, AC motors with a phase rotor were used, the power of which was 0.75 and 1.50 kW, and the speed of rotation was 920, 1500 and 3000 rpm. The parameters have been set that allow to reduce the energy consumption for tillage by 11–17 %, compared to existing machines, and ensure the alignment of the furrow bottom by up to 80 %.
Organization of Six-Cylinder Tractor Diesel Working Process
Authors: Kuharonak G. M. , Klesso M. , Predko A. , Telyuk D.
Published: October 2021

The purpose of the work is to consider the organization of the working process of six-cylinder diesel engines with a power of 116 and 156 kW and exhaust gas recirculation. The following systems and components were used in the experimental configurations of the engine: Common Rail BOSСH accumulator fuel injection system with an injection pressure of 140 MPa, equipped with electro-hydraulic injectors with seven-hole nozzle and a 500 mm3 hydraulic flow; direct fuel injection system with MOTORPAL fuel pump with a maximum injection pressure of 100 MPa, equipped with MOTORPAL and AZPI five-hole nozzle injectors; two combustion chambers with volumes of 55 and 56 cm3 and bowl diameters of 55.0 and 67.5 mm, respectively; cylinder heads providing a 3.0–4.0 swirl ratio for Common Rail system, 3.5–4.5 for mechanical injection system. The recirculation rate was set by gas throttling before the turbine using a rotary valve of an original design. The tests have been conducted at characteristic points of the NRSC cycle: minimum idle speed 800 rpm, maximum torque speed 1600 rpm, rated power speed 2100 rpm. It has been established that it is possible to achieve the standards of emissions of harmful substances: on the 116 kW diesel engine using of direct-action fuel equipment and a semi-open combustion chamber; on the 156 kW diesel using Common Rail fuel supply system of the Low Cost type and an open combustion chamber.
Feasibility Study Comparison of Pavement Designs Using Local Materials
Authors: Kovalev Ya. N. , Sаvukhа A. V. , Girinsky V. V.
Published: October 2021

The possibility of using local materials in the construction of structural layers of pavement is considered in the paper. The paper presents a method of technical and economic analysis, for which it is necessary to know the calculated deformation moduli of the materials being compared. Knowing the turnaround time for each of the options under consideration, it is possible, by comparing them with the payback periods, to more fully identify the technical and economic features of such options. The main criterion for the admissibility of the use of local material in the corresponding structural layer is the equal strength of pavement structures or individual structural layers made of local and imported materials. The criterion of economic feasibility of using local material can be written as an inequality. Using the principle of equivalence of systems, it is possible to replace individual structural layers of pavement, made of certain materials, with equivalent layers of stiffness from other materials, increasing or decreasing their thickness, depending on the strength characteristics of the materials themselves. The main condition for the technical feasibility of using local material has been determined on the basis of the condition of equal strength structures made from local and imported materials. A schedule for preliminary determination of the technical and economic feasibility of using local materials in the structural layers of road pavements has been built. The total value of the investment costs can be used as an additional criterion for the economic benefits of the compared options.
Use of GPS at research of roads & a vehicle
Authors: Mishuta D. V. , Мikhailov V. G. , Sirai M. V.
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this work are consideration of use of GPS for a research of roads and modeling of the vehicle/wheel machines (WM).

Implementation for this problem of the measuring registering complex on a basis the Raspberry Pi 3/4 minicomputer, the GN-803G sensor and creation of the software in the language C/C ++ is considered.

The obtained information about GPS and approaches of selection of necessary data from the messages on the basis of the NMEA 0183 standard submitted in the text ASCII form with the fields divided by a comma is analyzed. An assessment of opportunities of use of the obtained information is given.

The scheme of connection of the GN-803N module to Raspberry 3/4 through the GPIO protocol is developed and proved.

Reduction of the obtained data to a constant step with use of a polynom of Lagrange of the 2-nd order on three points of a variable step is considered.

It is recommended at further use of this corrected data array in process modeling of the car application of a method of interpolation CatMull-Rom on the 4-th points at the fixed step. Program fragments are given in C/C ++.

It is offered in the territory of RB during the determining of relative distances and a binding to cards at conversion it is possible to use the simplified linear formula lat_m= 112297,6196∙ Ddec lat , lon_m= 63215,444 ∙ Ddec lon .

The offered technique of application of GPS, software, received data are planned to be used for a research of influence of the driver and road conditions on the movement of the vehicle and the subsequent their application when modeling in Matlab/ Simulink, and also in problems of preliminary debugging of management systems by self-driving vehicles.
Approaches to the application of the analytic hierarchy process in order to make a decision by the head of the border control unit
Authors: Sorokin M. N. , Rabenka D. S.
Published: October 2021

The head of the border control unit faces the need to make the decision on the protection of the state border at the border crossing point every day. Decision-making on the protection of the state border is a complex multifactorial process with the variability of possible final values. The article discusses the possibility of using the hierarchy analysis method for the decision-making process by the head of the border control unit. In order to make an optimal decision, using the method of analyzing hierarchies, it is necessary to decompose the known factors into indicators that directly affect the protection of the state border and the situation at the border crossing point. Decomposition of factors into indicators was carried out by the method of expert assessment, the disadvantage of which is the possible subjectivity of expert judgments. To obtain a sufficient number of qualitative judgments when choosing indicators of factors that directly affect the protection of the state border, the authors propose a method for determining the required number of experts when conducting expert assessments. Based on the results obtained, the allowable size of the expert group was 18 specialists involved in assessing the research problem. The research indicates that the involvement of experts in excess of the specified number leads to the presentation by them of insignificant for decision-making or repeated judgments. In order to achieve the best results, substantiate the proposal of all possible optimal indicators of factors that directly affect the protection of the state border, a categorical selection of experts in the direction of protecting the state border at the border crossing point has been established.
Grado de satisfacción de estudiantes de odontología respecto al empleo de juegos didácticos en tiempos de pandemia por COVID-19
Authors: Gutiérrez-Marín Natalia
Published: October 2021

Objetivo: determinar el grado de satisfacción de los alumnos respecto a la utilización de juegos didácticos en el curso de Odontología Infantil I. Métodos: enfoque cualitativo, diseño descriptivo. Se crearon 5 juegos didácticos con la aplicación Educaplay, los cuales fueron implementados en el curso. Al finalizar el curso se le envió vía correo institucional una encuesta a los 52 alumnos para valorar la utilización de los juegos. Resultados: 38 estudiantes respondieron la encuesta en la cual el 97% consideró útil o muy útil la utilización de los juegos didácticos en las lecciones; además, el 66% indicó que los juegos habían ayudado mucho a mejora el aprendizaje y el 72% manifestó que las clases donde se aplicó el juego fueron más dinámicas. Además, al 92% de los encuestados les gustaría que se implementaran estas dinámicas en otros cursos. Conclusiones: los estudiantes del curso de Odontología Infantil I mostraron un alto grado de satisfacción referente a la utilización de juegos didácticos durante las lecciones, los juegos los mantuvieron motivados
Nivel de conocimiento sobre cáncer oral en los estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad Científica del Sur
Authors: Segura Gaspar Paula , Atoche-Socola Katherine Joselyn , Otazú-Aldana Claudia Gabriela
Published: October 2021

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el nivel de conocimiento sobre cáncer oral de estudiantes de tercero, cuarto y quinto año de la carrera profesional de odontología en la Universidad Científica del Sur en el año 2020. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un cuestionario sobre conocimientos de cáncer oral a 166 alumnos que cursaban tercero, cuarto y quinto año de la carrera de odontología. Este cuestionario consistió en 24 preguntas de opción múltiple acerca de epidemiología, etiopatogenia, diagnóstico, tratamiento y complicaciones sobre cáncer oral. Resultados: Se encontró una asociación significativa entre el nivel de conocimiento sobre etiopatogenia del cáncer oral y el año de estudio. Conclusión: Los alumnos de tercer año tuvieron el mayor porcentaje en relación a nivel de conocimiento sobre etiopatogenia.
Antimicrobial Activity, In Vitro Anticancer Effect (MCF7 Breast Cancer Cell Line), Antiangiogenic and Immunomodulatory Potentials of Populus Nigra L. Buds Extract
Authors: Kis Brigitta , Pavel Ioana Zinuca , Avram Stefana , Moaca Elena Alina , Juan Martina Herrero San , Schwiebs Anja , Radeke Heinfried H. , Muntean Delia , Diaconeasa Zorita , Minda Daliana , Oprean Camelia , Bojin Florina , Dehelean Cristina Adriana , Soica Codruta , Danciu Corina
Published: October 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential, antimicrobial activity, the in vitro anticancer effect (MCF7 breast cancer cell line), as well as the antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory potential of Populus nigra L. bud (Pg) extract collected from the western part of Romania.Results:Populus nigra L. bud extract presents an important antioxidant activity, due to the rich phytochemical composition. Regarding the biological activity, results have shown that poplar bud extract presents a significant inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria and a dose-dependent decrease of MCF7 tumor cell viability with an IC50 of 66.26 µg/mL, while not affecting healthy cells. Phenomena of early apoptotic events at the maximum concentration tested (150 µg/mL) were detected by Annexin V-PI double staining. The extract induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. In addition, Pg extract showed antiangiogenic potential on the chorioallantoic membrane. Also, at the highest concentration (150 µg/mL), good tolerability and no signs of toxicity upon vascular plexus were observed. Moreover, in low concentrations, the Pg extract had immunomodulatory activity on primary human dendritic cells by upregulating IL-12 and IL-23 subunits.Conclusion:The study concludes that poplar bud extract elicited antioxidant activity, antitumor properties on the breast cancer cell line, followed by an antiangiogenic effect and an immunomodulatory potential on human primary dendritic cells. The biological activity of Populus nigra L. buds extract may open new directions of research on the topic addressed.
The incidence and localization of arterial Fenestrations of the human brain and their Association to brain aneurysms
Authors: Czyżewski Wojciech , Hoffman Zofia , Korulczyk Patrycja , Torres Kamil , Staśkiewicz Grzegorz
Published: October 2021

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of occurrence and the most common locations of the fenestration of the cerebral arteries, i.e. developmental anomalies consisting of segmental vessel splitting and also the correlation between their presence and the formation of intracranial aneurysms.
6,545 patients in Independent Public Teaching Hospital No. 4 in Lublin in years 2009-2019 who have undergone the angio-CT examination of the head were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of vascular fenestration was 0.75%, of which 75% were women and 25% men. Reported vascular anomalies most often occurred in the anterior parts of the circle of Willis – ACA (30.61%), AComA (22.45%) and also in BA (30.61%). It has been shown that the occurrence of different types of fenestrations was similar in the group of men and women. There have been diagnosed 11 cases of intracranial aneurysms among patients with observed fenestration (22.45%). For comparison, the incidence of cerebral aneurysms in Western Europe and the US ranges from 2% to 6%. It leads to the conclusion that among patients with fenestration, this type of vascular anomaly occurs much more often, hence they require more frequent control.
A mHealth-based Nursing Model for the Health Outcomes of the Discharged Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: a Pilot RCT
Authors: Liao Tingting , Qiu Liyan , Zhu Jingwen , Li Jiayan , Zhang Yanxin , Yang Li
Published: October 2021

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most prevalent cancer in China, accounting for an incidence rate of 12.5/37 in Guangxi, which is the highest in the world. Although chemoradiotherapy offers more effective cancer treatment, it also causes a variety of acute and chronic side effects, seriously affecting the quality of life. NPC has evolved into a chronic disease with most patients opting for home-based rehabilitation. Therefore, efforts on improving the home-based extended care services to improve the quality of life of patients are booming. The Chinese government encourages the use of internet technology for expanding the prospect of nursing. Methods: An experimental design was applied for this study. The study enrolled 116 discharged patients who were re-examined in the Radiotherapy Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from November 2019 to February 2020. The patients were divided into a test and a control group (n = 58 cases in each group) using the IBM SPSS STATISTICS 20.0 random number generation method. The control group was subjected to routine discharge guidance and follow-up, while the experimental group was implemented with a mobile health (mHealth)-based continuous nursing intervention model. The scores of the side effects, cancer fatigue, and quality of life were compared between the two groups of patients for 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively after discharge from the hospital.Results: This study included a total of 114 patients, and there was no significant difference in the baseline data between the two groups. After 6 and 12 months of intervention, the severity of radiation toxicity and side effects, scores of cancer-related fatigue, and quality of life (symptom field) of the patients in the interventional group were significantly lowered statistically compared to those in the control group.Conclusion: This study is based on the mHealth continuous nursing intervention model, which can better guide discharged patients to master the correct rehabilitation nursing methods, and reduce the side effects of radiotherapy and cancer fatigue.Trial registration: This study was retrospectively registered as a randomized controlled trial in the Chinese Clinical Trial Center. Registration Date: January 12, 2021, Registration Number: ChiCTR2100042027.
A Content Analysis of the Highly-Cited Articles in Medical Education: Commitment to Addressing Change and Reliance On Theory
Authors: Malekahmadi Parisa , Yazdan-Nik Ahmad-reza , Amouzadeh Mohammad , Yamani Nikoo , Compton-Lilly Catherine , Roberts Trudie
Published: October 2021

Background: The medical education community is reflecting increasingly on the role and nature of research in the field. Useful sources of data to include in these reflections are a description of the topics in which we are investing our energies, an analysis of the extent to which there is a sense of progress on these topics, and an examination of the mechanisms by which any progress has been achieved. The purpose of the present study was to provide an insight into the highly cited themes of research into medical education.Methods: This study is a content analysis of highly cited articles in medical education. An in-depth content analysis was conducted, identifying meaning units, which were compacted and coded with labels.Results: During a variety of topics, methods and strategies, 764 codes, 24 descriptive themes, and 7 categories were extracted from the content analysis as the most prominent. Categories for future medical education research were: Modern technology updating in medical education; Learner performance improving; Sociological aspects of medical education; Clinical reasoning; Research methodology concerns of medical education; Instructional design educational models; and Professional aspects of medical education.Conclusions: Medical education is in need of moving to a more theory and discovery driven approach and would profit from broadening its scope and reformation that might bring answers to new concerns. An emphasis on creating more systemic knowledge and theoretical models will nurture the generalizable scientific knowledge and will increase the medical education chance to drive the development of research on learning and instruction.
The Effect of Teaching Clinical Skills Through Social Networks on Nursing Students’ Clinical Skills in Crisis Handling: A Quasi- Experimental Study
Authors: Zaman-hosieni Mohammad , Mirtajaddini Mohamad hasan , Mehdipour-Rabori Roghayeh
Published: October 2021

Background: When a crisis occurs, nurses are at the forefront of providing care to patients in emergency rooms. The need for skilled nurses is increasing due to the crises and disasters that are occurring around the world. The aim of the study was to determine whether teaching clinical skills through social networks can affect nursing students’ clinical skills in crisis handling.Methods: This study was done in Iran in 2021. One hundred nursing students were selected by simple random sampling and divided into control and intervention groups. Nursing clinical skills in crisis questionnaires were used before and after intervention in two groups. Distance learning through social networks was done for a month. SPSS version 15 was used for data analysis. The significance level was 0.05.Results: There was no significant difference between the control and intervention groups before the intervention (P >0.05). The mean score of clinical skills in the control group increased from 60.82 before the study to 62.75 after the study, which was not statistically significant (P >0.05). The mean clinical skills of the intervention group increased from 58.02 before the intervention to 82.52 after the intervention, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001).Conclusions: This study showed nurses’ clinical skills are low during crises. Education through social networks can improve them and should be part of nursing education. The application of this low-cost and inexpensive method is recommended for improving clinical skills in nursing.
Integrating geo-linked electronic health records with neighborhood data to identify place-based barriers for diabetes management in a public healthcare system
Authors: Desai Riya , Nguyen Kim Hanh , Inamdar Pushkar , Rubinsky Anna D. , Hebert-DeRouen Mindy C. , Fields Jessica , Bibbins-Domingo Kirsten , Lyles Courtney R.
Published: October 2021

Background

Despite the body of research on place-based disparities in diabetes, there is room for advancing methods in this space by leveraging multiple datasets, including population census and clinical datasets. Specifically, healthcare systems can leverage geo-linked electronic health records (EHRs) to investigate geospatial clustering and identify social determinants of health.
Methods

We examined geographic clustering of poor diabetes control and corresponding structural and social determinants of health within San Francisco’s safety-net healthcare system. Specifically, we used EHR data to identify individual patient-level addresses and clinical outcomes for diabetes, using hot spot analysis to determine significant hot and cold clusters of diabetes control throughout San Francisco. In addition, by linking patient addresses to public datasets, we described the neighborhood-level conditions associated with hot spots.
Results

Our hot spot analysis showed 18.8% of patients with poor glycemic control (n = 2,126) clustered in hot spots, and 12.8% of patients with controlled diabetes clustered in cold spots. Neighborhoods of patients in hot spots had more Black, Latinx, Native American, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander residents and more residents receiving SNAP benefits, experiencing unemployment, food insecurity, greater rent burden, and low grocery store access.
Conclusions

We present methodological advantages of hotspot analyses utilizing EHR data, as well as the value of combining these approaches with additional public population census data about neighborhood conditions. Moving forward, healthcare systems must partner with public health agencies to utilize EHR data as a means to evaluate structural interventions and eventually target investment in place-based health-enabling resources.
Community Perceptions of a Floodplain Buyout Program in Charlotte, North Carolina
Authors: Cardwell Julia
Published: October 2021

Acquisition of flood risk properties is becoming an increasingly common practice for floodplain risk management. While these buyout programs are often seen as highly effective in achieving their primary goal—reducing flood risk—there are additional variables that should be considered when assessing overall effectiveness of these programs. These variables include equity concerns and post-buyout land use. This study examines the floodplain buyout program in Charlotte, North Carolina with special consideration for these additional variables, including the social variables that may impact the secondary success of floodplain buyout programs. The floodplain buyout program in Charlotte is seen as effective in reducing flood risk, but specific community and neighborhood experience with the buyout program differs significantly. While some communities feel that the flood buyouts were equitable and just, and are able to ascribe land uses to the vacant land that add community value, some communities have differing experiences. The study indicates the continued importance of community-specific examination fof the effectiveness of recovery programs.
Reactivating Hippocampal-Mediated Memories to Disrupt the Reconsolidation of Fear
Authors: Grella Stephanie , Fortin Amanda , Bladon John , Reynolds Leanna , Ruesch Evan , Gross Abby , Shpokayte Monika , Cincotta Christine , Zaki Yosif , Ramirez Steve
Published: October 2021

Memories are stored in the brain as cellular ensembles activated during learning and reactivated during retrieval. Using the Tet-tag system, we labeled dorsal dentate gyrus (dDG) neurons activated by positive, neutral or negative experiences with channelrhodopsin-2. Following fear-conditioning, these cells were artificially reactivated during fear memory recall. Optical stimulation of a competing positive memory was sufficient to disrupt reconsolidation, thereby reducing conditioned fear acutely and enduringly. Moreover, mice demonstrated operant responding for reactivation of a positive memory, confirming its rewarding properties. These results show that interference from a rewarding experience can counteract negative affective states. While interference induced by memory reactivation involved a relatively small set of neurons, we also found that activating a large population of randomly labeled dDG neurons was effective at disrupting reconsolidation. Importantly, reconsolidation-interference was specific to the fear memory. These findings implicate the dDG as a potential therapeutic node for modulating memories to suppress fear.
Characterizing and Quantifying Performance Heterogeneity in Cardiovascular Risk Prediction Models — A Step Towards Improved Disease Risk Assessment
Authors: Kartoun Uri , Khurshid Shaan , Kwon Bum Chul , Patel Aniruddh , Batra Puneet , Philippakis Anthony , Khera Amit , Ellinor Patrick , Lubitz Steve , Ng Kenney
Published: October 2021

Prediction models are commonly used to estimate risk for cardiovascular diseases; however, performance may vary substantially across relevant subgroups of the population. Here we investigated the variability of performance and fairness across a variety of subgroups for risk prediction of two common diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and atrial fibrillation (AF). We calculated the Cohorts for Heart and Aging in Genomic Epidemiology Atrial Fibrillation (CHARGE-AF) for AF and the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) score for ASCVD in three large data sets: Explorys Life Sciences Dataset (Explorys, n = 21,809,334), Mass General Brigham (MGB, n = 520,868), and the UK Biobank (UKBB, n = 502,521). Our results demonstrate important performance heterogeneity of established cardiovascular risk scores across subpopulations defined by age, sex, and presence of preexisting disease. For example, in CHARGE-AF, discrimination declined with increasing age, with concordance index of 0.72 [ 95% CI, 0.72–0.73 ] for the youngest (45–54y) subgroup to 0.57 [ 0.56–0.58 ], for the oldest (85–90y) subgroup in Explorys. The statistical parity difference (i.e., likelihood of being classified as high risk) was considerable between males and females within the 65–74y subgroup with a value of -0.33 [ 95% CI, -0.33–-0.33 ]. We observed also that large segments of the population suffered from both decreased discrimination (i.e., <0.7) and poor calibration (i.e., calibration slope outside of 0.7–1.3); for example, all individuals 75 or older in Explorys (17.4%). Our findings highlight the need to characterize and quantify how clinical risk models behave and perform within specific subpopulations so they can be used appropriately to facilitate more accurate and equitable assessment of disease risk.
Development of 3 Multi-PCR Based Microsatellite Instability Analysis (MSA) for Bladder Cancer Detection
Authors: Reynolds Thomas , Gordon Maxie , Moon David , Moon Chulso
Published: October 2021

Several studies have shown that microsatellite changes can be profiled in urine for the detection of bladder cancer. Use of microsatellite analysis (MSA) for bladder cancer detection requires a comprehensive analysis of up to 15 to 20 markers, which were based on amplification and interpretations of many individual MSA markers and can be technically challenging. Here, in a way to develop fast, more efficient, standardized and less costly MSA for detection of bladder cancer, we have developed 3 multiplex PCR based MSA assay, all of which were analyzed by genetic analyzer. First, we have selected 16 MSA markers based on 9 selected publications. Based on samples from Johns Hopkins University (JHU Sample, first set sample), we have attempted to develop MSA assay based on doublet, 2 tube based multiplex PCR combined with singlet, 1 tube based single plex PCR. While this assay was initially successful, we have encountered a reproducibility issue and we then developed MSA based on triplet, 3 tube based multiplex PCR (Triplet MSA assay). From second set samples (6 cancer patients’ and 14 normal individuals’ sample), our Triplet Assay with 15 MSA markers correctly predicted all of 6/6 cancer samples to be cancerous sample and 14/14 samples from normal individuals as normal samples. This result suggests that our Triplet MSA Assay combined with genetic analyzer is a potentially time and cost-effective genetic assay for bladder cancer detection and can be used potentially as a dependable assay in patient care.
The Biology of Medicinal Resource Substitution in Salvia
Authors: Cui Ning , Chen Tiezhu , Liao Baosheng , Xu Jiang , Li Xiwen
Published: October 2021

Background: The decrease of wild reserves and the sharp increase of market demand have led to resource substitution, but it is still not clear how to discover medicinal alternative resources. Here we reveal the biology of medicinal resource substitution in the case of Salvia.Methods: A hypothesis was put forward that phylogeny and ecology were the main factors which determined alternative species selection. Phylogenetic analysis was performed based on chloroplast genomes. Spatial climatic pattern was assessed through three mathematical models. Results: S. miltiorrhiza and alternative species were mainly located in Clade 3 in topology, and their growth environment was clustered into an independent group 3 inferred from Principal Component analysis. Correlation and Maxent major climate factor analyses showed that the ecological variations within each lineage were significantly smaller than the overall divergent between any two lineages. Mantel test reconfirmed the inalienability between phylogeny and ecology (P = 0.002). Only the species that are genetically and ecologically related to S. miltiorrhiza can form a cluster with it. Conclusion: Phylogenetic relationship and geographical climate work together to determine which species has the potential to be selected as substitutes. Other medicinal plants can learn from this biology towards developing alternative resources.
Basis for drug selectivity of plasmepsin IX and X inhibition for Plasmodium falciparum and vivax
Authors: Cowman Alan , Hodder Anthony , Christensen Janni , Scally Stephen , Triglia Tony , Ngo Anna , Birkinshaw Richard , Bailey Brodie , Favuzza Paola , Dietrich Melanie , Tham Wai-Hong , Czabotar Peter , Lowes Kym , Guo Zhuyan , Murgolo Nicholas , Ruiz Manuel , McCauley John , Sleebs Brad , Olsen David
Published: October 2021

Plasmepsin IX (PMIX) and X (PMX) are aspartyl proteases of Plasmodium spp. that play essential roles in parasite egress, invasion and development. Consequently, they are important drug targets for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. WM4 and WM382 are potent inhibitors of PMIX and PMX that block invasion of liver and blood stages and transmission to mosquitoes. WM4 specifically inhibits PMX whilst WM382 is a dual inhibitor of PMIX and PMX. To understand the function of PMIX and PMX proteases we identified new protein substrates in P. falciparum and together with detailed kinetic analyses and structural analyses identified key molecular interactions in the active site responsible for the specificity of WM4 and WM382 inhibition. The crystal structures of PMX apo enzyme and the protease/drug complexes of PMX/WM382 and PMX/WM4 for P. falciparum and P. vivax have been solved. We show PMIX and PMX have similar substrate selectivity, however, there are distinct differences for both peptide and full-length protein substrates through differences in localised 3-dimensional structures for the enzyme substrate-binding cleft and substrate interface. The differences in affinities of WM4 and WM382 binding for PMIX and PMX map to variations in surface interactions with each protease in the S' region of the active sites. Crystal structures of PMX reveal interactions and mechanistic detail on the selectivity of drug binding which will be important for further development of clinical candidates against these important molecular targets.
Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Data Modelling
Authors: Petrova-Antonova Dessislava , Kunchev Todor , Manova Ilina , Spasov Ivaylo
Published: October 2021

Recently, a huge amount of data is available for clinical research on cognitive diseases. A lot of challenges arise when data from different repositories should be integrated. Since data entities are stored with different names at different levels of granularity, a common data model is needed, providing a unified description of different factors and indicators of cognitive diseases. This paper proposes a common hierarchical data model of patients with cognitive disorders, which keeps the semantics of the data in a human-readable format and accelerates interoperability of clinical datasets. It defines data entities, their attributes and relationships related to diagnosis and treatment. The data model covers four main aspects of the patient’s profile: (1) personal profile; (2) anamnestic profile, including social status, everyday habits, and head trauma history; (3) clinical profile, describing medical investigations and assessments, comorbidities and the most likely diagnose; and (4) treatment profile with prescribed medications. It provides a native vocabulary, improving data availability, saving efforts, accelerating clinical data interoperability and standardizing data to minimize risk of rework and misunderstandings. The data model enables the application of machine learning algorithms by helping scientists to understand the semantics of information through a holistic view of patient.
Functionally Calibrating Life Satisfaction: The Case of Mating Motives and Self-Perceived Mate Value
Authors: Ko Ahra , Suh Eunkook M. , Shin Ji-eun , Neuberg Steven
Published: October 2021

If life satisfaction has functional significance for goal achievement, it should be calibrated to cues of potential success on active and fundamentally important goals. Within the context of mating motivation, we tested this hypothesis with self-perceived mate value—an assessment of one’s potential mating success. As hypothesized, because most individuals (eventually) seek long-term relationships, self-perceived long-term mate value predicted life satisfaction for men and women regardless of relationship status. In contrast, and also as hypothesized, self-perceived short-term mate value predicted life satisfaction only for individuals with short-term mating goals—single uncommitted men (Studies 1, 2A, and 2B), individuals dispositionally motivated toward short-term relationships (Studies 2A and 2B), and single uncommitted women for whom short-term mating motivation was experimentally engaged, enabling causal inference (Study 3). Results support a functional conceptualization of life satisfaction, showing that currently active mating goals can shape the extent to which goal-specific self-perceived mate value predicts life satisfaction.
Prognostic CT Features and Prediction Model of Patients With Primary Hepatocellular Carcinomas Undergoing Partial Hepatectomy
Authors: Zhou Cuiping , Ban Xiaohua , Hu Huijun , Yang Qiuxia , Zhang Rong , Xie Chuanmiao , Yang Lingjie , Shen Xinping , Duan Xiaohui
Published: October 2021

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant tumor in the liver. Partial hepatectomy is one of the most effective therapies for HCC but suffer from the high recurrence rate. At present, the studies of association between clinical outcomes and CT features of patients with HCCs undergoing partial hepatectomy are still limited. The purpose of this study is to determine the predictive CT features and establish a model for predicting relapse or metastasis in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) undergoing partial hepatectomy.Methods: The clinical data and CT features of 112 patients with histopathologically confirmed primary HCCs were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical outcomes were categorized into two groups according to whether relapse or metastasis occurred within 2 years after partial hepatectomy. The association between clinical outcomes and CT features including tumour size, margin, shape, vascular invasion (VI), arterial phase hyperenhancement, washout appearance, capsule appearance, satellite lesion, involvement segment, cirrhosis, peritumoral enhancement and necrosis was analyzed using univariate analysis and binary logistic regression. Then establish logistic regression model, followed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Results: CT features including tumor size, margin, shape, VI, washout appearance, satellite lesion, involvement segment, peritumoral enhancement and necrosis were associated with clinical outcomes, as determined by univariate analysis (P<0.05). Only tumor margin and VI remained independent risk factors in binary logistic regression analysis (OR=6.41 and 10.92 respectively). The logistic regression model was logit(p)=-1.55+1.86 margin +2.39 VI. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under curve of the obtained logistic regression model was 0.887(95% CI：0.827-0.947).Conclusion: Patients with ill-defined margin or VI of HCCs were independent risk predictors of poor clinical outcome after partial hepatectomy. The model as logit(p)= -1.55+1.86 margin +2.39 VI was a good predictor of the clinical outcomes.