bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Image Correlation for stereoscopic measurement of water surface dynamics in a partially filled pipe
Authors: Wu Jiayi , Nichols Andrew , Krynkin Anton , Croft Martin
Published: May 2022

This paper presents a novel method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) water surface dynamics in a partially filled pipe. The study on investigation of the 3D free surface dynamics in partially filled pipes is very limited. The method involves tinting the water white with titanium dioxide so that the water surface appears like a solid surface to image-based measuring systems. This method uses a high-resolution projector to project a stochastic pattern of light onto the water surface and uses two high-resolution cameras to capture the pattern on the deformed water surface. The 3D instantaneous water surface fluctuation can be computed from the images captured by the two cameras using a standard Digital Image Correlation algorithm. It is demonstrated that the surface dynamics parameters of turbulent flow in partially filled pipes, including surface fluctuations and surface velocity, can be measured using the projector, high-resolution cameras and DIC algorithm.
Biocultural conservation systems in the Mediterranean region: the role of values, rules, and knowledge
Authors: Plieninger Tobias , Abunnasr Yaser , D’Ambrosio Ugo , Guo Tianyu , Kizos Thanasis , Kmoch Laura , Topp Emmeline , Varela Elsa
Published: May 2022

The Mediterranean Basin is a global biodiversity hotspot, but formal conservation approaches have not been wholly effective to halt species and ecosystem losses in this world region. There is wide agreement that maintaining traditional and diverse land-use systems is key to conserving biodiversity across the Mediterranean region. Biocultural approaches provide a perspective to understand and manage the interplay of nature and culture in various contexts. To develop biocultural systems as positive alternatives to unsustainable land-use systems requires an understanding of the decision-making contexts that enable such approaches. The aim of this synthesis study is therefore to compare how four biocultural conservation systems in the Mediterranean are shaped by values, rules, and knowledge. Our study is based on a synthesis of the literature published on agdal (Morocco), communal forests (Spain), sacred natural sites (Greece), and hima (Lebanon). Our synthesis shows that instrumental, intrinsic, and relational values are all fundamental components of the systems studied. Instrumental values, such as the provision of fodder or firewood, are central, and are often the result of a careful adaptation to the uncertainty inherent to Mediterranean climatic conditions. Systems like agdal and hima have originally been shaped by informal rules (often with the primary motivation to ensure equitable resource use and frequently involving taboos) and were then formalized to varying degrees. All four systems are strongly driven by local knowledge. We conclude that biocultural systems in the Mediterranean represent “people and nature” approaches that support linkages between nature and human well-being. Fostering biocultural conservation in the Mediterranean requires navigating multiple interlinkages between values, rules, and knowledge in decision-making.
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome and Postsurgical Outcomes in a Bariatric Surgery Cohort
Authors: Raphelson Janna R. , Schmickl Christopher N. , Sonners Christine , Kreitinger Kimberly , Grunvald Eduardo , Horgan Santiago , Malhotra Atul
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Patients with obesity and elevated serum bicarbonate suggesting obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) undergoing bariatric surgery may represent a unique subgroup. Information regarding surgical outcomes in this population remains limited. We sought to test the hypothesis that an elevated bicarbonate would be an important predictor of perioperative complications (i.e., length of hospital stay) and postsurgical outcomes (i.e., weight loss at 1 year).

Materials and Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing bariatric surgery between January 2015 and December 2018 were included. Patients with a preoperative serum bicarbonate ≥ 27 mEq/L were classified as suspected OHS.

Results

Of 297 patients, the prevalence of suspected OHS based on an elevated bicarbonate was 19.5% (95% CI: 15.3 to 24.6%). Length of hospital stay was similar in the suspected OHS and non-OHS control group (1.50 vs 1.49 days, P = 0.98). The achieved weight loss from peak preoperative weight to 1 year post-surgery was less in the suspected OHS vs the control group (4.2% [95% CI 1.6 to 6.8]; P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Patients with serum bicarbonate ≥ 27 mEq/L as a surrogate marker for OHS experienced weight loss that was significantly less than their normal serum bicarbonate counterparts, but still achieved weight loss deemed clinically important by current guidelines. We observed no significant difference in length of hospital stay at time of surgery.

Graphical abstract
Diagnosis and Management of Stroke in Adults with Primary Brain Tumor
Authors: Komlodi-Pasztor Edina , Gilbert Mark R. , Armstrong Terri S.
Published: May 2022

Purpose of Review

This article reviews the risk factors, clinical presentations, differential diagnosis, and the types of strokes frequently seen in patients with primary brain neoplasms. This includes a discussion of approaches with a review of the available literature and provides recommendations for primary and secondary prevention specific to this patient population.

Recent Findings

Strokes in patients with brain tumors are often multifactorial. However, tailored approaches to stroke care are necessary to achieve optimal patient outcomes, AHA/ASA stroke guidelines provide little information on the management of stroke in cancer patients. A comprehensive algorithm for diagnosis for stroke in primary CNS tumor patients is proposed.

Understanding the potential complex etiology of stroke in patients with brain tumors is essential to provide appropriate treatment and initiate optimal prevention measures early in the cancer treatment program. Optimal care therefore requires a comprehensive approach including a variety of specialists and healthcare providers.
Spectroscopic-Based Prediction of Milk Foam Properties for Barista Applications
Authors: Christin Brettschneider Kim , Zettel Viktoria , Sadeghi Vasafi Pegah , Hummel Darius , Hinrichs Jörg , Hitzmann Bernd
Published: May 2022

The important quality parameters of cow’s milk for barista applications are frothability and foam stability. In the past, quality assessment was very time-consuming and could only be carried out after milk treatment had been completed. Since spectroscopy is already established in dairies, it could be advantageous to develop a spectrometer-based measurement method for quality control for barista applications. By integrating online spectroscopy to the processing of UHT (ultra-high temperature processing) milk before filling, it can be checked whether the currently processed product is suitable for barista applications. To test this hypothesis, a feasibility study was conducted. For this purpose, seasonal UHT whole milk samples were measured every 2 months over a period of more than 1 year, resulting in a total of 269 milk samples that were foamed. Samples were frothed using a self-designed laboratory frother. Frothability at the beginning and foam loss after 15 min describe the frothing characteristics of the milk and are predicted from the spectra. Near-infrared, Raman, and fluorescence spectra were recorded from each milk sample. These spectra were preprocessed using 15 different mathematical methods. For each spectrometer, 85% of the resulting spectral dataset was analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) regression and nine different variable selection (VS) algorithms. Using the remaining 15% of the spectral dataset, a prediction error was determined for each model and used to compare the models. Using spectroscopy and PLS modeling, the best results show a prediction error for milk frothability of 3% and foam stability of 2%.
Influence of Seminal Metals on Assisted Reproduction Outcome
Authors: Rodríguez-Díaz Rubí , Blanes-Zamora Raquel , Vaca- Sánchez Rebeca , Gómez-Rodríguez Jorge , Hardisson Arturo , González-Weller Dailos , Gutiérrez Ángel J. , Paz Soraya , Rubio Carmen , González-Dávila E
Published: May 2022

Increased levels of metal ions in human seminal fluid have a significant correlation with male fertility. Few publications explain the effect of metals in semen and their influence on assisted reproductive treatments. Semen parameters and the levels of twenty-two metals were measured in the seminal fluid of 102 men attended in a Reproductive Unit. Metals were determined by optical emission spectrophotometry. A statistical relationship was found between spermiogram and iron, which was lower than expected in pathological spermiograms (p = 0.032); zinc (p = 0.066), calcium (p = 0.047), and magnesium (p = 0.048) mean levels were higher in normozoospermics. More days of sexual abstinence correlates with higher seminal zinc (p = 0.001) and magnesium levels (p = 0.002). Lower vanadium values were found to be associated with higher fertilization rates (p = 0.039). Higher values of lead (p = 0.052) and vanadium (p = 0.032) were obtained in patients who did not reach 100% embryo cleavage rate. Aluminium (p = 0.042) and sodium (p = 0.002) were found in lower amounts associated with better blastocyst rates. The implantation rate shows an inverse association with women’s age and iron and calcium content, compared to magnesium and sodium which presented a significant direct association with this percentage. A significant direct relationship was found between the positive evolution of pregnancy and the values of zinc (p = 0.004), calcium (p = 0.013), potassium (p = 0.002), and magnesium (p = 0.009). The study confirms that zinc, iron, calcium, sodium, aluminium, magnesium, vanadium, and lead have positive–negative effects on reproduction and support the analysis of metals in semen as a new line of study on male fertility with implications for reproductive outcomes.
Validation Through Collaboration: Encouraging Team Efforts to Ensure Internal and External Validity of Computational Models of Biochemical Pathways
Authors: Fitzpatrick Richard , Stefan Melanie I.
Published: May 2022

Computational modelling of biochemical reaction pathways is an increasingly important part of neuroscience research. In order to be useful, computational models need to be valid in two senses: First, they need to be consistent with experimental data and able to make testable predictions (external validity). Second, they need to be internally consistent and independently reproducible (internal validity). Here, we discuss both types of validity and provide a brief overview of tools and technologies used to ensure they are met. We also suggest the introduction of new collaborative technologies to ensure model validity: an incentivised experimental database for external validity and reproducibility audits for internal validity. Both rely on FAIR principles and on collaborative science practices.
How does mass loss compare with total body score when assessing decomposition of human and pig cadavers?
Authors: Dawson Blake M. , Wallman James F. , Barton Philip S.
Published: May 2022

Providing accurate and reliable measures of decomposition is paramount for forensic research where decomposition progress is used to estimate time of death. Mass loss is routinely used as a direct measure of biomass decomposition in ecological studies, yet few studies have analysed mass loss in a forensic context on human cadavers to determine its usefulness for modelling the decomposition process. Mass loss was examined in decomposing human and pig cadavers, and compared with other common decomposition metrics, such as total body score (TBS). One summer and one winter field decomposition experiment was conducted using human and pig cadavers, as pigs are often used as proxies for human cadavers in forensic research. The two measures of decomposition revealed two contrasting patterns of decomposition on pigs and humans, particularly in winter where TBS stabilised at similar values, but mass loss differed greatly. Mass loss was found to be faster in pigs than humans during early decomposition. Pigs lost 75% of their mass in winter, while humans lost less than 50%; however, in summer, both lost around 80% of their mass. TBS displayed similar patterns in both experiments, with TBS increasing more rapidly in pigs compared with humans but both eventually reaching similar TBS values in late decomposition. Measuring mass loss can provide additional information about decomposition progress that is missed if using TBS only. Key differences in decomposition progress between cadaver types were also observed, suggesting caution when extrapolating data from pigs to humans for forensic research and decomposition modelling.
Relationen zwischen Theorie, Empirie und normativen Ansprüchen
Authors: Kraus Björn
Published: May 2022

Der folgende Aufsatz soll einen Beitrag zur Bestimmung der Relationen von Theorie, Empirie und normativen Ansprüchen innerhalb einer Wissenschaft der Sozialen Arbeit leisten. Die Spannbreite der Perspektiven auf die Bedingungen der wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisgewinnung ist weit. Das Feld reicht von der Frage, ob unter dem Diktat der Drittmittel eine zweite empirische Wende maßgeblich zur „theorie- und erklärungsarmen“ Produktion von „Datenfriedhöfen“ beiträgt, bis hin zu der Frage, ob Theorieentwicklungen dem dialektischen Schein erliegen, auch ohne Empirie zu welthaltigen Aussagen gelangen zu können. Ähnlich weit ist das Feld der vorhandenen, möglichen und/oder notwendigen Relationen zwischen Wissenschaft und normativen Ansprüchen, die entweder Gegenstand der Wissenschaft sein können oder die als Ansprüche an Wissenschaft gestellt werden. Bei der Klärung dieser Fragen wird deutlich, dass nicht nur die Relationen dringend bestimmungsbedürftig sind, sondern auch die zu relationierenden Begriffe. Denn die Begriffe Theorie, Empirie und normative Ansprüche werden keineswegs immer präzise bestimmt und theoretisch begründet verwendet.

Als Grundlage der Verhältnisbestimmungen werden zunächst die Begriffe Theorie, Empirie und normative Ansprüche diskutiert. Daran an schließt die Erörterung möglicher Verhältnisbestimmungen dieser Begriffe, sowohl hinsichtlich der Theoriebildung im Allgemeinen als auch der Theoriebildung in der Sozialen Arbeit im Speziellen. Deutlich werden soll dabei zumindest exemplarisch die Spannbreite möglicher und vorliegender Antworten in den Fachdiskursen, schließlich aber auch meine eigene relational-konstruktivistische Position. Insofern wird auch kritisch erörtert, welche Konsequenzen sich aus konstruktivistischen Grundlagen für die Möglichkeiten wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse und normativer Entscheidungen ergeben.
Evaluation of Greener Corrosion-Inhibiting Admixtures for Steel Reinforcements in Concrete
Authors: Ramesh Thiruman , Suji Dhanraj , Quraishi M. A.
Published: May 2022

In this study, corrosion of thermo-mechanically treated (TMT) rebars with and without 3.5% NaCl for various concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4%) of green corrosion inhibitors, namely glucosamine and stevioside, was systematically studied in simulated concrete pore solution (SCPS). Open-circuit potential measurements revealed that inhibited system showed passive behaviour compared with control system in SCPS. Potentiodynamic polarization studies revealed that inhibitor stevioside offers more than 88% inhibition efficiency at 0.3% concentration in SCPS containing 3.5% NaCl. Similarly, linear polarization resistance and impedance measurements showed higher polarization resistance and charge transfer resistance values, respectively, at 0.3% concentration for inhibited systems when compared with control (without inhibitor).

In the second part, the optimized concentration of glucosamine and stevioside showed better performance against corrosion of rebar in the solution study admixed into concrete. The corrosion of TMT rebar embedded in concrete with and without inhibitors is subjected to simulated marine exposure for a period of 180 days and evaluated the corrosion inhibition. Gravimetric weight loss and electrochemical techniques were employed to study the efficacy of inhibitors in SCPS and concrete medium. It is found that the time taken for corrosion-induced cracking in concrete admixed with stevioside inhibitor is approximately 20 times that of control concrete and that stevioside inhibitor is relatively better corrosion inhibitor than other inhibitor reported.
Autonomous ships and the collision avoidance regulations: a licensed deck officer survey
Authors: Hannaford Elspeth , Maes Pieter , Van Hassel Edwin
Published: May 2022

International interest in Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) is on the rise. This exploratory research presents insights of a sample of licensed deck officers (LDOs) regarding the potential future of the Collision Avoidance Regulations (COLREGs) with the implementation of MASS. At present, there is much discussion in the maritime industry on if and how the COLREGs will need to be amended to be able to be applied to MASS. Limited research is published from the key perspective of the LDO. Qualitative and quantitative methods are used, including a literature review and a multiple-choice survey. Data is analyzed via descriptive statistics, and commonalities within the results are investigated as well as years of experience with practicing the COLREGs. Results show that many barriers exist when applying the COLREGs to MASS, and minor amendments to certain terms and definitions are recommended. Moreover, the COLREGs should not be quantified, and MASS should be identifiable from other vessels. LDOs with more experience with practicing the COLREGs are found to be slightly more open to changing the rules versus LDOs with less experience. When compared to the results of the International Maritime Organization’s regulatory scoping exercise, the results of this study are found to be in congruence. This research provides valuable insights for the ongoing discussion of the future of MASS operation in the maritime industry.
Effects of pellet surface roughness and pre-oxidation temperature on CMAS corrosion behavior of Ti2AlC
Authors: Guo Lei , Li Guang , Wu Jing , Wang Xiaohui
Published: May 2022

Calcium-magnesium-alumina-silicate (CMAS) corrosion is a serious threat to thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). Ti2AlC has been proven to be a potential protection layer material for TBCs to resist CMAS corrosion. In this study, the effects of the pellet surface roughness and temperature on the microstructure of the pre-oxidation layer and CMAS corrosion behavior of Ti2AlC were investigated. The results revealed that pre-oxidation produced inner Al2O3 layer and outer TiO2 clusters on the pellet surfaces. The content of TiO2 decreased with decreasing pellet surface roughness and increased along with the pre-oxidation temperature. The thickness of Al2O3 layer is also positively related to the pre-oxidation temperature. The Ti2AlC pellets pre-oxidized at 1050 °C could effectively resist CMAS corrosion by promoting the crystallization of anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) from the CMAS melt rapidly, and the resistance effectiveness increased with the pellet surface roughness. Additionally, the CMAS layer mainly spalled off at the interface of CaAl2Si2O8/Al2O3 layer after thermal cycling tests coupled with CMAS corrosion. The Al2O3 layer grown on the rough interface could combine with the pellets tightly during thermal cycling tests, which was attributed to obstruction of the rough interface to crack propagation.
High-entropy rare-earth zirconate ceramics with low thermal conductivity for advanced thermal-barrier coatings
Authors: Liu Debao , Shi Baolu , Geng Liyan , Wang Yiguang , Xu Baosheng , Chen Yanfei
Published: May 2022

The high-entropy rare-earth zirconate ((La0.2Nd0.2Sm0.2Gd0.2Yb0.2)2Zr2O7, 5RE2Zr2O7 HEREZs) ceramics were successfully prepared by a new high-speed positive grinding strategy combined with solid-state reaction method. The microstructure, crystal structure, phase composition, and thermophysical and mechanical properties of the samples were systematically investigated through various methods. Results indicate that the samples have a single-phase defect fluorite-type crystal structure with excellent high-temperature thermal stability. The as-prepared samples also demonstrate low thermal conductivity (0.9–1.72 W·m−1·K−1 at 273–1273 K) and high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE, 10.9 × 10−6 K−1 at 1273 K), as well as outstanding mechanical properties including large Young’s modulus (E = 186–257 GPa) and high fracture toughness (KIC). Furthermore, the formation possibility of the as-prepared samples was verified through the first-principles calculations, which suggested the feasibility to form the 5RE2Zr2O7 HE-REZs in the thermodynamic direction. Therefore, in view of the excellent multifunctional properties exhibited by the as-prepared 5RE2Zr2O7 HE-REZs, they have great potential applications in next-generation thermal-barrier coatings (TBCs).
Influence of Global Operating Parameters on the Reactivity of Soot Particles from Direct Injection Gasoline Engines
Authors: Koch S. , Hagen F. P. , Büttner L. , Hartmann J. , Velji A. , Kubach H. , Koch T. , Bockhorn H. , Trimis D. , Suntz R.
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of global operating parameters, e.g., engine speed, brake mean effective pressure, and air–fuel ratio, of a turbocharged 4-cylinder GDI engine on the reactivity of soot particles against oxidation. The knowledge of soot reactivity is crucial for optimizing gasoline particulate filter regeneration strategies and is, consequently, a key parameter for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In this work, time-resolved in-cylinder soot concentrations and exhaust particle size distributions are measured by using two-color pyrometry, engine exhaust particle sizer and smoke meter, respectively. Reactivity against oxidation by molecular oxygen is determined by temperature programmed oxidation analysis. To derive a physicochemical explanation for varying soot reactivity, the morphological and nanostructural primary particle structure of collected samples is analyzed using high-resolution electron microscopy and image analysis algorithms. The results reveal that engine operating parameters affect soot reactivity differently. While engine speed has only a slight effect, a reduction of air/fuel ratio (λ < 1.0) or an increase of BMEP > 10 bar significantly reduces the soot oxidation reactivity. These findings give evidence, that the quality of the fuel/air mixture is a significant parameter influencing soot reactivity. Measured soot concentrations substantiate the hypothesis that low-sooty homogeneous premixed combustion of a homogeneous fuel/air mixture favors formation of high-reactive soot particle fractions. Reactive soot particle aggregates are composed of multiple soot fractions of different reactivity. Reactive primary particles are composed of short graphene-like layers and vice versa, providing a physicochemical explanation for varying soot reactivity depending on engine operating conditions.
Constructing self-supporting surfaces with planar quadrilateral elements
Authors: Ma Long , Yao Sidan , Zheng Jianmin , Liu Yang , Zhou Yuanfeng , Xin Shi-Qing , He Ying
Published: May 2022

We present a simple yet effective method for constructing 3D self-supporting surfaces with planar quadrilateral (PQ) elements. Starting with a triangular discretization of a self-supporting surface, we first compute the principal curvatures and directions of each triangular face using a new discrete differential geometry approach, yielding more accurate results than existing methods. Then, we smooth the principal direction field to reduce the number of singularities. Next, we partition all faces into two groups in terms of principal curvature difference. For each face with small curvature difference, we compute a stretch matrix that turns the principal directions into a pair of conjugate directions. For the remaining triangular faces, we simply keep their smoothed principal directions. Finally, applying a mixed-integer programming solver to the mixed principal and conjugate direction field, we obtain a planar quadrilateral mesh. Experimental results show that our method is computationally efficient and can yield high-quality PQ meshes that well approximate the geometry of the input surfaces and maintain their self-supporting properties.
Parkinson rehabilitation in nursing homes: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of patients and caregivers
Authors: Fidder Hester , Jaski Joannina J. , Elbertse Eskeline , van Loon Anouk M. , Monnier Annelie A. , de Boer Marike E. , de Groot Aafke J.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Worldwide, an increasing number of people are diagnosed with atypical Parkinsonism or idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). Periods of acute functional decline, triggered by acute disease, are common. Rehabilitation is often necessary to restore functioning. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in the Netherlands have developed evidence-based geriatric rehabilitation for Parkinson (GR-P) programs. However, data on the experiences and needs of patients and their caregivers are lacking. This study aims to address these, in order to propose recommendations for improvement.

Methods

We performed a qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews in two Dutch SNFs offering GR-P. Nine patients with PD and six informal caregivers were included. We subjected verbatim transcripts of 15 interviews to qualitative analysis.

Results

Data saturation was reached after 15 interviews. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) autonomy, (2) sharing information and (3) contact with others. Loss of autonomy was linked to the underlying disease and the rehabilitation environment itself. Patients and caregivers felt overwhelmed by events before and during rehabilitation, expressing a need to receive information and discuss prior experiences. They considered communication between hospitals and SNFs to be poor. Patients did not always appreciate contact with peers. Both patients and caregivers appreciated empathic healthcare personnel with a firm knowledge on PD.

Conclusions

Autonomy, sharing information and contact with others are central themes for patients and caregivers during GR-P in SNFs. We recommend actively exploring these three central themes with every patient and caregiver entering a GR-P program and offering staff continuing education on PD, in order to improve care.
Selected Domains within a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Older Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma are Highly Associated with Frailty
Authors: Gamarra Samaniego María del Pilar , Blanquicett Carmelo J. , Araujo Castillo Roger V. , Chavez Julio C. , Beltrán Garate Brady Ernesto
Published: May 2022

Background

The incidence of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is increasing, particularly among older patients who tend to have worse outcomes and can be predisposed to increased toxicities and less treatment tolerance. Therefore, a thorough pre-treatment assessment is essential. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) can be used to evaluate the older patient considering chemotherapy and is the preferred evaluation tool. However, a formal CGA is laborious, complex and time-consuming.

Objectives

To characterize older adults with NHL and determine the CGA variables with the greatest association to frailty in order to propose a more simplified assessment.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study using data collected from CGAs in NHL patients > 65 years admitted to our oncology service, from September 2015 to August 2017. Our evaluation parameters included: polypharmacy, a screening tool of older people's prescriptions (STOPP), the Lawton scale, Barthel index, Katz index, gait speed, a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, a Mini-Mental state examination (MMSE), the Yesavage and Gijon scales, a Mini-nutritional assessment (MNA), a Geriatric Syndromes assessment, and a Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric (CIRS-G). The formal CGA was comprised of nine domains; frailty was defined as an impairment in > 2 domains. Each parameter was individually compared with frailty, and the results were used to build different multivariate models using logistic regression analyses to obtain the variables with the highest frailty association.

Results

A total of 253 patients were included. Their median age was 75.4 years (range 65–92), and 62.1% had > 1 impaired domain, with 39.9% considered frail. Bivariate analysis showed strong associations with age > 85 and all the geriatric parameters except for STOPP. Our final multivariate analysis resulted in 5 domains (the use of > 5 medications, a Lawton < 7, TUG > 20, Yesavage > 5, and the presence of at least one geriatric syndrome) being significantly associated with frailty and performing similarly to a CGA.

Conclusion

In our population of older NHL patients, an abbreviated evaluation based of only five domains, polypharmacy, TUG, Lawton scale, Yesavage scale and the presence of at least one geriatric syndrome, had similar performance to a formal CGA in determining frailty.
Immunotherapy and Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation in B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: How to Sequence?
Authors: Komitopoulou Anna , Baltadakis I. , Peristeri I. , Goussetis E.
Published: May 2022

Long-term disease control is achieved in 80–90% of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia of B origin (B-ALL). About half of adult and 10% of pediatric patients develop refractory or relapsed disease, whereas survival after relapse accounts about 10% in adults and 30–50% in children. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation offers remarkable benefit in cases with unfavorable outcome. Nevertheless, novel immunotherapeutic options have been approved for patients with adverse prognosis. Immunotherapeutic agents, nowadays, are preferred over standard chemotherapy for patients with relapsed or refractory B-ALL The mode of action, efficacy and safety data of immunotherapeutic agents released, indications and sequence of those therapies over the course of treatment, are herein reviewed.
Immunobiology and immunotherapy of gestational trophoblastic disease
Authors: Sharma Neha , Kundal Richa , Kaushal Vikrant
Published: May 2022

Gestational trophoblastic diseases are a heterogeneous group of pregnancy related tumors that show extensive metastatic spread but are readily responsive to chemotherapy. This one of a kind treatability of gestational trophoblastic tumors may to some extent be inferable from a host immunologic reaction to the paternal antigens that are expressed on the trophoblastic cells. In this review, we evaluate the current cognizance of immunobiology of gestational trophoblastic diseases and also establish the immunologic behaviour of gestational trophoblastic diseases which should be researched further in order to gain a better understanding of the aetiology of these neoplasias. This will further help structuring immunotherapeutic methodologies for their treatment.
TripletGO: Integrating Transcript Expression Profiles with Protein Homology Inferences for Gene Function Prediction
Authors: Zhu Yi-Heng , Zhang Chengxin , Liu Yan , Omenn Gilbert S. , Freddolino Peter L. , Yu Dong-Jun , Zhang Yang
Published: May 2022

Gene Ontology (GO) has been widely used to annotate functions of genes and gene products. Here, we proposed a new method, TripletGO, to deduce GO terms of protein-coding and non-coding genes, through the integration of four complementary pipelines built on transcript expression profile, genetic sequence alignment, protein sequence alignment, and naïve probability. TripletGO was tested on a large set of 5754 genes from 8 species (human, mouse, Arabidopsis, rat, fly, budding yeast, fission yeast, and nematoda) and 2433 proteins with available expression data from the third Critical Assessment of Protein Function Annotation challenge (CAFA3). Experimental results show that TripletGO achieves function annotation accuracy significantly beyond the current state-of-the-art approaches. Detailed analyses show that the major advantage of TripletGO lies in the coupling of a new triplet network-based profiling method with the feature space mapping technique, which can accurately recognize function patterns from transcript expression profiles. Meanwhile, the combination of multiple complementary models, especially those from transcript expression and protein-level alignments, improves the coverage and accuracy of the final GO annotation results. The standalone package and an online server of TripletGO are freely available at https://zhanggroup.org/TripletGO/.
Histopathology findings of resected gastric specimens post sleeve gastrectomy: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Rashdan Mohammad , Mansour Hanan , Odeh Ghada , Abu-dawood Rawan , Otoom Gaida , Foudeh Dina , Al-alwan Leen , Al-mustafa Sahar , Al-Taher Raed , Obeidat Firas
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:

Sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and feasible bariatric procedure, but it is debatable whether the resected gastric specimen should be sent for histopathological examination. This is based on whether examination would reveal any serious findings in the absence of suggestive clinical symptoms. In this study, we aim to look for the percentage of examined resected gastric specimens and identify the prevalence of various histopathological findings among patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy, comparing our results to the literature.

Materials and methods:

A retrospective cross-sectional study. Histopathology reports were retrieved for patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy between January 2015 and October 2019. Data was collected from their medical records and analysed.

Results:

A total of 810 patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy in the study period. The majority of them (88.9%, n = 720) had their specimens sent for pathological examination. Female patients were 585 (77.5%), their mean age was 36 ± 10.7 (mean ± SD) years and body mass index was 46 ± 7.5 (mean ± SD) kg/m2. Chronic gastritis was detected in 88.3% of the patients (n = 636), H. Pylori related gastritis was present in 50.3% of the patients (n = 362), intestinal metaplasia (2.2%, n = 16), gastric atrophy (0.4%, n = 3), and dysplasia (0.1%, n = 1), none had malignancy.

Conclusion:

This is the largest study in the area examining resected gastric specimens post sleeve gastrectomy. Most sleeve gastrectomy patients had chronic gastritis in their resected gastric specimens, and half of it is attributed to H. Pylori microorganism, only one had dysplasia.

Highlights
Adult Swyer-James-MacLeod syndrome; a case report with literature review
Authors: Ahmed Harem k. , Kakamad Fahmi H. , Mustafa Shevan M. , Kakamad Suhaib H. , Mohammed Shvan H. , Salh Abdulwahid M. , Hussein Dahat A.
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Swyer-James-MacLeod syndrome (SJMS) is a rare obliterative pulmonary disease, usually found in children. The current study aims to report a rare adult case of SJMS.

Case report:

A 21-year-old married female presented with dyspnea mainly on exertion. Physical examination was normal and chest examination showed mild decrease in breathing sounds on the right lower zone. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the chest showed hyperlucency of the right lung with loss of normal lung vasculature. The patient was managed conservatively with antibiotics, bronchodilator inhaler, and influenza vaccination. The patient was in good health upon follow up.

Discussion:

SJMS is considered as a type of post infective obliterative bronchiolitis, which is mainly found in children. Only a few cases have been diagnosed in adults. The syndrome usually occurs following lung infections early in childhood, possibly due to infective agents, such as adenovirus.

Conclusion:

Diagnosis of SJMS in adulthood is a very rare finding which may be found despite the absence of any history of pulmonary infection during childhood.

Highlights
Necrotising fasciitis in the COVID-19 era: A consequence of caution – A case series
Authors: Feeney Gerard , Hannan Enda , Fallon John , Curran Eimear , Meagher Helen , Sheehan Jean , Coffey John Calvin , Kavanagh Eamon G.
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT

Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is a severe soft tissue infection that is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. During the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, the population has been actively discouraged from presenting to emergency medical services unless absolutely necessary. While this was an important step in allowing for preservation of limited resources in a time of crisis, it may have resulted in immeasurable ‘secondary victims’ of the pandemic as patients with time-critical conditions delay hospital presentation. In this case series, we describe three patients that noted symptoms of soft tissue infection, but delayed seeking healthcare advice due to concerns regarding COVID-19 exposure. All three progressed to NF, requiring highly morbid wide surgical debridement and prolonged hospital admission, with a high risk of potential mortality. The findings of this series demonstrate the importance of consistently delivering appropriate and timely healthcare interventions to patients with non-COVID-19-related conditions. While efforts must be made to ensure preservation of valuable healthcare resources in a global pandemic, patients must also be empowered to seek timely care for non-COVID-19-related conditions even in this time of crisis.

Highlights
Auricular pilonidal sinus; a rare case with a brief review of literature
Authors: Salih Abdulwahid M. , Hassan Shko H. , Hassan Marwan N. , Fatah Mariwan L. , Kakamad Fahmi H. , Salih Bastoon Kh , Mohammed Shvan H.
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Pilonidal sinus (PNS) is an inflammatory disease arising from the sacrococcygeal region. The current study aims to report a case of pilonidal sinus developed in the posterior aspect of the auricle.

Case report:

A 27-year-old male presented with a painless auricular discharge for 2 weeks. it was diagnosed clinically as a case of pilonidal sinus. The opening sinus was anesthetized locally. The wound opened, the sinus excised through a small opening to remove the hair. The wound was injected with a prepared mixture and covered with Kurdish gum.

Discussion:

Although the etiology of pilonidal sinus is unknown, in the literature, many factors have been described as risk factors. Positive family history particularly first-degree relative is an important risk factor with the incidence of 52.4%.

Conclusion:

Although it is rare and atypical, PNS could occur in the auricular region. It could be managed as sacrococcygeal PNS.

Highlights
Asthma in COVID-19: Mitigating or exacerbating? An interesting case report
Authors: Al Amin A. S.M. , Ataullah A. H.M. , Rahman Abdur , Uddin Shalah , Nahar Sabekun , Rahman Moshiur , Sarwar A. S.M. , Lozada-Martinez Ivan David , Rahman Sabrina
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Bronchial asthma is an age-old disease whereas COVID-19 is an officially declared pandemic on March 11, 2020 by WHO. Since both are primarily a disease of the respiratory system, researchers across the globe tried to explore the potential relationship between them; to date, there is no convincing data. Here, we tried to present a case to explore potential relationships between these two, if present.

Case presentation:

A 30-year-old male patient with well-controlled cough variant asthma was diagnosed with a case of covid-19 infection 12 months back. All other sign symptoms subsided except dry cough. The patient is treated with an inhaled bronchodilator, oral and inhaled steroid, Tab montelukast as well as other conservative management like hot water vapor, lozenge, honey, etc but symptoms were not controlled for the last 12 months. The patient could not do his job because of this problem. All examination and investigation findings were normal. After long-term use of inhaled steroids, he is now 50–60% improved and gradually improving.

Discussion:

Covid can exacerbate cough in an asthmatic patient. Neuronal activation and neuroinflammatory mechanisms may aggravate this cough after covid. Diagnosis confirmed clinically with the relevant improvement of symptoms. Other important differentials were excluded by appropriate history, examinations, and investigation. Cough is improved by steroids in this case.

Conclusion:

Summary of conclusion: Cough variant asthma may be aggravated with covid 19 infection and meticulous history, treatment, and follow up needed for an asthmatic patient who is infected with covid 19.

Highlights
Who Guards the “Guardians of the System”? The Role of the Secretariat in WTO Dispute Settlement
Authors: Pauwelyn Joost , Pelc Krzysztof
Published: May 2022

For all the attention paid to the panelists and Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Secretariat plays an overlooked and increasingly important role in the dispute settlement mechanism (DSM), including in selecting panelists, writing “issue papers” for adjudicators, providing economic expert advice, participating in internal deliberations, and drafting actual rulings. This Article argues that, given these functions, the DSM is better understood to be a sui generis administrative review process than it is a “World Trade Court.”
Wait-and-See or Whack-a-Mole: What Is the Best Way to Regulate Fintech in China?
Authors: Xu Duoqi , John Taylor C. , Ren Yuanda
Published: May 2022

Chinese fintech, initially taking the form as “Internet finance,” is growing rapidly and poses great challenges to its financial regulatory authorities. Acclaimed as a new financial innovation, Internet finance was once accepted and even welcomed by the normally conservative Chinese financial regulators, who simultaneously adopted a wait-and-see strategy, to encourage such innovation and avoid overwhelming regulation. The benevolent regulation stance, however, bred rampant Ponzi schemes or fake financial innovation, resulting in tremendous monetary losses among lots of investors. To show a quick and active response, the central government popped into a whack-a-mole game, starting a four-year campaign of strict Internet finance regulation that has even cracked down on all the P2P lending platforms. This article analyzes the regulatory policy updates of Chinese Internet finance that is transforming to certain kinds of lawful fintech with difficulties, and that adaptive regulatory-organization restructure, regulatory-system optimization, and regulatory-model innovation would be more effective and constructive regulatory options.
A Court as a Means of Legislative Position Avoidance: Evidence from the Same-Sex Marriage Decision in Taiwan
Authors: Sung Yu-Hsien , Hsu Yi-Ching , Wang Chin-Shou
Published: May 2022

In 2017, the Taiwanese Constitutional Court handed down Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 748, which was a ruling in favour of same-sex marriage. The Court also ordered the national legislature to amend the law within two years. Despite a significant backslide in the Taiwanese 2018 referendum, the legislature eventually followed the Court’s order and legalized gay marriage in 2019. This victory made Taiwan the first state to legalize same-sex marriage in Asia. Many legal scholars consider the same-sex marriage ruling a progressive decision in which the Court undertook a counter-majoritarian task of protecting a minority group. While we agree with the Court’s role in promoting marriage equality, we contend that most legal scholars overlook an important question in this dynamic: the legislature had had several chances to settle this issue over the past decades, so why did it refuse to draft gay-marriage legislation but later, in 2019, defer to the Court’s decision? In this paper, we explain the political foundations of an activist judiciary by using the case of the first gay-marriage legislation in Asia. We argue that the risk of position-taking on tough issues leads incentive-facing political elites to engage in position avoidance and to see the political value in deferring to a high court’s ruling. Using original data, we present evidence of how Taiwan’s diverse constituency relative to the same-sex marriage issue influenced legislators’ position-avoidance behaviour and led them to dodge political backfire by delegating policy-making authority to the Constitutional Court.
Unilateral Acquisition and the Requirements of Freedom: A Kantian Account of the Judicial Exceptions to Patent Protection
Authors: McMillan Ian
Published: May 2022

For obscure reasons, courts exclude some statutorily patentable inventions (‘judicial exceptions’) from patent protection. These exclusions have been criticized for impeding innovation, contrary to the purpose of patent law. I argue that freedom requires these exclusions even if they impede innovation. Patents, like property, can be unilaterally acquired, limiting others’ freedom without their consent. Kant explains why, to reconcile property with equal freedom, only rivalrous objects in acquirers’ first possession can be unilaterally acquired. States can rightfully authorize unilateral acquisition of only these objects. Drawing from Kant, I explain how patent protection conflicts with equal freedom unless patented inventions involve inventive uses of rivalrous objects external to human bodies. Enabled by inventive concepts, these uses would be impossible without these concepts, and are thus in the first possession of their inventors. I then show how the most recent United States Supreme Court judicial exception decisions limit patent protection to inventive uses of rivalrous external objects.
“Rich Fields in Persia”: Parsi Capital and the Origins of Economic Development in Pahlavi Iran, 1925–1941
Authors: Marashi Afshin
Published: May 2022

This article investigates the history of economic relations between Iran and the Parsi community of India during the Reza Shah period. Encouraged by the policies of the new Pahlavi state, Parsi entrepreneurs began a serious effort to investigate the possibilities of economic investment in Iran. The article details three Parsi economic missions that were conducted in Iran during this period, and analyzes their assessments of Iran's potential for development in fields such as energy, textile manufacturing, commercial agriculture, and modern transportation systems. As the article argues, while these Parsi-led initiatives were part of a larger history of renewed engagement between Parsis and Iranians, for a variety of political and economic reasons, by the outbreak of World War II few of the Parsi plans for investment in Iran had come to fruition. While remaining largely forestalled in the interwar period, the article also suggests that Parsi economic assessments foreshadowed many of the planning strategies carried out in Iran's post–World War II history of economic development.
Two-dimensional hydrodynamic schooling of two flapping swimmers initially in tandem formation
Authors: Lin Xingjian , Wu Jie , Yang Liming , Dong Hao
Published: May 2022

The effect of hydrodynamic interactions on the collective locomotion of fish schools is still poorly understood. In this paper, the flow-mediated organization of two tandem flapping foils, which are free in both the longitudinal and lateral directions, is numerically studied. It is found that the tandem formation is unstable for two foils when they can self-propel in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. Three types of resultant regular formations are observed, i.e. semi-tandem formation, staggered formation and transitional formation. Which type of regular formation occurs depends on the flapping parameters and the initial longitudinal distance between the two foils. Moreover, there is a threshold value of the cycle-averaged longitudinal distance (which is approximately 0.55) below which both velocity enhancement and efficiency augmentation can be achieved by two foils in regular formations. The results obtained here may shed some light on understanding the emergence of regular formations of fish schools.