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Multiblock copolymers type PDC are polyetheresterurethanes composed of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) and poly(p-dioxanone) segments. They were designed as degradadable shape-memory polymers for medical devices, which can be implanted minimally-invasively. While providing structural support in the initial phase after implantation, they are capable to modulate soft tissue regeneration while degradation. In this perspective, we elucidate cell-material interactions, compatibility both in-vitro and in-vivo and biofunctionality of PDC, which represents a promising candidate biomaterial family especially for cardiovascular applications.

We analyzed the number of cumulative positive cases of COVID-19 as a function of time in countries around the World. We tracked the increase in cases from the onset of the pandemic in each region for up to 150 days. We found that in 81 out of 146 regions the trajectory was described with a power-law function for up to 30 days. We also detected scale-free properties in the majority of sub-regions in Australia, Canada, China, and the United States (US). We developed an allometric model that was capable of fitting the initial phase of the pandemic and was the best predictor for the propagation of the illness for up to 100 days. We then determined that the power-law COVID-19 exponent correlated with measurements of human mobility. The COVID-19 exponent correlated with the magnitude of air passengers per country. This correlation persisted when we analyzed the number of air passengers per US states, and even per US metropolitan areas. Furthermore, the COVID-19 exponent correlated with the number of vehicle miles travelled in the US. Together, air and vehicular travel explained 70 % of the variability of the COVID-19 exponent. Taken together, our results suggest that the scale-free propagation of the virus is present at multiple geographical scales and is correlated with human mobility. We conclude that models of disease transmission should integrate scale-free dynamics as part of the modeling strategy and not only as an emergent phenomenological property.

Language is vital to human beings, as it is a means of expressing thoughts, emotions and feelings. Impairments in the nervous system significantly affect the individual's language and behavior, bringing burdens on the family and the state. Stroke is the most common cause of language impairment, causing disorders due to specific brain injuries. We identified these disorders in the initial phase and intervened with speech therapy. Although the language problem in post-stroke patients is significant, this domain is poorly addressed in Bangladesh, which makes this work a pioneer. Large-scale studies are needed to better visualize the extent of the problem.

The objective of this work was to estimate and compare phenotypic and genetic parameters after three cycles of intrapopulation recurrent selection for fresh corn grown under three nutrient availability conditions. Three experiments derived from the same population (MV-003) were conducted to assess the ability of progenies to absorb nutrients, one under adequate fertilization (control; MV-006), one under low nitrogen availability (N; MV-006N), and one under low phosphorus availability (P; MV-006P). The experiments were carried out in randomized blocks, with 64 half-sib progenies and three replications for each nutritional condition. Chlorophyll index, plant height, ear insertion, ear diameter, ear length, unhusked ear yield, and marketable husked ear were evaluated. The populations showed variability for the three nutrient availability conditions. The variability reduced after only three selection cycles; thus, evaluating a higher number of half-sib progenies, above 64, under low N and P availability is indicated. The rates used to identify the most efficient progenies in breeding programs should be close to the appropriate one, with a slow reduction after the selection cycles. The variability will be thus maintained, with a greater possibility of identifying more promising progenies. In addition, the frequency of favorable alleles increases more gradually and effectively. The N and P rate of 60 kg ha-1 is not indicated as a critical level for the initial phase of the program. RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar e comparar parâmetros fenotípicos e genéticos após três ciclos de seleção recorrente intrapopulacional em milho fresco sob três disponibilidades nutricionais. Três experimentos derivados de uma mesma população foram realizados para avaliar a capacidade das progênies em adquirir os nutrientes, um sob fertilização adequada (controle – MV-006), outro sob baixa disponibilidade de nitrogênio (N – MV-006N) e outro sob baixa disponibilidade de fósforo (P – MV-006P). Os experimentos foram realizados em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com 64 progênies de meios-irmãos, com três repetições. Foram avaliadas as características de índice relativo de clorofila, altura da planta e inserção da espiga, diâmetro e comprimento da espiga, produtividade de espigas empalhadas e despalhadas. As populações apresentam variabilidade para as três condições de disponibilidade nutricional. A variabilidade foi muito reduzida com apenas três ciclos de seleção, sendo indicado avaliar um número maior de progênies de meiosirmãos, acima de 64, sob baixa disponibilidade de N e P. A dose a ser usada para identificar as progênies mais eficientes no programa de melhoramento deve estar próxima a recomendada, com uma redução lenta após os ciclos seletivos. Dessa forma, a variabilidade será mantida e com maior possibilidade de identificação de progênies mais promissoras. Além disso, a frequência de alelos favoráveis aumenta de forma mais gradual e eficaz, sendo que a dose de 60 kg ha-1 de N e P não é indicada na fase inicial do programa, como nível crítico.

La presente investigación surge como demanda tecnológica por las deficiencias técnicas en la ejecución de la fase inicial de aceleración, específicamente en los cuatro primeros pasos en las carreras de velocidad manifestadas por los atletas juveniles de la Escuela de Iniciación Deportiva Escolar de Villa Clara, Cuba; mediante el diagnóstico de las deficiencias técnicas se determinaron las variables cinemáticas a estudiar, en aras del perfeccionamiento técnico de esta fase. Los objetivos son establecer procedimientos biomecánicos para el análisis de los primeros pasos de carrera de los velocistas juveniles. Conocer el nivel de satisfacción de los usuarios con el procedimiento propuesto. Se emplearon métodos del nivel teórico y empírico; además del programa biomecánico Kinovea para obtener los grados de los diferentes partes del cuerpo, nos permitió constar los deficientes resultados que experimenta esta disciplina a nivel nacional y de la necesidad de contar con un procedimiento biomecánico que orienten el proceso de entrenamiento de los velocistas juveniles. Como principal resultado se obtuvo un procedimiento biomecánico para el análisis de los primeros pasos de las carreras de velocidad, donde los usuarios están muy satisfechos.

Summary Aim To test the null hypothesis that there was no difference in treatment efficiency between therapies undertaken with conventional (CBs), passive self-ligating (PSLBs) or active self-ligating (ASLBs) brackets. Materials and methods An electronic search was performed in 3 data bases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) from their origin up to January 2019. Additional references were hand searched. Search was strictly restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and split-mouth design studies (SMDs). RCTs and SMDs were initially processed separately and subsequently combined in a network meta-analysis. The following variables were evaluated: treatment duration, number of visits, occlusal outcomes, alignment rate, transverse arch dimensional changes, incisor position modification, rate of space closure, anchorage loss, bond failure, root resorption, perception of discomfort during the initial phase of alignment, time to ligate in or to untie an archwire, periodontal variables, quality of life. Results On 229 papers, 30 RCTs and 9 SMDs were finally included in this study. Out of 85 comparisons, 16 only revealed statistically significant differences. It was quicker to untie and ligate an 0.014 NiTi arch from/in 6 ASLBs anterior ceramic brackets compared to 6 ceramic CBs. It was also more painful to insert and remove an 0.019 × 0.025 SS wire in/from PSLB's brackets compared to CB's attachments. Compared to conventional brackets, there was less maxillary incisor proclination with PSLBs in non-extraction cases. Moreover, there was less bleeding on probing 4-5 weeks after bonding with PSLBs compared to CBs brackets. The only significant difference between ASLBs and PSLBs was that alignment was 10 days faster with active self-ligating braces compared with passive self-ligating braces even if treatment duration between ASLBs and PSLBs was not significantly different. The network meta-analysis revealed that IMPA was greater in extractions cases with CBs compared with both ASLBs (+2,5°) and PSLBs (+1,6°). Conclusions The vast majority of the studied variables did not show any significant differences between the three types of brackets. The most significant findings were that it was quicker to insert and remove archwires from ASLBs compared to CBs, and it was more painful to insert and remove an 0.019 × 0.025” stainless steel wire in/from PSLBs compared to CBs. The major difference between ASLBs and PSLBs was that alignment was 10 days faster with active self-ligating braces compared with passive self-ligating braces even if treatment duration between ASLBs and PSLBs was not significantly different. Most of the claims put forward by the suppliers were not substantiated by our network meta-analysis.

The aim of this study is to investigate the volumetric measurements of the maxillary sinus among Indonesian population through computed tomography (CT) scan semi-automated segmentation. This project collected 802 retrospective head CT scan archives from Department of Radiology, Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia between 2019-2020. Patients with craniofacial anomalies/pathology fracture in proximity of the maxillary sinuses, and mediocre image quality were excluded from this study resulting only 97 CT scan archives (194 maxillary sinuses; 52 males; 45 females; age range 0-25 years old). Three-dimensional craniofacial structures were reconstructed and volumetric measurements of the maxillary sinus were computed through semi-automated segmentation using ITK-SNAP. This study recorded the initial phase of maxillary sinus pneumatization during infancy. The maxillary sinus developed until reaching the maximum of average maxillary sinus volume at 13,278.73 mm3 in 16 to 20 years old group in which afterwards fell to 12,325.21 mm3. There was no difference found between right and left maxillary sinus volume. This study revealed that the pneumatization of maxillary sinus begin during infancy and climb until reaching the second decade of life, in which after that slowly decrease. Moreover, no difference between right and left maxillary sinus volume was detected. The volumetric dimension of maxillary sinus presented in this study may serve as the basis knowledge surgical intervention of maxillary sinus and its related structures.

Homeless Persons with Mental Illness (HPMI) represent one of the most marginalized communities of the society. The psycho-social impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has been significant on the entire population but causes more suffering in the vulnerable population. During the initial phase of the pandemic in India, strict measures were taken to contain the infection that led to certain unique challenges for HPMI and in their reintegration with society. The series of cases highlight the multiple facets of problems faced and ways to counter them so as to effectively rehabilitate HPMI, with focus on the pandemic at hand. The involvement of a multidisciplinary team, utilization of technological advances and promoting effective liaison with various public sectors are suggested as the way forward.

The initial phase of a temperature growth in different parts of the Earth has been examined. It is found that climate warming in the continental areas began 6–8 years earlier than in the oceanic areas. Climate warming in the sub-polar cyclonic circulation area in the North Atlantic has been started only after the beginning of the positive quasi-30-year phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), i. e. since 2000s. On the basis of the Singular Spectrum Analysis of the air temperature time series the continental areas are found, in which summer air temperature changes are synchronous with AMO on a decadal scale. In those regions, climate warming began with a 10–15 year lag in comparison to other continental areas. The highest level of statistical significance of the correlation between quasi-60-year AMO components and summer air temperatures is observed in Central and Eastern Europe (35–60° N, 10–45° E). This oscillation explains the decadal summer temperature changes within the range of ±(0.5–0.6) °C in Belarus. Climate warming intensifies in summer during the ascending AMO segment, while during the descending segment, which has started since around 2010, the decrease in the rate of growth of summer temperatures should be expected.

Treasury yields spiked during the initial phase of COVID. The 10-year yield increased by 64 bps from March 9 to 18, 2020, leading the Federal Reserve to purchase $1T of Treasuries in 2020Q1. Fed Treasury purchases were causal for reducing Treasury yields based on (1) the timing of purchases (which increased on March 19), (2) evidence against confounding factors, and (3) the timing of yield reversal and Fed purchases in the MBS market. Treasury-QE worked more via purchases than announcements. The yield spike was driven by liquidity needs of mutual funds, foreign official agencies, and hedge funds that were unaffected by the March 15, 2020 Treasury-QE announcement.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Surabaya was one of the highest in Indonesia at the beginning of the pandemic. This study aims to determine the mobility and activity patterns of the people of Surabaya during the COVID-19 pandemic and find a correlation between people mobility and the number of COVID-19 cases in Surabaya City using Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation (PCC). The data used are mobility data at Gubeng Station, Purabaya Terminal, Waru Utama toll gate, and COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports. The mobility pattern of the people of Surabaya City in 2020 is divided into 5 phases, namely the normal condition phase (F0), the pandemic’s initial phase (F1), the PSBB phase (F2), the transition of AKB phase (F3), and the AKB phase (F4). This study indicates that the number of people in transit stations and residential areas has a high correlation with the number of COVID-19 cases. In addition, the type of mobility that has the most effect on increasing the number of COVID-19 cases is the mobility of bus transportation

Purpose To determine the utility, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of the laboratory based Covid-19 antigen detection test (Coris Bio- Concept, Gembloux, Belgium) for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in a tertiary care hospital among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Methods The nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from the symptomatic patients and their contacts. The diagnostic accuracy of this antigen kit was determined in comparison to SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcriptase (RT-PCR). Results A total of 825 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study; RT-PCR and antigen detection was performed simultaneously for 484 samples to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the test. The overall specificity and sensitivity was 99.32% and 71.96% respectively. Also, 3.7% of the asymptomatic patients who were negative by RAT were detected positive by RT-PCR. Conclusion This rapid antigen test (RAT) was sensitive in the symptomatic patients presenting during the initial phase of the illness. Since, majority of the SARS-CoV-2 patients are asymptomatic and considering the huge population, the testing strategy formulated by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) at the national level was cost effective. Thus, Ag-RDTs could play a pivotal role in early diagnosis, policy making and surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the usage of scientific techniques to simulate human intellectual skills and to tackle complex medical issues involving complicated genetic defects such as cancer. The rapid expansion of AI in the past era has paved the way to optimum judgment-making by superior intellect, where the human brain is constrained to manage large information in a limited period. Cancer is a complicated ailment along with several genomic variants. AI-centred systems carry enormous potential in detecting these genomic alterations and abnormal protein communications at a very initial phase. The contemporary biomedical study is also dedicated to bringing AI expertise to hospitals securely and ethically. AI-centred support to diagnosticians and doctors can be the big surge ahead for the forecast of illness threat, identification, diagnosis, and therapies. The applications related to AI and Machine Learning (ML) in the identification of cancer and its therapy possess the potential to provide therapeutic support for quicker planning of a novel therapy for each person. Through the utilization of AI- based methods, scientists can work together in real-time and distribute their expertise digitally to possibly cure billions. In this review, the focus was on the study of linking biology with AI and describe how AI-centred support could assist oncologists in accurate therapy. It is essential to identify new biomarkers that inject drug defiance and discover medicinal goals to improve medication methods. The advent of the “next-generation sequencing” (NGS) programs resolves these challenges and has transformed the prospect of “Precision Oncology” (PO). NGS delivers numerous medical functions which are vital for hazard prediction, initial diagnosis of infection, “Sequence” identification and “Medical Imaging” (MI), precise diagnosis, “biomarker” detection, and recognition of medicinal goals for innovation in medicine. NGS creates a huge repository that requires specific “bioinformatics” sources to examine the information that is pertinent and medically important. The malignancy diagnostics and analytical forecast are improved with NGS and MI that provide superior quality images via AI technology. Irrespective of the advancements in technology, AI faces a few problems and constraints, and the clinical application of NGS continues to be authenticated. Through the steady progress of invention and expertise, the prospects of AI and PO look promising. The purpose of this review was to assess, evaluate, classify, and tackle the present developments in cancer diagnosis utilizing AI methods for breast, lung, liver, skin cancer, and leukaemia. The research emphasizes in what way cancer identification, the treatment procedure is aided by utilizing AI with supervised, unsupervised, and deep learning (DL) methods. Numerous AI methods were assessed on benchmark datasets with respect to “accuracy”, “sensitivity”, “specificity”, and “false-positive” (FP) metrics. Lastly, challenges along with future work were discussed.

Purpose To systematically review past studies to determine the effect of various solutions on the color of denture teeth, thus answering the question in regards to which type of denture teeth has the best optical properties after exposure to various solutions. The method of measuring the color of artificial teeth was also evaluated as a secondary outcome. Materials and methods A search of studies that quantitatively investigated the influence of immersion solutions on the color change of denture teeth was conducted. Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed and Scopus databases were searched from 1997 to April 2021. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used during article selection. Data regarding the effect of immersion solutions, accelerated aging and surface treatments on color change were gathered. Methodologies used to assess optical properties were also summarised and compared. The modified CONSORT checklist was used to determine the risk of bias of past studied included in this review. Results 133 studies were identified after removing duplicates. Forty-one studies were selected for full-text analysis, and 35 remaining papers met the inclusion criteria and were therefore included in this systematic review. Thirty-two in vitro studies and 3 in vivo studies were included in the review. All studies reported that immersion in various solutions has a significant influence on the change in color and optical properties of denture teeth. However, the discolouration of denture teeth is still clinically acceptable in most studies. Exposure to various solution also affected the translucency parameter of denture teeth. Most studies also investigated the surface roughness and hardness along with the optical properties, and reported that immersion cycles did not cause changes in surface roughness of denture teeth, while hardness was affected. The optical properties of PMMA denture teeth have been studied extensively, whereas that of CAD/CAM and 3D printed denture teeth is limited. Conclusions Color stability of CAD/CAM milled denture teeth is comparable to conventional PMMA denture teeth. There are contradictory findings in terms of color stability of 3D printed denture teeth as compared to conventional PMMA denture teeth. Staining by coffee is worst among the common beverages and solutions investigated. Denture teeth can show color changes after immersion in staining beverages as early as one week. The degree of discoloration of denture teeth after immersion is time dependent, with the larger extent in the initial phase. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic saw the involvement of many health non-governmental organisations (NGO) with volunteering work to help reduce the burden of healthcare workers (HCW). IMAM Response and Relief Team (IMARET) is one which is a chapter under the Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM); which is also under the umbrella of the Federations of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA). IMARET often aids HCWs during natural and manmade disasters to help reduce their burden during challenging times by providing manpower, equipment, and logistical assistance. IMARET utilizes social media (SM) for spreading information on their activities to the public, like the COVID-19 fundraising efforts. The objective of this research is to determine the correlation between their Facebook activities and fundraising outcome. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional study of Facebook posts and its engagement with Billplz, an online payment platform focused during the initial COVID-19 fundraising effort. Results and Discussion: During the study period, we report 346 Facebook posts with a median (IQR) of 8.00 (6.00,9.00) posts per day. As many as 4,823 donations, median (IQR) at RM34.50(18.75,86.00) was received per day. RM3425,50 (USD 830.52) (1369.00, 8376.25) was collected per day. ‘Organic Likes’ correlated significantly with the number of donations (r=0.419,p=0.006) and amount received (r=0.355,p=0.021). Both ‘Post Reach’ and ‘Shares’ significantly correlated with the number of donations (r=0.405,p=0.008)(r=0.515,p

Introduction : La période postnatale immédiate est une étape fondamentale d’adaptation physiologique et psychologique pour le nouveau-né. La plupart des difficultés d'adaptation à la vie extra-utérine sont prévisibles et doivent être anticipées. Le but de cette étude était de contribuer à l’amélioration des pratiques de soins essentiels aux nouveau-nés dans le centre de santé communautaire et universitaire (CSCom-U) de Konobougou. Matériel et méthodes : Il s’agissait d’une étude de recherche action qui s’est déroulée dans la maternité du CSCom U de Konobougou dans le district sanitaire de Barouéli/Région de Ségou du 01 décembre 2020 au 31 janvier 2021. Nous avons introduit dans cette étude 32 mères et 8 agents de santé. Résultats : Les matrones étaient plus représentées avec 62,5% suivies des sages-femmes avec 25%. Avant l’enquête tous les matériels étaient disponibles sauf la sonde naso-gastrique. Suite à notre recommandation l’équipe a décidé de s’en procurer une, ce qui a permis de porter la disponibilité des matériels à 100%. A la phase initiale de l’étude, 25% des mères enquêtées avaient reçu des consignes sur les soins du cordon ombilical, suite à la mise à niveau des prestataires nous avons obtenu une augmentation de 75% à la phase finale soit 100%. Conclusion : Les soins essentiels du nouveau-né restaient insuffisants pour déficit de formation initiale et/ou conti­nue d’une part et pour instabilité du personnel d’autre part. Ainsi, nous avons recommandé une mise en place de programme de formation continue et de suivi-évaluation destiné aux prestataires. Mots clés : Soins essentiels, nouveau-nés, centre de communautaire et universitaire, Konobougou

Introduction Separated endodontic instruments may adversely affect the outcome of endodontic treatment. The combination of ultrasonic techniques and dental operating microscopes appears to be effective in the removal of separated instruments compared with more randomized techniques. This study evaluated the roles of root canal curvature and separated instrument length on the time needed to loosen and retrieve the instrument fragments. Methods The retrieval procedures of 128 separated instruments referred to a private endodontic practice for retreatment by general practitioners were evaluated in patients who were monitored for a minimum of 6 months. Preoperative cone-beam computed tomographic images were used to measure separated instrument lengths in relation to the degrees of canal curvatures. Ultrasonic instruments were used in the initial phase to remove the tooth structure and to loosen the fractured instrument. In the second phase, ultrasonic instruments, wire loops, or XP Shapers (FKG Dentaire SA, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) were used for fragment removal. The time periods for all procedures were recorded. Statistical analysis was completed applying log-normal regression, structural equation modeling, and linear regression using Stata Version 14.2 software (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX). Results All separated instruments were successfully retrieved. Using the protocol in this study, 89.8% of the instruments were removed using ultrasonic instruments alone with a mean time of 221 seconds. The instrument removal time was dependent on both the instrument length and the root canal curvature. Additionally, preparation times were proportionately longer with increasing separated instrument lengths when the loop device was required. Conclusions The preparation phase appears to have an important role in the retrieval of separated instruments. Preparation times for both non-loop and loop groups demonstrate that length and curvature are independent predictors of the log-transformed time. Generally, procedure times were extended with increasing file lengths and higher degrees of canal curvature.

River rocks round through the process of impact attrition, where energetic collisions during bed-load transport induce chipping of the grain surface. This process is also important for bedrock erosion. Although previous work has shown that impact energy, lithology and shape are controlling factors for attrition rates, the functional dependence among these quantities is not settled. Here we examine these factors using a double-pendulum apparatus, that generates controlled collisions between two grains under conditions relevant for bed-load transport. We also determine the grain-size distributions (GSDs) of the attrition products. Two experimental results appear to support previous treatments of impact erosion as brittle fracture in the purely elastic regime: (i) mass loss is proportional to kinetic energy, and this proportionality is a function of previously identified material properties; and (ii) attrition product GSDs are well described by a Weibull distribution. Other observations, however, including the development of shallow and surface-parallel cracks, indicate that the common fatigue failure model is inappropriate. Rather, we propose that Hertzian fracture is the dominant mechanism that distinguishes chipping from fragmentation. We also identify an initial phase of rapid mass loss in which attrition is independent of energy and material properties; this is a shape effect associated with removal of very sharp corners. The apparent universality of both mass loss curves and attrition-product GSDs requires further investigation. Nonetheless, these findings are useful for interpreting the contribution of in-stream attrition to downstream fining and the production of sand, resulting from bed-load transport of river pebbles.