bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wrist Proprioception in Adults with and without Subacute Stroke
Authors: Young Brittany M. , Yadav Rishika , Rana Shivam , Kim Won-Seok , Liu Camellia , Batth Rajan , Sakthi Shivani , Farahmand Eden , Han Simon , Patel Darshan , Luo Jason , Ramsey Christina , Feldman Marc , Cardoso-Ferreira Isabel , Holl Christina , Nguyen Tiffany , Brinkman Lorie , Su Michael , Chang Tracy Y. , Cramer Steven C.
Published: December 2022

Proprioception is critical to motor control and functional status but has received limited study early after stroke. Patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility for stroke (n = 18, mean(±SD) 12.5 ± 6.6 days from stroke) and older healthy controls (n = 19) completed the Wrist Position Sense Test (WPST), a validated, quantitative measure of wrist proprioception, as well as motor and cognitive testing. Patients were serially tested when available (n = 12, mean 11 days between assessments). In controls, mean(±SD) WPST error was 9.7 ± 3.5° in the dominant wrist and 8.8 ± 3.8° in the nondominant wrist (p = 0.31). In patients with stroke, WPST error was 18.6 ± 9° in the more-affected wrist, with abnormal values present in 88.2%; and 11.5 ± 5.6° in the less-affected wrist, with abnormal values present in 72.2%. Error in the more-affected wrist was higher than in the less-affected wrist (p = 0.003) or in the dominant (p = 0.001) and nondominant (p < 0.001) wrist of controls. Age and BBT performance correlated with dominant hand WPST error in controls. WPST error in either wrist after stroke was not related to age, BBT, MoCA, or Fugl-Meyer scores. WPST error did not significantly change in retested patients. Wrist proprioception deficits are common, bilateral, and persistent in subacute stroke and not explained by cognitive or motor deficits.
Finding a Secure Place in the Home during the First COVID-19 Lockdown: A Pattern-Oriented Analysis
Authors: Martos Tamás , Sallay Viola , Donato Silvia
Published: December 2022

In challenging times, home is frequently the primary basis of environmental self-regulation processes, individual and relational coping, and well-being. This study aimed to identify multiple types of security experiences at home during the first lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. We used data from 757 Hungarian adults who completed the online, modified form of the Emotional Map of the Home Interview method in 2020 after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants imagined their homes, chose the place of security in their homes and rated their personal experiences (i.e., experiences of agency, communion, self-recovery, and distress) related to these places. Latent profile analysis of personal experiences revealed four types of relational-environmental self-regulation in secure places: “security in active self-recovery,” “security in detachment,” “security in doing and feeling good enough,” and “security in stress and compensation.” Profile membership was predicted by age, gender, and indices of psychological support and well-being. Results suggest that finding psychological security in the home is a multifaceted phenomenon that may be partly affected by the perception of the broader social-ecological context. Identifying subpopulations vulnerable to the challenges of the pandemic may help researchers and practitioners provide better support in times of local and global crises.
Axial Compression Behavior of Wall-like Reinforced Concrete Columns Retrofitted Using Different FRP Schemes
Authors: Abbas Husain , Ibrahim S. M. , Al-Hazmi Naif , Elsanadedy Hussein , Almusallam Tarek , Al-Salloum Yousef
Published: December 2022

Experimental and numerical investigations on the retrofitting of half-scale wall-like reinforced concrete (RC) columns were conducted. The axial compressive behavior of the control un-strengthened wall-like RC column (having a section aspect ratio of four) was compared with the strengthened columns. The columns were strengthened by employing external confinement through fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) wraps and/or steel/FRP strips with/without modification of the column cross-section. The characteristics of axial load versus displacement and strain curves were discussed. The experimental results were also compared with the numerical models, which were first validated against the previous studies. A reasonably close agreement was achieved between the numerical and the test results with an error in prediction of less than 10% for the peak load. With the different schemes used for confinement, the enhancement in the load capacity of strengthened columns was in the range of 30–42% of the control column. In addition, significant ductility improvements were seen in schemes that employed the FRP wraps after shape modification.
Estimation of Soil–Structure Model Parameters for the Millikan Library Building Using a Sequential Bayesian Finite Element Model Updating Technique
Authors: Ebrahimian Hamed , Taha Abdelrahman , Ghahari Farid , Asimaki Domniki , Taciroglu Ertugrul
Published: December 2022

We present a finite element model updating technique for soil–structure system identification of the Millikan Library building using the seismic data recorded during the 2002 Yorba Linda earthquake. A detailed finite element (FE) model of the Millikan Library building is developed in OpenSees and updated using a sequential Bayesian estimation approach for joint parameter and input identification. A two-step system identification approach is devised. First, the fixed-base structural model is updated to estimate the structural model parameters (including effective elastic modulus of structural components, distributed floor mass, and Rayleigh damping parameters) and some uncertain components of the foundation-level motion. Then, the identified structural model is used for soil–structure model updating wherein the Rayleigh damping parameters, the stiffness and viscosity of the soil subsystem (modeled using a substructure approach), and the foundation input motions (FIMs) are estimated. The identified model parameters are compared with state-of-practice recommendations. While a specific application is made for the Millikan Library, the present work offers a framework for integrating large-scale FE models with measurement data for model inversion. By utilizing this framework for different civil structures and earthquake records, key structural model parameters can be estimated from the real-world recorded data, which can subsequently be used for assessing and improving, as necessary, state-of-the-art seismic analysis and structural modeling techniques. This paper presents an effort towards using real-world measurements for large-scale FE model updating in the soil and structure, uniform soil time domain for joint parameter and input estimation, and thus paves the way for future applications in system identification, health monitoring, and diagnosis of civil structures.
Effect of Biomass Ash on the Properties and Microstructure of Magnesium Phosphate Cement-Based Materials
Authors: Zhou Shuguang , Shi Ye , Wu Pengtao , Zhang Haiyu , Hui Yuetong , Jin Wei
Published: December 2022

The disposal of biomass ash (BA) will be of great importance for environmental protection and sustainability, and the aim of this study is to analyze the feasibility of the resourceful use of biomass ash in civil engineering materials. The effects of the content and type of biomass ash on the flowability, setting time, compressive strength, flexural strength, bonding strength, and drying shrinkage of magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) mortar were investigated. In addition, the effects of BA on the hydration and microstructure of MPC were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that BA significantly affects the flowability and setting time of MPC mortar. The compressive and flexural strength of MPC mortars decreases with increasing amounts of BA. The drying shrinkage of MPC mortar specimens increases exponentially with the increase of BA content. The incorporation of BA will reduce the bonding strength of the MPC mortar, which is associated with increased drying shrinkage. The incorporation of BA into MPC results in low hydration product generation and poor pore structure. The incorporation of BA into MPC has a significant effect on the microstructure morphology and the hollow columnar-like hydration product may be formed by the reaction of BA with MgO in the paste.
BIM Methodology in Structural Design: A Practical Case of Collaboration, Coordination, and Integration
Authors: Sampaio Alcinia Zita , Sequeira Paulo , Gomes Augusto M. , Sanchez-Lite Alberto
Published: December 2022

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a methodology focused on the centralization and sharing of project information among all experts involved. The use of BIM platforms allows professionals to improve coordination, collaboration, and integration along with the development of all disciplines and tasks required in a complete building project. Currently, the construction industry has witnessed a growing adoption of BIM, mainly caused by the constant technologic achievements, contributing to the improvement of the integration capability of the available software. However, concerning structural design, BIM implementation still presents some difficulties, especially in the interoperability of BIM-based systems. In the present study, a structural design case was considered, using Revit as the modeling software and Robot as the structural system. A bidirectional exchange of information between the two systems was required and the interoperability capacity was evaluated. In the process, the main identified remarks concern the fundamental aspects of information sharing, collaboration, integration, and interoperability. Despite the limitations found, essentially related to the software interoperability, the BIM approach presents significant advantages in a structural project, supported by 3D visualization, model overlapping, easy accessibility to the model database, streamlined coordination, and enhanced collaboration.
Nanoplatform for the Delivery of Topotecan in the Cancer Milieu: An Appraisal of its Therapeutic Efficacy
Authors: Alshammari Mohammed Kanan , Alghazwni Mohammed Khalid , Alharbi Abrar Saleh , Alqurashi Ghayda Ghazi , Kamal Mehnaz , Alnufaie Salman Rahim , Alshammari Salem Sayer , Alshehri Bandar Ali , Tayeb Rami Hatem , Bougeis Rashad Jameel M. , Aljehani Alaa Adel , Alotaibi Nawaf M. , Abida Abida , Imran Mohd.
Published: December 2022

Chemotherapy has been the predominant treatment modality for cancer patients, but its overall performance is still modest. Difficulty in penetration of tumor tissues, a toxic profile in high doses, multidrug resistance in an array of tumor types, and the differential architecture of tumor cells as they grow are some of the bottlenecks associated with the clinical usage of chemotherapeutics. Recent advances in tumor biology understanding and the emergence of novel targeted drug delivery tools leveraging various nanosystems offer hope for developing effective cancer treatments. Topotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor that stabilizes the transient TOPO I-DNA cleavable complex, leading to single-stranded breaks in DNA. Due to its novel mechanism of action, TOPO is reported to be active against various carcinomas, namely small cell lung cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Issues of cross-resistance with numerous drugs, rapid conversion to its inactive form in biological systems, appended adverse effects, and higher water solubility limit its therapeutic efficacy in clinical settings. Topotecan nanoformulations offer several benefits for enhancing the therapeutic action of this significant class of chemotherapeutics. The likelihood that the target cancer cells will be exposed to the chemotherapeutic drug while in the drug-sensitive s-phase is increased due to the slow and sustained release of the chemotherapeutic, which could provide for a sustained duration of exposure of the target cancer cells to the bioavailable drug and result in the desired therapeutic outcome. This article explores nanoenabled active and passive targeting strategies and combinatorial therapy employing topotecan to ameliorate various cancers, along with a glimpse of the clinical studies utilizing the said molecule.
Potent Anticancer Activity of CXCR4-Targeted Nanostructured Toxins in Aggressive Endometrial Cancer Models
Authors: Medina-Gutiérrez Esperanza , García-León Annabel , Gallardo Alberto , Álamo Patricia , Alba-Castellón Lorena , Unzueta Ugutz , Villaverde Antonio , Vázquez Esther , Casanova Isolda , Mangues Ramon
Published: December 2022

Patients with advanced endometrial cancer (EC) show poor outcomes. Thus, the development of new therapeutic approaches to prevent metastasis development in high-risk patients is an unmet need. CXCR4 is overexpressed in EC tumor tissue, epitomizing an unexploited therapeutic target for this malignancy. The in vitro antitumor activity of two CXCR4-targeted nanoparticles, including either the C. diphtheriae (T22-DITOX-H6) or P. aeruginosa (T22-PE24-H6) toxin, was evaluated using viability assays. Apoptotic activation was assessed by DAPI and caspase-3 and PARP cleavage in cell blocks. Both nanotoxins were repeatedly administrated to a subcutaneous EC mouse model, whereas T22-DITOX-H6 was also used in a highly metastatic EC orthotopic model. Tumor burden was assessed through bioluminescence, while metastatic foci and toxicity were studied using histological or immunohistochemical analysis. We found that both nanotoxins exerted a potent antitumor effect both in vitro and in vivo via apoptosis and extended the survival of nanotoxin-treated mice without inducing any off-target toxicity. Repeated T22-DITOX-H6 administration in the metastatic model induced a dramatic reduction in tumor burden while significantly blocking peritoneal, lung and liver metastasis without systemic toxicity. Both nanotoxins, but especially T22-DITOX-H6, represent a promising therapeutic alternative for EC patients that have a dismal prognosis and lack effective therapies.
Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Coupled with Catalysis for Organic Wastewater Treatment: A Review
Authors: Guo He , Su Yingying , Yang Xinyi , Wang Yawen , Li Zhen , Wu Yifeng , Ren Jingyu
Published: December 2022

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma in advanced oxidation technology can degrade organic pollutants in water under mild conditions. It has the advantages of universality, simple reaction conditions, and no secondary pollution. However, the light, electrons, and low-reactive substances generated during the discharge process cannot be fully utilized, which limits the further application of DBD plasma. Therefore, the DBD system coupled with catalysis can not only solve the above problem, but also transforms the low-active substances into high-active substances and improves the degradation rate of organic pollutants. Based on this fact, this review focuses on the characteristics and principles of DBD plasma coupled with photocatalysis, adsorption, Fenton oxidation, persulfate oxidation and composite technology to treat organic wastewater. This review puts forward some problems of DBD synergetic catalysis technology, and looks forward to the future development direction of this technology to treat organic pollutants in water.
Construction of Benzo-Fused Polycyclic Heteroaromatic Compounds through Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular C-H/C-H Biaryl Coupling
Authors: Nishii Yuji , Miura Masahiro
Published: December 2022

Dibenzo-fused five-membered heteroaromatic compounds, including dibenzofuran, carbazole, and dibenzothiophene, are fundamental structural units in various important polycyclic heteroaromatic compounds. The intramolecular C-H/C-H biaryl coupling of diaryl (thio)ethers and amines based on palladium(II) catalysis under oxidative conditions is known to be one of the most effective, step-economic methods for their construction. Representative examples for the construction of structurally intriguing π-extended polycyclic heteroaromatics through catalytic coupling reactions are briefly summarized in this mini-review.
Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Catalyzed C–H Activation for C–O and C–X (X = Halogen, B, P, S, Se) Bond Formation
Authors: Valentini Federica , Piermatti Oriana , Vaccaro Luigi
Published: December 2022

The direct functionalization of an inactivated C–H bond has become an attractive approach to evolve toward step-economy, atom-efficient and environmentally sustainable processes. In this regard, the design and preparation of highly active metal nanoparticles as efficient catalysts for C–H bond activation under mild reaction conditions still continue to be investigated. This review focuses on the functionalization of un-activated C(sp3)–H, C(sp2)–H and C(sp)–H bonds exploiting metal and metal oxide nanoparticles C–H activation for C–O and C–X (X = Halogen, B, P, S, Se) bond formation, resulting in more sustainable access to industrial production.
Single-Cell and CellChat Resolution Identifies Collecting Duct Cell Subsets and Their Communications with Adjacent Cells in PKD Kidneys
Authors: Li Linda Xiaoyan , Zhang Xu , Zhang Hongbing , Agborbesong Ewud , Zhou Julie Xia , Calvet James P. , Li Xiaogang
Published: December 2022

ADPKD is a genetic disorder with a molecular complexity that remains poorly understood. In this study, we sampled renal cells to construct a comprehensive and spatiotemporally resolved gene expression atlas in whole Pkd1 mutant polycystic mouse kidneys at single-cell resolution. We characterized cell diversity and identified novel collecting duct (CD) cell subtypes in cystic kidneys. We further found that CD cells appear to take different cell fate trajectories, and the first and the most important step might take place around day 14 in Pkd1 homozygous kidneys. After that day, increased numbers of CD cells showed highly proliferative and fibrotic characteristics, as detected in later-stage Pkd1 homozygous kidneys, both of which should contribute to cyst growth and renal fibrosis. With a newly developed modeling algorithm, called CellChat Explorer, we identify cell-to-cell communication networks mediated by the ligand receptor, such as MIF-CD44/CD74, in cystic kidneys, and confirm them via the expression patterns of ligands and receptors in four major cell types, which addresses the key question as to whether and how Pkd1 mutant renal epithelial cells affect their neighboring cells. The allele-specific gene expression profiles show that the secretion of cytokines by Pkd1 mutant epithelial cells may affect the gene expression profiles in recipient cells via epigenetic mechanisms, and vice versa. This study can be used to drive precision therapeutic targeting of ADPKD.
An Overview of 10th Anniversary of Cells—Advances in Cell Nuclei: Function, Transport and Receptors
Authors: Miyamoto Hiroshi
Published: December 2022

The year 2021 marked the 10th anniversary of the publication of Cells [...]
Monitoring of Chlorophylls during the Maturation Stage of Plums by Multivariate Calibration of RGB Data from Digital Images
Authors: Domínguez-Manzano Jaime , Monago-Maraña Olga , Muñoz de la Peña Arsenio , Durán-Merás Isabel
Published: December 2022

The methodology developed in this study was based on digital imaging processing of plums harvested in eight different weeks during their ripening process. Mean RGB data, histograms, and matrices of RGB data were used to characterise the ripening stage of the plums, in both qualitative and quantitative approaches, by using classification and quantification chemometric methods. An exploratory analysis of data was performed using principal component analysis (PCA) and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) in RGB histograms and matrices data, respectively, showing differences in the colour features since the fourth week of harvesting. In the case of the quantitative approach, high correlation was achieved between the histogram data, using partial least squares (PLS), and total chlorophyll content. In addition, between three-way matrixes and total chlorophyll content, good correlations were obtained applying unfolded-PLS (U-PLS) and N-way-PLS (N-PLS). The most accurate results were obtained on the green channel. Analytical parameters obtained were good, with determination coefficients (R2) higher than 0.91 for all models in the first and second-order multivariate analysis. In addition, relative errors of prediction (REPs) were lower than 12% in all models for the green channel. Therefore, the proposed method was a satisfactory alternative to destructive physiological and biochemical methods in the determination of total chlorophylls in plum samples. In the routine analysis, first-order multivariate calibration with PLS analysis is a good option due to the simplicity of data processing.
Hierarchical Modelling of Raman Spectroscopic Data Demonstrates the Potential for Manufacturer and Caliber Differentiation of Smokeless Powders
Authors: Khandasammy Shelby R. , Bartlett Nathan R. , Halámková Lenka , Lednev Igor K.
Published: December 2022

Gunshot residue (GSR) is an important type of forensic trace evidence produced when a firearm is discharged. Currently, inorganic GSR particles are used for establishing the fact of shooting. The organic gunshot residue (OGSR) has been recently shown to have great potential for providing additional information vital for the crime scene investigation. Smokeless powder is the precursor to OGSR and one of its chemical components. In this study, Raman spectroscopy and chemometric modeling were used to analyze smokeless powder extracted from ammunition cartridge cases. The proposed hierarchical model demonstrated great potential for determining the manufacture and the bullet type based on the analysis of smokeless powder. Expanding the developed approach to the analysis of OGSR will be needed to make it a useful tool for law enforcement agencies.
Bilateral Congenital Knee Dislocation in Colombia: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Salguero-Sánchez Jefferson Augusto , Sánchez-Duque Santiago Andrés , Lozada-Martínez Ivan David , Liscano Yamil , Díaz-Vallejo Jhony Alejandro
Published: December 2022

Congenital knee dislocation (CKD) is a rare disease with an estimated incidence of 1 per 100,000 live births, characterized by a rare musculoskeletal malformation in genu recurvatum deformity present at birth, affecting one or both lower limbs. The diagnosis may be suspected during ultrasound when observing that the situation of the extremities is not correct, and is confirmed by physical examination at birth, with plain radiography being helpful to establish the degree of severity. At present there are controversies regarding treatment and there is no definitive protocol. We present a new case of CKD, observed in the city of Manizales, diagnosed immediately after birth.
Association of Emotion Regulation and Dispositional Mindfulness in an Adolescent Sample: The Mediational Role of Time Perspective
Authors: Oyanadel Cristián , Núñez Yalín , González-Loyola Melissa , Jofré Ignacio , Peñate Wenceslao
Published: December 2022

This study relates emotional regulation strategies with dispositional mindfulness and the mediating role of time perspective. It is based on the fact that one of the mechanisms of mindfulness consists in providing protective emotional regulation strategies. At the same time, a direct relationship between dispositional mindfulness and time perspective has been observed. To do this, a representative sample of 320 Chilean adolescents from the city of Talcahuano, whose age ranged between 14 and 17 years old, and who were attending high school, was evaluated. The Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire were applied. Regression analysis results verified the close relationship between emotional regulation and dispositional mindfulness (R2 = 0.54), as well as with the factors of time perspective (R2 = 0.41), explaining, between both of them, 60% of the variance of difficulties in emotional regulation. The possible mediational role of time perspective between dispositional mindfulness and emotional regulation is established.
A Southeastern United States Warm Season Precipitation Climatology Using Unsupervised Learning
Authors: Mercer Andrew , Dyer Jamie
Published: December 2022

Agriculture in the southeastern United States (SEUS) is heavily reliant upon water resources provided by precipitation during the warm season (June–August). The convective and stochastic nature of SEUS warm season precipitation introduces challenges in terms of water availability in the region by creating localized maxima and minima. Clearly, a detailed and updated warm season precipitation climatology for the SEUS is important for end users reliant on these water resources. As such, a nonlinear unsupervised learning method (kernel principal component analysis blended with cluster analysis) was used to develop a NARR-derived SEUS warm season precipitation climatology. Three clusters resulted from the analysis, all of which strongly resembled the mean spatially (r > 0.9) but had widely variable precipitation magnitude, as one cluster denoted a mean pattern, one a dry pattern, and one a wet pattern. The clusters were related back to major SEUS warm season precipitation moderators (tropical cyclone landfall and the El Niño–southern oscillation (ENSO)) and revealed a clearer ENSO relationship when discriminating among the cluster patterns. Ultimately, these updated SEUS precipitation patterns can help end users identify areas of notable sensitivity to different climate phenomena, helping to optimize the economic use of these critical water resources.
Differences in Preoperative Health-Related Quality of Life between Women Receiving Mastectomy or Breast Conserving Surgery in a Prospectively Recruited Cohort of Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: McKevitt Elaine , Saleeb Maria , Liu Guiping , Warburton Rebecca , Pao Jin-Si , Dingee Carol , Bazzarelli Amy , Tang Katelynn , Crump Trafford , Sutherland Jason M.
Published: December 2022

As rates of total mastectomy rise, the relationships between surgery modality with domains of health-related quality of life is not well understood. This study reports differences in depression, anxiety, pain, and health status among a cohort of women scheduled to receive total mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. Patient-reported outcomes measured preoperative differences between patients receiving total mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery in a cross-sectional design. Regression analyses was used to model health outcomes and adjust for patient demographics on patient measures. Participants scheduled for total mastectomy were more likely to report more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety. This association was non-significant after adjusting for demographic differences. Younger participants were more likely to be scheduled for total mastectomy. Age was negatively associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Screening patients for mental health symptoms may be particularly important among younger patients who were more likely to report depression and anxiety before their surgery and were more likely to receive total mastectomy.
Combining Molecular Subtypes with Multivariable Clinical Models Has the Potential to Improve Prediction of Treatment Outcomes in Prostate Cancer at Diagnosis
Authors: Wardale Lewis , Cardenas Ryan , Gnanapragasam Vincent J. , Cooper Colin S. , Clark Jeremy , Brewer Daniel S.
Published: December 2022

Clinical management of prostate cancer is challenging because of its highly variable natural history and so there is a need for improved predictors of outcome in non-metastatic men at the time of diagnosis. In this study we calculated the model score from the leading clinical multivariable model, PREDICT prostate, and the poor prognosis DESNT molecular subtype, in a combined expression and clinical dataset that were taken from malignant tissue at prostatectomy (n = 359). Both PREDICT score (p < 0.0001, IQR HR = 1.59) and DESNT score (p < 0.0001, IQR HR = 2.08) were significant predictors for time to biochemical recurrence. A joint model combining the continuous PREDICT and DESNT score (p < 0.0001, IQR HR = 1.53 and 1.79, respectively) produced a significantly improved predictor than either model alone (p < 0.001). An increased probability of mortality after diagnosis, as estimated by PREDICT, was characterised by upregulation of cell-cycle related pathways and the downregulation of metabolism and cholesterol biosynthesis. The DESNT molecular subtype has distinct biological characteristics to those associated with the PREDICT model. We conclude that the inclusion of biological information alongside current clinical prognostic tools has the potential to improve the ability to choose the optimal treatment pathway for a patient.
The Effect of Sampling Bias on Evaluating the Diversity and Distribution Patterns of Iranian Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae)
Authors: Zamani Alireza , Vahtera Varpu , Sääksjärvi Ilari E. , Carvalho Leonardo S.
Published: December 2022

Although spiders constitute a highly diversified group of animals, the knowledge regarding their geographic distribution (i.e., the so-called Wallacean shortfall) and diversity patterns is incipient on a global scale; while attempts to explore such patterns have been made for the highly diversified Neotropical fauna, several Old World regions are historically neglected. Aiming to close this gap, the present study provides the most comprehensive review of spatial variation in the diversity patterns of the spider fauna of Iran. We also examined the effects of sampling biases on the results. We gathered a database with 4434 non-duplicate records of 935 species of spiders from Iran, 215 of which are currently considered endemic to the country. We showed that, despite a significant improvement in state-of-the-art taxonomic research regarding this fauna in the past 20 years, the Iranian spider fauna suffers from a highly uneven distribution of records throughout the country and its ecoregions. Additionally, highly sampled areas are typically near large cities. We also found a high correlation between the number of records and species of spiders and the number of records of plants and other animals in Iran, suggesting that the biodiversity shortfalls herein described for spiders are corroborated by other taxa. The biases reported herein are likely to be observed for other countries, as the area alone explained only 33.24% of the spider species richness among 171 compared countries. We hope that the present study stimulates further sampling and research aiming to explore this fauna and the underlying biological processes related to its patterns of diversity and distribution.
Prospective Evaluation of Ultrasound in a Novel Position with MRI Virtual Navigation for MRI-Detected Only Breast Lesions: A Pilot Study of a More Efficient and Economical Method
Authors: Qi Ruixiang , Fang Jianhua , Zhu Luoxi , Shan Yanna , Wang Wei , Xu Chenke , Bao Lingyun
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of ultrasound (US) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) virtual navigation in a novel prone position for MRI-detected incidental breast lesions. Between June 2016 and June 2020, 30 consecutive patients with 33 additional Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4 or 5 lesions that were detected on MRI but occult on second-look US were enrolled in the study. All suspicious lesions were located in real-time US using MRI virtual navigation in the prone position and then followed by US-guided biopsy or surgical excision. Pathological results were taken as the standard of reference. The detection rate of US with MRI virtual navigation was calculated. The MRI features and pathological types of these lesions were analyzed. A total of 31 lesions were successfully located with real-time US with MRI virtual navigation and then US-guided biopsy or localization, and the detection rate was 93.9% (31/33). Twenty-seven (87.1%, 27/31) proved to be benign lesions and four (12.9%, 4/31) were malignant lesions at pathology. Of the 33 MRI-detected lesions, 31 (93.9%, 31/33) were non-mass enhancements and two (6.1%, 2/33) were masses. This study showed that real-time US with prone MRI virtual navigation is a novel efficient and economical method to improve the detection and US-guided biopsy rate of breast lesions that are detected solely on MRI.
A Hybrid System of Braden Scale and Machine Learning to Predict Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries (Bedsores): A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Dweekat Odai Y. , Lam Sarah S. , McGrath Lindsay
Published: December 2022

Background: The Braden Scale is commonly used to determine Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries (HAPI). However, the volume of patients who are identified as being at risk stretches already limited resources, and caregivers are limited by the number of factors that can reasonably assess during patient care. In the last decade, machine learning techniques have been used to predict HAPI by utilizing related risk factors. Nevertheless, none of these studies consider the change in patient status from admission until discharge. Objectives: To develop an integrated system of Braden and machine learning to predict HAPI and assist with resource allocation for early interventions. The proposed approach captures the change in patients’ risk by assessing factors three times across hospitalization. Design: Retrospective observational cohort study. Setting(s): This research was conducted at ChristianaCare hospital in Delaware, United States. Participants: Patients discharged between May 2020 and February 2022. Patients with HAPI were identified from Nursing documents (N = 15,889). Methods: Support Vector Machine (SVM) was adopted to predict patients’ risk for developing HAPI using multiple risk factors in addition to Braden. Multiple performance metrics were used to compare the results of the integrated system versus Braden alone. Results: The HAPI rate is 3%. The integrated system achieved better sensitivity (74.29 ± 1.23) and detection prevalence (24.27 ± 0.16) than the Braden scale alone (sensitivity (66.90 ± 4.66) and detection prevalence (41.96 ± 1.35)). The most important risk factors to predict HAPI were Braden sub-factors, overall Braden, visiting ICU during hospitalization, and Glasgow coma score. Conclusions: The integrated system which combines SVM with Braden offers better performance than Braden and reduces the number of patients identified as at-risk. Furthermore, it allows for better allocation of resources to high-risk patients. It will result in cost savings and better utilization of resources. Relevance to clinical practice: The developed model provides an automated system to predict HAPI patients in real time and allows for ongoing intervention for patients identified as at-risk. Moreover, the integrated system is used to determine the number of nurses needed for early interventions. Reporting Method: EQUATOR guidelines (TRIPOD) were adopted in this research to develop the prediction model. Patient or Public Contribution: This research was based on a secondary analysis of patients’ Electronic Health Records. The dataset was de-identified and patient identifiers were removed before processing and modeling.
Establishing Normative Values to Determine the Prevalence of Biochemical Hyperandrogenism in Premenopausal Women of Different Ethnicities from Eastern Siberia
Authors: Suturina Larisa , Lizneva Daria , Atalyan Alina , Lazareva Ludmila , Belskikh Aleksey , Bairova Tatyana , Sholokhov Leonid , Rashidova Maria , Danusevich Irina , Nadeliaeva Iana , Belenkaya Lilia , Darzhaev Zorikto , Sharifulin Eldar , Belkova Natalia , Igumnov Ilia , Trofimova Tatyana , Khomyakova Anastasiya , Ievleva Kseniia , Babaeva Natalia , Egorova Irina , Salimova Madinabonu , Yildiz Bulent O. , Legro Richard S. , Stanczyk Frank Z. , Azziz Ricardo
Published: December 2022

Androgen assessment is a key element for diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and defining a “normal” level of circulating androgens is critical for epidemiological studies. We determined the upper normal limits (UNLs) for androgens in a population-based group of premenopausal “healthy control” women, overall and by ethnicity (Caucasian and Asian), in the cross-sectional Eastern Siberia PCOS Epidemiology and Phenotype (ESPEP) Study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05194384) conducted in 2016–2019. Overall, we identified a “healthy control” group consisting of 143 healthy premenopausal women without menstrual dysfunction, hirsutism, polycystic ovaries, or medical disorders. We analyzed serum total testosterone (TT) by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and DHEAS, sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), TSH, prolactin, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) were assessed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The UNLs for the entire population for the TT, free androgen index (FAI), and DHEAS were determined as the 98th percentiles in healthy controls as follows: 67.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 48.1, 76.5) ng/dl, 5.4 (3.5, 14.0), and 355 (289, 371) μg/dl, respectively. The study results demonstrated that the UNLs for TT and FAI varied by ethnicity, whereas the DHEAS UNLs were comparable in the ethnicities studied.
Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Elective Induction of Labor at 39 or More Weeks: A Prospective, Observational Study
Authors: Lee Soobin , Cha Dong Hyun , Park Cho Won , Kim Eui Hyeok
Published: December 2022

The purpose of our study is to compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes of induction of labor (IOL) versus expectant management at 39 weeks of gestation. We conducted a single-centered, prospective, observational study of nulliparous singleton women at 39 weeks or more. We compared the maternal and perinatal outcomes. Of 408 nulliparous women, 132 women were IOL group and 276 women were expectant management group. IOL and expectant group had similar cesarean delivery rate (18.2% vs. 15.9%, p = 0.570). The delivery time from admission was longer in IOL group (834 ± 527 vs. 717 ± 469 min, p = 0.040). The IOL group was less likely to have Apgar score at 5 min < 7 than in expectant group (0.8% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.023). Multivariate analysis showed that IOL at 39 weeks was not an independent risk factor for cesarean delivery (relative risk 0.64, 95% confidence interval: 0.28–1.45, p = 0.280). Maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes, including cesarean delivery rate, were similar to women in IOL at 39 weeks of gestation compared to expectant management in nulliparous women. IOL at 39 weeks of gestation could be recommended even when the indication of IOL is not definite.
Update on the Diagnosis of Behçet’s Disease
Authors: Alibaz-Oner Fatma , Direskeneli Haner
Published: December 2022

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disease with unknown etiology. It is characterized by recurrent mucocutaneous lesions and major organ disease such as ocular, neurologic, vascular, and gastrointestinal manifestations. The diagnosis of BD is mainly based on clinical manifestations after ruling out other potential causes. There are no specific laboratory, histopathologic, or genetic findings for the diagnosis of BD. The International Study Group (ISG) criteria set is still the most widely used set for the diagnosis. The main limitation of this criteria set is the lack of major organ manifestations such as vascular, neurologic, and gastrointestinal involvement. The ICBD 2014 criteria are more sensitive, especially in early disease. However, patients with such as spondyloarthritis can easily meet this criteria set, causing overdiagnosis. Diagnosing BD can be a big challenge in daily practice, especially in patients presenting with only major organ involvement such as posterior uveitis, neurologic, vascular, and gastrointestinal findings with or without oral ulcers. These patients do not meet ISG criteria and can be diagnosed with “expert opinion” in countries with high BD prevalence. The pathergy test is the only diagnostic test used as diagnostic or classification criteria for BD. Our recent studies showed that common femoral vein (CFV) thickness measurement can be a valuable, practical, and cheap diagnostic tool for BD with sensitivity and specificities higher than 80% for the cut-off value of 0.5 mm. However, the diagnostic accuracy of CFV measurement should be investigated in other disease groups in the differential diagnosis of BD and in also different ethnic populations.
Decomposition–Coordination of Double-Layer MPC for Constrained Systems
Authors: Wang Hongrui , Zhang Pengbin , Yang Zhijia , Zou Tao
Published: December 2022

Large-scale industrial processes usually adopt centralized control and optimization methods. However, with the growth of the scale of industrial processes leading to increasing computational complexity, the online optimization capability of the double-layer model predictive control algorithm is challenged, exacerbating the difficulty of the widespread implementation of this algorithm in the industry. This paper proposes a distributed double-layer model predictive control algorithm based on dual decomposition for multivariate constrained systems to reduce the computational complexity of process control. Firstly, to solve the problem that the original dual decomposition method does not apply to constrained systems, two improved dual decomposition model prediction control methods are proposed: the dual decomposition method based on the quadratic programming in the subsystem and the dual decomposition method based on constraint zones, respectively. It is proved that the latter will certainly converge to the constraint boundaries with appropriate convergence factors for the controlled variables. The online optimization ability of the proposed two methods is compared in discussion and simulation, concluding that the dual decomposition method based on the constraint zones exhibits superior online optimization ability. Further, a distributed double-layer model predictive control algorithm with dual decomposition based on constraint zones is proposed. Different from the objective function of the original dual decomposition model predictive control, the proposed algorithm’s dynamic control-layer objective function simultaneously tracks the steady-state optimization values of the controlled and manipulated variables, giving the optimal solution formulation of the optimization problem consisting of this objective function and the constraints. The algorithm proposed in this paper achieves the control goals while significantly reducing the computational complexity and has research significance for promoting the industrial implementation of double-layer model predictive control.
Fast Adiabatic Control of an Optomechanical Cavity
Authors: Del Grosso Nicolás F. , Lombardo Fernando C. , Mazzitelli Francisco D. , Villar Paula I.
Published: December 2022

The development of quantum technologies present important challenges such as the need for fast and precise protocols for implementing quantum operations. Shortcuts to adiabaticity (STAs) are a powerful tool for achieving these goals, as they enable us to perform an exactly adiabatic evolution in finite time. In this paper, we present a shortcut to adiabaticity for the control of an optomechanical cavity with two moving mirrors. Given reference trajectories for the mirrors, we find analytical expressions that give us effective trajectories which implement an STA for the quantum field inside the cavity. We then solve these equations numerically for different reference protocols, such as expansions, contractions and rigid motions, thus confirming the successful implementation of the STA and finding some general features of these effective trajectories.
Reconstruction of the Temporal Correlation Network of All-Cause Mortality Fluctuation across Italian Regions: The Importance of Temperature and Among-Nodes Flux
Authors: Gigante Guido , Giuliani Alessandro
Published: December 2022

All-cause mortality is a very coarse grain, albeit very reliable, index to check the health implications of lifestyle determinants, systemic threats and socio-demographic factors. In this work, we adopt a statistical-mechanics approach to the analysis of temporal fluctuations of all-cause mortality, focusing on the correlation structure of this index across different regions of Italy. The correlation network among the 20 Italian regions was reconstructed using temperature oscillations and traveller flux (as a function of distance and region’s attractiveness, based on GDP), allowing for a separation between infective and non-infective death causes. The proposed approach allows monitoring of emerging systemic threats in terms of anomalies of correlation network structure.
Entropy Algorithms Using Deep Learning for Signal Processing
Authors: Jeon Gwanggil
Published: December 2022

Image and video processing operatons are significant in our life as most electronic devices, such as PCs and mobiles, are all developed by signal processing [...]
Detecting Fraudulent Financial Reporting Using the Fraud Hexagon Model: Evidence from the Banking Sector in Indonesia
Authors: Achmad Tarmizi , Ghozali Imam , Helmina Monica Rahardian Ary , Hapsari Dian Indriana , Pamungkas Imang Dapit
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential for fraudulent financial reporting using the fraud hexagon theory factors such as stimulus (financial target, financial stability, and external pressure), capability (change in director), collusion (total board of commissioners who have multiple positions), opportunity (ineffective monitoring), rationalization (auditor switching), and arrogance (frequency of the number of photos of the chief executive officer (CEO) in the annual financial statements) affect fraudulent financial reporting. The sample of this study comprises banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in 2017–2021, with a total sample of 215 and data processing using SPSS 25 software. The results of this study indicate that external pressure and arrogance affect fraudulent financial reporting. However, financial targets, financial stability, ineffective monitoring, auditor switching, change in director, and collusion do not affect fraudulent financial reporting. Therefore, for a company to have a system for preventing the occurrence of embezzlement, the company has to create a system of detection, monitoring, and systems review policies in the field of human resources (HR).
The Role of Audit Committee Characteristics and I.C. Performance on I.C. Disclosure: Evidence from the Indonesian Banking Sector
Authors: Mawardi Wisnu , Muharam Harjum , Haryanto Mulyo
Published: December 2022

This study aims to analyze the influence of audit committee characteristics and intellectual capital performance on intellectual capital disclosure. Characteristics of the audit used in this research are the size of the audit committee, the Number of audit committee meetings, and the financial expertise of the audit committee. The population in this study is a financial services company listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2019–2021 and collected a sample of 91 companies using the purposive sampling technique. The analysis method used in this research is multiple linear regression using the software SPSS 20. The test result of this study shows that an audit committee or several audit committees positively affect intellectual capital disclosure. However, at the same time, the financial expertise of the audit committee and intellectual capital performance does not affect intellectual capital disclosure.