bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Measurement of the Range of Motion Using Multi-camera Learning Approaches
Authors: Noh Giseop , Ahn Juyoung , Jeoung Bogja
Published: September 2023

Measuring the range of motion (ROM) is one of the important tasks in medical or healthcare sectors. However, person-to-person measurement is time-consuming and requires resources. In this paper, we propose an approach to estimate ROM using machine learning algorithm equipped with computer vision technology based on data-driven experiments. We describe the setup to gather experimental dataset to learn the angle of human joints in 2D space. From the extensive experiments and multi-linear regression learning approach, our method can reduce estimation error by 11.1% in average. We draw conclusions that machine learning-based, data-driven approaches could predict ROM better than using vision camera only.
Towards a Personalized Business Services Recommendation System Dedicated to Preventing Frailty in Elderly People
Authors: Frikha Ghassen , Lorca Xavier , Pingaud Hervé , Bortolaso Christophe , Borgiel Katarzyna , Lamine Elyes
Published: September 2023

Frailty is a clinical syndrome associated with ageing that characterizes an intermediate state between robust health and loss of autonomy. To preserve the abilities of older adults and prevent dependency, it is important to identify and evaluate their frailty. This approach is part of a dependency prevention strategy, based on a thorough understanding of their medical, social, and living environment. This understanding is usually acquired through significant data collection using standardized evaluation surveys. The obtained data is then analyzed to provide personalized recommendations for the beneficiaries’ lifestyles. Our article presents the concept of frailty and a personalized recommendation system aimed at helping citizens prevent frailty. This system uses an innovative self-assessment approach designed for older adults, without necessarily involving healthcare professionals.
Situation-Aware Framework for Energy Saving in Unattended Activities of Daily Living in Smart Home Environments
Authors: Oyeleke Richard O. , Parekh Pranav , DiCuffa Sophia , Quinlan Andrew
Published: September 2023

Activities of daily living (ADLs) are basic self-care tasks that are necessary for independent living. It is also used to assess aging adults’ functional ability. As people age, they experience impaired awareness, which affects their reasoning, cognitive ability, and consequently impedes their ability to manage or supervise ADLs successfully. Impaired awareness has a potential economic impact on aging adults. For example, recent studies have shown that aging adults with impaired awareness use more energy in homes due to deviation from normal execution of ADLs. This often results in incompletely executed ADLs which are left unattended or unsupervised. Unsupervised ADLs involving appliances with high wattage ratings (e.g., TV, air conditioner) can lead to an increase in the cost of home energy services used by aging adults who desire to age-in-place. Thus, in this paper, we propose a situation-aware framework that leverages a smart home resident's context information with respect to unattended ADLs in mitigating increased energy consumptions in smart home environments.
Drug Intervention Follow up with Internet of Things: A Case Study
Authors: Ahmed Hassan M. , Maraoui Souhail , Abdulrazak Bessam , Cossette Benoît , Blanchet F. Guillaume
Published: September 2023

Advancements on the Internet of Things (IoT) have enabled the development of advanced monitoring systems that can track human behavior and vital signs in real-time, which can have a real impact in the way healthcare is provided. This paper presents a system implementation to monitor and analyze a subject's behavior changes over time using IoT, with the objective of detecting the impact of an inhibitor drug on the subject's activity levels. In this research we present a case study by which we showed it is possible to follow the effect of an anticholinergic drug by means of an unobtrusive IoT system. We have monitored the physical activity of a subject in his residence for seven consecutive months to study the effect of the inhibiting drug doses introduced at three known specific timestamps. Following, we compared our detection results for the subject’s physical activity change timestamps with the medical staff medication doses timestamps. Our results show that we can detect the physical activity change at close timestamps compared to those indicated by the medical staff.
Replay to Remember: Continual Layer-Specific Fine-Tuning for German Speech Recognition
Authors: Pekarek Rosin Theresa , Wermter Stefan
Published: September 2023

While Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) models have shown significant advances with the introduction of unsupervised or self-supervised training techniques, these improvements are still only limited to a subsection of languages and speakers. Transfer learning enables the adaptation of large-scale multilingual models to not only low-resource languages but also to more specific speaker groups. However, fine-tuning on data from new domains is usually accompanied by a decrease in performance on the original domain. Therefore, in our experiments, we examine how well the performance of large-scale ASR models can be approximated for smaller domains, with our own dataset of German Senior Voice Commands (SVC-de), and how much of the general speech recognition performance can be preserved by selectively freezing parts of the model during training. To further increase the robustness of the ASR model to vocabulary and speakers outside of the fine-tuned domain, we apply Experience Replay [20] for continual learning. By adding only a fraction of data from the original domain, we are able to reach Word-Error-Rates (WERs) below 5% on the new domain, while stabilizing performance for general speech recognition at acceptable WERs.
CycleIK: Neuro-inspired Inverse Kinematics
Authors: Habekost Jan-Gerrit , Strahl Erik , Allgeuer Philipp , Kerzel Matthias , Wermter Stefan
Published: September 2023

The paper introduces CycleIK, a neuro-robotic approach that wraps two novel neuro-inspired methods for the inverse kinematics (IK) task—a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), and a Multi-Layer Perceptron architecture. These methods can be used in a standalone fashion, but we also show how embedding these into a hybrid neuro-genetic IK pipeline allows for further optimization via sequential least-squares programming (SLSQP) or a genetic algorithm (GA). The models are trained and tested on dense datasets that were collected from random robot configurations of the new Neuro-Inspired COLlaborator (NICOL), a semi-humanoid robot with two redundant 8-DoF manipulators. We utilize the weighted multi-objective function from the state-of-the-art BioIK method to support the training process and our hybrid neuro-genetic architecture. We show that the neural models can compete with state-of-the-art IK approaches, which allows for deployment directly to robotic hardware. Additionally, it is shown that the incorporation of the genetic algorithm improves the precision while simultaneously reducing the overall runtime.
Neural Field Conditioning Strategies for 2D Semantic Segmentation
Authors: Gromniak Martin , Magg Sven , Wermter Stefan
Published: September 2023

Neural fields are neural networks which map coordinates to a desired signal. When a neural field should jointly model multiple signals, and not memorize only one, it needs to be conditioned on a latent code which describes the signal at hand. Despite being an important aspect, there has been little research on conditioning strategies for neural fields. In this work, we explore the use of neural fields as decoders for 2D semantic segmentation. For this task, we compare three conditioning methods, simple concatenation of the latent code, Feature-wise Linear Modulation (FiLM), and Cross-Attention, in conjunction with latent codes which either describe the full image or only a local region of the image. Our results show a considerable difference in performance between the examined conditioning strategies. Furthermore, we show that conditioning via Cross-Attention achieves the best results and is competitive with a CNN-based decoder for semantic segmentation.
Musculoskeletal System (Non-Oncologic Indications)
Authors: Gnanasegaran Gopinath , Usmani Sharjeel , Nadel Helen
Published: September 2023

Radionuclide pediatric bone scintigraphy is a useful modality to assess benign diseases of the skeleton. Bone scintigraphy has high sensitivity in assessing bone metabolism in children. Bone scintigraphy is most commonly performed with 99mTc-labelled bisphosphonate SPECT agents and less commonly with 18F-NaFluoride (NaF), a bone-seeking PET tracer with similar biodistribution. The lower protein binding in the blood of NaF results in its more rapid first-pass extraction and faster soft tissue clearance, allowing early image acquisition. Accurate interpretation of bone images is often challenging and requires adequate training and knowledge of pathophysiology to recognize normal variants, patterns, and pitfalls. In general, bone scintigraphy is best interpreted in conjunction with available clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data. In addition, there have been significant advances in hybrid imaging technology such as SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and PET/MRI over the years which have improved accurate localization, and characterization of benign and malignant bone lesions in children.
Central Nervous System: The Brain and Cerebro-Spinal Fluid
Authors: Biassoni Lorenzo , Nadel Helen , Bar-Sever Zvi
Published: September 2023

Nuclear medicine studies of the central nervous system provide unique information on cerebral perfusion and metabolism and the physiology of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) fluid. Diagnosis of brain death is based on clinical findings indicating a complete lack of function of the entire brain. Mandatory additional studies supporting the clinical suspicion are required by most countries, such as electroencephalography (EEG), brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA), transcranial Doppler, and brain scintigraphy. Brain scans following the administration of perfusion agents are considered to represent the most objective assessment tool. FDG PET and possibly ictal-interictal cerebral perfusion SPECT studies are used to identify an epileptogenic focus in drug-resistant epilepsy. The main indication is in patients with likely unifocal seizures at semiology and EEG, and a negative brain MRI, or with MRI findings not corresponding to clinical signs and symptoms and to EEG findings. CSF shunt patency studies involve injection of a radiopharmaceutical into the reservoir of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in children with hydrocephalus. The study shows the transit of labelled CSF through the shunt and may detect shunt obstructions. Radionuclide molecular imaging studies on brain tumors are rare and mainly part of research projects and are not performed in routine clinical settings and therefore will not be dealt with in this section.
Thyroid
Authors: Shulkin Barry , Pascual Thomas Neil
Published: September 2023

Thyroid imaging, one of the earliest scanning tests, is used in children to determine the cause of congenital and acquired thyroid diseases. It should be interpreted in conjunction with the patient’s clinical picture, thyroid function tests, history of medication and diet, physical examination, thyroid function tests, and ultrasound. Congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) is usually detected on newborn screening. Ectopic thyroid and thyroid aplasia may result in hypothyroidism requiring lifelong hormone replacement therapy. In the presence of a normally positioned, fully developed thyroid, CHT can be transient. Evaluation of acquired benign thyroid disease in children is occasionally supplemented by radioactive iodine uptake tests and can be an aid in therapeutic decisions. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy in children and represents up to 2% of all cancers diagnosed by the age of 20 years, more common in teenagers. It is diagnosed in 25% of thyroid nodules in children, as compared to 10–15% in adults. Children with thyroid cancer present with more advanced disease than adults, including multifocal primary and a higher incidence of regional and distant metastases. Cervical lymph node metastases are diagnosed in 50% and lung metastases in 20% of cases. 131I, a suboptimal agent for imaging, has been largely replaced by 123I and 99mTc-pertechnetate. 131I is at present used mainly for therapeutic purposes in hyperthyroidism, ablation of thyroid remnants following thyroidectomy, and for treatment of thyroid cancer.
Background Independence and the Adler–Bardeen Theorem
Authors: Zahn Jochen
Published: September 2023

We prove that for renormalizable Yang–Mills gauge theory with arbitrary compact gauge group (of at most a single abelian factor) and matter coupling, the absence of gauge anomalies can be established at the one-loop level. This proceeds by relating the gauge anomaly to perturbative agreement, which formalizes background independence.
Simulation of the mortality after different ex ante (secondary) and ex post (tertiary) triage methods in people with disabilities and pre-existing diseases
Authors: Garber Sara , Brunner Jens O. , Heller Axel R. , Marckmann Georg , Bartenschlager Christina C.
Published: September 2023

The significant increase in patients during the COVID-19 pandemic presented the healthcare system with a variety of challenges. The intensive care unit is one of the areas particularly affected in this context. Only through extensive infection control measures as well as an enormous logistical effort was it possible to treat all patients requiring intensive care in Germany even during peak phases of the pandemic, and to prevent triage even in regions with high patient pressure and simultaneously low capacities. Regarding pandemic preparedness, the German Parliament passed a law on triage that explicitly prohibits ex post (tertiary) triage. In ex post triage, patients who are already being treated are included in the triage decision and treatment capacities are allocated according to the individual likelihood of success. Legal, ethical, and social considerations for triage in pandemics can be found in the literature, but there is no quantitative assessment with respect to different patient groups in the intensive care unit. This study addressed this gap and applied a simulation-based evaluation of ex ante (primary) and ex post triage policies in consideration of survival probabilities, impairments, and pre-existing conditions. The results show that application of ex post triage based on survival probabilities leads to a reduction in mortality in the intensive care unit for all patient groups. In the scenario close to a real-world situation, considering different impaired and prediseased patient groups, a reduction in mortality of approximately 15% was already achieved by applying ex post triage on the first day. This mortality-reducing effect of ex post triage is further enhanced as the number of patients requiring intensive care increases.
The Importance of Perceived Barriers to Women Entering and Advancing in Orthopaedic Surgery in the US and Beyond
Authors: Xu Amy L. , Humbyrd Casey J. , De Mattos Camila Bedeschi Rego , LaPorte Dawn
Published: September 2023

Background

Global perceptions of barriers to women in orthopaedics have not been assessed. The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of international barriers to women entering and advancing within orthopaedic surgery.

Methods

An anonymous, online survey was distributed to women medical students, trainees, and practicing surgeons via Women in Orthopaedics Worldwide, the “Women in Ortho” Facebook page, and individual programmes. Participants were asked to rate perceived barriers to (1) pursuing training and (2) career advancement on a scale of 1–5, with 5 being the most important and relative to other barriers. Descriptive statistics and univariate analyses were employed.

Results

The survey yielded 237 US (84.0%) and 45 international (16.0%) respondents. Per entering orthopaedic surgery, the most important barriers were male‐dominated culture, lack of a strong women mentor, and lack of female representation at home institution. Compared with the US surgeons/trainees, international respondents cited greater societal disapproval (2.8 ± 1.2 vs. 3.4 ± 1.3, P = 0.01). Medical students assigned less importance to lack of exposure, more to lack of resources for creating competitive applications (P < 0.05). Regarding career advancement, lack of women leadership, family responsibilities, and gender‐biased selection for promotion were the most important. International surgeons/trainees noted greater concern for societal disapproval (3.5 ± 1.5 vs. 2.6 ± 1.3, P = 0.003) and were more likely to rank sexual harassment in their top three (17.6 vs. 4.2%, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

While notable differences exist, there is striking similarity across countries and position levels in perceived barriers to women entering and advancing in orthopaedic surgery.

Level of evidence: III.
Assessing the Utility of Multiplexed Polymerase Chain Reaction in Detecting Microorganisms Causing Infections in Critically ill Patients
Authors: Garrido Pedro , Gabaldó-Barrios Xavier , Pujol-Bajador Isabel , Fernández Luis , Ballester Frederic , Garrido Raquel , Cueto Pitter , Camps Jordi , Vallverdú Immaculada
Published: September 2023

Early sepsis diagnosis is crucial for implementing adequate antibiotic therapy and for patient survival. This study investigated whether using multiplexed PCR for detecting microorganisms in critical septic patients affects initial antibiotic treatment and compared it to microbiological culture. It also explored scenarios where PCR is more effective in clinical practice. One hundred nineteen specimens (83 blood and 36 respiratory specimens) belonging to 93 patients were analyzed. Multiplexed PCR determinations were performed using the FA-BCID Panel (bioMérieux) for blood samples and the FA-Pneumo for respiratory samples. The mean turnaround times were 1.7 h for the FA-BCID and 1.5h for the FA-Pneumo. Conversely, they were 96.1 h for blood cultures and 72.3 h for respiratory cultures. FA-BCID showed a mean sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 100%. FA-Pneumo showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 90%. However, the positive predictive value was only 39%. Discrepancies were common in polymicrobial samples. Based on the PCR results, initial empirical treatment should have been changed in 71% of patients with bloodstream infections and 61% with respiratory infections. We conclude that multiplexed PCR improves the response time in identifying germs with a high degree of coincidence for blood cultures and moderate for respiratory cultures. These results highlight the importance of PCR in choosing an appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Effect of sacubitril/valsartan on cardiac remodeling compared with other renin–angiotensin system inhibitors: a difference-in-difference analysis of propensity-score matched samples
Authors: Carluccio Erberto , Dini Frank L. , Correale Michele , Dattilo Giuseppe , Ciccarelli Michele , Vannuccini Francesca , Sforna Stefano , Pacileo Giuseppe , Masarone Daniele , Scelsi Laura , Ghio Stefano , Tocchetti Carlo Gabriele , Mercurio Valentina , Brunetti Natale Daniele , Nodari Savina , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Palazzuoli Alberto ,   on behalf of the Working Group on Heart Failure of the Italian Society of Cardiology
Published: September 2023

Background

In patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), treatment with sacubitril–valsartan (S/V) may reverse left ventricular remodeling (rLVR). Whether this effect is superior to that induced by other renin–angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors is not well known.

Methods

HFrEF patients treated with S/V (n = 795) were compared, by propensity score matching, with a historical cohort of 831 HFrEF patients (non-S/V group) treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (RAS inhibitors). All patients were also treated with beta-blockers and shared the same protocol with repeat echocardiogram 8–12 months after starting therapy. The difference-in-difference (DiD) analysis was used to evaluate the impact of S/V on CR indices between the two groups.

Results

After propensity score matching, compared to non-S/V group (n = 354), S/V group (n = 354) showed a relative greater reduction in end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index (ESVI), and greater increase in ejection fraction (DiD estimator =  + 5.42 mL/m2, P = 0.0005; + 4.68 mL/m2, P = 0.0009, and + 1.76%, P = 0.002, respectively). Reverse LVR (reduction in ESVI ≥ 15% from baseline) was more prevalent in S/V than in non-S/V group (34% vs 26%, P = 0.017), while adverse LVR (aLVR, increase in ESVI at follow-up ≥ 15%) was more frequent in non-S/V than in S/V (16% vs 7%, P < 0.001). The beneficial effect of S/V on CR over other RAS inhibitors was appreciable across a wide range of patient’s age and baseline end-diastolic volume index, but it tended to attenuate in more dilated left ventricles (P for interaction = NS for both).

Conclusion

In HFrEF patients treated with beta-blockers, sacubitril/valsartan is associated with a relative greater benefit in LV reverse remodeling indices than other RAS inhibitors.

Graphical abstract
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas in childhood and adolescence—an analysis of the German Registry for Rare Pediatric Tumors (STEP)
Authors: Jentzsch Christian , Fuchs Jörg , Agaimy Abbas , Vokuhl Christian , Escherich Gabriele , Blattmann Claudia , Warmann Steven W. , Schmidt Andreas , Schäfer Jürgen , Brecht Ines B. , Schneider Dominik T. , Abele Michael
Published: September 2023

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) are the most common entity among pediatric pancreatic tumors. Still, these are rare tumors with an annual incidence of 0.1–0.2/1,000,000, and little is known about their optimal treatment. This analysis aimed to increase knowledge about the occurrence and treatment strategies of SPN in childhood. Data regarding diagnostics, treatment, and outcome of children aged 0–18 years with SPN recorded in the German Registry for Rare Pediatric Tumors (STEP) were analyzed. Thirty-eight patients were identified with a median age of 14.5 years at diagnosis (range: 8–18) and a female preponderance (81.6%). The most frequent location of the tumor was the pancreatic tail. In histopathological and immunohistochemical examination, pseudopapillary, solid, and cystic lesions as well as expression of beta-catenin, progesterone receptors, and cyclin D1 were the most common findings. All patients underwent surgical resection. Most patients underwent open resection, predominantly tail resection for tumors in the tail region and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for tumors in the head region. The main postoperative sequela was exogenous pancreatic insufficiency (23.7%), especially with SPN in the pancreatic head. No recurrence occurred during follow-up, although two patients underwent resection with microscopic residue.

Conclusion: SPN of the pancreas in childhood are low-grade malignancies with usually favorable treatment outcomes. However, therapy can lead to relevant long-term sequelae. To prevent recurrence, complete surgical resection is recommended, sparing as much healthy pancreatic tissue as possible. Interdisciplinary collaboration between specialists is essential to optimize treatment. Molecular genetic analysis of these tumors could improve understanding of their genesis.

What is Known:• Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) of the pancreas are very rare tumors in childhood.• Little is known about tumorigenesis, and there are no specific guidelines for treatment and follow-up in pediatric patients.

What is New:• Characteristics, treatment, and outcome were comprehensively assessed in a large cohort of pediatric patients with SPN.• We propose recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of children with SPN, based on our analysis and considering published experience.
Left Ventricular Myocardial Dysfunction Evaluation in Thalassemia Patients Using Echocardiographic Radiomic Features and Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Taleie Haniyeh , Hajianfar Ghasem , Sabouri Maziar , Parsaee Mozhgan , Houshmand Golnaz , Bitarafan-Rajabi Ahmad , Zaidi Habib , Shiri Isaac
Published: September 2023

Heart failure caused by iron deposits in the myocardium is the primary cause of mortality in beta-thalassemia major patients. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) T2* is the primary screening technique used to detect myocardial iron overload, but inherently bears some limitations. In this study, we aimed to differentiate beta-thalassemia major patients with myocardial iron overload from those without myocardial iron overload (detected by T2*CMRI) based on radiomic features extracted from echocardiography images and machine learning (ML) in patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF > 55%) in echocardiography. Out of 91 cases, 44 patients with thalassemia major with normal LVEF (> 55%) and T2* ≤ 20 ms and 47 people with LVEF > 55% and T2* > 20 ms as the control group were included in the study. Radiomic features were extracted for each end-systolic (ES) and end-diastolic (ED) image. Then, three feature selection (FS) methods and six different classifiers were used. The models were evaluated using various metrics, including the area under the ROC curve (AUC), accuracy (ACC), sensitivity (SEN), and specificity (SPE). Maximum relevance-minimum redundancy-eXtreme gradient boosting (MRMR-XGB) (AUC = 0.73, ACC = 0.73, SPE = 0.73, SEN = 0.73), ANOVA-MLP (AUC = 0.69, ACC = 0.69, SPE = 0.56, SEN = 0.83), and recursive feature elimination-K-nearest neighbors (RFE-KNN) (AUC = 0.65, ACC = 0.65, SPE = 0.64, SEN = 0.65) were the best models in ED, ES, and ED&ES datasets. Using radiomic features extracted from echocardiographic images and ML, it is feasible to predict cardiac problems caused by iron overload.
The Structural Response of the Human Head to a Vertex Impact
Authors: Thompson-Bagshaw Darcy W. , Quarrington Ryan D. , Dwyer Andrew M. , Jones Nigel R. , Jones Claire F.
Published: September 2023

In experimental models of cervical spine trauma caused by near-vertex head-first impact, a surrogate headform may be substituted for the cadaveric head. To inform headform design and to verify that such substitution is valid, the force-deformation response of the human head with boundary conditions relevant to cervical spine head-first impact models is required. There are currently no biomechanics data that characterize the force-deformation response of the isolated head supported at the occiput and compressed at the vertex by a flat impactor. The effect of impact velocity (1, 2 or 3 m/s) on the response of human heads (N = 22) subjected to vertex impacts, while supported by a rigid occipital mount, was investigated. 1 and 2 m/s impacts elicited force-deformation responses with two linear regions, while 3 m/s impacts resulted in a single linear region and skull base ring fractures. Peak force and stiffness increased from 1 to 2 and 3 m/s. Deformation at peak force and absorbed energy increased from 1 to 2 m/s, but decreased from 2 to 3 m/s. The data reported herein enhances the limited knowledge on the human head’s response to a vertex impact, which may allow for validation of surrogate head models in this loading scenario.
Blood Flow Energy Identifies Coronary Lesions Culprit of Future Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Lodi Rizzini Maurizio , Candreva Alessandro , Mazzi Valentina , Pagnoni Mattia , Chiastra Claudio , Aben Jean-Paul , Fournier Stephane , Cook Stephane , Muller Olivier , De Bruyne Bernard , Mizukami Takuya , Collet Carlos , Gallo Diego , Morbiducci Umberto
Published: September 2023

The present study establishes a link between blood flow energy transformations in coronary atherosclerotic lesions and clinical outcomes. The predictive capacity for future myocardial infarction (MI) was compared with that of established quantitative coronary angiography (QCA)-derived predictors. Angiography-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed on 80 human coronary lesions culprit of MI within 5 years and 108 non-culprit lesions for future MI. Blood flow energy transformations were assessed in the converging flow segment of the lesion as ratios of kinetic and rotational energy values (KER and RER, respectively) at the QCA-identified minimum lumen area and proximal lesion sections. The anatomical and functional lesion severity were evaluated with QCA to derive percentage area stenosis (%AS), vessel fractional flow reserve (vFFR), and translesional vFFR (ΔvFFR). Wall shear stress profiles were investigated in terms of topological shear variation index (TSVI). KER and RER predicted MI at 5 years (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI 0.65–0.80, and AUC = 0.76, 95% CI 0.70–0.83, respectively; p < 0.0001 for both). The predictive capacity for future MI of KER and RER was significantly stronger than vFFR (p = 0.0391 and p = 0.0045, respectively). RER predictive capacity was significantly stronger than %AS and ΔvFFR (p = 0.0041 and p = 0.0059, respectively). The predictive capacity for future MI of KER and RER did not differ significantly from TSVI. Blood flow kinetic and rotational energy transformations were significant predictors for MI at 5 years (p < 0.0001). The findings of this study support the hypothesis of a biomechanical contribution to the process of plaque destabilization/rupture leading to MI.
Racial Differences in Self-Report of Mental Illness and Mental Illness Treatment in the Community: An Analysis of Jail Intake Data
Authors: Plummer Narcissa , Guardado Rubeen , Ngassa Yvane , Montalvo Cristina , Kotoujian Peter J. , Siddiqi Kashif , Senst Thomas , Simon Kevin , Acevedo Andrea , Wurcel Alysse G.
Published: September 2023

Jails and prisons in the United States house people with elevated rates of mental health and substance use disorders. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the frequency of racial/ethnic differences in the self-report of mental illness and psychiatric medication use at jail entry. Our sample included individuals who had been incarcerated between 2016 and 2020 at the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction, located in Billerica, MA. We used data from the “Offender Management System,” the administrative database used by the jail containing data on people who are incarcerated, and COREMR, the electronic medical record (EMR) used in the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction. We evaluated two primary outcomes (1) self-reported mental illness history and (2) self-reported use of psychiatric medication, with the primary indicator of interest as race/ethnicity. At intake, over half (57%) of the sample self-reported history of mental illness and 20% reported the use of psychiatric medications. Among people who self-reported a history of mental illness, Hispanic (AOR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.60–0.90), Black (AOR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.43–0.64), Asian/Pacific Islander (Non-Hispanic) people (AOR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.13–0.74), and people from other racial/ethnic groups (AOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.11–0.93) all had decreased odds of reporting psychiatric medications. Mental illness was reported in about one-half of people who entered jail, but only 20% reported receiving medications in the community prior to incarceration. Our findings build on the existing literature on jail-based mental illness and show racial disparities in self-report of psychiatric medications in people who self-reported mental illness. The timing, frequency, and equity of mental health services in both the community and the jail setting deserves further research, investment, and improvement.
Increased antibiofilm and growth inhibitory effect of Imipenem/Cilastatin nanoliposomes against clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates
Authors: Milani Faezeh , Adibkia Khosro , Hamishehkar Hamed , Gholikhani Tooba , Bani Farhad , Milani Morteza
Published: September 2023

Numerous infections are linked to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is one of the major medical concerns because of virulence and antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic encapsulation in liposomes is a good strategy for controlling infections caused by this microorganism. Evaluation of anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa effect of liposomal form of Imipenem/Cilastatin in vitro condition. By using the disk agar diffusion technique, the isolates’ pattern of antibiotic resistance was identified. The antibiotic was placed into the nanoliposome after it had been made using the thin layer and ethanol injection techniques. SEM and DLS were used to determine the size, shape, and zeta potential of the encapsulated drug form and the empty nanoliposome. Additionally, Imipenem/Cilastatin encapsulation in nanoliposomes was studied using FT-IR spectroscopy. In the microbial assay experiments the MIC, MBC and MBEC of liposomal and free drug forms were determined. The nanoparticles were spherical, with a diameter ranging from 30 to 39 nm, and the EE% in the thin layer and ethanol injection procedures were 97 and 98, respectively. Imipenem/Cilastatin nanoliposomes showed peaks at 3009 cm−1 and 1650 cm−1, demonstrating the thermodynamic stability for the chemical structure of the drug enclosed and validating the encapsulation of antibiotic in the nanoliposomes. When compared to free drug forms, nanoliposomes had lower MIC and MBC values in the majority of the isolates and had a greater ability to eradicate the biofilm formation. It was shown that the two nanoliposome preparation techniques were more efficient in 80% of the isolates, which had outcomes that were consistent with those of numerous other investigations. Overall, we demonstrated that the antibacterial activity of nanoliposomes was higher than that of the free drug form based on the evaluation of their MIC and MBC. Pharmaceutical nanoliposome techniques provide an excellent future perspective on how to manage microbial infections that are resistant to antibiotics.

Graphical Abstract
Exclusion rates from international large-scale assessments: an analysis of 20 years of IEA data
Authors: Atasever Umut , Jerrim John , Tieck Sabine
Published: September 2023

Cross-national comparisons of educational achievement rely upon each participating country collecting nationally representative data. While obtaining high response rates is a key part of reaching this goal, other potentially important factors may also be at play. This paper focuses on one such issue—exclusion rates—which has received relatively little attention in the academic literature. Using data from 20 years of international large-scale assessment data, we find there to be modest variation in exclusion rates across countries and that there has been a relatively small increase in exclusion rates in some over time. We also demonstrate how exclusion rates tend to be higher in studies of primary students than in studies of secondary students. Finally, while there seems to be little relationship between exclusion rates and response rates, there is a weak negative association between the level of exclusions and test performance. We conclude by discussing how information about exclusions—and other similar issues—might be more clearly communicated to non-specialist audiences.
Impact of potassium fertilisation on mobile proximal gamma-ray spectrometry: case study on a long-term field trial
Authors: Pätzold Stefan , Ostermann Markus , Heggemann Tobias , Wehrle Ralf
Published: September 2023

Mobile proximal gamma-ray spectrometry (GS) is an emerging approach to estimate soil texture directly in the field. It relies on gamma radiation emitted during the natural decay of potassium-40 (K-40) and other isotopes. The K-40 counts are correlated with total K content, mineralogical soil composition and therefore with soil texture. Yet, it is not clear if K fertilisation impacts the ratio of K-40 to total K which would necessitate to take the fertilisation history into account for soil sensing applications. To elucidate this question, a well-documented long-term experiment was selected. The soils of the Rengen grassland experiment (55 plots) were investigated for total K (XRF-K) and for K-40 via mobile proximal GS. No significant differences in XRF-K and K-40 were found between the treatments with and without K fertilisation, although formely published results point to negative and positive K balances, respectively. Fertiliser analysis revealed a ratio of K-40 to total K that was almost identical to the natural abundance of 0.0117%. It was concluded that it is not necessary to take K fertilisation history into account when predicting soil texture from mobile proximal GS on agricultural land for, e.g., precision farming purposes.
Evaluation of concentration procedures, sample pre-treatment, and storage condition for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater
Authors: Cutrupi Francesca , Rossi Michele , Cadonna Maria , Poznanski Elisa , Manara Serena , Postinghel Mattia , Palumbi Giulia , Bellisomi Marta , Nicosia Elena , Allaria Giorgia , Dondero Lorenzo , Veneri Carolina , Mancini Pamela , Ferraro Giusy Bonanno , Rosa Giuseppina , Suffredini Elisabetta , Foladori Paola , Grasselli Elena
Published: September 2023

Crucial information on the pandemic’s spread has been gathered by monitoring the trend of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. This surveillance has highlighted that the initial concentration is a critical step of the analytical procedure due to the low viral titer that may be present in this matrix. This paper presents the results of the evaluation of two different wastewater concentration protocols to determine the most efficient and cost-effective. The two methods tested were the following: (a) a biphasic separation system with PEG-dextran and (b) a PEG/NaCl precipitation protocol. Other aspects of the detection method were also investigated including the influence of storage temperature on virus recovery and the heat treatment of pasteurization, which aims to make samples safer for operators and the environment. The PEG/NaCl precipitation method was found to perform better than the biphasic separation system, allowing for more sensitive identification of the presence of the virus and the detection of a higher viral titer than that identified with the biphasic separation in all results. Storage of the samples at 4.3±0.2°C for up to 3 weeks did not adversely affect the virus titer and the pasteurization pre-treatment increases operator safety and maintains the identification of the viral concentration.

Graphical abstract
Artificial light and neurodegeneration: does light pollution impact the development of Alzheimer’s disease?
Authors: Karska Julia , Kowalski Szymon , Gładka Anna , Brzecka Anna , Sochocka Marta , Kurpas Donata , Beszłej Jan Aleksander , Leszek Jerzy
Published: September 2023

Two multidimensional problems of recent times — Alzheimer’s disease and light pollution — seem to be more interrelated than previously expected. A series of studies in years explore the pathogenesis and the course of Alzheimer’s disease, yet the mechanisms underlying this pathology remain not fully discovered and understood. Artificial lights which accompany civilization on a daily basis appear to have more detrimental effects on both environment and human health than previously anticipated. Circadian rhythm is affected by inappropriate lighting conditions in particular. The consequences are dysregulation of the sleep-wake cycle, gene expression, neuronal restructuring, brain’s electricity, blood flow, metabolites’ turnover, and gut microbiota as well. All these phenomena may contribute to neurodegeneration and consequently Alzheimer’s disease. There is an increasing number of research underlining the complexity of the correlation between light pollution and Alzheimer’s disease; however, additional studies to enhance the key tenets are required for a better understanding of this relationship.
Voxel-based morphometry of grey matter structures in Parkinson’s Disease with wearing-off
Authors: Zhai Heng , Fan Wenliang , Xiao Yan , Zhu Zhipeng , Ding Ying , He Chentao , Zhang Wei , Xu Yan , Zhang Yuhu
Published: September 2023

Our study aimed to investigate the grey matter (GM) changes using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with wearing-off (WO). 3D-T1-weighted imaging was performed on 48 PD patients without wearing-off (PD-nWO), 39 PD patients with wearing-off (PD-WO) and 47 age and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). 3D structural images were analyzed by VBM procedure with Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM12) to detect grey matter volume. Widespread areas of grey matter changes were found in patients among three groups (in bilateral frontal, temporal lobes, lingual gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, right precuneus, right superior parietal gyrus and right cerebellum). Grey matter reductions were found in frontal lobe (right middle frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus and precentral gyrus), right parietal lobe (precuneus, superior parietal gyrus, postcentral gyrus), right temporal lobe (superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus), bilateral lingual gyrus and inferior occipital gyrus in PD-WO group compared with the PD-nWO group. Our results suggesting that wearing-off may be associated with grey matter atrophy in the cortical areas. These findings may aid in a better understanding of the brain degeneration process in PD with wearing-off.
Wastewater-based Epidemiology and SARS-CoV-2: Variant Trends in the Apulia Region (Southern Italy) and Effect of Some Environmental Parameters
Authors: Triggiano Francesco , De Giglio Osvalda , Apollonio Francesca , Brigida Silvia , Fasano Fabrizio , Mancini Pamela , Bonanno Ferraro Giusy , Veneri Carolina , La Rosa Giuseppina , Suffredini Elisabetta , Lucentini Luca , Ungaro Nicola , Di Vittorio Giuseppe , Mongelli Onofrio , Albano Nelhudoff , Montagna Maria Teresa
Published: September 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater monitoring has been used to monitor the levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA entering the sewerage system. In Italy, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità coordinated the SARI project (Sorveglianza Ambientale Reflue in Italia) to detect SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. In this study, the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in raw wastewater against COVID-19 cases was evaluated together with the effect of temperature and precipitation on virus spread. We validated a predictive model, proposed by De Giglio et al., 2021, to establish the number of COVID-19 cases/100,000 inhabitants. A receiver operating characteristic curve model was applied to predict the number of COVID-19 cases and Poisson regression was applied to study the effect of temperature and rainfall on viral load. In Apulia, from October 2021 to December 2022, we analyzed 1041 samples, of which 985 (94.6%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Median atmospheric temperature was inversely proportional to viral load in wastewater; no correlation was found with precipitation. The predictive model confirmed that at least 11 cases/100,000 inhabitants would occur in the 15 days following the detection of the virus in wastewater. Environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 can be used to map the virus and its variants.
Rationalisierung durch Digitalisierung?
Authors: Waag Philipp
Published: September 2023

Der vorliegende Beitrag möchte den Analysen zur Digitalisierung in der Sozialen Arbeit eine arbeits- und interaktionssoziologische Perspektive hinzufügen. Auf diese Weise werden mögliche Vor- und Nachteile der Digitalisierung aus der Sicht von Fachkräften, Hilfsbedürftigen und Organisationen deutlich. Es zeigt sich, dass die im Zuge der Digitalisierung oft geäußerten Ängste und Hoffnungen hinsichtlich der Rationalisierung Sozialer Arbeit zu kurz greifen. Die Analyse wird durch arbeitssoziologische Überlegungen zur Dienstleistungsarbeit sowie die Interaktionstheorie Luhmanns theoretisch gerahmt. Letztere ist in eine Organisations- sowie eine umfassende Sozialtheorie eingebettet und bietet dadurch kohärente Anknüpfungspunkte für die Untersuchung der möglichen Auswirkungen der Nutzung digitaler Technologien in helfenden Interaktionen. Anstatt durch Standardisierung Abstimmungsprobleme zu reduzieren, dürfte die Nutzung digitaler Technologien vor allem neue Abstimmungsprobleme begünstigen.
Network Analysis Reveals Unique Associations of Mindfulness and Distress with Immunity in Māori and Non-Māori New Zealanders
Authors: Billot Moana , Chalmers Rebecca A. , Cervin Matti , Sutton Anna , Reid Vincent M. , Singh Nirbhay N. , Medvedev Oleg N.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

A healthy immune system is required to protect against viral infection and ensure the efficacy of vaccines. Psychological distress can threaten immune resilience, while mindfulness practices can be protective. In New Zealand, Māori experience significantly higher levels of distress compared to non-Māori. The aim of this study was to explore the role of ethnicity in the relations among immunity, depression, anxiety, stress, and mindfulness relate to each other.

Method

Network analysis was used to explore unique relations among distress (depression, anxiety, stress), mindfulness facets, and immune status in matched (age, ranging from 19 to 88 years, sex, and self-classified socio-economic status) samples of Māori (n = 195) and non-Māori (n = 195) participants from New Zealand.

Results

The networks of distress, mindfulness, and immune status were significantly different between Māori and non-Māori participants. The mindfulness facets Describe and Act with Awareness were more strongly positively linked in Māori, and Non-judge and Depression more strongly negatively linked in Māori, while Describe and Non-judge were more strongly positively linked in non-Māori. For both Māori and non-Māori, similarities included a negative link between anxiety and immune status, strong positive links between the distress variables, and positive links between the mindfulness facets of Non-judge and Act with Awareness, Observe and Non-React, and Observe and Describe.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that anxiety is strongly linked to poor immunity across both Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand while networks of mindfulness and distress also demonstrated differences unique for each of these groups. Both similarities and differences between Māori and non-Māori should be considered when developing targeted interventions to improve physical and mental health in New Zealand.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.
Sub-surface configuration in the northern part of Lembang groundwater basin recharge area
Authors: Nugraha Gumilar Utamas , Nur Andi Agus , Sudrajat Yayat , Arifin Jauhari , Bakti Hendra , Lubis Rachmat Fajar , Rulyadi Aisyah Dewi
Published: September 2023

Lembang groundwater basin has an area of 209 km2. Increased tourism activities in the Lembang Groundwater Basin require sufficient groundwater resources to support the sustainability of these tourism activities. The purpose of this study was to analyze the hydrostratigraphy of the groundwater recharge zone of the Lembang groundwater basin in the Cikole-Lembang. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) with dipole–dipole electrode array and seismic refraction was used to analyze the hydrostratigraphy. The results of ERT and seismic refraction inversion show that Tangkubanparahu Pyroclastic Fall 2 can be characterized as aquifers. This layer consists of low (123–292 $$\Omega $$
Ω
m) and intermediate (293–700 $$\Omega $$
Ω
 m) resistivity value and also has low (300–1350 m/s) to medium (2700–1350 m/s) velocity. Tangkubanparahu lava (Tl) layer has a high resistivity value (701–3875 $$\Omega $$
Ω
 m) and high (1350–2999 m/s) velocity. The Tangkubanparahu Pyroclastic Fall 1 has a resistivity of 300–700 ohms. Tangkubanparahu (Tl) lava deposits can be characterized as fracture aquifer and impermeable layers in the Tangkubanparahu volcanic hydrogeological system depend on the historical structural geology event.