bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Features and Disease Severity in Patients With Mosaic Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Single-Center Study and Literature Review
Authors: Raundahl Maj , Gregersen Pernille Axel , Handrup Mette Møller , Ejerskov Cecilie
Published: October 2020

Background The mosaic form of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is called mosaic NF1 (MNF1). No specific MNF1 follow-up guidelines exist. It is debatable if patients with MNF1 should be clinically examined and undergo follow-up in accordance with the standard NF1 guidelines, as MNF1 patients more often may develop more benign phenotypes and thereby less disease-associated complications including cognitive impairment. We discussed the need for a specific MNF1 follow-up guideline with focus on frequency of plexiform neurofibromas and NF1-associated complications.Method A systematic retrospective data collection in a MNF1 cohort from one of two Danish national centers of NF1 Expertise was completed. Data collected included demographics, clinical features including NF1 diagnostic criteria and NF1-associated complications. Recent literature in the field was reviewed.Results We identified 17 patients with MNF1 with a median age of 37 years [4; 66]. Eleven (65%) were females. Five patients (30%) had a plexiform neurofibroma. The median age at detection of plexiform neurofibroma was 30 years [14; 60]. Nine (53%) had at least one NF1-related complication; scoliosis, hypertension, ADHD, learning disability, language delay, autism and delay in gross and fine motor function development. We reviewed nine articles. In total, 126 cases were described within three case-series. Nineteen (15%) had a plexiform neurofibroma and in total, 23 NF1-associated complications were reported including language delay, learning disability and skeletal abnormalities. Furthermore, from the literature it was evident that the diagnosing of MNF1 varies among physicians and across countries. Conclusion Patients with MNF1 present with plexiform neurofibromas and other NF1-related complications with a frequency requiring that follow-up of MNF1 patients should be in accordance with the standard NF1 guideline in both childhood and adulthood. Physicians should be aware of cognitive impairment as a complication to MNF1. To develop a specific MNF1 follow-up guideline, there is a need for an international consensus on the diagnostic criteria for MNF1 and a follow-up study conducted in a larger MNF1 cohort.
Procalcitonin Expression in Patients with Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung
Authors: Itoga Masamichi , Tanaka Hisashi , Taima Kageaki , Ishioka Yoshiko , Sakamoto Hiroaki , Takanashi Shingo , Kurose Akira , Tasaka Sadatomo
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveProcalcitonin (PCT) has received much attention as a serum marker for bacterial infection. Elevated serum PCT is occasionally seen in severe trauma, heatstroke, and neoplastic diseases, including lung cancer with neuroendocrine component. ResultsIn the present study, we evaluated PCT expression in the specimen of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors, comparing large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), carcinoid, and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Pathological specimens of 10 LCNEC, 4 carcinoid, and 7 SCLC cases were evaluated with immunochemical staining of PCT. Clinical characteristics and serum levels of PCT and C-reactive protein were also evaluated. We observed positive PCT expression in 5 (50%) LCNEC and 2 (50%) carcinoid specimens that were surgically resected. Whereas serum PCT levels were not elevated in patients with PCT-positive carcinoid, two out of three LCNEC patients with high PCT expression in the tumor had elevated serum PCT levels that reflected disease progression. In patients with SCLC, PCT was not detected in the tumor or serum. This is the first immunohistochemical study of the PCT expression in the lung tumor specimens. We concluded that, in patients with LCNEC, high serum PCT levels may be indicative of disease activity and serve as a biomarker.
Distribution of β-lactamase Gene and Genetic Context of blaKPC-2 in Clinical Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae Isolates
Authors: Liu Hongmao , Lin Hailong , Sun Zhewei , Zhu Xinyi , Zhang Xueya , Li Qiaoling , Lu Junwan , Lin Xi , Lin Li , Li Kewei , Zhu Mei , Bao Qiyu , Xu Teng , Hu Yunliang , Zhang Hailin
Published: October 2020

Background: This study is designed to characterize the dissemination mechanism and genetic context of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) genes in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) isolates.Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on CRKP isolates from a teaching hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from 2015-2017. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based amplification and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) were used to analyze the genetic context of the blaKPC-2 gene. Conjugation experiments were performed to evaluate the transferability of blaKPC-2-bearing plasmids. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were performed to investigate the clonal relatedness of blaKPC-2-producing strains.Results: The blaKPC-2 gene was identified in 13.61% (40/294) of clinical K. pneumoniae isolates. Three different sequence types (ST11, ST15 and ST656) and 5 PFGE subtypes (A to E) were classified among them. ST11 was the dominant sequence type (92.50%, 37/40). Plasmid-oriented antibiotic resistance genes such as extended spectrum-β-lactamases (ESBLs) and other antimicrobial resistance genes were also found in KPC-positive K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp). Mapping PCR and genomic sequencing revealed that the blaKPC-2-bearing sequence regions related to different mobile elements, including Tn1721- and IS26-based transposons, were mainly located in but not restricted to IncFII-like plasmids and were structurally divergent.Conclusions: The blaKPC-2 genes related to divergent mobile genetic elements encoded on transferable plasmids may transfer easily and widely, resulting in the spread of resistance among bacteria of different species or genera. Co-infection of KPC-Kp plasmids carrying additional non-β-lactam antibiotic resistance genes simultaneously further limits the antibiotics available to treat infections with KPC-producing pathogens.
Monthly Population Fluctuations and Abundance Index (SISA) of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), as Potential Bridge Vectors of Pathogens to Humans and Animals in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran
Authors: Nikookar Seyed Hassan , Dinan Mahmoud Fazeli , Enayati Ahmadali
Published: October 2020

Background: Seasonal activity patterns of mosquitoes are essential as baseline knowledge to understand the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the monthly dynamics of the mosquito populations and their relation to meteorological factors in Mazandaran Province, north of Iran.Methods: Mosquito adults and larvae were collected from 16 counties of Mazandaran Province using different sampling techniques, once a month from May to December 2014. “Index of Species Abundance” (ISA) along with “Standardized ISA” (SISA) was used for assessing the most abundant species of mosquitoes based on the explanations of Robert and Hsi. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) was used to assess the relationships between the monthly population fluctuations and meteorological variables. Results: Overall, 23750 mosquitoes belonging to four genera and nineteen species were collected and identified. The highest population density of mosquitoes was in July and the lowest in May. The ISA/SISA indices showed the values of ISA/SISA: 1(larvae) and 1.25/0.973 (adult) in total catch human and shelter pit (ISA/SISA:1.68/0.938) for Culex pipiens and Culex tritaeniorhynchus, respectively, species that had the highest activity peak in July. A significant positive correlation was observed between Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and mean temperature (R: 0.766, P < 0.027).Conclusions: The results indicated that the mosquitoes are more active in July, Cx. pipiens and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were the most abundant species, due to the potential of these species as vectors of numerous pathogens, control programmes can be planed based on their monthly activity pattern in the area.
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 During Air Travel: A Descriptive and Modelling Study
Authors: Zhang Jinjun , Qin Fei , Li Jianren , Tian Sijia , Lou Jing , Kang Xuqin , Lian Huixin , Niu Shengmei , Zhang Wenzhong , Chen Yuguo
Published: October 2020

Background Millions of cases of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported in the world. Although it is known that the air travel has the potential to spread SARS-CoV-2, the risk of in-flight transmission is unknown.Methods We enrolled all passengers and crew suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, who bounded for Beijing on international flights. We specified the characteristics of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection and utilized Wells-Riley equation to estimate the infectivity of COVID-19 during air travel.Results We screened 4492 passengers and crew with suspected COVID-19 infection, verified 161 confirmed cases (mean age 28.6 years), and traced two confirmed cases who may have been infected in the aircraft. The estimated infectivity was 375 quanta/h (range 274-476), while the effective infectivity was only 4 quanta/h (range 2-5). The risk of per-person infection during a 13 hours air travel in economy class was 0.56‰ (95% CI 0.41‰-0.72‰). Conclusion We found that the universal use of face masks on the flight, together with the plane's ventilation system, significantly decreased the infectivity of COVID-19.
Crack Fault Diagnosis and Location Method for a Dual-disks Hollow Shaft Rotor System Based on the Radial Basis Function Network and Pattern Recognition Neural Network
Authors: Jin Yuhong , Hou Lei , Lu Zhenyong , Chen Yushu
Published: October 2020

In recent years, the crack fault is one of the most common faults in the rotor system, and its fault diagnosis has been paid close attention by researchers. However, the traditional fault diagnosis methods based on various signal processing algorithms can only be adopted to determine whether there is a crack fault in the rotor system, but the dynamic response of the rotor system can hardly be used to calculate the depth and position of the crack. In this paper, a new crack fault diagnosis and location method for a dual-disks hollow shaft rotor system based on the Radial basis function (RBF) network and Pattern recognition neural network (PRNN) is presented. Firstly, a rotor system model with a breathing crack suitable for a short-thick hollow shaft rotor is established based on the finite element method and Timoshenko beam theory. Then the dynamic response is calculated by the harmonic balance method and the analysis results show that the first critical whirl speed, the first subcritical speed, the first critical speed amplitude, and the super-harmonic resonance peak at 1/2 first critical whirl speed of the rotor system are closely related to the depth and position of the crack, which can be used for crack fault diagnosis. Finally, the RBF network and PRNN are adopted to determine the depth and approximate location of the crack by taking the above dynamic response characteristics as input, respectively. The test results show that this method has high fault diagnosis accuracy.
Pyothorax-associated Lymphoma: a Case Report and Review
Authors: Dong Fangyuan , Wu Yongzhi , Wang Sufen , Sun Guomin , Zhang Qinqin , Chen Bing , Liu Yinhua
Published: October 2020

Background: Pyothorax-associated lymphoma is a rare disease with variations in endemic prevalence. PAL arising from a posttraumatic empyema are a rare occurrence.Case presentation: a male patient, 83 years old. Twenty years earlier, the patient fell from a height, sustaining a fracture to the right rib, which improved after conservative treatment. In September 2018, the patient had right chest pain (ribs 9–10). In February 2019, the chest pain became worse during sleep. CT examination showed inflammation of the right lower lobe, chronic empyema on the right with subdiaphragmatic infection, fibrosis of the right lung, atherosclerosis, thickening of the left pleura with rib destruction, and membranous calcification around the lesion. After 5 days of treatment with cefoperazone, sulbactam sodium, and ornidazole, the patient’s chest pain did not improve. The results of 18F-FDG PET/CT showed the following: a solid mass in the lower right thoracic cavity. Immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor cells were negative for CD20 and CD3, positive for background mature T lymphocytes, positive for Pax-5, positive for MUM-1, Ki-67 (70%, +); AE1/AE3, CD138, Bcl-6, CD10, CD5, CD56, MPO (-); CD79α (part +), EMA (part +), CD38 (+), bcl-2 (+). In situ hybridization (CISH): EBER+. Mini-CHOP chemotherapy was implemented on April 11, 2019. The patient stopped taking analgesics on the day of chemotherapy. The pain disappeared one week later, and the EBV-DNA fell to the normal range. In the later stage, the family members of the patient declined further patient treatment and reexamination. The patient’s condition worsened in July 2019 and he died on September 25, 2019.Conclusion: Pathological morphology is vital important to make a final diagnosis and avoid misdiagnosis or miss diagnosis. This case is described by a combination of imaging and pathological examinations that reports the clinical pathological diagnosis and treatment process of a single case of pyothorax-associated lymphoma, and it provides some diagnostic information regarding the rare disease of PAL.
An Integrated Primary Care Workforce Planning Toolkit at the Regional Level (Part 1): Qualitative Tools Compiled for Decision-Makers in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Chamberland-Rowe Caroline , Simkin Sarah , Bourgeault Ivy Lynn
Published: October 2020

Background: A regional health authority in Toronto, Canada identified health workforce planning as an essential input to the implementation of their comprehensive Primary Care Strategy. The goal of this project was to develop an evidence-informed toolkit for integrated, multi-professional, needs-based primary care workforce planning for the region. This article presents the qualitative workforce planning processes included in the toolkit.Methods: To inform the workforce planning process, we undertook a targeted review of the health workforce planning literature and an assessment of existing planning models. We assessed models based on their alignment with the core needs and key challenges of the health authority: multi-professional, population needs-based, accommodating short-term planning horizons and multiple planning scales, and addressing key challenges including population mobility and changing provider practice patterns. We also assessed the strength of evidence surrounding the models’ performance and acceptability. Results: We developed a fit-for-purpose health workforce planning toolkit, integrating elements from existing models and embedding key features that address the region’s specific planning needs and objectives. The toolkit outlines qualitative workforce planning processes, including scenario generation tools that provide opportunities for patient and provider engagement. Tools include PESTLE Analysis, SWOT Analysis, an adaptation of Porter’s Five Forces Framework, and Causal Loop Diagrams. These planning processes enable the selection of policy interventions that are robust to uncertainty and that are appropriate and acceptable at the regional level.Conclusions: The qualitative components informing health workforce planning process are an often overlooked but essential part of an evidence-informed toolkit to support integrated, multi-professional, needs-based primary care workforce planning.
Social Value of Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Implementation in Australia: Case Study
Authors: Pramono Andini , Smith Julie , Desborough Jane , Bourke Siobhan
Published: October 2020

BackgroundBreastfeeding has positive impacts on the health, environment, and economic wealth of families and countries. Nevertheless, barriers to accessing high-quality breastfeeding support are evident in the low global exclusive breastfeeding rate of 41%. The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in 1991 as a global program to incentivize maternity services to implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (Ten Steps). These were developed to ensure that maternity services remove barriers for mothers and families to successfully initiate breastfeeding and to continue breastfeeding through referral to community support after hospital discharge. However, in 2020 only 26% of Australian hospitals were BFHI-accredited. This study aimed to examine the social return on investment (SROI) of implementing the BFHI in one public maternity unit in Australia.MethodThe study was non-experimental and conducted in the maternity unit of an Australian BFHI-accredited public hospital with around 1000 births annually. This facility illustrated costs for BFHI implementation in a relatively affluent urban population, and more than three in four births in Australia take place in public hospitals. Stakeholders considered within scope of the study were the mother-baby dyad and the maternity facility. We interviewed the hospital’s Director of Maternity Services and the Clinical Midwifery Educator, guided by a structured questionnaire, which examined the cost (financial, time and other resources) and benefits of each of the Ten Steps. Analysis was informed by the Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework, which uses monetary values to measure social, environmental and economic outcomes of change. This information was supplemented with micro costing studies from the literature that measure the benefits of the BFHI. ResultsThe social return from the BFHI initiative in this facility was calculated to be AU$ 1,398,140. The total investment required was AU$ 24,433 per year. Therefore, the SROI ratio was approximately AU$ 55:1 (sensitivity analysis: AU$ 16-112), which meant that every AU$1 invested in BFHI implementation by this maternal and newborn care facility generated approximately AU$55 of benefit. ConclusionsScaled up nationally, the BFHI could provide important benefits to the Australian health system and national economy. In this public hospital, the BFHI produced social value greater than the cost of investment, providing new evidence of its effectiveness and economic gains as a public health intervention. Our findings using a novel tool to calculate the social rate of return, indicate that implementation of the BHFI is an investment in the health and wellbeing of families, communities and the Australian economy, as well as in health equity.
Analysis of Percutaneous Kyphoplasty under Different Types of Anesthesia for the Treatment of Multiple Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Xu Shuang , Yang Jin , Wang Song , Wang Qing
Published: October 2020

Background Surgeons believe that the advantage of PKP under local anesthesia for the treatment of OVF in preventing interference with the general situation of elderly patients with multiple organ dysfunction. Surgeons can directly assess whether a spinal cord nerve injury occurs while the patient is awake. However, when patients with m-OVFs receive local anesthesia, fluoroscopy time often has to be increased,the operative time has to be extended, or the operation has to be terminated because of body posture-related discomfort, the toxic reaction of bone cement, and abrupt fluctuation of vital signs. No relevant study has thus far been conducted on the choice of the type of anesthesia to administer to patients undergoing PKP for m-OVFs.This study aimed to determine which of the two types of anesthesia is more suitable for PKP for m-OVFs. Methods A retrospective study was conducted for 159 patients who underwent PKP for m-OVFs from January 2016 to January 2020; 81 patients underwent PKP under general anesthesia(Group G), and 78 patients underwent PKP under local anesthesia(Group L). Clinical and adverse events were compared between the two groups. Results No difference in baseline information was found between the two groups. The intraoperative mean arterial pressure, average heart rate, average fluoroscopy times of each vertebral body, and operative time were less in Group G than in Group L. The VAS score was significantly lower than that before operation. The AVH, MVH, and the KA were significantly improved in both groups postoperation. The improvement in VAS score, AVH, MVH, and KA in Group G were higher than those in Group L. No significant difference in the incidence of complications was observed between the two groups. Conclusion PKP under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia was reliable. Compared with PKP under local anesthesia, that under general anesthesia could more reliably maintain the stability of vital signs, alleviate preoperative pain in patients, and attain a better orthopedic effect. Moreover, the latter does not increase the complications of patients with m-OVFs. However, the high medical expense of PKP under general anesthesia is a factor to consider when choosing the type of anesthesia.
Characteristics and Chemical Reactivity of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds from Dominant Forest Species in the Jing-Jin-Ji Area, China
Authors: Lin Ying , Lun Xiaoxiu , Tang Wei , Zhang Zhongzhi , Jing Xiaoxi , Fan Chong
Published: October 2020

Background: Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) play an essential role in tropospheric atmospheric chemical reactions. There are few studies on BVOCs emission of dominant tree species in the Jing-Jin-Ji area. Based on the field survey, forest resources data and the measured standard emission factors, this paper used Guenther model in 1993 (G93) to estimate the emissions of BVOCs from dominant forest species (Platycladus orientalis , Quercus variabilis, Betula platyphylla, Populus tomentosa, Pinus tabuliformis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Ulmus pumila, Salix babylonica, Larix gmelinii) in the Jing-Jin-Ji area in 2017, analyzed their spatiotemporal emission characteristics and evaluated their amospheric chemical reactivity. Results: Results showed that the total annual BVOCs emissions were estimated to be 70.8 Gg C·a-1, consisting of 40.5% (28.7 Gg C·a-1) isoprene, 36.0% (25.5 Gg C·a-1) monoterpenes, and 23.4% (16.6 Gg C·a-1) other VOCs. The emissions of Platycladus orientalis, Quercus variabilis, Populus tomentosa and Pinus tabulaeformis contributed 56.1%, 41.2%, 36.0% and 31.1%, respectively. In summer and winter, BVOCs emissions from the Jing-Jin-Ji area accounted for 61.9% and 1.8% of the annual total. Emissions from Chengde contributed to 28.8%, followed by Beijing, accounting for 24.9%, which was mainly distributed in the Taihang Mountains and the Yanshan Mountains. Robinia pseudoacacia, Populus tomentosa, Quercus variabilis, and Pinus tabulaeformis contributed higher BVOCs reaction activity. Conclusions: Emissions peaked in summer (June, July, and August) and bottomed out in winter (December, January, and February). Chengde contributed the most, followed by Beijing. Platycladus orientalis, Quercus variabilis, Populus tomentosa, Pinus tabulaeformis and Robinia pseudoacacia are the primary BVOCs emission and atmospheric reactivity contributors, the planting rates of these species with significant emissions or atmospheric reactivity of BVOCs should be considered for reduction.
Strain Engraftment Competition and Functional Augmentation in a Multi-donor Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Trial for Obesity
Authors: Wilson Brooke , Vatanen Tommi , Jayasinghe Thilini , Leong Karen , Derraik José , Albert Benjamin , Chiavaroli Valentina , Svirskis Darren , Beck Kathryn , Conlon Cathryn , Jiang Yannan , Schierding William , Holland David , Cutfield Wayne , O'Sullivan Justin Martin
Published: October 2020

Background Donor selection is an important factor influencing the engraftment and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for complex conditions associated with microbial dysbiosis. However, the degree, variation, and stability of strain engraftment has not yet been assessed in the context of multiple donors. Methods We conducted a double-blinded randomised control trial of FMT in 42 adolescents with obesity. Participants were randomised to receive multi-donor FMT (capsules containing the fecal microbiota of four sex-matched lean donors) or placebo (saline capsules). Following a bowel cleanse, participants ingested a total of 28 capsules over two consecutive days. Capsules from individual donors and participant stool samples collected at baseline, 6-, 12-, and 26-weeks post-treatment were analysed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing allowing us to track bacterial strain engraftment and its functional implications on recipients’ gut microbiomes. Results Multi-donor FMT sustainably altered the structure and the function of the gut microbiome. In what was effectively a microbiome competition experiment, we discovered that two donor microbiomes (one female, one male) dominated strain engraftment and were characterised by high microbial diversity and a high Prevotella to Bacteroides (P/B) ratio. Engrafted strains led to enterotype-level shifts in community composition and provided genes that altered the metabolic potential of the community. Despite our attempts to standardise FMT dose and origin, FMT recipients varied widely in their engraftment of donor strains. Conclusion Our study provides evidence for the existence of FMT super-donors whose microbiomes are highly effective at engrafting in the recipient gut. Dominant engrafting male and female donor microbiomes harboured diverse microbial species and genes, and were characterised by a high P/B ratio. Yet, the high variability of strain engraftment among FMT recipients suggests the host environment also plays a critical role in mediating FMT receptivity. Trial registration The Gut Bugs Trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12615001351505)
Piezoelectric Properties of Lead Zirconate Titanate Ceramics at Low and High Temperatures
Authors: Okayasu Mitsuhiro , Okawa Masakazu
Published: October 2020

The material properties and damage characteristics of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics were investigated at various temperatures (–190 °C to 180 °C). A positive voltage was obtained when the sample was cooled from 20 °C to –190 °C, while a negative voltage was obtained when the sample was warmed from –190 °C to 180 °C. The difference between the positive and negative values depended on the thermal stress. Compressive stress generated a more positive voltage in the cooling process, while tensile stress led to a more negative voltage in the warming process). The voltage values also depended on the cooling (or warming) rate of the sample, e.g., the greater the cooling (or warming) rate, the greater the voltage. When cyclic loading was conducted mechanically at –190 °C, the voltage reduced, but it was recovered after warming to 20 °C. Damage of the PZT ceramic (90° domain switching) was detected when the sample was cooled to –190 °C. This was due to the high thermal stress, resulting in a low voltage.
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Authors: Removed Author
Published: October 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
EntraPT: An online platform for elastic geothermobarometry
Authors: Mazzucchelli Mattia Luca , Angel Ross John , Alvaro Matteo
Published: October 2020

EntraPT is a web-based application for elastic geobarometry freely accessible at the “Fiorenzo Mazzi” experimental mineralogy lab website (http://www.mineralogylab.com/software/). It provides an easy-to-use tool to calculate the entrapment conditions of inclusions, with error propagation, from the residual strain measured in mineral inclusions. EntraPT establishes a method and a workflow to import and analyze the measured residual strains, correctly calculates the mean stress in the inclusions, computes the entrapment isomekes with uncertainty estimation, and visualizes all the results in relevant graphs. It enables the user to avoid the many possible errors that can arise from manual handling of the data and from the numerous steps required in geobarometry calculations. All of the data, parameters, and settings are stored in a consistent format and can be exported as project files and spreadsheets, and imported back to EntraPT for further analysis. This allows researchers to store and/or share their data easily, making the checking and the comparison of data and results reliable. EntraPT is an online tool that does not require any download and/or installation, and it will be updated in the future with new functionalities made available from advances in the development of elastic geobarometry.
Humanizam i egzistencijalizam kao humanizam
Authors: Muratović Esko
Published: October 2020

Imajući u vidu općeprihvaćeno vrednovanje i značenje pojmova humanuma i egzistencije, u ovom radu kompariramo filozofiju humaniteta Abdulaha Šarčevića i egzistencijalizam kao humanizam Jean-Paula Sartrea te ukazujemo kako na filozofsko-vrijednosnu paradigmatiku danih promišljanja, tako i na zasebne etičko-epistemičke specifičnosti, kao i na srodnosti između ovih humanističko-misaonih svjetonazora realiziranih unutar problematike antropo-metafizičkih i etičko-moralnih sagledavanja Šarčevićeve koncepcije humanizma u odnosu na Sartreov egzistencijalistički viđen humanizam.
Sediment yield error correction by dynamic system response curve method in real-time flood forecasting
Authors: Hou Lu , Bao Weimin , Si Wei , Jiang Peng , Shi Peng , Qu Simin , Ye Fanghong
Published: October 2020

Real-time flood forecasting requires accurate and reliable estimates of the uncertainty to make efficient flood event management strategies. However, the accuracy of flood forecasts can be severely affected by errors in the estimates of sediment yield in the loess region. To improve the accuracy of sediment-laden flood forecasts generated using streamflow-sediment coupled (SSC) model, an error feedback correction method based on the dynamic system response curve (DSRC) is proposed. The physical basis of the system response curve is the sediment concentration of the hydrological model. The theoretical basis of the method is the differential of the system response function of the sediment yield time series. The effectiveness of DSRC method is evaluated via an ideal case and three real-data cases with different basin scales of the Yellow River. Results suggest that the DSRC method can effectively improve the accuracy and stability of sediment transport forecasts by providing accurate estimates of the sediment yield errors. The degree of forecast improvement is scale dependent and is more significant for larger basins with lower rain gauge densities. Besides, the DSRC method is relatively simple to apply without the need to modify either the model structure or parameters in real-time flood forecasting.
Removal of hexavalent chromium by hyporheic zone sediments in an urbanized estuary
Authors: Jung Hun Bok , Severini Jake , Hall Emaje
Published: October 2020

More than 2 million tons of chromium ore processing residue (COPR) waste was disposed of in Hudson County of New Jersey, which was known as the center of the production of chromate in the 20th century. The Cr(VI) removal experiments were conducted with the hyporheic zone (HZ) sediments collected along the shore of an urbanized estuary located in and near Hudson County to investigate the natural remediation of Cr(VI). Fine-grained and organic-rich Passaic River sediments showed the highest removal capacity for Cr(VI), whereas the lowest removal of Cr(VI) occurred in coarse-grained and organic-poor sediments from Newark Bay. In general, Cr(VI) removal increased with higher amounts of sediment organic matter, sulfur, and silt and clay fractions, as well as lower pH conditions. The removal of hexavalent chromium in organic-rich sediments is attributed mainly to the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), resulting in less reversible immobilization of Cr(VI), while reversible adsorption could also remove Cr(VI). The results suggest that the organic-rich, fine-grained HZ sediments can act as a natural reactive barrier for the remediation of Cr(VI) transport from subsurface to surface water in the estuary. Further research is needed to understand the long-term mobility of Cr along the urban estuary.
Application of Aloe vera mucilage as bioflocculant for the treatment of textile wastewater: process optimization
Authors: Ashwini Prabhakar Shende , Ojha Nupur , Das Nilanjana
Published: October 2020

Aloe vera is an important commodity plant which has been traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases. This study investigated the use of extracted bioflocculant from Aloe vera for the treatment of textile wastewater. The bioflocculant was extracted, purified and characterized using GC-MS, FTIR, SEM, AFM, EDX and XRD analysis. It was mainly composed of carbohydrate (19.5%) and protein (6.0%). Box-Behnken design (BBD), using 3 level-3 variables, was employed to enhance the decolorization process by optimizing the effect of various factors. A significant enhancement from 62.50 ± 0.1 to 82.01 ± 0.8% in decolorization of wastewater was observed under optimized conditions viz. bioflocculant dosage (60 mg/L), pH (5.0) and contact time (180 min). A quadratic polynomial model was adequate beside the actual statistics at an R2 value of 0.99 for the response decolorization % and was in good agreement with the predicted value (82.01 ± 0.1%) obtained by the RSM model. The results of the present investigation demonstrated that Aloe vera mucilage can serve as a promising bioflocculant with high removal efficiency for solids, colour and dye from wastewater. To the best of our information, this is the first report on the use of Aloe vera mucilage as a natural bioflocculant for the treatment of dye-bearing wastewater.
Pedagogos não docentes nos Institutos Federais de Educação, tensionando os processos de identificação
Authors: De Alencar Silva Silvana , Maria de Arruda Monteiro Filomena
Published: October 2020

A atuação do Pedagogo nos Institutos Federais de Educação (IFs) concorre na produção de processos de identificação atravessados por narrativas que tentam definir o que é ser Pedagogo nos IFs. Portanto, almejou-se compreender como as pesquisas discutem esses processos, seus impactos e desafios. Metodologicamente, escolheu-se a orientação pela abordagem qualitativa e pela pesquisa do tipo bibliográfica. Para tal, foram realizados levantamentos de teses e de dissertações na Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD). Considerou-se que as investigações tentaram regular processos de identificação pela compreensão de identidades fixas, como algo a ser encontrado com vistas aos anseios do que se espera do Pedagogo. Foi proposto que processos de identificação sejam entendidos como parte do desenvolvimento profissional do Pedagogo, superando assim entendimentos compartimentados que dissociam experiências pessoais e profissionais do ser Pedagogo nos IFs permeado por culturas institucionais e políticas oficiais de governo situadas em determinado tempo e lugar.
COVID-19: Innovative Antiviral Drugs Required for Long-Term Prevention and Control of Coronavirus Diseases
Authors: Ratcliffe Norman A. , Castro Helena C. , Paixão Izabel C. , Mello Cicero B.
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has had global catastrophic effects on financial markets,
jobs and peoples’ lives. Future prevention/therapy of COVID-19 will rely heavily
on vaccine development and attempts to repurpose drugs previously used for other microbial
diseases. Little attention, however, has been paid to possible difficulties and delays
in producing these drugs. Sometimes, unfortunately, these endeavours have been politicized
and if these two approaches founder in any way or resistance subsequently occurs,
then the world will be left once again to the mercy of these devastating viral pandemics.
This review, therefore, briefly outlines the challenges in the development of vaccines and
repurposed antiviral drugs, which will hopefully lead to new treatments for COVID-19.
It also concludes, however, that the armoury against COVID-19 urgently needs to be enlarging
due to the potential severity and likely future reoccurrence of new emergent viruses.
Therefore, serious consideration is given to alternative ways of preventing and controlling
these pathogens that have received scant attention from the media in the present
pandemic. The development of innovative, broad-spectrum, antiviral drugs from natural
products is therefore particularly advocated with the challenges involved by new regulatory
and scientific initiatives.
The Binding of Remdesivir to SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase May Pave The Way Towards the Design of Potential Drugs for COVID-19 Treatment
Authors: Agoni Clement , Soliman Mahmoud E.S.
Published: October 2020

Aim:

We seek to provide an understanding of the binding mechanism of Remdesivir, as well
as structural and conformational implications on SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
upon its binding and identify its crucial pharmacophoric moieties.

Background:

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had infected over a million
people, with 65,000 deaths as of the first quarter of 2020. The current limitation of effective treatment
options with no approved vaccine or targeted therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19 has posed
serious global health threats. This has necessitated several drug and vaccine development efforts across
the globe. To date, the farthest in the drug development pipeline is Remdesivir.

Objectives:

We performed the molecular dynamics simulation, quantified the energy contributions of
binding site residues using per-residue energy decomposition calculations, and subsequently generated
a pharmacophore model for the identification of potential SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA-dependent RNA
polymerase inhibitors.

Methods:

Integrative molecular dynamics simulations and thermodynamic calculations coupled with
advanced post-molecular dynamics analysis techniques were employed.

Results:

Our analysis showed that the modulatory activity of Remdesivir is characterized by an extensive
array of high-affinity and consistent molecular interactions with specific active site residues that
anchor Remdemsivir within the binding pocket for efficient binding. These residues are ASP452,
THR456, ARG555, THR556, VAL557, ARG624, THR680, SER681, and SER682. Results also
showed that Remdesivir binding induces minimal individual amino acid perturbations, subtly interferes
with deviations of C-α atoms, and restricts the systematic transition of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent
RNA polymerase from the “buried” hydrophobic region to the “surface-exposed” hydrophilic region.
We also mapped a pharmacophore model based on the observed high-affinity interactions with SARSCoV-
2 virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which showcased the crucial functional moieties of
Remdesivir and was subsequently employed for virtual screening.

Conclusion:

The structural insights and the optimized pharmacophoric model provided would augment the design of improved analogs of Remdesivir that could expand treatment options for COVID-19.
Post-menopausal Osteoporosis and Probiotics
Authors: Huidrom Sangeeta , Beg Mirza Atif , Masood Tariq
Published: October 2020

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is characterized by low bone mass and structural
deterioration of bone tissue with increased risk of fracture in postmenopausal women. It is due to
the deficiency of estrogen production after menopause, which causes the imbalance in the bone remodeling
process where resorption/formation skewed more towards resoption, which leads to bone
loss. It causes high morbidity and severe health complication among the affected women. The current
PMO therapy has many unwanted side effects and even increases the possibility of tumorigenesis.
Therefore, an alternative therapy that is safe and effective is required. Probiotics are dietary supplements
consisting of beneficial microbes and when administered in an adequate amount, confer a
health benefit to the host. Recent scientific evidences suggested the link between the intestinal microbiota
and bone health. This review discusses the process of bone remodeling and the role of intestinal
microbiota on the bone metabolism of the host. Further, it summarizes the recent studies of
probiotic on an animal model of PMO and also in post postmenopausal women.
The Use of Small Electronic Devices and Health: Feasibility of Interventions for a Forthcoming Crossover Design
Authors: Larsen Lisbeth Hoekjaer , Lauritzen Maja Hedegaard , Gangstad Sirin Wilhelmsen , Kjaer Troels Wesenberg
Published: October 2020

Background

Modern lifestyle is heavily affected by technology such as smartphones, tablets, and other small computers; yet it remains unclear how our health and well-being are affected by the heavy use of these devices.

Objective

This feasibility study aims to test two different interventions of an experimental protocol for a forthcoming large-scale community-based study and get estimates of parameters for sample size calculation. The aim of the large-scale study is to investigate the effect of (1) a wearable tracking device on aerobic capacity (VO2max/kg) and the effect of (2) restricting media use on total sleep time.

Methods

Twenty healthy participants were included and equipped with a wrist-worn device tracking physical activity and sleep. Participants were allocated to either a physical activity group, which was instructed to use the wrist-worn device to support exercise, or a sleep silent group, which was instructed to remove or switch off all electronic devices in the bedroom (except the wrist-worn tracking device). The intervention lasted approximately 4 weeks. Data collected included blood pressure, submaximal cycle ergometer test, self-reported technology use, and compliance of using the wearable tracking device.

Results

All participants wore the wearable tracking device 95.8% (SD 4.4%) of the time. Participants in the physical activity group increased aerobic capacity from 30.38 (SD 8.98) to 32.1 (SD 8.71) mL/kg/min (t=–2.31, P=.046) and decreased their systolic blood pressure from 126.5 (SD 15.8) mm Hg to 121.8 (SD 11.7) mm Hg (t=2.72, P=.02). The sleep silent group prolonged their time offline before bedtime from 18.1 (SD 19.4) minutes to 27.2 (SD 17.3) minutes (t=–2.94, P=.02).

Conclusions

The two interventions are feasible to conduct. Participants were willing to wear the tracking device on their wrist and restrict all media use in their bedroom and thereby reduce bedtime technology use. Our results also suggest that tracking physical activity using a wearable device is accompanied by noteworthy health benefits. We outline necessary adjustments for a forthcoming large-scale study.
Future Mobile Device Usage, Requirements, and Expectations of Physicians in German University Hospitals: Web-Based Survey
Authors: Maassen Oliver , Fritsch Sebastian , Gantner Julia , Deffge Saskia , Kunze Julian , Marx Gernot , Bickenbach Johannes
Published: October 2020

Background

The use of mobile devices in hospital care constantly increases. However, smartphones and tablets have not yet widely become official working equipment in medical care. Meanwhile, the parallel use of private and official devices in hospitals is common. Medical staff use smartphones and tablets in a growing number of ways. This mixture of devices and how they can be used is a challenge to persons in charge of defining strategies and rules for the usage of mobile devices in hospital care.

Objective

Therefore, we aimed to examine the status quo of physicians’ mobile device usage and concrete requirements and their future expectations of how mobile devices can be used.

Methods

We performed a web-based survey among physicians in 8 German university hospitals from June to October 2019. The online survey was forwarded by hospital management personnel to physicians from all departments involved in patient care at the local sites.

Results

A total of 303 physicians from almost all medical fields and work experience levels completed the web-based survey. The majority regarded a tablet (211/303, 69.6%) and a smartphone (177/303, 58.4%) as the ideal devices for their operational area. In practice, physicians are still predominantly using desktop computers during their worktime (mean percentage of worktime spent on a desktop computer: 56.8%; smartphone: 12.8%; tablet: 3.6%). Today, physicians use mobile devices for basic tasks such as oral (171/303, 56.4%) and written (118/303, 38.9%) communication and to look up dosages, diagnoses, and guidelines (194/303, 64.0%). Respondents are also willing to use mobile devices for more advanced applications such as an early warning system (224/303, 73.9%) and mobile electronic health records (211/303, 69.6%). We found a significant association between the technical affinity and the preference of device in medical care (χs2=53.84, P<.001) showing that with increasing self-reported technical affinity, the preference for smartphones and tablets increases compared to desktop computers.

Conclusions

Physicians in German university hospitals have a high technical affinity and positive attitude toward the widespread implementation of mobile devices in clinical care. They are willing to use official mobile devices in clinical practice for basic and advanced mobile health uses. Thus, the reason for the low usage is not a lack of willingness of the potential users. Challenges that hinder the wider adoption of mobile devices might be regulatory, financial and organizational issues, and missing interoperability standards of clinical information systems, but also a shortage of areas of application in which workflows are adapted for (small) mobile devices.
Pengaruh Pelatihan MBSR terhadap Kecemasan pada Mahasiswa Baru
Authors: Rinera Ines , Retnowati Sofia
Published: October 2020

Remaja, terutama remaja akhir yang mengalami fase transisi ke dewasa awal dan masuk ke perguruan tinggi rentan mengalami kecemasan karena perubahan-perubahan yang terjadi dalam waktu yang cukup singkat. Tingkat kecemasan yang tinggi pada mahasiswa baru berpotensi menurunkan performa akademik dan jika tidak segera ditangani dapat menyebabkan masalah yang lebih serius. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat pengaruh pelatihan Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) terhadap kecemasan pada mahasiswa baru. Penelitian ini merupakan studi eksperimen dengan menggunakan untreated control group design. Partisipan penelitian ini berjumlah 16 orang mahasiswa baru (laki-laki= 3) di sebuah fakultas peternakan. Instrumen pengambilan data menggunakan skala BAI. Analisis data menggunakan uji Mann-whitney yang menunjukkan hasil signifikansi U=2,000, p=0,001. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pelatihan MBSR menurunkan tingkat kecemasan mahasiswa baru (hipotesis diterima).
A Czech Story about the Social and Legal Protection of Children
Authors: Stárek Lukáš
Published: October 2020

In the Czech Republic, aid to and protection of children in various life situations have a longstanding tradition. In identifying children who are growing up in situations of risk, as well as providing them with full support and assistance in gaining their rights, all who work them professionally in some aspects of their lives are obliged to participate. Along with social workers, these are mostly paediatricians and other doctor specialists, midwives, pre-school teachers, teachers, pedagogues, psychologists… When applying work, social workers need to possess many layers of knowledge and skills on the one hand, and practice thoughtful ethical behaviour on the other hand. The text brings information about the system in the Czech Republic and the view of the social workers themselves helping children.
“Restrições de ilhas” revisitadas: uma abordagem funcionalista à luz da noção de “unidade de informação”
Authors: Decat Maria Beatriz Nascimento
Published: October 2020

Este trabalho apresenta uma abordagem funcionalista das estruturas de “ilhas”, assim nomeadas por Ross (1967) dentro de uma visão gerativista. Pretende-se mostrar que as restrições estabelecidas por tais ilhas quanto à ocorrência de constituintes em determinados lugares da estrutura se devem ao fato de elas constituírem, funcionalmente, “unidades de informação” e, por isso, não permitindo a extração ou movimento de nenhum constituinte para fora de seus limites.