bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GAN‐based tone curve learning for colour transfer
Authors: Ito D. , Sasaki R. , Uruma K.
Published: June 2022

A new approach for reflecting the colour tone of a reference image on the input image is proposed. Depending on the source and reference image pairs, conventional statistical colour transfer methods often lead to undesirable colour transfer. Conversely, deep learning methods depend on prior learning, which results in unnatural output images when inappropriate images are learned; moreover, in such situations, analysing what kind of colour transformation has actually been performed is difficult. This state of the art motivates the proposal of a new colour transfer method that estimates tone curves based on generative adversarial nets. This method does not require any data set other than input and reference images, thus enabling a more appropriate colour transfer. The superior output of the proposed method compared with some baseline approaches is demonstrated through experiments.
Harnessing power system flexibility under multiple uncertainties
Authors: Mazaheri Hesam , Saber Hossein , Fattaheian‐Dehkordi Sajjad , Moeini‐Aghtaie Moein , Fotuhi‐Firuzabad Mahmud , Lehtonen Matti
Published: June 2022

Increasing the intermittent outputs of renewable energy sources (RESs) has forced planners to define a new concept named flexibility. In this regard, some short‐ and long‐term solutions, such as transmission expansion planning (TEP) and energy storage systems (ESSs) have been suggested to improve the flexibility amount. A proper optimization procedure is required to choose an optimal solution to improve flexibility. Therefore, a mixed‐integer linear programming (MILP) direct‐optimization TEP versus ESSs co‐planning model is presented in this paper to enhance power system flexibility. In doing so, a novel RES‐BESS‐based grid‐scale system flexibility metric is proposed to investigate the improvement of flexibility amount via ESSs modules in the numerical structure. In this paper, a novel repetitive fast offline method has been proposed to quickly reach the desired amount of flexibility by defining an engineering price/benefit trade‐off to finally find the best investment plan. Also, multiple uncertainties associated with wind farms and demanded loads and a practical module‐type battery energy storage system (BESS) structure for each node are defined. The proposed model is applied to the modified IEEE 73‐bus test system including wind farms, where the numerical results prove the model efficiency as BESS impacts on flexibility, investment plans and power system economics.
Methanolic rhizome extract of Trillium govanianum coated gold nanoparticles: Facile biogenic synthesis, their characterisation, and potential antimicrobial study
Authors: Zaman Khaleeq‐Uz , Bakht Jehan , Mujawah Adil A.H. , Rauf Abdur , Sharif Muhammad , Maalik Aneela
Published: June 2022

The scientific community is endowed with the essential biogenic, eco‐benign, and cost‐effective synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of least explored Trillium govanianum methanolic extract. The study involved T. govanianum selection based on its tremendous therapeutic properties. These AuNPs were characterised by UV–visible spectroscope, atomic force electron microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), FTIR spectroscope, and X‐ray diffraction. The atomic force electron microscope pattern revealed that particle size ranges from 2 to 24.3 nm which corresponds to X‐ray diffraction analysis data (8.87–15 nm) with spherical morphology. The spherical nature, particle size distribution, non‐agglomeration, and homogeneity of AuNPs were also studied from SEM image. The diameter range of AuNPs was measured between 20 and 30 nm with an average size of 25 nm. FTIR profile showed that AuNPs were stabilised and capped by bio‐molecules containing aromatic amine functional groups. Amongst C. albicans, Curvularia, R. oryzae, A. niger, A. alternaria, and Paecilomyces fungal strains, AuNPs were found most efficient against C. albicans (53.33%) at 18 μL per disc. While in P. aeroginosa, B. subtilis, E. coli, K. pnemoniae, S. aureus, and X. compestris bacterial strains, AuNPs at 18 μL per disc revealed promising antibacterial potential against P. aeroginosa by displaying maximum inhibition of 66.66 %.
A free‐cutting mesh strategy for optimal shape synthesis in magnetics
Authors: Dassi F. , Di Barba P. , Russo A.
Published: June 2022

The authors propose an innovative technique for dealing with optimal shape design problems that exploits the flexibility of the virtual element method in generating meshes composed of general polygonal and polyhedral elements. Virtual element method and finite element method can coexist on the same discretized domain; therefore, the possibility of dealing with hanging nodes and gluing sub‐domain meshes is ensured. Accordingly, the shape synthesis of a magnetic pole is considered as the case study. It is shown that the proposed technique is effective in handling the shape variations dictated by an algorithm of evolutionary optimisation.
High‐time‐resolution imaging of transient discharge processes without fixed triggering
Authors: Meng Xianglin , Song Hui , Sheng Gehao , Jiang Xiuchen
Published: June 2022

Higher time resolution imaging is vital for exploring the microscopic mechanisms of the discharge process. The transient processes of discharge phenomena occur in a short time, and the onset cannot be predicted in advance, thus not providing a trigger mechanism for conventional high‐speed imaging methods. Here, the authors propose a high‐time‐resolution imaging method with 55‐ps time resolution and single‐photon detection sensitivity. First, the current signal generated by the discharge itself with a rising edge of only a few tens of nanoseconds combined with a high‐speed sensing and signal‐processing device is used to solve the high‐speed triggering problem, and then the single‐photon avalanche detector array operating in time‐correlated single‐photon counting mode combined with computational imaging techniques is used to obtain the evolution of the negative corona discharge at atmospheric pressure in air on the ps time scale, and finally, the time‐dependent curves of the discharge photon number at different experimental voltages with different curvature radii are analysed. The method opens up new possibilities for imaging other high‐speed dynamic processes without a fixed trigger signal.
P-Chiral Phosphine Sulfide Synthesis by Combination of Enzymatic Desymmetrization and Successive Deformylative P–C Cross-Couplings
Authors: Ohta Hidetoshi , Hayashi Minoru , Nakashima Yoshiki , Kayahara Kento , Hashimoto Naoki , Tanaka Ippei , Tadokoro Tomoki , Watanabe Yutaka
Published: June 2022

A process for the synthesis of P-chiral triarylphosphine sulfides via sequential Pd-catalyzed stereospecific P–C coupling reactions of P-chiral precursors prepared by enzymatic desymmetrization was developed. Three independent aryl substituents could be introduced onto the P atom by the sequential P–C couplings under mild conditions while retaining the high enantiopurity.
An Efficient Synthesis of a Highly Functionalized Dihydrobenzo­thiophene Derivative: A Ring-Contracted Analogue of the Anti-inflammatory Drug Propoxicam
Authors: Menéndez J. Carlos , Tenti Giammarco , Clerigué José , Ramos M. Teresa
Published: June 2022

A five-step route to a ring-contracted analogue of the oxicam derivative propoxicam from thiosalicylic acid, sarcosine and N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine is described. The route has as key steps the base-promoted cross-Claisen coupling of protected sarcosine and thiosalicylic acid derivatives, the installation of a β-ketoamide moiety and a final Hg(II)-induced cyclization that creates the C–S bond of the benzothiophen-3-one core.
Experimental and Computational Studies of Phenylene-Bridged Azaacenes as Affinity Materials for Sensing Using Quartz Crystal Microbalances
Authors: Prantl Ephraim , Hahn Sebastian , Bunz Uwe H. F. , Waldvogel Siegfried R.
Published: June 2022

Phenylene-bridged, TIPS-alkynylated azaacenes are excellent materials for selective gas sorption. In this study, we utilized 195 MHz high-fundamental-frequency quartz crystal microbalances, coated with cyclic azaacenes, and determined their affinity towards hazardous and narcotics-related compounds such as benzene, γ-butyrolactone (GBL) or safrole. Computational investigations by extended tight binding intermolecular force field allowed better understanding of the determined unique features. Remarkable selective affinities were found towards GBL and safrole – both dangerous compounds which can be abused as precursors for narcotics. With these systematic approaches, we were able to get a better insight into the selective adsorption and how to design better affinity materials
Building Chemical Probes Based on the Natural Products YM-254890 and FR900359: Advances toward Scalability
Authors: Blumer Kendall J. , Moeller Kevin D. , Medcalf Matthew R. , Krueger Ruby L. , Medcalf Zach T. , Rosston Peter A. , Zhu Yu , Kaltenbronn Kevin M.
Published: June 2022

The biological activity of natural products YM-254890 (YM) and FR900359 (FR) has led to significant interest in both their synthesis and the construction of more simplified analogs. While the simplified analogs lose much of the potency of the natural products, they are of interest in their own right, and their synthesis has revealed synthetic barriers to the family of molecules that need to be addressed if a scalable synthesis of YM and FR analogs is to be constructed. In the work described here, a synthetic route to simplified analogs of YM is examined and strategies for circumventing some of the challenges inherent to constructing the molecules are forwarded.
Artificial intelligence using deep learning analysis of endoscopic ultrasonography images for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses
Authors: Kuwahara Takamichi , Hara Kazuo , Mizuno Nobumasa , Haba Shin , Okuno Nozomi , Kuraishi Yasuhiro , Fumihara Daiki , Yanaidani Takafumi , Ishikawa Sho , Yasuda Tsukasa , Yamada Masanori , Onishi Sachiyo , Yamada Keisaku , Tanaka Tsutomu , Tajika Masahiro , Niwa Yasumasa , Yamaguchi Rui , Shimizu Yasuhiro
Published: June 2022

Background There are several types of pancreatic mass, so it is important to distinguish between them before treatment. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a mathematical technique that automates learning and recognition of data patterns. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of our AI model using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) images of multiple types of pancreatic mass (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [PDAC], pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma [PASC], acinar cell carcinoma [ACC], metastatic pancreatic tumor [MPT], neuroendocrine carcinoma [NEC], neuroendocrine tumor [NET], solid pseudopapillary neoplasm [SPN], chronic pancreatitis, and autoimmune pancreatitis [AIP]).

Methods Patients who underwent EUS were included in this retrospective study. The included patients were divided into training, validation, and test cohorts. Using these cohorts, an AI model that can distinguish pancreatic carcinomas from noncarcinomatous pancreatic lesions was developed using a deep-learning architecture and the diagnostic performance of the AI model was evaluated.

Results 22 000 images were generated from 933 patients. The area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (95 %CI) of the AI model for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinomas in the test cohort were 0.90 (0.84–0.97), 0.94 (0.88–0.98), 0.82 (0.68–0.92), and 0.91 (0.85–0.95), respectively. The per-category sensitivities (95 %CI) of each disease were PDAC 0.96 (0.90–0.99), PASC 1.00 (0.05–1.00), ACC 1.00 (0.22–1.00), MPT 0.33 (0.01–0.91), NEC 1.00 (0.22–1.00), NET 0.93 (0.66–1.00), SPN 1.00 (0.22–1.00), chronic pancreatitis 0.78 (0.52–0.94), and AIP 0.73 (0.39–0.94).

Conclusions Our developed AI model can distinguish pancreatic carcinomas from noncarcinomatous pancreatic lesions, but external validation is needed.
Prevalence of Proximal Contact Loss between Implant-Supported Prostheses and Adjacent Natural Teeth: An Umbrella Review
Authors: Fathi Amirhossein , Mosharraf Ramin , Ebadian Behnaz , Javan Mehdi , Isler Sabire , Dezaki Sara Nasrollahi
Published: June 2022

Contact loss between the implant prosthesis and adjacent natural teeth is a clinical complication whose overall prevalence is uncertain. Therefore, the main purpose of this umbrella study was to evaluate the extent of contact loss between implant prostheses and adjacent natural teeth. Electronic database of MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar was searched until August 2021 without considering language restrictions and according to Preferred Report Items for Systematic and Meta-Analysis guidelines (preferential reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis). Inclusion criteria were systematic/meta-analysis review articles related to contact loss between implant prostheses and adjacent natural teeth. Inclusion criteria and risk of bias for the selected systematic/meta-analysis review studies were assessed by two or three qualified researchers, and the fourth researcher was used to resolve the ambiguities. From 43 eligible articles, five systematic/meta-analysis review studies were selected for this study. Important information such as the range of contact points, the prevalence, and the location of the contact loss was extracted. Three research studies had a low risk of bias and were considered clinical evidence. Analysis of low-risk studies showed that the superiority of open contact loss was excessive. Prevalence of proximal contact loss was more in mesial contact, especially in the mandibular arch. No significant differences were reported in sex or between the posterior and anterior regions.
Randomized Trial to Compare Nasoduodenal Tube and Nasogastric Tube Feeding in Infants with Bronchiolitis on High-Flow Nasal Cannula
Authors: Parlar-Chun Raymond L. , Lafferty-Prather Meaghan , Gonzalez Veronica M. , Huh Hanna S. , Degaffe Guenet H. , Evangelista Monaliza S. , Gavvala Sheela , Khera Sofia , Gourishankar Anand
Published: June 2022

Objectives In this article, we aimed to determine if there is a difference in length of respiratory support between nasoduodenal (NDT) and nasogastric tube (NGT) feedings in patients with bronchiolitis on high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC).

Methods A single-center nonblinded parallel randomized control trial at a tertiary care hospital was designed. Pediatric patients ≤ 12 months old with bronchiolitis, on HFNC, requiring nutrition via a feeding tube were eligible. Patients were randomized to NGT or NDT and stratified into low- and high-risk groups. Length of respiratory support was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, number of emesis events, maximum level of respiratory support, number of X-rays to confirm tube placement, number of attempts to place the tube by staff, adverse events during placement, instances of pediatric intensive care unit admission, and emergency room visits and hospital readmissions within 7 and 30 days after discharge.

Results Forty patients were randomized, 20 in each arm. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics. We found no significant difference in length of respiratory support between the two groups (NGT 0.84 incidence rate ratio [0.58, 1.2], p = 0.34). None of the secondary outcomes showed significant differences. Each arm reported one adverse event: nasal trauma in the NGT group and pneumothorax in the NDT group.

Conclusion For infants with bronchiolitis on HFNC that need enteric tube feedings, we find no difference in duration of respiratory support or other clinically relevant outcomes for those with NGT or NDT. These results should be interpreted in the context of a limited sample size and an indirect primary outcome of length of respiratory support that may be influenced by other factors besides aspiration events.
A Retrospective Study of Association of Tumor Budding, Tumor Microenvironment, and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Invasive Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Singh Tanwi , Chandra Kalpana , Kumar Nidhish , Mishra Anuja , Singh Sanjeet , Singh Anju , Kumar Umesh , Kumar Praveen
Published: June 2022

Background Tumor budding (TB) has been identified in many solid cancers and thought to be involved in invasion and is the initial step in the metastatic process. Limited information is available documenting the role of tumor budding in breast carcinoma. With this aim, the present study evaluates the association of tumor budding, tumor microenvironment, and its correlation with clinicopathologic parameters.

Materials and Methods A total of 102 cases were archived and evaluated for peripheral and intra tumoral budding along with tumor microenvironment on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slides.

Statistical Analysis Correlation between tumor budding, tumor microenvironment, and other classical clinicopathological parameters was studied by Chi-square test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results Females constituted 99 cases out of 102 and 3 were males. We found 55.9% and 44.1% of patients in the age group less than or equal to 50 and greater than 50, respectively. Also, 65.6% of cases presented with small tumor size less than or equal to 5 cm, 80.39% with lymph node metastasis, and 76.4% with lympho-vascular emboli. High peripheral tumoral budding (PTB) was seen in 45.10%, low peripheral tumoral budding in 54.9%, high ITB in 53.9%, and low ITB in 46.1%. Necrosis was found only in 39.21%. Significant statistical association of PTB was found with lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular emboli, and tumor necrosis, whereas ITB with tumor grade, lymph node metastasis, lympho-vascular emboli, and necrosis. Both PTB and ITB showed no statistically significant correlation with age and size of the tumor.

Conclusion Tumor budding is an independent adverse prognostic factor in invasive breast carcinoma. However, further work is needed to establish a standard method for the quantification of this parameter, which will help in effective stratification of patients in terms of disease-free survival and likely outcome.
Evaluation of Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Detection as a Single Diagnostic Test and When Combined with C-Reactive Protein Level or Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Suspected COVID-19 Subjects
Authors: Mashaly Mervat , El-Emshaty Wafaa M. , Saudy Niveen , El-Deeb Douaa R.
Published: June 2022

Background Rapid antigen detection tests of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) play a crucial role in the control of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Data about the real diagnostic performance of such tests is still insufficient and hence their evaluation is of high priority.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of BIOCREDIT COVID-19 antigen test alone and in combination with either C-reactive protein (CRP) or neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in comparison to real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Additionally, we investigated the selection criteria of the suspect for best performance of the antigen test.

Materials and Methods Paired nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs were collected from 200 suspected COVID-19 subjects for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-qPCR and for antigen detection by BIOCREDIT test. Simultaneously, for all suspect, clinical presentations were recorded as well as CRP level and NLR were determined.

Results Among 200 tested NP swabs, 125 (62.5%) were RT-PCR positive. Overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of BIOCREDIT test were 34.4, 98.7, and 58.5%, respectively. Sensitivity of the BIOCREDIT test was higher in COVID-19 suspect, with high viral load (100%), severely ill (56.2%), with fever alone (40%), elevated CRP (41.1%), and high NLR (36.2%). In combination with NLR or CRP, sensitivity of BIOCREDIT test increased to 89.4 and 81.6%, respectively, while its specificity decreased to 67 and 59%, respectively.

Conclusion The overall low sensitivity of BIOCREDIT/COVID-19 antigen test does not permit its use as a single diagnostic test for COVID-19. However, its use should be restricted only if it is combined with either CRP or NLR in suspect with certain criteria.
Fraturas na criança: Estamos ficando mais cirúrgicos?
Authors: Cunha Luiz Antônio Munhoz da , Pontes Mariana Demétrio de Sousa
Published: June 2022

Historicamente, as cirurgias no esqueleto imaturo eram reservadas às fraturas expostas ou articulares. Nos últimos anos, a melhora na qualidade e segurança das anestesias, novos equipamentos de imagem, implantes desenhados especialmente para fraturas pediátricas, associados à possibilidade de menor tempo de hospitalização e rápido retorno ao convívio social vêm demonstrando uma nova tendência de avaliar e tratar fraturas na criança. O objetivo deste artigo de atualização é responder às seguintes questões: (1) estamos realmente ficando mais cirúrgicos na abordagem das fraturas em crianças? (2) Caso isto seja verdadeiro, esta conduta cirúrgica está baseada em evidências científicas? De fato, nas últimas décadas, a literatura médica demonstra artigos que suportam melhor evolução das fraturas na criança com o tratamento cirúrgico. Nos membros superiores, isto fica muito evidente na sistematização da redução e fixação percutânea das fraturas supracondilianas do úmero e das fraturas de ossos do antebraço. Nos membros inferiores, o mesmo ocorre com fraturas diafisárias do fêmur e tíbia. No entanto, há lacunas na literatura. Os estudos publicados são geralmente com baixa evidência científica. Assim, pode-se deduzir que, mesmo sendo a abordagem cirúrgica mais presente, o tratamento de fraturas pediátricas deve ser sempre individualizado e conduzido de acordo com o conhecimento e experiência do médico profissional, levando em conta a presença de recursos tecnológicos disponíveis para o atendimento do pequeno paciente. Deve-se incluir todas as possibilidades, não cirúrgicas e/ou cirúrgicas, sempre instituindo ações baseadas na ciência e em concordância com os anseios da família.
Cervical Flexor–Extensor Muscle Disparity in Monomelic Amyotrophy (Hirayama Disease): Evidence from a Comprehensive Morphometric Evaluation of Subaxial Paraspinal Musculature
Authors: Thakar Sumit , Rajagopal Niranjana , Alle Prashanth , Aryan Saritha , Hegde Alangar
Published: June 2022

Background Monomelic amyotrophy (Hirayama disease) has been established to have accompanied biomechanical abnormalities such as flexion hypermobility and sagittal imbalance. Paraspinal muscles, the major contributor to cervical biomechanics, have, however, not been comprehensively evaluated in the disease. The objective of this study was to compare the morphology of the subaxial cervical paraspinal musculature in patients with and without Hirayama disease.

Materials and Methods A retrospective case-control study of 64 patients with Hirayama disease and 64 age- and sex-matched controls was performed. Cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the superficial and deep flexors and extensors from C3 to C7 were measured on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequences. Student's t-test was used to compare differences between the paraspinal muscle CSAs in the study and control groups.

Results Compared with controls, patients with Hirayama disease were found to have larger flexors and smaller extensors at all levels. The overall subaxial muscle area values for superficial flexors and deep flexors were significantly larger (p < 0.0001) in patients, while the corresponding superficial extensor and deep extensor area values were significantly smaller than in controls (p = 0.01 and < 0.0001, respectively). The patient group demonstrated stronger subaxial deep flexor–deep extensor, superficial flexor–superficial extensor, and total flexor–total extensor ratios (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion Patients with Hirayama disease have morphometric alterations at all levels of their subaxial cervical paraspinal musculature. These patients have abnormally large flexors and small extensors compared with controls. This flexor–extensor muscle disparity could be utilized as a potentially modifiable factor in the management of the disease.
Anatomia do ligamento meniscotibial medial do joelho: Uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Neto Jonatas Brito de Alencar , Santos Amanda Progênio dos , Lopes Márcio Bezerra Gadelha , Lima Lana Lacerda de , Clazzer Renata , Ariel de Lima Diego
Published: June 2022

Objetivos Fazer uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre a anatomia dos ligamentos meniscotibiais (LMTs) mediais, e apresentar os achados mais aceitos e a evolução das informações anatômicas sobre essa estrutura.

Materiais e Métodos A busca eletrônica foi realizada nos bancos de dados MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE e Cochrane, sem restrições de data. Os seguintes termos de indexação foram utilizados: anatomy AND meniscotibial AND ligament AND medial. A revisão seguiu as recomendações da declaração de Principais Itens para Relatar Revisões Sistemáticas e Metanálises (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, PRISMA, em inglês). Foram incluídos estudos anatômicos do joelho, como dissecções de cadáveres, investigações histológicas e/ou biológicas, e/ou imagens da anatomia do LMT medial.

Resultados Oito artigos atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e foram selecionados. O primeiro foi publicado em 1984, e o último, em 2020. A amostra total nos 8 artigos foi de 96 pacientes. A maioria dos estudos é puramente descritiva em relação aos achados morfológicos macroscópicos e histológicos microscópicos. Dois estudos avaliaram os aspectos biomecânicos do LMT, e um analisou a correlação anatômica com o exame de ressonância magnética.

Conclusão A principal função do LMT medial, ligamento que se origina na tíbia e se insere no menisco inferior, é estabilizar e manter a posição do menisco no platô tibial. No entanto, há poucas informações sobre LMTs mediais, principalmente em termos de anatomia, vascularização e inervação.
Impacto da COVID-19 no momento de reparo do manguito rotador e método de acompanhamento pós-operatório
Authors: Wang Kevin C. , Butler Liam R. , White Christopher A. , Patel Akshar V. , Parsons Bradford O. , Cagle Paul J.
Published: June 2022

Objetivo O reparo do manguito rotador (RMR) é um dos procedimentos artroscópicos mais comuns. Nossa pesquisa visa quantificar o impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 sobre o RMR, especificamente em pacientes com lesões agudas e traumáticas.

Métodos Os prontuários institucionais foram consultados para identificação de pacientes submetidos ao RMR artroscópico entre 1° de março e 31 de outubro de 2019 e de 2020. Dados demográficos, pré-operatórios, perioperatórios e pós-operatórios dos pacientes foram coletados de prontuários eletrônicos. Os dados foram analisados por estatística inferencial.

Resultados Totais de 72 e de 60 pacientes foram identificados em 2019 e 2020, respectivamente. Os pacientes de 2019 apresentaram menor intervalo entre a ressonância magnética (RM) e a cirurgia (62,7 ± 70,5 dias versus 115,7 ± 151,0 dias; p = 0,01). Os exames de RM mostraram menor grau médio de retração em 2019 (2,1 ± 1,3 cm versus 2,6 ± 1,2 cm; p = 0,05), mas nenhuma diferença foi observada na extensão anteroposterior da laceração entre os anos (1,6 ± 1,0 cm versus 1,8 ± 1,0 cm; p = 0,17). Em 2019, o número de pacientes atendidos por seus cirurgiões em consultas pós-operatórias por telemedicina foi menor em comparação com 2020 (0,0% versus 10,0%; p = 0,009). Não foram observadas alterações significativas nas taxas de complicação (0,0% versus 0,0%; p > 0,999), de readmissão (0,0% versus 0,0%; p > 0,999) ou de revisão (5,6% versus 0,0%; p = 0,13).

Conclusão Não houve diferenças significativas nos dados demográficos dos pacientes ou nas principais comorbidades entre 2019 e 2020. Nossos dados sugerem que, embora o intervalo entre a RM e a cirurgia tenha sido maior em 2020 e tenha havido necessidade de consultas por telemedicina, o RMR ainda foi realizado em tempo hábil e sem alterações significativas nas complicações precoces.

Nível de Evidência III.
The role of child- and auditory-related factors on speech and language indices among cochlear-implanted children
Authors: Zamani Peyman , Rezaei Mohammad , Lotfi Gohar , Farahani Farhad , Mazloomi Ehsan
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Numerous factors may affect the spoken language of children with a cochlear implant (CI). The present study is aimed to detect some of the possible predictors of speech and language outcomes among Persian-speaking cochlear-implanted children

Materials and methods

A total of 211 pre-lingual deaf children who received a cochlear implant were entered in this cross-sectional study. The Persian version of Speech Intelligibility Measurement Test and Test of Language Development (TOLD: P3) were employed to determine speech and language scores. Eight probable predictors (variables) were divided into three groups: child-related, auditory-related, and environmental factors.

Results

The use of contra-lateral hearing aid only enhanced the speech intelligibility (p = .029); while having a background of speech therapy prior to CI raised the participants’ language scores (p ≤ .041). Other factors predicted all speech and language indicators (p ≤ .025).

Conclusion

Speech-language therapists (SLTs) should inform parents about the positive or negative consequences of each pre-CI factor in post-operative speech and language outcomes.
Interaction Contrasts and Collider Bias
Authors: Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Nazemipour Maryam , Etminan Mahyar
Published: June 2022

Previous papers have mentioned that conditioning on a binary collider would introduce an association between its causes in at least 1 stratum. In this paper, we prove this statement and, along with intuitions, formally examine the direction and magnitude of the associations between 2 risk factors of a binary collider using interaction contrasts. Among level one of the collider, 2 variables are independent, positively associated, and negatively associated if multiplicative risk interaction contrast is equal to, more than, and less than 0, respectively; the same results hold for the other level of the collider if the multiplicative survival interaction contrast, equal to multiplicative risk interaction contrast minus the additive risk interaction contrast, is compared with 0. The strength of the association depends on the magnitude of the interaction contrast: The stronger the interaction is, the larger the magnitude of the association will be. However, the common conditional odds ratio under the homogeneity assumption will be bounded. A figure is presented that succinctly illustrates our results and helps researchers to better visualize the associations introduced upon conditioning on a collider.
Cell type-specific abnormalities of central nervous system in myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Nakamori Masayuki , Shimizu Hiroshi , Ogawa Kotaro , Hasuike Yuhei , Nakajima Takashi , Sakurai Hidetoshi , Araki Toshiyuki , Okada Yukinori , Kakita Akiyoshi , Mochizuki Hideki
Published: June 2022

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is a multisystem genetic disorder involving the muscle, heart and CNS. It is caused by toxic RNA transcription from expanded CTG repeats in the 3′-untranslated region of DMPK, leading to dysregulated splicing of various genes and multisystemic symptoms. Although aberrant splicing of several genes has been identified as the cause of some muscular symptoms, the pathogenesis of CNS symptoms prevalent in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 remains unelucidated, possibly due to a limitation in studying a diverse mixture of different cell types, including neuronal cells and glial cells. Previous studies revealed neuronal loss in the cortex, myelin loss in the white matter and the presence of axonal neuropathy in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1. To elucidate the CNS pathogenesis, we investigated cell type-specific abnormalities in cortical neurons, white matter glial cells and spinal motor neurons via laser-capture microdissection. We observed that the CTG repeat instability and cytosine–phosphate–guanine (CpG) methylation status varied among the CNS cell lineages; cortical neurons had more unstable and longer repeats with higher CpG methylation than white matter glial cells, and spinal motor neurons had more stable repeats with lower methylation status. We also identified splicing abnormalities in each CNS cell lineage, such as DLGAP1 in white matter glial cells and CAMKK2 in spinal motor neurons. Furthermore, we demonstrated that aberrant splicing of CAMKK2 is associated with abnormal neurite morphology in myotonic dystrophy type 1 motor neurons. Our laser-capture microdissection-based study revealed cell type-dependent genetic, epigenetic and splicing abnormalities in myotonic dystrophy type 1 CNS, indicating the significant potential of cell type-specific analysis in elucidating the CNS pathogenesis.
Research on the maximum power point tracking method of photovoltaic based on Newton interpolation-assisted particle swarm algorithm
Authors: Wei LiMing , Li KaiKai
Published: June 2022

Solar energy has attracted a lot of attention because it is clean and has no pollution. However, due to the partially shaded condition, the photovoltaic array cannot work uniformly at the maximum power point, resulting in a large power loss. To improve this problem, the research of the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is discussed by scholars. In this paper, an improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is proposed to achieve the goal of MPPT, which uses Newton interpolation-assisted conventional PSO. After tracking to the maximum power point, the Newton interpolation method is used to calculate the maximum power point, reduce the number of iterations of the conventional PSO algorithm and reduce the steady-state oscillation. The simulation is carried out in MATLAB®/Simulink® and compared with conventional PSO. The results show that the improved PSO has better tracking accuracy and speed than the conventional algorithm, and the initial tracking speed is increased by >30%.
Neural representations of competing stimuli along the dorsal and ventral visual pathways during binocular rivalry
Authors: Mo Ce , Lu Junshi , Shi Chao , Fang Fang
Published: June 2022

Binocular rivalry arises when two discrepant stimuli are simultaneously presented to different eyes, during which observers consciously experience vivid perceptual alternations without physical changes in visual inputs. Neural dynamics tracking such perceptual alternations have been identified at both early and late visual areas, leading to the fundamental debate concerning the primary neural substrate underlying binocular rivalry. One promising hypothesis that might reconcile these seemingly paradoxical findings is a gradual shift from interocular competition between monocular neurons to pattern competition among binocular neurons. Here, we examined this hypothesis by investigating how neural representations of rivalrous stimuli evolved along the visual pathway. We found that representations of the dominant and the suppressed stimuli initially co-existed in V1, which were enhanced and attenuated respectively in extrastriate visual areas. Notably, neural activity in V4 was dictated by the representation of the dominant stimulus, while the representation of the suppressed stimulus was only partially inhibited in dorsal areas V3A and MT+. Our findings revealed a progressive transition from the co-existing representations of the rivalrous inputs to the dictatorial representation of the dominant stimulus in the ventral pathway, and advocated different cortical evolutionary patterns of visual representations between the dorsal and the ventral pathways.
Non-invasive Serological Monitoring for Crohn’s Disease Postoperative Recurrence
Authors: Hamilton Amy L , De Cruz Peter , Wright Emily K , Dervieux Thierry , Jain Anjali , Kamm Michael A
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Crohn’s disease recurs after intestinal resection. This study evaluated accuracy of a new blood test, the Endoscopic Healing Index [EHI], in monitoring for disease recurrence.

Methods

Patients enrolled in the prospective POCER study [NCT00989560] underwent a postoperative colonoscopic assessment at 6 [2/3 of patients] and 18 months [all patients] following bowel resection, using the Rutgeerts score [recurrence ≥i2]. Serum was assessed at multiple time points for markers of endoscopic healing using the EHI, and paired with the Rutgeerts endoscopic score as the reference standard.

Results

A total of 131 patients provided 437 serum samples, which were paired with endoscopic assessments available in 94 patients [30 with recurrence] at 6 months and 107 patients [44 with recurrence] at 18 months. The median EHI at 6 months was significantly lower in patients in remission [Rutgeerts <i2] than those with recurrence; p = 0.033. The area under the receiver operating curve [AUROC] for EHI to detect recurrence at 6 months was comparable to that of faecal calprotectin [0.712 vs 0.779, p = 0.414]. EHI of <20 at 6 months had a negative predictive value of 75.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 58.8–88.2), and sensitivity of 70% [95% CI 50.6–85.3] for detecting recurrence. Combining all time points, an EHI <20 had a negative predictive value of 70.3%. Changes in EHI significantly associated with changes in Rutgeerts scores over the 18 months.

Conclusions

The non-invasive multi-marker EHI has sufficient accuracy to be used to monitor for postoperative Crohn’s disease recurrence. A monitoring strategy that combines EHI with ileocolonoscopy, with or without faecal calprotectin, should now be prospectively tested.
The parasternal technique: alternative technique for temporary right ventricular assist device implantation
Authors: Feder Stefan H , Jawad Khalil , Borger Michael A , Saeed Diyar
Published: June 2022

Right heart failure is a feared complication in cardiac surgery especially after heart failure surgery. Right ventricular assist device (RVAD) implantation is inevitable in severe forms of right heart failure. Different techniques for RVAD implantation exist. We here present our experience with a novel parasternal cannulation technique that allows early mobilization, high RVAD flow rates and easy RVAD removal.
A Whole Population Network and Its Application for the Social Sciences
Authors: van der Laan Jan , de Jonge Edwin , Das Marjolijn , Te Riele Saskia , Emery Tom
Published: June 2022

This data brief presents a whole population network file constructed from administrative data. The network incorporates 1.4 billion relationships between all 17 million inhabitants of the Netherlands in 2018. Relationships are identified between individuals who live in the same household, live close to each other, work for the same company, attend the same educational institution, or belong to the same extended family. The network file is available for analysis at Statistics Netherlands for research purposes. The data brief explains the network construction, the underlying data, data access, and discusses its applications for social research. The network has great potential for the social sciences due to its scale and comprehensive coverage of individuals. As a use case, we present a random walk approach to estimate segregation between people of different educational backgrounds. Further applications of whole population networks are also discussed.
The oral microbiome analysis reveals the similarities and differences between periodontitis and Crohn's disease-associated periodontitis
Authors: Chen Xu , Sun Boyang , Li Lu , Sun Zhibin , Zhu Xiaoming , Zhong Xianmei , Xu Yan
Published: June 2022

Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) have higher incidences of oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontitis than healthy people. Studies indicate that the interaction between gut and oral microbiota is an important factor. To compare the composition and diversity of the oral microbiome in periodontitis and CD-associated periodontitis, subgingival plaque and saliva samples from patients with these diseases were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyses. In CD-associated periodontitis, the subgingival plaque had greater microbial diversity than saliva. Subgingival plaque had decreased abundances of Firmicutes, Streptococcus, and Haemophilus and increased abundances of Bacteroidetes, Actinomyces, Treponema_2, Capnocytophaga, and Porphyromonas relative to saliva. The microbial composition in subgingival plaque was similar between the two diseases. Both red complex (Porphyromonas, Tannerella, and Treponema) and orange complex (Fusobacteria) bacteria were abundant in periodontitis subgingival plaque, while orange complex bacteria (Prevotella_2 and Prevotella) were abundant in CD-associated periodontitis subgingival plaque. Pocket depth was significantly positively correlated with multiple periodontal pathogens, including Porphyromonas, Tannerella, and Treponema. This study reveals the similarities and differences in the oral microbiome between periodontitis and CD-associated periodontitis, which provides a foundation to further explore the associations between CD and periodontitis.
Modeling and Optimization of Alpha-Amylase and Phytase Microencapsulation Process in Beeswax and Evaluation of Bread Quality Attributes
Authors: Hosseinchi gharehaghaj Zakarya , Azizi Mohammad Hossain , Asadi Gholamhassan , Azizinezhad Reza
Published: June 2022

Due to the significant role of bread in the food basket of people in the world, it is necessary consider its quality and nutritional attributes. Due to the significance of alpha-amylase and phytase enzymes in bread quality and the sensitivity of these enzymes to some environmental conditions, it was attempted to optimize and model the encapsulation conditions of the combination of two enzymes in beeswax. The parameters of amylase and phytase, beeswax amount, tween 20, and mixing speed were regarded as independent parameters and their effect on the encapsulation efficiency of alpha-amylase and phytase enzymes was studied. The results indicated that the concentration of enzymes and the amount of beeswax had a direct and inverse effect on the encapsulation efficiency of both enzymes, respectively. The proposed model for the encapsulation efficiency of type 2 alpha-amylase and phytase and the fitting coefficients of the models were reliable. Finally, the optimal encapsulation conditions due to the maximum encapsulation efficiency were 156.53 μL of alpha-amylase enzyme, 178.28 mg of phytase enzyme, 1.87 g of beeswax, 1.19% by weight/ volume of tween 20 and mixing speed of 1081-89 r/min were determined with a utility factor of 0.897.
Older Adults’ Biobehavioral Fall Risks Were Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned for Future Fall Prevention Research to Incorporate Multilevel Perspectives
Authors: Kiyoshi-Teo Hiroko , Izumi Shigeko (Seiko) , Stoyles Sydnee , McMahon Siobhan K
Published: June 2022

Background and Objectives

Examining the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on fall risks may provide insight into how multilevel factors as described in National Institute of Nursing Research's (NINR’s) draft strategic plan can guide future fall prevention research. This article describes the affect of COVID-19 on fall risks from the perspective of older adults who live in assisted living facilities (ALFs), and explores the needs and approaches to implement fall prevention interventions at individual, social, community, and policy levels.

Research Design and Methods

Exploratory survey study. Participants from a fall prevention study at 2 ALFs in Oregon were invited to the study. Survey questions asked about COVID experience, and changes in fall risks and day-to-day activities in Spring 2020. Quantitative responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Cohen’s d effect sizes. Qualitative responses were analyzed using conventional content analysis.

Results

Thirteen participants (age: M = 87.08, standard deviation = 6.52) responded. More participants reported feeling unsteady compared to pre-COVID data (38% vs. 62%), while the proportion of those worried about falling remained the same at 38%. Participants reported negligible decreases in importance of fall prevention and small decreases in confidence of fall prevention (Cohen’s d = −0.13 and −0.21, respectively). The themes related to the affect of COVID on fall risks were: not to worry about fall risks but be cautious and physical activity is important, but it’s hard during COVID. Impact of COVID on day-to-day activities were: varying degrees of concern for COVID, lack of social and community support, and finding unique ways to cope with COVID.

Discussion and Implications

These individual-level perspectives suggest that older adults were at increased risk for falling. Results exemplify the influence of broader-level factors (e.g., social, community, and policy) on individual biobehavioral factors (e.g., fall risks and health behaviors), and illustrate the value of examining multilevel factors in future fall prevention research.
Mantle Q structure from S, SS, SSS and SSSS amplitude measurements
Authors: Zhu Min , Sun Shuyang , Zhou Ying , Wu Qingju
Published: June 2022

The seismic quality factor (Q) of the Earth’s mantle is of great importance for the understanding of the physical and chemical properties that control mantle anelasticity. The radial structure of the Earth’s Q is less well resolved compared to its wave speed structure, and large discrepancies exist among global 1-D Q models. In this study, we build a global data set of amplitude measurements of S, SS, SSS and SSSS waves using earthquakes that occurred between 2009 and 2017 with moment magnitudes ranging from 6.5 to 8.0. Synthetic seismograms for those events are computed in a 1-D reference model PREM, and amplitude ratios between observed and synthetic seismograms are calculated in the frequency domain by spectra division, with measurement windows determined based on visual inspection of seismograms. We simulate wave propagation in a global velocity model S40RTS based on SPECFEM3D and show that the average amplitude ratio as a function of epicentral distance is not sensitive to 3-D focusing and defocusing for the source–receiver configuration of the data set. This data set includes about 5500 S and SS measurements that are not affected by mantle transition zone triplications (multiple ray paths), and those measurements are applied in linear inversions to obtain a preliminary 1-D Q model QMSI. This model reveals a high Q region in the uppermost lower mantle. While model QMSI improves the overall datafit of the entire data set, it does not fully explain SS amplitudes at short epicentral distances or the amplitudes of the SSS and SSSS waves. Using forward modelling, we modify the 1-D model QMSI iteratively to reduce the overall amplitude misfit of the entire data set. The final Q model QMSF requires a stronger and thicker high Q region at depths between 600 and 900 km. This anelastic structure indicates possible viscosity layering in the mid mantle.