bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reabilitação estética em dentes decíduos – cárie severa: Relato de caso clínico
Authors: Rodrigues Fabiana Bandeira Torres , Rego Isabel Cristina Quaresma , Araújo Alessandra Rodrigues , Alencar Alice da Silva , Queiroz Ingrid Quaresma Diniz , Gomes Luciene de Moura Alves
Published: July 2023

A cárie severa na primeira infância pode causar destruição coronária e afeta negativamente a qualidade de vida das crianças. Compromete a estética, fonação e promove a perda de peso, déficit de crescimento, alterações no padrão de sono e nos padrões comportamentais, exclusão social e baixa autoestima. A paralisação da doença cárie com mudanças de hábitos de higiene e dieta precede reconstrução dos elementos dentários. Metodologia: este trabalho é um estudo qualitativo e descritivo, do tipo relato de caso, elaborado por meio da anamnese, história odontológica, bem como fotografias do paciente. Objetivo: Esse trabalho consiste em demonstrar um caso clínico de reabilitação estética em dentes decíduos anteriores acometidos por cárie severa na infância, em paciente de 3 anos e 0 meses de idade do sexo feminino. Como opção para reabilitação optou-se pelo uso de coroa de zircônia e matrizes de acetato com resina composta, devolvendo a estética perdida e a autoestima do paciente infantil. Considerações finais: Coroas de acetato e coroas de zircônia são excelentes opções para a reabilitação estética em dentição decídua.
Aerothermal comparison of a diffuser hole and a slot geometry: thermal performance and jet stability
Authors: Stichling Katharina , Bauer Hans-Jörg
Published: July 2023

Numerous experimental investigations, predominantly determining the adiabatic film cooling effectiveness and the heat transfer coefficient with film cooling dependent on parameters such as blowing ratio (M), density ratio (DR), velocity ratio (VR) and momentum flux ratio (IR) have been conducted in the past for a vast variety of geometries. To fully characterize a jet in cross-flow for its application in film cooling, thermal and aerodynamic parameters have to be analysed in conjunction.

In the present work, detailed flow field measurements using Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV) are conducted at engine-realistic operating conditions in a test rig at the Institute of Thermal Turbomachinery (ITS) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Additionally, thermal measurements using Infrared Thermography (IRT) are carried out to determine the adiabatic film cooling effectiveness and the heat transfer coefficient with film cooling. Two film cooling hole geometries are analysed: A 10°-10°-10° laidback fan-shaped shaped film cooling hole (LFH10) and a slot geometry with a plenum-like inlet. Flow field data, and thermal film cooling quantities are analysed to quantify and characterize their aero-thermal behaviour. The significance of the stability and continuity of the exiting film cooling jets for the thermal performance is demonstrated to comprehend the differences in how efficiently the provided cooling air is used. It is shown that the absence of the counter-rotating vortex pair may not necessarily lead to an improved adiabatic film cooling effectiveness ηa,W.
Representasi citra perempuan dalam novel Memoar Seorang Dokter Perempuan karya Nawal El Saadawi
Authors: Anggradinata Langgeng Prima
Published: July 2023

Wacana perempuan telah hadir dalam karya sastra, termasuk karya sastra Arab. Beberapa karya sastra Arab (yang dikarang oleh laki-laki) merepresentasikan represi yang dialami perempuan. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis novel Memoar Seorang Dokter Perempuan karya Nawal El Saadawi. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif. Wacana femininitas dari Simone de Beauvoir dan representasi dari Stuart Hall digunakan untuk menganalisis novel ini. Hasilnya, novel Memoar Seorang Dokter Perempuan karya Nawal El Saadawi telah melawan nilai-nilai tradisional yang diberikan kepada perempuan (Arab). Novel ini telah mengkritisi kehidupan perempuan yang direpresi, disubordinasi, dan dihegemoni dari masa kecil hingga dewasa. Novel ini juga telah merepresentasikan pembentukan stereotipe perempuan oleh lingkungan sosialnya. Selain itu, Nawal El Saadawi merekonstruksi citra perempuan dalam masyarakat Arab yang patriarkat. Novel ini mencitrakan perempuan (Arab) sebagai perempuan yang bereksistensi, berpikir kritis, dan berdaya.
Change Building Blocks Toward Sustainable Organizations: Learning From Three Sectors
Authors: Said Sudirman , Gustomo Aurik , Anggoro Yudo
Published: July 2023

Purpose - This research aims to identify processes and stages in managing sustainable change so that organizations are able to survive in different dynamic conditions, as all organizations (public, private and non-profit) are continuously forced to change to stay competitive in the society. The ability of the leaders of organization to strategically determine the direction of changes and manage change are the fundamental skills.
Methodology - This research is qualitative research using multiple-case study that carried out in six organizational settings within three different sectors. Data were collected in 2021, from archival reviews and semi-structured interviews with eighteen change leaders, from six organizations. The data coded and analyzed using NVIVO to find out the common pattern on how the leaders managing changes in three sectors.
Findings - The research identify five common building blocks of change: identifying rooms for improvement, organizing change agents, mobilizing support, executing change, and sustaining the change results.
Originality - Leadership development is identified as the most effective strategies for sustaining change and transformation initiatives in all three sectors. As this research is conducted in Indonesian institutional setting, the further studies are needed to investigate whether the five building blocks of change are universally applicable.
PENGARUH CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR), LEVERAGE, DAN NON PERFORMING LOAN (NPL) TERHADAP RETURN SAHAM
Authors: Tapokabkab Bernadus Sutomo , Rosyati Tati
Published: July 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh corporate social responsibility (CSR), leverage dan non performing loan (NPL) terhadap return saham pada perusahaan yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia tahun 2017-2021. Jenis penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif. Penentuan sampel menggunakan teknik purposive sampling, diperoleh sampel sebanyak 10 perusahaan dengan 50 data observasi. Teknik analisis dan pengujian hipotesis dilakukan dengan analisis regresi data panel melalui eviews-9. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa leverage berpengaruh negatif signifikan terhadap return saham. Sementara itu, corporate social reponsibility (CSR) dan non performing loan (NPL) tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap return saham.
Recent development in black phosphorus nanomaterials for anticancer applications
Authors: Gao Siyang , Wang Yuelong , Sun Jianwei , Zhang Zhihui
Published: July 2023

Black phosphorus (BP), also referred to as phosphorene, has gained significant attention in recent years due to its unique structure and properties since its successful exfoliation in 2014. BP’s remarkable optical and mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and electron transfer capabilities position it as a promising alternative to graphene for various biomedical applications. This article provides an overview of the use of BP in cancer imaging, drug delivery, and combination therapy, as well as the challenges and prospects of utilizing BP in practical biomedical applications. While BP shows great potential for biomedical applications, practical implementation remains challenging. Therefore, this review article aims to summarize the latest research on BP and provide insights into its future applications in the biomedical field.
Akkermansia muciniphila in neuropsychiatric disorders: friend or foe?
Authors: Lei Wenhui , Cheng Yiwen , Gao Jie , Liu Xia , Shao Li , Kong Qingming , Zheng Nengneng , Ling Zongxin , Hu Weiming
Published: July 2023

An accumulating body of evidence suggests that the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila exhibits positive systemic effects on host health, mainly by improving immunological and metabolic functions, and it is therefore regarded as a promising potential probiotic. Recent clinical and preclinical studies have shown that A. muciniphila plays a vital role in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders by influencing the host brain through the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). Numerous studies observed that A. muciniphila and its metabolic substances can effectively improve the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders by restoring the gut microbiota, reestablishing the integrity of the gut mucosal barrier, regulating host immunity, and modulating gut and neuroinflammation. However, A. muciniphila was also reported to participate in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders by aggravating inflammation and influencing mucus production. Therefore, the exact mechanism of action of A. muciniphila remains much controversial. This review summarizes the proposed roles and mechanisms of A. muciniphila in various neurological and psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, strokes, and autism spectrum disorders, and provides insights into the potential therapeutic application of A. muciniphila for the treatment of these conditions.
Improving door-to-reperfusion time in acute ischemic stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic: experience from a public comprehensive stroke center in Brazil
Authors: Klu Marcelo , Souza Ana Claudia de , Carbonera Leonardo Augusto , Secchi Thais Leite , Pille Arthur , Rodrigues Marcio , Brondani Rosane , Almeida Andrea Garcia de , Dal Pizzol Angélica , Camelo Daniel Monte Freire , Mantovani Gabriel Paulo , Oldoni Carolina , Tessari Marcelo Somma , Nasi Luiz Antonio , Martins Sheila Cristina Ouriques
Published: July 2023

Background

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on global health, resulting in a strain on healthcare services worldwide. The faster a patient with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) receives reperfusion treatment, the greater the odds of a good functional outcome. To maintain the time-dependent processes in acute stroke care, strategies to reorganize infrastructure and optimize human and medical resources were needed.

Methods

Data from AIS patients who received thrombolytic therapy were prospectively assessed in the emergency department (ED) of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre from 2019 to 2021. Treatment times for each stage were measured, and the reasons for a delay in receiving thrombolytic therapy were evaluated.

Results

A total of 256 patients received thrombolytic therapy during this period. Patients who arrived by the emergency medical service (EMS) had a lower median door-to-needle time (DNT). In the multivariable analysis, the independent predictors of DNT >60 min were previous atrial fibrillation (OR 7) and receiving thrombolysis in the ED (OR 9). The majority of patients had more than one reason for treatment delay. The main reasons were as follows: delay in starting the CT scan, delay in the decision-making process after the CT scan, and delay in reducing blood pressure. Several actions were implemented during the study period. The most important factor that contributed to a decrease in DNT was starting the bolus and continuous infusion of tPA on the CT scan table (decreased the median DNT from 74 to 52, DNT ≤ 60 min in 67% of patients treated at radiology service vs. 24% of patients treated in the ED). The DNT decreased from 78 min to 66 min in 2020 and 57 min in 2021 (p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Acute stroke care continued to be a priority despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of a thrombolytic bolus and the start of continuous infusion on the CT scan table was the main factor that contributed to the reduction of DNT. Continuous monitoring of service times is essential for improving the quality of the stroke center and achieving better functional outcomes for patients.
Differential processing of intrinsic vs. extrinsic coordinates in wrist movement: connectivity and chronometry perspectives
Authors: Martinez-Tejada Laura Alejandra , Imakura Yuji , Cho Ying-Tung , Minati Ludovico , Yoshimura Natsue
Published: July 2023

This study explores brain-network differences between the intrinsic and extrinsic motor coordinate frames. A connectivity model showing the coordinate frames difference was obtained using brain fMRI data of right wrist isometric flexions and extensions movements, performed in two forearm postures. The connectivity model was calculated by machine-learning-based neural representation and effective functional connectivity using psychophysiological interaction and dynamic causal modeling analyses. The model indicated the network difference wherein the inferior parietal lobule receives extrinsic information from the rostral lingual gyrus through the superior parietal lobule and transmits intrinsic information to the Handknob, whereas extrinsic information is transmitted to the Handknob directly from the rostral lingual gyrus. A behavioral experiment provided further evidence on the difference between motor coordinate frames showing onset timing delay of muscle activity of intrinsic coordinate-directed wrist movement compared to extrinsic one. These results suggest that, if the movement is externally directed, intrinsic coordinate system information is bypassed to reach the primary motor area.
Sutureless technique combined with vertical vein incision and pulmonary veins unroofed for correction of infracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection
Authors: Bing Zhen , Chen Rui , Xing Quansheng , Xing Pengchao , Lv Bei
Published: July 2023

Objective

We report a surgical method (sutureless technique), combined with vertical vein incision and pulmonary veins unroofed (semisutureless technique), to correct infracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC).

Materials and methods

The clinical characteristics of 21 patients, who were diagnosed with infracardiac TAPVS between February 2017 and March 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into three groups according to different surgical methods: conventional surgery group, sutureless technique group, and semisutureless technique group. The conventional surgery group enrolled five patients with a median age of 16 days (interquartile range, 9–27 days) and a median weight of 3.25 kg (interquartile range, 3.1–3.42 kg). In this group, no preoperative pulmonary vein obstruction (PVO), preoperative ventilator support, or emergency surgery were reported. The sutureless technique group enrolled seven patients with a median age of 12 days (interquartile range, 5–16 days) and a median weight of 3.04 kg (interquartile range, 2.76–3.20 kg). In this group, two patients with preoperative PVO, four patients with preoperative ventilator support, and seven patients requiring emergency operation were found. The semisutureless technique group enrolled nine patients with a median age of 14 days (interquartile range, 7–24 days) and a median weight of 3.22 kg (interquartile range, 3.15–3.50 kg). In this group, four patients with preoperative PVO, two patients with preoperative ventilator support, and seven patients requiring emergency operation were noted.

Results

In the conventional surgery group, two patients with postoperative supraventricular tachycardia, one patient with postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, one patient with PVO, and no case of postoperative death were reported. In the sutureless technique group, two patients with postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, one patient with postoperative supraventricular tachycardia, one patient with postoperative PVO, and no postoperative deaths were determined. In the semisutureless technique group, three patients had low cardiac output syndrome, two patients had supraventricular tachycardia after the operation, and one patient, who had been admitted to the hospital after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the emergency room, died early after the operation. No case of death or PVO was noted after the operation.

Conclusion

The semisutureless technique has positive effects. This surgery method can enlarge the anastomotic stoma, increase the volume of the left atrium, reduce the tension of the anastomotic stoma, fix the pulmonary vein to avoid distortion, and prevent postoperative hemorrhage.
Unknown adverse drug reactions from spontaneous reports in a hospital setting: characterization, follow-up, and contribution to the pharmacovigilance system
Authors: Filippi-Arriaga Francesca , Aguilera Cristina , Guillén Elena , Bellas Lucía , Pérez Eulàlia , Vendrell Lourdes , Agustí Antònia , Cereza Gloria
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Post-marketing identification and report of unknown adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are crucial for patient safety. However, complete information on unknown ADRs seldom is available at the time of spontaneous ADR reports and this can hamper their contribution to the pharmacovigilance system.

Methods: In order to characterize the seriousness and outcome of unknown ADRs at the time of report and at follow-up, and analyze their contribution to generate pharmacovigilance regulatory actions, a retrospective observational study of those identified in the spontaneous ADR reports of patients assisted at a hospital (January, 2016-December, 2021) was carried out. Information on demographic, clinical and complementary tests was retrieved from patients’ hospital medical records. To evaluate the contribution to pharmacovigilance system we reviewed the European Union SmPCs, the list of the pharmacovigilance signals discussed by the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee, and its recommendations reports on safety signals.

Results: A total of 15.2% of the spontaneous reported cases during the study contained at least one unknown drug-ADR pair. After exclusions, 295 unknown drug-ADR pairs were included, within them the most frequently affected organs or systems were: skin and subcutaneous tissue (34, 11.5%), hepatobiliary disorders (28, 9.5%), cardiac disorders (28, 9.5%) and central nervous system disorders (27, 9.2%). The most frequent ADRs were pemphigus (7, 2.4%), and cytolytic hepatitis, sudden death, cutaneous vasculitis and fetal growth restriction with 6 (2%) each. Vaccines such as covid-19 and pneumococcus (68, 21.3%), antineoplastics such as paclitaxel, trastuzumab and vincristine (39, 12.2%) and immunosuppressants such as methotrexate and tocilizumab (35, 11%) were the most frequent drug subgroups involved. Sudden death due to hydroxychloroquine alone or in combination (4, 1.4%) and hypertransaminasemia by vincristine (n = 3, 1%) were the most frequent unknown drug-ADR pairs. A total of 269 (91.2%) of them were serious. Complementary tests were performed in 82.7% of unknown-ADR pairs and helped to reinforce their association in 18.3% of them. A total of 18 (6.1%) unknown drug-ADR pairs were evaluated by the EMA, in 8 (2.7%) the information was added to the drug’s SmPC and in 1 case the risk prevention material was updated.

Conclusion: Identification and follow-up of unknown ADRs can be of great relevance for patient safety and for the enrichment of the pharmacovigilance system.
Evaluation of chronic drug-induced electrophysiological and cytotoxic effects using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs)
Authors: Altrocchi C. , Van Ammel K. , Steemans M. , Kreir M. , Tekle F. , Teisman A. , Gallacher D. J. , Lu H. R.
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Cardiotoxicity is one of the leading causes of compound attrition during drug development. Most in vitro screening platforms aim at detecting acute cardio-electrophysiological changes and drug-induced chronic functional alterations are often not studied in the early stage of drug development. Therefore, we developed an assay using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) that evaluates both drug-induced acute and delayed electrophysiological and cytotoxic effects of reference compounds with clinically known cardiac outcomes.

Methods: hiPSC-CMs were seeded in 48-well multielectrode array (MEA) plates and were treated with four doses of reference compounds (covering and exceeding clinical free plasma peak concentrations -fCmax values) and MEA recordings were conducted for 4 days. Functional-electrophysiological (field-potentials) and viability (impedance) parameters were recorded with a MEA machine.

Results: To assess this platform, we tested tyrosine-kinase inhibitors with high-cardiac risk profile (sunitinib, vandetanib and nilotinib) and low-cardiac risk (erlotinib), as well as known classic cardiac toxic drugs (doxorubicin and BMS-986094), ion-channel trafficking inhibitors (pentamidine, probucol and arsenic trioxide) and compounds without known clinical cardiotoxicity (amoxicillin, cetirizine, captopril and aspirin). By evaluating the effects of these compounds on MEA parameters, the assay was mostly able to recapitulate different drug-induced cardiotoxicities, represented by a prolongation of the field potential, changes in beating rate and presence of arrhythmic events in acute (<2 h) or delayed phase ≥24 h, and/or reduction of impedance during the delayed phase (≥24 h). Furthermore, a few reference compounds were tested in hiPSC-CMs using fluorescence- and luminescence-based plate reader assays, confirming the presence or absence of cytotoxic effects, linked to changes of the impedance parameters measured in the MEA assay. Of note, some cardiotoxic effects could not be identified at acute time points (<2 h) but were clearly detected after 24 h, reinforcing the importance of chronic drug evaluation.

Discussion: In conclusion, the evaluation of chronic drug-induced cardiotoxicity using a hiPSC-CMs in vitro assay can contribute to the early de-risking of compounds and help optimize the drug development process.
Elucidation of flavanones, phenols and antioxidant capacity influenced by drying methods from physiologically dropped underutilized Citrus grandis fruits
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Ladaniya M. S. , Gurjar Manju , Mendke Sachin , Kumar Sunil , Ghosh Dilip
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Nutritional content in citrus fruit is enormous. Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck is underutilised citrus crop that receives little attention due to the lack of knowledge regarding its nutritional value. Citrus waste disposal poses a problem due to economic and environmental factors.

Methods

The metabolites flavonoids, phenols and antioxidant capacity in the dropped fruits of the underutilised citrus species pomelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck) were examined.

Results and discussion

Hesperidin varied from 1.22 to 2.83% and 1.08 to 1.16% from 10 mm to 14 mm whereas naringin dominates in fruits measuring 10 mm and 12mm with 60.61%, 60.77%, and 47.76%, 45.87% in freeze dried (FD) and hot air oven dried (HAOD) samples. According to the results of the antioxidant assays, the highest concentrations of ABTS azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) were found in freeze dried samples, ranging from 9.679 to 10.416 mmol L-1 Trolox and 14.825 to 16.432 mmol L-1 Trolox, respectively. However, the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay revealed higher content in samples of both FD and HAOD that were 10mm in size (4.578 mmol L-1 Trolox and 3.730 mmol L-1 Trolox). Total phenol content was measured, and the highest concentrations were found in fruits with a diameter between 10 mm and 18 mm. It ranged from 48.479 to 54.498 mg GAE L-1 in FD samples and from 45.757 to 51.159 mg GAE L-1 in HAOD samples. The smallest fruits, or those that were still in the immature stage, had the highest content. It was found that when the immature dropped fruits were dried by HAOD, the content decreased. At p<0.01 and p<0.05, there was a significant positive correlation between the flavonoids, antioxidants, and total phenols. The results showed that the immature dropped immature fruits of lesser known underutilised citrus sp. Citrus grandis can act as potential source of flavonoids, total phenol concentration, and antioxidant potential. Freeze drying can be recommended to recover the most bioactive substances from physiologically dropped fruits of Citrus grandis for use in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. This study will help in reducing the environmental impact caused due to citrus dropped fruits and its responsible management.
Quality analysis and metabolomic profiling of the effects of exogenous abscisic acid on rabbiteye blueberry
Authors: Yang Hao , Han Tianyu , Wu Yaqiong , Lyu Lianfei , Wu Wenlong , Li Weilin
Published: July 2023

Blueberry is a characteristic berry fruit shrub of the genus Vaccinium in the Rhododendron family. The fruit is rich in anthocyanins and has a variety of nutritional and health functions. This study aimed to systematically study the effect of exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) application on ripening and metabolites in blueberry fruits. Blueberry fruit ripening was divided into six stages for further analysis. In this study, nontarget metabolomics was performed to demonstrate the effect on metabolite levels. The results showed that 1000 mg/L ABA significantly promoted fruit ripening and increased anthocyanin content. Moreover, exogenous ABA treatment can affect endogenous ABA levels and improve its antioxidant capacity. Important metabolites of the flavonoid pathway were detected, and the results showed that anthocyanin synthesis increased, and some other bioactive metabolite levels decreased. After comprehensive assessments, we believe that 1000 mg/L exogenous ABA application will have positive impacts on blueberry fruit quality and economic benefits.
The effectiveness of the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic for veterans with probable posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Walter Kristen H. , Otis Nicholas P. , Hose Michal Kalli , Ober Kathleen M. , Glassman Lisa H.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Recreational and adaptive sports programs may be beneficial therapeutic interventions for improving psychological outcomes among veterans and service members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because they provide opportunities for exercise, socialization, respite, and time outdoors. Although there are an increasing number of sports programs for veterans and service members with PTSD, data evaluating the outcomes of such programs are limited.

Materials and methods

The sample included 74 U.S. veterans who participated in the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic (NVSSC), an annual, week-long adaptive sports program in San Diego, California. Participants were categorized into two subgroups: those who met criteria for probable PTSD using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (n = 20) and those who did not (n = 54). Participants completed self-report assessments before and after each daily activity, before and after the program, and 3 months following program completion.

Results

Over the course of NVSSC program participation, the diagnostic subgroups (probable PTSD vs. no PTSD) did not significantly differ on changes in depression, positive affect, negative affect, or insomnia. Compared to those without PTSD, veterans with PTSD experienced greater reduction in generalized anxiety during the program (MD = −3.07, p = 0.034). Veterans with PTSD also experienced significant improvements in PTSD symptoms at postprogram (MD = −23.76, p < 0.001). For both groups, significant benefits were shown during the program but rebounded by the 3-month follow-up. Over the course of each daily activity, positive affect (MD = 2.71, p < 0.001) and depression/anxiety scores significantly decreased (MD = −0.75, p < 0.001), with no differences between PTSD diagnostic groups across time (ps = 0.714 and 0.961, respectively).

Conclusion

Veterans with and without PTSD benefited from participation in the NVSSC. Participants with probable PTSD experienced greater improvements in generalized anxiety at postprogram only; there were no other significant differences between the two groups at postprogram or at 3-month follow-up. In line with prior research, benefits for those with PTSD were lost by 3-month follow-up, suggesting that regular engagement in recreational and adaptive sports may be necessary to sustain psychological health improvements.
Radiofrequency ablation-induced superior vena cava stenosis in a 5-year-old boy with congenital left atrial appendage deformity: a case report and literature review
Authors: Xiong Jianxian , Wenbo Yu , Gao Jianfeng , Li Meifang , Yu Dongmin
Published: July 2023

Superior vena cava (SVC) stenosis is rarely caused by iatrogenic trauma. Herein, the case of a 5-year-old boy who underwent radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia but developed SVC stenosis and related syndromes is reported. Notably, the child exhibited an enlarged left atrial appendage that had partially breached the pericardium. Subsequent interventions involved successful removal of the stenosis, artificial vascular reconstruction, and comprehensive radiofrequency ablation of the entire right atrium, along with ligation of the left atrial appendage under direct vision. As a result, the child experienced relief from symptoms.
A Cross-Talk about Radioresistance in Lung Cancer—How to Improve Radiosensitivity According to Chinese Medicine and Medicaments That Commonly Occur in Pharmacies
Authors: Nowak Paulina , Bil-Lula Iwona , Śliwińska-Mossoń Mariola
Published: July 2023

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the population and is characterized by non-specific symptoms that delay the diagnosis and reduce the effectiveness of oncological treatment. Due to the difficult placement of the tumor, one of the main methods of lung cancer treatment is radiotherapy, which damages the DNA of cancer cells, inducing their apoptosis. However, resistance to ionizing radiation may develop during radiotherapy cycles, leading to an increase in the number of DNA points of control that protect cells from apoptosis. Cancer stem cells are essential for radioresistance, and due to their ability to undergo epithelial–mesenchymal transition, they modify the phenotype, bypassing the genotoxic effect of radiotherapy. It is therefore necessary to search for new methods that could improve the cytotoxic effect of cells through new mechanisms of action. Chinese medicine, with several thousand years of tradition, offers a wide range of possibilities in the search for compounds that could be used in conventional medicine. This review introduces the potential candidates that may present a radiosensitizing effect on lung cancer cells, breaking their radioresistance. Additionally, it includes candidates taken from conventional medicine—drugs commonly available in pharmacies, which may also be significant candidates.
Artificial Intelligence Distinguishes Pathological Gait: The Analysis of Markerless Motion Capture Gait Data Acquired by an iOS Application (TDPT-GT)
Authors: Iseki Chifumi , Hayasaka Tatsuya , Yanagawa Hyota , Komoriya Yuta , Kondo Toshiyuki , Hoshi Masayuki , Fukami Tadanori , Kobayashi Yoshiyuki , Ueda Shigeo , Kawamae Kaneyuki , Ishikawa Masatsune , Yamada Shigeki , Aoyagi Yukihiko , Ohta Yasuyuki
Published: July 2023

Distinguishing pathological gait is challenging in neurology because of the difficulty of capturing total body movement and its analysis. We aimed to obtain a convenient recording with an iPhone and establish an algorithm based on deep learning. From May 2021 to November 2022 at Yamagata University Hospital, Shiga University, and Takahata Town, patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (n = 48), Parkinson’s disease (n = 21), and other neuromuscular diseases (n = 45) comprised the pathological gait group (n = 114), and the control group consisted of 160 healthy volunteers. iPhone application TDPT-GT captured the subjects walking in a circular path of about 1 meter in diameter, a markerless motion capture system, with an iPhone camera, which generated the three-axis 30 frames per second (fps) relative coordinates of 27 body points. A light gradient boosting machine (Light GBM) with stratified k-fold cross-validation (k = 5) was applied for gait collection for about 1 min per person. The median ability model tested 200 frames of each person’s data for its distinction capability, which resulted in the area under a curve of 0.719. The pathological gait captured by the iPhone could be distinguished by artificial intelligence.
Research on the Forward Solving Method of Defect Leakage Signal Based on the Non-Uniform Magnetic Charge Model
Authors: Gao Pengfei , Geng Hao , Yang Lijian , Su Yuming
Published: July 2023

Pipeline magnetic flux leakage inspection is widely used in the evaluation of material defect detection due to its advantages of having no coupling agent and easy implementation. The quantification of defect size is an important part of magnetic flux leakage testing. Defects of different geometrical dimensions produce signal waveforms with different characteristics after excitation. The key to achieving defect quantification is an accurate description of the relationship between the magnetic leakage signal and the size. In this paper, a calculation model for solving the defect leakage field based on the non-uniform magnetic charge distribution of magnetic dipoles is developed. Based on the traditional uniformly distributed magnetic charge model, the magnetic charge density distribution model is improved. Considering the variation of magnetic charge density with different depth positions, the triaxial signal characteristics of the defect are obtained by vector synthesis calculation. Simultaneous design of excitation pulling experiment. The leakage field distribution of rectangular defects with different geometries is analyzed. The experimental results show that the change in defect size will have an impact on the area of the defect leakage field distribution, and the larger the length and wider the width of the defect, the more sensitive the impact on the leakage field distribution. The solution model is consistent with the experimentally obtained leakage signal distribution law, and the model is a practical guide by which to improve the quality of defect evaluation.
Gaze Estimation Based on Convolutional Structure and Sliding Window-Based Attention Mechanism
Authors: Li Yujie , Chen Jiahui , Ma Jiaxin , Wang Xiwen , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2023

The direction of human gaze is an important indicator of human behavior, reflecting the level of attention and cognitive state towards various visual stimuli in the environment. Convolutional neural networks have achieved good performance in gaze estimation tasks, but their global modeling capability is limited, making it difficult to further improve prediction performance. In recent years, transformer models have been introduced for gaze estimation and have achieved state-of-the-art performance. However, their slicing-and-mapping mechanism for processing local image patches can compromise local spatial information. Moreover, the single down-sampling rate and fixed-size tokens are not suitable for multiscale feature learning in gaze estimation tasks. To overcome these limitations, this study introduces a Swin Transformer for gaze estimation and designs two network architectures: a pure Swin Transformer gaze estimation model (SwinT-GE) and a hybrid gaze estimation model that combines convolutional structures with SwinT-GE (Res-Swin-GE). SwinT-GE uses the tiny version of the Swin Transformer for gaze estimation. Res-Swin-GE replaces the slicing-and-mapping mechanism of SwinT-GE with convolutional structures. Experimental results demonstrate that Res-Swin-GE significantly outperforms SwinT-GE, exhibiting strong competitiveness on the MpiiFaceGaze dataset and achieving a 7.5% performance improvement over existing state-of-the-art methods on the Eyediap dataset.
Patent Review of Lower Limb Rehabilitation Robotic Systems by Sensors and Actuation Systems Used
Authors: Pană Cristina Floriana , Popescu Dorin , Rădulescu Virginia Maria
Published: July 2023

Robotic systems for lower limb rehabilitation are essential for improving patients’ physical conditions in lower limb rehabilitation and assisting patients with various locomotor dysfunctions. These robotic systems mainly integrate sensors, actuation, and control systems and combine features from bionics, robotics, control, medicine, and other interdisciplinary fields. Several lower limb robotic systems have been proposed in the patent literature; some are commercially available. This review is an in-depth study of the patents related to robotic rehabilitation systems for lower limbs from the point of view of the sensors and actuation systems used. The patents awarded and published between 2013 and 2023 were investigated, and the temporal distribution of these patents is presented. Our results were obtained by examining the analyzed information from the three public patent databases. The patents were selected so that there were no duplicates after several filters were used in this review. For each patent database, the patents were analyzed according to the category of sensors and the number of sensors used. Additionally, for the main categories of sensors, an analysis was conducted depending on the type of sensors used. Afterwards, the actuation solutions for robotic rehabilitation systems for upper limbs described in the patents were analyzed, highlighting the main trends in their use. The results are presented with a schematic approach so that any user can easily find patents that use a specific type of sensor or a particular type of actuation system, and the sensors or actuation systems recommended to be used in some instances are highlighted.
A Compact and Efficient Boost Converter in a 28 nm CMOS with 90 mV Self-Startup and Maximum Output Voltage Tracking ZCS for Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Chandrarathna Seneke Chamith , Moon Seong-Yeon , Jana Mohammad Sami , Shafique Arooba , Qraiqea Hamdi , Lee Jong-Wook
Published: July 2023

There are increasing demands for the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable electronics, and medical implants. Wearable devices provide various important daily applications by monitoring real-life human activities. They demand low-cost autonomous operation in a miniaturized form factor, which is challenging to realize using a rechargeable battery. One promising energy source is thermoelectric generators (TEGs), considered the only way to generate a small amount of electric power for the autonomous operation of wearable devices. In this work, we propose a compact and efficient converter system for energy harvesting from TEGs. The system consists of an 83.7% efficient boost converter and a 90 mV self-startup, sharing a single inductor. Innovated techniques are applied to adaptive maximum power point tracking (A-MPPT) and indirect zero current switching (I-ZCS) controllers for efficient operation. The startup circuit is realized using a gain-boosted tri-state buffer, which achieves 69.8% improved gain at the input VIN = 200 mV compared to the conventional approach. To extract the maximum power, we use an A-MPPT controller based on a simple capacitive divider, achieving 95.2% tracking efficiency. To address the challenge of realizing accurate voltage or current sensors, we propose an I-ZCS controller based on a new concept of maximum output voltage tracking (MOVT). The integrated circuit (IC) is fabricated using a 28 nm CMOS in a compact chip area of 0.03 mm2. The compact size, which has not been obtained with previous designs, is suitable for wearable device applications. Measured results show successful startup operation at an ultralow input, VIN = 90 mV. A peak conversion efficiency of 85.9% is achieved for the output of 1.07 mW.
Automatic Speaker Positioning in Meetings Based on YOLO and TDOA
Authors: Hsieh Chen-Chiung , Lu Men-Ru , Tseng Hsiao-Ting
Published: July 2023

In recent years, many things have been held via video conferences due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic around the world. A webcam will be used in conjunction with a computer and the Internet. However, the network camera cannot automatically turn and cannot lock the screen to the speaker. Therefore, this study uses the objection detector YOLO to capture the upper body of all people on the screen and judge whether each person opens or closes their mouth. At the same time, the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) is used to detect the angle of the sound source. Finally, the person’s position obtained by YOLO is reversed to the person’s position in the spatial coordinates through the distance between the person and the camera. Then, the spatial coordinates are used to calculate the angle between the person and the camera through inverse trigonometric functions. Finally, the angle obtained by the camera, and the angle of the sound source obtained by the microphone array, are matched for positioning. The experimental results show that the recall rate of positioning through YOLOX-Tiny reached 85.2%, and the recall rate of TDOA alone reached 88%. Integrating YOLOX-Tiny and TDOA for positioning, the recall rate reached 86.7%, the precision rate reached 100%, and the accuracy reached 94.5%. Therefore, the method proposed in this study can locate the speaker, and it has a better effect than using only one source.
Deep Camera–Radar Fusion with an Attention Framework for Autonomous Vehicle Vision in Foggy Weather Conditions
Authors: Ogunrinde Isaac , Bernadin Shonda
Published: July 2023

AVs are affected by reduced maneuverability and performance due to the degradation of sensor performances in fog. Such degradation can cause significant object detection errors in AVs’ safety-critical conditions. For instance, YOLOv5 performs well under favorable weather but is affected by mis-detections and false positives due to atmospheric scattering caused by fog particles. The existing deep object detection techniques often exhibit a high degree of accuracy. Their drawback is being sluggish in object detection in fog. Object detection methods with a fast detection speed have been obtained using deep learning at the expense of accuracy. The problem of the lack of balance between detection speed and accuracy in fog persists. This paper presents an improved YOLOv5-based multi-sensor fusion network that combines radar object detection with a camera image bounding box. We transformed radar detection by mapping the radar detections into a two-dimensional image coordinate and projected the resultant radar image onto the camera image. Using the attention mechanism, we emphasized and improved the important feature representation used for object detection while reducing high-level feature information loss. We trained and tested our multi-sensor fusion network on clear and multi-fog weather datasets obtained from the CARLA simulator. Our results show that the proposed method significantly enhances the detection of small and distant objects. Our small CR-YOLOnet model best strikes a balance between accuracy and speed, with an accuracy of 0.849 at 69 fps.
Dog Owners’ Perceptions of Canine Body Composition and Effect of Standardized Education for Dog Owners on Body Condition Assessment of Their Own Dogs
Authors: Gille Sanna , Fischer Hanna , Lindåse Sanna , Palmqvist Linda , Lärka Julia , Wolf Sara , Penell Johanna , Söder Josefin
Published: July 2023

Overweight in dogs is an increasing problem, with a prevalence of about 30% in Sweden. To prevent the negative health effects of overweight, it is important to identify and treat canine overweight. Dog owners are essential for such interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate dog owners’ perceptions of various canine body compositions via indirect assessment based on photos and direct assessment of their own dogs. A second aim was to evaluate the effect of a standardized practical education for dog owners on body condition score (BCS) assessment of their own dogs. The 9-point BCS scale was used, and two study samples were recruited: one was a survey sample where 564 dog owners assessed the BCS of dogs using photos, and one sample was a separate clinical sample where 82 dogs were assessed by their owners and by veterinary health care personnel. The initial BCS assessment by the dog owners in the clinical sample (mean ± SD) was significantly lower (4.6 ± 1.0) than the BCS assessed by the veterinary health care personnel (5.2 ± 1.1), but the owners improved significantly after receiving the standardized education (5.1 ± 1.0) (both p < 0.0001) and performed as accurately as the veterinary health care personnel (p = 0.99). The results should be verified in the broader dog owner population based on a randomized selection of participants. “Weight blindness”, defined here as an underassessment of normal-weight dogs and an inability to identify overweight dogs, is likely to have a negative impact on canine overweight prevalence. Deeper knowledge about dog owners’ perceptions can inform the development of new strategies to help prevent and manage canine overweight, whereof standardized practical education on BCS assessment is shown here to be one example.
Représentations et conceptions des élèves grecs par rapport au concept d'équilibre chimique / Greek pupils' representations and conceptions about the chemical equilibrium concept
Authors: Stavridou Hélène , Solomonidou Christine
Published: July 2023

Le but de cette recherche était la détection et l’étude des représentations, des conceptions et des difficultés d’apprentissage des élèves grecs à propos du concept d’équilibre chimique. Cent soixante quinze élèves de 17-18 ans des filières scientifiques ont répondu par écrit aux six questions d’un questionnaire. Les résultats ont mis au jour que les élèves ont des difficultés à représenter des systèmes de substances en équilibre chimique au niveau moléculaire et au niveau empirique. Plusieurs élèves ont aussi des difficultés pour concevoir «l’histoire» d’un système, c’est-à-dire l’évolution dans le temps des substances initiales jusqu’à l’état d’équilibre, ainsi que le déplacement de l’équilibre chimique quand le système est perturbé. Souvent, ils font des prévisions basées sur des règles personnelles qu’ils ont développées, au lieu d’utiliser la loi de Le Chatelier et/ou la loi d’action de masse relative aux équilibres chimiques. La recherche d’éventuelles corrélations entre leurs représentations et leur performance en résolution de problème a mis au jour quelques sources possibles d’erreurs. Les conceptions des élèves ont été prises en compte pour la production d’un logiciel multimédia ayant comme but d’aider les élèves à surmonter leurs difficultés.
Influencia de la Segunda Guerra Mundial en el modelo productivo y en la industria para la Defensa argentina
Authors: Flores Roberto Dante
Published: July 2023

El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar si la Segunda Guerra Mundial evidenció en Argentina un cambio del espacio asignado a la sociedad civil (empresas privadas, obreros argentinos y expertos emigrados) en la Defensa nacional. Se investigará la alianza de las Fuerzas Armadas con el modelo productivo agroexportador-industrial importador. También nos interesa analizar, durante la guerra y en la posguerra, la transformación económico-geográfica operada por la sustitución de importaciones de industrias livianas. El artículo sostiene la hipótesis de que la Segunda Guerra Mundial fue un acontecimiento decisivo que permitió, desde el Estado, inclinar la balanza a favor de la industrialización argentina. Se utilizan como fuentes memorias y actas de la Dirección General de Fabricaciones Militares, cartas, trabajos especializados y periódicos.