bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Epidemic Prevention and Management Measures in University Based on GIS and ABM – Taking South China University of Technology (Wushan Campus) as an Example
Authors: Chen Mingxi
Published: September 2021

Prevention and management of epidemic is a protracted war. As large community in city, universities are key regions in the anti-epidemic period. However, the current epidemic prevention and management measures in many universities do not compatible with the spatial form and the characteristics of the population, likely to lead to waste of resources and cause conflicts. The research simulates campus environment by constructing GIS model, and simulates the behavior of campus crowd by ABM. Under the coupling effect of the two, the real-time calculation of the spread of epidemic in universities can be calculated in real-time, making up for the deficiency of GIS model which can only do static data analysis. On this basis, research takes South China University of Technology as an example and assumes three epidemic prevention management measures, i.e. closed-off management, zoning management and self prevention, respectively to simulate the spread of the epidemic, sum up the results of different management measures and provide certain suggestions.
Environmentally Driven Aggregate Façade Systems
Authors: Cabrera Jauregui Pablo
Published: September 2021

Even though computer simulation of environmental factors and manufacturing technologies have experienced a fast development, architectural workflows that can take advantage of the possibilities created by these developments have been left behind and architectural design processes have not evolved at the same rate. This paper presents a design to fabrication workflow that explores data driven design to improve performance of facades, implementing for this purpose computational tools to handle environmental data complexity and proposes robotic fabrication technologies to facilitate façade components fabrication.
Optimization of Daylight and Thermal Performance of Building Façade: A Case Study of Office Buildings in Nanjing
Authors: Yan Hainan , Zhang Yiting , Liu Sheng , Cheung Ka Ming , Ji Guohua
Published: September 2021

In China's hot summer and cold winter areas, the façade design of buildings needs to respond to a variety of performance objectives. This study focuses on the optimization of daylight and solar radiation of building façade of office buildings in Nanjing and proposes a simple and efficient method. The method mainly includes a random sampling of design models, simplified operation of daylight performance criteria and selection of optimal solution. The results show that the building façade can improve the indoor lighting uniformity and reduce the indoor illumination level compared with the unshaded reference building. Besides, the amount of solar radiation received by office buildings in summer and winter becomes more balanced with the building façade. The optimization design method of building façade proposed in this study can be of guiding significance for office buildings in Nanjing.
4D Soft Material Systems
Authors: Grassi Giulia , Sparrman Bjorn , Paoletti Ingrid , Tibbits Skylar
Published: September 2021

This work introduces multi-material liquid printing as an enabling technology for designing programmed shape-shifting silicones. The goal of this research is to provide a readily available, scalable and customized approach at producing responsive 4D printed structures for a wide range of applications. Hence, the methodology allows customization at each step of the procedure by intervening either on the material composition and/or on the design and fabrication strategies for the production of responsive components. A significant endeavour is initiated to develop and engineer two different material systems that enable shape-shifting: silicone-ethanol composites and polyvinyl siloxane swelling rubbers. The printed samples successfully comply with the expected swelling behaviour through a variety of printed test patterns.
Bio Scaffolds
Authors: Alima N. , Snooks R. , McCormack J.
Published: September 2021

‘Bio Scaffolds’ explores a series of design tectonics that emerge from a co-creation between human, machine and natural intelligences. This research establishes an integral connection between form and materiality by enabling biological materials to become a co-creator within the design and fabrication process. In this research paper, we explore a hybrid between architectural aesthetics and biological agency by choreographing natural growth through form. ‘Bio Scaffolds’ explores a series of 3D printed biodegradable scaffolds that orchestrate both Mycelia growth and degradation through form. A robotic arm is introduced into the system that can respond to the organism’s natural behavior by injecting additional Mycelium culture into a series of sacrificial frameworks. Equipped with computer vision systems, feedback controls, scanning processes and a multi-functional end-effector, the machine tends to nature by reacting to its patterns of growth, moisture, and color variation. Using this cybernetic intelligence, developed between human, machine, and Mycelium, our intention is to generate unexpected structural and morphological forms that are represented via a series of 3D printed Mycelium enclosures. ‘Bio Scaffolds’ explores an interplay between biological and computational complexity through non anthropocentric micro habitats.
Using CycleGAN to Achieve the Sketch Recognition Process of Sketch-Based Modeling
Authors: Li Yuqian , Xu Weiguo
Published: September 2021

Architects usually design ideation and conception by hand-sketching. Sketching is a direct expression of the architect’s creativity. But 2D sketches are often vague, intentional and even ambiguous. In the research of sketch-based modeling, it is the most difficult part to make the computer to recognize the sketches. Because of the development of artificial intelligence, especially deep learning technology, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have shown obvious advantages in the field of extracting features and matching, and Generative Adversarial Neural Networks (GANs) have made great breakthroughs in the field of architectural generation which make the image-to-image translation become more and more popular. As the building images are gradually developed from the original sketches, in this research, we try to develop a system from the sketches to the images of buildings using CycleGAN algorithm. The experiment demonstrates that this method could achieve the mapping process from the sketches to images, and the results show that the sketches’ features could be recognised in the process. By the learning and training process of the sketches’ reconstruction, the features of the images are also mapped to the sketches, which strengthen the architectural relationship in the sketch, so that the original sketch can gradually approach the building images, and then it is possible to achieve the sketch-based modeling technology.
Mass Customization: The Implication on Development of Aluminum Joint
Authors: Ye Jiabei , Guo Xiaoxi
Published: September 2021

In the manufacturing process, the production of standardized prefabricated components is highly efficient, which can benefit the demand for mass production of standardized architecture after World War II. However, over-standardized architecture sometimes cannot satisfy the demand for uniqueness in an architecture project. At this time, bespoke components began to be used to solve the over-simplification of aesthetics of architecture. Besides, with the help of digital fabrication, bespoke components could achieve mass customization in architecture. The research designs two joints: prefabricated aluminum joints and bespoke aluminum joints, which aims to develop bespoke joints to aluminum components with ornamental characteristics and become a part of architecture with practical function and ornamental function. Furthermore, in the process of generating bespoke joints, improve the deficiency when conducting lost-foam casting.
Bio-Design Intelligence
Authors: Zimbarg Ana
Published: September 2021

Architecture has a substantial influence worldwide as it shapes our cities, and it is made to last. Urban areas are also responsible for 70% of the world's carbon emissions. Consequently, architects are responsible for minimising the destructive effects of construction on the environment. How can biological intelligence be inserted in architecture as a possibility to increase environmental performance? Bio-design goes further than biology-inspired approaches. Bio-design refers to incorporating living organisms as an essential component of a system, changing the natural and built environment boundaries. It contains living and machine intelligence, whether embedded in the design process or in the building itself. This paper seeks to give an overview of bio-design and how it can be seen as a strategy of thinking of new research pathways.
Gravitational and gravitoscalar thermodynamics
Authors: Miyashita Shoichiro
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Gravitational thermodynamics and gravitoscalar thermodynamics with S2 × ℝ boundary geometry are investigated through the partition function, assuming that all Euclidean saddle point geometries contribute to the path integral and dominant ones are in the B3 × S1 or S2 × Disc topology sector. In the first part, I concentrate on the purely gravitational case with or without a cosmological constant and show there exists a new type of saddle point geometry, which I call the “bag of gold(BG) instanton,” only for the Λ > 0 case. Because of this existence, thermodynamical stability of the system and the entropy bound are absent for Λ > 0, these being universal properties for Λ ≤ 0. In the second part, I investigate the thermodynamical properties of a gravity-scalar system with a φ2 potential. I show that when Λ ≤ 0 and the boundary value of scalar field Jφ is below some value, then the entropy bound and thermodynamical stability do exist. When either condition on the parameters does not hold, however, thermodynamical stability is (partially) broken. The properties of the system and the relation between BG instantons and the breakdown are discussed in detail.
Short-term outcome of fragility fractures of the pelvis in the elderly treated with screw osteosynthesis and external fixator
Authors: Schuetze Konrad , Eickhoff Alexander , Dehner Christoph , Blidon Alexander , Gebhard Florian , Richter Peter Hinnerk
Published: September 2021

Background

The treatment of fragility fractures of the pelvis is rising challenge for orthopedic trauma surgeons. Operative treatment should allow immediate full weight bearing and early mobilisation but should also be as minimal invasive as possible. Sacroiliac (SI) or transsacral transiliac screws (TSTI) alone or depending on the fracture in combination with an external fixator meets both of these criteria.

Material and methods

The outcome of 121 operatively treated patients with fragility fractures of the pelvis were evaluated in this retrospective study. Depending on the type of fracture the patients were treated with navigated SI screw or TSTI screw alone or in combination with an external fixator. All patients were operated in supine position in a hybrid-OR, which consists of a fixed robotic 3D flatpanel detector (Artis zeego, Siemens Healthineers, Germany) and a navigation system (BrainLab Curve, BrainLab, Germany).

Results

37 patients were treated with either one or two SI screws and 57 with one TSTI screw. An additional external fixator was combined with SI screws in 17 patients and with TSTI screws in 10 patients. The preoperative pain score was significantly higher compared to the postoperative score (5.1 ± 2.5 vs 2.2 ± 1.9, p < 0.05). Follow-up at 6 month was possible for 106 patients which showed screw loosening in 16.3% of the SI Screws (n = 49) compared to only 5.2% of TSTI screws (n = 57). No screw loosening was seen in the combination of TSTI-screw and external fixator (n = 10). There were two septic and three aseptic pin loosenings of the external fixator. Overall only one patient needed revision surgery due to screw loosening and local irritation. Overall 75.2% (n = 91) of the patients could be released in their home or in a rehabilitation unit and only 14% (n = 17) were released to a nursing home due to immobility despite the operation. Non-surgical complications rate was 21.5%.

Conclusion

SI or TSTI screws with possible combination with an external fixator show early pain relief and allows most of the patients to keep their former level of independence. With an also low surgical complication rate, it proved to be a safe and reliable treatment for fragility fractures of the pelvis. Due the effective pain relief and the minimal invasive approach, early mobilisation is possible and might prevent typical non-surgical complications which are very common during conservative treatment.
COVID-19-Pandemie: Präferenzen und Barrieren für die Disseminierung von Evidenzsynthesen
Authors: Seeber Christian , Popp Maria , Meerpohl Joerg J. , Fichtner Falk , Werner Anne , Schmaderer Christoph , Holzmann-Littig Christopher , Dickel Steffen , Grimm Clemens , Moerer Onnen , Kranke Peter ,   AP6 CEOsys, Steckelberg Anke , Viciano Astrid , Benstöm Carina , Wormer Georg Holger , Wipplinger Jörg , Krieger Julia , Dahms Karolina , Ansems Kelly , Lühnen Julia , Anhäuser Marcus , Meybohm Patrick , Weibel Stephanie , Wijnen-Meijer Marjo
Published: September 2021

Hintergrund

Das COVID-19-Evidenz-Ökosystem (CEOsys) identifiziert, bewertet und fasst Ergebnisse wissenschaftlicher Studien in Evidenzsynthesen im Kontext von COVID-19 zusammen. Diese Evidenzsynthesen werden genutzt, um konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen abzuleiten und Leitlinien zu erstellen.

Zielsetzung

Vorbereitung der am besten geeigneten Verteilung von Evidenzsynthesen im Rahmen der Aufgaben des CEOsys-Projekts.

Methode

Für Deutschland wurde eine Befragung hinsichtlich des intensivmedizinischen Personals priorisierter Themenbereiche, Wünschen zu Layout, Plattform der Bekanntmachung von Evidenzsynthesen und Vertrauenswürdigkeit von Institutionen mit kategorialen Antwortmöglichkeiten durchgeführt. Die Umfrage erfolgte online und wurde per E‑Mail lokal und über die DIVI verteilt.

Ergebnisse

Von 317 Befragten, die die Umfrage starteten, vervollständigten 200 den Fragebogen. Knappe Zeit und fehlender Zugriff, unzureichende Erfahrung bzw. Unsicherheit im Umgang mit Evidenzsynthesen wurden als Barriere für Wissenserwerb benannt. Das aktive Herantragen von Informationen wird bevorzugt („Push-Strategie“). Als Format werden Kurzversion, Übersichten mit Algorithmen und Webinare prioritär gewünscht. Webseiten öffentlicher Einrichtungen, Fachjournalartikel und E‑Mail-Newsletter sollen auf neue Evidenz aufmerksam machen. Fachgesellschaften und dem Robert Koch Institut werden in der Pandemie mehrheitlich Vertrauen geschenkt. Priorisierte Themen der Befragten sind Langzeitfolgen der Erkrankung, Schutz des medizinischen Personals und Invasivität der Beatmungstherapie.

Schlussfolgerung

Evidenzsynthesen sollten aktiv an Zielgruppen herangetragen werden. Inhalte sollten übersichtlich, kurz (Algorithmen, Kurzversion, Webinare) und frei verfügbar sein. Webseiten, E‑Mail-Newsletter und medizinische Journale, aber auch Fachgesellschaften und das Robert Koch-Institut sollten auf Evidenzsynthesen hinweisen.
Digital light processing-based additive manufacturing of resin bonded SiC grinding wheels and their grinding performance
Authors: Ai Qingfeng , Khosravi Jahangir , Azarhoushang Bahman , Daneshi Amir , Becker Björn
Published: September 2021

In this study, an additive manufacturing process based on digital light processing was employed for a quick, flexible, and economical fabrication of resin bonded SiC grinding tools. The grinding wheel has been fabricated using laboratory manufacturing processes that utilize ultraviolet-curable resins and conventional abrasives. Also, desirable geometries and features like integrated coolant holes, which are difficult or even almost impossible to manufacture by conventional processes, are easily achievable. Grinding experiments were carried out by different process parameters, and with two different grinding wheels, i.e., with and without cooling channels with different concentrations (25 wt.% and 50 wt.% grains) to evaluate the grinding efficiency of the produced tools. Grinding forces, tool wear, tool loading, and ground surface quality were measured and analyzed. The wear rates of the grinding wheels with cooling channels were generally less than those without cooling channels, particularly in the deep grinding processes with large contact areas. Grinding tests on a hardened steel have shown that the integration of cooling lubricant channels almost prevents the wheel loading. In addition, by increasing the cutting speed (from 15 to 30 m/s) and decreasing the feed rate (from 10 to 2 m/min), the grinding wheel wear was significantly reduced. Furthermore, surface grinding of aluminum resulted in surface roughness values (Ra) in the range of 1 μm to 2.5 μm, while a Ra of about 0.2 μm was achieved by grinding hardened steel (100Cr6) with the same grinding conditions. Using the higher SiC-grain concentration (50 wt.%), it was determined that the surface roughness was 50% finer. Additionally the tool wear was significantly reduced (up to 30 times depending on the process parameters). The wear characteristics of the grinding wheel were analyzed through a novel image processing system. Significant correlations were found between the wear flat of grains and the increase in grinding forces due to the tool wear.
Hepatic Steatosis is Associated with an Increased Risk of Postoperative Infections and Perioperative Transfusion Requirements in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy
Authors: Villagomez Diego , Shah Malay , Marti Francesc , Orozco Gabriel , Davenport Daniel , Gupta Meera , Ancheta Alexandre , Desai Siddharth , Vilchez Gabriel , Zwischenberger Joseph , Gedaly Roberto
Published: September 2021

Background

To determine the impact of hepatic steatosis on perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing hepatectomy.

Methods

We analyzed all hepatectomy patients with normal and fatty liver texture, between 2014 and 2018 using NSQIP. Main endpoints included perioperative transfusions (within 72 h) and infectious complications.

Results

A total of 8,237 patients underwent hepatectomy during the study period. The overall rate of fatty liver texture (FLG) was 31% (2,557). Operative duration was significantly longer; inflow occlusion was more common (Pringle maneuver), and the need of transfusions was significantly higher in the FLG compared to the normal liver group (NLG) (p =  < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, patients in the FLG had increased risk of developing infectious complications (OR 1.22 [95%IC 1.05–1.41]) and transfusion requirements within 72 h after hepatectomy (OR 1.43 [95% CI 1.24–1.63]).

Conclusions

Hepatic steatosis is an independent risk factor for the development of infectious complications and increased perioperative transfusion requirements in patients undergoing hepatectomy. Those requiring transfusions within 72 h had also an increased risk of infections after hepatectomy.
In-hospital outcomes of self-expanding and balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves in Germany
Authors: Stachon Peter , Hehn Philip , Wolf Dennis , Heidt Timo , Oettinger Vera , Zehender Manfred , Bode Christoph , von zur Mühlen Constantin , Kaier Klaus
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The effect of valve type on outcomes in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) has recently been subject of debate. We investigate outcomes of patients treated with balloon-expanding (BE) vs. self-expanding (SE) valves in in a cohort of all these procedures performed in Germany in 2018.

Methods

All patients receiving TF-TAVR with either BE (N = 9,882) or SE (N = 7,413) valves in Germany in 2018 were identified. In-hospital outcomes were analyzed for the endpoints in-hospital mortality, major bleeding, stroke, acute kidney injury, postoperative delirium, permanent pacemaker implantation, mechanical ventilation > 48 h, length of hospital stay, and reimbursement. Since patients were not randomized to the two treatment options, logistic or linear regression models were used with 22 baseline patient characteristics and center-specific variables as potential confounders. As a sensitivity analysis, the same confounding factors were taken into account using the propensity score methods (inverse probability of treatment weighting).

Results

Baseline characteristics differed substantially, with higher EuroSCORE (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001) and rate of female sex (p < 0.001) in SE treated patients. After risk adjustment, no marked differences in outcomes were found for in-hospital mortality [risk adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for SE instead of BE 0.94 (96% CI 0.76;1.17), p = 0.617] major bleeding [aOR 0.91 (0.73;1.14), p = 0.400], stroke [aOR 1.13 (0.88;1.46), p = 0.347], acute kidney injury [OR 0.97 (0.85;1.10), p = 0.621], postoperative delirium [aOR 1.09 (0.96;1.24), p = 0.184], mechanical ventilation > 48 h [aOR 0.98 (0.77;1.25), p = 0.893], length of hospital stay (risk adjusted difference in days of hospitalization (SE instead of BE): − 0.05 [− 0.34;0.25], p = 0.762) and reimbursement [risk adjusted difference in reimbursement (SE instead of BE): − €72 (− €291;€147), p = 0.519)] There is, however, an increased risk of PPI for SE valves (aOR 1.27 [1.15;1.41], p < 0.001). Similar results were found after application of propensity score adjustment.

Conclusions

We find broadly equivalent outcomes in contemporary TF-TAVR procedures, regardless of the valve type used. Incidence of major complications is very low for both types of valve.
An overview on the treatment and outcome factors of ankle fractures in elderly men and women aged 80 and over: a systematic review
Authors: van Halsema Marieke S. , Boers Rick A. R. , Leferink Vincent J. M.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

This article is a systematic review of the literature on elderly aged 80 and over with an ankle fracture. Low energy trauma fractures are a major public health burden in developed countries that have aged populations. Ankle fractures are the third most common fractures after hip and wrist fractures. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the treatments and the used outcome factors.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched to retrieve relevant studies. Studies published in English or Dutch concerning the treatment of ankle fractures in patients aged 80 and over were included.

Results

Initially 2054 studies were found in the databases. After removing duplicate entries, 1182 remained. Finally, after screening six studies were included, of which three cohorts studies and three case series. Six different treatments were identified and described; ORIF, transarticular Steinmann pin, plaster cast with or without weight-bearing, Gallagher nail and the TCC nail. Furthermore, 32 outcome factors were identified.

Discussion

The various studies show that practitioners are careful with early weight-bearing. However, if we look closely to the results and other literature, this seems not necessary and it could potentially be of great value to implement early weight-bearing in the treatment. Furthermore, quality of life seems underreported in this research field.

Conclusions

ORIF with plaster cast and permissive weight-bearing should be considered for this population since it seems to be a safe possibility for a majority of the relatively healthy patients aged 80 and over. In cases where surgery is contra-indicated and a plaster cast is the choice of treatment, early weight-bearing seems to have a positive influence on the outcome in the very old patient.
Thermal stress, cooling-rate and fictive temperature of silicate melts
Authors: Webb Sharon L.
Published: September 2021

The unknown cooling-rate history of natural silicate melts can be investigated using differential scanning heat capacity measurements together with the limiting fictive temperature analysis calculation. There are a range of processes occurring during cooling and re-heating of natural samples which influence the calculation of the limiting fictive temperature and, therefore, the calculated cooling-rate of the sample. These processes occur at the extremes of slow cooling and fast quenching. The annealing of a sample at a temperature below the glass transition temperature upon cooling results in the subsequent determination of cooling-rates which are up to orders of magnitude too low. In contrast, the internal stresses associated with the faster cooling of obsidian in air result in an added exothermic signal in the heat capacity trace which results in an overestimation of cooling-rate. To calculate cooling-rate of glass using the fictive temperature method, it is necessary to create a calibration curve determined using known cooling- and heating-rates. The calculated unknown cooling-rate of the sample is affected by the magnitude of mismatch between the original cooling-rate and the laboratory heating-rate when using the matched cooling-/heating-rate method to derive a fictive temperature/cooling-rate calibration curve. Cooling-rates slower than the laboratory heating-rate will be overestimated, while cooling-rates faster than the laboratory heating-rate are underestimated. Each of these sources of error in the calculation of cooling-rate of glass materials—annealing, stress release and matched cooling/heating-rate calibration—can affect the calculated cooling-rate by factor of 10 or more.
Individual-based multiple-unit dissimilarity: novel indices and null model for assessing temporal variability in community composition
Authors: Nakadai Ryosuke
Published: September 2021

Beta-diversity was originally defined spatially, i.e., as variation in community composition among sites in a region. However, the concept of beta-diversity has since been expanded to temporal contexts. This is referred to as “temporal beta-diversity”, and most approaches are simply an extension of spatial beta-diversity. The persistence and turnover of individuals over time is a unique feature of temporal beta-diversity. Nakadai (2020) introduced the “individual-based beta-diversity” concept, and provided novel indices to evaluate individual turnover and compositional shift by comparing individual turnover between two periods at a given site. However, the proposed individual-based indices are applicable only to pairwise dissimilarity, not to multiple-temporal (or more generally, multiple-unit) dissimilarity. Here, individual-based beta-diversity indices are extended to multiple-unit cases. In addition, a novel type of random permutation criterion related to these multiple-unit indices for detecting patterns of individual persistence is introduced in the present study. To demonstrate the usage the properties of these indices compared to average pairwise measures, I applied them to a dataset for a permanent 50-ha forest dynamics plot on Barro Colorado Island in Panama. Information regarding “individuals” is generally missing from community ecology and biodiversity studies of temporal dynamics. In this context, the methods proposed here are expected to be useful for addressing a wide range of research questions regarding temporal changes in biodiversity, especially studies using traditional individual-tracked forest monitoring data.
Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome associated with acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis: systematic review
Authors: Orlando Corinne , Milani Gregorio P. , Simonetti Giacomo D. , Goeggel Simonetti Barbara , Lava Sebastiano A. G. , Wyttenbach Rolf , Bianchetti Mario G. , Cristallo Lacalamita Marirosa
Published: September 2021

Background

Kidney diseases are a recognized cause of posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome, usually abbreviated as PRES. The purpose of this review was to systematically address the association between acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis and PRES.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of the literature on acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis associated with PRES. The principles recommended by the Economic and Social Research Council guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis and on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses were used. Databases searched included Excerpta Medica, US National Library of Medicine, and Web of Science.

Results

For the final analysis, we evaluated 47 reports describing 52 cases (32 males and 20 females). Fifty patients were ≤ 18 years of age. Blood pressure was classified as follows: normal-elevated (n = 3), stage 1 hypertension (n = 3), stage 2 hypertension (n = 5), and severe hypertension (n = 41). Acute kidney injury was classified as stage 1 in 32, stage 2 in 16, and stage 3 in four cases. Neuroimaging studies disclosed a classic posterior PRES pattern in 28 cases, a diffuse PRES pattern in 23 cases, and a brainstem-cerebellum PRES pattern in the remaining case. Antihypertensive drugs were prescribed in all cases and antiepileptic drugs in cases presenting with seizures. A resolution of clinical findings and neuroimaging lesions was documented in all cases with information about follow-up.

Conclusions

The main factor associated with PRES in acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis is severe hypertension. Prompt clinical suspicion, rapid evaluation, and management of hypertension are crucial.

Graphical abstract

A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information
“Every cell counts”—experiences with flow cytometry for Austrian drinking water supply
Authors: Schönher Christoph , Proksch Philipp , Kerschbaumer David , Fiedler Christina Jil , Schmidt Benedikt-Johannes , Keskinöz Canan , Aguilar Gonzalez Ana Elena , Mayr Ernest , Perfler Reinhard , Zunabovic-Pichler Marija
Published: September 2021

The last decades have seen extensive scientific and technological improvements in many fields of microbiology and molecular biology. Correspondingly, flow cytometry—a rapid, precise and straightforward method for cultivation-independent detection of cells in liquids—has been a major topic in aquatic microbiology and drinking water analysis. Flow cytometry provides information at the single-cell level, including total cell counts, size measurements, nucleic acid content and bacterial viability and activity. While regulatory requirements for water testing rely on cultivation-based methods, flow cytometry can be considered a powerful tool to complement standard procedures.

This article provides insights into the methodology and applicability of flow cytometry in the field of microbiological drinking water analysis and presents an overview on several case studies that cover a broad range of different objectives. The later are comprised of a study on flow cytometric characterization of Austrian drinking water resources, of an example for advanced data analysis methods of flow cytometric data, of a study on monitoring microbial regrowth within the distribution network, of an exemplary case of the application of online flow cytometry for high-frequency monitoring and of an introduction to the combination of flow cytometry and sequencing information.

Finally, it is argued that due to the high microbiological variability of different water resources, unusual changes of flow cytometric parameters, rather than specific limits, could act as an indicator for further investigation. In this way flow cytometry can provide a good basis for risk assessments in water safety plans. The application of flow cytometry still remains utility-specific and a huge need for standardization of data analysis and interpretation exists in order to achieve a better cooperation of water utilities.
Real-time polyp detection model using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Nogueira-Rodríguez Alba , Domínguez-Carbajales Rubén , Campos-Tato Fernando , Herrero Jesús , Puga Manuel , Remedios David , Rivas Laura , Sánchez Eloy , Iglesias Águeda , Cubiella Joaquín , Fdez-Riverola Florentino , López-Fernández Hugo , Reboiro-Jato Miguel , Glez-Peña Daniel
Published: September 2021

Colorectal cancer is a major health problem, where advances towards computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems to assist the endoscopist can be a promising path to improvement. Here, a deep learning model for real-time polyp detection based on a pre-trained YOLOv3 (You Only Look Once) architecture and complemented with a post-processing step based on an object-tracking algorithm to reduce false positives is reported. The base YOLOv3 network was fine-tuned using a dataset composed of 28,576 images labelled with locations of 941 polyps that will be made public soon. In a frame-based evaluation using isolated images containing polyps, a general F1 score of 0.88 was achieved (recall = 0.87, precision = 0.89), with lower predictive performance in flat polyps, but higher for sessile, and pedunculated morphologies, as well as with the usage of narrow band imaging, whereas polyp size < 5 mm does not seem to have significant impact. In a polyp-based evaluation using polyp and normal mucosa videos, with a positive criterion defined as the presence of at least one 50-frames-length (window size) segment with a ratio of 75% of frames with predicted bounding boxes (frames positivity), 72.61% of sensitivity (95% CI 68.99–75.95) and 83.04% of specificity (95% CI 76.70–87.92) were achieved (Youden = 0.55, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) = 12.98). When the positive criterion is less stringent (window size = 25, frames positivity = 50%), sensitivity reaches around 90% (sensitivity = 89.91%, 95% CI 87.20–91.94; specificity = 54.97%, 95% CI 47.49–62.24; Youden = 0.45; DOR = 10.76). The object-tracking algorithm has demonstrated a significant improvement in specificity whereas maintaining sensitivity, as well as a marginal impact on computational performance. These results suggest that the model could be effectively integrated into a CAD system.
Effect of feed slurry dilution and total solids on specific biogas production by anaerobic digestion in batch and semi-batch reactors
Authors: Jeppu Gautham P. , Janardhan Jayalal , Kaup Shivakumara , Janardhanan Anish , Mohammed Shakeib , Acharya Sharath
Published: September 2021

Biomass from various sources such as cow dung is a significant source of renewable energy (as biogas) in many regions globally, especially in India, Africa, Brazil, and China. However, biogas production from biomass such as cattle dung is a slow, inefficient biochemical process, and the specific biogas produced per kg of biomass is relatively small. The improvement of specific biogas production efficiency using various dilution ratios (and, hence, total solids [TS]) is investigated in this work. A wide range of feed dilution (FD) ratios of cow dung: water (CD: W) was tested in batch biogas digesters with total solids ranging from 1% to 12.5% and FD ratio ranging from 2:1 to 1:20. To further verify the results from the above batch experiments, semi-batch experiments representative of field-scale biodigesters were conducted. Semi-batch reactors have a steady-state process, unlike batch reactors, which have an unsteady state process. Our results suggested that specific biogas production (mL/g VS) increased continuously when the total solids decreased from 12.5% to 1% (or when dilution increased). Our experiments also indicate that the commonly used 1:1 feed dilution ratio (TS ~ 10% for cow dung) does not produce the maximum specific biogas production. The possible reason for this could be that anaerobic digestion at higher total solids is rate limited due to substrate inhibition, mass transfer limitations, and viscous mixing problems that arise at higher total solids concentration. Hence, a higher feed dilution ratio between 1:2 and 1:4 (TS between 4 and 6.7%) is recommended for a more efficient biomass utilization of cowdung. Empirical relationships were also developed for variation of specific biogas yield with the total solids content of the cow dung slurry.

Graphic abstract
Cost-effectiveness analysis of vaborem for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae-Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (CRE-KPC) infections in the UK
Authors: Vlachaki Ioanna , Zinzi Daniela , Falla Edel , Mantopoulos Theo , Guy Holly , Jandu Jasimran , Dodgson Andrew
Published: September 2021

Objective

The study objective of this analysis was to determine the cost-effectiveness of vaborem (meropenem-vaborbactam) compared to the best available therapy (BAT) in adult patients with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae—Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (CRE-KPC) infections from the perspective of the UK National Health Service (NHS) and Personal Social Services (PSS).

Methods

A decision tree model was developed to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis for Vaborem compared to BAT in CRE-KPC patients over a 5 year time horizon. The model structure for Vaborem simulated the clinical pathway of patients with a confirmed CRE-KPC infection. Model inputs for clinical effectiveness were sourced from the TANGO II trial, and published literature. Costs, resource use and utility values associated with CRE-KPC infections in the UK were sourced from the British National Formulary, NHS reference costs and published sources.

Results

Over a 5 year time horizon, Vaborem use increased total costs by £5165 and increased quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) by 0.366, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of £14,113 per QALY gained. The ICER was most sensitive to the probability of discharge to long-term care (LTC), the annual cost of LTC and the utility of discharge to home. At thresholds of £20,000/QALY and £30,000/QALY, the probability of Vaborem being cost-effective compared to BAT was 79.85% and 94.93%, respectively.

Conclusion

Due to a limited cost impact and increase in patient quality of life, vaborem can be considered as a cost-effective treatment option compared to BAT for adult patients with CRE-KPC infections in the UK.
Cost-minimization analysis of immunoglobulin treatment of primary immunodeficiency diseases in Spain
Authors: Alsina Laia , Montoro J. Bruno , Moral Pedro Moral , Neth Olaf , Pica Marta Ortiz , Sánchez-Ramón Silvia , Presa María , Oyagüez Itziar , Casado Miguel Ángel , González-Granado Luis Ignacio
Published: September 2021

Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID), which are comprised of over 400 genetic disorders, occur when a component of the immune system is diminished or dysfunctional. Patients with PID who require immunoglobulin (IG) replacement therapy receive intravenous IG (IVIG) or subcutaneous IG (SCIG), each of which provides equivalent efficacy. We developed a cost-minimization model to evaluate costs of IVIG versus SCIG from the Spanish National Healthcare System perspective. The base case modeled the annual cost per patient of IVIG and SCIG for the mean doses (per current expert clinical practice) over 1 year in terms of direct (drug and administration) and indirect (lost productivity for adults and parents/guardians of pediatric patients) costs. It was assumed that all IVIG infusions were administered in a day hospital, and 95% of SCIG infusions were administered at home. Drug costs were calculated from ex-factory prices obtained from local databases minus the mandatory deduction. Costs were valued on 2018 euros. The annual modeled costs were €4,266 lower for patients with PID who received SCIG (total €14,466) compared with those who received IVIG (total €18,732). The two largest contributors were differences in annual IG costs as a function of dosage (– €1,927) and hospital administration costs (– €2,688). However, SCIG incurred training costs for home administration (€695). Sensitivity analyses for two dose-rounding scenarios were consistent with the base case. Our model suggests that SCIG may be a cost-saving alternative to IVIG for patients with PID in Spain.
Dense 3D displacement vector fields for point cloud-based landslide monitoring
Authors: Gojcic Zan , Schmid Lorenz , Wieser Andreas
Published: September 2021

We propose a novel fully automated deformation analysis pipeline capable of estimating real 3D displacement vectors from point cloud data. Different from the traditional methods that establish displacements based on the proximity in the Euclidean space, our approach estimates dense 3D displacement vector fields by searching for corresponding points across the epochs in the space of 3D local feature descriptors. Due to this formulation, our method is also sensitive to motion and deformations that occur parallel to the underlying surface. By enabling efficient parallel processing, the proposed method can be applied to point clouds of arbitrary size. We compare our approach to the traditional methods on point cloud data of two landslides and show that while the traditional methods often underestimate the displacements, our method correctly estimates full 3D displacement vectors.
Empirical Evidence of the Metacognitive Model of Rumination and Depression in Clinical and Nonclinical Samples: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cano-López Julia B. , García-Sancho Esperanza , Fernández-Castilla Belén , Salguero José M.
Published: September 2021

Rumination is considered a cognitive vulnerability factor in the development and maintenance of depression. The metacognitive model of rumination and depression suggests that the development of rumination and its association with depression partly depends on metacognitive beliefs. Two metacognitive beliefs about rumination have been identified: positive beliefs about its utility and negative beliefs about the uncontrollability and its negative social consequences. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed: (1) to analyze the associations between metacognitive beliefs and rumination and depression; (2) to test the metacognitive model, using a Two-Stage Structural Equation Modeling approach (TSSEM). Literature search retrieved 41 studies. These 41 studies (N = 10,607) were included in the narrative synthesis and meta-analysis, and 16 studies (N = 4477) were comprised for the TSSEM. Results indicated metacognitive beliefs are associated with rumination and depression. Measures on metacognitive beliefs about rumination indicated that positive beliefs showed moderate associations with rumination (r = 0.50), and low with depression (r = 0.27); whereas negative beliefs showed moderate associations with both rumination (r = 0.46) and depression (r = 0.49). These results were consistent across studies using different instruments to measure metacognitive beliefs, and in both clinical and nonclinical samples. Moreover, results of the TSSEM analyses showed that the metacognitive model had a good fit. In sum, our results are in line with the metacognitive model of rumination and depression, highlighting that metacognitive beliefs are relevant factors to understand why people ruminate and get depressed. Future directions and clinical implications are discussed.
Undergraduates’ conceptions of mathematics teaching and learning: an empirical study
Authors: Rodríguez-Muñiz Luis J. , Aguilar-González Álvaro , Lindorff Ariel , Muñiz-Rodríguez Laura
Published: September 2021

Previous research in mathematics education has explored teachers’ conceptions of mathematics and its teaching and learning, and how their instructional tendencies (e.g., “traditional”, “technological”, “spontaneous” and “investigative”) relate to these conceptions. However, empirical evidence on this topic from large samples of pre-service teachers is limited. This study adapts and validates an instrument originally designed for in-service teachers to analyse the conceptions of mathematics and mathematics teaching and learning. This was done in a sample of undergraduate students in several different degree programmes (primary education, mathematics, and the education itinerary in psychology) in a Spanish university. Existing theory about instructional tendencies and conceptions of mathematics teaching and learning that was developed in the context of in-service teachers is then re-examined in the context of empirical evidence from this sample of individuals (all potential future teachers) without teaching experience. Results show that items from the instrument can be separated into four factors focussed on investigative stances, the role of textbooks, the role of teachers and lesson planning. Individual participants are not characterised by single tendencies; rather, they can be described in terms of several combinations of tendencies, grouped into four clusters. In line with the previous literature on in-service teachers, results suggest that conceptions of mathematics and its teaching and learning are not best captured by rigid, sharply delineated profiles. Rather, individuals configure their own conceptions in terms of combinations of different characteristics of prototypical tendencies.
An improved lumped model for freezing of a freely suspended supercooled water droplet in air stream
Authors: dos Anjos Emerson B. , Naveira-Cotta Carolina P. , Tiwari Manish K. , Cotta Renato M. , Carvalho Igor S.
Published: September 2021

This work deals with the mathematical modeling of the transient freezing process of a supercooled water droplet in a cold air stream. The aim is to develop a simple yet accurate lumped-differential model for the energy balance for a freely suspended water droplet undergoing solidification, that allows for cost effective computations of the temperatures and freezing front evolution along the whole process. The complete freezing process was described by four distinct stages, namely, supercooling, recalescence, solidification, and cooling. At each stage, the Coupled Integral Equations Approach (CIEA) is employed, which reduces the partial differential equation for the temperature distribution within the spherical droplet into coupled ordinary differential equations for dimensionless boundary temperatures and the moving interface position. The resulting lumped-differential model is expected to offer improved accuracy with respect to the classical lumped system analysis, since boundary conditions are accounted for in the averaging process through Hermite approximations for integrals. The results of the CIEA were verified using a recently advanced accurate hybrid numerical-analytical solution through the Generalized Integral Transform Technique (GITT), for the full partial differential formulation, and comparisons with numerical and experimental results from the literature. After verification and validation of the proposed model, a parametric analysis is implemented, for different conditions of airflow velocity and droplet radius, which lead to variations in the Biot numbers that allow to inspect for their influence on the accuracy of the improved lumped-differential formulation.