bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Surgical Treatment of Rockwood Type III Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation Using Clavicle Hook Plate and Tension Band Wiring: A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Functional and Surgical Outcome
Authors: Shrestha Dinesh Kumar , Shrestha Merina , KC Dipendra , Karki Prateek , Shrestha Sabin , Yogi Sushil
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Acromioclavicular joint dislocation Type III is still controversial for its management, despite of numerous trials and reviews.
Aims: To compare and evaluate the functional and surgical outcome of Rockwood Type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation treated surgically with clavicular Hook plate and Tension Band wiring with K-wires.
Methods: In a prospective hospital based interventional study comprising of total 22 patients with a mean age of 31.36 ± 7.53 years who presented with Rockwood Type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation were carried between January 2018 to December 2019. They were graded according to Rockwood et al. classification. All 22 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation. These patients were divided into two groups according to operative procedure; of which 11 patients were treated with clavicular hook plate (CHP) and rest 11 were treated with tension band wiring with K-wires (TBW).  Descriptive comparison was tabulated during pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative periods. The Constant-Murley Shoulder scoring system was applied for evaluating the results. 
Results: The mean follow up period was 7.6 months. The clavicular hook plate  was removed at 10 months in one patient due to severe pain and limited range of motion , and removal of Tension Band wiring with K-wires were done in two patients due to wound dehiscence and Kirschner wire back out at 5 and 6 months. The mean Constant- Murley shoulder score was 82.6 (min. 70 & max. 93) in clavicular hook plate and 74.72 (min 68 & max. 84) in Tension band wiring with K-wires which found to be significantly difference in mean scoring between two groups. 
Conclusion: Patients treated with Clavicular Hook Plate for Rockwood Type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation had a very good functional and surgical outcome over Tension Band wiring with K-wires.
Mid-Trimester Scan is better for Detecting Congenital Anomalies: An Experience from Dhulikhel Hospital
Authors: Tamrakar Suman Raj , Shrestha Rubina
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool for detecting the congenital anomalies in the fetus. Congenital anomalies are detected in 14% of new born. Major anomalies are detected in 2 to 5% of new born. This accounts for 20 % to 30% of total perinatal deaths. Prenatal diagnosis provides variety of management options for the pregnant women ranging from termination of pregnancy, elective delivery or intrauterine manipulation of the anomalies.
Aims: To determine the prevalence of the fetal congenital anomalies at 20- 24 weeks ultrasonography.
Methods: This is prospective study conducted at Dhulikhel Hospital. Pregnant ladies with singleton pregnancy at 20 to 24 weeks were enrolled for transabdominal ultrasound for detecting congenital anomalies.
Results: Of 1027 pregnant ladies screened, anomalies were detected in 31 ladies during mid trimester ultrasound. The overall prevalence of congenital anomalies detected in our study is 3.02% (31 cases), which has sensitivity of 87.8%, specificity of 99.7% and positive predictive values of 93.5%. In our study, mean gestational age during scan was 21+5 weeks of gestation. And 13 pregnant ladies pregnancies were terminated between 20-24 weeks for having major congenital anomaly in fetus.
Conclusion: Mid trimester ultrasonography is a valuable method for pregnant ladies to detect the congenital anomalies in fetus. When major anomalies are detected, timely termination of pregnancy have saved the cost and tragedy of losing viable fetus.
Bilateral Blindness Due to Left Fronto-Temporal Lobe Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Thapa Bikram Bahadur , Neupane Joshan , Moktan Sunil
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common primary malignant brain tumor, with a very poor prognosis. Direct compression of any structure in the visual pathway or chronic papilloedema is the cause of loss of vision in these patients.

Case Report:  30 years old male from Dailekh was brought by his elder brother with the complaint of complete vision loss in both eyes for 45 days. He also had hearing difficulty on right side, headache, right sided weakness and abnormal body movement. His Visual acuity was no perception of Light in both eyes. Pupil was mid-dilated and not reacting to light. Fundus examination revealed bilateral Pallid disc edema. MRI brain revealed left fronto-temporal GBM compressing optic chiasm. Neurosurgical consultation was obtained and counseling was done regarding disease and its treatment. Due to poor prognosis and poverty patient choose palliative conservative treatment.

Conclusion:  This case highlights the possibility of bilateral Blindness in unilateral GBM. GBM has very poor outcome even after treatment.
Graphic Communications in the Context of Nepal
Authors: Rajbhandari Jitendra Man
Published: September 2021

Graphic communication, a powerful tool for conveying information through visual aids has undergone a radical change since its early application by cave artists of Paleolithic age. With the development of print technology, both the scope and significance of graphic technology have been expanding. In the context of Nepal, graphic communication has received an attention since the advent of printing press. Several artists, illustrators and graphic designers have made great contributions on the development of this form of Applied Arts. Since the last few years the Fine Arts institutions in Nepal have been introducing Graphic Communications into their curriculum which is sure to uplift the quality of graphic design in promotion of the products and services in the Nepali market.
Prithvi Narayan Shah’s Music Policy
Authors: K.C. Shree
Published: September 2021

Most writers describe Prithvi Narayan Shah as someone who didn’t really appreciate music. However, his grooming in the palace with different rituals accompanied by musical chants of mantras and his attachment with his fellow friends in his childhood shows that he had adopted musical in a very cultural manner.

In his ‘Divya Upadesh’, he has shown views of preserving and protecting Nepali culture by promoting Nepali music and Nepali artists. Bise Nagarchi, a musician helped Prithvi Narayan Shah in his unifying campaign by encouraging and refreshing the people at war through his music.

This article will enlist points that showcase facts that show he was not against music and also review some of his ‘Dibya Upadesh’ through a more musical perspective. Both primary and secondary data have been used as the source of content in the making of this article.
Teza o sekularyzacji Karla Löwitha w świetle krytyki Hansa Blumenberga
Authors: Detlaf Tomasz
Published: September 2021

The article aims to defend Karl Löwith’s secularization thesis from the criticism made by Hans Blumenberg. Löwith’s thesis claims that modern philosophy of history is a secularized Christian eschatology. Blumenberg accuses Löwith’s thesis of substantialism. Following Sjoerd Griffioen, the article shows that this criticism fails. The article presents Blumenberg’s arguments that the idea of progress cannot be derived from eschatology. These arguments are refuted by the analysis of the work of Joachim of Fiore and providing a distinction between two kinds of progress. The article is written from the perspective of intellectual history, detaching from the dispute over the judgement of modernity.
A Mode of Agitation between Verfremdungseffekt and Empathy: Breaking the Fourth Wall in Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya
Authors: Lim Wesley
Published: September 2021

Le présent article analyse le film Moi, Tonya (Craig Gillespie, 2018) en se penchant particulièrement sur la technique théâtrale d’adresse directe à la caméra. Cette méthode crée un mode d’agitation qui fluctue entre l’effet de distanciation de Brecht et l’empathie. L’utilisation de gros plans faciaux, de zooms et de travellings dans des espaces intimes suscite des émotions chez l’auditoire à travers un récit alternatif de Tonya Harding. Cependant, les scènes sapent continuellement la confiance ainsi développée à travers le témoignage contradictoire et la figure de Tonya désignant le téléspectateur comme étant son « agresseur ». Moi, Tonya s’attaque de façon agressive aux répercussions sociales et politiques à plus grande échelle de la violence conjugale dans les ménages de faible statut socioéconomique aux États-Unis, la consommation médiatique dénuée de toute critique et les structures capitalistes.
An Empirical Examination of the Effect of COVID-19 Travel Restrictions on Canadians’ Cross-Border Travel and Canadian Retailers
Authors: Baggs Jen , Fung Loretta , Lapham Beverly
Published: September 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been devastating for many Canadian retailers. In this article, we estimate the offsetting positive effects of decreased international travel by Canadians on retail revenues. We use data from 1991 to 2021 on Canadians’ travel to the United States to estimate a model of cross-border travel and establish community-level counterfactual staying rates had the pandemic not occurred. Combined with actual staying rates and elasticities of retailers’ revenues with respect to staying rates, we estimate offsetting revenue gains due to the fall in cross-border travel. Our results suggest that, on average, the border closure generated a 1.49 percent offsetting gain in revenues for small Canadian retailers located within 150 kilometres of the border. We document variation across communities and sub-sectors, with estimates ranging from 0 to 125 percent. Retailers located in less-affluent communities near US shopping opportunities, and those operating in sub-sectors catering to travellers, experienced the largest gains.
FLAXSEED MEAL FEEDING TO DAIRY COWS AS A STRATEGY TO IMPROVE MILK ENTEROLACTONE CONCENTRATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Paludo Ghedini Caren , Caroline de Moura Daiane
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT: Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is the richest source of the plant lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG). In mammals, including bovine, SDG is converted to the mammalian lignans enterolactone (EL) and enterodiol (ED) by the action of gastrointestinal microbes. There is a great deal of interest in promoting increased intakes of lignans in humans’ diet due to the potential health benefits of mammalian lignans, especially in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolaemia, breast and prostate cancers, and osteoporosis. Consumption of milk and dairy products enriched in EL could be an excellent strategy to increase the intake of lignans by humans. This literature review will focus on presenting feeding strategies capable to improve milk enterolactone concentration. Research has demonstrated the potential of flaxseed meal (FM) feeding to dairy cows as a strategy to improve milk EL concentration, therefore enhancing milk nutraceutical proprieties. A considerable number of studies have demonstrated that feeding vegetable lignans-rich sources, such as FM, to dairy cows improves EL in milk. Additionally, it has been reported that changes in the carbohydrate profile of FM-based diets fed to dairy cows can alter the output of milk EL. The application of animal nutrition as a tool to increase nutraceutical properties of milk (i.e. increased EL concentration) is a valuable strategy for promoting the association of milk with humans’ health benefits and is of great interest in contemporary society.
Keywords: nutraceutical proprieties, bioactive compounds, lignans, dairy cows, disease risk reduction
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL APPLICATION FOR THE MICROPROPAGATION OF Cattleya crispata (Thunb.) Van den Berg
Authors: Santana Costa Souza Denys Matheus , Fernandes Sérgio Bruno , Molinari Letícia Vaz , Avelar Maria Lopes Martins , Brondani Gilvano Ebling
Published: September 2021

Micropropagation is an alternative for the genetic conservation and propagation of endemic species from “Campo Rupestre Ferruginoso”, such as the orchid Cattleya crispata. The aim of the present study is to assess the influence of activated charcoal on the in vitro germination, multiplication and elongation phases of C. crispata. Seeds extracted from mature capsules were used for inoculation in the culture medium that was adopted to assess the effect of supplementation, or not, with activated charcoal. Data about germination speed, seedling number, length, vigor, oxidation and contamination (bacterial and/or fungal) were assessed through these phases. Based on the results obtained, the use of activated charcoal was efficient in the in vitro germination and multiplication phases of C. crispata, providing greater speed and percentage of germination, less contamination and oxidation of the tissues, greater number, length and vigor of shoots, being effective for the genetic conservation and production of seedlings of the species. Culture medium without the supplementation of activated charcoal provided the best results for the in vitro elongation, with greater length, vigor and less oxidation of shoots.
Predictors of graft outcome in renal transplant recipients with antibody-mediated rejection
Authors: Parmaksız Ergün , Meşe Meral , Yadigar Serap , Bahat Kübra Aydın
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Active and chronic antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is a common cause of graft failure. Prognostic markers of this complication are not well defined. We aimed to find out the demographic, histopathological and clinical characteristics of transplant recipients who developed ABMR and evaluate the impact of these features,  and anti-rejection treatment modalities on graft survival.  

Methods. Thirty-two patients who developed ABMR (22 male; mean age 40.59±12.52 years) were included in this study. Data were evaluated retrospectively and graft survival was analyzed. All transplant biopsies were evaluated according to Banff's 2013 classification.

Results. Among the 32 cases, 26  were transplanted from living donors. Mean serum creatinine at the time of biopsy was 1.99 ±0.09 mg/dL. Proteinuria was  1566.06±353.92 mg/day at the time of biopsy.  The need for hemodialysis was significantly related with initial creatinine (p = 0.003); creatinine after three months (p < 0.001) and final creatinine (p < 0.001) as well as initial proteinuria (p = 0.005); proteinuria after three months (p < 0.001) and final proteinuria (p < 0.001). 6 cases showed diffuse C4d positivity, 26  cases showed focal c4d positivity. Five of 6 patients with diffuse C4d staining in renal biopsy were hemodialyzed at first and third months despite anti-rejection therapy (p=0.029 and 0.041,  respectively).

Mean survival time was 1654.67±220.40 (95% CI 1222.68-2086.66) days for focal staining C4d cases and 366.16±36.44 (95% CI 294.73-437.60) days for diffuse staining C4d cases. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.012). Two of the patients died, 15 experienced graft loss and 17 survived with functioning grafts. Mean survival time between anti-rejection treatment modalities showed no statistical significance (p=0.15)

Conclusions. Serum creatinine, proteinuria at the time of biopsy, diffuse peritubular C4d staining were significantly associated with graft survival. Early diagnosis is important to improve success in the treatment of ABMR and graft survival
Advanced diagnostic techniques for paediatric chronic kidney disease in a developing country: A narrative review
Authors: Ndu IK , Ohayi SR , Edelu BO
Published: September 2021

Abstract: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is described as a complex and progressive condition that arises from both non-communicable diseases (NCD) and communicable diseases (CD). Approximately a tenth of adults are affected worldwide, but the global prevalence of paediatric CKD remains unknown. Unfortunately, advanced diagnostic techniques and interventions are not readily available in most developing countries. This review seeks to create more awareness about paediatric CKD in a developing country like Nigeria and the need to intensify efforts to make new technologies for its diagnosis available and more affordable.
Infectious Diarrhea, a Public Health Problem in Population
Authors: Monica Deac
Published: September 2021

Infec­tious etiology in acute diarrhea, referred several gastrointestinal diseases, Most are gastroenteri­tis associated with clinical signs and symptoms including: nausea, vomiting, abdomi­nal pain and cramps, bloating, flatulence, fever, passage of bloody stools, tenesmus, and fecal ur­gency disorders. Diarrheal illness is a large worldwide public health problem, with substantial regional variation, in the prevalence of medical signs by being caused by specific pathogens. Infectious diarrheal diseases, are the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and can cause real public health concerns. Such diarrhea was studied as a medical disorder, in a 3 years period, 2017 to 2020, in Transylvania a large region in Romania. It was found there, 3577 number of diarrheal diseases cases, appeared almost during July to August. The case incidence for the disease arrived at 65%, in the entire summer season. The cases data were transmitted by 12 district Sanitary Polices, to the Public Health Center Cluj. Cases were almost diagnosed by the family doctors of the region, in more then 50%. Few of this have need some days of hospitalization, because of several disease disorders, in which case it was used a specific adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement as key of the treatment, for managing diarrheal illnesses. Even so, 3 children under 5 years age died, because of severe complications. It was remarked so, organic failed who was estimate to be the cause of their deaths. Clinical and epidemiological evaluations were done and even defined the severity and type of this mentioned illnesses. The detected infectious etiology for the acute diarrheas, where determined in authorized Microbiology laboratories, where were identified: Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, Campylobacter spp, Yersinia spp, Rotavirus, Giardia. Most number of cases appeared in children, being suggestive in 63%, followed by elderly or adult people in 17% each. Acute diarrheal illness had to be considered a major public health issue, against which some determined control efforts are needed. Public health surveillance of infectious acute diarrhea, includes obligatory done strategies for a correct infection control.
Modelling for prediction of the spread and severity of COVID-19 and its association with socioeconomic factors and virus types
Authors: Tuli Rakesh , Tuli Shreshth , Tuli Shikhar , Verma Ruchi
Published: September 2021

We report the development of a Weibull based Long-Short-Term-Memory approach (W-LSTM) for the prediction of COVID-19 disease. The W-LSTM model developed in this study, performs better in terms of MSE, R2 and MAPE, as compared to the previously published models, including ARIMA, LSTM and their variations. Using W-LSTM model, we have predicted the beginning and end of the current cycle of COVID-19 in several countries. Performance of the model was validated as satisfactory in 82% of the 50 test countries, while asking for prediction for 10 days beyond the period of training. Accuracy of the above prediction with days beyond training was assessed in comparison with the MAPE that the model gave with cumulative global data. The model was applied to study correlation between the growth of infection and deaths, and a number of effectors that may influence the epidemic. The model identified age groups, trade with China, air traffic, country temperature and CoV-2 virus types as the likely effectors of infection and virulence leading to deaths. The predictors likely to promote or suppress the epidemic were identified. Some of the predictors had significant effect on the shape parameters of Weibull distribution. The model has been deployed on cloud, taking inputs in real time to handle large data country wise, at low costs and make predictions dynamically. Such predictions are highly valuable in guiding policy makers, administration and health. Interactive prediction curves generated from the W-LSTM model deployed on cloud platform can be seen at http://collaboration.coraltele.com/covid2/ (updated daily).
Heart cardiac’s sounds signals segmentation by using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT)
Authors: Debbal Sid Mohammed ElAmine , Cherif L.Hamza , Meziani F.
Published: September 2021

The presence of abnormal sounds in one cardiac cycle, provide valuable information on various diseases.Early detection of various diseases is necessary; it is done by a simple technique known as: phonocardiography. The phonocardiography, based on registration of vibrations or oscillations of different frequencies, audible or not, that correspond to normal and abnormal heart sounds. It provides the clinician with a complementary tool to record the heart sounds heard during auscultation. The advancement of intracardiac phonocardiography, combined with signal processing techniques, has strongly renewed researchers’ interest in studying heart sounds and murmurs. This paper presents an algorithm based on the denoising by wavelet transform (DWT) and the Shannon energy of the PCG signal, for the detection of heart sounds (the first and second sounds, S1 and S2) and heart murmurs. This algorithm makes it possible to isolate individual sounds (S1 or S2) and murmurs to give an assessment of their average duration.
New Predictive Equation for Optimal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Adult Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Pengsakul Kanokkan , Tawaranurak Krongthong , Bumrungsena Chuanchom , Chaimongkol Chitladda , Pitanupong Jarurin
Published: September 2021

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a new continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) prediction equation and compare it with other formulas.Material and Methods: We retrospectively included patients with obstructive sleep apnea who underwent a CPAP titration study between January 2012 and December 2016. All clinical and polysomnographic data were collected. The new prediction equation was developed using the first data set, and the predictability performance was validated using the second data set.Results: Among the 266 enrolled patients, 73.7% were male, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.8±7.4 kg/m2 . Five variables, namely age, BMI, neck circumference (NC), apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), and minimum pulse oxygen saturation (Min SpO2 ), highly correlated with the optimal titration pressure, and were therefore included in the equation, as stated below:Predicted pressure (cm H2 O) = 2.26 + (0.02xAge) + (0.04xBMI) + (0.11xNC) + (0.04xAHI) - (0.04xMin SpO2 )This equation accounted for 54.4% of the variance in predicting the optimal titration pressure (R2 =0.544, p-value <0.001). Its optimal estimation was 62.0% in the validated group. The equation-derived predicted pressure correlated with good agreement with the laboratory-derived optimal titration pressure (r=0.70, 95% CI=0.6335–0.755, p-value<0.001) according to Bland–Altman analysis. Conclusion: Our equation is highly consistent with the CPAP titration study in predicting fixed CPAP pressure, and is thereby beneficial for sleep technicians in establishing a starting pressure for such studies at a sleep laboratory.
A new species of the weevil genus Datonychus from Israel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Korotyaev B.A.
Published: September 2021

Datonychus glocianoides sp. n. is described from Israel.
The House of Spirits
Authors: Holbraad Martin
Published: September 2021

With reference to one man’s remarkable struggle to rebuild his home in Havana following its partial collapse, this article contributes to the emerging anthropological literature on care by thematising the role of the state as carer-in-chief. Experiences such as that of Lázaro, the protagonist of the article, demonstrate the central paradox of care as a state project—one that receives its most extreme expression in the totalising project of revolutionary state socialism—namely, the contradiction between the particularistic, affective, and aesthetic character of care and the generalising and neutralising rational order of the state mechanisms charged with delivering it. Drawing on the ritual and cosmological template of Afro-Cubanespiritismo, Lázaro effectively solves this paradox by supplementing his relationship with state structures with an intricate, ever-evolving, and deeply personal relationship with spirits. The upshot is Lázaro’s remarkable sense of inner conviction in the efficacy of state bureaucracy, underpinned by the aesthetics of care that spiritsit practice provides.
The Chicken and the Egg
Authors: Swancutt Katherine
Published: September 2021

Which comes first, divine agency or the calculations of diviners? Both are integral to divination, other predictive methods, and the ‘hatching out’ of new creation stories among the Nuosu of Southwest China. In this article, I present ethnography on divination in which eggs evoke the person’s position in the world while the bodies or bones of chickens are indices of health or prosperity. When cracking open raw eggs, peeling open slaughtered chickens, or reading chicken bones, diviners creatively draw upon the assistance of spirits and their own calculatory reflections in ways that encourage internal variation within their craft. Through case studies on illnesses and a new family tradition, I show that Nuosu inhabit a hybrid world that features cosmological proliferation, to which the creativity of divination responds.
Designing a Virtual Laboratory Using Android-Based Virtual Reality (Case Study: Laboratory of Basic Measurement and Electrical Engineering Instrumentation)
Authors: Syahrir Syahrir
Published: September 2021

The existence of a laboratory in an engineering department is very important. The reality is that not all students can use existing laboratories in the engineering department due to limited laboratory space, tools and time constraints. The very rapid development of technology cannot be avoided. Active smartphone users in Indonesia reach over 100 million users. This proves that today's technological developments are very influential in everyday life. There are various kinds of technological developments that have occurred to date. One of these very rapid developments has led to digital technology which is increasingly favored by the community such as VR ( Virtual Reality ) technology which is able to provide the worldvirtual. Therefore, VR technology is used to solve studentâ€™s problems in accessing the laboratory. Where the VR technology takes a laboratory background. The utilization is in the form of virtual laboratory applications as digital educational media using VR technology which can later interact directly with practicum tools in the virtual laboratory application.
Alphabetisierungs- und Grundbildungsbedarf bei Auszubildenden – Konsequenzen für die Lehramtsausbildung
Authors: Peuker Birgit , Johannsen Ulrike
Published: September 2021

Lehramtsstudierende der beruflichen Fachrichtung Ernährungs- und Hauswirtschaftswissenschaften sind im Unterricht damit konfrontiert, dass Auszubildende Schwierigkeiten im Lesen und Schreiben und anderer Grundbildung haben. Die geringe Literalität erschwert die Qualifikation. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt Anregungen zur Sensibilisierung von Studierenden für diese heterogene Zielgruppe und bietet Konzepte und Methoden für einen passgenauen Unterricht, der Berufs- und Grundbildung integriert.
Enhancing the Sensitivity of Memory Tests: Reference Data for the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test and the Logical Memory Task from Cognitively Healthy Subjects with Normal Alzheimer’s Disease Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker Levels
Authors: Brugulat-Serrat Anna ,   for the ALFA study, Cañas-Martínez Alba , Canals-Gispert Lidia , Marne Paula , Gramunt Nina , Milà-Alomà Marta , Suárez-Calvet Marc , Arenaza-Urquijo Eider M. , Grau-Rivera Oriol , González-de-Echávarri José María , Minguillon Carolina , Fauria Karine , Kollmorgen Gwendlyn , Suridjan Ivonne , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Gispert Juan Domingo , Molinuevo José Luis , Sánchez-Benavides Gonzalo
Published: September 2021

Background: Cognitive performance of a given individual should be interpreted in the context of reference standards obtained in cognitively healthy populations. Recent evidence has shown that removing asymptomatic individuals with biomarker evidence of Alzheimer’s disease pathology from normative samples increases the sensitivity of norms to detect memory impairments. These kind of norms may be useful for defining subtle cognitive decline, the transitional cognitive decline between normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment. Objective: The present study aims to provide norms for the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) and the Logical Memory subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-IV in a sample of individuals aged 50–70 years with normal levels of amyloid-β and tau cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. Methods: The sample was composed of 248 individuals from the ALFA+ study with negative amyloid-β and tau CSF biomarker levels. Regression-based norms were developed, including adjustments for age, education, and sex when applicable. Results: We found that education was associated with the performance in all the variables of both tests while age had a marginal effect only in the delayed free recall of the FCSRT. Sex was also related to the performance in the FCSRT, with women outperforming men. Equations to calculate z-scores and normative percentile tables were created. As compared with previously published norms the reference data presented were more sensitive but less specific, as expected. Conclusion: The use of the norms provided in this work, in combination with the already published conventional norms, may contribute to detecting subtle memory impairment.
An enhanced whale optimized fractional order piλ controller based power quality improvement for sensorless brushless dc motor under dynamic operating conditions
Authors: Prakash R , Ayyar K
Published: September 2021

This paper presents an Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm (EWO) approach for tuning to perfection of Fractional Order Proportional Integral and integral order Controller (FOPI λ) is used to sensorless speed control of permanent magnet Brushless DC (PMBLDC) motor under the operating dynamic condition such as (i) speed change by set speed command signal (ii) varying load conditions, (iii) integrated conditions and (iv) controller parameters uncertainty. On the other hand, it deals with a reduced THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) under dynamic operating conditions to improve the power quality for the above control system. Here present are three optimization techniques, namely (i) Enhanced Whale Optimization (EWO), (ii) Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO), and (iii) Social Spider Optimization (SSO) for fine-tuning of the FOPI λ controller parameters with reduction of THD. The proposed optimization algorithm optimized FOPI λ controller are compared under various BLDC motor operating conditions. Based on the results of MATLAB/Simulink models, the proposed algorithms are evaluated. Here, both the simulation and the results of the experiments are validated for the proposed controller technique. It demonstrates that the effectiveness of the proposed controllers is completely validated by comparing the three intelligent optimization techniques mentioned above. The EWO optimized FOPI λ controller for speed control of sensorless PMBLDC motor clearly outperforms the other two intelligent controllers by minimizing the time domain parameters, THD, performance Indices error, convergence time, control efforts, cost function, mean and standard deviation.
Hypomimia May Influence the Facial Emotion Recognition Ability in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Chuang Yu-Han , Tan Chun-Hsiang , Su Hui-Chen , Chien Chung-Yao , Sung Pi-Shan , Lee Tsung-Lin , Yu Rwei-Ling
Published: September 2021

Background: Hypomimia is a clinical feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Based on the embodied simulation theory, the impairment of facial mimicry may worsen facial emotion recognition; however, the empirical results are inconclusive. Objective: We aimed to explore the worsening of emotion recognition by hypomimia. We further explored the relationship between the hypomimia, emotion recognition, and social functioning. Methods: A total of 114 participants were recruited. The patients with PD and normal controls (NCs) were matched for demographic characteristics. All the participants completed the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Chinese Multi-modalities Emotion Recognition Test. In addition to the above tests, the patients were assessed with the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale and Parkinson’s Disease Social Functioning Scale (PDSFS). Results: Patients with PD with hypomimia had worse recognition of disgust than NCs (p = 0.018). The severity of hypomimia was predictive of the recognition of disgust (β= –0.275, p = 0.028). Facial emotion recognition was predictive of the PDSFS score of PD patients (β= 0.433, p = 0.001). We also found that recognizing disgust could mediate the relationship between hypomimia and the PDSFS score (β= 0.264, p = 0.045). Conclusion: Patients with hypomimia had the worst disgust facial recognition. Hypomimia may affect the social function of PD patients, which is related to recognizing the expression of disgust. Emotion recognition training may improve the social function of patients with PD.
Retrospective Study of Real-World Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Advanced/Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Receiving Lenvatinib/Everolimus after Heavy Pretreatment
Authors: Vogelzang Nicholas J. , Monnette Alisha M. , Wang Yunfei , Wan Yin , Robert Nicholas J. , Tannir Nizar M.
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND:

Lenvatinib with everolimus (“Len/Eve”) is approved for advanced/metastatic RCC following one antiangiogenic therapy.

OBJECTIVE:

This study evaluated patient characteristics, treatment patterns and overall survival (OS) with second-line or later (2L+) Len/Eve for advanced/metastatic RCC.

METHODS:

A retrospective observational study was conducted using electronic health records. Adult patients who initiated 2L+ Len/Eve for advanced/metastatic RCC from May 13, 2016 to July 31, 2019 were included. Patient characteristics and treatment patterns were assessed across the overall population and by post-immuno-oncology (IO) and post-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) groups. OS was estimated from Len/Eve initiation (i.e., index date) using Kaplan-Meier.

RESULTS:

Among the study population ( n = 152), 44.1%received 2L/3L Len/Eve and median number of prior therapies was 3 (range:1–8). Median age was 63.2 years, 78.9%were Caucasian, 73.7%were male, and 56.6%had ECOG performance status 0/1. At initial diagnosis, 65.8%had stage IV disease. At index, 53.3%had an International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium risk score of intermediate/poor, 15.1%favorable, and 31.6%missing score. Sixty-five (42.8%) received IO-based regimens and 49.3%received TKIs directly before index. Median OS from index was 13.9 (95%CI: 9.5–16.5) months and 2L/3L and 4L+ were 12.1 (95%CI: 8.4–17.0) and 14.8 (95%CI: 8.9–22.5) months, respectively. Median OS for Len/Eve post-IO and post-TKI were 13.9 (95%CI: 8.4–21.3) and 14.8 (95%CI: 7.8–16.5) months, respectively.

Conclusion:

This study suggested that 2L+ Len/Eve has clinical effectiveness for advanced/metastatic RCC in a US community oncology setting. Future studies are needed to confirm the association of improved survival with 2L+ Len/Eve.
Multi-Disease Detection in Retinal Imaging Based on Ensembling Heterogeneous Deep Learning Models
Authors: Müller Dominik , Soto-Rey Iñaki , Kramer Frank
Published: September 2021

Preventable or undiagnosed visual impairment and blindness affect billion of people worldwide. Automated multi-disease detection models offer great potential to address this problem via clinical decision support in diagnosis. In this work, we proposed an innovative multi-disease detection pipeline for retinal imaging which utilizes ensemble learning to combine the predictive capabilities of several heterogeneous deep convolutional neural network models. Our pipeline includes state-of-the-art strategies like transfer learning, class weighting, real-time image augmentation and Focal loss utilization. Furthermore, we integrated ensemble learning techniques like heterogeneous deep learning models, bagging via 5-fold cross-validation and stacked logistic regression models. Through internal and external evaluation, we were able to validate and demonstrate high accuracy and reliability of our pipeline, as well as the comparability with other state-of-the-art pipelines for retinal disease prediction.
Towards the Representation of Genomic Data in HL7 FHIR and OMOP CDM
Authors: Peng Yuan , Nassirian Azadeh , Ahmadi Najia , Sedlmayr Martin , Bathelt Franziska
Published: September 2021

High throughput sequencing technologies have facilitated an outburst in biological knowledge over the past decades and thus enables improvements in personalized medicine. In order to support (international) medical research with the combination of genomic and clinical patient data, a standardization and harmonization of these data sources is highly desirable. To support this increasing importance of genomic data, we have created semantic mapping from raw genomic data to both FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) and OMOP (Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership) CDM (Common Data Model) and analyzed the data coverage of both models. For this, we calculated the mapping score for different data categories and the relative data coverage in both FHIR and OMOP CDM. Our results show, that the patients genomic data can be mapped to OMOP CDM directly from VCF (Variant Call Format) file with a coverage of slightly over 50%. However, using FHIR as intermediate representation does not lead to further information loss as the already stored data in FHIR can be further transformed into OMOP CDM format with almost 100% success. Our findings are in favor of extending OMOP CDM with patient genomic data using ETL to enable the researchers to apply different analysis methods including machine learning algorithms on genomic data.
Data Sharing in Distributed Architectures – Concept and Implementation in HiGHmed
Authors: Wettstein Reto , Hund Hauke , Fegeler Christian , Heinze Oliver
Published: September 2021

Medical routine data has the potential to benefit research. However, transferring this data into a research context is difficult. For this reason Medical Data Integration Centers are being established in German university hospitals to consolidate data from primary information systems in a single location. But, small data-sets from one organization can be insufficient to answer a research question adequately. In order to obtain larger data-sets, attempts to merge and provide data-sets across institutional boundaries are made. Therefore, this paper proposes a possible process that can extract, merge, pseudonymize and provide distributed data-sets from several organizations conforming to privacy regulations. This process is executed according to the open standard BPMN 2.0, the underlying process data model is based on HL7 FHIR R4. The proposed solution is currently being deployed at eight university hospitals and one Trusted Third Party in the HiGHmed consortium.
Computing Novel Multiplicative Zagreb Connection Indices of Metal Organic Networks
Authors: Usman Ali
Published: September 2021

Metal organic networks (MONs) are defined as one, two and three dimensional unique complex structures of porous material and subclass of polymer’s coordination. These networks also show extreme surface area, morphology, excellent chemical stability, large pore volume, highly crystalline materials. The major advantages of MONs are tailorability, structural diversity, versatile applications, highly controllable nano-structures and functionality. So, the multi-functional applications of these MONs are made them more helpful tools in many fields of science in recent decade. In this paper, we light on the two different MONs with respect to the number of increasing layers of metal and organic ligands together. We define the novel multiplicative Zagreb connection indices (ZCIs) such that multiplicative fourth ZCI and multiplicative fifth ZCI. We also compute the main results for multiplicative Zagreb connection indices of two different MONs (zinc oxide and zinc silicate).
DERMATOLOGIC DISORDERS IN TRANSGENDER PATIENTS: ACNE, KELOID SCARS, PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS, MELASMA
Authors: Bayrasheva V.K. , Yushkantseva O.G. , Kosenko E.A. , Boronina M.S. , Egorova A.E.
Published: September 2021

Patients with gender dysphoria (transgender people), receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy and/or surgical treatment, often face specific skin conditions. Dermatological lesions can result in higher rates of body image dissatisfaction, gender dysphoria, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among transgender patients. The article provides a review of commonly observed skin conditions induced by gender-affirming therapy (acne vulgaris, hypertrophic and keloid scars, pseudofolliculitis barbae, melasma), their clinical manifestation, and current treatment strategies.
MECHANISMS AND CLINICAL EFFECTS OF DRUGS BASED ON ONCOLYTIC ADENOVIRUSES, HERPES VIRUSES, REOVIRUSES AND MEASLES VIRUS
Authors: Cherniakova A.P. , Borozdina S.A.
Published: September 2021

Despite all the advances in pharmacology, many types of oncological diseases remain incurable. To that end, the demand for the development of new effective methods with high safety still exists. Based on mechanisms that differ from the action of current anticancer drugs, oncolytic viruses expand the possibilities of treating tumors of various localizations. In this review, recent scientific data on the general characteristics of oncolytic viruses are systematized. The factors providing the selectivity and the reasons limiting the efficacy of virotherapy are discussed. The influence of oncolytic viruses on antitumor immunity is considered. The mechanisms of action and the most prospective directions for the use of adenoviruses, herpesviruses, reoviruses and measles virus are analyzed.
DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL FORMS IN AGRICULTURE
Authors: Starkova Ol'ga
Published: September 2021

Abstract. The purpose of the research is to consider the problems of the development of small forms of management in conditions of economic instability using analytical and statistical methods. To achieve the goal, it is necessary to solve the following tasks: 1) determine the contribution of small-scale farming to the food security of the country; 2) consider state support for the development of small forms of farming in the countryside. Results. The advantages of small forms of management, as well as the factors hindering their development, are identified. The conclusion is made about the reduction in the number of representatives of small forms of management in the agrarian sphere. The analysis of the number of workers in small forms of management and turnover is carried out. The place of peasant (farmer) households in the production of agricultural products is determined, the specialization of their production is revealed. The dynamics of production by personal subsidiary plots of the population is considered. The indices of production of products in peasant (farmer) households and in personal subsidiary plots are compared. The analysis of the federal budget expenditures to support small forms of farming in agriculture is carried out. The scientific novelty of the study consists in substantiating the need to improve measures of state support for production in small forms of management and in arguing the need to redistribute state support funds in favor of small forms of management.
A Grammatical Description of Leteh Nominal Morphology
Authors: Ansah Mercy Akrofi
Published: September 2021

Abstract: The paper describes Leteh nominal morphology within the framework of Basic Linguistic Theory (Dixon 2010; Dryer 2006). The nominal morphology is described in the context of two phenomena: number marking and noun classification. Leteh is a South-Guan language from the Niger-Congo family of languages. The morphology of Leteh is largely agglutinative. Güldemann and Fiedler (2019) argue that current analyses of gender systems are heavily influenced by those in Bantu languages and not cross-linguistically applicable. They propose an alternative analysis that includes the notions agreement class and nominal form class. In this paper I adopt the notion of nominal form class to classify nouns in Leteh. The nouns are grouped into four major classes based on the plural morphemes that they take. These classes are subdivided based on the singular forms with which they are paired.
Key words: verbal prefixes, Kwa, tense/ aspect, negation, person, mood, motion
Note: Changes were made to the title and abstract of this article after publication, on 9/20/2021.
The Effect of Enterprise Risk Management, Firm Size, Profitability, and Leverage on Firm Value
Authors: Witjaksono Armanto , Sari Ratna Puspita
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of enterprise risk management, firm size, profitability, and leverage on the worth of property and assets companies listed on the Indonesia securities market during 2015-2017. the tactic of knowledge analysis during this study is multiple regression toward the mean analysis using SPSS software version 25. The results of the study indicate that the scale of the corporate doesn't have an influence on the worth of the corporate. Other variables like profitability and leverage have a big positive effect on firm value, while the applying of enterprise risk management to property and assets companies listed on the Indonesia securities market incorporates a significant negative effect on firm value. it had been concluded that enterprise risk management, profitability and leverage affect the worth of the corporate