bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preclinical Study of a Biparatopic METxMET Antibody–Drug Conjugate, REGN5093-M114, Overcomes MET-driven Acquired Resistance to EGFR TKIs in EGFR-mutant NSCLC
Authors: Oh Seung Yeon , Lee You Won , Lee Eun Ji , Kim Jae Hwan , Park YoungJoon , Heo Seong Gu , Yu Mi Ra , Hong Min Hee , DaSilva John , Daly Christopher , Cho Byoung Chul , Lim Sun Min , Yun Mi Ran
Published: October 2022

Purpose:

MET amplification is a frequent mechanism of resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in patients with EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and combined treatment with EGFR TKIs and MET TKIs has been explored as a strategy to overcome resistance. However, durable response is invariably limited by the emergence of acquired resistance. Here, we investigated the preclinical activity of REGN5093-M114, a novel antibody–drug conjugate targeting MET in MET-driven patient-derived models.

Experimental Design:

Patient-derived organoids, patient-derived cells, or ATCC cell lines were used to investigate the in vitro/in vivo activity of REGN5093-M114.

Results:

REGN5093-M114 exhibited significant antitumor efficacy compared with MET TKI or unconjugated METxMET biparatopic antibody (REGN5093). Regardless of MET gene copy number, MET-overexpressed TKI-naïve EGFR-mutant NSCLC cells responded to REGN5093-M114 treatment. Cell surface MET expression had the most predictive power in determining the efficacy of REGN5093-M114. REGN5093-M114 potently reduced tumor growth of EGFR-mutant NSCLC with PTEN loss or MET Y1230C mutation after progression on prior osimertinib and savolitinib treatment.

Conclusions:

Altogether, REGN5093-M114 is a promising candidate to overcome the challenges facing functional MET pathway blockade.
ONCOS-102: A Step Forward or Sideways?
Authors: Levi Shoshana T. , Boland Genevieve M.
Published: October 2022

Treatment of anti–PD-1 refractory melanoma remains a challenge. Intratumoral injection of ONCOS-102, a chimeric oncolytic adenovirus expressing GMCSF, into anti–PD-1–resistant melanoma with administration of pembrolizumab was safe and effective. Response to therapy was associated with increased lymphocyte infiltration and expression of cytotoxicity and costimulatory genes.

See related article by Shoushtari et al., p. 100
Idiopathic Retroperitoneal Fibrosis: What Is the Optimal Clinical Approach for Long-Term Preservation of Renal Function?
Authors: Giannese Domenico , Moriconi Diego , Cupisti Adamasco , Zucchi Alessandro , Pastore Antonio Luigi , Simonato Alchiede , Mogorovich Andrea , Claps Francesco , Bartoletti Riccardo
Published: October 2022

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of ureteral stenting and the exact timing of stent removal in favor of surgery in patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF). Summary: Medline research terms of “idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis” AND “ medical therapy” OR “ureteral stenting” OR “surgical treatment” were done. Systematic reviews and observational and clinical studies were analyzed to obtain indication regarding the objective of the study for a narrative review. Ninety-two papers were analyzed. The treatment of IRF includes the monitoring of retroperitoneal fibrotic process spread and the prevention of abdominal organs entrapment. Treatment of ureteral obstruction includes medical therapy and ureteral stenting (US) or percutaneous nephrostomy (PNS) to overcome the worsening of renal function. Up to now, the timing of US or PNS removal is not yet clear, both for the complexity of evaluating the efficacy of the medical therapy and demonstrating the resolution of obstructive nephropathy. Moreover, it is not yet clear if the long-term ureteral stent placement or PNS is able to maintain an efficient renal function. Ureterolysis with a laparoscopic robot-assisted approach is now considered as an ultimate treatment for ureteral obstruction, limiting the progression of kidney impairment and improving the quality of life of patients, although nephrologists are generally abdicant regarding the potential switch toward the surgical approach. Key Messages: Prospective studies regarding the long-term effects of US on the renal function impairment in patients with IRF should be structured to obtain adequate information on the exact timing for the surgical approach.
Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as Prognostic Factors in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Duque-Santana Victor , López-Campos Fernando , Martin-Martin Margarita , Valero Mireia , Zafra-Martín Juan , Couñago Felipe , Sancho Sonsoles
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The standard therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is based on neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) with fluoropyrimidines. There are different biomarkers used as prognostic factors in these tumors. Some studies advocate the use of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as prognostic factors in this clinical scenario. The aim of the study was to evaluate NLR and PLR as prognostic factors of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) and as predictive factors of pathologic complete response (pCR) using Ryan tumor regression scoring system on surgical specimens, in patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma who received nCRT and radical surgery. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (T3-T4, N1-N3, M0 according to the TNM classification, AJCC 8th edition) who received nCRT based on fluoropyrimidines and radical surgery. Complete blood cell count before nCRT was obtained to calculate NLR and PLR. We made subgroups of patients according to NLR and PLR. We obtained the cut-off point for these ratios based on receiver operating characteristic analysis. We analyzed OS and DFS using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models. The relationships between NLR/PLR and pCR, along with other clinical-pathological characteristics, were evaluated by Pearson’s χ2 or Fisher’s exact test as appropriate. Multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazard regression models. Results: Between February 2012 and February 2017, 100 consecutive patients were treated according to the reported schedules. Median age was 76 years (68–83). All patients received radiotherapy up to 50.4 Gy and 5-FU-based chemotherapy. 100% completed nCRT and surgery, 38% had elevated basal NLR (cut-off >1.95), and 50% had elevated basal PLR (cut-off >133). After a median follow-up of 72 months (55–88), a lower DFS was obtained in the high NLR subgroup (log-rank, Mantel-Cox 5.165, p = 0.023) and in the high PLR subgroup (log-rank, Mantel-Cox 13.971, p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that PLR (p = 0.006) was a strong significant predictor of DFS. A lower OS was observed in the high NLR and PLR subgroup without significant differences (log-rank, Mantel-Cox 1.245, p = 0.265; 0.578, p = 0.447). No significant differences were obtained in any of the subgroup analysis regarding pCR rates. Conclusion: In light of our results, both NLR and PLR could be considered prognostic factors for DFS in patients with LARC that receive treatment with nCRT followed by surgery.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis: Ein aktualisierter Überblick zu Diagnose, Krankheitsüberwachung und Management
Authors: Nguyen Christopher N. , Kim Soo-Jung
Published: October 2022

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), Morbus Duhring, wird durch Glutensensitivität verursacht und betrifft 11,2 bis 75,3 pro 100 000 Menschen in den Vereinigten Staaten und Europa mit einer Inzidenz von 0,4 bis 3,5 pro 100 000 Menschen pro Jahr. DH zeichnet sich durch einen symmetrischen Blasenausschlag auf den Streckflächen mit starkem Juckreiz aus. Die Diagnose wird weiterhin primär durch pathognomonische Befunde der Histopathologie, insbesondere der direkten Immunfluoreszenz (DIF), gestellt. In jüngster Zeit haben sich Antikörper gegen epidermale Transglutaminase (TG3) als primäre diagnostische Serologie erwiesen, während Anti-Gewebstransglutaminase (TG2) und andere Autoantikörper zur Unterstützung der Diagnose und zur Krankheitsüberwachung verwendet werden können. Neu diagnostizierte Patienten mit DH sollten auf Begleiterkrankungen und Komplikationen untersucht und beurteilt werden. Eine glutenfreie Diät (GFD) und Dapson sind nach wie vor die Hauptpfeiler der Behandlung, aber bei hartnäckigen Fällen können andere Medikamente erforderlich sein. Gut kontrollierte DH-Patienten, die von einem Dermatologen, einem Gastroenterologen und einem Ernährungsberater betreut werden, haben eine hervorragende Prognose. Unsere Übersichtsarbeit beschreibt umfassend die aktuellen diagnostischen Methoden sowie Methoden zur Überwachung des Krankheitsverlaufs. Wir beschreiben zudem sowohl die traditionellen als auch die neuartigen Optionen für die Krankheitsbehandlung, die in der Literatur beschrieben werden.
Eribulin in Patients with Liposarcoma and Leiomyosarcoma: A Retrospective Single-Center Experience
Authors: Steinbrecher Oskar , Brodowicz Thomas , Raderer Markus , Scharrer Anke , Fabsits Johannes , Lamm Wolfgang
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Soft tissue sarcomas are rare and heterogenous malignancies with a poor prognosis in advanced disease stages. Eribulin is used in metastatic liposarcoma (LPS) patients, who have failed first-line chemotherapy and has been approved for use in patients with LPS in the USA and Europe due to its efficacy in this histological subtype in a phase 3 trial. We have evaluated efficacy and tolerability of eribulin in LPS and leiomyosarcoma (LMS) patients in the routine clinical setting at our department. Methods: In this retrospective single-center analysis, efficacy and safety of eribulin were retrospectively evaluated in advanced LPS and LMS patients at the Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna. Results: A total of 32 adult patients treated with eribulin were identified and included in this analysis. Overall response rate was 9.4% for all patients, with one patient with LPS and two patients with LMS showing a partial response. Disease control rate (partial response plus stable disease) for all patients was 50% (LPS: 47.1%; LMS 53.3%). No statistically significant difference in median progression-free survival and overall survival was detected between patients with LPS and LMS (p = 0.807 and p = 0.519, respectively). Patients with LMS (n = 2) had received fewer previous therapy lines than patients with LPS (n = 14) (≤ previous treatment lines, p < 0.001). Toxicity was generally manageable, and grade 3 + 4 events were rare. Conclusion: The activity and tolerability of eribulin in LPS as in well in LMS patients in the routine clinical setting is comparable to outcomes reported in published phase 3 trials.
The low-cost remote steering control using the dc motor with feedback position
Authors: Chalardsakul Tanawat , Sukontanakarn Viroch , Piriyasilpa Chotnarin
Published: October 2022

The research proposed the design and installation of the DC motor with a feedback position used to control the steering direction of a rice-planting machine here will be converted into driverless robots. The MATLAB/Simulink software is used to simulate and measure signal drive from the servo controller board to obtain results that can be used to drive BTS 7960 motor driver module for the DC motor with feedback position. The SkyDroid T10 is used to remote control of steering direction of rice-planting machines and the mechanism to drive all robots. The results of test results of the robot spraying chemicals in rice fields were excellent. The operator can remotely control the robot through the camera from the mobile phone. The chemicals can be sprayed quickly, and the chemicals are distributed evenly and evenly into the ground.
A proposed method for reduction of induced zero-sequence current in cable system
Authors: Salem Shimaa Abdel-Raouf , Eiada Rabab Reda , Badran Ebrahim Abdel-Ghafar
Published: October 2022

Zero-sequence circulating currents are particularly problematic because they can occasionally lead to protective relay failure. However, it is not usually understood that systems with numerous cables strung along the same path will produce zero-sequence currents. In this paper, the operation of parallel connections of single core underground cables is examined. The examination is based on power cables arrangement operating in parallel two-circuit with and without the transmission grid. It was found that symmetrical cable arrangement might significantly lower zero-sequence currents in a twin-circuit. On the other hand, the largest value of the zero sequence currents at asymmetrical configuration. To provide an effective method about reduction of zero sequence current induced in a cable system, several connection scenarios such as the transposition of the cable and sheath and the application of sheath cross bonding are examined. Therefore, in this paper, this phenomenon will be analyzed and discussed. ATPDraw is used to simulate and analysis this kind of study. Also, the effect of sheath transposition is explained and analyzed.
Providing a control method of BTB-VSC Converters under unbalanced faults
Authors: Abbasi Mostafa , Nafar Mehdi , Simab Mohsen
Published: October 2022

Microgrids need control strategies to achieve maximum performance. An appropriate control strategy should have high performance in unbalanced conditions in addition to normal conditions. Today, the use of microgrids, with a variety of power sources, including solar, wind, diesel, energy storage sources to increase the capability of distribution grid has made significant progress. However, controlling and managing their energy in the event of a fault is a challenge that researchers are faced. In this article, two microgrids connected to the grid are studied using a back-to-back (BTB)-voltage source converters (VSC) converter. The results of this research showed that by the usage of above-mentioned convertor first, with power management between microgrids the frequency remains constant in island mode second, they are isolated from each other in terms of faults. The results showed that the use of the proposed method controlled the frequency of two microgrids simultaneously.
Autonomous power sharing for AC/DC HMGS using decentralized modified droop method for interlinking converter
Authors: Razzaq Syed Abdul , Jayasankar Vairavasamy
Published: October 2022

The present trend of integrating renewable energy sources (RES) in AC/DC hybrid micro grid systems (HMGS) has certainly reduced the greenhouse gases and provides the variety of power sources for micro grid (MG). Interlinking converter (ILC) is the main converter for interconnecting AC/DC sub-grids with a variety of features like autonomous bidirectional power sharing, reducing the power conversions in the grid and additionally a featuring aspect for energy management system (EMS). Interlinking converters are desired to maintain stable frequency, constant voltages at buses, reduce the power losses, reduce switching losses and control on circulating currents, most of the control methods could not achieve all. In this paper, the decentralized modified droop control method is presented which is significant in meeting the autonomous bidirectional AC/DC power load demand and in achieving the desired features. A three coordinated model is proposed where AC frequency, ILC power and DC voltage are the corresponding axis. The power sharing through the ILC is dependent on the AC frequency droop and DC voltage droop which occurs due to overloading. This control scheme is compatible for interconnection with multi-port grids. This control schemes provide more reliable, stable and accurate results compare to conventional droop methods.
Distributed power flow controller based on fuzzy-logic controller for solar-wind energy hybrid system
Authors: Sree Vemuri Sowmya , Rao Coppisetty Srinivasa
Published: October 2022

The demand of electricity globally led to the concept of renewable energy resources for power generation that are eco-friendly and freely available from nature. The solar photovoltaic systems and wind-based power generators are considered as primary renewable resources and are called as Distributed Generation units as they are scattered in nature. These are operated with bidirectional converters by providing auxiliary services at grid side and load side in either mode of microgrid operation. Besides, the DC power generation units’ integration gets converted into AC system by means of inverters.  These types of systems not only increase voltage and current harmonics, power frequency deviations but also drive the distribution system to risky operating zone. This emphasizes the stipulation of advanced control schemes for microgrid architecture. Consequently, power electronic converters introduce harmonics in the system and affect the system performance. To report these expanded issues, the authors recognized an advanced custom power device entitled distributed power flow controller. The proposed hybrid solar-wind energy system is first studied with a distributed power-flow controller. Later the system is examined by replacing proportional integral controller with fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for shunt control of distributed power-flow controller. To validate the investigations, MATLAB/Simulink software is used.
LCL-filter design and analysis for PWM recuperating system used in DC traction power substation
Authors: Sabran Najwatul Alisa , Toh Chuen Ling , Tan Chee Wei
Published: October 2022

Voltage source inverter (VSI) had been used in dc traction power substation to deliver the trains braking energy back to the utility grid. To mitigate low order harmonics components, pulse-width-modulation (PWM) technique is commonly used in VSI controlled. As a result, the ac voltage and current waveforms may contain high frequency ripples. This paper proposes to mitigate the high frequency harmonics using LCL-filter with series R-damper. This filter offers good attenuation on harmonics with smaller size compare to other passive filter topologies. Theoretical analysis and simulation verification are conducted in designing the proposed filter. System level simulation had also been carried out. Sinusoidal grid current and voltage waveforms are recorded (THD<2%). This paper also includes damping losses analysis in conjunction with resonance peak suppression in designing the R-damper.
A novel multilevel inverter with reduced components and minimized voltage unbalance
Authors: Kumar Ravi Ranjan , Choudhary Jayanti
Published: October 2022

Multilevel inverters are an emerging area of research in the field of power electronic circuits and applications. It has many advantages like near-sinusoidal output voltage, lower total harmonic distortion (THD), reduced dv/dt stress, lower peak inverse voltage (PIV) and so on. But there are some associated problems as well such as cost, size complexity, and capacitor unbalance voltage. Here a novel nine level inverter topology has been proposed which addresses the issue of high no of switching and capacitor voltage unbalance. The proposed system has numerous advantages. The cost, size and complexity are reduced and the voltage unbalance problem is solved. The voltage stress across the switches is also reduced. The power loss distribution among the switches is optimum. So, the efficiency of the system is improved. Hence the overall system performance is improved. The system performs well for varying load like resistive, inductive as well as motor load. The stator voltage speed control of a single-phase induction motor has also successfully been achieved. The pulse width modulation PWM technique has been used for producing the switching pulses. The complete simulation analysis of these systems has been realized using MATLAB software. A comparative analysis of this system with the recently proposed systems has been done which shows significant advantages in all the above mention areas.
Assessment of renewable energy sources to generate electricity for remote areas, South Iraq
Authors: Kother Ali Hadi , Jawad Zaidoon Waleed AL-Shammari Waleed , Kother Safaa , Taha Ihsan Ahmed , Almukhtar Hussam , Mokhzaini Azizan Muhammad , Rahman Ahmad Shukri Fazil , Hasikin Khairunnisa
Published: October 2022

With the rising need for utilizing renewable energy instead of traditional energies in electricity generation across the world, a broad assessment of these energies' performance is required to make the most of them everywhere. This paper looks at the techno-economics of renewable energy resources for a distant health clinic in a rural location of southern Iraq. Cost, dependability, and availability are the parameters that were considered in this study, which took into consider the power load in this scenario. Because of its efficacy, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique was chosen for the suggested study. Results showed that the respective optimal values for number of photovoltaics (NPV) equal to (10), number of wind turbines (NWT) equal to (5), and number of batteries (NBT) of (33), cost of energy (COE) of (0.518 US$/kWh), loss power supply probability (LPSP) of (0.073%), reliability (REL) of (99.927%) and renewable factors (RF) of (100%) with (66 %) solar energy penetration, and (34%) wind energy penetration. Finally, it was discovered that implementing a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) is an effective way to address the electrical demands of remote rural regions in Iraq and other developing countries with similar climates.
An efficient MPPT based photovoltaic control model considering environmental parameters
Authors: Zeynal Hossein , Zakaria Zuhaina , Pourveis Bahareh
Published: October 2022

This paper presents an efficient way for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in photovoltaic (PV) system. MPPT is one of the crucial issues when working with PV system as well as the grid.  To gain the highest efficiency for PV system the maximum power has to be generated continuously. The proposed MPPT method allows PV system to have real-time maximum power all the time with high accuracy and less fluctuations. As of the developed PV system control model presented in this work, an efficient MPP can be realized taking into account changes in irradiation level and temperature which are the thorny issues for other contender algorithms. To validate the model, results obtained from the proposed algorithm is compared with incremental conductance (IC) which is a universally accepted MPPT method. The simulation results exhibited that the developed model outperforms IC method in terms of accuracy of MPP and stability of the output in presence of variable irradiations and temperature. Based on the simulation results, the proposed algorithm is suitable for practical and real-time applications with promising results in terms of solution accuracy and execution. The model is implemented in MATLAB/Simulink.
Computation of maximum power point tracking of PV module using modified Newton Raphson technique
Authors: Behera Siddhartha , Sahu Manoj kumar , Hazra Twinkle , Behera Rabindra , Swain Sunila Kumar , Sahu Itishree , Parida Sritam , Swain Sarat Kumar
Published: October 2022

The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) has been a popular terminology among those researchers who deal with one of the most available renewable energy resources called solar power. Many researchers have evolved and proposed a lot of techniques for tracking maximum power. But each technique has its pros and cons. Some techniques suffer from complexity as far as implementation is concerned, whereas other techniques lack accuracy. In current research work, it has been investigated the MPPT using Newton Raphson (NR) method, which has not yet received a good attention by researchers. After observing its limitation, this method is modified (i.e., abbreviated as modified Newton Raphson method (MNRM)) to make it suitable for extracting the maximum power from PV module. The feasibility and precision of this method depends upon accurate measurement of temperature and irradiation. By using MNRM, the presumption of initial value is close to the voltage corresponding to maximum power, so it leads faster converging to solution through a few rounds of iterations. In order to validate it, a MATLAB/Simulink model is developed and simulated. The proposed method is incorporated in PV module-fed buck converter so as to explore superior performance.
Design variable structure fuzzy control based on deep neural network model for servomechanism drive system
Authors: Shamseldin Mohamed A. , Bassiuny Abdel Halim M. , Ghany Abdel Ghany M. Abdel
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a new scheme for variable structure (VS) fuzzy PD controller. The rule base of the fuzzy PD controller is tuned online. The purpose of the proposed controller is to track accurately a preselected position command for the servomechanism system. Therefore, this study establishes a model using a black-box modeling approach; simulations were performed based on real-time data collected by LabVIEW and processed using MATLAB. The input signal for the servomechanism driver is a pseudo-random binary sequence that considers violent excitation in the frequency interval. The candidate models were obtained using linear least squares, nonlinear least squares, and deep neural network (DNN). The validation results proved that the identified model based on DNN has the smallest mean square errors. Then, the DNN identified model was used to design the proposed control techniques. A comparison had been executed between the VS fuzzy PD control, the conventional PD control, and the fixed structure fuzzy PD control. The experimental results confirm the proposed VS fuzzy PD control can absorb the nonlinear behavior of the system. The speed regulation test, it reduces the rise time from 50% to 56%. While continuously changing in speed, it has the smallest tracking error (0.412 inches).
The Music of Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Schuller Jan C. , Göhle Ulf Henrik
Published: October 2022

The variability of the heart rate reflects the regulatory status of the autonomous nervous system. For analytic purposes accessible to laypersons, the authors developed methods to transform heart rate variability into acoustical information, through either direct sound synthesis or the production of MIDI files (musical instrument digital interface) to trigger other devices. The authors describe the methods and some results and discuss applications for analytical and artistic purposes, such as music composition and biofeedback. The resulting “music” is complex and rhythmic and often has unexpected and interesting implied harmony.
Evolution of Convective Energy and Inhibition before Instances of Large CAPE
Authors: Tuckman Philip , Agard Vince , Emanuel Kerry
Published: October 2022

We analyze the evolution of convective available potential energy (CAPE) and convective inhibition (CIN) in the days leading up to episodes of high CAPE in North America. The widely accepted theory for CAPE buildup, known as the advection hypothesis, states that high moist static energy (MSE) parcels of air moving north from the Gulf of Mexico become trapped under warm but dry parcels moving east from over elevated dry terrain. If and when the resulting CIN erodes, severe convection can occur due to the large energy difference between the boundary layer parcels and cool air aloft. However, our results, obtained via backward Lagrangian tracking of parcels at locations of peak CAPE, show that large values of CAPE are generated mainly via boundary layer moistening in the days leading up to the time of peak CAPE, and that a large portion of this moisture buildup happens on the day of peak CAPE. On the other hand, the free-tropospheric temperature above these tracked parcels rarely changes significantly over the days leading up to such occurrences. In addition, the CIN that allows for this buildup of CAPE arises mostly from unusually strong boundary layer cooling the night before peak CAPE, and has a contribution from differential advection of unusually warm air above the boundary layer to form a capping inversion. These results have important implications for the climatology of severe convective events, as it emphasizes the role of surface properties and their gradients in the frequency and intensity of high CAPE occurrences.

Significance Statement

Severe convective events, such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hail storms, are among the most deadly and destructive weather systems. Although forecasters are quite good at predicting the probability of these events a few days in advance, there is currently no reliable seasonal prediction method of severe convection. We show that the buildup of energy for severe convection relies on both strong surface evaporation during the day of peak energy and anomalous cooling the night before. This progress represents a step toward understanding what controls the frequency of severe convective events on seasonal and longer time scales, including the effect of greenhouse gas–induced climate change.
Role of C-Reactive Protein, White Blood Cell Counts, and Serum Glucose Levels as Early Predictors of Infectious Complications After Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Park Byung-Soo , Cho Sung Hwan , Lee Si Hak , Son Gyung Mo , Kim Hyun Sung
Published: October 2022

Background

The early detection of infectious complications of colorectal surgery leads to better patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess the role of C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and serum glucose in the early prediction of infectious complications of laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Methods

Patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery were included and stratified into two groups: infectious complication (IC) or no infectious complication (non-IC). Serum levels were measured on postoperative days (PODs) 2 and 4.

Results

Analysis of 224 patients (IC group: 27, Non-IC group: 197) revealed higher CRP levels in IC group on POD 2 ( P = .001). On POD 4, CRP levels and WBC counts were higher in IC group ( P<.001, P = .011, respectively). The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) for CRP on PODs 2 and 4 were .743 and .907, respectively, and for WBC on POD 4 was .687. The cut-offs of CRP on PODs 2 and 4 were 156.2 mg/L and 91.3 mg/L, respectively; the cut-off of WBC was 7,220 cells/mm3. Sensitivity of CRP level ≥91.3 mg/L or WBC count ≥7,220 cells/mm3 was 96.3%; (cf. 88.9% for CRP alone), and specificity of CRP level ≥91.3 mg/L and WBC count ≥7,220 cells/mm3 was 93.4% (cf. 82.2% for CRP alone).

Discussion

The CRP level on postoperative day (POD) 2 and the combined CRP and WBC on POD 4 were meaningful in predicting infectious complications after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. However, serum glucose levels had a low predictive value for infectious complications.
RxLegal: Emergency Use Authorizations
Authors: Gabay Michael , Vora Niam
Published: October 2022

Emergency use authorizations (EUAs) are a mechanism to allow for the availability and use of medical products during a public health emergency. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of products have been authorized for use under an EUA. This has led to legal issues—most prominently, the legality of vaccine mandates. Language within the statute that created the EUA pathway has been subject to varying interpretations that could refuse or allow the implementation of EUA vaccine mandates and suits have been filed against organizations that have established vaccine mandates as a term of continued employment.
False negotiations and the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban
Authors: Ibrahimi S Yaqub
Published: October 2022

This paper examines the dark side of Afghanistan’s peace negotiations that started under Donald Trump’s South Asia policy in Doha, Qatar, in September 2018 and ended, without a meaningful success, in December 2020. The paper examines both the United States–Taliban and the intra-Afghan negotiations and discusses the impact of the false negotiation behaviour by the Taliban and the Afghan government on the peace talks. It also explains how, in the absence of conditions for a political settlement, parties to the conflict acted as false negotiators, which resulted in the failure of efforts to launch a genuine peace process and in the Taliban’s military domination of Afghanistan.
From subjects to objects: honor flights and US ontological insecurity
Authors: Steele Brent J
Published: October 2022

Following the 2004 establishment of the World War II memorial in Washington DC, itself a product of the collective re-commemoration of the so-called ‘Greatest Generation’ of WWII veterans in the US, nonprofit organizations began the practice of ‘Honor flights’. These flights transported US veterans of the Second World War to Washington DC to visit that memorial and other commemorative sites, meet with Congressional members, and return to their local airports to great fanfare and celebration. The practice has evolved to incorporate Korean War and now Vietnam War veterans. As honor flights include much more than the veterans themselves, and as it has become an affectively charged festival for local communities to ‘honor’ their veterans during periods of unresolved wartimes, I articulate the Honor Flight as a treatment for – but also a symptom of – US ontological insecurity in the 21st Century. Honor flights are celebratory, judgmental, and political micro-practices that reflect and reproduce US militarism in ways that will likely outlast the wartimes of the 21st century United States. Along with other micro-practices of US ontological (in)security, Honor Flights threaten to destabilize the politics of military intervention hereafter, and encourage the extension of or inauguration of new times of war.
Chemical, thermal and mechanical evaluation of poly(vinyl chloride) plastisol with different plasticizers
Authors: Perito Eder D , Guerra Nayrim B , Giovanela Marcelo , Machado Giovanna , da Silva Crespo Janaina
Published: October 2022

The most widely used plasticized polymer is poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) due to its excellent plasticizer compatibility characteristics. Traditionally, PVC plasticizers belong to the phthalate family; however, they have harmful effects on human health and the environment. In this work, we evaluated the effect of six types of plasticizers (dioctyl phthalate, dioctyl adipate, Lestarflex (a polymeric polyester plasticizer), polycaprolactone, polyester polyol, and 1,2,3-propanetriol triacetate) on the properties of PVC plastisol used in manufacturing shoes and toys. The mechanical properties (hardness, tensile strength, tear strength, and elongation at break) were evaluated before and after accelerated aging tests (in an ultraviolet oven and at 50°C). A thermal study was also carried out using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, while possible structural changes during deformation were investigated using the small-angle X-ray scattering technique. In general, the results have shown that in the plasticization and stabilization of PVC, the plasticizer dioctyl phthalate can be replaced by dioctyl adipate or Lestarflex without relevant changes in the final properties of the material, even after accelerated aging.
A Virtual Number Line Intervention Package to Support Addition and Subtraction for Students With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Bouck Emily C. , Satsangi Rajiv , Long Holly , Jakubow Larissa , O’Reilly Carrie
Published: October 2022

Researchers established virtual manipulatives as an evidence-based practice for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). However, much of the existing research for this population targets middle school students with IDD. This study examined a virtual number line paired with teacher modeling and the system of least prompts to support high school students with IDD in acquiring, maintaining, and generalizing addition and subtraction problems. Through a single case research study with three high school students with IDD, the researchers found a functional relation between the intervention package and student accuracy. Students also became more independent but struggled to maintain their skills when prompting was not provided. Further, the students were unable to generalize the skills of addition and subtraction to real-life scenarios targeting time and money. These findings and their implications for the field of IDD are examined.
The ‘Optimistic Cruelty’ of Hayek’s Market Order: Neoliberalism, Pain and Social Selection
Authors: Ibled Carla
Published: October 2022

This article argues that cruelty, as a willingness to see or orchestrate the suffering of others, is not an unfortunate side-effect of neoliberal theories put into practice but is constitutive of the neoliberal project from its theoretical inception. Drawing on Lisa Duggan’s concept of ‘optimistic cruelty’ and treating the canonical texts of neoliberal economic theory as literary artefacts, the article develops this argument through a close reading of one of the central architects of the neoliberal project, the philosopher and economist Friedrich Hayek. The first part of the article examines how Hayek attempts to justify the brutality of the market order he imagines – the catallaxy – by arguing that this brutality is the natural consequence of the spontaneous evolutionary processes that move civilisation forward. The second part brings to the fore the eugenicist undertones that suffuse this vision, despite Hayek’s apparent rejection of Social Darwinism. I analyse how Hayek’s market order operates through a series of disciplinary and biopolitical technologies that use pain, frustration, punishment and stigmatisation to eliminate bad habits, practices and subjectivities. These cruel mechanisms enable the catallaxy to sort between productive and unproductive lives to ensure that available resources are directed towards the former – even if it means that the others might be left to die. As such, cruelty is an affective atmosphere that permeates the catallaxy.
A task service and a talking service: A qualitative exploration of bereaved family perceptions of community nursing care at the end of life
Authors: Robinson Jackie , Goodwin Hetty , Williams Lisa , Anderson Natalie , Parr Jenny , Irwin Rebekah , Gott Merryn
Published: October 2022

Background:

Greater emphasis on community-based care at the end of life is supported by the premise that most people want to be cared for and die at home. As such, it is important to understand the current state of palliative care nursing within an integrated generalist-specialist model of care in the community.

Aim:

To explore bereaved family perceptions and experiences of community nursing at the end of life, with a particular focus on service integration.

Design:

A qualitative study design using semi-structured telephone interviews with bereaved family. A critical realist framework was used to inform the analysis of interview data and thematic analysis of data was used to identify key themes.

Setting/participants:

Participants were the family carers of patients who had died within the catchment area of two large District Health Boards in Auckland, New Zealand.

Results:

Twenty-three participants were interviewed. Participants described their experiences of community nursing in terms of the service they provided. Hospice nursing roles were described in terms of a “talking service” and District Nursing as a “task service.” There was minimal expectation of the general practice nurse in terms of palliative care support and little evidence of service integration.

Conclusion:

Findings from this study support the need for a new integrated model of palliative care nursing which utilizes the unique skill set of nurses working across all community care settings including general practice, hospice and district nursing services. Accommodating different models of nursing care which can be responsive to patient need rather than limited to a defined service delivery model.
Continuum robot state estimation using Gaussian process regression on SE(3)
Authors: Lilge Sven , Barfoot Timothy D. , Burgner-Kahrs Jessica
Published: October 2022

Continuum robots have the potential to enable new applications in medicine, inspection, and countless other areas due to their unique shape, compliance, and size. Excellent progress has been made in the mechanical design and dynamic modeling of continuum robots, to the point that there are some canonical designs, although new concepts continue to be explored. In this paper, we turn to the problem of state estimation for continuum robots that can been modeled with the common Cosserat rod model. Sensing for continuum robots might comprise external camera observations, embedded tracking coils, or strain gauges. We repurpose a Gaussian process (GP) regression approach to state estimation, initially developed for continuous-time trajectory estimation in SE(3). In our case, the continuous variable is not time but arclength and we show how to estimate the continuous shape (and strain) of the robot (along with associated uncertainties) given discrete, noisy measurements of both pose and strain along the length. We demonstrate our approach quantitatively through simulations as well as through experiments. Our evaluations show that accurate and continuous estimates of a continuum robot’s shape can be achieved, resulting in average end-effector errors between the estimated and ground truth shape as low as 3.5 mm and 0.016° in simulation or 3.3 mm and 0.035° for unloaded configurations and 6.2 mm and 0.041° for loaded ones during experiments, when using discrete pose measurements.
New onset atrial fibrillation during orthotopic liver transplantation induced by iced saline injection for transpulmonary thermodilution: a case report
Authors: Li Xin , Wang Xu , Guan Zheng
Published: October 2022

Transpulmonary thermodilution is often used to measure extravascular lung water during liver transplantation. Here, the case of new onset atrial fibrillation during orthotopic liver transplantation, which may have been induced by iced saline injection for transpulmonary thermodilution measurement, is described. A 52-year-old male patient underwent orthotopic liver transplantation due to alcoholic cirrhosis combined with portal hypertension. During dissection of the recipient liver, transpulmonary thermodilution was performed. At 3 minutes following iced saline injected, atrial fibrillation occurred, the ventricular rate increased to more than 120 beats per min, and blood pressure dropped to 75/50 mmHg. Massive haemorrhage, inferior vena cava clamping, electrolyte disorder, acid-base balance disorder, and hypothermia were all ruled out, and iced saline injection was suspended. Hemodynamic stability was maintained with phenylephrine and lanatocide C (cedilanid), and chemical cardioversion was performed using amiodarone. During the reperfusion phase, transient hemodynamic instability was managed by norepinephrine. The neohepatic phase was uneventful. Atrial fibrillation lasted for 5 days and reversed to sinus rhythm automatically. The patient was hemodynamically stable during this period, and recovery was smooth with no thromboembolic events. In conclusion, atrial fibrillation may be induced by iced saline injection for transpulmonary thermodilution measurement during orthotopic liver transplantation.
Design and optimization of carbon fiber eight-wire lifter with exterior cladding structure
Authors: Zhang Yujiao , Zhou Jiyong , Huang Xiongfeng , Zhu Xinjun , Chen Zhiwei , Zhou Li
Published: October 2022

The UHV eight-wire lifter is an important tool in frequent use for the construction and maintenance of UHV transmission lines, which is made of titanium alloy and weighs about 40 kg. Due to high-weight, the work efficiency is greatly reduced. In this paper, the design of a lightweight UHV eight-wire lifter is proposed by using carbon fiber cladding structure. The effects of three factors on the maximum load-bearing load of the carbon fiber exterior cladding structural member are excavated through the failed experiment of the carbon fiber exterior cladding tensile and shear test pieces and the finite element progressive damage numerical calculation. The orthogonal experiment is employed to obtain the optimal cladding structure of the eight-wire lifter with a carbon fiber exterior coating cladding. After that, carbon fiber eight-wire lifter is developed and subjected to mechanical tests. The test results show that the performance of carbon fiber eight-wire lifter meets the mechanical performance requirements of eight-wire lifter. Compared with the titanium alloy eight-wire lifter, the maximum load-bearing load of the carbon fiber eight-wire lifter is increased by 20.5%, and the weight is decreased by 37.5%.
What Drives Urban Densification? Free Market versus Government Planning in Iran
Authors: Azhdari Abolghasem , Alidadi Mehdi , Pojani Dorina
Published: October 2022

Is the compact city more likely to materialize if development is guided by the “invisible hand” of the market or the government’s “iron fist”? This article explores this question in the context of Shiraz, a medium-sized, medium-density city in south-central Iran. Through a series of longitudinal analyses, we examine the roles of the market and planning along thirty years, from the mid-1980s through the mid-2010s. The study reveals that since the mid-2000s, market forces have superseded government planning in guiding urban development in Shiraz. The government has reduced its interventions in the market: it no longer issues public land for housing development. Combined with natural constraints and sociodemographic pressures, this new planning/market balance has produced a denser and more compact city than ever before. Shiraz has been transformed from a city of villas, nightingales, and gardens into one dominated by mid- and high-rise apartment towers. The direction and intensity of development have not followed the recommendations of local planners and plans. Rather, they have been driven primarily by developers and residents. Regardless, density and compactness are generally positive—as long as housing and infrastructure quality are sustained, and residents have good access to parks, open spaces, and natural sunlight.
Exposure to Client-Perpetrated Violence in the Child Welfare Service: Prevalence and Outcomes Using Two Different Measurement Methods
Authors: Parveen Sana , Birkeland Nielsen Morten , Endresen Reme Silje , Finne Live Bakke
Published: October 2022

This study compared how two different measurement methods of client-perpetrated violence influence findings on prevalence rates and mental health outcomes in a probability sample of 660 Norwegian public sector child welfare workers. Using a single-item self-labeling approach, 15.4% reported exposure to physical violence, and 19.3% reported exposure to threats. Using a 15-item behavioral experience inventory, the prevalence rates ranged from 4.4% to 65.7%. A comparison of these methods uncovered a high number of false negatives when using the single-item approach as 62.2% of those who indicated that they had not experienced any workplace violence when answering the single-item questions reported being exposed 1 to 2 times when responding to the behavioral inventory. Results based on the behavioral inventory further revealed that the most frequently occurring actions in the child welfare service were direct and indirect forms of threats (24.5%–65.7%), while the least reported behaviors were threats and violence including objects (4.4.%–9.1%). Although client-perpetrated violence was significantly associated with mental health problems (e.g., symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress [PTS]) for both assessment methods, the magnitude of the effect sizes differed from η2 = .000 to η2 = .121. These findings highlight that the use of different measurement methods for workplace violence has significant consequences for the assessment of prevalence rates, as well as on results of associated outcomes. Consequently, the decision on how to assess workplace violence has practical implications for uncovering how prominent the issue is, as well as the way in which this negative workplace exposure is subsequently addressed and counteracted. Therefore, both scholars and the child welfare service, and similar fields in which workplace violence frequently occurs, should take these findings into consideration for future assessments.