bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Methods for Assessing State Programs of the Regions of the Russian Federation
Authors: Klisorin V. I. , Sedipkova S. V.
Published: March 2022

After the transition to program-targeted management methods in the Russian Federation, government programs have been actively developed at the federal and regional levels since 2013. Currently, it is of scientific interest what is the current state of these programs and how objectively they are evaluated using existing methods. Each region independently develops both government programs and methods of their evaluation. In this paper, using the example of the methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of the government program on Development of the Economy and External Relations in the Kursk region, the weights of the indicators of the government program in the final evaluation of the effectiveness of the program are calculated. For comparison, the results of calculations of the weights of the indicators of the government program for the Republic of Buryatia on Economic Development and Innovative Economy are given. The results obtained can be used in the development of methods for evaluating government programs at the federal and regional levels. The paper also shows the problems of creating government programs at the level of the subjects of the Russian Federation, such as a weak connection with the strategic goals of the socio-economic development in regions, an excessively large number of target indicators and their insufficient validity, high and insufficient validity of the weight indicators of individual subprograms and activities, and insufficient funding of programs in comparison with the stated goals. To improve the effectiveness of government programs, it is necessary to develop standards for such programs, as well as information disclosure standards, which would allow an independent assessment of their effectiveness.
Epidemiology of psoriasis in the Russian Federation according to the patient registry
Authors: Kubanov Alexey A. , Bogdanova Elena V.
Published: March 2022

Background. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that impairs patients health-related quality of life. It is associated with patients need in specialized medical care and with essential medical costs. Psoriasis may be the reason for temporary or permanent disability. Patient registries are important sources of epidemiological and clinical data on patients with psoriasis and medical care provided.
Aims. To describe demographic characteristics, characteristics of the disease, prevalence of concomitant and past diseases in adult (18 years and older) patients with moderate and severe psoriasis included in the patient registry of the Russian Society of Dermatovenereologists and Cosmetologists.
Materials and methods. The data of 3,268 patients with psoriasis aged 18 years and older were analyzed as of inclusion in the registry. Data lock point was June 3, 2021. Descriptive statistics methods were applied in data analysis.
Results. The mean ( SD) age of adult patients at inclusion in the registry was 46.1 14.4 years. Male patients accounted for 60.5%. The mean age of onset of psoriasis is 31.1 16.1 years. Most of the patients (89.5%) have psoriasis vulgaris. The mean body surface area at inclusion was 43.3% 24.7%. 28.9% of patients had psoriatic arthritis at inclusion in the registry.
A high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases was revealed: arterial hypertension 28.5%, coronary heart disease 5.4%, myocardial infarction and acute cerebrovascular accident 0.9% each.
More than half of patients are pre-obese or obese according to the WHO body mass index classification. 2.2% of patients have impaired glucose tolerance, 6.7% of patients have type 2 diabetes mellitus. 3.8% of patients have diseases or dysfunction of the thyroid gland.
The prevalence of diseases of the digestive system is high: any disease of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum was noted in 10.2% of patients, any disease of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas in 11.8% of patients.
The prevalence of viral hepatitis C among patients with psoriasis was 2.6%.
Conclusions. The prevalence of comorbidities is high among Russian patients with moderate and severe psoriasis.
Herpes zoster following COVID-19 vaccination: about 2 cases
Authors: Ben Salah Nesrine , Lahouel Ines , Manaa Linda , Soua Yosra , Youssef Monia , Belhadjali Hichem , Zili Jameleddine
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 vaccine often well tolerated in healthy adults at the same time, different cutaneous reactions have been reported. Two cases presented of developed a first episode of Herpes zoster (HZ) following the first dose of vaccination against COVID-19. The pathogenetic mechanism suggested that SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce a decrease of blood absolute lymphocyte number, especially CD3+ CD8+ lymphocyte. The COVID-19 vaccine, by stimulation of inflammatory cytokines, may negatively affect the antigen expression and contribute to HZ reactivation. It is also possible that the vaccine induces some kind of immunomodulation that allows VZV to revert an infectious state.
Psychological Well-Being of Muslim Online Gamers in Malaysia: Are They Mentally Well Enough?
Authors: Sabri Farhana , Yunus Ahmad
Published: March 2022

The psychological well-being of online gamers has gotten more attention as online games have become recognized in the e-sport field. Hence, identifying the psychological status of gamers is essential to ensure their well-being is at optimum, and further interventions can be strategized if needed. The identified psychological profiles include psychological well-being, duration of play, and internet gaming disorder. A total of 221 Muslim online gamers from various e-sport centers and academies in Malaysia participated in this study. The psychological well-being was measured using Psychological Well-Being Scale, while IGD was measured using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form. The results indicated that the frequency of playing online games and daily play duration were associated with gamers' psychological well-being. Furthermore, preoccupation and withdrawal symptoms of gaming disorder were significant in predicting psychological well-being. The importance of this study for Muslim online gamers is to increase their awareness on the continued interweaving of psychological well-being and internet gaming disorder experience, so that early mental distress can be best addressed.
Changes in the glycosylated hemoglobin levels and body mass index after decompression surgery in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis in a tertiary care center, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aleissa Sami I. , Alabdulsalam Mohammed A. , Alqahtani Taif M. , Alshehri Abdullah M. , Alabdulsalam Abdulaziz A. , Konbaz Faisal M. , Alhelal Fahad H. , Abalkhail Majed S.
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

Lumbar spinal decompression surgery is a well-studied intervention in its benefit in pain control. It can also improve physical activity that indirectly facilitates glycemic control in diabetic patients and weight loss in obese patients. This study aimed to assess the changes of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and body mass index (BMI) in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) post-intervention at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with LSS who had lumbar decompression, with or without instrumentation at King Abdulaziz Medical City, from 2016 and 2020. Patients over 18 years, treated surgically for LSS, were included with a minimum of a 1-year follow-up. Patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, with comorbidities, that limited physical activity, or without follow-up records were excluded from the study.

Results:

In total, 140 patients were included in the study. They had three underlying diseases: LSS (n = 87, 62.1%), spondylolisthesis (n = 37, 26.4%), and degenerative disc disease (n = 16, 11.4%). Results showed that obese patients were associated with the lower BMI at 6- and 12- month follow-ups compared to the non-obese. In addition, there was a statistical difference in HbA1c change at follow-ups between controlled (HbA1c <7) and uncontrolled diabetes groups (HbA1c ≥7).

Conclusion:

Lumbar spinal decompression can help in the reduction of BMI of obese patients with LSS. However, there is a need for extensive investigation of the reasons for the contradicting results of an increase in the HbA1c level at 12-month follow-up in the current study.
Z kuşağı bağlamında kariyer yönetiminin iş-yaşam dengesine ve role tutulmaya etkisinde kuşak farklılığının düzenleyici rolü
Authors: DOĞAN Selen , ŞAHİN Sezen Nur
Published: March 2022

İş hayatına yeni giren bir kuşak olarak Z kuşağı çalışanların beklentileri, çalışma biçimleri, iş yerindeki tutum ve davranışları bilimsel araştırmalara da yeni yeni konu olmaya başlamıştır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Z kuşağı bağlamında kariyer yönetiminin iş-yaşam dengesine ve role tutulmaya etkisinde kuşak farklılığının düzenleyici rolünü araştırmaktır. Çalışmada, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesinde eğitim-öğretim gören 715 kişinin katıldığı bir anket çalışması yapılmıştır. Ulaşılan sonuçlara göre Z kuşağında kariyer yönetimi, role tutulma ve iş-yaşam dengesini pozitif yönde etkilemektedir. Ayrıca, Z kuşağında iş-yaşam dengesi ile role tutulma arasında pozitif yönlü bir ilişki olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda, kariyer yönetiminin iş-yaşam dengesi ve role tutulmaya etkisinde kuşak farklılığının düzenleyicilik rolünün olduğu belirlenmiştir. Zaman ve maliyet kısıtları nedeni ile araştırmanın tek bir üniversitede ve 715 kişilik bir örneklem üzerinde yapılmış olması bu çalışmanın sınırlılıklarını oluşturmaktadır.
Flüchtige organische Verbindungen (VOC) in Aussenluft. Messung und Dateninterpretation
Authors: Gehrig Robert , Herzog Alex , Hofer Peter
Published: March 2022

A method for the automated and inattended measurement of aromatic and halogenated compounds in ambient air has been developed and tested. The method is based on trapping ambient air on an adsorption tube followed by thermal desorption and gaschromatographic analysis. After 1 1/2 years
of measurements at a measurement site in the agglomeration of Zürich enough data are available to allow a characterization of the immission concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m/p-xylene, o-xylene, dichlorodifluoromethane (FCKW - 12), 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane
(FCKW-113), trichloromethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, tetrachloromethane, trichloroethene, and tetrachloroethene.
The Proton Affinity Spectrum of Polyethylenimine
Authors: Ballif Jean Bernard , Lerf Claude , Schläpfer Carl Willhelm
Published: March 2022

The characterization of polymers and surfaces with a large number of different sites is difficult, mainly due to problems in the numerical solution of the integral equation involved. New numerical tools developed which can be used on PCs allow to solve these problems today at the bench.
This opens new possibilities to characterize equilibria in heterogeneous systems and polymer solutions. We encourage analytical chemists to use these new tools and to develop a feeling for the limits of the method in different applications. In this contribution, we report the interpretation
of the titration curves of different types of polyethylenimines in aqueous solution as an example of this new approach.
Computational Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry
Authors: Daul Claude
Published: March 2022

Our research activity in computational chemistry at the university of Fribourg is briefly presented including topics like: Electronic structure calculation of coordination compounds, density functional theory, multiplet structure calculation, modelling the optical and magnetic properties
of metal complexes and inorganic materials, molecular dynamics, redox polymers, thin layer cells.
Reactivity of Allenes towards Iron Carbonyl Complexes
Authors: Kuonen Albert M. , Raemy Jacques , Jenny Titus A.
Published: March 2022

A series of monosubstituted allenes was reacted with Fe2(CO)9 to give dinuclear iron-carbonyl complexes containing organic ligands derived either from monomeric or dimerized allene. A mechanism of formation is proposed based on isolated intermediates. These intermediates point to an allene dimerization via addition of a reactive allene iron complex to free allene. Unusual chemical shifts were observed for many resonances in the 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra of the new compounds.
Properties of Organic Radical Ions in Rigid Media
Authors: Bally Thomas
Published: March 2022

This report describes the activities in the title field as carried out at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the University of Fribourg over the past dozen years.
Recent Developments in Radical Photoinitiator Chemistry
Authors: Cunningham Allan F. , Desobry Vincent , Dietliker Kurt , Hüsler Rinaldo , Leppard David G.
Published: March 2022

Radiation curing is an established technology used in many industrial manufacturing processes. New applications and technical specifications stimulate the continuous development of tailor-made photoinitiators which can efficiently meet specific requirements. A new class of radical photoinitiators,
bisacylphosphine oxides (BAPO), give four initiating radicals per photoinitiator molecule and undergo photo-bleaching of the low-energy absorption band. These features make the compounds highly efficient for radiation curing of highly opaque white pigmented systems, thick coatings, or fiber-reinforced
formulations.
A novel prediction approach for condition-based maintenance of class II machines via optimized neural network
Authors: Лазитан Л.Г. , Шоури П.В. , Раджеш В.Г.
Published: March 2022

Техническое обслуживание по состоянию (condition-based maintenance, CBM) использует реальные условия эксплуатации компонентов для принятия решения об их замене и/или обслуживании, таким образом увеличивая срок службы оборудования и сводя к минимуму помехи при обслуживании. Система CBM выявляет существенные изменения и колебания сигналов и переменных на основе информации датчика, чтобы избежать или предотвратить поломку машин. Таким образом, в данной работе разрабатывается новая модель прогнозирования на CBM в машинах класса II, в которой скорость вибрации и среднее время рассматриваются в качестве входных параметров и, соответственно, прогнозируются доступность и надежность машин. Предлагаемая схема состоит из двух основных этапов, таких как (1) выделение признаков и (2) предсказание. Сначала выполняется выделение статистических и статистических признаков более высокого порядка. Найденные признаки передаются классификатору нейронной сети (NN), который предсказывает конечный результат (доступность и надежность машин). Чтобы повысить точность прогноза классификатора, веса NN точно настраиваются с помощью оптимизации Levy Flight Adopted Gray Wolf (LF_GWO). Доказано преимущество представленного подхода по отношению к различным мерам.

Condition-based maintenance (CBM) utilizes the real conditions of the components to make a decision when to replace and/or maintain the components, thus maximizing the life span of the machineries, whilst minimizing the count of service interferences. Particularly, CBM system identifies the noteworthy variations and fluctuations of signals and variables on the basis of sensor information so as to avoid or prevent the breakdown in machines. Thereby, this work develops a new prediction model on CBM in class II machines, where vibration velocity and average time are considered as input parameters and accordingly, the availability and reliability are predicted. Here, the proposed scheme consists of 2 chief phases like (1) feature extraction and (2) prediction. At first, feature extraction is performed, wherein statistical and higher-order statistical features are extracted. Subsequent to this, the extracted features are given to the Neural Network (NN) classifier that predicts the final output (availability and reliability of machines). To enhance the prediction accuracy of the classifier, the weights of NN are fine-tuned via Levy Flight Adopted Grey Wolf Optimization (LF-GWO). At last, the supremacy the presented approach is proved with respect to varied measures.
Development of a Computerized, Evidence-Based Decision Support System for Computed Tomography Assessment in Acute Aortic Syndrome in the Emergency Department
Authors:   Radiology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain, B Lumbreras-Fernández , A Vicente Bártulos ,   Emergency Radiology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain, BM Fernandez-Felix ,   Clinical Biostatistics Unit, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal (IRYCIS), CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain, J Corres González ,   Emergency Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain, J Zamora ,   Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, England, A Muriel ,   Clinical Biostatistic Unit, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Nursing Department, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To develop a computerized algorithm, or Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS), for managing and requesting imaging in the emergency department, specifically Computerized Tomography Angiography (CTA) of the aorta, when there is suspicion of AAS, and to determine the effect of implementing this system. To determine the factors associated with a positive radiological diagnosis that improve the predictive capacity of CTA findings. Methods: After developing and implementing an evidence-based algorithm, we studied suspected cases of AAS. Chi-squared test was used to analyze the association between the variables included in the algorithm and radiological diagnosis, with three categories: no relevant findings, positive for AAS, and alternative diagnoses. Results: 130 requests were identified; 19 (14.6%) had AAS and 34 (26.2%) had a different acute pathology. Of the 19 with AAS, 15 had been stratified as high risk and 4 as intermediate risk. The probability of AAS was 3.4 times higher in patients with known AA (p = 0.021, 95% CI 1.2-9.6) and 5.1 times higher in patients with a new aortic regurgitation murmur (p = 0.019, 95% CI 1.3-20.1). The probability of having an alternative severe acute pathology was 3.2 times higher in patients with hypotension or shock (p = 0.02, 95% CI 1.2-8.5). Conclusion: The use of a CDSS in the emergency department can help optimize AAS diagnosis. In our hospital it improved AAS management and the diagnostic yield of CTA.
Cystic Meningioma in an Adult: Unusual Radiologic Appearance of a Common Intracranial Tumor
Authors:   Radiology Department in Specialities Hospital, Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco, A Soukaina , S Sanae ,   Radiology Department in Specialities Hospital, Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco, F Meryem ,   Radiology Department in Specialities Hospital, Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco, J Mohammed ,   Radiology Department in Specialities Hospital, Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco, T Firdaous ,   Radiology Department in Specialities Hospital, Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco
Published: March 2022

Meningiomas are common intracranial brain tumors. However, cystic meningiomas are very rare, accounting for 2%-4% of intracranial meningiomas. In this article, we report a 52 years old female patient with a parasagittal right frontal cystic meningioma type V recognized by its neuroimaging features on CT scan and MRI. Imaging modalities can play a crucial role in the appreciation of subtypes of cystic meningiomas, and the radiological analysis for appropriate surgical treatment.
Unusual Cutaneous Scalp Metastases of Breast Cancer
Authors:   Radiology Department, National Institute of Oncology, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco, S Allioui , S Sninate ,   Radiology Department, National Institute of Oncology, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco, H Jerguigue ,   Radiology Department, National Institute of Oncology, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco, R Latib ,   Radiology Department, National Institute of Oncology, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco, Y Omor ,   Radiology Department, National Institute of Oncology, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
Published: March 2022

A 64-year-old lady was referred to our department with an intermittently painful parietal left scalp mass that progressed 2 years prior. Several years prior, this patient underwent a mastectomy with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for its breast cancer, associated to axillary lymph node metastasis. Clinically, the scalp mass was hard, immobile, and measured 4cm. The breast examination was unremarkable with no definite evidence of regional or distant lymphadenopathy. Cerebral MRI was performed, demonstrating a left parietal mass, with intermediate signal on T2, comprising zones with restricted diffusion, and heterogeneous enhancing after Gadolinium. This mass caused an infiltration of adjacent bone and meningitis, with no associated abnormality of the cerebral parenchyma.
Kidney Stones Vanished into Thin Air: Distinguishing Emphysematous Pyelitis from Renal Calculi on Ultrasound
Authors:   Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, R Rajendram , Y Syed ,   Department of Intensive Care Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, UR Bakhsh ,   Department of Intensive Care Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, A Hussain ,   Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Published: March 2022

Emphysematous pyelitis (gas within the excretory system) is a rare infection with a mortality of 20%. Although, it may resolve with antibiotics alone, the presence of gas within the kidney must be detected and clearly distinguished from uncomplicated pyelonephritis or calculi. Acoustic shadowing on ultrasound (i.e. the drop in echo strength under a highly reflective or attenuating structure) can be useful in this situation. This can distinguish calcification (clean shadowing) or bone (partial shadowing) and gas (dirty shadowing). To highlight the importance of the correct interpretation of this imaging artifact we describe the course of a 64 years old woman who presented with fever, left flank pain and dysuria. The renal tract ultrasound was initially reported to show multiple renal calculi. However, on re-review it was noted that the appearance of the acoustic shadowing was more consistent with air. The diagnosis of emphysematous pyelitis was confirmed by computed tomography.
LV Apical Aneurysm with Apical Ventricle Septal Rupture Following Anterior Wall Infarction
Authors:   Department of Medicine, Saint Richard’s Hospital Chichester, UK, A Hassan , F Khan ,   Resident Cardiology, Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad, UK, K Azom ,   Department of Medicine, Saint Richard’s Hospital Chichester, UK
Published: March 2022

A 49-year-old female patient presented with complaints of progressively increasing shortness of breath and reducing exercise tolerance since the last 4 days. Patient had an anterior wall myocardial infarction 11 days ago and was discharged following an uneventful stay in the coronary care unit. Upon presentation an X-ray was done by the E.R physician, which showed bilateral pleural effusions with focal lateral bulge arising from the left lower heart border, this raised suspicion of ventricular aneurysm.
A Non-Aspergillosis Cause of Air Crescent Sign
Authors:   Department of Radiology, Oncology National Institute, Rabat, Morocco, I El Ouali , K Elaitari ,   Department of Radiology, Oncology National Institute, Rabat, Morocco, H Jerguigue ,   Department of Radiology, Oncology National Institute, Rabat, Morocco, R Latib ,   Department of Radiology, Oncology National Institute, Rabat, Morocco, Y Omor ,   Department of Radiology, Oncology National Institute, Rabat, Morocco
Published: March 2022

A 65 old man, with a history of heavy smoking was diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The initial chest CT showed a solid mass in the upper left lobe (Figure 1). Post-chemotherapy chest CT revealed a cavitary lesion with an air-crescent sign (Figure 2). The resulting aspect is an expression of the necrotic excavation of the tumor.
Adequacy of Clinical Information on Trauma CT Requests From ED Department
Authors:   Department of Radiology, West Suffolk Hospital, Addenbrookes Hospitals, UK, A Saadawy
Published: March 2022

There is evidence to suggest a correlation between inadequate clinical information and inaccurate radiology reports. Additionally, multiple research studies confirm the overuse of imaging in ED, particularly in the older group of patients. Unjustified CT Trauma requests not only affect the report to be produced, but also can delay appropriate management.
Appropriate Use of Lumbar Spine X-Ray for Low Back Pain-An Investigation of Limited Clinical Value
Authors:   Department of Radiology, West Suffolk Hospital, Addenbrookes Hospitals, UK, A Saadawy
Published: March 2022

NICE has been advising for years against routine imaging for low back pain, unless the result is likely to change patient management. The recent GIRFT report further highlighted this as an area of concern and that we should be reducing ’low value imaging’.
Predicting Mortality Rate in ICU-Admitted COVID-19 Patients Implementing Visual Semi-Quantitative CT Severity Scoring System
Authors:   Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran, J Azadbakht , ZS Lajevardi ,   Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran, AH Abdoli ,   Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
Published: March 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical and laboratory features and CT scan (CT intensity score and pleural effusion) associated with COVID-19 pneumonia to evaluate the relationship between CT scan findings and mortality by comparing deceased patients with normal patients. Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 290 ICU admitted patients with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia were investigated. Totally, 150 deceased patients (with confirmed COVID-19 related death) were extracted from the COVID-19 registry of the affiliated university hospital belonging to mentioned period of time (in-hospital mortality subgroup, case), and 150 patients who survived the admission course were randomly selected from the same data set (surviving subgroup, control). Available electronic records for each patient were enlisted, including laboratory and clinical information, and their on-admission Computed Tomography (CT) images were reviewed. Mortalityrelated risk factors were compared between case and control subgroups. Results: The mean age of deceased patients (68.20 ± 16.07) was significantly higher than that of the surviving patients (54.72 ± 19.50) (p <0.001). Diabetes, hypertension, and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) were significantly related with higher mortality rates (62.2%, 58.7%, and 80.4% mortality in diabetic, hypertensive, and CKD patients versus 41.7%, 42.1%, and 35.9% in non-diabetics, normotensives, and patients without CKD). Additionally, the mean on-admission air-room SPO2 level in deceased patients (90%) was significantly lower than that of the survivors (93%) (p = 0.001). Lymphocyte count, Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), fasting Blood Sugar (BS), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), and Creatinine (Cr), mean CT severity score (CT-ss), and O2 supportive therapy requirement were significantly higher in the mortality subgroup (p <0.05). Pleural effusion showed no significant correlation with short-term mortality. CT-ss of >11, in isolation or in combination with abovementioned prognosticators, was 64% or 81.4% sensitive, and 60% or of 78.6% specific, to predict mortality. Conclusions: Factors such as advanced age, underlying diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and CKD, decreased air-room SPO2, and increased lymphocyte count, higher NLR, ESR, CRP, LDH, BS, BUN, and Cr level, as well as higher CT-ss and O2 supportive therapy, are all significantly correlated with higher mortality in ICU-admitted COVID-19 patients.
Chest CT Severity Score, CURB-65 Score and Their Relationship with in-Hospital-Mortality in COVID-19 Patients
Authors:   Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran, J Azadbakht , ZS Lajevardi ,   Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
Published: March 2022

Objective: With every new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 spreading on a fast pace across the borders, an easy-to-calculate and reliable scoring system seems invaluable to identify high-risk patients. This study aims to investigate the relationship between CT Severity Score (CTSS) and CURB-65 score with mortality in COVID-19 patients. Methods: This study was conducted on RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary teaching center during fifth national wave of disease in one of the early disease epicenters in the country. All enrolled patients underwent chest CT scan within first day of admission. CTSS and CURB-65 scores were calculated and assigned to patients, while radiologist was blinded to clinical and laboratory findings, and they were evaluated for their correlation with in-hospital mortality, additively and separately. Results: Total number of 216 patients (140 males) with a mean age of 56.02 ± 17.34 years (ranging from 4 to 95) were enrolled. We found no significant relationship between CURB-65 score and CTSS (correlation coefficient: 0.065; P: 0.338). CURB-65 scores above 1 was predictive of in-hospital mortality with sensitivity of 56.4% and specificity of 81.9% (P: 0), those for CTSS above 11 were 79.5% and 4 51.5%, respectively (P: 0.001). CURB-65 score >1 and CTSS >11 predicted in-hospital mortality with sensitivity and specificity of 61.5% and 79.7% (P: 0.000). CURB-65 score and CTSS had a higher sensitivity and specificity to predict mortality comparing to each of those separately, but these enhanced statistics were not significant. Conclusion: CURB-65 score is meaningfully stronger than CTSS to prognosticate in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19, and it is not significantly correlated with CTSS.
A Rare Case of Hirayama Disease in a 28-Year-Old Indian Woman
Authors:   Kasturba Medical College Manipal, India, H Mathew , KP Ashwin ,   Kasturba Medical College Manipal, India
Published: March 2022

A 28-year-old woman presented with slowly progressive weakness of the right upper limb since 14 years of age. This was purely motor, distally located and progressive in nature. It did not involve any other limbs. She also had a history of hypothyroidism and gestational diabetes. On examination, hypothenar muscle wasting and complete claw hand was noted (Figure 1) Power was reduced in muscles of the hand, while reflexes were bilaterally absent on both upper limbs. Distal asymmetric motor neuropathy was suspected, and nerve conduction studies confirmed the same. Plain MR imaging of the whole spine with dynamic flexion and extension of cervical spine was done which showed features consistent with Hirayama disease (Figure 2).
Non-Hermitian Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics - Configuration Interaction Singles Approach for Polaritonic Structure with ab initio Molecular Hamiltonians
Authors: McTague Jonathan , Foley Jonathan
Published: March 2022

We combine ab initio molecular electronic Hamiltonians with a cavity quantum electrodynamics model for dissipative photonic modes and apply mean-field theories to the ground- and excited-states of resulting polaritonic systems. In particular, we develop a non-Hermitian configuration interaction singles theory for mean-field ground- and excited-states of the molecular system strongly interacting with a photonic mode, and apply these methods to elucidating the phenomenology of paradigmatic polaritonic systems. We leverage the Psi4Numpy framework to yield open-source and accessible reference implementations of these methods.
Super-resolved 3D mapping of molecular orientation with vibrational techniques
Authors: Koziol Paulina , Kosowska Karolina , Liberda Danuta , Borondics Ferenc , Wrobel Tomasz
Published: March 2022

When a sample has an anisotropic structure, it is possible to obtain different information, when changing polarization of incident light. Using polarized light of a single vibrational band to determine the in-plane orientation and internal ordering of a sample is a typical practice in materials science. Acquiring mapping data at four different polarizations with a stationary sample than just at two polarizations offers much more insight into the sample structure with proper mathematical treatment. A concurrent analysis of two vibrational bands with perpendicular transition moment orientations allows the understanding of the orientational ordering in three dimensions. We show here, to the best of our knowledge, the first application of concurrent analysis to IR spectromicroscopy data and obtain orientation angles of a model spherulite polycaprolactone sample. Moreover, we show that this method can be easily applied to high resolution, diffraction limited FT-IR and Raman imaging and even to sub-diffraction limit O-PTIR imaging. Due to the non-tomographic experimental approach, no image distortion is visible and nanometer scale orientation domains can be observed. 3D bond orientation maps will enable in-depth characterization of sample structure in a quantitative manner enabling more precise control of their physicochemical properties and function.
EPR, time, irreversibility and causality
Authors: Lucia Umberto , Grisolia Giulia
Published: March 2022

Causality is the relationship between causes and effects. Following Relativity, any cause of an event must always be in the past light cone of the event itself, but causes and effect must always be related to some interactions. In this paper, causality is developed as a consequence of the analysis of the Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen paradox. Causality is interpreted as the result of the time generation due to irreversible interactions of real systems among them. Time results as a consequence of irreversibility, so any state function of a system in its space cone, when affected by an interaction with an observer, moves into a light cone or within it, with the consequence that any cause must precede its effect in a common light cone.
Actual Molecule of Benzene and its Resonance Structures: An Explanation Using the Analogy of a Macro Entity and Its Sketches
Authors: Ahmed Faiz
Published: March 2022

Confusions about basic concepts are common among number of students during early stages of education in any field, which later on reduced as they got more advance knowledge about their subject. This study is focused on the most important basic concept of chemistry i.e. Resonance phenomena to explain the benzene molecule structure and its canonical forms. Enormous literature available on this topic; however, still chemistry students find difficult to understand the difference between a real molecular moiety and it’s proposed sketch or model at early stages of their learning. To solve this issue macro entity and its sketches analogy used in front of students and found it more effective. A tough or difficult topic during class lecture can be simplified by using a suitable analogy with minimal resources.
Hydrogermylation initiated by trialkylborohydrides: a living anionic mechanism
Authors: Zaranek Maciej , Nowicki Mateusz , Andruszak Piotr , Hoffmann Marcin , Pawluć Piotr
Published: March 2022

Sodium trialkylborohydrides were found to be selective catalysts for the hydrogermylation of aromatic alkenes. Addition of phenylgermane and diphenylgermane in the presence of 10 mol% of NaHB(sec-Bu)3 proceeded in a highly selective manner to give – in contrast to the analogous hydrosilylation process – β-germylated products. The nature of this process was explained with the aid of DFT calculations and it was proposed that the mechanism proceeds via a trisubstituted germanide anion whose attack on the terminal vinyl carbon is the source of selectivity.
Analysis and differentiation of tobacco-derived and synthetic nicotine products: Addressing an urgent regulatory issue
Authors: Cheetham Andrew , Plunkett Susan , Campbell Preston , Hilldrup Jacob , Coffa Bonnie , Gilliland Stan , Eckard Steve
Published: March 2022

There is significant regulatory and economic need to distinguish analytically between tobacco-derived nicotine (TDN) and synthetic nicotine (SyN) in commercial products. Currently, commercial e-liquid and oral pouch products are available that contain tobacco-free nicotine, which could be either extracted from tobacco or synthesized. While tobacco products that contain TDN are regulated by FDA Center for Tobacco Products, those with SyN are currently not in the domain of any regulatory authority. This regulatory difference provides an economic incentive to use or claim the use of SyN to remain on the market without submitting a Premarket Tobacco Product Application. TDN is ~99.3% (S)-nicotine, whereas SyN can vary from racemic (50/50 (R)/(S)) to ≥ 99% (S)-nicotine, i.e., chemically identical to the tobacco-derived compound. Here we report efforts to distinguish between TDN and SyN in various samples by characterizing impurities, (R)/(S)-nicotine enantiomer ratio, (R)/(S)-nornicotine enantiomer ratio, and carbon-14 (14C) content. Only 14C analysis accurately and precisely differentiated TDN (100% 14C) from SyN (35-38% 14C) in all samples tested. 14C quantitation of nicotine samples by accelerator mass spectrometry is a reliable determinate of nicotine source and can be used to identify misbranded product labelled as containing SyN. This is the first report to distinguish natural, bio-based nicotine from synthetic, petroleum-based nicotine across a range of pure nicotine samples and commercial e-liquid products.
QM/MM Simulations Reveal the Determinants of Carbapenemase Activity in Class A β-lactamases
Authors: Chudyk Ewa , Beer Michael , A.L. Limb Michael , A. Jones Charlotte , Spencer James , W. van der Kamp Mark , Mulholland Adrian
Published: March 2022

β-lactam antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, primarily caused by β-lactamase enzymes that hydrolyze the β-lactam ring, has become a serious clinical problem. Carbapenems were formerly considered ‘last resort’ antibiotics because they escaped breakdown by most β-lactamases, due to slow deacylation of the acyl-enzyme intermediate. However, an increasing number of Gram-negative bacteria now produce β-lactamases with carbapenemase activity: these efficiently hydrolyze the carbapenem β-lactam ring, severely limiting treatment of some bacterial infections. Here, we use quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations of the deacylation reactions of acyl-enzyme complexes of eight β-lactamases of class A (the most widely distributed β-lactamase group) with the carbapenem meropenem to investigate differences between those inhibited by carbapenems (TEM-1, SHV-1, BlaC, CTX-M-16) and those that hydrolyze them (SFC-1, KPC-2, NMC-A, SME-1). QM/MM molecular dynamics simulations confirm the two enzyme groups to differ in the preferred acyl-enzyme orientation: carbapenem-inhibited enzymes favor hydrogen bonding of the carbapenem hydroxyethyl group to the deacylating water (DW). QM/MM simulations of deacylation give activation free energies in good agreement with experimental hydrolysis rates, correctly distinguishing carbapenemases. For the carbapenem-inhibited enzymes activation free energies for deacylation are significantly higher than for the carbapenemases, even when the hydroxyethyl group was restrained to prevent interaction with the DW. Analysis of these simulations, and additional simulations of mutant enzymes, shows how factors including the hydroxyethyl orientation, the active site volume and architecture (conformations of Asn170 and Asn132; organization of the oxyanion hole; and the Cys69-Cys238 disulfide bond) collectively determine catalytic efficiency towards carbapenems.
Solution [2 + 2] photopolymerization of biomass-derived nonrigid monomers enabled by energy transfer catalysis
Authors: Jiang Yu , Ma Qiang , Zhang Xun , Li Junfang , Liao Saihu
Published: March 2022

The [2 + 2] photopolymerization has been known for more than fifty years and widely applied in many fields. However, this process was typically conducted in solid state, while the corresponding [2 + 2] photopolymerization of simple non-rigid diolefinic monomers were rarely achieved in solution under visible light, owing to the lack of monomer preassembly and low/no absorption of visible light. In fact, the [2 + 2] photopolymerization of simple biscinnamate monomers remains an unsolved problem. Here, we demonstrate that energy transfer catalysis could overcome the low efficiency in the intersystem crossing to triplet states of monomers, and enable the [2 + 2] photopolymerization of biomass-derived biscinnamate monomers in solution for the first time. As no preassembly is required, this solution polymerization protocol is applicable to biscinnamate monomers with different linker structures, and allows copolymerization between different biscinnamate monomers to regulate polymer mechanical properties. A series of cyclobutane-imbedded polyesters (Mw ranged from 25.3 kDa to 61.3 kDa) become accessible, which shown excellent solubility in organic solvents and good processability, in sharp contrast to the properties of the biscinnamate polymers obtained before via the solid state photopolymerization methods.
Automated Stereocontrolled Assembly-Line Synthesis of Organic Molecules
Authors: Fasano Valerio , Mykura Rory , Fordham James , Rogers Jack , Banecki Borys , Noble Adam , Aggarwal Varinder
Published: March 2022

Automation has fuelled dramatic advances in fields such as proteomics and genomics (e.g., in preparation of proteins and nucleic acids),1,2 enabling non-experts to prepare, test and analyse complex biological molecules. However, the field of automated organic synthesis lags far behind, partly because of the complexity and variety of organic molecules. As a result, only a handful of relatively simple organic molecules, requiring a small number of synthetic steps, have been made in an automated fashion. Herein, we report an automated assembly-line synthesis that allows iterative, stereocontrolled formation of C(sp3)–C(sp3) bonds with high stereochemical fidelity and reproducibility, enabling access to complex organic molecules even by non-synthesis experts. This was achieved on a commercially available robotic platform capable of handling air sensitive reactants and performing low temperature reactions, which enabled six sequenced one-carbon homologations of organoboron substrates to be performed iteratively without human intervention. Together with other automated functional group manipulations, this methodology has been exploited to rapidly build the core fragment of the natural product (+)-kalkitoxin, thus leading the way towards automated organic synthesis.
A New Exhaustion Emerged with COVID-19 and Digitalization: A Qualitative Study on Zoom Fatigue
Authors: USTA KARA Işıl , ERSOY Esma Görkem
Published: March 2022

The study aimed to reveal the physical, mental, and emotional effects of Zoom fatigue and the behaviors of the participants during the use of the video conference programs. Zoom fatigue refers to the feeling of exhaustion associated with the use of videoconferencing. Bailenson (2021) states that the concept of 'Zoom Fatigue', is used for general evaluations of video conferencing. With the COVID-19, education activities started to be carried out through video conference programs. Therefore, it is important to examine Zoom fatigue in the education sector. The sample of the study consists of 51 participants. 30% of the participants are teachers and 70% of the participants are academic staff. The data were obtained through the semi-structured interview form. Qualitative research methods were preferred to evaluate and interpret subjective experiences, perceptions, and feelings of the participants. The data were analyzed by descriptive analysis technique. According to the results of the study, Zoom fatigue affects the physical and mental well-being of the users negatively. Zoom fatigue causes exhaustion, stress and increases the mental and cognitive load. Especially among women, mirror anxiety is experienced. The study will guide employees and organizations about struggling with Zoom fatigue. Also, the study will contribute to organizational behavior literature.
Access to Credit for Minority-owned Businesses
Authors: Meyer Brent H. , Schweitzer Mark E.
Published: March 2022

Equal access to small business credit is a critical underpinning to equity in economic opportunity; however, it is difficult to regularly assess the fairness of credit provision. Prior research has focused on the Federal Reserve Board’s Survey of Small Business Finance, but last data from this source covered 2003. This article provides preliminary results on new credit access question added to the Census Bureau’s 2021 Annual Business Survey. We find that minority-owned businesses were just as likely to apply for credit in 2020, but Black-, Asian-, and Hispanic-owned businesses were less likely than white-owned businesses to report receiving all of the credit that they sought. Black-, Asian-, and Hispanic-owned firms also more frequently reported that the credit was intended for meeting operating expenses and that their ongoing viability was weaker heading into 2022.
Exploring the Education Reform of Architectural Drawing and Drafting Under the Background of Curriculum Ideology and Politics
Authors: Zou Qianxiu
Published: March 2022

Curriculum ideology and politics is an innovative concept in the implementation of the fundamental task of education – establishing moral education. Taking higher vocational schools’ Architectural Drawing and Drafting as an example, we search for the penetration point of course knowledge and skills by exploring the teaching resources of ideology and politics with the same connotation, realize the synergy of value leading in the process of imparting knowledge and cultivating skills, help students to establish ideals and beliefs, as well as cultivate patriotism and the spirit of craftsmanship among students. Teachers are responsible for teaching and educating people. Therefore, teachers should not only impart professional knowledge, but also emphasize on the elements of ideology and politics in the teaching of professional courses from the essence of “educating people,” which focuses on the organic combination of value leadership, knowledge transmission, and skills cultivation. It is worthwhile for every teacher to reflect deeply and put it into practice. This paper studies the application of higher education curriculum ideology and politics in Architectural Drawing and Drafting, and subsequently proposes measures on how to better integrate the elements of ideology and politics into the course content, hoping to provide reference for the teaching of architecture courses.