bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of a Handheld Ultrasound Device to Assess Articular and Periarticular Pathologies in Patients with Inflammatory Arthritis
Authors: Corte Giulia , Bayat Sara , Tascilar Koray , Valor-Mendez Larissa , Schuster Louis , Knitza Johannes , Fagni Filippo , Schett Georg , Kleyer Arnd , Simon David
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and performance of a new handheld ultrasound (HHUS) machine in comparison to a conventional cart-based sonographic machine in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA). IA patients with at least one tender and swollen joint count were enrolled. US was performed on the clinically affected joints using a cart-based sonographic device (Samsung HS40) and a HHUS device (Butterfly iQ). One blinded reader scored all images for the presence of erosions, bony enlargement, synovial hypertrophy, joint effusion, bursitis, tenosynovitis, and enthesitis. Synovitis was graded (B mode and power Doppler (PD)) by the 4-level EULAR-OMERACT scale. To avoid bias by the blinded reader, we included 67 joints of two healthy volunteers in the evaluation. We calculated the overall concordance and the concordance by type of joint and pathological finding. We also measured the time required for the US examination per joint with both devices. Thirty-two patients (20 with RA, 10 with PsA, and one each with gout and SLE-associated arthritis) were included, and 186 joints were examined. The overall raw concordance in B mode was 97% (κappa 0.90, 95% CI (0.89, 0.94)). In B mode, no significant differences were found in relation to type of joint or pathological finding examined. The PD mode of the HHUS device did not detect any PD signal, whereas the cart-based device detected a PD signal in 61 joints (33%). The portable device did not offer any time savings compared to the cart-based device (47.0 versus 46.3 s). The HHUS device was accurate in the assessment of structural damage and inflammation in patients with IA, but only in the B mode. Significant improvements are still needed for HHUS to reliably demonstrate blood flow detection in PD mode.
Morphological Changes in Lamellar Macular Holes According to SD-OCT Examination over a Long Observation Period
Authors: Kal Magdalena , Chojnowska-Ćwiąkała Izabela , Winiarczyk Mateusz , Jasielska Monika , Mackiewicz Jerzy
Published: June 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quantitative morphological changes in lamellar macular holes (LMHs) based on SD-OCT examinations and to assess the correlations among minimal retinal thickness (MRT), reading vision (RV), and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over a 36-month follow-up period. Methods: A group of 40 patients (44 eyes) with LMH was evaluated, with an average age of 69.87 (SD = 10.14). The quantitative parameters monitored in the follow-up period (at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months) were tested for normality of distribution by Shapiro–Wilk and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests. Results: The RV and BCVA values were stable, and no significant changes were found at any of the check-ups during the 36-month follow-up period (BCVA p = 0.435 and RV p = 0.0999). The analysis of individual quantitative LMH parameters during the 36-month follow-up period did not demonstrate statistically significant differences: MRT (p = 0.461), Max RT temporal (p = 0.051), Max RT nasal (p = 0.364), inner diameter (ID) (p = 0.089), and outer diameter (OD) (p = 0.985). Conclusions: The observations at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months revealed moderate and significant correlations between RV and MRT. No significant correlation between BCVA and MRT was observed.
Hyoid Bone Tracking in a Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study Using a Deep-Learning-Based Segmentation Network
Authors: Kim Hyun-Il , Kim Yuna , Kim Bomin , Shin Dae Youp , Lee Seong Jae , Choi Sang-Il
Published: June 2021

Kinematic analysis of the hyoid bone in a videofluorosopic swallowing study (VFSS) is important for assessing dysphagia. However, calibrating the hyoid bone movement is time-consuming, and its reliability shows wide variation. Computer-assisted analysis has been studied to improve the efficiency and accuracy of hyoid bone identification and tracking, but its performance is limited. In this study, we aimed to design a robust network that can track hyoid bone movement automatically without human intervention. Using 69,389 frames from 197 VFSS files as the data set, a deep learning model for detection and trajectory prediction was constructed and trained by the BiFPN-U-Net(T) network. The present model showed improved performance when compared with the previous models: an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.998 for pixelwise accuracy, an accuracy of object detection of 99.5%, and a Dice similarity of 90.9%. The bounding box detection performance for the hyoid bone and reference objects was superior to that of other models, with a mean average precision of 95.9%. The estimation of the distance of hyoid bone movement also showed higher accuracy. The deep learning model proposed in this study could be used to detect and track the hyoid bone more efficiently and accurately in VFSS analysis.
Efficient Binarized Convolutional Layers for Visual Inspection Applications on Resource-Limited FPGAs and ASICs
Authors: Simons Taylor , Lee Dah-Jye
Published: June 2021

There has been a recent surge in publications related to binarized neural networks (BNNs), which use binary values to represent both the weights and activations in deep neural networks (DNNs). Due to the bitwise nature of BNNs, there have been many efforts to implement BNNs on ASICs and FPGAs. While BNNs are excellent candidates for these kinds of resource-limited systems, most implementations still require very large FPGAs or CPU-FPGA co-processing systems. Our work focuses on reducing the computational cost of BNNs even further, making them more efficient to implement on FPGAs. We target embedded visual inspection tasks, like quality inspection sorting on manufactured parts and agricultural produce sorting. We propose a new binarized convolutional layer, called the neural jet features layer, that learns well-known classic computer vision kernels that are efficient to calculate as a group. We show that on visual inspection tasks, neural jet features perform comparably to standard BNN convolutional layers while using less computational resources. We also show that neural jet features tend to be more stable than BNN convolution layers when training small models.
Using KNN Algorithm Predictor for Data Synchronization of Ultra-Tight GNSS/INS Integration
Authors: Aziez Sameir A. , Al-Hemeary Nawar , Reja Ahmed Hameed , Zsedrovits Tamás , Cserey György
Published: June 2021

The INS system’s update rate is faster than that of the GNSS receiver. Additionally, GNSS receiver data may suffer from blocking for a few seconds for different reasons, affecting architecture integrations between GNSS and INS. This paper proposes a novel GNSS data prediction method using the k nearest neighbor (KNN) predictor algorithm to treat data synchronization between the INS sensors and GNSS receiver and overcome those GNSS receiver’s blocking, which may occur for a few seconds. The experimental work was conducted on a flying drone over a minor Hungarian (Mátyásföld, 47.4992 N, 19.1977 E) model airfield. The GNSS data are predicted by four different scenarios: the first is no blocking of data, and the other three have blocking periods of 1, 4, and 8 s, respectively. Ultra-tight architecture integration is used to perform the GNSS/INS integration to deal with the INS sensors’ inaccuracy and their divergence throughout the operation. The results show that using the GNSS/INS integration system yields better positioning data (in three axes (X, Y, and Z)) than using a stand-alone INS system or GNSS without a predictor.
The Internal Residual Gas and Effective Release Energy of a Spark-Ignition Engine with Various Inlet Port–Bore Ratios and Full Load Condition
Authors: Khoa Nguyen Xuan , Lim Ocktaeck
Published: June 2021

This paper presents the effect of inlet port diameter–bore ratios (IPD/B) on the effective release energy and internal exhaust residual gas of a spark-ignition engine. To investigate the exhaust residual gas in the combustion chamber, a simulation model is setup based on AVL-boost software, and to validate the simulation model an experimental model is also setup. The results of the research show that: the IPD/B ratios have a large effect on the residual gas and effective release energy. When the IPD/B ratio increases from 0.3–0.5, the residual gas increases from 0.11% to 0.14%, and the effective release energy increases from 0.33 KJ to a maximum value of 0.45 KJ, and after that decreases. The engine shows the maximum effective release energy at IPD/B ratio is 0.4. The emission of HC and CO is decreased, but the NOx is increased until a maximum value after that decreased.
A Cross-Sectional Examination of the Mental Wellbeing, Coping and Quality of Working Life in Health and Social Care Workers in the UK at Two Time Points of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: McFadden Paula , Neill Ruth D. , Moriarty John , Gillen Patricia , Mallett John , Manthorpe Jill , Currie Denise , Schroder Heike , Ravalier Jermaine , Nicholl Patricia , McFadden Daniel , Ross Jana
Published: June 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve around the world, it is important to examine its effect on societies and individuals, including health and social care (HSC) professionals. The aim of this study was to compare cross-sectional data collected from HSC staff in the UK at two time points during the COVID-19 pandemic: Phase 1 (May–July 2020) and Phase 2 (November 2020–January 2021). The HSC staff surveyed consisted of nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers from across the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland). Multiple regressions were used to examine the effects of different coping strategies and demographic and work-related variables on participants’ wellbeing and quality of working life to see how and if the predictors changed over time. An additional multiple regression was used to directly examine the effects of time (Phase 1 vs. Phase 2) on the outcome variables. Findings suggested that both wellbeing and quality of working life deteriorated from Phase 1 to Phase 2. The results have the potential to inform interventions for HSC staff during future waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, other infectious outbreaks or even other circumstances putting long-term pressures on HSC systems.
Social Representations of Art in Public Places: A Study of Everyday Explanations of the Statue of ‘A Real Birmingham Family’
Authors: Aspinall Peter J.
Published: June 2021

This article focuses on the social/cultural representations of the statue of A Real Birmingham Family cast in bronze and unveiled in Britain’s second city in October 2014. It reveals a family comprising two local mixed-race sisters, both single mothers, and their sons, unanimously chosen from 372 families. Three of the four families shortlisted for the statue were ‘mixed-race’ families. The artwork came about through a partnership between the sculptress, Gillian Wearing, and the city’s Ikon Gallery. A number of different lay representations of the artwork have been identified, notably, that it is a ‘normal family with no fathers’ and that it is not a ‘typical family’. These are at variance with a representation based on an interpretation of the artwork and materials associated with its creation: that a nuclear family is one reality amongst many and that what constitutes a family should not be fixed. This representation destabilizes our notion of the family and redefines it as empirical, experiential, and first-hand, families being brought into recognition by those in the wider society who choose to nominate themselves as such. The work of Ian Hacking, Richard Jenkins, and others is drawn upon to contest the concept of ‘normality’. Further, statistical data are presented that show that there is now a plurality of family types with no one type dominating or meriting the title of ‘normal’. Finally, Wearing’s statues of families in Trentino and Copenhagen comprise an evolving body of cross-national public art that provides further context and meaning for this representation.
Flow Cytometry-Based Determination of Ploidy from Dried Leaf Specimens in Genomically Complex Collections of the Tropical Forage Grass Urochloa s. l.
Authors: Tomaszewska Paulina , Pellny Till K. , Hernández Luis M. , Mitchell Rowan A. C. , Castiblanco Valheria , de Vega José J. , Schwarzacher Trude , Heslop-Harrison Pat (J.S.)
Published: June 2021

Urochloa (including Brachiaria, Megathyrus and some Panicum) tropical grasses are native to Africa and are now, after selection and breeding, planted worldwide, particularly in South America, as important forages with huge potential for further sustainable improvement and conservation of grasslands. We aimed to develop an optimized approach to determine ploidy of germplasm collection of this tropical forage grass group using dried leaf material, including approaches to collect, dry and preserve plant samples for flow cytometry analysis. Our methods enable robust identification of ploidy levels (coefficient of variation of G0/G1 peaks, CV, typically <5%). Ploidy of some 348 forage grass accessions (ploidy range from 2x to 9x), from international genetic resource collections, showing variation in basic chromosome numbers and reproduction modes (apomixis and sexual), were determined using our defined standard protocol. Two major Urochloa agamic complexes are used in the current breeding programs at CIAT and EMBRAPA: the ’brizantha’ and ’humidicola’ agamic complexes are variable, with multiple ploidy levels. Some U. brizantha accessions have odd level of ploidy (5x), and the relative differences in fluorescence values of the peak positions between adjacent cytotypes is reduced, thus more precise examination of this species is required. Ploidy measurement of U. humidicola revealed aneuploidy.
Peri-Operative Care
Authors: Kortbeek John B.
Published: June 2021

In the history of surgery, 1911 was a sentinel year [...]
Rising from the Depths Network: A Challenge-Led Research Agenda for Marine Heritage and Sustainable Development in Eastern Africa
Authors: Henderson Jon , Breen Colin , Esteves Luciana , La Chimia Annamaria , Lane Paul , Macamo Solange , Marvin Garry , Wynne-Jones Stephanie
Published: June 2021

The Rising from the Depths (RftD) network aims to identify the ways in which Marine Cultural Heritage (MCH) can contribute to the sustainable development of coastal communities in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar. Although the coastal and marine heritage of eastern Africa is a valuable cultural and environmental resource, it remains largely unstudied and undervalued and is subject to significant threat from natural and anthropogenic processes of change. This paper outlines the aims of the RftD network and describes the co-creation of a challenge-led research and sustainability programme for the study of MCH in eastern Africa. Through funding 29 challenge-led research projects across these four Global South countries, the network is demonstrating how MCH can directly benefit East African communities and local economies through building identity and place-making, stimulating resource-centred alternative sources of income and livelihoods, and enhancing the value and impact of overseas aid in the marine sector. Overall, Rising from the Depths aims to illustrate that an integrated consideration of cultural heritage, rather than being a barrier to development, should be positioned as a central facet of the transformative development process if that development is to be ethical, inclusive and sustainable.
Pilot-Scale Airlift Bioreactor with Function-Enhanced Microbes for the Reduction of Refinery Excess Sludge
Authors: Mu Hongyan , Zhang Min , Sun Shanshan , Song Zhaozheng , Luo Yijing , Zhang Zhongzhi , Jiang Qingzhe
Published: June 2021

A pilot-scale airlift bioreactor (ALBR) system was built and operated continuously for refinery excess sludge (RES) reduction. Combined ALBR and function-enhanced microbes (composed of photosynthetic bacteria and yeast) were integrated into the system. The pilot-scale ALBR was operated for 62 days, and the start-up time was 7 d. Continuous operation showed that the sludge reduction efficiency was more than 56.22%, and the water quality of the effluent was satisfactory. This study focused on investigating the effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT) on the stability of the system and the effect of sludge reduction. Under different HRT conditions of 40, 26.7, 20, and 16 h, the sludge reduction rates reached 56.22%, 73.24%, 74.09%, and 69.64%, respectively. The removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total nitrogen (TN) decreased with decreasing HRT, whereas the removal rate of NH4+-N increased. The removal rate of total phosphorus (TP) was approximately 30%. Results indicate that the ALBR and function-enhanced microbe system can reduce sludge and treat sewage simultaneously, and the effluent is up to the national emission standard. Addition of function-enhanced microbes can promote the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon substances in the sludge, especially alkanes with low carbon numbers. This study suggests that the optimal HRT for the system is 16 h. The total operation cost of the ALBR combined with the function-enhanced microbe system can be reduced by 50% compared with the cost of direct treatment of the RES system.
Spatial Distribution Pattern and Influencing Factors of Sports Tourism Resources in China
Authors: Zuo Yifan , Chen Huan , Pan Jincheng , Si Yuqi , Law Rob , Zhang Mu
Published: June 2021

Sports tourism is an emerging tourism product. In the sports and tourism industry, resource mining is the foundation that provides positive significance for theoretical support. This study takes China’s sports tourism boutique projects as the study object, exploring its spatial distribution pattern through the average nearest neighbor index, kernel density, and spatial autocorrelation. On the strength of the wuli–shili–renli system approach, the entropy value method and geographic detector probe model are used to identify the driving factors affecting the spatial distribution pattern. Findings reveal the following: (1) From 2013 to 2014, the sports tourism resources in China present a distribution pattern with the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration as the high-density core area and the Guizhou–Guangxi border area and the western Hubei ecological circle as the sub-density core areas. (2) From 2014 to 2018, China’s sports tourism boutique projects increased by 381, and the regional differences among various provinces tended to converge. The high-density core area remained unchanged. The sub-density cores are now the Yunqian border area of the Karst Plateau, the Qinglong border area of the Qilian Mountains, and the Jinji border area of the Taihang Mountains, shaping the distribution trends of “depending on the city, near the scenery” and “large concentration, small dispersion”. (3) The proportion of provincial sports tourism development classified as being in the coordinated stage is 61.29%. (4) The explanatory power of the factors affecting the spatial layout in descending order is natural resource endowment, sports resource endowment, transportation capacity, industrial support and guidance, market cultivation and development, people’s living standards, software and hardware services, and economic benefit effects. The explanatory power of the interaction of two different factors is higher than that of the single factor.
Transcriptome Profiling of Starvation in the Peripheral Chemosensory Organs of the Crop Pest Spodoptera littoralis Caterpillars
Authors: Poivet Erwan , Gallot Aurore , Montagné Nicolas , Senin Pavel , Monsempès Christelle , Legeai Fabrice , Jacquin-Joly Emmanuelle
Published: June 2021

Starvation is frequently encountered by animals under fluctuating food conditions in nature, and response to it is vital for life span. Many studies have investigated the behavioral and physiological responses to starvation. In particular, starvation is known to induce changes in olfactory behaviors and olfactory sensitivity to food odorants, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we investigated the transcriptional changes induced by starvation in the chemosensory tissues of the caterpillar Spodoptera littoralis, using Illumina RNA sequencing. Gene expression profiling revealed 81 regulated transcripts associated with several biological processes, such as glucose metabolism, immune defense, response to stress, foraging activity, and olfaction. Focusing on the olfactory process, we observed changes in transcripts encoding proteins putatively involved in the peri-receptor events, namely, chemosensory proteins and odorant-degrading enzymes. Such modulation of their expression may drive fluctuations in the dynamics and the sensitivity of the olfactory receptor neuron response. In combination with the enhanced presynaptic activity mediated via the short neuropeptide F expressed during fasting periods, this could explain an enhanced olfactory detection process. Our observations suggest that a coordinated transcriptional response of peripheral chemosensory organs participates in the regulation of olfactory signal reception and olfactory-driven behaviors upon starvation.
Real-World Experience with Brolucizumab in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The REBA Study
Authors: Bilgic Alper , Kodjikian Laurent , March de Ribot Francesc , Vasavada Vaishali , Gonzalez-Cortes Jesus H. , Abukashabah Amro , Sudhalkar Aditya , Mathis Thibaud
Published: June 2021

The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy and safety of intravitreal brolucizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the real-world setting. The REBA study (real-world experience with brolucizumab in wet AMD) was a retrospective, observational, multicentric study that included 78 consecutive patients (105 eyes), with neovascular AMD, who received brolucizumab therapy. Both treatment-naive and switch-therapy patients were included. Switch therapy was based either on fluid recurrence, fluid recalcitrance, or inability to extend beyond q4/q6. All relevant data were collected. The primary outcome measure was change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over time. Secondary outcome measures included determination of change in central subfield thickness (CST) and complications. The mean baseline BCVA was 49.4 ± 5.4 letters and 40 ± 3.2 letters, and corresponding mean BCVA gain was +11.9 ± 3.9 letters (p = 0.011) and +10.4 ± 4.8 letters (p = 0.014) in the treatment-naive and switch-therapy groups, respectively. The change in CST was significantly decreased in the treatment-naive (p = 0.021) and the switch-therapy (p = 0.013) groups. The mean follow-up was 10.4 months in both groups. One patient in the switch-therapy group developed vascular occlusion and another a macular hole after the fifth brolucizumab injection. Both patients recovered uneventfully. In conclusion, patients showed a very good anatomical and functional response to brolucizumab therapy in the real world, regardless of prior treatment status, until the end of the follow-up period. Two significant untoward events were noted.
Investigation of the Efficiency of Mask Wearing, Contact Tracing, and Case Isolation during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Filonets Tatiana , Solovchuk Maxim , Gao Wayne , Sheu Tony Wen-Hann
Published: June 2021

Case isolation and contact tracing are two essential parts of control measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, however, additional interventions, such as mask wearing, are required. Taiwan successfully contained local COVID-19 transmission after the initial imported cases in the country in early 2020 after applying the above-mentioned interventions. In order to explain the containment of the disease spread in Taiwan and understand the efficiency of different non-pharmaceutical interventions, a mathematical model has been developed. A stochastic model was implemented in order to estimate the effectiveness of mask wearing together with case isolation and contact tracing. We investigated different approaches towards mask usage, estimated the effect of the interventions on the basic reproduction number (R0), and simulated the possibility of controlling the outbreak. With the assumption that non-medical and medical masks have 20% and 50% efficiency, respectively, case isolation works on 100%, 70% of all people wear medical masks, and R0 = 2.5, there is almost 80% probability of outbreak control with 60% contact tracing, whereas for non-medical masks the highest probability is only about 20%. With a large proportion of infectiousness before the onset of symptoms (40%) and the presence of asymptomatic cases, the investigated interventions (isolation of cases, contact tracing, and mask wearing by all people), implemented on a high level, can help to control the disease spread. Superspreading events have also been included in our model in order to estimate their impact on the outbreak and to understand how restrictions on gathering and social distancing can help to control the outbreak. The obtained quantitative results are in agreement with the empirical COVID-19 data in Taiwan.
Age and Environmental Citizenship: A Case Study of Media Coverage of the 2019 Local Body Elections in New Zealand
Authors: Hammill Amber , Rupar Verica , Hope Wayne
Published: June 2021

Environmental issues in the coverage of the elections are usually framed in relation to voters’ attitudes towards the specific problems, for instance, water quality or land use. The environment is not given standing in these discussions, rather, it is an instrument or resource for voters. In this article we investigate the relationship between news and politics by looking at media coverage of the 2019 local body elections in New Zealand. We follow a call to put place at the centre of journalism research and to investigate the emerging forms of environmental citizenship. We focus on a media market at each end of New Zealand’s two main islands and relate analysis of the coverage of local body elections coverage to related social groups engaged in environmental issues. The objective of our article is to consider the extent to which age plays a role in media representation of environmental issues in the context of local body elections.
Variation of the Three-Dimensional Femoral J-Curve in the Native Knee
Authors: Grothues Sonja A. G. A. , Radermacher Klaus
Published: June 2021

The native femoral J-Curve is known to be a relevant determinant of knee biomechanics. Similarly, after total knee arthroplasty, the J-Curve of the femoral implant component is reported to have a high impact on knee kinematics. The shape of the native femoral J-Curve has previously been analyzed in 2D, however, the knee motion is not planar. In this study, we investigated the J-Curve in 3D by principal component analysis (PCA) and the resulting mean shapes and modes by geometric parameter analysis. Surface models of 90 cadaveric femora were available, 56 male, 32 female and two without respective information. After the translation to a bone-specific coordinate system, relevant contours of the femoral condyles were derived using virtual rotating cutting planes. For each derived contour, an extremum search was performed. The extremum points were used to define the 3D J-Curve of each condyle. Afterwards a PCA and a geometric parameter analysis were performed on the medial and lateral 3D J-Curves. The normalized measures of the mean shapes and the aspects of shape variation of the male and female 3D J-Curves were found to be similar. When considering both female and male J-Curves in a combined analysis, the first mode of the PCA primarily consisted of changes in size, highlighting size differences between female and male femora. Apart from changes in size, variation regarding aspect ratio, arc lengths, orientation, circularity, as well as regarding relative location of the 3D J-Curves was found. The results of this study are in agreement with those of previous 2D analyses on shape and shape variation of the femoral J-Curves. The presented 3D analysis highlights new aspects of shape variability, e.g., regarding curvature and relative location in the transversal plane. Finally, the analysis presented may support the design of (patient-specific) femoral implant components for TKA.
Drug-Coated Balloon for Arteriovenous Access Stenosis in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Kim Hyangkyoung
Published: June 2021

Hemodialysis access stenosis is a pervasive problem that occurs due to the physiology of the high-flow circuit. Stenosis occurs due to endothelial and smooth muscle injuries that result in neointimal hyperplasia. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is the standard treatment for dialysis access-induced stenosis. Unfortunately, it is also associated with vessel wall trauma, which causes further intimal hyperplasia and restenosis. Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews of the use of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) for dialysis access stenosis have been controversial. While several single-center trials or RCTs have reported safe and effective use of DCBs, conflicting results still exist. Furthermore, paclitaxel is known to be associated with an increased mortality risk. Herein, we review the current evidence on the role of DCBs in the treatment of dialysis access stenosis.
Activities of the European Ombudsman under the Charter of Fundamental Rights: Promoting Good Administration through Human Rights Compliance
Authors: Avtonomov Alexei
Published: June 2021

The adoption of the Charter of Fundamental Rights has strengthened the position of the European Ombudsman, since the Charter contains an article specifically dedicated to the Ombudsman. At the same time, the Ombudsman, through her/his practice, contributes to the implementation in the everyday life of the provisions of the Charter and their further development. The consolidation and development of the provisions of the Charter by the European Ombudsman have proceeded especially rapidly since the Charter of Fundamental Rights received the status of a binding act. Due to the fact that the right to “good administration” contained in the Charter of Fundamental Rights has become one of the basic human rights in the EU since the Charter became legally binding, the competence of the European Ombudsman has acquired a new substantive and factual (functional) content, expanding her/his ability to positively influence the EU administration in the field of governance and respect for fundamental rights. This article examines, based on legal acts, statistical and other factual data, the interrelated issues (such as institutional and human dimensions of European integration) of ensuring the effectiveness of the Charter of Fundamental Rights through the activities of the European Ombudsman.
Estimation of Aortic Valve Calcium Score Based on Angiographic Phase Versus Reduction of Ionizing Radiation Dose in Computed Tomography
Authors: Gać Paweł , Kędzierski Bartłomiej , Macek Piotr , Pawlas Krystyna , Poręba Rafał
Published: June 2021

The aim of the study was to evaluate the estimation efficacy of aortic valve calcium score (AVCS) based on the multislice computed tomography (MSCT) angiographic phase. The evaluation of the reduced amount of ionizing radiation dose was performed because of this estimation. The study included 51 consecutive patients who qualified for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) (78.59 ± 5.72 years). All subjects underwent MSCT: in the native phase dedicated to AVCS as well as angiographic phases aimed to morphologically assess the aortic ostium and arterial accesses for TAVI. Based on the native phase, an AVCS assessment was performed for axial reconstructions at 3.0 mm and 2.0 mm slice thickness (AVCSnative3.0 and AVCSnative2.0). Based on the angiographic phase AVCS was estimated for axial reconstruction at 0.6 mm slice thickness with increased values of lesion density in aortic valve cusps/aortic valve annulus, which is considered a calcification, from a typical value of 130 HU to 500 HU and 600 HU (AVCSCTA0.6 500 HU and AVCSCTA0.6 600 HU). Mathematical formulations were developed, allowing for AVCS native calculation based on AVCS values estimated based on the angiographic phase: AVCSnative3.0 = 813.920 + 1.510 AVCSCTA0.6 500 HU; AVCSnative3.0 = 1235.863 + 1.817 AVCSCTA0.6 600 HU; AVCSnative2.0 = 797.471 + 1.393 AVCSCTA0.6 500 HU; AVCSnative2.0 = 1228.310 + 1.650 AVCSCTA0.6 600 HU. The amount of a potential reduction in dose length product (DLP) in the case of AVCS estimation was 4.45 ± 1.54%. In summary, relying solely on the angiographic phase of MSCT examination before TAVI, it is possible to conclusively estimate AVCS. This estimation results in a marked reduction in radiation dose in MSCT.
Can Copper Products and Surfaces Reduce the Spread of Infectious Microorganisms and Hospital-Acquired Infections?
Authors: Abraham Joji , Dowling Kim , Florentine Singarayer
Published: June 2021

Pathogen transfer and infection in the built environment are globally significant events, leading to the spread of disease and an increase in subsequent morbidity and mortality rates. There are numerous strategies followed in healthcare facilities to minimize pathogen transfer, but complete infection control has not, as yet, been achieved. However, based on traditional use in many cultures, the introduction of copper products and surfaces to significantly and positively retard pathogen transmission invites further investigation. For example, many microbes are rendered unviable upon contact exposure to copper or copper alloys, either immediately or within a short time. In addition, many disease-causing bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7, hospital superbugs, and several viruses (including SARS-CoV-2) are also susceptible to exposure to copper surfaces. It is thus suggested that replacing common touch surfaces in healthcare facilities, food industries, and public places (including public transport) with copper or alloys of copper may substantially contribute to limiting transmission. Subsequent hospital admissions and mortality rates will consequently be lowered, with a concomitant saving of lives and considerable levels of resources. This consideration is very significant in times of the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming epidemics, as it is becoming clear that all forms of possible infection control measures should be practiced in order to protect community well-being and promote healthy outcomes.
Mechanosynthesis and Thermoelectric Properties of Fe, Zn, and Cd-Doped P-Type Tetrahedrite: Cu12-xMxSb4S13
Authors: López Cota Francisco Arturo , Díaz-Guillén José Alonso , Juan Dura Oscar , López de la Torre Marco Antonio , Rodríguez-Hernández Joelis , Fernández Fuentes Antonio
Published: June 2021

This contribution deals with the mechanochemical synthesis, characterization, and thermoelectric properties of tetrahedrite-based materials, Cu12-xMxSb4S13 (M = Fe2+, Zn2+, Cd2+; x = 0, 1.5, 2). High-energy mechanical milling allows obtaining pristine and substituted tetrahedrites, after short milling under ambient conditions, of stoichiometric mixtures of the corresponding commercially available binary sulfides, i.e., Cu2S, CuS, Sb2S3, and MS (M = Fe2+, Zn2+, Cd2+). All the target materials but those containing Cd were obtained as single-phase products; some admixture of a hydrated cadmium sulfate was also identified by XRD as a by-product when synthesizing Cu10Cd2Sb4S13. The as-obtained products were thermally stable when firing in argon up to a temperature of 350–400 °C. Overall, the substitution of Cu(II) by Fe(II), Zn(II), or Cd(II) reduces tetrahedrites’ thermal and electrical conductivities but increases the Seebeck coefficient. Unfortunately, the values of the thermoelectric figure of merit obtained in this study are in general lower than those found in the literature for similar samples obtained by other powder processing methods; slight compositional changes, undetected secondary phases, and/or deficient sintering might account for some of these discrepancies.
Interlaboratory Comparative Tests in Ready-Mixed Concrete Quality Assessment
Authors: Skrzypczak Izabela , Leśniak Agnieszka , Ochab Piotr , Górka Monika , Kokoszka Wanda , Sikora Anna
Published: June 2021

Proper quality assessment of ready-mixed concrete, which is currently the principal material for construction, land engineering and architecture, has an impact on the optimisation and verification of correct functioning of individual stages of the production process. According to the European Standard EN 206 “Concrete–Specification, performance, production and conformity”, obligatory conformity control of concrete is carried out by the producer during its production. In order to verify the quality of concrete, investors generally commission independent laboratory units to perform quality assessment of both concrete mix and hardened concrete, which guarantees a high quality of construction works. One of the essential tools for ensuring the quality of test results is the participation of laboratories in the so-called proficiency testing (PT) or inter-laboratory comparisons (ILC). Participation in PT/ILC programmes is, on the one hand, a tool for demonstrating the laboratory’s performance, on the other hand an aid for maintaining the quality of available concrete tests and validating test methods. Positive evaluation is a confirmation of the laboratory’s capability for performing the tests. The paper presents the results of laboratory proficiency tests carried out by means of inter-laboratory comparisons, as shown in the example of quality assessment of ready-mixed concrete for nine participating laboratories. The tests were performed for concrete of the following parameters: strength class C30/37, consistency S3, frost resistance degree F150, and water resistance degree W8. This involved determining consistencies, air content and density of the concrete mix, and compressive strength of hardened concrete. For the evaluation of laboratory performance results, z-score, ζ-score and En-score were applied. The innovation of the proposed study lies in employing both classical and iterative robust statistical methods. In comparison with classical statistical methods, robust methods ensure a smaller impact of outliers and other anomalies on the measurement results. Following the analyses, clear differences were found between the types of detected discrepancy of test results, which occurred due to the nature of individual parameters. For two laboratories, two scores revealed unsatisfactory results for concrete mix consistency. The main reasons can be pouring into the cone-shaped form a concrete mixture that is too dry, or incorrect use of a measuring tool also creating a possibility that the obtained value can be wrongly recorded. Other possible reasons are discussed in the paper. Participation in inter-laboratory comparison programmes is undoubtedly a way to verify and raise the quality of tests performed for concrete mix and hardened concrete, whereas individual analysis of the results allows the laboratory quality system to be improved.
Evaluating the Homogeneity of Surface Features Induced by Impact-Based Surface Treatments
Authors: Heydari Astaraee Asghar , Bagherifard Sara , Monti Stefano , Guagliano Mario
Published: June 2021

Impact surface treatments are well-known for their efficiency in enhancing the mechanical properties of metallic materials, especially under cyclic loadings. These processes, which encompass a wide range of surface treatments based on repetitive impacts of tools of various types, induce surface plastic deformation, compressive residual stresses, and grain refinement alter the surface roughness as a side effect. Thus, it is essential to have suitable indexes to quantify the surface features caused by the typically random nature of these treatments. Herein, we evaluated the rationality of using standard roughness parameters for describing the morphological characteristics of surfaces treated by shot peening as a representative and widely used treatment of the category. A detailed numerical model of the peening process was developed. The output data were elaborated to extract the surface roughness parameters following the standard procedures. The results revealed the validity of the surface roughness parameters to describe the topography of material treated with adequate surface coverage, also highlighting the necessity to use a set of parameters rather than the common practice of relying on single parameters. Not considering a comprehensive set of amplitude and spacing parameters can result in significant, inconsistent, and misleading results while comparing the performance of surfaces.
Axial Compressive Strength Models of Eccentrically-Loaded Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Columns Confined with FRP
Authors: Isleem Haytham F. , Abid Muhammad , Alaloul Wesam Salah , Shah Muhammad Kamal , Zeb Shayan , Musarat Muhammad Ali , Javed Muhammad Faisal , Aslam Fahid , Alabduljabbar Hisham
Published: June 2021

The majority of experimental and analytical studies on fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) confined concrete has largely concentrated on plain (unreinforced) small-scale concrete columns, on which the efficiency of strengthening is much higher compared with large-scale columns. Although reinforced concrete (RC) columns subjected to combined axial compression and flexural loads (i.e., eccentric compression) are the most common structural elements used in practice, research on eccentrically-loaded FRP-confined rectangular RC columns has been much more limited. More specifically, the limited research has generally been concerned with small-scale RC columns, and hence, the proposed eccentric-loading stress-strain models were mainly based on the existing concentric-loading models of FRP-confined concrete columns of small scale. In the light of such demand to date, this paper is aimed at developing a mathematical model to better predict the strength of FRP-confined rectangular RC columns. The strain distribution of FRP around the circumference of the rectangular sections was investigated to propose equations for the actual rupture strain of FRP wrapped in the horizontal and vertical directions. The model was accomplished using 230 results of 155 tested specimens compiled from 19 studies available in the technical literature. The test database covers an unconfined concrete strength ranging between 9.9 and 73.1 MPa, and section’s dimension ranging from 100–300 mm and 125–435 mm for the short and long sides, respectively. Other test parameters, such as aspect ratio, corner radius, internal hoop steel reinforcement, FRP wrapping layout, and number of FRP wraps were all considered in the model. The performance of the model shows a very good correlation with the test results.
Synthesis and Characterization of Lithium-Ion Conductive LATP-LaPO4 Composites Using La2O3 Nano-Powder
Authors: Song Fangzhou , Uematsu Masayoshi , Yabutsuka Takeshi , Yao Takeshi , Takai Shigeomi
Published: June 2021

LATP-based composite electrolytes were prepared by sintering the mixtures of LATP precursor and La2O3 nano-powder. Powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy suggest that La2O3 can react with LATP during sintering to form fine LaPO4 particles that are dispersed in the LATP matrix. The room temperature conductivity initially increases with La2O3 nano-powder addition showing the maximum of 0.69 mS∙cm−1 at 6 wt.%, above which, conductivity decreases with the introduction of La2O3. The activation energy of conductivity is not largely varied with the La2O3 content, suggesting that the conduction mechanism is essentially preserved despite LaPO4 dispersion. In comparison with the previously reported LATP-LLTO system, although some unidentified impurity slightly reduces the conductivity maximum, the fine dispersion of LaPO4 particles can be achieved in the LATP–La2O3 system.
Susceptibility to Pitting Corrosion of Ti-CP2, Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo, and Ti-6Al-4V Alloys for Aeronautical Applications
Authors: Jaquez-Muñoz Jesus , Gaona-Tiburcio Citlalli , Lira-Martinez Alejandro , Zambrano-Robledo Patricia , Maldonado-Bandala Erick , Samaniego-Gamez Oliver , Nieves-Mendoza Demetrio , Olguin-Coca Javier , Estupiñan-Lopez Francisco , Almeraya-Calderon Facundo
Published: June 2021

Titanium alloys are used in different industries like biomedical, aerospace, aeronautic, chemical, and naval. Those industries have high requirements with few damage tolerances. Therefore, they are necessary to use materials that present fatigue, mechanical, and corrosion resistance. Although Ti-alloys are material with high performance, they are exposed to corrosion in marine and industrial environments. This research shows the corrosion behavior of three titanium alloys, specifically Ti CP2, Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo, and Ti-6Al-4V. Alloys were exposed on two electrolytes to a 3.5 wt % H2SO4 and NaCl solutions at room temperature using cyclic potentiodynamic polarization (CPP) and electrochemical noise (EN) according to ASTM G61 and ASTM G199 standards. CPP technique was employed to obtain electrochemical parameters as the passivation range (PR), corrosion type, passive layer persistence, corrosion potential (Ecorr), and corrosion rate. EN was analyzed by power spectral density (PSD) in voltage. Results obtained revealed pseudopassivation in CPP and PSD exposed on NaCl for Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo, indicating instability and corrosion rate lower. However, Ti-6Al-4V presented the highest corrosion rate in both electrolytes. Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo revealed pseudopassivation in CPP and PSD in NaCl, indicating a passive layer unstable. However, the corrosion rate was lower in both solutions.
Lipidomic Analysis to Assess Oxidative Stress in Acute Coronary Syndrome and Acute Stroke Patients
Authors: Malý Martin , Hajšl Martin , Bechyňská Kamila , Kučerka Ondřej , Šrámek Martin , Suttnar Jiří , Hlaváčková Alžběta , Hajšlová Jana , Kosek Vít
Published: June 2021

Alterations in lipid metabolism mediated by oxidative stress play a key role in the process of atherosclerosis and superimposed thrombosis; these can lead to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Multiple studies have shown that the formation of atheromatous lesions is initiated by oxidation of low-density lipoproteins incorporated into the intima of the vessel wall. Here, we studied lipids in plasma samples from three cohorts: 61 patients with ACS (group A), 49 patients with AIS (group D), and 82 controls (group K). Untargeted lipidomics based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) was employed to obtain comprehensive information on whether relationships exist between these patient categories based on lipid patterns. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) as a standard marker of oxidative stress was monitored. The most characteristic lipids in group K were fatty acyls of hydroxyfatty acids (FAHFAs). As expected, MDA concentrations were the lowest in group K. Our findings can better explain ongoing pathologies, both acute and chronic, with the potential for future diagnosis and treatment.