bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Surgical Performance Using Preoperative Virtual Reality Planning: A Systematic Review
Authors: Laskay Nicholas M. B. , George Jordan A. , Knowlin Laquanda , Chang Todd P. , Johnston James M. , Godzik Jakub
Published: May 2023

Background

Surgery is often a complex process that requires detailed 3‐dimensional anatomical knowledge and rigorous interplay between team members to attain ideal operational efficiency or “flow.” Virtual Reality (VR) represents a technology by which to rehearse complex plans and communicate precise steps to a surgical team prior to entering the operating room. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of VR for preoperative surgical team planning and interdisciplinary communication across all surgical specialties.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed examining existing research on VR use for preoperative surgical team planning and interdisciplinary communication across all surgical fields in order to optimize surgical efficiency. MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL databases were searched from inception to July 31, 2022 using standardized search clauses. A qualitative data synthesis was performed with particular attention to preoperative planning, surgical efficiency optimization, and interdisciplinary collaboration/communication techniques determined a priori. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis guidelines were followed. All included studies were appraised for their quality using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) tool.

Results

One thousand and ninety‐three non‐duplicated articles with abstract and full text availability were identified. Thirteen articles that examined preoperative VR‐based planning techniques for optimization of surgical efficiency and/or interdisciplinary communication fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies had a low‐to‐medium methodological quality with a MERSQI mean score of 10.04 out of 18 (standard deviation 3.61).

Conclusions

This review demonstrates that time spent rehearsing and visualizing patient‐specific anatomical relationships in VR may improve operative efficiency and communication across multiple surgical specialties.
The potential underlying mechanisms during learning flights
Authors: Bertrand Olivier J. N. , Sonntag Annkathrin
Published: May 2023

Hymenopterans, such as bees and wasps, have long fascinated researchers with their sinuous movements at novel locations. These movements, such as loops, arcs, or zigzags, serve to help insects learn their surroundings at important locations. They also allow the insects to explore and orient themselves in their environment. After they gained experience with their environment, the insects fly along optimized paths guided by several guidance strategies, such as path integration, local homing, and route-following, forming a navigational toolkit. Whereas the experienced insects combine these strategies efficiently, the naive insects need to learn about their surroundings and tune the navigational toolkit. We will see that the structure of the movements performed during the learning flights leverages the robustness of certain strategies within a given scale to tune other strategies which are more efficient at a larger scale. Thus, an insect can explore its environment incrementally without risking not finding back essential locations.
On the mathematical theory of ensemble (linear-Gaussian) Kalman–Bucy filtering
Authors: Bishop Adrian N. , Del Moral Pierre
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this review is to present a comprehensive overview of the theory of ensemble Kalman–Bucy filtering for continuous-time, linear-Gaussian signal and observation models. We present a system of equations that describe the flow of individual particles and the flow of the sample covariance and the sample mean in continuous-time ensemble filtering. We consider these equations and their characteristics in a number of popular ensemble Kalman filtering variants. Given these equations, we study their asymptotic convergence to the optimal Bayesian filter. We also study in detail some non-asymptotic time-uniform fluctuation, stability, and contraction results on the sample covariance and sample mean (or sample error track). We focus on testable signal/observation model conditions, and we accommodate fully unstable (latent) signal models. We discuss the relevance and importance of these results in characterising the filter’s behaviour, e.g. it is signal tracking performance, and we contrast these results with those in classical studies of stability in Kalman–Bucy filtering. We also provide a novel (and negative) result proving that the bootstrap particle filter cannot track even the most basic unstable latent signal, in contrast with the ensemble Kalman filter (and the optimal filter). We provide intuition for how the main results extend to nonlinear signal models and comment on their consequence on some typical filter behaviours seen in practice, e.g. catastrophic divergence.
Rate and factors associated with surgical site infection following aseptic revision fixation of orthopaedic trauma injuries
Authors: Heinz N. R. , Clement N. D. , Young R. N. , Duckworth A. D. , White T. O. , Molyneux S. G.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The primary aim of this study was to define the rate of infection following revision of fixation for aseptic failure. The secondary aims were to identify factors associated with an infection following revision and patient morbidity following deep infection.

Methods

A retrospective study was undertaken to identify patients who underwent aseptic revision surgery during a 3-year period (2017–2019). Regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with SSI.

Results

Eighty-six patients were identified that met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 53 (range 14–95) years and 48 (55.8%) were female. There were 15 (17%) patients with an SSI post revision surgery (n = 15/86). Ten percent (n = 9) of all revisions acquired a ‘deep infection’, which carried a high morbidity with a total of 23 operations, including initial revision, being undertaken for these patients as salvage procedures and three progressed to an amputation. Alcohol excess (odds ratio (OR) 1.61, 95% CI 1.01–6.36, p = 0.046) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 11.1, 95% CI 1.00–133.3, p = 0.050) were independently associated with an increased risk of SSI.

Conclusion

Aseptic revision surgery had a high rate of SSI (17%) and deep infection (10%). All deep infections occurred in the lower limb with the majority of these seen in ankle fractures. Alcohol excess and COPD were independent risk factors associated with an SSI and patients with a history of these should be counselled accordingly.

Level of Evidence

Retrospective Case Series, Level IV.
Exploring the link between poor oral hygiene and mesh infection after hernia repair: a systematic review and proposed best practices
Authors: East B. , Podda M. , Beznosková-Seydlová M. , de Beaux A. C.
Published: May 2023

Background

There is a reasonable body of evidence around oral/dental health and implant infection in orthopaedic and cardiovascular surgery. Another large area of surgical practice associated with a permanent implant is mesh hernia repair. This study aimed to review the evidence around oral/dental health and mesh infection.

Methods

The research protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022334530). A systematic review of the literature was undertaken according to the PRISMA 2020 statement. The initial search identified 582 publications. A further four papers were identified from references. After a review by title and abstract, 40 papers were read in full text. Fourteen publications were included in the final review, and a total of 47,486 patients were included.

Results

There is no published evidence investigating the state of oral hygiene/health and the risk of mesh infection or other infections in hernia surgery. Improvement in oral hygiene/health can reduce surgical site infection and implant infection in colorectal, gastric, liver, orthopaedic and cardiovascular surgery. Poor oral hygiene/health is associated with a large increase in oral bacteria and bacteraemia in everyday activities such as when chewing or brushing teeth. Antibiotic prophylaxis does not appear to be necessary before invasive dental care in patients with an implant.

Conclusion

Good oral hygiene and oral health is a strong public health message. The effect of poor oral hygiene on mesh infection and other complications of mesh hernia repair is unknown. While research is clearly needed in this area, extrapolating from evidence in other areas of surgery where implants are used, good oral hygiene/health should be encouraged amongst hernia patients both prior to and after their surgery.
Seismic risk of typical ageing petrochemical steel structure in harsh atmospheric conditions
Authors: Di-Sarno Luigi , Majidian Armin
Published: May 2023

This paper addresses the evaluation of the effects of corrosion on the performance of ageing steel industrial infrastructures. A novel probabilistic risk assessment method is presented with respect to a case study of a real petrochemical structure located in an atmospheric environment with high severity of corrosion. The results of damage assessment derived from refined fragility analyses revealed that long-term corrosion mass reduction can increase the probability of damage to the structure by an average of 40%. Furthermore, the risk analysis demonstrated that the annual failure rate of the corroded structure is at most 2.80 times that of the uncorroded counterpart. The vulnerability analysis showed that the difference in annual repair costs between corroded and uncorroded cases gradually increased as the severity of ground motion raised. Moreover, the results of comprehensive and refined nonlinear analyses indicated that the corroded structure after 50 and 100 years can increase the likelihood of causing corrosion repair costs in the first year by about 40 and 60 times, respectively. The evaluation of the ratio of construction to maintenance and retrofitting was also carried out; it was based on innovative retrofitting measures with the use of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers for steel structures. The findings illustrated in the present numerical study can help owners and insurance companies to predict more reliably maintenance and repair costs, thus they can provide an efficient roadmap for industrial asset management.
Prioritizing Colombian plant genetic resources for investment in research using indicators about the geographic origin, vulnerability status, economic benefits, and food security importance
Authors: Cerón-Souza I. , Delgadillo-Duran D. , Polo-Murcia S. M. , Sarmiento-Naizaque Z. X. , Reyes-Herrera P. H.
Published: May 2023

Germplasm banks are the most significant repository for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) worldwide. Despite their strategic importance, national germplasm banks of tropical megadiverse developing countries such as Colombia have extremely limited funds. Therefore, making strategic decisions about research investment is essential. Here, we designed a data-driven approach to build an index that sorts Colombian PGRFA into three groups: high, medium, or low priority, based on four pillars of information from open-access databases and aligned with the sustainable goals of no poverty and zero hunger: Geographic origin, vulnerability status, economic benefits, and food security importance. We analyzed 345 PGRFA using the index, separating them into two groups, 275 already conserved in the Colombian germplasm bank (BGVCOL group) and 70 not currently conserved in the BGVCOL (NCB group). We used fuzzy logic to classify each PGRFA by each pillar and integrate it to obtain a priority index. Missing data for native crops were frequent in the BGVCOL group. Therefore we adopted an imputation strategy to fill the gaps and calculated the uncertainty. After applying the index, PGRFA with higher priority were 24 (8.72%) from the BGVCOL (i.e., 15 potatoes, three tomatoes, two tree tomatoes, pineapple, cocoa, papaya, and yacon) and one from NCB (i.e., coffee). We concluded that this methodology successfully prioritized PGRFA in Colombia and shows the big holes of knowledge for future research and alternatives to improve this index. The versatility of this methodology could be helpful in other genebanks with budget limitations for research investment.
Recent advances in synthetic strategies and SAR of thiazolidin-4-one containing molecules in cancer therapeutics
Authors: Sharma Archana , Sharma Diksha , Saini Neha , Sharma Sunil V. , Thakur Vijay Kumar , Goyal Ramesh K. , Sharma Prabodh Chander
Published: May 2023

Cancer is one of the life-threatening diseases accountable for millions of demises globally. The inadequate effectiveness of the existing chemotherapy and its harmful effects has resulted in the necessity of developing innovative anticancer agents. Thiazolidin-4-one scaffold is among the most important chemical skeletons that illustrate anticancer activity. Thiazolidin-4-one derivatives have been the subject of extensive research and current scientific literature reveals that these compounds have shown significant anticancer activities. This manuscript is an earnest attempt to review novel thiazolidin-4-one derivatives demonstrating considerable potential as anticancer agents along with a brief discussion of medicinal chemistry-related aspects of these compounds and structural activity relationship studies in order to develop possible multi-target enzyme inhibitors. Most recently, various synthetic strategies have been developed by researchers to get various thiazolidin-4-one derivatives. In this review, the authors highlight the various synthetic, green, and nanomaterial-based synthesis routes of thiazolidin-4-ones as well as their role in anticancer activity by inhibition of various enzymes and cell lines. The detailed description of the existing modern standards in the field presented in this article may be interesting and beneficial to the scientists for further exploration of these heterocyclic compounds as possible anticancer agents.
Social Costs of Setback Distances for Onshore Wind Turbines: A Model Analysis Applied to the German State of Saxony
Authors: Reutter Felix , Drechsler Martin , Gawel Erik , Lehmann Paul
Published: May 2023

Wind power is a key for decarbonizing economies. Yet, wind turbines can produce negative environmental externalities. These include bird collisions and disamenities for residents. Setback distances for onshore wind turbines to settlements and bird nests are a common policy instrument to address these externalities. In this paper, we evaluate the cost-effectiveness of setback distances. We use a spatially-explicit model to investigate the social costs of different options for setbacks to settlements and red kite nests. In terms of social costs, we consider production costs and external costs associated with residents’ disamenities and red kite impacts given an exogenously set wind energy production target. The model is applied using data for the German State of Saxony. Three key results are: (1) More restrictive setbacks may increase social costs. (2) Uniform red kite setbacks reduce social costs rather than uniform settlement setbacks. (3) Differentiated settlement setbacks for different settlement types lead to substantially lower social costs than uniform setbacks.
The Landscape of Research on Prior Knowledge and Learning: a Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Bittermann André , McNamara Danielle , Simonsmeier Bianca A. , Schneider Michael
Published: May 2023

Understanding the role of prior knowledge in human learning is essential for predicting, improving, and explaining competence acquisition. However, the size and breadth of this field make it difficult for researchers to glean a comprehensive overview. Hence, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of 13,507 relevant studies published between 1980 and 2021. Abstracts, titles, and metadata were analyzed using text mining and network analysis. The studies investigated 23 topics forming five communities: Education, Learning Environments, Cognitive Processes, Nonacademic Settings, and Language. The investigated knowledge was diverse regarding its types, characteristics, and representations, covering more than 25 academic and non-academic content domains. The most frequently referenced theoretical backgrounds were the 3P Model, Cognitive Load Theory, and Conceptual Change approaches. While our results indicate that prior knowledge is a widely used cross-sectional research topic, there remains a need for more integrative theories of when and how prior knowledge causally affects learning.
Review on the Possibilities of Mapping Old-Growth Temperate Forests by Remote Sensing in Europe
Authors: Hirschmugl Manuela , Sobe Carina , Di Filippo Alfredo , Berger Vanessa , Kirchmeir Hanns , Vandekerkhove Kris
Published: May 2023

Old-growth forests (OGF) provide valuable ecosystem services such as habitat provision, carbon sequestration or recreation maintaining biodiversity, carbon storage, or human well-being. Long-term human pressure caused OGFs in Europe to be rare and scattered. Their detailed extent and current status are largely unknown. This review aims to identify potential methods to map temperate old-growth forests (tOGF) by remote sensing (RS) technology, highlights the potentials and benefits, and identifies main knowledge gaps requesting further research. RS offers a wide range of data and methods to map forests and their properties, applicable from local to continental scale. We structured existing mapping approaches in three main groups. First, parameter-based approaches, which are based on forest parameters and usually applied on local to regional scale using detailed data, often from airborne laser scanning (ALS). Second, direct approaches, usually employing machine learning algorithms to generate information from RS data, with high potential for large-area mapping but so far lacking operational applications and related sound accuracy assessment. Finally, indirect approaches integrating various existing data sets to predict OGF existence. These approaches have also been used for large area mapping with a main drawback of missing physical evidence of the identified areas to really hold OGFs as compared to the likelihood of OGF existence. In conclusion, studies dealing with the mapping of OGF using remote sensing are quite limited, but there is a huge amount of knowledge from other forestry-related applications that is yet to be leveraged for OGF identification. We discuss two scenarios, where different data and approaches are suitable, recognizing that one single system cannot serve all potential needs. These may be hot spot identification, detailed area delineation, or status assessment. Further, we pledge for a combined method to overcome the identified limitations of the individual approaches.
How Monet became a millionaire: the importance of the artist’s account books
Authors: Kelly Simon
Published: May 2023

This essay explores Monet’s rise to great wealth, drawing on evidence provided by the artist’s three account books, housed in the Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris. Assimilating unpublished data, the essay charts Monet’s growing annual income as well as the increasing individual prices for his paintings. It argues for the central role of the artist’s serial painting process in his financial success. The essay examines the seminal contribution of Parisian dealers to Monet’s growing wealth, principally the dealer Paul Durand-Ruel. It also explores Monet’s willingness to work with a range of other dealers in order to raise his prices. The essay looks at the significant role of Monet’s collectors, and particularly the internationalization of his clientele, as a key factor in his success. Overall, it argues for Monet’s commercial acumen, and in general, his recognition of the importance of his own agency in the creation of his market.
Hierarchical processing underpins competition in tactile perceptual bistability
Authors: Darki Farzaneh , Ferrario Andrea , Rankin James
Published: May 2023

Ambiguous sensory information can lead to spontaneous alternations between perceptual states, recently shown to extend to tactile perception. The authors recently proposed a simplified form of tactile rivalry which evokes two competing percepts for a fixed difference in input amplitudes across antiphase, pulsatile stimulation of the left and right fingers. This study addresses the need for a tactile rivalry model that captures the dynamics of perceptual alternations and that incorporates the structure of the somatosensory system. The model features hierarchical processing with two stages. The first and the second stages of model could be located at the secondary somatosensory cortex (area S2), or in higher areas driven by S2. The model captures dynamical features specific to the tactile rivalry percepts and produces general characteristics of perceptual rivalry: input strength dependence of dominance times (Levelt’s proposition II), short-tailed skewness of dominance time distributions and the ratio of distribution moments. The presented modelling work leads to experimentally testable predictions. The same hierarchical model could generalise to account for percept formation, competition and alternations for bistable stimuli that involve pulsatile inputs from the visual and auditory domains.
The Effect of Inequality and Prosperity on the European Market for Gambling Machines: A Socioeconomic Panel Analysis
Authors: Şimşek Talha , Weidner Linus
Published: May 2023

This study examines the potential influence of prosperity and inequality on gambling participation in Europe. We combined data from the Eurostat database, the Global Wealth Report, and the European Casino Association and estimated fixed effects panel regression models. We show that income inequality has a negative effect on the number of gambling machines that flattens for high values, while wealth inequality has a linear negative effect. Moreover, an increase in the disposable income of the lower quintiles leads to significant increases in the number of gambling machines per country. These findings are important for future researchers who relate any kind of economic variable to gambling as well as for policy makers, as our results suggest that the lower-income groups should be given the most attention with regards to gambling regulation.
Mutual Friction in Bosonic Superfluids: A Review
Authors: Sergeev Yuri A.
Published: May 2023

Mutual friction caused by scattering of thermal excitations by quantized vortices is a phenomenon of key importance for the understanding of vortex dynamics and quantum turbulence in finite-temperature superfluids. The article reviews theoretical, numerical, and experimental results obtained during the last 40 years in the study of mutual friction in bosonic superfluids such as $$^4$$

4

He and Bose–Einstein condensates. Among several research topics reviewed in this article particular attention is paid to the development of theory and numerical analysis of roton-vortex interactions and mutual friction in superfluid helium; an application of the two-fluid model for the analysis of the flow in the vicinity of the vortex core and the calculation of the longitudinal and transverse forces exerted on a vortex; vortex diffusivity in $$^4$$

4

He films; and theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies of thermal dissipation and mutual friction in finite-temperature Bose–Einstein condensates.
Polarization and Coherence in Mean Field Games Driven by Private and Social Utility
Authors: Dai Pra Paolo , Sartori Elena , Tolotti Marco
Published: May 2023

We study a mean field game in continuous time over a finite horizon, T, where the state of each agent is binary and where players base their strategic decisions on two, possibly competing, factors: the willingness to align with the majority (conformism) and the aspiration of sticking with the own type (stubbornness). We also consider a quadratic cost related to the rate at which a change in the state happens: changing opinion may be a costly operation. Depending on the parameters of the model, the game may have more than one Nash equilibrium, even though the corresponding N-player game does not. Moreover, it exhibits a very rich phase diagram, where polarized/unpolarized, coherent/incoherent equilibria may coexist, except for T small, where the equilibrium is always unique. We fully describe such phase diagram in closed form and provide a detailed numerical analysis of the N-player counterpart of the mean field game. In this finite dimensional setting, the equilibrium selected by the population of players is always coherent (favoring the subpopulation whose type is aligned with the initial condition), but it does not necessarily minimize the cost functional. Rather, it seems that, among the coherent ones, the equilibrium prevailing is the one that most benefits the underdog subpopulation forced to change opinion.
Surface Flux Transport on the Sun
Authors: Yeates Anthony R. , Cheung Mark C. M. , Jiang Jie , Petrovay Kristof , Wang Yi-Ming
Published: May 2023

We review the surface flux transport model for the evolution of magnetic flux patterns on the Sun’s surface. Our underlying motivation is to understand the model’s prediction of the polar field (or axial dipole) strength at the end of the solar cycle. The main focus is on the “classical” model: namely, steady axisymmetric profiles for differential rotation and meridional flow, and uniform supergranular diffusion. Nevertheless, the review concentrates on recent advances, notably in understanding the roles of transport parameters and – in particular – the source term. We also discuss the physical justification for the surface flux transport model, along with efforts to incorporate radial diffusion, and conclude by summarizing the main directions where researchers have moved beyond the classical model.
A method for accurate and reproducible specimen alignment for insertion tests of cochlear implant electrode arrays
Authors: Cramer Jakob , Böttcher-Rebmann Georg , Lenarz Thomas , Rau Thomas S.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The trajectory along which the cochlear implant electrode array is inserted influences the insertion forces and the probability for intracochlear trauma. Controlling the trajectory is especially relevant for reproducible conditions in electrode insertion tests. Using ex vivo cochlear specimens, manual alignment of the invisibly embedded cochlea is imprecise and hardly reproducible. The aim of this study was to develop a method for creating a 3D printable pose setting adapter to align a specimen along a desired trajectory toward an insertion axis.

Methods

Planning points of the desired trajectory into the cochlea were set using CBCT images. A new custom-made algorithm processed these points for automated calculation of a pose setting adapter. Its shape ensures coaxial positioning of the planned trajectory to both the force sensor measuring direction and the insertion axis. The performance of the approach was evaluated by dissecting and aligning 15 porcine cochlear specimens of which four were subsequently used for automated electrode insertions.

Results

The pose setting adapter could easily be integrated into an insertion force test setup. Its calculation and 3D printing was possible in all 15 cases. Compared to planning data, a mean positioning accuracy of 0.21 ± 0.10 mm at the level of the round window and a mean angular accuracy of 0.43° ± 0.21° were measured. After alignment, four specimens were used for electrode insertions, demonstrating the practical applicability of our method.

Conclusion

In this work, we present a new method, which enables automated calculation and creation of a ready-to-print pose setting adapter for alignment of cochlear specimens in insertion test setups. The approach is characterized by a high level of accuracy and reproducibility in controlling the insertion trajectory. Therefore, it enables a higher degree of standardization in force measurement when performing ex vivo insertion tests and thereby improves reliability in electrode testing.
“Monogamy? In this Economy?”: Stigma and Resilience in Consensual Non-Monogamous Relationships
Authors: Füllgrabe Doris , Smith David S.
Published: May 2023

Monogamous marriage, sometimes called “the bedrock of society,” still carries an apparent “halo” of moral superiority as a relationship structure. In contrast, consensual non-monogamous (CNM) configurations are stigmatized. Research indicates a connection between stigma, stress, and negative health outcomes, despite CNM comparing favorably with monogamy. The present study uses interviews to explore minority stress and resilience among individuals in CNM relationships. Participants experienced structural stigma as erasure, and interpersonal stigma as erasure and educational/emotional work. They also describe complex enmeshment between their relationship minority status and other aspects of their sexual and gender identities. Strategic disclosure and concealment were important management tools. Furthermore, managing individual (internalized) stigma was described as unlearning mononormative bias and surrounding oneself with supportive peers/allies. The strongest motivator for perseverance was the steadfast conviction that the advantages of CNM outweighed the challenges.
Artificial intelligence assisted detection of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in white-light endoscopic images by using a generalized system
Authors: Feng Yadong , Liang Yan , Li Peng , Long Qigang , Song Jie , Li Mengjie , Wang Xiaofen , Cheng Cui-e , Zhao Kai , Ma Jifeng , Zhao Lingxiao
Published: May 2023

Background

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) assisted white light imaging (WLI) detection systems for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) is limited by training with images from one specific endoscopy platform.

Methods

In this study, we developed an AI system with a convolutional neural network (CNN) model using WLI images from Olympus and Fujifilm endoscopy platforms. The training dataset consisted of 5892 WLI images from 1283 patients, and the validation dataset included 4529 images from 1224 patients. We assessed the diagnostic performance of the AI system and compared it with that of endoscopists. We analyzed the system's ability to identify cancerous imaging characteristics and investigated the efficacy of the AI system as an assistant in diagnosis.

Results

In the internal validation set, the AI system's per-image analysis had a sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 96.64%, 95.35%, 91.75%, 90.91%, and 98.33%, respectively. In patient-based analysis, these values were 90.17%, 94.34%, 88.38%, 89.50%, and 94.72%, respectively. The diagnostic results in the external validation set were also favorable. The CNN model’s diagnostic performance in recognizing cancerous imaging characteristics was comparable to that of expert endoscopists and significantly higher than that of mid-level and junior endoscopists. This model was competent in localizing SESCC lesions. Manual diagnostic performances were significantly improved with the assistance by AI system, especially in terms of accuracy (75.12% vs. 84.95%, p = 0.008), specificity (63.29% vs. 76.59%, p = 0.017) and PPV (64.95% vs. 75.23%, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that the developed AI system is highly effective in automatically recognizing SESCC, displaying impressive diagnostic performance, and exhibiting strong generalizability. Furthermore, when used as an assistant in the diagnosis process, the system improved manual diagnostic performance.
Global multiplicity, special closure and non-degeneracy of gradient maps
Authors: Bivià-Ausina Carles , Huarcaya Jorge A. C.
Published: May 2023

Given a polynomial map $$F:\mathbb C^n\longrightarrow \mathbb C^p$$

F
:

C
n

⟶

C
p

with finite zero set, $$p\geqslant n$$

p
⩾
n

, we introduce the notion of global multiplicity $${\text {m}}(F)$$

m
(
F
)

associated to F, which is analogous to the multiplicity of ideals in Noetherian local rings. This notion allows to characterize numerically the Newton non-degeneracy at infinity of F. This fact motivates us to study a combinatorial inequality concerning the normalized volume of global Newton polyhedra and to characterize the corresponding equality using special closures. We also study the Newton non-degeneracy at infinity of gradient maps.
The prediction of postoperative delirium with the preoperative bispectral index in older aged patients: a cohort study
Authors: Bao Lin , Liu Taotao , Zhang Zhenzhen , Pan Qian , Wang Lifang , Fan Guohui , Li Zhengqian , Yin Yiqing
Published: May 2023

Background

Postoperative delirium (POD) is the most common postoperative complication in elderly patients, especially in older aged patients (aged 75 years or over). The development of electroencephalography analysis could provide indicators for early detection, intervention, and evaluation. If there are pathophysiological changes in the brain, the BIS value will also change accordingly. In this study, we investigated the predictive value of the preoperative bispectral (BIS) index in POD for patients aged over 75 years.

Methods

In this prospective study, patients (≥ 75 years) undergoing elective non-neurosurgery and non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia were included (n = 308). Informed consent was obtained from all involved patients. Before the operation and during the first 5 postoperative days, delirium was assessed with the confusion assessment method by trained researchers twice every day. Thereafter, the preoperative bedside BIS of each patient was dynamically acquired by the BIS VISTA monitoring system and the BIS monitoring of electrodes. A series of evaluation scales were assessed before and after surgery. A preoperative predictive score was generated according to the results of multivariable logistic regression. The receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn and the area under the curves was estimated to evaluate the perioperative diagnostic values of BIS and preoperative predictive score for POD. The specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive (NPV) value were calculated.

Results

Delirium occurred in 50 of 308 (16.2%) patients. The median BIS of delirious patients was 86.7 (interquartile range [IQR] 80.0–94.0), lower than that of the non-delirious 91.9 (IQR 89.7–95.4, P < 0.001). According to the ROC curve of the BIS index, the optimal cut-off value was 84, with a sensitivity of 48%, specificity of 87%, PPV 43%, NPV 89% for forecasting POD and the area under curves was 0.67. While integrating BIS, mini-mental state examination, anemia, activities of daily living, and blood urea nitrogen, the model had a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 74%, PPV of 0.37%, and NPV of 95% for forecasting POD, and the area under curves was 0.83.

Conclusions

Preoperative bedside BIS in delirium patients was lower than that in non-delirium patients when undergoing non-neurosurgery and non-cardiac surgery in patients aged over 75. The model of integrating BIS, mini-mental state examination, anemia, activities of daily living, and blood urea nitrogen is a promising tool for predicting postoperative delirium in patients aged over 75.
Low prolactin level identifies hypoactive sexual desire disorder women with a reduced inhibition profile
Authors: Maseroli E. , Verde N. , Cipriani S. , Rastrelli G. , Alfaroli C. , Ravelli S. A. , Costeniero D. , Scairati R. , Minnetti M. , Petraglia F. , Auriemma R. S. , Nappi R. E. , Maggi M. , Vignozzi L.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Data on the role of prolactin (PRL) in the physiologic range in the female sexual response are scanty. We aimed at investigating the association between PRL and sexual function as assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). We explored the presence of a cut-off level of PRL able to identify Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD).

Methods

277 pre- and post-menopausal women consulting for Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) and sexually active were enrolled in an observational, retrospective study. 42 women were used as no-FSD controls. A clinical, biochemical and psychosexual evaluation was performed. The main outcome measures were: FSFI, Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised, Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire and Sexual excitation/sexual inhibition scale (SIS/SES).

Results

Normo-PRL FSD women (n = 264) showed lower FSFI Desire score than controls (n = 42), and higher than hyper-PRL FSD women (n = 13). These differences emerged both in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal subjects. In the normo-PRL FSD group, those with PRL in the higher quintile reported higher FSFI Desire scores than those with PRL in the lowest quintile. Women with HSDD presented a lower PRL level than those without (p = 0.032). A ROC curve analysis for PRL showed an accuracy of 0.610 ± 0.044 (p = 0.014) in predicting HSDD. With a threshold of < 9.83 μg/L, sensitivity and specificity for HSDD were 63% and 56%, respectively. Subjects with PRL < 9.83 μg/L also reported lower sexual inhibition (p = 0.006) and lower cortisol levels (p = 0.003) than those with PRL >  = 9.83 μg/L.

Conclusions

Hyper-PRL is associated with low desire; however, among normo-PRL FSD women, those with the lowest levels demonstrated a poorer desire than those with the highest levels. PRL < 9.83 μg/L predicted HSDD and a lower sexual inhibitory trait.
Hydrogeophysical investigation of aquifer parameters and seawater intrusion: a case study from Eastern Mitidja plain, Algeria
Authors: Nemer Z. , Khaldaoui F. , Benaissa Z. , Belaroui A. , Tebbouche M. Y. , Ydri A.
Published: May 2023

The rapid depletion of surface water due to climate change increases the world's water demand. As a result, groundwater resources are rapidly emerging as the primary source of freshwater supply for various needs. However, overexploitation and inadequate management of these resources can lead to irreversible contamination of freshwater reservoirs. Effective groundwater resource management depends on a detailed understanding of hydrogeological parameters that control the complex functioning of aquifers. However, these data are often scarce due to their expensive acquisition process. The present study assesses the use of geophysical methods for the estimation of hydrogeological parameters namely hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity. Moreover, the study evaluates the marine intrusion in the coastal aquifer of one of the most important plains of Algeria. The approach suggested is based on a combination of cost-effective geophysical techniques (geoelectrical surveys) and precise hydrogeological data. The results identified aquifer parameters relevant to the location of new water wells and allowed delineation of the seawater/freshwater interface.
Life on the Edge: Bioprospecting Extremophiles for Astrobiology
Authors: Schultz Júnia , dos Santos Alef , Patel Niketan , Rosado Alexandre Soares
Published: May 2023

Discovering exoplanets and satellites in habitable zones within and beyond our solar system has sparked intrigue in planetary setting varieties that could support life. Based on our understanding of life on Earth, we can shed light on the origin, evolution, and future of Earth-like organisms in the galaxy and predict extinct or extant extraterrestrial life. Hence, extremophiles thriving in mimic outer space environments are particularly interesting as they exhibit traits that preponderate our comprehension regarding the possibility of life elsewhere and in situ life detection. Additionally, many extremophiles have been used for astrobiological research model organisms to unveil native alien life or possible life-produced metabolites outside Earth. Laboratory-based simulation chambers mimic this outer space condition, helping researchers study life beyond Earth in near identical conditions and understand molecular mechanisms for survival. This review summarizes relevant studies with isolated microorganisms from extreme analog Earth environments, harnessing them as promising astrobiological model candidates for pursuing life potentialities in other planetary bodies. We also highlight the necessity of environmental simulation chamber approaches for mimicking extraterrestrial habitats.
Prevalence of mental health and behaviour problems among adolescents in the English-speaking Caribbean: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liverpool Shaun , Prescod Jamal , Pereira Brent , Trotman Catherine
Published: May 2023

Objective

Children and young people (CYP) from low-and-middle-income and developing countries are at risk of poor mental health and wellbeing. Yet these regions are generally under-resourced in terms of mental health services. As a first step to inform service planning and delivery in the English-speaking Caribbean we pooled the available evidence to estimate the prevalence of common mental health problems.

Methods

A comprehensive search of CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, LILACS, and Web of Science databases, supplemented by grey literature searches was performed until January 2022. Studies conducted in the English-speaking Caribbean that reported prevalence estimates of mental health symptomology or diagnoses in CYP were included. The Freeman-Tukey transformation was applied to calculate the weighted summary prevalence under a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were also performed to observe emerging patterns in the data. Studies were quality assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Checklist and the GRADE approach. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021283161.

Results

33 publications from 28 studies representing 65,034 adolescents from 14 countries met the eligibility criteria. Prevalence estimates ranged from 0.8 to 71.9% with most subgroup estimates between 20 and 30%. The overall pooled prevalence of mental health problems was 23.5% (95% CI 0.175–0.302; I2 = 99.7%). There was limited evidence of significant variation in prevalence estimates among subgroups. The quality of the body of evidence was judged as moderate.

Conclusion

It is estimated that between 1 in 4 and 1 in 5 adolescents in the English-speaking Caribbean experience symptoms of mental health problems. These findings highlight the importance of sensitisation, screening, and provision of appropriate services. Ongoing research identifying risk factors and validating outcome measures is also needed to inform evidence-based practice.
Mortality Cases of Mushroom Poisoning with Russula subnigricans
Authors: Chun Mo Se , Min Mun Ki , Ryu Ji Ho , Lee Dae Sub , Lee Min Jee , Hyun Taegyu , Shon Seung Woo
Published: May 2023

Mushroom poisoning is increasing worldwide, as well as the incidence of fatal mushroom poisoning. Several new syndromes associated with mushroom poisoning have been described in the literature. Notably, 1 of the newly identified mushroom poisonings is Russula subnigricans poisoning. R subnigricans can be classified as causing a delayed-onset rhabdomyolytic syndrome as patients with this severe poisoning present with severe rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, and cardiomyopathy. However, there are only a few reports on the toxicity of R subnigricans. We recently treated 6 patients with R subnigricans mushroom poisoning, of whom 2 died. The 2 patients showed severe rhabdomyolysis, metabolic acidosis, acute renal failure, electrolyte imbalance, and irreversible shock, which caused their deaths. Mushroom poisoning should be considered in the evaluation of rhabdomyolysis of unknown origin. In addition, in cases of mushroom poisoning with severe rhabdomyolysis, R subnigricans poisoning should be promptly identified.
Two Faces of Responsibility for Beliefs
Authors: Luvisotto Giulia
Published: May 2023

The conception of responsibility for beliefs typically assumed in the literature mirrors the practices ofaccountabilityfor actions. In this paper, I argue that this trend leaves a part of what it is to be responsible unduly neglected, namely the practices ofattributability.After offering a diagnosis for this neglect, I bring these practices into focus and develop a virtue-theoretic framework to vindicate them. I then investigate the specificity of the belief case and conclude by resisting two challenges, namely that attributability cannot amount to genuine responsibility and that it can be reduced to a sort of accountability.
Raw driving data of passenger cars considering traffic conditions in Semnan city
Authors: Azadi Mohammad , Malekan Ali , Shahsavand Ali
Published: May 2023

This article analyzes raw driving data of passenger cars in the city of Semnan in Iran, with the objective of understanding the impact of traffic conditions at different times of day (morning, noon, evening, and night). For this study, two cars, the Toyota Prius and the Peugeot Pars (or the IKCO Persia), were used, and the data of speed, longitude, latitude, and altitude of the vehicles were acquired. This data was collected over a week (July 21–28, 2022) for a distance of 670 km (13 hr), with the help of the Global Positioning System application, and were presented for both cars. In addition to this, the data on fuel consumption and average speed, based on the Electronic Control Unit in the Prius, was also collected. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was done on the features of the raw data, based on the Principal Component Analysis method.
Reducing the number of catheter-associated urinary tract infections at an inpatient rehabilitation facility: A quality improvement project
Authors: Walker Clayton R. , Jacob Jerry
Published: May 2023

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), including catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), increased significantly across the country. This report describes a quality improvement project aimed at reducing the incidence of CAUTIs at an inpatient rehabilitation facility.
Editors’ introduction: 10 years of the Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy (2013–2022) – taking stock and charting a route forward
Authors: Kühner Stefan , Hong Ijin , Ketola Markus , Roumpakis Antonios
Published: May 2023

Over the last 10 years, to no small degree, thanks to the work of the outgoing editors Zoë Irving and Kevin Farnsworth, the Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy (hereafter: the Journal) has positioned itself among the leading outlets for international and comparative social policy research.