bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of a risk prediction model for medication administration errors among neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit: a study protocol
Authors: Henry Basil Josephine , Premakumar Chandini Menon , Mhd Ali Adliah , Mohd Tahir Nurul Ain , Seman Zamtira , Mohamed Shah Noraida
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Medication administration errors (MAEs) are the most common type of medication error. Furthermore, they are more common among neonates as compared with adults. MAEs can result in severe patient harm, subsequently causing a significant economic burden to the healthcare system. Targeting and prioritising neonates at high risk of MAEs is crucial in reducing MAEs. To the best of our knowledge, there is no predictive risk score available for the identification of neonates at risk of MAEs. Therefore, this study aims to develop and validate a risk prediction model to identify neonates at risk of MAEs.

Methods and analysis

This is a prospective direct observational study that will be conducted in five neonatal intensive care units. A minimum sample size of 820 drug preparations and administrations will be observed. Data including patient characteristics, drug preparation-related and administration-related information and other procedures will be recorded. After each round of observation, the observers will compare his/her observations with the prescriber’s medication order, hospital policies and manufacturer’s recommendations to determine whether MAE has occurred. To ensure reliability, the error identification will be independently performed by two clinical pharmacists after the completion of data collection for all study sites. Any disagreements will be discussed with the research team for consensus. To reduce overfitting and improve the quality of risk predictions, we have prespecified a priori the analytical plan, that is, prespecifying the candidate predictor variables, handling missing data and validation of the developed model. The model’s performance will also be assessed. Finally, various modes of presentation formats such as a simplified scoring tool or web-based electronic risk calculators will be considered.
Detrital zircon geochronology and provenance of the Mesoproterozoic Husky Creek Formation: a fluvial sandstone recording the waning stages of one of Earth's largest magmatic episodes
Authors: Meek Robert D. , Ielpi Alessandro , Rainbird Robert H. , Davis William J.
Published: February 2023

The Mesoproterozoic Husky Creek Formation is an interlayered redbed and basalt package that overlies a ca. 2.5 km thick, regionally extensive basaltic plateau linked to the 1.27 Ga Mackenzie Large Igneous Province. This succession provides an opportunity to study the interaction between contemporaneous fluvial sedimentation and flood basalt volcanism. The Husky Creek Formation is approximately 1900 m thick, consisting predominantly of fluvial channel and subordinate floodplain and eolian strata dominated by lithic detritus intercalated with basalt flows. U–Pb dating of detrital zircon grains collected from four stratigraphic levels in the Husky Creek Formation reveals two main age groupings: (1) a 1270 Ma peak attributed to the Mackenzie Large Igneous Province; and (2) Pre-1.6 Ga detrital zircon ages, which reflect sources from a broad region of northwestern Laurentia and are interpreted to be recycled from underlying sedimentary rocks of the Hornby Bay Basin. An upsection decrease in the proportion of ca. 1270 Ma zircon grains, coupled with increasing sandstone compositional maturity, reflects the expansion of the drainage basin during burial of a volcanic pile, with recycling becoming more dominant as the Husky Creek Formation accumulated. The Husky Creek Formation was deposited in the waning stages of the Mackenzie Igneous Event by west-flowing rivers into a geographically restricted basin above an extensive mafic volcanic plateau. This paper provides insight into fluvial basin development during the aftermath of one of Earth's largest igneous events.
Mitigation of Structural Vibrations Due to Pulse-Type-Near-Fault Earthquake by the Compliant Liquid Column Damper
Authors: Roy Achintya Kumar , Konar Tanmoy , Ghosh Aparna Dey
Published: February 2023

Pulse-type-near-fault (P-N) earthquake ground excitations can inflict serious damage to structures in built-up areas situated close to seismic faults. The high frequency content, high velocity pulses of long period, and fling effects cause P-N motions to impose large demands on both stiff and flexible structures. Among various passive control devices, the liquid column damper (LCD) is economical and its effectiveness is well-established for flexible structures under far-field earthquake ground motions. In this paper, the compliant form of the LCD (CLCD), which was specially developed to overcome the nonapplicability of the conventional LCD to stiff structures, is investigated for the vibration control of both stiff and flexible structures subjected to P-N ground motions. The study is carried out both in the frequency and in the time domain. Results indicate that the CLCD is successful in mitigating structural response to P-N ground motions. Some of the trends of response reduction with damper parameters are found to be different from those earlier reported for far-field earthquakes. Interestingly, in the case of flexible structures, while the CLCD is found to be fairly effective, the conventional LCD is rendered practically ineffective.
Protein Diffusion Along Protein and DNA Lattices: Role of Electrostatics and Disordered Regions
Authors: Bigman Lavi S. , Levy Yaakov
Published: February 2023

Diffusion is a pervasive process present in a broad spectrum of cellular reactions. Its mathematical description has existed for nearly two centuries and permits the construction of simple rules for evaluating the characteristic timescales of diffusive processes and some of their determinants. Although the term diffusion originally referred to random motions in three-dimensional (3D) media, several biological diffusion processes in lower dimensions have been reported. One-dimensional (1D) diffusions have been reported, for example, for translocations of various proteins along DNA or protein (e.g., microtubule) lattices and translation of helical peptides along the coiled-coil interface. Two-dimensional (2D) diffusion has been shown for dynamics of proteins along membranes. The microscopic mechanisms of these 1–3D diffusions may vary significantly depending on the nature of the diffusing molecules, the substrate, and the interactions between them. In this review, we highlight some key examples of 1–3D biomolecular diffusion processes and illustrate the roles that electrostatic interactions and intrinsic disorder may play in modulating these processes.
Risk and Resilience Among Children with Incarcerated Parents: A Review and Critical Reframing
Authors: Johnson Elizabeth I. , Arditti Joyce A.
Published: February 2023

Parental incarceration is a significant, inequitably distributed form of adversity that affects millions of US children and increases their risk for emotional and behavioral problems. An emerging body of research also indicates, however, that children exhibit resilience in the context of parental incarceration. In this article, we review evidence regarding the adverse implications of parental incarceration for children's adjustment and consider factors that account for these consequences with special attention to naturally occurring processes and interventions that may mitigate risk and contribute to positive youth development. We also offer a critical reframing of resilience research and argue that (a) scholars should adopt more contextualized approaches to the study of resilience that are sensitive to intersecting inequalities and (b) resilience research and practice should be conceptualized as important complements to, rather than substitutes for, social and institutional change. We conclude by offering social justice–informed recommendations for future research and practice.
Hydrological Consequences of Solar Geoengineering
Authors: Ricke Katharine , Wan Jessica S. , Saenger Marissa , Lutsko Nicholas J.
Published: February 2023

As atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations rise and climate change becomes more destructive, geoengineering has become a subject of serious consideration. By reflecting a fraction of incoming sunlight, solar geoengineering could cool the planet quickly, but with uncertain effects on regional climatology, particularly hydrological patterns. Here, we review recent work on projected hydrologic outcomes of solar geoengineering, in the context of a robust literature on hydrological responses to climate change. While most approaches to solar geoengineering are expected to weaken the global hydrologic cycle, regional effects will vary based on implementation method and strategy. The literature on the hydrologic outcomes and impacts of geoengineering demonstrates that its implications for human welfare will depend on assumptions about underlying social conditions and objectives of intervention as well as the social lens through which projected effects are interpreted. We conclude with suggestions to reduce decision-relevant uncertainties in this novel field of Earth science inquiry.
▪The expected hydrological effects of reducing insolation are among the most uncertain and consequential impacts of solar geoengineering (SG).▪Theoretical frameworks from broader climate science can help explain SG's effects on global precipitation, relative humidity, and other aspects of hydroclimate.▪The state of the knowledge on hydrological impacts of SG is unevenly concentrated among regions.▪Projected hydrological impacts from SG are scenario dependent and difficult to characterize as either harmful or beneficial.
The Mid-Pleistocene Climate Transition
Authors: Herbert Timothy D.
Published: February 2023

The timing of ice ages over the past ∼2,600 thousand years (kyr) follows pacing by cyclical changes in three aspects of Earth's orbit that influence the solar energy received as a function of latitude and season. Explaining the large magnitude of the climate changes is challenging, particularly so across the period of time from ∼1,250 to 750 ka—the Mid-Pleistocene Transition or MPT. The average repeat time of ice age cycles changed from an earlier 41-kyr rhythm to longer and more intense glaciations at a spacing of about 100 kyr. Explaining this change is very difficult because there was no corresponding change in the orbital pacing that would trigger a change in timing. While the first generation of hypotheses looked largely to changes in the behavior of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets, more recent work integrates ice behavior with new data capturing the evolution of other important aspects of past climate. A full explanation is still lacking, but attention increasingly focuses on the ocean carbon cycle and atmospheric CO2 levels as the crucial agents involved in the MPT.
▪The pattern of climate changes connected to the ice ages of the past few million years changed radically between about 1,250 and 750 thousand years ago, a time known as the Mid-Pleistocene Transition or MPT.▪While the glacial cycles were ultimately triggered by cyclical changes in Earth's orbit, the changes across the MPT came from changes in the Earth system itself, most likely in the form of a change in the carbon cycle.▪The dramatic change in many essential aspects of climate—ice volume, temperature, rainfall on land, and many others—in the absence of an external change suggests how important feedbacks are to the climate system.
Cumulative insulin resistance and hyperglycemia with arterial stiffness and carotid IMT progression in 1,779 adolescents: a 9-yr longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Agbaje Andrew O. , Zachariah Justin P. , Bamsa Olutola , Odili Augustine N. , Tuomainen Tomi-Pekka
Published: February 2023

Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance had a J- or U-shaped increase from 15 to 24 yr with the base of the curve at age 17 yr. Cumulative high insulin and high insulin resistance from 15 to 24 yr were negatively associated with arterial stiffness progression from ages 17 to 24 yr. Age 17 yr may be an optimal timing for intervention targeted at sustaining the protective effect of the decline of insulin and insulin resistance on arterial stiffness progression.
Neuroinflammation with increased glymphatic flow in a murine model of decompression sickness
Authors: Thom Stephen R. , Bhopale Veena M. , Bhat Abid R. , Arya Awadhesh K. , Ruhela Deepa , Qiao Guanda , Li Xin , Tang Shiyu , Xu Su
Published: February 2023

A murine model of central nervous system (CNS) decompression sickness demonstrates that high gas pressure activates astrocytes and microglia triggering inflammatory microparticle (MP) production. Thrombospondin-expressing MPs are released from the CNS via enhanced glymphatic flow to the systemic circulation where they activate neutrophils. Secondary production of neutrophil-derived MPs causes further cell activation and neutrophil adherence to the brain microvasculature establishing a feed-forward neuroinflammatory cycle.
Importance of Fiber-/Nanofiller-Based Polymer Composites in Mechanical and Erosion Performance: A Review
Authors: Sundarakannan R. , Balamurugan K. , Jyothi Y. , Arumugaprabu V. , Sathish Thanikodi , Mahmoud Z. , Yousef El Sayed , Basheer Dadapeer , Shaik Saboor
Published: February 2023

The addition of nanofillers in the polymer matrix composites (PMC) has shown a considerable improvement in the mechanical properties and acts as a suitable replacement material. Among the various properties, erosion studies play a key role in the establishment of new materials in engineering applications irrespective of material properties. This paper primarily focus on mechanical properties of PMC and provides a view of the erosion studies conducted on various PMC that are reinforced with natural fibers and nanofillers. The study related to natural fiber as secondary reinforcement and nanofiller as primary reinforcement is taken into consideration. The natural fibers such as sisal-, pineapple-, jute-, bamboo-, banana-based polymer composites and their improvement in mechanical properties by the addition of various fillers are compared and reported. From the survey, it was noticed that the incorporation of nanofillers with natural fiber and polymers provides an acceptable range of material behavior. Being the natural fiber and its proper surface treatment enhance erosion resistance behavior.
Measurement Accuracy Analysis of Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors for Asphalt Mixture Based on the DEM-FDM Coupled Method
Authors: Dong Zejiao , Zhang Jiwen , Ma Xianyong , Zhao Han
Published: February 2023

Distributed fiber optic sensors (DFOSs) have been effectively used for pavement health monitoring. However, the inhomogeneity of the asphalt mixture and the characteristics of the sensor affect the measurement accuracy, which in turn affects the performance evaluation of asphalt pavement. In this study, the strain of nonembedded DFOS specimens was used as a reference and compared with the strain of embedded DFOS specimens to analyze the accuracy of DFOS based on the four-point bending test. To further improve accuracy, a numerical simulation model was established by coupling the discrete element method (DEM) and the finite difference method (FDM), and feasibility of the model was verified by comparing it with the load-displacement curves obtained from laboratory tests. The results of the laboratory tests and numerical simulations showed a linear relationship between the reference strain and the DFOS strain. Therefore, a strain correction method was proposed for the DFOS based on the DEM-FDM method, and the strain correction coefficient was used as the evaluation index. In addition, an orthogonal test was performed to analyze the influence of design parameters, including elastic modulus, section height, and section width, on the accuracy of the DFOS. Through variance and range analysis, it was found that elastic modulus has a significant effect on the strain measurement accuracy, followed by the section height and the section width. In summary, this study proposed an efficient strain correction method suitable for the application of DFOS in pavements considering the material characteristics of the asphalt mixture and the embedded sensor.
Electrodeposition of Hierarchical Nanosheet of NiCo2O4/CC as Highly Active and Stable Electrode for Water Oxidation
Authors: Albu Zahra , Al Abass Nawal , AlOtaibi Bandar
Published: February 2023

Direct growth of NiCo2O4 on 3D textile and wavy carbon cloth (CC) using facile and low-cost electrodeposition results in the creation of distinct morphologies. The homogeneity and conformality of the coating of NiCo2O4 on CC can be readily controlled by adjusting or optimizing the electrodeposition parameters as shown by SEM and TEM images. Various loadings of NiCo2O4 were prepared under different conditions. The electrochemical characterization measurements for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) show that hierarchical NiCo2O4 on CC has a low onset potential at 270 mV, low overpotential of 290 mV at 10 mA/cm2, and low electron transfer resistance across the electrode and electrolyte. NiCo2O4/CC electrode showed excellent stability when evaluated for ~500 hours. This synthesis method holds high potential for large-scale electrode fabrication on carbon substrates. The method is comprised of controllable optimizing parameters that can readily affect the materials’ catalytic performance.
Inhibitory Effect of Jinwujiangu Prescription on Peripheral Blood Osteoclasts in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Relevant Molecular Mechanism
Authors: Huang Ying , Gao Xueqin , An Yang , Zeng Ping , Chen Changming , Ma Wukai , Yao Xueming
Published: February 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive autoimmune disease characterized with high recurrence, high disability, poor prognosis, and long treatment cycles. Versus western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine has the traits of definite efficacy, low toxicity, and side effects in the treatment of RA. Moreover, traditional Chinese medicine also has the advantages of multiple targets, multiple links, and multiple approaches. This study was committed to exploring the effect of Jinwujiangu prescription on peripheral blood osteoclasts in those patients with RA and relevant molecular mechanisms. We first identified 159 common targets by online pharmacology, and there were correlations among these targets; besides, the main signaling pathways involved were inclusive TNF signaling pathway, rheumatoid arthritis, IL-17 signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, etc. Through experimental verification, we found that PBMC cells extracted from human peripheral blood could be successfully induced into osteoclasts, and Jinwujiangu prescription inhibited the generation of osteoclasts from PBMCs of RA patients. CCK-8 and flow cytometry showed that osteoclast viability was significantly decreased and osteoclast apoptosis was significantly increased in the HIF-1α interference group; low-, medium-, and high-dose Jinwujiangu prescription groups; sinapine group; and hydroxychloroquine control group. Moreover, Jinwujiangu prescription and sinapine could inhibit the production of cytokines in peripheral blood osteoclasts and inhibit autophagy in RA patients. The expression level of mTOR was significantly increased in both Jinwu middle- and high-dose groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that sinapine, the active target in Jinwujiangu prescription, can act as a HIF-1α inhibitor; activate the mTOR pathway; downregulate the level of autophagy rate, ATG5, beclin-1, and LC3 expression; and inhibit the occurrence of autophagy. The trial registration number of the study is KYW2021010.
Correlation of CTSD, P63, and Ki67 Expressions with Risk Assessment of Oesophageal Squamous-Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Yufang , Gao Qianqian , Raza Faisal , Zafar Hajra , Li Ziyan , Zeng Jingyao , Wang Meihua , Huang Pan , Su Jianhua
Published: February 2023

Objective. Creatine kinase (CK), cathepsin D (CTSD), Ki67, and tumour protein 63 (p63) have been proven to participate in the growth of some cancers. However, available literature suggested paucity of data on their involvement in oesophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) development. Methods. We ascertained the presence of CK, CTSD, Ki67, and p63 expressions in ESCC to demonstrate the association between differentiation of ESCC and expressions of the abovementioned proteins. We collected related information on 48 patients prior to their division into well and poor differentiation groups, which were analysed retrospectively. Positive rates of protein expression were evaluated via immunohistochemistry. The proteins that were expressed positively in all the cases were selected. Comparison of the proteins within two groups was done to analyse the correlation between tumour differentiation and their expression. Results. We observed that CTSD, p63, and Ki67 were significantly and highly expressed in poorly differentiated patients with ESCC. Conclusions. This finding may suggest that the proteins were involved in ESCC progression, which may evidentially serve as potential markers of early identification and risk assessment of ESCC.
Cost-Effective Maintenance Policy for Sliding Surfaces of Bridge Bearings Using a Gamma Stochastic Process for Forecasting
Authors: Xu Xiang , Forde Michael C. , Caballero Antonio , Ren Yuan , Huang Qiao
Published: February 2023

To determine the optimal alert threshold for sliding surface replacement of bridge bearings, a cost-effective maintenance policy is proposed in this paper using a gamma stochastic process. First, the sliding surface-triggered run-to-failure process of bridge bearings is discussed based on existing field inspection and maintenance records. Then, the wear thickness of sliding materials is estimated step-by-step based on the cumulative travel distance and wear rate. The gamma stochastic process is used to model degradation of sliding surfaces by using the indicator of wear thickness to depict uncertainties during the degrading process. Next, the optimal alert threshold for replacement of sliding surfaces is determined based on the cost-effective maintenance policy by minimizing the long-term expected maintenance cost rate. Finally, bearings of a long-span suspension bridge are employed to demonstrate the potential effectiveness of the proposed methodology. As a result, the wear thickness of sliding materials approximately follows a linear degrading law. Based on the gamma degrading model, the objective function subject to the long-term expected cost rate is formed. After optimization, the optimal alert threshold for replacement of sliding surfaces is 2.016 mm to achieve a minimum long-term expected maintenance cost rate of US$9,427 per day. In addition, the estimated service life subject to the alert threshold obeys a Gaussian distribution with a mean of 1278 days based on the one-year monitored displacement data.
Multiobjective Optimization Method for the Diversion Scheme of Lean Concrete Overtopped Cofferdam under Multiconstraint Conditions
Authors: Dong Zhengyu , Shi Kebin
Published: February 2023

In this paper, a multiobjective optimization method considering both time limit and cost of lean cemented overtopped cofferdam diversion scheme as objectives is proposed. In the multiobjective optimization method, the main constraint condition is the reliability of the construction period, which also considers the design specification, dam site rainfall, construction capacity, and other constraint conditions. Pareto solutions with the diameter of the diversion tunnel and the height of cofferdam as parameters are obtained using perturbation weight method. Finally, the optimal scheme was obtained according to the importance of the critical node project period and its free time difference. The case study showed that the cost is low, the construction period is reasonable, and the results are consistent with the expert decision system in this model. The Monte Carlo method was used to simulate the construction of lean cemented cofferdam. The study shows that the construction speed of lean cemented cofferdam is slow under frequent rainfall condition. The lower limit of construction speed of key projects greatly affects the scheme. Increasing construction equipment redundancy is an important way to increase construction speed. The free float time difference of cofferdam construction is the key point of scheme decision.
Postoperative Excessive Bleeding following Stainless‐Steel Crown Placement in Healthy Children with a Suggested Approach for Prevention
Authors: Oren Liat , Spierer Shoshana , Friedlander Barenbaum Silvina , Yarom Noam , Amitai Dan Ben , Ashkenazi Malka
Published: February 2023

Stainless‐Steel Crown (SSC) placement is a common treatment in children, usually without significant adverse consequences. The present case series reports six healthy children were admitted to emergency rooms in two medical centers with delayed excessive bleeding from their gingiva, adjacent to newly placed SSCs. The bleeding, in some cases, was so extensive, that it induced vomiting and anxiety, among the children and their parents, and in two cases required surgical suturing. In all six cases, the most probable etiology was a toxic reaction to the released nickel or chromium ions from the SSCs, exacerbated by contact with wounded and bleeding gingiva. Expression of this cytotoxic mode of action, due to metal ions released from SSCs, is not well documented in children. Our aims are to raise awareness of this unique complication and to suggest an approach to minimize and prevent its occurrence. Recommended immediate treatment includes frequent rinsing of the gingiva to wash out released metal ions and decrease their toxic effect. Furthermore, in the following appointments, we recommend using only SSCs previously soaked in water for several weeks, using zirconia crowns, or using Hall’s technique when appropriate.
Assessment of the Factors Influencing the Patient’s Comprehension of the Informed Consent to Interventional Pain Procedures
Authors: Ghorbanhoseini Mohammad , Kang Kyle , Yang Allen , Abbasian Mohammadreza , Vaynberg Eduard
Published: February 2023

Background. Informed consent is the first step of every medical procedure and is considered a standard of care for patients undergoing medical interventions. Our study seeks to evaluate patients’ understanding of the procedure they consented to and the factors affecting the degree of understanding. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, we used an anonymous postprocedural questionnaire to assess our patients’ understanding of the procedure being performed and their level of satisfaction. It was conducted between June 2021 and January 2022 on every consenting patient who declined English interpreter services and was undergoing a first elective lumbar epidural steroid injection. Results. The mean age of 201 subjects was 57.3 (23–90) years, with a race distribution of Black (44.3%), White (31.8%), and other races (23.9%). 15.9% of our subjects worked in the medical field. Older age and patients identified as Black and other races had a positive correlation with the propensity to predict a poor understanding of consent. This study failed to demonstrate any difference in understanding of informed consent content between the different subgroups when stratified by assigned sex at birth, level of education, and profession. Patients’ expectation from the treatment was classified as desperate (will take any help they can) in 78 patients (38.8%), feeling hopeful (expecting partial improvement in their symptoms) in 52 patients (25.9%), and being optimistic (will obtain full recovery from this injection) in 71 patients (35.3%). 192 patients (95.5%) were very satisfied with the consent process. Seven patients (3.5%) stated that they wanted more information, and 2 patients (1.0%) did not understand the explanation. 180 patients (89.6%) were satisfied with the overall experience, while 21 patients (10.4%) were not. The Wilks test (likelihood-ratio test) resulted in a

p

value of 0.023 and was deemed statistically significant for a relationship between understanding of consent and the satisfaction of the patient from the procedure. Conclusions. Although patients carry a variable expectation of procedures, most patients in our pain clinic have a high level of satisfaction despite having a poor understanding of the procedure provided via informed consent. Although our patients’ level of objective comprehension is low, those with a better understanding of the procedure tend to have a more satisfactory experience.
The Outcome and Safety in Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration with Primary Suture versus T-Tube Drainage: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ma Xianhua , Cai Shengbin
Published: February 2023

Background. Sometimes, after choledochotomy, the common bile duct is closed with T-tube drainage for several weeks to prevent postoperative complications such as biliary fistula and stricture. But there has been controversy over the advantages of primary suture versus T-tube drainage. The purpose of our meta-analysis in laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is to appraise the efficacy and safety of T-tube drainage and primary suture. Methods. The literatures were searched by Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, OVID, and EMBASE between the year January 1, 2001 and February 28, 2021. Meta-analysis was performed by Stata 12. Results. Fourteen studies with 1,549 patients (827 vs. 722) were included in our study. The primary suture group had significant lesser operative time (

P
≤
0.001

), postoperative hospital stay (

P
≤
0.001

), hospital expenses (

P
≤
0.001

), intraoperative bleeding (

P
=
0.001

), and postoperative complications (

P
=
0.006

) than the T-tube drainage group. In postoperative bleeding (

P
=
0.289

), bile leakage (

P
=
0.326

), and bile duct stricture (

P
=
0.750

), there was no statistical difference. In the primary suture group, using single-arm synthesis, the bile leakage rate and the bile duct stricture rate were 0.07 vs. 0.04 and 0.00 vs. 0.00 in interrupted suture and continuous suture groups. The bile duct stricture rate was same in both groups, and the bile leakage rate was lower in the interrupted suture group. But the difference was not significant. Conclusion. The primary suture group had several advantages, including lesser operative time, postoperative complications, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, and hospital expenses. In bile leakage and bile duct stricture, the difference between the two groups was not significant. In the primary suture group, interrupted suture and continuous suture groups had similar bile leakage rate and bile duct stricture rate.
Horizontal Cooperation in Subcontracting: A Case Study in Home Textile Industry
Authors: Eren Akyol Derya , Sarısakal Ozlem
Published: February 2023

Home textile is the most common business line in Denizli, Turkey. However, most companies are not integrated, i.e., they do not include the entire production processes in their facilities. Different stages of manufacturing process are outsourced to other companies located in the same geographic region. As a result of this, there is a considerable increase in transportation costs. In this paper, we consider collaboration between companies in a cluster to reduce their transportation costs. A game theoretic approach is proposed such that the subcontractors can be used jointly and their fabric production capacity can be split among the companies in the coalition in order to meet their demands. A case study of four home textile companies is provided to illustrate the approach. Coalition cost is allocated using different cost allocation methods, and compared to the current situation, we obtain significant cost reductions.
Gastric Anisakiasis Masquerading as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Groudan Kevin , Martins Tiago , Schmelkin Ira J.
Published: February 2023

Anisakiasis of the gastrointestinal tract is caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood infected with Anisakis larvae. Penetration of Anisakis larvae into the gastrointestinal mucosa leads to severe epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting, usually within hours of ingestion of the parasite. Suspicion for gastrointestinal Anisakiasis should be raised in patients with a compatible dietary history. Definitive diagnosis can be made by direct visualization of larvae via endoscopic examination. Although symptoms are self-limiting, the removal of larvae by gastroscopy can hasten relief of symptoms. There are a large number of cases of gastric anisakiasis reported from Japan, Korea, and Western Europe, where it is customary to consume raw fish. Cases reported from the United States are less common, and given the nonspecific symptoms of anisakiasis, the diagnosis can be missed. We report a patient who presented with gastroesophageal reflux disease like symptoms that started after ingesting raw fish. He was found by esophagogastroduodenoscopy to have white, filiform worms penetrating into the wall of his stomach, consistent with a diagnosis of gastric anisakiasis.
Multidimensional Attention-Based CNN Model for Identifying Apple Leaf Disease
Authors: Perveen Kahkashan , Kumar Sanjay , Kansal Sahil , Soni Mukesh , Alshaikh Najla A. , Batool Shanzeh , Khanam Mehrun Nisha , Osei Bernard
Published: February 2023

To prevent the spread of illnesses and guarantee the steady and healthy growth of the apple sector, the proper diagnosis of apple leaf diseases is of utmost importance. The subtle interclass variations and enormous intraclass variances among apple leaf disease features, together with the uniformity of disease spots and the complicated background environment, make apple leaf disease diagnosis extremely challenging. A unique dual-branch apple leaf disease diagnosis system (DBNet) was put out to address the aforementioned issues. An attention branch with many dimensions and a multiscale joint branch (MS) make up the dual-branch network topology of the DBNet (DA). In this study, the MS branch and the DA branch are combined to create a DBNet, which successfully improves recognition accuracy while mitigating the negative impacts of complicated backdrop environments and lesion similarities. The accuracy of the DBNet network increases by 0.02843, 0.02412, 0.0144, and 0.0125, respectively, when compared to previous leaf disease detection models. This makes it evident that the suggested DBNet model has certain benefits over others in terms of identifying apple leaf disease.
Effects of Different Hemoglobin Levels on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy-Derived Cerebral Oxygen Saturation in Elderly Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Delis Achilles , Bautz Derek , Ehrentraut Heidi , Doll Karin , Randau Thomas M. , Strauss Andreas C. , Habicht Ivana , Güresir Erdem , Bogatsch Holger , Kranke Peter , Wittmann Maria , Meybohm Patrick , Velten Markus
Published: February 2023

Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a commonly used technique to evaluate tissue oxygenation and prevent harmful cerebral desaturation in the perioperative setting. The aims of the present study were to assess whether surgery-related anemia can be detected via NIRS of cerebral oxygen saturation and to investigate the effects of different perioperative transfusion strategies on cerebral oxygenation, potentially affecting transfusion decision-making. Study Design and Methods: Data from the ongoing multicenter LIBERAL-Trial (liberal transfusion strategy to prevent mortality and anemia-associated ischemic events in elderly noncardiac surgical patients, LIBERAL) were used. In this single-center sub-study, regional cerebral oxygenation saturation (rSO2) was evaluated by NIRS at baseline, pre-, and post-RBC transfusion. The obtained values were correlated with blood gas analysis-measured Hb concentrations. Results: rSO2 correlated with Hb decline during surgery (r = 0.35, p < 0.0001). Different RBC transfusion strategies impacted rSO2 such that higher Hb values resulted in higher rSO2. Cerebral desaturation occurred at lower Hb values more often. Discussion: Cerebral oxygenation monitoring using NIRS provides noninvasive rapid and continuous information regarding perioperative alterations in Hb concentration without the utilization of patients’ blood for blood sampling. Further investigations are required to demonstrate if cerebral rSO2 may be included in future individualized transfusion decision strategies.
Soluble ST2 Predicts Poor Functional Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Soumya , Singh Gurpreet , Sreedharan Sapna Erat , Damayanthi Deepa , Gopala Srinivas , Madhusoodanan U.K. , Sylaja P.N.
Published: February 2023

Introduction: There are very limited data on the role of biomarkers correlating with the outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We evaluated the predictive values of the plasma concentrations of soluble serum stimulation-2 (sST2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and claudin-5 in AIS. Methods: The biomarker levels in the plasma samples of consecutive AIS patients collected at baseline, 12 h, and 24 h from stroke onset were quantified using immunoassays. Stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and functional outcome at 90 days using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), with scores above 3 defined as poor outcome. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed for evaluating the discriminative power of each marker. Results: We included 108 patients in the study (mean age 62.3 ± 11.7 years). Median NIHSS score was 12 (interquartile range 8–18). High baseline glucose levels, systolic blood pressure, baseline NIHSS, low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, and hemorrhagic transformation were associated with poor outcomes. Elevated sST2 at 12 h (50.4 ± 51.0 ng/mL; p = 0.047) and 24 h (81.8 ± 101.3 ng/mL; p = 0.001) positively correlated with poor outcomes. MMP-9 (p = 0.086) and claudin-5 (p = 0.2) were not significantly associated with the outcome, although increased expressions of both markers were observed at 12 h. Multiple logistic regression showed that sST2 levels ≥71.8 ng/mL at 24 h, with a specificity of 96.9%, emerged as an independent predictor of poor functional outcome (OR: 6.44; 95% CI: 1.40–46.3; p = 0.029). Conclusion: Evaluation of sST2 may act as a reliable biomarker of functional outcome in AIS.
Augmented Reality in Breast Surgery Education
Authors: Gouveia Pedro F. , Luna Rogélio , Fontes Francisco , Pinto David , Mavioso Carlos , Anacleto João , Timóteo Rafaela , Santinha João , Marques Tiago , Cardoso Fátima , Cardoso Maria João
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Augmented reality (AR) has demonstrated a potentially wide range of benefits and educational applications in the virtual health ecosystem. The concept of real-time data acquisition, machine learning-aided processing, and visualization is a foreseen ambition to leverage AR applications in the healthcare sector. This breakthrough with immersive technologies like AR, mixed reality, virtual reality, or extended reality will hopefully initiate a new surgical era: that of the use of the so-called surgical metaverse. Methods: This paper focuses on the future use of AR in breast surgery education describing two potential applications (surgical remote telementoring and impalpable breast cancer localization using AR), along with the technical needs to make it possible. Conclusion: Surgical telementoring and impalpable tumors noninvasive localization are two examples that can have success in the future provided the improvements in both data transformation and infrastructures are capable to overcome the current challenges and limitations.
Eco-friendly management of rice stem borer in spring rice (chaite-5)
Authors: Kakshapati Pranita , Shrestha Raksha , Khatiwada Sumira
Published: February 2023

Since chemical pesticides have a variety of short- and long-term social, economic, and environmental repercussions, research was conducted in Baniyani, Jhapa, Nepal from January to July 2021 to manage the Yellow Stem Borer (YSB) of rice in an environmentally responsible manner.  The research followed the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and seven treatments using the spring rice variety Chaite-2. The seven treatments used were spinosad 45% SC, Bacillus Thuringensis var krustaki + saccharopolyspora spinosad 15% SC, Azadiractin 0.3%, Chinaberry (Bakaino) leaf extract, Mugwort (Titepati) leaf extract, Metarhizium anisopliae and untreated plot. In order to evaluate the efficacy of the treatments, the number of dead heart and white head symptoms were counted at various time intervals, namely 7, 15, and 21 days after spraying (DAS).  At the vegetative and reproductive stages of rice, the rice stem borer causes the symptoms known as "dead heart" and "white head," respectively. The eco-friendly insecticides significantly altered how the rice stem borer was affected.  Among the insecticides, Spinosad 45%SC caused the highest reduction in dead hearts and whiteheads. Spinosad 45% SC treated plot showed highest yield (7.5tha-1). Given its effectiveness and eco-friendliness, spinosad could be regarded as the most successful eco-friendly insecticide for controlling the rice pest known as the Rice Stem Borer.
Molecular basis of heat stress tolerance in wheat
Authors: Kayastha Preeti , KC Barsha , Pandey Biddhya , Magar Bimal Roka , Chand Himani , Bhandari Janak , Lamichhane Pawan , Baduwal Prakash , Poudel Mukti Ram
Published: February 2023

The rise in Earth’s temperature is one of the most alarming climatic issues in the field of agriculture and food production, in the present context. The increase in temperature leads to heat stress, major abiotic stress responsible for a huge decline in the production of crops. Wheat (Triticum aestivum), among many crops, also experiences a significant decline in yield and overall productivity due to extreme heat stress. But Wheat has also developed natural tolerance mechanisms to defend itself from heat damage. The selection of cultivars with a higher degree of tolerance mechanism protects against thermal stress, which minimizes the risk of poor productivity to a greater extent. In this review, we discuss the current works of literature concerning the heat stress tolerance mechanism in wheat plants and also highlight the strategic approaches that improve their heat stress tolerance at the molecular level. The success of these approaches depends on a better understanding of heat tolerance traits, their genomic composition, and molecular responses.
Combination Sodium Nitrite and Hydralazine Therapy Attenuates Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Severity in a “2‐Hit” Murine Model
Authors: LaPenna Kyle B. , Li Zhen , Doiron Jake E. , Sharp Thomas E. , Xia Huijing , Moles Karl , Koul Kashyap , Wang John S. , Polhemus David J. , Goodchild Traci T. , Patel Ravi B. , Shah Sanjiv J. , Lefer David J.
Published: February 2023

Background

Recent studies have suggested that cardiac nitrosative stress mediated by pathological overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) via inducible NO synthase (iNOS) contributes to the pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Other studies have suggested that endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) dysfunction and attenuated NO bioavailability contribute to HFpEF morbidity and mortality. We sought to further investigate dysregulated NO signaling and to examine the effects of a NO‐based dual therapy (sodium nitrite+hydralazine) following the onset of HFpEF using a “2‐hit” murine model.

Methods and Results

Nine‐week‐old male C57BL/6 N mice (n=15 per group) were treated concurrently with high‐fat diet and N(ω)‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) (0.5 g/L per day) via drinking water for 10 weeks. At week 5, mice were randomized into either vehicle (normal saline) or combination treatment with sodium nitrite (75 mg/L in the drinking water) and hydralazine (2.0 mg/kg IP, BID). Cardiac structure and function were monitored with echocardiography and invasive hemodynamic measurements. Cardiac mitochondrial respiration, aortic vascular function, and exercise performance were also evaluated. Circulating and myocardial nitrite were measured to determine the bioavailability of NO. Circulating markers of oxidative or nitrosative stress as well as systemic inflammation were also determined. Severe HFpEF was evident by significantly elevated E/E', LVEDP, and Tau in mice treated with L‐NAME and HFD, which was associated with impaired NO bioavailability, mitochondrial respiration, aortic vascular function, and exercise capacity. Treatment with sodium nitrite and hydralazine restored NO bioavailability, reduced oxidative and nitrosative stress, preserved endothelial function and mitochondrial respiration, limited the fibrotic response, and improved exercise capacity, ultimately attenuating the severity of “two‐hit” HFpEF.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that nitrite, a well‐established biomarker of NO bioavailability and a physiological source of NO, is significantly reduced in the heart and circulation in the “2‐hit” mouse HFpEF model. Furthermore, sodium nitrite+hydralazine combined therapy significantly attenuated the severity of HFpEF in the “2‐hit” cardiometabolic HFpEF. These data suggest that supplementing NO‐based therapeutics with a potent antioxidant and vasodilator agent may result in synergistic benefits for the treatment of HFpEF.
First report of the genus Spinomarmessoidea (Phasmatodea, Lonchodidae, Necrosciinae) from China, with the description of a new species
Authors: GAO HAO-RAN , YONG-HE LI
Published: February 2023

The recently described genus Spinomarmessoidea is comprised of only 2 species from Peninsular Malaysia. The 3rd species of this genus, Spinomarmessoidea damingensis sp. nov. is described from Guangxi Province, China. The new species represents the first record of this genus in China. The granulose head of new species without large spines and mesonotum with short spines are distinguished from the other 2 species. A key to the female of this genus is compiled. Type materials are deposited in the Yunnan Agricultural University (YNAU).
A new species of bamboo-feeding leafhopper genus Mukariella Viraktamath and Webb (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) along with its morphological variant from India
Authors: RAMAIAH MOGILI , MESHRAM NARESH M. , DEY DEBJANI
Published: February 2023

A new leafhopper species, Mukariella viraktamathi sp. nov., is described from India along with a distinct morphological variant. Illustrations of males and female are provided. An annotated species checklist of the genus and key to species of the genus Mukariella are also provided.
Cedraderus, a new genus for “Xylophilus” constrictus Fall (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea: Aderidae)
Authors: LESCHEN RICHARD A.B. , GIMMEL MATTHEW L.
Published: February 2023

Cedraderus, new genus is erected for a single species described from California, USA, Cedraderus constrictus (Fall, 1910), new combination, and distinguished from all other aderid genera based on the pronotum having subapical and sub-basal sulci, presence of a supraepipleural groove on the elytron, lack of sexual dimorphism and setal brush on the metafemora, and abdominal ventrites 1 and 2 connate with a complete suture.