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2019年世錦賽男子競技體操優秀成隊之動作策略的結構分析
No full text[[abstract]]背景與目的：本研究目的在探討男子世界競技體操錦標賽成隊資格賽前12名國家各單項分值與成隊成績之關係，及其項目整套動作難度使用次數比例，以瞭解獲得奧運會成隊資格之整套動作策略。方法：本研究自國際體操總會取得2019年世界競技體操錦標賽男子資格賽前12名國家成隊成績（252.02±4.62）、各單項總分（40.59±1.65～43.32±0.77）、難度分值（16.03±0.60～17.45±0.56）及實施分值（26.95±1.25～23.54±0.82）。利用皮爾森積差相關分析（Pearson product-moment correlation）各國6項單項總分、難度分值及實施分值與成隊成績之相關性。利用卡方檢定檢視不同國家在難度動作使用次數比例之差異。結果：前12名國家在鞍馬、雙槓、吊環及單槓之單項總分與成隊成績呈高度相關（r=0.72～0.82; p=0.001～0.008），其影響主要來自於難度分值（p=0.001～0.016），實施分值則無顯著相關（p=0.070～0.946）。動作難度使用比例在不同國家之間達顯著差異（χ^2（33,1798）=76.25; p<0.001），以中階難度動作使用比例為最多，約占4成；高階難度動作會隨著成隊排名愈高，其使用比例愈高。結論：各單項總分是影響前12名國家成隊成績之關鍵，優秀選手皆具有相當穩定之實施表現，要區別優秀選手優劣主要來自於各單項難度分值。臨床意義：建議各國男子競技體操選手，應在各項目整套動作中置入超過4成中階難度以上動作，以獲取奧運會成隊資格
Automated identification of sleep disorders using wavelet-based features extracted from electrooculogram and electromyogram signals
No full text[[abstract]]Sleep is imperative for a healthy life as it rejuvenates memory, cognitive performance, cell repair and eliminates waste from the muscles. Sleep-related disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), periodic leg movement (PLM), and bruxism lead to hormonal imbalance, slower reaction time, memory problems, depression, and headaches. This adversity of sleep disorder gained the attention of many sleep researchers. To examine the reasons for sleep disorders, it is imperative to monitor and analyze the sleep of the affected patients. The conventional method of monitoring sleep and identifying the sleep disorders using polysomnographic (PSG) recording is a complicated and cumbersome task in which multiple physiological signals with multiple modalities are recorded for a long (overnight) duration. The PSG recordings are carried out in sophisticated sleep laboratories and cannot be considered suitable for real-time sleep monitoring. Thus, a simple and patient-convenient system is highly desirable to monitor and analyze the quality of sleep. We proposed an automatic detection of sleep disorders using single modal electrooculogram (EOG) and electromyogram (EMG) signals. We have used a new maximally flat multiplier-less biorthogonal filter bank for obtaining discrete wavelet transform of the signals. We computed Hjorth parameters (HOP) such as activity, mobility, and complexity from the wavelet sub-bands. Highly discriminative HOP features are fed to different machine learning classifiers to develop the model. Our results show that the developed system can classify insomnia, narcolepsy, NFLE, PLM, and REM behaviour disorder (RBD) against normal healthy subjects with an accuracy of 99.7%, 97.6%, 97.5%, 97.5%, and 98.3%, respectively using combined features from EOG and EMG signal. The proposed model has yielded an accuracy of 94.3% in classifying six classes using an ensemble bagged trees classifier (EBTC) with a 10-fold cross-validation technique. Hence, EOG and EMG-based proposed methods can be deployed in a portable home-based environment to identify the type of sleep disorders automatically
Extraction methodology of lignin from biomass waste influences the quality of bio-oil obtained by solvothermal depolymerization process
No full text[[abstract]]Lignin from sugarcane bagasse was extracted using three different methods such as Alkaline, Ethanosolv, and Hydrotropic extraction and the effect of each method on yield and quality of bio-oil obtained when the lignin was depolymerized through solvothermal liquefaction was studied using ethanol as solvent. The maximum lignin yield was obtained in the hydrotropic extraction method when Sodium Xylene Sulfonate was used as the hydrotropic solvent at a concentration of 1.43 M and a temperature of 90 °C. Hydrothermal experiments were performed at temperature of 250 °C with a residence time of 30 min and lignin to ethanol ratio of 1:200 g/mL respectively. Among the methods used, the Ethanosolv lignin showed the highest extent of depolymerization (86.7%) to yield bio-oil at 250 °C with reduced biochar formation at lignin to solvent ratio of 1:200. Biochar obtained was used in adsorption studies of Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn) and results showed that more than 85% removal of all the metals under lower concentration levels
Performance of simple green synthesized Ag incorporated TiO2 nanoparticles based photoanodes by doctor-blade coating as working electrodes for dye sensitized solar cells
No full text[[abstract]]In this work, TiO2 and Ag doped TiO2 nanoparticles with different concentrations of Ag (0.01 M, 0.03 M, and 0.05 M) were synthesized by facile green synthesis method using grapefruit extract as solvent/reducing agent. X-ray diffraction patterns and the Raman spectra of the prepared material exhibited anatase phase with tetragonal crystal structure. No specific peaks corresponding to Ag nanoparticles were observed, which further confirms the Ag doping in TiO2. FESEM images reveal the nanorods and spherical shaped morphology of the TiO2 and Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles respectively. UV–Visible spectrum illustrates that absorption edge was shifted towards the visible region and from the photoluminescence spectroscopy quench in the fluorescence intensity was observed for the Ag doped TiO2 samples compared to bare TiO2 sample. Using the prepared TiO2 nanoparticles and Ag doped TiO2 nanoparticles, two different dyes such as natural dye and commercial dye (N719) as sensitizers, photo anodes were prepared. DSSCs were constructed using the prepared photoanodes, and its performance was examined. The silver doped TiO2 nanoparticle showed an efficiency η of 2.66% for MK dye and 6.42% for N719 dye with 0.03 M of silver doping. Improvement of the visible light absorption and the decrease in photogenerated electron hole pair recombination, increment of the oxygen vacancy in the Ag-TiO2 are found to be the key factors for the enhancement of the electrical properties of the DSSCs
Temperature and precipitation trend analysis of the Iraq Region under SRES scenarios during the twenty-first century
No full text[[abstract]]Iraq is classified as the fifth most vulnerable country in the world to decreased water and food availability, extreme temperatures, and associated health problems. The current study aims to analyze the historical and current climate of Iraq by studying the climatic characteristics of annual, monthly, and seasonal averages of temperature and precipitation for the observed period 1971–2020. The Coupled Global Climate Model (CCSM3) based on the National Center for Atmospheric (NCAR) used to study the changes of temperature and precipitation during the twenty-first century, under the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES), which includes the low B1, medium A1B, and high A2 future emission scenarios. During 1971–2020, the results showed that the temperature anomaly increased to +2.1 °C, and precipitation anomaly decreased to ?84 mm in 2020, especially in the last decade of the twentieth century, due to drought and increase temperature and climate change consequences. The southern and southwestern regions of Iraq are the most affected by both high temperatures and lack of precipitation. The temperature is projected to increase by 0.4 °C, 1.2 °C, and 2.4 °C for B1, A1B, and A2, respectively, in 2099, while the precipitation is projected to greatest decrease under A1B from 121 mm in 2050 to 104 mm in 2099. Understanding and predicting climate change is vital to clarifying its potential future consequences for society and policy-making, as Iraq is one of the five most vulnerable countries in the world against climate change
A gastro-resistant peptide from Momordica charantia improves diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice via its novel reno-protective and anti-inflammatory activities
No full text[[abstract]]Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a principal diabetic microvascular complication, is a chronic inflammatory immune disorder. A gastro-resistant peptide mcIRBP-9 from Momordica charantia has shown modulation of blood glucose homeostasis in diabetic mice. Here we conducted a long-term experiment to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of mcIRBP-9 on DN. Type 2 diabetic mice (db/db mice) were orally given mcIRBP-9 once daily for 12 consecutive weeks. The amelioration of DN was evaluated by renal function indexes, vascular leakage, and pathological lesions. Possible effective mechanisms of mcIRBP-9 on DN were analyzed by gene expression profiles. A pharmacokinetic study in rats was carried out to evaluate the oral bioavailability of mcIRBP-9. Our data showed that mcIRBP-9 was able to enter systemic circulation in rats after oral administration. In comparison with mock, long-term administration of mcIRBP-9 significantly decreased blood glucose (572.25 ± 1.55 mg dL?1vs. 213.50 ± 163.39 mg dL?1) and HbA1c levels (13.58 ± 0.30% vs. 8.23 ± 2.98%) and improved the survival rate (85.7% vs. 100%) in diabetic mice. mcIRBP-9 ameliorated DN by reducing renal vascular leakage and histopathological changes. mcIRBP-9 altered the pathways involved in inflammatory and immune responses, and the nuclear factor-κB played a central role in the regulation of mcIRBP-9-affected pathways. Moreover, mcIRBP-9 improved the inflammatory characteristic of DN in diabetic and non-diabetic mice. In conclusion, mcIRBP-9 displayed a novel anti-inflammatory activity and exhibited a reno-protective ability in addition to controlling the blood glucose and HbA1c levels. These findings suggested the role of mcIRBP-9 from M. charantia as a nutraceutical agent for diabetes and subsequent DN
A Novel Predictive Scoring System for 90-Day Mortality among Patients with Hepatocellular Cell Carcinoma Receiving Major Hepatectomy
No full text[[abstract]]Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major malignancy and the common cause of cancer-related deaths. Surgical intervention provides superior long-term survival outcomes; however, perioperative mortality is a major concern for clinicians while making treatment decisions, especially for major hepatectomy. Scoring systems for predicting 90-day mortality in patients with HCC undergoing major hepatectomy are not available. Methods: This study used the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database that is linked to the National Health Insurance Research Database to analyze data of 60,250 patients with HCC who underwent major hepatectomy and determine risk factors to establish a novel predictive scoring system. By using the stepwise selection of the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, we divided the patients with HCC undergoing major hepatectomy into four risk groups. Results: The Chang Gung-PohAi predictive scoring system exhibited significant differences in the 90-day mortality rate among the four risk groups (very low risk: 2.42%, low risk: 4.09%, intermittent risk: 17.1%, and high risk: 43.6%). Conclusion: The Chang Gung-PohAi predictive scoring system is a promising tool for predicting 90-day perioperative mortality in patients with HCC undergoing major hepatectomy
Adjuvant postmastectomy radiotherapy might be associated with better survival in women with heart failure receiving total mastectomy
No full text[[abstract]]Background
To date, no data on the effect of adjuvant postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) on oncologic outcomes, such as all-cause death, locoregional recurrence (LRR), and distant metastasis (DM), are available in women with left-side breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
Patients and methods
We enrolled 646 women with left-breast IDC at clinical stages I–IIIC and HFrEF receiving radical total mastectomy (TM) followed by adjuvant PMRT or non-adjuvant PMRT. We categorized them into two groups based on their adjuvant PMRT status and compared their overall survival (OS), LRR, and DM outcomes. We calculated the propensity score and applied inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to create a pseudo-study cohort. Furthermore, we performed a multivariate analysis of the propensity score–weighted population to obtain hazard ratios (HRs).
Results
In the IPTW-adjusted model, adjuvant PMRT (adjusted HR [aHR]: 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37–0.74) was a significant independent prognostic factor for all-cause death (P?=?0.0003), and the aHR (95% CI) of LRR and DM for adjuvant PMRT was 0.90 (0.79–0.96; P?=?0.0356) and 0.89 (0.54–1.50; P?=?0.6854), respectively, compared with the nonadjuvant PMRT group.
Conclusion
Adjuvant PMRT was associated with a decrease in all-cause death, and LRR in women with left IDC and HFrEF compared with nonadjuvant PMRT
Association of matrix metallopeptidase-2 enotypes with risk of gastric cancer in Taiwan
No full text[[abstract]]Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) plays a critical role in the regulation of the extracellular matrix; however, its genotypes have seldom been examined in gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to investigate the contribution of MMP-2 promoter -1306 (rs243865) and -735 (rs2285053) genotypes to GC risk in a cohort of Taiwanese individuals.
Materials and methods: This study included 121 GC cases and 363 age- and sex-matched controls. The genotypes of MMP-2 were determined by typical polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.
Results: The genotypic and allelic frequency analysis showed that MMP-2 rs243865 variant genotypes decreased the risk of GC. Stratification analysis showed that MMP-2 rs243865 genotypes associate with smoking, alcohol drinking, and Helicobacter pylori infection status to confer personal susceptibility to GC. There is no such association for MMP-2 rs2285053 genotype with GC risk.
Conclusion: The MMP-2 rs243865 genotypes may serve as a novel predictive marker for GC personal susceptibility among Taiwanese
Antecedents of Consumer Food Waste Reduction Behavior: Psychological and Financial Concerns through the Lens of TIB
No full text[[abstract]]This study sought to investigate the role of consumers' emotional, cognitive, and financial concerns in the development of food waste reduction, reuse, and recycling behavior among restaurant patrons. Food waste in restaurants is a major problem for the food service industry, and it is a growing source of concern in developing countries, where eating out is becoming increasingly popular. A large portion of restaurant food waste in these markets originates from the plates of customers, highlighting the importance of consumer behavior changes in reducing waste. The current study has used a quantitative approach to analyze the impact of anticipated negative emotion of guilt, awareness of consequences, habit, and financial concern on food waste reduction behaviors, i.e., reduce, reuse, and recycle. The study collected 492 responses and data is analyzed for hypotheses testing through Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling. The findings showed that anticipated negative emotions of guilt, awareness of consequences, habit, and financial concern have a significant impact on restaurants' consumer food waste reduction behaviors. Managers, policymakers, and researchers interested in resolving the food waste problem will find the study useful. Other topics discussed include the implications and limitations as well as possible future research directions