bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and outcomes of Stanford type A aortic dissection patients with post-operation severe hyperbilirubinemia: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Xiaolan , Bai Ming , Zhao Lijuan , Li Yangping , Yu Yan , Zhang Wei , Ma Feng , Sun Shiren , Chen Xiangmei
Published: May 2020

Background
Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the common complications after cardiac surgery and is associated with increased mortality. However, to the best of our knowledge, the report on clinical significance of postoperative severe hyperbilirubinemia in Stanford type A aortic dissection (AAD) patients is limited.
Methods
Patients who underwent surgical treatment for AAD in our center between January 2015 and December 2018 were retrospectively screened. In-hospital mortality, long-term mortality, acute kidney injury (AKI), and the requirement of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) were assessed as endpoints. Univariate and multivariate regression models were employed to identify the risk factors of these endpoints.
Results
271 (12.3%) patients were included. Of the included patients, 222 (81.9%) experienced postoperative AKI, and 50 (18.5%) received CRRT. In-hospital mortality was 30.3%. The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year cumulative mortality were 32.9%, 33.9%, and 35.3%, respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that age (P < 0.033), AKI stage 3 (P < 0.001), the amount of blood transfusion after surgery (P = 0.019), mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the first postoperative day (P = 0.012), the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (P = 0.02), and the peak total bilirubin (TB) concentration (P = 0.023) were independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality. The optimal cut-off value of peak TB on predicting in-hospital mortality was 121.2 µmol/l. Survival analysis showed significantly decreased survival for patients who developed severe, rather than mild, hyperbilirubinemia.
Conclusions
Post-operation severe hyperbilirubinemia is a common clinical presentation in AAD surgery patients. Post-operation severe hyperbilirubinemia AAD patients with older age, lower MAP, increased blood transfusion, stage 3 AKI, the use of ECMO, and the increased peak TB had higher risk of in-hospital mortality.
A Universal Model for Prediction of COVID-19 Pandemic Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Wang Lu , Han De-wei , Li Kang , Yang Xu , Yin Xiao-lei , Qiu Jing , Liang Dong-xue , Ma Zhao-yuan
Published: May 2020

Background: With the current worldwide spreading of the coronary virus (COVID-19) pandemic, accurately predicting the rate of spread of the virus has become an urgent need. Methods: In this article we propose a universal COVID-19 prediction model that is independent of country-specific factors in this paper. By analyzing the pandemic data in China, we combined the advantages of Gaussian function with that of chi-square distribution function, to render an innovative mathematical model named the H-Gaussian with five parameters to be learned, and solved the parameters by a gradient descent algorithm. Results: We trained the model with partial historical pandemic data to predict subsequent pandemic trends in several regions, and validated the predictions with real data. The H-Gaussian model was experimentally shown to correctly predict the pandemic trends, and the parameters had good interpretability. Conclusions: On this basis, the global trends of the pandemic are given based on the data currently available, as well as suggestions for subsequent prevention strategies.
Characterization and Agronomic Evaluation of Single Superphosphates Varying in Iron Phosphate Impurities
Authors: Prochnow L. I. , Chien S. H. , Taylor R. W. , Carmona G. , Henao J. , Dillard E. F.
Published: May 2020

An increase in the concentrations of water‐insoluble iron phosphate (Fe‐P) compounds in acidulated P fertilizers has raised the concern that the agronomic effectiveness of these P fertilizers will decrease. This study was conducted to evaluate the agronomic effectiveness of three sources of single superphosphate (SSP) varying in Fe‐P impurities for upland and flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown for 55 d. A modal chemical analysis and X‐ray diffraction were used to characterize the SSP samples and their water‐leached forms. A greenhouse study was conducted where rates of 0, 5, 15, 30, 50, and 100 mg P kg−1 as total available P (water plus citrate‐soluble P) were applied from each SSP source and monocalcium phosphate (MCP) to a Hiwassee clay loam (thermic Rhodic Kanhapludult). The water‐soluble P contents of the SSP sources were 46, 80, and 86% of the total available P (water + citrate) corresponding to an increase of Fe content (2, 4, and 7%) in the phosphate rock sources used for SSP production. The main Fe‐P impurities in the SSP samples were identified as Fe3NaH8(PO4)6·6H2O and Fe3H9(PO4)6·6H2O. Single superphosphate with only 46% of water solubility was 91% as effective as MCP in increasing dry matter yield and 76% as effective for P uptake by upland rice. The other two SSP sources were as good as MCP in effectiveness for upland rice. All of the SSP sources were equally as effective as MCP in producing dry matter yield and P uptake by flooded rice.
Modeling the Oleic Acid Content in Sunflower Oil
Authors: Sobrino Eduardo , Tarquis Ana M. , Díaz M. Cruz
Published: May 2020

Knowledge of the effects of temperature and geographic variables on the oleic acid content of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) oil allows us to predict the type of oil that will be produced in a particular area. This study was designed to establish a simple empirical model, which uses available variables of previously established effects, to estimate the final oleic acid composition of sunflower oil. Over two growing seasons, sunflower seeds were collected from Spain's main producing areas, and the oleic acid concentration of oil extracted from these samples was analytically determined. The effects of two types of variables (geographical position and temperature) on oil oleic acid content were determined according to three models based on the input variables: latitude, longitude, and altitude (Model I); mean minimum and maximum temperatures during the phenological stages of sunflower seed development and maturation (Model II); and a combination of both types of data (Model III). Through stepwise regression, it was established that best results were obtained using the temperature model (Model II) and the variables’ mean minimum development and mean minimum and maximum maturation temperatures (r2 = 0.99, P < 0.001, n = 88). Of the three variables included in this model, the mean minimum maturation temperature provided the closest estimate of percentage oleic acid content. This regression model was statistically validated and is proposed as a method for crop managers to estimate oleic acid content based on local temperatures.
La filosofía ambiental y su influencia en la ciudad
Authors: Vásquez Martínez Claudio Rafael , Téllez López Jorge
Published: May 2020

El presente articulo pretende presentar la equivoca y distorsionada relación de la persona con la naturaleza, basadaprincipalmente en el poder y la explotación no sobre el deseo de entender que son en realidad la naturaleza, que tipo de comunicación puede existir entre las personas y el resto de la naturaleza, el valor intrínseco de la naturaleza y la conciencia animal. La idea prevaleciente es la concepción creada por las ciencias naturales, la tecnología, la sociedad industrial y la economía, según la cual la naturaleza es sólo una reserva de materia prima a disposición de la a persona. Se trata a la naturaleza y los animales en forma diferente a lo que es su esencia real. Por ejemplo un cerdo o una vaca se ven sólo como un vehículo de producción. Lo que interesa a la sociedad moderna en el cerdo es el porcentaje de grasa, el valor nutritivo y la calidad de la carne. No nos interesamos en el cerdo como un animal sintiente y consciente con una alma diferente.
El garantismo en el marco del derecho administrativo sancionado
Authors: Rojas López Juan Gabriel
Published: May 2020

El presente artículo pretende evidenciar las estrechas relaciones que existen entre el Estado de Derecho y las garantías encaminadas a la protección de los derechos fundamentales de las personas, sobre todo, cuando de ejercer el poder punitivo del Estado se trata en procura del interés general, pero con la necesaria referencia de los límites estrictos al ejercicio del poder, para evitar desembocar en la arbitrariedad y el abuso característicos de los sistemas totalitarios, en los cuales se aminora el valor del hombre y se atenta contra la dignidad humana. En ese escenario se propone una tesis que propugne por la reivindicación y garantía de los derechos fundamentales y sobre todo, por la dignidad del hombre, así se encuentre sometido éste en un momento dado de su vida, bajo el sistema punitivo del Estado, circunstancia en la cual mayor protección requiere
A EMENDA CONSTITUCIONAL Nº 6 DE 1995 E O PROCESSO DE DESNACIONALIZAÇÃO DOS RECURSOS MINERAIS NO BRASIL
Authors: Amorim de Oliveira Andrade Matheus , Nagao Menezes Daniel Francisco
Published: May 2020

O Brasil é um país rico em recursos minerais. Tais recursos já pertenceram desde a coroa aos donos do território onde se encontravam as minas. Com a Revolução de 1930 e o Nacional Desenvolvimentismo de Getúlio Vargas, o Estado brasileiro adotou uma postura nacionalizante dos recursos minerais, buscando industrializar o país e obter independência financeira. Embora o período do regime militar tenha tentado flexibilizar tal postura permitindo o investimento estrangeiro na mineração, a Constituição de 1988 trouxe de volta o enfoque nacionalista aos recursos minerais buscando favorecer a empresa de capital nacional na exploração destes bens, entrementes, as propostas neoliberais da década de 90, o leilão da Vale do Rio Doce e a aprovação da Emenda Constitucional nº 6 de 1995, que retirou a distinção entre empresa brasileira de capital nacional e empresa brasileira de capital estrangeiro, provocaram a chamada “desnacionalização do recursos minerais” no Brasil. Buscando demonstrar como a aprovação da EC nº 06/95 tem impactado negativamente no desenvolvimento econômico e tecnológico da indústria através de uma revisão bibliográfica e análise documental, conclui-se que, com a permissão da entrada massiva de capital estrangeiro neste mercado e atuação de multinacionais, que não possuem a intenção de desenvolver a indústria nacional, mas somente exportar commodities, se faz necessário uma política que privilegie a empresa de capital nacional, através da edição de leis ordinárias para tal, e que busque promover o desenvolvimento econômico e tecnológico retomando o crescimento da indústria nacional, tratando os recursos minerais como bens estratégicos.
O ENSINO DO DIREITO PENAL NOS CURSOS JURÍDICOS: NECESSIDADE DE UMA FORMAÇÃO HUMANÍSTICA E CONSCIÊNCIA CRÍTICA RESPONSÁVEL
Authors: Groberio Sonia Do Carmo , Francischetto Gilsilene Passon
Published: May 2020

Trata da análise da Educação jurídica e da reflexão sobre seu distanciamento da realidade brasileira e mostra como a disciplina de direito penal poderá contribuir para uma formação humanística, com uma consciência crítica responsável, capaz de avançar para além do dogmatismo e da zona de conforto do penalismo técnico-juridico e criar novos caminhos para a efetivação dos direitos. Os egressos dos cursos de Direito, em sua maioria, replicam na prática os seus estudos, com mera reafirmação da lei, reproduzindo um conhecimento descontextualizado, dogmático e unidisciplinar. Utiliza-se o método hipotético-dedutivo . O levantamento e análise do material bibliográfico, foi desenvolvido com intuito de fundamentar os conhecimentos já consolidados sobre o assunto , bem como apresentar os pontos controversos sobre a temática. Conclui que deve-se aplicar às disciplinas de Direito Penal, a Criminologia, incluindo a Criminologia Crítica, que possui caráter decisivo com relação à forma de aplicação e interpretação do controle jurídico penal e a Política criminal, de forma conjugada, colocando em prática a previsão das Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais atuais para os cursos de Direito (Resolução nº 9/2004), do Conselho Nacional de Educação (CNE) .
MEDIAÇÃO DE CONFLITOS E COMPLIANCE TRABALHISTA: MEDIDAS PARA PREVENÇÃO, GESTÃO E RESOLUÇÃO CONSENSUAL DE CONFLITOS
Authors: Reis Beatriz De Felippe , Borges Gustavo Silveira , Silva Neto Nelson Soares da
Published: May 2020

O artigo abordou a mediação e o compliance trabalhista como ferramentas complementares para a prevenção, gestão e resolução consensual de conflitos. As duas ferramentas ganharam força no Brasil, especialmente a partir da aprovação das Resoluções nº 125 do CNJ e nº 174 do CSJT, e da aprovação da Lei nº 12.846/2013, conhecida como lei anticorrupção. Os objetivos principais foram demonstrar que a mediação não se restringe a garantir o acesso à justiça, mas efetivamente servir como mecanismo de participação social do cidadão e tratamento adequado dos conflitos. Analisou-se, também, o instituto do compliance no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro e os benefícios da sua implementação no âmbito das empresas. Baseado em um método dedutivo, pautado na análise crítica da doutrina e da legislação sobre a matéria, concluiu-se que a mediação e o compliance, atuando em conjunto, podem contribuir, tanto para a resolução de conflitos, quando estes já ocorreram, quanto para sua prevenção, garantindo maior satisfação aos envolvidos e, por consequência, uma redução na propositura de ações judiciais e na alta litigiosidade perante o Judiciário.
ALMANYA İÇİN ALTERNATİF PARTİSİ'NİN GÖÇMEN KARŞITLIĞI
Authors: ARAS İlhan , SAĞIROĞLU Akın
Published: May 2020

Almanya için Alternatif Partisi (AfD/Alternative für Deutschland), 2017 Almanya Federal Meclis seçimlerinde %12.6 oy oranıyla büyük bir başarı elde etmiştir. Parti, programında ve seçim kampanyalarında özellikle göçmen karşıtlığı, yabancı düşmanlığı ve İslam karşıtlığına vurgu yapmıştır. Angela Merkel hükümetlerinin mülteci politikasıyla ilgili sert eleştirileri, Avrupa’da güçlenen aşırı sağ popülizm ve Arap Baharı sonrası Avrupa’ya artan göçler partinin güçlenmesine neden olmuştur. AfD etkisiyle, diğer siyasi partiler de göçmenlerle ilgili söylemlerini sertleştirmişlerdir. Çalışma, AfD’nin göçmen karşıtlığını parti lider ve üyelerinin resmi söylemleri ve literatürden hareketle inceleyecektir. Partinin göçmen karşıtlığı, partinin kurulduğu 2013 yılından 2018’e kadar olan dönemde kronolojik olarak ele alınacaktır. Böylece, Avrupa’nın popülist/aşırı sağ partilerinin göç konusuna yaklaşımı ile ilgili literatüre katkı sağlamak amaçlanmıştır.
Extracts and Flavonoids of Passiflora Species as Promising Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Substances
Authors: Ożarowski Marcin , Karpiński Tomasz M.
Published: May 2020

There is increasing interest in evaluating anti-inflammatory activities of plant substances such as extracts
and flavonoid rich fractions. A promising source of new medicinal drugs may be species from the Passifloraceae
family. The most interesting group of principal chemical substances in Passiflora species are polyphenolic
compounds, including flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, apigenin, luteolin, chrysin, and C-glycosylflavones i.e.,
vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, isoorientin), due to their antioxidant activity demonstrated in various studies. However,
each extract from Passiflora spp. as multi-component mixtures should be estimated for chemical composition
(in the standardization process) and its activity using in vitro and in vivo tests. The current standard for drug
discovery and development from plants indicates that only collective assessment allows estimating plant substances
by definition of the origin of raw materials and their quality, methods of extractions, and metabolite profiles.
Increasingly, due to complex phytochemical procedures to obtain extracts, individual flavonoid compounds
are also tested for anti-inflammatory action. However, it should be emphasized that various sources of potential
new drugs from plant origin are not mutually exclusive, but are complementary. A review of bibliographic data
includes the following information about Passiflora species, such as distribution, classification, phytochemical
compounds, the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts, the anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids, and antioxidant
potential. The review concluded that extracts and flavonoids (mainly quercetin, apigenin, and vitexin)
from Passiflora spp. can be a valuable source of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative medications for the prevention
and treatment of many diseases, which occur with complex inflammatory processes.
Nose to Brain Drug Delivery System: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Garg Varun , Mittal Neeraj
Published: May 2020

Nose to brain drug delivery system is an interesting approach to deliver a drug directly in
the brain through the nose. Intranasal drug delivery is very beneficial because it avoids first-pass metabolism
and achieves a greater concentration of drugs in the central nervous system (CNS) at a low
dose. This delivery system is used for the treatment of various neurological disorders such as Parkinson's
disease, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, dementia, brain cancer, etc. To treat such types of
diseases, different formulations like nanoparticles (NPs), microemulsions, in situ gel, etc. can be used
depending on the physiochemical properties of the drug. In this review, some essential characteristics
related to the delivery of nose to the brain and their possible obstacles are underlined, which include
anatomy and physiology of nose to brain delivery. This review also summarizes innovations from the
past three to five years.
Variabilidad espacial de Swietenia macrophylla en sistema agroforestal de la Amazonia brasileña
Authors: Costa Luiz Rodolfo Reis , Dolácio Cícero Jorge Fonseca , Zea-Camaño Jorge Danilo , Oliveira Rudson Silva , Pelissari Allan Libanio , Maciel Maria de Nazaré Martins
Published: May 2020

La caracterización del comportamiento de la variación espacial de atributos dendrométricos de especies tropicales en sistemas agroforestales es importante para su manejo y, en ese sentido, la geoestadística se destaca por utilizar técnicas capaces de caracterizar esa variación. Se utilizaron métodos geoestadísticos para evaluar y mapear la variabilidad espacial del diámetro a 1.3 m del nivel del suelo (dap), de la altura comercial (hc) y del volumen comercial (vc) de árboles de Swietenia macrophylla King, plantadas en un sistema agroforestal en la Amazonia brasileña. El muestreo de campo se realizó con base en una cuadrícula de 50 m × 50 m, que resultó en 36 puntos sistemáticos. En cada punto, se instaló una parcela circular de 500 m2 para medir el dap y la hc. El vc fue estimado con la ecuación mejor ajustada a los datos de cubicación de 108 árboles. Luego se modelaron los patrones de distribución espacial de las variables por medio de la geoestadística y se utilizó kriging ordinario para generar mapas con predicciones e incertidumbres de las variables. El modelo de Schumacher-Hall resultó en la mejor ecuación para estimar el vc y la cuadrícula sistemática utilizada mostró ser eficiente para detectar los patrones espaciales de esas variables. Los modelos de semivariogramas ajustados demostraron la fuerte dependencia espacial del dap, de la hc y del vc, lo que permitió hacer interpolaciones precisas, generando resultados de validación cruzada sin tendencia, principalmente para vc que presentó el modelo teórico mejor ajustado.
Augmented Reality–Based Rehabilitation of Gait Impairments: Case Report
Authors: Held Jeremia Philipp Oskar , Yu Kevin , Pyles Connor , Veerbeek Janne Marieke , Bork Felix , Heining Sandro-Michael , Navab Nassir , Luft Andreas Rüdiger
Published: May 2020

Background

Gait and balance impairments are common in neurological diseases, including stroke, and negatively affect patients’ quality of life. Improving balance and gait are among the main goals of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is mainly performed in clinics, which lack context specificity; therefore, training in the patient’s home environment is preferable. In the last decade, developed rehabilitation technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality (AR) have enabled gait and balance training outside clinics. Here, we propose a new method for gait rehabilitation in persons who have had a stroke in which mobile AR technology and a sensor-based motion capture system are combined to provide fine-grained feedback on gait performance in real time.

Objective

The aims of this study were (1) to investigate manipulation of the gait pattern of persons who have had a stroke based on virtual augmentation during overground walking compared to walking without AR performance feedback and (2) to investigate the usability of the AR system.

Methods

We developed the ARISE (Augmented Reality for gait Impairments after StrokE) system, in which we combined a development version of HoloLens 2 smart glasses (Microsoft Corporation) with a sensor-based motion capture system. One patient with chronic minor gait impairment poststroke completed clinical gait assessments and an AR parkour course with patient-centered performance gait feedback. The movement kinematics during gait as well as the usability and safety of the system were evaluated.

Results

The patient changed his gait pattern during AR parkour compared to the pattern observed during the clinical gait assessments. He recognized the virtual objects and ranked the usability of the ARISE system as excellent. In addition, the patient stated that the system would complement his standard gait therapy. Except for the symptom of exhilaration, no adverse events occurred.

Conclusions

This project provided the first evidence of gait adaptation during overground walking based on real-time feedback through visual and auditory augmentation. The system has potential to provide gait and balance rehabilitation outside the clinic. This initial investigation of AR rehabilitation may aid the development and investigation of new gait and balance therapies.
Flattening the Mental Health Curve: COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Orders Are Associated With Alterations in Mental Health Search Behavior in the United States
Authors: Jacobson Nicholas C , Lekkas Damien , Price George , Heinz Michael V , Song Minkeun , O’Malley A James , Barr Paul J
Published: May 2020

Background

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to dramatic changes worldwide in people’s everyday lives. To combat the pandemic, many governments have implemented social distancing, quarantine, and stay-at-home orders. There is limited research on the impact of such extreme measures on mental health.

Objective

The goal of this study was to examine whether stay-at-home orders produced differential changes in mental health symptoms using internet search queries on a national scale.

Methods

In the United States, individual states vary in their adoption of measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; as of March 23, 2020, 11 of the 50 states had issued stay-at-home orders. The staggered rollout of stay-at-home measures across the United States allows us to investigate whether these measures impact mental health by exploring variations in mental health search queries across the states. This paper examines the changes in mental health search queries on Google between March 16-23, 2020, across each state and Washington, DC. Specifically, this paper examines differential changes in mental health searches based on patterns of search activity following issuance of stay-at-home orders in these states compared to all other states. The participants were all the people who searched mental health terms in Google between March 16-23. Between March 16-23, 11 states underwent stay-at-home orders to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Outcomes included search terms measuring anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive, negative thoughts, irritability, fatigue, anhedonia, concentration, insomnia, and suicidal ideation.

Results

Analyzing over 10 million search queries using generalized additive mixed models, the results suggested that the implementation of stay-at-home orders are associated with a significant flattening of the curve for searches for suicidal ideation, anxiety, negative thoughts, and sleep disturbances, with the most prominent flattening associated with suicidal ideation and anxiety.

Conclusions

These results suggest that, despite decreased social contact, mental health search queries increased rapidly prior to the issuance of stay-at-home orders, and these changes dissipated following the announcement and enactment of these orders. Although more research is needed to examine sustained effects, these results suggest mental health symptoms were associated with an immediate leveling off following the issuance of stay-at-home orders.
An Exploration Into the Use of a Chatbot for Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Retrospective Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Zand Aria , Sharma Arjun , Stokes Zack , Reynolds Courtney , Montilla Alberto , Sauk Jenny , Hommes Daniel
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

The emergence of chatbots in health care is fast approaching. Data on the feasibility of chatbots for chronic disease management are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the feasibility of utilizing natural language processing (NLP) for the categorization of electronic dialog data of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) for use in the development of a chatbot.

METHODS

Electronic dialog data collected between 2013 and 2018 from a care management platform (UCLA eIBD) at a tertiary referral center for IBD at the University of California, Los Angeles, were used. Part of the data was manually reviewed, and an algorithm for categorization was created. The algorithm categorized all relevant dialogs into a set number of categories using NLP. In addition, 3 independent physicians evaluated the appropriateness of the categorization.

RESULTS

A total of 16,453 lines of dialog were collected and analyzed. We categorized 8324 messages from 424 patients into seven categories. As there was an overlap in these categories, their frequencies were measured independently as symptoms (2033/6193, 32.83%), medications (2397/6193, 38.70%), appointments (1518/6193, 24.51%), laboratory investigations (2106/6193, 34.01%), finance or insurance (447/6193, 7.22%), communications (2161/6193, 34.89%), procedures (617/6193, 9.96%), and miscellaneous (624/6193, 10.08%). Furthermore, in 95.0% (285/300) of cases, there were minor or no differences in categorization between the algorithm and the three independent physicians.

CONCLUSIONS

With increased adaptation of electronic health technologies, chatbots could have great potential in interacting with patients, collecting data, and increasing efficiency. Our categorization showcases the feasibility of using NLP in large amounts of electronic dialog for the development of a chatbot algorithm. Chatbots could allow for the monitoring of patients beyond consultations and potentially empower and educate patients and improve clinical outcomes.
Augmented Reality–Based Rehabilitation of Gait Impairments: Case Report (Preprint)
Authors: Held Jeremia Philipp Oskar , Yu Kevin , Pyles Connor , Veerbeek Janne Marieke , Bork Felix , Heining Sandro-Michael , Navab Nassir , Luft Andreas Rüdiger
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Gait and balance impairments are common in neurological diseases, including stroke, and negatively affect patients’ quality of life. Improving balance and gait are among the main goals of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is mainly performed in clinics, which lack context specificity; therefore, training in the patient’s home environment is preferable. In the last decade, developed rehabilitation technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality (AR) have enabled gait and balance training outside clinics. Here, we propose a new method for gait rehabilitation in persons who have had a stroke in which mobile AR technology and a sensor-based motion capture system are combined to provide fine-grained feedback on gait performance in real time.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were (1) to investigate manipulation of the gait pattern of persons who have had a stroke based on virtual augmentation during overground walking compared to walking without AR performance feedback and (2) to investigate the usability of the AR system.

METHODS

We developed the ARISE (Augmented Reality for gait Impairments after StrokE) system, in which we combined a development version of HoloLens 2 smart glasses (Microsoft Corporation) with a sensor-based motion capture system. One patient with chronic minor gait impairment poststroke completed clinical gait assessments and an AR parkour course with patient-centered performance gait feedback. The movement kinematics during gait as well as the usability and safety of the system were evaluated.

RESULTS

The patient changed his gait pattern during AR parkour compared to the pattern observed during the clinical gait assessments. He recognized the virtual objects and ranked the usability of the ARISE system as excellent. In addition, the patient stated that the system would complement his standard gait therapy. Except for the symptom of exhilaration, no adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

This project provided the first evidence of gait adaptation during overground walking based on real-time feedback through visual and auditory augmentation. The system has potential to provide gait and balance rehabilitation outside the clinic. This initial investigation of AR rehabilitation may aid the development and investigation of new gait and balance therapies.
An Epidemiological Analysis of COVID-19 Confirmed Cases, Reported at National Institute of Health, Pakistan (Preprint)
Authors: Chaudhry Ambreen
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is a zoonotic disease of novel origin that posed a continuous threat to health worldwide after taking the shape of the pandemic. An understanding of disease epidemiology is supportive in timely preventive and control measures as well as contact tracing and curbing surveillance activities.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 confirmed cases reported at the National Institute of Health Pakistan and elements of its spread in Pakistan.

METHODS

A retrospective record review was conducted at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad, Pakistan from January 25 to April 4, 2020. Univariate and bivariate analysis was done with 95% CI and p<0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 14,422 samples of suspected COVID-19 cases were received with a positivity rate of 9% (n=1348). Among all 70% (n=939) were male. The median age was 41years of age (range: 01-99Years). Among all, 19% were from 30-39 years old followed by 50-59 years old (17%). Children remained the least affected by 3% (n=35).
Of the total reported cases, 55% (n=735) have reported the travel history within the last 14 days. Among these travelers’ international travelers were 23% (n=166) and domestic travelers were 77% (n=569).
Travel history including both international and domestic remained significantly associated with the different age groups and Young adults remained more vulnerable to COVID-19 (P=0.03). Fever, SOB, and Cough remained the most significantly associated (P<0.05) in all age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher incidence of COVID-19 among elderly men suggests robust quarantine measures for this target population. An escalating incidence of local transmission needs strict social distancing and hygiene practices to help flatten the curve. An extensive multi-center study is also recommended for a full understanding of disease dynamics.
Telemedicine services during emergency response (Preprint)
Authors: Cheng Weibin , Lian Wanmin , Tang Weiming , Tian Junzhang
Published: May 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

In this viewpoint, we shared the experience of using telemedicine services to bridge the gap of medical services needs when facility-based services were shut down in response to the COIVD-19 epidemic in China. This story in addition to other similar ones is evidence that several lessons can be drawn from the implementation of telemedicine care during this COVID-19 outbreak.
El direccionamiento organizacional fundamentado en los Sistemas de Gestión Integral: una relación estratégica para la mejora
Authors: Medina-Cárdenas Yurley Constanza , Areniz-Arévalo Yesenia , Sánchez-Ortíz Edgar Antonio
Published: May 2020

El ideal de progreso definido en la visión organizacional, se logra cuando hay bases estructurales establecidas; como el análisis del contexto, la definición de objetivos, el establecimiento de metas, políticas y estrategias que direccionan la capacidad para adaptarse y responder a los cambios del entorno. En el caso de las instituciones de educación superior IES, la calidad es un imperativo desde todos sus ángulos, se espera una gestión administrativa eficiente y una formación académica pertinente de altos estándares y competencias. Los resultados parten de una investigación concluyente – descriptiva, sobre el nivel de apropiación del mejoramiento, visto como la capacidad de autogestión organizacional que estudiantes, docentes y personal administrativo conceptuaron sobre el nivel de madurez en cuanto a los aspectos de la calidad institucional a partir del contexto interno y la política integral de una Universidad objeto de estudio.
Análisis isocinético y corrección a condiciones de referencia en horno a cielo abierto en el municipio de Ocaña, Norte de Santander
Authors: Guerrero-Gómez Gustavo , Espinel-Blanco Edwin , Velásquez-Pérez Torcoroma
Published: May 2020

Se realizó un muestreo isocinético al horno a cielo abierto de la ladrillera el recreo 2, empleando el método  del analizador experimental siguiendo los pasos estipulados según la normatividad vigente establecida por el ministerio de ambiente, vivienda y desarrollo territorial en el protocolo para el control y vigilancia de la contaminación atmosférica generada por fuentes fijas, en el que se determinó la concentración de oxígeno, monóxido de carbono, dióxido de carbono y óxido de nitrógeno, por último se hizo la comparación con la normatividad ambiental Colombiana, de lo que se estableció que las emisiones de óxido nítrico medidas en la ladrillera monitoreada cumple con la norma.
¿Los Pelusos o frente de guerra Libardo Mora Toro-EPL? Percepción de Ocaña y llamado a diálogos de paz.
Authors: Alba Maldonado José Manuel , Rivera Rivera Astris , German del Real
Published: May 2020

El artículo se inscribe dentro del proyecto de investigación titulado “Propuesta de integración territorial rural–urbana desde la construcción de ciudad región del municipio de Ocaña (Norte de Santander)” como parte de las relaciones urbano-rurales del Catatumbo y la ciudad de Ocaña;  se centró en conocer cuál es la precepción de la ciudad de Ocaña sobre el Ejército Popular de Liberación –EPL-  y su postura frente a la apertura de diálogos de paz. La metodología consta de una revisión  documental sobre el EPL y las dinámicas del Frente Libardo Mora en la región del Catatumbo. En lo que tiene que ver con la percepción de la ciudadanía de Ocaña se aplicaron 385 encuestas de manera aleatoria a mayores de edad distribuidos en las comunas, indagando sobre la percepción del EPL, viabilidad de diálogos de paz y visión del Catatumbo a futuro como región en paz. Los resultados fueron el reconocimiento del EPL como guerrilla por parte los ciudadanos, la necesidad de apertura de diálogos de paz y la esperanza por construir un Catatumbo en paz. Como conclusión se plantea  la necesidad de una apertura de diálogos con este grupo.
Does the Presence of a General Counsel in Top Management Affect Audit Effort and Audit Outcomes?
Authors: Brooks Marcus R. , Hairston Stephanie A. , Njoroge Phillip Kamau , Ryou Ji Woo
Published: May 2020

SYNOPSIS

This study examines whether the presence of a general counsel (GC) in top management affects audit effort and audit outcomes. Hopkins, Maydew, and Venkatachalam (2015) find that firms with GCs in top management have lower financial reporting quality and tolerate more aggressive financial reporting practices, which likely influences audit risk. Given the GCs' influence on the financial reporting process, we posit that auditors of firms with GCs in top management increase the amount of effort they expend to provide reasonable assurance that financial statements are stated fairly. We find that the presence of GCs in firms' top management is positively associated with audit effort but does not directly affect the likelihood that these firms will receive unqualified audit opinions that contain explanatory language. Our findings suggest that GCs influence the external audit market by participating in the financial reporting process.

JEL Classifications: M42.

Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text.
Visão computacional na agricultura: APIs de detecção e reconhecimento de doenças das plantas
Authors: Kaufman Dora , Vilas Boas Lenilson Lemos
Published: May 2020

As tecnologias de inteligência artificial (ia) estão permitindo identificar com mais precisão doenças em folhas de plantas por meio da análise de imagens, com efeitos benéficos sobre a agricultura (custo, eficiência, qualidade). O artigo apresenta os resultados de estudos desenvolvidos com o uso de três tecnologias (plataformas) distintas treinadas com o mesmo conjunto de 50 imagens de quatro doenças, indicando as características visuais de cada uma delas. O treinamento foi dividido em duas etapas: a primeira realizada com 30 imagens e a segunda com 20 imagens, e a validação e a análise do aprendizado foram realizadas a partir de 10 imagens. O propósito dos testes é comparar a assertividade de reconhecimento das doenças em cada tecnologia/plataforma. As doenças examinadas para o estudo são: Peronospora (downy mildew), Diplocarpon rosae (black spot), Oídio (powdery mildew) e Cancro cítrico. Os resultados mostraram-se positivos para a identificação das doenças por meio de imagens.Palavras-chave: Aprendizado de Máquinas. Agricultura Digital. Imagens Digitais. api. Visão Computacional.
Transcriptomic profile of genes encoding proteins responsible for regulation of cells differentiation and neurogenesis in vivo and in vitro – an oocyte model approach
Authors: Moncrieff Lisa , Kocherova Ievgeniia , Bryja Artur , Kranc Wiesława , Perek Joanna , Kulus Magdalena , Jeseta Michal , Dompe Claudia , Hutchings Greg , Janowicz Krzysztof , Celichowski Piotr , Bruska Małgorzata , Zabel Maciej , Kempisty Bartosz , Mozdziak Paul
Published: May 2020

The growth and development of the oocyte is essential for the ovarian follicle. Cumulus cells (CCs) - a population of granulosa cells - exchange metabolites, proteins and oocyte-derived paracrine factors with the oocyte through gap junctions, to contribute to the competency and health of the oocyte. This bi-directional communication of the cumulus-oocyte complex could be better understood through the micro-analysis of a porcine oocyte gene expression before in vitro maturation (IVM) and after. Additionally, the study of the somatic and gamete cells differentiation capability into neuronal lineage would be promising for future stem cell research as granulosa cells are easily accessible waste material from in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. Therefore, in this study, the oocytes of 45 pubertal Landrace gilts were isolated and the protein expression of the COCs were analyzed through micro-analysis techniques. Genes belonging to two ontological groups: neuron differentiation and negative regulation of cell differentiation have been identified which have roles in proliferation, migration and differentiation. Twenty identified porcine oocyte genes (VEGFA, BTG2, MCOLN3, EGR2, TGFBR3, GJA1, FST, CTNNA2, RTN4, MDGA1, KIT, RYK, NOTCH2, RORA, SMAD4, ITGB1, SEMA5A, SMARCA1, WWTR1 and APP) were found to be down-regulated after the transition of IVM compared to in vitro. These results could be applied as gene markers for the proliferation, migration and differentiation occurring in the bi-directional communication between the oocyte and CCs.

Running title: Differentiation and neurogenesis in oocyte cells
The processes of homeostasis, chemotaxis and organic and inorganic response are significantly up-regulated during short-term oral mucosal cells in vitro cultivation
Authors: Borowiec Blanka , Ciesiółka Sylwia , Janowicz Krzysztof , Celichowski Piotr , Bryja Artur , Moncrieff Lisa , Hutchings Greg , Dompe Claudia , Kempisty Bartosz , Shibli Jamil A. , Mozdziak Paul , Gerreth Karolina , Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska Marta
Published: May 2020

Mucous membranes appear in various parts of the whole body performing similar functions. However, they differ based on where the mucosa is located. It functions as a barrier in such systems as: respiratory, urogenital and digestive . In this study we will be focusing strictly on the oral mucosa. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts, which mainly form the structure of the oral mucosa, are subjected to numerous factors. Being one of the million parts that build the animal organism, they are involved in various processes. In this study, we will try to confirm that in the in vitro culture of oral mucosa cells, the expression of our selected genes undergoes significant changes which are tied to such processes as: homeostasis, chemotaxis and organic/inorganic response of the organism. For this study, 20 pubertal crossbred Landrace gilts were used. After slaughter, samples of buccal pouch mucosa were obtained and transported to the laboratory. The excised tissue was prepared and processed due to protocols. The final pellet was resuspended in supplemented DMEM. Once the cultures attained 70–80% confluency, they were passaged. Total RNA from each pooled sample was subjected to two rounds of sense cDNA amplification. The cDNA was processed on microarrays. Analysis of the scanned arrays was performed. The files were imported into downstream data analysis software. The DAVID analysis showed that differently expressed genes belongs to 56 Gene ontology groups. In this paper we focused on “cellular divalent inorganic cation homeostasis”, “chemical homeostasis”, “chemotaxis”, “homeostatic process” and “response to organic substance” GO BP terms. These sets of genes were subjected to hierarchical clusterization procedure. In summary, the data we collected showed primarily changes in gene expression that occurred in the thirty-day cell culture of oral mucosa tissue. We assume that indicated genes could be new gene markers for studied processes.

Running title: Homeostasis in oral mucosa cells
New Approaches to Diagnostics of C.Difficile Infection
Authors: Stofkova Z , Novakova E , Sadloňová V
Published: May 2020

Introduction:
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common infectious cause of diarrhoea in hospitalised patients. It is a severe issue with increasing incidence in healtcare facilities and commmunities. Early and appropriate testing of CDI is very imortant. There are many different approaches that can be used in the CDI laboratory diagnostics. Recently performed studies evaluated diagnostic algorithms to optimize laboratory CDI diagnostics. The aim of the work was to implement an optimal algorithm of testing methods in CDI diagnostics.

Materials and methods: The retrospective analysis of patients’ samples suspected on CDI was carried out in 2017. The data was analysed from the Laboratory Klinicka Biochemia in Zilina. The application of ESCMID re -commendation criteria for algorithm of testing, together with procedures in laboratory practice was carried out.

Results: The analysis of the data showed that the applied algorithm or testing in CDI and highlighted the importance of preanalytic phase, and the evaluation of testing methods and results, together with clinical findings. Two- and three- step algorithm together with cultivation methods were applied. 87,6% of samples could be eva -luated with positive or negative results according to the 2-step algorhitm. Further samples were assessed and tested by ELISA test or PCR method.

Conclusion: CDI represents a significant burden in healthcare facilities. An early diagnostics and interpretation helps to start the early treatment and helps in surveillence of the infection.
Effect of Post-Harvest Dipping and Various Packaging Materials on Quality Traits of Mandarin (Citrus Reticulata Blanco.)
Authors: Paudel Anup , Baral Dhruba , Acharya Himal , Dhital Madhav
Published: May 2020

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of post-harvest dipping and various packaging materials on quality traits of mandarin at the laboratory of Project Implementation Unit (Citrus zone) Udayapur, Katari from January to February 2019. The parameters observed were physiological loss in weight, juice content, titrable acidity, total soluble solids, TSS/TA ratio and shelf life. The packaging materials include individual newspaper wrapping, perforated polyethene and corrugated box. Gibberellic acid with a concentration of 100 ppm was used as a dipping material. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 8 treatment replicated 3 times. The result showed that among eight treatments combination, fruits treated with GA3 in combination with perforated polyethene recorded minimum physiological loss in weight (1.99%) and control (19.08%). High retention of juice content (40.30%), total soluble solids(12.83 brix) and titrable acidity (0.60%) was recorded in fruits treated with GA3 in combination with perforated polyethene in 24 days of storage. Fruits treated with GA3 in combination with perforated polyethene attained shelf life of 48 days followed by perforated polyethene with a shelf life of 44 days. Finding of the experiment may prove to be helpful in rural area to store mandarin with minimum loss as markets are far from the village.
Varying Impedance “Orbital Impedance Stability“ Graphene Based Supercapacitor Nanofiber Electrodes – Utilizing A New Direct Method of Studying Impedance Based on Actual Experimental Data
Authors: Mustafa Mustafa H.
Published: May 2020

Single cell supercapacitors with electrodes of varying amounts of graphene and carbon black, formed via the electrospinning process with a carbon-based Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), were tested in 1M H2SO4. From the tested samples, the overall data indicates no correlation between impedance and capacitance energy values. However, the breakdown of the various samples showed mixed results of; good correlations between lower impedance resulting in higher and lower capacitance; while other samples showed higher impedance correlating to both higher and lower capacitance. No correlation was observed between the Impedance value and the thickness of the samples. Furthermore, carbon mole content was not a major factor in determining impedance; therefore, structure is not a major contributor to impedance. Whereas, carbon mole content is a major contributor to capacitance energy; Hence, impedance provides an alternative control point to increasing energy (2-10X times), that can be retrofitted to existing systems, or to increase the energy storage beyond current levels by adjusting/controlling impedance in new designs. The data is indicating impedance is not constant and is varying. The mechanism of varying impedance is unclear and requires further research. However, it is thought to mimic the energy level and stability of matter (atoms). Therefore, impedance varies or oscillates accordingly to achieve an impedance level stability, and hence the term “Orbital Impedance Stability”. Thoughts into Impedance being an Energy Field, to be provided in next publication (In-sha’-ALLAH). This research is concluding that our conventional understanding of impedance is limited in scope. New approaches and further research is needed to better understand impedance behavior. A better understanding of impedance is essential to a breakthrough in energy storage devices from capacitors and batteries, to electric generation and distribution of energy, to magnetic levitation, medical drugs and other energy improvements.