Reverse Test Research Articles

The National Laboratory Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan.

From April 23 to November 2021, a wave of COVID-19 infections caused by a new Alpha variant swept across Taiwan, resulting in 14,458 positive cases and 830 deaths among over 3.8 million people tested. To cope with the sudden increase in sample volume, as of December 14, 2021, a network of 249 laboratories with a total diagnostic capacity of 158,492 real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests per day was established in 22 administrative regions. As of April 2022, over 9.5 million specimens were tested. Fully automated high-throughput and point-of-care nucleic acid testing, and rapid antigen testing, were simultaneously implemented to expand the country's daily diagnostic capacity. Saliva testing and sample pooling were also introduced to increase screening efficiency in certain situations. Antibody testing and genomic sequencing were also adopted for more precise epidemic investigation. Other challenges encountered and overcome include a lack of resources and interfacing of laboratory information management systems for case reporting, limited specimen allocation and delivery, and limited staff for diagnostic processing.

Rapid quantification of COVID-19 pneumonia burden from computed tomography with convolutional long short-term memory networks.

.Purpose: Quantitative lung measures derived from computed tomography (CT) have been demonstrated to improve prognostication in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients but are not part of clinical routine because the required manual segmentation of lung lesions is prohibitively time consuming. We aim to automatically segment ground-glass opacities and high opacities (comprising consolidation and pleural effusion).Approach: We propose a new fully automated deep-learning framework for fast multi-class segmentation of lung lesions in COVID-19 pneumonia from both contrast and non-contrast CT images using convolutional long short-term memory (ConvLSTM) networks. Utilizing the expert annotations, model training was performed using five-fold cross-validation to segment COVID-19 lesions. The performance of the method was evaluated on CT datasets from 197 patients with a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test result for SARS-CoV-2, 68 unseen test cases, and 695 independent controls.Results: Strong agreement between expert manual and automatic segmentation was obtained for lung lesions with a Dice score of ; excellent correlations of 0.93 and 0.98 for ground-glass opacity (GGO) and high opacity volumes, respectively, were obtained. In the external testing set of 68 patients, we observed a Dice score of as well as excellent correlations of 0.99 and 0.98 for GGO and high opacity volumes, respectively. Computations for a CT scan comprising 120 slices were performed under 3 s on a computer equipped with an NVIDIA TITAN RTX GPU. Diagnostically, the automated quantification of the lung burden % discriminate COVID-19 patients from controls with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.96 (0.95–0.98).Conclusions: Our method allows for the rapid fully automated quantitative measurement of the pneumonia burden from CT, which can be used to rapidly assess the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia on chest CT.

Best Time Domain Features for Early Detection of Faults in Rotary Machines Using RAT and ANN

Background Bearing failure, the most frequent failure mode in rotating machinery is the typical mechanical fault. Such a failure might result in substantial financial losses at the workplace. One of the approaches made possible by other signal processing techniques is the early identification of various faults in rotating machinery; including bearing failures, misalignment, and others.PurposeThis fault is associated with many features used to diagnose different faults; thus, the Diagnostic Features (DF) is estimated at limited cyclic frequencies that refer to machine faults.MethodTwo methods are used to extract the DF. The first one depends on time-domain features. The second is based on an advanced representation of the frequency domain, which depends on spectral coherence (SCoh) data over the spectral frequency domain using a center frequency and frequency range determined by a 1/3 binary tree structure. The calculated DFs are represented by a 2D map against the center frequency and frequency resolution. The maps from different fault features are collected to form the diagnostic patterns. The best characteristics connected to these various flaws can be found using statistical techniques like reverse arrangement tests (RAT). Artificial neural networks (ANN) may be trained and auto-diagnosed using the results from the best characteristics.ResultsUsing RAT is considered very important to summarize features. This method is given good results in training and diagnosis.ConclusionsAdditionally, ANN and RAT provide a detection result of 100% based on the description of the machine's operating situation, whether it functioned commonly or incorrectly.

Incidence of Bacterial and Fungal Secondary Infections in COVID-19 Patients Admitted to the ICU.

PurposeSecondary infections have been observed among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, which is associated with worse clinical outcomes. The current study aimed to investigate the incidence, common pathogens, and outcome of bacterial and fungal secondary infections among ICU patients with COVID-19.MethodsA retrospective chart review of all patients admitted to the ICU at King Fahd Hospital of the University in Saudi Arabia. All adult patients aged ≥18 admitted in the ICU for ≥48 hours with positive COVID-19 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test during the period between March 2020 till September 2021 were included.ResultsOut of 314 critically ill patients, 133 (42.4%) developed secondary infections. The incidence of secondary bacterial infection was 32.5% with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 34), Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 33), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 17) being the predominant pathogens, while secondary fungal infection was 25.2% mainly caused by Candida albicans (n = 43). Invasive mechanical ventilation was significantly associated with the development of secondary bacterial infections (odds ratio [OR] = 17.702, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.842–39.961, p < 0.001) and secondary fungal infections (OR = 12.914, 95% CI 5.406–30.849, p < 0.001). Mortality among patients with secondary infections was 69.2% (n = 92). Secondary infections were associated with longer hospital and ICU stays with a median of 25 days (interquartile range [IQR] 17–42) and 19 days (IQR 13–32), respectively.ConclusionBacterial and fungal secondary infections are common among COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU with a predominance of gram-negative bacteria and Candida species. The development of secondary infections was significantly associated with invasive mechanical ventilation. Poor clinical outcomes have been observed, demonstrated with a prolonged hospital and ICU stays and higher mortality.

Static and Dynamic Ultrasound Evaluation of the Median Nerve Morphopathology in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosis.

Objective:The current study included a total of 10 patients, both males and females, who gave their consent to participate in the study and underwent clinical and ultrasound examinations. All patients had a history of carpal tunnel symptoms like tingling, numbness, nocturnal paraesthesia and weakness of the hand (loss of pinch and grip strength) for more than 12 months. Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the morphopathology of the median nerve in clinically diagnosed carpal tunnel thought static and dynamic ultrasound assessment. Material and methods: The present study included a small group of 10 patients aged over 18, both males and females, who had a history of carpal tunnel symptoms for over 12 months and a positive Tinel's and reverse Phalen's tests during clinical examination. Ultrasound was performed by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon with musculoskeletal ultrasound training. Ultrasound evaluation was made using a standardized method and included transverse and longitudinal static examination and dynamic examination of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. Side-to-side evaluation was performed and differences of more than 10 mm width in the median nerve have been recorded, which was considered to be a positive test for carpal tunnel syndrome. Furthermore, the major advantage of the dynamic evaluation brought by performing the palmar hand and finger flexion test, while investigating the movement trajectory of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, provides superior imagistic documentation of this pathology. Results:Dynamic evaluation of the median nerve has shown a decreased mobility of the nerve in the carpal tunnel on the side that also had an increased area value of the median nerve width. If in the asymptomatic hand at the time of dynamic evaluation, the median nerve would suddenly slide under the flexor tendons; therefore, we noted results only of a slight translational movement of the nerve in the carpal tunnel on the affected side. A side-to-side difference in the median nerve area, with values ranging between 3 mm up to 9 mm, was found in our patients. Furthermore, thenar atrophy has been discovered in patients with pre-existing carpal tunnel symptoms for more than 24 months. Conclusion:The present study highlights the importance of ultrasound assessment as an accessible static and dynamic evaluation tool. Ultrasound can be used as an in-office imaging tool to complete the clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome by studying the morphology and morphopathology of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel through a bilateral standardized examination technique.

Post-acute COVID and long-COVID among adults and older adults in the State of Paraná, Brazil: protocol for an ambispective cohort study

IntroductionSince 2020, the world has been going through a viral pandemic with a high morbidity and mortality rate along with the potential to evolve from an acute infection to post-acute...

Cretaceous paleomagnetic and detrital zircon U Pb geochronological results from the Tethyan Himalaya: Constraints on the Neo-Tethys evolution

The evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean had a profound effect on global climate change and the evolution of life. To better constrain the Cretaceous paleogeographic position of the Tethyan Himalaya and evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean, combined paleomagnetic and detrital zircon U Pb geochronological research was performed on samples from the Gyabula Formation, constrained at ca. 117.7–94.4 Ma, in the Zhongba area of the northern Tethyan Himalaya. Both positive fold and reversal tests combined with a maximum grouping at 106% unfolding indicate that the high-temperature component directions were acquired before folding and were most likely of primary origin. The tilt-corrected directions yielded a paleopole at 29.2°N, 280.5°E with A 95 = 5.1° and a corresponding paleolatitude of −29.0° ± 5.1°N for the sampled area (29.7°N, 84.0°E). No significant inclination shallowing was identified from the sampled cherts. Comparison of the observed paleolatitude with those expected from the Indian craton indicated that an 840 ± 670 km north-south distance existed between the northern Tethyan Himalaya and the Indian craton for the reference point (29.7°N, 84.0°E). Because of the anticlockwise rotation of the Indian craton, this amounts to a crustal extent of 1130 ± 900 km at ca. 106 Ma, which represents the amount of north-south crustal shortening. Our new results, together with reliable Cretaceous paleomagnetic data obtained from the Tethyan Himalaya, indicate that no wide oceanic basin extended between the Tethyan Himalaya and Indian craton at ca. 106–75 Ma and that there was still a contiguous Indian subcontinent. • The Zhongba area of the northern Tethyan Himalaya (TH) was located at 29.0° ± 5.1°S at ca. 117.7–94.4 Ma • 1130 ± 900 km of north-south shortening occurred between the northern Tethyan Himalaya and the Indian craton • No wide oceanic basin extended between the TH and the Indian craton at ca. 106–75 Ma

How severe are the EBA macroeconomic scenarios for the Italian Economy? A joint probability approach

Measures of the severity of macroeconomic scenarios have been widely used in the literature, but a consistent methodology for their calculation has not been developed yet. Against this background, we provide a general method for calculating the joint probability of observing a macroeconomic scenario, which can be applied to various structural models. By doing so, we can attach probabilities to scenarios produced with multidimensional economic models to compare their severity and plausibility. We apply our methodology to the 2016 and 2018 EBA stress test scenarios and also provide reverse stress test applications. Our results show that for the Italian economy, the 2016 and 2018 EBA scenarios are unlikely, especially the 2016 one. The reverse stress tests allow us to identify the key variables that affect our probabilities.

Concordance of SARS-CoV-2 Results in Self-collected Nasal Swabs vs Swabs Collected by Health Care Workers in Children and Adolescents

Despite the expansion of SARS-CoV-2 testing, available tests have not received Emergency Use Authorization for performance with self-collected anterior nares (nasal) swabs from children younger than 14 years because the effect of pediatric self-swabbing on SARS-CoV-2 test sensitivity is unknown. To characterize the ability of school-aged children to self-collect nasal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 testing compared with collection by health care workers. Cross-sectional study of 197 symptomatic children and adolescents aged 4 to 14 years old. Individuals were recruited based on results of testing in the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta system from July to August 2021. Children and adolescents were given instructional material consisting of a short instructional video and a handout with written and visual steps for self-swab collection. Participants first provided a self-collected nasal swab. Health care workers then collected a second specimen. The primary outcome was SARS-CoV-2 detection and relative quantitation by cycle threshold (Ct) in self- vs health care worker-collected nasal swabs when tested with a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test with Emergency Use Authorization. Among the study participants, 108 of 194 (55.7%) were male and the median age was 9 years (IQR, 6-11). Of the 196 participants, 87 (44.4%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 105 (53.6%) tested negative by both self- and health care worker-collected swabs. Two children tested positive by self- or health care worker-collected swab alone; 1 child had an invalid health care worker swab. Compared with health care worker-collected swabs, self-collected swabs had 97.8% (95% CI, 94.7%-100.0%) and 98.1% (95% CI, 95.6%-100.0%) positive and negative percent agreement, respectively, and SARS-CoV-2 Ct values did not differ significantly between groups (mean [SD] Ct, self-swab: 26.7 [5.4] vs health care worker swab: 26.3 [6.0]; P = .65). After hearing and seeing simple instructional materials, children and adolescents aged 4 to 14 years self-collected nasal swabs that closely agreed on SARS-CoV-2 detection with swabs collected by health care workers.

Effectiveness of a COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout in a Highly Affected American Indian Community, San Carlos Apache Tribe, December 2020-February 2021.

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected American Indian Tribes, including the San Carlos Apache Tribe, which resides on 1.8 million acres in Arizona and has 16 788 official members. High vaccination rates among American Indian/Alaska Native people in the United States have been reported, but information on how individual Tribes achieved these high rates is scarce. We describe the COVID-19 epidemiology and vaccine rollout in the San Carlos Apache Tribe using data extracted from electronic health records from the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation (SCAHC). By mid-December 2020, 19% of the San Carlos Apache population had received a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The Tribe prioritized for vaccination population groups with the highest risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes (eg, those aged ≥65 years, who had a 46% risk of hospitalization if infected vs 13% overall). SCAHC achieved high early COVID-19 vaccination rates in the San Carlos community relative to the state of Arizona (47.6 vs 25.2 doses per 100 population by February 27, 2021). These vaccination rates reflected several strategies that were implemented to achieve high COVID-19 vaccine access and uptake, including advance planning, departmental vaccine education sessions within SCAHC, radio and Facebook postings featuring Tribal leaders in the Apache language, and pop-up community vaccine clinics. The San Carlos Apache Tribe's vaccine rollout strategy was an early success story and may provide a model for future vaccination campaigns in other Tribal nations and rural communities in the United States.

Prevalence and risk factors of asthma in dairy farmers: Ancillary analysis of AIRBAg

BackgroundProlonged occupational agricultural exposure is associated with an increase in asthma diagnosis. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors for asthma in dairy farmers. MethodsAIRBAg was a cross-sectional study including 1203 representative dairy farmers. They completed a self-administered questionnaire and underwent a health respiratory check-up. Referral to a pulmonologist was made for any participant with wheezing, dyspnoea, chronic bronchitis, a chronic cough or a FEV1/FEV6 ratio<80%. They underwent further examinations such as spirometry with a reversibility test. Controls (non-asthmatic dairy farmers and non-farm employees) were matched to each asthma case for sex and age (±5 years). The odds ratios (OR) between asthma and different risk factors were estimated using conditional multivariate logistic regression models. ResultsActive asthma was diagnosed in 107 (8.9%) farmers. Compared with control dairy farmers, there was a positive association with family history of allergy (OR = 8.68; 95% CI [4.26–17.69]), personal history of eczema (OR = 3.39; 95% CI [1.61–7.13]), hay manipulation (OR = 5.36, 95% CI [1.59–18.01]), and a negative association with farm area (OR = 0.92; 95% CI [0.85–0.99]) and handling treated seeds (OR = 0.47; 95% CI [0.23–0.95]). Compared with control non-farm employees, there was a positive association between asthma and family history of allergy (OR = 95.82, 95% CI [12.55–731.47]). ConclusionsThe prevalence of active asthma in dairy farmers was somewhat higher than the rate observed in the general population but may be controlled by reducing exposure to airborne organic contaminants through occupational adaptions on farms.

Effectiveness and adherence to closed face shields in the prevention of COVID-19 transmission: a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial in a middle-income setting (COVPROSHIELD)

BackgroundThe use of respiratory devices can mitigate the spread of diseases such as COVID-19 in community settings. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of closed face shields with surgical face masks to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in working adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bogotá, Colombia.MethodsAn open-label non-inferiority randomized controlled trial that randomly assigned participants to one of two groups: the intervention group was instructed to wear closed face shields with surgical face masks, and the active control group was instructed to wear only surgical face masks. The primary outcome was a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test, IgG/IgM antibody test for SARS-CoV-2 detection, or both during and at the end of the follow-up period of 21 days. The non-inferiority limit was established at − 5%.ResultsA total of 316 participants were randomized, 160 participants were assigned to the intervention group and 156 to the active control group. In total, 141 (88.1%) participants in the intervention group and 142 (91.0%) in the active control group completed the follow-up. Primary outcome: a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result was identified in one (0.71%) participant in the intervention group and three (2.1%) in the active control group. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the absolute risk difference was − 1.40% (95% CI [− 4.14%, 1.33%]), and in the per-protocol analysis, the risk difference was − 1.40% (95% CI [− 4.20, 1.40]), indicating non-inferiority of the closed face shield plus face mask (did not cross the non-inferiority limit).ConclusionsThe use of closed face shields and surgical face masks was non-inferior to the surgical face mask alone in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in highly exposed groups. Settings with highly active viral transmission and conditions such as poor ventilation, crowding, and high mobility due to occupation may benefit from the combined use of masks and closed face shields to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04647305. Registered on November 30, 2020

Managing acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation during COVID 19 pandemic by minimally invasive technique with suture anchor and miniplate: A pilot study

BackgroundAcromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation is common in sportsmen and physically active population. Its management depends upon the grade of injury and functional demands of the patient. A variety of surgical procedures have been described with different limitations and advantages. The present study has assessed the clinical and radiological outcome of acute AC joint dislocation managed with a 3.5 mm Titanium suture anchor and 2 mm miniplate construct which requires lesser dissection, surgical time and thus contact with the patient as mandated by COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsWe enrolled 10 patients of Rockwood type-III, IV and V acute AC joint injury (<3 weeks old) reporting at this hospital from Feb 2020 to May 2021. All were tested for COVID-19 using reverse transcriptase polymer chain reaction test (RTPCR) and managed by closed/open reduction and fixation with a 3.5 mm Titanium Suture Anchor and a 2 mm Titanium miniplate construct. Follow-up was done at 3, 6 and 9 month post-operatively. ResultsThe average age of patients was 31 yrs. RTPCR test for COVID-19 was negative in all patients. Median surgical time was 25 min (Interquartile Range[IQR] = 16–34 min) and median follow-up duration was 36 weeks (IQR = 33–39 weeks). Median visual analogue scale score and IQR at pre-operative, 3 month, 6 month and 9 month follow-up was 7(IQR = 6–8), 3.5(IQR = 2.5–4.5), 2(IQR = 0) and 1(IQR = 0), respectively. Median constant score at pre-operative, 3 month, 6 month and 9 month follow-up were 34(IQR = 25–43), 65.5(IQR = 60.5–70.5), 82.5(IQR = 77.5–87.5) and 88(IQR = 81–95). There was significant improvement in clinical status (non parametric-Friedman test p < 0.001). Radiographs showed no loss of reduction, fracture or implant failure till last follow-up. ConclusionsMinimally invasive technique with a 3.5 mm Ti-suture anchor and 2 mm plate is an easy, fast and reliable construct for the management of acute AC dislocation in physically active population.

Evaluation of different physical examination methods for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

In the present study, to evaluate the diagnostic value of different physical examination methods for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the scratch collapse test (SCT) and hand elevation test were compared with other traditional tests, such as Tinel's, Phalen's and reverse Phalen's tests, in an aim to improve the current diagnostic standards for CTS. The present study examined 236 (465 hands) patients with CTS and 96 (170 hands) controls who were enrolled in the study from December, 2019 to January, 2021. The participants in both groups were of the same age range, with equal male‑to‑female ratios. An examiner who was familiar with all maneuvers performed the Tinel's, Phalen's and reverse Phalen's tests, as well as the SCT and the hand elevation test in the two groups. The examiner was blinded to the patient histories and diagnoses. The sensitivities and specificities of all the tests were as follows: Tinel's test, 0.4194 and 0.7706; Phalen's test, 0.5613 and 0.7353; reverse Phalen's test, 0.5527 and 0.7882; SCT, 0.6774 and 0.7176; and hand elevation test, 0.7548 and 0.6059, respectively. The sensitivities of the SCT and hand elevation test were significantly higher than those of the other three tests. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the SCT and hand elevation test were 0.6975 and 0.6804, respectively, both of which were higher than those of Tinel's (0.5950), Phalen's (0.6483) and reverse Phalen's (0.6705) tests. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the SCT is objective, reliable and has a high sensitivity. Furthermore, the hand elevation test is easy to perform, reproducible and has a high sensitivity. These newer tests are valuable for the diagnosis of CTS and can improve the current diagnostic standard system.

P-099: ANTI-SICKLING STUDY OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF TINOSPORA CARDIFOLIA AND TERMINALIA BELLIRICA

Purpose: Introduction: - Sickle cell anaemia also known as drepanocytosis, is a genetic blood related disease in which red blood cells form an cresent (sickle) or abnormal shape. This genetic disease is due to a change in the beta globin chain of haemoglobin glutamic acid (a polar amino acid) is replaced by valine (a non – polar) amino acid. This genetical change reduces the binding of haemoglobin for oxygen. At the low oxygen level the mutant haemoglobin, known as sickle haemoglobin (Hbss). Medicinal plants have been used in Indian folk medicine in the remedy of sickle cell anaemia by inhibiting sickling. This work was therefore aimed at screening the antisickling study of the aqueous extract of stems of T. Cardifolia and fruits of T.bellirica used in the Indian herbal medicine. Objective:- The present study investigates the preliminary screening of secondary metabolites of aqueous extracts of T. Cardifolia(stems) and T.bellirica(fruits) and invitro antisickling test (sickling reversal test). Materials and methods: Standard methods of phytochemical analysis of T. Cardifolia(stems) and T.bellirica(fruits) and sickling reversal test (invitro antisickling test), stems of T. Cardifolia,fruits of T.bellirica and Hbss blood samples etc. Results: Screening of secondary metabolites (bioactive molecules) and sickling reversal test were carried out using standard methods. The phyto-chemical screening indicated the presence of secondary metabolites (bioactive molecules) viz - alkaloids,flavonoids,phenols, saponins, steroids and cardiac glycosides etc. The results of antisickling reversal test that T. cardifolia(stems) and T. bellirica (fruits) exhibited potential antisickling property. Conclusion: The percentage of sickle cells of untreated Hbss was statistically significant higher than treated Hbss. The percentage of sickle cells decreased on the addition of aqueous extract of T. cardifolia stems and T. bellirica fruits on induced Hbss blood, which indicates the reversal of of Hbss blood to normal biconcave shape due to the presence of bioactive molecules, which have sickling reversal (anti-sickling property) and anti haemolytic properties. The authors do not declare any conflict of interest

PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR ORAL LESIONS IN A PATIENT WITH SARS-COV-2: CASE REPORT

SARS-CoV-2 virus leads to COVID-19 and is associated with multiple lesions in the orofacial region with an undetermined etiology, and modalities of treatment are divergent in the literature. A 43-year-old male patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus was seen and chest high-resolution computed tomography showed ground-glass with 50% pulmonary impairment, and the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test was positive. The patient presented oral lesions with ulcerative and bleeding appearance at labial mucosa, labial commissure, and hard and soft palate. Treatment was performed with low-level laser therapy. The protocol was performed using a Laser Duo® (MMO, São Carlos, SP, Brazil) with 100 mW power; the laser beam output area was 3 mm², with 66 J/cm², 2 J of energy used for 20 seconds per point, in contact mode, point by point. Complete healing occurred after 20 days of treatment, without recurrence.

Complications in patients with COVID-19 in a cohort of intensive care hospitalists

This article aims to identify the complications presented in patients with COVID-19 during their stay in intensive care. We conducted a retrospective documentary cohort study in medical records of adults admitted to an Intensive Care Unit designated for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, from September 2020 to January 2021. The sample consisted of 47 medical records of patients over 18 years old, with confirmed diagnosis for SARS-COV-219 by reverse transcription test and polymerase chain reaction. Medical records of 24 women (51,1%) and 23 men (49,9%) were included in the study, with an average of 70 years old. The main complications described involved the blood, immune and respiratory systems. Electrolyte disorder was the most frequent complication observed in 100% of the patients, followed by leukocytosis (95,7%), acid-base disorder and acute respiratory failure, present in 87,2% of the analysed cases. We conclude that COVID-19 causes damage to multiple systems, directly affecting the prognosis of patients.

New paleomagnetic results from the ca. 1.0 Ga Jiayuan Formation of the Huaibei Group in the North China craton, and their paleogeographic implications

The Rodinia supercontinent formed in the transition between Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic. The high-quality paleomagnetic poles around 1000 Ma, however, are rather scarce in the global paleomagnetic database, hindering a well-calibrated paleogeographic reconstruction for when and how Rodinia assembled. The late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic Huaibei Group strata (ca. 1120–890 Ma) exposed at the southeastern margin of the North China craton (NCC) provide great promise for paleomagnetism. In this study, we mainly report a new paleopole (54.2 °S, 111.4 °E, A95 = 5.1°) obtained from the upper Jiayuan Formation in the middle Huaibei Group by incorporating our new data with the previously published virtual geomagnetic poles. That average pole passed a positive fold test and a positive reversal test, along with the pole’s distinctiveness from younger poles of the NCC, support the interpretation that the remanence is primary. New detrital zircon U–Pb age analyses of a sandstone sample of the Jiayuan Formation and the mafic sills intruding the overlying strata dated previously together constrain the depositional age of the Jiayuan Formation to be between ca. 1089 and ca. 945 Ma. Our new data, incorporated with other poles previously reported from the Huaibei Group and the mafic sills intruding the strata, reveal that the NCC underwent large-scale paleolatitudinal shifts from the polar region to low latitudes across the transition between Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic. Matching the apparent polar wander paths of the NCC and Laurentia suggests that they together drifted from the polar region in the northern hemisphere at ca. 1110 Ma to moderate latitudes in the southern hemisphere around 1000 Ma during the assembly of Rodinia.

Reverse Regressions, Symmetry and Test Distributions in Linear Models

Reverse Regressions, Symmetry and Test Distributions in Linear Models

Genetic algorithm based image reconstruction applying the digital holography process with the Discrete Orthonormal Stockwell Transform technique for diagnosis of COVID-19

World Health Organization has described the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test method for the diagnosis of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the limited number of test kits, the long-term results of the tests, the high probability of the disease spreading during the test and imaging without focused images necessitate the use of alternative diagnostic methods such as chest X-ray (CXR) imaging. The storage of data obtained for the diagnosis of the disease also poses a major problem. This causes misdiagnosis and delays treatment. In this work, we propose a hybrid 3D reconstruction method of CXR images (CXRI) to detect coronavirus pneumonia and prevent misdiagnosis on CXRI. We used the digital holography technique (DHT) for obtaining a priori information of CXRI stored in created digital hologram (CDH). In this way, the elimination of the storage problem that requires high space was revealed. In addition, Discrete Orthonormal S-Transform (DOST) is applied to the reconstructed CDH image obtained by using DHT. This method is called CDH_DHT_DOST. A multiresolution spatial-frequency representation of the lung images that belong to healthy people and diseased people with the COVID-19 virus is obtained by using the CDH_DHT_DOST. Moreover, the genetic algorithm (GA) is adopted for the reconstruction process for optimization of the CDH image and then DOST is applied. This hybrid method is called CDH_GA_DOST. Finally, we compare the results obtained from CDH_DHT_DOST and CDH_GA_DOST. The results show the feasibility of reconstructing CXRI with CDH_GA_DOST. The proposed method holds promises to meet demands for the detection of the COVID-19 virus.