bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trend of incidence rate of age related diseases: results from the National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) database in Korea: A cross- sectional study
Authors: Ryou In Sun , Lee Sang Wha , Cho Kyunghee , Mun Hanbit , Chui SungYoun
Published: November 2022

Background: Age-related diseases (ARDs) do not have a defined category by consensus opinion. This study aims to redefine ARDs in Korea, which is about to have a super-aged society, and to examine the incidence rate of ARDs and identify their characteristics.
Methods: Using a National Health Insurance Service-Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC), which sampled 1 million individuals who maintained health insurance and medical benefit beneficiaries in Korea for one year in 2006 and followed up from 2002 to 2019, we selected 14 diseases with high disease burden and prevalence among Koreans from 92 ARDs diseases defined in the GBD study as ARDs. The annual incidence rate is the number of subjects newly diagnosed with each ARD each year for a total of 14 years from 2006 to 2019, after excluding subjects with a history of being diagnosed with ARDs from 2002 to 2005. The incidence rate by age was divided into units of 10 years by age as of 2019, the number of subjects with aging-related diseases for each age group was used as the numerator, and the incidence rate of each age group was calculated by age group as the denominator.
Results: From 2006 to 2019, the diseases that showed a decrease in the annual incidence were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and ischemic heart disease, and diseases that showed significant increase were dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, cataract, deafness, and Parkinson's disease. Notably, hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and age-related macular degeneration showed a gradual decrease in the incidence and tendency to increase after 2015. However, almost all diseases showed a difference in degree when the incidence rate of each disease was examined, regardless of the difference in the incidence rate by year; however, the incidence increased exponentially as the age increased, and then at a very high age demonstrate a characteristic form of decrease.
Conclusions: The incidence of diseases belonging to the newly defined ARDs increased exponentially with age and had a common characteristic showing that incidence decreased at a very high age.
Benchmark dose calculations for PFAS exposure based on two data sets on immunotoxic effects
Authors: Budtz-Jørgensen Esben , Grandjean Philippe
Published: November 2022

Background: Exposure to perfluorinated alkylate substances (PFAS) is associated with harmful effects on human health, including developmental immunotoxicity. This outcome was chosen as the critical effect by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which calculated a new joint reference dose for four PFAS using a Benchmark Dose (BMD) analysis of a study of 1-year old children. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed much lower exposure limits.
Methods: We explored the BMD methodology for grouped and complete data and compared the results with and without grouping for two data sets available. We compared the performance of different dose-response models including a hockey-stick model and a piecewise linear model. We considered different ways of testing the assumption of equal weight-based toxicity of the four PFAS and evaluated more flexible models with exposure indices allowing for differences in toxicity.
Results: Results relying on full and decile-based data were in good accordance. However, BMD results for the larger study were lower than observed by EFSA for the smaller study. EFSA derived a lower confidence limit for the BMD of 17.5 ng/mL for the sum of serum-PFAS concentration, while similar calculations in the larger cohort yielded values of about 1.5 ng/mL. As the assumption of equal weight-based toxicity of the four PFAS seems questionable, we confirmed dose-dependencies that allowed potency differences between PFAS. We also found that models linear in the parameters for the BMD analysis showed superior coverage probabilities. In particular, we found the piecewise linear model to be useful for Benchmark analysis.
Conclusions: Both data sets considered could be analyzed on a decile basis without important bias or loss of power. The larger study showed substantially lower BMD results, both for individual PFAS and for joint exposures. Overall, EFSA’s proposed tolerable exposure limit appears too high, while the EPA proposal is in better accordance with the results.
Fractional order sliding mode control for circulating current suppressing of MMC
Authors: Li Shaoling , Li Peike , Zheng Zheng , Huang Tao
Published: November 2022

The bridge current distortion and system power loss of modular multilevel converter (MMC) are increased by the circulating current. In this paper, combined with fractional order theory, a circulating current controller based on fractional order differential sign function sliding mode control (FO-SMC) is proposed. By adding fractional order calculus into the sign function, the response speed is improved on the premise of reducing the chattering of the system. Under the same conditions, the system with PI, SMC and FO-SMC circulating current controller are simulated under AC power disturbance, DC side voltage step and received power step conditions respectively. The simulation results show that the FO-SMC circulating current controller is better than the other in both steady and dynamic conditions, and is more suitable for nonlinear systems as MMC.
Position Dependent FRF Identification without Force Measurement in Milling Process
Authors: ALTUN Barış , ÇALIŞKAN Hakan , Özşahin Orkun
Published: November 2022

Frequency Response Functions (FRF) are one of the most useful methods of representation of machine-tool dynamics under force excitation. FRFs are usually obtained empirically through output measurements and force excitations are controlled by an external device such as hammers or shakers. This study offers an operational identification method which utilizes calculation of force applied during the process as an input for FRF identification. Force excitation is provided through face milling of a thin walled workpiece and acceleration measurements are taken during the process. FRF is calculated at a designated position by sampling workpiece-cutting tool contacts as individual tap tests and substituting a force calculation as input. Force coefficients need to be known for the force calculation. An experimental force coefficient identification method is proposed. In that case, a similar thin walled workpiece at a point with known FRF and acceleration measurements are utilized. Results are confirmed with FRF obtained in the same location for both identification of FRF and identification of force coefficients approaches.
DNA Repair/Oxidative Stress Genes and Pain in Cancer Survivors on Aromatase Inhibitors
Authors: Wagner Monica A. , Koleck Theresa A. , Conway Alex , Bender Catherine M. , Conley Yvette P.
Published: November 2022

Purpose
Pain is a problem in women with breast cancer prescribed aromatase inhibitors (AIs). DNA repair/oxidative stress genes are implicated in the development of pain and cancer. This study examined the relationship between polymorphisms in DNA repair/oxidative stress genes and pain in postmenopausal women with breast cancer over time.
Methods
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of select DNA repair/oxidative stress genes were genotyped, and perceived average pain was assessed in women with breast cancer prior to and throughout adjuvant therapy (AI ± chemotherapy; n = 138) and healthy controls (n = 81). Cragg two-equation hurdle regression was used to evaluate the relationship between each associated allele and (1) chances of having any pain, and (2) pain severity ≥ 1.
Results
As the number of associated alleles increased, so did odds of any pain and pain severity. At baseline, odds of pain were associated with allele combinations from four SNPs (OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.16–1.92; p < 0.001), while greater severity was associated with alleles from three SNPs (CME = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.16–0.50; p < 0.001). After 6 months, a combination of alleles from six genes impacted the odds of any pain (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.04–1.48; p = 0.018), but severity was not associated.
Conclusions
SNPs in DNA repair/oxidative stress pathways play a role in odds of pain prior to AI therapy and at 6 months, but different SNPs are associated at different timepoints.
Implication for Cancer Survivors
- Biomarker testing for implicated SNPs can be used to detect individuals at risk for cancer pain development. These individuals can be provided prophylactic pain interventions to decrease pain severity.
Effects of eating together online on autonomic nervous system functions: A randomized, open-label, controlled preliminary study among healthy volunteers
Authors: Hasuo Hideaki , Kusaka Nahoko , Sano Mutsuo , Kanbara Kenji , Kitawaki Tomoki , Sakuma Hiroko , Sakazaki Tomoya , Yoshida Kohei , Shizuma Hisaharu , Araki Hideo , Suzuki Motoyuki , Nishiguchi Satoshi , Shuzo Masaki , Masuda Gaku , Shimonishi Kei , Kondo Kazuaki , ueda Hirotada , Nakamura Yuichi
Published: November 2022

Background: Eating alone is significantly associated with psychological distress (PD). There is no research evaluating the effects and relationships of eating together online on autonomic nervous system functions.
Methods: This is randomized, open-label, controlled study amonghealthy volunteers. Participants were randomized into either an eating together online group or an eating-alone group. The effect of eating together on autonomic nervous functions was evaluated and compared with that of the control (eating alone). The primary endpoint was the change in the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval (SDNN) scores among heart rate variabilities (HRV) before and after eating. Physiological synchrony was investigated based on changes in the SDNN scores.
Results: A total of 31 women and 25 men (mean age, 36.6 [SD = 9.9] years) were included in the study. In the comparison between the aforementioned groups, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed interactions between time and group on SDNN scores. SDNN scores in the eating together online group increased at the first and second halves of eating time (F[1,216], P < 0.001 and F[1,216], P = 0.022). Moreover, high correlations were observed in the changes in each pair before and during the first half of eating times as well as before and during the second half of eating times (r = 0.642, P = 0.013 and r = 0.579, P = 0.030). These were statistically significantly higher than those in the eating-alone group (P = 0.007 and P = 0.019).
Conclusion: Experiences of eating together online increased HRV during eating. Variations in pairs were correlated and may have induced physiological synchrony.
Trial registration: The University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000045161. Registered 1 September 2021, https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/icdr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000051592.
Role of Haptoglobin 2-2 genotype on disease progression and mortality among South Indian Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Vasudevan Varadaraj , Ramprasath Tharmarajan , Sampathkumar Krishnaswamy , Puhari Shanavas Syed Mohamed , Yuvaraj Subramani , selvam Govindan Sadasivam
Published: November 2022

Background
Haptoglobin (HP), a plasma glycoprotein, binds to free hemoglobin and prevents the loss of iron and kidney damage. Polymorphism in the HP gene affects its enzyme activity, and different genotypes result in varied antioxidant, angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. From this background the present work is focused to conduct a prospective case-control study in South Indian population and evaluate whether the HP variants are associated to nondialysis (ND) (CKD stages 1-4) and ESRD (CKD stage 5) patients.
Methods and Results
Totally 392 CKD patients (nondialysis, ND; n= 170, end-stage renal disease, ESRD; n=222) and 202 healthy individuals were enrolled and collected blood samples were used for determining biochemical parameters and HP genotyping. Gene frequency and biochemical parameters were statistically analyzed for disease association. HP2-2 genotypes were significantly associated with ND and ESRD disease development compared to controls. Higher HP2-2 genotype frequency showed an increased hazard ratio for overall disease progression among ND patients (hazard ratio= 3.86; 95% CI =1.88 to 7.93; P=0.0002). Survival analysis also showed that Non-HP2-2 patients have a statistically significantly decreased risk for mortality compared to patients with the HP2-2 genotype (ESRD patients hazard ratio = 4.05; P= 0.04).
Conclusion:
The present study confirms that HP2-2 polymorphism was statistically associated with the risk of CKD incidence, progression and mortality of south Indian CKD patients. Concluding our results, the HP2-2 genotype could be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and disease progression in patients with CKD.
Experimental study of a self-excited jet precession in a sudden expansion flow
Authors: Holemans Thomas , Yang Zhu , De Greef Johan , Vanierschot Maarten
Published: November 2022

Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (S-PIV) measurements are performed to analyse the flow field in a sudden expansion with an expansion ratio of 4.9:1. The velocity profile in the inlet tube is measured using Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) and the Reynolds number (Re) is varied from 3150 till 63300. The time-averaged flow field is found to be axisymmetric and has a jet-like velocity profile near the nozzle with a spreading rate comparable to free round jets. Despite the axisymmetric nature of the mean flow field, it contains unsteady coherent structures, which are analysed using both Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (SPOD) and phase averaging. It is found that the instantaneous flow field is asymmetric and it precesses around the central axis of the geometry. The structure of this precession is similar for all Reynolds numbers investigated and the Strouhal number increases with increasing Reynolds number till Re= 26000, after which it reaches a constant value of around 3 × 10−3. These precessing structures were previously only reported for swirling sudden expansion flows or flows in dedicated free jet nozzles, but this study shows they also exist in confined non swirling sudden expansion flows.
Detection of Tooth Numbering, Frenulum, Gingival Hyperplasia and Gingival Inflammation on Dental Photographs Using Convolutional Neural Network Algorithms: An Initial Study
Authors: Kurt-Bayrakdar Sevda , Uğurlu Mehmet , Yavuz Muhammed Burak , Sali Nichal , Bayrakdar İbrahim Şevki , Çelik Özer , Köse Oğuz , Beklen Arzu , Saylan Bilge Cansu Uzun , Jagtap Rohan , Orhan Kaan
Published: November 2022

Objectives The aim of this study is to perform tooth numbering using deep learning algorithms on digital dental photographs, and to evaluate the success of these algorithms in determining the presence of frenulum, gingival hyperplasia and gingival inflammation which play an important role in periodontal treatment planning. Materials and Methods Six-hundred-fifty-four (n = 654) intraoral photographs were included in the study. A total of 16795 teeth in all photographs were segmented and the numbering of the teeth was carried out according to the FDI system. Two-thousand-four-hundred-and-ninety-three frenulum attachments (n = 2493), 1211 gingival hyperplasia areas and 2956 gingival inflammation areas in the photographs were labeled using the segmentation method. Images were sized before artificial intelligence (AI) training and data set was separated as training, validation and test groups. Yolov5 architecture were used in the creation of the models. The confusion matrix system and ROC analysis were used in the statistical evaluation of the results. Results When results of study were evaluated; sensitivity, precision, F1 score and AUC for tooth numbering were 0.990, 0.784, 0.875, 0.989; for frenulum attachments were 0.894, 0.775, 0.830 and 0.827; for gingival hyperplasia were 0.757, 0.675, 0.714, 0.774; for gingival inflammation were 0.737, 0.823, 0.777, 0.802 (respectively). Conclusions There is a need for more comprehensive studies to be carried out on this subject by increasing the number of data and the number of parameters evaluated. Clinical relevance The current study showed that in the future, periodontal problem determination from dental photographs could be performed using AI systems.
RESIRE: Accurate tomography with real space iterative reconstruction
Authors: Pham Minh , Yuan Yakun , Rana Arjun , Osher Stanley , Miao Jianwei
Published: November 2022

Tomography has made a revolutionary impact on the physical, biological and medical sciences. The mathematical foundationof tomography is to reconstruct a three-dimensional (3D) object from a set of two-dimensional (2D) projections. As the numberof projections that can be measured from a sample is usually limited by the tolerable radiation dose and/or the geometricconstraint on the tilt range, a main challenge in tomography is to achieve the best possible 3D reconstruction from a limitednumber of projections with noise. Over the years, a number of tomographic reconstruction methods have been developedincluding direct inversion, real-space, and Fourier-based iterative algorithms. Here, we report the development of a real-spaceiterative reconstruction (RESIRE) algorithm for accurate tomographic reconstruction. RESIRE iterates between the update of areconstructed 3D object and the measured projections using a forward and back projection step. The forward projection step isimplemented by the Fourier slice theorem or the Radon transform, and the back projection step by a linear transformation.Our numerical and experimental results demonstrate that RESIRE performs more accurate 3D reconstructions than otherexisting tomographic algorithms, when there are a limited number of projections with noise. Furthermore, RESIRE can be usedto reconstruct the 3D structure of extended objects as demonstrated by the determination of the 3D atomic structure of anamorphous Ta thin film. We expect that RESIRE can be widely employed in the tomography applications in different fields.Finally, to make the method accessible to the general user community, the MATLAB source code of RESIRE is freely availablefrom our group website.
Picolinafen exposure induces ROS accumulation and calcium depletion, leading to apoptosis in porcine embryonic trophectoderm and uterine luminal epithelial cells
Authors: Park Wonhyoung , Park Junho , Park Sunwoo , Lim Whasun , Song Gwonhwa
Published: November 2022

The global use of herbicides accounts for more than 48% of total pesticide usage. Picolinafen is a pyridine carboxylic acid herbicide that is predominantly used to control broadleaf weeds in wheat, barley, corn, and soybeans. Despite its widespread use in agriculture, its toxicity in mammals has rarely been studied. In this study, we first identified the cytotoxic effects of picolinafen on porcine trophectoderm (pTr) and luminal epithelial (pLE) cells, which are involved in the implantation process during early pregnancy. Picolinafen treatment significantly decreased the viability of pTr and pLE cells. Our results demonstrate that picolinafen increased the number of sub-G1 phase cells and early/late apoptosis. In addition, picolinafen disrupted mitochondrial function and resulted in the accumulation of intracellular ROS, leading to a reduction in calcium levels in both the mitochondria and cytoplasm of pTr and pLE cells. Moreover, picolinafen was found to significantly inhibit the migration of pTr. These responses were accompanied by the activation of the MAPK and PI3K signal transduction pathways by picolinafen. Our data suggest that the deleterious effects of picolinafen on the viability and migration of pTr and pLE cells might impair their implantation potential.
Spatial Prediction Using Random Forest Spatial Interpalation with Sample Augmentation: A Case Study for Precipitation Mapping
Authors: Sijia JIAO , Tianjun WU , Jiancheng LUO , Ya’nan ZHOU , Wen DONG , Changpeng WANG , Shiying Dong
Published: November 2022

Spatial prediction (SP) based on machine learning (ML) has been applied to soil water quality, air quality, marine environment, etc. However, there are still deficiencies in dealing with the problem of small samples. Normally, ML require large amounts of training samples in order to prevent overfitting. The data augmentation method of mixup and synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) ignores the similarity of geographic information. Therefore, this paper proposes a modified upsampling method and combines it with the random forest spatial interpolation (RFSI) to deal with the small sample problem in geographical space. The modified unsampling mainly reflected in the following two aspects. Firstly, in the process of selecting nearest points, it is to select points with similar geographic information in some aspects of the category after classification. Secondly, the selected difference is the difference of each category. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, we select precipitation as the target factor and conduct a comparative experiment. The experimental results show that the combination of the modified upsampling method and RFSI effectively improves the accuracy of spatial prediction.
3D Measurements of a Two-phase Flow inside an Optical Cylinder Based on Full-Field Cross-Interface Computed Tomography
Authors: Ling Chen , Chen Haiyan , Gao Yu , Wu Yue
Published: November 2022

Three-dimensional (3D) tomographic reconstruction in confined-space requires a mapping relationship which considers the refraction distortion caused by optical walls. In this work, a tomography method, namely full-field cross-interface computed tomography (FCICT), is proposed to solve confine-space problems. The FCICT method utilizes Snell’s law and reverse ray-tracing to analytically correct imaging distortion and establishes the mapping relationship from 3D measurement domain to 2D images. Numerical phantom study is first employed to validate the FCICT method. Afterwards, the FCICT is applied on the experimental reconstruction of an illuminated two-phase jet flow which is initially generated inside an optical cylinder and then gradually moves outside. The comparison between accurately reconstructed vapor by FCICT and coarse result by traditional open space tomography algorithm provides a practical validation of FCICT. Based on the 3D vapor reconstructions at different time sequences, the distributions of surface velocity and 3D curvatures are calculated, and their correspondences are systematically analyzed. It is found that the velocity of a surface point is positively correlated with the mean curvature at the same point, which indicates the concavity/convexity of vapor surface is possibly in accordance with the surface velocity. Moreover, the surface velocity presents monotonical increasing trend with larger Gaussian curvature for elliptic surface points only, due to the dominated Brownian motion as the vapor develops.
Stokes inversion techniques with neural networks: analysis of uncertainty in parameter estimation
Authors: Mistryukova Lukia , Plotnikov Andrey , Khizhik Aleksandr , Knyazeva Irina , Hushchyn Mikhail , Derkach Denis
Published: November 2022

Magnetic fields are responsible for a multitude of Solar phenomena, including such destructive events as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, with the number of such events rising as we approach the peak of the 11-year solar cycle, in approximately 2025. High-precision spectropolarimetric observations are necessary to understand the variability of the Sun. The field of quantitative inference of magnetic field vectors and related solar atmospheric parameters from such observations has long been investigated. In recent years, very sophisticated codes for spectropolarimetric observations have been developed. Over the past two decades, neural networks have been shown to be a fast and accurate alternative to classic inversion technique methods. However, most of these codes can be used to obtain point estimates of the parameters, so ambiguities, the degeneracies, and the uncertainties of each parameter remain uncovered. In this paper, we provide end-to-end inversion codes based on the simple Milne-Eddington model of the stellar atmosphere and deep neural networks to both parameter estimation and their uncertainty intervals. The proposed framework is designed in such a way that it can be expanded and adapted to other atmospheric models or combinations of them. Additional information can also be incorporated directly into the model. It is demonstrated that the proposed architecture provides high accuracy of results, including a reliable uncertainty estimation, even in the multidimensional case. The models are tested using simulation and real data samples.
The Design and Application of Variable Distribution Density Micro-Textured Tool
Authors: Yu Xin , Lv Dejin , Gao Yuan , Wang Yongguo
Published: November 2022

A novel design method of grooved type micro-textured tool(MTT) was presented. The lubrication and cooling state of the contact area between the rake face and the chip were analyzed. Based on the penetration process and heat transfer process of cutting fluid on the rake face, the tool-chip contact area was divided into low temperature zone(LTZ) and high temperature zone(HTZ). The penetration of cutting fluid along the micro-texture(MT) groove and the penetration perpendicular to the groove in the LTZ were modeled. It is found that the size parameters and distribution density of the MT are related to them. The heat transfer process of cutting fluid and tool in HTZ and were modeled and analyzed. The secondary cutting phenomenon in micro-textured HTZ surface was modeled as well. The relationship between secondary cutting and texture size parameters is established, and the criteria for the occurrence of secondary cutting are proposed. Based on the theory above, MTTs with variable distribution density were designed and prepared. The design and theoretical model were verified in turning nickel-based superalloy GH4202.
Bimanual Isometric Force Control in Young and Older Adults
Authors: Galofaro Elisa , Valè Nicola , Ballardini Giulia , Smania Nicola , Casadio Maura
Published: November 2022

Background: Several activities of daily living require bimanual force coordination during interactions with objects. However, while the decline of sensory perception and motor functions with age have been largely studied, the impact of aging on the bilateral control of isometric forces is less investigated. This study aims at providing a comprehensive description of the bimanual force control strategies adopted by unimpaired young and older adults in an isometric force tracking task.
Methods: Participants were required to apply with the two hands simultaneously the same amount of isometric force by pushing on two decoupled plates, which appeared as two lateral faces of a box on a table. The total force had to match a force profile composed of time-variant and constant phases, reaching three target force levels: low, medium, and high. Visual feedback was provided only for the total force, but not for the force exerted by each hand. Thirty-one volunteers participated in the study: 15 of age 25±1 std years and 16 of age 77±7std years. Differences between the two groups were tested with repeated measure ANOVA with the group as a between-subjects factor.
Results: The older group had higher matching errors and more variable force profiles compared to the younger group. Most of the older participants also undershot the highest force level. Both groups had more difficulty matching a time-variant than a constant force profile, and this difficulty was higher for the older group. As for differences between the force applied by the two hands, the older group had lower lateral symmetry, although the hand applying more force varied across participants and target forces. For the lower target level, the amount of total force applied by the left hand correlated with its variability expressed by the coefficient of variation.
Conclusions: This study provides the first proof of concept that the proposed paradigm, based on a low-cost sensorized device, can be used to characterize and quantify age-related differences in bimanual isometric force control. The device and the paradigm can be used for assessment in clinical settings and then explored as a possible rehabilitative tool.
Neutrally- and Stably-Stratified Boundary Layers Adjustments to a Step Change in Surface Roughness
Authors: Ding Shan-Shan , Placidi Marco , Carpentieri Matteo , Robins Alan
Published: November 2022

In this work, we study the development of the internal boundary layer (IBL) induced by a surface roughness discontinuity, where the downstream surface has a roughness length greater than that upstream. The work is carried out in the EnFlo meteorological wind tunnel, at the University of Surrey, in both thermally neutral and stable cases with varying degrees of stability. For the neutrally-stratified boundary layer, the IBL development shows good agreement with the diffusion model proposed by Panofsky and Dutton (1984) providing that a modified origin condition in the log-law region is introduced and its growth rate is dictated by a constant diffusion term. However, the model over-predicts the growth of the IBL in the outer layer, where the IBL depth grows slowly with fetch following a power function with exponent n being 0.61 (whereas the original model prescribes n≈0.8). For the stably-stratified boundary layers, n is found to further reduce as the outer layer Richardson number, Rib, increases. The analysis of the top region of the IBL shows that the slow growth rate is due to a combination of the decay of the diffusion term and a significantly negative mean wall-normal velocity, which transports fluid elements towards the wall. Considering these two effects, a modified diffusion model is proposed which well captures the growth of the IBL for both neutrally and stably-stratified boundary layers.
The utility of augmented reality in retrosigmoid craniotomies: several innovations
Authors: Hong Wenyao , Huang Xiaohua , Chen Zhongyi , Huang Shengyue , Wen Yuxing , He Bingwei , Dong Siyuan , Lin Yuanxiang , Liu Yuqing
Published: November 2022

Objective:During retrosigmoid craniotomy, it is vital that the transverse-sigmoid sinus junction (TSSJ) is positioned correctly, as it improves surgical efficiency and prevents complications. To explore a clinical application scenario of mobile AR-based navigation system (MARNS), the authors examined whether it can be used to position the TSSJ during craniotomy in the retrosigmoid approach and summarize the experience.Methods:Seven patients who underwent retrosigmoid craniotomy had their TSSJ located by MARNS. The surgical incision and skull "keyhole" for drilling were determined separately based on the projections of TSSJ on the 3D model displayed by MARNS. As indicators of effectiveness, this method was assessed via matching error, positioning time, integrity of the bone flap, and incidence of TSS injury, as well as other complications.Results:In all cases, the inner edges of TSSJ were accurately located and exposed, and the bone flaps formed and remained almost intact. In terms of matching error and positioning time, MARNS had a higher matching error than neuro-navigation system(NNS) (t = 3.897, p = 0.0021), but took a shorter time to location (t = 5.005, p = 0.0003).Conclusion:In this study, MARNS was innovative in tattooed landmarks, coupled with digital surgical design and improved surgical skills, leading to a successful retrosigmoid craniotomy. This system offers convenience, accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and reliability for the planning of neurosurgical procedures.
Synthesis of magnesium oxide nanocomposite film made from sugarcane bagasse waste
Authors: Kumar Harish , Gaur Ankur , Karuna M. S.
Published: November 2022

In this study, hydrogels comprised of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs) are synthesized in situ and employed to make films from biopolymer nanocomposite materials. Synthesis of CMC from various types of wastes mainly depends on the whole pre-treatment process. UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transmission electron microscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize MgO-NPs. A TEM image reveals MgO-NPs of 100 nm embedded in the sugarcane bagasse carboxymethyl cellulose (SB-CMC) hydrogel network. The successful absorption peak at 295 nm, which is brought on by the surface plasmon resonance (SPR), indicates the existence of MgO-NPs. A film with nanoparticles (SB-CMC-2) demonstrated a slower rate of biodegradation than the Film without nanoparticles (SB-CMC-1) sample. Glycerol typically increases film flexibility and extension. Film tensile strength (TS) and opacity are increased by MgO-NPs in CMC film while moisture content, solubility, and elongation at break are decreased.
Subquadratic-time algorithm for the diameter and all eccentricities on median graphs
Authors: Bergé Pierre , Ducoffe Guillaume , Habib Michel
Published: November 2022

On sparse graphs, Roditty and Williams [2013] proved that no O(n2−ε)- time algorithm achieves an approximation factor smaller than 3/2 for the diameter problem unless SETH fails. In this article, we solve an open question formulated in the literature: can we use the structural properties of median graphs to break this global quadratic barrier? We propose the first combinatiorial algorithm computing exactly all eccentricities of a median graph in truly subquadratic time. Median graphs constitute the family of graphs which is the most studied in metric graph theory because their structure represents many other discrete and geometric concepts, such as CAT(0) cube complexes. Our result generalizes a recent one, stating that there is a linear-time algorithm for all eccentricities in median graphs with bounded dimension d, i.e. the dimension of the largest induced hypercube. This prerequisite on d is not necessarily anymore to determine all eccentricities in subquadratic time. The execution time of our algorithm is O(n1.6456 logO(1) n). We provide also some satellite outcomes related to this general result. In particular, restricted to simplex graphs, this algorithm enumerates all eccentricities with a quasilinear running time. Moreover, an algorithm is proposed to compute exactly all reach centralities in time O(23dn logO(1) n).
Neonatal Outcome in Pregnant Women with Confirmed COVID-19 Infection during the Last Two Weeks of a Viable Pregnancy: A Retrospective Data Analysis
Authors: Salameh Khalil Mohd Khalil , Valappil Rajesh Pattu , Vellamgot Anvar Paraparambil , Abedin Sarfrazul , Elkabir Naser Abulgasim , Elhaji Esam Mohamed Elhadi , Habboub Lina Hussain M. , Alhoyed Samer Mahmoud
Published: November 2022

Background: Pregnant women are typically vulnerable to infectious diseases due to exaggerated disease manifestations and detrimental effects on their obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated that pregnant women with COVID-19 had similar clinical manifestations as nonpregnant women. However, there is not enough knowledge about the outcomes of neonates born to infected women although it has been reported that maternal pneumonia results in unfavorable obstetrical outcomes, including the premature rupture of membranes (PROM), intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and neonatal death. This retrospective study analyzes the clinical characteristics of all women with confirmed COVID-19 infection who gave birth in AWH, Qatar, as well as the possible adverse neonatal outcomes associated with maternal COVID-19 infection.
Objective: To identify adverse neonatal outcomes in mothers with confirmed COVID-19 infection during the last two weeks of a viable pregnancy.
Methods: This retrospective study included newborn babies born to mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 infection between 1 April 2021 and 23 May 2021 at AWH, Hamad Medical Corporation.
Data: Clinical characteristics, investigation results, and course of treatment were gathered from medical records for both mothers and babies.
Results: Out of 108 babies born to COVID-19-infected mothers, 47 (43.5%) were identified with adverse neonatal outcomes. Prematurity (28.7%), low birth weight (26%), respiratory distress (33.3%), and neonatal depression (8.3%) were the most commonly associated outcomes. Eight out of 108 babies (7.4%) tested positive for COVID-19, with 4.6% incidence of vertical transmission and 2.8% transient viremia. Using logistic regression analysis, maternal pneumonia and CT values were found to be statistically significant factors for premature delivery but were not significantly associated with neonatal infection. However, maternal ferritin levels significantly predicted neonatal positive PCR results.
Conclusion: Our data support the possibility of the intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 even in asymptomatic women. Studies with a larger number of subjects are recommended for identifying the biological mechanisms involved.
Novel soil-less potting mixes for the mycorrhization of Quercus pubescens Willd. seedlings with Tuber melanosporum Vittad
Authors: Pagliarani Sofia , Vannini Andrea , Kuzminsky Elena , Morales-Rodríguez Carmen
Published: November 2022

Truffle cultivation has quickly grown in European countries and elsewhere, so optimization of the nursery inoculation method to cover the high demand for mycorrhized seedlings is needed. The suitability of two compost-based potting mixes to produce Quercus pubescens Willd. mycorrhized with the black Périgord truffle T. melanosporum Vittad. was tested as an alternative to the employ of traditional potting mix used for mycorrhization and considered as the control treatment. The effects on the mycorrhizal development and the morphometric assessment of the root and shoot system of the downy oak seedlings were investigated 8 months after the spore slurry inoculation in a glasshouse experiment using the root analysis software WinRHIZO®. From the results obtained, the compost mix containing green organic residues from pruning and mowing (Mix 2) achieved better performance with a higher mycorrhization percentage than the control (59.7% and 46.7%, respectively) and significantly higher root growth with enhanced root length (531 cm), number of root tips (3.329), and root forks (3.941) both with respect to the control and the potting mix containing municipal and green organic residues (Mix 1). In conclusion, from this work is evident that potting mix containing recycled organic matter, which is readily available, cheap, and environmentally sustainable can offer excellent mycorrhization performances and may be included in the mycorrhization process of Q. pubescens seedlings with T. melanosporum under controlled conditions.
Single inferior parathyroid autotransplantation during total thyroidectomy with bilateral central lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Dong Zhizhong , Liu Wen , Peng Ying , Zhan Xiangxiang , Su Yanjun , Diao Chang , Cheng Ruochuan
Published: November 2022

Background: Management of the inferior parathyroid gland using total thyroidectomy (TT) with central lymph node dissection (CLND) is still controversial. Therefore, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of single inferior parathyroid autotransplantation.
Methods: The clinical data of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who underwent TT with bilateral CLND from January 2018 to December 2020 were collected. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and THYCA-QOL. The patients were divided into an autotransplantation group and a preservation group according to whether a single inferior parathyroid gland was transplanted. The incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism, the number of resected central lymph nodes (CLNs), the rate of recurrence reoperation, the rate of radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment, and the quality of life (QOL) score were compared between the two groups.
Results: A total of 296 patients were included in the study, there were 99 patients in the autotransplantation group and 197 in the preservation group. The incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism was 3.0% (3/99) and 4.6% (9/197) in the autotransplantation and preservation groups, respectively (P = 0.532). The median number of resected CLNs was 12 (8-17) and 10 (6-14) in the autotransplantation and preservation groups, respectively (P = 0.015). No reoperations were performed for patients with CLN recurrence, and the rates of lateral lymph node (LLN) recurrence reoperation were 2.0% (2/99) and 3.6% (7/197) in the autotransplantation and preservation groups, respectively (P = 0.473). The RAI treatment rates were 12.1% (12/99) and 22.3% (44/197) in the autotransplantation and preservation groups, respectively (P = 0.034). A total of 276 questionnaires were recovered, including 84 in the autotransplantation group and 192 in the preservation group. The QOL of the two groups of patients is similar (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Single inferior parathyroid autotransplantation during thyroidectomy can be used to prevent permanent hypoparathyroidism and can remove more CLNs.
Comprehensive Review for Healthcare Data Quality Challenges in Blockchain Technology
Authors: Halimeh Ahmed Abu , Ali Omar
Published: November 2022

There are several features inherent in blockchain, including decentralized storage, distributed ledger, immutability, security and authentication, and it has shifted away from the hype to be used practically in different industries, such as in the healthcare sector. The use of blockchain technology has allowed the provision of improved services to industries. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how the use of blockchain is influenced by data quality issues in the healthcare industry. The article is structured as a systematic literature review study that uses several articles issued in various databases from 2016 onwards. In this review study, 65 articles were chosen and grouped into a single key aspect of the challenge in the healthcare sector. The findings obtained were analyzed based on factors in three domains, classified as issues pertinent to the adoption, operational and technological domains. This review study aims to use the findings to provide support to the practitioners, stakeholders and professionals, whose purpose is to carry out and manage transformation projects pertinent to blockchain in the field of healthcare. In addition, the organizations would be facilitated in their decision-making processes when the potential blockchain users are made to comprehend the implicit factors related to blockchain.
Revising primary data for conservation status assessments of Brazilian threatened butterflies
Authors: Rosa Augusto Henrique Batista , Ribeiro Danilo Bandini , Freitas André Victor Lucci
Published: November 2022

Primary data, such as geographical records of species, are base-line for conservation status assessments. For many years, data on Brazil’s threatened butterflies (58 taxa) have been in need of improvement and the present paper provides a careful review of their geographical distribution data as well as an update of extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO). In total, ~ 6,700 records were compiled from several sources; 1,053 records are non duplicated geographical data. Of these 1,053 records, 566 (69%) come from surveyed literature (published records), 258 (31%) are unpublished records, and 229 (22%) were found to contain errors after data curation. Comparing “previous” to “current” estimates of both, EOO and AOO, changes in geographical range were reported for 48 taxa (83%). Based on current data (applying the thresholds of criterion B), there is a potential for changes in conservation status categories for 51 taxa (88%). Importantly, approximately half of unpublished records are from scientific collections and the remainder were provided by civil society (via personal communication), showing the importance of both data sources. The present updates of geographical records (and consequently, EOO and AOO) of Brazilian threatened butterflies may aid future conservation status assessments and also reinforce the importance of data curation.
Neoadjuvant Vidutolimod and Nivolumab in High-Risk Resectable Melanoma
Authors: Davar Diwakar , Karunamurthy Arivarasan , Chauvin Joe-Marc , Morrison Robert , Bai Yulong , Sun Jie , Stein Julie , Rodrigues Richard , McCulloch John , Wang Hong , Hartman Douglas , Fernandes Miriam , Cole Alicia , Dzutsev Amiran , Deitrick Christopher , Bao Riyue , Duvvuri Umamaheswar , Sridha Shaum , Kim Seungwon , Choudry M. Haroon , Holtzman Matthew , Pingpank James , O'Toole James , DeBlasio Richelle , Jin Yang , Ding Quanquan , Gao Wentao , Groetsch Christopher , Pagliano Ornella , Rose Amy , Urban Corey , Singh Jagjit , Divakar Prajan , Mauro David , Bobilev Dmitri , Wooldridge James , Krieg Arthur , Fury Matthew , Najjar Yana , Luke Jason , Kirkwood John , Taube Janis , Park Hyun Jung , Trinchieri Giorgio , Zarour Hassane
Published: November 2022

Intratumoral TLR9 agonists and anti-PD-1 provide durable clinical responses and broad immune activation. To evaluate efficacy and mechanisms of action of this combined treatment, we conducted a single-arm phase 2 neoadjuvant study of TLR9 agonist vidutolimod combined with anti-PD-1 nivolumab (vidu/nivo) in patients with high-risk resectable melanoma. In 30 evaluable patients, 57% (17/30) had major pathologic response (pR), with eight grade 3 treatment-related adverse events. pR was associated with lower residual viable tumor, necrosis, and melanophagocytosis with increased CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in the tumor microenvironment and increased frequencies of Ki67+ CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, pDCs, and monocytes peripherally. Gene signatures associated with pR included increased pDC density, macrophage activation, and phagocytosis engulfment. Gut microbial signatures in pR were enriched for Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the Bacteroidaceae and Enterobacteriaceae families and to the small subgroup of Gram-negative Firmicutes. Our findings support that combined vidu/nivo treatment stimulates a broad antitumor immune response and is associated with a distinct baseline gut microbiome composition.