Xin Wang^*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/mcb.2020.011236

Abstract In order to improve the level of athletes, modern scientific and technological means can be used to understand the characteristics and rules of movement. This study mainly analyzed the whip leg technique of Sanda athletes. Taking ten athletes as an example, the kinematics and surface electromyography (sEMG) data of them were measured, calculated and sorted out when they were doing the action of round kick. The results showed that the movement completion time of the first-level athletes was shorter, 0.34 ± 0.33 s. In the stage of turning hip and hitting, the angle of hip joint increased significantly. In the… More >

Baoyin Sun^{1, 2}, Yantai Zhang³, Caigui Huang^{4, *}

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/cmes.2020.09632

Abstract Steel frames equipped with buckling restrained braces (BRBs) have been increasingly applied in earthquake-prone areas given their excellent capacity for resisting lateral forces. Therefore, special attention has been paid to the seismic risk assessment (SRA) of such structures, e.g., seismic fragility analysis. Conventional approaches, e.g., nonlinear finite element simulation (NFES), are computationally inefficient for SRA analysis particularly for large-scale steel BRB frame structures. In this study, a machine learning (ML)- based seismic fragility analysis framework is established to effectively assess the risk to structures under seismic loading conditions. An optimal artificial neural network model can be trained using calculated damage… More >

Mugang Lin^1,2,*, Fangju Liu³, Huihuang Zhao^1,2, Jianzhen Chen^1,2

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/cmes.2020.09502

Abstract Given a connected undirected graph G whose edges are labeled, the minimum labeling spanning tree (MLST) problem is to find a spanning tree of G with the smallest number of different labels. The MLST is an NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem, which is widely applied in communication networks, multimodal transportation networks, and data compression. Some approximation algorithms and heuristics algorithms have been proposed for the problem. Firey algorithm is a new meta-heuristic algorithm. Because of its simplicity and easy implementation, it has been successfully applied in various fields. However, the basic firefly algorithm for the MLST problem is proposed in this… More >

Mohd Nizam Mat Bah^*, Mohd Hanafi Sapian, Hasliza Razak, Emieliyuza Yusnita Alias

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.013057

Abstract Introduction: Fetal echocardiogram allows early detection of critical congenital heart disease leading to a better outcome. However, data from lowerand middle-income countries is scarce. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic error of fetal echocardiography and its impact on planned neonatal management. Methods and material: This retrospective observational cohort study includes all high-risk pregnant mothers who had fetal echocardiograms from 2008 to 2017. Fetal and postnatal echocardiograms were compared, while the diagnostic errors were categorized into false positive, false negative, and discrepant diagnoses. The impact of the diagnostic error on planned neonatal management and the long-term outcome was determined by… More >

Sheetal R. Patel^1,2,*, David M. Kwiatkowski³, Adin-Cristian Andrei², Ankita Devareddy², Hangzhi Shi², Catherine D. Krawczeski⁴, Natalie Ebert⁵, Barbara J. Deal^1,2, Craig B. Langman^2,6, Bradley S. Marino^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.012097

Abstract Objectives: The Fontan operation has increased survival in patients with single-ventricle congenital heart defects. However, Fontan survivors are at risk of other organ dysfunctions, such as renal dysfunction (RD). The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence of and potential risk factors for RD among Fontan survivors. Design, setting, and patients: We performed a two-center, cross-sectional study that included Fontan survivors evaluated in outpatient-clinics for routine follow up between 01/08-12/16. Outcome measures: The primary outcome was the presence of RD defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <90 ml/min/1.73 m² derived using the serum creatinine-based Full Age… More >

Angeles Fuertes-Moure¹, Michael Meyer^2,3, Anna-Luisa Häcker^2,3, Barbara Reiner^2,3, Leon Brudy³, Sonia Pértega-Diaz⁴, Renate Oberhoffer^2,3, Peter Ewert², Jan Müller^2,3,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.011771

Abstract Objective: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become an important outcome measure for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural course of HRQoL from longitudinal assessment in children with CHD. Patients and Methods: From July 2014 to February 2020 this longitudinal study recruited 317 children with CHD (113 girls, 35.6%) aged 6 to 18 years (11.6 ± 2.9 years). HRQoL was assessed with the generic, self-reported and age-adapted KINDL^® questionnaire. During a mean follow-up period of 2.2 ± 1.3 years, 195 patients had one HRQoL reassessment, 70 two, 40 three and… More >

Carter Biewen^1,*, Hitendra Patel², Olaf Reinhartz³, Ginny Gildengorin⁴, Natalie Cvijanovich⁵

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.011671

Abstract Purpose: To summarize Fontan procedure data from our institution, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, in order to better understand outcomes of our surgical and post-operative care. Basic Procedures: This is a retrospective cross-sectional chart review summarizing characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent the Fontan procedure at our institution between 2005 and 2016. Main Findings: Sixty-five Fontan procedures were performed at our institution between 2005 and 2016, all of which were extracardiac Fontan procedures performed by the same surgical team. At the time of Fontan procedure, the mean patient age was 56.4 ± 18.7 months and mean weight was 16.6… More >

Naveed Rabbani^1,*, Sarah Hofman DeYoung², Ronald L. Gibson², Jeffrey Conwell¹, Jason F. Deen¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.011527

Abstract Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a relatively common congenital venous anomaly that typically drains into the coronary sinus without hemodynamic significance. Rarely a PLSVC drains directly into the left atrium, forming a right-to-left shunt that can result in hypoxemia and potential paradoxical embolism. We present the case of a 2-year-old medically complex child on chronic mechanical ventilation with eventual diagnosis of episodic hypoxemia due to a PLSVC draining into the left atrium with position-dependent venous flow. The lesion was identified with contrast echocardiography and cardiac MRI. Subsequent occlusion with a vascular plug resulted in resolution of the child’s… More >

Yuming Zhou¹, Chunxia Zhao², Fan He¹, Xiaobo Tian², Yi Zheng^1,*, Jing Sun^3,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/IJMHP.2020.013093

Abstract Objective: To investigate the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems and related factors of left-behind children in impoverished rural China (mainly in the first grade of junior high school). Methods: A cross-sectional survey of rural households in 27 poverty-stricken counties in 12 provinces across China was conducted using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results: The prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in left-behind children was 11.7%, and that of non-left-behind children was 8.9%. There was statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). There are no differences between the two groups in terms of the various factors of… More >

Hanna Amoanimaa-Dede, Chuntao Su, Akwasi Yeboah, Chunhua Chen, Shaoxia Yang, Hongbo Zhu^*, Miao Chen^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/phyton.2020.011979

Abstract Sweet potato is a multifunctional root crop and a source of food with many essential nutrients and bioactive compounds. Variations in the flesh color of the diverse sweet potato varieties are attributed to the different phytochemicals and natural pigments they produce. Among them, carotenoids and anthocyanins are the main pigments known for their antioxidant properties which provide a host of health benefits, hence, regarded as a major component of the human diet. In this review, we provide an overview of the major pigments in sweet potato with much emphasis on their biosynthesis, functions, and regulatory control. Moreover, current findings on… More >