bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical exertion as a risk factor for perimesencephalic nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Laukka Dan , Kivelev Juri , Rautio Riitta , Kuhmonen Johanna , Sinisalo Matias , Rinne Jaakko , Rahi Melissa
Published: September 2022

Background

Perimesencephalic and nonperimesencephalic nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (PM‐naSAH and NPM‐naSAH) have a different bleeding pattern and clinical course. The etiology and risk factors for PM‐naSAH and NPM‐naSAH are unclear. The objective of this study was to compare risk factors and triggering events between PM‐naSAH and NPM‐naSAH.

Methods

We reviewed retrospectively all patients (n = 3475) who had undergone cerebral digital subtraction angiography between 2003 and 2020 at our tertiary hospital. Of these, 119 patients had 6‐vessel angiography negative subarachnoid hemorrhage (47 (39%) PM‐naSAH and 72 (61%) NPM‐naSAH) and accurate information about the triggering event was available in 42 (89%) PM‐NASAH and 64 (89%) NPM‐naSAH patients.

Results

PM‐naSAH were younger compared to NPM‐naSAH (mean age [SD]; 55.3 [11.1] years vs. 59.6 [12.2] years, p = .045. PM‐naSAH was triggered during the physical exertion in 79% of patients and 16% of patients with NPM‐naSAH (relative risk 5.4; 95% CI, 2.9‐10.1, p < .0001). There were no significant difference in sex, smoking, alcohol abuse, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or anticoagulation/antithrombotic usage between PM‐naSAH and NMP‐naSAH, p > .05.

Conclusion

Physical exertion was a triggering factor in most of the PM‐naSAH cases and the risk was five times greater than in NMP‐naSAH. More studies are needed to confirm our results and to study pathophysiology of PM‐naSAH and NPM‐naSAH.
Circular solutions in developing countries: Coping with sustainability tensions by means of technical functionality and business model relevance
Authors: Levänen Jarkko , Park Sukyung , Rosca Eugenia
Published: September 2022

To foster sustainable development, transition to circular economy should happen globally. Lately, however, the implementation of circular solutions has been particularly slow in the developing countries where these solutions could bring about particularly positive changes. A successful circular solution couples technical functionality with business model relevance. In developing countries, the implementation of circular solutions reveals sustainability tensions that originate in resource scarcity, institutional voids, and market affordability. We have studied implementation of circular solutions that small companies operating in these conditions have developed. The systematic analysis of 79 cases shows how sustainability tensions influence on companies' everyday business conduct and their long‐term strategic orientation toward circular economy. We have also identified commonly applied business model features that allow companies to cope with the sustainability tensions. These features include: (1) locally tailored value proposition, (2) collective action approach in value creation, and (3) creativity in value capture. Ultimately, locally functional, embedded, and widely accepted circular solutions have potential to facilitate wider socio‐technical transitions toward more sustainable business practices.
Neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio in relation to risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Thomas Claire E. , Yu Yi‐Chuan , Luu Hung N. , Wang Renwei , Paragomi Pedram , Behari Jaideep , Yuan Jian‐Min
Published: September 2022

Background

Blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) or lymphocyte count may be important markers for immune function. Previous work has shown higher NLR was associated with higher risk of hepatitis B‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, studies in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients are lacking.

Methods

Utilizing the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) electronic health records, we created a retrospective cohort of 27,834 patients diagnosed with NAFLD from 2004 to 2018 with complete NLR data. After an average 5.5 years of follow‐up, 203 patients developed HCC. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of HCC incidence associated with different levels of NLR and lymphocyte count.

Results

Compared with the lowest tertile of NLR (<1.97), the highest tertile of NLR (≥3.09) was statistically significantly associated with a 43% higher risk of HCC incidence (HR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.01–2.03, ptrend = 0.031) after adjustment for age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking status, history of type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and fibrosis‐4 score category. Conversely the highest tertile of lymphocyte count (≥2.15 K/ul) was significantly associated with a 36% lower risk of HCC (HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43–0.94, ptrend = 0.028) compared to the lowest tertile (<1.55 K/ul). There was no association between neutrophil count and HCC risk.

Conclusions

Higher NLR and lower lymphocyte count are associated with significantly higher risk of HCC among NAFLD patients. These findings warrant further investigation of immune response and surveillance in association with HCC development in NAFLD patients.
Response to neoadjuvant paclitaxel predicts survival in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Yamazaki Haruhiko , Sugino Kiminori , Katoh Ryohei , Matsuzu Kenichi , Masaki Chie , Akaishi Junko , Hames Kiyomi Yamada , Tomoda Chisato , Suzuki Akifumi , Ohkuwa Keiko , Kitagawa Wataru , Nagahama Mitsuji , Rino Yasushi , Ito Koichi
Published: September 2022

The clinical utilities of paclitaxel in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) have been reported. The current study investigated the outcomes in ATC patients treated by paclitaxel as neoadjuvant setting. Furthermore, the prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) and predictive marker for response to paclitaxel were investigated. Records of ATC patients treated by paclitaxel as neoadjuvant setting in our hospital were reviewed. The median OS for the patients with (n = 43) and without (n = 23) resection were 14.7 (95% CI, 11.0–21.7) and 4.2 (95% CI, 3.0–5.4) months, respectively (p < 0.001). Univariate analysis identified the factors of stage (p = 0.028), prognostic index (PI) ≥2 (p < 0.001), response to paclitaxel (p = 0.007), resection (p < 0.001), and radiotherapy (p < 0.001) to be associated with OS, and multivariate analysis revealed that the factors of PI ≥2 [hazard ratio (HR), 2.406 (95% CI, 1.096–5.281), p = 0.029], response to paclitaxel [HR, 0.423 (95% CI, 0.193–0.930), p = 0.032], resection [HR, 0.316 (95% CI, 0.129–0.773), p = 0.012], and radiotherapy [HR, 0.229 (95% CI, 0.100–0.526), p < 0.001] were independent prognostic factors of OS. There were no significant predictive factors for response to paclitaxel in baseline characteristics. PI ≥2, response to paclitaxel, resection, and radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors in ATC patients treated with paclitaxel as neoadjuvant setting. It is important to investigate predictor for response to paclitaxel for improving resectability and prognosis in ATC.
Identifying the Template for Oligomer to Fibril Conversion for Amyloid‐β (1‐42) Oligomers using Hamiltonian Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Saha Debasis , Jana Biman
Published: September 2022

The toxicity of amyloid‐β (Aβ) oligomers has been known to be higher compared to mature fibrils. Yet the presence of plaques in Alzheimer's disease patients indicates the significance of oligomer to fibril conversion for Aβ aggregates. In this study, we investigate Aβ13‐42 oligomers having two to five peptide chains using extensive all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations to identify the on‐ or off‐pathway intermediates in fibril formation pathway. Hamiltonian replica exchange method through solute tempering (REST2) has been employed to explore the different structures attained by these aggregates. Using intra‐chain and inter‐chain contacts as reaction coordinates, we obtain the free energy surface for the Aβ13‐42 oligomers. Consequently, their stable conformations and structural features have been identified. The found conformations belonging to most probable structures possess both parallel and anti‐parallel β‐sheets, characteristic of on‐ and off‐pathway intermediates, respectively. Further, we have measured the tendency to form fibril like interactions among the β‐sheet forming residues. Our analysis finds that residues 30–36 possess higher tendency to form fibril like contacts among all the residues. While we find stronger interaction among residues 30–36, these amino acids are also found to be more shielded from water compared to others. With previous experimental studies finding these residues to be more crucial for the stability of Aβ42 oligomers, we propose that interactions within this patch could trigger seed formation that leads to conversion of on‐pathway oligomers into disease relevant fibrils.
Leveraging Clinical Pharmacology Data to Assess Biosimilarity and Interchangeability of Insulin Products
Authors: Vaidyanathan Jayabharathi , Wang Yow‐Ming C. , Tran Doanh , Seo Shirley K.
Published: September 2022

There is over a hundred years of clinical experience with insulin for the treatment of diabetes. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first insulin biosimilar interchangeable product in 2021 for improving glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Several recombinant insulin products are available in the United States, including the recently approved biosimilar insulins. The approval of the biosimilar insulin products was based on comparative analytical characterizations and comparative pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data. The primary objective of this review is to discuss the scientific considerations in the demonstration of biosimilarity of a proposed insulin biosimilar to a reference product and the role of clinical pharmacology studies in the determination of biosimilarity and interchangeability. Euglycemic clamp studies are considered a “gold standard” for insulin PK and PD characterization and have been widely used to determine the time‐action profiles of rapid‐acting, intermediate‐acting, and long‐acting insulin products. Clinical pharmacology aspects of study design, including selection of appropriate dose, study population, PK, and PD end points, are presented. Finally, the role of clinical pharmacology studies in the interchangeability assessment of insulin and the regulatory pathways used for insulin and the experience with follow‐on insulins and the two recently approved biosimilar insulin products is discussed.
Soil moisture variability affected by sand mulch: An isotope‐based assessment of irrigated farmland in Northwest China
Authors: Yang Ye , Zhang Mingjun , Wang Shengjie , Qu Deye , Zhang Yu , Wang Jiaxin
Published: September 2022

As a practical agricultural technique in Northwest China, the sand mulch reduces the soil moisture loss of irrigated farmland under an arid setting. To understand the soil moisture variability affected by sand mulch, we selected an irrigated orchard of peach (Amygdalus persica L.) in Northwest China and examined the soil moisture movement conditioned by irrigation using a stable water isotope method. Based on the isotopic variability of continuously collected soil, plant, and irrigation water samples, the infiltration and evaporation of soil moisture were assessed. The results showed that (1) during the sampling period, the average soil water content and infiltration volume of the sand mulch plot were 1.63% and 6.82%, respectively, which are higher than those of the uncovered plot, indicating a better soil water retention after sand mulch. (2) The slope of the evaporation line of the sand mulch plot (4.79) was greater than that of the uncovered plot (4.11), and the average evaporation loss of the sand mulch plot (0–30 cm) was 10.29% lower than that of the uncovered plot. The average evaporation rate of the sand mulch plot was 5.02% per day, which is lower than that of the uncovered plot 8.41% per day. The isotope‐based evidence shows that sand mulch effectively reduces soil water evaporation, which provides a theoretical basis for agricultural water management and optimization of water‐saving methods for arid land.
An approach for reliably identifying high‐frequency oscillations and reducing false‐positive detections
Authors: Zhou Yufeng , You Jing , Kumar Udaya , Weiss Shennan A , Bragin Anatol , Engel Jerome , Papadelis Christos , Li Lin
Published: September 2022

Objective

Aiming to improve the feasibility and reliability of using high‐frequency oscillations (HFOs) for translational studies of epilepsy, we present a pipeline with features specifically designed to reject false positives for HFOs to improve the automatic HFO detector.

Methods

We presented an integrated, multi‐layered procedure capable of automatically rejecting HFOs from a variety of common false positives, such as motion, background signals, and sharp transients. This method utilizes a time‐frequency contour approach that embeds three different layers including peak constraints, power thresholds, and morphological identification to discard false positives. Four experts were involved in rating detected HFO events that were randomly selected from different posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) animals for a comprehensive evaluation.

Results

The algorithm was run on 768‐h recordings of intracranial electrodes in 48 PTE animals. A total of 453 917 HFOs were identified by initial HFO detection, of which 450 917 were implemented for HFO refinement and 203 531 events were retained. Random sampling was used to evaluate the performance of the detector. The HFO detection yielded an overall accuracy of , with precision, recall, and F1 scores of , , and , respectively. For the HFO classification, our algorithm obtained an accuracy of . For the inter‐rater reliability of algorithm evaluation, the agreement among four experts was for HFO detection and for HFO classification.

Significance

Our approach shows that a segregated pipeline design with a focus on false‐positive rejection can improve the detection efficiency and provide reliable results. This pipeline does not require customization and uses fixed parameters, making it highly feasible and translatable for basic and clinical applications of epilepsy.
Studies of Possible Effects of GRE® ScoreSelect® on Subgroup Differences in GRE® General Test Scores
Authors: Klieger David M. , Kotloff Lauren J. , Belur Vinetha , Schramm‐Possinger Megan E. , Holtzman Steven L. , Bunde Hezekiah
Published: September 2022

Intended consequences of giving applicants the option to select which test scores to report include potentially reducing measurement error and inequity in applicants' prior test familiarity. Our first study determined whether score choice options resulted in unintended consequences for lower performing subgroups by detrimentally increasing score gaps in ways and for reasons that the research literature had suggested. Our follow‐up study explored possible determinants of changes in score gaps attributable to score choice options. Using GRE® SCORESELECT®, the score choice system for the GRE general test, we concluded that unintended consequences were few, small in magnitude, and usually undetectable. To the extent that unintended consequences occurred, they were limited to effects for citizenship subgroups and generally benefited lower performing subgroups.
Outcomes from 8 years of cervical cancer screening at a rural screen‐and‐treat site in northern Tanzania
Authors: Maillie Luke , Yussuph Amina , Chirangi Bwire , Schroeder Kristin
Published: September 2022

Objective

To examine screening outcomes for a rural screen‐and‐treat site as well as the referral completion rate, outreach programming, and screening costs.

Methods

A retrospective cross‐sectional analysis of demographic information and screening outcomes for all women screened at a rural screen‐and‐treat site between August 2011 and December 2018 was conducted. Referral completion rate for women with suspected cervical cancer was calculated for 2018.

Results

A total of 10 157 screenings were conducted during the study period. Median age was 35 years and median parity was 5. In all, 545 (5.35%) women were positive on visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA+), and 461 (91.1%) of 506 eligible women received cryotherapy. In 2018, 93 women were referred for suspected cancer to the zonal referral center, but only 10 (10.8%) presented for treatment. Mean screening cost was US$ 6.62 per person.

Conclusion

VIA+ rate was comparable to rates at urban sites in Tanzania, and outreach was an important component of screening. In contrast to other reports, few women suspected of having cancer reached treatment after being referred. Although the low cost of screening highlights the feasibility of rural screen‐and‐treat sites, additional research is needed to improve completion of referrals to a higher level of care.
Why fistula surgery is still being done in camps
Authors: Heymann Devorah
Published: September 2022

Synopsis

Obstetric fistula cases in Uganda are increasing. Until systemic changes are made in the healthcare system, nongovernmental organizations and foreign doctors will be needed.
Utilizing machine learning to predict unplanned cesarean delivery
Authors: Meyer Raanan , Weisz Boaz , Eilenberg Roni , Tsadok Meytal Avgil , Uziel Moshe , Sivan Eyal , Mazaki‐Tovi Shali , Tsur Abraham
Published: September 2022

Objective

To develop a comprehensive machine learning (ML) model predicting unplanned cesarean delivery (uCD) among singleton pregnancies based on features available at admission to labor.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study from a tertiary medical center. Women with singleton vertex pregnancy of 34 weeks or more admitted for vaginal delivery between March 2011 and May 2019 were included. The cohort was divided into training (80%) and validation (20%) data sets. A separate cohort between June 2019 and April 2021 served as a test data set. Features selection was performed using a Random Forest ML algorithm.

Results

The study population included 73 667 women, of which 4125 (6.33%) underwent uCD. The final model consisted of 13 features, based on prediction importance. The XGBoost model performed best with areas under the curve for the training, validation, and test data sets of 0.874, 0.839, and 0.840, respectively. The model showed a 65% positive predictive value for uCD among women in the 100th centile group, and a 99% or more negative predictive value in the less than 50th centile group. Positive and negative predictive values remained high among subgroups with high pretest probability of uCD.

Conclusion

An ML model for the prediction of uCD provides clinically useful risk stratification that remains accurate across gestational weeks 34–42 and among clinical risk groups. The model may be clinically useful for physicians and women admitted for labor.

Synopsis

A machine learning model predicts unplanned cesarean delivery and can inform women's individualized decision making.
Automatic cervical cancer segmentation in multimodal magnetic resonance imaging using an EfficientNet encoder in UNet++ architecture
Authors: Jin Shan , Xu Hongming , Dong Yue , Hao Xinyu , Qin Fengying , Xu Qi , Zhu Yong , Cong Fengyu
Published: September 2022

Automatic cervical cancer segmentation in multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential because tumor location and delineation can support patients' diagnosis and treatment planning. To meet this clinical demand, we present an encoder–decoder deep learning architecture which employs an EfficientNet encoder in the UNet++ architecture (E‐UNet++). EfficientNet helps in effectively encoding multiscale image features. The nested decoders with skip connections aggregate multiscale features from low‐level to high‐level, which helps in detecting fine‐grained details. A cohort of 228 cervical cancer patients with multimodal MRI sequences, including T2‐weighted imaging, diffusion‐weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient imaging, contrast enhancement T1‐weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast‐enhanced imaging (DCE), has been explored. Evaluations are performed by considering either single or multimodal MRI with standard segmentation quantitative metrics: dice similarity coefficient (DSC), intersection over union (IOU), and 95% Hausdorff distance (HD). Our results show that the E‐UNet++ model can achieve DSC values of 0.681–0.786, IOU values of 0.558–0.678, and 95% HD values of 3.779–7.411 pixels in different single sequences. Meanwhile, it provides DSC values of 0.644 and 0.687 on three DCE subsequences and all MRI sequences together. Our designed model is superior to other comparative models, which shows the potential to be used as an artificial intelligence tool for cervical cancer segmentation in multimodal MRI.
Conformational energies of microsolvated Na+ clusters with protic and aprotic solvents from GFNn‐xTB methods
Authors: Otlyotov Arseniy A. , Minenkov Yury
Published: September 2022

Performance of contemporary tight‐binding semiempirical GFNn‐xTB methods for the conformational energies of singly charged sodium clusters Na+(S)n (n = 4–8) with 3 protic and 8 aprotic solvents is examined against the reference RI‐MP2/CBS method. The median Pearson correlation coefficients of ρ = 0.84 (GFN2‐xTB) and ρ = 0.82 (GFN1‐xTB) do not give the clear preference to any tested approach. GFN1‐xTB method demonstrates more stable performance than its GFN2‐xTB successor with the average mean absolute errors (MAEs)/mean signed errors (MSEs) of 1.2/0.2 and 2.3/1.6 kcal mol−1, respectively. Conformational energies produced by the computationally efficient DFT functional PBE and double‐ζ basis set complemented with –D3(BJ) dispersion correction are suitable for the preliminary sampling (median ρ = 0.93), but should be used with a caution for the calculations of the average ensemble properties (MAE/MSE = 1.7/1.1 kcal mol−1). Higher‐ranking PBE0‐D3(BJ) and ωB97M‐V with triple‐ζ basis sets yield significantly lower MAEs/MSEs of 0.55/0.20 and 0.51/0.23 kcal mol−1, respectively.
Dental hygiene educators’ knowledge and implementation of objective structured clinical examination in United States dental hygiene programs
Authors: Aboalsaud Khulood M. , Nieto Valerie K. , Eagle Iwonka T. , Rulli Danielle
Published: September 2022

Purpose

In 2021, the American Dental Association (ADA) announced the intention to develop a standardized dental hygiene licensure objective structured clinical examination (DHLOSCE). The purpose of this study was to measure the United States (US) dental hygiene (DH) educators’ foundational knowledge of OSCE development and delivery in light of the impending development of the DHLOSCE by the ADA's Testing Services.

Methods

The study was determined to be exempt from Institutional Review Board oversight. A 21‐question survey was developed, pilot tested, and electronically disseminated through Qualtrics. The survey recruitment was emailed to the directors of all entry‐level DH education programs in the US (n = 328), asking them to participate in the survey and to forward it to the clinical faculty in their institutions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze the data.

Results

There were 143 study participants, for a completion rate of 45%. Over two‐thirds of respondents (64%) were unaware of the plans to develop the DHLOSCE, while 13% reported utilizing OSCEs to meet accreditation standards. Only 3% reported receiving a formal education in OSCE development compared to 29% who learned through a colleague or peer. Nearly half reported a lack of faculty experience as a barrier to OSCE implementation. Over three‐quarters, 76% reported a lack of OCSE development committees within their program and only 14% had experience developing an OSCE station.

Conclusion

The study results suggest an urgent need for the development of OSCE training resources specific to DH education, as programs across the US prepare for the impending DHLOSCE.
Development of entrustable professional activities for post‐doctorate pediatric dentistry education
Authors: Cully Jennifer L. , Schwartz Scott B. , Quinonez Rocio , Martini Abigail , Klein Melissa , Schumacher Daniel J.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To identify the core components of pediatric dentistry defining entrustable professional activities (EPAs) representing the profession.

Methods

Potential core components of pediatric dentistry and corresponding domains were identified through review of literature and existing pediatric dentistry standards. A modified Delphi technique was utilized to rate these candidate EPAs to achieve consensus around prioritized EPAs.

Results

Eleven participants participated in all three rounds of the Delphi. After three rounds, 16 candidate EPAs reached consensus for pediatric dentistry. Each EPA fell into one of four domains: “assessment and planning,” “provision of care,” “behavior guidance,” and “professional development.” An original candidate EPA focused on non‐pharmacological behavior guidance was deemed too broad by the Delphi. This EPA was subsequently developed into three separate components on nitrous oxide analgesia, moderate sedation, and general anesthesia.

Conclusions

Prioritized EPAs will help define the essential activities of the profession and provide a framework for creating assessments to ensure that graduating pediatric residents are ready for unsupervised practice.
Effect of COVID‐19 inpatients with cognitive decline on discharge after the quarantine period: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yoshida Shuhei , Miyamori Daisuke , Ikeda Kotaro , Ohge Hiroki , Ito Masanori
Published: September 2022

Background

A new SARS‐CoV‐2 variant, Omicron, was reported on November 14, 2021, and it altered the COVID‐19 epidemic with a different peak timing by region in Japan. Residents in the Hiroshima prefecture, especially the vulnerable elderly, were threatened by this wave in advance of many other prefectures. We evaluated the effect of cognitive decline on discharge extension after the quarantine period.

Methods

Participants of this retrospective cohort study were patients who were admitted to the care unit for COVID‐19 treatment at Hiroshima University Hospital between January 1, 2022, and March 1, 2022 (60 days). Our primary outcome was the extended length of stay (LOS) in the hospital after the quarantine period (10 days after onset). A negative binomial regression analysis was performed to assess the extended LOS of patients with cognitive decline, adjusting for age classification, gender, and severity of COVID‐19.

Results

The total number of participants was 74. Per the level of cognitive function, there were 56 independent participants, 5 mild declines, and 13 severe declines. For the negative binomial regression analysis, the exponentiated coefficient of mild cognitive decline was 3.05 (95% confidential interval [CI]: 1.43–6.49) and that of severe cognitive decline was 1.95 (95% CI: 1.09–3.53).

Conclusions

Mild cognitive decline and severe cognitive decline elevated the risk of extended LOS after COVID‐19 patients finished the quarantine period.
A brief history of Romanian psychology
Authors: David Daniel , Ștefan Simona , Nechita Diana , Dobrean Anca
Published: September 2022

The evolution of Romanian psychology followed several stages, similarly to other countries in Eastern Europe, yet with its own particularities. The first psychology institutes were introduced by former students of Wilhelm Wundt, and the field saw a rapid development, with distinguished scholars making relevant scientific contributions. However, after the communist regime was enforced, psychology stagnated somewhat due to ideological, financial, and political reasons, and, in 1977, it was even removed from academia. After 1989, psychology revived in academia and research, and as a profession as well. This article summarizes the evolution of Romanian psychology through these stages, focusing on its postcommunist revival.
A Novel Grading System for Supraglottic Stenosis Based on Morphology and Functional Status
Authors: Aziz Steven , O'Dell Karla , Johns Michael , Schindler Josh , Merati Al , Alanazi Abdullah , Watts Stephanie , Garber David , Nelson Rebecca , Bensoussan Yael
Published: September 2022

Objective

Currently, no classification system exists to grade the severity of supraglottic stenosis. The aim of this investigation was to (1) develop a novel grading system for supraglottic stenosis that can both enhance communication between providers and relay information about patient functional status and (2) determine the reliability of the grading system.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients with supraglottic stenosis at three institutions from 2010–2021 was conducted. After demographic data were collected, two focus group meetings of five laryngologists were held to develop a grading system based on functional status and morphology of stenosis seen on laryngoscopy. Three laryngologists then used the grading system to rate 20 case examples of supraglottic stenosis. Quadratic‐weighted kappa coefficients were calculated to assess inter‐rater and intra‐rater reliabilities of the novel grading system.

Results

Twenty‐eight patients were included. Epiglottic and arytenoid fixation were morphological features associated with worse functional outcomes such as requiring a G‐tube or a tracheostomy, respectively. Inter‐rater reliability was substantial to almost perfect (Kw = 0.79–0.81) and intra‐rater reliability was almost perfect for all raters (0.88–1.0) when using the novel grading system.

Conclusion

A grading system for supraglottic stenosis has been proposed with strong inter‐rater and intra‐rater reliabilities. The proposed system has the advantage of being descriptive of both patient functionality and morphology of the stenosis.

Level of Evidence

3—According to the Oxford Center for Evidence‐Based Medicine 2011 level of evidence guidelines, this non‐randomized retrospective cohort study is classified as level 3 evidence Laryngoscope, 133:1442–1447, 2023
An exponential stabilization of random impulsive control systems and its application to chaotic systems
Authors: Vinodkumar A. , Senthilkumar T. , Işık Hüseyin , Hariharan S. , Gunasekaran Nallappan
Published: September 2022

This paper addresses the problem of pth moment exponential stability and stabilization for random impulsive control systems. Some novel pth moment exponential stability and synchronization approaches are established based on the method of maximum and minimum eigenvalues by using the Lyapunov functions and Razumukhin technique. Finally, we show that the stability and synchronization behavior of random impulses are faster than the fixed time impulses. Some physical examples are given to verify the validity and usefulness of the results obtained.
Assessing the Downstream Contamination of Chemically Recycled Ethylene Feed Streams on the Kinetic Behavior of Ziegler‐Natta Catalysts and Microstructural Properties of HDPE and LLDPE
Authors: Pernusch Daniel Christian , Paulik Christian , Mastalir Matthias , Hofer Wolfgang
Published: September 2022

The sustainability of consumer materials, such as plastics, belongs to the most important aspect of eco‐efficiency analyses. Besides mechanical recycling, chemical recycling represents an interesting waste management pathway. In theory, this technique does not rely on single‐grade feedstock to maintain product quality. However, cross‐contamination of feedstocks potentially leads to above‐specification impurities in obtained pyrolysis oils. This study investigates the potential downstream poisoning of a fourth‐generation Ziegler‐Natta catalyst, using selected model poisons at high (worst‐case) concentrations. With experimental and computational analysis, economic feasibility factors such as catalyst activity and microstructural properties are evaluated during the synthesis of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE). Noticeable effects on the catalyst activity can be observed when the poison interacts with the co‐catalyst, whereas a lower impact is observed for interactions with the activated catalyst‐co‐catalyst complex. Molecular weight distribution (MWD) and comonomer composition distribution (CCD) modeling highlighted marginal to no polymer property changes caused by contaminants. Combined with the applicability of pyrolysis post‐treatments, these observations show that chemical recycling can be a promising technique for post‐consumer plastic waste treatment.
Effect of wood flour and nano‐SiO2 on stimulus response, mechanical, and thermal behavior of 3D printed polylactic acid composites
Authors: Kumar Shiv Ranjan
Published: September 2022

The present study focuses on development and characterization of nano‐SiO2 reinforced wood flour reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composite. The detail characterization involves the physical characterization such as stimulus response behavior, mechanical characterization such as hardness, tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and so forth, and thermal characterization such as thermal stability and thermal conductivity. The finding of results indicates that the shape memory recovery rate and recovery ratio are increased with the increase in temperature. On adding 2 wt% of nano‐SiO2, micro‐hardness, flexural strength, impact strength are increased by 35%, 25.4%, 32.6% respectively. Whereas, on adding 5 wt% of wood flour, micro‐hardness, flexural strength are increased by 17%, 4.4%, 15% respectively. On the other hand, tensile strength is decreased with the addition of wood flour and nano‐SiO2. In addition, increase in wood flour increases the shape recovery rate whereas increase in nano‐SiO2 decreases the shape recovery rate. In thermal analysis, increase in wood flour and nano‐SiO2 content improves the thermal degradation temperature. On the other hand, addition of wood flour and nano‐SiO2 decreases the thermal conductivity of PLA composite.
Subtypes of Chinese Shidu parents' (parents who have lost their only child) depressive symptoms and their relationships with resilience and coping styles
Authors: Zhao Xian , Wang Anni , Chen Jianshi , Zhang Jingping , Li Zhihua
Published: September 2022

We aimed to examine the subtype classification characteristics of depressive symptoms in Shidu parents (SDPs, parents who have lost their only child) and their associations with resilience and coping styles. The sample comprised 182 SDPs (Mean age = 59.93 ± 7.41 years, 61.5% females). Latent profile analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Three subgroups of depressive symptoms in SDPs were identified: the depression and pessimism group (38.4%), the low depression symptoms group (30.8%), and the well‐adapted group (30.8%). The low depression symptoms group had a lower education level and higher family monthly income than the depression and pessimism group. The low depression symptoms group and the well‐adapted group scored significantly higher in resilience, and lower in negative coping style than the depression and pessimism group. The results highlighted that target intervention is needed for SDPs with high education levels, low family monthly income, high negative coping style, and low resilience in the depression and pessimism group.
Sequential Measurements, Topological Quantum Field Theories, and Topological Quantum Neural Networks
Authors: Fields Chris , Glazebrook James F. , Marcianò Antonino
Published: September 2022

We introduce novel methods for implementing generic quantum information within a scale‐free architecture. For a given observable system, we show how observational outcomes are taken to be finite bit strings induced by measurement operators derived from a holographic screen bounding the system. In this framework, measurements of identified systems with respect to defined reference frames are represented by semantically‐regulated information flows through distributed systems of finite sets of binary‐valued Barwise‐Seligman classifiers. Specifically, we construct a functor from the category of cone‐cocone diagrams (CCCDs) over finite sets of classifiers, to the category of finite cobordisms of Hilbert spaces. We show that finite CCCDs provide a generic representation of finite quantum reference frames (QRFs). Hence the constructed functor shows how sequential finite measurements can induce TQFTs. The only requirement is that each measurement in a sequence, by itself, satisfies Bayesian coherence, hence that the probabilities it assigns satisfy the Kolmogorov axioms. We extend the analysis too develop topological quantum neural networks (TQNNs), which enable machine learning with functorial evolution of quantum neural 2‐complexes (TQN2Cs) governed by TQFTs amplitudes, and resort to the Atiyah‐Singer theorems in order to classify topological data processed by TQN2Cs. We then comment about the quiver representation of CCCDs and generalized spin‐networks, a basis of the Hilbert spaces of both TQNNs and TQFTs. We finally review potential implementations of this framework in solid state physics and suggest applications to quantum simulation and biological information processing.
Clozapine‐induced polyserositis
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: September 2022

Clozapine is highly effective in patients with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia, but its use has been associated with side effects that include agranulocytosis, hypersalivation, and metabolic syndrome. Some of these adverse effects account for a high incidence of treatment discontinuation. Pleural and pericardial effusions, as well as polyserositis, also have been reported in the literature as potential adverse reactions to clozapine.
Recent Progress of Advanced Conductive Metal–Organic Frameworks: Precise Synthesis, Electrochemical Energy Storage Applications, and Future Challenges
Authors: Xu Guiying , Zhu Chengyao , Gao Guo
Published: September 2022

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with diverse composition, tunable structure, and unique physicochemical properties have emerged as promising materials in various fields. The tunable pore structure, abundant active sites, and ultrahigh specific surface area can facilitate mass transport and provide outstanding capacity, making MOFs an ideal active material for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. However, the poor electrical conductivity of pristine MOFs severely limits their applications in electrochemistry. Developing conductive MOFs has proved to be an effective solution to this problem. This review focuses on the design and synthesis of conductive MOF composites with judiciously chosen conducting materials, pristine MOFs, and assembly methods, as well as the preparation of intrinsically conductive MOFs based on building 2D π‐conjugated structures, introducing mixed‐valence metal ions/redox‐active ligands, designing π–π stacked pathways, and constructing infinite metal–sulfur chains (–M–S–)∞. Furthermore, recent progress and challenges of conductive MOFs for energy storage and conversion (supercapacitors, Li‐ion batteries, Li–S batteries, and electrochemical water splitting) are summarized.
Intermediate Valence Ion‐Mediated Electrodeposition Process
Authors: Hu Teng , Wang Yanling , Zhao Liyan , Yang Shikuan
Published: September 2022

The assembly of biomolecules and ions (e.g., biomineralization process) generates many intricate structures in nature. However, human beings’ control over the assembly processes of ions is in its infant stage compared with nature. Here, it is reported that the intermediate valence metal ions in the electrolyte can influence the growth speed of certain crystal facets and in turn adjust the shape of the electrodeposits created by anodic electrodeposition. This is because the intermediate valence metal ions (e.g., Pb2+, Mn2+, etc.) can be oxidized by the electrochemically oxidized high valence ions (e.g., Ag2+ and Ag3+). Therefore, the concentration of the electrochemically oxidized high valence ions can be controlled by the intermediate valence ions, affecting the growth kinetics of the electrodeposits. Taking the anodic electrodeposition of Ag7O8NO3 as an example, the role of intermediate valence ions in tailoring the shape of the Ag7O8NO3 electrodeposits is demonstrated. Moreover, the growth location of the second‐order structure can be controlled by the intermediate valence metal ions. Additionally, the designed complex microarchitectures starting from certain crystal facets to form hollow nanoframes can be selectively etched. The control capability over the electrochemical assembly process of metal ions is significantly strengthened by introducing intermediate valence ions into the electrolyte.
Sumanene Monolayer of Pure Carbon: A Two‐Dimensional Kagome‐Analogy Lattice with Desirable Band Gap, Ultrahigh Carrier Mobility, and Strong Exciton Binding Energy
Authors: Shi Xiaoran , Gao Weiwei , Liu Hongsheng , Fu Zhen‐Guo , Zhang Gang , Zhang Yong‐Wei , Liu Tao , Zhao Jijun , Gao Junfeng
Published: September 2022

The design and synthesis of novel two‐dimensional (2D) materials that possess robust structural stability and unusual physical properties may open up enormous opportunities for device and engineering applications. Herein, a 2D sumanene lattice that can be regarded as a derivative of the conventional Kagome lattice is proposed. The tight‐binding analysis demonstrates sumanene lattice contains two sets of Dirac cones and two sets of flat bands near the Fermi surface, distinctively different from the Kagome lattice. Using first‐principles calculations, two possible routines for the realization of stable 2D sumanene monolayers (named α phase and β phase) are theoretically suggested, and an α‐sumanene monolayer can be experimentally synthesized with chemical vapor deposition using C21H12 as a precursor. Small binding energies on Au(111) surface (e.g., −37.86 eV Å−2 for α phase) signify the possibility of their peel‐off after growing on the noble metal substrate. Importantly, the GW plus Bethe–Salpeter equation calculations demonstrate both monolayers have moderate band gaps (1.94 eV for α) and ultrahigh carrier mobilities (3.4 × 104 cm2 V−1 s−1 for α). In particular, the α‐sumanene monolayer possesses a strong exciton binding energy of 0.73 eV, suggesting potential applications in optics.
Crack engineering boosts the performance of flexible sensors
Authors: Zhou Yunlei , Lian Haoxiang , Li Zhenlei , Yin Liting , Ji Qian , Li Kan , Qi Fei , Huang YongAn
Published: September 2022

With exceptional performance, flexible sensors have found broad applications, including human health monitoring, motion detection, human–machine interaction, smart wearable technology, and robot control. Crack‐sensitive structures based on animal bionics have also caught increasing attention because of their extraordinary sensitivity. Crack‐based flexible sensors, which combine the flexibility of the flexible sensors and the high sensitivity of the crack sensing structures, have seen rapid development in recent years. In this review, we summarize the sensing mechanisms of the flexible sensors based on the crack disconnection–reconnection process. The effects of crack type, depth, and density on sensor performance are explored in detail. We also discuss the performance characteristics and applications of the crack‐based flexible sensors with various materials, design structures, and crack generation procedures. Finally, the main challenges of the crack‐based flexible sensors are also reviewed, and several research directions are proposed.
Copy number variation of EIF4A2 loci related to phenotypic traits in Chinese cattle
Authors: Zhang Zijing , Peng Mengyang , Wen Yifan , Chai Yanan , Liang Juntong , Yang Peng , Liu Xian , Li Jungang , Huang Yajun , Li Lijuan , Huang Weihong , Qi Zengfang , Yang Guojie , Chen Fuying , Shi Qiaoting , Li Zhiming , Ru Baorui , Lei Chuzhao , Wang Eryao , Huang Yongzhen
Published: September 2022

Background

Generally, copy number variation (CNV) is a large‐scale structural variation between 50 bp and 1 kb of the genome. It can affect gene expression and is an important reason for genetic diversity and phenotypic trait diversity. Studies have shown that the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A2 (EIF4A2) gene plays an essential role in muscle development in both humans and pigs. However, the influence of bovine EIF4A2’s copy number change on phenotypic traits has not been reported.

Objectives

To detect the tissue expression profile of the EIF4A2 gene in adult cattle and individuals’ CNV type of variation. Then, we explored the correlation between EIF4A2‐CNV and growth traits in Chinese cattle breeds.

Methods

Real‐time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐qPCR) was used to determine the expression profile of the EIF4A2 gene. Real‐time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the CNV type of bovine populations. Then, SPSS 26.0 was used for association analysis.

Results

In this study, a total of 513 individuals in four cattle breeds (Qinchuan cattle [QC], Yunling cattle [YL], Pinan cattle [PN] and Jiaxian cattle [JX]) were detected for EIF4A2 gene's CNV. The results showed that EIF4A2‐CNV has an essential impact on hip width (HW) and rump length (RL) in QC, heart girth (HG), chest depth (CD) and RL in YL and HW in PN. However, it had no significant effect on JX.

Conclusions

The above results suggest that EIF4A2 gene's CNV can be used as a molecular marker for cattle breeding, which is helpful to accelerate the breeding of superior beef cattle breeds.
Sweeter than SUITE: Supermartingale Stratified Union-Intersection Tests of Elections
Authors: Spertus Jacob V. , Stark Philip B.
Published: September 2022

Stratified sampling can be useful in risk-limiting audits (RLAs), for instance, to accommodate heterogeneous voting equipment or laws that mandate jurisdictions draw their audit samples independently. We combine the union-intersection tests in SUITE, the reduction of RLAs to testing whether the means of a collection of lists are all$$\le 1/2$$≤1/2of SHANGRLA, and thenonnegative supermartingale(NNSM) tests in ALPHA to improve the efficiency and flexibility of stratified RLAs. A simple, non-adaptive strategy for combining stratumwise NNSMs decreases the measured risk in the 2018 pilot hybrid audit in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA by more than an order of magnitude, from 0.037 for SUITE to 0.003 for our method. We give a simple, computationally inexpensive, adaptive rule for deciding which stratum to sample next that reduces audit workload by as much as 74% in examples. We also present NNSM-based tests that are computationally tractable even when there are many strata, illustrated with a simulated audit stratified across California’s 58 counties.
BFT2: a general class of 2d $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = (0, 2) theories, 3-manifolds and toric geometry
Authors: Franco Sebastián , Yu Xingyang
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We introduce and initiate the study of a general class of 2d$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (0, 2) quiver gauge theories, defined in terms of certain 2-dimensional CW complexes on oriented 3-manifolds. We refer to this class of theories as BFT2’s. They are natural generalizations of Brane Brick Models, which capture the gauge theories on D1-branes probing toric Calabi-Yau 4-folds. The dynamics and triality of the gauge theories translate into simple transformations of the underlying CW complexes. We introduce various combinatorial tools for analyzing these theories and investigate their connections to toric Calabi-Yau manifolds, which arise as their master and moduli spaces. Invariance of the moduli space is indeed a powerful criterion for identifying theories in the same triality class. We also investigate the reducibility of these theories.