bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lower leg muscle recovery takes at least 12 months for functional tests to recover after late reconstruction of the tibialis posterior tendon retinaculum
Authors: Rips Leho , Luik Mihkel , Koovit Tauno , Rahu Madis
Published: January 2022

Traumatic dislocation of the tibialis posterior tendon is an extremely rare injury with few reported cases. It is a complicated injury with high risk of misdiagnosis and mistreatment. MRI is the best tool for diagnosis. Surgical treatment has been reported to have a better outcome than conservative treatment. In the present case, a 23-year-old female athlete sustained a sports-related traumatic tibialis posterior tendon dislocation with retinaculum rupture. The patient underwent late reconstruction of the ruptured retinaculum followed by a personalised rehabilitation programme. Full recovery was achieved after 19 months according to European Foot and Ankle Society Score and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score. Lower leg muscle strength continued to improve until 6 months after surgery in isokinetic strength and physical performance tests.
Hepatic metastasis of anal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ng Zi Qin , Navadgi Suresh , Gunawardena Dilini , Jacob Abraham
Published: January 2022

A 50-year-old woman was diagnosed with anal squamous cell carcinoma following a colonoscopy performed for positive test from the National Bowel Screening Programme. During the staging imaging, it was discovered to have a liver lesion that was atypical for metastasis. She underwent a segmental liver resection, and histopathology showed the liver lesion as a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. We aim to discuss the incidence, presentation and management strategies for this rare hepatic metastasis of anal squamous cell carcinoma.
Prolonged dual hypothermic oxygenated machine preservation (DHOPE-PRO) in liver transplantation: study protocol for a stage 2, prospective, dual-arm, safety and feasibility clinical trial
Authors: Brüggenwirth Isabel M A , Lantinga Veerle A , Rayar Michel , van den Berg Aad P , Blokzijl Hans , Reyntjens Koen M E M , Porte Robert J , de Meijer Vincent E
Published: January 2022

Introduction

End-ischaemic preservation of a donor liver by dual hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (DHOPE) for 2 hours prior to transplantation is sufficient to mitigate ischaemia-reperfusion damage and fully restore cellular energy levels. Clinical studies have shown beneficial outcomes after transplantation of liver grafts preserved by DHOPE compared with static cold storage. In addition to graft reconditioning, DHOPE may also be used to prolong preservation time, which could facilitate logistics for allocation and transplantation globally.

Methods and analysis

This is a prospective, pseudo-randomised, dual-arm, IDEAL-D (Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long term study-Framework for Devices) stage 2 clinical device trial designed to determine safety and feasibility of prolonged DHOPE (DHOPE-PRO). The end-time of the donor hepatectomy will determine whether the graft will be assigned to the intervention (16:00–3:59 hour) or to the control arm (4:00–15:59 hour). In total, 36 livers will be included in the study. Livers in the intervention group (n=18) will undergo DHOPE-PRO (≥4 hours) until implantation the following morning, whereas livers in the control group (n=18) will undergo regular DHOPE (2 hours) prior to implantation. The primary endpoint of this study is a composite of the occurrence of all (serious) adverse events during DHOPE and up to 30 days after liver transplantation.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of Groningen, METc2020.126 in June 2020, and the study was registered in the Netherlands National Trial Registry (https://www.trialregister.nl/) prior to initiation.

Trial registration number

NL8740.
Cohort profile: early school years follow-up of the Asking Questions about Alcohol in Pregnancy Longitudinal Study in Melbourne, Australia (AQUA at 6)
Authors: Muggli Evelyne , Halliday Jane , Elliott Elizabeth J , Penington Anthony , Thompson Deanne , Spittle Alicia Jane , Forster Della , Lewis Sharon , Hearps Stephen , Anderson Peter J
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The Asking Questions about Alcohol in Pregnancy (AQUA) study, established in 2011, is a prebirth cohort of 1570 mother and child pairs designed to assess the effects of low to moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and sporadic binge drinking on long-term child development. Women attending general antenatal clinics in public hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, were recruited in their first trimester, followed up three times during pregnancy and at 12 and 24 months postpartum. The current follow-up of the 6–8-year-old children aims to strengthen our understanding of the relationship between these levels of prenatal alcohol exposure and neuropsychological functioning, facial dysmorphology, brain structure and function.

Participants

Between June 2018 and April 2021, 802 of the 1342 eligible AQUA study families completed a parent-report questionnaire (60%). Restrictions associated with COVID-19 pandemic disrupted recruitment, but early school-age neuropsychological assessments were undertaken with 696 children (52%), and 482 (36%) craniofacial images were collected. A preplanned, exposure-representative subset of 146 children completed a brain MRI. An existing biobank was extended through collection of 427 (32%) child buccal swabs.

Findings to date

Over half (59%) of mothers consumed some alcohol during pregnancy, with one in five reporting at least one binge-drinking episode prior to pregnancy recognition. Children’s craniofacial shape was examined at 12 months of age, and low to moderate prenatal alcohol exposure was associated with subtle midface changes. At 2 years of age, formal developmental assessments showed no evidence that cognitive, language or motor outcome was associated with any of exposure level.

Future plans

We will investigate the relationship between prenatal alcohol exposure and specific aspects of neurodevelopment at 6–8 years, including craniofacial shape, brain structure and function. The contribution of genetics and epigenetics to individual variation in outcomes will be examined in conjunction with national and international collaborations.
Hospital-based multidisciplinary lung cancer care in Australia: a survey of the landscape in 2021
Authors: Brims Fraser J H , Kumarasamy Chellan , Nash Jessica , Leong Tracy L , Stone Emily , Marshall Henry M
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia and has the highest cancer burden. Numerous reports describe variations in lung cancer care and outcomes across Australia. There are no data assessing compliance with treatment guidelines and little is known about lung cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) infrastructure around Australia.

Methods

Clinicians from institutions treating lung cancer were invited to complete an online survey regarding the local infrastructure for lung cancer care and contemporary issues affecting lung cancer.

Results

Responses from 79 separate institutions were obtained representing 72% of all known institutions treating lung cancer in Australia. Most (93.6%) held a regular MDT meeting although recommended core membership was only achieved for 42/73 (57.5%) sites. There was no thoracic surgery representation in 17/73 (23.3%) of MDTs and surgery was less represented in regional and low case volume centres. Specialist nurses were present in just 37/79 (46.8%) of all sites. Access to diagnostic and treatment facilities was limited for some institutions. IT infrastructure was variable and most sites (69%) do not perform regular audits against guidelines. The COVID-19 pandemic has driven most sites to incorporate virtual MDT meetings, with variable impact around the country. Clinician support for a national data-driven approach to improving lung cancer care was unanimous.

Discussion

This survey demonstrates variations in infrastructure support, provision and membership of lung cancer MDTs, in particular thoracic surgery and specialist lung cancer nurses. This heterogeneity may contribute to some of the well-documented variations in lung cancer outcomes in Australia.
Effect of a postoperative home-based exercise and self-management programme on physical function in people with lung cancer (CAPACITY): protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Granger Catherine L , Edbrooke Lara , Antippa Phillip , Wright Gavin , McDonald Christine F , Lamb Karen E , Irving Louis , Krishnasamy Meinir , Abo Shaza , Whish-Wilson Georgina A , Truong Dominic , Denehy Linda , Parry Selina M
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Exercise is important in the postoperative management of lung cancer, yet no strong evidence exists for delivery of home-based programmes. Our feasibility (phase I) study established feasibility of a home-based exercise and self-management programme (the programme) delivered postoperatively. This efficacy (phase II) study aims to determine whether the programme, compared with usual care, is effective in improving physical function (primary outcome) in patients after lung cancer surgery.

Methods and analysis

This will be a prospective, multisite, two-arm parallel 1:1, randomised controlled superiority trial with assessors blinded to group allocation. 112 participants scheduled for surgery for lung cancer will be recruited and randomised to usual care (no exercise programme) or, usual care plus the 12-week programme. The primary outcome is physical function measured with the EORTC QLQ c30 questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life (HRQoL); exercise capacity; muscle strength; physical activity levels and patient reported outcomes. HRQoL and patient-reported outcomes will be measured to 12 months, and survival to 5 years. In a substudy, patient experience interviews will be conducted in a subgroup of intervention participants.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was gained from all sites. Results will be submitted for publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12617001283369.
Comparison of T-cell immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) protein using an in-house flow-cytometric assay in laboratory employees with and without previously confirmed COVID-19 in South Africa: nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: van Rooyen Cathrine , Brauer Marieke , Swanepoel Petri , van den Berg Sylvia , van der Merwe Cassandre , van der Merwe Marischa , Green Robin , Becker Piet
Published: January 2022

Aims

To compare specific T-cell responses between laboratory employees in South Africa with and without previously diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

Employees at a private pathology laboratory in South Africa were invited to participate in a nationwide cross-sectional study. T-cell proliferation to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N)-proteins and spike (S)-proteins was measured by flow cytometry and compared between participants.

Results

Based on classification according to SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription (RT)-PCR results, a total of 81% (42/52) of positive participants demonstrated T-cell proliferation to SARS-CoV-2 N-proteins or S-proteins (95% CI 67.5% to 90.4%), while 62% (68/110) of negative participants also had detectable T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 proteins (95% CI 52.1% to 70.9%). When classified according to SARS-CoV-2 serology results, 92.6% (50/54) of positive participants demonstrated T-cell proliferation to SARS-CoV-2 proteins (95% CI 82.1 to 97,9 %), while 56% (60/108) of negative participants demonstrated T-cell proliferation (95% CI 45.7% to 65.1%). The magnitude of the T-cell responses as determined by a stimulation index, was significantly higher in the group previously infected by SARS-CoV-2 than in the negative group. A statistically significant difference in T-cell proliferation was noted between high risk and low risk groups for exposure to SARS-CoV-2 within the negative group, but no significant difference in magnitude of the response.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of South African laboratory employees who were not previously diagnosed with COVID-19 demonstrated T-cell reactivity to SARS-CoV-2 N-proteins and S-proteins. The pre-existing T-cell proliferation responses may be attributable to cross-reactive immune responses to other human coronaviruses, or possibly asymptomatic infection.
Unique correlation between GTF2I mutation and spindle cell morphology in thymomas (type A and AB thymomas)
Authors: Wells Kirsty , Lamrca Angela , Papaxoinis George , Wallace Andrew , Quinn Anne Marie , Summers Yvonne , Nonaka Daisuke
Published: January 2022

Aim

Recent study has revealed frequent GTF2I mutation in thymomas, with the frequency being highest in types A and AB, followed by B1, B2, B3 and thymic carcinoma. This has led to the conclusion that GTF2I mutation correlates with more indolent histology subtype and better prognosis. In our study, the GTF2I mutation was tested in thymic epithelial tumours to investigate the relation between the mutation status and histology subtype.

Methods

The GTF2I mutation was tested in 111 thymic epithelial tumours by Sanger sequencing. Correlations between GTF2I mutation status and clinicopathological parameters were evaluated.

Results

There were 16 cases of type A, including atypical type, 37 type AB, 13 B1, 23 B2, 9 B3, 6 micronodular type, 2 metaplastic type and 5 thymic carcinomas. GTF2I mutation was seen in 78.6% of type A and 83.9% of type AB, while it was not expressed in type B, metaplastic type or thymic carcinoma (p<0.001). 75% of micronodular type also showed the mutation. Both thymoma histotype and stage were significantly associated with GTF2I mutation by univariate analysis. The presence of GTF2I mutation showed a trend towards a favourable prognosis, but this is likely due to their strong association with more indolent histologic subtypes (types A and AB).

Conclusions

GTF2I mutation appears unique in type A and AB thymomas, including those with atypical features and micronodular type, all of which share spindle cell morphology, indicating they represent a group biologically distinct from type B thymomas.
Ultrasound-guided transverse abdominis plane block, ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block, and quadratus lumborum block for elective open inguinal hernia repair in children: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Priyadarshini Karunamourty , Behera Bikram Kishore , Tripathy Bikasha Bihary , Misra Satyajeet
Published: January 2022

Background and objectives

Ultrasound-guided ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric (II/IH) nerve blocks and transverse abdominis plane (TAP) blocks are widely used for postoperative analgesia in children undergoing inguinal hernia repair (IHR). Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) provides analgesia for both upper and lower abdominal surgery. Very few randomized controlled trials in children have assessed the efficacy of QLB in IHR. Thus, this study was designed to find the comparative effectiveness of QLB versus TAP and II/IH blocks in children undergoing open IHR.

Materials and methods

Sixty children scheduled for open IHR were randomly allocated in groups of 20 to receive either ultrasound-guided TAP block with 0.4 mL/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine, II/IH nerve block with 0.2 mL/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine, or QLB with 0.4 mL/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine. Anesthesia was standardized for all patients, and an experienced anesthesiologist performed the blocks after anesthesia induction.

Primary outcome

Time to first analgesia.

Secondary outcomes

Postoperative pain scores, intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption, cumulative paracetamol usage, block performance time, and block-related complications.

Results

The median time to first analgesia was 360 (120), 480 (240), and 720 (240) min in the TAP block, II/IH block, and QLB groups, respectively; and was significantly longer in the QLB versus TAP (p<0.001) and II/IH (p<0.001) groups. The time to first analgesia was not significantly different between the TAP and II/IH groups (p=0.596). The mean postoperative tramadol consumption was 11 (12.7), 4 (7.16), and 3 (8) mg in the TAP, II/IH, and QLB groups, respectively (p=0.023); and it was lowest in the QLB group. No significant differences were found between the groups for other secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

QLB provides a prolonged period of analgesia and leads to decreased opioid consumption compared with TAP blocks and II/IH nerve blocks in children undergoing open IHR.

Trial registration number

CTRI/2019/09/021377.
Incident urogenital and anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis in women: the role of sexual exposure and autoinoculation: a multicentre observational study (FemCure)
Authors: Dukers-Muijrers Nicole H T M , Schim van der Loeff Maarten , Wolffs Petra , Bruisten Sylvia M , Götz Hannelore M , Heijman Titia , Zondag Helene , Lucchesi Mayk , De Vries Henry , Hoebe Christian J P A
Published: January 2022

Background

Anorectal infections with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) are common in women visiting STI outpatient clinics. We here evaluated the risk posed by sexual exposure and by alternate anatomical site infection for incident anorectal and urogenital CT.

Methods

Prospective multicentre cohort study, FemCure. Participants were treated for CT, and after 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks, they self-collected anorectal and urogenital samples (swabs) for CT-DNA testing. We calculated the proportion with incident CT, that is, CT incidence (at weeks 6–12) by 2-week time-periods. Compared with no exposure (A), we estimated the risk of incident CT for (B) sexual exposure, (C) alternate site anatomic site infection and (D) both, adjusted for confounders and expressed as adjusted ORs with 95% CIs.

Results

We analysed data of 385 participants contributing 1540 2-week periods. The anorectal CT incidence was 2.9% (39/1343) (95 CI 1.8 to 3.6); 1.3% (A), 1.3% (B), 27.8% (C) and 36.7% (D). The ORs were: 0.91 (95% CI 0.32 to 2.60) (B), 26.0 (95% CI 7.16 to 94.34) (C), 44.26 (95% CI 14.38 to 136.21) (D).

The urogenital CT incidence was 3.3% (47/1428) (95% CI 2.4 to 4.4); 0.7% (A), 1.9% (B), 13.9% (C) and 25.4% (D). The ORs were: 2.73 (95% CI 0.87 to 8.61) (B), 21.77 (95% CI 6.70 to 70 71) (C) and 49.66 (95% CI 15.37 to 160.41) (D).

Conclusions

After initial treatment, an alternate anatomical site CT infection increased the risk for an incident CT in women, especially when also sex was reported. This may suggest a key role for autoinoculation in the re-establishment or persistence of urogenital and anorectal chlamydia infections.
Diffusion of smoke-free policies at outdoor sports clubs in the Netherlands
Authors: Smit Rixt A , Garritsen Heike H , Kunst Anton E
Published: January 2022

Background

Although outdoor smoke-free policies (SFPs) at sports clubs represent an important new area of tobacco control, the majority of sports clubs are not smoke free. This study aims to assess diffusion patterns of outdoor SFPs at sports clubs in the Netherlands.

Methods

Using a retrospective, registry-based design, an inventory was made of football, field hockey, tennis and korfball clubs that became smoke free between 2016 and 2020. We determined the type of sports, number of members and proportion of youth members. The degree of urbanisation and density of smoke-free sports clubs were measured at the municipality level. The association between sports clubs’ characteristics, degree of urbanisation and SFP adoption was analysed using multilevel regression analysis. Horizontal diffusion was tested by analysing the association between the density and annual incidence of smoke-free sports clubs.

Results

Since 2016, the number of sports clubs with an outdoor SFP increased from 0.3% to 26.4%. Field hockey and korfball clubs and clubs with many (youth) members were more likely to be smoke-free. SFPs spread from the most urbanised to less urbanised municipalities, which could mostly be attributed to sports clubs’ characteristics. A higher density of smoke-free sports clubs within municipalities was associated with an increased incidence of new SFPs in the following year.

Conclusion

Outdoor SFPs at sports clubs in the Netherlands diffused across horizontal and hierarchical lines. National strategies for smoke-free sports should monitor clubs that are more likely to stay behind, such as football and tennis clubs, smaller clubs and clubs in less urbanised areas.
Higher fidelity simulations of nonlinear Breit–Wheeler pair creation in intense laser pulses
Authors: Blackburn T. G. , King B.
Published: January 2022

When a photon collides with a laser pulse, an electron-positron pair can be produced via the nonlinear Breit–Wheeler process. A simulation framework has been developed to calculate this process, which is based on a ponderomotive approach that includes strong-field quantum electrodynamical effects via the locally monochromatic approximation (LMA). Here we compare simulation predictions for a variety of observables, in different physical regimes, with numerical evaluation of exact analytical results from theory. For the case of a focussed laser background, we also compare simulation with a high-energy theory approximation. These comparisons are used to quantify the accuracy of the simulation approach in calculating harmonic structure, which appears in the lightfront momentum and angular spectra of outgoing particles, and the transition from multi-photon to all-order pair creation. Calculation of the total yield of pairs over a range of intensity parameters is also used to assess the accuracy of the locally constant field approximation (LCFA).
Non-adaptive Heisenberg-limited metrology with multi-channel homodyne measurements
Authors: Triggiani Danilo , Facchi Paolo , Tamma Vincenzo
Published: January 2022

We show a protocol achieving the ultimate Heisenberg-scaling sensitivity in the estimation of a parameter encoded in a generic linear network, without employing any auxiliary networks, and without the need of any prior information on the parameter nor on the network structure. As a result, this protocol does not require a prior coarse estimation of the parameter, nor an adaptation of the network. The scheme we analyse consists of a single-mode squeezed state and homodyne detectors in each of the M output channels of the network encoding the parameter, making it feasible for experimental applications.
A Lieb–Robinson bound for quantum spin chains with strong on-site impurities
Authors: Gebert Martin , Moon Alvin , Nachtergaele Bruno
Published: January 2022

We consider a quantum spin chain with nearest neighbor interactions and sparsely distributed on-site impurities. We prove commutator bounds for its Heisenberg dynamics which incorporate the coupling strengths of the impurities. The impurities are assumed to satisfy a minimum spacing, and each impurity has a non-degenerate spectrum. Our results are proven in a broadly applicable setting, both in finite volume and in thermodynamic limit. We apply our results to improve Lieb–Robinson bounds for the Heisenberg spin chain with a random, sparse transverse field drawn from a heavy-tailed distribution.
A Variational Inequality-Based Location-Allocation Algorithm for Locating Multiple Interactive Facilities
Authors: Gu Yan , Jiang Jianlin , Ling Liyun , Lv Yibing , Zhang Su
Published: January 2022

Multi-source Weber problem (MWP) is an important model in facility location, which has wide applications in various areas such as health service management, transportation system management, urban planning, etc. The location-allocation algorithm is a well-known method for solving MWP, which consists of a location phase and an allocation phase at each iteration. In this paper, we consider more general and practical case of MWP–the constrained multi-source location problem (CMSLP), i.e., the location of multiple facilities with considering interactive transportation between facilities, locational constraints on facilities and the gauge for measuring distances. A variational inequality approach is contributed to solving the location subproblem called the constrained multi-facility location problem (CMFLP) in location phase, which leads to an efficient projection-type method. Then a new location-allocation algorithm is developed for CMSLP. Global convergence of the projection-type method as well as local convergence of new location-allocation algorithm are proved. The efficiency of proposed methods is verified by some preliminary numerical results.
Is “dark energy” a quantum vacuum energy?
Authors: Adler Stephen L.
Published: January 2022

We review the origins, motivations, and implications for cosmology and black holes, of our proposal that “dark energy” is not a quantum vacuum energy, but rather arises from a Weyl scaling invariant nonderivative component of the gravitational action.
Detection of monopoles and vortices in SU(2) Yang–Mills theory
Authors: Karimimanesh N. , Deldar S.
Published: January 2022

Motivated by the correlated monopoles and vortices observed in lattice Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), using Cho decomposition method and two successive gauge transformations which lead to the observation of chain configurations that include both monopoles and center vortices, we obtain a Lagrangian density that explicitly indicates these two magnetic defects and the interaction between them.
Analytical soliton solutions for cold bosonic atoms (CBA) in a zigzag optical lattice model employing efficient methods
Authors: Ouahid Loubna , Abdou M. A. , Kumar Sachin
Published: January 2022

This research finds an equation in a continuous domain and a discrete equation governing the system of cold bosonic atoms (CBA) in a zigzag optical lattice using a continuum approximation. Many solutions to the equation were obtained using two distinct methods: the three-wave approach (multi-wave interaction, rational solutions, and rational solution interaction) and the extended sub-equation method. These analytical approaches are more effective, consistent, and comprehensive mathematical tools for obtaining various exact closed-form solutions for a wide range of fractional space-time nonlinear evolution equations encountered in optical physics, condensed matter physics, and plasma physics. The solutions generated are in the form of hyperbolic and trigonometric solutions, and other-form solutions are obtained. Three-dimensional graphics and contour plots are often used to depict the graphical representations of the combined soliton solutions. These findings will aid our understanding of the dynamics of the zigzag optical grids and many other structures formed by colder bosonic atoms. The applied approaches are more simple, efficient, and straightforward to obtain the closed-form solutions for various nonlinear evolution equations in the fields of nonlinear sciences and physical engineering.
Acute Teaching Method of College Physical Skills Based on Mobile Intelligent Terminal
Authors: Wang Chunhua
Published: January 2022

Mobile technology can make lessons of physical skills for the students to prepare them more vibrant. Its multicultural, consolidated, and communicative characteristics contribute to the improving teaching performance, excitement of learners, reformation of learning, and a basic idea of teaching mode. The challenge facing college physical education professionals is emotionally labile students, repetition of their education, and the lack of appropriate technology, resources, school violence, and behavioral issues. Because of the high levels of bullying experienced by students with learning and attention difficulties, misbehavior and absence are more likely to occur. The school environment and negative emotions can both aggravate academic difficulties. The proposed methodology involves evaluating student’s physical training based on big data analysis (ESPT-BDA) to compensate voluntary sport behavior by neglecting its unwanted attitude or values and solving the problem of uniform learning to meet the student’s requirements. Repetition helps hone a talent by putting it to use repeatedly. The interval at which a skill is performed is another critical component of repetition. Using spaced repetition as a learning strategy involves gradually increasing the time between repetitions of the same piece of knowledge. The regulating intelligent control framework is used to compute an effective method of directing the insufficient and improper system to achieve a specific objective in an uncertain context. A convolution neural network is implemented to automatically detect vital physical activity characteristics without a need for human monitoring. Various experiment’s findings demonstrate the effect of different sequences up to 96.51% properly classified test data and improve evaluation of intelligent control framework, intelligent practicing intensity control 94.3%.
Theta series for quadratic forms of signature (n − 1,1) with (spherical) polynomials
Authors: Roehrig Christina , Zwegers Sander
Published: January 2022

We construct almost holomorphic and holomorphic modular forms by considering theta series for quadratic forms of signature [Formula: see text]. We include homogeneous and spherical polynomials in the definition of the theta series (generalizing a construction of the second author) to obtain holomorphic, almost holomorphic and modular theta series. We give a criterion for these series to coincide, enabling us to construct almost holomorphic and holomorphic cusp forms on congruence subgroups of the modular group. Further, we provide numerous explicit examples.
A Comparison of Blinded versus Ultrasound-Guided Limited-Open Trigger Finger Release Using the Yasunaga Knife
Authors: MURAMATSU Keiichi , RAYEL Ma. Felma , ARCINUE Jasson , TANI Yasuhiro , KOBAYASHI Masato , SETO Tetsuya
Published: January 2022

Background: An open approach is the gold standard for trigger finger (TF) release. However, this may be associated with infection and scar tenderness. Percutaneous trigger release is an alternative, but this can sometimes result in incomplete release and digital nerve injury, even with ultrasound (US) guidance. Limited-open TF release is an intermediate technique that uses a specially designed knife via a 2–3 mm incision. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of blinded versus US-guided limited-open TF release using the Yasunaga knife (Medical U&A, Inc., Japan).

Methods: About 138 fingers in 111 patients underwent limited-open TF release using the Yasunaga knife. Green classification was used to grade the severity of TF. Thirty-one patients had grade 3 TF and 80 patients had grade 4 TF. The TF was released in a blinded fashion in 60 patients and using US guidance in 51 patients. Outcome measures included residual triggering, contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint, visual analog scale (VAS) for assessment of pain, Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and the Patel and Moradia grading of patient satisfaction. Complications were also recorded.

Results: Six patients had residual triggering in the blinded group, whereas it resolved in all patients in the US-guided group. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.03). Patients in both groups showed significant improvement in VAS and Quick DASH score postoperatively. There were no significant differences between the two groups for these two outcomes. Patient satisfaction was graded as excellent by 20 patients and good by 30 patients in the US-guided group compared to eight excellent and 45 good in the blinded group.

Conclusion: The incidence of residual triggering was lower and overall satisfaction higher in patients who underwent US-guided limited-open TF release using the Yasunaga knife.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)
A Technique of Immobilization of Digits by Spinal or Intracath Needle Following Soft Tissue Surgery
Authors: AGARWAL Pawan , KUKRELE Rajeev , SHARMA D.
Published: January 2022

After release of post burn flexion contracture and repair of soft tissue injury of digits, it is desirable to maintain the digits in full extension. This is conventionally done by insertion of Kirschner wires across the interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joints. We have been inserting a spinal or intracath needle in a dorsal supra-periosteal plane for immobilizing digits after release of post burn contractures or repair of soft tissue injury. The needle is maintained for 2–3 weeks, and all patients achieved stable immobilization of digits. There were no major complications. This procedure is minimally invasive, simple to perform, and provides stable immobilization.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)
Paleozoic sedimentation and Caledonian terrane architecture in NW Svalbard: indications from U–Pb geochronology and structural analysis
Authors: Koglin Nikola , Läufer Andreas , Piepjohn Karsten , Gerdes Axel , Davis Donald W. , Linnemann Ulf , Estrada Solveig
Published: January 2022

Svalbard's Northwestern Basement Province is traditionally divided into the Albert I Land and the Biscayarhalvøya terranes. New U–Pb age data on zircon and monazite and structural and geochemical data provide first evidence of early Paleozoic deposits south of the Biscayarhalvøya Terrane indicating the possible existence of a third terrane: the Germaniahalvøya Terrane. This area is represented by a Cambro-Ordovician succession of mica schist and marble (Lernerøyane Group) and its higher-grade metamorphic equivalent (Liefdefjorden Migmatite Complex), which were affected by the Taconian phase (migmatization at
c.
469 Ma) and the Scandian phase (
c.
422–415 Ma) of the Caledonian Orogeny. During the Scandian phase, the ductile Lerner Deformation Zone was formed. New isotopic data from the eclogite-bearing Richarddalen Complex of the Biscayarhalvøya Terrane imply the formation as an Ordovician–Silurian collision-related mélange dominantly composed of
c.
730 to 600 Ma Timanian island-arc-derived detritus and igneous rocks, partly eclogite-facies metamorphosed at
c.
656 Ma, and Tonian meta-igneous rocks. After amphibolite-facies metamorphism of the mélange matrix at
c.
423 Ma, the Richarddalen Complex and the Stenian–Tonian Biscayarfonna Group were juxtaposed and mylonitized by the dextral Biscayarhalvøya Deformation Zone.

Supplementary material:
The complete geochemical and U-Pb isotope geochemical dataset as well as additional figures are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5778735
Software Visualizations to Analyze Memory Consumption: A Literature Review
Authors: Blanco Alison Fernandez , Bergel Alexandre , Alcocer Juan Pablo Sandoval
Published: January 2022

Understanding and optimizing memory usage of software applications is a difficult task, usually involving the analysis of large amounts of memory-related complex data. Over the years, numerous software visualizations have been proposed to help developers analyze the memory usage information of their programs.

This article reports a systematic literature review of published works centered on software visualizations for analyzing the memory consumption of programs. We have systematically selected 46 articles and categorized them based on the tasks supported, data collected, visualization techniques, evaluations conducted, and prototype availability. As a result, we introduce a taxonomy based on these five dimensions to identify the main challenges of visualizing memory consumption and opportunities for improvement. Despite the effort to evaluate visualizations, we also find that most articles lack evidence regarding how these visualizations perform in practice. We also highlight that few articles are available for developers willing to adopt a visualization for memory consumption analysis. Additionally, we describe a number of research areas that are worth exploring.
Liquefied-Natural-Gas-Derived Vertical Carbon Layer Deposited on SiO as Cost-Effective Anode for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Ha Jaeyun , Park Heonsoo , Kim Moonsu , Kim Yong-Tae , Choi Jinsub
Published: January 2022

Deposition of a carbon layer on silicon monoxide (SiO) is an attractive method for mitigating the inherent low electrical conductivity and significant volume expansion of SiO, which is a promising anode candidate for Li-ion batteries with high energy density. Herein, we report a method for coating SiO with a vertically grown carbon layer via chemical vapor deposition using low-cost liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is 13 times less expensive than commonly used high-purity CH4. The physical and chemical properties of the carbon-coated samples obtained using CH4 (C-SiO-CH4) and LNG (C-SiO-LNG) were identical, and their electrochemical performances were superior to that of pristine SiO. This low-cost, high-volume manufacturing method promotes the industrialization of Si–C materials for next-generation Li-ion batteries.
Reduced Graphene Oxide-Modified Carbon Paste Sensors for Sensitive Adsorptive Voltammetric Determination of Oxfendazole
Authors: Al-Qahtani Salhah D. , Aljuhani Enas , Shah Reem , Al-nami Samar Y. , Al-Ahmed Zehbah A. , Khalifa Mohamed E. , El-Metwaly Nashwa M.
Published: January 2022

Herein, a novel carbon paste electrode incorporated with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was electrochemically characterized for sensitive adsorptive voltammetric determination of oxfendazole (OXF) in veterinary formulations and spiked milk samples. On the electrode surface, oxfendazole showed a reversible electrooxidation behavior through a mixed adsorption-diffusion with the involvement of one-electron on the electroanalytical measurements and molecular orbital studies. Linear calibration curves were constructed within OXF concentration ranged from 1.75 to 1890.9 ng ml−1 with LOD value of 0.85 ng ml−1. Compared with the reported OXF sensor, the rGO based sensors showed improved sensitivity with measurement reproducibility and long operational lifetime and shelf lifetime. The fabricated sensors were applied for the quantification of oxfendazole in the local veterinary formulations and spiked milk samples with high accuracy and precision compared with the traditional spectrophotometric techniques.
The Early-Stage Corrosion of Copper Materials in Chloride and Sulfide Solutions: Nanoscale Characterization and The Effect of Microstructure
Authors: Guo Mengnan , Daub Kevin , Dong Qingshan , Long Fei , Binns W. Jeffrey , Daymond Mark R. , Shoesmith David W. , Noël James J. , Persaud Suraj Y.
Published: January 2022

The microstructures of copper (Cu) materials were investigated by electron backscatter diffraction, showing that electrodeposited (ED) Cu has a homogenous polycrystalline microstructure, while cold spray (CS) Cu has a heterogeneous microstructure with varying grain size, pores, and interfacial splat regions. The corrosion rate was examined by corrosion potential (ECORR) and polarization resistance (Rp) measurements on Cu specimens in solutions containing 0.1 M NaCl + 1 × 10−3 M Na2S. Although the as sprayed CS-Cu was the least corrosion resistant, the corrosion rate of the heat-treated CS-Cu was similar to that of the ED-Cu and wrought Cu (SKB-Cu). Electrochemical behaviours of Cu materials were investigated by either a potentiodynamic scan or a potentiostatic polarization at a more positive potential (E > ECORR) for various experiment durations up to 4 h, showing that the heat-treated CS-Cu, SKB-Cu and ED-Cu exhibited very similar behaviour while the as sprayed CS-Cu showed erratic behavior consistent with a variable surface reactivity. Nanoscale scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis has been performed at the cross-section of an anodically-oxidized CS-Cu specimen, revealing a two-layer film structure, mostly composed of Cu sulfide, with a minor diffusion of sulfur in the local area of an interfacial splat boundary tip.
A Study of Composite Solid Electrolytes: The Effect of Inorganic Additives on the Polyethylene Oxide-Sodium Metal Interface
Authors: Bublil Shaul , Peta Gayathri , Alon-Yehezkel Hadas , Elias Yuval , Golodnitsky Diana , Fayena-Greenstein Miryam , Aurbach Doron
Published: January 2022

High electrolyte-electrode interface stability is essential for solid state batteries to avoid side reactions that form interphases and voids, leading to loss of contact and increased impedance. Such detrimental situations increase overvoltage, reduce cycling efficiency, and shorten battery cycle life. While composite solid electrolytes were studied extensively, the effect of inorganic additives in the polymer matrix on the electrolyte-anode interface remains unclear. Here, solid electrolyte was studied for batteries with sodium metal anode based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymeric matrix containing ceramic additive. Extensive electrochemical analyses under both AC and DC conditions were performed, and chemical reactions between sodium metal and the PEO matrix, which produce interphases at the electrode-electrolyte interface, were investigated. Addition of sodium beta aluminate in the matrix appears to mitigate these reactions, removing a major obstacle on the way to effective all-solid-state rechargeable sodium batteries.
Can We Enhance Passivity with a Surface Finish? Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Analysis on 316L Stainless Steel
Authors: Neupane Shova , Zanna Sandrine , Seyeux Antoine , Klein Lorena H. , Maurice Vincent , Marcus Philippe
Published: January 2022

The effects of surface finish by mechanical polishing, vibratory polishing, and high-temperature annealing were studied on 316L stainless steel by combining microscopic and spectroscopic analysis of the surface morphology and composition and electrochemical analysis of the corrosion resistance. Compared to mechanical polishing, vibratory finishing promotes passivity at the active-passive transition in acid solution and enhances resistance to chloride-induced passivity breakdown. Cr and Mo enrichments in the native oxide film increase owing to preferential iron etching. The bilayer structure develops a thicker Cr(III) oxide inner barrier layer and an outer exchange layer further enriched in Cr(III) hydroxide and Mo(IV/VI) oxides. The Fe-rich weak sites of passivity are reinforced. High-temperature annealing in reducing hydrogen environment enables us to fully reconstruct the cold-worked layers left by mechanical or vibratory finishing, thus allowing us to expose the bulk microstructure at the topmost surface. The benefits brought by vibratory finishing are lost upon reducing the initial native oxide. The re-formed native oxide develops a bilayer structure with similar Cr and Mo enrichments as that obtained from mechanical polishing and no beneficial effects on passivity. The results provide comprehensive insight into how the passivity of stainless steel can be enhanced by surface enrichment engineering.
Tandem Use of Underpotential Deposition and Self-Assembly
Authors: Jennings G. Kane
Published: January 2022

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 1997 Department of Energy Summer Research Fellowship.
Effect of Ghrelin Intervention on the Ras/ERK Pathway in the Regulation of Heart Failure by PTEN
Authors: Zhao Yong , Sun Quan , Xu Zhenyu , Li Meixiu , Tian Guozhong
Published: January 2022

Objective. To study the possible mechanism of ghrelin in heart failure and how it works. Method. In vitro results demonstrated that ghrelin alleviates cardiac function and reduces myocardial fibrosis in rats with heart failure. Moreover, ghrelin intervention increased PTEN expression level and reduced ERK, c-jun, and c-Fos expression level; in vivo experiments demonstrated that ghrelin intervention reduces mast memory expression and increases cardiomyocyte surface area, PTEN expression level, ERK, c-jun, c-Fos expression level, and cell surface area, while ERK blockade suppresses mast gene expression and reduces cell surface area. Results. In vitro experimental results prove that we have successfully constructed a rat model related to heart failure, and ghrelin can alleviate the heart function of heart failure rats and reduce myocardial fibrosis. In addition, ghrelin is closely related to the decrease of the expression levels of ERK, c-jun, and c-Fos, but it can also increase the expression of PTEN in the rat model; in vivo experiments proved that we successfully constructed an in vitro cardiac hypertrophy model, and the intervention of ghrelin would reduce the expression of hypertrophic memory and increase the surface area of cardiomyocytes, increase the expression level of PTEN, and reduce the expression levels of ERK, c-jun, and c-Fos, while the blockade of PTEN will increase the expression of hypertrophy genes and increase the cell surface area, while the blockade of ERK will increase the expression of hypertrophic genes, which in turn will make the cell surface area reducing. Conclusion. Ghrelin inhibits the phosphorylation and nuclear entry of ERK by activating PTEN, thereby controlling the transcription of hypertrophic genes, improving myocardial hypertrophy, and enhancing cardiac function.
Fusion Deep Learning and Machine Learning for Heterogeneous Military Entity Recognition
Authors: Li Hui , Yu Lin , Zhang Jie , Lyu Ming
Published: January 2022

With respect to the fuzzy boundaries of military heterogeneous entities, this paper improves the entity annotation mechanism for entity with fuzzy boundaries based on related research works. This paper applies a BERT-BiLSTM-CRF model fusing deep learning and machine learning to recognize military entities, and thus, we can construct a smart military knowledge base with these entities. Furthermore, we can explore many military AI applications with the knowledge base and military Internet of Things (MIoT). To verify the performance of the model, we design multiple types of experiments. Experimental results show that the recognition performance of the model keeps improving with the increasing size of the corpus in the multidata source scenario, with the

F

-score increasing from 73.56% to 84.53%. Experimental results of cross-corpus cross-validation show that the more types of entities covered in the training corpus and the richer the representation type, the stronger the generalization ability of the trained model, in which the recall rate of the model trained with the novel random type corpus reaches 74.33% and the

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-score reaches 76.98%. The results of the multimodel comparison experiments show that the BERT-BiLSTM-CRF model applied in this paper performs well for the recognition of military entities. The longitudinal comparison experimental results show that the

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-score of the BERT-BiLSTM-CRF model is 18.72%, 11.24%, 9.24%, and 5.07% higher than the four models CRF, LSTM-CRF, BiLSTM-CR, and BERT-CRF, respectively. The cross-sectional comparison experimental results show that the

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-score of the BERT-BiLSTM-CRF model improved by 6.63%, 7.95%, 3.72%, and 1.81% compared to the Lattice-LSTM-CRF, CNN-BiLSTM-CRF, BERT-BiGRU-CRF, and BERT-IDCNN-CRF models, respectively.
[Retracted] New Types of μ‐Proximity Spaces and Their Applications
Authors: Hosny Rodyna A. , Al-shami Tareq M. , Mhemdi Abdelwaheb
Published: January 2022

Near set theory supplies a major basis for the perception, differentiation, and classification of elements in classes that depend on their closeness, either spatially or descriptively. This study aims to introduce a lot of concepts; one of them is μ‐clusters as the useful notion in the study of μ‐proximity (or μ‐nearness) spaces which recognize some of its features. Also, other types of μ‐proximity, termed Rμ‐proximity and Oμ‐proximity, on are defined. In a μ‐proximity space , for any subset K of , one can find out nonempty collections , which are hereditary classes on . Currently, descriptive near sets were presented as a tool of solving classification and pattern recognition problems emerging from disjoint sets; hence, a new approach to basic μ‐proximity structures, which depend on the realization of the structures in the theory of hereditary classes, is introduced. Also, regarding to specific options of hereditary class operators, various kinds of μ‐proximities can be distinguished.