bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The resilient intensive care unit
Authors: Salluh Jorge I. F. , Kurtz Pedro , Bastos Leonardo S. L. , Quintairos Amanda , Zampieri Fernando G. , Bozza Fernando A.
Published: April 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic tested the capacity of intensive care units (ICU) to respond to a crisis and demonstrated their fragility. Unsurprisingly, higher than usual mortality rates, lengths of stay (LOS), and ICU-acquired complications occurred during the pandemic. However, worse outcomes were not universal nor constant across ICUs and significant variation in outcomes was reported, demonstrating that some ICUs could adequately manage the surge of COVID-19.

Methods

In the present editorial, we discuss the concept of a resilient Intensive Care Unit, including which metrics can be used to address the capacity to respond, sustain results and incorporate new practices that lead to improvement.

Results

We believe that a resiliency analysis adds a component of preparedness to the usual ICU performance evaluation and outcomes metrics to be used during the crisis and in regular times.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need for a resilient health system. Although this concept has been discussed for health systems, it was not tested in intensive care. Future studies should evaluate this concept to improve ICU organization for standard and pandemic times.
Intravenous human immunoglobulin utilization patterns and cost analysis in a Malaysian tertiary referral hospital
Authors: Choo Shea Jiun , Ng Chun Zheng , Ong Yi Jing , Kamarul Baharin Kamariah Shamsinar , Chang Chee Tao
Published: April 2022

Introduction

While intravenous human immunoglobulin therapy is potentially lifesaving for rare diseases, the significant costs associated with its usage warrant due attention. This study evaluated the costs and prescribing patterns of IVIg.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of medical records in a tertiary hospital. The evidence category IIA and below, as well as strength of recommendations level B and below were classified as lower evidence category and lower strength of recommendation, respectively. Patients’ demographic data, indications, dosing regimen, physician specialty were retrieved from medical records, while the cost was derived based on total prescribed doses.

Results

Out of 78 patients, more than half of the patients were prescribed with off-label IVIg based on MOHM Formulary (52, 66.7%), FDA indications (52, 66.7%) and EMA indications (46, 59.0%). 37 (47.4%) cases used IVIg for indications with lower evidence category and 52 (66.7%) cases with lower strength of recommendation. The total cost of IVIg use within the 2-year period was RM 695,426.36, with RM267,993.40 (38.5%) spent for indications with lower evidence category. Immunoglobulin use in rheumatology and neurology cases were associated with lower evidence category (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

A high proportion of off-label immunoglobulin use was observed. A timely update of prescribing policy, standardization of prescribing guidelines may promote appropriate immunoglobulin prescribing and justify expenses.
Optimal delay for triple-phase hepatic computed tomography using a bolus-tracking technique in cats
Authors: Li Bin , Ren Mingli , Abouelfetouh Mahmoud M. , Guo Panpan , Ding Ming Xing , Yang Diqi , Wu Yanqing , Ding Yi
Published: April 2022

The objective of this study was to provide the characteristics of hepatic computed tomography images and optimize their transition delay with a bolus-tracking technique for triple-phase hepatic computed tomography in cats. Dynamic triple-phase computed tomography was performed in nine healthy cats. The upper third of the liver was dynamically scanned every 0.5 s for 40 s. The time density curves of the aorta and hepatic parenchyma mean enhancement were analyzed. Triple-phase hepatic computed tomography was performed three times with a bolus trigger of 200 Hounsfield units of aortic enhancement. The transition delays of the arterial, portal, and hepatic parenchymal phases were respectively 0, 5 and 60 s in the first scan; 2, 7 and 62 s in the second scan; and 4, 9 and 64 s in the third scan. All computed tomography images were evaluated by a certificated radiologist. The arterial vessels and their main branches were well enhanced at a 2 s transition delay. The contrast of the portal vein to the liver parenchyma was most obvious at a 7 s transition delay. The mean enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma peaked at a 62 s transition delay, whereas the degree of enhancement of the hepatic vasculature decreased. In this study, the recommended transition delays for the arterial, portal, and hepatic parenchymal phases were 2 s, 7 s and 62 s, respectively, after triggering at 200 Hounsfield units of aortic enhancement. This information may be helpful in diagnosing feline liver diseases and provides a key reference for the clinical implementation of CT.
Gas-bearing reservoir distribution in a volcanic environment: Case of the Yingcheng Formation, China
Authors: Wang Jiabei , Chi Jie , Zhao Ming , Chen Qing
Published: April 2022

As a special type of lithologic body, gas-bearing strata, composed of rhyolite, an igneous rock with a volcanic composition, are characterized by deep burial, complex lithology, poor stratification, and a complicated gas-bearing distribution. These characteristics lead to difficulties in the prediction of gas-bearing reservoir parameters and thus restrict the exploration and exploitation of such reservoirs. The unique and complex volcanic model contains different types of facies and subfacies because the volcanic eruption usually experiences different explosion-effusion periods. Our study focuses on the vertical and lateral gas-bearing reservoir distribution in a volcanic environment in the Cretaceous Yingcheng Formation of the Songnan Gas Field, using seismic facies-controlled nonlinear stochastic inversion to integrate the volcanic facies information. First, we built the volcanic facies model for the Songliao Basin to introduce the comprehensive characteristics of the volcanic facies during a volcanic eruption and analyzed the well-tie logging facies and seismic facies to guide the facies analysis of the target layer. Then, based on this facies analysis, we depicted the gas-bearing reservoir in detail through the use of seismic facies-controlled nonlinear random inversion. Finally, we predicted the distribution of the gas-bearing reservoir by the inversion results. The predicted results were found to agree well with the actual drilling data. The inversion method effectively predicts the velocity distribution of the gas-bearing reservoir, which provides a good foundation for the subsequent description of gas-bearing reservoirs in the Yingcheng Formation.
Circulating Tumor DNA: An Emerging Tool in Gastrointestinal Cancers
Authors: Alese Olatunji B. , Cook Natalie , Ortega-Franco Ana , Ulanja Mark B. , Tan Lavinia , Tie Jeanne
Published: April 2022

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is tumor-derived fragmented DNA in the bloodstream that has come from primary or metastatic cancer sites. Neoplasm-specific genetic and epigenetic abnormalities are increasingly being identified through liquid biopsy: a novel, minimally invasive technique used to isolate and analyze ctDNA in the peripheral circulation. Liquid biopsy and other emerging ctDNA technologies represent a paradigm shift in cancer diagnostics because they allow for the detection of minimal residual disease in patients with early-stage disease, improve risk stratification, capture tumor heterogeneity and genomic evolution, and enhance ctDNA-guided adjuvant and palliative cancer therapy. Moreover, ctDNA can be used to monitor the tumor response to neoadjuvant and postoperative therapy in patients with metastatic disease. Using clearance of ctDNA as an endpoint for escalation/de-escalation of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients considered to have high-risk disease has become an important area of research. The possibility of using ctDNA as a surrogate for treatment response–including for overall survival, progression-free survival, and disease-free survival–is an attractive concept; this surrogate will arguably reduce study duration and expedite the development of new therapies. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on the applications of ctDNA for the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal tumors. Gastrointestinal cancers–including tumors of the esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, and pancreas–account for one-quarter of global cancer diagnoses and contribute to more than one-third of cancer-related deaths. Given the prevalence of gastrointestinal malignancies, ctDNA technology represents a powerful tool to reduce the global burden of disease.
Optimal Nonlinear Pricing by a Dominant Firm under Competition
Authors: Chao Yong , Tan Guofu , Wong Adam Chi Leung
Published: April 2022

We consider a nonlinear pricing problem faced by a dominant firm competing with a minor firm. The dominant firm offers a general tariff first, and then the minor firm responds with a per-unit price, followed by a buyer choosing her purchases. By developing a mechanism-design approach to solve the subgame perfect equilibrium, we characterize the dominant firm’s optimal nonlinear tariff, which exhibits convexity and yet can display quantity discounts. In equilibrium the dominant firm uses a continuum of unchosen offers to constrain its rival’s potential deviations and extract more surplus from the buyer. Antitrust implications are also discussed. (JEL D21, D43, D82, K21, L13, L42)
Effects of lymphocyte, C-reactive protein and prealbumin levels on clinical typing and course of disease in children infected with novel coronavirus
Authors: Bi Jing , Zhang Yuanda , Zhang Jingzhi , Han Qian , Ji Chaoyu , Zhen Weina
Published: April 2022

Objectives: To investigate the effects of lymphocyte (LY), C-reactive protein (CRP) and prealbumin (PA) levels on the clinical typing and course of disease in children infected with novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) at the early stage.

Methods: A total of 140 children with 2019-nCoV infection diagnosed in Shijiazhuang People’s Hospital and Hebei Provincial Chest Hospital from January 2021 to February 2021 were selected for this study. According to the clinical symptoms, laboratory results and imaging examination, the children were divided into asymptomatic infection group, mild infection group and common infection group. The levels of white blood cell (WBC), LY, CRP, PA, albumin (ALB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CKMB) in the children were recorded on the 2nd d after the positive detection of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid.

Results: There were 73(52.1%) children in the asymptomatic infection group, 35(25.0%) children in the mild infection group and 32(22.9%) children in the common infection group. LY level in the common infection group was lower than that in the asymptomatic infection group and the mild infection group (F= 3.152, both p< 0.05). CRP level in the common infection group was higher than that in the asymptomatic infection group and the mild infection group (F= 6.343, both p< 0.05). CRP level in the mild infection group was higher than that in the asymptomatic infection group (t= 2.052, p< 0.05). PA level in the common infection group and the mild infection group was lower compared with the asymptomatic infection group (F= 5.229, both p< 0.05). WBC, ALB, AST, ALT, CK and CKMB levels in the three groups showed no statistical significance (F= 1.803, F= 1.208, F= 2.391, F= 1.973, F= 0.401, F= 1.332, respectively, all p> 0.05). Correlation analysis demonstrated that LY and PA levels were negatively correlated with hospital stay (r= -0.265, r= -0.325, both p< 0.050), but CRP level was not correlated with hospital stay (r= -0.039, p> 0.05).

Conclusion: CRP is correlated with the clinical typing of children with 2019-nCoV infection, while LY and PA levels may be closely correlated with the clinical typing and course of treatment of children with 2019-nCoV infection.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.5.5286

How to cite this:Bi J, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Han Q, Ji C, Zhen W. Effects of lymphocyte, C-reactive protein and prealbumin levels on clinical typing and course of disease in children infected with novel coronavirus. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.5.5286

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Quartz crystal based sensor head design and analysis for robot torque sensor application
Authors: Fu Hao , Chen ChinYin , Wang Chongchong , Chao MinChiang , Zhou Qiang , Yang Guilin , Wang Guozhi
Published: April 2022

Background: In recent years, with the gradual development of robot human-computer interaction, robots need to meet the precise control of more complex motion. Torque sensors play an important role. The traditional strain gauge sensor uses a metal strain gauge as the sensitive element, which means that the sensor has a slow response, low resolution and can easily be affected by external signal noise. Aiming at these deficiencies of strain gauge sensors, a sensor with cutting quartz square sheet as the sensor head is proposed.

Methods: In order to study the application of quartz square sensing head in the sensor, firstly, COMSOL (5.6) simulation modeling is used to obtain the stress relationship between square quartz sheet and circular quartz sheet. Then the calculation formula of the force frequency coefficient of the circular quartz sheet is modified to obtain the calculation formula of the force frequency coefficient of the square quartz sheet, and the feasibility of the formula is verified by practical experiments. Next, the theoretical simulation and experimental research on the buckling limit force of quartz wafer are carried out, and the formula of buckling limit force in the process of quartz wafer installation is modified. Finally, the designed sensitive head is installed on the elastomer structure for verification. The frequency signal is collected by SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics 32 with a sampling rate of 1000Hz.

Results: The main performances of the sensor are range 150nm, sensitivity 350Hz / nm, linearity 98.14%, hysteresis 0.51%, repeatability 98.44%, resolution 0.02%.

Conclusions: As the sensitive unit of the torque sensor, the designed quartz wafer can obtain high response time and high resolution, solve the problems of low resolution and slow response time of the traditional strain gauge torque sensor, and reduce the use cost of the sensor.
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal, Neurological and Physical Disorder After COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Mahmoud Hayam , Ebid Anwar , Alghamdi Mohammed , Ibrahim Abeer , Almoosa Ahmed
Published: April 2022

Background: The global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19 continues to attack all human systems. Although COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, various extra-pulmonary manifestations, including musculoskeletal and neuropathies/myopathies was reported. This study aimed to investigates the long-term impacts of COVID-19 infection on physical health, capability of daily life activities, musculoskeletal and neurological functions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: A total of 499 adults recovered from COVID-19 infection of both sexes, who resided in the KSA were recruited randomly and invited to participate in this cross-sectional web-based survey. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection. All respondents returned the questionnaire. Their responses were recorded, stored into a Microsoft Excel sheet 2010 and analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Percentages were used to convey descriptive data. The percentages were presented with a 95% confidence interval (CI). For statistical significance, a 0.05 p-value was used. Results: The overall prevalence of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders as follows: headache (63.1%), muscle ache or weakness (62.3%), vertigo (25%), concentration problems (21.8%), breathing troubles (20.4%), loss of balance (19.4%), seizure (1%), and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (0.6%). The results also revealed a significant association between the influence of COVID-19 infection and daily activities, gender and respiratory disorders. Conclusion: The findings highlighted and concluded that COVID-19 infection had an impact on respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal systems and affect daily activities.
Villa sorteerimise ja töötlemise mõju lõnga ja kangaste omadustele Muhu saarel kasvanud maalammaste näitel / Effect of the sorting and processing of wool on the properties of yarn and fabric, on the example of the Estonian Native Sheep grown on Muhu Islan
Authors: Västrik Veinika , Kool Liina
Published: April 2022

This article gives an overview of our applied research, carried out at the Textile Department of the Pallas University of Applied Sciences, with the objective of finding out how the sorting of the wool of the Estonian Native Sheep grown on Muhu Island affects the properties of the yarn and of the fabric made of this yarn. The research was carried out by participants from the Textile Department of the Pallas University of Applied Sciences, NGO MuhuMaaLammas and the Estonian Native Crafts Department of the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy under the supervision of the lecturer Liina Kool in June 2017— December 2018.

Fleece of Estonian sheep is at present undeservedly under-used. This project was initiated by the NGO MuhuMaaLammas, to meet their need for finding ways of using the wool of an Estonian Native Sheep breed grown on Muhu Island in designing and producing articles made of wool. The research was based on the raw wool shorn off the native sheep grown at Vanaelu farm in Kallaste village on Muhu Island.

Characteristically, the sheep of the native breed have two layers of fleece – the outer and the underlying layers. During our research, we sorted the shorn wool into four groups: 1) lamb’s wool (the age of the animal is up to eight months); 2) wool of fine fibre and regular crimp; 3) wool of thicker fibre and irregular crimp; 4) wool of the coarse, thick and straight outer layer. We examined the structure of fibres of these four types of wool and produced double semi-worsted yarn of all these groups at the wool processing workshop of the UT Viljandi Culture Academy. For comparison, we also had some semi-worsted yarn and carded wool made of the unsorted wool. We used all these types of yarn to weave samples on the loom and with knitting machine. We evaluated the softness of the yarns and fabrics, and the friction resistance and resistance to pilling of the fabric samples.

Based on the results of comparing the six different types of yarn, and of fabrics made of these yarns, we can say that sorting and extracting of the lamb’s wool and the wool shorn from the neck area of sheep is most justified, because in our tests, the fabrics made of the yarn made of these types of wool proved to  Effect of the sorting and processing of wool 145 have the best properties. Using of carded wool, made of unsorted wool, gave good results as well: fabric made of such wool proved to be the softest of all fabrics made on looms. We will proceed to next stages of our research in order to encourage designers and small producers to use domestic raw materials more extensively than they do it today.

Keywords: applied research, Estonian native sheep, wool fiber, woollen yarn, semi-worsted yarn, pilling
Lõimeleer: eesti keele ja pärimuskultuuri laager väliseesti lastele / Lõimeleer: A cultural immersion camp for young Estonians living abroad
Authors: Ruiso Heldi
Published: April 2022

Lõimeleer is a cultural immersion camp for young Estonians aged 10–16 living abroad. Held each summer, it gives them an opportunity to mix with kids of their own age who live in Estonia, to learn handicrafts, such as woodwork, jewelleryand textile making, to play games and musical instruments, to practice singing and dancing, to find out how horses are harnessed, and to learn other quintessential Estonian traditional skills. The main organiser of the event is Lõimeleer(HomeComing) NGO with partners from University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy: both students and alumni of the programmes of leisure time managers and teachers, folk music and Estonian native crafts are involved.

Lõimeleer takes place in and around Tääksi school, Viljandi county. The programme of the camp is related to the major Estonian cultural events each year, such as the Song and Dance Festival, Viljandi Folk festival, etc. One camp shift in 2019 was dedicated to ESTO, a global get-together of diaspora Estonians.

Questions about the rationale of the initiative, the activities carried out in the camp, the feedback they have received, and what their own personal impressions have been were put to Priit-Kalev Parts, the initiator and main organiser of Lõimeleer, and Iti Jantra-Metsamaa, who has worked as a camp counsellor and as head of the camp in 2017 and 2018.
Väärikas teos Eesti pulmatraditsioonidest võõramaalaste pilgu läbi / A good work on the wedding customs of Estonians as seen through the eyes of foreigners
Authors: Jääts Liisi
Published: April 2022

In 2018 a remarkable book compiled by Ants Hein was published: „Vanaaja pulm. Valitud tekste ja pilte 16. sajandi keskpaigast 19. aastasaja viimase veerandini“ (Weddings of the Bygone Days. Selected Texts and Pictures from the Middle of the 16th Century to the Last Quarter of the 19th Century).

Hein has assembled a decent collection of sources about the wedding customs of the local peasants, produced by foreigners travelling through and residing in the Estonian and Livonian provinces. The authors of the selected texts vary from visitors passing through to priests and private teachers who lived here for decades. The texts are presented in a chronological sequence, with thematic insights into contextualising topics, such as clerical advice to newly-weds from the 17th century, passages on festive foods, music and dances, an essay on sexual relations before marriage, and so on. The information about Estonian wedding customs is presented systematically and the wider social context is taken into account. Every excerpt is accompanied by a compiler’s comment, discussing the writer’s period and reason for visiting Estonia. Altogether approximately 120 diverse sources have been used in the collection.

The outsider’s perspective is evident in the descriptions. Sources in the Estonian language, mostly the results of the great initiative of oral folklore collecting called for by Jakob Hurt, generally cover the period from the mid-19th century, but foreign written sources enable us to extend our ‘national memory’ to more distant periods of time and to a wider array of viewpoints and languages. It is an acknowledged ethnographic truth that in order to notice the most regular everyday details in a culture, one should not be brought up in that culture.

The book is richly illustrated and the pictures form perhaps the most important part of it for a native craft researcher. Although some of the captions may be a bit far-fetched, the book as a whole is a valuable, rich and a praiseworthy contribution to the information that is available on the topic of Estonian weddings. Material has been gathered from the archives of Germany, Russia and Latvia; many documents have been translated into Estonian from German, which used to be widely spoken here, but has lost its importance among present-day Estonians. It is a pleasure and a privilege that such a book has been prepared for us.
Conditions and Restrictions on the Use of Agile Project Management in IT Companies
Authors: Shandygaeva Yuliya , Cymbal Andrey
Published: April 2022

The activities of modern organizations can no longer do without introducing a project approach to some extent. A number of organizations use the classical, waterfall model in their project management approach. However, the trend towards so-called agile methodologies is also still gaining momentum. Initially agile methodologies were developed for information technology (IT) and revolutionized the approach to product development, improving speed of development and product quality required by customers. This paper attempts to systematize the use of agile management techniques in relation to IT companies and shows the analysis and effect of agile methodologies on a sample of specific companies that took part in the study. Based on the analysis and processing of the research, the conditions that are directly related to the benefits that IT companies gain from Agile and the limitations that hinder the effectiveness of the use of agile project management techniques are derived.
Spór o chińską republikańską rewolucję Xinhai (1911–1912) w zachodniej historiografii
Authors: Polit Jakub
Published: April 2022

Chińska rewolucja republikańska z 1911 r. (zwana rewolucją Xinhai) była krytykowana jako „niedokończona” rewolucja burżuazyjna, jako rewolucja dynastyczna, która obaliła dynastię Qing, a nawet jako fikcyjna rewolucja. Od lat siedemdziesiątych XX w. wielu autorów zaczęło dostrzegać, że republikański ruch rewolucyjny w Chinach był słaby i podzielony, a także doceniać wagę i znaczenie reform wprowadzonych przez Qingów.
Rhabdomyolysis after Intravenous Ferric Gluconate: A Case Report
Authors: Botti Mara , Piperno Alberto , Cianflone Annalia , Mariani Raffaella
Published: April 2022

Patients with severe iron deficiency, malabsorption or intolerance to oral iron are frequently treated with intravenous iron replacement. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with non-erosive oligoarticular arthritis with antiparietal cell antibodies and iron deficiency anemia secondary to menorrhagia and unresponsive to oral iron preparations. She was treated with an intravenous infusion of ferric gluconate. After the first infusion of 125 mg (in 250 mL saline), she developed transient pain in her knee and wrist joints. When the dose was subsequently halved, the patient showed no adverse symptoms in the next four infusions and had normalized hemoglobin levels and iron indices. However, after a subsequent 125 mg ferric gluconate infusion she developed severe leg pain, muscular and joint stiffness, and functional impairment of her hands, right foot, and ankle. Laboratory tests showed a progressive increase in creatine kinase, transaminase, and C-reactive protein that normalized several days after the infusion. Although rhabdomyolysis is not reported among endovenous iron-induced adverse events, our findings suggest that intravenous iron infusions might have increased free iron generation promoting oxidative joint and muscular injury, which would explain the joint pain and stiffness, and rhabdomyolysis. Greater attention should be paid to the more frequent cases of myalgia occurring after iron infusion, which may underlie a rhabdomyolytic event requiring clinical observation.
Room Security System Design using ESP32 CAM with Fuzzy Algorithm
Authors: Putra Wahyu Sukestyastama , Setyawan Andy
Published: April 2022

At this time, security becomes an important thing that must be fulfilled. Especially a room that has valuables. Currently, the average room security only uses conventional methods, which are very easy to break. Therefore, An Intelligent security system is needed to maintain security in a room. An Intelligent security system is a system that can detect everything automatically and can be monitored remotely using the internet or better known as IoT (Internet of Things). This system uses a microcontroller as the primary part of running the system and is supported by several modules such as the PIR infrared motion sensor module, door window magnetic sensor module, camera module, and buzzer alarm module. The door & window magnetic sensor module serves as the first security, which, when the door/window is open, will give a warning via the buzzer alarm module. While the PIR infrared motion sensor module functions as second security which if motion is detected in a room, it will trigger the camera module to take pictures in the room. The results of this system will be sent directly to Android via the Telegram application using a bot. This Telegram bot will send data in text and images from the system to Android directly.
A Forensic Analysis of Video Streaming Activities on Android Applications
Authors: Ahmad Adil , Hussain Mehdi
Published: April 2022

Mobile applications of video streaming platforms store a lot of information on mobile devices which can have both positive and negative impacts. Positive, in the sense that it could assist law enforcement agencies in solving crime, and the negative impact is that it could be accessed by malicious actors. In this study, we forensically investigate the Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and iFlix android applications. The major focus is on identifying stored artifacts on the mobile devices left behind by the android video streaming applications. It will give law enforcement agencies and forensic investigators a clear direction when it comes to extracting evidence to solve a crime. On the other hand, it will notify the mobile application developers on how to further improve the security of their mobile applications.
Potential implications of blood flow restriction exercise on patients with chronic kidney disease: a brief review
Authors: Rolnick Nicholas , Neto Ivo Vieira de Sousa , Fonseca Eduardo Fernandes da , Neves Rodrigo Vanerson Passos , Rosa Thiago dos Santos , Nascimento Dahan da Cunha
Published: April 2022

Combining blood flow restriction (BFR) with exercise is considered a relevant, helpful method in load-compromised individuals and a viable replacement for traditional heavy-load strength training. BFR exercise may be particularly useful for those unable to withstand high mechanical stresses on joints resulting in skeletal muscle dysfunction, such as patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Current literature suggests that BFR training displays similar positive health benefits to exercise training alone for CKD patients, including maintenance of muscle strength, glomerular filtration rate maintenance, uremic parameters, inflammatory profile, redox status, glucose homeostasis, blood pressure adjustments, and low adverse reports. In this review of nine studies in CKD patients, we clarify the potential safety and health effects of exercise training with BFR compared to exercise training alone and recommend insights for future research and practical use. Furthermore, we introduce relevant gaps in this emerging field, providing substantial guidance, critical discussion, and valuable preliminary conclusions in this demographic of patients. However, based on the limited studies in this area, more research is necessary to determine the optimal BFR exercise programming.
The use of behaviourally-active medication in companion animals part 1
Authors: Warnes Caroline , Brown Emma , Durston Tamsin
Published: April 2022

Behaviour cases are common in general practice and veterinary nurses can play a vital role in their identification and management. Full behavioural assessment and implementation of a behaviour modification protocol remains essential, but increasingly animals may also be prescribed psychoactive medications. This three-part article aims to give veterinary nurses a comprehensive introduction to the principles of using behaviourally-active medication in companion animals. Part 1 contains an overview of the main types of behaviourally active drugs available for treating dogs and cats in the UK, and the different types of behavioural problems that they can potentially help. This will be followed in Part 2 by a more detailed look at the decision-making process for using short-acting behaviourally-active medications, supported by case examples. Part 3 will outline ways in which veterinary nurses can contribute to improving the behavioural welfare of their patients generally, including through identifying and supporting those animals that will benefit from behaviourally active medication.
Design and Control of an Off Board Battery Charger for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Dar Uzma , Siddiqui Anwar Shahzad , Bakhsh Farhad Ilahi
Published: April 2022

The rise in the penetration of electric vehicles has led to the increased interest in the charging technologies. Controlled charging and vehicle to grid power transfer is being given much importance. This paper proposes an off board charger (three phase) for charging the batteries used in electric vehicles. The proposed charger has a bidirectional power transfer capability so as to transfer power back to the utility grid. The topology proposed is simple and less costly as it has fewer elements. The charger has two converters, a three phase ac-dc converter for conversion of ac into dc and bidirectional dc-dc converter. The technique called Vector control is used to control ac-dc converter which allows controlling of active and reactive power independently. The control strategy proposed here provides a better control and leads to a better performance while maintaining unity power factor at input. The charging algorithm designed is such that it is able to maintain voltage at dc link at desired value. The charging algorithm is designed for lithium ion batteries and the combined Constant Current Constant Voltage (CC-CV) method of charging is used because it is simple and easy to implement. The proposed electric vehicle charger changes the mode of charging with change in State of Charge (SOC). The different modes are switched and the suitable reference is generated based on the different charging characteristics of a battery. The proposed charger is modeled in MATLAB-Simulink. The working operation of both forward and reverse power transfer mode has been analyzed. The proposed charger is able to maintain the unity power factor operation. The simulation results of all modes validate the design and control of the proposed charging topology.
AEFA Based Optimal Dynamic Economic Load Dispatch Problem Considering Penetration of Renewable Energy Systems
Authors: Pandey Ashutosh Chandra , Das Vipin , Kumar Pradeep , Singh Rambir , Maurya Sanjay Kumar
Published: April 2022

In power system, maintaining the load generation balance is critical. This paper proposes an artificial electric field algorithm (AEFA) for dynamic economic load dispatch (DELD) in a power system with security constraints, taking into account renewable energy sources (RES).. The RES penetration and total savings are examined considering variation of underestimation and overestimation costs associated with RES. Further, the impact of increased RES penetration on thermal fuel and overall costs has been studied. The AEFA algorithm performs better than PSO and DE, in terms of performance. The result reveals that when RES penetration rises savings as well as net cost of RES rises. Numerically, at 65% penetration of RES, a savings of 28.19% is achieved in the generator fuel cost and the RES penetration leads to a reduction in the thermal unit’s fuel cost.
The Unit Folded Normal Distribution: A New Unit Probability Distribution with the Estimation Procedures, Quantile Regression Modeling and Educational Attainment Applications
Authors: Korkmaz Mustafa Ç. , Chesneau Christophe , Korkmaz Zehra Sedef
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we develop a continuous distribution on the unit interval characterized by the distribution of the absolute hyperbolic tangent transformation of a random variable following the normal distribution. The lack of research on the prospect of hyperbolic transformations providing flexible distributions on the unit interval is a motivation for the study. First, we study it theoretically and discuss its properties of interest from a modeling point of view. In particular, it is shown that the proposed distribution accommodates various levels of skewness and kurtosis. Then, some statistical work is performed. We investigate diverse estimation methods for the involved parameters and evaluate their performance through two simulation studies. Subsequently, the quantile regression model derived from the proposed distribution is developed. Two real-world data applications of interest are provided. The first application is about the univariate modeling of the percentage of the educational attainment of some countries, which is one indicator of the education topic of the Better Life Index (BLI) of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The second application is to explain the relationship between the percentage of educational attainment of some countries with one indicator of the work-life balance, safety, and health topics of BLI via median quantile regression modeling. For the considered data sets, the proposed distribution and quantile regression models show that they have better modeling abilities than competitive models under some comparison criteria. The results also indicate that covariates are (statistically) significant at any ordinary level of significance for the median response.
Comparison between SIRS and qSOFA Score for Predicting Mortality and Length of Stay Sepsis Patients in ICU of Dr Moewardi Hospital Surakarta
Authors: Tameru Rahma Pramatama , Supraptomo Rth , Setijanto Eko
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Sepsis is still one of the causes of morbidity and mortality in patients who are hospitalized. Early recognition and therapy is needed to prevent deterioration of the disease and predict outcomes. The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock in 2016 issued the latest definition for sepsis and recommended qSOFA score to replace the previous assessment system, SIRS criteria. This study was conducted with the aim of knowing the accuracy of the SIRS criteria, the accuracy of the qSOFA score, and the comparison between the two for predicting the mortality rate and length of stay of sepsis patients at the ICU of Dr Moewardi Hospital Surakarta

Methods: This research was an observational analytic study with cross sectional approach, conducted in Dr Moewardi Hospital on September-November 2018. The samples were 106 sepsis patients. The data were collected by reading the medical record of sepsis patients who were hospitalized in ICU during of period July 2017 until June 2018 and analyzed statistically by and ROC curve analysis, chi square analysis test, and zero-truncated regression poisson test

Result: qSOFA Score Pre-ICU (Sens 67.9%, Spe 50%, p=0.120, OR=2.111), qSOFA Score ICU (Sens 63.1%, Spe 77.3%, p=0.001, OR=5.813), SIRS Criteria Pre-ICU (Sens 88.1%, Spe 18.2%, p=0.439, OR=1.644), and SIRS Criteria ICU (Sens 84.5%, Spe 40.9%, p=0.009, OR=3.781). AuROC in predict mortality for qSOFA Pre-ICU, SIRS Pre-ICU, qSOFA ICU, and SIRS ICU were 0.625, 0.503, 0.754, and 0.644 consecutively. AuROC in predict length of stay in ICU > 3 days for qSOFA Pre-ICU, SIRS Pre-ICU, qSOFA ICU, and SIRS ICU were 0.580, 0.566, 0.681 and 0.639 consecutively.

Conclusion: The qSOFA score has poor sensitivity and moderate specificity, while the SIRS criteria has high sensitivity but low specificity. But, qSOFA is superior to SIRS for predicting mortality and length of stay in ICU > 3 days.

Keyword : Sepsis, ICU, SIRS, qSOFA,mortality
Efek Secretome Sel Punca Mesenkimal Terhadap Ekspresi Interleukin 17 Dan Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha
Authors: Wulandari Evi Liliek , Nurudhin Arief , Arifin Arifin , Adnan Zainal Arifin
Published: April 2022

Pendahuluan
 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) adalah penyakit inflamasi autoimun kronis yang belum jelas penyebabnya dengan gambaran klinis yang luas serta tampilan perjalanan penyakit beragam. Sitokin tertentu seperti IL-17 dan TNFα sangat terkait dengan pathogenesis SLE. Sel punca mensekresikan sejumlah protein (secretome) termasuk growth factor, kemokin, sitokin, metabolit dan lipid bioaktif yang mengatur secara autokrin atau parakrin
 sambil merekayasa interaksi dengan lingkungan mikro sekitarnya. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui pengaruh secretome sel punca mesenkimal terhadap ekspresi Interleukin 17 (IL-17) dan Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) pada mencit model lupus.

Metode Penelitian

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimental dengan metode post test only control group design dengan randomisasi, sampel 21 mencit Balb/c betina, dibagi menjadi kelompok kontrol (injeksi NaCl 0,9% 0,5ml intraperitoneal), pristan (injeksi pristane 0,5ml intraperitoneal) dan pristan+secretome (injeksi pristan 0,5ml + secretome 0,45 ml intraperitoneal). Dilakukan pemeriksaan ekspresi IL-17 dan TNF- α jaringan ginjal ketiga
 kelompok. Analisa statistik menggunakan SPSS 22 for windows. Uji beda rerata antara kelompok menggunakan uji F Anova bila distribusi data normal dan bila signifikan akan dilanjutkan dengan LSD Post Hoc Test. P bermakna jika p<0,05.

Hasil Penelitian

Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa didapatkan hasil yang bermakna antara kelompok kontrol, pristan dan pristan+secretome baik pada kadar IL-17 (kontrol 6,9±1,95 ; pristan 9,9±2,27; pristan+secretome 6,1±1,95;  =0,016), dan TNF-α (kontrol 6,9±1,95; pristan 11,7±3,40; pristan+secretome 7,9±2,03; p=0,005).

Kesimpulan
 Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa pemberian secretome sel punca mesenkimal berpengaruh menurunkan ekspresi IL-17 dan TNF- α pada mencit model lupus.

Kata kunci : Secretome, Interleukin 17, Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, Lupus
Gambaran Klinis Telinga Hidung Tenggorokan Pasien SARS CoV-2 di RSUD Dr. Moewardi
Authors: Pratiwi Dewi , Sudrajad Hadi , Hendradewi Sarwastuti , Setiamika Made , Kandhi Putu Wijaya , Primadewi Novi , Hariyadi Vicky Eko Nurcahyo , Wicaksono Adisetya , Dewi Marisa Rizqiana
Published: April 2022

ABSTRAK

Pendahuluan: COVID-19 merupakan infeksi yang disebabkan oleh SARS-CoV-2. Prevalensi kasus COVID-19 di Indonesia pada akhir tahun 2020 mencapai 750.000 kasus dan terus meningkat hingga saat ini. Manifestasi klinis yang dialami oleh pasien COVID-19 cukup beragam. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui gambaran klinis telinga hidung tenggorokan (THT) pasien SARS CoV-2 di RSUD Dr. Moewardi Surakarta.

Metode: Penelitian cross-sectional melibatkan 316 pasien terkonfirmasi SARS-CoV-2 positif di RSUD Dr. Moewardi, Surakarta, Jawa Tengah selama April sampai Juni 2021. Dilakukan pemeriksaan PCR untuk melihat status infeksi SARS-CoV-2 dan anamnesis untuk melihat gambaran klinis telinga hidung tenggorokan pasien menggunakan kuesioner. Data univariat dianalisis secara deskriptif kuantitatif dan disajikan dalam bentuk distribusi frekuensi.

Hasil: Secara umum, distribusi empat gejala THT terbanyak pada pasien terinfeksi SARS-CoV-2 berturut-turut adalah nyeri tenggorok (21.52%), hilang penciuman (11.71%), hilang rasa pengecapan (10.44%), dan hidung tersumbat (9.18%). Gejala non-THT yang terbanyak ditemukan meliputi demam (73.73%) dan batuk (57.91%). Keempat gejala THT terbanyak tersebut juga ditemukan pada usia 15-64 tahun, kecuali pada usia ≥65 tahun dimana gejala sakit kepala (3.17%) merupakan gejala terbanyak kedua setelah nyeri tenggorok. Tidak ditemukan gejala hidung tersumbat pada usia ≥65 tahun. Gejala THT terbanyak pada pasien pria terinfeksi SARS-CoV-2 berturut-turut adalah nyeri tenggorok (9.82%), hilang penciuman (4.75%), hidung tersumbat (4.44%), dan hilang pengecapan (2.85%). Sementara itu, gejala THT terbanyak pada wanita terinfeksi SARS-CoV-2 berturut-turut meliputi nyeri tenggorok (11.07%), hilang pengecapan (7.59%), hilang penciuman (6.96%), dan hidung tersumbat (4.74%).

Kesimpulan: Gambaran klinis telinga hidung tenggorokkan pasien terinfeksi SARS-CoV-2 yang paling sering muncul berturut-turut adalah nyeri tenggorok, hilang penciuman, hilang pengecapan, dan hidung tersumbat. Frekuensi gejala ini bervariasi akibat banyak faktor, diantaranya adalah umur dan jenis kelamin.
Potensi Padina australis sebagai Marine Drug untuk Aterosklerosis
Authors: Sadvika I Gusti Ayu Stiti , Wulansari Ni Wayan Ari , Suryaningsih Ni Putu Elsinthia , Mahendra Agung Nova
Published: April 2022

Atherosclerosis is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, altered lipid accumulation, inflammation, and foam cells deposition. Fucoxanthin and fucoidan that are contained in Padina australis are known to have potential anti-atherosclerotic effects. This review aims to see the activity and potential of Padina australis as an anti-atherosclerotic marine drug. This literature review article was obtained through a online-based scientific database using terms or phrases relevant to the topic. Fucoxanthin reduces ROS and inhibits production of NO, PGE2, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Meanwhile, fucoidan can regulate the development of atherosclerosis by preventing SMC from forming foam cells, LOX-1 expression, and proinflammatory molecules significantly. A decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and increased HDL-c also shown to be one of the effects of fucoidan in modulating lipid metabolism. Fucoxanthin can increase thermogenesis by increasing PRDM16, UCP-1, and UCP-3 in BAT and decreasing adipocyte size, leptin, and increasing adiponectin in WAT. Fucoidan can lower the cholesterol index, triglycerides, LDL, and increase the expression of PPARγ which can increase lipid metabolism and inhibit hyperlipidemia. In conclusion, Padina australis is potential anti-atherosclerosis agent due to its fucoxanthin and  fucoidan exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and modulation of lipid metabolism.

Keywords: Padina australis, fucoxanthin, fucoidan, atherosclerosis, marine drug
Crescimento de Ophioderma cinereum (Müller & Troschel, 1842) (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) em duas praias rochosas da cidade de Salvador, Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Tanure Bruna Marques , Cerqueira Walter Ramos Pinto
Published: April 2022

Ophioderma cinereum é um ofiuróide muito comum no litoral baiano, ocorrendo em todas as praias de substrato duro do litoral de Salvador, litoral norte do Estado e na Baía de Todos os Santos. Contudo, o conhecimento desta espécie ainda é escasso. Quase nada se conhece sobre sua produção secundária e seu crescimento. Este trabalho tem por objetivo conhecer aspectos da biomassa e do crescimento de O. cinereum nas praias da Pituba e de Itapuã. Foram realizadas coletas bimensais de junho de 2005 a junho de 2006, durante as marés baixas de sizígia. Os animais coletados foram colocados em recipientes contendo água do mar e anestesiados com cristais de cloreto de magnésio, sendo posteriormente fixados em formol a 4% e preservados em álcool a 70%. No laboratório, os indivíduos foram colocados para secar em papel toalha durante três minutos e pesados em balança analítica, para obtenção do peso úmido total. Em seguida, os braços foram destacados do disco bem próximo à base e individualmente pesados e medidos (em comprimento e altura). O disco também foi pesado e medido (diâmetro e altura). Os dados mensurados foram lançados em planilhas para serem realizados os cálculos de médias, variância, desvio e erro padrão, correlações e regressões. Foi observado que para análise de crescimento da espécie a melhor variável a ser analisada é o diâmetro do disco, por essa ser uma variável independente da altura do disco. Não foi observado nesse trabalho nenhum período de recrutamento, com entrada de indivíduos jovens nas duas populações indicando que pode haver uma separação entre indivíduos jovens e adultos por nichos ecológicos. No geral, a dinâmica de Ophioderma cinereum nas duas praias foi diferente, refletindo as características particulares que cada praia apresenta para esta espécie.