bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Influence of Inlet Guide Vanes on the Performance of Shaft Tubular Pumps
Authors: Jiao Haifeng , Sun Chong , Chen Songshan
Published: December 2021

To study the influence of inlet guide vanes (IGVs) on the pressure pulsation of a shaft tubular pump, this paper first conducts an experiment to study IGVs. Then, numerical calculations of the shaft tubular pump with and without IGVs are performed to analyze the hydraulic performance and pressure fluctuation characteristics. Finally, the reliability and accuracy of the data are verified by a model test. Numerical simulation results show that with additional IGVs, the pressure pulsation amplitude at the impeller inlet first decreases and then increases under small‐flow and design conditions but gradually increases under large‐flow conditions. When the IGVs are added to the impeller inlet of the shaft tubular pump, the hydraulic loss in front of the impeller inlet increases, resulting in a significant drop in the head and efficiency of the pump device when the flow rate is less than 1.12 Qd; when the flow rate is greater than 1.12Qd, the head and efficiency of the pump device do not change significantly. IGVs can improve the condition of impeller water inflow and reduce pressure fluctuation on the blade surface.
[Retracted] Optimization of Interactive Animation Capture System for Human Upper Limb Movement Based on XSENS Sensor
Authors: Che Chaochun
Published: December 2021

This paper uses the XSENS sensor inertial motion capture device to collect the experimental data of the human body’s typical motion and posture‐upper limb movement, based on the angular acceleration kinematics parameters of the human body’s upper limbs and upper limbs. We study the characteristics of human kinematics, statics, and dynamics and construct the upper limb movement model of the human body. Secondly, based on the principle of human anatomy, the human body is divided into 23 segments, with 18 upper limbs and 36 degrees of freedom; some anatomical terms are defined, and a unified coordinate system for the upper limb model of the human body is planned and established. In the process of experimental simulation, on the basis of analyzing and summarizing the laws and characteristics of the upper limb angles of the hip upper limbs, knee upper limbs, and ankle upper limbs during walking, a general function of the upper limb angles of the three upper limbs changing with time during walking was established. On the basis of analyzing 40 sets of upper limb movement data, with the three parameters of height, weight, and upper limb movement cycle as independent variables, the general function coefficient solving equation is given through function fitting. Finally, the production of interactive animation of upper limb movement is taken as an example. Based on the acceleration sensor and three‐axis gyroscope, the limbs during the movement of the upper limb motion data are collected, preprocessed, and transmitted, and then, coordinate correction and data filtering are used to output quaternary parameters to give Maya an animated character model. The animation interactive demonstration is carried out in the way of web 3D, and the XSENS sensor is explored in the animation capture.
News Video Classification Model Based on ResNet-2 and Transfer Learning
Authors: Gao Yiping
Published: December 2021

A large amount of useful information is included in the news video, and how to classify the news video information has become an important research topic in the field of multimedia technology. News videos are enormously informative, and employing manual classification methods is too time-consuming and vulnerable to subjective judgment. Therefore, developing an automated news video analysis and retrieval method becomes one of the most important research contents in the current multimedia information system. Therefore, this paper proposes a news video classification model based on ResNet-2 and transfer learning. First, a model-based transfer method was adopted to transfer the commonality knowledge of the pretrained model of the Inception-ResNet-v2 network on ImageNet, and a news video classification model was constructed. Then, a momentum update rule is introduced on the basis of the Adam algorithm, and an improved gradient descent method is proposed in order to obtain an optimal solution of the local minima of the function in the learning process. The experimental results show that the improved Adam algorithm can iteratively update the network weights through the adaptive learning rate to reach the fastest convergence. Compared with other convolutional neural network models, the modified Inception-ResNet-v2 network model achieves 91.47% classification accuracy for common news video datasets.
Predicting Shear Strength in FRP‐Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Bat Algorithm‐Based Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Nikoo Mohammad , Aminnejad Babak , Lork Alireza
Published: December 2021

In this article, 140 samples with different characteristics were collected from the literature. The Feed Forward network is used in this research. The parameters f’c (MPa), ρf (%), Ef (GPa), a/d, bw (mm), d (mm), and VMA are selected as inputs to determine the shear strength in FRP‐reinforced concrete beams. The structure of the artificial neural network (ANN) is also optimized using the bat algorithm. ANN is also compared to the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. Finally, Nehdi et al.’s model, ACI‐440, and BISE‐99 equations were used to evaluate the models’ accuracy. The results confirm that the bat algorithm‐optimized ANN is more capable, flexible, and provides superior precision than the other three models in determining the shear strength of the FRP‐reinforced concrete beams.
Research on the Diagnosis of Students’ Cognitive Level Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Hou Qingyun
Published: December 2021

In order to improve teaching quality and reduce students’ learning difficulty, this study introduces the concept of Teaching for the Ability (TFA) on the basis of traditional Internet teaching, uses big data to calculate students’ cognitive ability, and uses the evaluation results of students’ cognitive ability to drive the Internet learning scheme tailored for each student one by one. In the data validation analysis, it is found that the cognitive ability evaluation results made by the system directly affect the students’ final performance in the national unified graduation examination, and the education scheme for students with low cognitive ability is found in the data analysis.
Enterprise Performance Management following Big Data Analysis Technology under Multisource Information Fusion
Authors: Qin Zhengna , Liao Haojie , Chen Ling , Zhang Lei
Published: December 2021

With the development of the Internet, big data collection, analysis, and processing are flourishing. The study aims to explore the performance management of power enterprises based on multisource information fusion and big data. First, the application of big data to enterprise management is analyzed. Second, the multisource information fusion method is introduced, and the multisource information fusion model is implemented. Finally, the fuzzy language algorithm is used to evaluate the performance management of power enterprises. The results show that the proposed multisource information fusion algorithm has high efficiency in evaluating enterprise performance management. The evaluation result is closer to the actual value than other algorithms, and the maximum acceleration ratio can reach 7, indicating that the algorithm is suitable for processing big data. The performance evaluation shows that enterprises pay most attention to the quality of their products; the weight reached 0.414; and the index weight difference is large. This study promotes the reform of the performance management mode and improves the management efficiency of enterprises through the proposed enterprise performance management strategy. It provides a great reference for the application of big data and information fusion technology.
Application of Multifunctional Intelligent Suspension Treatment Beds in Nursing Care of Patients with Extensive Burns
Authors: Chen Fangyan , Xu Liwen , Lv Guozhong , Zhu Yugang , Chang Jiang , Zou Fang , Sun Dan
Published: December 2021

The nursing care of patients with extensive burns by using multifunctional intelligent suspension treatment beds was studied. 40 patients, including 30 males and 10 females, with extensive burns were nursed using multifunctional intelligent suspension treatment beds. First of all, the patients were given psychological care, which was patiently explained, so that they can overcome their fears and be treated with peace of mind. Second, the room temperature and bed temperature were closely monitored. Finally, special attention was paid to the adjustment of rehydration volume, regular detection of plasma electrolytes, prevention of electrolyte disorder, and dehydration. Besides, disinfection and isolation should be performed when using. The results showed that 4 cases (20%) were positive in group A and 8 cases (40%) were positive in group B on the 10th day after injury

X

2

=
4.005

, and the incidence of wound infection in group A was significantly lower than that in group B. The use of suspension beds in patients with extensive burns makes them safe and comfortable, and the whole body wound scabs healed faster, as well as the infection was minimized. A suspended bed is especially suitable for the clinical treatment of patients with extensive burns. The advantages of suspended bed can be fully realized by summarizing clinical experience.
Waring–Goldbach Problem of Even Powers in Short Intervals
Authors: Hu Liqun , Zhang Tanhui
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we study the average behaviour of the representations of

n
=

p
1
2

+

p
2
4

+

p
3
4

+

p
4
k

over short intervals for

k
≥
4

, where

p

1

,

p

2

,

p

3

,

p

4

are prime numbers. This improves the previous results.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Temperature Development of Ohmic Heating Cured Nonmass Concrete under Subzero Temperature
Authors: Qi Beimeng , Zhou Zheng , Tian Weichen , Ouyang Mingzhe , Wang Xiaocheng , Shi Qiang , Wang Ye , Sun Yang , Wang Wei
Published: December 2021

In this paper, carbon fiber/carbon nanofiber strengthening nonmass concrete slab was designed, and ohmic heating (OH) curing was used to promote the strength formation of the slab under −20°C. COMSOL multiphysical field coupling program has been used to simulate the heating process of nonmass concrete slabs under different conditions. COMSOL analysis results showed that the optimal loading power density of OH cured sample under −20°C was 1000 W/m2∼1200 W/m2. Moreover, numerical analysis results were experimentally validated by the multipoint temperature measurement method. Furthermore, the mechanical properties showed that the compressive strength of the sample cured by 2 days OH curing at −20°C reached up to 48.2 MPa. SEM analysis exhibited that OH curing could improve the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the fiber and the matrix, leading to a denser microstructure. This study proved that COMSOL program could provide good theoretical guidance for OH cured nonmass cement concrete under subzero temperature. This work establishes an accurate guideline for electric power supplementation, laying a solid foundation of winter construction with high efficiency and low energy consumption.
Automatic Liver Segmentation in CT Images with Enhanced GAN and Mask Region‐Based CNN Architectures
Authors: Wei Xiaoqin , Chen Xiaowen , Lai Ce , Zhu Yuanzhong , Yang Hanfeng , Du Yong
Published: December 2021

Liver image segmentation has been increasingly employed for key medical purposes, including liver functional assessment, disease diagnosis, and treatment. In this work, we introduce a liver image segmentation method based on generative adversarial networks (GANs) and mask region‐based convolutional neural networks (Mask R‐CNN). Firstly, since most resulting images have noisy features, we further explored the combination of Mask R‐CNN and GANs in order to enhance the pixel‐wise classification. Secondly, k‐means clustering was used to lock the image aspect ratio, in order to get more essential anchors which can help boost the segmentation performance. Finally, we proposed a GAN Mask R‐CNN algorithm which achieved superior performance in comparison with the conventional Mask R‐CNN, Mask‐CNN, and k‐means algorithms in terms of the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the MICCAI metrics. The proposed algorithm also achieved superior performance in comparison with ten state‐of‐the‐art algorithms in terms of six Boolean indicators. We hope that our work can be effectively used to optimize the segmentation and classification of liver anomalies.
Anterior Nucleus of Thalamus Deep Brain Stimulation: A Clinical-Based Analysis of the Ideal Target in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Authors: Costa-Gertrudes Ricardo , Simão Diogo , Franco Ana , Morgado Carlos , Peralta Ana Rita , Pimentel José , Gonçalves-Ferreira António , Bentes Carla , Campos Alexandre Rainha
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus of thalamus (ANT-DBS) is an approved procedure for drug-resistant epilepsy. However, the preferred location inside ANT is not well known. In this study, we investigated the relationship between stereotactical coordinates of stimulated contacts and clinical improvement, in order to define the ideal target for ANT-DBS. Methods: Individual contact’s coordinates were obtained in the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) 152 space, with the utilization of advanced normalization tools and co-registration of pre- and postoperative MRI and CT images in open-source toolbox lead-DBS with the “Atlas of the Human Thalamus.” Each contact’s pair was either classified as a responder (≥50% seizure reduction and absence of intolerable adverse effects) or nonresponder, with a minimum follow-up of 11 continuous months of stimulation. Results: A total of 19 contacts’ pairs were tested in 14 patients. The responder rate was 9 out of 14 patients (64.3%). In 4 patients, a change in contacts’ pairs was needed to achieve this result. A highly encouraging location inside ANT (HELIA) was delimited in MNI space, corresponding to an area in the anterior and inferior portion of the anteroventral (AV) nucleus, medially to the endpoint of the mammillothalamic tract (ANT-mtt junction) (x [3.8; 5.85], y [−2.1; −6.35] and z [6.2; 10.1] in MNI space). Statistically significant difference was observed between responders and nonresponders, in terms of the number of coordinates inside this volume. Seven responders and two nonresponders had at least 5 of 6 coordinates (2 electrodes) inside HELIA (77.8% sensitivity and 80% specificity). In 3 patients, changing to contacts that were better placed inside HELIA changed the status from nonresponder to responder. Conclusions: A relationship between stimulated contacts’ coordinates and responder status was observed in drug-resistant epilepsy. The possibility to target different locations inside HELIA may help surpass anatomical variations and eventually obtain increased clinical benefit.
Association between Marginally Low Birth Weight and Obesity-Related Outcomes and Indirect Effects via Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Abnormal Eating
Authors: Wei Xiaotong , Hu Jiajin , Liu Yang , Ma Yanan , Wen Deliang
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Evidence of the association between children born with marginally low birth weight (MLBW) and obesity-related outcomes was controversial, and our study aimed to examine the role of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or abnormal eating in these associations. Methods: A retrospective cohort study consisting of 677 Chinese children was conducted. Obesity-related outcomes (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], skinfold thickness [SF], body fat, blood pressure, lipids, and blood glucose), behaviour problems (ADHD and eating behaviour) and birth weight were collected. Mediation analyses were used to explore whether ADHD and/or abnormal eating was an intermediary factor in the MLBW-OB relationship. Results: Children with MLBW tended to have higher SF, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, waistline, body fat, and abdominal obesity risks. Birth weight was negatively related to obesity-related outcomes, and the associations were mediated, partially, by the increased risk of ADHD or abnormal eating behaviour after adjustment for the BMI Z score. Furthermore, lower birth weight predicted higher WC indirectly through emotional overeating caused by ADHD (β: −0.10; 95% confidence interval: −0.19, −0.01). Conclusion: Our study suggests the hypothetical role of ADHD and abnormal eating as underlying mechanisms in the association between MLBW and obesity-related outcomes, providing novel scientific evidence for childhood development interventions.
Immunofluorescence Studies on the Expression of the SARS-CoV-2 Receptors in Human Term Placenta
Authors: Becker Jürgen , Qiu Danny , Baron Walter , Wilting Jörg
Published: December 2021

Until September 2021, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19) pandemic caused over 217 million infections and over 4.5 million deaths. In pregnant women, the risk factors for the need of intensive care treatment are generally the same as in the overall population. Of note, COVID-19-positive women deliver earlier than COVID-19-negative women, and the risk for severe neonatal and perinatal morbidity and mortality is significantly higher. The probability and pathways of vertical transmission of the virus from the pregnant woman to the fetus are highly controversial. Recent data have shown that 54 (13%) of 416 neonates born to COVID-19-positive women were infected. Here, we investigated term placentas collected before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and studied the main COVID-19 receptors angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), as well as neuropilin 1 (NRP1). We performed real-time PCR and immunofluorescence on cryosections in combination with markers for syncytiotrophoblast, endothelial cells, macrophages and stromal cells. The PCR studies showed expression of both the truncated delta form of ACE2, which does not bind the COVID-19 spike protein, and the long form. The ACE2 antibody used does not distinguish between the two forms. We did not observe expression of the canonical SARS-CoV-2 entry machinery on syncytio- and cytotrophoblast. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are co-expressed in a subpopulation of stromal cells, which in part are CD68-positive macrophages. NRP1 is localized to endothelial cells. In sum, the term placenta is not an organ that directly favors vertical transmission of COVID-19; however, microtraumas and placentitis may weaken its barrier function.
The Role of Serum Galectin-3 Levels in Patients with Sarcoidosis
Authors: Kara Kaan , Tural Onur Seda , Nedime Sokucu Sinem , Kahya Ozlem , Ozdemir Cengiz , Ademoglu Evin
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Galectin-3 is a multifunctional protein, the levels of which increase in the presence of diseases that progress with pulmonary fibrosis. This study investigated the role of galectin-3 levels in the staging and assessing of the severity of sarcoidosis. Methods and Subjects: Seventy-three subjects were studied; 25 were healthy individuals and 48 patients had pathologically confirmed diagnosis of sarcoidosis in which other potential causes had been ruled out. Galectin-3 levels were measured and compared in terms of such parameters as hemogram, biochemistry, age, body mass index, and smoking status. Results: The mean galectin-3 levels of the sarcoidosis patients (14.87 ± 5.57) were significantly higher than those in the healthy subjects (11.81 ± 2.67), and the mean galectin-3 levels differed significantly among different stages of the disease (p < 0.05). The serum galectin-3 level in patients with stage 2, 3, and 4 sarcoidosis was found to be higher than in patients with stage 0 and 1 sarcoidosis and the control group. In addition, serum galectin-3 levels in the sarcoidosis patients had significant positive correlations with blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, white blood cells, red blood cell, hemoglobin, and neutrophil levels (34.9% [p < 0.05]; 40.1% [p < 0.05]; 41.2% [p < 0.01]; 43.3% [p < 0.01]; 34.7% [p < 0.05]; and 40.6% [p < 0.01], respectively) and a significant negative correlation with the platelet distribution width levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum galectin-3 levels are significantly elevated in sarcoidosis patients with parenchymal involvement at stage 2 or higher, suggesting that serum galectin-3 levels can be used to estimate disease severity in sarcoidosis.
Nobiletin Prevents High-Fat Diet-Induced Dysregulation of Intestinal Lipid Metabolism and Attenuates Postprandial Lipemia
Authors: Morrow Nadya M. , Trzaskalski Natasha A. , Hanson Antonio A. , Fadzeyeva Evgenia , Telford Dawn E. , Chhoker Sanjiv S. , Sutherland Brian G. , Edwards Jane Y. , Huff Murray W. , Mulvihill Erin E.
Published: December 2021

Objective:

Nobiletin is a dietary flavonoid that improves insulin resistance and atherosclerosis in mice with metabolic dysfunction. Dysregulation of intestinal lipoprotein metabolism contributes to atherogenesis. The objective of the study was to determine if nobiletin targets the intestine to improve metabolic dysregulation in both male and female mice.

Approach and Results:

Triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) secretion, intracellular triglyceride kinetics, and intestinal morphology were determined in male and female LDL (low-density lipoprotein) receptor knockout (

Ldlr
–/–

), and male wild-type mice fed a standard laboratory diet or high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet ± nobiletin using an olive oil gavage, radiotracers, and electron microscopy. Nobiletin attenuated postprandial TRL levels in plasma and enhanced TRL clearance. Nobiletin reduced fasting jejunal triglyceride accumulation through accelerated TRL secretion and lower jejunal fatty acid synthesis with no impact on fatty acid oxidation. Fasting-refeeding experiments revealed that nobiletin led to higher levels of phosphorylated AKT (protein kinase B) and FoxO1 (forkhead box O1) and normal Srebf1c expression indicating increased insulin sensitivity. Intestinal length and weight were diminished by HFHC feeding and restored by nobiletin. Both fasting and postprandial plasma GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1; and likely GLP-2) were elevated in response to nobiletin. Treatment with a GLP-2 receptor antagonist, GLP-2(3-33), reduced villus length in HFHC-fed mice but did not impact TRL secretion in any diet group. In contrast to males, nobiletin did not improve postprandial lipid parameters in female mice.

Conclusions:

Nobiletin opposed the effects of the HFHC diet by normalizing intestinal de novo lipogenesis through improved insulin sensitivity. Nobiletin prevents postprandial lipemia because the enhanced TRL clearance more than compensates for increased TRL secretion.
Abstract 10412: Duration of Interruptions in Chest Compressions Increases with Increasing Number of Interventions During Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Larson Jennifer , Owens Casey , Jafari Daniel , Li Timmy , Haddad Ghania , Becker Lance , Rolston Daniel
Published: December 2021

Introduction:
The American Heart Association recommends limiting chest compression interruptions to ≤10 seconds because prolonged interruptions are detrimental to survival in cardiac arrest. Determining the causes of interruptions is important to structure teams to minimize interruption time. This study sought to determine 1) whether performing more interventions during an interruption increases interruption time and 2) whether the time into the resuscitation in which the interruption occurs affects the duration of the interruption.

Hypothesis:
We hypothesize that the median duration of an interruption increases as the number of interventions increases and that the median duration of an interruption increases if it occurs later in the resuscitation.

Methods:
In January 2018 our Emergency Department (ED) began video recording all cardiac arrest resuscitations. These videos are reviewed by a committee of physicians, nurses, technicians, and research staff, and specific data points are confirmed by a physician. The duration of each interruption and cause of each intervention performed during each interruption was recorded.

Results:
A total of 122 patients with 798 chest compression interruptions from January 2018 to December 2020 were included in our analysis. Median age was 78 years and 44% were female. The median duration of interruptions was 13 seconds (interquartile range [IQR]: 10, 18) when no interventions were performed, 12 seconds (IQR: 8, 18) with 1 intervention, 17 seconds (IQR: 12, 26) with 2 interventions, and 19 seconds (IQR: 13, 24) with 3 or 4 interventions (p<0.0001). The median duration of interruptions was 14 seconds (IQR: 10, 22) in the first quartile of resuscitation length, 14 seconds (IQR: 10, 20) in quartile 2, 14 seconds (IQR: 10, 24) in quartile 3, and 11 seconds (IQR: 8, 18) in quartile 4 (p=0.0058).

Conclusions:
Our findings demonstrate that the median duration of chest compression interruptions increases as the number of interventions performed during that interruption increases. Additionally, interruption duration was shortest when the interruption was performed later in the resuscitation. These findings suggest that interruptions in chest compressions can be minimized by performing fewer tasks during the interruption.
Abstract 14407: Effect of Initial Defibrillation on Chest Compression Artifact in the ECG
Authors: Coult Jason , Bhandari Shiv , Sashidhar Diya , Blackwood Jennifer E , Kutz J. Nathan , Kudenchuk Peter , Rea Thomas , Kwok Heemun
Published: December 2021

Introduction:
Chest compressions (CCs) during CPR cause electrical artifacts in the ECG. Prior work has found that the severity of CC artifact, quantified by the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), affects the diagnostic sensitivity of defibrillator algorithms designed to detect shockable rhythms during CCs. Whether SNR is altered by defibrillation is unknown. We therefore compared SNR before and after defibrillation shocks.

Methods:
We evaluated patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who received at least 1 defibrillation shock, had subsequent ventricular fibrillation (VF), and had a calculable SNR before and after initial shock. We measured the CC artifact during VF before and after the initial shock (and up to 3 subsequent shocks) using CC amplitude and SNR. CC amplitude was defined as the median peak-to-peak voltage of the ECG during CCs. SNR was calculated as the log ratio of the power of the CC-free VF signal to the power of the estimated noise caused by CC artifact (Figure). Differences in medians before and after the first 4 shocks were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni correction (alpha = 0.0125).

Results:
A total of 192 patients had a calculable SNR during VF before and after initial shock. Of these, the median CC amplitude decreased after the initial shock (0.93 vs. 0.75 mV, p<0.001), and SNR improved (-2.30 vs. -1.07 dB, p=0.004). In contrast to the initial shock, both CC amplitude and SNR did not differ significantly before and after shock 2 (n=107), shock 3 (n=54), or shock 4 (n=32).

Conclusion:
Measures of CC artifact in the ECG were greater before initial shock than afterward. This could potentially be due to changes in CC characteristics, variations in physical perturbation of the defibrillator electrodes, degradation of VF over time, or effects of tissue electroporation on paddle conductivity and noise. These findings may have implications for selection of decision thresholds in algorithms to detect shockable rhythm during CCs.
Detection of Left Atrial Myopathy Using Artificial Intelligence–Enabled Electrocardiography
Authors: Verbrugge Frederik H. , Reddy Yogesh N.V. , Attia Zachi I. , Friedman Paul A. , Noseworthy Peter A. , Lopez-Jimenez Francisco , Kapa Suraj , Borlaug Barry A.
Published: December 2021

Background:

Left atrial (LA) myopathy is common in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction and leads to the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated whether the likelihood of LA remodeling, LA dysfunction, altered hemodynamics, and risk for incident AF could be identified from a single 12-lead ECG using a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled ECG analysis.

Methods:

Patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (n=613) underwent AI-enabled ECG analysis, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization. Individuals were grouped by AI-enabled ECG probability of contemporaneous AF, taken as an indicator of underlying LA myopathy.

Results:

Structural heart disease was more severe in patients with higher AI-probability of AF, with more left ventricular hypertrophy, larger LA volumes, and lower LA reservoir and booster strain. Cardiac filling pressures and pulmonary artery pressures were higher in patients with higher AI-probability, while cardiac output reserve was more impaired during exercise. Among patients with sinus rhythm and no prior AF, each 10% increase in AI-probability was associated with a 31% greater risk of developing new-onset AF (hazard ratio, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.20–1.42];
P
<0.001). In the population as a whole, each 10% increase in AI-probability was associated with a 12% greater risk of death (hazard ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.08–1.17];
P
<0.001) during long-term follow-up, which was no longer significant after adjustments for baseline characteristics.

Conclusions:

A novel AI-enabled score derived from a single 12-lead ECG identifies the presence of underlying LA myopathy in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction as evidenced by structural, functional, and hemodynamic abnormalities, as well as long-term risk for incident AF. Further research is required to determine the role of the AI-enabled ECG in the evaluation and care of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.
DREAM-ICD-II Study
Authors: Steinberg Christian , Dognin Nicolas , Sodhi Amit , Champagne Catherine , Staples John A. , Champagne Jean , Laksman Zachary W. , Sarrazin Jean-François , Bennett Matthew T. , Plourde Benoit , Deyell Marc W. , Andrade Jason G. , Roy Karine , Yeung-Lai-Wah John A. , Hawkins Nathaniel M. , Mondésert Blandine , Blier Louis , Nault Isabelle , O’Hara Gilles , Krahn Andrew D. , Philippon François , Chakrabarti Santabhanu
Published: December 2021

Background:

Regulatory authorities of most industrialized countries recommend 6 months of private driving restriction after implantation of a secondary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). These driving restrictions result in significant inconvenience and social implications. This study aimed to assess the incidence rate of appropriate device therapies in contemporary recipients of a secondary prevention ICD.

Methods:

This retrospective study at 3 Canadian tertiary care centers enrolled consecutive patients with new secondary prevention ICD implants between 2016 and 2020.

Results:

For a median of 760 days (324, 1190 days), 721 patients were followed up. The risk of recurrent ventricular arrhythmia was highest during the first 3 months after device insertion (34.4%) and decreased over time (10.6% between 3 and 6 months, 11.7% between 6 and 12 months). The corresponding incidence rate per 100 patient-days was 0.48 (95% CI, 0.35–0.64) at 90 days, 0.28 (95% CI, 0.17–0.45) at 180 days, and 0.21 (95% CI, 0.13–0.33) between 181 and 365 days after ICD insertion (
P
<0.001). The cumulative incidence of arrhythmic syncope resulting in sudden cardiac incapacitation was 1.8% within the first 90 days and subsequently dropped to 0.4% between 91 and 180 days (
P
<0.001) after ICD insertion.

Conclusions:

The incidence rate of appropriate therapies resulting in sudden cardiac incapacitation in contemporary recipients of a secondary prevention ICD is much lower than previously reported and declines significantly after the first 3 months. Lowering driving restrictions to 3 months after the index cardiac event seems safe, and revision of existing guidelines should be considered in countries still adhering to a 6-month period. Existing restrictions for private driving after implantation of a secondary prevention ICD should be reconsidered.
Familial Segregation of Venous Thromboembolism in Sweden: A Nationwide Family Study of Heritability and Complex Segregation Analysis
Authors: Zöller Bengt , Pirouzifard MirNabi , Svensson Peter J. , Holmquist Björn , Stenman Emelie , Elston Robert C. , Song Yeunjoo E. , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina
Published: December 2021

Background

This is the first nationwide segregation analysis that aimed to determine whether familial venous thromboembolism (VTE) is attributable to inheritance and/or shared environment, and the possible mode of inheritance.

Methods and Results

The Swedish Multi‐Generation Register was linked to the Swedish patient register for the period 1964 to 2015. Three generational families of Swedish‐born individuals were identified. Heritability was examined using Falconer regression. Complex segregation analysis was conducted using the Statistical Analysis for Genetic Epidemiology software (version 6.4, 64‐bit Linux). Among the 4 301 174 relatives from 450 558 pedigrees, 177 865 (52% women) individuals were affected with VTE. VTE occurred in 2 or more affected relatives in 61 217 (13.6%) of the pedigrees. Heritability showed age and sex dependence with higher heritability for men and young individuals. In 18 933 pedigrees, VTE occurred only in the first generation and was not inherited. Segregation analysis was performed in the remaining 42 284 pedigrees with inherited VTE and included 939 192 individuals. Prevalence constraints were imposed in the models to allow for the selection of the pedigrees analyzed. The sporadic nongenetic model could be discarded. The major‐type‐only model, with a correlation structure compatible with some polygenic effects, was the preferred model. Among the Mendelian models, the mixed codominant (plus polygenic) model was preferred.

Conclusions

This nationwide segregation analysis of VTE supports a genetic cause of the familial aggregation of VTE. Heritability was higher for men and younger individuals, suggesting a Carter effect, in agreement with a multifactorial threshold inheritance.
Pragmatism and the Importance of Truth
Authors: Piacente Albert
Published: December 2021

This paper develops a position I call “apathetic pragmatism.” Apathetic pragmatism is a form of pragmatism that, through advocating “apathy” about the topic of truth, avoids the troubled identification of utility and truth found in classical and neo pragmatist theories of truth. Initially explored by Stephen Stich, I argue Stich’s case for apathetic pragmatism relies upon a theory of truth that causes vicious circularity. I then pursue a different route to apathetic pragmatism, one that sees apathetic pragmatism as a “paradigm shift” in relation to previous forms of pragmatism. It is a paradigm shift where pragmatism becomes a normative view concerning the questions that are necessary to ask, not an attempt to answer questions assumed necessary.
Barton and the forgotten description of Salamandra horrida (Amphibia, Urodela): story of a rediscovery
Authors: FRÉTEY THIERRY , RAFFAËLLI JEAN
Published: December 2021

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis (Sonnini & Latreille, 1801b) was long considered the only species of the genus Cryptobranchus Leuckart, 1821. In this genus, Sabatino & Routman (2009) found eight genetic independent unities isolated from each other, which they treated as Management Units. Later, Hime (2017) recovered five strongly supported species-level lineages within this genus, corresponding more or less to the lineages of Sabatino & Routman (2009). We herein resurrect a valid nomen for one of the lineages of Hime (2017) (Ohio/Allegheny/Susquehanna lineage), the most broadly distributed of the five, which should be named Cryptobranchus horridus (Barton, 1807a). We relate the story of the rediscovery of two forgotten publications of Barton (1807a‒b) preceding that of 1808 so far recognized as the original description of this taxon. We discuss the problem of the onymotope of Cryptobranchus alleganiensis and present logonomic lists for the genus Cryptobranchus and all the taxa described. The nucleospecies of the genus Cryptobranchus is Salamandra horrida Barton, 1807a which is no longer a synonym of Salamandra alleganiensis Sonnini & Latreille, 1801b. The updating of the logonymic lists revealed the forgotten designation of Barnes (1828) for the genus Protonopsis Le Conte, 1824, a synonym of Cryptobranchus. The following nomina can be allocated to three of the five lineages identified by Hime (2017): Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, Cryptobranchus horridus and Cryptobranchus bishopi. Two other lineages require further studies.
Recommendations concerning the presentation of synonymic and related lists in zootaxonomy: the example of the family Cryptobranchidae Fitzinger, 1826 (Amphibia, Urodela)
Authors: DUBOIS ALAIN
Published: December 2021

Synonymic and related (logonymic) lists play important roles in taxonomy: they give the valid and correct nomina of the taxa of a zoological group, they allow to know whether nomina are available for naming newly recognised taxa, and they provide a condensed history of the taxonomy of the group. To be really useful, such lists should be complete and accurate. This is not always the case, in particular in many taxonomic and nomenclatural online databases, which should be used with great caution. Recommendations are offered concerning the presentation of such lists in order to make them more useful and reliable. They are illustrated by the family-series and genus-series logonymic lists of the amphibian family Cryptobranchidae.
A reply to ‘Science versus vernacular’: should some taxa of animals and plants be renamed according to ‘indigenous’ practices?
Authors: GILLMAN LEN NORMAN , WRIGHT SHANE DONALD
Published: December 2021

Palma & Heath (2021) have recently commented on our proposal to reinstate indigenous names within the Linnaean system of nomenclature on the basis of their chronological priority. They argue that this challenges rules that have been unquestioned for 250 years. However, we hold that the rules of the various codes of nomenclature are constantly under review. The opinion they prosecute crystallises down, in large part, to one that suggests that because there are pre-existing rules about priority, we should not change these: an argument that involves a degree of circularity. Unfortunately, Palma and Heath misinterpret our proposal throughout much of their discussion. We do not advocate replacing the binomina as is claimed nor do we advocate for name changes where there is no consensus on a given taxon among the people indigenous to the natural distribution of that taxon. Our proposal is that indigenous names can replace the species epithet where there is a consensus on a single indigenous name for a taxon throughout its distribution and where there is demonstrable temporal priority. Without such consensus, species that cover wide distributions and have multiple indigenous names will, under our proposal, remain unchanged in their nomenclature.
Two new chigger mites of the genus Lacertacarus (Acari: Prostigmata, Trombiculidae)
Authors: KALÚZ STANISLAV
Published: December 2021

Two new chigger mites, Lacertacarus graecus sp. nov. and Lacertacarus turcicus sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata, Trombiculidae) are described from Greece and Turkey. The mites described come from pastures and meadows in mountain areas of Central Greece (Pindos Mts.), Peloponez Peninsula (Taigetos Mts.) and Southeast Turkey, respectively. A key to species of Lacertacarus is provided.
Implicit Sense of Academic Futility: An Unexpected Burden From Lower Secondary Education
Authors: Simonová Jaroslava , Vyhnálek Jan , Dvořák Dominik , Straková Jana
Published: December 2021

Vocational and professional training tracks can be a good option for many adolescents, many of whom enter these programs with a sometimes hidden burden of negative experiences and attitudes to school. This paper explores the sense of academic futility in future VET students at the end of lower secondary education. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 25 Czech students in which they described their experiences from lower secondary school, we found that despite the students’ beliefs that their achievement is the product of their own effort, they describe situations from which it is evident that they noticed (i.e., perceived) that they actually did lose control over their results. At the same time, they explicitly claim that they have full control over their own achievement. This implicit sense of academic futility is created by several mechanisms at the school level: the curriculum, ineffective teaching, grading leniency, and teachers’ distrust of students’ capabilities.
Evaluation of Imminent Take-Over Requests With Real Automation on a Test Track
Authors: Wintersberger Philipp , Schartmüller Clemens , Sadeghian Shadan , Frison Anna-Katharina , Riener Andreas
Published: December 2021

Objective

Investigating take-over, driving, non-driving related task (NDRT) performance, and trust of conditionally automated vehicles (AVs) in critical transitions on a test track.

Background

Most experimental results addressing driver take-over were obtained in simulators. The presented experiment aimed at validating relevant findings while uncovering potential effects of motion cues and real risk.

Method

Twenty-two participants responded to four critical transitions on a test track. Non-driving related task modality (reading on a handheld device vs. auditory) and take-over timing (cognitive load) were varied on two levels. We evaluated take-over and NDRT performance as well as gaze behavior. Further, trust and workload were assessed with scales and interviews.

Results

Reaction times were significantly faster than in simulator studies. Further, reaction times were only barely affected by varying visual, physical, or cognitive load. Post-take-over control was significantly degraded with the handheld device. Experiencing the system reduced participants’ distrust, and distrusting participants monitored the system longer and more frequently. NDRTs on a handheld device resulted in more safety-critical situations.

Conclusion

The results confirm that take-over performance is mainly influenced by visual-cognitive load, while physical load did not significantly affect responses. Future take-over request (TOR) studies may investigate situation awareness and post-take-over control rather than reaction times only. Trust and distrust can be considered as different dimensions in AV research.

Application

Conditionally AVs should offer dedicated interfaces for NDRTs to provide an alternative to using nomadic devices. These interfaces should be designed in a way to maintain drivers’ situation awareness.

Précis

This paper presents a test track experiment addressing conditionally automated driving systems. Twenty-two participants responded to critical TORs, where we varied NDRT modality and take-over timing. In addition, we assessed trust and workload with standardized scales and interviews.
A numerical investigation of the statistical size effect in non-crimp fabric laminates under homogeneous compressive loads
Authors: Daum Benedikt , Gottlieb Gerrit , Safdar Nabeel , Brod Martin , Ohlendorf Jan-Hendrik , Rolfes Raimund
Published: December 2021

The compressive strength of fiber reinforced composites is typically limited by a shear localization phenomenon known as microbuckling and is very sensitive to local imperfections of fiber alignment. Local misalignments act as randomly distributed flaws and introduce a dependence of the compressive strength on the size of material volume element under consideration. For homogeneously loaded material elements, weakest-link theory in combination with a Weibull power law is a frequently employed statistical model for microbuckling strength. This implies a dependence of strength on the size of volume under consideration. The present contribution investigates the strength–size relation for a non-crimp fabric via a numerical approach. Characteristics of the misalignment flaws used in simulations are derived from a comprehensive data set collected via large-scale measurements of roving dislocations on dry fiber material. Predictions resulting from the weakest-link Weibull theory are compared against strength–size statistics gathered by numerical analysis. In this manner, the size effects in single plies and laminates are quantified. The main findings are that weakest-link Weibull theory is well suited to predict size related strength loss in individual plies. However, it is also found that when plies are bonded to form laminates, misalignments in individual plies are mitigated in a way that is inconsistent with the weakest-link assumption. In all situations considered here, the strength loss expected from weakest-link Weibull theory was outweighed by a strength increase due to the mitigation effect when the volume was increased by adding extra layers to a laminate.
MaterCare International in Mission
Authors: Chazan Bogdan , Šeman Elvis I. , Walley Simon
Published: December 2021

MaterCare International (MCI) is an international group of Catholic obstetricians and gynecologists, which has adopted a preferential option for mothers and babies. MCI’s mission is to carry out the work of Evangelium Vitae (the Gospel of Life) by improving the lives and health of mothers and babies, both born and unborn. This is achieved through new initiatives of service, training, research, and advocacy, which are designed to reduce the tragic levels of abortion world-wide, and maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. This paper describes the history of MCI’s formation, how it developed and applied a model of comprehensive rural maternity care for developing countries, and numerous other activities upholding the dignity of life and providing advocacy for women and their children. The future of MCI lies in our answer to the 2001 call of Saint Pope John Paul II to the medical profession to “commit whole-heartedly to the service of human life … promoting the ideal of unambiguous service to the miracle of life!”
Death Anxiety and Related Factors Among Iranian Critical Care Nurses: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Karkhah Samad , Jafari Ali , Paryad Ezzat , Kazemnejad leyli Ehsan , Ghazanfari Mohammad Javad , Osuji Joseph , Javadi-Pashaki Nazila
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study is to investigate death anxiety (DA) and related factors among critical care nurses. Using a cross-sectional research design, 325 critical care nurses in eight hospitals in Iran enrolled in the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that deputy head nurse (OR = 18.299; CI: 1.764–189.817; p = .015), shift morning fixed (OR = 8.061; CI: 1.503–43.243; p = .015), surviving parents (OR = 3.281; CI: 1.072–10.037; p = .037), number of children (OR = 1.866; CI: 1.157–3.010; p = .011), years of working experience (OR = 1.143; CI: 1.048–1.246; p = .003), number of end-of-life patient care in the last 3 months (OR = .900; CI: .828–0.977; p = .012), age (OR = .809; CI: .732–.893; p < .001), CCU nurses (OR = .250; CI: .100–.628; p = .003), and mild stressful life events (SLEs) (OR = .167; CI: .046–.611; p = .007) were significantly related to high DA. Therefore, nurse managers and policymakers should pay special attention to these related factors in developing programs to maintain and promote the health of critical care nurses to improve the quality of nursing care.