bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subcutaneous versus transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator among drug-induced type-1 ECG pattern Brugada syndrome: a propensity score matching analysis from IBRYD study
Authors: Russo Vincenzo , Caturano Alfredo , Guerra Federico , Migliore Federico , Mascia Giuseppe , Rossi Andrea , Nesti Martina , Santobuono Vincenzo Ezio , Attena Emilio , Tola Gianfranco , Sciarra Luigi , Conte Giulio , Paoletti Perini Alessandro , Francia Pietro , Dendramis Gregory , Palamà Zefferino , Albani Stefano , Ottonelli Ghidini Andrea , Calò Leonardo , D’Onofrio Antonio , Baldi Enrico ,   IBRYD Study Group, Nigro Gerardo , Sasso Ferdinando Carlo , Barca Luca , Porto Italo , Notarstefano Pasquale , Ruocco Maria Antonietta , Franchetti Pardo Livia , Adducci Carmen , Berlier Nicola , Sarubbi Berardo , Vicentini Alessandro , Floris Roberto , Romeo Emanuele , Golino Paolo
Published: November 2022

No real-world data are available about the complications rate in drug-induced type 1 Brugada Syndrome (BrS) patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Aim of our study is to compare the device-related complications, infections, and inappropriate therapies among drug-induced type 1 BrS patients with transvenous- ICD (TV-ICD) versus subcutaneous-ICD (S-ICD). Data for this study were sourced from the IBRYD (Italian BRugada sYnDrome) registry which includes 619 drug-induced type-1 BrS patients followed at 20 Italian tertiary referral hospitals. For the present analysis, we selected 258 consecutive BrS patients implanted with ICD. 198 patients (76.7%) received a TV-ICD, while 60 a S-ICD (23.4%). And were followed-up for a median time of 84.3 [46.5–147] months. ICD inappropriate therapies were experienced by 16 patients (6.2%). 14 patients (7.1%) in the TVICD group and 2 patients (3.3%) in S-ICD group (log-rank P = 0.64). ICD-related complications occurred in 31 patients (12%); 29 (14.6%) in TV-ICD group and 2 (3.3%) in S-ICD group (log-rank P = 0.41). ICD-related infections occurred in 10 patients (3.88%); 9 (4.5%) in TV-ICD group and 1 (1.8%) in S-ICD group (log-rank P = 0.80). After balancing for potential confounders using the propensity score matching technique, no differences were found in terms of clinical outcomes between the two groups. In a real-world setting of drug-induced type-1 BrS patients with ICD, no significant differences in inappropriate ICD therapies, device-related complications, and infections were shown among S-ICD vs TV-ICD. However, a reduction in lead-related complications was observed in the S-ICD group. In conclusion, our evidence suggests that S-ICD is at least non-inferior to TV-ICD in this population and may also reduce the risk of lead-related complications which can expose the patients to the necessity of lead extractions.
Revision lateralization osteotomy of the tibial tubercle has excellent outcomes in patients suffering from previous medial tibial tubercle overcorrection
Authors: Gebhardt Sebastian , Zimmerer Alexander , Zimmermann Felix , Wassilew Georgi I. , Balcarek Peter
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) is a common procedure used to treat patients with patellofemoral instability (PFI) and osteoarthritis (PFOA). Medial patellar maltracking due to previous excessive medialization of the tibial tubercle has rarely been reported. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after revision osteotomy with lateralization of the tibial tubercle (RL-TTO) to correct medial patellofemoral maltracking.

Materials and methods

Between 2017 and 2021, a series of 11 patients (male/female 1/10; age 35.8 ± 10.5 years) were treated by RL-TTO, of whom 8 patients could be retrospectively evaluated after a mean of 32.4 ± 15.1 months (range 18–61 months) postoperatively. The Kujala anterior knee pain scale, the patellofemoral subscale of the Knee Osteoarthritis and Outcome Score (KOOS-PF), and a numeric analog scale (NAS; 0–10) regarding anterior knee pain (AKP) at rest and during activity were assessed from pre- to postoperatively.

Results

The preoperative mean tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) and tibial tubercle-posterior cruciate ligament (TT-PCL) distances were − 6.5 ± 6.5 mm and 0.7 ± 4.6 mm, respectively. The intraoperatively determined amount of tibial tubercle lateralization averaged 10.7 ± 3.6 mm. The Kujala score and KOOS-PF improved significantly from 33.6 ± 10.1 (23–51) points to 94.4 ± 6.2 points (82–100) (p < 0.001) and from 20.6 ± 13.2 points (0–43.3) to 87.3 ± 9.9 points (72.8–100) (p < 0.001) from pre- to postoperatively, respectively. Pain at rest decreased from 5.8 ± 1.9 to 0.8 ± 0.9 (p < 0.001), and pain during activity decreased from 8.6 ± 1.3 to 1.6 ± 1.5 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

RL-TTO significantly improved subjective knee function and AKP in patients suffering from medial patellar maltracking due to previous excessive tibial tubercle medialization osteotomy at short-term follow-up.
Effect of low-dose atropine eyedrops on pupil metrics: results after half a year of treatment and cessation
Authors: Bai Wei-Ling , Gan Jia-He , Wei Shifei , Li Shi-Ming , An Wen-Zai , Liang Xin-Tong , Tian Jia-Xin , Yin Lei , Wang Ningli
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of low-dose atropine eyedrops on pupil metrics.

Methods

This study was based on a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, and cross-over trial in mainland China. In phase 1, subjects received 0.01% atropine or placebo once nightly. After 1 year, the atropine group switched to placebo (atropine-placebo group), and the placebo group switched to atropine (placebo-atropine group). Ocular parameters were measured at the crossover time point (at the 12th month) and the 18th month.

Results

Of 105 subjects who completed the study, 48 and 57 children were allocated into the atropine-placebo and placebo-atropine groups, respectively. After cessation, the photopic pupil diameter (PD) and mesopic PD both decreased (− 0.46 ± 0.47 mm, P < 0.001; − 0.30 ± 0.74 mm, P = 0.008), and the constriction ratio (CR, %) increased (4.39 ± 7.54, P < 0.001) compared with values at the crossover time point of the atropine-placebo group; pupil metrics of the atropine-placebo group had no difference from the values at the crossover time point of the placebo-atropine group. After 6 months of treatment, the photopic PD and the mesopic PD increased (0.54 ± 0.67 mm, P < 0.001; 0.53 ± 0.89 mm, P < 0.001), the CR (%) decreased (− 2.53 ± 8.64, P < 0.001) compared with values at the crossover time point of the placebo-atropine group. There was no significant relationship between pupil metrics and myopia progression during 0.01% atropine treatment.

Conclusion

Pupil metrics and the CR could return to pre-atropine levels after cessation. Pupil metrics had no significant effect on myopia progression during treatment.
Imaginaries, directionalities, agency and new path creation
Authors: Herzog Anna
Published: November 2022

This study focuses on how imaginaries and directionalities, i.e. the interpretation of the urban economic history and the derived fundamental perceptions, conventions, mental representations and identities, influence stakeholder behaviour (agency) with regard to enabling or inhibiting new path creation. Applying concepts of evolutionary economic geography (EEG) and sociology, this paper aims to contribute to the literature on the impact of historical dependences on urban structural change processes. These theoretical reflections are applied to an empirical case study analysing the decline and renaissance of the textile industry in Mönchengladbach, Germany. The qualitative case study is based on a document-based analysis and seven guideline-based interviews with local experts from the textile and clothing industry. It concludes that imaginaries and directionalities can take effect via four mechanisms: communication and cooperation, motivation, training and employment, and research and innovation.
Characterization of sebaceous and non-sebaceous cutaneous manifestations in patients with lynch syndrome: a systematic review
Authors: Aziz Shahram , O’Sullivan Hazel , Heelan Kara , Alam Afrina , McVeigh Terri P.
Published: November 2022

A subset of patients with Lynch Syndrome demonstrates cutaneous manifestations of the disorder. Characterization of these Lynch-related skin lesions could help in early recognition of patients with Lynch Syndrome. A broad search of the literature on OVID Medline and Embase was carried out to capture papers reporting cutaneous manifestations in Lynch Syndrome patients. The results were uploaded into Mendeley reference management software. The PRISMA workflow was used in the literature selection process. In this systematic review, data were collected from 961 cases from 413 studies, including 380 molecularly confirmed Lynch Syndrome cases. The main skin lesions were: Sebaceous adenomas (43%), sebaceous carcinomas (27%), keratoacanthomas (16%), sebaceomas (13%), squamous cell carcinomas (23%), and basal cell carcinomas (10%). MSH2 variants were the most common underlying genotype (72%). Assessment of mismatch repair by immunohistochemistry, microsatellite instability analysis, or both were performed on 328 skin lesions from 220 (58%) molecularly confirmed cases. In those skin lesions, 95% of Immunohistochemistry and 90% of the microsatellite instability test results were concordant with the underlying genotype. Sebaceous skin lesions are well-recognised phenotypic features of Lynch Syndrome. Our results show that squamous and basal cell carcinomas are relatively common in patients with Lynch syndrome; however, available evidence cannot confirm that Lynch syndrome is causal. Immunohistochemistry and/or microsatellite instability testing of skin tumours in patients with a family history of Lynch Syndrome-associated cancers may be a useful approach in identifying patients requiring referral to Clinical Genetics and/or consideration of germline genetic testing for Lynch Syndrome.
An Informational Approach to Emergence
Authors: Gnoli Claudio
Published: November 2022

Emergence can be described as a relationship between entities at different levels of organization, that looks especially puzzling at the transitions between the major levels of matter, life, cognition and culture. Indeed, each major level is dependent on the lower one not just for its constituents, but in some more formal way. A passage by François Jacob suggests that all such evolutionary transitions are associated with the appearance of some form of memory–genetic, neural or linguistic respectively. This implies that they have an informational nature. Based on this idea, we propose a general model of informational systems understood as combinations of modules taken from a limited inventory. Some informational systems are “semantic” models, that is reproduce features of their environment. Among these, some are also “informed”, that is have a pattern derived from a memory subsystem. The levels and components of informed systems can be listed to provide a general framework for knowledge organization, of relevance in both philosophical ontology and applied information services.
Energy-Efficient and Load-Aware VM Placement in Cloud Data Centers
Authors: Li Zhihua , Lin Kaiqing , Cheng Shunhang , Yu Lei , Qian Junhao
Published: November 2022

VM consolidation has been proposed as an effective solution to improve resource utilization and energy efficiency through VM migration. Improper VM placement during consolidation may cause frequent VM migrations and constant on–off switching of PMs, which can significantly hurt QoS and increase energy consumption. Most existing algorithms on efficient VM placement suffer the problem of easily falling into a sub-optimum prematurely since they are heuristic. Also, they do not achieve a good balance between multiple different goals, such as resource utilization, QoS, and energy efficiency. To address this problem, we propose an effective and efficient VM placement approach called MOEA/D-based VM placement, with the goal of optimizing energy efficiency and resource utilization. We develop an improved MOEA/D algorithm to search for a Pareto-compromise solution for VM placement. Our experiment results demonstrate that the proposed multi-objective optimization (MOO) model and VM placement solution have immense potential as it offers significant cost savings and a significant improvement in energy efficiency and resource utilization under dynamic workload scenarios.
Undergraduate students’ knowledge outcomes and how these relate to their educational experiences: a longitudinal study of chemistry in two countries
Authors: Ashwin Paul , Blackie Margaret , Pitterson Nicole , Smit Reneé
Published: November 2022

Are the ways of engaging with the world that students develop through higher education particular to bodies of knowledge they study? In this article, we examine how students’ accounts of the discipline of chemistry in England and South Africa changed over the three years of their undergraduate degrees. Based on a longitudinal phenomenographic analysis of 105 interviews with 33 chemistry students over the course of their undergraduate degrees in four institutions, we constituted five qualitatively different ways of describing chemistry. These ranged from chemistry as something that happens when things are mixed in a laboratory to a more inclusive account that described chemistry as being able to explain molecular interactions in unfamiliar environments. Most students expressed more inclusive accounts of chemistry by the end of their degrees and the level of change appeared to be related to their educational experiences. In contrast to approaches that emphasise the generic student outcomes from higher education, these findings highlight the importance of recognising the distinctive outcomes that students gain from their engagement with particular bodies of disciplinary knowledge. It further highlights the importance of students understanding their degrees as an educational experience that requires them to commit to engaging with these bodies of knowledge.
Measuring the Impact of Forest Edges on the Highly Arboreal Sahamalaza Sportive Lemur, Lepilemur Sahamalaza, in North-Western Madagascar
Authors: Mandl Isabella , Rabemananjara Naina , Holderied Marc , Schwitzer Christoph
Published: November 2022

The progressive fragmentation of forest habitat is causing an increase in edge areas that may differ structurally and in quality from forest interiors. We investigated the impact of edge effects on habitat structure, behaviour, and ecology of the small, nocturnal, and highly arboreal Sahamalaza sportive lemur, Lepilemur sahamalaza. To understand edge effects, we established edge-to-interior gradients using temperature, humidity, and light intensity measurements along transects. From 773 h of behavioural observations on 14 individual sportive lemurs between 2015 and 2016, we compared home range sizes, activity budgets, and habitat use of animals inhabiting the edge area and those in the core forest. We found that microclimatic edge effects penetrated the forest up to 165 m, but that there was no significant edge effect on vegetation; forest vegetation was structurally variable throughout. Individual sportive lemurs living in the edge area used more trees with a diameter at breast height of less than 5 cm but showed no other behavioural differences to individuals inhabiting the core forest. The study shows that this species may not be impacted by edge effects, at least in situations in which vegetation structure is not affected, despite microclimatic differences.
Targeting of neuroinflammation by glibenclamide in Covid-19: old weapon from arsenal
Authors: Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Al-kuraishy Hayder M. , Al-Gareeb Ali I. , Alruwaili Mubarak , AlRuwaili Raed , Albogami Sarah M. , Alorabi Mohammed , Saad Hebatallah M. , Simal-Gandara Jesus
Published: November 2022

In coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) era, neuroinflammation may develop due to neuronal tropism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and/or associated immune activation, cytokine storm, and psychological stress. SARS-CoV-2 infection and linked cytokine storm may cause blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury through which activated immune cells and SARS-CoV-2 can pass into the brain causing activation of glial cells with subsequent neuroinflammation. Different therapeutic regimens were suggested to alleviate Covid-19-induced neuroinflammation. Since glibenclamide has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, it could be effective in mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced neuroinflammation. Glibenclamide is a second-generation drug from the sulfonylurea family, which acts by inhibiting the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K channel in the regulatory subunit of type 1 sulfonylurea receptor (SUR-1) in pancreatic β cells. Glibenclamide reduces neuroinflammation and associated BBB injury by inhibiting the nod-like receptor pyrin 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, oxidative stress, and microglial activation. Therefore, glibenclamide through inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, microglial activation, and oxidative stress may attenuate SARS-CoV-2-mediated neuroinflammation.
Shelf-life stability of Asparagopsis bromoform in oil and freeze-dried powder
Authors: Tan Siong , Harris Jessica , Roque Breanna M. , Askew Shane , Kinley Robert D.
Published: November 2022

The idea of delivering bromoform from Asparagopsis using edible oil has gained momentum recently due to the improved processing time and that it is already a feed that many livestock producers use. The stability of bromoform in oil compared to freeze-dried product is still not well understood. To fill this gap, a systematic study was carried out to determine the effects of storage temperatures (40 °C, 25 °C, 4 °C and -20 °C), fluorescent light and exposure to open air, on the retention of bromoform in freeze-dried Asparagopsis (FD-Asp) and Asparagopsis oil (Asp-Oil) over 24-week period. In the absence of fluorescent light, Asp-Oil was a more effective way to preserve bromoform compared to FD-Asp due to either no change or higher Asp-Oil bromoform content (storage temperature dependent) after 24-week storage. Under the same conditions, FD-Asp bromoform content decreased by 74% at 40 °C, 53% at 25 °C, 6% at 4 °C, and no change of FD-Asp bromoform content at -20 °C. The presence of fluorescent light negatively affected Asp-Oil bromoform content at both 25 °C and 40 °C while the effect was insignificant on FD-Asp. The exposure of Asp-Oil to open air resulted in the decrease of bromoform content to below quantification limit (0.18 mg g−1) on week 8 for 40 °C sample and on week 16 for 25 °C sample. This study provides empirical evidence on the stabilising effect of oil in preserving bromoform extracted from Asparagopsis, confirming it is a more attractive medium to deliver bromoform compared to the freeze-dried powder form.
Social Needs and Acculturation as Predictors of Emotional Problems and Perceived Stress Among Latinx Mothers with Low Income
Authors: Keeton Victoria F. , Bell Janice F. , Gottlieb Laura M. , Drake Christiana , Pantell Matthew , Hessler Danielle , Wing Holly , Fernandez y Garcia Erik O.
Published: November 2022

Associations between household social needs, acculturation, and emotional health remain understudied, particularly among Latinx mothers. We analyzed baseline survey data from 455 Latinx mothers in a previous study. Using multinomial regression, we examined whether emotional problems and perceived stress were associated with household social needs and acculturation. Almost half the sample reported four or more household social needs. Social needs cumulatively and independently predicted increased odds of frequent emotional problems or perceived stress. Lower acculturation predicted lower odds of frequent emotional problems. There is increased risk for emotional problems and stress in low-income Latinx mothers who experience high social need. Integrated social service and mental health care models may be one way to improve health outcomes. More research is needed to understand how clinical settings can leverage unique cultural protective factors to address the social and emotional health needs of Latinx mothers.
Synthesis and properties of bio-based thermoplastic poly(ether urethane) for soft actuators
Authors: Jung Yang Sook , Woo Jeongjae , Lee Eunsol , Lee Sunhee , Shin Eun Joo
Published: November 2022

In this study, bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for use in soft actuators is bio-based poly(ether-urethane) made using fermented corn, along with bio-derived compounds such as propane-1,3-diol (PDO) as a chain extender. Bio-based TPUs were obtained through a solvent-free one-shot synthesis method, and the effects of varying the [NCO]/[OH] molar ratio and type of isocyanates on chemical structure, thermal stability, and mechanical properties were investigated. The degree of phase separation (DPS) and state of hard segment (HS) / soft segment (SS) of TPU are important factors affecting the thermal and physical properties of the prepared film. These properties depend on the [NCO]/[OH] molar ratio and the type of isocyanates used for polymerization. The results showed that, when aromatic isocyanate was used, the degree of separation of the HS/SS was improved as the molar ratio increased. The average molecular weight and DPS as well as thermal and mechanical properties of 1-isocyanato-4-[(4-isocyanatophenyl)methyl]benzene (MDI)-based TPU samples are all higher than those of 1,1’-methylenebis(4-isocyanatocyclohexane) (H12MDI)-based TPU samples in spite of the lower HS content. These findings of this study are expected to contribute to the preparation of fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing or 4D printing for shape memory polymer from bio-based TPU filaments for use in soft actuators with a shore hardness range of 59~84A.
Facial expression recognition based on improved depthwise separable convolutional network
Authors: Huo Hua , Yu YaLi , Liu ZhongHua
Published: November 2022

A single network model can’t extract more complex and rich effective features. Meanwhile, the network structure is usually huge, and there are many parameters and consume more space resources, etc. Therefore, the combination of multiple network models to extract complementary features has attracted extensive attention. In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art that the network model can’t extract high spatial depth features, redundant network structure parameters, and weak generalization ability, this paper adopts two models of Xception module and inverted residual structure to build the neural network. Based on this, a face expression recognition method based on improved depthwise separable convolutional network is proposed in the paper. Firstly, Gaussian filtering is performed by Canny operator to remove noise, and combined with two original pixel feature maps to form a three-channel image. Secondly, the inverted residual structure of MobileNetV2 model is introduced into the network structure. Finally, the extracted features are classified by Softmax classifier, and the entire network model uses ReLU6 as the nonlinear activation function. The experimental results show that the recognition rate is 70.76% in Fer2013 dataset (facial expression recognition 2013) and 97.92% in CK+ dataset (extended Cohn Kanade). It can be seen that this method not only effectively mines the deeper and more abstract features of the image, but also prevents network over-fitting and improves the generalization ability.
Mathematical Models of Chiral Symmetry-breaking – A Review of General Theories, and Adiabatic Approximations of the APED System
Authors: Diniz Priscila C. , Wattis Jonathan A. D. , da Costa Fernando P.
Published: November 2022

We review the literature surrounding chiral symmetry-breaking in chemical systems, with a focus on understanding the mathematical models underlying these chemical processes. We comment in particular on the toy model of Sandars, Viedma’s crystal grinding systems and the APED model. We include a few new results based on asymptotic analysis of the APED system.
Adventitious organogenesis and phytochemical composition of Madonna lily (Lilium candidum L.) in vitro modeled by different light quality
Authors: Pałka Piotr , Cioć Monika , Hura Katarzyna , Szewczyk-Taranek Bożena , Pawłowska Bożena
Published: November 2022

Lilium candidum L. is a plant with rich cultural traditions and huge potential in floriculture and modern medicine. Our study analyzed the effects of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of variable quality on adventitious organogenesis induced in bulb scales placed on Murashige and Skoog medium. In addition to the spectral compositions of red (100%), blue (100%), and red and blue light (RB ratio 7:3), RB light was mixed in equal proportions (50%) with green (RBG), yellow (RBY), UV (RBUV), and far red (RBfR) light. We also tested white LED (Wled). Fluorescent lamp light (Fl) and darkness (D) served as controls. We assessed the effects of light on the morphometric features as well as the physiological and biochemical quality of the bulblets (adventitious bulbs). Bulb formation was observed under all light qualities, even in darkness, albeit to a limited extent. White LED light (Wled) treatment translated into the highest efficiency of bulblet formation and the greatest number of bulbs with developed leaves. The leaves, even though the shortest ones, also developed as a result of RBG treatment, and this light mixture enhanced the diameter of the forming bulblets. The bulbletsunder this light spectrum accumulated the most chlorophyll and carotenoids. The bulblets formed under B, RBfR and RBG LED had more than two times higher phenoliclevels than those formed under R LED and Fl. The bulbletsformed under B LED were the richest in soluble sugars, similarly to those developing in darkness (D).
A novel DEM-based pore-scale thermal-hydro-mechanical model for fractured non-saturated porous materials
Authors: Krzaczek M. , Nitka M. , Tejchman J.
Published: November 2022

For fracture propagation, a novel DEM-based pore-scale thermal-hydro-mechanical model of two-phase fluid flow with heat transfer in non-saturated porous materials with low porosity was developed. Numerical computations were performed for bonded granular specimens, using a DEM fully coupled with CFD (based on a fluid flow network) and heat transfer, which integrated discrete mechanics with fluid mechanics and heat transfer at the meso-scale. Both the fluid (diffusion and advection) and bonded particles (conduction) were involved in heat transfer. The numerical findings of the coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical (THM) model were first compared to the analytical solution of the classic 1D heat transport problem. The numerical and analytical outcomes were in perfect agreement. Advection's impacts on the cooling of a bonded particle assembly were next numerically demonstrated for low and high Peclet numbers. Finally, the THM model's utility was proved in a thermal contraction test employing a bonded particle assembly during cooling, which resulted in the creation of a macro-crack. The effects of a macro-crack on the distribution of fluid pressure, density, velocity, and temperature were studied.
The colonoscopic vacuum model–simulating biomechanical restrictions to provide a realistic colonoscopy training environment
Authors: Steger Jana , Kwade Christina , Berlet Maximilian , Krumpholz Roman , Ficht Stefanie , Wilhelm Dirk , Mela Petra
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Practicing endoscopic procedures is fundamental for the education of clinicians and the benefit of patients. Despite a diverse variety of model types, there is no system simulating anatomical restrictions and variations in a flexible and atraumatic way. Our goal was to develop and validate a new modelling approach for adhesion forces between colon and abdominal wall.

Methods

An inlay for a standard mechanical trainer was designed and 3D printed. Colon specimens were fixed to the inlay along colon ascendens (CA) and colon descendens (CD) by a vacuum. Our system, which we refer to as Colonoscopy Vacuum Model (CoVaMo), was validated with 11 test persons with varying level of expertise. Each performed one colonoscopy and one polypectomy in the CoVaMo and in the Endoscopic Laparoscopic Interdisciplinary Training Entity (ELITE). Achieved adhesion forces, times required to fulfill different tasks endoscopically and a questionnaire, assessing proximity to reality, were recorded.

Results

Mean adhesion forces of 37 ± 7 N at the CA and 30 ± 15 N at the CD were achieved. Test subjects considered CoVaMo more realistic than ELITE concerning endoscope handling and the overall anatomy. Participants needed statistically significantly more time to maneuver from anus to flexura sinistra in CoVaMo (377 s ± 244 s) than in ELITE (58 s ± 49 s).

Conclusion

We developed a training environment enabling anatomically and procedural realistic colonoscopy training requiring participants to handle all endoscope features in parallel. Fixation forces compare to forces needed to tear pig colon off the mesentery. Workflow and inlay can be adapted to any arbitrary ex vivo simulator.
Multilevel and multifaceted brain response features in spiking, ERP and ERD: experimental observation and simultaneous generation in a neuronal network model with excitation–inhibition balance
Authors: Ouyang Guang , Wang Shengjun , Liu Mianxin , Zhang Mingsha , Zhou Changsong
Published: November 2022

Brain as a dynamic system responds to stimulations with specific patterns affected by its inherent ongoing dynamics. The patterns are manifested across different levels of organization—from spiking activity of neurons to collective oscillations in local field potential (LFP) and electroencephalogram (EEG). The multilevel and multifaceted response activities show patterns seemingly distinct and non-comparable from each other, but they should be coherently related because they are generated from the same underlying neural dynamic system. A coherent understanding of the interrelationships between different levels/aspects of activity features is important for understanding the complex brain functions. Here, based on analysis of data from human EEG, monkey LFP and neuronal spiking, we demonstrated that the brain response activities from different levels of neural system are highly coherent: the external stimulus simultaneously generated event-related potentials, event-related desynchronization, and variation in neuronal spiking activities that precisely match with each other in the temporal unfolding. Based on a biologically plausible but generic network of conductance-based integrate-and-fire excitatory and inhibitory neurons with dense connections, we showed that the multiple key features can be simultaneously produced at critical dynamical regimes supported by excitation–inhibition (E–I) balance. The elucidation of the inherent coherency of various neural response activities and demonstration of a simple dynamical neural circuit system having the ability to simultaneously produce multiple features suggest the plausibility of understanding high-level brain function and cognition from elementary and generic neuronal dynamics.
Trustworthiness of voice-based assistants: integrating interlocutor and intermediary predictors
Authors: Weidmüller Lisa , Etzrodt Katrin , Engesser Sven
Published: November 2022

When intelligent voice-based assistants (VBAs) present news, they simultaneously act as interlocutors and intermediaries, enabling direct and mediated communication. Hence, this study discusses and investigates empirically how interlocutor and intermediary predictors affect an assessment that is relevant for both: trustworthiness. We conducted a secondary analysis using data from two online surveys in which participants (N = 1288) had seven quasi-interactions with either Alexa or Google Assistant and calculated hierarchical regression analyses. Results show that (1) interlocutor and intermediary predictors influence people’s trustworthiness assessments when VBAs act as news presenters, and (2) that different trustworthiness dimensions are affected differently: The intermediary predictors (information credibility; company reputation) were more important for the cognition-based trustworthiness dimensions integrity and competence. In contrast, intermediary and interlocutor predictors (ontological classification; source attribution) were almost equally important for the affect-based trustworthiness dimension benevolence.
Frequency of Short- vs Long-Term Reporting of Bariatric Surgery Outcomes
Authors: Oochit Krishna K. , Shahwan Safwan , Hughes James , Kourounis Georgios
Published: November 2022

Background and Aims

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity. Though both short- and long-term outcomes have been reported, most of the published literature reports on short-term outcomes. Identification of post-operative weight regain and re-emergence of comorbidities requires medium- and long-term follow-up. We aimed to identify the distribution of follow-up times within the literature.

Methods

We screened through 1807 articles from 9 PubMed Indexed bariatric surgery journals published between January to June of 2015 and 2021 and selected articles reporting weight loss as a main outcome. Follow-up intervals were defined as per American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) guidelines.

Results

Fifty-three and sixty-three articles were identified in 2015 and 2021 respectively. Reported follow-up lengths in 2015 were 60% short-, 26% medium-, and 14% long-term; while in 2021, there were 65% short-, 10% medium-, and 25% long-term articles. Of the articles reporting long-term outcomes in 2015 and 2021, 48%, and 70% of the included patients respectively had > 5 years follow-up.

Conclusion

Though reporting of long-term outcomes increased, most published outcomes remain short-term. The UK National Bariatric Surgery Registry is helping to mitigate this. An increased effort and emphasis on reporting long-term outcomes is needed.

Graphical Abstract
Digitalization?A Matter of Trust: A Double-Mediation Model Investigating Employee Trust in Management Regarding Digitalization
Authors: Lau Angelika , Höyng Mona
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this paper is to determine how employee trust in management regarding digitalization (TMD) is encouraged to successfully promote technological change linked to digitalization and implement digital technologies within organizations. TMD is considered a necessary precondition for employee cooperation regarding the successful implementation of digitalization within organizations. Derived from existing theoretical and empirical research on trust, a double-mediation model is developed. The proposed model investigates the direct relationships between strong digital vision (SDV), leader-member exchange (LMX), and perceptions of organizational politics (POP) on employee TMD. Further, the mediating roles of LMX and POP are investigated regarding the relationship between SDV and TMD. Based on data collected from 1,145 employees of an internationally operating energy supplier, significant positive relationships between SDV, LMX, POP, and employee TMD were found. Further, the results confirmed that LMX and POP sequentially double-mediated the relationship between SDV and TMD. Consequently, by developing a theoretical model for the specific context of digitalization, this study contributes to theory development concerning employee TMD. Furthermore, this study provides practical implications for management in terms of identifying institutional aspects within organizations that enhance TMD in the digital labor context.
The Dynamic Interplay of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors for Cardiovascular Health
Authors: Kris-Etherton Penny M. , Sapp Philip A. , Riley Terrance M. , Davis Kristin M. , Hart Tricia , Lawler Olivia
Published: November 2022

Purpose of Review

The recent rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in the USA has sparked interest in identifying and implementing effective strategies to reverse this trend. Healthy lifestyle behaviors (i.e., healthy diet, regular physical activity, achieve and maintain a healthy weight, avoid tobacco exposure, good quality sleep, avoiding and managing stress) are the cornerstone for CVD prevention.

Recent Findings

Achieving all of these behaviors significantly benefits heart health; however, even small changes lower CVD risk. Moreover, there is interplay among healthy lifestyle behaviors where changing one may result in concomitant changes in another behavior. In contrast, the presence of one or more unhealthy lifestyle behaviors may attenuate changing another lifestyle behavior(s) (poor diet, inadequate physical activity, overweight/obesity, poor sleep quality, tobacco exposure, and poor stress management).

It is important to assess all of these lifestyle behaviors with patients to plan an intervention program that is best positioned for adherence.
Childhood Socioeconomic Status and Late-Adulthood Health Outcomes in China: A Life-Course Perspective
Authors: Zhou Tao , Harris Richard , Manley David
Published: November 2022

The relationship between socioeconomic status and health has been studied widely across many western countries but the relationship is relatively underexplored in China. Using a life-course perspective, this paper examines the associations between six indicators of childhood socioeconomic status with classic late-adulthood health outcomes. The analysis uses logistic and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression models with data on life history and data from the most recent wave of CHARLS – a nationally representative survey of people aged 45 and older. The models demonstrate that unfavourable socioeconomic status in childhood is, in general, correlated with poorer health outcomes later in life, whereas a more socioeconomically advantaged childhood is associated with better health outcomes in middle and older age. However, for those individuals who were overweight in childhood, the advantaged socioeconomic status effect appears to increase the probability of remaining overweight when older. Furthermore, the indicators of current socioeconomic status as well as the interaction terms between childhood socioeconomic status and adulthood socioeconomic status were introduced, as most existing research in the world, including China, tends to only focus on the mediation effect of current socioeconomic status. The findings show that, among all the health outcomes in this research, only the associations between disability-related health variables and adulthood socioeconomic status are moderated by childhood socioeconomic status. These results indicate both homogeneity and heterogeneity in the impacts of childhood socioeconomic status on different health outcomes and also inform public policies in China with regard to population health.
The clinical implications and molecular features of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with perineural invasion
Authors: Meng Xian-Long , Lu Jia-Cheng , Zeng Hai-Ying , Chen Zhen , Guo Xiao-Jun , Gao Chao , Pei Yan-Zi , Hu Shu-Yang , Ye Mu , Sun Qi-Man , Yang Guo-Huang , Cai Jia-Bin , Huang Pei-Xin , Yv Lei , Zhang Lv , Shi Ying-Hong , Ke Ai-Wu , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Chen Yi , Huang Xiao-Yong , Shi Guo-Ming
Published: November 2022

Background

Perineural invasion (PNI) is associated with metastasis in malignancies, including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and is correlated with poor prognosis.

Methods

The study included three large cohorts: ZS-ICC and TMA cohorts from our team, MSK cohort from a public database, and a small cohort named cohort 4. Prognostic implications of PNI were investigated in MSK cohort and TMA cohort. PNI-related genomic and transcriptomic profiles were analyzed in MSK and ZS-ICC cohorts. GO, KEGG, and ssGSEA analyses were performed. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the relationship between PNI and markers of neurons, hydrolases, and immune cells. The efficacy of adjuvant therapy in ICC patients with PNI was also assessed.

Results

A total of 30.6% and 20.7% ICC patients had PNI in MSK and TMA cohorts respectively. Patients with PNI presented with malignant phenotypes such as high CA19-9, the large bile duct type, lymph node invasion, and shortened overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). Nerves involved in PNI positively express tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a marker of sympathetic nerves. Patients with PNI showed high mutation frequency of KRAS and an immune suppressive metastasis prone niche of decreased NK cell, increased neutrophil, and elevated PD-L1, CD80, and CD86 expression. Patients with PNI had an extended OS after adjuvant therapy with TEGIO, GEMOX, or capecitabine.

Conclusion

Our study deciphered the genomic features and the immune suppressive metastasis-prone niche in ICC with PNI. Patients with PNI showed a poor prognosis after surgery but a good response to adjuvant chemotherapy.

Graphical abstract
Dynamic shielding to secure multi-hop communications in vehicular platoons
Authors: Yang Yiran , Liu Xiqing , Wang Zhifeng , Liu Yiliang
Published: November 2022

Vehicular platoons are among the most advanced driving assistance systems that may generate considerable fuel savings and increase traffic efficiency. However, communication between vehicles in a platoon is always vulnerable to eavesdropping due to the broadcast nature of wireless channels. To address this issue, we investigate security issues from the physical layer perspective for multi-hop vehicular platooning. The dynamic shielding secured transmission scheme is proposed to guarantee the confidential transmission of private information. Specifically, the neighboring vehicles can alternately act as friendly shielders, which transmit jamming signals to interfere with the eavesdroppers without knowing the channel state information, and thus the secrecy capacity would increase. The mathematical derivation of secrecy capacity is obtained for performance analysis. Meanwhile, the numerical results verify the properties, efficiency, and adaptability of the proposed scheme.
The Discursive Construction of Polyamory: Legitimising an Alternative to Monogamy
Authors: Montali Lorenzo , Frigerio Alessandra , Spina Federica , Zulato Edoardo
Published: November 2022

Polyamory is an umbrella term denoting the practice of having multiple romantic and intimate relationships with the consent of everyone involved. Within a mononormative culture, becoming polyamorous may be associated with uncertainty and a feeling of being suspended. Moreover, the preferential attitude towards monogamy marginalises polyamory as indecent and corrupt, creating feelings of shame and social isolation. Our research explored the discursive construction of polyamory in Italy by identifying the strategies used to deal with such identity construction and social recognition issues. We conducted 15 semistructured interviews with people who defined themselves as polyamorous. Our discourse analysis identified a narrative that overturns the dominant hegemonic perspective; this narrative presented monogamy as a practice generating difficulties and problems and polyamory as a thoroughly satisfying and adequate relational modality. This narrative was constructed using six discursive strategies, allowing participants to achieve three discursive purposes. By naturalising polyamory and constructing it as a stable trait, participants essentialised polyamory; by providing a normative definition of polyamory and identifying with the polyamorous community, they set up the boundaries of polyamory; finally, by moralising polyamory and attributing transformative power to it, they valorised polyamory. Overall, the definition of a polyamorous order allows for the integration of polyamory into one’s life, even if polyamorists remain a minority group trapped in the public liminality brought about by a mononormative culture.
Optimism and friendship quality as mediators between trait emotional intelligence and life satisfaction in Chinese adolescents: A two-wave longitudinal study
Authors: Wang Xiaobo , Lu Xiong , Hu Tao , Xue Shuang , Xu Wenjian , Tang Wanjie
Published: November 2022

Using a convenience sample of adolescents (N = 1609; 63.5% female; Mage = 16.54), this study explored whether EI predicted adolescent life satisfaction and whether friendship quality and optimism mediated this relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic. The structural equation modeling revealed that EI predicted adolescent life satisfaction, friendship quality, and optimism, friendship quality partially mediated the relationship between EI and life satisfaction, and optimism partially mediated the relationship between EI and friendship quality. These findings prove that psychological or educative approaches focused on EI could increase life satisfaction in adolescents during difficult times such as COVID-19, but EI may be linked with life satisfaction via friendship quality only. Training in optimism approaches and friendship quality enhancement programs could also effectively promote life satisfaction.
Improving the Corrosion Resistance of Magnesium Alloy by Magnesium Phosphate/Glass Composite Coatings Using Sol–Gel Method
Authors: Farag Mohammad M. , Ahmed Hanaa Y. , Al-Rashidy Zainab M.
Published: November 2022

Coating of Mg alloys with Mg-phosphate is usually performed by complex and costly methods. This work was mainly aimed at using Mg-phosphate ceramic for Mg metal implants by simple and cost-effective spin coating combined with a sol–gel approach. Where, Mg-phosphate ceramic particles were dispersed with different percentages (0, 10, and 30 wt. %) in the glass sol (85 SiO2 – 10 CaO – 5 P2O5 system) as a coating solution. The coated substrates were characterized by TGA, XRD, FTIR, contact angle, and SEM/EDX analyses, and the in vitro bioactivity test was performed in revised simulated body fluid (rSBF). The results showed the coating thickness was 8.8 ± 0.8, 5.4 ± 0.6, and 5 ± 0.7 μm for MP0, MP10, and MP30, respectively. Moreover, the coatings increased the hydrophilicity of the metal surface. All coatings enhanced the formation of an apatite-bone like layer on the Mg metal surface, and they were viable with oral epithelial cells at a concentration ≤ 125 μg/ml. Moreover, MP0 and MP10 coatings significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of the metal, while; MP30 coating did not show a significant effect on it. Thus, the percentage of Mg-phosphate in the coating was valuable for corrosion resistance when it was ≤ 10 wt. %. As a result, the composite coatings showed promising coatings for Mg metal substrate to enhance its corrosion resistance at low percentages of Mg-phosphate ceramic.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Intelligent power management based on multi-objective cost function for plug-in biogas hybrid vehicles under uncertain driving conditions
Authors: Abd-Elhaleem Sameh , Shoeib Walaa , Sobaih Abdel Azim
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a new intelligent power management strategy based on multi-objective cost function for plug-in biogas hybrid vehicles (PBHVs). This strategy consists of long-term power management and a short-term controller. The long-term power management depends on an improved generalized particle swarm optimization algorithm (IGPSO) to obtain the globally optimal values of motor and biogas engine torques. To reduce the computation time, five-mode rule-based control is used, where the IGPSO estimates the optimal values for the motor and engine torques in a hybrid mode depending on a multi-objective cost function. This cost function aims to reduce fuel consumption and the drawn current from the battery and takes into consideration the battery ageing. The short-term controller is designed using an interval type-2 Takagi–Sugeno-Kang (IT2TSK) fuzzy algorithm, which depends on human experts to overcome the uncertainties of the driving conditions. Lyapunov stability theory for the online controller is proved. The proposed technique improves the energy consumption compared to other techniques. The simulation results using real data for the engine, motor and battery illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach with comparative results.