bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Early Programming and Early Nutrition on the Development and Progression of Celiac Disease: a review.
Authors: Martín-Masot Rafael , Diaz-Castro Javier , Moreno-Fernandez Jorge , Navas-López Víctor Manuel , Nestares Teresa
Published: October 2020

Experimental and epidemiological evidence has shown that modifications of the intrauterine environment can have deleterious consequences for individuals, expressed as an increased risk of suffering non-communicable pathologies in adult life, which is known as the hypothesis of the early origin of diseases or programming fetal. On the other hand, changes in gene expression patterns through epigenetic modifications can be the basis for long-term maintenance of the effects of fetal programming. In this sense, epigenetics comprises the study of intrauterine disturbances, which develop diseases in the adult, including Celiac Disease (CD). In addition, early feeding practices could influence the risk of CD development, such as breastfeeding timing and duration and age at gluten introduction in the diet. Gluten acts as a trigger for CD in genetically predisposed subjects, although approximately 30% of the world population has HLA DQ2 or DQ8, the prevalence of the disease is only 1-3%. It is not known what factors act to modify the risk of disease in genetically at risk subjects. Taking into account all these considerations, the aim of the current review is to elucidate the role of early programming and the effect of early nutrition on the development and progression of CD.
Multifractal Cross Correlation Analysis of Agro-meteorological Datasets (Including Reference Evapotranspiration) of California, United States
Authors: Sankaran Adarsh , Krzyszczak Jaromir , Baranowski Piotr , Devarajan Sindhu Archana , Krishna Pradeep Nandhinee , Lija Jayaprakash Nithyanjali , Thankamani Vandana , Ali Mumtaz
Published: October 2020

This paper examined the multifractal properties of six acknowledged agro-meteorological parameters, such as reference evapotranspiration (ET0), wind speed (U), incoming solar radiation (SR), air temperature (T), air pressure (P), and relative air humidity (RH) of five stations in California, USA. The investigation of multifractality of datasets from stations with differing terrain conditions: Dagget, Bakersfield, Santa Maria, Los Angeles and San Diego using the Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis showed the existence of a long term persistence and multifractality irrespective of the location. The scaling exponents of SR and ET0 time series are found to be higher for stations with higher altitudes. Subsequently, this study proposed using the novel multifractal cross correlation (MFCCA) method to examine the multiscale-multifractal correlations properties between ET0 and other investigated variables. MFCCA could successfully capture the scale dependent association of different variables and the dynamics in the nature of their associations from seasonal to multi-annual time scale. The multifractal exponents of pressure and relative air humidity are consistently lower than the exponents of ET0, irrespective of station location. This study found that joint scaling exponent was nearly the average of scaling exponents of individual series in different pairs of variables. Additionally, the α-values of joint multifractal spectrum were lower than the α values of both of the individual spectra, validating two universal properties in the mutifractal cross correlation studies for agro-meteorological time series. The temporal evolution of cross-correlation showed similar pattern for all pair-wise associations involving ET0, except for the RH-ET0 link.
Critical Care Transfers and COVID-19: Managing Capacity Challenges through Critical Care Networks
Authors: Pett Eleanor , Leung Hai Lin , Taylor Emily , Chong Martin Shao Foong , Hla Teddy Tun Win , Sartori Giulia , Sathianathan Vivian , Husain Tariq , Suntharalingam Ganesh , Rosenberg Alexander , Walsh Angela , Wigmore Timothy
Published: October 2020

The intensive care units in North West London are part of one of the oldest critical carenetworks in the UK, forming a mature and established strategic alliance to shareresources, experience and knowledge for the benefit of its patients. North WestLondon saw an early surge in COVID-19 admissions, which urgently threatened thecapacity of some of its intensive care units even before the UK government announcedlockdown. The pre-existing relationships and culture within the network allowed itsmembers to unite and work rapidly to develop agile and innovative solutions, protectingany individual unit from becoming overwhelmed, and ultimately protecting its patients.Within a short 50-day period 223 patients were transferred within the network todistribute pressures. This unprecedented number of critical care transfers, combinedwith the creation of extra capacity and new pathways, allowed the region to continue tooffer timely and unrationed access to critical care for all patients who would benefitfrom admission. This extraordinary response is a testament to the power and benefitsof a regionally networked approach to critical care, and the lessons learned maybenefit other healthcare providers, managers and policy makers, especially in regionscurrently facing new outbreaks of COVID-19.
The Importance of Collaborative Ecosystems to Boost ‘Smartness’ in Cities
Authors: Koutra Sesil , Fiscal Paulina Rodriguez , Pacho Marie Abigail , Taratori Rallou , Simoens Pascal
Published: October 2020

Despite the increasing interest in ‘smart city’ initiatives worldwide, current literature still lacks the approaches and models that address challenges in organization and collaboration, which boost sustainability and ‘smartness’ in modern cities. This paper provides an overview of ‘smart city’ ecosystems as a mechanism to promote the expected outcomes of their sustainable development, and highlights the importance of conceptualizing cities from organizational and managerial perspectives. Representative exploratory models of ‘city organization’, which emphasize on the role of ‘governance’ and synergies, are presented to ‘decode’ complex city mechanisms and to determine key components that lead to ‘smart’ initiatives. Interesting case studies and applications are then analysed to examine the practical dimension of these approaches. As a review paper, this article lays out a general framework on the importance of ‘collaboration’, ‘governance’, ‘management’, and ‘ecosystem’. However, 'planning smartly’ and achieving ‘sustainability’ at the level of city ‘organization’ remain as challenges in this pioneering study of smart cities.
Up to Four Biannual Administrations of Mass Azithromycin Treatment Are Associated with Modest Changes in the Gut Microbiota of Rural Malawian Children
Authors: Chaima David , Pickering Harry , Hart John. D , Burr Sarah. E , Houghton Joanna , Maleta Kenneth , Kalua Khumbo , Bailey Robin L. , Holland Martin J.
Published: October 2020

Community-level mass treatment with azithromycin has been associated with a mortality benefit in children. However, antibiotic exposures result in disruption of the gut microbiota and repeated exposures may reduce recovery of the gut flora. We conducted a nested cohort study to examine associations between mass drug administration (MDA) with azithromycin and the gut microbiota of rural Malawian children aged between 1-59 months. Fecal samples were collected from the children prior to treatment and 6 months after two or four biannual rounds of azithromycin treatment. DNA was extracted from fecal samples and V4-16S rRNA sequencing used to characterize the gut microbiota. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla while Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium were the most prevalent genera. There were no associations between azithromycin treatment and changes in alpha diversity, however, four biannual rounds of treatment were associated with increased abundance of Prevotella. The lack of significant changes in gut microbiota after four biannual treatments supports the use of mass azithromycin treatment to reduce mortality in children living in low- and middle-income settings.
A Novel Zero Velocity Detection Method Based on the Plantar Pressure
Authors: Wang Chengbin , Guo Meifeng , Wu Juan , Zhou Bin , Wei Qi
Published: October 2020

The zero velocity update(ZUPT) algorithm is the core of a foot-mounted pedestrian navigation system. The zero velocity detection method is the premise and guarantee of the effective application of the ZUPT algorithm. To make ZUPT work properly, it is necessary to detect zero velocity intervals correctly. The detection accuracy of the existing zero velocity detection methods is easy to be affected by users and environment. A novel zero velocity detection method based on the plantar pressure is proposed in this paper, which has higher detection accuracy and better environmental adaptability. First, the paper analyzes the motion characteristics of foot during walking. Second, the inherent relationship between the plantar pressure and the gait change during walking is studied based on the pressure sensor. Then, the model of the zero velocity detection method using the plantar pressure is established. Finally, the indoor and outdoor multi-scene experiments show that this method not only has a high detection accuracy, but also has good adaptability to users and walking environment.
Study on the Compressive Behaviour of Sustainable Cement-Based Composites Under 1-Hour Direct Flame Exposure
Authors: Vedrtnam Ajitanshu , Bedon Chiara , Barluenga Gonzalo
Published: October 2020

Fire is a significant threat to human life and civil infrastructures. Builders and architects are hankering for safer and sustainable alternatives of concrete that do not compromise with their design intent or fire safety requirements. The aim of the present work is to improve the residual compressive performance of concrete in the post-fire exposure, by incorporating by-products from urban residues. Based on sustainability and circular economy motivations, the attention is focused on rubber tire fly ash, aged brick powder, and plastic (PET) bottle residuals used as partial sand replacement. The selected by-products from urban residues are used for the preparation of Cement-Based Composites (CBCs) in two different proportions (10 % and 15 %). The thermal CBC behaviour is thus investigated under realistic fire scenarios (i.e., Direct Flame (DF) for 1 hour (1h)), by following the ISO 834 standard provisions, but necessarily resulting in non-uniform thermal exposure for the cubic specimens. The actual thermal exposure is further explored with a Finite Element (FE) model, giving evidence of thermal boundaries effects. The post-fire residual compressive strength of heated concrete and CBC samples is hence experimentally derived, and compared to unheated specimens in ambient conditions. From the experimental study, the enhanced post-fire performance of CBCs with PET bottle residual is generally found superior to other CBCs or concrete. The structure-property relation is also established, with the support of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs. Based on existing empirical models of literature for the prediction of the compressive or residual compressive strength of standard concrete, newly developed empirical relations for both concrete and CBCs are assessed.
Enterococcus faecalis Enhances Candida albicans Mediated Tissue Destruction in a Strain-Dependent Manner
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Akshaya Lakshmi , Lemus Alex A , Solomon Adline Princy , Valm Alex M , Neelakantan Prasanna
Published: October 2020

Candida albicans as an opportunistic pathogen exploits the host immune system and causes a variety of life-threatening infections. The polymorphic nature of this fungus gives it tremendous advantage to breach mucosal barriers and cause a variety of oral and disseminated infections. Enterococcus faecalis, another opportunistic pathogen co-exists with C. albicans in several niches in the human body, including the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. However, interactions between E. faecalis and C. albicans on oral mucosal surfaces remain unknown. Here, for the first time, we comprehensively characterized the interactive profiles between laboratory and clinical isolates of C. albicans (SC5314 and BF1) and E. faecalis (OG1RF and 846) on an organotypic oral mucosal model. Our results demonstrated that the two species formed robust biofilms on the mucosal tissue surface with profound surface erosion and fungal invasion. Specifically, this effect was more pronounced in the laboratory isolates than in the clinical isolates. Notably, several genes of C. albicans involved in tissue adhesion, hyphal formation, fungal invasion, and biofilm formation were significantly upregulated in the presence of E. faecalis. This study highlights the strain-dependent cross-kingdom interactions between E. faecalis and C. albicans on oral mucosa, demonstrating the requisite to study more substrate-dependent polymicrobial interactions.
The Effect of Fossil Fuel and Renewable Energy on Heat Requirement of Plastic and Polycarbonate Greenhouses
Authors: Tezcan Nefise
Published: October 2020

Greenhouse have to provide optimal climate conditions for healthy plant growth and high production. Heating of greenhouses is required for an efficient and reliable production specially during winter time in Turkey. However, even in the temperate zones, heating costs has a great portion in the total production costs. Coal is preferred as a fuel in the greenhouse heating in provinces of Turkey where there is no geothermal energy. In this study, the heating requirements and fuel cost (fossil and geothermal energy) for Antalya, Afyon, Kütahya, Denizli, and Aydın provinces in the Aegean and Mediterranean region have been identified based on long term meteorological data. The calculations were made for two model greenhouses located in an area with 1 ha representing modern greenhouses of the regions. The first is a gothic roofed plastic model greenhouse and the second is a gable roofed polycarbonate model greenhouse. According to the results of calculations, total annual heatingrequirement values ranged from 6,096,283 (for Antalya) to 20,359,946 MJ/ha (for Afyon) for the plastic greenhouse wheras these values ranged from 3,187,074 (for Antalya) to 10,643,972 MJ/ha (for Afyon) for the polycarbonate greenhouse.
The Determination of Plastic Material and the Optimal Irrigation Characteristics for an Agricultural Surface - Model Description
Authors: Tita Victor , Bold Nicolae , Tudor Valentina Constanta , Marcuta Alina , Marcuta Liviu
Published: October 2020

Water management and soil pollution are hot issues in modern agriculture. While more production of food is required, this quantity has to be obtained using the minimum level of resources and the maximum amortization of assets. Moreover, studies show that in Europe, 30% of water consumption is for agriculture, which has a strong influence not only on the amount of water consumed, but also on its quality due to pollution caused by chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other pollutants used in this sector. Therefore, a major concern is related to the use of water, its efficient consumption, which requires optimal irrigation systems both in terms of water transport and distribution. In this context, but also in the context of a turbid environmental debate, the most important facts in agriculture are the protection of the environment on a long range of time. In order to obtain good results for an irrigation system, in this paper we will present a model for calculating the best suited material for a given geographical area and the optimal water content for irrigation
Patient Preferences for Surgical Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Hutyra Carolyn A. , Gonzalez Juan Marcos , Yang Jui-Chen , Johnson F. Reed , Reed Shelby D. , Amendola Annunziato , Bolognesi Michael P. , Berend Keith R. , Berend Michael E. , MacDonald Steven J. , Mather Richard C.
Published: October 2020

Background:

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common treatment for end-stage knee osteoarthritis but is associated with increased complication rates compared with unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). UKA offers better functional outcomes but is associated with a higher risk of revision. The purpose of this study was to apply good-practice, stated-preference methods to quantify patient preferences for benefit-risk tradeoffs associated with arthroplasty treatments for end-stage knee osteoarthritis.

Methods:

A discrete-choice experiment was developed with the following attributes: chance of complications, functional ability, awareness of the knee implant, and chance of needing another operation within 10 years. Patients included those aged 40 to 80 years with knee osteoarthritis. A pivot design filtered respondents into 1 of 2 surveys on the basis of self-reported functional ability (good compared with fair or poor) as measured by the Oxford Knee Score. Treatment-preference data were collected, and relative attribute-importance weights were estimated.

Results:

Two hundred and fifty-eight completed survey instruments from 92 males and 164 females were analyzed, with 72 respondents in the good-function cohort and 186 in the fair/poor-function cohort. Patients placed the greatest value or relative importance on serious complications and rates of revision in both cohorts. Preference weights did not vary between cohorts for any attribute. In the good-function cohort, 42% of respondents chose TKA and 58% chose UKA. In the fair/poor-function cohort, 54% chose TKA and 46% chose UKA.

Conclusions:

Patient preferences for various treatment attributes varied among patients in a knee osteoarthritis population. Complication and revision rates were the most important factors to patients, suggesting that physicians should focus on these areas when discussing treatments. The proportion of patients who chose UKA suggests that the current trend of increased UKA utilization is aligned with patient preferences.

Clinical Relevance:

Systematic elicitation of patient preferences for knee arthroplasty procedures, which lays out evidence-based risks and benefits of different treatments, indicates a larger subset of the knee osteoarthritis population may prefer UKA than would be suggested by the current rates of utilization of the procedure. Arthroplasty treatment should align with patient preferences and eligibility criteria to better deliver patient-centered care.
Stacked megafans of the Kalahari Basin as archives of paleogeography, river capture, and Cenozoic paleoclimate of southwestern Africa
Authors: Houben Georg J. , Kaufhold Stephan , Miller Roy McG , Lohe Christoph , Hinderer Matthias , Noll Meike , Hornung Jens , Joseph Reginalda , Gerdes Axel , Sitnikova Maria , Quinger Martin
Published: October 2020

The Cenozoic Kalahari Basin covers large parts of southern Africa. A continuous 400 m core was obtained in northern Namibia and analyzed in detail. Here, we present sedimentological, geochemical, mineralogical, granulometric, and hydraulic data, which were used to derive the sedimentation history and the Cenozoic paleoclimate and paleogeography of SW Africa. The first absolute ages for the Kalahari Basin were obtained by dating of calcretes, which showed that the core covers almost the entire Cenozoic. Two megafans could be distinguished. The older, buried Olukonda Megafan stems from a mafic source rock, potentially the Kunene Intrusive Complex, and was deposited by a paleo–Kunene River towards the southeast and east, under a semiarid climate. The younger Cubango Megafan (Andoni Formation) has a completely different provenance, namely felsic metamorphic and granitoid rocks, transported from the north by the Cubango River. The capture of the Kunene towards the Atlantic during the Eocene resulted in this change in provenance. Despite the distinct differences between the formations, the temporal hiatus between them must have been short. The results are a showcase of the potential of megafans for hosting major deep freshwater aquifers.
Using MPD Well Design Process to Optimize Design and Delivery of a Deepwater Exploration Well
Authors: Moghazy Sharief , Gaviria Wilmer , Van Noort Roger , Kozlov Anton , Gonzalez Luis Romar Alexandra , Gabaldon Oscar , Hester Clayton
Published: October 2020

The objective of the paper is to present a case where a Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) and an MPD Well Design process was used to design and drill a deepwater exploration well with an expected pressure ramp and narrow drilling margins while acquiring valuable subsurface data. The expected pressure ramp and narrow drilling margins combined with the uncertainty of subsurface data presented significant challenges to the well design team. Based on previous experience in the region, reaching well TD safely and efficiently using conventional drilling methods was predicted to be challenging. The MPD Well Design process enabled MPD techniques, including constant bottom hole pressure and dynamic influx management, to be integrated into well design process. MPD was also identified as a critical tool to collect dynamic pressure data and help reduce overpressure uncertainty. The drilling program, rig specific operations, and contingency procedures were developed accordingly. MPD was used to successfully drill through a pore pressure ramp and address a well control event in conjunction with conventional methods. MPD was also an enabler to optimize the location of the casing/liner shoes by identifying the pressure profile based on real-time pore pressure data. This feature was a key advantage to drilling deeper than planned and resulted in effectively saving one casing string. The proposed well design included five casing/liners, with potential for two contingencies. With the implementation of MPD, the actual well was drilled with four casings/liners to a deeper TD and met all evaluation objectives under budget. This paper presents a case for using MPD and the MPD Well Design process and its full capabilities to optimize all aspects of a well delivery process, including well design, safety, and subsurface data acquisition.
Floating Mud Cap Drilling with Sandwich System Application in Indonesia Development Well
Authors: Noviaris Ahmad Burhan , Syarif Mustafa , Murdiansyah Warnandes Ambar , Pramono Reza Yudha , Nugroho Sapto Edi
Published: October 2020

Pertamina EP with North Kedung Tuban structure is located in East Java Indonesia. The drilling target is to produce gas from "Kujung" carbonate formation. The characteristic of this carbonate are vugular rock which caused total loss circulation, contain high concentration H2S and 20% CO2. Conventional curing loss methods such pump Lost Circulation Material (LCM) with various type, carbonate cementing and blind drilling, were not the good option since after loss circulation occur, gas kick immediately come up.

To encounter this situation, Floating Mud Cap Drilling (FMCD) technique with sandwich system was applied. This method used Rotating Control Device (RCD) as surface barrier and multiple treating line tied to the annulus casing valve to pump down sandwich. While blind drilling performed, water pumped down through drill string and sandwich system fluid pumped through annulus. Sandwich is a combination of water + kill mud + water and so on. Volume, Kill Mud Weight and time delay for pumping were obtained from previous well data and observations until effective parameters were obtained during blind drilling.

Sandwich fluid purposed as hydro static barrier to overcome gas influx come up to surface during blind drilling. To help good hole cleaning, high viscosity mud pumped frequently through drill string. When TD reached, sandwich system continue applied until BHA pulled inside casing. To accommodate tripping inside casing, change of RCD rubber element and RIH completion string, Downhole Casing Valve is attached in previous casing as mechanical barrier. As a result, the well completed with no gas kick occur while blind drilling and completion string placed as purposed accordingly. Furthermore, good communication between all personnel involved are necessary.

This paper contains the Lesson Learned of FMCD application which is effective and efficient proven in NKT-001 and NKT-001TW well, with the drilling time and cost of hole section 8-1/2" 80% lower than conventional methods.
Ultrafast Simulations of Asymmetric Fracture Growth in Length and Height using Lagrangian Mechanics
Authors: Peshcherenko Aleksandra , Chuprakov Dimitry
Published: October 2020

The classic Lagrangian mechanics approach allows for solving virtually any physical problem only for a chosen set of generalized coordinates, thus eliminating unnecessary computations. With certain approximations, this approach yields a system of first-order non-linear ordinary differential equations. Such a system can be solved numerically relatively fast (less than 1 s per run for a single CPU). We show the application of Lagrangian mechanics to problems of asymmetric fracture growth in length due to a lateral confining stress gradient and in height due to vertical confining stress contrasts. In both cases, we build a model and solve model equations. We demonstrate the flexibility of this approach and its potential for creating ultrafast semi-analytical models of hydraulic fracture propagation.
Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Satisfaction with Life: Moderating Role of Interpersonal Needs among University Students
Authors: Tan Choe Chai , Khor Kuan Siew , Ooi Pei Boon
Published: October 2020

Background Depression, anxiety, and stress are ranked among the top mental health concerns faced by university students. The transition to higher education coincides with a new social environment and adaptation that has potential to increase mental health conditions. However, limited studies in Malaysia have examined the relationship among depression, anxiety, stress, and satisfaction with life with interpersonal needs. Thus, this study was performed to assess the relationship among depression, anxiety, stress, and satisfaction with life, with interpersonal needs (perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) as moderators. Method A cross-sectional study using convenient sampling method was conducted among 430 students (Mean aged= 20.73 years; SD = 1.26 years) in two private universities in Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire comprising the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire were used. Results Students who experienced depression and anxiety reported higher satisfaction with life under the influenced of low perceived burdensomeness. Perceived burdensomeness, when coupled with depression (β = 0.76, p < 0.01) and anxiety (β = 0.79, p < 0.01), contributed 15.8% of variance in satisfaction with life. Students who experienced stress reported higher satisfaction with life under the influence of high thwarted belonginess (β = 0.73, p < 0.01), contributing 17.0% of variance in satisfaction with life. Conclusions For university students who experienced depression and anxiety symptoms, mental health practitioners, researchers, and teaching staff may need to be aware and educate the students on how to reduce and manage their perceptions on perceived burdensomeness. For university students who experienced stress symptoms, the focus shall not be solely on managing perception towards thwarted belonginess as it is not necessarily perceive as a negative ‘interpersonal need’ in this study. Future studies are required to substantiate this result.
Molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 clusters caused by asymptomatic cases in Anhui Province, China
Authors: yuan yuan , He Jun , Gong Lei , Li Weiwei , Jiang Liangliang , Liu Jiang , Chen Qingqing , Yu Junling , Hou Sai , Shi Yonglin , Lu Siqi , Zhang Zhuhui , Ge Yinglu , Sa Nan , He Lan , Wu Jiabing , Sun Yong , Liu Zhirong
Published: October 2020

Background: COVID-19 is a newly emerging disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which spread globally in early 2020. Asymptomatic carriers of the virus contribute to the propagation of this disease, and the existence of asymptomatic infection has caused widespread fear and concern in the control of this pandemic. Methods: In this study, we investigated the origin and transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 in Anhui’s two clusters, analyzed the role and infectiousness of asymptomatic patients in disease transmission, and characterized the complete spike gene sequences in the Anhui strains. Results: We conducted an epidemiological investigation of two clusters caused by asymptomatic infections sequenced the spike gene of viruses isolated from 12 patients. All cases of the two clusters we investigated had clear contact histories, both from Wuhan, Hubei province. The viruses isolated from two outbreaks in Anhui were found to show a genetically close link to the virus from Wuhan. In addition, new single nucleotide variations were discovered in the spike gene. Conclusions: Both clusters may have resulted from close contact and droplet-spreading and asymptomatic infections were identified as the initial cause. We also analyzed the infectiousness of asymptomatic cases and the challenges to the current epidemic to provided information for the development of control strategies.
Analysis of Anxiety-related factors amongst frontline dental staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Yichang, China
Authors: Zhao Suli , Cao Jing , Zhang Lin , Liu Beibei , Sun Rongcan
Published: October 2020

Background: Dental staff were characterized with the tolerance of enduring stress and they were at high risk to respiratory infectious disease. This study compared the anxiety level of frontline dental staff (FDS) to the general public in Yichang, Hubei Province, and examined potential explanatory factors for the differences.
Methods: Two online questionnaires were used separately for collecting data from FDS and the general public. The Chinese version of Becker Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was included for the assessment of anxiety. Firstly, A Chi-square test was conducted to see the difference of the anxiety state between these two groups. Then, bivariate analysis using Cramer’s V and Eta squared was conducted for screening potential factors. Lastly, a binary logistic regression was performed to explore potential contributing factors towards the anxiety disorder of dental staff.
Results: In general, the FDS were 4.342 (95% CI: 2.427-7.768) times more likely to suffer from anxiety disorder than the general public in Yichang. The bivariate analysis showed that age, Level Three protective measures (PM-3), the conflict with patients and/or colleagues were moderately associated with the anxiety state of FDS. But the knowledge of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) and the treatment to suspected or confirmed cases had a weak association with the anxiety perceived among FDS. Conversely, workload, the exposure to potential infectious substance and conducting aerosol generated performance were not significantly related to the anxiety of FDS. As the model indicated, an elder age and PM-3 protective measures could lower the anxiety state of the FDS, whereas the conflict with patients or/and colleagues would worsen it.
Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, FDS were more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders than the general public. Sufficient personal protective measures and good relationships with colleagues and patients helped them to maintain mental health.
Keywords
COVID-19, Anxiety disorders, Becker Anxiety Inventory, Frontline dental staff
Understanding the linkage between different measure of Obesity/overweight and Pre-diabetes/diabetes Prevalence among Adolescents (10-19 years) in India: A Gendered perspective
Authors: kumar Pradeep , Srivast Shobhit , Mishra Prem Shankar
Published: October 2020

Background
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated that 1.1 million children and adolescents aged 14–19 years are living with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose. It is also recognized as a complex disease that affects people of different ages due to different causes. The present study aims to estimate the prevalence of pre-diabetes/diabetes at the national level. Additionally, the respective study determines the factors associated with pre-diabetes/diabetes conditions among adolescents at the national level.
Methods
The data for this study was carried out from Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS), the first-ever nationally representative nutrition survey of children and adolescents in India. The study used a sample size of 17,865 male and 17,965 female adolescents for the analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression analysis were done to carve out the results.
Results
The prevalence of pre-diabetes/diabetes was 12.3% and 8.4% among male and female adolescents in India respectively. Body mass index and Subscapular skinfold thickness were the two most important predictors of pre-diabetes/diabetes among adolescents. Further, physical activities show a negative association with pre-diabetes/diabetes. Moreover, interaction models in the present study clearly reveal the fact that females were less likely to suffer from pre-diabetes/diabetes than males. Additionally, it was found that the prevalence of pre-diabetes/diabetes was high among female adolescents from lower socio-economic strata.
Conclusion
Pre-diabetes/diabetes conditions can be prevented among adolescents with effective approaches available. Regular exercise and involvement in moderate to high physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding substance use, and cholesterol levels are recommended to control pre-diabetes/diabetes conditions among adolescents.
Serological, microbiological and molecular investigation of Brucella infection in milk and blood of Iranian horses
Authors: Motlagh Ladan Raeesi , Sadrabad Elham Khalili , Ghalebi Seyed Razi , Nejad Ramin Bagheri , Astani Akram , Kiani Narges , Tafti Arefeh Dehghani , Mohajeri Fateme Akrami
Published: October 2020

Background

Brucellosis is one of the most well-known and important zoonoses in the world, especially in Iran. Horse milk is a rare and expensive product with high nutrient ingredients in comparison to cow milk. In current study, a total of 164 blood and milk samples were randomly selected from 82 mares in Yazd city, Iran. Rose Bengal test (RBT) and milk ring test (MRT) methods were used as serological methods. A genus-specific PCR test targeting IS711 was performed using the primers ISP1 and ISP2 to identify Brucella. Specific primers were also used to identify Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis at species level and then samples were sequenced. Positive PCR samples were cultured for bacterial isolation.
Results

Based on serological tests in milk and blood samples, no positive case was found. None of the blood samples were positive to identify Brucella genus, but 3 milk samples (3.66%) were positive in PCR assay. All 3 samples were identified as Brucella abortus. However, the microbiological culture of these samples did not lead into isolation of bacteria and no growth was observed. PCR can be applied as a sensitive method for diagnosis of Brucella infection in horses.
Conclusion

As the potential of Brucella infection confirmed by PCR in current study, special considerations should be taken to prevent close contact between horses and natural. Brucella hosts particularly in regions where horse milk is consumed by people. Health authorities should be aware of possible transmission of brucellosis by horse milk consumption which should be considered in control measures.
Fasa Registry on Diabetes mellitus (FaRD): Feasibility Study and Pilot Phase Results
Authors: Pezeshki Babak , Karimi Aliasghar , Ansari Amir , yazdanpanah Mohammad Hosein , Elmi Mitra , Nikmanesh Amirreza , Moalemi Saba , Modaresi Farzaneh
Published: October 2020

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common chronic diseases. This disease is the main risk factor of fetal diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke. There is no cure for DM, and an effective strategy must control it. Every attempt to control DM and patient outcomes require a surveillance system to consider the efficacy and safety measures. Fasa Registry on Diabetes mellitus (FaRD) is the first population-based registry for DM in Iran targeted to provide a meticulous description of social, mental health, clinical, and laboratory values of patients, to consider the management patterns of these patients, to discover the degree of adherence to the recommendations.Methodsthe diagnosis of diabetes (Type I and II) characterized by the level of plasma glucose. The pregnant women were excluded. Three registrar nurses collected data on demographics, physical exams, past medical history, medication history, and laboratory findings. Resultsthe pilot phase included the first 381 patients, 257 (67.5%) were women, and 124 (32.5%) were men. With a mean age of 57.54 ± 12.12years among subjects, the 347 (94.5%) of them had DM type 2, and 20 (5.4%) of them had type 1. ConclusionBased on our results, the characteristics of patients suffering DM do not afford their medical cost, so the majority of them were not adherence to the practice guidelines.The achievement of FaRD helps physicians and patients to better controlling the DM.The finding of this pilot study shows the FaRD is feasible, and it will make a comprehensive population-based registry for DM in the region.
10D: Feasibility Study of a Novel Low-cost Brazilian Emergency Mechanical Ventilator
Authors: Flato Uri Adrian Prync , Santos Patricia C. dos , Manhoso Fábio , Serva Fernanda Mesquita , Dias Jeferson , Bueno Carlos Eduardo , Garbelini Guilherme , Biteli Piero , Scorsato Paulo , Friolani Milena , Repetti Claudia , Franco Rodrigo Prevedello , Piai Marcelo , Silva Leticia da , Porto Camila , Cunha Isabelle da , Pereira Elisa Rita , Bueno Beatriz , Buchaim Daniele , Buchaim Rogério , Peres Samuel , Peres Mariane , Peres Alex , Narciso Antônio , Ramires Danilo , Teixeira Dannys , Fujikawa Fausto , Bezerra Francisco , Habache João , Bonzanini João , Laureano Júlio , Pansani Luiz , Cavachioli Marcelo , Pansani Márcio , Martins Marcos , Souza Matheus R de , Filho Osvaldo Oliveira , Santos Walter dos , Fregatto Luiz Fernando , Novaretti José Pedro , Reis Carlos Henrique , Cremonez Caroline Marroni , Serva Márcia Mesquita
Published: October 2020

Background: The current need for pulmonary mechanical ventilation related to COVID-19 exceeds the ability of health systems worldwide to acquire and produce mechanical ventilators. The major cause of mortality in patients with this disease is hypoxemia secondary to an inflammatory storm in the lungs associated with thrombotic events. A partnership was established between the university and the private engineering and industrial automation sector to concept and design novel a low-cost emergency mechanical ventilator that could be rapidly available for use in emergency, transport or low-resource health care system, and attend the urgent demand of artificial respiratory system that is need worldwide. It was evaluated the viability of oxygenation and pulmonary ventilation with an emergency mechanical ventilation device called 10D-EMV in animal experiments. A two-stage sequential adaptive study was conducted in 10 sheep, divided into group I (PEEP valve close to the device) and group II (PEEP valve distal to the device). Each animal underwent mechanical ventilation for a total of 120 minutes. Results: The mean oxygenation in group I and group II were 368 mmHg and 366 mmHg, respectively, while the mean partial pressure of carbon dioxide was 58 mmHg and 48 mmHg. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the viability of the 10D device as a novel proposed emergency mechanical ventilator, in order to attend the pandemics demand. Further clinical studies in humans are needed to assess its safety and efficacy.
Renin-angiotensin System Modulators and Other Risk Factors in COVID-19 Patients With Hypertension: A Korean Perspective
Authors: Kim Hee-Sung , Kang Gilwon , Kang Minseok
Published: October 2020

Background: While hypertension is the most common comorbid condition in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Korea, there is a lack of studies investigating risk factors in COVID-19 patients with hypertension in Korea. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects risk factors in hypertensive Korean COVID-19 patients.Methods: We selected patients from the database of the project #OpenData4Covid19. This information was linked to their 3-year historical healthcare data. The severity of the disease was classified into five levels. We also clustered the levels into two grades.Results: The risk factors associated with COVID-19 severity were old age, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), malignancy, and renal replacement therapy. The use of ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) both before and after a diagnosis of COVID-19 were not associated with COVID-19 severity. A multivariate analysis revealed that old age, male sex, diabetes mellitus, and renal replacement therapy were risk factors for severe COVID-19Conclusion: The results suggest that in hypertensive patients with COVID-19, older age, male sex, a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and renal replacement therapy were risk factors for a severe clinical course. In addition, the use of ARBs and ACEIs before or after COVID-19 infection did not affect a patient’s risk of contracting COVID-19 nor did it contribute to a worse prognosis for the disease. These results highlighted that precautions should be considered for hypertensive patients with those risk factors and do not support discontinuation of ARBs and ACEIs during COVID-19 pandemic.
Model uncertainty and decision making: Predicting the Impact of COVID-19 Using the CovidSim Epidemiological Code
Authors: Edeling Wouter , Hamid Arabnejad , Sinclair Robert , Suleimenova Diana , Gopalakrishnan Krishnakumar , Bosak Bartosz , Groen Derek , Mahmood Imran , Crommelin Daan , Coveney Peter
Published: October 2020

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) virus has rapidly spread worldwide since December 2019, and early modelling work of this pandemic has assisted in identifying effective government interventions. The UK government relied in part on the CovidSim model developed by the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College London, to model various non-pharmaceutical intervention strategies, and guide its government policy in seeking to deal with the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic during March and April 2020. CovidSim is subject to different sources of uncertainty, namely parametric uncertainty in the inputs, model structure uncertainty (i.e. missing epidemiological processes) and scenario uncertainty, which relates to uncertainty in the set of conditions under which the model is applied. We have undertaken an extensive parametric sensitivity analysis and uncertainty quantification of the current CovidSim code. From the over 900 parameters that are provided as input to CovidSim, we identified a key subset of 20 parameters to which the code output is most sensitive. We find that the uncertainty in the code is substantial, in the sense that imperfect knowledge in these inputs will be magnified to the outputs, up to the extent of ca. 300%. Most of this uncertainty can be traced back to the sensitivity of three parameters. Compounding this, the model can display significant bias with respect to observed data, such that the output variance does not capture this validation data with high probability. We conclude that quantifying the parametric input uncertainty is not sufficient, and that the effect of model structure and scenario uncertainty cannot be ignored when validating the model in a probabilistic sense.
Study on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Granite After Multiple Thermal Shock Treatments
Authors: Yu Li , PENG Hai-wang , Zhang Yu , Li GuoWei
Published: October 2020

To study the influence of thermal shock caused by water cooling on the physical and mechanical properties of high-temperature granite, granite was subjected to an increasing number of high-temperature (300℃) water-cooling and thermal shock treatment cycles, and static mechanical experiments were carried out on the treated granite. The results support the following conclusions: (1) Thermal shock causes an increase in the number and size of the pores and cracks within the granite; thus, its volume expands, density decreases, water absorption rate increases, and P-wave velocity decreases. (2) With an increase in the number of thermal shocks, both the compressive strength and tensile strength of the granite decrease, and there is a linear relationship between the compressive strength and tensile strength. With the corresponding fitting formula, the change in the strength of the granite can be accurately predicted. (3) With an increase in the number of thermal shocks, the plasticity of the granite increases and its resistance to deformation weakens, which is manifested as a decrease in both the compressive modulus and tensile modulus of the granite. After 15 cycles of thermal shock, the compressive elastic modulus and tensile modulus of the granite decreased by 25.18% and 46.76%, respectively. (4) The m and s values of the damaged granite were calculated based on the Hoek-Brown empirical criterion, and it was found that both of these parameters decrease with the increase in the number of thermal shocks. The calculation results can provide a reference for engineering rock mass failure.Clinical trial registration