bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
METHODS - A randomised controlled trial of METhotrexate to treat Hand Osteoarthritis with Synovitis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Teichtahl Andrew J. , Jones Graeme , Keen Helen I. , Hill Catherine L. , Wluka Anita E. , Kasza Jessica , Cicuttini Flavia M.
Published: November 2021

Background

Hand osteoarthritis is a common and disabling problem without effective therapies. Accumulating evidence suggests the role of local inflammation in causing pain and structural progression in hand osteoarthritis, and hand osteoarthritis with synovitis is a commonly encountered clinical phenotype. Methotrexate is a well-established, low-cost, and effective treatment for inflammatory arthritis with a well-described safety profile. The aim of this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is to determine whether methotrexate reduces pain over 6 months in patients with hand osteoarthritis and synovitis.

Methods

Ninety-six participants with hand osteoarthritis and synovitis will be recruited through the Osteoarthritis Clinical Trial Network (Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, and Perth), and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive either methotrexate 20 mg or identical placebo once weekly for 6 months. The primary outcome is pain reduction (assessed by 100 mm visual analogue scale) at 6 months. The secondary outcomes include changes in physical function and quality of life assessed using Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis, Australian Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index, Health Assessment Questionnaire, Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, Short-Form-36, tender and swollen joint count, and grip strength, and structural progression assessed using progression of synovitis and bone marrow lesions from magnetic resonance imaging and radiographic progression at 6 months. Adverse events will be recorded. The primary analysis will be by intention to treat, including all participants in their randomised groups.

Discussion

This study will provide high-quality evidence to address whether methotrexate has an effect on reducing pain over 6 months in patients with hand osteoarthritis and synovitis, with major clinical and public health importance. While a positive trial will inform international clinical practice guidelines for the management of hand osteoarthritis, a negative trial would be highly topical and change current trends in clinical practice.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), ACTRN12617000877381. Registered 15 June 2017, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373124
Clinical risk factors and predictive score for the non-dipper profile in hypertensive patients: a case-control study
Authors: Chotruangnapa Chavalit , Tansakun Titima , Roubsanthisuk Weranuj
Published: November 2021

Background

Night-time BP, especially non-dipper, is a stronger predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a gold standard for the detection of non-dippers but it often is unavailable and expensive. This study aims to determine clinical risk factors that predict non-dipper.

Methods

An exploratory traditional case-control study, exclusive sampling of control was conducted from January 2013 to September 2018 to explore clinical risk factors associated with non-dippers in hypertensive patients. Subgroup analysis was performed in each treated and untreated hypertensive patient. The parsimonious predictive score for non-dippers was constructed.

Results

The study included 208 hypertensive patients receiving 24 h ABPM. There were 104 dippers and 104 non-dippers. Significant clinical risk factors associated with non-dippers were the age of > 65 years, average office diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and fasting plasma glucose of > 5.6 mmol/L. Results of subgroup analysis showed that dyslipidemia, history of coronary artery disease, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and direct vasodilators, average office DBP, and serum uric acid were associated with non-dippers in treated hypertensive patients, however, there were no risk factors associated with non-dippers in the untreated group. The predictive score for non-dippers in treated group included average office DBP, dyslipidemia, serum uric acid, male, calcium channel blockers and ACEIs use. The area under Receiver Operating Characteristic (AuROC) was 0.723. A cut-off point which was > 0.0701 and prevalence of non-dippers of 46%, this score had a sensitivity of 77.4%, specificity of 65.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 66.1%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 79.6%. For untreated group, age, hemoglobin and body mass index were included in the predictive model. AuROC was 0.74. There was a sensitivity of 51.9%, specificity of 91.2%, PPV of 82.4%, and NPV of 70.5% at the cut-off point of > 0.357, and prevalence of 44%.

Conclusion

There were several significant clinical risk factors associated with non-dippers in treated hypertensive patients. The predictive score might be useful for the detection of non-dippers; however, it cannot replace ABPM.
Role of multidetector ct in quantitative enhancement- washout analysis of solid renal masses
Authors: Abdelmegeed Shaimaa Alsayed , Farok Hesham Mohamed , Refaat Medhat Mohamed , Eldiasty Tarek Abd Elmeneim
Published: November 2021

Background

Enhancement washout technique in solid renal masses using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) can differentiate different type of lesions. 99 Patients who are presenting with suspected renal masses or renal tumour for staging are included in this study. CT examination are carried out at urology and nephrology centre using MDCT. The attenuation values (Hounsfield Unit) will be assesed for each lesion on the pre enhanced, corticomedullary, nephrographic and delayed phases. Washout ratio will be calculated for each phase of enhancement in comparison to the unenhanced attenuation value. The characteristics of enhancement-washout will be correlated with the final histopathological diagnosis.

Results

Early enhancement and washout pattern was noted in 54 renal lesions (54.5%) representing 4 types of renal lesions; Oncocytoma (n = 13), clear cell renal cell carcinoma (n = 16), Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (n = 15) and unclassified renal cell carcinoma (n = 10).Prolonged enhancement pattern was noted 45 lesions (45.4%); PRCC (n = 14), 10 case of lipid poor AML (n = 10), metanephric adenoma (n = 10) and Xp11 RCC (n = 11). High pre-contrast attenuation was noted in Xp 11RCC showing attenuation value 41.7 ± 6.823HU. The highest CMP values were noted in CCRCC (151.9 ± 20.4) followed by oncocytomas (137.6 ± 19.15HU) and then CHRCC (123.6 ± 16.6 HU)while the lowest values were noted in Metanephric adenoma)57.1 ± 17.4HU)and followed by PRCC (59.9 ± 4.8)and followed by lipid poor AML (79.17 ± 13.666) and RCC unclassified (89.06 ± 18.1).

Conclusions

Four-phase MDCT (the unenhanced, corticomedullary, nephrographic, and excretory phases) evaluate role of MDCT in differentiation of solid renal masses.
НАЛОГОВОЕ АДМИНИСТРИРОВАНИЕ ЛИЦЕНЗИРУЕМЫХ ВИДОВ ПРЕДПРИНИМАТЕЛЬСКОЙ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ В КОНТЕКСТЕ ЦИФРОВИЗАЦИИ ЭКОНОМИКИ
Authors: Akhmadeev Ravil G. , Golubtsova Ekaterina V. , Kalimullina Olga V.
Published: November 2021

Практика налогообложения игорного бизнеса за последние 20 лет в Российской Федерации претерпевала значительные изменения как с правовой конструкции, посредством выстраивания четко сформулированных подходов и определения понятийного аппарата, так и четко определенной фискальной заинтересованностью на уровне региональных бюджетов. Вместе с тем далеко неоднозначное отношение бизнеса к рассредоточению игорной деятельности по территориям страны постепенно привело к падению в абсолютных показателях соответствующих доходов бюджетов субъектов РФ за налоговые периоды 2018-2020 гг. Одним из основных преимуществ по налогу на игорный бизнес является единственный на текущий момент времени, применяемый фискальный режим в отношении хозяйствующих субъектов - организаций, и приближенный к аналогичной модели взимания отмененного с 2021 года специального режима по ЕНВД. С учетом неоднозначного действия законодательства в практическом применении по налогу на игорный бизнес, в большей степени связанного с развитием цифровых технологий, перемещением потенциальных объектов обложения в мировое интернет пространство, появлением блокчейн-казино, онлайн-ресурсов по ставкам на спортивные мероприятия, необходимым аспектом совершенствования по данному налогу является актуализация основных его элементов, учитывающих современные экономические тенденции. В свою очередь действующий опыт введения прямого запрета посредством установления нормативных актов не позволяет в полной мере приостановить распространение нелегальной сферы контента игорного бизнеса. С учетом его дальнейшего масштабировании в мировом интернет пространстве и развитием уровня цифровых технологий, отечественной налоговой системе необходим качественно иной уровень администрирования, основанный на выстраивании фискальных взаимоотношениях не только внутри страны, но и с потенциальными зарубежными налогоплательщиками.
АНАЛИЗ ВЛИЯНИЯ ПАНДЕМИИ НА ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ АВИАКОМПАНИЙ НА ПРИМЕРЕ ГРУППЫ КОМПАНИЙ «АЭРОФЛОТ»
Authors: Chuvashlova Marina V. , Terekhina Svetlana E. , Epikurova Maria U.
Published: November 2021

В ходе своего существования каждая компания сталкивается с различными видами рисков, осложняющих ее деятельность. Как показал 2020 год, одним из достаточно опасных рисков можно считать эпидемиологический риск. Ведь, нет ни одной отрасли, которая бы не пострадала из-за введённых мер борьбы с распространением COVID-19. Но едва ли не самый сильный удар пандемия нанесла по деятельности авиакомпаний. Карантин, запрет на международные перевозки пассажиров оставили авиакомпании без основного источника заработка, заставив их заморозить деятельность и жить на откладываемые годами резервы, чтобы не обанкротиться.

В статье рассмотрено влияние пандемии на сферу авиаперевозок. Выявлены проблемы, с которыми столкнулась сфера авиаперевозок, представлены результаты воздействия данных проблем на операционные и финансовые показатели авиакомпаний, на примере ПАО «Аэрофлот». Также рассмотрены меры принятые ПАО «Аэрофлот», с целью преодоления негативных последствий пандемии.

Цель исследования. Целью данной статьи является анализ развития авиакомпаний в условиях сложной эпидемиологической ситуации в мире. Анализ динамики показателей деятельности авиакомпаний во время пандемии COVID-19, исследование способов преодоления негативных последствий коронавируса в деятельности авиакомпаний.

Материалы и методы исследования. Методология исследования основывалась на использовании комплексного подхода и формальной логики. На разных этапах исследования, а также в зависимости от характера разрабатываемых задач использовались различные современные методы исследования, в том числе системный анализ и синтез, финансово-экономический анализ, сравнение, вертикальный, горизонтальный анализ и т.д.

Результаты. В статье на основе анализа данных бухгалтерской отчетности и операционных показателей ПАО «Аэрофлот» проведена оценка изменений, происходящих в сфере авиаперевозок. Определено влияние распространения коронавируса на деятельность авиакомпаний: выявлены проблемы, с которыми столкнулась сфера авиаперевозок. Вместе с тем, автором определены возможные пути решения, которые могут улучшить ситуацию во время пандемии.
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A SCHEDULE MONITORING SYSTEM IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR CONVENIENT INTERACTION WITH THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS
Authors: Bikov Danir I. , Khamidullin Marat R.
Published: November 2021

The educational industry is the main and most widespread industry. The development of the educational system in our country should not be limited to an increase in the number of educational institutions, it should also be aimed at further development using information systems.
To ensure comfortable monitoring of the schedule in universities, a number of important software tools are required that simplify the tracking of the curriculum using modern information systems.
Purpose – creating a schedule monitoring system in educational institutions to improve the interaction between students and the educational process.
Method or methodology of work. The article describes a project on schedule tracking and interaction with the educational process.
Results. A public chatbot in the social network VKontakte has been developed, in which, upon request, a response related to the educational process is issued, corresponding to the user’s request.
Scope of the results: the results obtained should be applied to students who have the opportunity to track the list of upcoming training sessions and interact with them conveniently.
ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON SIDEWALKS
Authors: Galyshev Alexey B.
Published: November 2021

The most important task of the city’s transport policy is to ensure the convenience and safety of pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians should move at a convenient speed, without interfering with each other. And for this it is necessary to create high-quality sidewalks. In this article, a special method is used to assess the level of comfort of pedestrian traffic on a number of streets in the city of Krasnogorsk.
Preußisches Landesbewusstsein in Beglaubigungsmerkmalen öffentlicher Notare des 14. und beginnenden 15. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Heckmann Dieter
Published: November 2021

Prussian national awareness in certification features of public notaries of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th century
 
The signs of Prussian notaries presented in this article fit into the framework of the German type of notary signs, although peculiarities can be recognized that relate to Prussia or to parts of this country. However, examples of this could only be found in small numbers, since the majority of the notarial signs handed down lack any reference to the country. Examples from the years 1417 and 1429 show that public notaries maintained Prussian national awareness even after the great defeat of the Teutonic Order near Tannenberg in 1410.
Nicolaus von Redewitz – ein Diplomat und Informant des Deutschen Ordens am Hof von Sigismund von Luxemburg
Authors: Pósán László
Published: November 2021

Nicolaus von Redewitz – the Teutonic Order’s diplomat and informant in the court of Sigismund of Luxembourg
 
At the end of 1422, Sigismund of Luxembourg, King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor, allowed the Teutonic Order to have a permanent diplomatic representation in his court, in the person of Nicolaus von Redewitz. This was related to the fact that from the beginning of the 1420s, the Ottoman Empire posed an increasingly serious threat to the southern borders of Hungary again, and Sigismund wanted to win over the Order for the fight against the Turks. Arriving in the court of the king, von Redewitz kept the Grand Master of the order informed of Sigismund’s political plans, decisions, negotiations, military actions against the Turks, and all-important events. A recurring theme in his letters was the king’s urge that the Order take on the defence of the southern borders of the Hungarian Kingdom. In return, he first offered the Grand Master the Burzenland in Southern Transylvania, from where Andrew II, King of Hungary, expelled the Order in 1225, then the Banate of Severin by the lower Danube. Following long negotiations, at the end of July 1429, a few Teutonic Knights arrived in Hungary. These knights did not undertake the armed protection of the southern borders, only its organisation. Sigismund entrusted the management of twenty-one fortresses and military watch-posts to the Knights, who envisioned the reinforcement of the defence with the involvement of mercenaries. However, the Hungarian Treasury was unable to provide the expenses for this plan. When, at the end of the summer of 1432, the Turks launched an attack at the lower Danube, they managed to occupy three fortresses under the control of the Order. Recognising that the Order’s idea of the protection of the borders is impossible to finance, at the end of 1434, Sigismund agreed to the gradual return of the Teutonic Knights who had arrived in Hungary in 1429 to Prussia.
Rafał Simiński. Konflikt – pojednanie – współpraca. Studia nad polityką książąt zachodniopomorskich i biskupów kamieńskich wobec Zakonu Krzyżackiego w Prusach w latach 1320–1423
Authors: Czaja Roman
Published: November 2021

Rafał Simiński. Konflikt – pojednanie – współpraca. Studia nad polityką książąt zachodniopomorskich i biskupów kamieńskich wobec Zakonu Krzyżackiego w Prusach w latach 1320–1423. Wrocław: Wydawnictwo Chronicon, 2019. 725 pp. ISBN: 978-83-950-4030-6.
Działalność Antoniego Baraniaka SDB na forum Konferencji Episkopatu Polski i jej komisji (1951–1977)
Authors: Białkowski Michał
Published: November 2021

Antoni Baraniak SDB odegrał znaczącą rolę w pracach Konferencji Episkopatu Polski oraz jej komisji specjalistycznych. Formalnie od 1951 r. był członkiem Konferencji Episkopatu Polski, w praktyce jednak w posiedzeniach planarnych uczestniczył od 1957 r., gdy został mianowany arcybiskupem metropolitą poznańskim. Równocześnie wszedł w skład Komisji Głównej/Rady Głównej Episkopatu Polski. Jego aktywność obejmowała kilka obszarów działań: nauczanie pasterskie; kształtowanie stosunków z władzami PRL; wkład w posoborową reformę statusu prawnego KEP; kontakty ze Stolicą, konferencjami episkopatów oraz udział w gremiach watykańskich. Ważnym odcinkiem zaangażowania na forum Konferencji Episkopatu Polski był udział w pracach komisji specjalistycznych. Od 1959 r. aż do śmierci w 1977 r. Antoni Baraniak SDB przewodniczył Komisji Soborowej/Komisji do Spraw Realizacji Uchwał Soboru Watykańskiego II. Moderowana przez niego działalność tego gremium obejmowała: 1) animowanie ogólnopolskich programów duszpasterskich zawierających elementy przygotowania pastoralnego do Soboru Watykańskiego II (m.in. „Czuwań Soborowych”); 2) koordynację i porządkowanie przygotowań do poszczególnych sesji soborowych, w szczególności redakcji schematów soborowych; 3) ogólne nadzorowanie prac studyjnych nad dokumentami soborowymi, w tym wydania ich edycji polskiej oraz komentarzy; 4) starania o tworzenie literatury popularyzującej i przybliżającej dorobek Soboru, a także powstawanie różnorodnych pomocy duszpasterskich; 5) wyznaczanie głównych kierunków odnowy posoborowej, ich dostosowanie do możliwości i potrzeb duszpasterskich Kościoła katolickiego w Polsce oraz koordynowanie współdziałania w tym wymiarze poszczególnych komisji episkopatu; 6) formułowanie postulatów związanych z wdrażaniem reform posoborowych w Kościele Powszechnym, w tym odnoszących się do problematyki poruszanej na Synodach Biskupów. Ponadto – w latach 1959-1965 – zasiadał w Komisji Wydawnictw Katolickich, co miało bezpośredni związek z przygotowaniami do Millenium Chrztu Polski oraz pracami Soboru Watykańskiego II.
Homilia liturgiczna według ks. Kazimierza Bieszka pioniera Ruchu Liturgicznego w Polsce
Authors: Prondzyński Waldemar
Published: November 2021

Ks. Kazimierz Bieszk (1890-1946) to jeden z najbardziej znanych propagatorów odnowy liturgicznej w Polsce, szczególnie na Pomorzu. Z pasją i wiarą pochylał się nad formą i treścią zawartą w liturgii Kościoła, by w duchu Ruchu Liturgicznego dzielić się tym spojrzeniem głosząc homilie, pisząc artykuły na łamach czasopism: „Misterium Christi”, „Pielgrzyma”; oraz prowadząc wykłady w WSD w Pelplinie. Jego przekaz oparty był na: miłości do liturgii, rozumieniu pastoralnego jej charakteru oraz dogmatycznych podstaw głoszenia Słowa. Ks. Bieszk był świadomy jak ważną rolę w duszpasterstwie jako wychowaniu do świadomego, czynnego i owocnego udziału w Liturgii, pełnią kazania, homilie oraz rekolekcje o tematyce liturgicznej. Uważał, że Liturgia powinna być dla kaznodziei punktem wyjścia, jeśli ten chce prowadzić wiernych właśnie do Liturgii. Efekt pracy liturgicznego wychowania, kompetencje ks. Bieszka, używane najnowsze metody oraz idee szkoły twórczej, wpłynęły m.in. na wykształcenie wielu żarliwych katechetów oraz prefektów szkół średnich diecezji chełmińskiej. W konsekwencji skutkiem odnowy życia liturgicznego była także odnowa kaznodziejstwa.
100-lecie stygmatyzacji św. Ojca Pio z Pietrelciny – nowe spojrzenie
Authors: Rachwalik Walter
Published: November 2021

Św. Ojciec Pio jest jedynym kapłanem katolickim, któremu Bóg udzielił przywileju stygmatyzacji widzialnej. Przez pół wieku (1918-1968) wierni z całego świata przybywali do San Giovanni Rotondo, aby mogli osobiście zobaczyć Rany Zbawiciela, gdy odprawiał on Ofiarę Mszy Świętej. W 2006 r. w udostępnionych badaczom archiwach watykańskich odkryto akta z tajnej wizytacji, którą w imieniu Świętego Oficjum w 1921 roku przeprowadził w klasztorze kapucyńskim bp R.C. Rossi. On też jako pierwszy poznał nieznaną do 2006 r. przyczynę stygmatyzacji Świętego.
Znaczenie pielgrzymek dla chrześcijan epoki późnego antyku w relacji św. Paulina z Noli (354/355-431)
Authors: Wojcieszak Maciej
Published: November 2021

W artykule zajęliśmy się kwestią znaczenia pielgrzymek dla chrześcijanina z epoki późnego antyku widzianych oczyma chrześcijańskiego erudyty Paulina z Noli (zm. 431r.). Poruszone zostały zagadnienia ważności pielgrzymki w życiu chrześcijańskim, zachęty do nich, sposoby podejmowania pielgrzymów w miejscach świętych oraz najpopularniejsze kierunki peregrinatio i przywożone z nich relikwie lub pamiątki. Kolekcja źródeł Paulina z Noli nie jest bogata, jednak spróbowaliśmy zaprezentować wycinek obrazu z życia chrześcijańskiego społeczeństwa w IV i Vw. Wielu kwestii Paulin niestety nie porusza, jak np. niebezpieczeństwa podróży lub czyni to pobieżnie jak w kwestii relikwii. Sam temat wymaga dalszych badań, zwłaszcza w analizie innych późnoantycznych chrześcijańskich autorów.
O metodzie badawczej zapożyczonej z psychologii, czyli jak zaprojektować i przeprowadzić badanie za pomocą metody protokołów retrospektywnych w tłumaczeniu symultanicznym
Authors: Gumul Ewa
Published: November 2021

The Method of Retrospective Protocols in Translation and Interpreting Studies

The aim of the article is to discuss the stages of research conducted adopting the method of retrospective protocols in simultaneous interpreting research. The discussion is based on the author’s own research. The presentation begins with possible research designs usually involving triangulation with other methods. The author also discusses the problem of participants selection, instructions and training provided before the task, the choice of cuing stimuli, and finally transcription and coding conventions.
A Decision Support System for Brewery Production Planning at Feldschlösschen
Authors: Mickein Markus , Koch Matthes , Haase Knut
Published: November 2021

This article presents a decision support system (DSS) for multilevel production planning implemented at a Swiss brewery. The DSS supports supply chain executives in tactical and strategic decision making. The system consists of a user interface and visualization tool embedded in a cloud-based optimization framework.
Robustness in the Optimization of Risk Measures
Authors: Embrechts Paul , Schied Alexander , Wang Ruodu
Published: November 2021

We study issues of robustness in the context of Quantitative Risk Management and Optimization. We develop a general methodology for determining whether a given risk-measurement-related optimization problem is robust, which we call “robustness against optimization.” The new notion is studied for various classes of risk measures and expected utility and loss functions. Motivated by practical issues from !nancial regulation, special attention is given to the twomost widely used riskmeasures in the industry, Valueat-Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES).We establish that for a class of general optimization problems, VaR leads to nonrobust optimizers, whereas convex riskmeasures generally lead to robust ones. Our results offer extra insight on the ongoing discussion about the comparative advantages of VaR and ES in banking and insurance regulation. Our notion of robustness is conceptually different from the !eld of robust optimization, to which some interesting links are derived.
Simplified Strategies for COVID-19 Surge Management in Critical Care in Resource-Limited Areas – An Aide-Mémoire
Authors: Din Mehraj Ud , Hegde Prashant
Published: November 2021

Purpose of this document
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2. We are facing an unprecedented situation globally because of the COVID-19 pandemic
where extraordinary measures are needed continually on war footing. The goal being to save maximum lives while protecting health care staff.
A competent emergency response system must incorporate necessary resources, relevant knowledge, attitudes and skills. Ring-fencing by clustering patients, experts and pooling of resources will go a long way in containing the pandemic locally.
While detailed disaster response policies and guidelines are available from different societies and national bodies, this concise paper presents an aide-mémoire in a simplistic manner, since clarity of thought is
key to effective preparation and sustained response. [1-5]
Based on a review of various guidelines and literature search, key considerations are presented in a concise format to facilitate chalking out a suitable response strategy locally. [6-10]
The following five key areas should be considered in the hospital/institution while planning for increasing Critical Care capacity to cope with anticipated COVID-19 surge.
1. Structure
2. Staffing
3. Space
4. Supplies and equipment
5. Sustainability and Staff Well being

Structure (Management & Chain of Command)
Anticipate:
• There is going to be a sudden peak and surge in COVID-19 patients with many requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission requiring organ support particularly m e c h a n i c a l v e n t i l a t i o n w h i c h w i l l overwhelm existing health care facilities.

Blueprint:

• Establish a central/regional ICU COVID- 19 coordination center with dedicated and expert man power, which will guide and monitor all the ICU admissions and resource allocation in the entire region while maintaining continual contact with networking hospitals.
• Lay down and circulate policies and guidelines
A Novel Plant Based Ultrasound Phantom
Authors: Singh Shiv Kumar , Mistry Tuhin
Published: November 2021

Introduction

In most of the ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia workshops, anaesthesiologists usually concentrate on identification of nerves & plexus on human volunteers and practice needling techniques on phantom. Proper needle insertion technique and correct manipulation are two important skills for ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks. These skills can be sharpened by practicing on ultrasound phantom. It also helps anaesthesiologists to develop, practice and maintain the skills needed for regional anaesthesia and vascular access procedures [1]. But the use of phantoms is often limited due to the cost of the blue phantom [2]. Many courses use meat-based products like turkey legs or porcine models but these may not be acceptable to everyone [3,4]. Vegetable based models using gelatine also may not be acceptable as it too is made from animal products. We describe novel use of Aloe Vera (AV)stem as phantom for US guided needling training. This natural AV gel-based phantom can be used for scanning, needling and refine other relevant skills. The AV phantom can be constructed from low cost, readily available natural source and is reusable.
Various materials have been used to make ultrasound training phantoms. Commercially available phantoms are expensive and homemade nerve block models are cumbersome to prepare [5]. The Aloe Vera gel is obtained from Aloe Vera plant (Aloe barbadensis miller). It is a natural product which has been used for centuries in various field specially in dermatology. Aloe Vera leaves are triangular and fleshy with serrated edges. Each leaf contains an inner clear gel which is made of 99% water and other substances (glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins) [6]. Aloe Vera is odorless and semi-transparent unlike meat-based models.

Preparing the Aloe Vera US Model
The covering of the leaves is non-echogenic and hence the pulp from Aloe Vera leaves is separated and placed in layers and covered with a Transparent Dressing(Te
Airway Obstruction Caused by Sputa in Heat and Moisture Exchange Filter During Ventilation Using Supra-Laryngeal Mask Airway: A Case Report
Authors: Kobayashi Naoya , Yamauchi Masanori
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Supra-laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is widely accepted as an alternative to the tracheal tube. However, compared to the use of a tracheal tube, it may take longer to identify the many different causes of sudden respiratory distress. In particular, heat and moisture exchange filters are one of the most overlooked causes.
Case presentation: The case was that of a 76-year-old male Japanese patient (161.9 cm, 66.5 kg) who underwent an open renal biopsy. He presented with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with a Hugh–Jones dyspnea score of 2. The patient did not discontinue smoking prior to the operation. Anesthesia was induced using propofol (100 mg), fentanyl (100 ?g), and remifentanil (0.3 ?g/kg/min). I-gel™ #4 was inserted following neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium (40 mg). Anesthesia was maintained with 3–6% desflurane under positive pressure ventilation. After induction in the left lateral and jackknife positions, the following ventilator settings were used: volume-controlled ventilation with tidal volumes of 450 mL, respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute, an inspiratory: expiratory ratio of 1:2, and a positive end expiratory pressure of 5 cmH2O. With these settings, the peak inspiratory pressure was 16 cmH2O. Five minutes after initiating the operation, the peak inspiratory pressure steadily increased to 30 cmH2O. Although we administered rocuronium, the peak inspiratory pressure and end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration increased over time. When we disconnected the heat and moisture exchange filter and LMA, we noticed a large quantity of sputa. A suction catheter was passed down the LMA and the sputa was removed, but the LMA was not obstructed. The peak inspiratory pressure continued to increase with tidal volumes of only 20–30 mL. Despite a normal external appearance of the heat and moisture exchange filter, we replaced it with a new one. The ability to ventilate improved immediately and the SpO2 recovered from 92% to 100%.
Conclusions
Computational multi-wavelength phase synthesis using convolutional neural networks [Invited]
Authors: Bazow Brad , Phan Thuc , Raub Christopher B. , Nehmetallah George
Published: November 2021

Multi-wavelength digital holographic microscopy (MWDHM) provides indirect measurements of the refractive index for non-dispersive samples. Successive-shot MWDHM is not appropriate for dynamic samples and single-shot MWDHM significantly increases the complexity of the optical setup due to the need for multiple lasers or a wavelength tunable source. Here we consider deep learning convolutional neural networks for computational phase synthesis to obtain high-speed simultaneous phase estimates on different wavelengths and thus single-shot estimates of the integral refractive index without increased experimental complexity. This novel, to the best of our knowledge, computational concept is validated using cell phantoms consisting of internal refractive index variations representing cytoplasm and membrane-bound organelles, respectively, and a simulation of a realistic holographic recording process. Specifically, in this work we employed data-driven computational techniques to perform accurate dual-wavelength hologram synthesis (hologram-to-hologram prediction), dual-wavelength phase synthesis (unwrapped phase-to-phase prediction), direct phase-to-index prediction using a single wavelength, hologram-to-phase prediction, and 2D phase unwrapping with sharp discontinuities (wrapped-to-unwrapped phase prediction).
BM3D adaptive TV filtering-based convolutional neural network for ESPI image denoising
Authors: Xin Huamei , Sun Zengzhao , Xing Ying , Wang Jingjing
Published: November 2021

Image denoising is a fundamental part of image processing. The real electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) contains a large amount of speckle noise, which affects the image quality and adversely affects subsequent studies. In this paper, a method based on an improved denoising convolutional neural network (CNN) has been proposed, with the goal of reducing noise while maintaining accurate information. The block matching 3D-based adaptive TV denoising CNN can protect the valid information while preventing the information of the original image itself from being corrupted. A two-channel model is used to improve the noise reduction effect of real images. The proposed method is compared with the conventional denoising algorithms and the deep-learning denoising algorithms. Experimental results show that the proposed method can maintain accuracy, integrity, and stability while preserving the details, texture, and edge information of the stripe pattern.
Recent advances in lensless imaging
Authors: Boominathan Vivek , Robinson Jacob T. , Waller Laura , Veeraraghavan Ashok
Published: November 2021

Lensless imaging provides opportunities to design imaging systems free from the constraints imposed by traditional camera architectures. Due to advances in imaging hardware, fabrication techniques, and new algorithms, researchers have recently developed lensless imaging systems that are extremely compact and lightweight or able to image higher-dimensional quantities. Here we review these recent advances and describe the design principles and their effects that one should consider when developing and using lensless imaging systems.
Non-invasive measurement of pulse waves in the soles of rats using an RGB camera
Authors: Takahashi Masato , Yamaguchi Takeshi , Takahashi Ryo , Ogawa-Ochiai Keiko , Tsumura Norimichi , Iijima Norio
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we propose a non-invasive method for measuring pulse waves corresponding to heart rate (HR) by capturing the color change on the soles of rats’ feet using a high-speed RGB camera. Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) with a camera has been used as a non-invasive biometric method. However, the rPPG method has been challenging to apply to rats with body hair. We applied the rPPG method using a high frame rate to the sole where the skin was directly visible and successfully and accurately detected pulse waves under non-invasive, non-restraint, and non-anesthetized conditions.
Comb-based photonic neural population for parallel and nonlinear processing
Authors: Ma Bowen , Zhang Junfeng , Zou Weiwen
Published: November 2021

It is believed that neural information representation and processing relies on the neural population instead of a single neuron. In neuromorphic photonics, photonic neurons in the form of nonlinear responses have been extensively studied in single devices and temporal nodes. However, to construct a photonic neural population (PNP), the process of scaling up and massive interconnections remain challenging considering the physical complexity and response latency. Here, we propose a comb-based PNP interconnected by carrier coupling with superior scalability. Two unique properties of neural population are theoretically and experimentally demonstrated in the comb-based PNP, including nonlinear response curves and population activities coding. A classification task of three input patterns with dual radio-frequency (RF) tones is successfully implemented in a time-efficient manner, which allows the comb-based PNP to make effective use of the ultra-broad bandwidth of photonics for parallel and nonlinear processing.
Postoperative hypothermia following non-cardiac high-risk surgery: A prospective study of temporal patterns and risk factors
Authors: Sabbag Itajiba Paternosti , Hohmann Fabio Barlem , Assunção Murillo Santucci Cesar , de Freitas Chaves Renato Carneiro , Corrêa Thiago Domingos , Menezes Pedro Ferro L. , Neto Ary Serpa , Sá Malbouisson Luiz Marcelo , Lobo Suzana Margareth Ajeje , Amendola Cristina Prata , de Aguilar-Nascimento Jose Eduardo , Silva João Manoel ,   on behalf of The BRASIS Study Group
Published: November 2021

Background and objectives

Hypothermia occurs commonly during surgery and can cause postoperative complications. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of hypothermia in patients undergoing major surgeries.

Methods

This prospective, observational, multicenter study of a nationally representative sample included all patients over 18 years of age admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Thirty ICUs were selected randomly at national level. The main outcome measure was the proportion of patients who developed postoperative hypothermia in the first 24 hours of ICU admission. Patients were divided into three groups based on temperature: <35°C, <36°C, and ≥36°C (no hypothermia). Patients’ characteristics, postoperative complications, and risk factors were evaluated in all groups. To verify whether hypothermia was a strong risk factor for postoperative complications, a Kaplan–Meier curve was generated and adjusted using a Cox regression model.

Results

In total, 738 patients had their temperatures measured. The percentage of patients with temperature <35°C (median [Q1-Q3], 34.7°C [34.3–34.9°C]) was 19.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 16.1–22.5) and that of patients with temperature <36°C (median [Q1-Q3], 35.4°C [35.0–35.8°C]) was 64% (95% CI = 58.3–70.0). The percentage of surgical complications was 38.9%. Patients with hypothermia were older, had undergone abdominal surgeries, had undergone procedures of longer duration, and had more comorbidities. A postoperative temperature ≤35°C was an independent risk for composite postoperative complications (hazard ratio = 1.523, 95% CI = 1.15–2.0), especially coagulation and infection.

Conclusions

Inadvertent hypothermia was frequent among patients admitted to the ICU and occurred more likely after abdominal surgery, after a long procedure, in elderly patients, and in patients with a higher number of comorbidities. Low postoperative temperature was associated with postoperative complications.
Work and everyday life in a digitalized time: Experiences of people with subjective cognitive difficulties related to neurological disorders
Authors: Lindberg Monika , Ranner Maria , Månsson-Lexell Eva , Jacobsson Lars , Larsson-Lund Maria
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Digitalization has changed working life and increased cognitive demands on employees in general. Nevertheless, the consequences for employees with cognitive impairments and subjective cognitive difficulties are to a large extent unexplored. The aim of this study was to explore and describe how employees with subjective cognitive difficulties who are performing digital work tasks experience their vocational situation and how this situation influences their everyday life.

Methods

A qualitative, descriptive, multiple-case study was designed. Self-reports, assessments and qualitative interviews were used to collect data from the seven participants with neurological disorders. The data were analysed using pattern matching.

Findings

The analysed data formed four categories conceptualized as “Working to my full potential”, “Working, but it is largely up to me”, “Working at the expense of everyday life” and “Working without known difficulties”, and these categories included one to four subcategories.

Conclusion

Managing subjective cognitive difficulties in vocational situations and everyday life was challenging in a digitalized working life for participants with neurological disorders. To provide equal access to preventive measures and rehabilitation and a sustainable working life, it is important to investigate the influence of subjective cognitive difficulties systematically on work, everyday life and management strategies in people with neurological disorders in digitalized work.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Second Emancipation Proclamation: Reimagining Prudence through Commemoration
Authors: Kretsinger-Harries Anne C.
Published: November 2021

This essay examines Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s campaign for President John F. Kennedy to issue a second emancipation proclamation, which involved a series of public speeches delivered across the nation from 1961 through 1963 as well as a 60-page Appeal memorandum composed for Kennedy by Southern Christian Leadership Conference lawyers. King challenged Kennedy’s conservative, accommodating understanding of prudence by harnessing the inventional resources of Civil War centennial commemoration, folding together the past and present to offer a vision of audacious presidential leadership. Examination of this historical moment provides insight into how commemoration creates kairotic opportunities for advocates of social change to renegotiate prudence and call forth new, bolder forms of political action.
Recruiting Foreign Warriors: Moral and Temporal Tropes in the Islamic State’sDabiq
Authors: Bardhan Soumia , Cutter Daniel
Published: November 2021

To commemorate its declaration of a global khilafah in 2014, the Islamic State (IS) began publishing an online magazine, Dabiq, which became one of its primary recruiting tools during its rise to infamy. By using rhetoric that recalls U.S. presidential war rhetoric, specifically, tropes of “justice” and “time,” the English-language version of Dabiq fulfilled both subversive and hegemonic functions. It disrupted the reductive discourse that equates Islamic terrorists only with barbaric aggression and rendered IS as a rational global actor. Through this subversive move, IS aligned its anti-imperial interests with potential recruits in English-speaking Western countries with similar proclivities. At the same time, through its use of dominant Western war tropes, IS made a hegemonic attempt to facilitate recruits’ cultural identification so they assume a congruence of interests with IS, leading to an alignment of motives. Dabiq thus fulfilled an imperial trajectory through (neo)imperial rhetorics of identification and control. IS’s strategic use of (neo)imperial tropes in English—language of the empire—in Dabiq hence complicates monolithic (and Oriental) perceptions of the relationship between empire, imperialism, and Islamic terrorism in contemporary global political discourse. In addition, the significance of (neo) imperial tropes expands the heuristic scope of the rhetoric of terrorism by highlighting the implications of imperial ambitions and use of (neo)imperial rhetoric for the rise of global Islamic terrorism.
Syndrome inflammatoire multisystémique chez les enfants au Canada
Authors: Laverty Meghan , Salvadori Marina , Squires Susan G , Ahmed May , Eisenbeis Lisa , Lee Santina , Des Cormiers Annick , Li Y Anita
Published: November 2021

Cet article présente un résumé de l’épidémiologie des cas de syndrome inflammatoire multisystémique chez les enfants (MIS-C) déclarés à l’échelle nationale au Canada par les autorités sanitaires provinciales et territoriales. Le syndrome inflammatoire multisystémique chez les enfants est un syndrome inflammatoire post-viral qui suit la maladie à coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Les symptômes peuvent comprendre de la fièvre, des douleurs abdominales, des vomissements, de la diarrhée, des éruptions cutanées et d’autres signes d’inflammation. Au Canada, le MIS-C est rare, avec 269 cas signalés à l’Agence de la santé publique du Canada entre le 11 mars 2020 et le 2 octobre 2021. Cent quarante-deux (53 %) de ces cas étaient des cas de COVID-19 confirmés en laboratoire ou liés épidémiologiquement à des cas de COVID-19. Des cas ont été signalés chez des nourrissons d’à peine une semaine et des jeunes de 18 ans, l’âge médian étant de six ans. Les cas étaient plus susceptibles de se produire chez les garçons que chez les filles (58 % contre 42 %, respectivement; p = 0,006). Presque tous les cas de MIS-C (99 %) ont nécessité une hospitalisation et 36 % une admission en unité de soins intensifs. Aucun décès n’a été signalé à ce jour. La tendance temporelle du MIS-C s’aligne sur la tendance temporelle du taux d’incidence du COVID-19 rapporté chez les enfants, avec un décalage de deux à six semaines.
Rapid review of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in paediatrics: What we know one year later
Authors: Striha Megan , Edjoc Rojiemiahd , Bresee Natalie , Atchessi Nicole , Waddell Lisa , Bennett Terri-Lyn , Thompson Emily , El Jaouhari Maryem , Bonti-Ankomah Samuel
Published: November 2021

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging condition that was first identified in paediatrics at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The condition is also known as pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (PIMS-TS or PIMS), and multiple definitions have been established for this condition that share overlapping features with Kawasaki Disease and toxic shock syndrome. Methods: A review was conducted to identify literature describing the epidemiology of MIS-C, published up until March 9, 2021. A database established at the Public Health Agency of Canada with COVID-19 literature was searched for articles referencing MIS-C, PIMS or Kawasaki Disease in relation to COVID-19. Results: A total of 195 out of 988 articles were included in the review. The median age of MIS-C patients was between seven and 10 years of age, although children of all ages (and adults) can be affected. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children disproportionately affected males (58% patients), and Black and Hispanic children seem to be at an elevated risk for developing MIS-C. Roughly 62% of MIS-C patients required admission to an intensive care unit, with one in five patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Between 0% and 2% of MIS-C patients died, depending on the population and available interventions. Conclusion: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children can affect children of all ages. A significant proportion of patients required intensive care unit and mechanical ventilation and 0%–2% of cases resulted in fatalities. More evidence is needed on the role of race, ethnicity and comorbidities in the development of MIS-C.