Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management of Sternal Wound Infection—Determinants of Length of Stay and Recurrence of Infection after Muscle Flap Coverage

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to define determinants of length of hospital stay (LOS) longer than mean and recurrence of infection (ROI) after complete healing of patients with deep sternal wound infections (DSWI). Patients and Methods In this observational study, we included 303 patients (155 females and 148 males, with mean age of 68 years) treated from 2016 to 2020 at the Department of Plastic Surgery of the HELIOS Klinik Krefeld, Germany. All patients received extensive necrosectomy, repetitive negative pressure therapy periods, and final transplantation of a pectoral musculocutaneous flap. In the German diagnosis-related group (DRG)-system, the mean inpatient LOS depends on the number of surgical procedures and is longer in those with four or more surgical procedures (DRG IO2B) and shorter in those with fewer procedures (DRGs I02C and I02D). The determinants which have a significant effect on LOS longer than mean and ROI after complete healing were identified by estimating a logistic regression model. The effect of the different calculated determinants was quantified as odds ratio. To measure the discriminant ability of the model between patients, we determined a receiver operating characteristic curve. The fit of the model was quantified by comparing predicted probabilities of the model with empirical probabilities of the data. The goodness of fit was then measured by applying the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. Results Among patients in DRG IO2B ( n = 246), the variable clopidogrel and therapeutic anticoagulation was the most important determinant for a longer LOS, with an odds ratio of 5.83 (95% CI = 0.83/40.80). Female sex and renal insufficiency also prolonged LOS. Applying this analysis to the patients with group DRG groups I02C and I02D ( n = 57), none of these parameters were predictive. The variable immunosuppression was the most important determinant for ROI ( n = 49) (OR = 4.67; 95% CI = 1.01/21.52). Body mass index also played a role, but with a much smaller influence. Conclusion There are specific risk factors for LOS longer than mean and ROI in patients with DSWI that can be identified on admission. Addressing these risk factors, if possible, could reduce the rate of patients with LOS longer than mean and ROI.
Leukocyte Esterase Strip Quantitative Detection Based on RGB Photometry is a Probable Method to Diagnose Periprosthetic Joint Infection: An Exploratory Study

Leucocyte esterase (LE) strip test is the most rapid, convenient, and cheap method to diagnose chronic periprosthesis joint infection (PJI). However, the determination of LE strip mainly relies on colorimetric method with strong subjectivity, which leads to low diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, we try to convert LE strip images into digital data through the RGB photometric system to achieve objective diagnosis. This method will greatly improve the accuracy of LE strip detection and diagnosis of PJI.
Saltation of uniform grains in air

The interaction between a turbulent wind and the motion of uniform saltating grains of sand or soil, so massive as to fail to enter into suspension, is examined on the basis of two complementary hypotheses. The first asserts that the effect of the moving grains on the fluid outside the region to which saltation is confined is similar to that of solid roughness of height comparable with the depth of the saltation layer. The second requires the concentration of particles engaging in the saltation to adjust itself so that the shear stress exerted by the wind on the ground—different from that acting on the fluid outside the saltation layer by an amount accountable to the change in horizontal momentum suffered by the particles in their passage through the fluid—is just sufficient to maintain the sand-strewn surface in a mobile state. Existing experimental data on the wind profiles outside the saltation region and the horizontal flux of particles through it are shown to be consistent with these hypotheses. The second hypothesis implies a self-balancing mechanism for controlling the concentration of saltating particles. For if the concentration is too low the shear stress at the surface rises above the value required merely to secure mobility and more particles are encouraged to leave the surface; conversely, too large a concentration depresses the surface stress, and the consequent loss of surface mobility inhibits saltation and reduces th concentration of particles until equilibrium is restored.
Inertial and viscous effects on dynamic contact angles

An investigation is made into the dynamics involved in the movement of the contact line when a single liquid with an interface moves into a vacuum over a smooth solid surface. In order to remove the stress singularity at the contact line, it is postulated that slip between the liquid and the solid or some other mechanism occurs very close to the contact line. It is assumed that the flow produced is inertia dominated with the Reynolds number based on the slip length being very large. Following a procedure similar to that used by Cox (1986) for the viscous-dominated situation (in which the Reynolds number based on the macroscopic length scale was assumed very small) using matched asymptotic expansions, we obtain the dependence of the macroscopic dynamic contact angle on the contact line velocity over the solid surface for small capillary number and small slip length to macroscopic lengthscale ratio. These results for the inertia-dominated situation are then extended (at the lowest order in capillary number) to an intermediate Reynolds number situation with the Reynolds number based on the slip length being very small and that based on the macroscopic lengthscale being very large.
Magnetostatic wave to exchange resonance coupling

Coupling of propagating magnetostatic waves with resonant exchange dominated spin wave modes produces attenuation notches in the magnetostatic wave transmission response. The exchange resonances occur when kex=nπ/d, where kex is the exchange wave number normal to the film plane, n is the mode number and d is the thickness of the epitaxial YIG film. Measurements of attenuation notch depth and position have been performed on as grown LPE‐YIG films and on films whose surface spins were pinned by ion milling, SiO2 deposition or annealing. Coupling was strongest for magnetostatic volume waves with the magnetic bias field normal to the film. Coupling to magnetostatic surface waves was less strong and in accordance with theory magnetostatic volume waves propagating parallel to the magnetic bias field showed zero coupling. The various treatments increased the depth of the attenuation notches and produced a mode pattern consistent with spin pinning asymmetric between the two film surfaces. The probable source of c.
Efficient computation of natural convection in a concentric annulus between an outer square cylinder and an inner circular cylinder

In this work, the natural convection in a concentric annulus between a cold outer square cylinder and a heated inner circular cylinder is simulated using the differential quadrature (DQ) method. The vorticity‐stream function formulation is used as the governing equation, and the coordinate transformation technique is introduced in the DQ computation. It is shown in this paper that the outer square boundary can be approximated by a super elliptic function. As a result, the coordinate transformation from the physical domain to the computational domain is set up by an analytical expression, and all the geometrical parameters can be computed exactly. Numerical results for Rayleigh numbers range from 104 to 106 and aspect ratios between 1.67 and 5.0 are presented, which are in a good agreement with available data in the literature. It is found that both the aspect ratio and the Rayleigh number are critical to the patterns of flow and thermal fields. The present study suggests that a critical aspect ratio may exist at high Rayleigh number to distinguish the flow and thermal patterns. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asparaginase therapy in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: expert opinion on use and toxicity management

Abstract The addition of asparaginase to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) treatment regimens provides significant patient benefits. Asparaginase therapies vary in origin (Escherichia coli– or Erwinia-derived) and preparation (native or pegylated), conferring distinct pharmacokinetic and immunogenic profiles. Clinical hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) are commonly reported in patients and range from localized erythema to systemic anaphylaxis. Due to its favorable pharmacokinetic profile and reduced immunogenicity compared to native E. coli preparations, pegaspargase is the first-line asparaginase therapeutic option. Switching to an Erwinia-derived asparaginase is recommended for patients who experience HSRs or antibody-mediated inactivation to achieve the significant clinical benefit observed in patients who complete asparaginase treatment. Previous global shortages of asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi necessitated conversion mitigation strategies such as premedication protocols, desensitization, and asparaginase activity level monitoring. Here, we discuss the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, current use, and administration of asparaginase therapies for pediatric and adolescent patients with ALL/LBL.
Eigenvalues of a class of spherical wave functions

An analytically simple and sufficiently accurate solution for the eigenvalues of a class of spherical wave functions is presented. The class of spherical wave functions considered are modes in conical and quasipyramidal waveguides with perfectly conducting walls and hybrid modes in corrugated conical and quasipyramidal horns with an impedance boundary. The indicated solution has been first used to obtain in closed form eigenvalues of the class of spherical wave functions considered which are subsequently used as the starting values for evaluating the exact eigenvalues with a simple digital-computer based iterative algorithm. The digital-computer evaluation of the eigenvalues has been found to be very fast, since the starting values are close to the exact solution, irrespective of the flare angle of the radial waveguides considered. Further, some mathematical insight has been provided in order to explain why the asymptotic solution, which appears to be valid only for small flare angles, yields eigenvalues close to the exact one even for wide flare angle(s) of the radial waveguides.
Cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells do not express a functional TRPV1

We showed previously that capsaicin, an active compound of chili peppers, can inhibit platelet-derived growth factor-induced proliferation in primary rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The inhibition of BrdU incorporation by capsaicin in these cells was revoked by BCTC, which might be explained by a role of TRPV1 in VSMCs proliferation. To further pursue the hypothesis of a TRPV1-dependent effect of capsaicin, we investigated TRPV1 expression and function. Commercially available antibodies against two different TRPV1 epitopes (N-terminus and C-terminus) were rendered invalid in detecting TRPV1, as shown: i) in western blot experiments using control lysates of TRPV1-expressing (PC-12 and hTRPV1 transfected HEK293T) and TRPV1-downregulated (CRISPR/Cas gene edited A10) cells, and ii) by substantial differences in staining patterns between the applied antibodies using fluorescence confocal microscopy. The TRPV1 agonists capsaicin, resiniferatoxin, piperine and evodiamine did not increase intracellular calcium levels in primary VSMCs and in A10 cells. Using RT qPCR, we could detect a rather low TRPV1 expression in VSMCs at the mRNA level (Cp value around 30), after validating the primer pair in NGF-stimulated PC-12 cells. We conclude that rat vascular smooth muscle cells do not possess canonical TRPV1 channel activity, which could explain the observed antiproliferative effect of capsaicin.
Increased expression of CEP72 predicts poor prognosis in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a fatal hematological malignancy and does not have adequate prognostic indicators. Previous studies indicate that CEP72 is closely related to tumorigenesis and tumor progression. However, the expression and function of CEP72 in multiple myeloma have yet to be elucidated.
Determination of the capture radii of magnetite bearing hydroxide flocs in magnetic filtration

Magnetic filtration may be applied in water technology for the separation of flocs which are formed in a flocculation tank together with magnetite as an additive. The capture radius is an important mathematical quantity to calculate the performance of such filters in advance. Thus, the capture radii of magnetite bearing copper hydroxide flocs were measured with a direct visual evaluation of the floc trajectories in the neighborhood of a single magnetized wire. For this purpose, an experimental setup was assembled, which allowed the observation and the measurement of the trajectories. With the image processing system used, it was possible to observe flocs larger than 30 /spl mu/m and the flow velocity was limited to a maximum value of 20 mm/s. Capture radii were calculated by the established single-wire theory under the assumption of potential and creeping flow conditions. It has been proved that further information on the solids content of the flocs, which strongly influences the floc susceptibility, was necessary to obtain an agreement between the experimental data and the theoretical predictions. By introducing a flee size dependent solids content into the single-wire theory, measured by means of sedimentation analysis, an accurate description of the observed capture radii was possible.
An HLA-G/SPAG9/STAT3 axis promotes brain metastases

Significance Current treatment options for Brain Metastases (BM) still result in reduced survival outcomes in affected patients, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of the disease and consequently more efficient therapies. In this study, we shed light on the molecular profile of brain metastatic cells during the early stages of the BM cascade and show that targeting certain gene(s) commonly up-regulated in these cells irrespective of their primary tumor of origin is capable of impeding the establishment of BM. Our findings uncover unique factors involved in BM and could lead to the development of more effective and preventive therapeutic options against BM.
Efficacy and Feasibility of the CO-OP Approach in Parkinson's Disease: RCT Study Protocol

Background. Parkinson's disease (PD) leads to cognitive dysfunction which limits participation and occupational performance. Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach is effective in other adult neurological populations and warrants investigation in PD. Purpose. To describe a study protocol evaluating the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of CO-OP approach in PD. Method. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) with adults with PD was assigned to either: CO-OP training-intensive (CO-OP-I, 20 sessions) or waitlist control (WLC) followed by CO-OP-standard (CO-OP-S, 10 sessions). Outcomes. Occupational performance and satisfaction of adults with PD in chosen goals. Measures will be obtained at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Implications. As the first RCT focused on CO-OP in PD, this trial will provide evidence for the potential of this approach in PD and lay the groundwork for future large-scale trials. Trial Registration. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials registry, ACTRN12621001483842. Registered November 1, 2021; retrospectively registered 3 months after commencement.
Problems at the Nexus of Geometry and Soft Matter: Rings, Ribbons and Shells

iv problem of two concentric rings connected via springs. We show that when the two rings loses contact, rucks spontaneous formed leading to the complex folding patterns. We also develop a simple system of an extensible elastic on a spring support to study bifurcation in system that has adhesion. We explain the bifurcation diagram and show how it di↵ers from the classical results. Lastly, we investigate the statistical mechanics of the Sadowsky ribbon in a similar spirit to the famous Kratky-Porod model. We present a detail theoretical and numerical calculations of the Sadowsky ribbon under the e↵ect of external force and torsion. This model may be able to explain new and novel biopolymers ranging from actin, microtubules to rod-like viruses that lies outside the scope of WLC model. This concludes the thesis.
Some inequalities for starshaped and convex functions.

Abstract : Necessary and sufficient conditons are obtained on a function G of bounded variation such that phi(integral sign x(t)dG(t)) = or < integral sign phi(x(t))dG(t) for all increasing x for which x(t sub 0) = 0 for some specified t sub 0, and all convex phi for which phi(0) = 0; the conditions are otherwise independent of phi and x. Similar results are obtained when the inequality is reversed. Necessary and sufficient conditions for both directions of inequality are also obtained when phi is starshaped. The relationship to previous results is sketched. Applications to statistical tolerance limits are indicated. (Author)
Daytime-restricted parenteral feeding is associated with earlier oral intake in children following stem cell transplant

To the editor: In inpatients unable to sustain themselves enterally, standard i.v. total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is often administered over a 20-to 24-hour feeding period. However, feeding time is a dominant entraining cue for peripheral mammalian clocks and, importantly, a major driver of metabolism (1). It is well established that eating over long periods such as these contributes to metabolic dysregulation and poor sleep. Moreover, the first report of long-term TPN, given at home to adults with chronic bowel disease, was administered overnight for 12–18 hours (2). Time-restricted feeding is actively being studied in adult outpatients with obesity and those with healthy weight, with evaluation of weight loss or metabolic syndrome manifestations. The benefits of limiting the time of day and daily feeding duration in the inpatient setting in pediatric patients experiencing an acute but expected recoverable intestinal insult are unknown but likely important to study. We conducted a single-center, randomized, nonblinded, controlled pilot study from May 2020 to September 2022 to establish the safety and feasibility of daytime-restricted nutrition in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients and to evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation timing on post-HSCT outcomes (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04549038). This study was approved by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Institutional Review Board and performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Patients or […]
Sound garden: How snakes respond to airborne and groundborne sounds

Evidence suggests that snakes can hear, but how snakes naturally respond to sound is still unclear. We conducted 304 controlled experiment trials on 19 snakes across five genera in a sound-proof room (4.9 x 4.9 m) at 27ºC, observing the effects of three sounds on individual snake behavior, compared to controls. We quantified eight snake behaviors (body movement, body freezing, head-flicks, tongue-flicks, hissing, periscoping, head fixation, lower jaw drop) in response to three sounds, which were filtered pink-noise within the following frequency ranges: 0–150Hz (sound 1, which produced ground vibrations, as measured by an accelerometer), 150–300Hz (sound 2, which did not produced ground vibrations), 300–450Hz (sound 3, which did not produced ground vibrations). All snake responses were strongly genus dependent. Only one genus (Aspidites, Woma Pythons) significantly increased their probability of movement in response to sound, but three other genera (Acanthophis (Death Adders), Oxyuranus (Taipans), and Pseudonaja (Brown Snakes)) were more likely to move away from sound, signaling potential avoidance behavior. Taipans significantly increased their likelihood of displaying defensive and cautious behaviors in response to sound, but three of the five genera exhibited significantly different types of behaviors in sound trials compared to the control. Our results highlight potential heritable behavioral responses of snakes to sound, clustered within genera. Our study illustrates the behavioral variability among different snake genera, and across sound frequencies, which contributes to our limited understanding of hearing and behavior in snakes.
Strategically managing learning during perceptual decision making

Making optimal decisions in the face of noise requires balancing short-term speed and accuracy. But a theory of optimality should account for the fact that short-term speed can influence long-term accuracy through learning. Here, we demonstrate that long-term learning is an important dynamical dimension of the speed-accuracy trade-off. We study learning trajectories in rats and formally characterize these dynamics in a theory expressed as both a recurrent neural network and an analytical extension of the drift-diffusion model that learns over time. The model reveals that choosing suboptimal response times to learn faster sacrifices immediate reward, but can lead to greater total reward. We empirically verify predictions of the theory, including a relationship between stimulus exposure and learning speed, and a modulation of reaction time by future learning prospects. We find that rats’ strategies approximately maximize total reward over the full learning epoch, suggesting cognitive control over the learning process.
Longitudinal associations of anticholinergic medications on cognition and possible mitigating role of physical activity

Many older adults take at least one prescription medication with anticholinergic (ACH) activity, which can impact the central nervous system and can lead to cognitive decline and impairment especially in an aging population susceptible to cognitive changes. We examined this relationship between ACH burden and cognitive function in middle‐aged and older adults. We further determined if increased activity levels mitigated the relationships between ACH burden and cognition.
Unilateral Percutaneous Kyphoplasty Using a Novel Guide Device for Thoracolumbar Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture

Unilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (UPKP) has been effective in reducing the operative time, cement volume, and cement leakage (CL) rate compared with bilateral kyphoplasty. However, no device can help to determine the trajectory during operation, especially the inner inclination angle. To assess the safety and efficacy of a novel guide device (GD) for UPKP in the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral fractures (TLOVFs).