bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diaphragm dysfunction, lung aeration loss and weaning-induced pulmonary oedema in difficult-to-wean patients
Authors: Dres Martin , Rozenberg Emmanuel , Morawiec Elise , Mayaux Julien , Delemazure Julie , Similowski Thomas , Demoule Alexandre
Published: June 2021

Background

Diaphragm dysfunction and weaning-induced pulmonary oedema are commonly involved during weaning failure, but their physiological interactions have been poorly reported. Our hypothesis was that diaphragm dysfunction is not particularly associated with weaning-induced pulmonary oedema.

Methods

It was a single-centre and physiological study conducted in patients who had failed a first spontaneous breathing trial and who underwent a second trial. The diaphragm function was evaluated by measuring the tracheal pressure generated in response to a bilateral magnetic phrenic nerves stimulations. Weaning-induced pulmonary oedema was diagnosed in case of failure of the spontaneous breathing trial if patients exhibited signs of plasma concentration or echocardiographic diagnosis of pulmonary artery occlusion pressure elevation.

Results

Fifty-three patients were included and 31/53 (58%) failed the spontaneous breathing trial, including 24/31 (77%) patients with weaning-induced pulmonary oedema. Diaphragm dysfunction was present in 33/53 (62%) patients. Diaphragm dysfunction or weaning-induced pulmonary oedema were present in 26/31 (84%) of the patients who failed the spontaneous breathing trial. Weaning-induced pulmonary oedema occurred in 20/33 (61%) patients with a diaphragm dysfunction and in 4/20 (20%) patients without (p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Weaning-induced pulmonary oedema was three times more frequent in case of diaphragm dysfunction. Even in case of diaphragm dysfunction, physicians might be encouraged to investigate the presence of weaning-induced pulmonary oedema during weaning failure.
Revisiting Samuelson’s models, linear and nonlinear, stability conditions and oscillating dynamics
Authors: Tramontana Fabio , Gardini Laura
Published: June 2021

In this work, we reconsider the dynamics of a few versions of the classical Samuelson’s multiplier–accelerator model for national economy. First we recall that the classical one with constant governmental expenditure, represented by a linear second-order difference equation, is able to generate oscillations converging to the equilibrium for a wide range of values of the parameters, and give its analytic solution for all the possible cases. A delayed version proposed in the recent literature, represented by a linear third-order difference equation, is also considered. We show that also this model is able to produce converging oscillations, and give a complete analysis of the stability region of the equilibrium. A new simple nonlinear model is proposed, showing that it keeps oscillatory behavior, although coupled with other dynamics related to global effects. Our analysis confirms that the seminal work of Samuelson and simple modifications of it, may give powerful tools in the study of the business cycles.
Impact of landscape dynamics and intensities on the ecological land of major cities in Ethiopia
Authors: Degefu Mekonnen Amberber , Argaw Mekuria , Feyisa Gudina Legese , Degefa Sileshi
Published: June 2021

Background

Understanding the dependence of ecological land and dynamics of the human-nature-coupled landscape is crucial for urban ecosystem resilience. In this study, we characterized and compared the Spatio-temporal responses of ecological land to urban landscape dynamics in Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa, Adama, and Hawassa cities in Ethiopia for the last three decades (1990–2020). Three sets of Landsat satellite images, field observations, and urban land indexes were used to produce landscape maps and geo-spatial data analysis.

Results

The results showed that in all cities ecological land has had changed intensely during 1990–2020 regarding its quantity, and spatial pattern. Besides, the substantial expansion of built-up ecosystems was manifested at the cost of ecological land. The built-up ecosystem was augmented by 17,341.0 ha (32.16%), 2151.27 ha (19.64%), 2715.21 ha (12.21%), and 2599.65 ha (15.71%) for Addis Ababa, Adama, Bahir Dar, and Hawassa cities respectively from 1990 to 2020 periods. A total of 40.97% of the prolonged built-up area was obtained from urban agricultural land alone. Moreover, urban sprawl is likely to continue, which will be outweighed by the loss of the open space ecosystem. The finding also confirmed the value of land-use intensity (LUI) of Addis Ababa (3.31), Bahir Dar (3.56), Hawassa (4.82), Adama (5.04) was augmented parallel with accelerated growth in the built-up ecosystems. Besides, the Integrated land-use dynamics degree (ILUDD) analysis confirmed that the spatial pattern of ecological land loss significantly consistent with LUI in all cities.

Conclusion

Land-use intensity (LUI) dynamics pattern was followed by urban ecological land to the multi-complex human-dominance ecosystem with a substantial influence on urban greenery and ecosystem services provides. Thus, in all cities, the implementation of effective ecological land management and urban planning policies are required to ensure economic development and ecosystem resilience.
Enhanced mutualistic symbiosis between soil phages and bacteria with elevated chromium-induced environmental stress
Authors: Huang Dan , Yu Pingfeng , Ye Mao , Schwarz Cory , Jiang Xin , Alvarez Pedro J. J.
Published: June 2021

Background

Microbe–virus interactions have broad implications on the composition, function, and evolution of microbiomes. Elucidating the effects of environmental stresses on these interactions is critical to identify the ecological function of viral communities and understand microbiome environmental adaptation. Heavy metal-contaminated soils represent a relevant ecosystem to study the interplay between microbes, viruses, and environmental stressors.

Results

Metagenomic analysis revealed that Cr pollution adversely altered the abundance, diversity, and composition of viral and bacterial communities. Host–phage linkage based on CRISPR indicated that, in soils with high Cr contamination, the abundance of phages associated with heavy metal-tolerant hosts increased, as did the relative abundance of phages with broad host ranges (identified as host–phage linkages across genera), which would facilitate transfection and broader distribution of heavy metal resistance genes in the bacterial community. Examining variations along the pollutant gradient, enhanced mutualistic phage–bacterium interactions were observed in the face of greater environmental stresses. Specifically, the fractions of lysogens in bacterial communities (identified by integrase genes within bacterial genomes and prophage induction assay by mitomycin-C) were positively correlated with Cr contamination levels. Furthermore, viral genomic analysis demonstrated that lysogenic phages under higher Cr-induced stresses carried more auxiliary metabolic genes regulating microbial heavy metal detoxification.

Conclusion

With the intensification of Cr-induced environmental stresses, the composition, replication strategy, and ecological function of the phage community all evolve alongside the bacterial community to adapt to extreme habitats. These result in a transformation of the phage–bacterium interaction from parasitism to mutualism in extreme environments and underscore the influential role of phages in bacterial adaptation to pollution-related stress and in related biogeochemical processes.
Sevoflurane inhibits malignant progression of colorectal cancer via hsa_circ_0000231-mediated miR-622
Authors: Wang Jingpeng , Li Shuyuan , Zhang Gaofeng , Han Huihua
Published: June 2021

Background

Sevoflurane (Sev), a commonly used volatile anesthetic, has been reported to inhibit the process of colorectal cancer (CRC). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are revealed to participate in the pathogenesis of CRC. This study aims to reveal the mechanism of hsa_circ_0000231 in Sev-mediated CRC progression.

Methods

The expression of hsa_circ_0000231 and microRNA-622 (miR-622) was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Protein level was determined by western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was investigated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), cell colony formation and DNA content quantitation assays. Cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide double staining and caspase 3 activity assays. Cell migration and invasion were investigated by wound-healing and transwell invasion assays, respectively. The putative relationship between hsa_circ_0000231 and miR-622 was predicted by circular RNA Interactome online database, and identified by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. The impacts of hsa_circ_0000231 on Sev-mediated tumor formation in vivo were presented by in vivo assay.

Results

Hsa_circ_0000231 expression was upregulated, while miR-622 was downregulated in CRC tissues and cells compared with control groups. Sev treatment decreased hsa_circ_0000231 expression, but increased miR-622 expression in CRC cells. Sev treatment suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis. Hsa_circ_0000231 overexpression restored Sev-mediated CRC progression in vitro. Additionally, hsa_circ_0000231 acted as a sponge of miR-622, and miR-622 inhibitors reversed the impacts of hsa_circ_0000231 silencing on CRC process. Furthermore, Sev treatment inhibited tumor growth by regulating hsa_circ_0000231 in vivo.

Conclusion

Hsa_circ_0000231 attenuated Sev-aroused repression impacts on CRC development by sponging miR-622. This findings may provide an appropriate anesthetic protocol for CRC sufferers undergoing surgery.
Political parties abroad as actors of transnational politics
Authors: van Haute Emilie , Kernalegenn Tudi
Published: June 2021

This paper argues that parties abroad are the actors of a new arena for citizenship and party politics. The proliferation of overseas voting and the development of representative institutions for emigrants has transformed and reinforced the civic and political links between sending-states and their diaspora. This has also created new opportunities for political entrepreneurs and political parties tasked with reaching out to citizens living abroad. Yet research on political parties and on transnationalism has almost never crossed paths. This has created a gap in our knowledge on political parties abroad, demonstrating the timeliness of a special issue on political parties abroad. This paper introduces this special issue and presents an overview of the main theoretical questions and debates addressed in the articles. We emphasize existing gaps in the literature and stress the importance of a better understanding of the growing phenomenon of political parties abroad. We also explain why a comparative approach is necessary to tackle the issue of political parties abroad, offering a theoretically-minded framework. Our summaries of the papers in this special issue highlight how they relate to the more general questions discussed in our introduction.
Few-body perspective on fermionic pairing in one spatial dimension
Authors: Sowiński Tomasz
Published: June 2021

In this perspective we discuss recent theoretical and experimental concepts giving a route to a better understanding of conventional and unconventional pairing mechanisms between opposite-spin fermions arising in one-dimensional mesoscopic systems. With special attention, we focus on the problem of experimental detectability of correlations between particles. We argue that state-of-the-art experiments with few ultracold fermions may finally break an impasse and give pioneering and unquestionable verification of the existence of correlated pairs with non-zero center-of-mass momentum.
Musical Techniques in Balanchine's Jazzy Bach Ballet
Authors: Leaman Kara Yoo
Published: June 2021

The choreography of George Balanchine has long been described as “musical.” By applying music-analytic tools to patterns in dance, this essay analyzes relationships between dance and music in Balanchine's Concerto Barocco, set to J. S. Bach's Concerto for Two Violins (BWV 1043). Choreomusical notation and annotated videos offer readers the chance to sketch-dance, to feel in their own bodies the movements in relation to the music. Balanchine's choreography maps both specific patterns of pitch and rhythm from Bach's score—sometimes synchronized to the music and sometimes displaced temporally—and general patterns of motivic development and metric manipulation. Balanchine's use of funky rhythms resonates with his characteristic on-top-of-the-beat step timing, offbeat visual accentuation, and jazz-dance-inspired movements, attesting to the adoption of both Africanist and Europeanist musical techniques in the formation of an American neoclassical ballet.
Migration Networks and Location Decisions: Evidence from US Mass Migration
Authors: Stuart Bryan A. , Taylor Evan J.
Published: June 2021

This paper studies how birth town migration networks affected long-run location decisions during historical US migration episodes. We develop a new method to estimate the strength of migration networks for each receiving and sending location. Our estimates imply that when one randomly chosen African American moved from a Southern birth town to a destination county, then 1.9 additional Black migrants made the same move on average. For White migrants from the Great Plains, the average is only 0.4. Networks were particularly important in connecting Black migrants with attractive employment opportunities and played a larger role in less costly moves. (JEL J15, J61, N32, N92, R23, Z13)
Cross-sectional assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Goel Sagar , Kamath Surendra Umesh , Annappa Rajendra , Krishnamurthy Sunil Lakshmipura , Jain Manesh , Thakkar Samarth , Damsas Lulu , Banerjee Sayak , Divakar Prajwal Madapura
Published: June 2021

Background:Osteoarthritis (OA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are prevalent in India. However, there is dearth of literature among Indians studying the relationship between the two. This study was carried out to assess various cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in patients with knee OA with an objective to investigate their association, screening and management. 

Methods: In total, 225 patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants were diagnosed with knee OA on the basis of the Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L) classification of their radiograph. Participants were also assessed for CV risk factors (age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, smoking) with the help of the Joint British Society QRisk3 calculator (JBS3), which gave three variables: JBS3 risk score, heart age, and life expectancy. Chi Square, Fishers exact test and one-way ANOVA tests were used to compare the categorical and quantitative variables, respectively. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between CV risk factors and knee OA.

Results: Patients with severe knee OA had a statistically significantly higher prevalence of CV risk factors (p<0.05). Grade 4 knee OA patients were found to have a mean JBS3 risk of 38%, heart age of 82 years and life expectancy of 77 years as compared to grade 2 patients who had a mean JBS3 risk of 11%, heart age of 63 years and life expectancy of 82 years. 

Conclusions: Our study concluded that there is a strong positive correlation between knee OA and CVD, with CV risk score being directly proportional to the severity of OA. JBS3 is a comprehensive risk score calculator as well as a screening tool, which produces three more comprehensive variables, namely 10-years risk of developing CVD, physiological heart age and life expectancy.
Novel antifungal agents in clinical trials
Authors: Jacobs Samantha E. , Zagaliotis Panagiotis , Walsh Thomas J.
Published: June 2021

Invasive fungal diseases due to resistant yeasts and molds are an important and increasing public health threat, likely due to a growing population of immunosuppressed hosts, increases in antifungal resistance, and improvements in laboratory diagnostics.  The significant morbidity and mortality associated with these pathogens bespeaks the urgent need for novel safe and effective therapeutics.  This review highlights promising investigational antifungal agents in clinical phases of development: fosmanogepix, ibrexafungerp, rezafungin, encochleated amphotericin B, oteseconazole (VT-1161), VT-1598, PC945, and olorofim.  We examine three first-in-class members of three novel antifungal classes, as well as new agents within existing antifungal classes with improved safety and tolerability profiles due to enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
Publication analysis in Bay for Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation Nations
Authors: Janodia Manthan , Narayan Aparna I. , Venkata Santhosh Krishnan , Chogtu Bharti
Published: June 2021

Background: Research output provides an insight into the development of the scientific capability of a country. Budget allocation for research and development (R&D) is directly proportional to the research output of a country. While developed countries spend a significant percentage of their GDP on R&D, developing countries do not have enough resources to invest in R&D. Countries in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Nations has received significantly less attention from outside the region in studying R&D and research publication scenario of the region. The research output of BIMSTEC countries was analyzed using various metrics in this paper.

Methods: Data on citation per paper, Field Weight Citation Impact (FWCI), paper per researcher, collaborative publications, and output in top 10 percent journals was extracted from one of the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature, Scopus and its affiliate SciVal, for a period of 6 years between 2012-2017. Percentage of R&D spend, researchers per million population, and total scientific output were extracted from World Bank data.

Results: India and Thailand have a higher quantum of publications compared to other countries. Subjects like clinical, technology, Computer Science have a larger publication number as compared to other subject areas like Social Science, Arts, Education, Law, and Physiology. The researcher population and research spend of a nation have an evident implication on the publication though no direct relation can be derived.

Conclusion: Huge disparities in terms of percentage of research spent, research output, papers per researcher, and output with national and international authorship differ for countries. Higher research spent and publication count are not positively correlated with better FWCI.
Association of subgingival Epstein–Barr virus and periodontitis
Authors: Maulani Chaerita , C. Masulili Sri Lelyati , Santoso Widayat Djoko , Soedarsono Nurtami , Kusdhany Lindawati , Auerkari Elza Ibrahim
Published: June 2021

Background: The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is gaining interest as a possible agent in the etiology of periodontitis. Previous studies have shown controversy on whether EBV DNA in the subgingival periodontal pockets is associated with periodontitis. The present study aimed to seek the potential relationship between EBV and periodontitis.

Methods: Samples were taken from gingival crevicular fluid using sterile paper points, and data on sociodemographics, oral health, and periodontal health were recorded. This case-control study of 118 participants included 59 subjects with severe periodontitis and 59 control subjects with mild periodontitis. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determined EBV load.

Results: EBV DNA was detected in 37.3% of the case samples and 18.6% of the control samples. There was no significant difference in a load of EBV DNA between severe and mild periodontitis (p>0.05). The observed load of EBV DNA was up to 4.55x10 5 copies/mL. The detected EBV DNA was significantly associated with the plaque index and the oral hygiene index (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Although no significant association was found, EBV may play a role in periodontitis. The real-time PCR methods can be used to monitor the EBV load in gingival crevicular fluid.
Effect of blending ratio of wheat, orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) powder and haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) flour on proximate composition, physical properties and sensory acceptability of biscuits
Authors: Kindeya Fieben , Hailu Welday , Dessalegn Tilku , L. Kibr Gesessew
Published: June 2021

Background

Protein-energy deficiency (PEM) is still a major health issue in developing countries, and it is the leading cause of disease and death in children under the age of 5 years.

Methods

100:0:0; 90:5:5; 80:10:10; 70:15:15; 60:20:20; and 50:25:25 per cent wheat:haricot bean: orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) flours were used to make composite cookies. Standard methods were used to evaluate the proximate structure, physical properties, and sensory assessment. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used to statistically evaluate the data using the statistical analysis system (SAS) software package, version 9.0 standard methods.

Results

The results showed that partially replacing wheat with haricot bean and OFSP increased the proximate composition significantly. When wheat was replaced with haricot bean and OFSP, the physical characteristics of the biscuits did not vary significantly from those of biscuits made entirely of wheat flour. Sensory acceptability (appearance, color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability) was higher in the composite biscuits with up to 40% wheat substitution than in the 100% wheat flour biscuits.

Conclusions

Based on the findings of this report, using OFSP and a haricot bean to wheat flour blend in biscuit formulation appears to be promising in terms of nutritional quality, acceptability, and cost. It is proposed that these products be marketed to vitamin A deficiency (VAD) customers as a newly established product to help mitigate food insecurity.
Sleep quality among undergraduate students of a medical college in Nepal during COVID-19 pandemic: an online survey
Authors: Shrestha Dhan , Adhikari Suman Prasad , Rawal Namrata , Budhathoki Pravash , Pokharel Subashchandra , Adhikari Yuvraj , Rokaya Pooja , Raut Udit
Published: June 2021

Background

Good sleep quality is associated with a diverse range of positive outcomes such as better health, less daytime sleepiness, well-being, and proper psychological functioning. Sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality leads to many metabolic, endocrine, and immune changes. Many studies have shown changes in sleep schedule along with worsening of sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among students of a medical college in Kathmandu, Nepal from January 13, 2021, to February 15, 2021. A stratified random sampling technique was used. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Questionnaires that were completely filled were included and analyzed using STATA vs. 15.

Results

168 medical students filled out the questionnaires with a response rate of 88.42%. 30.36% (n=51) of respondents were having poor quality of sleep (PSQI total score of > 5) with an average PSQI score of 4.24±2.19. Unadjusted logistic regression analysis showed significantly higher odds of poor quality of sleep among females (OR, 2.25; CI, 1.14-4.43) comparing to male and the relation persists even adjusting with age and year in medical school (aOR, 2.81; CI, 1.35-5.86)  Adjusting with age and gender 4th-year MBBS students were 82% less likely to have a poor quality of sleep compared to 2nd-year MBBS students (aOR, 0.18; CI, 0.04-0.76). Poor quality of sleep is common among medical students.

Conclusions

More than a quarter of medical students have a poor quality of sleep as per our study. So, education and awareness should be aroused among medical students regarding the detrimental effects of poor quality sleep on daily activities, physical and mental well-being, and the overall quality of life.
Working toward representation in policy: the role of the MS Trust
Authors: Naik Paru
Published: June 2021

Health professionals' involvement in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's and the Scottish Medicines Consortium's guidance development processes is key in getting it right for people with multiple sclerosis. However, alongside giving, what benefits can you gain as a nurse and therapist? Paru Naik and MS Trust colleagues explain.
How to manage pes cavus in children and adolescents?
Authors: Sanpera Ignacio , Villafranca-Solano Sandra , Muñoz-Lopez Carmen , Sanpera-Iglesias Julia
Published: June 2021

Pes cavus in its different forms is not a pathological entity, but rather the manifestation of multiple diseases. Cavovarus, a form of cavus foot, should never be considered a physiological deformity. A neurological condition should always be excluded. The evolution of pes cavovarus is unpredictable because of the large number of conditions involved in its aetiology, as well as their variable degree of expression. About 66% of cavovarus feet are the result of subtle neurological diseases, which only become evident later in life. Although surgery may not change quality of life, recent studies suggest that it may improve foot posture and reduce walking instability. The aim of treatment is to preserve a painless, plantigrade, mobile foot. Management consists of correcting bone deformity while preserving movement, and the wise use of rebalancing techniques. Arthrodesis should only be a salvage procedure.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:510-517. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210021
Injections in the osteoarthritic knee: a review of current treatment options
Authors: Fusco Gerardo , Gambaro Francesco M. , Di Matteo Berardo , Kon Elizaveta
Published: June 2021

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition characterized by progressive cartilage degradation, subchondral damage, and bone remodelling. Among the approaches implemented to achieve symptomatic and functional improvements, injection treatments have gained increasing attention due to the possibility of intra-articular delivery with reduced side effects compared to systemic therapies. In addition to well-established treatment options such as hyaluronic acid (HA), cortico-steroids (CS) and oxygen-ozone therapy, many other promising products have been employed in the last decades such as polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and biologic agents such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Moreover, ultrasound-guided intra-meniscal injection and X-ray-guided subchondral injection techniques have been introduced into clinical practice. Even when not supported by high evidence consensus, intra-articular CS and HA injections have gained precise indications for symptomatic relief and clinical improvement in OA. Biological products are strongly supported by in vitro evidence but there is still a lack of robust clinical evidence. PRP and MSCs seem to relieve OA symptoms through a regulation of the joint homeostasis, even if their capability to restore articular cartilage is still to be proved in vivo. Due to increasing interest in the subchondral bone pathology, subchondral injections have been developed with promising results in delaying joint replacement. Nevertheless, due to their recent development and the heterogeneity of the injected products (biologic agents or calcium phosphate), this approach still lacks strong enough evidence to be fully endorsed. Combined biological treatments, nano-molecular approaches, monoclonal antibodies and ‘personalized’ target therapies are currently under development or under investigation with the aim of expanding our armamentarium against knee OA.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:501-509. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210026
Percutaneous, MIS and open hallux valgus surgery
Authors: Trnka Hans-Jörg
Published: June 2021

There is some confusion in the terminology used when referring to MIS (Minimal invasive surgery) or percutaneous surgery. The correct term to describe these procedures should be percutaneous (made through the skin) and MIS should be reserved for procedures whose extent is between percutaneous and open surgery (e.g. osteosynthesis). Minimal incision surgery may be distinguished in first, second and third generation minimal incision surgery techniques. First generation MIS hallux valgus surgery is mainly connected with the Isham procedure; an intraarticular oblique and incomplete osteotomy of the head of the first metatarsal without fixation. The Bösch osteotomy and the SERI are classified as second generation MIS hallux surgery. They are both transverse subcapital osteotomies fixed with a percutaneous medial K-wire inserted into the medullary canal. For all these procedures, intraoperative fluoroscopic control is necessary. Open hallux valgus surgery can be divided into proximal, diaphyseal and distal osteotomies of the first metatarsal. Reviewing the available literature suggests minimally invasive and percutaneous hallux valgus correction leads to similar clinical and radiological results to those for open chevron or SCARF osteotomies. First generation minimally invasive techniques are primarily recommended for minor deformities. In second generation minimally invasive hallux valgus surgery, up to 61% malunion of the metatarsal head is reported. Once surgeons are past the learning curve, third generation minimally invasive chevron osteotomies can present similar clinical and radiological outcomes to open surgeries. Specific cadaveric training is mandatory for any surgeon considering performing minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:432-438. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210029
Commercial-off-the-shelf event-based cameras for space surveillance applications
Authors: McMahon-Crabtree Peter N. , Monet David G.
Published: June 2021

Event-based cameras (EBCs) are of interest for potential application to space domain
awareness (SDA). EBC attributes, including asynchronous response and
low latency provide data reduction, break the trade-off between
latency and power, and enable consideration of additional algorithms
and processing architectures due to individual timestamps for each
event. Potential data reduction by a factor of 10 or greater is
particularly attractive for SDA from satellite platforms with
constraints on system power, processing, and communication bandwidth.
Here we report our initial evaluation of Prophesee third-generation
commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) EBCs, including development of, and
comparison with, a limiting magnitude model. The analytic model is a
function of sky background radiance; EBC parameters including contrast
threshold, dark current, pixel pitch, and spectral quantum efficiency;
and the optic aperture diameter and focal length. Using an 85 mm f/1.4
lens, the measured detection limits for the half-size video graphics
array (HVGA) and video graphics array (VGA)-format EBCs are 6.9 and
9.8 visual magnitudes (

m
V

), respectively, at a sky background
level of about

20.3

m
V

per square arcsecond. The empirical
sensitivity limit for the VGA differs by

0.1

m
V

from our analytic prediction of 9.7
(less than 10% difference in flux). The limiting magnitude model
assumes slow motion of point objects across the EBC focal plane array.
Additional experiments exploring temporal behavior show that no stars
are detected while scanning across the night sky faster than 0.5 deg
per second using the VGA-EBC mounted to a 200 mm f/2.0 lens. The
limited sensitivity of the evaluated COTS EBCs prevents their use as a
replacement for typical CCD/CMOS framing sensors, but EBCs show clear
promise for small-aperture, large-field persistent SDA in terms of
their efficient capture of temporal information.
Measuring corner cube reflectors through ray tracing of a reflected wavefront
Authors: Lyu Haoyu , Kong Lingbao , Wang Shixiang , Xu Min
Published: June 2021

The corner cube plays a key role in many advanced optical systems as the critical retrieval component, while the errors such as dihedral deviation will lead to unacceptable results. We present a method to obtain the right-angle plane deviation of the corner cube only by measuring and calculating the normal incident reflection wavefront. The calculation process is an iterative method of ray tracing based on the corner cube reflection process. The three-dimensional shape of the right-angle plane of the corner cube can be obtained accurately by this method. The proposed method is easy to implement and reliable, and it avoids the complicated operation of the traditional measurement method, which can also be applied to the measurement of the errors in the assembly and adjustment process where corner cube reflectors are used.
Deconvolving signals of the stretched exponential form
Authors: Dhar Barun K.
Published: June 2021

A solution is presented for parametrically deconvolving an axisymmetric intrinsic field signal when it is expected to conform to the stretched exponential family of functions (SEF). Except for the Gaussian SEF, computable analytical models for the forward Abel transform of SEFs did not exist until recently. I will highlight a novel mathematical identity that has facilitated this calculation and show how to use the 2D models for the Abel transform to reconstruct the 3D signal to an accuracy of

∼

10

−
6

(or better) under noise-free conditions (possibly even with zero error). Several deconvolution techniques have tested their reconstructions using a noise-free projection of the Gaussian. Under similar conditions, our reconstruction produces errors

∼

1950

times lower than 10 other techniques; we get significantly lower errors for other SEFs as well using fewer computing resources. Additionally, unlike other methods, our approach works on unequally spaced data and does not encounter the problem of increasing errors with radii in the outer parts as seen in all other methods. I will describe applications in the imaging of diverse astrophysical and biological systems where SEFs have been used and also highlight the possibility of using the projection of SEFs as basis functions in image deconvolution algorithms.
Design of a compact varifocal panoramic system based on the mechanical zoom method
Authors: Wang Jia , Amani Alireza , Zhu Chengxi , Bai Jian
Published: June 2021

A compact varifocal panoramic annular lens (PAL) system based on the four-component mechanical zoom method is proposed, which solves the problem that the traditional PAL system cannot zoom in to the region of interest. By moving the zoom group and the compensation group, our design achieves continuous zooming, in which the focal length changes from 3.8 to 6 mm. It can keep the position of the image surface unchanged while maintaining a compact structure. The system has a field of view (FoV) of 25°–100° in wide-angle mode and an FoV of 25°–65° in telephoto mode. The modulation transfer function of the wide-angle view is higher than 0.22 at 147 lp/mm. The

F

-theta distortion is less than 3%, and the relative illuminance is higher than 0.9 in the zoom process. Compared with the zoom PAL system with multiple free-form aspheric surfaces, the proposed system uses multiple spherical lenses and only one

Q

-type asphere lens to achieve outstanding panoramic zoom imaging results. It is practical and straightforward, easy to manufacture, detect, and mass produce.
Artificial intelligence-augmented, label-free molecular imaging method for tissue identification, cancer diagnosis, and cancer margin detection
Authors: Li Jiasong , Liu Jun , Wang Ye , He Yunjie , Liu Kai , Raghunathan Raksha , Shen Steven S. , He Tiancheng , Yu Xiaohui , Danforth Rebecca , Zheng Feibi , Zhao Hong , Wong Stephen T. C.
Published: June 2021

Label-free high-resolution molecular and cellular imaging strategies for intraoperative use are much needed, but not yet available. To fill this void, we developed an artificial intelligence-augmented molecular vibrational imaging method that integrates label-free and subcellular-resolution coherent anti-stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging with real-time quantitative image analysis via deep learning (artificial intelligence-augmented CARS or iCARS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of the iCARS system to identify and differentiate the parathyroid gland and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) from surrounding tissues and detect cancer margins. This goal was successfully met.
Wavefront phase representation by Zernike and spline models: a comparison
Authors: Badar Irfan , Hellmann Christian , Wyrowski Frank
Published: June 2021

A comparative analysis of spline and Zernike models is presented for wavefront phase construction. The techniques are analyzed on the basis of representation accuracy, computational costs, and the number of samples used for representation. The strengths and weaknesses of each model over a set of various wavefront phases with different domain shapes are analyzed. The findings show that both models efficiently represent a simple wavefront phase at irregular domain shapes. On the other hand, when complex wavefront phases at irregular domain shapes are represented, the spline model performs much better than the Zernike model. Further, results show that the spline model evaluation speed is significantly faster than the Zernike model.
Non-Hermitian arrangement for stable semiconductor laser arrays
Authors: Pardell J. Medina , Herrero R. , Botey M. , Staliunas K.
Published: June 2021

We propose and explore a physical mechanism for the stabilization of the complex spatiotemporal dynamics in arrays (bars) of broad area laser diodes taking advantage of the symmetry breaking in non-Hermitian potentials. We show that such stabilization can be achieved by specific pump and index profiles leading to a PT-symmetric coupling between nearest neighboring lasers within the semiconductor bar. A numerical analysis is performed using a complete (2 + 1)-dimensional space-temporal model, including transverse and longitudinal spatial degrees of freedom and temporal evolution of the electric field and carriers. We show regimes of temporal stabilization and light emission spatial redistribution and enhancement. We also consider a simplified (1 + 1)-dimensional model for an array of lasers holding the proposed non-Hermitian coupling with a global axisymmetric geometry. We numerically demonstrate a two-fold benefit: the control over the temporal dynamics over the EELs bar and the field concentration on the central lasers leading to a brighter output beam, facilitating a direct coupling to an optical fiber.
Terahertz magneto-optical response of bismuth-gadolinium-substituted rare-earth garnet film
Authors: Li Yi-Lei , Zhang Ding , Luo Min , Yang Qing-Hui , Fan Fei , Chang Sheng-Jiang , Wen Qi-Ye
Published: June 2021

We report the magneto-optical Faraday response of bismuth-gadolinium-substituted rare-earth iron garnet at terahertz frequencies ranging from 100 GHz to 1.2 THz. The maximum transmittance of ±45° component is about 60% near the frequency point of 0.63 THz. When the external magnetic field change from –100 mT to +100 mT, the Faraday rotation angle is between –6° and +7.5°. The overall change of ellipticity is relatively small. The maximum value of the Verdet constant is about 260 °/mm/T at 0.1 THz and then gradually decreases to 80 °/mm/T at 1.2 THz. Within the considered frequency range, the thick film exhibits magnetically tunable, non-reciprocal characters and a strong magneto-optical effect within a small external magnetic field at room temperature, which will be widely used for the terahertz isolators, circulators, nonreciprocal phase shifters, and magneto-optical modulators.
Enhancement of refractive index sensing for an infrared plasmonic metamaterial absorber with a nanogap
Authors: Jung Joo-Yun , Lee Jihye , Choi Jun-Hyuk , Choi Dae-Geun , Jeong Jun-Ho
Published: June 2021

An infrared plasmonic metamaterial absorber with a nanogap was numerically and experimentally investigated as a refractive index sensor. We experimentally demonstrated large enhancements of both sensitivity (approximately 1091 nm/refractive index unit) and figure of merit (FOM*; approximately 273) owing to the nanogap formation in the metamaterial absorber to achieve perfect absorption (99%). The refractive index sensing platform was fabricated by producible nanoimprint lithography and isotropic dry etching processes to have a large area and low cost while providing a practical solution for high-performance plasmonic biosensors.
Discrepancy between transmission spectrum splitting and eigenvalue splitting: a reexamination on exceptional point-based sensors
Authors: Geng Qi , Zhu Ka-Di
Published: June 2021

In the study of exceptional point (EP)-based sensors, the concrete form of the output spectrum is often dismissed, and it is assumed that there is a corresponding relation between the peaks/valleys in the transmission spectrum and the real parts of the eigenvalues of the system. We point out that this assumption does not always hold. An effect, which is mathematically similar to electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), may result in a ‘pseudo spectrum splitting’ that does not correspond to the splitting between the eigenvalues. The effect shall be taken care of when designing an EP-based sensor since it may cause measurement error and misunderstanding such as recognization of the spectrum splitting as the eigenvalue splitting at the exceptional point. We also propose to intentionally utilize this ‘pseudo splitting’ to design a sensor, which does not work at an EP, that has an EP-like spectrum splitting.
Auswirkungen der Covid-19-Pandemie auf den Einsatz von Kreativitätstechniken: Herausforderungen, Lösungsansätze und Modelle für die Online-Kommunikation in Virtuellen Teams
Authors: Waldhör Klemens , Kubla Leonie
Published: June 2021

In diesem Beitrag sollen die Veränderungen beim Einsatz von Kreativitätstechniken in der aktuellen Covid-19-Pandemie untersucht werden. Basierend auf einer Evaluationsmatrix und einem Entscheidungsmodell wird eine Liste von Kreativitätstechniken ermittelt und bewertet, die online erfolgreich in virtuellen Teams oder im Home Office verwendet werden können. Eine wichtige Anforderung war, dass die ermittelten Kreativitätstechniken ohne größeren Aufwand oder Neuimplementierung in Online-Umgebungen wie Zoom, Microsoft Teams und in verwandten Systemen eingesetzt werden können. Damit gibt der Beitrag eine Unterstützungs- und Entscheidungshilfe, wie in Pandemiezeiten die Kreativität der Mitarbeiter in Online-Arbeitsumgebungen gefördert werden und Teams trotz der Einschränkungen gemeinsame Ideen und innovative Produkte und Anwendungen entwickeln können. Die Erkenntnisse und Modelle sind nicht nur für den Softwarebereich geeignet, sondern für alle Anwendungsbereiche, die sich mit der Entwicklung innovativer Produkte beschäftigen. Ebenso können sie im schulischen und universitären Bereich verwendet werden.
MHC class I H2-Kb negatively regulates neural progenitor cell proliferation by inhibiting FGFR signaling
Authors: Lin Karin , Bieri Gregor , Gontier Geraldine , Müller Sören , Smith Lucas K. , Snethlage Cedric E. , White Charles W. , Maybury-Lewis Sun Y. , Villeda Saul A.
Published: June 2021

Proteins of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I), predominantly known for antigen presentation in the immune system, have recently been shown to be necessary for developmental neural refinement and adult synaptic plasticity. However, their roles in nonneuronal cell populations in the brain remain largely unexplored. Here, we identify classical MHC I molecule H2-Kb as a negative regulator of proliferation in neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs). Using genetic knockout mouse models and in vivo viral-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) and overexpression, we delineate a role for H2-Kb in negatively regulating NSPC proliferation and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Transcriptomic analysis of H2-Kb knockout NSPCs, in combination with in vitro RNAi, overexpression, and pharmacological approaches, further revealed that H2-Kb inhibits cell proliferation by dampening signaling pathways downstream of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (Fgfr1). These findings identify H2-Kb as a critical regulator of cell proliferation through the modulation of growth factor signaling.
Thalamo-cortical spiking model of incremental learning combining perception, context and NREM-sleep
Authors: Golosio Bruno , De Luca Chiara , Capone Cristiano , Pastorelli Elena , Stegel Giovanni , Tiddia Gianmarco , De Bonis Giulia , Paolucci Pier Stanislao
Published: June 2021

The brain exhibits capabilities of fast incremental learning from few noisy examples, as well as the ability to associate similar memories in autonomously-created categories and to combine contextual hints with sensory perceptions. Together with sleep, these mechanisms are thought to be key components of many high-level cognitive functions. Yet, little is known about the underlying processes and the specific roles of different brain states. In this work, we exploited the combination of context and perception in a thalamo-cortical model based on a soft winner-take-all circuit of excitatory and inhibitory spiking neurons. After calibrating this model to express awake and deep-sleep states with features comparable with biological measures, we demonstrate the model capability of fast incremental learning from few examples, its resilience when proposed with noisy perceptions and contextual signals, and an improvement in visual classification after sleep due to induced synaptic homeostasis and association of similar memories.
Estimating pulse wave velocity from the radial pressure wave using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Jin Weiwei , Chowienczyk Philip , Alastruey Jordi
Published: June 2021

One of the European gold standard measurement of vascular ageing, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), which requires an experienced operator to measure pulse waves at two sites. In this work, two machine learning pipelines were proposed to estimate cfPWV from the peripheral pulse wave measured at a single site, the radial pressure wave measured by applanation tonometry. The study populations were the Twins UK cohort containing 3,082 subjects aged from 18 to 110 years, and a database containing 4,374 virtual subjects aged from 25 to 75 years. The first pipeline uses Gaussian process regression to estimate cfPWV from features extracted from the radial pressure wave using pulse wave analysis. The mean difference and upper and lower limits of agreement (LOA) of the estimation on the 924 hold-out test subjects from the Twins UK cohort were 0.2 m/s, and 3.75 m/s & -3.34 m/s, respectively. The second pipeline uses a recurrent neural network (RNN) to estimate cfPWV from the entire radial pressure wave. The mean difference and upper and lower LOA of the estimation on the 924 hold-out test subjects from the Twins UK cohort were 0.05 m/s, and 3.21 m/s & -3.11m/s, respectively. The percentage error of the RNN estimates on the virtual subjects increased by less than 2% when adding 20% of random noise to the pressure waveform. These results show the possibility of assessing the vascular ageing using a single peripheral pulse wave (e.g. the radial pressure wave), instead of cfPWV. The proposed code for the machine learning pipelines is available from the following online depository (https://github.com/WeiweiJin/Estimate-Cardiovascular-Risk-from-Pulse-Wave-Signal).