bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Research: Nonclinical
Authors: Lewis, Neil A. , Niederdeppe Jeff
Published: September 2022

Health communication scholars are often interested in drawing causal inferences between communication variables, health behaviors, and health outcomes. Experiments offer powerful tools for understanding causal relationships in health communication research but may or may not be appropriate given the interests of the researcher and the nature of the communication phenomena of interest. This entry begins by distinguishing between true experiments (which involve random assignment) and quasi‐experiments (which do not). It continues with a discussion of ethical issues to consider when deciding whether or not to use experiments for health communication research. It describes a variety of potential uses of experiments to answer important questions in health communication, including formative research to inform decisions about a campaign, evaluation research to test the effectiveness of a communication intervention, research to understand the relative contribution of communication within larger health interventions, and research to test and refine theories relevant to health communication. It concludes with reflection on a variety of contemporary issues in the use of experiments for health communication research, including difficulty in capturing the complexity of the networked digital information environment, diversity in research participants, replicability and reproducibility, open science, and preregistration.
Self‐Monitoring/Self‐Tracking
Authors: de Boer Marjolein
Published: September 2022

Self‐tracking amounts to the activity of monitoring aspects of one's life and body. While self‐tracking is not a new phenomenon, the current focus on it centers on using digital tracking technologies. Over the last decade, self‐tracking has become more popular in the context of health(care). Various apps and wearables are available that track, analyze, present, and share information about food intake, physical chemistry, mental state, and many other aspects of one's life and body. While this development toward using more health self‐tracking is celebrated for its promise to contribute to more democratic care and economic efficiencies, critics warn against serious drawbacks for healthcare in using (more) self‐tracking in health(care) contexts. They argue, for example, that it would lead to less in‐person contact between caregivers and patients – something that is arguably pivotal in many healthcare settings. Other critiques amount to the potentially harmful disciplining and surveilling qualities of self‐tracking technologies and their potential to commodify user information, breach users' privacy, and even exploit it. Note that studies about self‐tracking predominantly concern and engage with young, able‐bodied individuals and social groups located in high‐ and middle‐income countries in Europe, North America, and Australasia. Therefore, more work needs to be done on studying how members of marginalized groups (elderly, less‐abled and disabled people) and people from low‐ and middle‐income countries engage in health self‐tracking.
Dementia
Authors: Wollney Easton
Published: September 2022

Dementia refers to a group of underlying diseases which result in general symptoms of memory loss, issues with problem solving, and difficulties with language. While memory decline can be a natural part of aging, dementia indicates a progression of memory loss which is more severe than what is considered a normal part of the aging process. The most common cause of dementia symptoms is Alzheimer's disease, though dementia can also be caused by Lewy body disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke. Dementia can also be mixed, indicating that more than one underlying disease is causing the dementia symptoms. Furthermore, aging populations may be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is seen as a stepping‐stone between normal cognitive decline and dementia, though not all who develop MCI will go on to meet the criteria for a dementia diagnosis. These issues create several challenges for clinicians to be able to properly diagnose dementia and underlying causes, which can lead to uncertainty for patients, caregivers, and even clinicians. This becomes further complicated by lack of patient‐centered and effective communication about dementia from the clinician. A timely diagnosis of dementia is important so that patients and their loved ones can engage in advance care planning, and particularly advance care planning that reflects the patients' wishes. Finally, as patient symptoms become more progressed, it is important for clinicians to balance the needs of the caregiver and patient during medical appointments by maintaining patient autonomy but also receiving or confirming correct information from the caregiver.
Loneliness
Authors: Segrin Chris , Duncan Kaylin L.
Published: September 2022

This entry provides information on the definition of loneliness and the prevalence of loneliness in different demographically defined groups within the population. People who experience loneliness sometime exhibit poor social skills that may contribute to or result from their loneliness. Lonely people also exhibit maladaptive patterns of social cognition that further complicate their relationships and interactions with other people. This entry also addresses important issues in contemporary research on loneliness. These include the association between loneliness and poor health, the role of social support in loneliness, and social media use and loneliness.
Kinetic Co‐assembly Pathway Induced Chirality Inversion Along with Morphology Transition
Authors: Gao Laiben , Xing Chao , Dou Xiaoqiu , Zou Yunqing , Zhao Changli , Feng Chuanliang
Published: September 2022

Kinetic co‐assembly pathway induced chirality inversion along with morphology transition is of importance to understand biological processes, but still remains a challenge to realize in artificial systems. Herein, helical nanofibers consisting of phenylalanine‐based enantiomers (L/DPF) successfully transform into kinetically trapped architectures with opposite helicity through a kinetic co‐assembly pathway. By contrast, the co‐assemblies obtained by a thermodynamic pathway exhibit non‐helical structures. The formation sequence of non‐covalent interactions plays a crucial role in structural chirality of co‐assemblies. For the kinetic pathway, the hydrogen bonding between D/LPF and naphthylamide derivatives forms before π‐π stacking to facilitate the formation of helical structures with inverse handedness. This study may provide an approach to explore chirality inversion accompanied by morphology transition by manipulating the kinetic co‐assembly pathway.
Laser renal denervation: A comprehensive evaluation of microstructural renal artery lesions
Authors: Vakhrushev Aleksandr D. , Condori Leandro Heber Ivan , Goncharova Natalia S. , Korobchenko Lev E. , Mitrofanova Lubov B. , Makarov Igor A. , Andreeva Elizaveta M. , Lebedev Dmitry S. , Mikhaylov Evgeny N.
Published: September 2022

Renal artery denervation (RDN) has been proposed for resistant arterial hypertension. Beyond conventional radiofrequency (RF) ablation, there are emerging RDN technologies, including laser catheter ablation. We aimed at evaluamting the local effects of laser ablation on the renal artery and perivascular nerve injury in comparison with radiofrequency ablation. Thirteen pigs (mean weight 36.7 ± 4.7 kg, age 3 months) were divided into three groups: (1) laser ablation in normotensive pigs (LA; n = 3), (2) bipolar RF ablation in normotensive pigs (RF; n = 7), and (3) a sham group (SHAM; n = 3). Transcatheter laser and RF ablations were performed under general anesthesia. After euthanasia, pathology and immunohistochemical studies were performed. Artery wall and perivascular nerve lesions were found in the LA and RF groups. A lower rate of intimal microdissections was evaluated after laser ablation when compared with RF ablation (0 vs. 1.5 [1;2.75] per artery; p < .05). There was a numerical prevalence of nerves with tyrosine hydroxylase expression loss after laser RDN when compared with RF ablation (16.7 [4; 18] vs. 9.1 [0;18] per specimen). Laser ablation is noninferior to RF ablation regarding perivascular nerve injury and is associated with less intimal layer damage.
Dauerhafte Parkhäuser und Tiefgaragen – Aktuelle DBV‐Schriften – ein gesammelter Wissensschatz
Authors: Fingerloos Frank , Urban Susanne
Published: September 2022

Das DBV‐Merkblatt „Parkhäuser und Tiefgaragen“ mit den ergänzenden DBV‐Heften 42 und 46 gehört zu den Publikationen in der umfangreichen DBV‐Schriftensammlung, die sich dem Thema Parkbauten widmen. Ziel dieser Schriften ist es u. a., den Praktikern in Planung und Bauausführung Planungsgrundlagen, Lösungen für Detailpunkte, Ausführungshinweise und v. a. Maßnahmen zur Sicherstellung einer ausreichenden Dauerhaftigkeit von Parkbauten aufbereitet zur Verfügung zu stellen. Dabei werden viele für Planung und Bau von Parkbauten maßgebende Leitlinien zusammengefasst, die sich in der Praxis bewährt haben. In Kürze wird ein aktualisierter Nachdruck 2022 zum DBV‐Merkblatt „Parkhäuser und Tiefgaragen“ auf Basis der Fassung vom Januar 2018 veröffentlicht werden. Dieser Beitrag stellt die DBV‐Schriften, ihre Inhalte, Zielsetzungen und Zusammenhänge untereinander dar und erläutert die vorgenommenen Änderungen im aktualisierten Merkblatt‐Nachdruck.
Continuous Flow Biocatalytic Reductive Amination by Co‐Entrapping Dehydrogenases with Agarose Gel in a 3D‐Printed Mould Reactor
Authors: Croci Federico , Vilím Jan , Adamopoulou Theodora , Tseliou Vasilis , Schoenmakers Peter J. , Knaus Tanja , Mutti Francesco G.
Published: September 2022

Herein, we show how the merge of biocatalysis with flow chemistry aided by 3D‐printing technologies can facilitate organic synthesis. This concept was exemplified for the reductive amination of benzaldehyde catalysed by co‐immobilised amine dehydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase in a continuous flow micro‐reactor. For this purpose, we investigated enzyme co‐immobilisation by covalent binding, or ion‐affinity binding, or entrapment. Entrapment in an agarose hydrogel turned out to be the most promising solution for this biocatalytic reaction. Therefore, we developed a scalable and customisable approach whereby an agarose hydrogel containing the co‐entrapped dehydrogenases was cast in a 3D‐printed mould. The reactor was applied to the reductive amination of benzaldehyde in continuous flow over 120 h and afforded 47 % analytical yield and a space‐time yield of 7.4 g L day−1 using 0.03 mol% biocatalysts loading. This work also exemplifies how rapid prototyping of enzymatic reactions in flow can be achieved through 3D‐printing technology.
Reactivity of E4 (E4=P4, As4, AsP3) towards Low‐Valent Al(I) and Ga(I) Compounds
Authors: Haimerl Maria , Piesch Martin , Yadav Ravi , Roesky Peter W. , Scheer Manfred
Published: September 2022

The reactivity of yellow arsenic and the interpnictogen compound AsP3 towards low‐valent group 13 compounds was investigated. The reactions of [LAl] (1, L=[{N(C6H3iPr2‐2,6)C(Me)}2CH]−) with As4 and AsP3 lead to [(LAl)2(μ,η1:1:1:1‐E4)] (E4=As4 (3 b), AsP3 (3 c)) by insertion of two fragments [LAl] into two of the six E−E edges of the E4 tetrahedra. Furthermore, the reaction of [LGa] (2) with E4 afforded [LGa(η1:1‐E4)] (E4=As4 (4 b), AsP3 (4 c)). In these compounds, only one E−E bond of the E4 tetrahedra was cleaved. These compounds represent the first examples of the conversion of yellow arsenic and AsP3, respectively, with group 13 compounds. Furthermore, the reactivity of the gallium complexes towards unsaturated transition metal units or polypnictogen (En) ligand complexes was investigated. This leads to the heterobimetallic compounds [(LGa)(μ,η2:1:1‐P4)(LNi)] (5 a), [(Cp’’’Co)(μ,η4:1:1‐E4)(LGa)] (E=P (6 a), As (6 b), Cp’’’=η5‐C5H2tBu3) and [(Cp’’’Ni)(η3:1:1‐E3)(LGa)] (E=P (7 a), As (7 b)), which combine two different ligand systems in one complex (nacnac and Cp) as well as two different types of metals (main group and transition metals). The products were characterized by crystallographic and spectroscopic methods.
Analysis and validations of operation behaviors for dual active bridge‐based unified power quality conditioner under different working conditions
Authors: Zhao Xiaojun , Bai Pengshuo , Zhang Chunjiang , Zhao Zhide , Wang Xiaohuan , Guo Xiaoqiang
Published: September 2022

In this paper, a dual active bridge‐based unified power quality conditioner (DAB‐UPQC) is constructed to solve the bulky issue caused by a line‐frequency transformer (LFT) in conventional UPQC. Since there is no LFT, the constructed DAB‐UPQC is easier to realize modular manufacturing, which further increases the flexibility of system. After adding DAB, the UPQC will present two obvious changes as follows: (a) Almost all of the grid input current flows through the series converter, resulting in an increase in the current stress of switches in the series converter. (b) The dc link is allowed to contain both low‐ and high‐voltage amplitudes due to the voltage ratio of high‐frequency transformer in DAB. Considering these two changes, the operation behaviors of DAB‐UPQC are analyzed in detail, which has the valuable significance for designs of DAB, series and parallel converters. Additionally, the characteristics and implementation conditions of soft‐switching for DAB with single‐phase‐shift (SPS) modulation are analyzed and discussed, and the battery bank is integrated on the low‐voltage side of dc link to provide continuous power to the load in the event of the grid outage or failure. Finally, the operation performances of DAB‐UPQC under the conditions of grid voltage sag/swell, nonlinear load, and grid outage are verified by using a hardware‐in‐the‐loop (HIL) experimental platform.
Human food subsidies drive individual specialization and intrapopulation dietary differences in a generalist predator
Authors: West Elena H. , Jones Harrison H.
Published: September 2022

Generalist species can exhibit individual specialization (IS), where individuals adopt specialized foraging behaviors not attributable to age, sex, or social dominance. While IS increases with the diversity of available foraging resources (ecological opportunity), the potential impact of human food subsidies on ecological opportunity is unknown. We quantified the isotopic niche width of Steller's Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri), a synanthropic predator and dietary generalist, across a gradient of human land‐use categories ranging from subsidized (park campgrounds) to unsubsidized (forest interior) habitats in a protected area in California. We asked (1) if isotopic niche width was better predicted by individual foraging behavior than sex, social dominance, or habitat category (indicating IS) and (2) if degree of IS exhibited by jays increased with the availability of human food subsidies. We characterized the isotopic niche space occupied by individual jays relative to the population using carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values. Using linear models, we found that jay diet variation was best explained by individual behavior and habitat use rather than by sex or social dominance. While the degree of IS increased with the availability of human foods, individual jays exhibited a variety of foraging behaviors in all habitats that were segregated by foraging stratum and use of human foods. Individual diet also determined the degree of specialization, as jays that specialized on human foods had the narrowest niche width regardless of habitat. Management efforts targeted at generalist wildlife exhibiting large degrees of IS should therefore account for the impact of food subsidies on foraging behavior. Approaches that involve aversive conditioning may fail where highly specialized individuals are unlikely to encounter treatments; therefore, we recommend simultaneous efforts to limit human food subsidies (e.g., information campaigns and improved containment of human food and food waste), and deployment across the largest possible extent of foraging microhabitats and substrates in order to ensure exposure of whole populations to emetic eggs.
What's in a name? Laypeople's understanding of medical roles and titles
Authors: Hause Emily , Praska Corinne , Pitt Michael B. , Hendrickson Marissa A. , Charpentier Victoria , Allen Katherine A. , Gotlieb Rachael , Lunos Scott , Marmet Jordan
Published: September 2022

Background

Physicians regularly use jargon in patient communication, which can lead to confusion and misunderstanding.

Objective

To assess the general public's understanding of names and roles of medical specialties and job seniority titles.

Designs

Volunteer participants completed an electronic survey, filling‐in‐the‐blanks for 14 medical specialties (e.g., “pediatricians are doctors who take care of _____”), and ranked physician titles in order of experience (medical student, intern, senior resident, fellow, attending).

Setting

The 2021 Minnesota State Fair.

Participants

Volunteers >18 years old without medical or nursing training.

Main Outcome and Measures

We summarized responses with descriptive statistics. Two researchers coded open‐ended answers as correct, partially correct, or incorrect, with a third researcher for coding discrepancies.

Results

Two hundred and four participants completed the survey (55% female; mean age 43; 67% of respondents with a bachelor's degree or higher). Of 14 medical specialties listed on the survey, respondents most accurately identified dermatologists (94%) and cardiologists (93%). Six specialties were understood by less than half of the respondents: neonatologists (48%), pulmonologists (43%), hospitalists (31%), intensivists (29%), internists (21%), and nephrologists (20%). Twelve percent of participants correctly identified medical roles in rank order. Most participants (74%) correctly identified medical students as the least experienced. Senior residents were most often identified as the most experienced (44%), with just 27% of respondents correctly placing the attending there. We conclude that medical professionals should recognize that titles are a common source of misunderstanding among the general public and should describe their role when introducing themselves to minimize confusion.
A fully explicit staggered algorithm for near‐field wave propagation of fluid‐saturated porous media based on u‐p dynamic formulation
Authors: Liang Li , Jingru Xu , Xiuli Du , Jia Song
Published: September 2022

Near‐field wave propagation of the fluid‐saturated porous media (FSPM) is an important issue in soil dynamics and geotechnical earthquake engineering. In the current study, a fully explicit staggered algorithm for the near‐field wave propagation analysis of the FSPM in the time domain is developed based on the u‐p dynamic formulation. The decoupling of dynamic formulation is implemented by the diagonalization of the mass matrix and pore fluid compressibility matrix. The central difference method and Newmark constant average acceleration method are used for the solution of the displacement and velocity of solid skeleton, and the backward difference method is used for the solution of pore fluid pressure in the time domain. The effectiveness and feasibility of the matrix diagonalization are verified by the comparison with the classical numerical algorithm. The proposed algorithm is also validated by the comparison of the numerical results with the corresponding analytical solution results. Combing with the transmitting artificial boundary condition, the proposed algorithm is then applied to investigate the seismic response of a FSPM free field, and its applicability to the typical near‐field wave propagation problems of the FSPM is indicated. The stability analysis of the proposed algorithm is finally conducted, and the corresponding stability criterion is presented. For the proposed algorithm, all the dynamic variables of the FSPM are solved in an iterative way and the coupling dynamic equations need not to be solved at each time step. The computational effort can be reduced considerably, and the computational efficiency can be improved remarkably.
Multiple Crashworthiness Evaluation of Double‐V Negative Poisson's Ratio‐Filled Square Tube Under Axial Impact
Authors: Sun Huiming , Zhou Hanting , Zhang Jiangfan , Wang Liangmo , Wang Tao
Published: September 2022

Thin‐walled structures are used extensively in the passive safety of vehicles to absorb energy. The thin‐walled tube is already a traditional structure with excellent energy absorption. Negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) structures produce an inward concentration to increase the stiffness of the structure during axial compression. The concept of fluctuation of crushing force (FoCF) is introduced herein to evaluate this new energy‐absorbing box as an energy‐absorbing device based on the traditional energy absorption evaluation index. Based on experimental validation, a finite‐element model is developed that can accurately predict the crashworthiness of the double‐V NPR‐filled square tube (DVFST). The following parameters, such as out‐of‐plane thickness, meta‐cell half‐width beam thickness, and beam angle tube thickness, are conducted to assess the crashworthiness of the DVFST structure. The first thing that should be considered in the design of the DVFST structure is the half‐width of the cell, followed by the angle of the long beam, and then the relative wall thickness of the long and short beams. The DVFST structure has the potential to become an excellent energy‐absorbing device by adjusting its parameters.
Anatomy of kaon decays and prospects for lepton flavour universality violation
Authors: D’Ambrosio G. , Iyer A. M. , Mahmoudi F. , Neshatpour S.
Published: September 2022

Abstract

The kaon sector is characterised by several processes which are under active investigation across different experiments. In this work, we present the global picture that emerges from a study of the different decay modes. We begin by revisiting the theoretical component of these decays and providing up-to-date predictions of the Standard Model as well as the corresponding uncertainties. Several new features emerge, in particular for KS,L → $$ \mu \overline{\mu} $$
μ

μ
¯

, and are presented in considerable detail. This offers an ideal platform for extracting the parameter space supported by the existing data. Motivated by possible lepton flavour universality violation in B decays, we investigate such Beyond the Standard Model effects also in rare kaon decays. Without loss of generality, our primary analyses correspond to the paradigm where the Wilson coefficients for operators involving tau leptons are chosen to be equal to that involving the muon, i.e. δCτ = δCμ. We conclude by presenting the possible picture that can be achieved towards the end of the run of data accumulation in the planned experiments. This includes assumptions on possible sensitivity goals that the experiments can aim to achieve, in order to extract the kind of physics highlighted in this paper.
Reconciling the contour-improved and fixed-order approaches for τ hadronic spectral moments. Part II. Renormalon norm and application in αs determinations
Authors: Benitez-Rathgeb Miguel A. , Boito Diogo , Hoang André H. , Jamin Matthias
Published: September 2022

Abstract

In a previous article, we have shown that the discrepancy between the fixed-order (FOPT) and contour-improved (CIPT) perturbative expansions for τ hadronic spectral function moments, which had affected the precision of αs determinations for many years, may be reconciled by employing a renormalon-free (RF) scheme for the gluon condensate (GC) matrix element. In addition, the perturbative convergence of spectral function moments with a sizeable GC correction can be improved. The RF GC scheme depends on an IR factorization scale R and the normalization Ng of the GC renormalon. In the present work, we use three different methods to determine Ng, yielding a result with an uncertainty of 40%. Following two recent state-of-the-art strong coupling determination analyses at $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
($$ {\alpha}_s^5 $$

α
s
5

), we show that using the renormalon-free GC scheme successfully reconciles the results for αs($$ {m}_{\tau}^2 $$

m
τ
2

) based on CIPT and FOPT. The uncertainties due to variations of R and the uncertainty of Ng only lead to a small or moderate increase of the final uncertainty of αs($$ {m}_{\tau}^2 $$

m
τ
2

), and affect mainly the CIPT expansion method. The FOPT and CIPT results obtained in the RF GC scheme may be consistently averaged. The RF GC scheme thus constitutes a powerful new ingredient for future analyses of τ hadronic spectral function moments.
The PADME beam line Monte Carlo simulation
Authors:   The PADME collaboration, Bossi F. , Branchini P. , Buonomo B. , Capirossi V. , Caricato A. P. , Chiodini G. , De Sangro R. , Di Giulio C. , Domenici D. , Ferrarotto F. , Fiore S. , Finocchiaro G. , Foggetta L. G. , Frankenthal A. , Garattini M. , Georgiev G. , Ghigo A. , Gianotti P. , Iazzi F. , Ivanov S. , Ivanov Sv. , Kozhuharov V. , Leonardi E. , Long E. , Martino M. , Oceano I. , Oliva F. , Organtini G. C. , Pinna F. , Piperno G. , Raggi M. , Sarra I. , Simeonov R. , Spadaro T. , Spagnolo S. , Spiriti E. , Tagnani D. , Taruggi C. , Valente P. , Variola A. , Vilucchi E.
Published: September 2022

Abstract

The PADME experiment at the DAΦNE Beam-Test Facility (BTF) of the INFN Laboratory of Frascati is designed to search for invisible decays of dark sector particles produced in electron-positron annihilation events with a positron beam and a thin fixed target, by measuring the missing mass of single-photon final states. The presence of backgrounds originating from beam halo particles can significantly reduce the sensitivity of the experiment. To thoroughly understand the origin of the beam background contribution, a detailed Geant4-based Monte Carlo simulation has been developed, containing a full description of the detector together with the beam line and its optical elements. This simulation allows the full interactions of each particle to be described, both during beam line transport and during detection, a possibility which represents an innovative way to obtain reliable background predictions.
Tumor microenvironment antigens
Authors: Andersen Mads Hald
Published: September 2022

The identification and characterization of tumor antigens are central objectives in developing anti-cancer immunotherapy. Traditionally, tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are considered relatively restricted to tumor cells (i.e., overexpressed proteins in tumor cells), whereas tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) are considered unique to tumor cells. Recent studies have focused on identifying patient-specific neoantigens, which might be highly immunogenic because they are not expressed in normal tissues. The opposite strategy has emerged with the discovery of anti-regulatory T cells (anti-Tregs) that recognize and attack many cell types in the tumor microenvironment, such as regulatory immune cells, in addition to tumor cells. The term proposed in this review is “tumor microenvironment antigens” (TMAs) to describe the antigens that draw this attack. As therapeutic targets, TMAs offer several advantages that differentiate them from more traditional tumor antigens. Targeting TMAs leads not only to a direct attack on tumor cells but also to modulation of the tumor microenvironment, rendering it immunocompetent and tumor-hostile. Of note, in contrast to TAAs and TSAs, TMAs also are expressed in non-transformed cells with consistent human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression. Inflammation often induces HLA expression in malignant cells, so that targeting TMAs could additionally affect tumors with no or very low levels of surface HLA expression. This review defines the characteristics, differences, and advantages of TMAs compared with traditional tumor antigens and discusses the use of these antigens in immune modulatory vaccines as an attractive approach to immunotherapy. Different TMAs are expressed by different cells and could be combined in anti-cancer immunotherapies to attack tumor cells directly and modulate local immune cells to create a tumor-hostile microenvironment and inhibit tumor angiogenesis. Immune modulatory vaccines offer an approach for combinatorial therapy with additional immunotherapy including checkpoint blockade, cellular therapy, or traditional cancer vaccines. These combinations would increase the number of patients who can benefit from such therapeutic measures, which all have optimal efficiency in inflamed tumors.
Impact of long-term optimizing atrioventricular delay using device-based algorithms on cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Ikeda Yoshifumi , Kato Ritsushi , Tsutsui Kenta , Mori Hitoshi , Kawano Daisuke , Tanaka Sayaka , Nakano Shintaro , Senbonmatsu Takaaki , Iwanaga Shiro , Muramatsu Toshihiro , Matsumoto Kazuo
Published: September 2022

Sub-optimal atrioventricular delay (AVD) is one of the main causes of non-responder for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Recently, device-based algorithms (DBAs) that provide optimal AVD based on intracardiac electrograms, have been developed. However, their long-term effectiveness is still unknown. This study aims to investigate the effect of optimizing AVD using DBAs over a long period, on the prognosis of patients undergoing CRT. A total of 118 patients who underwent CRT at our hospital between April 2008 and March 2018, were retrospectively reviewed; 61 of them with optimizing AVD using DBAs were classified into the treated group (group 1), and the remaining 57 were classified into the control group (group 2). The median follow-up period was 46.0 months. The responder and survival rate in group 1 were significantly better than those in group 2 (group 1 vs. group 2: responder rate = 64% vs. 46%, p = 0.046; survival rate: 85.2% vs. 64.9%, p = 0.02). Moreover, investigating only the non-responder population showed that group 1 had an improved survival rate compared to group 2 (group 1 vs. group 2 = 72.7% vs. 45.1%, p = 0.02). Optimizing AVD using DBAs was a significant contributor to the improved survival rate in CRT non-responders in multivariate analysis (HR 3.6, p = 0.01). In conclusion, the long-term optimizing AVD using DBAs improved the survival rate in CRT and the prognosis of CRT non-responders, as well.
Evaluation of a probe hybridization quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for Cryptosporidium serpentis in eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi)
Authors: Bogan James E. , Wellehan James F. X. , Garner Michael M. , Childress April L. , Jackson Bethany
Published: September 2022

A probe-hybridization quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay specific for Cryptosporidium serpentis (qPCR) has been developed and shown to be extremely sensitive in the laboratory, but clinical sensitivity and specificity for this test are lacking. To approximate the sensitivity and specificity of the C. serpentis qPCR, the medical records from a captive snake colony were reviewed, and between November 2015 and June 2021, 63 eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi) were necropsied. Of these 63 snakes, 11 had qPCR performed on gastric biopsies collected at the time of necropsy, 8 had qPCR performed on samples collected by gastric swab within 35 days of necropsy, and 34 had qPCR performed on samples collected by cloacal swab within 84 days of necropsy. The qPCR results were then compared to the post-mortem histological findings, where all three sampling techniques had a 100% specificity. The sensitivity was highest in samples collected at necropsy (100%, CI: 63.06 – 100%) followed by the ante-mortem testing: gastric swab (87.50%, CI: 42.13 – 99.64%) and cloacal swab (66.67%, CI: 44.68 – 84.37%).
Open 5G campus networks: key drivers for 6G innovations
Authors: Emmelmann Marc , Corici Marius , Eichhorn Fabian , Hauswirth Manfred , Magedanz Thomas
Published: September 2022

5G was designed to enable and unify Industrial Internet communication. Emerging 5G campus networks, in particular, provide a flexible communication infrastructure option addressing the specific needs of industry verticals regarding low latency, resilience, security, and operation models. Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Edge Computing have paved the way for vendor-independent, customized, and scalable network designs for the past decade. Today, Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) principles extend this architectural thinking toward an innovative and open 5G end-to-end infrastructure. 5G campus networks, in particular, might benefit from this envisaged openness. One key driver for boosting the global interest in private campus networks was the allocation of a dedicated 5G spectrum in Germany in 2019. In addition to permanent spectrum allocations for static campus network deployments, nomadic ad hoc campus network deployments using novel mechanisms, such as dynamic spectrum access and trading, also emerge. Both network types are enabled by the inherent flexibility of combining or disaggregating the desired open 5G RAN and core components in appropriate network deployments.

Building upon years of experience in developing and operating 5G network cores and 5G testbeds, the authors provide an overview of the emerging global campus network market, available spectrum options, use cases for nomadic campus network deployments, and the need for open campus networks and open end-to-end technology testbeds. Utilizing the Fraunhofer FOKUS Open5GCore, the 5G Playground testbed, and the 5G+ Nomadic Node as examples, the paper sketches a blueprint for campus networks for international, applied research and development. Ending with an outlook on the evolution of campus networks, namely the transition toward higher spectrums and the integration of non-terrestrial networks, but also the adoption of more agile software principles and the deeper integration of AI/ML technologies for network control and management, it will become obvious that open campus network innovations will pave the way toward 6G.
Generalized linear mixed model with bayesian rank likelihood
Authors: Doroshenko Lyubov , Liseo Brunero
Published: September 2022

We consider situations where a model for an ordered categorical response variable is deemed necessary. Standard models may not be suited to perform this analysis, being that the marginal probability effects to a large extent are predetermined by the rigid parametric structure. We propose to use a rank likelihood approach in a non Gaussian framework and show how additional flexibility can be gained by modeling individual heterogeneity in terms of latent structure. This approach avoids to set a specific link between the observed categories and the latent quantities and it is discussed in the broadly general case of longitudinal data. A real data example is illustrated in the context of sovereign credit ratings modeling and forecasting.
Consensus statement on the definition of orthostatic hypertension endorsed by the American Autonomic Society and the Japanese Society of Hypertension
Authors: Jordan Jens , Biaggioni Italo , Kotsis Vasilios , Nilsson Peter , Grassi Guido , Fedorowski Artur , Kario Kazuomi
Published: September 2022

We propose a consensus definition of “an exaggerated orthostatic pressor response” in subjects in whom systolic blood pressure increases ≥ 20 mmHg when going from supine to standing posture. This definition can be extended for seated to standing measurements. We reserve the term “orthostatic hypertension” for when this pressor response leads to an upright systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg. We believe this consensus definition will help in the study of the pathophysiology, clinical impact, and potential treatment of these entities, and identification of patients who are at greater cardiovascular risk.
Inter and intra-population variability of the migratory behaviour of a short-distance partial migrant, the Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (Charadriiformes, Burhinidae)
Authors: Falchi Valentina , Cerritelli Giulia , Barbon Andrea , Catoni Carlo , Cutroneo Alice , dell’Omo Giacomo , Dragonetti Marco , Giovacchini Pietro , Meschini Angelo , Panzarin Lucio , Picciau Angela , Giunchi Dimitri
Published: September 2022

Migratory behaviour in birds shows a remarkable variability at species, population and individual levels. Short-distance migrants often adopt a partial migratory strategy and tend to have a flexible migration schedule that allows a more effective response to extreme environmental variations. Weather seasonality and environmental heterogeneity have been reported as significant factors in the diversification of migratory behaviour for Mediterranean migrants, but relatively few studies investigated the migration patterns of non-passerine birds migrating within the Mediterranean basin. In this study, we investigated the migratory strategy of 40 Eurasian Stone-curlewsBurhinus oedicnemustagged with geolocators and GPS-GSM tags and belonging to continental and Mediterranean populations of the Italian peninsula. The proportion of migrants was higher in continental populations, but we observed a significant variability also within Mediterranean populations. All birds spent the winter within the Mediterranean basin. Continental Stone-curlews departed earlier in spring and later in autumn and covered longer distances than those from Mediterranean areas. The speed of migration did not change between seasons for continental birds, while Mediterranean individuals migrated faster in spring. The likelihood of departure for autumn migration of GPS-tagged birds increased when temperatures were near or below 0 °C suggesting that Stone-curlews tend to delay departure until weather conditions worsen abruptly. As a consequence of global warming in the Mediterranean, the frequency of migratory birds in the considered populations might decrease in the near future. This could affect the distribution of species throughout the year and should be taken into account when targeting conservation measures.
Impact of previous abdominal surgery on the outcome of fundoplication for medically refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and young adults
Authors: Steffens Franziska Christiane , Dahlheim Marcus , Günther Patrick , Mehrabi Arianeb , Vuille-Dit-Bille Raphael N. , Fetzner Ulrich Klaus , Gerdes Berthold , Frongia Giovanni
Published: September 2022

Importance

Fundoplication (FP) is a well-established surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refractory to medical therapy in children and young adults. During FP, previous abdominal surgery (PAS) can impair the patient’s outcome by causing technical difficulties and increasing intra- and postoperative complication rates.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of PAS on the short- and long-term outcome following FP for refractory GERD in a cohort of patients aged < 23 years.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 182 patients undergoing a total of 201 FP procedures performed at our university center for pediatric surgery from February 1999 to October 2019. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables were recorded and their impact on the rate of intraoperative complications and revision FP (reFP) was analyzed.

Results

A total of 201 FP procedures were performed on 182 patients: 119 (59.2%) as Thal-FP (180° anterior wrap) and 82 (40.8%) as Nissen-FP (360°circular wrap; 67.2% laparoscopic, 32.8% open, 8.9% conversion). The presence of PAS (95 cases, 47.3%) was associated with significantly longer operative times for FP (153.4 ± 53.7 vs.126.1 ± 56.4 min, p = 0.001) and significantly longer hospital stays (10.0 ± 7.0 vs. 7.0 ± 4.0 days, p < 0.001), while the rates of intraoperative surgical complications (1.1% vs. 1.9%, p = 1.000) and the rate re-FP in the long term (8.4% vs. 15.1%, p = 0.19) during a follow-up period of 53.4 ± 44.5 months were comparable to the group without PAS.

Conclusion

In cases of PAS in children and young adults, FP for refractory GERD might necessitate longer operative times and longer hospital stays but can be performed with surgery-related short- and long-term complication rates comparable to cases without PAS.
A long-run convergence analysis of aerosol precursors, reactive gases, and aerosols in the BRICS and Indonesia: is a global emissions abatement agenda supported?
Authors: Romero-Ávila Diego , Omay Tolga
Published: September 2022

This article examines the hypothesis of deterministic emissions convergence for a panel of the BRICS and Indonesia to advanced countries’ emissions levels as well as to Sweden (which is a country that has clearly gone through decoupling) using a novel dataset with ten series of annual estimates of anthropogenic emissions comprising aerosols, aerosol precursor and reactive compounds, and carbon dioxide from 1820 to 2018. For that purpose, we employ four novel panel unit root tests allowing for several forms of time-dependent and state-dependent nonlinearity. The evidence supports deterministic convergence following a linear process for carbon dioxide, whereas the adjustment is asymmetric and nonlinear for carbon monoxide. Methane and nitrogen oxides exhibit logistic smooth transition converging dynamics. In contrast, black carbon, ammonia, nitrous oxide, non-methane volatile organic compounds, organic carbon, and sulfur dioxide emissions diverge. These results have implications for the abatement of greenhouse gases emissions at the global level, given the high share of emissions of the BRICS.
Comparison of Rail Head Checks Using Destructive and Non-Destructive Examination Methods
Authors: Máté Tamás , Zwierczyk Péter T.
Published: September 2022

The development of railway transportation requires increased vehicle speeds and axle loads. The enhanced effects from the vehicle side and the new harder steel rails used in tracks lead to increased Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF) crack initiation and propagation. One of the most frequently occurring RCF defects is the Head Checks (HC) around the rails’ gauge corner. These defects cause severe economic and safety issues. In-use maintenance is based on corrective and preventive approaches, which are neither cost-effective nor reliable. The development of new predictive methods and the improvement of the existing corrective and preventive approaches offer a solution to this issue. In this investigation, an HC-infected rail sample was examined with non-destructive Dye Penetration Testing, Eddy-current Testing, and Visual Microscopic Testing after the sectioning of the sample. In the future, an extensive HC database can be created from the results of the developed evaluation process, which may serve as the base validation tool for newly developed predictive maintenance methods.
Structures and representations used by 6th graders when working with quadratic functions
Authors: Ramírez Rafael , Cañadas María C. , Damián Alba
Published: September 2022

This study lies within the field of early-age algebraic thinking and focuses on describing the functional thinking exhibited by six sixth-graders (11- to 12-year-olds) enrolled in a curricular enhancement program. To accomplish the goals of this research, the structures the students established and the representations they used to express the generalization of the functional relationship were analyzed. A questionnaire was designed with three geometric tasks involving the use of continuous variables in quadratic functions. The students were asked to calculate the areas of certain figures for which some data were known, and subsequently to formulate the general rule. The results show that the participating students had difficulties expressing structures involving quadratic functions. However, they displayed the potential to use different types of representations to establish the functional relationship. The originality of this study lies in the differences observed in the process of generalization with discrete variables, since, in the case of continuous variables, students could recognize the general expression from analyzing the set of values that can be attributed to the variables in an interval.
Innovative operating room scheduling metric for creating surgical lists with desirable room utilisation rates
Authors: Soh K. W. , Walker C. , O’Sullivan M. , Wallace J.
Published: September 2022

One of the critical issues in healthcare management is the operating room (OR) scheduling problem. Solutions to this problem consider surgery durations and allocate elective surgeries to OR sessions in order to create surgical lists of high quality. Determining the quality of a surgical list is a key undertaking within OR scheduling and is the focus of this research. Currently, probability- and/or expectation-based measures of surgical lists are used instead of statistical distributions of surgery lists to measure quality. The use of multiple measures, e.g., a combination of expectation and probability to assess a surgical list, complicates OR scheduling, so we introduce a new single measure – the OR scheduling metric – for evaluating surgical lists before their realisations, i.e., for use within OR scheduling. We apply the OR scheduling metric to an actual elective dataset and use simulation to demonstrate its use, including customised scheduling rules. We recommend the adoption of a benchmarked OR scheduling metric by the elective surgical services in hospitals with expected practical benefits in the long run, i.e., simpler OR scheduling and more desirable room utilisation, to be similar to that observed in our simulations.
Flexible thermochromic fabrics enabling dynamic colored display
Authors: Li Pan , Sun Zhihui , Wang Rui , Gong Yuchen , Zhou Yingting , Wang Yuwei , Liu Xiaojuan , Zhou Xianjun , Ouyang Ju , Chen Mingzhi , Hou Chong , Chen Min , Tao Guangming
Published: September 2022

Color-changeable fibers can provide diverse functions for intelligent wearable devices such as novel information displays and human–machine interfaces when woven into fabric. This work develops a low-cost, effective, and scalable strategy to produce thermochromic fibers by wet spinning. Through a combination of different thermochromic microcapsules, flexible fibers with abundant and reversible color changes are obtained. These color changes can be clearly observed by the naked eye. It is also found that the fibers exhibit excellent color-changing stability even after 8000 thermal cycles. Moreover, the thermochromic fibers can be fabricated on a large scale and easily woven or implanted into various fabrics with good mechanical performance. Driven by their good mechanical and physical characteristics, applications of thermochromic fibers in dynamic colored display are demonstrated. Dynamic quick response (QR) code display and recognition are successfully realized with thermochromic fabrics. This work well confirms the potential applications of thermochromic fibers in smart textiles, wearable devices, flexible displays, and human–machine interfaces.

Graphical Abstract