bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An improved local oscillator modulation of modulated sampling scheme for multiple mono-pulse radar signals reconstruction
Authors: Qiu Zhaoyang , Sun Minhong , Zhu Jun , Teng Xuyang , Song Huina
Published: March 2022

The modulated sampling scheme can intercept noncooperative signals distributed in a wide frequency band by using a single receiving channel, which is an efficient architecture in many radar and communication applications. The modulated sampling scheme employs a non-uniform sample pulse train to fold the intercepted signal prior to quantization/digitization by using a local oscillator (LO) that contains a certain modulation type. Since the mono-pulse radar signals are widely used in many radar systems, the modulated sampling scheme will receive the multiple mono-pulse radar signals simultaneously in dense signal environment, and the folded outputs of the modulated sampling scheme may meet frequency aliasing. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the reconstruction of the multiple mono-pulse signals intercepted by the modulated sampling scheme in the frequency aliasing situation. In this paper, based on the orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm, the LO modulation type of the modulated sampling scheme is analyzed to achieve a better reconstruction performance of the multiple mono-pulse signals. The drawback of the typical LO using sinusoidal frequency modulation to reconstruct multiple mono-pulse signals is investigated firstly. Then, an improved LO using periodic linear frequency modulation is proposed, and its effectiveness to reconstruct multiple mono-pulse signals is analyzed. Furthermore, the parameter setting criterion of the improved LO modulation is given, and the comparison using other modulation types is discussed. Finally, several simulations are conducted to prove our analysis and the improved LO modulation can reconstruct multiple mono-pulse signals under the frequency aliasing condition.
Adaptive response maps fusion of correlation filters with anti-occlusion mechanism for visual object tracking
Authors: Zhang Jianming , Liu Hehua , He Yaoqi , Kuang Li-Dan , Chen Xi
Published: March 2022

Despite the impressive performance of correlation filter-based trackers in terms of robustness and accuracy, the trackers have room for improvement. The majority of existing trackers use a single feature or fixed fusion weights, which makes it possible for tracking to fail in the case of deformation or severe occlusion. In this paper, we propose a multi-feature response map adaptive fusion strategy based on the consistency of individual features and fused feature. It is able to improve the robustness and accuracy by building the better object appearance model. Moreover, since the response map has multiple local peaks when the target is occluded, we propose an anti-occlusion mechanism. Specifically, if the nonmaximal local peak is satisfied with our proposed conditions, we generate a new response map which is obtained by moving the center of the region of interest to the nonmaximal local peak position of the response map and re-extracting features. We then select the response map with the largest response value as the final response map. This proposed anti-occlusion mechanism can effectively cope with the problem of tracking failure caused by occlusion. Finally, by adjusting the learning rate in different scenes, we designed a high-confidence model update strategy to deal with the problem of model pollution. Besides, we conducted experiments on OTB2013, OTB2015, TC128 and UAV123 datasets and compared them with the current state-of-the-art algorithms, and the proposed algorithms have impressive advantages in terms of accuracy and robustness.
Immunotherapy for Alzheimer’s disease: targeting β-amyloid and beyond
Authors: Song Chenghuan , Shi Jiyun , Zhang Pingao , Zhang Yongfang , Xu Jianrong , Zhao Lanxue , Zhang Rui , Wang Hao , Chen Hongzhuan
Published: March 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly worldwide. However, the complexity of AD pathogenesis leads to discrepancies in the understanding of this disease, and may be the main reason for the failure of AD drug development. Fortunately, many ongoing preclinical and clinical studies will continually open up avenues to unravel disease mechanisms and guide strategies for AD diagnosis and drug development. For example, immunotherapeutic strategies targeting amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau proteins were once deemed almost certainly effective in clinical treatment due to the excellent preclinical results. However, the repeated failures of clinical trials on vaccines and humanized anti-Aβ and anti-tau monoclonal antibodies have resulted in doubts on this strategy. Recently, a new anti-Aβ monoclonal antibody (Aducanumab) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, which brings us back to the realization that immunotherapy strategies targeting Aβ may be still promising. Meanwhile, immunotherapies based on other targets such as tau, microglia and gut-brain axis are also under development. Further research is still needed to clarify the forms and epitopes of targeted proteins to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of immunotherapeutic drugs. In this review, we focus on the immunotherapies based on Aβ, tau and microglia and their mechanisms of action in AD. In addition, we present up-to-date advances and future perspectives on immunotherapeutic strategies for AD.
Cost-effectiveness analysis on COVID-19 surveillance strategy of large-scale sports competition
Authors: Wang Xuechun , Cai Yiru , Zhang Bo , Zhang Xiangyu , Wang Lianhao , Yan Xiangyu , Zhao Mingchen , Zhang Yuan , Jia Zhongwei
Published: March 2022

Background

Nucleic acid test (NAT) could effectively control the spread of COVID-19 caused by large-scale sports competitions. However, quantitative analysis on the appropriate frequency of NAT is scarce, and the cost-effectiveness and necessity of high-frequency NAT remain to be fully explored and validated. This study aims to optimize the COVID-19 surveillance strategies through cost-effectiveness analysis for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the upcoming Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

Methods

A total of 18 scenarios were designed regarding the NAT frequency, symptom monitoring, and strengthening close-contact control. An agent-based stochastic dynamic model was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of different NAT scenarios and optimize the surveillance strategies. The dynamics of the proposed model included the arrival and departure of agents, transmission of the disease according to Poisson processes, and quarantine of agents based on regular NATs and symptom onset. Accumulative infections, cost, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were simulated in the frame of the model. ICER was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of different scenarios. Univariate sensitivity analysis was performed to test the robustness of the results.

Results

In Scenario 16, where the competition-related personnel (CRP) received NAT daily and national sports delegation (NSD) with quarantined infections accepted an additional NAT daily, accumulative infection was 320.90 (90 initial infections), the total cost was (United States Dollar) USD 8 920 000, and the cost of detecting out each infection was USD 27 800. Scenario 16 would reduce the total cost by USD 22 570 000 (avoid 569.61 infections), USD 1 420 000 (avoid 47.2 infections) compared with Scenario 10 (weekly NAT, strengthened close contact control) and Scenario 7 (daily NAT, no strengthened close contact control), respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed that the result was most sensitive to the change in basic reproductive number.

Conclusions

High-frequency NATs such as bidaily, daily, and twice a day were cost-effective. NAT daily for CRP with strengthening close-contact control could be prioritized in defense against COVID-19 at large-scale sports competitions. This study could assist policymakers by assessing the cost-effectiveness of NAT scenarios and provide the host country with an optimal COVID-19 surveillance strategy.

Graphical Abstract
A nationwide cross-sectional study of workers’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Impact of changes in working conditions, financial hardships, psychological detachment from work and work-family interface
Authors: Trógolo Mario Alberto , Moretti Luciana Sofía , Medrano Leonardo Adrián
Published: March 2022

Background

The COVID-19 disease has changed people’s work and income. While recent evidence has documented the adverse impact of these changes on mental health outcomes, most research is focused on frontline healthcare workers and the reported association between income loss and mental health comes from high-income countries. In this study we examine the impact of changes in working conditions and income loss related to the COVID-19 lockdown on workers’ mental health in Argentina. We also explore the role of psychological detachment from work and work-family interaction in mental health.

Methods

A total of 1049 participants aged between 18 and 65 who were working before the national lockdown in March 2020 were recruited using a national random telephone survey. Work conditions included: working at the usual workplace during the pandemic, working from home with flexible or fixed schedules, and being unemployed or unable to work due to the pandemic. Measures of financial hardship included income loss and self-reported financial problems related to the outbreak. Work-family interface included measures of work-family conflict (WFC) and family-work conflict (FWC). Mental health outcomes included burnout, life satisfaction, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Data were collected in October 2020.

Results

Home-based telework under fixed schedules and unemployment impact negatively on mental health. Income loss and particularly self-reported financial problems were also associated with deterioration of mental health. More than half of the participants reported financial problems, and those who became unemployed during the pandemic experienced more often financial problems. Finally, psychological detachment from work positively influenced mental health; WFC and FWC were found to negatively impact on mental health.

Conclusions

Countries’ policies should focus on supporting workers facing economic hardships and unemployment to ameliorate the COVID-19’ negative impact on mental health. Organisations can protect employees’ mental health by actively encouraging psychological detachment from work and by help managing work-family interface. Longitudinal studies are needed to more thoroughly assess the long-term impact of the COVID-19-related changes in work and economic turndown on mental health issues.
CAR-NK cells for cancer immunotherapy: from bench to bedside
Authors: Zhang Leisheng , Meng Yuan , Feng Xiaoming , Han Zhongchao
Published: March 2022

Natural killer (NK) cells are unique innate immune cells and manifest rapid and potent cytotoxicity for cancer immunotherapy and pathogen removal without the requirement of prior sensitization or recognition of peptide antigens. Distinguish from the T lymphocyte-based cythotherapy with toxic side effects, chimeric antigen receptor-transduced NK (CAR-NK) cells are adequate to simultaneously improve efficacy and control adverse effects including acute cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Moreover, considering the inherent properties of NK cells, the CAR-NK cells are “off-the-shelf” product satisfying the clinical demand for large-scale manufacture for cancer immunotherapy attribute to the cytotoxic effect via both NK cell receptor-dependent and CAR-dependent signaling cascades. In this review, we mainly focus on the latest updates of CAR-NK cell-based tactics, together with the opportunities and challenges for cancer immunotherapies, which represent the paradigm for boosting the immune system to enhance antitumor responses and ultimately eliminate malignancies. Collectively, we summarize and highlight the auspicious improvement in CAR-NK cells and will benefit the large-scale preclinical and clinical investigations in adoptive immunotherapy.
An approach for the reconstruction of a traditional masonry-wooden building located in an archeological area. Part I: Methodology
Authors: Akcay Cemil , Korkmaz Nail Mahir , Sayin Baris
Published: March 2022

This study, presented in a pair of articles, defines a comprehensive methodological approach to the reconstruction of a traditional masonry-timber mansion building constructed in the 1880s of the Turkish house typology on Istanbul’s historical peninsula area that was intentionally demolished in 1948. A historical process research was carried out in the first stage of the study, after which ground penetration radar measurements and an archeological excavation were carried out to determine any possible remains or ruins of the structure, and the original architectural features of the demolished building were ascertained from the obtained data. The proposed stages in the current paper can be considered a comprehensive approach to the determination of the authentic properties of demolished or destroyed buildings in historical areas, given that the methodology allows for the integration of construction features obtained separately and independently through different activities, such as excavations, georadar measurements and historical surveys. The result is a versatile approach to the complete and realistic reconstruction of historical buildings.
Current status of palliative care delivery and self-reported practice in ICUs in Japan: a nationwide cross-sectional survey of physician directors
Authors: Igarashi Yuko , Tanaka Yuta , Ito Kaori , Miyashita Mitsunori , Kinoshita Satomi , Kato Akane , Kizawa Yoshiyuki
Published: March 2022

Background

It is currently unknown how widespread is the practice of palliative care in intensive care units (ICUs) in Japan. This study aimed to determine evaluate the delivery and self-reported practice of palliative care in ICUs in Japan.

Methods

A self-administered questionnaire was sent to the physician directors of all 873 ICUs in Japan in August 2020.

Results

Of the 873 institutions, 439 responded the questionnaire (response rate: 50%) and 413 responses were included in the analysis. The responding physicians thought palliative care was appropriate for physical symptoms (36%, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 32–41), the provision of information (32%, 95% CI: 28–37), psychological distress (25%, 95% CI: 21–29) and in Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) prevention (20%, 95% CI: 17–24). Only 4% (95% CI: 2–6) of participants indicated that they always provided palliative care screening for the patients admitted to the ICU. The most common method to determine eligibility for palliative care was the “prediction of prognosis by clinician’s experience” (54%, 95% CI: 50–59). Thirty-one percent (95% CI: 27–36) of participants responded that there was no clear method used to decide which patients need palliative care. Fifty-four percent of the participants answered they had no standardized protocols for symptom management at all. Less than 5% answered they had standardized protocols for end-of-life symptom management or terminal weaning off mechanical ventilation including extubation of endotracheal tubes.

Conclusions

In Japan, the dissemination of palliative care and its integration into ICU care appears insufficient. To improve the quality of life of patients who are admitted to ICU, it may be useful to implement palliative care screening and multidisciplinary conferences, to develop standardized protocols for symptom management and withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment, and to educate primary palliative care for all ICU physicians.
Multi-tracer and multiparametric PET imaging to detect the IDH mutation in glioma: a preclinical translational in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo study
Authors: Clément Alexandra , Zaragori Timothee , Filosa Romain , Ovdiichuk Olga , Beaumont Marine , Collet Charlotte , Roeder Emilie , Martin Baptiste , Maskali Fatiha , Barberi-Heyob Muriel , Pouget Celso , Doyen Matthieu , Verger Antoine
Published: March 2022

Background

This translational study explores multi-tracer PET imaging for the non-invasive detection of the IDH1 mutation which is a positive prognostic factor in glioma.

Methods

U87 human high-grade glioma (HGG) isogenic cell lines with or without the IDH1 mutation (CRISP/Cas9 method) were stereotactically grafted into rat brains, and examined, in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo. PET imaging sessions, with radiotracers specific for glycolytic metabolism ([18F]FDG), amino acid metabolism ([18F]FDopa), and inflammation ([18F]DPA-714), were performed sequentially during 3–4 days. The in vitro radiotracer uptake was expressed as percent per million cells. For each radiotracer examined in vivo, static analyses included the maximal and mean tumor-to-background ratio (TBRmax and TBRmean) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV). Dynamic analyses included the distribution volume ratio (DVR) and the relative residence time (RRT) extracted from a reference Logan model. Ex vivo analyses consisted of immunological analyses.

Results

In vitro, IDH1+ cells (i.e. cells expressing the IDH1 mutation) showed lower levels of [18F]DPA-714 uptake compared to IDH1- cells (p < 0.01). These results were confirmed in vivo with lower [18F]DPA-714 uptake in IDH+ tumors (3.90 versus 5.52 for TBRmax, p = 0.03). Different values of [18F]DPA-714 and [18F] FDopa RRT (respectively 11.07 versus 22.33 and 2.69 versus − 1.81 for IDH+ and IDH- tumors, p < 0.02) were also observed between the two types of tumors. RRT [18F]DPA-714 provided the best diagnostic performance to discriminate between the two cell lines (AUC of 100%, p < 0.01). Immuno-histological analyses revealed lower expression of Iba-1 and TSPO antibodies in IDH1+ tumors.

Conclusions

[18F]DPA-714 and [18F] FDopa both correlate with the presence of the IDH1 mutation in HGG. These radiotracers are therefore good candidates for translational studies investigating their clinical applications in patients.
Investigation of a new modulated aperture using speckle techniques
Authors: Hamed A. M.
Published: March 2022

Background

A design of equally spaced eight-circles placed at equal distances from the origin is suggested. Three models corresponding to the eight-circle design considering conic, linear, and quadratic distributions are investigated. This arrangement is considered for the sake of improving both microscope resolution and image contrast as compared with the pure annular aperture. This design is different compared with other recent work on aperture modulation.

Results and discussions

The point spread function (PSF) is computed in all the models using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm that computes the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) corresponding to the models and compared with the corresponding PSF in the case of uniform circular aperture. In addition, the autocorrelation images for the apertures are shown differently. It is shown smooth pattern for the circular arrangement as compared with the deformation and shrinking appeared in the central peak in case of conic model. Finally, the speckle images corresponding to the considered apertures are investigated. Reconstructed apertures are obtained from the speckle images using the FFT algorithm.

Conclusions

The PSF is computed for the described models, and the autocorrelation corresponding to the apertures showed difference. The reconstructed apertures from the speckle images can be improved using filtering techniques. It is noted that MATLAB codes are constructed in the computations of all images and plots.
The efficacy and safety of niacin on hyperphosphatemia in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ahmed Hanan Mahmoud , Yossif Esraa , Abd-Elkader Alaa S. , Abdel Aziz Essam M.
Published: March 2022

Background

Hyperphosphatemia is a common complication of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and particularly affects hemodialysis (HD) patients. Elevated serum phosphorus contributes to the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease–mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD), metastatic calcifications and calcific uremic arteriolopathy. There is a significant association between hyperphosphatemia and increased morbidity and mortality in ESRD patients including cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and it is also associated with prolonged hospitalization of HD patients. This study aim to evaluate the serum phosphorus lowering effect of niacin in HD patients.

Results

There was a decrease in phosphate values during the first 3 months of the study in the niacin group, with a significant change in phosphate level at the third month (5.90 ± 0.52 vs. 6.42 ± 0.65 (mEq/l); P <  0.001) and at the sixth month (5.12 ± 0.41 vs. 5.76 ± 0.47 (mEq/l); P <  0.001) compared to the control group. It was noted that both groups had an insignificant difference regarding baseline parathormone (PTH), though the PTH showed a significantly lower level at the third month (192.39 ± 78.85 vs. 388.27 ± 263.10 pg/ml; P <  0.001) and at the sixth month (127.56 ± 90.87 vs. 249.85 ± 97.69 pg/ml; P <  0.001) in the niacin group.

Conclusion

Niacin caused a statistically significant decrease in levels of phosphate and PTH in dialysis patients.

Trial registration

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03163576. Trial registration date: 22 May 2017. Date of first patient’s enrolment: 1 October 2018. Date of the ethical committee approval: 29 March 2017. Number of the ethical committee approval: 17100040.
Autoimmune encephalitis as a complication of COVID-19 infection: a case report
Authors: Dahshan Ahmed , Abdellatef Abeer Awad
Published: March 2022

Background

During COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of newly discovered symptoms and presentations are emerging. Neurological symptoms of corona virus disease 19 (COVID19) have been reported including central nervous symptoms (CNS), peripheral nervous symptoms (PNS), and skeletal muscular symptoms; however, data are scarce about the exact occurrence of neurological affection during COVID-19 infection.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 67-year-old male patient with proven COVID-19 infection who developed acute confusion state, behavioral changes, agitation, and one attack of loss of consciousness 8 days following the infection. Laboratory profile, computed tomography (CT) brain, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis all were normal, and the patients were highly suspicion of autoimmune encephalitis due to COVID-19 infection. The patient received pulse steroid therapy with complete regaining the conscious level.

Conclusion

This clinical case emphasizes the possible relationship between COVID-19 infection and autoimmune encephalitis.
Effects of aging on dichotic listening ability
Authors: Tawfik Somaia Mohamed , Shafik Noha Ali
Published: March 2022

Background

Elderly patients frequently suffer from problems in speech discrimination especially in noisy situation, and they also have several problems from using amplifications devices especially binaural amplification. This necessitates the need for central auditory evaluation in association of peripheral auditory evaluation. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of aging on dichotic listening performance. This was a case-control study conducted at the Audiology Unit, ENT Department. Participant were 46 individuals within the age range of 60 to 89 years with no history of neurological disorder or cognitive impairment, and all the participants were of high social class. Forty-five adult individuals (control group) with the age range 32–57 years, with no history of neurological disorders. Both cases and control groups were subjected to otological examination, immittancemetry, puretone audiometry, speech audiometry, and central auditory processing assessment by the use of central questionnaire for elderly and dichotic digits (version II) test.

Results

The elderly group scored significantly depressed scores of dichotic digits’ test, especially in the left ear than in the adult group.

Conclusion

Dichotic listening ability was significantly affected in elderly patients.
Parents’ awareness of ear health in Madinah region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bedaiwi Reenad Hussain , Salamah Marzouqi Abdulaziz , Halawani Roa Talal
Published: March 2022

Background

Hearing is fundamental for language acquisition and socioemotional development. Public awareness of ear health and hearing loss is essential for early intervention and treatment, but the level of parents’ awareness of ear health in Madinah region, KSA, is yet unknown.

Objectives

To evaluate parents’ awareness of ear health and hearing loss in Madinah region, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study. It had been conducted with a 2 months’ duration (October to November 2020). A self-administered electronic questionnaire was distributed among 1577 Saudi parents using simple random sampling. Non-Saudi parents and those who live outside Al-Madinah region were excluded.

Results

Out of 1577 parents who participated in the questionnaire, 65.3% were mothers, and 34.7% were fathers. Females had the highest mean of correct responses compared to males (0.745 ± .1265 vs 0.743 ± .1335). Furthermore, the mean number of correct responses differed significantly among various age groups (P = 0.001). Parents aged 50–59 years old had the highest mean of correct answers (.758 ± .1247).

The educational level had been also significantly associated with awareness level (P = 0.011). Parents who completed their intermediate school had the highest mean of correct answers (.803 ± .1219). Also, high monthly income had been significantly associated with parents’ awareness level (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Parents’ awareness of ear health is good, particularly among older aged parents and high monthly income groups. Thus, we suggest implementing an educational program/material to be available for new parents as well as the general population.
Incentive strategies for the evolution of cooperation: Analysis and optimization
Authors: Wang Shengxian , Liu Linjie , Chen Xiaojie
Published: March 2022

How to explain why cooperation can emerge in the real society is one of the most challenging scientific problems. In the past few years, in order to solve the evolutionary puzzle of cooperation, researchers have put forward a variety of solutions and accordingly proposed some mechanisms for the evolution of cooperation. Among them, the implementation of prosocial incentive strategy can increase the benefits of cooperators or reduce the benefits of defectors, which has been regarded as an effective measure to solve the cooperation problem. In this perspective, we provide a mini yet profound review of recent research efforts that explore the roles of incentive strategies in the evolution of cooperation and how to design the optimal incentive protocols to promote the evolution of cooperation more efficiently. Importantly, we show some crucial developments about incentive strategies which have been made in the field and meanwhile come up with some significant routes of further research.
Endocrine Autoantibodies Determine Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-induced Endocrinopathy: A Prospective Study
Authors: Labadzhyan Artak , Wentzel Kristopher , Hamid Omid , Chow Kamlynn , Kim Sungjin , Piro Lawrence , Melmed Shlomo
Published: March 2022

Context

Incidence and awareness of endocrine-related adverse events (ERAE) associated with use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has grown with increased ICI use, yet mechanisms for ERAE prediction, surveillance, and development are not well established.

Objective

We prospectively evaluated the impact of endocrine autoimmunity on ERAE development and overall survival (OS).

Methods

Adults ≥ 18 years of age prescribed ICI treatment for advanced or metastatic solid tumors and no known active/past endocrine disorders were eligible for enrollment. Thyroid, adrenal, and pancreatic antibodies as well as hormone levels were assessed prior to ICI treatment and at 8 to 9 weeks and 36 weeks after treatment for ERAE in relation to presence and changes in endocrine-specific antibodies, hormone levels, and OS.

Results

Sixty patients were enrolled and ERAE were detected in 14 (23.3%), with a median onset of 52 days (IQR, 38.5-71.5) after first ICI dose. Hypothyroidism occurred in 12 (20%) patients, and 2 (3.33%) patients developed hypophysitis. Diabetes and primary adrenal insufficiency were not observed. Antibodies were detected in 14 patients (11 at baseline, 3 developed during follow-up) and their presence was significantly associated with ERAE (R2 59.3%, P < 0.001). Thyroid peroxidase antibody (20%) and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (3.3%) were most common, and anti-GAD was present in 1 patient. The presence of ERAE was associated with a more favorable OS (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Endocrine-specific autoantibodies play an important role in ERAE pathogenesis and may serve as predictive markers for early identification and treatment of ICI-induced endocrinopathies.
Association Between SGLT2 Inhibitors vs DPP4 Inhibitors and Renal Outcomes Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Au Philip C M , Tan Kathryn C B , Cheung Bernard M Y , Wong Ian C K , Li Hang-Long , Cheung Ching-Lung
Published: March 2022

Context

Diabetic kidney disease is a major burden among diabetic patients. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) were shown to reduce renal outcomes in clinical trials and real-world studies. However, head-to-head comparisons with individual classes of glucose-lowering agents warranted further investigation.

Objective

This work aimed to investigate the associations between SGLT2is use vs dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is) use and 4 renal outcomes: end-stage renal disease (ESRD), albuminuria, acute renal failure (ARF), and the rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change using a territory-wide electronic medical database in Hong Kong.

Methods

For this retrospective cohort study, the “prevalent new-user” design was adopted to account for previous exposure to study drugs. Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline characteristics. Electronic health data of type 2 diabetes patients using SGLT2is and DPP4is between 2015 and 2018 were collected.

Results

The matched cohort consisted of 6333 SGLT2is users and 25 332 DPP4is users, with a median follow-up of 3.8 years. Compared to DPP4is, SGLT2is use was associated with lower risks of ESRD (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.51; 95% CI, 0.42-0.62; P < .001) and ARF (HR: 0.59; 95% CI, 0.48-0.73; P < .001), and a slower decline in eGFR. The associations remained statistically significant among patients with or without rapid eGFR decline and patients who added or switched to SGLT2is from DPP4is. The association with albuminuria was inconsistent across analyses.

Conclusion

Compared to DPP4is, SGLT2is use was associated with reduced risks of ESRD and ARF, and a slower eGFR decline in a real-world setting. The associations remained statistically significant in patients with or without preindex rapid eGFR decline.
Increased Mortality Persists after Treatment of Cushing’s Disease: A Matched Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Bengtsson Daniel , Ragnarsson Oskar , Berinder Katarina , Dahlqvist Per , Edén Engström Britt , Ekman Bertil , Höybye Charlotte , Järås Jacob , Valdemarsson Stig , Burman Pia , Wahlberg Jeanette
Published: March 2022

Context

Whether biochemical remission normalizes life expectancy in Cushing’s disease (CD) patients remains unclear. Previous studies evaluating mortality in CD are limited by using the expected number of deaths in the background population instead of the actual number in matched controls.

Objective and setting

To study mortality by time-to-event analysis in an unselected nationwide CD patient cohort.

Design and participants

Longitudinal data from the Swedish Pituitary Register of 371 patients diagnosed with CD from 1991 to 2018 and information from the Swedish Cause of Death Register were evaluated. Four controls per patient (n = 1484) matched at the diagnosis date by age, sex, and residential area were included.

Main outcome measures

Mortality and causes of death.

Results

The median diagnosis age was 44 years (interquartile range 32-56), and the median follow-up was 10.6 years (5.7-18.0). At the 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year follow-ups, the remission rates were 80%, 92%, 96%, 91%, and 97%, respectively. Overall mortality was increased in CD patients compared with matched controls [hazard ratio (HR) 2.1 (95% CI 1.5-2.8)]. The HRs were 1.5 (1.02-2.2) for patients in remission at the last follow-up (n = 303), 1.7 (1.03-2.8) for those in remission after a single pituitary surgery (n = 177), and 5.6 (2.7-11.6) for those not in remission (n = 31). Cardiovascular diseases (32/66) and infections (12/66) were overrepresented causes of death.

Conclusions

Mortality was increased in CD patients despite biochemical remission compared to matched controls. The study highlights the importance of careful comorbidity monitoring, regardless of remission status.
The Ideal Narratee and the Rhetorical Model of Audiences
Authors: Copland Sarah , Phelan James
Published: March 2022

This article proposes to revise rhetorical narrative theory's model of audiences in fiction (actual, authorial, narrative, ideal narrative, and narratee) by replacing the term/concept of the ideal narrative audience with that of the ideal narratee, defined as the audience the narrator wishes they were addressing. This revision calls attention to the various ways that authors can handle the relations between the actual narratee and the ideal narratee (the actual may—or may not—coincide with the ideal), and such variety, in turn, points to the need for a more general taxonomy of authorial uses of the narratee. This taxonomy identifies three recognizably distinct ranges along a single broad spectrum of degrees of alignment between actual and ideal narratees: (1) clear alignment, (2) uncertain alignment, and (3) non-alignment. The taxonomy also identifies two main variants within each category, based on how an author's handling of the degree of alignment guides their readers’ focus: is it primarily on the narrated, the narrating, or both? The essay demonstrates the interpretive payoffs of the taxonomy through its analysis of a wide array of case studies including Mohsin Hamid's Reluctant Fundamentalist, Andrew Marvell's “To His Coy Mistress,” Sandra Cisneros's “Barbie-Q,” and Albert Camus's Fall.
Business trends & challenges in Islamic FinTech: A systematic literature review
Authors: Dawood Hatim , Al Zadjali Dr. Fatin , Al Rawahi Mohammed , Karim Dr. Sitara , Hazik Dr Mohamed
Published: March 2022

Background: This systematic literature review (SLR) study is on Islamic financial technology (FinTech) business trends and challenges. It follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. This research identifies the gaps in Islamic FinTech, which require further studies. Moreover, it highlights the issues raised during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: This study is based on the FinTech business model (BM) classifications by Lee & Shin and Imerman & Fabozzi. Furthermore, the set of challenges used in this study are adopted from research by Lee & Shin and Li & Xu. The Scopus database was used to collect data using nine keywords. Articles and review papers published between 2016 and 2022 were included. Studies that were not published in English, and those with no ranking journals were excluded. The results were presented using bibliometric analysis.

Results: The results showed 36 articles discussing Islamic FinTech business trends and challenges, and most of these studies are conducted on FinTech crowdfunding vertical BM. By contrast, the most dominant horizontal BMs are FinTech regulation and FinTech funding BMs. The top challenge found in this study is the regulation management challenges. Moreover, there are remarkable dominating articles and reviews published in 2020 and 2021 discussing COVID-19.

Conclusions: This study concluded that many horizontal BMs were not covered in Islamic FinTech, especially horizontal technology BMs. Investment, property and insurance BMs are examples of unavailable articles. Islamic FinTech is considered a promising field due to the size of the opportunities it presents, the available capital, and the great demand for banking and financial products that comply with the Sharia. This study will help the Islamic FinTech industry grow and predict the demand, and provide an alternative to conventional banking FinTech and further boost the technology progress in the financial industry.
Evaluating the effectiveness of integrating digital technology into orthodontic cephalometric measurement teaching
Authors: Yu Xin , Tian Yu , Li Dandan , Sun Wen , Wang Hua , Yuan Siyang , Yan Bin , Wang Lin , Pan Yongchu
Published: March 2022

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating digital technology into cephalometric measurement teaching.

Methods: In total, 94 undergraduates of stomatology were recruited and randomly allocated to two groups. According to the cross-over design, both groups completed cephalometric measurements by the traditional hand-drawn method and digital technology (the Dolphin software) in different order. In the traditional hand-drawn method, students depicted the outline of the craniofacial anatomical structures on sulfuric transfer paper first, then marked the measurement points and completed the measurement of line spacings and angles; by digital technology, they marked the points in the software and adjust the automatically generated outlines of the structures to obtain the results. Two professional orthodontists were invited as instructors and their measurements were set as standards. An online questionnaire was also used to investigate students' attitudes toward digital technology being used in the cephalometric teaching process.

Results: There were significant differences of students’ measurements (P1-SNA<0.01, P1-SNB=0.01 and P1-L1-NB (mm)<0.01; SNA: sella-nasion-subspinale angle, SNB: sella-nasion-supramental angle, L1-NB (mm): the distance from the lower central incisor tip to the nasion-supramental plane) between the traditional method and digital technology. Besides, the results of most items by digital technology were closer to the standards than those by the traditional method, including five items with statistical significance (P2-SNB<0.05, P2-L1-NB (mm)<0.01, P2-FMA<0.05, P2-FMIA<0.05, P2-IMPA<0.01), while three items were the opposite (P2-SNA<0.05, P2-ANB (mm)<0.01, P2-NA-PA<0.01). The questionnaire showed more students preferred digital technology (33%) as a better teaching method than the traditional method (2%) and 72% of participants thought they had mastered 50-80% of cephalometric knowledge after the course.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated effectiveness and acceptance of the course applying digital technology during the cephalometric teaching process.
PHYSIOTHERAPY OF PAIN SYNDROME IN DORSOPATHIES
Authors: Kupeev R.
Published: March 2022

Physical therapy of pain syndrome may include various methods of exposure to physical factors: laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrotherapy, the use of heat and cold treatment to reduce inflammatory reactions, and reduce the soreness of certain areas of the body. Physiotherapy procedures have antiedematous and antiinflammatory effects, improve microcirculation in the affected area, relieve pain and reduce motor disorders.
Polska racja stanu i legalizacja przez Józefa Piłsudskiego przewrotu majowego 1926
Authors: Gaul Jerzy
Published: March 2022

THE POLISH REASON OF STATE AND THE LEGALIZATION OF THE MAY 1926 COUP D’ÉTAT BY JÓZEF PIŁSUDSKI

Having unconstitutionally seized power in the military coup of May 1926, Józef Piłsudski lacked an immediate legal framework that legitimized his rule. This crisis of state not only raised the specter of civil war, but also raised doubts among the countries of Western Europe that Poland could continue as a bulwark of Western civilization and a barrier against Russia. In these circumstances, Józef Piłsudski launched a wide-ranging campaign that included high-ranking government ministers to convince the people of Poland and Western European governments of the legality of the new regime. The campaign was broadly successful. Having rejected the possibility of direct dictatorship in favor of representative government, Józef Piłsudski recognized the marshal of the Parliament, Maciej Rataj, as the interim president of Poland, rejected the idea of imposing military commissioners, and worked with Parliament to establish a new government, at the head of which sat Prime Minister Kazimierz Bartel. Józef Piłsudski himself assumed the portfolio of minister of military affairs after rejecting the National Assembly’s efforts to elect him president. All these steps convinced Polish society and many foreign governments that the regime established as a result of the coup of 1926 was legitimate.
Automatizar el sentido común: Moderación de contenidos en el capitalismo de plataformas
Authors: Celis Bueno Claudio
Published: March 2022

El presente artículo desarrolla una reflexión sobre el proceso de automatización de la moderación de contenidos en redes sociales. Para ello, el artículo se divide en dos partes. La primera se concentra en las consecuencias políticas de delegar en un algoritmo el juicio que distingue entre lo que es y no es “publicable”. Se trata de comprender las consecuencias políticas generadas por el proceso de automatización de lo que cierta tradición filosófica ha llamado “el sentido común”. La segunda se concentra en la dimensión económico-política detrás de este proceso de automatización. A partir de una metodología crítica (posmarxista), se examinó la relación entre trabajo y valor que subyace a esta “automatización del sentido común”. Desde la perspectiva de una crítica de la economía política, se sugiere que la automatización de la moderación de contenidos depende de una apropiación y una explotación de lo “común”. En este sentido, la moderación de contenidos y su automatización funcionan como caso ejemplar para analizar los conceptos de trabajo y de valor en lo que se ha llamado “extractivismo de datos” y “capitalismo de plataformas”.
How Do Distributed and Transformational Leadership Teams Improve Working Conditions and Student Learning in Underperforming High-Needs Schools?
Authors: Tran Henry , Dou Jingtong , Ylimaki Rose , Brunderman Lyntte
Published: March 2022

Theories of distributed leadership suggest that organizational learning and change results not from the efforts of a single individual, but rather from a network of people working within their broader systems. Team empowering leadership enhances human resources development of the organization to promote the sharing of knowledge that is necessary for change. In this study, we study transformational and distributed leadership team that have been linked to improving working conditions and students’ learning in high-needs schools. Specifically, we highlight a team-based intervention where positive organizational improvements were made to academically struggling schools, and then qualitatively examined the associated processes to understand what enabled the occurrence of those positive changes. We find that the team structure allowed for the clarification of expectations, enhancement of communication, and improvement of educator working conditions through professional development support and distribution of leadership responsibility, which ultimately resulted in improvement in school culture and performance.
Timing and duration of antibiotic prophylaxis is associated with the risk of infection after hip and knee arthroplasty
Authors: Badge Helen , Churches Timothy , Xuan Wei , Naylor Justine M. , Harris Ian A.
Published: March 2022

Aims

Antibiotic prophylaxis involving timely administration of appropriately dosed antibiotic is considered effective to reduce the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) after total hip and total knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). Cephalosporins provide effective prophylaxis, although evidence regarding the optimal timing and dosage of prophylactic antibiotics is inconclusive. The aim of this study is to examine the association between cephalosporin prophylaxis dose, timing, and duration, and the risk of SSI after THA/TKA.

Methods

A prospective multicentre cohort study was undertaken in consenting adults with osteoarthritis undergoing elective primary TKA/THA at one of 19 high-volume Australian public/private hospitals. Data were collected prior to and for one-year post surgery. Logistic regression was undertaken to explore associations between dose, timing, and duration of cephalosporin prophylaxis and SSI. Data were analyzed for 1,838 participants. There were 264 SSI comprising 63 deep SSI (defined as requiring intravenous antibiotics, readmission, or reoperation) and 161 superficial SSI (defined as requiring oral antibiotics) experienced by 249 (13.6%) participants within 365 days of surgery.

Results

In adjusted modelling, factors associated with a significant reduction in any SSI and deep SSI included: correct weight-adjusted dose (any SSI; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.68 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47 to 0.99); p = 0.045); commencing preoperative cephalosporin within 60 minutes (any SSI, aOR 0.56 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.89); p = 0.012; deep SSI, aOR 0.29 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.59); p < 0.001) or 60 minutes or longer prior to skin incision (aOR 0.35 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.70); p = 0.004; deep SSI, AOR 0.27 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.83); p = 0.022), compared to at or after skin incision. Other factors significantly associated with an increased risk of any SSI, but not deep SSI alone, were receiving a non-cephalosporin antibiotic preoperatively (aOR 1.35 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.81); p = 0.044) and changing cephalosporin dose (aOR 1.76 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.57); p = 0.002). There was no difference in risk of any or deep SSI between the duration of prophylaxis less than or in excess of 24 hours.

Conclusion

Ensuring adequate, weight-adjusted dosing and early, preoperative delivery of prophylactic antibiotics may reduce the risk of SSI in THA/TKA, whereas the duration of prophylaxis beyond 24 hours is unnecessary. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(3):252–260.
Dual-band (28/38 GHz) Yagi–Uda Antenna with Corrugated Radiator and Triangular Reflectors for 5G Mobile Phones
Authors: Farahat Asmaa E. , Hussein Khalid F. A.
Published: March 2022

A novel printed design of a Yagi-Uda antenna is introduced for dual-band operation at 28/38 GHz. A corrugated strip dipole with a capacitively end-coupled extension strip is employed as the driven element. The proposed antenna has two triangular-shape reflectors and one director. The driven dipole is fed through a coaxial feed line constructed as three unequal length transition strips. A four-port MIMO antenna system constructed using the proposed Yagi-Uda is suggested for mobile phones. CST® simulator is used to study the effect of the different design parameters on the antenna gain and the operating bands. Numerical and experimental investigations are achieved to assess the performance of both the single-element antenna and the four-port MIMO antenna system. It is shown that the simulation results agree with the experimental measurements and both show good performance of the single antenna as well as the MIMO antenna system. The bandwidths achieved around 28 GHz and 38 GHz are about 4G Hz and 1.4 GHz, respectively. The gain of the antenna is about 9 and 10 dB at 28 and 38 GHz, respectively. The four antenna configuration shows radiation pattern diversity required for MIMO system. The envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) and the diversity gain (DG) are calculated and the results show that the proposed MIMO antenna system is suitable for the forthcoming 5G mobile communications.