bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Rare Cause of Hydronephrosis: Retrocaval ureter
Authors: AKTAS Mehmet
Published: May 2021

Retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital anomaly that can cause hydroureteronephrosis. The right ureter winds posterior to the inferior vena cava and then continues to cours anteriorly due to abnormal embryogenesis of vena cava. Retrocaval ureter is seen mostly on the right side except patients with situs inversus. Although retrocaval ureter is a congenital disease, patients become symptomatic during the third or fourth decade of their lives. Flank pain, hematuria, upper tract urinary infections and urolithiasis are the symptoms can be seen. Ultrasound can show the dilation of the kidney but it is far from accurate diagnosis. Retrocaval ureter is diagnosed with intravenous pyelography (IVP), computed tomography urography (CTU) and magnetic resonance urography (MRU). Mild hydronephrosis with good excretory times can be followed without surgical intervention. But severe hydronephrosis with symptoms should be corrected with surgery. The surgical treatment involves excision of the retrocaval part of the ureter then bringing it anterior to the vena cava followed by ureteroureteral or ureteropelvic anastomosis. Open, laparoscopic and robotic surgeries are the different treatment modalities. Transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches are different options for the surgery. In this paper we report a retrocaval ureter case managed with laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy.
Tragic Rationality in Nietzsche’s Misreading of Plato in The Birth of Tragedy and Beyond
Authors: Marren Marina ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: May 2021

Shortly before the first publication of The Birth of Tragedy, Friedrich Nietzsche identified his philosophy as an “inverted Platonism.” Although, as Martin Heidegger warns, “we may not overlook the fact that the ‘inverted Platonism’ of his early period is enormously different from the position finally attained,” nonetheless, Nietzsche’s suspicion about otherworldly truths and optimistic faith in reason runs as a strong current throughout his works. I argue that Nietzsche’s view of Plato as the initiator of the “true world”—the world that must be overcome on Nietzsche’s valuation—and of Socrates as a proponent of logicality suffers from the same overly rationalistic thinking that Nietzsche himself impugns in Plato. To account for Nietzsche’s interest in setting up Plato as the origin of the system of thought he seeks to overcome, I analyze Nietzsche’s remarks on Plato’s Phaedo in the Birth of Tragedy.
Description and analysis of primary care-based COVID-19 interventions in Colombia
Authors: Hernández Rincón Erwin Hernando , Pimentel González Juan Pablo , Aramendiz Narváez Manuel Felipe , Araujo Tabares Raúl Andrés , Roa González Julián Mateo
Published: May 2021

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic was declared in early 2020, requiring different prevention and intervention measures on a large scale. In the case of Colombia, a series of measures focused on isolation and remote services provision were introduced in a context marked by health inequities. This article reviews the theoretical and normative references on primary care interventions in the Colombian response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A literature review was conducted in PubMed, LILACS, MEDLINE, and official documents and regulations issued in Colombia, the World Health Organization, and the Pan American Health Organization. A narrative synthesis was done of 33 documents based on their contribution to the implementation of primary care in Colombia and their role in the pandemic. Results The information was organized into two categories: Actions taken in Colombia in response to COVID-19 and Opportunities in primary care in response to COVID-19. Colombia’s actions were contrasted with world experience. Better pandemic control was found in countries that adopted primary care as a response. Primary care has strengthened the handling of the pandemic through community action, the provision of coordinated services, mental health inclusion, and the adoption of telemedicine processes. Conclusions In Colombia, primary care is presented as an opportunity to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the problems and needs derived from this situation. However, despite the above, there is resistance in the country to adopt this type of approach and complement the hospital-centric model to face the pandemic.
Minimal clinically important difference: The basics
Authors: Salas Apaza Julieta Aldana , Ariel Franco Juan Víctor , Meza Nicolás , Madrid Eva , Loézar Cristobal , Garegnani Luis
Published: May 2021

This article is part of a collaborative methodological series of narrative reviews on biostatistics and clinical epidemiology. This review aims to present basic concepts about the minimal clinically important difference and its use in the field of clinical research and evidence synthesis. The minimal clinically important difference is defined as the smallest difference in score in any domain or outcome of interest that patients can perceive as beneficial. It is a useful concept in several aspects since it links the magnitude of change with treatment decisions in clinical practice and emphasizes the primacy of the patient’s perception, affected by endless variables such as time, place, and current state of health, all of which can cause significant variability in results.
Severe sepsis and retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight preterm newborns in a third-level healthcare center in Lima, Peru between 2008 and 2018: A case-control study
Authors: Valdivia Alvaro , Bullard Elias Daniela , Herbozo Cecilia , Málaga German
Published: May 2021

Background Retinopathy of prematurity is the leading worldwide cause of visual impairment. There is little available data on its epidemiology and related factors and consequences in developing countries such as Peru. Due to this lack of information, we decided to do this study. Objectives To evaluate factors related to the development of retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight newborn patients. Methods We did a case-control (paired 1:1) study of patients admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital Cayetano Heredia between 2008 and 2018 who had a complete record in the Neocosur network database (N = 293). The case was defined as a preterm newborn patient with a birth weight lower than 1500 grams who developed any type or stage of retinopathy of prematurity; control was defined as a patient with similar characteristics without retinopathy. Univariate and bivariate analysis (using logistic regression model) was performed to obtain the odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Results Data were obtained from 57 cases and 57 controls admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Hospital Cayetano Heredia. Late-onset sepsis was the main factor associated with retinopathy of prematurity (odds ratio 4.39; 95% confidence interval 1.23 to 15.76, p = 0.02). Additionally, we performed a bivariate and multivariate analysis that showed that exposure to supplementary oxygen at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age and retinopathy of prematurity were not significantly associated (8.47; 0.51 to 141.17, p = 0.14). Conclusions Patients with late-onset sepsis have a 4.39 times higher odds of developing retinopathy of prematurity. Prospective studies are needed with larger sample sizes.
Effects of therapeutic alliance on clinical outcomes in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis undergoing an exercise program: A randomized clinical trial protocol
Authors: Cuyul-Vásquez Iván , Fuentes C Jorge
Published: May 2021

Background Previous evidence has shown that seniors physical therapists applying electrotherapy and an enhanced therapeutic alliance in their sessions can positively influence the levels of analgesia of patients with chronic low back pain. It is currently unknown if these effects can be achieved in people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis when receiving treatment focused on therapeutic exercise. Aim To determine the effects of different therapeutic alliance levels during the application of a therapeutic exercise program on pain intensity and pressure pain threshold in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Method This will be a randomized, parallel, two-arm, clinical trial. An intervention of three sessions of therapeutic exercise will be applied for one week. Patients aged 45 to 65 years old with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis will participate. Also, patients with a pain intensity of at least three months duration and 3 to 8 points in a numerical rating scale will be included. Patients will be randomly assigned to a therapeutic exercise experimental group with an enhanced therapeutic alliance (e.g., active listening, personalized conversation, empathy) or limited therapeutic alliance (e.g., one-way verbalization, brief interaction). Physical therapists will be trained in delivering these two levels of the therapeutic alliance. The pressure pain thresholds at the symptomatic knee and the pain intensity will be measured before and after the intervention. Discussion The results of this research will determine the impact of the therapeutic alliance as a nonspecific relevant factor during the application of a therapeutic exercise program in the treatment of patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Clinical trials registration number NCT04390932
The impact of COVID-19 preventive lockdowns on the prevalence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Waissbluth Sofia , García-Huidobro Francisco , Araya-Céspedes Macarena
Published: May 2021

Introduction The implementation of preventive lockdowns worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic has radically altered our daily lives. We have observed an increase in vertigo consultations during this period, mainly benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Objective To determine the impact of preventive lockdown on the prevalence and characteristics of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Methods We did a retrospective study. All patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo during July and August 2020 who visited the clinic in Red de Salud UC Christus, Santiago, Chile, were included. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, need for repositioning maneuvers, and medical history was compared with patients seen in July and August 2019. Cases secondary to trauma and with incomplete records were excluded. Results During July and August 2020, 99 patients consulted with a medical history compatible with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, average age 54.5 years, 68.9% were female. Repositioning maneuvers were required in 40.2% of cases. Of 28 patients with vitamin D levels, 27 showed deficiency/insufficiency. In 2019, for July and August, 54 patients were seen in the clinic with an average age of 61.7 years, and 83.3% were female. Repositioning maneuvers were required in 79.6%, and of the nine patients with vitamin D levels, seven presented deficiency/insufficiency. Statistically significant differences were observed regarding age, sex, and need for repositioning maneuvers. Conclusions A high prevalence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was observed during preventive lockdown for COVID-19 in our clinic. Patients were generally younger, and although it was more frequent in women, the incidence by sex was not as striking as in the previous year.
Digital marketing
Authors: Njegomir Vladimir
Published: May 2021

Marketing allows entrepreneurs to position themselves successfully in consumer awareness, to be successful competitors, and to satisfy consumer demands profitably. Entrepreneurs can use several marketing strategies, such as relationship marketing, expedition marketing, one-toone marketing, real-time marketing, and digital marketing. The aim of the paper is to discuss the advantages of digital marketing and certain forms of digital marketing in achieving entrepreneurial goals in the light of limited financial resources. In this paper, we will analyze the developmental stages of marketing. Then we will point to three critical forms of digital marketing: online marketing, social networking on the Internet, and mobile marketing. The main conclusion is that entrepreneurial marketing has a number of specific features arising from financial limitations of financial. Digital marketing does not require significant financial resources allocation and therefore represents an indispensable component of the entrepreneurs' market orientation.
Economic security as a function of corporate security: A stakeholders' perspective
Authors: Pavlović Dejan , Tot Vilmoš
Published: May 2021

Stakeholders have a dramatic impact on the corporate security organisation within a corporate system. Equity holders, managers, employees, trade unions, and other internal stakeholders exert the greatest influence on the corporate security system. As corporate security operations expand and become intertwined with different business processes, corporate security's impact on the company revenue grows higher. This paper will discuss the results of the study conducted among the staff of the NIS j.s.c. Procurement Sector. The goal of this paper is to examine how the employees, being significant internal stakeholders, perceive the role of corporate security in NIS j.s.c. in their core business practices, and to identify activities requiring improvement so as to raise the business operations security to a higher level.
Legal aspects of problem loans in Serbia: The issue of liability
Authors: Antić Jelena
Published: May 2021

The paper is motivated by the author's research into the issue of problem loans which present a serious obstacle to economic development. Taking into consideration the fact that a large amount research has been done with a goal of mitigating the effects of problem loans, the author attempts to investigate the causes of their and discusses the issue of the relationship between legal and social liability. The paper presents an analysis of the liability provisions of participants in the context of problem loans. Problem loans, in a broader sense, refer to any loans where there are problems in repayment, i.e. there is a risk in terms of an inability of a debtor to repay their debt. The main hypothesis is that each participant of the loan activity is liable for their actions, be they legal in nature or not. Applying logical, axiological, goal-oriented, and comparative law method, the author concludes that there is a need to strengthen liability and control mechanisms.
Difficulties in the diagnosis of HbS/beta thalassemia: Really a mild disease?
Authors: Uçucu Süheyl , Karabıyık Talha , Azik Fatih
Published: May 2021

Background: HbS/b cases having clinical, hematologic and electrophoretic similarities cannot be sufficiently distinguished from sickle cell anemia cases and are misdiagnosed as sickle cell anemia. This study will investigate the congruence between the HPLC thalassemia scanning tests and the laboratory findings compared to the DNA sequence analysis results of the patients diagnosed with SCA between 2016 and 2020. This study also aims to indicate the current status to accurately diagnose sickle cell anemia and HbS/b in the light of hematologic, electrophoretic and molecular studies. Methods: Fourteen patients who were diagnosed with SCA in hospitals at different cities in Turkey and followed by the Thalassemia Diagnosis, Treatment and Research Center, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University were included in this retrospective study. The socio-demographic characteristics, hemogram, hemoglobin variant analysis results and DNA chain analysis results of the patients were taken from the database of the centre and then examined. The informed consents were taken from the patients. The patients were administered a survey containing questions about transfusion history and diagnostic awareness. The Beta-Thalassemia mutations were analysed using a DNA sequencer (Dade Behring, Germany) based on the Sanger method. Results: According to the DNA sequence analysis, the results of these patients diagnosed with SCA in hospitals in different cities of Turkey were the following: of 14 patients, 8 had HbS/b0, and HbS/b+ and one had HbS carrier, and one had Hb-O, and three had SCA. The patient with HbS carrier status also contains three additional mutations, all of which are heterozygous. We discovered that although two of three mutations, which are c.315+16G>C and c.316-185C>T, are previously reported as benign, at least one of the two mentioned mutations, when combined with HbS, causes transfusion-dependent HbS/b. Conclusions: Briefly, HbSS and HbS/b thalassemia genotypes cannot be definitely characterized by electrophoretic and hematologic data, resulting in misdiagnosis. c.315+16G>C and c.316-185C>T are previously reported as benign; at least one of the two mentioned mutations, when combined with HbS, causes transfusion-dependent HbS/b. In undeveloped or some developing countries, molecular diagnosis methods and genetic analyses cannot be used. If mutation analyses could be performed, then such differential diagnosis errors would reduce. However, if mutation analysis cannot be performed, other methods such as HPLC, capillary electrophoresis absolutely be sought to have insight into the parental carriage status.
Directors' duty to consider the interests of creditors and other stakeholders when there is a likelihood of insolvency
Authors: Radić Irena
Published: May 2021

Directive (EU) 2019/1023 on restructuring and insolvency requires member states to ensure that, where there is a likelihood of insolvency, directors have due regard for the interests of creditors, equity holders, and other stakeholders. In this paper, the author analyzes the legal position and interests of creditors and other stakeholders when there is a risk of insolvency and briefly addresses the legal mechanisms of corporate law that are directed to protect the interests of creditors and other stakeholders. The author also analyzes the content of directors' duty as required by the Directive and the constraints and legal challenges of enforcement of the directors' duty to act in the interests of creditors and other stakeholders.
The right to offset the claims in accordance with the law on bankruptcy of the Republic of Serbia and in the region
Authors: Vrhovšek Vladimir , Kozar Vladimir
Published: May 2021

This article discusses a concept of legally permitted and limited offsetting in bankruptcy according to the law of the Republic of Serbia, with comparison to earlier regulations where the offsetting occurred by the force of law, as the legal consequence of initiating bankruptcy proceedings. Legal provisions, legal practice, opinion of the jurisprudence on general and special terms about the right to offset the claims in bankruptcy in the Republic of Serbia, as well as in the countries in the region, have been presented. Relevant legal solutions from laws on bankruptcy of Montenegro, Republic of Srpska, Republic of Croatia, and the Republic of Slovenia have been reviewed. Offsetting claims in bankruptcy proceedings are in principle allowed in regional countries as well. Regarding the effect of bankruptcy on the right to offset the claims, there is a great similarity among the legal solutions in regulations of above mentioned countries, except for the Republic of Slovenia. The Republic of Slovenia retained the broadest concept of legal compensation as a legal consequence of initiating bankruptcy proceedings, which constitutes an important difference compared to restrictive solutions of the Serbian bankruptcy law and regional legislation. This article aims to show to the business entities operating in the region, through comparative legal analysis, different conditions and procedure of offsetting in bankruptcy in national legislation, bearing in mind the importance of this legal institution, which allows the creditors to fully collect their claims outside the bankruptcy payment lines, and regardless of the number of available funds in the bankruptcy estate.
Hong Kong's autonomy under 'one country, two systems' principle: Challenging the concept of obligation in international law
Authors: Ćorić Vesna , Fernandez Jankov
Published: May 2021

The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was passed in June 2020 provoking the global outcry. The aim of this paper is to assess the compliance of the said law with the sources of international law, which are most relevant for the assessment of the problematic points of new legislation. In providing the analysis, the paper will not be focused only on the sources of international law, which are currently applicable. Instead, the previous relevant legal framework will also be taken into consideration where appropriate.
Problem Solvers: Make It 36
Authors: Tayeh Carla , Britton Barbara
Published: May 2021

The goal of the “Problem Solvers” department is to foster improved communication among teachers by posing a problem for K—6 teachers to try with their students. Every teacher can become an author: pose the problem, reflect on your students' work, analyze the classroom dialogue, and submit the resulting insights to this department. Every teacher can help us all better understand children's capabilities and thinking about mathematics with their contributions to the journal. Remember that even student misconceptions provide valuable information.
From the Classroom: Making Change: Pathways, Roads, and Bridges
Authors: Sugar Alan
Published: May 2021

Of the many learning activities that take place in an elementary classroom, children often seem to especially enjoy working with money and making change. The second- and third-grade quality core curriculums in Georgia, where I taught, specifically identify skill in working with money and making change.
Negative valence effect in affective forecasting: The unique impact of the valence among dispositional and contextual factors for certain life events
Authors: Christophe Virginie , Hansenne Michel
Published: May 2021

Decades of research on affective forecasting have shown a persistent intensity bias—a strong tendency by which people overestimate their future hedonic response for positive events and underestimate it for negatives one. While previous research has provided answers on the isolated impact of various individual or contextual factors, this study is original in that it brings them together to determine which ones most influence the inaccuracy of affective forecasting. Participants were asked to predict their emotional satisfaction for a personal life event, the course (positive or negative) and date of which were already known. First, the results support previous research by showing that affective predictions are highly associated with people’s affective experience. Moreover, multiple regression showed that among the individual and contextual factors previously reported to be in relation with affective forecasting inaccuracy, only the valence of the event could explain inaccuracy of forecasting. According to a growing body of literature, these findings point out a tendency to underestimate the intensity of the affect predicted both for negative and positive, with a stronger underestimation for negative events: the negative valence effect.
Method of reconstructing region of interest for differential phase contrast computed tomography imaging
Authors: Zhang Jing-Na , Zhang Hui-Tao , Xu Wen-Feng , Zhu Yi-Ning , Deng Shi-Wo , Zhu Pei-Ping ,   Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Imaging Theory and Technology, School of Mathematical Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China,   Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510335, China,   Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Published: May 2021

X-ray differential phase contrast computed tomography imaging based on grating interferometer system can reconstruct not only the linear attenuation coefficient, but also the phase shift coefficient and the linear scattering coefficient of the object. In practical application, it is very difficult to make a large area grating, so the sample is often larger than the grating. When the sample is scanned with a grating smaller than the sample, the part of the sample beyond the field of view of the grating will cause the differential phase projection information to be truncated. In this paper, a method of reconstructing the region of interest for differential phase contrast computed tomography is proposed. The method is based on the approximate linear relation between the phase shift coefficient of the object and the linear attenuation coefficient (i.e. the decrement in the real part of the refractive index and the imaginary part of the refractive index), the phase shift coefficient of the region of interest is approximately reconstructed by the polynomial of Lambda function of the phase shift coefficient and Lambda inverse function of linear attenuation coefficient. In this paper, according to the Fresnel diffraction theory and differential phase grating phase step-by-step method of imaging a simulation experiment is performed. In the experiment, conducted is the approximate reconstruction by using the first order polynomial and quadratic polynomial of Lambda function of the phase shift coefficient and Lambda inverse function of linear attenuation coefficient. The sample size is five times of grating imaging field, and the results show that this method can approximately reconstruct the region of interest for the sample image. We also carry out the actual data experiment. The actual data are obtained by the Talbot grating interferometer system of Shanghai synchrotron radiation BL13W1 station, and the standard model and biological sample are imaged. The method of reconstructing the region of interest is proposed in this paper. This method can be applied to the multi-material samples with a similar relationship between the decrement in the real part of the refractive index and the decrement in the imaginary part of the refractive index, and also to single-material samples. The comparison between the numerical simulations and the actual experimental results verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The Doubly Connected Minimal Surfaces Between Two Circles in Parallel Planes
Authors: Atampalage Madusha , Athukorallage Bhagya , Toda Magdalena
Published: May 2021

In this article, we revisit some results published by several mathematicians regarding existence and non-existence of doubly connected minimal surfaces between two circles in parallel planes. In particular, we propose new analytical interpretations and results for catenoidal solutions formed between two coaxial circles in parallel planes of arbitrary radii. We conclude by discussing the nature of the pair of the catenoidal solutions that arise from our proposed algorithm.
Development and validation of a nomogram to better predict hypertension based on a 10-year retrospective cohort study in China
Authors: Deng Xinna , Hou Huiqing , Wang Xiaoxi , Li Qingxia , Li Xiuyuan , Yang Zhaohua , Wu Haijiang
Published: May 2021

Background:

Hypertension is a highly prevalent disorder. A nomogram to estimate the risk of hypertension in Chinese individuals is not available.

Methods:

6201 subjects were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into training set and validation set at a ratio of 2:1. The LASSO regression technique was used to select the optimal predictive features, and multivariate logistic regression to construct the nomograms. The performance of the nomograms was assessed and validated by AUC, C-index, calibration curves, DCA, clinical impact curves, NRI, and IDI.

Results:

The nomogram140/90 was developed with the parameters of family history of hypertension, age, SBP, DBP, BMI, MCHC, MPV, TBIL, and TG. AUCs of nomogram140/90 were 0.750 in the training set and 0.772 in the validation set. C-index of nomogram140/90 were 0.750 in the training set and 0.772 in the validation set. The nomogram130/80 was developed with the parameters of family history of hypertension, age, SBP, DBP, RDWSD, and TBIL. AUCs of nomogram130/80 were 0.705 in the training set and 0.697 in the validation set. C-index of nomogram130/80 were 0.705 in the training set and 0.697 in the validation set. Both nomograms demonstrated favorable clinical consistency. NRI and IDI showed that the nomogram140/90 exhibited superior performance than the nomogram130/80. Therefore, the web-based calculator of nomogram140/90 was built online.

Conclusions:

We have constructed a nomogram that can be effectively used in the preliminary and in-depth risk prediction of hypertension in a Chinese population based on a 10-year retrospective cohort study.

Funding:

This study was supported by the Hebei Science and Technology Department Program (no. H2018206110).
Inflammation drives alternative first exon usage to regulate immune genes including a novel iron-regulated isoform of Aim2
Authors: Robinson Elektra K , Jagannatha Pratibha , Covarrubias Sergio , Cattle Matthew , Smaliy Valeriya , Safavi Rojin , Shapleigh Barbara , Abu-Shumays Robin , Jain Miten , Cloonan Suzanne M , Akeson Mark , Brooks Angela N , Carpenter Susan
Published: May 2021

Determining the layers of gene regulation within the innate immune response is critical to our understanding of the cellular responses to infection and dysregulation in disease. We identified a conserved mechanism of gene regulation in human and mouse via changes in alternative first exon (AFE) usage following inflammation, resulting in changes to the isoforms produced. Of these AFE events, we identified 95 unannotated transcription start sites in mice using a de novo transcriptome generated by long-read native RNA-sequencing, one of which is in the cytosolic receptor for dsDNA and known inflammatory inducible gene,Aim2. We show that this unannotated AFE isoform ofAim2is the predominant isoform expressed during inflammation and contains an iron-responsive element in its 5′UTR enabling mRNA translation to be regulated by iron levels. This work highlights the importance of examining alternative isoform changes and translational regulation in the innate immune response and uncovers novel regulatory mechanisms ofAim2.
Is Ex Vivo Training before In Vivo Training Effective in Learning Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection?
Authors: Pih Gyu Young , Lee Jung Su , Ahn Ji Yong , Kim Do Hoon , Na Hee Kyong , Lee Jeong Hoon , Jung Kee Wook , Choi Kee Don , Song Ho June , Lee Gin Hyug , Jung Hwoon-Yong
Published: May 2021

Background/Aims: The learning curve is essential in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) training to improve outcomes and reduce the risk of procedure-related complications. We compared the outcomes of gastric ESD in live pigs performed by inexperienced endoscopists with or without ex vivo training.Materials and Methods: At the Olympus Medical Training and Education Center, nine endoscopists inexperienced in ESD were randomly divided into two groups (group A: ex vivo training followed by in vivo training; group B: in vivo training only), and they performed gastric ESDs.Results: A total of 18 ESDs were performed. The en bloc resection rate was 88.9% (16/18), and the complete resection rate was 94.4% (17/18). The median specimen size was 2.5 cm in group A and 2.1 cm in group B (P=0.227). There was no significant difference in the procedure time between the two groups, except for the marking time (0′58″ vs. 2′58″, P=0.027). However, group A took a shorter time in dissecting the same area than group B (109 vs. 246 sec/cm2, P=0.083). Complication rates were not significantly different between both groups.Conclusions: The procedure time during in vivo ESD training in pigs may be shortened by prior ex vivo training. However, the ex vivo model presented poor air inflation, unstable fixation, and excessive mucosal hardness for cutting. An advanced simulator or sufficient ex vivo training may be effective in training for the ESD procedure.
Using application benchmark call graphs to quantify and improve the practical relevance of microbenchmark suites
Authors: Grambow Martin , Laaber Christoph , Leitner Philipp , Bermbach David
Published: May 2021

Performance problems in applications should ideally be detected as soon as they occur, i.e., directly when the causing code modification is added to the code repository. To this end, complex and cost-intensive application benchmarks or lightweight but less relevant microbenchmarks can be added to existing build pipelines to ensure performance goals. In this paper, we show how the practical relevance of microbenchmark suites can be improved and verified based on the application flow during an application benchmark run. We propose an approach to determine the overlap of common function calls between application and microbenchmarks, describe a method which identifies redundant microbenchmarks, and present a recommendation algorithm which reveals relevant functions that are not covered by microbenchmarks yet. A microbenchmark suite optimized in this way can easily test all functions determined to be relevant by application benchmarks after every code change, thus, significantly reducing the risk of undetected performance problems. Our evaluation using two time series databases shows that, depending on the specific application scenario, application benchmarks cover different functions of the system under test. Their respective microbenchmark suites cover between 35.62% and 66.29% of the functions called during the application benchmark, offering substantial room for improvement. Through two use cases—removing redundancies in the microbenchmark suite and recommendation of yet uncovered functions—we decrease the total number of microbenchmarks and increase the practical relevance of both suites. Removing redundancies can significantly reduce the number of microbenchmarks (and thus the execution time as well) to ~10% and ~23% of the original microbenchmark suites, whereas recommendation identifies up to 26 and 14 newly, uncovered functions to benchmark to improve the relevance.

By utilizing the differences and synergies of application benchmarks and microbenchmarks, our approach potentially enables effective software performance assurance with performance tests of multiple granularities.
A multi-division convolutional neural network-based plant identification system
Authors: Turkoglu Muammer , Aslan Muzaffer , Arı Ali , Alçin Zeynep Mine , Hanbay Davut
Published: May 2021

Background

Plants have an important place in the life of all living things. Today, there is a risk of extinction for many plant species due to climate change and its environmental impact. Therefore, researchers have conducted various studies with the aim of protecting the diversity of the planet’s plant life. Generally, research in this area is aimed at determining plant species and diseases, with works predominantly based on plant images. Advances in deep learning techniques have provided very successful results in this field, and have become widely used in research studies to identify plant species.

Methods

In this paper, a Multi-Division Convolutional Neural Network (MD-CNN)-based plant recognition system was developed in order to address an agricultural problem related to the classification of plant species. In the proposed system, we divide plant images into equal nxn-sized pieces, and then deep features are extracted for each piece using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). For each part of the obtained deep features, effective features are selected using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) algorithm. Finally, the obtained effective features are combined and classification conducted using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) method.

Results

In order to test the performance of the proposed deep-based system, eight different plant datasets were used: Flavia, Swedish, ICL, Foliage, Folio, Flower17, Flower102, and LeafSnap. According to the results of these experimental studies, 100% accuracy scores were achieved for the Flavia, Swedish, and Folio datasets, whilst the ICL, Foliage, Flower17, Flower102, and LeafSnap datasets achieved results of 99.77%, 99.93%, 97.87%, 98.03%, and 94.38%, respectively.
Using a mobile health app to improve patients’ adherence to hypertension treatment: a non-randomized clinical trial
Authors: Volpi Simiane Salete , Biduski Daiana , Bellei Ericles Andrei , Tefili Danieli , McCleary Lynn , Alves Ana Luisa Sant’Anna , De Marchi Ana Carolina Bertoletti
Published: May 2021

Poor adherence to hypertension treatment increases complications of the disease and is characterized by a lack of awareness and acceptance of ongoing treatment. Mobile health (mHealth) apps can optimize processes and facilitate access to health information by combining treatment methods with attractive solutions. In this study, we aimed at verifying the influence of using an mHealth app on patients’ adherence to hypertension treatment, also examining how user experience toward the app influenced the outcomes. A total of 49 participants completed the study, men and women, diagnosed with hypertension and ongoing medical treatment. For 12 weeks, the control group continued with conventional monitoring, while the experimental group used an mHealth app. From the experimental group, at baseline, 8% were non-adherent, 64% were partial adherents and 28% were adherent to the treatment. Baseline in the control group indicated 4.2% non-adherents, 58.3% partial adherents, and 37.5% adherents. After follow-up, the experimental group had an increase to 92% adherent, 8% partially adherent, and 0% non-adherent (P < 0.001). In the control group, adherence after follow-up remained virtually the same (P ≥ 0.999). Results of user experience were substantially positive and indicate that the participants in the experimental group had a satisfactory perception of the app. In conclusion, this study suggests that using an mHealth app can empower patients to manage their own health and increase adherence to hypertension treatment, especially when the app provides a positive user experience.
Credibilidad de los contenidos informativos en tiempos de fake news: Comunidad de Madrid
Authors:   Universidad San Pablo CEU, Vázquez-Barrio Tamara , Torrecilllas-Lacave Teresa ,   Universidad San Pablo CEU, Suárez-Álvarez Rebeca ,   Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (España)
Published: May 2021

Esta investigación explora las actitudes hacia el consumo de información para determinar los elementos que configuran la credibilidad de las noticias y captar los argumentos sobre el grado de confianza en los medios periodísticos y en las noticias en línea procedentes de otras fuentes. Se realizaron cuatro grupos de discusión mixtos con paridad entre hombres y mujeres, con estructura socioeconómica media, residentes en la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid, y usuarios frecuentes de Internet. Según los hallazgos, la confianza en un medio es el principal factor para valorar si una noticia es creíble. Los participantes conocen la existencia de noticias falsas en la red, que asocian con intencionalidad expresa y que ubican fundamentalmente en las redes sociales. También se desprende que la desconfianza hacia las noticias se combate contrastando la información en varios medios, lo que favorece una dieta informativa diversa.
Preparation of NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles by Solution Combustion Method as Photocatalyst of Congo red
Authors: Hariani Poedji Loekitowati , Said Muhammad , Rachmat Addy , Riyanti Fahma , Pratiwi Handayani Citra , Rizki Widya Twiny
Published: May 2021

NiFe2O4 nanoparticles had been successfully synthesized by solution combustion method using urea fuel (organic precursor). The synthesized NiFe2O4 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy-Electron Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDs), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), and Point of Zero Charge (pHpzc). NiFe2O4 nanoparticles irradiated with visible light were employed to degrade Congo red dye with the following variable: solution pH (3–8), H2O2 concentration (0.5–3 mM), and Congo red concentration (100–600 mg/L). XRD analysis results showed that the NiFe2O4 nanoparticles had a cubic spinel structure. The particle sizes are in the range of 10–40 nm. The magnetic properties of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles determined using VSM showed a magnetization saturation value of 47.32 emu/g. UV-Vis DRS analysis indicated that NiFe2O4 nanoparticles had an optical band gap of 1.97 eV. The success of synthesis was also proven by the EDS analysis results, which showed that the synthesized NiFe2O4 nanoparticles composed of Ni, Fe, and O elements. The removal efficiency of Congo red dye was 96.80% at the following optimum conditions: solution pH of 5.0, H2O2 concentration of 2 mM, Congo red dye concentration of 100 mg/L, and contact time of 60 min. The study of the photodegradation kinetics follows a pseudo-first order reaction with a rate constant value of 0.0853 min−1. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Pyrolysis of Enzymolysis‐Treated Wood: Hierarchically Assembled Porous Carbon Electrode for Advanced Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Wang Feng , Cheong Jun Young , Lee Jiyoung , Ahn Jaewan , Duan Gaigai , Chen Huiling , Zhang Qian , Kim Il‐Doo , Jiang Shaohua
Published: May 2021

Designing energy storage devices from thick carbon electrodes with high areal/volumetric energy density via a simple and green way is very attractive but still challenging. Cellulose, as an excellent precursor for thick carbon electrodes with abundant sources and low cost, is usually activated by a chemical activator and pyrolysis route to achieve high electrochemical performance. However, there are still some problems to be addressed, such as the harsh activation conditions, easy collapse of porous structures, and the high cost. Herein, a 3D self‐supporting thick carbon electrode derived from wood‐based cellulose is proposed for high areal and volumetric energy density of supercapacitor from a mild, simple, and green enzymolysis treatment. Benefiting from the high specific surface area (1418 m2 g−1) and abundant active sites on the surface of wood‐derived hierarchically porous structures and enzymolysis‐induced micropores and mesopores, the assembled symmetry supercapacitor from the thick carbon electrode can realize the high areal/volumetric energy density of 0.21 mWh cm−2/0.99 mWh cm−3 with excellent stability of 86.58% after 15 000 long‐term cycles at 20 mA cm−2. Significantly, the simple and universal strategy to design material with high specific surface area, provides a new research idea for realizing multi‐functional application.
Amplifying Surface Energy Difference toward Anisotropic Growth of All‐Inorganic Perovskite Single‐Crystal Wires for Highly Sensitive Photodetector
Authors: Chen Yuan , Chen Gaoyuan , Zhou Zhou , Li Xiaoming , Ma Peipei , Li Lutao , Yin Wanjian , Zeng Haibo , Zou Guifu
Published: May 2021

It is a great challenge to directly grow super long all‐inorganic perovskite monocrystalline wires due to the weak surface energy difference among the low index facets. Here, a one‐pot solution process to grow the aspect ratio over 105 of monocrystalline CsPbBr3 perovskite wires (PWs) and yield up to 70% is reported. A chemical potential dependent surface energy difference amplification strategy is proposed to regulate the surface energy of growing and grown surfaces accordingly to the anisotropic growth of CsPbBr3. The anisotropic growth of wires is derived from the regulation of anti‐solvent diffusion kinetic and the mass transfer kinetic control of the metal halide salts. This experiment demonstrates a 50 times amplification of surface energy difference. As‐produced PWs present a high photodetection responsivity up to 4923 A W−1, external quantum efficiency exceeding 13 784%, and detectivity over 3.6 × 1013 Jones. This work not only reveals the mechanism of surface energy dominated anisotropic growth for CsPbBr3 PWs, but also elucidates the important role of kinetics regulation during the growth process, which may open a new window for the low‐dimensional crystal growth of ionic compounds.
Asymmetric and Halogenated Fused‐Ring Electron Acceptor for Efficient Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Cai Jinlong , Zhang Xue , Guo Chuanhang , Zhuang Yuan , Wang Liang , Li Donghui , Liu Dan , Wang Tao
Published: May 2021

Fused‐ring non‐fullerene electron acceptors (NFAs) boost the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic solar cells (OSCs). Asymmetric and halogenated NFAs have drawn increasing attention in recent years due to their unique optoelectronic properties. Starting from the symmetric NFA ITCC‐M, this work systematically designs and synthesizes an asymmetric counterpart ITCC‐M‐2F, halogenated counterpart ITCC‐Cl, and asymmetric and halogenated counterpart IDTT‐Cl‐2F. Among these NFAs, IDTT‐Cl‐2F shows the shallowest lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level, broader absorption range, and the tightest molecular packing. As a result, when blended with the donor PBDB‐T‐2Cl, IDTT‐Cl‐2F‐based OSCs yield the highest PCE of 13.3% with an open‐circuit voltage of 0.96 V, short‐circuit current of 19.20 mA cm–2, and fill factor of 71.1%, which is the highest PCE of OSCs employing 2‐(2‐chloro‐6‐oxo‐5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐cyclopenta[b]thiophen‐4‐ylidene) malononitrile (ClIC) unit terminated NFA. The results demonstrate the synergistic effect of asymmetry and halogenation toward tuning of the optoelectronic properties of NFAs for high performance OSCs.
Mechanochemical Processing of Highly Conducting Organic/Inorganic Composites Exhibiting Spin Crossover–Induced Memory Effect in Their Transport Properties
Authors: Nieto‐Castro David , Garcés‐Pineda Felipe A. , Moneo‐Corcuera Andrea , Sánchez‐Molina Irene , Galán‐Mascarós José Ramón
Published: May 2021

Bistable multifunctional materials have great potential in a large variety of devices, from sensors to information units. However, the direct exploitation of spin crossover (SCO) materials in electronic devices is limited due to their very high electrical resistance (insulators). Beyond their intrinsic properties, SCO materials may also work as probes to confer bistability as switchable components in hybrid materials, as controlled by external stimuli acting upon the SCO spin state. Low resistance conductors with memory effect may be obtained from the incorporation of SCO probes into a conducting organic polymer matrix. This strategy appeared to be limited by the strict synthetic conditions, since polymerization reactions are harsh enough to attack the redox‐unstable SCO component. Because of this, just a few successful examples have been reported. Here a versatile processing protocol is introduced to obtain SCO/conducting polymer composites exploiting a post‐synthetic mechanochemical approach that can be applied to any SCO component and any organic polymer. This new protocol allows highly conducting films of polypyrrole, polyaniline, and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) to be obtained, with bulk conductivities as high as 1 S·cm−1, and exhibiting a thermal hysteresis in their electrical conductivity above room temperature.