bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated drivability and streetscape compatibility in the urban-rural continuum using the example of Greater Vienna
Authors: Soteropoulos Aggelos
Published: March 2023

Automated vehicles will have a significant impact on our mobility and the way we travel. Already over the next few years, highly dynamic developments can be expected in the mobility sector, with fundamental changes and upheavals that will present both opportunities and risks. From the point of view of transport, infrastructure and urban planning, strategies are therefore required as to where and how automated vehicles can be best deployed.
Toward Climate Change Mitigation: Restoration of the Indonesian Peat Swamp
Authors: Gunawan Haris , Tryanto Dede Hendry , Mizuno Kosuke , Kozan Osamu
Published: March 2023

Indonesia created a breakthrough in peatland management by establishing the Peatland Restoration Agency in early 2016 with the aim of restoring 2.67 million ha of degraded peatlands. This effort is intended to accelerate the recovery of peatlands and return of its hydrological functions after extensive damage by fire, drainage canals, and other external factors. This paper highlights the potential biomass and carbon resources in various land-use covers located in the Riau Biosphere Reserve. It discusses the results of restoration experiments conducted in severely degraded peatlands, and estimates carbon emission reductions in targeted priority areas. The total estimated emission reduction in natural forests was higher than in logged-over forests and disturbed forests: 207.36 CO2 Mg h−1, 161.48 CO2 Mg h−1, and 65.87 CO2 Mg h−1, respectively. The restoration of 2.3 million ha of targeted peatland ecosystems was estimated to have reduced carbon emissions by 98.77–153.53 Mt CO2e. The value of carbon from peatlands is considered important for maintaining ecological function while optimizing economic benefits. We have confirmed that above ground carbon storage can be restored even in severely degraded peatlands. Avoiding vegetation loss is an important aspect of restoration activity, but recovery of vegetation in degraded areas depends on below-ground carbon stocks, as these are indicative of fertile soils in various kinds of land cover and use.
Water Management for Integrated Peatland Restoration in Pulau Tebing Tinggi PHU, Riau
Authors: Sutikno Sigit , Rinaldi  , Yusa Muhamad , Nasrul Besri , Yesi  , Chairul  , Prayitno Adhy , Putra Akhbar , Ardi Muhammad Gevin
Published: March 2023

Water management is an important aspect for hydrological restoration in the tropical peatland because the availability of water is not evenly distributed in the dry and rainy seasons. The aim of this study was to conduct action research focusing on water management for integrated peatland restoration at Pulau Tebing Tinggi Peatland Hydrological Unit (PHU), Riau, Indonesia. The actions were to implement some research results and findings by developing demo-plots for a pilot project and analyzing their impact. The pilot project for water management was developed at Pulau Tebing Tinggi PHU not only for the purpose of peat rewetting, but also to support revegetation efforts and revitalization of livelihood. Pulau Tebing Tinggi PHU, located in Kepulauan Meranti Regency, Riau Province, is susceptible to peat fires. In 2014, big peat fires occurred in Pulau Tebing Tinggi PHU and several peatland areas in Riau, causing a haze disaster that lasted for about 2 months. The disaster produced a sickening and deadly cloud of smoky pollution that not only threatened Indonesia but also neighboring countries.

The Thornthwaite-Mather water balance (TMWB) model was applied for water balance analysis as a basis for water management in the research site. A masterplan for water management was developed which was integrated with revegetation and revitalization of livelihood approaches. Canal block constructions, paludiculture, and aquaculture were the integrated activities carried out to support peatland restoration. Two types of canal blocks, whose main materials were wood and vinyl sheet pile, were introduced in this pilot project. Four key parameters of peatland restoration progress were monitored periodically, namely water table, land subsidence, CO2 emissions, and vegetation growth. This research found that by applying water management properly, the water table can be maintained at a stable and high level in wet peatlands. Water management by applying canal blocking has a good impact for keeping groundwater elevation and keeping peatland in a wet condition for a distance of 400 m upstream from the canal block.
Precision calculations of Bd,s → π, K decay form factors in soft-collinear effective theory
Authors: Cui Bo-Yan , Huang Yong-Kang , Shen Yue-Long , Wang Chao , Wang Yu-Ming
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We improve QCD calculations of the semileptonic Bd,s→ π, K decay form factors at large hadronic recoil by implementing the next-to-leading-logarithmic resummation for the obtained leading-power light-cone sum rules in the soft-collinear effective theory (SCET) framework and by computing for the first time the non-vanishing spectator-quark mass correction dictating the SU(3)-flavour symmetry breaking effects between these fundamental quantities at the one-loop accuracy. Additionally, we endeavour to investigate a variety of the subleading-power contributions to these heavy-to-light form factors at $$ \mathcal{O}\left({\alpha}_s^0\right) $$
O

α
s
0

with the same methodology, by including the higher-order terms in the heavy-quark expansion of the hard-collinear quark propagator, by evaluating the desired effective matrix element of the next-to-leading-order term "Image missing" in the SCETI representation of the weak transition current, by taking into account the off-light-cone contributions of the two-body heavy-quark effective theory (HQET) matrix elements as well as the three-particle higher-twist corrections from the subleading bottom-meson light-cone distribution amplitudes (LCDAs), and by computing the twist-five and twist-six four-body higher-twist effects with the aid of the factorization approximation. Having at our disposal the SCET sum rules for the exclusive B-meson decay form factors under discussion, we further explore in detail numerical implications of the newly computed subleading-power corrections by employing the three-parameter model for both the leading-twist and higher-twist B-meson distribution amplitudes. Taking advantage of the customary Bourrely-Caprini-Lellouch (BCL) parametrization for the complete set of the semileptonic Bd,s→ π, K form factors, we then determine the correlated numerical results for the interesting series coefficients, by carrying out the simultaneous fit of the exclusive B-meson decay form factors to both the achieved SCET sum rule predictions at small momentum transfer (q2) and the available lattice QCD results at large momentum transfer. Subsequently, we perform a comprehensive phenomenological analysis of the full angular observables, the lepton-flavour university ratios and the lepton polarization asymmetries for the flavour-changing charged- current $$ B\to \pi \ell {\overline{\nu}}_{\ell } $$
B
→
π
ℓ

ν
¯

ℓ

and $$ {B}_s\to K\ell {\overline{\nu}}_{\ell } $$

B
s

→
K
ℓ

ν
¯

ℓ

decays (with ℓ = μ, τ) together with the differential q2-distribution for the exclusive rare $$ B\to K{\nu}_{\ell }{\overline{\nu}}_{\ell } $$
B
→
K

ν
ℓ

ν
¯

ℓ

decays in the Standard Model.
String-scale gauge coupling relations in the supersymmetric Pati-Salam models from intersecting D6-branes
Authors: Li Tianjun , Sun Rui , Wu Lina
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We have constructed all the three-family $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric Pati-Salam models from intersecting D6-branes, and obtained 33 independent models in total. But how to realize the string-scale gauge coupling relations in these models is a big challenge. We first discuss how to decouple the exotic particles in these models. In addition, we consider the adjoint chiral mulitplets for SU(4)C and SU(2)L gauge symmetries, the Standard Model (SM) vector-like particles from D6-brane intersections, as well as the vector-like particles from the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 subsector. We show that the gauge coupling relations at string scale can be achieved via two-loop renormalization group equation running for all these supersymmetric Pati-Salam models. Therefore, we propose a concrete way to obtain the string-scale gauge coupling relations for the generic intersecting D-brane models.
The ordered exponential representation of GKM using the W1+∞ operator
Authors: Wang Gehao
Published: March 2023

Abstract

The generalized Kontsevich model (GKM) is a one-matrix model with arbitrary potential. Its partition function belongs to the KP hierarchy. When the potential is monomial, it is an r-reduced tau-function that governs the r-spin intersection numbers. In this paper, we present an ordered exponential representation of monomial GKM in terms of the W1+∞ operators that preserves the KP integrability. In fact, this representation is naturally the solution of a W1+∞ constraint that uniquely determines the tau-function. Furthermore, we show that, for the cases of Kontsevich-Witten and generalized BGW tau-functions, their W1+∞ representations can be reduced to their cut-and-join representations under the reduction of the even time independence and Virasoro constraints.
Complete one-loop structure of the type-(I+II) seesaw effective field theory
Authors: Zhang Di
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Besides the three canonical seesaw mechanisms, the hybrid scenario, i.e., the so-called type-(I+II) seesaw mechanism containing both the right-handed neutrinos NR and the triplet Higgs Φ is also an appealing extension of the Standard Model (SM) to account for tiny neutrino masses. Recently, the seesaw effective field theories (SEFTs) of the three canonical seesaw mechanisms have already been completely constructed up to one-loop level. In this work, we carry out the one-loop matching of the type-(I+II) seesaw mechanism onto the corresponding type-(I+II) SEFT, which is by no means the trivial combination of the type-I and type-II SEFTs and contains additional contributions even though the right-handed neutrinos and the triplet Higgs have no direct interactions. Employing the Feynman diagrammatic approach, we calculate all those additional contributions from the entangled effects of NR and Φ, and finally achieve the complete one-loop structure of the type-(I+II) SEFT. In the type-(I+II) SEFT, the number and content of dim-6 operators are exactly the same as those in the type-II SEFT, but the Wilson coefficients of the unique dim-5 and nine dim-6 operators as well as the quartic coupling constant of the SM Higgs gain some additional contributions, which are absent in the type-I and type-II SEFTs.
Monopoles and confinement in three dimensions from holography
Authors: Faedo Antón F. , Hoyos Carlos , Subils Javier G.
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We study the phase diagram of a confining three-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric U(N) × U(N + M) theory with holographic dual corresponding to a known string theory solution. The theory possesses a global U(1) symmetry under which magnetic monopoles are charged. We introduce both temperature and an external magnetic field for monopoles and find that there are deconfinement phase transitions as any of the two is increased, supporting monopole condensation as the possible mechanism for confinement. We find that the transition as the magnetic field is increased is second order, providing the first example in holographic duals of a deconfinement transition which is not first order. We also uncover a rich structure in the phase diagram, with a triple point and a critical point where a line of first order transitions end.
3D bosons, 3-Jack polynomials and affine Yangian of $$ \mathfrak{gl}(1) $$
Authors: Wang Na , Wu Ke
Published: March 2023

Abstract

3D (3 dimensional) Young diagrams are a generalization of 2D Young diagrams. In this paper, We consider 3D Bosons and 3-Jack polynomials. We associate three parameters h1, h2, h3 to y, x, z-axis respectively. 3-Jack polynomials are polynomials of Pn,j, n ≥ j with coefficients in ℂ(h1, h2, h3), which are the generalization of Schur functions and Jack polynomials to 3D case. Similar to Schur functions, 3-Jack polynomials can also be determined by the vertex operators and the Pieri formulas.
Deforming soft algebras for gauge theory
Authors: Melton Walker , Narayanan Sruthi A. , Strominger Andrew
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Symmetry algebras deriving from towers of soft theorems can be deformed by a short list of higher-dimension Wilsonian corrections to the effective action. We study the simplest of these deformations in gauge theory arising from a massless complex scalar coupled to F2. The soft gauge symmetry ‘s-algebra’, compactly realized as a higher-spin current algebra acting on the celestial sphere, is deformed and enlarged to an associative algebra containing soft scalar generators. This deformed soft algebra is found to be non-abelian even in abelian gauge theory. A two-parameter family of central extensions of the s-subalgebra are generated by shifting and decoupling the scalar generators. It is shown that these central extensions can also be generated by expanding around a certain non-trivial but Lorentz invariant shockwave type background for the scalar field.
A Portalino to the Twin Sector
Authors: Liu Di , Weiner Neal
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Extensions of the Standard Model are often highly constrained by cosmology. New states in the theory can dramatically alter observed properties of the universe by the presence of additional matter or entropy. In particular, attempts to solve the hierarchy problem through naturalness invariably predict new particles near the weak scale which come into thermal equilibrium. Without a means to deposit this energy into the SM, these models are often excluded. Scenarios of “neutral naturalness” in particular, such as the Twin Higgs, frequently suffer from this. However, the Portalino, a singlet fermion that marries gauge neutral fermion operators, can naturally help provide a portal for entropy to return to the SM and to lift fermionic degrees of freedom in the Twin Sector. Together with spontaneous breaking of the Z2 SM ↔ Twin symmetry, there are new opportunities to confront the cosmological challenges of these models. Here, we attempt to develop such ideas. We shall show how one can lift many of the light fields by breaking Z2 with a U(1)Y scalar and its Twin partner. The introduction of Portalinos can lift the remaining degrees of freedom. We shall find that such models are highly constrained by precision SM measurements, motivating moderate extensions beyond this. We will discuss two, both of which include Z2 breaking, one with additional electroweak matter and another with additional colored matter. The electroweak model will involve simple dim-6 operators, which are easily UV completed. The strong model will involve the presence of new leptoquarks and diquarks. We will discuss the implications for the observed value of the muon anomalous magnetic moment, contributions to μ → eγ decay and possible colored signals even within these models of neutral naturalness, some of which might appear at the LHC or future colliders.
Image-based features in machine learning to identify delivery errors and predict error magnitude for patient-specific IMRT quality assurance
Authors: Huang Ying , Pi Yifei , Ma Kui , Miao Xiaojuan , Fu Sichao , Chen Hua , Wang Hao , Gu Hengle , Shao Yan , Duan Yanhua , Feng Aihui , Zhuo Weihai , Xu Zhiyong
Published: March 2023

Objective

To identify delivery error type and predict associated error magnitude by image-based features using machine learning (ML).

Methods

In this study, a total of 40 thoracic plans (including 208 beams) were selected, and four error types with different magnitudes were introduced into the original plans, including 1) collimator misalignment (COLL), 2) monitor unit (MU) variation, 3) systematic multileaf collimator misalignment (MLCS), and 4) random MLC misalignment (MLCR). These dose distributions of portal dose predictions for the original plans were defined as the reference dose distributions (RDD), while those for the error-introduced plans were defined as the error-introduced dose distributions (EDD). Both distributions were calculated for all beams with portal dose image prediction (PDIP). Besides, 14 image-based features were extracted from RDD and EDD of portal dose predictions to obtain the feature vectors. In addition, a random forest was adopted for the multiclass classification task, and regression prediction for error magnitude.

Results

The top five features extracted with the highest weight included 1) the relative displacement in the x direction, 2) the ratio of the absolute minimum residual error to the maximal RDD value, 3) the product of the maximum and minimum residuals, 4) the ratio of the absolute maximum residual error to the maximal RDD value, and 5) the ratio of the absolute mean residual value to the maximal RDD value. The relative displacement in the x direction had the highest weight. The overall accuracy of the five-class classification model was 99.85% for the validation set and 99.30% for the testing set. This model could be applied to the classification of the error-free plan, COLL, MU, MLCS, and MLCR with an accuracy of 100%, 98.4%, 99.9%, 98.0%, and 98.3%, respectively. MLCR had the worst performance in error magnitude prediction (70.1–96.6%), while others had better performance in error magnitude prediction (higher than 93%). In the error magnitude prediction, the mean absolute error (MAE) between predicted error magnitude and actual error ranged from 0.03 to 0.33, with the root mean squared error (RMSE) varying from 0.17 to 0.56 for the validation set. The MAE and RMSE ranged from 0.03 to 0.50 and 0.44 to 0.59 for the test set, respectively.

Conclusion

It could be demonstrated in this study that the image-based features extracted from RDD and EDD can be employed to identify different types of delivery errors and accurately predict error magnitude with the assistance of ML techniques. They can be used to associate traditional gamma analysis with clinically based analysis for error classification and magnitude prediction in patient-specific IMRT quality assurance.
Der schwer verletzte ältere Fahrradfahrer – Auswertung des TraumaRegister DGU®
Authors: Fuchs Konrad , Backhaus Roman , Jordan Martin C. , Lefering Rolf , Meffert Rainer H. , Gilbert Fabian ,   das TraumaRegister DGU
Published: March 2023

Hintergrund

Entgegen dem Trend sinkender Verkehrstoter nimmt die Zahl der getöteten Fahrradfahrer in Deutschland in den letzten Jahren kontinuierlich zu. Mit zunehmender Popularität des Fahrradfahrens in allen Altersklassen erhöht sich die Anzahl an Unfällen mit z. T. schweren Verletzungen. Im Zuge dessen stellt sich die Frage, welchen Einfluss das Alter auf die Art und Schwere der Verletzungen, die Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit und die Krankenhausverweildauer bei schwer verletzten Fahrradfahrern hat.

Methoden

Es wurde eine retrospektive Auswertung der Daten des TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU) der Jahre 2010–2019 durchgeführt. Alle schwer verletzten Fahrradfahrer mit einem maximalem MAIS von 3 (Abbreviated Injury Scale) von 3+ (n = 14.651) im TR-DGU wurden in diese Studie eingeschlossen und die vorliegenden Parameter ausgewertet. Es erfolgte eine Unterteilung in 3 Altersgruppen (60 bis 69, 70 bis 79 und ≥ 80 Jahre) und eine Kontrollgruppe (20 bis 59 Jahre).

Ergebnisse

Verletzungen des Schädels traten mit 64,2 % mit Abstand am häufigsten auf. Es zeigte sich eine deutliche Zunahme der schweren Kopfverletzungen in der Gruppe der über 60-Jährigen. Mit steigendem Alter nahmen des Weiteren die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer präklinischen Intubation, die Katecholaminpflichtigkeit, die Intensiv- und Krankenhausverweildauer sowie die Sterblichkeit zu.

Schlussfolgerung

Kopfverletzungen stellen die häufigste schwere Verletzung, insbesondere bei älteren Fahrradfahrern, dar. Da das Helmtragen im TraumaRegister DGU® im Auswertungszeitraum nicht erfasst wurde, kann auf dessen Effekt kein Rückschluss gezogen werden. Ein höheres Alter korreliert des Weiteren mit einer längeren Krankenhausverweildauer und einer höheren Sterblichkeit, stellt jedoch keinen unabhängigen Risikofaktor zum Versterben bei einem schwer verletzten Patienten dar.

Graphic abstract
Equal sums in random sets and the concentration of divisors
Authors: Ford Kevin , Green Ben , Koukoulopoulos Dimitris
Published: March 2023

We study the extent to which divisors of a typical integer n are concentrated. In particular, defining $$\Delta (n) := \max _t \# \{d | n, \log d \in [t,t+1]\}$$

Δ

(
n
)

:
=

max
t

#

{
d
|
n
,
log
d
∈

[
t
,
t
+
1
]

}

, we show that $$\Delta (n) \geqslant (\log \log n)^{0.35332277\ldots }$$

Δ

(
n
)

⩾

(
log
log
n
)

0.35332277
…

for almost all n, a bound we believe to be sharp. This disproves a conjecture of Maier and Tenenbaum. We also prove analogs for the concentration of divisors of a random permutation and of a random polynomial over a finite field. Most of the paper is devoted to a study of the following much more combinatorial problem of independent interest. Pick a random set $${\textbf{A}} \subset {\mathbb {N}}$$

A
⊂
N

by selecting i to lie in $${\textbf{A}}$$
A
with probability 1/i. What is the supremum of all exponents $$\beta _k$$

β
k

such that, almost surely as $$D \rightarrow \infty $$

D
→
∞

, some integer is the sum of elements of $${\textbf{A}} \cap [D^{\beta _k}, D]$$

A
∩
[

D

β
k

,
D
]

in k different ways? We characterise $$\beta _k$$

β
k

as the solution to a certain optimisation problem over measures on the discrete cube $$\{0,1\}^k$$

{
0
,
1
}

k

, and obtain lower bounds for $$\beta _k$$

β
k

which we believe to be asymptotically sharp.
Operative Trauma Courses: A Scoping Review to Inform the Development of a Trauma Surgery Course for Low‐Resource Settings
Authors: Wild Hannah , Marfo Chris , Mock Charles , Gaarder Tina , Gyedu Adam , Wallis Lee , Makasa Emmanuel , Hagander Lars , Reynolds Teri , Hardcastle Timothy , Jewell Teresa , Stewart Barclay
Published: March 2023

Background

A multitude of operative trauma courses exist, most of which are designed for and conducted in high‐resource settings. There are numerous barriers to adapting such courses to low‐ and low‐middle‐income countries (LMICs), including resource constraints and contextual variations in trauma care. Approaches to implementing operative trauma courses in LMICs have not been evaluated in a structured manner.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of the literature including databases (e.g., PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE), grey literature repositories, and structured queries of publicly available course materials to identify records that described operative trauma courses offered since 2000.

Results

The search identified 3,518 non‐duplicative records, of which 48 relevant reports were included in analysis. These reports represented 23 named and 11 unnamed operative trauma courses offered in 12 countries. Variability existed in course format and resource requirements, ranging from USD 40 to 3,000 per participant. Courses incorporated didactic and laboratory components, which utilized simulations, cadavers, or live animals. Course content overlapped significantly but was not standardized. Data were lacking on course implementation and promulgation, credentialing of instructors, and standardized evaluation metrics.

Conclusions

While many operative trauma courses have been described, most are not directly relatable to LMICs. Barriers include cost‐prohibitive fees, lack of resources, limited data collection, and contextual variability that renders certain surgical care inappropriate in LMICs. Gaps exist in standardization of course content as well as transparency of credentialing and course implementation strategies. These issues can be addressed through developing an open‐access operative trauma course for low‐resource settings.
Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: frequency and long-term outcome in Western Australia
Authors: Nossent Johannes C. , Kelty Erin , Keen Helen , Preen David , Inderjeeth Charles
Published: March 2023

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (S-JIA) is a rare but potentially life threatening autoinflammatory condition of childhood. Given the limited data on S-JIA from the Australasian region, we investigated the epidemiological characteristics and long-term disease outcome in S-JIA. All hospitalised patients under the age of 16 years registered with ICD-10-AM code M08.2 in in the period 1999–2014 were identified in longitudinally linked administrative health data across all Western Australian (WA) hospitals. Incidence and point prevalence estimate were per 100,000 population with Poisson regression to analyse the incidence trend. Readmissions with S-JIA as primary diagnosis were considered flares with rates for flare and other complication reported per 100 person years with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Annual S-JIA incidence was 0.61/100,000 (CI 0.28–1.25) (46 incident cases, 71.7% girls, median age 6.5 years) and stable over time as S-JIA point prevalence reached 7.15/100,000 (CI 5.29–7.45) at the end of study. Most incident cases were diagnosed in winter and spring, but documented preceding infections were rare. During a median follow-up of 8 years, disease flares occurred in 24% of patients with higher flares rate in boys (58.3; CI 44.5–74.9) than girls (14.7; CI 9.9–20.9). No deaths occurred and arthroplasty was the main, but uncommon S-JIA complication (4%). However, readmission (86.3; CI 76.4–97.2) and ED visit (73.3; CI 64.2–83.4) rates for illnesses other than S-JIA were substantial. S-JIA is as rare in WA as in other regions and while s-JIA incurred no deaths in the era of biologics, it associated with a significant long-term burden of (co-) morbidity.
An equivalence theorem for design optimality with respect to a multi-objective criterion
Authors: Tommasi Chiara , Rodríguez-Díaz Juan M. , López-Fidalgo Jesús F.
Published: March 2023

Maxi-min efficiency criteria are a kind of multi-objective criteria, since they enable us to take into consideration several tasks expressed by different component-wise criteria. However, they are difficult to manage because of their lack of differentiability. As a consequence, maxi-min efficiency designs are frequently built through heuristic and ad hoc algorithms, without the possibility of checking for their optimality. The main contribution of this study is to prove that the maxi-min efficiency optimality is equivalent to a Bayesian criterion, which is differentiable. In addition, we provide an analytic method to find the prior probability associated with a maxi-min efficient design, making feasible the application of the equivalence theorem. Two illustrative examples show how the proposed theory works.
Rhinologic outcome of endoscopic transnasal-transsphenoidal pituitary surgery: an institutional series, systematic review, and meta-analysis
Authors: Gstrein Nathalie A. , Zwicky Sebastian , Serra Carlo , Hugelshofer Michael , Regli Luca , Soyka Michael B. , Holzmann David , Meerwein Christian M.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

We aimed to summarize the available data on the objective rhinologic outcome after endoscopic transnasal-transsphenoidal (ETT) surgery.

Methods

Retrospective study on a consecutive cohort of treatment-naïve patients undergoing ETT pituitary gland surgery. Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis with focus on the rhinologic outcome, including postoperative smell function was performed.

Results

The institutional series incorporated 168 patients. A concomitant endoscopic septoplasty was performed in 29/168 patients (17.3%). A nasoseptal flap was used for reconstruction of large skull-base defects or high-flow CSF leaks in 4/168 (2.4%) patients. Early postoperative rhinologic complications (< 4 weeks) included epistaxis (3%), acute rhinosinusitis (1.2%) and late postoperative complications (≥ 8 weeks) comprised prolonged crusting (15.6%), symptomatic synechiae (11.9%) and septal perforation (0.6%). Postoperative smell function was not impaired (Fisher’s exact test, p = 1.0). The systematic review included 19 studies on 1533 patients with a median postoperative epistaxis rate of 1.4% (IQR 1.0–2.2), a postoperative acute rhinosinusitis rate of 2.3% (IQR 2.1–3.0), a postoperative synechiae rate of 7.5% (IQR 1.8–19.1) and a postoperative septal perforation rate of 2.2% (IQR 0.5–5.4). Seven studies including a total of 206 patients reported adequate outcome measures for smell function before and after ETT surgery. Only 2/7 studies reported an impairment of smell function postoperatively, especially in patients with nasoseptal flap harvesting.

Conclusion

Early and late postoperative rhinologic complication rates after ETT surgery for pituitary lesions seem to be low. A thorough evaluation of smell function, in particular in patients at risk for nasoseptal flap harvesting, may be an important factor in optimal postoperative care.
The comparison of short-term outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic radical distal gastrectomy
Authors: Song Yang , Zhang Qianshi , Feng Zhen , Wang Bo , Ren Shuangyi
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The study’s objectives were to compare the short-term outcomes of robotic radical distal gastrectomy (RDG) with laparoscopic radical distal gastrectomy (LDG) for patients with gastric cancer and investigate the learning curve of RDG.

Methods

The cumulative sum (CUSUM) method was used to retrospectively analyze consecutive gastric cancer patients undergoing RDG between January 2019 and October 2021. The duration of surgery, clinical-pathological characteristics, and short-term outcomes were evaluated according to the two phases of the learning curve (learning period versus mastery period). We also compared the clinical-pathological characteristics and short-term outcomes between cases in the mastery period and LDG.

Results

Data from 290 patients were included in this analysis, 135 RDG and 155 LDG cases. The learning period was 20 cases. There were no significant differences in clinical-pathological characteristics between the learning period and mastery period. Compared with the learning period, the mastery period had a significant reduction in total operation time, docking time, pure operation time, and estimated blood loss, and a significant increase in hospital costs (P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.003, and 0.026, respectively). Compared with LDG, robotic cases in mastery period had a longer operative time, shorter first postoperative flatus time, and more hospital costs (P=0.000, 0.005, and 0.000, respectively).

Conclusions

RGD may fasten to recover gastrointestinal function faster after the operation, can be mastered easily after a reasonable number of cases, and was associated with safe and satisfactory short-term outcomes before and after the learning curve.
Feasibility and safety of robotic surgery for low rectal cancer combined with transanal total mesorectal excision
Authors: Ando Masayuki , Matsuda Takeru , Sawada Ryuichiro , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Yamashita Kimihiro , Harada Hitoshi , Urakawa Naoki , Goto Hironobu , Kanaji Shingo , Oshikiri Taro , Kakeji Yoshihiro
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Laparoscopic surgery for low rectal cancer is often challenging. Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) and robotic surgery have been introduced to overcome the technical difficulties in laparoscopic surgery and achieve more favorable outcomes. Hybrid robotic surgery, which combines TaTME with the abdominal robotic approach, incorporates the advantages of each of these surgical techniques and might achieve less invasive and safer surgery. This study evaluated the safety and feasibility of hybrid robotic surgery with TaTME (hybrid TaTME).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 162 TaTME cases performed at our department from September 2016 to May 2022. Among them, 92 cases of conventional TaTME and 30 of hybrid TaTME were eligible. We used propensity score matching analysis (PSM) to adjust for patients’ characteristics and compared the short-term outcomes of the two treatment groups.

Results

Twenty-seven cases in each group were extracted using PSM. The operation time in hybrid TaTME was comparable to that in conventional TaTME. There was no significant difference in the postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. Other intra- and post-operative outcomes were also comparable between the two groups. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the curative resection and recurrence rates.

Conclusion

Hybrid TaTME for low rectal cancer was as favorable as conventional TaTME in producing satisfactory short-term outcomes. However, furthermore, larger-scale studies conducted over longer study periods are needed to evaluate the validity of the findings.
Optimierung einer Siebanlage mittels Mehrkörpersimulation – Status quo und Ausblick
Authors: Falkner Philipp , Fimbinger Eric , Flachberger Helmut
Published: March 2023

Die Simulation, vor allem die Mehrkörpersimulation, ist ein Werkzeug, welches im Zuge dieses Beitrags herangezogen wird, um das Systemverständnis einer fremderregten Siebanlage zu verbessern und deren Entwicklung voranzutreiben. Im Fokus steht hierbei das patentierte Vorsieb Active Grid® der Firma RUBBLE MASTER, welches als Teil einer Siebanlage messtechnisch hinsichtlich des Schwingungsverhaltens untersucht wird. Die Parameter der Feder-Dämpfer-Elemente dieser Siebanlage erfolgt anschließend mittels Mehrkörpersimulation, was die Grundlage für den Aufbau partikelbeaufschlagter Simulationsmodelle bildet. Die somit gebildeten numerischen Modelle dienen schlussendlich der Optimierung des Active Grid®, speziell zur Ermittlung von Federsteifigkeiten und Dämpfungen der Feder-Dämpfer-Elemente des Vorsiebes, um eine optimale Siebwirkung zu erhalten, wofür entsprechend eine Co-Simulation zwischen Mehrkörper- und Partikelsimulation angestrebt wird. Ziel ist es, ein skalierbares Modell zu entwickeln.
Investigation of permanent magnet synchronous machines with buried magnets and carbon fiber sleeve for automotive application
Authors: Clauer Maximilian , Binder Andreas
Published: March 2023

Due to the limited space available in vehicles, traction drives with high torque densities are a key objective of machine design in the automotive sector. In order to be able to dispense with a multispeed transmission and still achieve high vehicle end speeds, there is also the design objective of a high motor speed. Therefore, permanent magnet synchronous machines with buried magnets are preferred. In the following, a rotor concept is presented as a combination of buried rotor magnets and a carbon fiber sleeve in order to eliminate the radial and tangential rotor iron ribs. The resulting reduction in magnetic flux leakage, in combination with high mechanical strength, leads to an increased magnet utilization for the air-gap field and, thus, allows for a high torque density as well as high maximum speed. A disadvantage, however, is the increased manufacturing effort required for the production and assembly of the carbon fiber sleeve.
The roles of the dietitian in an 18-week telephone and mobile application nutrition intervention for upper gastrointestinal cancer: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Testa Sharni , Furness Kate , Choi Tammie , Haines Terry , Huggins Catherine E.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to explore the patient-dietitian experience during an 18-week nutrition counselling intervention delivered using the telephone and a mobile application to people newly diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer to (1) elucidate the roles of the dietitian during intervention delivery and (2) explore unmet needs impacting nutritional intake.

Methods

Qualitative case study methodology was followed, whereby the case was the 18-week nutrition counselling intervention. Dietary counselling conversations and post-intervention interviews were inductively coded from six case participants which included fifty-one telephone conversations (17 h), 244 written messages, and four interviews. Data were coded inductively, and themes constructed. The coding framework was subsequently applied to all post-study interviews (n = 20) to explore unmet needs.

Results

Themes describing the roles of the dietitian were as follows: regular collaborative problem-solving to encourage empowerment, a reassuring care navigator including anticipatory guidance, and rapport building via psychosocial support. Psychosocial support included provision of empathy, reliable care provision, and delivery of positive perspective. Despite intensive counselling from the dietitian, nutrition impact symptom management was a core unmet need as it required intervention beyond the scope of practice for the dietitian.

Conclusion

Delivery of nutrition care via the telephone or an asynchronous mobile application to people with newly diagnosed UGI cancer required the dietitian to adopt a range of roles to influence nutritional intake: they empower people, act as care navigators, and provide psychosocial support. Limitations in dietitians’ scope of practice identified unmet patient’s needs in nutrition impact symptom management, which requires medication management.

Trial registration

27th January 2017 Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12617000152325).
Linear iterative feature embedding: an ensemble framework for an interpretable model
Authors: Sudjianto Agus , Qiu Jinwen , Li Miaoqi , Chen Jie
Published: March 2023

A new ensemble framework for an interpretable model called linear iterative feature embedding (LIFE) has been developed to achieve high prediction accuracy, easy interpretation, and efficient computation simultaneously. The LIFE algorithm is able to fit a wide single-hidden-layer neural network (NN) accurately with three steps: defining the subsets of a dataset by the linear projections of neural nodes, creating the features from multiple narrow single-hidden-layer NNs trained on the different subsets of the data, combining the features with a linear model. The theoretical rationale behind LIFE is also provided by the connection to the loss ambiguity decomposition of stack ensemble methods. Both simulation and empirical experiments confirm that LIFE consistently outperforms directly trained single-hidden-layer NNs and also outperforms many other benchmark models, including multilayers feed forward neural network (FFNN), Xgboost, and random forest (RF) in many experiments. As a wide single-hidden-layer NN, LIFE is intrinsically interpretable. Meanwhile, both variable importance and global main and interaction effects can be easily created and visualized. In addition, the parallel nature of the base learner building makes LIFE computationally efficient by leveraging parallel computing.
The fractional $$p\,$$-biharmonic systems: optimal Poincaré constants, unique continuation and inverse problems
Authors: Kar Manas , Railo Jesse , Zimmermann Philipp
Published: March 2023

This article investigates nonlocal, quasilinear generalizations of the classical biharmonic operator $$(-\Delta )^2$$

(
-
Δ
)

2

. These fractional p -biharmonic operators appear naturally in the variational characterization of the optimal fractional Poincaré constants in Bessel potential spaces. We study the following basic questions for anisotropic fractional p -biharmonic systems: existence and uniqueness of weak solutions to the associated interior source and exterior value problems, unique continuation properties, monotonicity relations, and inverse problems for the exterior Dirichlet-to-Neumann maps. Furthermore, we show the UCP for the fractional Laplacian in all Bessel potential spaces $$H^{t,p}$$

H

t
,
p

for any $$t\in {\mathbb R}$$

t
∈
R

, $$1 \le p < \infty $$

1
≤
p
<
∞

and $$s \in {\mathbb R}_+ {\setminus } {\mathbb N}$$

s
∈

R
+

\
N

: If $$u\in H^{t,p}({\mathbb R}^n)$$

u
∈

H

t
,
p

(

R

n

)

satisfies $$(-\Delta )^su=u=0$$

(
-
Δ
)

s

u
=
u
=
0

in a nonempty open set V, then $$u\equiv 0$$

u
≡
0

in $${\mathbb R}^n$$

R

n

. This property of the fractional Laplacian is then used to obtain a UCP for the fractional p -biharmonic systems and plays a central role in the analysis of the associated inverse problems. Our proofs use variational methods and the Caffarelli–Silvestre extension.
May bending radiographs be replaced by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
Authors: Prost Max , Röckner Melanie Elisabeth , Taday Roman , Windolf Joachim , Konieczny Markus Rafael
Published: March 2023

Purpose

There is no data that shows if it is possible to determine if a curve is structural or non-structural or to assess flexibility of an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instead of bending radiographs (BR). We investigated if the results of BR may be compared to those of MRI.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data of patients with AIS in whom a selective spinal fusion was performed and in whom a MRI, BR and full-spine X-rays were obtained preoperatively. We measured the Cobb angles of the main and of the minor curve in full-spine X-ray (FSR), BR and MRI and analyzed the degree of the intervertebral disk degeneration in the MRI.

Results

After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 25 patients were included. We found a significant correlation (p < 0.05, Corr Coeff = 0.41) between the Cobb angle of the main curve in FSR and the Cobb angle of the main curve in the MRI and between the Cobb angle of the minor curve in FSR and the Cobb angle of the minor curve in the MRI (p < 0.001, Corr Coeff = 0.04). All patients with a minor curve of less than 25° in the BR had a Cobb angle of less than 30° in the MRI.

Conclusion

Spinal curves showed a significant correlation between bending radiographs and recumbent images (MRI). In our group of patients, a Cobb angle of the minor curve of less than 30° in the MRI indicated that this minor curve was non-structural according to the classification of Lenke.
Artificial cerebrospinal fluid use during burr-hole surgery and reoperation rate in patients with chronic subdural hematoma: an analysis using a nationwide inpatient database
Authors: Shibahashi Keita , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: March 2023

Background

The optimal surgical procedure to reduce the recurrence rate of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) after burr-hole surgery remains to be established. This study aimed to investigate the association between artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACF) use during burr-hole surgery and reoperation rate in patients with CSDH.

Method

In this retrospective cohort study, we used the Japanese Diagnostic Procedure Combination inpatient database. We identified patients aged 40–90 years who were hospitalized for CSDH and had undergone burr-hole surgery within 2 days of admission, between July 1, 2010 and March 31, 2019. We performed a one-to-one propensity score-matched analysis to compare the outcomes between patients with and without ACF irrigation during burr-hole surgery. The primary outcome was reoperation within 1 year of surgery. The secondary outcome was the total hospitalization costs.

Results

Of the 149,543 patients with CSDH from 1100 hospitals, ACF was used in 32,748 patients (21.9%). Propensity score matching created highly balanced 13,894 matched pairs. In the matched patients, the reoperation rate was significantly lower in the ACF users than that in the non-users group (6.3% vs. 7.0%, P = 0.015), with a risk difference of −0.8% (95% confidence interval, −1.5 to −0.2). There was no significant difference in the total hospitalization costs between the two groups (5079 vs. 5042 US dollars, P = 0.330).

Conclusions

ACF use during burr-hole surgery may be associated with lower reoperation rate in patients with CSDH.
Poly(ether)s derived from oxa-Michael polymerization: a comprehensive review
Authors: Ratzenböck Karin , Fischer Susanne M. , Slugovc Christian
Published: March 2023

Poly(ether)s represent an important class of polymers and are typically formed by ring-opening polymerization, Williamson ether synthesis, or self-condensation of alcohols. The oxa-Michael reaction presents another method to form poly(ether)s with additional functional groups in the polymer backbone starting from di- or triols and electron deficient olefins such as acrylates, sulfones, or acrylamides. However, research on oxa-Michael polymerization is still limited. Herein, we outline the principles of the oxa-Michael polymerization and focus on the synthesis and preparation of poly(ether-sulfone)s, poly(ether-ester)s, poly(ether)s, and poly(ether-amide)s. Further, challenges as well as future perspectives of the oxa-Michael polymerization are discussed.

Graphical abstract
Acid-induced hydrolysis of 1-(methoxydiphenylmethyl)-2-methyldiazene: interception of methyldiazenium ion with 1,3-dienes affording 1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridazine Diels–Alder products
Authors: Gamper Michael , Gstach Hubert , Schantl Joachim G.
Published: March 2023

The conversion of benzophenone methylhydrazone with bromine and pyridine into 1-[(methyldiazenyl)diphenylmethyl]pyridin-1-ium bromide followed by the solvolysis with methanol provides a facile synthesis of 1-(methoxydiphenylmethyl)-2-methyldiazene. The acid-induced hydrolysis of this N,O-ketal releases the methyldiazenyl moiety as the putative intermediate methyldiazenium ion. Reacting as a heterodienophile, methyldiazenium ion is intercepted with 1,3-dienes in [4 + 2+] cycloaddition reactions affording 1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridazine Diels–Alder products which are transformed into stable and isolated N-benzoyl derivatives.

Graphical abstract
Distribution flow of used motorcycles exported from Japan
Authors: Kimura Mami , Yamane Takumi
Published: March 2023

This study focuses on used motorcycles (UMCs) that are exported from Japan, observes identifiable characteristics of each destination country's UMC exports, and categorizes their distribution flows. Based on the findings from precedent research, results from compiled data of trade statistics, and field surveys, this study reveals the following characteristics. (1) UMCs are continuously exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but the export numbers fluctuate yearly. The UAE also exports large numbers of UMCs with low displacements and UMCs from all statistical categories except for “other.” (2) The number of UMCs exports to Cambodia has been increasing since 2011. In addition, changes in exports from 51 to 250 cc to low displacements of 50 cc and less are identified. Cambodia also exported UMCs from all statistical categories except “other.” (3) The number of UMCs exports to Myanmar has been increasing since 2015, and the primary units exported exhibit “electric motor propulsion as a motor driving force.” (4) Country trade features are identified and UAE is designated as a “transit trade type” and both Cambodia and Myanmar as “domestic distribution types.”
Alcohol prices, the April effect, and the environment, in violence-related injury in England and Wales
Authors: Matthews Kent , Heravi Saeed , Morgan Peter , Page Nicholas , Shepherd Jonathan , Sivarajasingam Vaseekaran
Published: March 2023

Violent injury varies widely across England and Wales as does the price of alcohol. While the links between alcohol consumption and violence are well established in the medical and epidemiological literature, a causal link is questionable. This paper cuts through the causative argument by reporting a link between the general price of alcohol and violence-related injury across the economic regions of England and Wales. It examines the influence of the real price of alcohol and identifies an ‘April effect’ that coincides with the annual uprating of alcohol prices for excise duties, on violence-related injuries recorded at Emergency Department attendance. The data are monthly frequency of violent injury rates covering the period 2005–2014 across the economic regions. The principal finding is that a one-way relationship between the real price of alcohol and violent injury is established, and tax policy can be used to reduce the incidence of violent injury and the associated health costs.