bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ADVANCES IN REPRODUCTION OF THE LEBRANCHE MULLET Mugil liza: MATURATION AND SPAWNING OF F1 BREEDERS IN CAPTIVITY
Authors: MAGNOTTI Caio Cesar , CIPRIANO Filipe dos Santos , PEDROTTI Fabiola Santiago , CERQUEIRA Vinicius Ronzani
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive response of mullets born in captivity (F1) using hormonal induction. Therefore, it was described maturation and induced spawning of mullet (Mugil liza) breeders born in captivity (F1). F1 males presented viable sperm at 11 months of age, with length of 25.7 Â± 0.4 cm and weight of 205.7 Â± 11.5 g. In contrast, at three years of age F1 females could be reproduced, with length of 47.4 Â± 1.4 cm and weight of 1263.0 Â± 64.6 g. Ten spawnings were conducted, and the average diameter of the oocytes at the time of hormonal induction, fertilization rate, total and relative fertility and hatching rate were recorded. Spawning was attained through hormonal induction in females with oocyte diameter greater than 600 Âµm and in males that released semen with abdominal massage. During this reproductive period, induced females produced a second group of mature oocytes so another hormonal induction was performed. The present study describes the induction of mullet breeders born in captivity and the possibility of females to be induced more than once during the same reproductive period.
MORPHOMETRICS OF JUVENILE WHITE SHRIMP IN SANTOS (SP, BRAZIL) - AN ATLANTIC STRESSED ESTUARY
Authors: ABBATEPAULO Felippe Veneziani , TUTUI Sergio Luiz dos Santos , TOMÁS Acacio Ribeiro Gomes
Published: December 2020

Shrimps are one of the worldââ‚¬â„¢s most valuable fishing resources, with the Penaeidae family having the greatest economic importance. In the southwest Atlantic the white shrimp Litopenaeus schmitti plays an important socioeconomic role for small-scale fisheries, and juveniles are targeted as live bait for recreational fisheries. This study was carried out monthly along two periods (May/2009ââ‚¬"˜January/2010 and March/2011-March/2015) at Santos estuary and aimed to investigate the relationship between morphometric and sex of the early development stages of Litopenaeus schmitti. A total of 6,978 individuals were caught and measured, with no differences (p >0.1) between sexes shown regarding total length or weight. Differences between males and females were found for Total length (TL) x Carapace length (CL) and TL x Total weight (TW) and negative allometries (b<3) were found for all relationships. The results indicate that morphometric differences among sexes seem to be more associated with total length, suggesting that TL could be a more appropriate body measurement to compare specimens of L. schmitti, at least when the analysis includes juveniles. The presence of L. schmitti specimens all year long inside the estuary reinforces the idea of a continuous reproductive cycle with peak periods. Both information comes to fulfill part of the lack of knowledge regarding this species estuarine phases.
CULTIVATION OF THE SEAWEED Ulva spp. WITH EFFLUENT FROM A SHRIMP BIOFLOC REARING SYSTEM: DIFFERENT SPECIES AND STOCKING DENSITY
Authors: MARTINS Mateus Aranha , SILVA Vitor Fernandes da , TARAPUEZ Patricio René , HAYASHI Leila , VIEIRA Felipe do Nascimento
Published: December 2020

This work evaluated the use of effluent from a marine shrimp biofloc rearing system to cultivate the green seaweed Ulva. First, the growth of two Ulva species, U. ohnoi and U. fasciata, was evaluated. Second, the best-performing species was cultivated under two different stocking densities (2 g L-1 and 4 g L-1) to evaluate both growth and nutrient uptake rates, considering total ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, and orthophosphate. In both cases, environmental variables were monitored, and the cultivation medium, consisting of 25% biofloc water and 75% seawater, was exchanged weekly. U. ohnoi grew significantly better, considering all variables evaluated (p<0.05). The smaller stocking density produced a higher specific growth rate (p<0.05). Yield, however, was unaffected (pâ"°¥0.05). No significant differences in the nutrient uptake rates were observed (pâ"°¥0.05). Overall, this work highlights the importance of species selection for seaweed destined for aquaculture. Additionally, it also optimizes the cultivation of seaweeds, specifically U. ohnoi, using effluent from biofloc systems.
Functional nausea and vomiting in children
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation, Novikova V.P. , Gurova M.M. ,   Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation, Khavkin A.I. ,   N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: December 2020

The diagnoses «functional nausea» and «functional vomiting» were for the first time described in the structure of paediatric functional digestive disorders in the 2016 Rome IV criteria. The prevalence of functional nausea approximates 0.1–0.5%, functional vomiting – 0.6–1.4%. Functional nausea and vomiting arise from complex interactions between the gastrointestinal tract, the central and autonomic nervous systems. Furthermore, functional nausea is considered in the continuum of gastroparesis and is also associated with an increased mast cell density in the duodenal mucosa. Functional nausea and vomiting are clinical diagnoses that do not require additional testing. Sometimes, recommendations are to examine the nausea profile and the Baxter retching faces scale. No evidence of the efficacy of specific pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods of treating functional nausea and vomiting have been received by now. The use of antidepressants, metoclopramide, ondansetron and other drugs is considered. It is necessary to develop clinical guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of functional nausea and functional vomiting. Key words: functional nausea, functional vomiting, children, Rome IV criteria
Problems of organization of school nutrition in secondary general schools of the city of Tashkent
Authors:   Research Institute of Sanitation, Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, Kamilova R.T. , Isakova L.I. ,   Research Institute of Sanitation, Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, Kamilov J.A. ,   Tashkent State Dental Institute, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, Nosirova A.R. ,   Research Institute of Sanitation, Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
Published: December 2020

Objective. Analysis of organization of school nutrition based on an interview survey conducted among teachers, health providers, kitchen workers, and parents of schoolchildren of secondary general schools. Material and methods. In order to determine the problems of the organization of school meals we used a method of an interview survey of 615 people, including 256 teachers, 27 health providers, 68 kitchen workers and 264 parents of schoolchildren of Tashkent secondary general schools. Overall, 9 kitchens were checked, of them 77.8% were canteens preparing meals from raw and semi-finished foodstuffs, and 22.2% were tuck-shops. Results. Among kitchen workers, 14.3% had higher and incomplete higher education, 64.3% had specialized vocational education; in 100% of cases they had a health certificate with indication of the date of medical examination, but more than half of them had no sanitation training or attestation. Only 51% of the kitchen staff could correctly describe the technology of washing dishes, cooking equipment, tools and utensils, and facilities, safe food storage and the sanitary-hygienic requirements to meal preparation. Disinfection and disinfestation of kitchen facilities in more than 55% of cases were performed by the school staff. In 78.6% of cases, territorial sanitary-epidemiological inspectors supervised the organization of school nutrition. According to 30% of respondents, the existing system of organization school nutrition was not satisfactory. Conclusion. More than 60% of the teaching staff, health providers and parents believe that the optimal variant for healthy food provision for schoolchildren is a canteen working directly with raw or semi-manufactured foodstuffs. In order to improve organization of school nutrition and satisfy the needs of schoolchildren for high-quality and safe meals it is expedient to build large food-processing complexes in the city of Tashkent. Key words: organization of school nutrition, state of school kitchens, survey among secondary school staff
Pertussis in adults: clinical manifestations and diagnosis
Authors:   G.N.Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russian Federation, Petrova M.S. , Borisova A.B. ,   G.N.Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russian Federation, Skirda T.A. ,   G.N.Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russian Federation, Smetanina S.V. ,   Infectious diseases clinical hospital No 1 Moscow Department of Health, Moscow, Russian Federation, Bazarova M.V. ,   Infectious diseases clinical hospital No 1 Moscow Department of Health, Moscow, Russian Federation, Borisova O.Yu. ,   G.N.Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russian Federation, Afanasiev М.S. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Аleshkin А.V. ,   G.N.Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russian Federation, Afanasiev S.S. ,   G.N.Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russian Federation, Аleshkin V.А. ,   G.N.Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: December 2020

Objective. To study the features of the clinic and serological diagnosis of pertussis in adults. Patients and methods. The study included patients admitted to Infectious diseases clinical hospital No 1 in 2018 with prolonged cough syndrome. Clinical methods were used for monitoring adult patients with pertussis. Information about the course of the disease is recorded in the "case histories" and clinical observation cards. To verify whooping cough, blood was examined to detect anti-pertussis antibodies of class IgM, IgG, IgA using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (RIDASCRЕЕN, R-Bioрharm AG). Results. In total, 52 patients were included in the study, among which pertussis was verified in 57.7–6.8% of patients. Using the generally accepted classification in 26.6–8.0% of patients, pertussis proceeded in a mild form, in 66.7–8.6% in moderate and in 6.7–4.5% in severe form. The presented clinical characteristics of pertussis in adults debunk the myth of the supposedly mild course of the disease in this population. A description of the severe course of whooping cough in an elderly patient is presented. A feature of the formation of post-infectious immunity in adults is, along with the development of IgG class antibodies starting from the 3rd week of the disease, the rapid accumulation of IgA class antibodies in the absence of IgM class antibodies. Conclusion. A detailed description of the clinical symptoms of pertussis in adults will improve the doctors' awareness of the clinical verification of pertussis. The effectiveness and prospects of using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of pertussis in adults with a single study, starting from the 3rd week from the onset of the disease, are proved. Key words: ELISA, whooping cough, clinical forms, serological diagnosis, severity of course
Сoronavirus infection COVID-19 in children in the Russian Federation
Authors:   Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Moscow, Russian Federation, Gorelov A.V. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Nikolaeva S.V. ,   Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Moscow, Russian Federation, Akimkin V.G. ,   Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: December 2020

Humanity has recently encountered an infection caused by a new strain of human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). This infection is characterized by a variety of clinical symptoms with lesions not only to the respiratory tract, but also to other organs, lack of causal therapy, and high mortality rate. Wide spread of COVID-19 contributes to the development of this disease in children. Objective. To identify clinical and epidemiological characteristics of new coronavirus infection in children in the Russian Federation (RF). Materials and methods. We performed a retrospective analysis of all confirmed COVID-19 cases among children in the RF between January and June 2020. Information on patients (age, gender, place of residence, reason and date of examination, and clinical form of the disease) was taken from the database containing reports of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing according to from No. 970 ‘Information on cases of infectious diseases in people with suspected coronavirus infection’ for January–June 2020. The results were processed by generally accepted statistical methods with the calculation of the Fisher s-criterion. Differences were considered significant at p <0.05. Results. A total of 47,712 cases of COVID-19 were registered in children during the first 6 months of 2020 in the Russian Federation, which accounted for 8.4% of all COVID-19 cases. Children of all ages are affected with boys having the disease slightly more often than girls (52.2% vs. 47.8%, p > 0.05). The majority of hospitalized children were younger than 3 years of age. The proportion of pneumonia among children treated in inpatient departments was 4.4% and two-thirds of them were older than 3 years (p < 0.001). Upper respiratory tract infections were diagnosed in 83% of children. Almost one-fifth of children (18.2%) had hyperthermia at the disease onset, although high-grade fever (>39°С) was detected only in 2.6% of children. Half of the patients (50.8%) had cough. Only one in four children developed rhinitis/rhinopharyngitis. Symptoms that are pathognomonic for COVID-19, such as loss of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageusia), were registered in 17% of cases only. Conclusion. Children with new coronavirus infection usually have mild disease. Key words: children, coronavirus, COVID-19
Diverse and insidious human herpesvirus 6A/B: how to find and neutralize it?
Authors:   I.I.Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, Mishakina N.O. , Rychkova O.A. ,   Tyumen State Medical University, Tyumen, Russian Federation, Khanipova L.V. ,   Tyumen State Medical University, Tyumen, Russian Federation,   Regional Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Tyumen, Russian Federation, Usenko D.V. ,   Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: December 2020

Herpesvirus infections are one of the most common groups of human infectious diseases. Having unique mechanisms of interaction with the human immune system, they can persist in the organism for a long time and can be reactivated by immunosuppressive factors. Human herpesvirus 6A/B (HHV-6A/B) is one of the most common but still insufficiently studied viruses affecting children. There are several variants of HHV-6 infection, including acute primary infection (primarily in young children, manifesting itself with sudden exanthema and febrile convulsive seizures), latent primary infection (manifesting itself with non-immune neutropenia), reactivation of latent infection (in children of pre-school and school age, primarily developing as respiratory infection and infectious mononucleosis), and chromosomally integrated form. This article discusses the issues of epidemiology, clinical mani-festations, diagnosis, and treatment of HHV-6A/B infection in children. Key words: herpesvirus infection, human herpes virus 6, children, diagnosis, treatment
Recombinant interferons in comprehensive therapy for new coronavirus infection
Authors:   Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Moscow, Russian Federation, Melekhina E.V. , Nikolaeva S.V. ,   Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Moscow, Russian Federation, Ilyinskaya A.S. ,   G.N.Speranskiy Children's City Clinical Hospital No 9, Moscow, Russian Federation, Ponezheva Zh.B. ,   Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Moscow, Russian Federation, Akopyan A.S. ,   G.N.Speranskiy Children's City Clinical Hospital No 9, Moscow, Russian Federation, Krapivkin A.I. ,   G.N.Speranskiy Children's City Clinical Hospital No 9, Moscow, Russian Federation, Korsunskiy A.A. ,   G.N.Speranskiy Children's City Clinical Hospital No 9, Moscow, Russian Federation, Gorelov A.V. ,   Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: December 2020

The second decade of the 21st century has brought us a new coronavirus infection, SARS-CoV-2, which affects not only animals (livestock, companion animals, birds), but also people, causing severe disease in them (COVID-19) with various clinical variants: from upper respiratory tract lesions to sepsis and thromboembolism. Coronaviruses are known to suppress the production of IFN-I. Therefore, administration of IFN-I is a promising strategy for early treatment and prevention of COVID-19. In the Russian Federation, treatment of COVID-19 in children is performed in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health of Russia and depends on the clinical form of the disease. Mild and moderate forms of the disease, observed in the majority of children, are treated according to the protocols for managing ARVI, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia in children. However, the fact that non-severe COVID-19 shares clinical manifestations with other infections caused by respiratory viruses and herpesviruses (including cytomegalovirus, HHV6A/B, and Epstein-Barr virus), as well as recently increased proportion of mixed viral infections necessitate (until the etiological diagnosis is confirmed) the administration of drugs recommended for the treatment of seasonal ARVI (including intranasal forms of IFN-α, etc.). Such therapeutic tactics often ensures faster improvement and symptom elimination. We report a case of mixed respiratory infection caused by two viruses (SARS-CoV-2 and Epstein–Barr virus) in a child. Early treatment with recombinant interferon-α2b with taurine resulted in fever alleviation and normalization of child’s condition by the moment of transfer to a specialized department. Key words: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, children, treatment, interferon.
Modeling of the epidemiological situation of hepatitis C in the North-Western Federal district and Saint Petersburg until 2030
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, E.V.Esaulenko E.V. ,   Pasteur Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, R.A.Ganchenko R.A. ,   City Polyclinic No 17, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
Published: December 2020

Currently, there is an urgent need to monitor the epidemiological situation of the infection caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and control its early diagnosis. Objective. To determine the public health burden of HCV infection in Saint Petersburg (SPb) and North-Western Federal district (NWFD), to predict the epidemiological situation, and to identify measures that should be taken to achieve the goals mentioned in the WHO strategy by 2030. Materials and methods. We have developed a dynamic model of disease progression for quantitative assessment of HCV burden by stages of liver disease for 1950–2030 in collaboration with the Center for Disease Analysis, USA. Results. With the existing approach to HCV diagnosis and treatment, the number of patients with chronic hepatitis C in SPb and NWFD will continue to grow and reach 332,000 and 193,000 cases respectively. We expect at least a two-fold increase in the number of deaths associated with liver disease and in the number of patients with decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in both SPb and NWFD. Changes in the approaches currently used for HCV treatment and implementation of additional measures will help to achieve main WHO goals by 2030. Conclusion. Implementation of the WHO strategy in the NWFD and SPb has obvious advantages, but requires significant resources and optimization of existing approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of HCV infection in the region. Keywords: HCV infection, chronic hepatitis C, WHO strategy to eliminate hepatitis C
Association between the duration of hepatitis C and activity and stage of liver fibrosis
Authors:   Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Moscow, Russian Federation, Makashova V.V. , Tutelyan A.V. ,   Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Moscow, Russian Federation, Shabalina S.V. ,   Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: December 2020

Objective: to assess the impact of the time of hepatitis C infection on the probability of liver fibrosis (according to epidemiological and immunological parameters). Patients and methods. This study was performed at the Clinical Department of Infectious Pathology, Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing. It included 153 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The diagnosis was based on epidemiological and clinical data, as well as on the results of laboratory testing (including typical changes in liver function tests and hepatitis C markers detected using ELISA, PCR, and fibroelastography). Results. Severe liver fibrosis (stage F3–F4) was associated with the time of infection identified by both epidemiological data and anti-HCV antibody detection. In the first case, pronounced fibrosis was absent for 10 years, whereas in the second case (when the detection of specific antibodies was considered as the disease onset), similar stage of fibrosis was detected in the first five years of disease. Therefore, more careful collection of epidemiological data is crucial for early diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C and early treatment initiation. Key words: chronic hepatitis C, epidemiological case history, specific antibodies, liver fibrosis
Precise Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy logic system for UAV longitudinal stability: an Industry 4.0 case study for aerospace
Authors: Petritoli Enrico , Leccese Fabio
Published: December 2020

Industry 4.0 is making inroads even into the field of aerospace, which is extremely conservative due to the safety concerns involved with the introduction of new technology. We used fuzzy logic to create a very reliable simplification and reduce the complexity of the critical longitudinal stability equations for a flying wing drone. Our approximate method allowed us to have a very light calculation effort at the price of a negligible error in terms of the size and dynamics of the craft, thus reducing the work required by the telecommunication segment that manages the takeoff and landing manoeuvres
A field-measurements-based LoRa network planning tool
Authors: Spinsante Susanna , Gioacchini Luca , Scalise Lorenzo
Published: December 2020

Long range (LoRa) transmission technology enables energy-constrained devices such as the tiny sensor systems used in internet-of-things applications that are distributed over wide areas while still being able to establish appropriate connectivity. This has resulted in the development of an exponentially increasing number of different solutions and services based on LoRa, be they dedicated to the long-term monitoring of distributed plants and infrastructures or to human-centred applications such as safety-oriented sensor systems for use in the workplace. In dense LoRa networks, predicting the number of supported nodes in relation to their position and the propagation environment is essential for ensuring reliable and stable communication and minimising costs. In this paper, after comparing different path loss models based on a field measurement campaign for LoRa received signal strength indicator values within a university campus, two main modifications of the LoRa simulator tool were implemented. These were aimed at improving the accuracy of the prediction of the number of sustainable nodes in relation to the target data extraction rate set. The simulations based on field measurements demonstrated that through an improved path loss evaluation and the use of three gateways, the number of nodes could be increased theoretically from around 100 to around 6,000.
An advanced GCode analyser for predicting the build time for additive manufacturing components
Authors: Di Angelo Luca , Di Stefano Paolo , Guardiani Emanuele
Published: December 2020

Additive manufacturing is a technology for quickly fabricating physical models, functional prototypes, and small batches of parts by stacking two-dimensional layered features directly from computer-aided design data. One of the most important challenges in this sector relates to the capability to predict the build time in advance, since this is crucial to evaluating the production costs. In this paper, an accurate method for obtaining build-time is proposed. This method is based on an advanced GCode analyzer written in Python following an object-oriented paradigm for scalability and maintainability. Various examples are used to demonstrate the reliability of the algorithm, while its potential applications are also illustrated.
Strategies for the design of additively manufactured nanocomposite scaffolds for hard tissue regeneration
Authors: Fucile Pierpaolo , Onofrio Ilaria , Papallo Ida , Gallicchio Vito , Rega Andrea , D'Antò Vincenzo , Improta Giovanni , De Santis Roberto , Gloria Antonio , Russo Teresa
Published: December 2020

Additive manufacturing represents a powerful tool for the direct fabrication of lightweight and porous structures with tuneable properties. In this study, a fused deposition modelling/3D fibre deposition technique was considered for designing 3D nanocomposite scaffolds with specific architectures and tailored biological, mechanical, and mass transport properties. 3D poly(caprolactone) (PCL)/hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocomposite scaffolds were designed for bone tissue engineering. An optimisation design strategy for the additive manufacturing processes based on extrusion/injection methods was at first extended to the development of the PCL/HA scaffolds. Further insight into the effect of the process parameters on the mechanical properties and morphological features of the nanocomposite scaffolds was provided. The nanocomposite structures were analysed at different levels, and the possibility of designing 3D customised scaffolds for mandibular defect regeneration (i.e., symphysis and ramus) was also reported.
An integrated circuit to null standby using energy provided by MEMS sensors
Authors: La Rosa Roberto , Pandiyan A. Y. S. , Trigona Carlo , Andò Bruno , Baglio Salvatore
Published: December 2020

The advent of smart measurement systems and innovative wireless sensor networks evinces the necessity to develop novel solutions for conditioning circuits to be used in autonomous or quasi autonomous measurement systems and sensing nodes. The main problem these systems still face is the question of how to supply the nodes in a cost-effective way, considering that, very often, a battery is required, and consequently, the maintenance labor and cost to replace or recharge it may be high. The main target is to increase battery lifetime by decreasing unnecessary energy consumption as much as possible. In this context, several solutions, including energy harvesters, have already been proposed. One of the main solutions is the reduction of power consumption by the measurement device while in standby, which, in most cases, represents a significant amount of the total power dissipation. To this end, authors have already addressed a zero-energy standby solution able to supply the power requested by the measurement equipment only when the appliance is turned on. In this paper, we present an integrated circuit solution suitable to be used with MEMS scale transducers. The validation and the characterisation of the system will be shown to demonstrate the suitability of the proposed method.
A new approach to the anthropocentric design of human–robot collaborative environments
Authors: Di Marino Castrese , Rega Andrea , Vitolo Ferdinando , Patalano Stanislao , Lanzotti Antonio
Published: December 2020

This paper deals with collaborative robotics by highlighting the main issues linked to the interaction between humans and robots. A critical study of the standards in force on human–robot interaction and the current principles on workplace design for human–robot collaboration (HRC) are presented. The paper focuses on an anthropocentric paradigm in which the human becomes the core of the workplace in combination with the robot, and it presents a basis for designing workplaces through two key concepts: (i) the introduction of human and robot spaces as elementary spaces and (ii) the dynamic variations of the elementary spaces in shape, size and position. According to this paradigm, the limitations of a safety-based approach, introduced by the standards, are overcome by positioning the human and the robot inside the workplace and managing their interaction through the elementary spaces. The introduced concepts, in combination with the safety prescriptions, have been organised by means of a multi-level graph for driving the HRC design phase. The collaborative workplace is separated into sublevels. The main elements of a collaborative workplace are identified and their relationships presented by means of digraphs.  
Output Characteristics of Graphene Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Mishchenka V. N.
Published: December 2020

The use of graphene, which has high mobility of charge carriers, high thermal conductivity and a number of other positive properties, is promising for the creation of new semiconductor devices with good output characteristics. The aim was to simulate the output characteristics of field effect transistors containing graphene using the Monte-Carlo method and the Poisson equation.

Two semiconductor structures in which a single layer (or monolayer) of graphene is placed on a substrate formed from 6H-SiC silicon carbide material are considered. The peculiarity of the first of them is that the contact areas of drain and source were completely located on the graphene layer, the length of which along the longitudinal coordinate was equal to the length of the substrate. The second structure differed in that the length of the graphene layer was shortened and the drain and source areas were partly located on the graphene layer and partly on the substrate.

The main output characteristics of field-effect transistors based on the two semiconductor structures considered were obtained by modeling. The modeling was performed using the statistical Monte Carlo method. To perform the simulation, a computational algorithm was developed and a program of numerical simulation using the Monte-Carlo method in three-dimensional space using the Poisson equation was compiled and debugged.

The results of the studies show that the development of field-effect transistors using graphene layers can improve the output characteristics – to increase the output current and transconductance, as well as the limit frequency of semiconductor structures in high frequency ranges.
Capabilities for Probing of Upper Atmosphere Density Variations and Seismic-Orbital Effects Using Small-Size Spacecraft
Authors: Tertyshnikov A. V.
Published: December 2020

The miniature spacecraft have a high ballistic coefficient, which is advantageous for the resolution of sensing the density  of  the  upper  atmosphere.  The  purpose  of  this  work  is  to  show  new  features of the "falling spheres method" based on the miniaturization of the Spacecraft. The "falling spheres method" is used to probe variations in the density of the upper atmosphere.

A technical solution for diagnostics of orbital sections with abnormal changes in the speed and acceleration of  spacecraft  equipped  with  onboard  navigation  receivers  and  micro-accelerometers is considered.

The technical result of the proposed development is the efficiency and cost – effectiveness of sounding variations in the density of the upper atmosphere, seismic-orbital effects-variations in the density of the atmosphere over earthquake-regions and the seismic hazard.
Is age and not antiretroviral therapy the strongest risk factor for chronic pain in HIV-infected population?
Authors: Kowalski Marcin , Horban Andrzej , Rongies Witold , Slomka Bartosz , Shahnazaryan Karen
Published: December 2020

Background. Chronic pain in HIV-infected patients on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) limits patients’ normal functioning both somatically and psychologically. The current state of knowledge on the topic is insufficient, with the underlying causes of this pain unexplained. Therefore we analyzed the frequency and factors associated with chronic pain in HIV-infected patients on ART.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of chronic pain in the HIV-infected population remaining under continuous specialist care, as well as the underlying causative factors of such pain.Methods. We conducted a prospective, survey study, including consecutive HIV-infected patients under specialist care at the HIV Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital for Infectious Disease in Warsaw between February 2014 and December 2016. During their routine visit all patients who agreed to participate in the study were surveyed using a study questionnaire. For all patients reporting any pain the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) form and Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions form (DN4) were completed. Data on history and current ART and laboratory measurements were obtained from electronical database. Chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for group comparison. The potential factors associated with chronic pain were identified via logistic regression models.Results. In total 196 HIV-infected patients were included in the study, 57 (29,1%) of them reported chronic pain. The reported pain was mostly (75%) limited to a single area of the body. In univariable logistic regression model the odds of chronic pain were significantly higher with increasing age (OR 1.36 [95%CI:1.17-1.58]), time under specialist care (OR 2.25 [95%CI:1.42-35.7]), time on ART (OR2.96 [95%CI:1.60-5.49]), previous ART with zidovudine (OR 2.00[95%CI:1.06-1.55]) and previous treatment with ddI, ddC or d4T (OR4.13 [95%CI:1.92-8.91]). Homosexual route of HIV infection as compared to injecting drug use was decreasing the odds of chronic pain (OR0.33 [95%CI: 014-0.75]). In multivariable analyses, adjusting for all above the only factor associated with chronic pain was age (OR1.28 [95%CI:1.06-1.55]).Conclusions. The prevalence of chronic pain in the studied population of HIV-infected Polish patients was high. The only risk factor for chronic pain identified was age. With ageing HIV population it is therefore imperative to develop cooperation protocols for specialist HIV treatment clinics, pain treatment clinics, and rehabilitation units.
Significant decline of HPV 6 infection and genital warts despite low HPV vaccination coverage in young women in Germany: a long-term prospective, cohort data analysis
Authors: Denecke Agnieszka , Iftner Thomas , Iftner Angelika , Riedle Sebastian , Ocak Marion , Luyten Alexander , Üye Isak , Tunc Kübra , Petry Karl Ulrich
Published: December 2020

Background: The introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has resulted in a remarkable decline of genital warts in women and men, but in Germany historical rates of vaccination are relatively low. We report long-term surveillance data on changes in HPV 6 and HPV 11 infection and the prevalence of genital warts in young women in the Wolfsburg HPV epidemiological study (WOLVES).Methods: Women born in 1983/84, 1988/89, and 1993/94 participated in four cohorts between 2009/10 and 2014/15. Quadrivalent vaccination coverage and prevalence of HPV 6/11 infection and genital warts are reported for participants aged 19−22 years and 24−27 years at the time of sample collection. Statistical analyses were done to compare similarly aged participants using 2 x 2 contingency tables (Röhmel-Mansmann unconditional exact test; two-side alpha of 0.05).Results: A total of 2,456 women were recruited. Between 2010 and 2015, there was a statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of HPV 6 infection among women aged 24−27 years (2.1% versus 0.0%; P<0.0001) and women aged 19−22 years (2.0% versus 0.0%; P=0.0056). There was no significant decline in HPV 11 infection. In total, 52 of 2,341 participants were diagnosed with genital warts. There was a statistically significant drop in the risk of developing genital warts in women aged 24−27 years between 2010 and 2015 (4.7% versus 1.7%, respectively; P=0.0018). The overall risk of developing genital warts in women aged 19−27 years decreased from 3.1% in 2010 to 1.2% in 2015 (P=0.0022).Conclusions: An increase in vaccination coverage was associated with a decreased prevalence of genital warts in young women. A protective effect greater than herd immunity alone was seen despite low vaccination rates. Quadrivalent vaccine had a protective effect on genital HPV 6 infection and an almost fully protective effect on the development of genital warts in the youngest population.
Falls efficacy instruments for community-dwelling older adults: A COSMIN-based systematic review
Authors: Soh Shawn Leng-Hsien , Lane Judith , Xu Tim Tianma , Gleeson Nigel , Tan Chee-Wee
Published: December 2020

Background: Falls efficacy is a widely-studied latent construct in community-dwelling older adults. Various self-reported instruments have been used to measure falls efficacy. In order to be informed of the choice of the best measurement instrument for a specific purpose, empirical evidence of the development and measurement properties of falls efficacy related instruments is needed.Methods: The Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Intruments (COSMIN) checklist was used to summarise evidence on the development, content validity, and structural validity of instruments measuring falls efficacy in community-dwelling older adults. Databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsychINFO, SCOPUS, CINAHL were searched (May 2019). Records on the development of instruments and studies assessing content validity or structural validity of falls efficacy related scales were included. COSMIN methodology was used to guide the review of eligible studies and in the assessment of their methodological quality. Evidence of content validity: relevance, comprehensiveness and comprehensibility and unidimensionality for structural validity were synthesised. A modified GRADE approach was applied to evidence synthesis.Results: 35 studies, of which 18 instruments had been identified, were included in the review. High-quality evidence showed that the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (FES)-13 items (MFES-13) has sufficient relevance, yet insufficient comprehensiveness for measuring falls efficacy. Moderate quality evidence supporting the FES-10 has sufficient relevance, and MFES-14 has sufficient comprehensibility. Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale–Simplified (ABC-15) has sufficient relevance in measuring balance confidence supported by moderate-quality evidence. Low to very low-quality evidence underpinned the content validity of other instruments. High-quality evidence supported sufficient unidimensionality for eight instruments (FES-10, MFES-14, ABC-6, ABC-15, ABC-16, Iconographical FES (Icon-FES), FES–International (FES-I) and Perceived Ability to Prevent and Manage Fall Risks (PAPMFR)). Conclusion: Content validity of instruments to measure falls efficacy is understudied. Structural validity is sufficient for a number of widely-used instruments. Measuring balance confidence is a subset of falls efficacy. Further work is needed to investigate a broader construct for falls efficacy.
Data-Science Driven Autonomous Process Optimization
Authors: Christensen Melodie , Yunker Lars , Adedeji Folarin , Häse Florian , Roch Loïc , Gensch Tobias , Gomes Gabriel dos Passos , Zepel Tara , Sigman Matthew , Aspuru-Guzik Alán , Hein Jason
Published: December 2020

Autonomous process optimization involves the human intervention-free exploration of a range of pre-defined process parameters in order to improve responses such as reaction yield and product selectivity. Utilizing off-the-shelf components, we developed a closed-loop system capable of carrying out parallel autonomous process optimization experiments in batch with significantly reduced cycle times. Upon implementation of our system in the autonomous optimization of a palladium-catalyzed stereoselective Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, we found that the definition of a set of meaningful, broad, and unbiased process parameters was the most critical aspect of a successful optimization. In addition, we found that categorical parameters such as phosphine ligand were vital to determining the reaction outcome. To date, categorical parameter selection has relied on chemical intuition, potentially introducing an element of bias into the experimental design. In seeking a systematic method for the selection of a diverse set of phosphine ligands fully representative of the chemical space, we developed a strategy that leveraged computed molecular descriptor clustering analysis. This strategy allowed for the successful autonomous optimization of a stereoselective Suzuki-Miyaura coupling between a vinyl sulfonate and an arylboronic acid to selectively generate the E-product isomer in high yield.
Automated food safety early warning system in the dairy supply chain using machine learning
Authors: Liu Ningjing , Bouzembrak Yamine , Bulk Leonieke , Gavai Anand , Heuvel Lucas , Marvin Hans
Published: December 2020

Traditionally, early warning systems for food safety are based on monitoring targeted food safety hazards. Therefore, food safety risks are generally detected only when the problems have developed too far to allow preventive measures. Successful early warning systems should identify signals that precede the development of a food safety risk. Moreover, such signals could be identified in factors from domains adjacent to the food supply chain, so-called drivers of change and other indicators. In this study, we show for the first time, using the dairy supply chain as an application case, that such drivers and indicators may indeed represent signals that precede the detection of a food safety risk. Using dynamic unsupervised anomaly detection models, anomalies were detected in indicator data expected by domain experts to impact the development of food safety risks in milk. Detrended cross-correlation analysis was used to demonstrate that anomalies in various indicators preceded reports of contaminated milk. Lag times of more than 12 months were observed. Similar results were observed for the 6 largest milk-producing countries in Europe (i.e., Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom). Additionally, a Bayesian network was used to identify the food safety hazards associated with an anomaly for the Netherlands. These results suggest that severe changes in domains adjacent to the food supply chain may trigger the development of food safety problems that become visible many months later. Awareness of such relationships will provide the opportunity for food producers or inspectors to take timely measures to prevent food safety problems. A fully automated system for data collection, processing, analysis and warning, such as that presented in this study, may further support the uptake of such an approach.
Validity and reliability of the English and translated Chinese versions of the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) in Singapore
Authors: Long Victoria , Cheung Yin Bun , Qu Debra , Lim Katherine , Lee Guozhang , Yee Alethea , Guo Ping , Harding Richard , Yang Grace
Published: December 2020

Context: Measurement of patient-centred outcomes enables clinicians to focus on patient and family priorities and enables quality of palliative care to be assessed.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the English and translated Chinese IPOS among advanced cancer patients in Singapore.Methods: IPOS was forward and backward translated from English into Chinese. Structural validity was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis; known-group validity by comparing inpatients and community patients; construct validity by correlating IPOS with Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-revised (ESAS-r) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT-G); internal consistency by Cronbach’s alpha; inter-rater reliability between patient and staff responses; test-retest reliability of patient responses between two timepoints.Results: 111 English-responding and 109 Chinese-responding patients participated. The three-factor structure (Physical Symptoms, Emotional Symptoms and Communication and Practical Issues) was confirmed with Comparative Fit Index and Tucker-Lewis-Index > 0.9 and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation < 0.08. Inpatients scored higher than outpatients as hypothesised. Construct validity (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r≥|0.608|) was shown between the related subscales of IPOS and FACT-G and ESAS-r. Internal consistency was confirmed for total and subscale scores (Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.84), except for the Communication and Practical Issues subscale (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.29–0.65). Inter-rater reliability (Intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] ≤ 0.43) between patient and staff responses was insufficient. Test-retest reliability was confirmed with Intra-class correlation coefficient ICC = 0.80 (English) and 0.88 (Chinese) for IPOS Total.Conclusion: IPOS in English and Chinese showed good validity, good internal consistency, and good test-retest reliability, except for the Communication and Practical Issues subscale. There was poor inter-rater reliability between patients and staff.