bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tooth discoloration induced by the different phases of a calcium aluminate cement: One‐year assessment
Authors: de Jesus Lucas Santos , Volpato Claudia Angela Maziero , Bortoluzzi Eduardo Antunes , da Silveira Teixeira Cleonice , Rossetto Hebert Luís , de Carvalho Panzeri Pires‐de‐Souza Fernanda , da Fonseca Roberti Garcia Lucas
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To assess the discoloration of teeth treated with the different phases of calcium aluminate cement (CAC), in comparison with the conventional CAC and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).

Materials and methods

Fifty bovine incisors were prepared and filled. Two millimeters of the filling was removed to fabricate a cervical plug with the following cements (n=10): CA(CaO.Al2O3); CA2(CaO.2Al2O3); C12A7(12CaO.7Al2O3); CAC and MTA. The initial color measurement was performed and after 7, 15, 30, 45, 90, 180, and 365 days new color measurements were performed to determine the color (ΔE00), lightness (ΔL'), chroma (ΔC'), hue differences (ΔH'), and the whiteness index (WID).

Results

ΔE00 was significant for groups (p = 0.036) and periods (p < 0.05). The greater ΔE00 was observed after 365 days for CAC (12.8). C12A7 (7.2) had the smallest ΔE00. ΔL' and ΔC' were significant for groups and periods (p < 0.05). ΔH' was significant for periods (p < 0.05). After 365 days, significant reduction in lightness was observed for all groups. For CA, CA2, CAC, and MTA groups, the WID values decreased over time (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The tested cements changed the color behavior of the samples, resulting in greater teeth darkening over time.

Clinical significance

There is no long‐term study assessing the discoloration induced by the different phases of CAC.
Countercyclical Foreign Currency Borrowing: Eurozone Firms in 2007–09
Authors: BACCHETTA PHILIPPE , MERROUCHE OUARDA
Published: April 2021

Using syndicated loan‐level data, we document and explain the causes and implications of a new and surprising stylized fact. In the midst of the financial crisis, dollar borrowing by leveraged Eurozone (EZ) corporates rose dramatically relative to their euro borrowing. We show that this resulted from a shift from EZ to non‐EZ banks, mainly U.S. banks. This was combined with an increase in the proportion of dollar lending by non‐EZ banks, explained by a rise in the relative cost of euro wholesale funding and the disruptions in the FX swap market. Non‐EZ banks thus dampened the 2007–09 credit crunch in Europe.
The Limits of p‐Hacking: Some Thought Experiments
Authors: CHEN ANDREW Y.
Published: April 2021

Suppose that the 300+ published asset pricing factors are all spurious. How much p‐hacking is required to produce these factors? If 10,000 researchers generate eight factors every day, it takes hundreds of years. This is because dozens of published t‐statistics exceed 6.0, while the corresponding p‐value is infinitesimal, implying an astronomical amount of p‐hacking in a general model. More structure implies that p‐hacking cannot address 100 published t‐statistics that exceed 4.0, as they require an implausibly nonlinear preference for t‐statistics or even more p‐hacking. These results imply that mispricing, risk, and/or frictions have a key role in stock returns.
Legal mobilization without resources? How civil society organizations generate and share alternative resources in vulnerable communities
Authors: ASPINWALL MARK
Published: April 2021

Scholars often assume that social movements and civil society organizations can draw on deep wells of traditional resources, such as money and lawyers, to finance legal mobilization. However, resource mobilization is rarely so straightforward in developing countries such as Mexico. I show how under‐resourced civil society organizations create and mobilize alternative resources which they share with marginalized communities, increasing those communities’ access to environmental justice. This occurs in developed countries too, but where money is scarcer, alternative non‐material resources are more important. The findings contribute to debates on social movement resource mobilization and on legal mobilization in defence of vulnerable communities facing development pressures from extractive and other industries. The article also provides a fine‐grained analysis of how environmental movements act on the ground, focusing on Mexico as an important case of environmental mobilization in a context of poorly resourced and vulnerable communities.
Temporary Labor Migration and Spouses' Marital Quality: Evidence from Nepal
Authors: Compernolle Ellen L.
Published: April 2021

Objective

This study investigated the effect of temporary labor migration on spouses' marital quality.

Background

How temporary international labor migration affects the marital relationship remains unclear. Research shows migration increases couples' risk of dissolution, whereas studies of spouses' marital quality—much of which is cross‐sectional and/or limited to either internal or joint migration—is more mixed. This lack of consensus masks the possibility that, under certain conditions, migration may improve spouses' marital quality.

Method

This study uses data from the Chitwan Valley Family Study, a panel study set in Nepal, and primary data collected among a subsample of migrant husbands (in East Asia, Middle East) and their wives and nonmigrant couples (in Nepal).

Results

Findings from linear regression models show that, relative to non‐migrant spouses, spouses engaged in temporary international labor migration report significantly higher marital quality—less conflict and more love—net of marital quality assessed 6 years earlier. However, these benefits are not enjoyed equally between spouses: husbands' marital quality improves, whereas changes in their wives' are less conclusive.

Conclusion

The fact that these benefits (a) diverge from previous understandings and (b) vary by spouse's gender extends current understandings of the conditions shaping this association: social and structural forces supporting men as breadwinners, a strong husband–wife bond facilitating husbands' migration, and marriage‐protective social environments at both ends of migration.
MRI to detect and localize the area postrema in multiple sclerosis: The role of 3D‐DIR and 3D‐FLAIR
Authors: Farges Valentine , Hannoun Salem , Benini Théo , Marignier Romain , Cotton François
Published: April 2021

Background And Purpose

Area postrema (AP) is a highly vascularized paired 2 mm‐long anatomical structure, localized on the dorsal inferior surface of the medulla oblongata, at the caudal end of the fourth‐ventricle. AP is principally affected in AP syndrome, which is commonly associated with autoimmune inflammatory diseases, including essentially neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The aim of this study is to assess the best cerebral MRI sequences and planes for AP detection in order to assist or aid in the diagnosis of difficult NMOSD cases.

Methods

3DT1, 2DT2, 3D‐fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (3DFLAIR), and 3D‐double inversion recuperation (3DDIR), routinely used in inflammatory diseases, were analyzed and scored based on quality (0–2), and ability to detect AP in each plane (0 = no detection, 1 = probable detection, 2 = obvious detection). Based on image availability, subjects were divided into three groups: Group‐1, including 100 randomly selected subjects with 3DT1 and 3DFLAIR, Group‐2, including 30 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from the “Observatoire Français de la Sclérose En Plaques” (OFSEP) with 3DT1, 3DFLAIR, and 3DDIR, and Group‐3, including 164 OFSEP MS patients with 3DFLAIR and 2DT2.

Results

AP was undetectable on 3DT1 and 2DT2. AP was detected in 87% of 3DFLAIR in Group‐1, 90% in Group‐2, and 90% in Group‐3. AP was also detected in 100% of 3DDIR images in the axial plane.

Conclusions

As evidenced, AP was easily assessed on 3DDIR and 3DFLAIR emphasizing the importance of adding these sequences to NMOSD MRI‐protocols. Moreover, the most effective imaging plane in identifying AP was the axial plane.
Does mirabegron deteriorate spermatogenesis? A lesson from spinal cord injury cases
Authors: Okada Hiroshi , Tokumoto Tadahiko , Osaka Akiyoshi , Tanaka Takashi , Iwahata Toshiyuki , Kobori Yoshitomo , Saito Kazutaka , Sato Yoko , Ban Shinichi , Sugimoto Kouhei
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To evaluate whether the long‐term usage of mirabegron, which was reported to have potential side effects on male reproductive organs in animal studies, was harmful to spermatogenesis in human testis.

Methods

Thirty consecutive patients with spinal cord injury (20‐48 years old) who performed clean intermittent catheterization were involved in this study. Ten patients were treated with mirabegron (50 mg/d) for more than 2 years and refrained from using an antimuscarinic agent due to the side effects of constipation and dry mouth. Twenty patients were treated with neither anticholinergic agents nor mirabegron. All underwent conventional testicular sperm extraction. The sperm recovery rate and histopathologic findings of the retrieved testicular tissue were compared between both groups.

Results

We found no difference in the sperm recovery rate (P = .083) between both groups. Spinal cord injury patients treated with mirabegron had better spermatogenesis than those not treated with mirabegron (P < .05).

Conclusions

From these data, we conclude that the therapeutic dose of mirabegron had no harmful effect on spermatogenesis in spinal cord injury patients of reproductive age.
Rules and the Ruled: Understanding Joint Patterns of Institutional Design and Behavior in Complex Governing Arrangements
Authors: Olivier Tomás , Schlager Edella
Published: April 2021

Institutions are the rules of the game that guide policy behavior. Yet, the policy and administration literature on institutions and institutional design have been developed largely in parallel to policy behavior and network literatures. Drawing insights from both, we apply the Institutional Grammar Tool along with survey data to assess how addressing collective action problems result in variations in institutional designs and how rules influence behavior. Our case is the New York City Watersheds, where New York City, local governments, the State, and the Federal government agreed to secure access to high‐quality, unfiltered drinking water for New York City. Despite a long history of conflict, the parties devised a complex governing arrangement that created credible commitments while providing for a variety of public goods. Results show that rule configurations differ depending on whether they create credible commitments or provide public goods, and that credible commitment rules guide collaboration patterns among stakeholders.
Comprehensive update on inventory of finfish cell lines developed during the last decade (2010–2020)
Authors: Thangaraj Raja Swaminathan , Narendrakumar Lekshmi , Prasannan Geetha Preena , Shanmuganathan Arun Raja , Dharmaratnam Arathi , Nithianantham Sundar Raj
Published: April 2021

Cell culture has become an indispensable part of modern research and is considered the best alternatives for different biological research on whole animals as they mimic the host cellular genetic homogeneity and also reduces the variability ofinvivoresponses. Hence, there has been increasing development of cell lines by different research groups and companies globally. For this reason, to cover the dearth of knowledge of newly developed fish cell lines, we have made a comprehensive update on new fish cell lines established in the past decade (2010–2020) to reflect the number of cell lines now available. This review focuses on the appraisal of the literature and of work done in finfish cell culture around the globe during the last decade and summarizes 280 newly established fish cell lines derived from 20 different tissue types of 44 fish families belonging to 21 different countries raising the total finfish cell lines to 783. The highest number of cell lines developed in the past decade was from the fish of the family Cyprinidae, which are most widely cultured in Asian countries. Also, the review discusses the need of new cell line development, different methods of cell line development and further enumerates the various applications and future prospects for these cell lines which we believe will serve as a referral document for researchers in the field.
An Optimized Weighted Naïve Bayes Method for Flood Risk Assessment
Authors: Tang Xianzhe , Shu Yuqin , Liu Wei , Li Jiufeng , Liu Minnan , Yu Huafei
Published: April 2021

Floods occur frequently and cause considerable damage to local environments. Effectively assessing the flood risk contributes to reducing loss caused by such disasters. In this study, the weighted naïve Bayes (WNB) method was selected to evaluate flood risk, and the entropy weight method was employed to compute the weights. A sampling and verifying model was employed to generate the most accurate conditional probability table (MACPT) to calculate the probability of flooding. When using the framework integrating WNB with the sampling and verifying model, previous studies could not obtain a WNB‐based MACPT and the WNB classification accuracy, for lacking WNB functions that could be called directly. Facing this issue, in this study we developed WNB functions with the MATLAB platform to directly integrate with the sampling and verifying model to generate a WNB‐based MACPT, contributing to the greater interpretability and extensibility of the model. Shantou and Jieyang cities in China were selected as the study area. The results demonstrate that: (1) a WNB‐based MACPT can reflect the real spatial distribution of flood risk and (2) the WNB outperform the NB when integrated with the sampling and verifying model. The resulting gridded estimation reveal a detailed spatial pattern of flood risk, which can serve as a realistic reference for decision making related to floods. Furthermore, the proposed method uses less data, which would be helpful in developing countries where long‐term intensive hydrologic monitoring is limited.
Retracing the Footprints
Authors: Abrams Michael
Published: April 2021

NASA is engaged in a new program to send astronauts back to the lunar surface. Some elements of the new program, called Artemis, will seem like carbon copies of the 1960s roadmap to the Moon. Bu the effort will take advantage of computers, design tools, and materials that are radically more advanced than they were for the Apollo program.
Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition Engine Fueled With Mineral Diesel and Butanol at Varying Premixed Ratios and Loads
Authors: Agarwal Avinash Kumar , Singh Akhilendra Pratap , Kumar Vikram
Published: April 2021

Researchers have investigated reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion in the past several years because of its excellent combustion, performance, and emission features. In this experimental study, the RCCI combustion strategy was investigated using mineral diesel/butanol fuel-pair at various premixed ratios (rp) on an energy basis (rp = 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75) at varying engine loads (BMEP = 1, 2, 3, and 4 bars) vis-à-vis baseline compression ignition (CI) combustion (rp = 0.0) strategy. Experiments were performed at constant engine speed (1500 rpm) in a single-cylinder research engine equipped with state-of-the-art features. The outcome of the investigation showed that port injection of Butanol as low reactivity fuel (LRF) improved the combustion and yielded superior engine performance than baseline CI combustion strategy. Engine exhaust emissions exhibited significantly lower nitrogen (NOx) oxides with butanol RCCI combustion strategy than baseline CI combustion strategy. Increasing rp of butanol showed improved combustion and emission characteristics; however, performance characteristics were not affected significantly. Particulate characteristics of the RCCI combustion strategy also showed a significant reduction in particle number concentration than baseline CI combustion. Slightly different combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of mineral diesel/ butanol-fueled RCCI combustion strategy compared to other test fuels such as mineral diesel/methanol, and mineral diesel/ethanol-fueled RCCI combustion strategy was an interesting observation of this study. Overall, this study indicated that butanol could be used as LRF in RCCI combustion engines to achieve superior combustion and emission characteristics.
Faraday’s Law Low-Cost Experiment Without Permanent Magnets
Authors: Fontes Daniel T. M. , Rodrigues André Machado
Published: April 2021

Electromagnetism is a complex topic for students at different educational levels. Perhaps one of the reasons for this is that students are unable to visualize the forces, fields, currents, and other electromagnetism key concepts that are related to the topic. Most teachers address this difficulty by including the use of some technological instruments such as virtual simulations, as well as hands-on experiments. This paper describes a simple experiment related to electromagnetic induction. The central principle of electromagnetic induction is Faraday’s law. Michael Faraday first stated his law in 1832 as “if a terminated wire moves so as to cut a magnetic curve, a power is called into action which tends to urge an electric current through it.” Nowadays, physicists use modern language to describe Faraday’s law of induction: “the induced emf in a closed loop equals the negative of the time rate of change of magnetic flux through the loop”; see Eq. (1):
Modeling potential masking of echolocating sperm whales exposed to continuous 1–2 kHz naval sonar
Authors: von Benda-Beckmann A. M. , Isojunno S. , Zandvliet M. , Ainslie M. A. , Wensveen P. J. , Tyack P. L. , Kvadsheim P. H. , Lam F. P. A. , Miller P. J. O.
Published: April 2021

Modern active sonar systems can (almost) continuously transmit and receive sound, which can lead to more masking of important sounds for marine mammals than conventional pulsed sonar systems transmitting at a much lower duty cycle. This study investigated the potential of 1–2 kHz active sonar to mask echolocation-based foraging of sperm whales by modeling their echolocation detection process. Continuous masking for an echolocating sperm whale facing a sonar was predicted for sonar sound pressure levels of 160 dB re 1 μPa2, with intermittent masking at levels of 120 dB re 1 μPa2, but model predictions strongly depended on the animal orientation, harmonic content of the sonar, click source level, and target strength of the prey. The masking model predicted lower masking potential of buzz clicks compared to regular clicks, even though the energy source level is much lower. For buzz clicks, the lower source level is compensated for by the reduced two-way propagation loss to nearby prey during buzzes. These results help to predict what types of behavioral changes could indicate masking in the wild. Several key knowledge gaps related to masking potential of sonar in echolocating odontocetes were identified that require further investigation to assess the significance of masking.
The Virtual Streptococcal Seminar Series and Trainee Symposium: Adaptations of a Research Community during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Spencer Brady L. , Doran Kelly S. , Burcham Lindsey R.
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced academic research communities to develop online means of learning, networking, and engaging in new research. To allow increased interaction and engagement of the streptococcal research community during the COVID-19 shutdown, we organized the Virtual Streptococcal Seminar Series and Virtual Streptococcal Trainee Symposium and advertised via email and social media outlets.
Zooming into the Lab: Perspectives on Maintaining Undergraduate Biological Research through Computationally Adapted Remote Learning in Times of Crisis
Authors: Parrington Brianna A. , Giardino William J.
Published: April 2021

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many academic institutions attempted to limit viral spread throughout their communities by suspending face-to-face student instruction. The rapid transition from in-person to remote learning dramatically altered student-instructor interactions and ushered in a new set of educational challenges.
Transitioning Cell Culture CURE Labs from Campus to Online: Novel Strategies for a Novel Time
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Authors: Sabel Jaime L. , Wright Kendra , Adler Jacob J. , Bates Gary , Bates LaShall , Pandey Sumali , Simons Amanda M. , Swerdlow Sarah J. , Reyna Nathan S. , Hensley Lori
Published: April 2021

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) provide a way for students to gain research experience in a classroom setting. Few examples of cell culture CUREs or online CUREs exist in the literature.
Supplemental Material: How cementation and fluid flow influence slip behavior at the subduction interface
Authors: Hooker John , Fisher Donald
Published: April 2021

Table of model parameters and default values used in this study.
Supplemental Material: Mass balance controls on sediment scour and bedrock erosion in waterfall plunge pools
Authors: Scheingross Joel , Lamb Michael
Published: April 2021

Methods, Tables S1 and S2 (data), and Figures S1–S4.
Supplemental Material: Spatially variable syn- and post-Alleghanian exhumation of the central Appalachian Mountains from zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronology
Authors: Basler L.C. , al. et
Published: April 2021

Photomicrographs of zircon grains; graphs of zircon (U-Th)/He date vs. aspect ratio, sample elevation, and grain radius; second-order forward and inverse model simulations, including “inheritance envelopes”; inverse thermal model input table.
Supplemental Material: Inhomogeneous distribution of lithic clasts within the Daskop granophyre dike, Vredefort impact structure: Implications for emplacement of impact melt in large impact
Authors: Huber Matthew , al. et
Published: April 2021

Video of the 3-D model of the Daskop granophyre dike generated from photogrammetric processing of aerial drone imagery
Ten-year-and-beyond longitudinal change of ß-zone parapapillary atrophy in glaucoma: association with retinal nerve fibre layer defect
Authors: Bak Eunoo , Kim Yong Woo , Kim Young Kook , Jeoung Jin Wook , Park Ki Ho
Published: April 2021

Background

To investigate the longitudinal change of localised retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) defects associated with change of ß-zone parapapillary atrophy (PPA) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes.

Methods

POAG patients with a localised RNFL defect and ß-zone PPA who had undergone disc/RNFL photography at 1-year intervals for 10 years or longer were enrolled. The topographic parameters of ß-zone PPA (area, maximal radial extent and angular extent around disc) were measured. Progression of RNFL defect was defined as widening of defect and/or appearance of new defect. The factors associated with progression of RNFL defect were assessed by OR using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 209 patients (209 eyes) with POAG were included (mean: 54 years old). Over the course of 11.5±2.3-year follow-up period, progression of RNFL defect was detected in 114 eyes (54.5%). Enlargement of PPA parameters (area and angular extent) was significantly more common in patients with RNFL defect progression than in eyes without progression (all p<0.001, respectively). Widening of radial extent did not show a significant difference in both groups (p=0.61). Increment of angular extent was in the direction of RNFL defect progression in 82.1% of eyes. Progression of RNFL defect was significantly associated with disc haemorrhage (OR: 6.653, p<0.001), enlargement of PPA area (OR: 4.114, p=0.004) and angular extent (OR: 6.572, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Progression of RNFL defect is associated with increment of angular extent of PPA in POAG eyes.
Review of recent treatment trends of laryngeal cancer in Poland: a population-based study
Authors: Rzepakowska Anna , Żurek Michał , Niemczyk Kazimierz
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To investigate the utilisation of different treatment modalities for patients with laryngeal cancer (LC) during last decade in Poland.

Setting

Retrospective population-based study.

Participants

Patients with LC treated between January 2009 and December 2018.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The contemporary utilisation of treatment modalities of LC: surgery with intent of radical resection (total or partial laryngectomy), radiotherapy (RT) and chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Results

There was determined the overall number of 22 957 new diagnosis of LC from 2010 to 2018 and confirmed the steady decrease in the incidence rate of LC in the following years from 7.7 to 6.03. The mean age of patients with LC was raising by an average of 0.3832 of year per year. There was observed decrease in number of total laryngectomies (TLs) in subsequent years (from 1122 in 2009 to 776 in 2018). The number of procedures involving partial laryngeal resection was within stable ranges however the upward trend was observed separately for vocal cordectomy. There was established decreased involvement of surgery in LC treatment from 52.8% in 2009 to 24.3% in 2016 with the subsequent rise to 33.7% in 2018. The percentage of patients receiving RT increased from 23.8% in 2009 to 42.1% in 2013 with the next decrease to 25.7% in 2018. The utilisation of CRT in LC treatment was progressively increasing over analysed years from 23.4% in 2009 reaching 40.6% in 2018.

Conclusions

The presented data revealed an increase in total number of organs preserving treatment modality with CRT in subsequent years with decreasing number of TLs in Polish patients with LC.
Hypophosphatasia
Authors: Fenn Jonathan Samuel , Lorde Nathan , Ward John Martin , Borovickova Ingrid
Published: April 2021

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a group of inherited disorders characterised by the impaired mineralisation of bones and/or teeth and low serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. It is caused by a mutation in the ALPL gene encoding the tissue-non-specific isoenzyme of ALP (TNSALP) resulting in a loss of function. The disease is highly heterogenous in its clinical expression ranging from stillbirth without mineralised bone to the mild form of late adult onset with symptoms and signs such as musculoskeletal pain, arthropathy, lower-extremity fractures, premature loss of teeth or an incidental finding of reduced serum ALP activity. A classification based on the age at diagnosis and the presence or absence of bone symptoms was historically used: perinatal, prenatal benign, infantile, childhood, adult and odontohypophosphatasia. These subtypes are known to have overlapping signs and complications. Three forms of HPP distinguishable by their genetic characteristics have been described: severe, moderate and mild. Severe forms of HPP (perinatal and infantile severe) are recessively inherited, whereas moderate HPP may be dominantly or recessively inherited. The biochemical hallmark of HPP is persistently low serum ALP for age and increase in natural substrates of TNSALP, pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and phosphoethanolamine supported by radiological findings. The diagnosis is confirmed by ALPL sequencing. A multidisciplinary team of experts is essential for the effective management. Calcium restriction is recommended in infants/children to manage hypercalcaemia. A targeted enzyme replacement therapy for HPP has become available and correct diagnosis is crucial to allow early treatment.
Developing a blended learning postgraduate teaching programme in anaesthesia: pandemic and beyond
Authors: Cooke Peter Charles , Hajamohideen Nisha , Gooneratne Hasanthi
Published: April 2021

One of the many challenges facing doctors in training during the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant reduction in postgraduate medical education in the form of formal teaching. Consequently, we sought to provide a blended and asynchronous teaching programme that would be delivered to anaesthetic trainees preparing for their postgraduate examinations. Six sessions of 90-minute duration were delivered during the months July, August and September 2020. Each of the six sessions was delivered live using a variety of online educational tools in addition to traditional didactic-style teaching by the presenters. Participants submitted requests for topics to be covered by the presenters in the final of the six sessions. The sessions were recorded and later uploaded onto an online educational learning platform for viewing at the participants' discretion. The live nature of the sessions ensured participant interaction and a sense of community that trainees had come to expect from previous face-to-face teaching sessions prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluation was via qualitative and quantitative means using preset questions using the Likert scale and a free-text comments box. The results demonstrated positive feedback across all sessions with particular relevance to the interactive element of the course, the content and delivery.

This article describes the requirement for a method of continuing postgraduate medical education in an era where traditional face-to-face teaching is not possible and how the introduction of various innovative educational applications and resources can be used to further postgraduate medical education in the future.
Site-level soil moisture controls water-use efficiency improvement and climate response in sugar maple: a dual dendroisotopic study
Authors: Dietrich R. , Bell F.W. , Anand M.
Published: April 2021

Given the large contribution of forests to terrestrial carbon storage, there is a need to resolve the environmental and physiological drivers of tree-level response to rising atmospheric CO2. This study examines how site-level soil moisture influences growth and intrinsic water-use efficiency in sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). We construct tree-ring, δ18O, and Δ13C chronologies for trees across a soil moisture gradient in Ontario, Canada, and employ a structural equation modelling approach to ascertain their climatic, ontogenetic, and environmental drivers. Our results support previous evidence for the presence of strong developmental effects in tree-ring isotopic chronologies — in the range of −4.7‰ for Δ13C and +0.8‰ for δ18O — across the tree life span. Additionally, we show that the physiological response of sugar maple to increasing atmospheric CO2 depends on site-level soil moisture variability, with trees only in relatively wet plots exhibiting temporal increases in intrinsic water-use efficiency. These results suggest that trees in wet and mesic plots have experienced temporal increases in stomatal conductance and photosynthetic capacity, whereas trees in dry plots have experienced decreases in photosynthetic capacity. This study is the first to examine sugar maple physiology using a dendroisotopic approach and broadens our understanding of carbon–water interactions in temperate forests.
IC rings and transitivity of perspectivity
Authors: Mary Xavier , Nielsen Pace P.
Published: April 2021

We construct an example of an IC ring where perspectivity is transitive, but not all isomorphic idempotents are perspective. We also develop new criteria for checking perspectivity of idempotents in rings.
A New ANN-Particle Swarm Optimization with Center of Gravity (ANN-PSOCoG) Prediction Model for the Stock Market under the Effect of COVID-19
Authors: Jamous Razan , ALRahhal Hosam , El-Darieby Mohamed
Published: April 2021

Since the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, the world stock markets have suffered huge losses prompting investors to limit or avoid these losses. The stock market was one of the businesses that were affected the most. At the same time, artificial neural networks (ANNs) have already been used for the prediction of the closing prices in stock markets. However, standalone ANN has several limitations, resulting in the lower accuracy of the prediction results. Such limitation is resolved using hybrid models. Therefore, a combination of artificial intelligence networks and particle swarm optimization for efficient stock market prediction was reported in the literature. This method predicted the closing prices of the shares traded on the stock market, allowing for the largest profit with the minimum risk. Nevertheless, the results were not that satisfactory. In order to achieve prediction with a high degree of accuracy in a short time, a new improved method called PSOCoG has been proposed in this paper. To design the neural network to minimize processing time and search time and maximize the accuracy of prediction, it is necessary to identify hyperparameter values with precision. PSOCoG has been employed to select the best hyperparameters in order to construct the best neural network. The created network was able to predict the closing price with high accuracy, and the proposed model ANN-PSOCoG showed that it could predict closing price values with an infinitesimal error, outperforming existing models in terms of error ratio and processing time. Using S&P 500 dataset, ANN-PSOCoG outperformed ANN-SPSO in terms of prediction accuracy by approximately 13%, SPSOCOG by approximately 17%, SPSO by approximately 20%, and ANN by approximately 25%. While using DJIA dataset, ANN-PSOCoG outperformed ANN-SPSO in terms of prediction accuracy by approximately 18%, SPSOCOG by approximately 24%, SPSO by approximately 33%, and ANN by approximately 42%. Besides, the proposed model is evaluated under the effect of COVID-19. The results proved the ability of the proposed model to predict the closing price with high accuracy where the values of MAPE, MAE, and RE were very small for S&P 500, GOLD, NASDAQ-100, and CANUSD datasets.
Thermal Aeroelastic Characteristics of Inflatable Reentry Vehicle Experiment (IRVE) in Hypersonic Flow
Authors: Wu Jie , Zhang Zhang , Hou Anping , Xue Xiaopeng , Cao Xu
Published: April 2021

The inflatable reentry vehicle provides a new technical way in aerospace entry, descent, and landing. The structural failure of inflatable reentry vehicle experiment caused by thermal aeroelastic effect is serious, which needs to be further studied. A traditional numerical method about flexible vehicles separates the aeroheating and aeroelastic problems, resulting in poor matching with the actual test. In this paper, a thermal-fluid-solid coupling model considering inflation gas effect was established, which associates the aeroheating and aeroelastic modules and adopts the LES to improve the depicting ability of hypersonic flow. The model was used to solve the thermal aeroelastic characteristics under extreme aeroheating load. From aeroheating results, the large-scale vortex on windward generated by the interaction of the shock layer and boundary layer has great influence on aeroheating due to the heat dissipation, and the skin deformation also increases the surface friction and local heating near depressions. From aeroelastic analysis, the flexible structure performs violent forced vibration induced by the unsteady large-scale vortex on windward, and the aeroheating effect will significantly increase the thermal stress and natural vibration properties. The thermal-fluid-solid coupling method for the flexible structure proposed in this paper provides a reasonable reference for engineering.
Autosomal Recessive Bestrophinopathy: Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of Twenty-Four Cases
Authors: Khojasteh Hassan , Azarmina Mohsen , Ebrahimiadib Nazanin , Daftarian Narsis , Riazi-Esfahani Hamid , Naraghi Houra , Sabbaghi Hamideh , Khodabande Alireza , Faghihi Hooshang , Moghaddasi Afrooz , Bazvand Fatemeh , Manaviat Masoud Reza , Ahmadieh Hamid , Hassanpoor Narges , Suri Fatemeh
Published: April 2021

Background. To describe ocular manifestations, imaging characteristics, and genetic test results of autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB). The study design is an observational case series. Methods. Forty-eight eyes of 24 patients diagnosed with ARB underwent complete ophthalmic examinations including refraction, anterior and posterior segment examination, enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA), electroretinography (ERG), and electrooculography (EOG). Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and BEST1 gene sequencing were performed in selected patients. Results. The age at onset was 4–35 years (mean: 18.6 years). The male-to-female ratio was 0.45. All patients were hyperopic, except one with less than one diopter myopia. EOG was abnormal in 18 cases with near-normal ERGs. Six patients did not undergo EOG due to their young age. Eighteen patients (75%) had a thick choroid on EDI-OCT, of which three had advanced angle-closure glaucoma, 15 patients were hyperopic, and eight of them had more than four diopters hyperopia in both eyes. Macular retinoschisis was observed in 46 eyes of 23 patients (95%) with cysts mostly located in the inner nuclear layer (INL) to the outer nuclear layer (ONL). Of the 18 patients who underwent FA, mild peripheral leakage was seen in eight eyes of four patients (22%). Subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was seen in three eyes of two patients (6%) that responded well to intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB). Seven mutations of the bestrophin-1 (BEST1) gene were found in this study; however, only two of them (p.Gly34 = and p.Leu319Pro) had been previously reported as the cause of ARB based on ClinVar and other literature studies. Conclusions. ARB can be presented with a wide spectrum of ocular abnormalities that may not be easily diagnosed. Pachychoroid can occur alongside retinal schisis and may be the underlying cause of angle-closure glaucoma in ARB. Our study also expands the pathogenic mutation spectrum of the BEST1 gene associated with ARB.
A Lightweight Model for Traffic Sign Classification Based on Enhanced LeNet‐5 Network
Authors: Zaibi Ameur , Ladgham Anis , Sakly Anis
Published: April 2021

For several years, much research has focused on the importance of traffic sign recognition systems, which have played a very important role in road safety. Researchers have exploited the techniques of machine learning, deep learning, and image processing to carry out their research successfully. The new and recent research on road sign classification and recognition systems is the result of the use of deep learning‐based architectures such as the convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures. In this research work, the goal was to achieve a CNN model that is lightweight and easily implemented for an embedded application and with excellent classification accuracy. We choose to work with an improved network LeNet‐5 model for the classification of road signs. We trained our model network on the German Traffic Sign Recognition Benchmark (GTSRB) database and also on the Belgian Traffic Sign Data Set (BTSD), and it gave good results compared to other models tested by us and others tested by different researchers. The accuracy was 99.84% on GTSRB and 98.37% on BTSD. The lightness and the reduced number of parameters of our model (0.38 million) based on the enhanced LeNet‐5 network pushed us to test our model for an embedded application using a webcam. The results we found are efficient, which emphasize the effectiveness of our method.
Early versus Late Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy: Have We Reached the Consensus? An Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bhatt Girish C. , Das Rashmi Ranjan , Satapathy Amit
Published: April 2021

Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare early versus late/standard initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Data Sources: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Cochrane renal group till August 15, 2020. Study Selection: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing early versus late initiation of RRT in patients with AKI were included. The primary outcome measures were all-cause mortality and dialysis dependence on day 90. Secondary outcome measures were length of stay, recovery of renal functions, and adverse events. Data Extraction: Two authors independently performed study selection and data extraction using data extraction forms. Data Synthesis: A total of 14 RCTs with 5,234 participants were included. Three trials had low risk of bias in all the domains. There was no significant difference in the overall mortality (risk ratio (RR): 0.99; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89, 1.10; moderate certainty of evidence), day 30 mortality (RR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.09; high certainty of evidence), day 90 mortality (RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.88, 1.13; high certainty of evidence), and ICU mortality (RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.90, 1.10; moderate certainty of evidence) between the early versus late RRT. Dialysis dependence on day 90 was significantly higher in the patients assigned to early RRT (RR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.09; moderate certainty of evidence). The treatment-emergent adverse events (hypophosphatemia and hypotension) were significantly higher in the patients assigned to early RRT. Conclusion: There is no added benefit of early initiation of RRT in patient with AKI; this may lead to treatment-emergent adverse events. Delaying the initiation of RRT with close monitoring and initiating RRT for emergent indications should be the acceptable criterion in critical care nephrology. Prospero Registration: CRD42016043092.
Improvements in Communication and Coordination of Care in a Hemophilia Treatment Center
Authors: Ng Christopher J. , Spomer Nancy , Shearer Rick , LeBlanc Audra , Funk Sharon , Manco-Johnson Marilyn , Branchford Brian , Warren Beth , Buckner Tyler W. , Cowell Amy , Moyer Genevieve , Wang Michael , Gibson Elizabeth , Mashburn Christine
Published: April 2021

Introduction: In response to the increasing complexity of care for patients with bleeding disorders, we established new clinical teams for our hemophilia treatment center (HTC). Aims: We undertook a quality improvement project to improve the coordination and communication with our patients by establishing primary assignments of clinical staff to individual patients (primary teams). Methods: A quality improvement project group was formed that established the goals and assignment of primary teams. Patients were surveyed for their knowledge of their primary teams as well as their ability to schedule and contact their primary providers. As a measure of the effects on clinical staff, a balancing survey was also conducted among providers impacted by the clinical assignment of teams. Results: Our results demonstrate improvements across both coordination and communication as reported by patients. Additionally, the assignment of primary teams was met with high satisfaction and improvement in coordination and communication as reported by the clinical staff members of the HTC. Conclusions: Initiation of a quality improvement project and the creation of a primary team system were feasible at a large HTC and resulted in improvements in both patient-reported and staff-reported outcomes of coordination and communication of care.
Perinatal Outcome in Fetuses with Dislodged Thoraco-Amniotic Shunts
Authors: Abbasi Nimrah , Windrim Rory , Keunen Johannes , Seaward P.G.R. , Van Mieghem Tim , Kelly Edmond N. , Langer Jacob C. , Ryan Greg
Published: April 2021

Objective: Fetal thoraco-amniotic shunts (TASs) can dislodge in utero, migrating internally into the fetal thorax or externally into the amniotic cavity. Our objective was to evaluate the perinatal and long-term outcome of fetuses with TAS dislodgement and conduct a review of the literature. Methods: This is a retrospective review of all TAS inserted for primary pleural effusions and macrocystic congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) in a tertiary fetal medicine center (1991–2020). Antenatal history, procedural factors, and perinatal and long-term outcomes were reviewed in all fetuses with dislodged shunts and compared to fetuses with shunts that did not dislodge. Results: Of 211 TAS inserted at a mean gestational age of 27.8 weeks ± 5.47 (17.4–38.1 weeks), 187 (89%) were inserted for pleural effusions and 24 (11%) for macrocystic CPAMs. Shunts dislodged in 18 fetuses (8.5%), 17 (94%) of which were for pleural effusions. Shunts migrated into the chest wall/amniotic cavity or into the thorax among 7/18 (39%) and 11/18 (61%) fetuses, respectively. Eleven (61%) fetuses were initially hydropic, which resolved in 8 (72%) cases. Effusions were bilateral in 9 (50%), amnioreduction was required in 6 (33%), and fetal rotation in 8 cases (44%). Four (22%) fetuses underwent repeat shunting, 12 (67%) neonates required ventilatory support, and 2 (11%) neonates required chest tubes. There was no significant difference in technical factors or outcomes between infants with shunts that dislodged and those that did not. Among 11 intrathoracic shunts, 2 (18%) were removed postnatally and the remainder are in situ without any shunt-related or respiratory complications over a follow-up period of 9 months to 22 years. Conclusion: TAS dislodged antenatally in 8.5% of fetuses, with 2/3 of shunts migrating into the thorax, and nearly 25% requiring re-shunting. Retained intrathoracic shunts were well tolerated and may not necessarily require surgical removal after birth.
Postoperative bronchopleurale Fisteln: Modifizierte Stents als maßgeschneiderte interventionelle Therapieoption
Authors: Keymel Stefanie
Published: April 2021

Background: Bronchopleural fistula is a rare but life-threatening event with limited therapeutic options. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the modified silicone stent in patients with post-surgical bronchopleural fistula. Methods: Between March 2016 and April 2020, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 17 patients with bronchopleural fistula and who underwent bronchoscopic placement of the Y-shaped silicone stent. The rate of initial success, clinical success and clinical cure, and complications were analyzed. Results: Stent placement was successful in 16 patients in the first attempt (initial success rate: 94.1%). The median follow-up time was 107 (range, 5–431) days. All patients achieved amelioration of respiratory symptoms. The clinical success rate was 76.5%. Of the 14 patients with empyema, the daily drainage was progressively decreased in 11 patients, and empyema completely disappeared in six patients. Seven stents were removed during follow-up: four (26.7%) for the cure of fistula, two for severe proliferation of granulomatous tissue and one for stent dislocation. No severe adverse events (i.e. massive hemoptysis, suture dehiscence) took place. Seven patients died (due to progression of malignancy, uncontrolled infection, myocardial infarction and left heart failure). Conclusions: The modified silicone stent may be an effective and safe option for patients with post-surgical bronchopleural fistula patients in whom conventional therapy is contraindicated.
A discrete-time terminal sliding mode controller design for an autonomous underwater vehicle
Authors: Sarif Nira Mawangi , Ngadengon Rafidah , Kadir Herdawatie Abdul , Jalil Mohd Hafiz A. , Abidi Khalid
Published: April 2021

Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) are underwater robotic devices intended to explore hostiles territories in underwater domain. AUVs research gaining popularity among underwater research community because of its extensive applications and challenges to overcome unpredictable ocean behavior. The aim of this paper is to design discrete time terminal sliding mode control (DTSMC) reaching law-based employed to NPS AUV II purposely to improve the dynamic response of the closed loop system. This is accomplished by introducing a nonlinear component to sliding surface design in which the system state accelerated, and chattering effect is suppressed. The nonlinear component consist of fractional power is to ensure steeper slope of the sliding surface in the vicinity of the equilibrium point which lead to quicker convergence speed. Thus, the chattering effect in the control action suppressed as the convergence of the system state accelerated. The stability of the control system is proven by using Sarpturk analysis and the performance of the DTSMC is demonstrated through simulation study. The performance of DTSMC is benchmarked with DSMC and PID controller