bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avaliação dos conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas clínicas de Cirurgiões Dentistas da Cidade de Londrina em relação à pandemia de COVID-19
Authors: Turini Nayra Kawana , Gregorio Danielle , Berger Sandrine Bittencourt , Fernandes Thais Maria Freire , Lopes Murilo Baena , Barboza Fhaira Renata Moreira , Piauilino Allan Inácio Ferreira , Guiraldo Ricardo Danil
Published: December 2020

A COVID-19 foi declarada uma pandemia. A Odontologia é considerada uma profissão de alto risco. Dessa forma o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o conhecimento de cirurgiões dentistas, que atuam na cidade de Londrina, em relação à pandemia por meio da aplicação de questionários online. Os dados obtidos foram avaliados de forma descritiva. Participaram desse estudo 197 cirurgiões dentistas entre eles: 71 gênero masculino e 126 gênero feminino. A internet foi o meio mais utilizado para obtenção de informações 95,43%. A febre (96,95%) e a tosse (86,29%) foram as sintomatologias mais lembradas. Em relação aos equipamentos de proteção individual os mais utilizados durante os atendimentos foram: luvas de procedimento 93,40%, protetor facial 92,89, touca descartável 86,29% e máscaras N95/PFF2 79,69%. Nos consultórios odontológicos o uso obrigatório de máscaras e disponibilização de álcool 70% (96,44%) foi a medida adotada mais utilizadas para minimizar a contaminação. Em relação aos atendimentos 49,74% realizam procedimento a 4 mãos com bomba a vácuo quando utilizam caneta de alta rotação e 44,16% estão diminuindo uso de seringa tríplice, para redução de aerossóis e o álcool 70% foi o mais utilizado na limpeza do consultório (97,46%). Portanto, os cirurgiões dentistas de Londrina possuem conhecimento adequado sobre sintomas, modo de transmissão, período de incubação, controle de infecção e medidas de controle para minimizar a contaminação e disseminação do vírus em atendimentos odontológicos da doença COVID-19, sendo essas necessárias para sua proteção pessoal e dos seus pacientes.
Pletismografia como recurso de avaliação respiratória em crianças e adolescentes: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Azevedo Breno , Assunção Nheru Correia de , Araujo Brinia Dantas de , Figueirêdo Bárbara Bernardo
Published: December 2020

A Pletismografia é um exame utilizado para mensurar variáveis do padrão ventilatório, como a menor variação possível de volume da parede torácica, respiração a respiração e de seus compartimentos. A avaliação da função respiratória em crianças e adolescentes de forma criteriosa se faz necessária para identificação precoce das alterações que impactam no sistema respiratório.  O objetivo desse estudo, foi revisar sobre o uso da Pletismografia como recurso de avaliação respiratória em crianças e adolescentes. O presente estudo, trata-se de uma revisão Sistemática. Foi realizado o levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Public Medline e Literatura Latino Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde. Os descritores selecionados para a busca dos artigos foram: Pletismografia, Teste de função respiratória, Crianças e Adolescente. Incluídos os ensaios clínicos e estudos observacionais. Os critérios de exclusão envolveram estudos que envolveram adultos e que não abordavam a temática. Foram incluídos treze artigos científicos que evidenciaram a Pletismografia como recurso de avaliação respiratória em crianças e adolescentes. Os artigos selecionados totalizaram uma amostra de 829 participantes. A idade dos participantes selecionados variou de 3 a 19 anos.  Os principais dados Pletismográficos avaliados foram: volume corrente, volume de reserva expiratório, volume de gás intratorácico, relação volume residual, capacidade vital forçada, proporção de fluxo inspiratório e expiratório, frequência respiratória e capacidade pulmonar total. Conclui-se que, nos estudos revisados, a Pletismografia mostrou-se um recurso bastante seguro e eficaz para avaliar os volumes pulmonares de crianças e adolescentes.
As crianças do acampamento povo sem medo de lutar: uma reflexão em tempos de pandemia
Authors: Santos Stefany Thyene Albuquerque dos , Rodrigues Janine Marta Coelho , Assis Valdegil Daniel de , Neves Vanusa  Nascimento Sabino , Andrade Carlos Alberto de Carvalho , Urtiga Charlyne Lira , Figueiredo Alyne Rosiwelly Araujo
Published: December 2020

O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de relatar a realidade e as dificuldades enfrentadas por crianças, oriundas de rede pública municipal da cidade de João Pessoa durante a pandemia de COVID-19 no ano de 2020.   O Acampamento Povo Sem Medo de Lutar, localiza-se no Bairro das Industrias, Município de João Pessoa, Paraíba.  Nele, existem 42 duas famílias e 65 crianças que vivem em estado de vulnerabilidade social, sem suporte algum do sistema municipal de ensino. A líder do acampamento construiu uma escola com lona e materiais doados para que as crianças não ficassem sem a rotina de uma escola e sem estudar. Em nosso campo teórico, buscamos documentos legais como a Constituição de 1988, a Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação e autores como Paulo Freire, Bourdieu, Marx e Saviani, para embasar a reflexão sobre a realidade dessas famílias e crianças. Denunciamos a negligencia dos poderes públicos municipais e a Secretaria de Educação Municipal, por não oferecerem alimentação, nem suporte pedagógico, para as crianças que fazem parte do assentamento.
Four novel Myxobolus species (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) infecting Anatolian khramulya Capoeta tinca (Cyprinidae) in northern Turkey
Authors: Zafer Pekmezci G , Yardimci B , Soner Bolukbas C , Yilmaz S , Polat N
Published: December 2020

We identified Myxobolus anatolicus Pekmezci, Yardimci, Yilmaz & Polat, 2014 and 4 novel Myxobolus species from the Anatolian khramulya Capoeta tinca (Cyprinidae) in northern Turkey based on morphology, histology, and phylogenetic analysis. M. karaeri sp. nov. plasmodia were observed in the skin doublets between fin rays, the surfaces of the operculum, the gill arch membrane, and in the skin of the fin base. M. samsunensis sp. nov. plasmodia were observed in epithelial tissue inside and on the surface and midline of the gill filaments. M. cakmaki sp. nov. presented as a typical vascular species, which develops in large plasmodia at the end of the gill filaments. The chondrophilic M. ekingeni sp. nov. was detected by histology inside the cartilaginous gill arch and the cartilaginous gill rays of the filaments. Phylogenetic analysis of small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences revealed that M. karaeri sp. nov. and M. samsunensis sp. nov. were clustered with Myxobolus species that infect gills, scales, and fins of cyprinids. M. cakmaki sp. nov. grouped with Myxobolus species that exclusively infect the gills of cyprinids. No molecular data were available for M. ekingeni sp. nov.
Juvenile bearded seal response to a decade of sea ice change in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas
Authors: Olnes J , Breed GA , Druckenmiller ML , Citta JJ , Crawford JA , Von Duyke AL , Quakenbush L
Published: December 2020

Significant reductions in sea ice in the Pacific Arctic have occurred over the last 2 decades. Comparing the results of similarly conducted studies, but from different time periods, can increase our understanding of how marine mammals are responding to this change. We modeled the habitat selection and movement behavior of juvenile bearded seals Erignathus barbatus tagged with satellite transmitters in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas during 2014-2018, a period of rapid decline in sea ice cover. We compared our results to an earlier study of juvenile bearded seals tagged in the Chukchi Sea during 2004-2009, a period of relatively stable sea ice coverage, and found differences. Seals in the earlier period strongly selected habitat near the ice edge and intermediate ice concentrations (50-60%) in both winter and spring. Seals in the later period strongly selected habitat away from the ice edge, showed no selection for any ice concentration in winter, and weakly selected low ice concentrations in spring (<50%). The likely explanation for these differences is changes in sea ice habitat because the shift away from the ice edge corresponds with a shift in the distribution of intermediate ice concentrations that seals prefer. During the later period, seals still used intermediate ice, which occurred farther from the ice edge and was now the average ice concentration available to them, masking any preference for intermediate ice in the habitat selection model. This change in sea ice conditions, although significant, may not currently be detrimental for juvenile bearded seals.
SCHOOL HEALTH PROMOTION: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON CLEAN AND HEALTHY LIVING BEHAVIOR AMONG ELEMENTARY STUDENTS IN JAYAPURA, PAPUA, INDONESIA
Authors: Purba Ellen Rosawita Veronica , Lusmilasari Lely , Hastuti Janatin
Published: December 2020

Background: The Indonesian government has launched a clean and healthy living behavior program as one of the efforts for school health promotion. However, the healthy behaviors of the elementary students remain low.
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of audiovisual-based education on the knowledge and attitudes of clean and healthy behavior in elementary students.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest comparison group design conducted from 1 October to 17 October 2018. A total sample of 272 students was selected using purposive sampling, with 136 assigned in an experimental group (audiovisual group) and a comparison group (poster only group). Knowledge and attitudes of clean and healthy living behavior were measured using validated questionnaires. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test and independent t-test.
Results: There was a significant effect of the interventions given in the experimental and comparison group on knowledge and attitude of clean and healthy living behavior (p<0.05). However, the experimental group showed a higher mean score compared to the comparison group in knowledge and attitudes, which indicated that the use of audiovisual-based education was more effective than the use of poster alone in improving the knowledge and attitudes of clean and healthy living behavior.
Conclusion: The students who received audiovisual-based education had higher knowledge and attitudes of clean and healthy living behavior than those who only received poster-based education. This study provides input for pediatric and community nurses to provide better health education for the community, specifically for school health promotion.
The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition as a Possible Therapeutic Target in Fibrotic Disorders
Authors: Di Gregorio Jacopo , Robuffo Iole , Spalletta Sonia , Giambuzzi Giulia , De Iuliis Vincenzo , Toniato Elena , Martinotti Stefano , Conti Pio , Flati Vincenzo
Published: December 2020

Fibrosis is a chronic and progressive disorder characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, which leads to scarring and loss of function of the affected organ or tissue. Indeed, the fibrotic process affects a variety of organs and tissues, with specific molecular background. However, two common hallmarks are shared: the crucial role of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and the involvement of the inflammation process, that is essential for initiating the fibrotic degeneration. TGF-β in particular but also other cytokines regulate the most common molecular mechanism at the basis of fibrosis, the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). EMT has been extensively studied, but not yet fully explored as a possible therapeutic target for fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the crosstalk between fibrosis and EMT may represent an opportunity for the development of a broadly effective anti-fibrotic therapy. Here we report the evidences of the relationship between EMT and multi-organ fibrosis, and the possible therapeutic approaches that may be developed by exploiting this relationship.
Trends of Bead Counting-Based Technologies Toward the Detection of Disease-Related Biomarkers
Authors: Fan Wenjiao , Liu Dou , Ren Wei , Liu Chenghui
Published: December 2020

Nowadays, the biomolecular assay platforms built-up based on bead counting technologies have emerged to be powerful tools for the sensitive and high-throughput detection of disease biomarkers. In this mini-review, we classified the bead counting technologies into statistical counting platforms and digital counting platforms. The design principles, the readout strategies, as well as the pros and cons of these platforms are introduced in detail. Finally, we point out that the digital bead counting technologies will lead the future trend for the absolute quantification of critical biomarkers, and the integration of new signal amplification approaches and routine optical/clinical instruments may provide new opportunities in building-up easily accessible digital assay platforms.
Barricading the Border: COVID-19 and the Exclusion of Asylum Seekers at the U.S. Southern Border
Authors: Gilman Denise
Published: December 2020

What years of deterrence efforts and restrictions on asylum did not achieve to block the U.S. southern border to asylum seekers, the Trump Administration has now accomplished using the COVID-19 pandemic as justification. New measures exclude asylum seekers from U.S. territory, thereby effectively obliterating the U.S. asylum program, which had promised refugee protection in the form of asylum to eligible migrants who reach the United States. In some cases, the policies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic harden impediments to asylum already in place or implement restrictions that had been proposed but could only now be adopted. In others, the policies could never have been imagined before the pandemic. Overall, the force of these measures in dismantling the asylum system cannot be overemphasized. Once adopted, using an emergency rationale based on the pandemic, these policies are likely to become extremely difficult to reverse. This is particularly true where the restrictions exclude asylum seekers from the physical space of the United States. This article will thus explore two modes of physical exclusion taking place at the U.S. southern border during the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) indefinitely trapping in Mexico those asylum seekers who are subject to the so-called Migrant Protection Protocols; and (2) immediate expulsions of asylum seekers arriving at the southern border pursuant to purported public health guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Shen-Yan-Fang-Shuai Formula Improves Obesity Induced by High-Fat Diets
Authors: Wang Zhen , Lu Junfeng , Zhou Jingwei , Sun Weiwei , Qiu Yang , Chen Weihong , Gao Yabin , Yang Ruibing , Ai Sinan , Liu Zhongjie , Guo Yingbo , Liu Wei Jing , Wang Yaoxian , Peng Liang
Published: December 2020

Obesity and related metabolic disorders are associated with intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, disrupted intestinal barrier and chronic inflammation. Shen-Yan-Fang-Shuai formula (SYFSF) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula composed of Astragali Radix, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Rheum Officinale Baill, and four other herbs. In this study, we identified that SYFSF treatment prevented weight gain, low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. SYFSF also substantially improved gut barrier function, reduced metabolic endotoxemia, as well as systemic inflammation. Sequencing of 16S rRNA genes obtained from fecal samples demonstrated that SYFSF attenuated HFD-induced gut dysbiosis, seen an decreased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratios. Microbial richness and diversity were also higher in the SYFSF-treated HFD group. Furthermore, similar therapeutic effects and changes in gut microbiota profile caused by SYFSF could be replicated by fecal microbiota transfer (FMT). Taken together, our study highlights the efficacy of SYFSF in preventing obesity and related metabolic disorders. Its therapeutic effect is associated with the modulation of gut microbiota, as a prebiotic.
Bacterial Community Characteristics and Enzyme Activities in Bothriochloa ischaemum Litter Over Progressive Phytoremediation Years in a Copper Tailings Dam
Authors: Jia Tong , Wang Yuwen , Chai Baofeng
Published: December 2020

Litter decomposition is the key link between material circulation and energy flow in ecosystems, resulting from the activity of resident microbes and various enzymes. This study investigated enzyme activity in litter and associated microbial community characteristics to help clarify the internal mechanisms associated with litter decomposition, while also providing researchers a scientific basis for soil remediation in mining areas. Results confirmed that the nutrient content ofBothriochloa ischaemumlitter significantly increased as phytoremediation years progressed, while enzyme activities in litter varied over different phytoremediation years. During the litter decomposition process, cellulase predominated in the early phytoremediation stage and catalase predominated in the intermediate phytoremediation stage. Obvious differences were found in bacterial community structure and diversity over progressive phytoremediation years. Predominant bacterial genera mainly includedMassilia,Sphingomonas,Curtobacterium,Amnibacterium, andMethylobacterium. Moreover,MethylorosulaandJatrophihabitanshad relatively higher betweenness centrality, and played important roles in bacterial community positive interactions. Additionally, total nitrogen (TN) and total zinc in soil, sucrase and catalase activity in litter were the main environmental factors that affected the structural framework of bacteria inB. ischaemumlitter. However, TN had the greatest overall effect on the structural framework of bacteria in litter. Results from this study can help our understanding of the role that litter plays in degraded ecosystems. Our results also provide a scientific basis for improving poor quality soil in areas affected by copper tailings while also amending ecological restoration efficiency.
Dysfunction of the Glymphatic System Might Be Related to Iron Deposition in the Normal Aging Brain
Authors: Zhou Wei , Shen Bo , Shen Wei-qiang , Chen Hao , Zheng Yi-feng , Fei Jing-jing
Published: December 2020

Objective: The study aims to detect the potential relationship between iron deposition and the function of the glymphatic system in the normal aging brain.

Methods: We recruited 213 healthy participants. We evaluated the function of the glymphatic system using the index for diffusivity along the perivascular space (ALPS-index), assessed iron deposition on quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), and analyzed their relationship.

Results: The mean age of participants was 60.1 ± 7.3, and 107 (50.2%) were female. The mean ALPS-index was 1.4 ± 0.2. The QSM values of the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, thalamus, red nucleus, substantia nigra, and dentate nucleus were all related to the ALPS-index (all P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The main finding of the current study is that the regional brain iron deposition was related to the function of the glymphatic system.

Advances in knowledge: We first evaluated the relationship between deposition of brain iron and the dysfunction of the glymphatic system.
Alpha Thalassemia/Intellectual Disability X-Linked Deficiency Sensitizes Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Hou Tao , Jiang Shun , Wang Yapeng , Xie Yangchun , Zhang Haixia , Feng Yeqian , Ma Fang , Ma Jin’an , Liu Xianling , Hu Chunhong
Published: December 2020

Background

The immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have achieved great success in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, the response rate is low. The molecular mechanism involved in the effectiveness of ICIs remains to be elucidated.

Methods

ATRX mutation incidence among human cancers was analyzed from TCGA database. Atrx-deficient Lewis lung cancer cell line (LLC-sgAtrx) was established via AAV-CRISPR. Subcutaneous and metastasis models were established by subcutaneous and intravenous injection of LLC-sgAtrx and LLC-sgNTC cells into female C57BL/6 mice. The mice were treated with anti-PD1, anti-CLTA4 or Rat IgG2a. Tumor volume was determined by Vernier calipers and the IVIS imaging system. The proportions of CD3+ T cells, CD45+ immune cells, and the expression of pMHC I and PDL1 were determined by flow cytometry. The T cell cytotoxicity was determined by co-culture experiment.

Results

TCGA data showed that Atrx is a tumor suppressor mutated at high frequency among various human cancers. The tumor volume of mice bearing LLC-sgAtrx was significantly shrinked and the median survival of mice was significantly longer after anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 treatment. Flowcytometry results showed that Atrx deficiency increase the penetration of CD3+ T cell into the tumor microenvironment and enhanced antigen presentation after IFNγ stimulation. Additionally, the tumor cells with Atrx deficiency were more easily to be damaged by T cells under IFNγ stimulation.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that Atrx deficiency sensitize lung cancer cells to ICIs by multiple mechanisms. And ATRX may serve as a promising biomarker for ICIs which helps patient stratification and decision making.
Early Urinary Metabolomics in Patent Ductus Arteriosus Anticipates the Fate: Preliminary Data
Authors: Bardanzellu Flaminia , Piras Cristina , Atzei Alessandra , Neroni Paola , Fanos Vassilios
Published: December 2020

Introduction: In premature neonates, the persistence of hemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) can be associated with short- and long-term consequences, impairing their outcome. The correct strategy of management for such condition is under debate, especially regarding contraindications and/or side effects. In recent years, metabolomics was applied to several perinatal, pediatric, and adult conditions to investigate potential biomarkers of disease, which have become useful for early diagnosis and/or therapeutic management.

Aim of the Study: The main purpose of our exploratory study was to asses, through 1H-NMR metabolomics analysis of urinary samples at birth, possible metabolic pathways differentiating, with a significant predictive power, those preterm neonates who will subsequently develop hsPDA and neonates of comparable gestational age (GA) who will undergo spontaneous ductal closure or the persistence of an irrelevant PDA (no-hsPDA). Moreover, we investigated potential prenatal or perinatal clinical factors potentially influencing the development of hsPDA.

Materials and Methods: We enrolled n = 35 preterm neonates with GA between 24 and 32 weeks; urinary samples were collected within the first 12 h of life. Patients were closely monitored regarding intensive care, respiratory support, fluid balance and administered drugs; an echocardiogram was performed at 48–72 h.

Results: Our results reported a significant correlation between lower GA at birth and the development of hsPDA. Moreover, neonates with GA ≤ 30w developing hsPDA were characterized by lower Apgar scores at 1′ and 5′, higher rates of perinatal asphyxia, higher need of delivery room resuscitation and subsequent surfactant administration. Interestingly, metabolomics analysis at birth detected a clear separation between the 1H-NMR urinary spectra of subjects GA ≤ 30w not developing hsPDA (n = 19) and those of subjects born at GA ≤ 30w in which hsPDA was confirmed at 48–72 h of life (n = 5).

Conclusions: This is the first study applying metabolomics to investigate the PDA condition. Although preliminary and conducted on a limited sample, our results reveal that metabolomics could be a promising tool in the early identification of hsPDA, potentially superior to the clinical or laboratory predictive tools explored to date and even to the clinical observations and correlations in our sample, through the detection of specific urinary metabolites.
Effects of Nutrient Fertility on Growth and Alkaloidal Content in Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom)
Authors: Zhang Mengzi , Sharma Abhisheak , León Francisco , Avery Bonnie , Kjelgren Roger , McCurdy Christopher R. , Pearson Brian J.
Published: December 2020

Leaves harvested from the Southeast Asian tree Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) have a history of use as a traditional ethnobotanical source of medicine to combat fatigue, improve work productivity, and to reduce opioid-related withdrawal symptoms. Kratom leaves contain an array of alkaloids thought to be responsible for the bioactivity reported by users. Interest in the consumptive effects of kratom has led to its recent popularity and use in North America, Western Europe, and Australia. Although the chemistry and pharmacology of select kratom alkaloids are understood, studies have not examined the influence of production environment on growth and alkaloidal content. To directly address this need, 68 kratom trees were vegetatively propagated from a single mother stock to reduce genetic variability and subjected to four varying fertilizer application rates. Leaves were analyzed for chlorophyll concentration, biomass, and alkaloidal content to understand the physiological response of the plant. While increasing rates of fertilizer promoted greater plant growth, relationships with alkaloidal content within leaves were highly variable. Fertility rate had little influence on the concentration of mitragynine, paynantheine, speciociliatine, mitraphylline, and corynoxine per leaf dry mass. 7-Hydroxymitragynine was below the lower limit of quantification in all the analyzed leaf samples. Low to medium rates of fertilizer, however, maximized concentrations of speciogynine, corynantheidine, and isocorynantheidine per leaf dry mass, suggesting a promotion of nitrogen allocation for secondary metabolism occurred for these select alkaloids. Strong correlations (r2 = 0.86) between extracted leaf chlorophyll and rapid, non-destructive chlorophyll evaluation (SPAD) response allowed for development of a reliable linear model that can be used to diagnose nutrient deficiencies and allow for timely adjustment of fertilization programs to more accurately manage kratom cultivation efforts. Results from this study provide a greater understanding of the concentration and synthesis of nine bioactive alkaloids in fresh kratom leaves and provide foundational information for kratom cultivation and production.
Bone and Cartilage Interfaces With Orthopedic Implants: A Literature Review
Authors: Grzeskowiak Remigiusz M. , Schumacher Jim , Dhar Madhu S. , Harper David P. , Mulon Pierre-Yves , Anderson David E.
Published: December 2020

The interface between a surgical implant and tissue consists of a complex and dynamic environment characterized by mechanical and biological interactions between the implant and surrounding tissue. The implantation process leads to injury which needs to heal over time and the rapidity of this process as well as the property of restored tissue impact directly the strength of the interface. Bleeding is the first and most relevant step of the healing process because blood provides growth factors and cellular material necessary for tissue repair. Integration of the implants placed in poorly vascularized tissue such as articular cartilage is, therefore, more challenging than compared with the implants placed in well-vascularized tissues such as bone. Bleeding is followed by the establishment of a provisional matrix that is gradually transformed into the native tissue. The ultimate goal of implantation is to obtain a complete integration between the implant and tissue resulting in long-term stability. The stability of the implant has been defined as primary (mechanical) and secondary (biological integration) stability. Successful integration of an implant within the tissue depends on both stabilities and is vital for short- and long-term surgical outcomes. Advances in research aim to improve implant integration resulting in enhanced implant and tissue interface. Numerous methods have been employed to improve the process of modifying both stability types. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of current knowledge regarding implant-tissue interfaces within bone and cartilage as well as novel approaches to strengthen the implant-tissue interface. Furthermore, it gives an insight into the current state-of-art biomechanical testing of the stability of the implants. Current knowledge reveals that the design of the implants closely mimicking the native structure is more likely to become well integrated. The literature provides however several other techniques such as coating with a bioactive compound that will stimulate the integration and successful outcome for the patient.
Convolutional Neural Networks with Transfer Learning for Recognition of COVID-19: A Comparative Study of Different Approaches
Authors: Garg Tanmay , Garg Mamta , Mahela Om Prakash , Garg Akhil Ranjan
Published: December 2020

To judge the ability of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to effectively and efficiently transfer image representations learned on the ImageNet dataset to the task of recognizing COVID-19 in this work, we propose and analyze four approaches. For this purpose, we use VGG16, ResNetV2, InceptionResNetV2, DenseNet121, and MobileNetV2 CNN models pre-trained on ImageNet dataset to extract features from X-ray images of COVID and Non-COVID patients. Simulations study performed by us reveal that these pre-trained models have a different level of ability to transfer image representation. We find that in the approaches that we have proposed, if we use either ResNetV2 or DenseNet121 to extract features, then the performance of these approaches to detect COVID-19 is better. One of the important findings of our study is that the use of principal component analysis for feature selection improves efficiency. The approach using the fusion of features outperforms all the other approaches, and with this approach, we could achieve an accuracy of 0.94 for a three-class classification problem. This work will not only be useful for COVID-19 detection but also for any domain with small datasets.
Meropenem Plasma and Interstitial Soft Tissue Concentrations in Obese and Nonobese Patients—A Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Simon Philipp , Petroff David , Busse David , Heyne Jana , Girrbach Felix , Dietrich Arne , Kratzer Alexander , Zeitlinger Markus , Kloft Charlotte , Kees Frieder , Wrigge Hermann , Dorn Christoph
Published: December 2020

Background: This controlled clinical study aimed to investigate the impact of obesity on plasma and tissue pharmacokinetics of meropenem. Methods: Obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2) and age-/sex-matched nonobese (18.5 kg/m2 ≥ BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2) surgical patients received a short-term infusion of 1000-mg meropenem. Concentrations were determined via high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) in the plasma and microdialysate from the interstitial fluid (ISF) of subcutaneous tissue up to eight h after dosing. An analysis was performed in the plasma and ISF by noncompartmental methods. Results: The maximum plasma concentrations in 15 obese (BMI 49 ± 11 kg/m2) and 15 nonobese (BMI 24 ± 2 kg/m2) patients were 54.0 vs. 63.9 mg/L (95% CI for difference: −18.3 to −3.5). The volume of distribution was 22.4 vs. 17.6 L, (2.6–9.1), but the clearance was comparable (12.5 vs. 11.1 L/h, −1.4 to 3.1), leading to a longer half-life (1.52 vs. 1.31 h, 0.05–0.37) and fairly similar area under the curve (AUC)8h (78.7 vs. 89.2 mg*h/L, −21.4 to 8.6). In the ISF, the maximum concentrations differed significantly (12.6 vs. 18.6 L, −16.8 to −0.8) but not the AUC8h (28.5 vs. 42.0 mg*h/L, −33.9 to 5.4). Time above the MIC (T > MIC) in the plasma and ISF did not differ significantly for MICs of 0.25–8 mg/L. Conclusions: In morbidly obese patients, meropenem has lower maximum concentrations and higher volumes of distribution. However, due to the slightly longer half-life, obesity has no influence on the T > MIC, so dose adjustments for obesity seem unnecessary.
Analysis of a Novel Automatic Control Approach for the Free Forging Hammer
Authors: Yan Xiaopeng , Chen Baijin
Published: December 2020

This paper proposes an electro-hydraulic servo control method and realizes the automatic control and remote control of free forging hammers for the first time. A configuration and control strategy for the program-control free forging hammer are constructed. Based on the configuration, a single-acting differential servo cylinder system is proposed to drive the follow-up spool valve and then control the motion state of the hammerhead. Furthermore, a non-contact measurement method is adopted to detect the real-time position of the hammerhead, and the installation position of the measuring sensor is isolated from the hammer body and foundation, thereby reducing the influence of vibration and impact on the accuracy of the feedback signal and ensuring the successive forming process of the forging hammer. In addition, a blow energy model of the forging hammer processing system is established, and a fuzzy-PID control scheme for the forging hammer is then adopted. Based on the control strategy, the striking accuracy of the proposed automatic forging hammer is significantly improved compared with the traditional forging hammer. Finally, the method is applied to an 8 MN forging hammer, and the results show its better processing performance than traditional hammers in terms of all indices.
A High-Efficient Carbon-Coated Iron-Based Fenton-Like Catalyst with Enhanced Cycle Stability and Regenerative Performance
Authors: Li Xin , Wang Jiankang , Zhang Xiao , Hou Xianjin , Xu Hongbo , Yao Zhongping , Jiang Zhaohua
Published: December 2020

Carbon coated iron-based Fenton-like catalysts are now widely studied in wastewater treatment. However, their poor stability is still a big challenge and the related regenerative performance is seldom investigated. Herein, a carbon-coated Fe3O4 on carbon cloth (cc/Fe3O4@C) was prepared with glucose as carbon source via electrodeposition and ethanol solvothermal methods. An amorphous carbon layer with polar C-groups covers the surface of Fe3O4, which presents a flaky cross-linked network structure on the carbon cloth (cc). The cc/Fe3O4@C exhibits an improved catalytic activity with nearly 84% phenol was removed within 35 min with polar C-groups. What’s more, around 80% phenol can still be degraded in 120 min after 14 degradation cycles. After the regeneration treatment, the degradation performance was restored to the level of the fresh in the first two regenerations. The enhanced cycle stability and regeneration performance of the catalyst are as follows: Firstly, the catalyst’s composition and structure were recovered; Secondly, the reduction effect of the amorphous carbon layer ensuring timely supplement of Fe2+ from Fe3+. Also, the carbon layer reduces Fe leaching during the Fenton-like process.
A Comprehensive Framework for Uncovering Non-Linearity and Chaos in Financial Markets: Empirical Evidence for Four Major Stock Market Indices
Authors: Inglada-Perez Lucia
Published: December 2020

The presence of chaos in the financial markets has been the subject of a great number of studies, but the results have been contradictory and inconclusive. This research tests for the existence of nonlinear patterns and chaotic nature in four major stock market indices: namely Dow Jones Industrial Average, Ibex 35, Nasdaq-100 and Nikkei 225. To this end, a comprehensive framework has been adopted encompassing a wide range of techniques and the most suitable methods for the analysis of noisy time series. By using daily closing values from January 1992 to July 2013, this study employs twelve techniques and tools of which five are specific to detecting chaos. The findings show no clear evidence of chaos, suggesting that the behavior of financial markets is nonlinear and stochastic.
Building Loss in WUI Disasters: Evaluating the Core Components of the Wildland–Urban Interface Definition
Authors: Caggiano Michael D. , Hawbaker Todd J. , Gannon Benjamin M. , Hoffman Chad M.
Published: December 2020

Accurate maps of the wildland–urban interface (WUI) are critical for the development of effective land management policies, conducting risk assessments, and the mitigation of wildfire risk. Most WUI maps identify areas at risk from wildfire by overlaying coarse-scale housing data with land cover or vegetation data. However, it is unclear how well the current WUI mapping methods capture the patterns of building loss. We quantified the building loss in WUI disasters, and then compared how well census-based and point-based WUI maps captured the building loss. We examined the building loss in both WUI and non-WUI land-use types, and in relation to the core components of the United States Federal Register WUI definition: housing density, vegetation cover, and proximity to large patches of wildland vegetation. We used building location data from 70 large fires in the conterminous United States, which cumulatively destroyed 54,000 buildings from 2000 through to 2018. We found that: (1) 86% and 97% of the building loss occurred in areas designated as WUI using the census-based and point-based methods, respectively; (2) 95% and 100% of all of the losses occurred within 100 m and 850 m of wildland vegetation, respectively; and (3) WUI components were the most predictive of building loss when measured at fine scales.
Correction: Gürel Yılmaz, Ö., et al. On Some Formulas for the k-Analogue of Appell Functions and Generating Relations via k-Fractional Derivative. Fractal Fract. 2020, 4, 48
Authors: Gürel Yılmaz Övgü , Aktaş Rabia , Taşdelen Fatma
Published: December 2020

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
Neat Linear Polysiloxane-Based Ionic Polymers: Insights into Structure-Based Property Modifications and Applications
Authors: Poon Louis , Hum Jacob R. , Weiss Richard G.
Published: December 2020

A diverse range of linear polysiloxane-based ionic polymers that are hydrophobic and highly flexible can be obtained by substituting the polymers with varying amounts of ionic centers. The materials can be highly crystalline solids, amorphous soft solids, poly(ionic) liquids or viscous polymer liquids. A key to understanding how structural variations can lead to these different materials is the establishment of correlations between the physical (dynamic and static) properties and the structures of the polymers at different distance scales. This short review provides such correlations by examining the influence of structural properties (such as molecular weights, ion pair contents, and ion types) on key bulk properties of the materials.
Numerical Analysis for the Fractional Ambartsumian Equation via the Homotopy Herturbation Method
Authors: Alharbi Weam , Petrovskii Sergei
Published: December 2020

The fractional calculus is useful in describing the natural phenomena with memory effect. This paper addresses the fractional form of Ambartsumian equation with a delay parameter. It may be a challenge to obtain accurate approximate solution of such kinds of fractional delay equations. In the literature, several attempts have been conducted to analyze the fractional Ambartsumian equation. However, the previous approaches in the literature led to approximate power series solutions which converge in subdomains. Such difficulties are solved in this paper via the Homotopy Perturbation Method (HPM). The present approximations are expressed in terms of the Mittag-Leffler functions which converge in the whole domain of the studied model. The convergence issue is also addressed. Several comparisons with the previous published results are discussed. In particular, while the computed solution in the literature is physical in short domains, with our approach it is physical in the whole domain. The results reveal that the HPM is an effective tool to analyzing the fractional Ambartsumian equation.
Myofascial Injection Using Fascial Layer-Specific Hydromanipulation Technique (FLuSH) and the Delineation of Multifactorial Myofascial Pain
Authors: Wang Tina , Vahdatinia Roya , Humbert Sarah , Stecco Antonio
Published: December 2020

Background and objectives: The aims of this study were to delineate the contribution of specific fascial layers of the myofascial unit to myofascial pain and introduce the use of ultrasound-guided fascial layer-specific hydromanipulation (FLuSH) as a novel technique in the treatment of myofascial pain. Materials and Methods: The clinical data of 20 consecutive adult patients who underwent myofascial injections using FLuSH technique for the treatment of myofascial pain were reviewed. The FLuSH technique involved measuring the pain pressure threshold using an analog algometer initially and after each ultrasound guided injection of normal saline into the specific layers of the myofascial unit (superficial fascia, deep fascia, or muscle) in myofascial points corresponding with Centers of Coordination/Fusion (Fascial Manipulation®). The outcome measured was the change in pain pressure threshold after injection of each specific fascial layer. Results: Deep fascia was involved in 73%, superficial fascia in 55%, and muscle in 43% of points. A non-response to treatment of all three layers occurred in 10% of all injected points. The most common combinations of fascial layer involvement were deep fascia alone in 23%, deep fascia and superficial fascia in 22%, and deep fascia and muscle in 18% of injected points. Each individual had on average of 3.0 ± 1.2 different combinations of fascial layers contributing to myofascial pain. Conclusions: The data support the hypothesis that multiple fascial layers are responsible for myofascial pain. In particular, for a given patient, pain may develop from discrete combinations of fascial layers unique to each myofascial point. Non-response to treatment of the myofascial unit may represent a centralized pain process. Adequate treatment of myofascial pain may require treatment of each point as a distinct pathologic entity rather than uniformly in a given patient or across patients.
Effects of Maximal Strength Training on Perceived-Fatigue and Functional Mobility in Persons with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Gomez-Illan Ramon , Reina Raul , Barbado David , Sabido Rafael , Moreno-Navarro Pedro , Roldan Alba
Published: December 2020

Background and objectives: Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms that limit daily life activities in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of maximal strength training (MST) on perceived-fatigue and functional mobility in pwMS. Materials and Methods: 26 participants with MS were balanced according to their pre-intervention fatigue scores and distributed into an MST group (n = 13) and a control group (CG; n = 13). The MST group completed eight weeks using high loads, evaluating detraining after ten weeks. Quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic (QPTIK; HPTIK) and isometric (QPTIM; HPTIM) peak torques were assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. Effect size differences were estimated with the Hedges’ g index (dg). Fatigue was evaluated through the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), while functional mobility was assessed via the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Results: The MST significantly improved all the strength measurements after the intervention (Δ6.43–29.55%; p < 0.05) compared to the control group. FSS showed a significant reduction (59.97%, dg = 5.41, large). The MST group also reduced the TUG time (19.69%; dg = 0.93, large) compared to the control group. Improvements caused by the intervention did not remain after a 10-week follow-up, with decreases in strength performance from 4.40% to 13.86% (dg = 0.24–0.56, small to moderate), 112.08% in the FSS (dg = −3.88, large), and 16.93% in TUG (dg = −1.07, large). Conclusions: MST (up to 90% 1RM) seems to be a feasible and useful way to obtain clinically relevant improvements in the perceived-fatigue symptoms and functional mobility. Still, symptom improvements decrease after a 10-week detraining period.
Post-Mortem 7.0-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Hippocampus in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy with and without Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
Authors: De Reuck Jacques , Auger Florent , Durieux Nicolas , Maurage Claude-Alain , Deramecourt Vincent , Cordonnier Charlotte , Pasquier Florence , Leys Didier , Bordet Regis
Published: December 2020

Introduction and Purpose: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) can be observed in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), though to a lesser degree than in Alzheimer’s disease. The present post-mortem 7.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluates whether CAA has an influence on the degree of hippocampal atrophy (HA) and on the incidence of associated micro-infarcts (HMIs) and cortical micro-bleeds (HMBs). Material and Methods: Eight brains with PSP-CAA were compared to 20 PSP brains without CAA. In addition to the neuropathological examination, the hippocampus was evaluated on the most representative coronal section with T2 and T2*-weighted MRI sequences. The average degree of HA was determined in both groups. The incidence of HMIs and HMBs was also compared as well as the frequency of cortical micro-infarcts (CoMIs) and cortical micro-bleeds (CoMBs) in the hemispheric neocortex. Results: The neuropathological examination showed a higher incidence of lacunar infarcts in the PSP-CAA brains compared to the PSP ones. With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the severity of HA and the incidence of HMIs and HMBs was similar between both groups. Additionally, the frequency of CoMIs and CoMBs in the neocortex was comparable. Conclusions: The association of CAA in PSP brains has no influence on the degree of HA and on the incidence of the small cerebrovascular lesions in the hippocampus as well as in the neocortex.
GRACE—Gravity Data for Understanding the Deep Earth’s Interior
Authors: Mandea Mioara , Dehant Véronique , Cazenave Anny
Published: December 2020

While the main causes of the temporal gravity variations observed by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) space mission result from water mass redistributions occurring at the surface of the Earth in response to climatic and anthropogenic forces (e.g., changes in land hydrology, ocean mass, and mass of glaciers and ice sheets), solid Earth’s mass redistributions were also recorded by these observations. This is the case, in particular, for the glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) or the viscous response of the mantle to the last deglaciation. However, it has only recently been shown that the gravity data also contain the signature of flows inside the outer core and their effects on the core–mantle boundary (CMB). Detecting deep Earth’s processes in GRACE observations offers an exciting opportunity to provide additional insight into the dynamics of the core–mantle interface. Here, we present one aspect of the GRACEFUL (GRavimetry, mAgnetism and CorE Flow) project, i.e., the possibility to use gravity field data for understanding the dynamic processes inside the fluid core and core–mantle boundary of the Earth, beside that offered by the geomagnetic field variations.
Mitigation of Urban Heat Island Effects through “Green Infrastructure”: Integrated Design of Constructed Wetlands and Neighborhood Development
Authors: Ruiz-Aviles Victor , Brazel Anthony , Davis Jonathan M. , Pijawka David
Published: December 2020

Extreme heat threatens desert city residents throughout the hot summer months and inhibits outdoor recreation and activity. Ecosystem services provide various benefits for urban environments. For desert cities, few are more critical than microclimate regulation and water treatment and conservation. This study evaluates the degree to which artificial wetlands support cooler microclimates and reduce the local urban heat island effect. The authors use (a) remotely sensed temperature data for Avondale, Arizona, to measure temperature differences between neighborhoods with and without water features and (b) resident surveys to evaluate perceptions of potential cooling effects. Results show substantial differences in the daytime surface temperatures for the wetland neighborhood compared to those without water features. More than a third of residents perceived a cooling effect throughout the year. The authors conclude that artificial wetlands within a desert city increase human comfort by reducing surface and air temperature and should be considered an urban heat island mitigation strategy.