bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decreased Central and Limbal Epithelium Thickness After Corneal Crosslinking Evaluated by Anterior Segment Optic Coherence Tomography
Authors: GÜÇLÜ HANDE , AKARAY İRFAN , KAYA ÖZLEM
Published: April 2021

Aim: To Investigate the central cornea, limbal epithelium thickness and stroma thickness after corneal cross-linking by Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT) and Scheimpflug topography.Methods: Fifteen keratoconus patients treated with cross-linking(CXL) and fifteen untreated keratoconus patients was included to the study. Corneal central, limbal epithelial, stromal and total thickness with was analyzed by using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Topography (AS-OCT) and keratometric values ​​were analyzed by Scheimpflug topography.Results: There was a statisticallly significant difference between treated and untreated keratoconus patients according to limbal epithelial thickness (LET). Limbal epithelial thickness was 30.7 ± 5.5µm in the treated keratoconus patients and 45.6 ± 11.5µm in the untreated patients (p = 0.04). Central corneal epithelial thickness (CCET) was 38.27±3.5 in the treated group and 60.8 ± 10.9µm in the untreated group. There was a statistically signifficant difference the between two groups (p=0.01). The posterior astigmatism value was 0.7 ± 0.3D in the treated group and 0.9 ± 0.5D in untreated group by Scheimpflug topography (p=0.03).Conclusion: Our study have shown that the central corneal epithelium and limbal epithelium were significantly thinned as a result of corneal cross-linking. Corneal posterior astigmatism value decreased among the keratometric values. Epithelial thickness and limbal thickness alterations detected with Ant-OCT could be useful for monitorizing the keratoconus patients treated with crosslinking and could show the effectivity of the treatment.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices, Farm Income and Food Security among Rural Households in Africa
Authors: Abdallah Abdul-Hanan , Abdul-Rahman Awal , Issahaku Gazali
Published: April 2021

Sustainable agriculture has been recognized in the literature as one of the important pathways to ensuring food systems and livelihoods among rural households in Africa. Using data from the ‘Intensification of Food Crops Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa (Afrint)’ project, we examine the impact of adoption of multiple sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) - zero-tillage, intercropping, residue incorporation and animal manure - on farm incomes and food security (captures as self-sufficiency in food production-SSF) among African rural households. Multinomial endogenous treatment effect (METE) method is applied to control potential selection bias. In addition, the multivalued treatment effects (MTE) model and dose-response-functions (DRFs) are also used to examine the treatment effects heterogeneity associated with SAPs adoption. The study reveals that joint adoption of SAPs is increased farm income and food security relative to the adoption of a single practice. Households obtain significantly higher farm income (FI) and food security (FS) via adoption of at least three practices relative to households adopting less than three practices. These findings reaffirm the benefits of adopting SAPs as a package rather than single practice, to enable farm households to derive significant welfare benefits.
FEBSRA: Fuzzy Trust Based Energy Aware Balanced Secure Routing Algorithm for Secured Communications in WSNs
Authors: R Anitha , R Tapas Bapu B , G Kuppusamy P , N Partheeban , N Sasikumar A
Published: April 2021

Energy efficiency is playing major role in the design of a sensor network for improving the network lifetime and the trust is also important for providing the security to the data communication process. Delay is also major challenge today due to the enormous volume of network users. For overcoming all these issues, many researchers have been developed energy efficient security mechanisms for fulfilling the requirements. Even though, they are not able to satisfy the current requirements and users in terms of energy consumption, delay and security. For this purpose, this paper propose a new algorithm called Fuzzy Trust Based Energy Aware Balanced Secure Routing Algorithm (FEBSRA) which is able to provide the effective delay constrained secured routing algorithm which uses the fuzzy logic is a form of many-valued logic in which the truth values of variables may be any real number between 0 and 1 both inclusive for making final decision over sensor nodes with the consideration of number of hops between the source and destination nodes, energy level of the nodes and the trust scores. Moreover, a new trust model is also introduced new formulae for calculating the trust scores with the consideration of energy level of the communication delay which is calculated by using number of hops used for the specific communication. The experimental results of the proposed secured routing algorithm demonstrated that the performance in terms of energy consumption, less delay and high throughput with security is better when compared to the existing systems.
Investigation into the gas adsorption-loading coupling damage constitutive model of coal rock
Authors: Liu Zhongzhong , Wang Hanpeng , Wang Su , Xue Yang , Zhang Chong
Published: April 2021

Coal and gas outburst is the result of comprehensive action of in-situ stress, gas and mechanical properties of coal rock. The coupling effect of loading and gas adsorption eventually leads to the coal rock failure. Based on the principle of strain equivalence and considering the coupling effect of gas adsorption and stress loading, an adsorption-loading coupling damage model is established which breaks through the bottleneck of only considering single influencing factor. Taking briquette samples with controllable properties as the research object, uniaxial compression tests of coal rock at different gas adsorption pressures are carried out, and the model is verified based on the test results. The results of model calculation and tests show that the meso damage stage of coal body can well correspond to the macroscopic deterioration phenomenon and it is in good agreement with the stress-strain curve. It is proved that the model has good applicability and can accurately describe the damage and failure process of coal rock.
Toxic Elements Contents and Associated Potential Ecological Risk in the Bottom Sediments of Hrazdan River Under the Impact of Yerevan City (Armenia)
Authors: Tepanosyan Gevorg , Harutyunyan Norik , Maghakyan Nairuhi , Sahakyan Lilit
Published: April 2021

This research aimed to assess the ecological status of the Hrazdan river section flowing through Yerevan. The distribution of toxic elements (Cr, V, As, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Pb, Ti, Mo, Fe, Ba), the bottom sediments pollution level and ecological risks, were assessed employing the contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), the potential ecological risk index (RI) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo). On sampling sites, water quality parameters (turbidity, DO, conductivity (EC), salinity, TDS, pH, T°C) were measured, as well. The correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between Zn - Cu, Pb; Cu - Pb, Mo; Co - Fe, Ti pointing out the similar sources and origination of these elements. The results have indicated that the content of the studied elements in the Hrazdan bottom sediments exceed the background content in urban soils, which is due to a set of geological and anthropogenic factors. High contents of elements were determined on sampling sites spatially confined to the residential and industrial areas. According to EF and Igeo data, the priority bottom sediment contaminants are As, Pb, Mo, Zn, V, Cu. The RI value varies from 195.9 to 316.3 with the mean of 245.9 which corresponds to the moderate-level ecological risk. On the whole, a moderate (77.8%) and considerable (22.2%) ecological risk was revealed. An essential source of Pb, Cu, Zn, Mo contents was itentified to be the surface runoffs in urban environment.
Knowledge, Psychological Impacts, and Protective Behaviors During the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic Among Chinese Immigrants with School-Age Children in Canada
Authors: Kong Yujia , Shaver Lance Garrett , Shi Fuyan , Yang Lixia , Zhang Weiguo , Wei Xiaoling , Zhan Eleen , Effiong Andem , Wang Peizhong Peter
Published: April 2021

Background : The impact of COVID-19 on the emotions and behaviors of overseas Chinese immigrants and their families living in Canada has been poorly studied. The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge, protective behaviors, and psychological impact of COVID-19 on Chinese immigrants and determine whether having school-age children was associated with adverse psychological outcomes. Methods: Using an online survey of 757 Chinese immigrants in Canada from April 2020, data regarding the perceptions of COVID-19, psychological impact, protective behaviors, and sociodemographic characteristics were collected and analyzed. A total of 747 eligible respondents were finally included in the analysis. Most of the participants (65.8%) were female and 77.2% had a university degree or higher. Results: There were no significant differences in knowledge of COVID-19 in participants with or without children aged 16 years or under. Participants with children aged 16 years or under were more likely to perceive themselves as being at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 than those without (P=0.023). Participants with children aged 16 years and under were also more likely to feel depressed (P = 0.007) or stressed (P = 0.010). In addition, parents with children aged 16 years and under were more likely to adopt protective behaviors, for example, washing and sanitizing hands frequently or disinfecting work and living spaces. Conclusions: For the most part, Chinese immigrants with children aged 16 years and under were more prone to negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety, and fear. These findings may assist key stakeholders with the identification and implementation of policies and interventions to support the needs of parents with young children, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Enhancement of Target Normal Sheath Acceleration via Improved Fast Electron Heating in a Controlled Pre-Plasma Driven by a Femtosecond Laser Pre-Pulse
Authors: Gizzi Leonida , Boella Elisabetta , Labate Luca , Baffigi Federica , Bilbao Pablo , Brandi Fernando , Cristoforetti Gabriele , Fazzi Alberto , Fulgentini Lorenzo , Giove Dario , Koester Petra , Palla Daniele , Tomassini Paolo
Published: April 2021

The interaction of ultraintense laser pulses with solids is largely affected by the plasma gradient at the vacuum-solid interface, which modifies the absorption and ultimately, controls the energy distribution function of heated electrons. A micrometer scale-length plasma has been predicted to yield a significant enhancement of the energy and weight of the fast electron population and to play a major role in laser-driven proton acceleration with thin foils. We report on recent experimental results on proton acceleration from laser interaction with foil targets at ultra-relativistic intensities. We show a three-fold increase of the proton cut-off energy when a micrometer scale-length pre-plasma is introduced by irradiation with a low energy femtosecond pre-pulse. Our realistic numerical simulations agree with the observed gain of the proton cut-off energy and confirm the role of stochastic heating of fast electrons in the enhancement of the accelerating sheath field.
Cancer drivers and clonal dynamics in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia subtypes
Authors: Studd James , Cornish Alex , Hoang Phuc , Law Philip , Houlston Richard
Published: April 2021

To obtain a comprehensive picture of composite genetic drivers events and clonal dynamics in subtypes of paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) we analysed tumour-normal whole genome sequencing and expression data from 361 newly diagnosed patients. We report the identification of both novel coding and structural drivers as well as recurrent non-coding variation in promoters and cis-regulatory regions. The transcriptional profile of histone gene cluster 1 and CTCF altered tumours shared hallmarks of hyperdiploid ALL suggesting a ‘hyperdiploid like’ subtype. ALL subtypes are driven by distinct mutational processes with AID mutagenesis being confined to ETV6-RUNX1 tumours. Subclonality is a ubiquitous feature of ALL, consistent with Darwinian evolution driving selection and expansion of tumours. Driver mutations in B-cell developmental genes (IKZF1, PAX5, ZEB2) tend to be clonal and RAS/RTK mutations subclonal. In addition to identifying new avenues for therapeutic exploitation this analysis highlights that targeted therapies should take into account composite mutational profile and clonality.
Inter-observer variations of the tumor bed delineation for patients after breast conserving surgery in preoperative magnetic resonance and computed tomography scan fusion
Authors: Jiang Jie , Chen Jinhu , Li Wanhu , Li Yongqing , Chen Yiru , Zhang Zicheng , Liu Chengxin , Han Dan , Sun Hongfu , Li Baosheng , Huang Wei
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Tumor bed (TB) delineation based on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (pre-MRI) fused with postoperative computed tomography (post-CT) were compared to post-CT only to define pre-MRI may aid in improving the accuracy of delineation. Methods and materials: The pre-MRI imaging of 10 patients underwent radiotherapy (RT) after breast conserving surgery (BCS) were reviewed. Post-CT scans were acquired in the same prone position as pre-MRI. Pre-MRI and post-CT automatically match and then manual alignment was given to enhance fusion consistency. 3 radiation oncologists and 2 radiologists delineated the clinical target volume (CTV) for CT-based. The gross target volume (GTV) of pre-MRI-based was determined by the volume of tumor acquired with 6 sequences: T1, T2, T2W-SPAIR, DWI, dyn-eTHRIVE and sdyn-eTHRIVE, expended 10 mm to form the CTV-pre-MRI. Planning target volume (PTV) for each sequence was determined by CTV extended 15 mm, trimmed to 3mm from skin and the breast-chest wall interface. The variability of the TB delineation were developed as follows: the mean volume, conformity index (CI) and dice coefficient (DC). Results: The mean volumes of CTV and PTV delineated with CT were all larger than those with pre-MRI. The lower inter-observer variability was observed from PTV, especially in sdyn-eTHRIVE in all sequences. For each sequence of pre-MRI, all DCs were larger than post-CT, and the largest DC was observed by sdyn-eTHRIVE sequence fusion to post-CT. The overlap for PTV was significantly improved in the pre-MRI-based compared with the CT-based. Conclusions: TB volumes based on pre-MRI were smaller than post-CT with CVS increased. Pre-MRI provided a more precise definition of the TB with observers performed a smaller inter-observer variability than CT. Pre-MRI, especially in sdyn-eTHRIVE sequence, should help in reducing treatment volumes with the improved accuracy of TB delineation of adjuvant RT of breast cancer. Keywords: Breast cancer, radiotherapy, tumor bed, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography
Test on Rigid-flexible Composite Anti-breaking Measure for Tunnels across Stick-slip Fault
Authors: Guang-yao Cui , Bohan Song
Published: April 2021

In this paper, based on the F8 stick-slip fault section of Longxi Tunnel in China, the effect of the anti-breaking measure of rigid-flexible composite (reinforcement of the secondary lining & construction of the reducing dislocation layer between the primary support and the secondary lining) is studied by using the method of indoor model test in order to improve the anti-breaking performance of the tunnel across stick-slip fault in the actual tunnel engineering. The test results show that the anti-breaking effect is limited by adopting structural strengthening measures to resist the influence of stick-slip dislocation on the tunnel structure and the anti-breaking effect is obvious by adopting the measures of reducing dislocation layer only. However, the structural safety of the tunnel with stick-slip fault in the strong seismic intensity area can be greatly improved by adopting the anti-breaking measure of rigid-flexible composite, and the structural safety factor can be significantly improved. The research results of this paper can provide a reference for the anti-breaking design of the tunnel across stick-slip fault in the high seismic intensity area.
Particles and Corrected Particles of LDL and Non-HDL are Stronger Predicters of Coronary Lesion in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Li Chuang , CHEN Jingxun , Wei Siyue , Zhang Mei , Chu Yushun , Meng Fanpeng , Wang Jianyu , Tang Jie , Luo Jian , Yang Yu , Niu Xiulong , Cai Wei
Published: April 2021

Background The optimum lipid indexes, predicting the coronary lesion in postmenopausal women are not clear.Objective To find the optimum lipid predicter for coronary lesion in routine and advanced lipid tests.Method 300 postmenopausal women were enrolled and divided into coronary heart disease (CHD) Group (242), and non-CHD Group. Routine and advanced lipid indexes were measured with standard laboratory test and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The correlation and predictivities for CHD of routine and advanced lipid indexes were performed with Logistic regression, Spearman correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Results Age (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08 ~ 5.86, P = 0.03), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.15 ~ 1.59, P < 0.001), corrected particles of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-p-corr) (HR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03 ~ 1.06, P < 0.001) and corrected particles of non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL-p-corr) (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01 ~ 1.03, P < 0.001) were the risk factors of CHD. LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), LDL-p, LDL-p-corr, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C), non-HDL-p and non-HDL-p-corr were in linear correlation with Gensini score. Advanced lipid indexes LDL-p (area under curve (AUC) = 0.750, P = 0.02), LDL-p-corr (AUC = 0.759, P = 0.02), non-HDL-p (AUC = 0.693, P = 0.03) and non-HDL-p-corr (AUC = 0.699, P = 0.03) were more predictive for CHD than the routine ones (LDL-C and non-HDL-C). ConclusionIn postmenopausal women, age, ApoB, LDL-p-corr and non-HDL-p-corr were risk factors of CHD. Compared with traditional lipid items, LDL-p, LDL-p-corr, non-HDL-p and non-HDL-p-corr may be better lipid indexes for CHD in postmenopausal women.
Mitigation of Scintillation Effects in WDM-FSO System Using Homodyne Detection
Authors: Rani Neha , Singh Preeti , Kaur Pardeep
Published: April 2021

Free Space Optics is a line of sight communication which transmits a very narrow beam width. FSO offers high bandwidth and higher data rate up to 10Gbps. FSO units are transportable, compact and are easy to redeploy. With so many advantages of FSO there exists serious limitations of atmospheric effects which makes it inefficient for long reach transmission. Environment factors act as barriers in efficient utilization of FSO technology. A major issue in FSO links is the turbulence induced fading which severely deteriorates the link performance, hence need to be alleviated for the efficient use of this rapidly emerging technology. Various researches have been carried out in FSO field to minimize the effect of turbulence induced scintillation. One such technique has been employed in this paper in which coherent based homodyne detection is utilized in conjunction with multibeam technique in WDM-FSO system with aim to reduce the scintillation effect. The performance comparison of the homodyne detection and direct detection in terms of bit error rate, Q- factor, and eye diagram has been explored for the scintillating effect.
An immunocompetent 169-day prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding patient with high neutralizing antibody
Authors: Li Li , Li Siqi , Pan Yang , Wang Xiaoli , Qin Ling , Yang Siyuan , Tan Dawei , Hu Yaling , Knoll Maria , Wang Quanyi , Wang Linghang
Published: April 2021

Information with prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding among immunocompetent patients is limited. We describe a twice repositive 169-day prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding in an immunocompetent patient and explore potential factors from clinical, immunological and genomic perspectives. We found that continuous viral replication and infectivity could exist in an immunocompetent COVID-19 patient with high neutralizing antibody.
A Regionally Adaptable Ground-Motion Model for Fourier Amplitude Spectra of Shallow Crustal Earthquakes in Europe
Authors: Kotha Sreeram Reddy , Bindi Dino , Cotton Fabrice
Published: April 2021

Typical ground-motion models predict the response spectral ordinates (GMM-SA), which are the damped responses of a suite of single-degree-of-freedom oscillators. Response spectra represent the response of an idealized structure to input ground-motion, but not the physics of the actual ground-motion. To complement the regionally adaptable GMM-SA of Kotha et al. (2020), we introduce here a model capable of predicting Fourier amplitudes (GMM-FA); developed from the same Engineering Strong Motion (ESM) dataset for pan-Europe. This GMM-FA reveals the very high variability of high frequency ground-motions, which are completely masked in a GMM-SA. By maintaining the development strategies of GMM-FA identical to that of the GMM-SA, we are able to evaluate the physical meaning of the spatial variability of anelastic attenuation and source characteristics. We find that a fully data-driven geospatial index, Activity Index (AIx), correlates well with the spatial variability of these physical effects. AIx is a fuzzy combination of seismicity and crustal parameters, and can be used to adapt the attenuation and source non-ergodicity of the GMM-FA to regions and tectonic localities sparsely sampled in ESM. While AIx, and a few other parameters we touch upon, may help understand the spatial variability of high frequency attenuation and source effects, the high frequency site-response variability - dominating the overall aleatory variance - is yet unresolvable. With the rapid increase in quantity and quality of ground-motion datasets, we call for an upgrade of regionalization techniques, site-characterisation, and a paradigm shift to Fourier ground-motion models to complement the traditional response spectra prediction models.
Locus coeruleus activity improves cochlear implant performance
Authors: Froemke Robert , Glennon Erin , Zhu Angela , Wadghiri Youssef Zaim , Svirksy Mario
Published: April 2021

Cochlear implants are neuroprosthetic devices that can provide hearing to deaf patients1. Despite significant benefits offered by cochlear implants, there are highly variable outcomes in how quickly hearing is restored and perceptual accuracy after months or years of use2,3. Cochlear implant use is believed to require neuroplasticity within the central auditory system, and differential engagement of neuroplastic mechanisms might contribute to outcome variability4-7. Despite extensive studies on how cochlear implants activate the auditory system4,8-12, our understanding of cochlear implant-related neuroplasticity remains limited. One potent factor enabling plasticity is the neuromodulator norepinephrine from the brainstem locus coeruleus. Here we examined behavioral responses and neural activity in locus coeruleus and auditory cortex of deafened rats fitted with multi-channel cochlear implants. Animals were trained on a reward-based auditory task, with considerable individual differences of learning rates and maximum performance. Photometry from locus coeruleus predicted when implanted subjects would begin responding to sounds and longer-term perceptual accuracy, which were augmented by optogenetic locus coeruleus stimulation. Auditory cortical responses to cochlear implant stimulation reflected behavioral performance, with enhanced responses to rewarded stimuli and decreased distinction between unrewarded stimuli. Adequate engagement of central neuromodulatory systems is thus a potential clinically-relevant target for optimizing neuroprosthetic device use.
Digital Care Providers Antibiotic Prescribing Compared to Traditional Primary Healthcare: A Retrospective Database Study of 332,987 Healthcare Visits in Sweden.
Authors: Ivarsson Justyna , Wallman Thorne , Wallman Andy
Published: April 2021

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine if there was a difference in antibiotic prescribing between private digital care providers, and traditional primary healthcare, and to investigate if the prescriptions differed regarding diagnosis between virtual visits and physical visits adjusted for age, sex, and place of residence for patients seeking care digitally and in person.MethodsAntibiotic prescribing based on ATC-codes during the period of two months in 2020 was studied. Prescriptions issued by online doctors and by physicians working within PHC Sörmland County, Sweden were considered. Information about healthcare provider, date of the visit, staff category that patient had contact with, ICD-10-diagnosis codes, ATC-codes of prescribed medicines and personal information such as: age, sex, and place of residence were used. Statistical analysis and logistic regression were performed.ResultsAltogether 332,987 healthcare visits were registered. Of all visits to physicians at PHC in Region Sörmland, antibiotics were prescribed in 5.9% of cases, and 3.9% of all visits to online doctors. The total number of visits that led to infection diagnosis was 112,354. Within physical visits at PHC 21.5% infection visits ended with antibiotic prescription, while within online visits the corresponding percentage was 10.1%. Additionally, the study focused on seventeen infection diagnoses.ConclusionThis study has shown that private digital care providers do not prescribe more antibiotics than doctors at PHC. Probability of receiving antibiotic prescription during digital visits was 4.88 times lower compared to physical visits.
Inhibiting the soluble epoxide hydrolase increases the EpFAs and ERK1/2 expression in the hippocampus of LiCl-pilocarpine post-status epilepticus rat model
Authors: Peng Weifeng , Shen Yijun , Wang Qiang , Ding Jing , Wang Xin
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the enzyme activity of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and quantify metabolic substrates i.e. epoxygenated fatty acids (EpFAs) and products of sEH in the hippocampus after administering TPPU [1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl)urea], the inhibitor of sEH, and further explored whether the extracellular signal-activated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) was involved in the anti-seizure effect of TPPU in the lithium chloride (LiCl)-pilocarpine induced post-status epilepticus (SE) rat model.
Methods

The rats were intraperitoneally (I.P.) injected with LiCl and pilocarpine to induce SE and then spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) were observed. Rats were randomly assigned into SRS + 0.1 TPPU group (intragastrically administering 0.1 mg/kg/d TPPU), SRS + PEG 400 group (administering the vehicle instead), and Control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western-blot analysis, and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) were performed to measure the enzyme activity of sEH, the protein level of sEH and ERK1/2, and the concentration of TPPU and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) metabolisms in the hippocampus.
Results

The frequency of SRS that equal to or greater than Racine 3 degree ranged from 0 to 19 every week in the SRS + PEG 400 group comparing to 0 to 5 every week in the SRS + 0.1 TPPU group. The enzyme activity and protein level of sEH was significantly increased in the SRS + PEG400 group compared with the Control group. After administering TPPU, the concentration of TPPU in the hippocampus was 10.94 ± 4.37 nmol/kg; the enzyme level of sEH was significantly decreased in the LiCl-pilocarpine-induced post-SE rat model, however, the protein level of sEH did not decrease significantly; the regioisomers 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-EETs, the sums of EETs, the ratio of EETs/DHETs, and other EpFAs including 16(17) EpDPA and the ratio of 19(20)-EpDPA/19,20-DiHDPA in the hippocampus were significantly increased. In addition, the ratio of p-ERK1/2 to ERK1/2 in the hippocampus was significantly increased after TPPU administration either.
Conclusion

We demonstrated that inhibiting sEH with TPPU increased the levels of EETs and some other EpFAs and expression of ERK1/2 in the hippocampus of LiCl-pilocarpine-induced post-SE rat model, indicating the cellular mechanism of EETs through ERK1/2 pathway might be responsible for the anti-seizure effect of TPPU.
The challenge of equipoise: qualitative interviews exploring the views of health professionals and women with multiple ipsilateral breast cancer in a surgical randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ingram Jenny , Beasant Lucy , Benson John , Brunt Adrian Murray , Maxwell Anthony , Harvey James Richard , Greenwood Rosemary , Roberts Nicholas , Williams Norman , Johnson Debbie , Winters Zoe
Published: April 2021

Background. A multicentre feasibility trial (MIAMI), comparing outcomes and quality of life of women with multiple ipsilateral breast cancer (MIBC) randomised to therapeutic mammoplasty or mastectomy, has been conducted. The MIAMI feasibility trial aimed to investigate recruitment of sufficient numbers of women to this surgical trial, however only four patients were recruited. A nested qualitative study sought to understand the reasons for this lack of recruitment.Methods. Interviews were conducted from November 2019 to September 2020 with 17 staff from eight hospital-based breast care centres that recruited and attempted to recruit to MIAMI; and seven patients from four centres, comprising all patients who were recruited to the trial and some who declined to take part. Interviews were audio-recorded, anonymised and analysed using thematic methods of building codes into themes and sub-themes using the process of constant comparison.Results. Overarching themes of 1) influences on equipoise and recruitment and 2) effects of a lack of equipoise were generated. Within these themes health professional themes described the barriers to recruitment in ‘the treatment landscape has changed’; staff preferences and beliefs’ which influenced equipoise and patient advice; and how different the treatments were for patients. Patient themes of ‘altruism and timing of trial approach’; ‘influences from consultants and others’; and ‘diagnostic journey doubts’ played a part in whether patients agreed to take part in the trial.Conclusions. Barriers to recruiting to breast cancer surgical trials can be significant, especially where there are substantial differences between the treatments being offered and a lack of equipoise communicated by healthcare professionals to patients. Patients can become overwhelmed by numerous requests for participation in research trials and inappropriate timing of trial discussions. Alternative study designs to the gold standard randomised control trial for surgical interventions may be required to provide the high-quality evidence on which to base practice.Trial registration numbers: ISRCTN (ISRCTN17987569) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03514654).
A Unified Framework for Finite-/Fixed-Time Synchronization of Memristor Chaotic Systems and Its Application in Image Encryption
Authors: Wang Leimin , Jiang Shan , Ge Ming-Feng , Hu Junhao
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes a sliding-mode-based unified control framework to solve the synchronization problem of memristor chaotic systems. Both finite- and fixed-time synchronization of the memristor chaotic systems can be obtained in the uniform framework. According to the Lyapunov stability and finite-time stability theories, we demonstrate that the trajectories of error system reach the presented sliding-mode surface and converge to the origin along the surface in a finite/fixed time. Moreover, an image encryption algorithm is developed based on the presented control framework. Finally, the numerical simulations and the statistical performance analyses are discussed to illustrate the correctness of synchronization results, the effectiveness of the proposed encryption algorithm, and its potential applications in the scope of secure communication.
Physical Activity Levels and Mood State during COVID-19 Quarantine among the Kermanshah Population: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study
Authors: Azizi Mohammad , Aghababa Alireza , Hoseini Rastegar , Rohani Hadi , Nabilpoor Maghsoud
Published: April 2021

Background

One of the most important consequences of COVID-19 pandemic is anxiety and stress in the general population that can be reduced by regular physical activity. The aim of this study was to estimate the physical activity levels and mood state during covid-19 quarantine among the Kermanshah population.
Methods

In this cross-sectional study, using the purposeful random sampling method, a total of 2471 subjects ((male (n = 1256) and female (n = 1215)) were selected. To assess the physical activity level from physical activity questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF) and mood state was measured by the abbreviated form of the Iranian version of the standard POMS questionnaire (Bill Morgan 1979). The descriptive statistic method (mean, standard deviation, and percent), deductive (Chi- square and Spearman's correlation) were used for analyzing the data.
Results

The results showed that a significant difference was observed between the number of sessions (P = 0.001), intensity (P = 0.001), and duration of exercise (P = 0.001) before and during coronavirus. There are significant positive relationships between low (r = 0.93; P = 0.001) and high (r = 0.673; P = 0.034) levels of physical activity and negative mood state, and a positive relationship between moderate physical activity level (r = 0.82; P = 0.001) and positive mood state.
Conclusions

It could be determined that the current quarantine has negatively affected the mood state. In general, to prevent COVID-19, regular physical activity is recommended under the health and safety protocols.
Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) Outcomes in High-Risk Patients
Authors: Martínez-Báez Blanca Elizabeth , Medina-Andrade Abraham Alejandro , Oteyza Gonzalo García de , Quintela Everardo Hernández , Garcia-Albisua Ana Mercedes , Huerta Valeria Sánchez , Carter Guillermo de Wit
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the results, survival rates, and proportion of complications related to Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty in high-risk patients.
Methods

Thirty-three patients (thirty-four eyes) who underwent DSAEK surgery between 2015 and 2019 were included in this retrospective, observational study. All participants were considered high-risk patients with a history of previous glaucoma surgery with glaucoma drainage device, previous graft failure, previous anterior chamber intraocular lens, or glaucoma with an indication of corneal surgery.
Results

After 7.1 months of follow-up (range from 1 to 35.9 months), seventeen eyes (50%) had graft failure. Among those, eight eyes (47%) belonged to the previous graft failure group, and seven eyes (41%) had a glaucoma drainage device in the anterior chamber. Although best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) did not improve significantly postoperatively (p = 0.112), twelve eyes improved their visual acuity, and fifteen eyes remained unchanged. The percentage of eyes with BCVA of 20/40 or better improved from 11% preoperatively to 26% postoperatively. The most common surgical complication was lamellae dislocation, occurring in six eyes.
Conclusions

Adverse outcomes are highly common in high-risk patients who receive a DSAEK, especially in those patients for whom a graft previously failed or with a glaucoma drainage device. The most common complication was graft detachment, with a rate similar to other reports in non-high-risk patients. In our series, previous graft failure is a higher risk factor than a GDD.
The Effect of Genetic Polymorphisms on Treatment Duration Following Premolar Extraction
Authors: Yu Jiyon , Choi Yoon-Jeong , Choi Sung-Hwan , Jung Han-Sung , Lee Ji Hyun , Cha Jung-Yul
Published: April 2021

To elucidate genetic factors affecting orthodontic treatment duration, we employed targeted next-generation sequencing on DNA from the saliva of 117 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment after premolar extraction. The clinical characteristics of patients were summarized, and the association of clinical variables with treatment duration was assessed. Patients whose treatment duration deviated from the average were classified into an extreme long group or an extreme short group. We identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly enriched in the two groups via targeted sequencing. Nine SNPs (six genes) were significantly enriched in both groups. In the extreme long group, the frequency of the CC genotypes of WNT3A, SPP1 (rs4754, rs9138), and TNFSF11, the TT genotype of SPP1 (rs1126616), as well as the GG genotype of SFRP2 was significantly higher than in the short group. In the extreme short group, the TC genotype of SPP1, the AA genotype of P2RX7, the CT genotype of TNFSF11, and the AG genotype of TNFRSF11A tended to exhibit higher frequency than in the long group. Taken together, we identified genetic polymorphisms related to treatment duration in Korean orthodontic patients undergoing premolar extraction. Accurate prediction of the treatment period through further research will be of great aid to patients as well as orthodontists.
MIMIC-IF: Interpretability and Fairness Evaluation of Deep Learning Models on MIMIC-IV Dataset
Authors: Meng Chuizheng , Trinh Loc , Xu Nan , Liu Yan
Published: April 2021

The recent release of large-scale healthcare datasets has greatly propelled the research of data-driven deep learning models for healthcare applications. However, due to the nature of such deep black-boxed models, concerns about interpretability, fairness, and biases in healthcare scenarios where human lives are at stake call for a careful and thorough examination of both datasets and models. In this work, we focus on MIMIC-IV (Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care, version IV), the largest publicly available healthcare dataset, and conduct comprehensive analyses of dataset representation bias as well as interpretability and prediction fairness of deep learning models for in-hospital mortality prediction. In terms of interpretability, we observe that (1) the best-performing interpretability method successfully identifies critical features for mortality prediction on various prediction models; (2) demographic features are important for prediction. In terms of fairness, we observe that (1) there exists disparate treatment in prescribing mechanical ventilation among patient groups across ethnicity, gender and age; (2) all of the studied mortality predictors are generally fair while the IMV-LSTM (Interpretable Multi-Variable Long Short-Term Memory) model provides the most accurate and unbiased predictions across all protected groups. We further draw concrete connections between interpretability methods and fairness metrics by showing how feature importance from interpretability methods can be beneficial in quantifying potential disparities in mortality predictors.
Rubber Degrading Strains of Microtetraspora and Dactylosporangium
Authors: Basik Ann Anni , Jayaram Nanthini , Yeo Chia Tiong , Sudesh Kumar
Published: April 2021

Latex clearing protein (lcp) found in Actinobacterial strains is reportedly critical for the initial oxidative cleavage of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene), the major polymeric unit of rubber. In this study, we screened 940 Actinobacterial strains isolated from various locations in Sarawak on NR latex agar and identified 18 strains from 5 genera that produced clearing zones and contained (latex clearing protein) lcp genes. We report here the first lcp genes from Microtetraspora sp. AC03309 (lcp 1 and lcp2) and Dactylosporangium sp. AC04546 (lcp1, lcp2, lcp3), together with their operon structure. Complete 16S rDNA gene sequence revealed that Dactylosporangium sp. AC04546 is 99% identical to Dactylosporangium sucinum RY35-23 whereas Microtetraspora sp. AC03309 is 98% identical to Microtetraspora glauca IFO14761. Morphological images and the spectrophotometric detection of aldehyde and keto groups in rubber samples incubated with the strains confirm the strains’ ability to degrade rubber-based products.
Study on the Average Speed of Particles from a Particle Swarm Derived from a Stationary Particle Swarm
Authors: Guo Tao
Published: April 2021

It has been more than 100 years since the advent of special relativity, but the reasons behind the related phenomena are still unknown. This article aims to inspire people to think about such problems. With the help of Mathematica software, I have proven the following problem by means of statistics: In 3-dimensional Euclidean space, for point particles whose speeds are c and whose directions are uniformly distributed in space (assuming these particles’ reference system is R0 if their average velocity is 0), when some particles (assuming their reference system is Ru), as a particle swarm, move in a certain direction with a group speed u (i.e., the norm of the average velocity) relative to R0, their (or the sub-particle swarm’s) average speed relative to Ru is slower than that of particles (or the same scale sub-particle swarm) in R0 relative to R0. The degree of slowing depends on the speed u of Ru and accords with the quantitative relationship described by the Lorentz factor c/√c2-u2. Base on this conclusion, I have deduced the speed distribution of particles in Ru when observing from R0.
Leading with local solutions to keep Yarrabah safe: A grounded theory study of an Aboriginal community- controlled health organisation’s response to COVID-19
Authors: McCalman Janya , Longbottom Marlene , Fagan Sara , Fagan Ruth , Andrews Suzanne , Miller Adrian
Published: April 2021

Introduction Pandemics such as COVID-19 are a serious public health risk for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, yet primary healthcare systems are not well resourced to respond to such urgent events. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a federal government advisory group recommended a rapid, tailored Indigenous response to prevent predicted high morbidity and mortality rates. This paper examines the efforts of one ACCHO, which in the absence of dedicated funding, pivoted its operations in response to COVID-19. Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service (Gurriny) is the only primary healthcare service in the discrete Indigenous community of Yarrabah, Far North Queensland. Methods The research was conducted at the request of the Chief Executive Officer of Gurriny. Grounded theory methods were used to sample and analyse transcripts of interviews with thirteen Gurriny staff and five others - Yarrabah and government leaders and community members, and 59 documents. Data were imported into NVIVO-12 and coded, with key concepts compared, organised into higher order constructs, then structured into a theoretical framework. Results Gurriny responded to COVID-19 by leading with local solutions to keep Yarrabah safe. Four key strategies were implemented: managing the health service operations, realigning services, educating and supporting community, and working across agencies. These strategies were enabled or hindered by five conditions: the governance and leadership capcity of Gurriny, relying on the health taskforce, locking the door, “copping it”, and (not) having resources. A year after the first case was experienced in Australia and on the eve of vaccine rollout to Indigenous communities, there have been no COVID-19 cases in Yarrabah. Discussion The success of the locally-led, holistic, comprehensive and culturally safe response of Gurriny suggests that such tailored place-based approaches to pandemics (and other health issues) are appropriate, but require dedicated resourcing. Key challenges related to fragmented and rapidly changing government processes, poorly coordinated communication and resource allocation channels, and bottlenecks in hierarchical funding approval processes.Conclusion The COVID-19 response in Yarrabah demonstrates the need for governance reform towards greater resourcing and support for local decision making.
Metabolomic Analysis and Identification of Sperm Freezability Biomarkers in Boar Seminal Plasma
Authors: Zhang Yu-ting , Liang Han-lin , Liu Yan , Zhao Meng , Xu Qian-qian , Liu Zhong-hua , Weng Xiao-gang
Published: April 2021

Background: In the freezing process of boar sperm, there are obvious differences of freezability between individuals. Studies suggest that specific freezability markers might be useful in good (GFE) and poor freezabitity ejaculates (PFE) selection prior to cryopreservation. Some potential markers of boar sperm freezability have been found from spermatozoa, little attention has been paid to seminal plasma. The seminal plasma is composed of secretions from testis, epididymis, and accessory sex glands, and the exposure of spermatozoa to small molecules such as metabolites can affect the sperm functions. However, details and significance of the seminal plasma metabolome related to boar sperm freezability are unknown. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to explore the difference in the metabolic level of seminal plasma between boars with differential freezability, and to explore the biomarkers of semen freezing tolerance. Results: A total of 953 metabolites were identified in boar semen plasma by UHPLC-qTOF-MS analysis, and 50 metabolites show significant change between GFE group and PFE group. Further, twelve metabolites were subjected to metabolic target analysis and three metabolites (D-Aspartic acid, N-Acetyl-L-glutamate (NAG), and Inosine) show differences.Conclusions: There is significant differece on metabolome of seminal plasma between GFE and PFE individuals. The D-Aspartic acid, NAG, and Inosine in seminal plasma may be potential markers for assessing sperm cryopreservation resistance in boars.
Flood disturbance affects morphology and reproduction of woody riparian plants
Authors: Fischer Sarah , Greet Joe , Walsh Christopher , Catford Jane
Published: April 2021

Riparian forests are structured and maintained by their hydrology. Woody riparian plants typically adapt to the local flood regime to maximise their likelihood of survival and reproductive success. Understanding how extant trees form and reproduce in response to flood disturbance is crucial for predicting vegetation changes and informing restoration. Working in a temperate evergreen riparian forest, we aim to determine whether disturbance-based responses of plants found in other ecosystems also typify woody plants in riparian forests where disturbances are non-lethal, annual events. Using plant surveys and 20-year modelled hydrological data, we examined whether i) the morphology (main stem diameter, height, crown width, crown extent, stem leaning) and ii) reproduction type (sexual and asexual reproduction) and extent of three dominant woody species (Eucalyptus camphora, Leptospermum lanigerum and Melaleuca squarrosa) vary with flood regime (flood frequency and flood duration); and iii) whether different morphology is associated with different reproductive strategies. Increased flooding generally resulted in increased stem numbers and greater stem leaning – morphologies associated with asexual reproduction – of our study species. More frequent flooding also reduced plant size and sexual reproduction in E. camphora. Sexual reproduction in the studied species was more common in taller plants with single, more upright stems in good condition. Flexible morphology and plastic reproductive strategy may constitute an adaptation to mild or chronic disturbance in floodplains. Our findings suggest that woody plants respond to physical disturbance in consistent ways regardless of the nature of the disturbance – be it fires, hurricanes or floods.