bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel effects of the W-boson mass shift in the 3-3-1 model
Authors: Van Loi Duong , Van Dong Phung
Published: January 2023

The recent precision measurement of the W-boson mass reveals an exciting hint for the new physics as of the 3-3-1 model. We indicate that the 3-3-1 model contains distinct sources by itself that may cause the W-mass deviation, as measured, such as the tree-level Z-$$Z'$$

Z
′

mixing, the tree-level W-Y and Z-$$Z'$$

Z
′

-X mixings, as well as the non-degenerate gauge vector (X, Y) and new Higgs doublets. We point out that the gauge vector doublet negligibly contributes to this mass shift, whereas the rest of the effects with tree-level mixings governed by Z-$$Z'$$

Z
′

and new Higgs doublets are significant. A discussion of scalar sextet contributions is also given.
Examining the Effectiveness of Collaborative Search Engines
Authors: Moraes Felipe
Published: January 2023

Although searching is often seen as a solitary activity, searching in collaboration with others is deemed useful or necessary in many complex situations such as: travel planning; online shopping; looking for health related information; planning birthday parties; working on a group project; or finding a house to buy. Researchers have found that complex search tasks can be executed more effectively and efficiently, achieve higher material coverage, and enable higher knowledge gains in an explicit collaborative setting than if conducted in isolation. However, even though researchers have carefully designed several Collaborative Search user studies, there is still conflicting evidence or a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of collaborative search systems. Thus, in this thesis, we focus on examining the effectiveness of collaborative search systems in two parts.

In the first part, we shed light on the effectiveness of collaborative search systems to support two group configurations, namely
group sizes
and
users' roles.

In the second part of this thesis, we make our group configurations constant, particularly, group sizes are set to up to three people, and group members receive the same role. We then turn to a different perspective and focus on examining the effectiveness in two contexts: Search as Learning and collaborative online shopping.

Awarded by:
Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands on 24 February 2022.

Supervised by:
Claudia Hauff.

Available at:
https://doi.org/10.4233/uuid:9f8f9ffc-c3d9-4583-8903-25889233a95b.
Use of Race in Kidney Function Estimation: Lessons Learned and the Path Toward Health Justice
Authors: Mohottige Dinushika , Olabisi Opeyemi , Boulware L. Ebony
Published: January 2023

In 2020, the nephrology community formally interrogated long-standing race-based clinical algorithms used in the field, including the kidney function estimation equations. A comprehensive understanding of the history of kidney function estimation and racial essentialism is necessary to understand underpinnings of the incorporation of a Black race coefficient into prior equations. We provide a review of this history, as well as the considerations used to develop race-free equations that are a guidepost for a more equity-oriented, scientifically rigorous future for kidney function estimation and other clinical algorithms and processes in which race may be embedded as a variable.
Chronic Neuromuscular Respiratory Failure and Home Assisted Ventilation
Authors: Carmona Hugo , Graustein Andrew D. , Benditt Joshua O.
Published: January 2023

Chronic respiratory failure is a common, important complication of many types of neuromuscular and chest wall disorders. While the pathophysiology of each disease may be different, these disorders can variably affect all muscles involved in breathing, including inspiratory, expiratory, and bulbar muscles, ultimately leading to chronic respiratory failure and hypoventilation. The use of home assisted ventilation through noninvasive interfaces aims to improve the symptoms of hypoventilation, improve sleep quality, and, when possible, improve mortality. An increasing variety of interfaces has allowed for improved comfort and compliance. In a minority of scenarios, noninvasive ventilation is either not appropriate or no longer effective due to disease progression, and a transition to tracheal ventilation should be considered.
A new species and taxonomical and geographical notes on Neotropical Cerambycidae (Coleoptera)
Authors: Santos-Silva Antonio , Botero Juan Pablo , Flechtmann Carlos Alberto Hector
Published: January 2023

Eburodacrys pilicornis Fisher, 1944 is redescribed based on a female from Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul), and new state record for Venezuela and new department record for Colombia are provided. Notes and new state records in Brazil for Tilloglomus spectabile Martins, 1975 are provided. The pronotal shape of Piezocera flavipennis (Zajciw, 1970) is commented on. Piezocera serraticollis Linell, 1897 is synonymized with P. monochroa Bates, 1885 and an updated key to species of Piezocera Audinet-Serville, 1834 is provided. Lepturges (Lepturges) luanae sp. nov. is described from Brazil (Goiás). New geographical records are provided for an additional 17 species belonging to three subfamilies (Cerambycinae, Lamiinae and Lepturinae): Gnomidolon cruciferum (Gounelle, 1909); Microibidion bimaculatum Mehl, Galileo, Martins & Santos-Silva, 2015; Lepturges (Lepturges) centralis Monné, 1978; Lepturges (Lepturges) mattogrossis Gilmour, 1962; Leptostylus perniciosus Monné & Hoffmann, 1981; Urgleptes villiersi Gilmour, 1962; Oreodera bituberculata Bates, 1861; Rosalba smaragdina (Breuning, 1940); Colobothea rubroornata Zajciw, 1962; Aerenea subimpetiginosa Breuning, 1948; Cicuiara nitidula (Bates, 1866); Desmiphora (Desmiphora) crocata Melzer, 1935; Estola acricula Bates, 1866; Gisostola bahiensis Martins & Galileo, 1988; Hypsioma chapadensis Dillon & Dillon, 1945; Lypsimena fuscata Haldeman, 1847; and Strangalia flavocincta (Thomson, 1861).
Reflexões sobre a criação de HQ bilíngue para o ensino
Authors: Cezar Kelly Priscilla Lóddo , Knapik Danilo da Silva , Spelling Germano Weniger
Published: January 2023

Objetiva-se apresentar o processo de criação da história em quadrinhos “A mulher surda na 2ª guerra mundial”. É de natureza bibliográfica-documental. Os dados foram tratados a partir dos resultados de Silva e Spelling (2018), que investigaram as práticas aplicadas pelo regime nazista sobre pessoas surdas que foram submetidas à eugenia, à eutanásia, à esterilização e abortos forçados na expectativa de que as pessoas surdas fossem eliminadas.
(In)Visíveis interstícios
Authors: Miranda Junior Edmilson F.
Published: January 2023

Investiga relações entre a concepção de “dupla-consciência” de W.E.B. Du Bois e a sarjeta – componente específica da linguagem das histórias em quadrinhos. Para tanto, utiliza-se um método fundamentado no conceito de “encruzilhada” de Simas e Rufino (2019) para articular o cruzamento entre o afrofuturismo e a história em quadrinhos Roseira, Medalha, Engenho e Outras Histórias, de Jefferson Costa. O resultado apresenta aproximações entre fissuras no pensamento hegemônico expostas pelo afrofuturismo, e os “entre-lugares” de Homi Bhabha – espaço/tempo de produção de subjetividades. A sarjeta torna-se, então, uma metáfora para a alternativa contra-hegemônica de práticas discursivas de produção de identidade associadas com o Afrofuturismo.
Isto é (mais que) informação
Authors: Paula Júlia Aparecida Soares de , Silva Heitor da Luz
Published: January 2023

Discute a poética de Alan Moore e Melinda Gebbie na história em quadrinhos “Isso é Informação”, uma resposta artística à tragédia dos ataques do 11 de setembro de 2001, nos Estados Unidos. Buscam-se as articulações entre os recursos que constituem a linguagem da mídia dos quadrinhos na obra e potencializam a sua abordagem temática a respeito da violência em uma discussão sobre racionalidade e conhecimento, em contraposição ao uso da informação para a propagação do ódio e do preconceito, o que evidencia uma trilha de barbárie produzida, mas também chama a atenção para a possibilidade utópica de um novo caminho para a Humanidade.
The genus Syllis Savigny in Lamarck, 1881 (Annelida: Syllidae: Syllinae) from Australia (Part 3): new species and redescription of previously described species
Authors: SAN MARTÍN GUILLERMO , LUCAS YOLANDA , HUTCHINGS PAT
Published: January 2023

Syllis Savigny in Lamarck, 1818, the type genus of Syllidae, is the largest and most diverse within the family. This genus presents many taxonomic, biogeographic, and phylogenetic problems due mainly to the lack of molecular data and morphological synapomorphies for many of the species, but also due to poor or inadequate descriptions. In order to improve the knowledge of the genus, we have undertaken a morphological revision of Australian species, based on type material and material collected over years by the Australian Museum. This is the third paper dealing with this family. Eighteen species are herein described, of which five are new and twelve are redescriptions of already known species, with four new combinations: Syllis imajimai, n. sp.; S. narranuk, n. sp.; S. noolinga, n. sp.; S. similisunzima, n. sp.; S. thylacine, n. sp.; S. busseltonensis (Hartmann-Schröder, 1982) n. comb.; S. patriciae (Hartmann-Schröder, 1981) n. comb.; S. pharobroomensis (Hartmann-Schröder, 1979) n. comb., S. pharynxcircunfusata (Hartmann-Schröder, 1979) n. comb, S. armillaris (O. F. Müller, 1771); S. augeneri Haswell, 1920; S. benelihauae (Campoy & Alquézar, 1982); S. hyalina Grube, 1863; S. cf. nigrescens Grube, 1878; S. profunda Cognetti, 1955; S. truncata Haswell, 1920; and S. variegata Grube, 1860.
A new species of the genus Tridactylophagus Subramaniam, 1932 from West Bengal, India with a tentative phylogeny and world key to known males (Strepsiptera: Halictophagidae)
Authors: HUI POULAMI , MUKHERJEE BINDARIKA , HAZRA NILADRI
Published: January 2023

A new species of the genus Tridactylophagus Subramaniam is described and illustrated from West Bengal, India. The new species, T. sufflatus differs from other members of Tridactylophagus by having a flattened, fist-shaped first tarsomere in forelegs and a slightly bulged out antennomere IV on the distal end with a sensory spot on one side. Molecular barcoding of the new species is done. Cladistic analysis and a revised world key of the males of the genus Tridactylophagus are also provided.
Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Gryllacrididae (Orthoptera) XIII: Review the genus Ocellarnaca Gorochov, 2004
Authors: ZHANG QIANWEN , PANG SIYU , RONG PINYING , BIAN XUN
Published: January 2023

In this paper we propose two new synonyms based on the new specimens deposited in Guangxi Normal University, viz. Ocellarnaca nigra Shi & Zhu, 2021 syn. nov. and Ocellarnaca fallax (Liu, 1999) syn. nov.. Also, Ocellarnaca brachyptera Shi & Zhu, 2021 is regarded as subspecies of Ocellarnaca emeiensis. In addition, the male genitalia of two known species are illustrated. The previously unknown female sex of Ocellarnaca emeiensis brachyptera Shi & Zhu, 2021 is described and illustrated.
The Cylapinae of French Guiana: an illustrated catalogue with the description of a new species (Insecta, Heteroptera, Miridae)
Authors: CHÉROT FRÉDÉRIC , WOLSKI ANDRZEJ , CARPINTERO DIEGO LEONARDO
Published: January 2023

An illustrated catalogue of Cylapinae (Insecta, Heteroptera, Miridae) from French Guiana is provided. Valdasus cerdai, n. sp. is described as new. Cylapus antennatus (Carvalho & Fontes, 1968), C. citus Bergroth, 1922, C. ruficeps Bergroth, 1922, C. tucuriensis (Carvalho, 1989) and Peltidocylapus caudatus Wolski, 2021 are recorded from French Guiana for the first time. The validity of Valdasoides Carvalho, 1989 is discussed.
A new species of Dasypogon (Diptera: Asilidae) from Central Europe
Authors: SZCZEPAŃSKI WOJCIECH T.
Published: January 2023

Dasypogon is a widely distributed Palearctic genus. This contribution reviews the species from Central Europe. Two species are identified, including one new species—Dasypogon diabolicus sp. nov. An identification key of the Central European species and descriptions of the male and female of both species are provided along with illustrations of the habitus and male and female terminalia. An updated map with species distributions is presented, and a new corrected list of synonyms of D. diadema is proposed. The following new synonymy is established: Leptarthrus brevirostris (Meigen, 1804) = Dasypogon caudatus Bigot, 1881 syn. nov.
First record of the cirripede Anelasma squalicola Darwin, 1852 (Pollicipedidae) in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: MARTÍN-LÁZARO ALBA , ISBERT WOLF , REPULLÉS-ALBEDA AIGÜES , GARCÍA-RUIZ CRISTINA , MONTERO FRANCISCO E.
Published: January 2023

Anelasma squalicola Darwin 1852, is a barnacle that occurs on elasmobranchs from the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic and Indian Ocean. It infects sharks of the families Etmopteridae and Pentanchidae. The barnacle attaches sub-dermally to its hosts, relying on its interstitial fluid for its nourishment. Herein we present the first record of this species in the Mediterranean Sea, from Etmopterus spinax (Linnaeus, 1758) caught during a bottom-trawl survey in the Alboran Sea (western Mediterranean) in 2017. The overall prevalence of infection was very low (0.22%). The calculated HSI index for the parasitized individual was lower compared to overall means of other individuals and could indicate a potential physiological alteration in the host.
Deciphering mysteries: On the identity of five enigmatic jumping spiders from Northeast India, China and Philippines (Araneae, Salticidae)
Authors: CALEB JOHN T.D.
Published: January 2023

The type specimens of salticid species from Northeast India described by B. K. Biswas and K. Biswas kept in the National Zoological Collections, Kolkata were studied. Four new synonyms are recognized: Marpissa mizoramensis Biswas & Biswas, 2007 syn. nov. and Evarcha optabilis (Fox, 1937) syn. nov. with Evarcha flavocincta (C.L. Koch, 1846), and Phidippus tirapensis Biswas & Biswas, 2006 syn. nov. and Hyllus maskaranus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 syn. nov. with Hyllus diardi (Walckenaer, 1837). A new combination is proposed: Pancorius manipuriensis (Biswas & Biswas, 2007) comb. nov. (ex. Marpissa). P. manipuriensis is illustrated for the first time and redescribed based on the type material. Detailed digital illustrations of the examined type material and distributional map are also provided.
Nursing assistants’ knowledge, attitudes and training needs regarding urinary incontinence in nursing homes: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Liao Lulu , Feng Hui , Jiao Jingjing , Zhao Yinan , Ning Hongting
Published: January 2023

Background

Urinary incontinence is an increasingly common problem, especially among older people in nursing homes. Nursing assistants are the leading workforce in nursing homes, and their knowledge and attitudes regarding urinary incontinence have garnered considerable attention in the context of aging in China. However, most previous studies on this issue have focused on registered nurses. This study aimed to explore nursing assistants’ knowledge, attitudes and training needs with regard to urinary incontinence.

Methods

We conducted a two-part mixed-methods study. After institutional manager approval, we surveyed the knowledge and attitudes of 509 nursing assistants regarding urinary incontinence. We carried out semi-structured interviews with 40 nursing assistants to elicit detailed information on training needs.

Results

In general, knowledge about urinary incontinence was poor (14.00 ± 4.18), although attitudes were primarily positive (35.51 ± 3.19). Most nursing assistants were very willing to learn more about urinary incontinence (93.9%, 478/509), but time constraints and low educational background may be barriers to learning motivation. The three preferred training styles among nursing assistants were face-to-face guidance from a mentor, training combining theory with practice, and online video training.

Conclusions

Chinese nursing assistants had poor knowledge but positive attitudes toward urinary incontinence. Facility managers should focus on developing training and learning mechanisms regarding urinary incontinence. It is important to adopt diverse training styles according to the actual situation of nursing homes.
Oral status is associated with chewing difficulty in Thai older adults: data from a National Oral Health Survey
Authors: Kaewkamnerdpong Issarapong , Harirugsakul Punkanit , Prasertsom Piyada , Vejvithee Warangkana , Niyomsilp Kornkamol , Gururatana Orachad
Published: January 2023

Background

The number of older adults in Thailand is increasing. Better chewing ability is associated with healthy aging. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the relationship between social backgrounds, dental service utilization, oral status and chewing difficulty, there is no study in Thailand using national oral health data to identify the variables involved with chewing difficulty among Thai older adults. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the association between oral status, and chewing difficulty, adjusting for social backgrounds, and dental service utilization among Thai older adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from the eighth Thai National Oral Health Survey (TNOHS). A stratified multi-stage method was used for sample selection. The eighth TNOHS was conducted from June–August 2017. Data were collected using interviews and clinical oral examinations by trained interviewers and trained dentists, respectively. The bivariate analysis, chi-square test was used to explore the associations between social backgrounds, dental service utilization, oral status, and chewing difficulty. Dependent variables with p-values of < 0.2 for their association with independent variables in the bivariate analysis were entered into the multiple logistic regression models.

Results

This study found that older adults with at least 27 teeth (p < 0.05), or at least eight occlusal pairs (p < 0.05) or income exceeding 15,000 baht per month (p < 0.05) were more likely to have less chewing difficulty (p < 0.001), while the elderly who utilized dental services in the past 12 months were associated with more chewing difficulty than those who did not utilize dental services in the past 12 months (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

We suggest that policymakers increase the number of preventive plans and set a goal for more than 20 remaining natural teeth and four posterior occlusal pairs in young and working aged people, especially in the low income group.
Investigation on the application of digital guide templates guided dental implantation in China
Authors: Chen Yunli , Su Baohui
Published: January 2023

Background

The aim of this survey is to investigate the application of digital guide templates (DGTs) across China, and the views and attitudes of oral health professionals toward them.

Methods

This survey was prepared, distributed, and collected by WJX. Chinese oral health professionals were invited to participate in it. The basic information of respondents, the application of DGTs, and the views and attitudes toward their status quo and development were statistically described. Chi-square test was used to evaluate the correlation between the basic information of respondents and the application of DGTs as well as the views and attitudes toward them.

Results

A total of 276 questionnaires were collected, of which 273 were identified as valid. 269 (98.5%) respondents were dental clinical workers, 204 (74.7%) were dental clinical implant workers, and 152 (55.7%) had been engaged in the implant industry for more than five years. The chi-square test showed that working years were significantly correlated with the half-guided, tooth-supported, and mucosa-supported DGTs (P < 0.05); and professional backgrounds and working years presented significant differences in the views and attitudes toward the status quo and development of DGTs (P < 0.05). The questionnaires also made a preliminary investigation and evaluation on the factors influencing accuracy, indications, doctors’ recommendations and relevant training.

Conclusion

Most respondents held a positive attitude toward the accuracy and development of DGTs. This survey can point out the direction for the improvement of DGTs, and provide a reference for the study of factors affecting implant accuracy, the establishment of a training system, and the understanding of clinicians’ current views on DGTs.

Trial registration This survey was approved by the Ethics Review Committee of Chenghuaxinguanghua Dental Clinic (Approval NO. CDCIRB-D-2021-201).
Comparison of five different methodologies for evaluating ankle–foot orthosis stiffness
Authors: Shuman Benjamin R. , Totah Deema , Gates Deanna H. , Gao Fan , Ries Andrew J. , Russell Esposito Elizabeth
Published: January 2023

Background

The mechanical properties of an ankle–foot orthosis (AFO) play an important role in the gait mechanics of the end user. However, testing methodologies for evaluating these mechanical properties are not standardized. The purpose of this study was to compare five different evaluation frameworks to assess AFO stiffness.

Method

The same 13 carbon composite AFOs were tested with five different methods. Four previously reported custom test fixtures (the BRUCE, KST, SMApp, and EMPIRE) rotated an AFO into dorsiflexion about a defined axis in the sagittal plane. The fifth method involved quasi-static deflection of AFOs into dorsiflexion by hanging weights (HW) from the footplate. AFO rotational stiffness was calculated as the linear fit of the AFO resistive torque and angular deflection. Differences between methods were assessed using descriptive statistics and a repeated measures Friedman with post-hoc Bonferroni–Holm adjusted Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

Results

There were significant differences in measured AFO stiffnesses between test methods. Specifically, the BRUCE and HW methods measured lower stiffness than both the EMPIRE and the KST. Stiffnesses measured by the SMApp were not significantly different than any test method. Stiffnesses were lowest in the HW method, where motion was not constrained to a single plane. The median difference in absolute AFO stiffness across methods was 1.03 Nm/deg with a range of [0.40 to 2.35] Nm/deg. The median relative percent difference, measured as the range of measured stiffness from the five methods over the average measured stiffness was 62% [range 13% to 156%]. When the HW method was excluded, the four previously reported test fixtures produced a median difference in absolute AFO stiffness of 0.52 [range 0.38 to 2.17] Nm/deg with a relative percent difference between the methods of 27% [range 13% to 89%].

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the importance of developing mechanical testing standards, similar to those that exist for lower limb prosthetics. Lacking standardization, differences in methodology can result in large differences in measured stiffness, particularly for different constraints on motion. Non-uniform measurement practices may limit the clinical utility of AFO stiffness as a metric in AFO prescription and future research.
Risk factors for postoperative medical morbidity and 3-month mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture following hip arthroplasty during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Shen Huarui , He Rui , Zhang Peng , He Yue , Liu Yingqi , Wang Guoyou , Li Ting
Published: January 2023

Background

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the incidence of postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality in patients  ≥ 70 years old with hip fracture following hip arthroplasty (HA) and independent risk factors associated with postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective study was conducted, patients  ≥ 70 years old with HA for hip fracture under general anesthesia were included during COVID-19 and before COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome was defined as postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality. The baseline characteristics and risk factors were collected, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality.

Results

A total of 1096 patients were included during COVID-19 pandemic and 1149 were included before COVID-19 pandemic in the study. Patients  ≥ 70 years with hip fracture for HA had longer fracture to operation duration (7.10 ± 3.52 vs. 5.31 ± 1.29, P < 0.001), and the incidence of postoperative medical complications (21.90% vs. 12.53%, P < 0.001) and 3-month mortality (5.20% vs. 3.22%, P = 0.025) was higher during COVID-2019 pandemic. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that dementia (OR 2.73; 95% CI 1.37–5.44; P = 0.004), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.92–4.71; P < 0.001), longer fracture to operation duration (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.19–1.30; P < 0.001) were associated with increased risk for postoperative medical complications. COPD (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.05–4.17; P = 0.035), dementia (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.11–7.94; P = 0.031), postoperative medical complications (OR 4.99; 95% CI 2.68–9.28; P < 0.001), longer fracture to operation duration (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.04–1.19; P = 0.002) were associated with increased risk for 3-month mortality.

Conclusions

In conclusion, we found that postoperative medical morbidity and 3-month mortality in patients with hip fracture underwent HA were 21.90% and 5.20%, respectively, during the COVID-19. COPD, dementia and longer fracture to operation duration were associated with negative outcome in patients with hip fracture underwent HA during the COVID-19.
Intermediate outcomes following arch reconstruction with frozen elephant trunk, a single centre study
Authors: Dahl Therese Schagerholm , Lindblom Rickard P. F.
Published: January 2023

Background

Surgery on the aortic arch and proximal descending thoracic aorta can be lifesaving but is also associated with significant morbidity, ranging from minor infections to severe neurological impairments as well as a substantial risk of mortality. The aim of this study is to clinically assess outcomes, with special regards to neurologic injury, as well as to seek to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality in two patient groups with different underlying aortic pathology, aneurysms and dissections, undergoing arch/descending aortic repair.

Methods

34 patients (17 aneurysms, 17 dissections) underwent surgery involving the arch and/or descending aorta, using the Thoraflex or E-Vita frozen elephant trunk graft. 40% were female. Subgroup analysis of aneurysms compared to dissections were performed. Mean follow-up time was 53.9 months and mean age 63.5 years.

Results

In-hospital mortality was 18%. Survival was comparable between aneurysms and dissections. Incidence of spinal cord injury was 9% and stroke 9%. 67% suffered any form of neurological affection, when also cognitive afflictions were included. Perioperative reoperation rate was 29% (bleeding 21%, visceral ischemia 6%, infection 2%), the need for postoperative dialysis was 11% and a series of other minor complications such as atrial fibrillation and pleurocentesis were common.

Conclusion

Postoperative dialysis was found to be a predictor of in-hospital mortality, while both dialysis as well as reoperation due to bleeding and/or visceral ischemia increased the risk for overall mortality, irrespective of preoperative diagnosis. Previous or current smoking appeared to be associated with negative outcomes regarding both in-hospital and overall mortality during follow-up.

Trial registration Retrospectively enrolled.
Survey of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild chimpanzee habitat in Western Uganda
Authors: Lacroux Camille , Bonnet Sarah , Pouydebat Emmanuelle , Buysse Marie , Rahola Nil , Rakotobe Sabine , Okimat John-Paul , Koual Rachid , Asalu Edward , Krief Sabrina , Duron Olivier
Published: January 2023

Background

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens significantly impact both human and animal health and therefore are of major concern to the scientific community. Knowledge of tick-borne pathogens is crucial for prescription of mitigation measures. In Africa, much research on ticks has focused on domestic animals. Little is known about ticks and their pathogens in wild habitats and wild animals like the endangered chimpanzee, our closest relative.

Methods

In this study, we collected ticks in the forested habitat of a community of 100 chimpanzees living in Kibale National Park, Western Uganda, and assessed how their presence and abundance are influenced by environmental factors. We used non-invasive methods of flagging the vegetation and visual search of ticks both on human team members and in chimpanzee nests. We identified adult and nymph ticks through morphological features. Molecular techniques were used to detect and identify tick-borne piroplasmids and bacterial pathogens.

Results

A total of 470 ticks were collected, which led to the identification of seven tick species:Haemaphysalis parmata(68.77%),Amblyomma tholloni(20.70%),Ixodes rasussensu lato (7.37%),Rhipicephalus dux(1.40%),Haemaphysalis punctaleachi(0.70%),Ixodes muniensis(0.70%) andAmblyomma paulopunctatum(0.35%). The presence of ticks, irrespective of species, was influenced by temperature and type of vegetation but not by relative humidity. Molecular detection revealed the presence of at least six genera of tick-borne pathogens (Babesia,Theileria,Borrelia,Cryptoplasma,EhrlichiaandRickettsia). The Afrotopical tickAmblyomma thollonifound in one chimpanzee nest was infected byRickettsiasp.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study presented ticks and tick-borne pathogens in a Ugandan wildlife habitat whose potential effects on animal health remain to be elucidated.

Graphical Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus with acute ischemic optic neuropathy complicated with neuromyelitis optica: a case report
Authors: Sayeed S. K. Jakaria Been , Khan Asif Hasan , Moniruzzaman Md. , Mahmud Reaz , Rahman Md. Mujibur
Published: January 2023

Background

Neuromyelitis optica is a relapsing–remitting disease characterized by a recurrent attack of optic neuritis and transverse myelitis; sometimes associated with acute brainstem syndrome. Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune multisystem disorder in which ocular involvement such as acute ischemic optic neuropathy is a rare manifestation. However, neuromyelitis optica can be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Case presentation

A 24-year-old Bangladeshi woman was admitted to the hospital with complaints of sudden, progressive, painless vision loss in both eyes, and progressive weakness in both lower limbs for 48 hours. She also gave a history of arthralgia, a photosensitive skin rash, intermittent fever, oral ulcerations, and alopecia for the last 2 months. On examination, the fundus was suggestive of bilateral acute ischemic neuropathy, and examinations of the lower limb revealed spastic paraparesis with sensory abnormality. Laboratory investigations revealed the presence of positive anti-aquaporin 4 antibody, strongly positive antinuclear antibody, and anti-ds DNA with the longitudinally extensive lesion on magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord. She was treated with methylprednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, and mycophenolate, and was discharged with improvement of her paraparesis. However, her vision did not improve substantially.

Conclusion

The importance of this report is to shed some light on the occurrence of two devastating complications that is, bilateral acute ischemic optic neuropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by neuromyelitis optica, as well as evidence of rare presentations for systemic lupus erythematosus and treatment modalities of ischemic optic neuropathy with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Development of an open-source software for isomer enumeration
Authors: Rieder Salomé R. , Oliveira Marina P. , Riniker Sereina , Hünenberger Philippe H.
Published: January 2023

This article documents enu, a freely-downloadable, open-source and stand-alone program written in C++ for the enumeration of the constitutional isomers and stereoisomers of a molecular formula. The program relies on graph theory to enumerate all the constitutional isomers of a given formula on the basis of their canonical adjacency matrix. The stereoisomers of a given constitutional isomer are enumerated as well, on the basis of the automorphism group of this matrix. The isomer list is then reported in the form of canonical SMILES strings within files in XML format. The specification of the molecule family of interest is very flexible and the code is optimized for computational efficiency. The algorithms and implementations underlying enu are described, and simple illustrative applications are presented. The enu code is freely available on GitHub at https://github.com/csms-ethz/CombiFF.
Predicting PD-L1 expression status in patients with non-small cell lung cancer using [18F]FDG PET/CT radiomics
Authors: Zhao Xiaoqian , Zhao Yan , Zhang Jingmian , Zhang Zhaoqi , Liu Lihua , Zhao Xinming
Published: January 2023

Background

In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has greatly changed the treatment prospects of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Among the available ICI therapy strategies, programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitors are the most widely used worldwide. At present, immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the main method to detect PD-L1 expression levels in clinical practice. However, given that IHC is invasive and cannot reflect the expression of PD-L1 dynamically and in real time, it is of great clinical significance to develop a new noninvasive, accurate radiomics method to evaluate PD-L1 expression levels and predict and filter patients who will benefit from immunotherapy. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the predictive power of pretherapy [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)-based radiomics features for PD-L1 expression status in patients with NSCLC.

Methods

A total of 334 patients with NSCLC who underwent [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging prior to treatment were analyzed retrospectively from September 2016 to July 2021. The LIFEx7.0.0 package was applied to extract 63 PET and 61 CT radiomics features. In the training group, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model was employed to select the most predictive radiomics features. We constructed and validated a radiomics model, clinical model and combined model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the three models in the training group and validation group. In addition, a radiomics nomogram to predict PD-L1 expression status was established based on the optimal predictive model.

Results

Patients were randomly assigned to a training group (n = 233) and a validation group (n = 101). Two radiomics features were selected to construct the radiomics signature model. Multivariate analysis showed that the clinical stage (odds ratio [OR] 1.579, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.220–0.703, P < 0.001) was a significant predictor of different PD-L1 expression statuses. The AUC of the radiomics model was higher than that of the clinical model in the training group (0.706 vs. 0.638) and the validation group (0.761 vs. 0.640). The AUCs in the training group and validation group of the combined model were 0.718 and 0.769, respectively.

Conclusion

PET/CT-based radiomics features demonstrated strong potential in predicting PD-L1 expression status and thus could be used to preselect patients who may benefit from PD-1/PD-L1-based immunotherapy.
AMPK attenuates SHH subgroup medulloblastoma growth and metastasis by inhibiting NF-κB activation
Authors: Cai Jing , Wang Yue , Wang Xinfa , Ai Zihe , Li Tianyuan , Pu Xiaohong , Yang Xin , Yao Yixing , He Junping , Cheng Steven Y. , Yu Tingting , Liu Chen , Yue Shen
Published: January 2023

Background

Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors. Metastasis and relapse are the leading causes of death in MB patients. The initiation of the SHH subgroup of MB (SHH-MB) is due to the aberrant activation of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling. However, the mechanisms for its metastasis are still unknown.

Results

AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) restrains the activation of Shh signaling pathway, thereby impeding the proliferation of SHH-MB cells. More importantly, AMPK also hinders the growth and metastasis of SHH-MB cells by regulating NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, Vismodegib and TPCA-1, which block the Shh and NF-κB pathways, respectively, synergistically restrained the growth, migration, and invasion of SHH-MB cells.

Conclusions

This work demonstrates that AMPK functions through two signaling pathways, SHH-GLI1 and NF-κB. AMPK-NF-κB axis is a potential target for molecular therapy of SHH-MB, and the combinational blockade of NF-κB and Shh pathways confers synergy for SHH-MB therapy.
A hybrid attention and time series network for enterprise sales forecasting under digital management and edge computing
Authors: Zhang Xi , Kim Taesun
Published: January 2023

Enterprises have both new opportunities and new challenges as a result of the rapid advancements in information technology that have accompanied the age of economic globalization. With the growth of internet of Things devices, data sizes have significantly increased. Further, the traditional cloud platform has been enriched with edge computing so that the huge data can be processed where it is collected. Therefore, businesses must adapt to new size requirements and rising standards for technical content. Forecasting corporate sales has emerged as a hot topic in the field of digital management. To successfully direct the future production and existence of enterprises, time series forecasting is of utmost importance and value. This is because it makes use of already-existing data to get the best predicting result. This work proposes a combination of enterprise sales forecasting from the perspective of digital management and neural networks, and proposes a network HATT-CNN-BiLSTM model for enterprise sales forecasting. First, this work combines multi-scale CNN (MSCNN) with improved BiLSTM (IBiLSTM) model. The MSCNN is utilized to extract spatial features with different scale, and it is often impossible to effectively explore the rules of time series features, and the processing of time series data is the strength of the LSTM network. Moreover, the IBiLSTM model can explore time series features in both directions, and therefore more useful information can be obtained. The MSCNN-IBiLSTM model, which is composed of MSCNN and IBiLSTM, can take advantage of strengths and avoid weaknesses, and give full play to the roles of the two models in different fields. Second, this work proposes a hybrid attention mechanism that combines self-attention, channel attention, and spatial attention. It enhances features extracted by MSCNN-IBiLSTM through a hybrid attention to build HATT-MSCNN-IBiLSTM network, which can extract more discriminative features. Third, this work conducts comprehensive and systematic experiments on HATT- MSCNN-IBiLSTM to verify feasibility of the proposed method. The proposed model is implemented over an edge computing platform that increases the model training speed and improve the response time.
NAD salvage pathway machinery expression in normal and glaucomatous retina and optic nerve
Authors: Tribble James R. , Hagström Anna , Jusseaume Kenza , Lardner Emma , Wong Raymond Ching-Bong , Stålhammar Gustav , Williams Pete A.
Published: January 2023

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and is a major health and economic burden. Current treatments do not address the neurodegenerative component of glaucoma. In animal models of glaucoma, the capacity to maintain retinal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) pools declines early during disease pathogenesis. Treatment with nicotinamide, an NAD precursor through the NAD salvage pathway, robustly protects against neurodegeneration in a number of glaucoma models and improves vision in existing glaucoma patients. However, it remains unknown in humans what retinal cell types are able to process nicotinamide to NAD and how these are affected in glaucoma. To address this, we utilized publicly available RNA-sequencing data (bulk, single cell, and single nucleus) and antibody labelling in highly preserved enucleated human eyes to identify expression of NAD synthesizing enzyme machinery. This identifies that the neural retina favors expression of the NAD salvage pathway, and that retinal ganglion cells are particularly enriched for these enzymes. NMNAT2, a key terminal enzyme in the salvage pathway, is predominantly expressed in retinal ganglion cell relevant layers of the retina and declines in glaucoma. These findings suggest that human retinal ganglion cells can directly utilize nicotinamide and could maintain a capacity to do so in glaucoma, showing promise for ongoing clinical trials.
Impact of γ factor in the penalty function of Bayesian penalized likelihood reconstruction (Q.Clear) to achieve high-resolution PET images
Authors: Miwa Kenta , Yoshii Tokiya , Wagatsuma Kei , Nezu Shogo , Kamitaka Yuto , Yamao Tensho , Kobayashi Rinya , Fukuda Shohei , Yakushiji Yu , Miyaji Noriaki , Ishii Kenji
Published: January 2023

Background

The Bayesian penalized likelihood PET reconstruction (BPL) algorithm, Q.Clear (GE Healthcare), has recently been clinically applied to clinical image reconstruction. The BPL includes a relative difference penalty (RDP) as a penalty function. The β value that controls the behavior of RDP determines the global strength of noise suppression, whereas the γ factor in RDP controls the degree of edge preservation. The present study aimed to assess the effects of various γ factors in RDP on the ability to detect sub-centimeter lesions.

Methods

All PET data were acquired for 10 min using a Discovery MI PET/CT system (GE Healthcare). We used a NEMA IEC body phantom containing spheres with inner diameters of 10, 13, 17, 22, 28 and 37 mm and 4.0, 5.0, 6.2, 7.9, 10 and 13 mm. The target-to-background ratio of the phantom was 4:1, and the background activity concentration was 5.3 kBq/mL. We also evaluated cold spheres containing only non-radioactive water with the same background activity concentration. All images were reconstructed using BPL + time of flight (TOF). The ranges of β values and γ factors in BPL were 50–600 and 2–20, respectively. We reconstructed PET images using the Duetto toolbox for MATLAB software. We calculated the % hot contrast recovery coefficient (CRChot) of each hot sphere, the cold CRC (CRCcold) of each cold sphere, the background variability (BV) and residual lung error (LE). We measured the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the micro hollow hot spheres ≤ 13 mm to assess spatial resolution on the reconstructed PET images.

Results

The CRChot and CRCcold for different β values and γ factors depended on the size of the small spheres. The CRChot, CRCcold and BV increased along with the γ factor. A 6.2-mm hot sphere was obvious in BPL as lower β values and higher γ factors, whereas γ factors ≥ 10 resulted in images with increased background noise. The FWHM became smaller when the γ factor increased.

Conclusion

High and low γ factors, respectively, preserved the edges of reconstructed PET images and promoted image smoothing. The BPL with a γ factor above the default value in Q.Clear (γ factor = 2) generated high-resolution PET images, although image noise slightly diverged. Optimizing the β value and the γ factor in BPL enabled the detection of lesions ≤ 6.2 mm.
Biocontrol-based management module provided maximum protection in potato against white grub, Lepidiota mansueta Burmeister in Assam, India
Authors: Dumala Sravani , Bhattacharyya Badal , Elangbam Bidyarani Devi
Published: January 2023

Background

The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of some eco-friendly management modules based on plant oils and Metarhizium anisopliae against a biennial white grub species, Lepidiota mansueta Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) infesting potato crop in the farmer’s field at Majuli river island, Assam, India.

Results

Amongst all the modules evaluated against L. mansueta grubs, the pooled analysis of two years of data (2019–2020 and 2020–2021) revealed that Module-VI [presowing treatment of mustard oil cake @ 150 kg/ha + wood ash @ 150 kg/ha + panchagavya @ 3% plus the application of Metarhizium anisopliae @ 10 g/sq.m after 1st & 2nd earthing up (25 & 60 Days after Sowing (DAS))] and Module-III [presowing treatment plus soil drenching with jatropha oil @ 5 ml/lit after 1st & 2nd earthing up (25 & 60 DAS)] were significantly superior and statistically at par over the rest of the modules in recording high yield (122.71 and 121.50 q/ha, respectively), minimum per cent tuber damage on weight basis (11.32 and 11.82%, respectively) and number basis (14.07 and 14.78%, respectively). The maximum benefit cost ratio was recorded in Module-VI, followed by Module-III and Module- II.

Conclusion

All the management modules were effective, however, Module-VI and Module-III were found to be significantly superior and registered the least tuber damage on weight and number basis and the highest tuber yield compared to other modules.
HLA alleles associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in different populations: a systematic review
Authors: Fakhkhari Meryem , Caidi Hayat , Sadki Khalid
Published: January 2023

Background

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus called as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Detected for the first time in December 2019 in Wuhan and it has quickly spread all over the world in a couple of months and becoming a world pandemic. Symptoms of the disease and clinical outcomes are very different in infected people. These differences highlight the paramount need to study and understand the human genetic variation that occurring viral infections. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is an important component of the viral antigen presentation pathway, and it plays an essential role in conferring differential viral susceptibility and severity of diseases. HLA alleles have been involved in the immune response to viral diseases such as SARS-CoV-2.

Main body of the abstract

Herein, we sought to evaluate this hypothesis by summarizing the association between HLA class I and class II alleles with COVID-19 susceptibility and/or severity reported in previous studies among different populations (Chinese, Italian, Iranian, Japanese, Spanish, etc.). The findings of all selected articles showed that several alleles have been found associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Even results across articles have been inconsistent and, in some cases, conflicting, highlighting that the association between the HLA system and the COVID‐19 outcome might be ethnic‐dependent, there were some alleles in common between some populations such as HLA-DRB1*15 and HLA-A*30:02.

Conclusion

These contradictory findings warrant further large, and reproducible studies to decipher any possible genetic predisposition underlying susceptibility to SARS-COV-2 and disease progression and host immune response.