bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of QMix as final irrigation protocol on periapical healing after single‐visit root canal treatment: A randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Sapmaz Ucan Cemre , Dumani Aysin , Unal Ilker , Yilmaz Sehnaz , Yoldas Oguz
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate radiographic periapical repair after endodontic treatment using QMix or NaOCl irrigation in single‐rooted teeth with apical periodontitis. In this randomised clinical trial, 60 patients were selected and randomised into two groups (n = 30). After instrumentation of root canals, QMix or NaOCl was used as a final irrigation and the canals obturated with gutta‐percha and AH Plus sealer. All the participants were recalled after 12 months and 15 patients were lost to the study so 45 patients were evaluated radiographically according to periapical index (PAI) scores. A significant decrease was seen in PAI scores after 1 year in all patients (p < 0.001). In the QMix and NaOCl group, absence or reduction of radiolucency was observed in 23 of 25 teeth (92%) and 20 of 20 teeth (100%), respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups according to the decrease in PAI score (p = 0.508). Root canal treatments with or without QMix irrigation contributed equally to periapical healing.
Validation of updated antenatal vaginal birth after caesarean section prediction model without race and ethnicity in Australia
Authors: Liu Cathy Zhenao , Mahomed Kassam
Published: October 2022

Background

The Grobman antenatal nomogram to predict likelihood of successful vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) has been validated in multiple institutions. However, due to concerns regarding inclusion of ethnicity, a new nomogram has been developed.

Aim

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the updated Grobman nomogram without ethnicity in a regional hospital in Australia.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of women electing to have a VBAC at a regional hospital over a nine‐year period. Maternal demographics and obstetric outcomes were collected. Women were assigned a predicted likelihood of successful VBAC using the updated Grobman nomogram, with variables such as age, pre‐pregnancy weight, height and arrest disorder as indications for previous caesarean birth, previous vaginal birth, previous VBAC and treated chronic hypertension. The predicted likelihood of successful VBAC was compared with actual successful VBAC rates.

Results

A total of 541 women attempted VBAC with a VBAC success rate of 74.3% (402/541). The nomogram demonstrated good fit, with a receiver operating curve area under the curve of 0.707 (95% confidence interval 0.659–0.755). Using a cut‐off value of 0.5, the success rate of classification with this model was 74.3%. On comparing each predicted decile, the nomogram performed poorly in those predicted to have a <40% chance of successful VBAC.

Conclusions

This study confirms the use of the updated Grobman nomogram without ethnicity, alongside usual counselling, to provide individualised advice for informed decision‐making. However, clinicians should be mindful of the limitation of poor accuracy in women with a low predicted probability of VBAC.
Does intra‐operative humidification with warmed CO2 reduce surgical site infection in open colorectal surgery? A randomized control trial
Authors: Arachchi Asiri , Lee Alice , Metlapalli Manisha , Antoniou Ellathios , Rajan Ruben , Narasimhan Vignesh , Rajagopalan Ashray , Key Seraphina , Teoh William M. K. , Nguyen Thang Chien , Lim James Tow‐Hing , Chouhan Hanumant , Waxman Bruce P. , Smith Julian A.
Published: October 2022

Backgrounds

Surgical site infections (SSI) are a significant cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality, contributing to a considerable financial burden on the healthcare system. Insufflation of the open surgical wound with warm, humidified carbon dioxide (CO2) is a novel measure aimed to reduce SSI. The local atmosphere of warm, humidified CO2 within the open surgical wound is proposed to decrease airborne contamination, bacterial growth, desiccation, and heat loss while improving tissue oxygenation and perfusion. This randomized controlled trial evaluates the impact of the HumiGard™ surgical humidification system on the incidence of SSI in patients undergoing open colorectal surgery.

Methods

We conducted a multi‐site single‐blinded randomized control trial on patients undergoing elective or emergency laparotomy at a single tertiary Colorectal Surgery service. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of SSI, with secondary outcomes including ICU length of stay (LOS), total LOS and mean core temperature.

Results

Patients who received HumiGard™ had a lower incidence of SSI, although this did not reach statistical significance (4.5% for treatment group versus 13.0% for control group; P = 0.092). There was no significant difference in ICU LOS or total LOS between cohorts. The HumiGard™ group had a higher mean core temperature than the control at the end of surgery (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The present study could not confirm that utilization of warm, humidified CO2 with HumiGard™ reduces SSI in open colorectal surgery. Further research is indicated to validate and extend these findings.
Population pharmacokinetics and dosing regimen optimization of levetiracetam in epilepsy during pregnancy
Authors: Li Ying , Wang Ming‐Lu , Guo Yang , Cao Yun‐Feng , Zhao Ming‐Ming , Zhao Li‐Mei
Published: October 2022

Aims

The pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam (LEV) significantly changed during pregnancy. It is a great challenge to predict the adjusted doses of LEV to reach the preconception target concentrations. This study aimed to establish a population pharmacokinetic model of LEV in women with epilepsy (WWE) during pregnancy to analyse the factors of pharmacokinetic variability and to develop a model‐based individualized dosing regimen.

Methods

A total of 166 concentration–time points from 37 WWE during pregnancy treated with LEV were collected to analyse LEV pharmacokinetics with nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling. The dosing regimen was optimized by Monte Carlo simulations based on the final model.

Results

The LEV pharmacokinetics in pregnant WWE were best described by a 1‐compartment model of first‐order absorption and elimination. The population typical value of apparent clearance (CL/F) in the final model was estimated to be 3.82 L/h (95% confidence interval 3.283–4.357 L/h) with a relative standard error of 7.2%. Both total body weight (TBW) and trimester of pregnancy were significantly associated with LEV‐CL/F during pregnancy; LEV‐CL/F increased by 42.72% when TBW increased from 55 to 65 kg from the first trimester to the second trimester. Monte Carlo simulations showed that dosing regimens for LEV should be individualized based on the patient's TBW and trimester of pregnancy to maximize the likelihood of achieving the therapeutic range.

Conclusion

This first population pharmacokinetic study of LEV in WWE during pregnancy supports the use of a weight‐based and pregnancy‐based dosing regimen and can lay a foundation for further optimizing the individualized dosing regimens.
Antimicrobial efficiency and cytocompatibility of different decontamination methods on titanium and zirconium surfaces
Authors: Stein Jamal M. , Conrads Georg , Abdelbary Mohamed M. H. , Yekta‐Michael Sareh Said , Buttler Patricia , Glock Joanna , Sadvandi Gelareh , Kaufmann Robert , Apel Christian
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of different implant‐decontamination methods regarding biofilm modification and potential cytotoxic effects. Therefore, the amount of biofilm reduction, cytocompatibility, and elementary surface alterations were evaluated after decontamination of titanium and zirconium surfaces.

Material and Methods

Titanium and zirconium disks were contaminated with a newly developed high‐adherence biofilm consisting of six microbial species. Decontaminations were performed using titanium curette, stainless steel ultrasonic scaler (US), glycine (GPAP) and erythritol (EPAP) powder air‐polishing, Er:YAG laser, 1% chlorhexidine (CHX), 10% povidone‐iodine (PVI), 14% doxycycline (doxy), and 0.95% NaOCl solution. Microbiologic analysis was done using real‐time qPCR. For assessment of cytocompatibility, a multiplex assay for the detection of cytotoxicity, viability, and apoptosis on human gingival fibroblasts was performed. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to evaluate chemical alterations on implant surfaces.

Results

Compared with untreated control disks, only GPAP, EPAP, US, and Er:YAG laser significantly reduced rRNA counts (activity) on titanium and zirconium (p < .01), whereas NaOCl decreased rRNA count on titanium (p < .01). Genome count (bacterial presence) was significantly reduced by GPAP, EPAP, and US on zirconium only (p < .05). X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses revealed relevant re‐exposure of implant surface elements after GPAP, EPAP, and US treatment on both materials, however, not after Er:YAG laser application. Cytocompatibility was impaired by CHX, PVI, doxy, and NaOCl. CHX and PVI resulted in the lowest viability and doxy in the highest apoptosis.

Conclusions

Within the limits of this in vitro study, air‐polishing methods and ultrasonic device resulted in effective biofilm inactivation with surface re‐exposure and favorable cytocompatibility on titanium and zirconium. Chemical agents, when applied on implant surfaces, may cause potential cytotoxic effects.
Automated machine learning‐based model for the prediction of delirium in patients after surgery for degenerative spinal disease
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wan Dong‐Hua , Chen Min , Li Yun‐Li , Ying Hui , Yao Ge‐Liang , Liu Zhi‐Li , Zhang Guo‐Mei
Published: October 2022

Objective

This study used machine learning algorithms to identify critical variables and predict postoperative delirium (POD) in patients with degenerative spinal disease.

Methods

We included 663 patients who underwent surgery for degenerative spinal disease and received general anesthesia. The LASSO method was used to screen essential features associated with POD. Clinical characteristics, preoperative laboratory parameters, and intraoperative variables were reviewed and were used to construct nine machine learning models including a training set and validation set (80% of participants), and were then evaluated in the rest of the study sample (20% of participants). The area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and Brier scores were used to compare the prediction performances of different models. The eXtreme Gradient Boosting algorithms (XGBOOST) model was used to predict POD. The SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) package was used to interpret the XGBOOST model. Data of 49 patients were prospectively collected for model validation.

Results

The XGBOOST model outperformed the other classifier models in the training set (area under the curve [AUC]: 92.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.7%–95.0%), validation set (AUC: 87.0%, 95% CI: 80.7%–93.3%). This model also achieved the lowest Brier Score. Twelve vital variables, including age, serum albumin, the admission‐to‐surgery time interval, C‐reactive protein level, hypertension, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative minimum blood pressure, cardiovascular‐cerebrovascular disease, smoking, alcohol consumption, pulmonary disease, and admission‐intraoperative maximum blood pressure difference, were selected. The XGBOOST model performed well in the prospective cohort (accuracy: 85.71%).

Conclusion

A machine learning model and a web predictor for delirium after surgery for the degenerative spinal disease were successfully developed to demonstrate the extent of POD risk during the perioperative period, which could guide appropriate preventive measures for high‐risk patients.
Blocking connexin 43 hemichannel‐mediated ATP release reduces communication within and between tubular epithelial cells and medullary fibroblasts in a model of diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Williams Bethany M. , Cliff Chelsy L. , Demirel Isak , Squires Paul E. , Hills Claire E.
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Fibrosis of renal tubules is the final common pathway in diabetic nephropathy and develops in the face of tubular injury and fibroblast activation. Aberrant connexin 43 (Cx43) hemichannel activity has been linked to this damage under euglycaemic conditions, however, its role in glycaemic injury is unknown. This study investigated the effect of a Cx43 blocker (Tonabersat) on hemichannel activity and cell–cell interactions within and between tubular epithelial cells and fibroblasts in an in vitro model of diabetic nephropathy.

Methods

Human kidney (HK2) proximal tubule epithelial cells and medullary fibroblasts (TK173) were treated in low (5 mM) or high (25 mM) glucose ± transforming growth factor beta‐1 (TGFβ1) ± Tonabersat in high glucose. Carboxyfluorescein dye uptake and ATPlite luminescence assessed changes in hemichannel‐mediated ATP release, while immunoblotting determined protein expression. Co‐incubation with the ATP‐diphosphohydrolase apyrase or a P2X7R inhibitor (A438079) assessed ATP‐P2X7R signalling. Indirect co‐culture with conditioned media from the alternate cell type evaluated paracrine‐mediated heterotypic interactions.

Results

Tonabersat partially negated glucose/TGFβ1‐induced increases in Cx43 hemichannel‐mediated ATP release and downstream changes in adherens junction and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression in HK2 and TK173 cells. Apyrase and A438079 highlighted the role for ATP‐P2X7R in driving changes in protein expression in TK173 fibroblasts. Indirect co‐culture studies suggest that epithelial cell secretome increases Tonabersat‐sensitive hemichannel‐mediated dye uptake in fibroblasts and downstream protein expression.

Conclusion

Tonabersat‐sensitive hemichannel‐mediated ATP release enhances TGFβ1‐driven heterotypic cell–cell interaction and favours myofibroblast activation. The data supports the potential benefit of Cx43 inhibition in reducing tubulointerstitial fibrosis in late‐stage diabetic nephropathy.
Choice of prioritization method impacts recommendations for climate‐informed bird conservation in the United States
Authors: Taylor Lotem , Saunders Sarah P. , Wu Joanna X. , Bateman Brooke L. , Grand Joanna , DeLuca William V. , Wilsey Chad B.
Published: October 2022

Climate‐informed spatial planning is urgently needed to guide initiatives aimed at both conserving biodiversity as a whole (e.g. protection of 30% of lands and waters by 2030) and recovering North American avifauna in particular. Various methods for prioritizing conservation areas exist, yet alternative methods may direct managers to different lands for protection, and thus varying recommendations for meeting area‐based targets. Here, we used bird species distribution models and landcover projections to systematically evaluate two widely used methods for prioritizing areas most likely to facilitate the persistence of multiple species under climate change: 1) in situ macrorefugia, identified as areas of high predicted species retention; and 2) complementarity‐based optimizations, identified using the Zonation conservation planning software. For 17 biogeographical groups in the continental United States, we compared priority areas for bird conservation derived from these two alternatives with respect to their spatial distributions and consensus (i.e. overlap), expected conservation outcomes (e.g. species and functional diversity), predicted climate change exposure, habitat characteristics, landscape configurations and degree of formal protection. Spatial distributions of priority areas differed by biogeographical group and method, with 40.5% consensus on average across groups. Consensus was extensive within mountainous and coastal regions, and limited at high latitudes (e.g. Alaska) and in flat, interior regions (e.g. grasslands). As expected, complementarity‐based optimizations more efficiently represented species than retention‐based in situ macrorefugia, especially for forest groups, and had greater overall biodiversity value and better habitat condition. Conversely, in situ macrorefugia encompassed higher elevations and larger contiguous patches and were expected to experience less winter‐season warming. Formal protection averaged < 50% across biogeographical groups, regardless of prioritization method. Our findings illustrate the value of complementarity‐based optimizations for bird conservation under climate change. More broadly, comparing approaches for prioritizing areas for long‐term species persistence can reveal critical trade‐offs in recommendations for climate‐informed protected area planning.
Mutations in MYO9B are associated with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 2 neuropathies and isolated optic atrophy
Authors: Cipriani Silvia , Guerrero‐Valero Marta , Tozza Stefano , Zhao Edward , Vollmer Veith , Beijer Danique , Danzi Matt , Rivellini Cristina , Lazarevic Dejan , Pipitone Giovanni Battista , Grosz Bianca Rose , Lamperti Costanza , Marzoli Stefania Bianchi , Carrera Paola , Devoto Marcella , Pisciotta Chiara , Pareyson Davide , Kennerson Marina , Previtali Stefano C. , Zuchner Stephan , Scherer Steven S. , Manganelli Fiore , Bähler Martin , Bolino Alessandra
Published: October 2022

Background and purpose

Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) is a heterogeneous group of disorders caused by mutations in at least 100 genes. However, approximately 60% of cases with axonal neuropathies (CMT2) still remain without a genetic diagnosis. We aimed at identifying novel disease genes responsible for CMT2.

Methods

We performed whole exome sequencing and targeted next generation sequencing panel analyses on a cohort of CMT2 families with evidence for autosomal recessive inheritance. We also performed functional studies to explore the pathogenetic role of selected variants.

Results

We identified rare, recessive variants in the MYO9B (myosin IX) gene in two families with CMT2. MYO9B has not yet been associated with a human disease. MYO9B is an unconventional single‐headed processive myosin motor protein with signaling properties, and, consistent with this, our results indicate that a variant occurring in the MYO9B motor domain impairs protein expression level and motor activity. Interestingly, a Myo9b‐null mouse has degenerating axons in sciatic nerves and optic nerves, indicating that MYO9B plays an essential role in both peripheral nervous system and central nervous system axons, respectively. The degeneration observed in the optic nerve prompted us to screen for MYO9B mutations in a cohort of patients with optic atrophy (OA). Consistent with this, we found compound heterozygous variants in one case with isolated OA.

Conclusions

Novel or very rare variants in MYO9B are associated with CMT2 and isolated OA.
Shedding light on motor premanifest myotonic dystrophy type 1: A molecular, muscular and central nervous system follow‐up study
Authors: Garmendia Joana , Labayru Garazi , Zulaica Miren , Villanúa Jorge , López de Munain Adolfo , Sistiaga Andone
Published: October 2022

Background and purpose

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a hereditary and multisystemic disease that is characterized by heterogeneous manifestations. Although muscular impairment is central to DM1, a premanifest DM1 form has been proposed for those characterized by the absence of muscle signs in precursory phases. Nevertheless, subtle signs and/or symptoms related to other systems, such as the central nervous system (CNS), may emerge and progress gradually. This study aimed to validate the premanifest DM1 concept and to characterize and track affected individuals from a CNS centred perspective.

Methods

Retrospective data of 120 participants (23 premanifest DM1, 25 manifest DM1 and 72 healthy controls) were analysed transversally and longitudinally (over 11.17 years). Compiled data included clinical, neuropsychological and neuroradiological (brain volume and white matter lesion, WML) measures taken at two time points.

Results

Manifest DM1 showed significantly more molecular affectation, worse performance on neuropsychological domains, lower grey and white matter volumes and a different pattern of WMLs than premanifest DM1. The latter was slightly different from healthy controls regarding brain volume and WMLs. Additionally, daytime sleepiness and molecular expansion size explained 50% of the variance of the muscular deterioration at follow‐up in premanifest individuals.

Conclusions

Premanifest DM1 individuals showed subtle neuroradiological alterations, which suggests CNS involvement early in the disease. Based on follow‐up data, a debate emerges around the existence of a ‘non‐muscular DM1’ subtype and/or a premanifest phase, as a precursory stage to other DM1 manifestations.
Ischaemic stroke in South Asians: The BRAINS study
Authors: Aurelius Taylor , Maheshwari Ankita , Ken‐Dror Gie , Sharma Sapna D. , Amlani Sageet , Gunathilagan Gunaratnam , Cohen David L. , Rajkumar Chakravarthi , Maguire Stuart , Ispoglou Sissi , Balogun Ibrahim , Parry Anthea , Sekaran Lakshmanan , Syed Hafiz , Lawrence Enas , Singh Ravneeta , Hassan Ahamad , Wharton Chris , Javaid Khalid , Goorah Neetish , Carr Peter , Sami Eman Abdus , Sharma Shri Ram , Sylaja Padmavathy N. , Prasad Kameshwar , Sharma Pankaj ,   the BRAINS collaborators
Published: October 2022

Background and purpose

Studies on stroke in South Asian populations are sparse. The aim of this study was to compare differences in age of onset of ischaemic stroke in South Asian patients living in the United Kingdom and South Asian patients living in India versus White British stroke patients.

Methods

We studied the UK and Indian arms of the ongoing BRAINS study, an international prospective hospital‐based study of South Asian stroke patients. The BRAINS study includes 4038 South Asian and White British patients with first‐ever ischaemic stroke, recruited from sites in the United Kingdom and India.

Results

Of the included patients, 1126 were South Asians living in India (ISA), while 1176 were British South Asian (BSA) and 1736 were White British (WB) UK residents. Patients in the ISA and BSA groups experienced stroke 19.5 years and 7.2 years earlier than their WB counterparts, respectively (mean [interquartile range] age: BSA 64.3 [22] years vs. ISA 52.0 [18] years vs. WB 71.5 [19] years; p < 0.001). Patients in the BSA group had higher rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolaemia than those in the ISA and WB groups. After adjustment for traditional stroke risk factors, an earlier age of stroke onset of 18.9 years (p < 0.001) and 8.9 years (p < 0.001) was still observed in the ISA and BSA groups, respectively. In multivariable stepwise linear regression analysis, ethnicity accounted for 24.7% of the variance in early age onset.

Conclusion

Patients in the BSA and ISA groups experienced ischaemic stroke approximately 9 and 19 years earlier, respectively, than their WB counterparts. Ethnicity is an independent predictor of early age of stroke onset. Our study has considerable implications for public health policymakers in countries with sizable South Asian populations.
Creation of salpingopharyngeal fistulae for the management of guttural pouch tympany and persistent guttural pouch empyema
Authors: Barakzai Safia Z. , Macaulay Ewan , Burrows Imogen L.
Published: October 2022

Case 1, Guttural pouch tympany

An 8‐month‐old Arabian filly presented with a history of longstanding bilateral fluctuant parotid region swelling and acute onset dyspnoea, tachypnoea, inspiratory stridor and right mucopurulent nasal discharge. Endoscopy and drainage (mucopus from the right, air from the left) of the GPs resulted in temporary reduction in the bilateral parotid region swelling. Marked dyspnoea recurred 48 h later, with accompanying external GP distention. A diagnosis of bilateral (R > L) GP tympany with secondary guttural pouch empyema of the right GP was therefore made. An indwelling Foley catheter was positioned in the right GP, but the filly dislodged the catheter daily and after 5 days, surgery was performed.

Case 2, Persistent guttural pouch empyema

An 18‐year‐old pony gelding had chondroids found in the right GP 6 months previously and was diagnosed with a ‘strangles’ (Streptococcus equi var. equi) infection. Over subsequent months, multiple medical and surgical treatments were attempted but empyema kept recurring. After 6 months, it became difficult to introduce an endoscope into the right pouch, due to stenosis of the auditory tube. A laser salpingopharyngostomy procedure was recommended.

Both horses underwent endoscopically guided salpingopharyngeal fistulation in the midline dorsal nasopharyngeal recess using a diode laser under standing sedation after topical application of local anaesthetic. A fistula approximately 1.5 × 2 cm was created (Figure 1) and then the median septum between the left and right pouches was resected caudally with the laser creating a large fenestration between the two pouches. No complications of surgery occurred.

In Case 1, external GP distension resolved immediately following surgery. Re‐examination at 6 weeks post‐operatively showed continued patency of the fistula and resolution of secondary empyema. The foal remained asymptomatic thereafter until it was lost to follow‐up.

Case 2 had resolution of nasal discharge. A final follow‐up endoscopy 3 months post‐operatively revealed both pouches to be clear, and the salpingopharyngeal fistula to still be patent. Telephone follow‐up 6 months post‐surgery revealed that the pony had no recurrence of clinical signs.
Skin lightness affects ultraviolet A‐induced oxidative stress: Evaluation using ultraweak photon emission measurement
Authors: Tsuchida Katsuhiko , Sakiyama Natsuki , Ogura Yuki , Kobayashi Masaki
Published: October 2022

The human skin is usually exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) in the sunlight and experiences oxidative stress associated with skin disorders and aging. Although oxidative stress caused by UVA exposure is assumed to be dependent on skin colour, few studies have demonstrated this dependency. We investigated the effects of skin colour on UVA‐induced oxidative stress using ultraweak photon emission (UPE) generated from the skin during oxidation processes. The UPE intensities of skin samples were detected using a photomultiplier tube every second without any labelling. We irradiated skin tissue of different colours with UVA and measured UPE over time. UVA‐induced UPE could be detected from immediately after irradiation to 2 h after irradiation, indicating persistent oxidative stress. Skin lightness (L*) positively correlates with UPE intensity. Lighter‐coloured skin exhibited more UVA‐induced UPE, indicating higher oxidative stress. Additionally, oxidative stress persisted significantly more in lighter skin compared with darker skin. Skin tissues exhibited pigment darkening after UVA irradiation. Our results suggest that skin lightness affects oxidative stress induced by UV irradiation. Our study demonstrated the relationship between skin lightness and UVA‐induced oxidative stress for the first time and offers new photodermatological insights into the human skin.
A text matching model based on dynamic multi‐mask and augmented adversarial
Authors: Zhong Lin , Zeng Jun , Yu Yang , Tao Hongjin , Jiang Wenying , Cheng Luxi
Published: October 2022

The text matching is a basic task of NLP and is important for tasks such as text retrieval, question answering, and so forth. The development of pre‐trained language models has promoted the progress of text matching tasks. However, due to the natural particularity of Chinese characters and expressions, the Chinese text matching tasks still have problems such as word segmentation difficulty, serious semantic loss, and model instability. In this paper, we propose the DAINet model, which includes DMM, AA and IO modules. We use the Dynamic Multi‐Mask module (DMM) to enhance the completeness of word segmentation. Then we use the Augmented Adversarial module (AA) to further extraction of semantic information. Finally, we use the Integrated Output module (IO) for a more stable output. We conducted experiments on LCQMC, BQ and Xiaobu datasets and compared the results with seven strong baseline models. The results showed that DAINet model made great improvement, including improving ACC value of BQ dataset to , AUC value to , ACC value of LCQMC dataset to and AUC value to . The ACC value of Xiaobu dataset was improved to and the AUC value was improved to . Further ablation experiment results show that the proposed DMM, AA and IO modules have good adaptability and improvement over existing models.
Experimental study on the verification of adequate fatigue test specimen size of U‐rib‐to‐deck joints in orthotropic steel bridge decks
Authors: Yang Haibo
Published: October 2022

In this study, the distribution of residual stress of the substructure model and small coupon specimens in orthotropic steel bridge structures is experimentally and numerically investigated to validate adequate specimen sizes. Blind‐hole drilling and X‐ray diffraction methods are used to capture longitudinal and transverse residual stresses and evaluate the effects of the cutting process. The maximum LRS and TRS were reduced by 16.6% and 15.6% from those that existed before cutting, verifying the proper size of small voucher specimens. The width‐to‐thickness ratio of 6–6.25 of small coupon specimens has proven sufficient to capture the effects of stress triaxiality induced by the residual stress. In the spirit of master S‐N curves in ASME standard, the role of residual stress was represented in the fatigue process and does not be additionally taken into account when predicting the fatigue performances of welded structures using prediction methods based on the S‐N curves.
A warmer environment can reduce sociability in an ectotherm
Authors: Pilakouta Natalie , O'Donnell Patrick J. , Crespel Amélie , Levet Marie , Claireaux Marion , Humble Joseph L. , Kristjánsson Bjarni K. , Skúlason Skúli , Lindström Jan , Metcalfe Neil B. , Killen Shaun S. , Parsons Kevin J.
Published: October 2022

The costs and benefits of being social vary with environmental conditions, so individuals must weigh the balance between these trade‐offs in response to changes in the environment. Temperature is a salient environmental factor that may play a key role in altering the costs and benefits of sociality through its effects on food availability, predator abundance, and other ecological parameters. In ectotherms, changes in temperature also have direct effects on physiological traits linked to social behaviour, such as metabolic rate and locomotor performance. In light of climate change, it is therefore important to understand the potential effects of temperature on sociality. Here, we took the advantage of a ‘natural experiment’ of threespine sticklebacks from contrasting thermal environments in Iceland: geothermally warmed water bodies (warm habitats) and adjacent ambient‐temperature water bodies (cold habitats) that were either linked (sympatric) or physically distinct (allopatric). We first measured the sociability of wild‐caught adult fish from warm and cold habitats after acclimation to a low and a high temperature. At both acclimation temperatures, fish from the allopatric warm habitat were less social than those from the allopatric cold habitat, whereas fish from sympatric warm and cold habitats showed no differences in sociability. To determine whether differences in sociability between thermal habitats in the allopatric population were heritable, we used a common garden breeding design where individuals from the warm and the cold habitat were reared at a low or high temperature for two generations. We found that sociability was indeed heritable but also influenced by rearing temperature, suggesting that thermal conditions during early life can play an important role in influencing social behaviour in adulthood. By providing the first evidence for a causal effect of rearing temperature on social behaviour, our study provides novel insights into how a warming world may influence sociality in animal populations.
An automatic peak deconvolution method for Raman spectra of terrestrial carbonaceous material for application to the geothermometers of Kouketsu et al. (2014)
Authors: Kaneki Shunya , Kouketsu Yui
Published: October 2022

Carbonaceous material undergoes changes in its maturity mainly in response to its thermal history. Among the various geothermometers based on Raman spectra of carbonaceous material, those proposed by Kouketsu et al. (2014) have been employed to investigate the temperatures experienced by terrestrial rocks that undergo low‐ to medium‐grade metamorphism. Although their geothermometers use spectral parameters that can be determined only by peak deconvolution, criteria for setting the initial conditions for nonlinear least‐squares fitting have not been specified, which may generate unnecessary errors in the estimated temperatures owing to differences in fitting results among data analysts. To address this issue, we developed a code that automatically calculates the parameters required for the geothermometers of Kouketsu et al. (2014); that is, the widths of the D1‐ and D2‐bands. Our code yields parameter values consistent with those of Kouketsu et al. (2014) for the same Raman data and is applicable to datasets other than those used to develop it. The geothermometers based on the obtained results show a comparable performance to Kouketsu et al. (2014). Errors in the estimated temperatures caused by variation in Raman systems and the subjective selection of the fitting method are smaller than the uncertainties of the geothermometer itself, so long as the temperature is calculated by following the procedures of the present study. Although this study focused only on geothermometers that require peak deconvolution, the development of those based on fitting‐free Raman parameters and on the reaction kinetics of carbonaceous material should be investigated in future studies.
Advanced ceramics and coatings for erosion‐related applications in mineral and oil and gas production: A technical review
Authors: Medvedovski Eugene
Published: October 2022

The applications of advanced ceramics, composites and coatings in mineral, mining, fuel production, and processing are reviewed. The materials include oxide and non‐oxide ceramics (specifically SiC‐based), ceramic–ceramic, and ceramic–metal composites, coatings on metallic components where functional application properties can be achieved. Some principles of materials selection, specifically for erosion wear and corrosion applications, and manufacturing are considered. The examples of the successful development and processing of ceramics, coatings, and composites with manageable structures and phase compositions, in the erosion‐related applications, particularly conducted by the author, are discussed and reviewed. Specifically, industrially employed types of ceramics and processing routes were focused on the considered applications. Particular demands for advanced materials with high reliability and complex shapes or for protective coatings on complex shape steel components and long tubing with inner surface protection require novel and optimized processing. The factors affecting erosion and erosion–corrosion resistance and the paths for the erosion resistance enhancement of ceramic and coating materials are considered. Ceramic components design, technology, and installation features are reviewed.
Therapeutic regulation of complement activation in extracorporeal circuits and intravascular treatments with special reference to the alternative pathway amplification loop
Authors: Ekdahl Kristina N. , Fromell Karin , Mannes Marco , Grinnemo Karl‐Henrik , Huber‐Lang Markus , Teramura Yuji , Nilsson Bo
Published: October 2022

A number of clinical treatment modalities involve contact between blood and biomaterials: these include extracorporeal circuits such as hemodialysis, cardiopulmonary bypass, plasmapheresis, and intravascular treatments. Common side effects arising from these treatments are caused by activation of the cascade systems of the blood. Many of these side effects are mediated via the complement system, including thromboinflammatory reactions and rejection of implants. Depending on the composition of the materials, complement activation is triggered via all the activation pathways but is by far mostly driven by the alternative pathway amplification loop. On biomaterial surfaces the alternative pathway amplification is totally unregulated and leads under optimal conditions to deposition of complement fragments, mostly C3b, on the surface leading to a total masking of the underlying surface. In this review, we discuss the mechanism of the complement activation, clinical consequences of the activation, and potential strategies for therapeutic regulation of the activation, using hemodialysis as demonstrator.
A Bootstrap Variance Procedure for the Generalised Regression Estimator
Authors: Stefan Marius , Hidiroglou Michael A.
Published: October 2022

The generalised regression estimator (GREG) uses auxiliary data that are available from the finite population to improve the efficiency of the estimator of a total (mean). Estimators of the variance of GREG that have been proposed in the sampling literature include those based on Taylor linearisation and the jackknife techniques. Approximations based on Taylor expansions are reasonable for large samples. However, when the sample size is small, the Taylor‐based variance estimator has a large negative bias. The jackknife variance estimators overestimate the variance of GREG for small sample sizes. We offset these setbacks using a bootstrap procedure for estimating the variance of the GREG. The method uses a bootstrap population constructed with the model underlying the GREG estimator. Repeated samples are selected in the bootstrap population according to the design used to select the initial sample, and the variability associated with these bootstrap samples is used to compute the proposed bootstrap variance estimator. Simulations show that the new bootstrap estimator has a small bias for samples that have few observations.
Selective separation and crystal characterization of RE‐phases from RE‐bearing slag systems: Calcium cerite and cefluosil
Authors: Lan Xi , Gao Jintao , Xue Kairong , Guo Zhancheng
Published: October 2022

The industrial RE‐bearing (rare‐earth‐bearing) slag has a considerable concentration of rare‐earth elements (REEs), so the recovery of REEs resources from these systems has attracted widespread attention. However, the basic data of RE phases is seriously lacked and divergent, which greatly limits the efficient utilization. In this study, in situ separation of RE phases from RE‐bearing slag systems was conducted via super gravity, and the high‐purity crystals of calcium cerite (CaO: 13.53 wt.%, SiO2: 26.02 wt.%, Ce2O3: 65.45 wt.%) and cefluosil (CaO: 14.67 wt.%, SiO2: 22.14 wt.%, CaF2: 2.64 wt.%, Ce2O3: 67.23 wt.%) were selectively separated from the CaO–SiO2–Ce2O3 and CaO–SiO2–CaF2–Ce2O3 systems with the high REEs recovery percentages of 96.10% and 98.23%, respectively. Based on the characterization of high‐purity calcium cerite and cefluosil crystals, the chemical formula, crystal structure, and Rietveld refinement were characterized, and the data has been assigned the deposition numbers of 2130965 and 2142394 in CCDC database. This study supplements the lack of basic data of RE crystals and provides theoretical reference and guidance for the utilization of RE‐bearing slag systems.
Exploring the impact of the COVID‐19 environment on nursing delivery of family‐centred care in a paediatric hospital
Authors: O'Neill Jenny , Devsam Bianca , Kinney Sharon , Hawley Meaghan , Richards Stacey , Newall Fiona
Published: October 2022

Aims and objectives

To understand how the pandemic environment impacted the delivery of FCC of children and families from a nursing perspective in a major tertiary paediatric hospital.

Background

Family‐centred care (FCC) is a well‐established framework to promote parental involvement in every aspect of a child's hospitalization, however, rules and restrictions in place during the COVID‐19 pandemic affected the ways in which Family‐centred Care could be delivered in practice.

Design

This is a qualitative exploratory descriptive study to elicit the perspective of paediatric nurses delivering care to children in a hospital during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Victoria, Australia.

Methods

Nurses from all subspecialties in a tertiary paediatric hospital were invited to participate in virtual focus groups to discuss their experience of delivering FCC during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed, then analysed using Framework Analysis.

Results

Nineteen nurses participated across seven focus groups during June and July 2020. The four themes—Advocating with empathy, Enabling communication, Responding with flexibility, and Balancing competing considerations—and the eight subthemes that were generated, outline how nurses deliver FCC, and how these FCC actions were impacted by the COVID‐19 environment and the related hospital restrictions.

Conclusion

This study documents the experiences, resilience and resourcefulness of paediatric nurses in Australia during the COVID‐19 pandemic as well as moving Family‐centred Care from a theoretical framework into a practical reality.

Impact

The findings from this study should inform consideration of the impacts of public health policies during infectious disease outbreaks moving forward. In addition by describing the core actions of Family‐centred Care, this study has implications for educational interventions on how to translate FCC theory into practice.

No public or patient contribution as this study explored nursing perceptions only.
Impact of redo ablation for atrial fibrillation on patient‐reported outcomes and quality of life
Authors: Farwati Medhat , Amin Mustapha , Saliba Walid I. , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Tarakji Khaldoun G. , Diab Mohamed , Scandinaro Anna , Madden Ruth , Bouscher Patricia , Kuroda Shunsuke , Kanj Mohamed , Dresing Thomas J. , Callahan Thomas D. , Bhargava Mandeep , Sroubek Jakub , Baranowski Bryan , Rickard John , Cantillon Daniel J. , Tchou Patrick J. , Wazni Oussama M. , Hussein Ayman A.
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is frequently used for the purpose of rhythm control and improved quality of life (QoL). Although success rates are high, a significant proportion of patients require redo ablation. Data are scarce on patient‐centered outcomes and QoL in patients undergoing redo AF ablation. We aimed to assess QoL and clinical outcomes using a large prospectively maintained patient‐reported outcomes (PRO) registry.

Methods

All patients undergoing redo AF ablation (2013–2016) at our center were enrolled in a prospective registry for outcomes and assessed for QoL using automated PRO surveys (baseline, 3 and 6 months after ablation, every 6 months thereafter). Data were collected over 3 years of follow‐up. The atrial fibrillation symptom severity scale (AFSSS) was used as the main measure for QoL. Additional variables included patient‐reported improvement, AF burden, and AF‐related healthcare utilization including emergency room (ER) visits and hospitalizations.

Results

A total of 848 patients were included (28% females, mean age 63.8, 51% persistent AF). By automated PRO, significant improvement in QoL was noted (baseline median AFSSS of 12 [5–18] and ranged between 2 and 4 on subsequent assessments; p < .0001), with ≥70%of patients reported remarkable improvement in their AF‐related symptoms. The proportion of patients in AF at the time of baseline survey was 36%, and this decreased to <8% across all time points during follow‐up (p < .0001). AF burden was significantly reduced (including frequency and duration of episodes; p < .0001), with an associated decrease in healthcare utilization after 6 months from the time of ablation (including ER visits and hospitalizations; p < .0001). The proportion of patients on anticoagulants or antiarrhythmics decreased on follow‐up across all time points (p < .0001 for all variables).

Conclusion

Most patients derive significant QoL benefit from redo AF ablation; with reduction of both AF burden and healthcare utilization.
Effect of concomitant Renal DeNervation and cardiac ablation on Atrial Fibrillation recurrence – RDN+AF study
Authors: Kirstein Bettina , Tomala Jakub , Mayer Julia , Ulbrich Stefan , Wagner Michael , Pu Liying , Piorkowski Judith , Hankel Anastasia , Huo Yan , Gaspar Thomas , Richter Utz , Hindricks Gerhard , Piorkowski Christopher
Published: October 2022

Background

Renal denervation (RDN) can reduce cardiac sympathetic activity maintained by arterial hypertension (aHT). Its potential antiarrhythmic effect on rhythm outcome in patients with multi‐drug resistant aHT undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear.

Methods

The RDN+AF study was a prospective, randomized, two‐center trial. Patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF and uncontrolled aHT (mean systolic 24‐h ambulatory BP > 135 mmHg) despite taking at least three antihypertensive drugs were enrolled. Patients were 1:2 randomized to either RDN+AF ablation or AF‐only ablation. Primary endpoint was freedom from any AF episode > 2 min at 12 months assessed by implantable loop recorder (ILR) or 7d‐holter electrocardiogram. Secondary endpoints included rhythm outcome at 24 months, blood pressure control, periprocedural complications, and renovascular safety.

Results

The study randomized 61 patients (mean age 65 ± 9 years, 53% men). At 12 months, RDN+AF patients tended to have a greater decrease in ambulatory BPs but did not reach statistical significance. No differences in rhythm outcome were observed. Freedom from AF recurrence in the RDN+AF and AF‐only group measured 61% versus 53% p = .622 at 12 months and 39% versus 47% p = .927 at 24 months, respectively. Periprocedural complications occurred in 9/61 patients (15%). No patient died.

Conclusion

Among patients with multidrug‐resistant aHT and paroxysmal or persistent AF, concomitant RDN+AF ablation was not associated with better blood pressure control or rhythm outcome in comparison to AF‐only ablation and medical therapy.
Quality of life measurement in vitiligo. Position statement of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Force on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes with external experts
Authors: Chernyshov Pavel V. , Tomas‐Aragones Lucia , Manolache Liana , Pustisek Nives , Salavastru Carmen Maria , Marron Servando E. , Bewley Anthony , Svensson Ake , Poot Françoise , Suru Alina , Salek Sam S. , Augustin Matthias , Szepietowski Jacek С. , Koumaki Dimitra , Katoulis Alexander C. , Sampogna Francesca , Abeni Damiano , Linder Dennis Michael , Speeckaert Reinhart , van Geel Nanja , Seneschal Julien , Ezzedine Khaled , Finlay Andrew Y.
Published: October 2022

Members of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Task Force on Quality of Life (QoL) and Patient Oriented Outcomes reviewed the instruments available for health‐related (HR) QoL assessment in vitiligo and together with external vitiligo experts (including representatives of the EADV Vitiligo Task Force) have made practical recommendations concerning the assessment of QoL in vitiligo patients. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was the most frequently used HRQoL instrument, making comparison of results between different countries possible. Several vitiligo‐specific instruments were identified. The vitiligo Impact Scale (VIS) is an extensively validated vitiligo‐specific HRQoL instrument with proposed minimal important change and clinical interpretation for VIS‐22 scores. VIS‐22 was developed for use in India, where there are some specific cultural beliefs concerning vitiligo. The EADV Task Force on QoL and Patient Oriented Outcomes recommends use of the DLQI and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) as dermatology‐specific instruments in vitiligo. There is a strong need for a valid (including cross‐cultural validation) vitiligo‐specific instrument that can be either a new instrument or the improvement of existing instruments. This validation must include the proof of responsiveness.