Internet of Things: A systematic Literature Review

Internet of things (IoT) is an emerging technology that is being used widely. The literature has no agreement regarding the factors that affect the adoption of IoT. The purpose of this study is to review the literature systematically using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Following this method, 69 articles were included in this review. A frequency analysis was conducted. The findings showed that number of articles reduced during COVID19. Higher education has the highest numbers of articles. Emerging economies are active in research about IoT. Technology acceptance model (TAM) is still the dominant adoption theory with majority of the reviewed articles are using quantitative method and large sample size to meet the assumption of using structural equation modeling. The most important predictors are the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, privacy, security, and trust. Other factors also included the variables of UTAUT. Decision makers are recommended to focus on usefulness and simplifies the process of using IoT as well as to create awareness about the application of IoT. Future studies are recommended to narrow the scope to one industry and to conduct more studies using mixed method or qualitative approach. More studies in developing countries are needed to explain the adoption of IoT. © 2022 Slovene Society Informatika. All rights reserved.

Impinged RCA: Who's the Culprit?

Introduction: Post-sternotomy chest pain (CP) has been widely reported in literature. The etiologies include myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, hypersensitivity reactions to foreign material, wound infection, sternal instability and dehiscence, neuropathic pain due to intercoastal nerve damage or sternal wire fracture leading to migration. Here, we report a rare case of a young patient who presented with chronic chest pain after an atrial septal defect (ASD) repair. Case: A 28-year-old male with past medical history significant for an ASD (secundum) repair with autologous pericardial patch, hyperlipidemia, COVID-19 infection, known first degree AV block, and early repolarization changes, presented for a follow-up office visit three years after his ASD repair with complaints of typical anginal symptoms. Diagnosis: Vitals, physical exam, troponin, D-dimer and inflammatory markers were unremarkable. Chest x-ray (Figure 1A) showed sternal wires in place and no fractures of wires. EKG (Figure 1B) was unchanged. Echocardiogram showed LVEF 50% and no wall motion abnormalities. He underwent a coronary CTA which identified intermittent compression on the mid-RCA from the third bottom stainless steel sternal wire (Figure 1C), warranting removal. Treatment: He underwent explantation of all sternal wires and selective right coronary angiography (Figure 1D) was performed, which revealed intact and patent RCA without any complications. He continues to follow-up in our clinic without any CP. Conclusion(s): Chronic CP after any cardiac surgery remains a diagnostic dilemma and a source of anxiety for patients. We recommend comprehensive discussions with patients prior to surgery about these probable complications to alleviate the anxiety. Lastly, from research thus far, removal of sternal wires is a safe, simple, and effective procedure that should be offered to patients with persistent post-sternotomy CP after exclusion of serious complications.

A Review of Factors Influencing the Adoption of Electric Vehicles in the World

The road transport sector has a direct effect on fossil energy sources, cost, and consumption. Indeed, it has affected the environmental situation reversely with high carbon dioxide emissions. Due to this negative impact, the transition to electric vehicle (EV) technology must be a mandatory target for governments worldwide. To achieve this objective, many countries have developed various policies to promote EV technology buying or retrofitting. Thanks to the adopted policies, the electric technology market share has been growing. Meanwhile, research studies are involved also in this project by studying the benefit of EV technology low total cost of ownership (TCO) to motivate consumers of its utilization. For that purpose, the present paper aims to review the discussed policies, and methods to boost the diffusion of electric technology as a sustainable and reliable solution to overcome the global energy situation despite the different obstacles, barriers, and the pandemic situation (COVID-19), which has affected the consumer economic and social behavior. © 2022 IEEE.

Group vs Individual Trauma-Focused CBT for Parents of Premature Infants

Objectives: Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) has been established as an effective treatment to reduce symptoms of psychological distress including PTSD, anxiety, and depression in parents of preterm infants. The current study compares results of a group-based intervention developed to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress with a prior study using an individual version of the treatment manual. Method(s): A total of 26 mothers of preterm infants (25-34 weeks' gestational age;>600 g) received 6 sessions of TF-CBT including psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, progressive muscle relaxation, and the writing and sharing of their trauma narrative. Outcomes were compared with a group of 62 mothers who participated in a prior RCT with individual therapy based on the same model. Results were also compared for mothers receiving in-person treatment vs telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Result(s): For the entire study period (baseline to follow-up), the individual intervention showed greater improvement in trauma symptoms assessed with Davidson Trauma Scale (d = 0.48;p =.016), although both conditions showed noticeable improvement. Similar patterns were found for maternal depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II]) and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI]). In-person treatment was found to be superior to telehealth treatment administered during the COVID-19 pandemic, although the difference was not significant. Conclusion(s): Group-based TF-CBT is an effective treatment modality for parents of premature infants with symptoms of psychological distress. However, recruitment of parents was difficult, raising questions about feasibility. Future group-therapy approaches will require a more flexible, open-ended group format in which parents have the option of participating without making a commitment for the full 6-session protocol. Given the national shortage of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-based psychological services, group therapy is a potentially viable and cost-effective way to deliver care. PTSD, PAT, P Copyright © 2022

A review of the effects of herbal and natural supplement on exercise performance and exercise-induced muscle damage

Background & Aims: Although regular exercise training with appropriate intensity, is considered an essential component of a healthy lifestyle that leads a desirable and beneficial adaptation in the body, however, is also known that exhaustive and strenuous exercises causes oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and structural damage to muscle cells, as well as decline in athletic performance (1). In several studies the exercise-induced muscle damage was indicated indirectly by increased serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and muscle soreness (53). In fact, it is reported that muscle fibers are subject to greater mechanical stress during exhaustive and long-term muscle contraction, which leads to enzymes efflux result from the loss of sarcolemmal integrity (increased permeability and/or breakdown of the membrane surrounding the muscle cell) due to the mechanical stress imposed by the repeated muscle contraction (53). Therefore, there has been much effort to identify appropriate sport supplementation strategies that may help to reduce or prevent exercise-induced muscle damage and stress (2), So that, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the use of herbal medicines and natural supplements maybe very effective to prevent exercise-induced muscle damage and oxidative stress (3). Indeed, in recent years, there has been growing body of literature examining the possible physiological mechanisms responsible for muscle damage, adaptation, and interventions to reduce the negative effects of damaging exercise. Hence in the present review, in addition to study of possible mechanisms, it has provided the effects of some natural and herbal supplements in sports.

Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Who Recovered from COVID-19

Background: Although COVID-19 has been mainly identified as a viral respiratory tract infection, studies have reported that severe COVID-19 is often complicated with coagulopathy resulting in high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and mortality. In addition, COVID-19 has been regarded as a risk factor for thromboembolic events. Accumulating evidence indicates the necessity of diagnostic and prophylactic strategies against thromboembolic events in COVID-19. Currently, subcutaneous injectable drugs such as enoxaparin are widely used for prophylaxis of thromboembolic events. However, although these drugs are recommended to be used for 6 months, they are usually discontinued after 7-10 days because of administration difficulties. On the other hand, new generation anticoagulants are oral form of these drugs and can be safely used for a longer time. Since there is still not an indication of these drugs for the prophylaxis of thromboembolic events following COVID-19, they are not routinely used in clinical practice. Method(s): COVID-19 patients discharged from inpatient clinic between 01.06.2021 and 01.12.2021 were referred to our outpatient clinic due to regulation of anticoagulant medication. We administered new generation oral anticoagulants for prophylaxis against thromboembolic events in 50 patients. For this purpose, we used 30 mg 1x1 edoxaban, 15 mg 1x1 rivaroxaban or 2.5 mg 2x1 apixaban for 6 months. On the other hand, it was noticed from hospital medical records that 100 patients followed-up in inpatient clinic during that period received enoxaparin injections for 10 days during hospitalization and no further anticoagulant medication was given. short term or long term Results: In general, we obtained successful outcomes in patients who were administered oral anticoagulants.On the contrary, some of the patients who did not use these drugs developed thromboembolic events following COVID-19 disease. None of the patients receiving oral anticoagulants developed thromboembolic events during 6-month followup. On the other hand, among the patients who received enoxaparin injections, three patients developed venous thromboembolism(deep vein thrombosis in two patients and pulmonary embolism in one patient, all of them nearly one month later), and two patients arterial thromboembolism Method of prophylaxis Conclusion(s): We compared long-term oral anticoagulant medications and short term injections and found that thromboembolic events were not encountered in longterm oral medication. We suggest routine use of new anticoagulants as prophylactic agents against thromboembolic events following COVID-19 disease..

IgA Nephropathy as a Potential Complication of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination

Introduction: Vaccination against COVID-19 is essential, however an immunological flare is a potential rare complication resulting in glomerulonephritis with IgA deposits in the mesangium. We present a case of a patient who developed IgA nephropathy postvaccination. Case Description: 48-year-old woman with a past medical history of Leukocytoclastic vasculitis and hypertension presented to the Emergency Department with fatigue, nausea, epigastric pain, foamy urine and a diffuse erythematous purpuric rash within days of receiving the SARS CoV-2 vaccination. Her creatinine was 1.92 mg/dL and urinalysis showed 3+blood and 30 mg/dL of protein. COVID-19 testing was negative. Protein/ creatinine ratio was 2.1 g/g and urine microscopy showed dysmorphic red blood cells. Serologies for HIV, Hepatitis B and C were negative. Further testing revealed negative ANA, normal ASO titer, absent cryoglobulins, rheumatoid factor < 20, C3 158 (nl) and C4 35 (nl). However, IgA level was elevated at 462 mg/dL (reference 70-312 mg/dL). Patient was started on prednisone at a dose of 1mg/kg with a presumptive diagnosis of IgA vasculitis/ HSP. Subsequent skin biopsy was consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis while kidney biopsy showed glomerular deposition of IgA and endocapillary hypercellularity. At one month follow-up with nephrology, prednisone taper was started because of good clinical response and partial remission with UPCR reduction to 1 g/g. Prednisone was gradually tapered over the next 2 months. At her 3 month follow-up she was found to be in complete remission with a UPCR 0.2 g/g and her creatinine was 0.83 mg/dL Discussion: We present a case of IgA nephropathy post-SARS CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. It has been speculated that the mRNA lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated platform contained within the mRNA vaccine produces such a robust CD4 and CD8 T-cell response that pro-inflammatory cytokines activate this immune complex associated glomerular disease. In conclusion, SARS CoV-2 vaccination may potentially trigger IgA nephropathy in predisposed patients. Steroid therapy may be efficacious in managing this rare complication.

Beneficial effect of polyphenols in COVID-19 and the ectopic F1 FO -ATP synthase: Is there a link?

COVID-19 has been proposed to be an endothelial disease, as endothelial damage and oxidative stress contribute to its systemic inflammatory and thrombotic events. Polyphenols, natural antioxidant compounds appear as promising agents to prevent and treat COVID-19. Polyphenols bind and inhibit the F1 Fo -ATP synthase rotary catalysis. An early target of polyphenols may be the ectopic F1 Fo -ATP synthase expressed on the endothelial plasma membrane. Among the pleiotropic beneficial action of polyphenols in COVID-19, modulation of the ecto-F1 Fo -ATP synthase, lowering the oxidative stress produced by the electron transfer chain coupled to it, would not be negligible.

QUANTIFICATION AND KINETIC PROFILING OF ANTI-RBD ANTIBODIES IN COVID-19 SERUM AND WHOLE BLOOD USING FO-SPR PLATFORM

We present fiber optic surface plasmon resonance (FO-SPR) label-free (LF) bioassays for quantification and kinetic profiling of complete antibody isotypes against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This was accomplished not only in serum but also for the first time directly in whole blood of COVID-19 convalescent patients. The LF bioassay was correlated with the traditional FO-SPR sandwich bioassay, the latter also benchmarked with ELISA. Compared to other serological tests, our approach is superior in: (1) information about kinetics, (2) rapid insight into the amount of all antibody isotypes and (3) exceptional compatibility with whole blood samples. © 2021 MicroTAS 2021 - 25th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences. All rights reserved.

A Review of Apta-POF-Sensors: The Successful Coupling between Aptamers and Plastic Optical Fibers for Biosensing Applications

Aptamers represent the next frontier as biorecognition elements in biosensors thanks to a smaller size and lower molecular weight with respect to antibodies, more structural flexibility with the possibility to be regenerated, reduced batch-to-batch variation, and a potentially lower cost. Their high specificity and small size are particularly interesting for their application in optical biosensors since the perturbation of the evanescent field are low. Apart from the conventional plasmonic optical sensors, platforms based on silica and plastic optical fibers represent an interesting class of devices for point-of-care testing (POCT) in different applications. The first example of the coupling between aptamers and silica optical fibers was reported by Pollet in 2009 for the detection of IgE molecules. Six years later, the first example was published using a plastic optical fiber (POF) for the detection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). The excellent flexibility, great numerical aperture, and the large diameter make POFs extremely promising to be coupled to aptamers for the development of a sensitive platform easily integrable in portable, small-size, and simple devices. Starting from silica fiber-based surface plasmon resonance devices, here, a focus on significant biological applications based on aptamers, combined with plasmonic-POF probes, is reported.

Studying the Antarctic Glacier Melting Rate through Time Series Decomposition and Smoothing

This STEM paper will study the Time Series Antarctic Glacier Mass from April 2002 to March 2021. The objective of this paper is to forecast the Antarctic Glacier Mass level for 2021 to 2041. Among the four STEM components, the science studied is the geoscience of glaciers, technology included is the GRACE-FO satellites to collect Glacier Ice Sheet Mass data, Engineering focuses on the COVID-19 impact on the Glacier melting rate, and mathematical models like Time Series Decomposition and Smoothing were implemented. Several Time Series Decomposition methods such as the detrended, season-adjusted, and differencing were utilized to detect the strength of time series “Trend” and “Seasonal” components. 12-month seasonal pattern and long-term year to year trend were significantly observed. Although the Glacier meting rate sped up recently before 2020, the COVID-19 situation has slowed down the rate of glacier melting in 2020 in both Antarctic and Greenland. Smoothing models were also utilized to smooth out the random noise component to enhance the forecasting model. Several smoothing models were compared using their forecasting capability regarding both the trend and seasonal components. The prediction interval for forecasting Glacier Mass for 2021 to 2041 would become too wide to predict the future Glacier melting rate for more than 5 years in advance. This STEM Time Series Analysis methodology can be commonly applied to any Time Series data in several fields such as Climatology, Geoscience, Finance, Economics, Production Quality, Real Estate. © IEOM Society International.

Innovative FO-SPR Label-free Strategy for Detecting Anti-RBD Antibodies in COVID-19 Patient Serum and Whole Blood.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the urgent need for rapid, accurate, and large-scale diagnostic tools. Next to this, the significance of serological tests (i.e., detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies) also became apparent for studying patients' immune status and past viral infection. In this work, we present a novel approach for not only measuring antibody levels but also profiling of binding kinetics of the complete polyclonal antibody response against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, an aspect not possible to achieve with traditional serological tests. This fiber optic surface plasmon resonance (FO-SPR)-based label-free method was successfully accomplished in COVID-19 patient serum and, for the first time, directly in undiluted whole blood, omitting the need for any sample preparation. Notably, this bioassay (1) was on par with FO-SPR sandwich bioassays (traditionally regarded as more sensitive) in distinguishing COVID-19 from control samples, irrespective of the type of sample matrix, and (2) had a significantly shorter time-to-result of only 30 min compared to >1 or 4 h for the FO-SPR sandwich bioassay and the conventional ELISA, respectively. Finally, the label-free approach revealed that no direct correlation was present between antibody levels and their kinetic profiling in different COVID-19 patients, as another evidence to support previous hypothesis that antibody-binding kinetics against the antigen in patient blood might play a role in the COVID-19 severity. Taking all this into account, the presented work positions the FO-SPR technology at the forefront of other COVID-19 serological tests, with a huge potential toward other applications in need for quantification and kinetic profiling of antibodies.

Novel Regeneration Approach for Creating Reusable FO-SPR Probes with NTA Surface Chemistry.

To date, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors have been exploited in numerous different contexts while continuously pushing boundaries in terms of improved sensitivity, specificity, portability and reusability. The latter has attracted attention as a viable alternative to disposable biosensors, also offering prospects for rapid screening of biomolecules or biomolecular interactions. In this context here, we developed an approach to successfully regenerate a fiber-optic (FO)-SPR surface when utilizing cobalt (II)-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) surface chemistry. To achieve this, we tested multiple regeneration conditions that can disrupt the NTA chelate on a surface fully saturated with His6-tagged antibody fragments (scFv-33H1F7) over ten regeneration cycles. The best surface regeneration was obtained when combining 100 mM EDTA, 500 mM imidazole and 0.5% SDS at pH 8.0 for 1 min with shaking at 150 rpm followed by washing with 0.5 M NaOH for 3 min. The true versatility of the established approach was proven by regenerating the NTA surface for ten cycles with three other model system bioreceptors, different in their size and structure: His6-tagged SARS-CoV-2 spike fragment (receptor binding domain, RBD), a red fluorescent protein (RFP) and protein origami carrying 4 RFPs (Tet12SN-RRRR). Enabling the removal of His6-tagged bioreceptors from NTA surfaces in a fast and cost-effective manner can have broad applications, spanning from the development of biosensors and various biopharmaceutical analyses to the synthesis of novel biomaterials.