bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema among school‐aged children in Qatar: A Global Asthma Network Study
Authors: Hammoudeh Samer , Hani Yahya , Alfaki Mohamed , Omar Nadia , El Dimassi Darine , Nowir Khansae , Gadelhaq Wessam , AlNaimi Amal , Elizabeth Cynthia , Khashfeh Sawsan , Chandra Prem , Janahi Ibrahim A.
Published: April 2022

This cross‐sectional study aims to utilize the Global Asthma Network (GAN) questionnaires to estimate the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema among children in Qatar. The study population was comprised of children ages 6–7 and 13–14 years, along with their parents or guardians. The English and Arabic versions of the GAN questionnaires were used to collect data for this study. A total of 2646 participants were recruited (1210 in the 6–7 years age group and 1436 in the 13–14 years age group), in addition to a total of 3831 parents or guardians. The overall prevalence of diagnosed asthma, lifetime allergic rhinitis, and diagnosed eczema in our study sample were as follows: 34.6%, 30.9%, and 37.4%, respectively. The current study showed an increased prevalence rate of asthma and eczema comparing to previous local estimates. These rates were higher in some cases or comparable in other cases to those found elsewhere. It is recommended that future research focus on studying the various factors contributing to the cases of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema in Qatar. The reporting of this study conforms with the STROBE statement.
Point of care diaphragm ultrasound in mechanically ventilated children: A predictive tool to detect extubation failure
Authors: Arslan Gazi , Besci Tolga , Duman Murat
Published: April 2022

Background

Children should be weaned from the ventilator once their clinical condition improves. Extubation failure is associated with poorer clinical outcomes in children. Predictive indicators of successful extubation are needed. This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of ultrasonographic diaphragm imaging could help predict weaning success.

Methods

In this prospective, observational study conducted between March and December 2021, children between 1 month and 10 years of age who were mechanically ventilated for more than 48 h were included. Diaphragm ultrasound (DUS) examinations were performed at the end of 2‐h extubation readiness test (ERT). The end‐inspiratory thickness (DTi), end‐expiratory thickness (DTe), diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF), diaphragmatic excursion (DE), inspiratory slope (IS), and expiratory slope (ES) were evaluated.

Results

Twenty‐four (60%) patients were successfully extubated, while 16 (40%) required invasive or noninvasive mechanical ventilation support which were classified as failed extubation group. Three of the sixteen patients in the failed extubation group required reintubation. DTF was significantly greater in the successful weaning group (55.05 ± 23.75% vs. 30.9 ± 10.38%) (p < 0.001). DE was significantly greater in the successful weaning group (14 ± 4.4 mm vs. 11.05 ± 3.25 mm) (p < 0.001). DTF and DE were found to have a sensitivity and specificity of 91.67%, 87.50%, 83.33%, and 81.25%, respectively.

Conclusion

Diaphragm ultrasound is a feasible and promising tool to guide physicians during weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation. Among all DUS measurements, the DE and DTF indexes showed better performance in extubation failure than other diaphragmatic parameters.
Changing Spin and Orbital Ground State Symmetries in Colloidal Nanoplatelets with Magnetic Fields
Authors: Llusar Jordi , Climente Juan I.
Published: April 2022

The symmetry of the electronic ground state is of paramount importance in determining the magnetic, optical, and electrical properties of semiconductor nanostructures. Here, it is shown theoretically that nontrivial spin and orbital symmetries can be induced in colloidal nanoplatelets (NPLs) by applying out‐of‐plane magnetic fields. Two scenarios are presented. The first one deals with two electrons confined inside a platelet. Here, the strong electron–electron exchange interaction reduces the interlevel energy spacing set by lateral quantum confinement. As a result, relatively weak magnetic fields suffice to induce a singlet‐to‐triplet spin transition. The second one deals with type‐II core/crown NPLs. Here, the crown has doubly connected topology, akin to that of quantum rings. As a result, the energy levels of carriers within it undergo Aharonov–Bohm (AB) oscillations. This implies changes in the ground state orbital symmetry, which switch the exciton and trion optical activity from bright to dark.
First molecular approach to diagnose paediatric pulmonary lophomoniasis: A case series
Authors: Taheri Amirmasoud , Fakhar Mahdi , Nakhaei Maryam , Banimostafavi Elham Sadat , Masiha Farzad , Ghaffari Javad , Sheydai Soroush , Rezaei Mohammad Sadegh , Sharifpour Ali
Published: April 2022

A prospective study was conducted from 2017 to 2021 at Bouali Hospital in Mazandaran province, Sari, Iran. Out of 58 patients who were enrolled in our study, lophomoniasis was diagnosed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of nine patients, for the first time, using an in‐house polymerase chain reaction technique. All patients were treated with metronidazole at 7.5 mg/kg/day every 12 h for 14 days. After 6 months of follow‐up, symptoms were fully resolved.
The Role of 3D Printing Technology in Microengineering of Microneedles
Authors: Detamornrat Usanee , McAlister Emma , Hutton Aaron R. J. , Larrañeta Eneko , Donnelly Ryan F.
Published: April 2022

Microneedles (MNs) are minimally invasive devices, which have gained extensive interest over the past decades in various fields including drug delivery, disease diagnosis, monitoring, and cosmetics. MN geometry and shape are key parameters that dictate performance and therapeutic efficacy, however, traditional fabrication methods, such as molding, may not be able to offer rapid design modifications. In this regard, the fabrication of MNs using 3D printing technology enables the rapid creation of complex MN prototypes with high accuracy and offers customizable MN devices with a desired shape and dimension. Moreover, 3D printing shows great potential in producing advanced transdermal drug delivery systems and medical devices by integrating MNs with a variety of technologies. This review aims to demonstrate the advantages of exploiting 3D printing technology as a new tool to microengineer MNs. Various 3D printing methods are introduced, and representative MNs manufactured by such approaches are highlighted in detail. The development of advanced MN devices is also included. Finally, clinical translation and future perspectives for the development of MNs using 3D printing are discussed.
Engineering the Local Coordination Environment and Density of FeN4 Sites by Mn Cooperation for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Cai Huizhu , Zhang Guanghui , Zhang Xiao , Chen Bingbing , Lu Zheng , Xu Huajian , Gao Rui , Shi Chuan
Published: April 2022

Single atom sites (SAS) of FeN4 are clarified as one of the most active components for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Effective strategies by engineering the local coordination environment and site density of FeN4 sites are crucial to further enhance the electrocatalytic ORR performance. Herein, the integration of a second metal of Mn with Fe to construct Fe&Mn/N‐C catalysts with enhanced density of FeN4 active sites and modulated electronic structure is reported. The formation of MnN4 centers modulates the local environment of FeN4 sites and reserves more FeN4 embedded in carbon substrate by forming the possible FeN4‐O‐MnN4 configurations. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the overall energy barrier of ORR is decreased over the FeN4‐O‐MnN4 moieties. Therefore, the Fe&Mn/N‐C catalyst exhibits enhanced ORR performance both in alkaline and acidic solution (half‐wave potentials are 0.904 and 0.781 V). This work provides an effective strategy by modulating the local electronic structure and density of FeN4 active sites to improve the ORR activity and stability through Mn cooperation.
Antioxidant Nanoparticles Based on Starch and the Phenolic Compounds from Propolis Extract: Production and Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Jaízia dos Santos Alves Maria , Rodrigues Monteiro Alcilene , Ayala Valencia Germán
Published: April 2022

Propolis has health beneficial properties attributed to its phenol composition. Although, it has low water solubility, strong taste, and aroma, limiting its application in the food industry. This study explores the stabilization of phenolic compounds from propolis extract (PE) during the production of potato and cassava starch nanoparticles (NPs) by antisolvent precipitation. Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH) of acidified PE obtained with different ethanol concentrations are determined. Starch NPs based on cassava and potato starch are characterized in terms of physicochemical properties, including loading efficiency, particle size distribution and surface charge, moisture content, water activity, chemical bonds, crystalline structure, thermal stability, color, and solubility in water. Fourier‐transform infrared spectra and X‐ray diffractograms reveal that the phenolic compounds of PE are stabilized with the starch NPs, in this way, at least 54.91% of phenolic compounds from PE are stabilized by the starch NPs. Starch NPs stabilizing the phenolic compounds display brown color and high solubility in hot water (90 °C). This research reports for the first‐time information regarding the stabilization of phenolic compounds from PE using starch NPs. These starch NPs have a great potential to be used in food formulations or to manufacture active food packaging.
Kenichi Fukui, Frontier Molecular Orbital Theory, and the Woodward‐Hoffmann Rules. Part II. A Sleeping Beauty in Chemistry†**
Authors: Seeman Jeffrey I.
Published: April 2022

In 1964, Kenichi Fukui published a chapter in a book honoring the career of Robert S. Mulliken. While most of that chapter is a review of Fukui's previously published research dealing with frontier molecular orbital theory and organic reactions, one section provided a frontier molecular orbital explanation of the mechanism of the Diels‐Alder reaction. Fukui concluded that the “symmetry relation of wave functions of both dienes and dienophiles” control the course of this reaction. Thus, Fukui's paper was a precursor to Woodward and Hoffmann's 1965 papers that proposed orbital symmetry control of what would later be termed “pericyclic reactions.” Fukui published numerous papers in the 1950s and 1960s, many of which were expositions of his research in theoretical chemistry. Eight of those Fukui papers were direct precursors to his breakthrough 1964 publication. This paper presents the intellectual and scientific path that Fukui took from the early 1950s to 1964 to his award‐winning publication.
Kenichi Fukui, Frontier Molecular Orbital Theory, and the Woodward‐Hoffmann Rules. Part III. Fukui's Science and Technology, 1918–1965†**
Authors: Seeman Jeffrey I.
Published: April 2022

In 1981, Kenichi Fukui shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Roald Hoffmann “for their theories, developed independently, concerning the course of chemical reactions.” In 1964, Fukui used his frontier molecular orbital theory to reveal the mechanism of the Diels‐Alder reaction, a prototypical pericyclic cycloaddition reaction. Fukui revealed this molecular orbital symmetry explanation a year before Woodward and Hoffmann's first publication on “the conservation of orbital symmetry.” As detailed in this paper, during the 1960s and early 1960s, Fukui was involved in several major programs in synthesis and polymer chemistry as well as aspects of theoretical chemistry quite distant from his contributions to the orbital symmetry research that preceded Woodward and Hoffmann. In this paper, a detailed examination of Fukui's pre‐1965 research is discussed. This is Paper 4 – Part III of a trilogy that deals with Fukui's Nobel Prize research and is part of a 27‐paper series on the history of the development of the Woodward‐Hoffmann rules.
Detection of canine distemper virus in cerebrospinal fluid, whole blood and mucosal specimens of dogs with distemper using RT‐PCR and immunochromatographic assays
Authors: Sarchahi Ali Asghar , Arbabi Mohammad , Mohebalian Hadi
Published: April 2022

Background

Accurate diagnosis of canine distemper (CD), a highly contagious and acute viral disease, cannot be made solely based on clinical signs and haematological findings, but serological and molecular methods compatible with clinical signs are also required. The type of sample and method of tissue sampling are also very important. Sometimes in chronic cases, the canine distemper virus (CDV) may not be detected in blood and conjunctival specimens but can be detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the suitability of CSF samples with whole blood and conjunctival samples in the detection of CDV.

Methods

The CDV was detected in CSF, whole blood and mucosal specimens in 20 dogs with obvious neurological with or without systemic signs congruous with CD by RT‐PCR and rapid immunochromatographic (IC) antigen test kit assays.

Results

Rapid kit results were positive for mucosal swabs in 10 cases (50%) and for CSF in 17 cases (85%); RT‐PCR results from whole blood were positive in 11 cases (55%) and from CSF in 16 cases (80%).

Conclusions

Our results revealed that dogs with neurological signs showing simultaneous or recent systemic symptoms, whole blood, CSF and mucosal swabs are suitable for the diagnosis of CDV by RT‐PCR and rapid IC antigen test kits, but dogs with neurological symptoms that are systematically asymptomatic or have had systemic signs for a long time, whole blood and mucosal swabs are not good samples while CSF is a good one.
Scrutinizing tree‐ring parameters for Holocene climate reconstructions
Authors: Büntgen Ulf
Published: April 2022

Independent evidence from Europe and Asia shows that tree‐ring stable isotopes can reveal persistent long‐term hydroclimate trends that are generally not captured by more traditional dendroclimatic studies using tree‐ring width or density. Since the recently observed long‐term discrepancy between flatter “growth‐dependent” and more varying “growth‐independent” climate proxy data is unrelated to possible biases of statistical age‐trend removal, I call for a conceptual rethinking of the predictive power of different tree‐ring parameters for reconstructing climate variability on interannual to multimillennial timescales. I describe why traditional “growth‐dependent” tree‐ring width and wood density measurements usually lack abiotic signals on ultra‐long timescales, whereas “growth‐independent” carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios from tree‐ring cellulose can capture environmental variation well beyond the segment length of individual tree‐ring samples. Caution is therefore advised when information from diverse tree‐ring parameters is combined in multiproxy reconstructions of Holocene climate that aim to reflect the full range of interannual to multimillennial variability. This Perspective not only emphasizes the paleoclimatic value that can be obtained from tree‐ring stable isotopes in living and relict wood. It also stresses the need for developing new high‐resolution isotopic datasets from different species and regions in both hemispheres to supplement the existing tree‐ring record.

This article is categorized under:

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Paleoclimate
Growth of Crystallographically Aligned PbSe Films of Controlled Thickness on Amorphous Substrates
Authors: Gannon Renae N. , Choffel Marisa M. , Blackwood Hannah R. , Wolff Niklas , Lotnyk Andriy , Kienle Lorenz , Johnson David C.
Published: April 2022

Lead selenide (PbSe) has extensively been investigated due to its thermoelectric and photoconductive properties. More recently, predictions of emergent properties have focused synthetic efforts on preparing ultra‐smooth layers of crystallographically aligned PbSe layers with a thickness equal to an integer number of monolayers. While rough films are typically formed through Volmer‐Weber growth on heated substrates, the data presented herein indicates that a crystallographically aligned, ultrathin layer with a defined number of PbSe layers forms on mostly amorphous Mo−Se and V−Se coated Si substrates during nominally room temperature deposition. Since the films are uniform in thickness, the number of PbSe bilayers formed depends on the amount of Pb (or Se) deposited. If the amount of Pb deposited is close to that required for an integral number of unit cells and there is sufficient Se, Laue oscillations are present in the as‐deposited samples. The Laue oscillations reflect the quality and uniformity of the crystalline PbSe domains. This study demonstrates that the substrate does not need to be crystalline to form uniform, crystallographically aligned, integer monolayer thick PbSe films. These results suggest that tuning the strength of interactions between substrate and growing film is necessary to form smooth, crystallographically aligned layers. The substrate does not need to be crystalline for these interactions to be strong enough to enable growth of crystallographically aligned films.
Regional Policy Spaces, Knowledge Networks, and the “Nordic Other”
Authors: Volmari Saija , Sivesind Kirsten , Jónasson Jón Torfi
Published: April 2022

This chapter examines the use of regional policy knowledge and the importance of Nordic cooperation in the latest education reforms in Finland, Iceland, and Norway. By drawing on interviews and bibliometric network analysis, the authors demonstrate that policymakers do not consider knowledge sources from other Nordic countries as essentially prominent. The authors offer four explanatory narratives for this finding and coin the concept the “Nordic Other” as various mindsets of experts that vary in different settings of cooperation. In the international policy space, a coalition based on a Nordic consensus is of core importance, while in the regional space, policymakers utilize knowledge to explore national solutions to common problems. Therefore, Nordic cooperation has various functions in terms of evidence-based policymaking that depend on the context in which collaboration takes place.
On Evidence, Impact, and Layers in Education Policy Processes
Authors: Martens Kerstin
Published: April 2022

This commentary focuses on three substantial issues that according to the author emerge as overarching themes from the chapters in this volume: (1) the conjunction between evidence and politics, (2) the conjunction between referencing and impact, and (3) the conjunction between empirics and theory in global education research. By reflecting on the contents of the chapters in relation to these conjunctions, the author directs the attention to evidence, impact, and layers in education policy processes, especially in the Nordic countries, and identifies possible roadmaps for future research.
What Is in a Reference? Theoretically Understanding the Uses of Evidence in Education Policy
Authors: Steiner-Khamsi Gita
Published: April 2022

The chapter deals with the reference—the unit of analysis for our bibliometric analyses—and examines what it stands for in the policy process. We found Paul Cairney’s (The Politics of Evidence-Based Policymaking. Palgrave Pivot, 2015) definition useful: “‘[e]vidence’ is assertion backed by information.” In concert with Cairney’s definition, we treat references as a construct or an aggregate of several pieces of information (authorship, year of publication, topic or theme, etc.) that helps position the author in a larger semantic space. We have used all these constitutive elements as epistemological cues for understanding not only whose texts or whose knowledge the authors have selected to substantiate their points with, but also whose knowledge they cite as sources of expertise in order to reduce uncertainty, enhance credibility, or generate legitimacy about the validity of their own claims or assertions. In an era in which we have a surplus of information as well as a surplus of evidence, this is no small enterprise.
Policy Borrowing and Evidence in Danish Education Policy Preparation: The Case of the Public School Reform of 2013
Authors: Reder Trine Juul , Ydesen Christian
Published: April 2022

Reder and Ydesen explore the evidence behind the 2013 Danish public school reform using a mixed-methods design as well as the political context surrounding the reform preparations. By combining quantitative bibliometric analysis and qualitative interviews of the key policymakers behind the reform, they identify different types of policy knowledge. Reder and Ydesen focus particularly on the role of international large-scale assessments and international organizations such as the OECD in legitimizing the need of the reform and identifying reference societies, such as the Canadian province of Ontario, which heavily influenced the reform contents. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the findings and presents a very uneven evidence landscape consisting mainly of what-works types of evidence and a distinct absence of broader types of evidence.
Evidence and Expert Power in Finnish Education Policy Making: The National Core Curriculum Reform
Authors: Volmari Saija , Kauko Jaakko , Anturaniemi Juho , Santos Íris
Published: April 2022

The extent to which education is nationally or internationally directed is a recurring debate in comparative education. The debate circles around the role of the nation state in the globalizing world. The authors address these questions by focusing on networks of knowledge and expertise in Finland’s national core curriculum reform (2014). The findings of the chapter demonstrate that education policy making is more complex than the simple dichotomy of local and global. “Global” has the power to produce evidence but the “local” possesses the ability to select the evidence and adjust it to meet the national needs. National experts play a central role in this process: it is particularly their ability to explicate international comparative data that was considered as “expertise” in the reform process.
DeepFake Detection
Authors: Lyu Siwei
Published: April 2022

One particular disconcerting form of disinformation are the impersonating audios/videos backed by advanced AI technologies, in particular, deep neural networks (DNNs). These media forgeries are commonly known as the DeepFakes. The AI-based tools are making it easier and faster than ever to create compelling fakes that are challenging to spot. While there are interesting and creative applications of this technology, it can be weaponized to cause negative consequences. In this chapter, we survey the state-of-the-art DeepFake detection methods.
Adversarial Examples in Image Forensics
Authors: Barni Mauro , Li Wenjie , Tondi Benedetta , Zhang Bowen
Published: April 2022

We describe the threats posed by adversarial examples in an image forensic context, highlighting the differences and similarities with respect to other application domains. Particular attention is paid to study the transferability of adversarial examples from a source to a target network and to the creation of attacks suitable to be applied in the physical domain. We also describe some possible countermeasures against adversarial examples and discuss their effectiveness. All the concepts described in the chapter are exemplified with results obtained in some selected image forensics scenarios.
Media Forensics in the Age of Disinformation
Authors: Hendrix Justin , Morozoff Dan
Published: April 2022

Empiricism is the notion that knowledge originates from sensory experience. Implicit in this statement is the idea that we can trust our senses. But in today’s world, much of the human experience is mediated through digital technologies. Our sensory experiences can no longer be trusted a priori. The evidence before us—what we see and hear and read—is, more often than not, manipulated.
Sensor Fingerprints: Camera Identification and Beyond
Authors: Kirchner Matthias
Published: April 2022

Every imaging sensor introduces a certain amount of noise to the images it captures—slight fluctuations in the intensity of individual pixels even when the sensor plane was lit absolutely homogeneously. One of the breakthrough discoveries in multimedia forensics is that photo-response non-uniformity (PRNU), a multiplicative noise component caused by inevitable variations in the manufacturing process of sensor elements, is essentially a sensor fingerprint that can be estimated from and detected in arbitrary images. This chapter reviews the rich body of literature on camera identification from sensor noise fingerprints with an emphasis on still images from digital cameras and the evolving challenges in this domain.
Source Camera Model Identification
Authors: Mandelli Sara , Bonettini Nicolò , Bestagini Paolo
Published: April 2022

Every camera model acquires images in a slightly different way. This may be due to differences in lenses and sensors. Alternatively, it may be due to the way each vendor applies characteristic image processing operations, from white balancing to compression.
Physical Integrity
Authors: Riess Christian
Published: April 2022

Physics-based methods anchor the forensic analysis in physical laws of image and video formation. The analysis is typically based on simplifying assumptions to make the forensic analysis tractable. In scenes that satisfy such assumptions, different types of forensic analysis can be performed. The two most widely used applications are the detection of content repurposing and content splicing. Physics-based methods expose such cases with assumptions about the interaction of light and objects, and about the geometric mapping of light and objects onto the image sensor.
Radiotherapy in oligometastatic prostate cancer—a pattern of care survey among members of the German Society for Radiation Oncology (DEGRO)
Authors: Rogowski Paul , Trapp Christian , von Bestenbostel Rieke , Konnerth Dinah , Marschner Sebastian , Schmidt Hegemann Nina-Sophie , Belka Claus , Li Minglun
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Due to improved imaging, oligometastatic prostate cancer (OMPC) is diagnosed more frequently. Growing evidence shows that patients with a limited number of metastases benefit from primary-directed radiotherapy (PDT) as well as from metastasis-directed radiotherapy (MDT). This survey investigates the current treatment practice for OMPC among German-speaking radiation oncologists.

Methods

Members of the German Society for Radiation Oncology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Radioonkologie [DEGRO]) were surveyed regarding their current treatment practice via an anonymous online questionnaire sent by email. The survey included six general items and 14 specific items regarding treatment characteristics. Questionnaires with at least 50% of questions completed were considered for further analysis.

Results

A total of 204 responses were received (15% response rate), 167 were considered for further analysis. Most respondents stated to be specialized in treating prostate cancer patients and to treat 10–30 patients with OMPC per annum; 97% considered PSMA-PET/CT necessary to define oligometastatic disease. Opinions differed regarding the use of systemic therapies: 63% of the respondents aimed to defer systemic therapy using radiotherapy in OMPC, whereas 37% considered systemic therapy necessary. In the setting of synchronous OMPC, 97% recommended PDT with or without a combination of MDT and/or systemic therapy. For metachronous nodal or bone oligometastatic recurrence, 98 and 99%, respectively, would opt for MDT. The majority would combine MDT with systemic therapy in patients with metachronous oligorecurrence. Respondents recommended normofractionation, hypofractionation, and SBRT for lymph node metastases in 49, 27, and 24%, respectively. No consensus existed regarding the field size for MDT of lymph node metastases. Most respondents preferred > 5 fractions for treatment of bone metastases.

Conclusion

Local radiotherapy for PDT and MDT is routinely used among respondents of this survey, representing 12% of all German-speaking radiation oncologists. The timing of systemic therapy, fractionation schedules, and field sizes are handled differently and remain an area of active investigation.
Fallbericht zum traumatischen Totalabriss der Trachea vom Kehlkopf mit positivem Ausgang
Authors: Kisser Ulrich , Pabst Friedemann , Bartel Sylva , Schramm Dominik , Glien Alexander , Plontke Stefan K. , Ebert Daniel , Wittlinger Jan
Published: April 2022

Anamnese

Eine 21-jährige Patientin erlitt im Rahmen eines Unfalls ein schweres Strangulationstrauma. Stridor und Dyspnoe setzten erst mit Verzögerung ein und führten zur Notfallintubation.

Befund

Im Rahmen der klinischen Untersuchung zeigten sich Strangulationsmarken und ein Emphysem der Halsweichteile. Die Computertomographie erhärtete den Verdacht auf einen Abriss der Trachea vom Kehlkopf und ergab eine Fehllage des Beatmungstubus.

Diagnose

Bei der weiteren chirurgischen Exploration zeigte sich eine komplette laryngotracheale (krikotracheale) Separation.

Therapie und Verlauf

Nach initialer Nottracheotomie wurden in einem zweizeitigen operativen Verfahren die krikotracheale Reanastomosierung und die Retracheostomie durchgeführt.

Schlussfolgerung

Laryngotracheale Separationen stellen den höchsten Schweregrad der Kehlkopfverletzungen dar und sind mit einer hohen Mortalität behaftet. Im geschilderten Fall überlebte die Patientin und konnte, trotz beidseitiger Rekurrensparese, dekanüliert entlassen werden.
Ethical aspects of AI robots for agri-food; a relational approach based on four case studies
Authors: van der Burg Simone , Giesbers Else , Bogaardt Marc-Jeroen , Ouweltjes Wijbrand , Lokhorst Kees
Published: April 2022

These last years, the development of AI robots for agriculture, livestock farming and food processing industries is rapidly increasing. These robots are expected to help produce and deliver food more efficiently for a growing human population, but they also raise societal and ethical questions. As the type of questions raised by these AI robots in society have been rarely empirically explored, we engaged in four case studies focussing on four types of AI robots for agri-food ‘in the making’: manure collectors, weeding robots, harvesting robots and food processing robots which select and package fruits, vegetables and meats. Based on qualitative interviews with 33 experts engaged in the development or implementation of these four types of robots, this article provides a broad and varied exploration of the values that play a role in their evaluation and the ethical questions that they raise. Compared to the recently published literature reviews mapping the ethical questions related to AI robots in agri-food, we conclude that stakeholders in our case studies primarily adopt a relational perspective to the value of AI robots and to finding a solution to the ethical questions. Building on our findings we suggest it is best to seek a distribution of tasks between human beings and robots in agri-food, which helps to realize the most acceptable, good or just collaboration between them in food production or processing that contributes to realizing societal goals and help to respond to the 21 century challenges.
The efficacy of botulinum toxin a injections in pelvic floor muscles in chronic pelvic pain patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Spruijt Melle A. , Klerkx Wenche M. , Kelder Johannes C. , Kluivers Kirsten B. , Kerkhof Manon H.
Published: April 2022

Introduction and hypothesis

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common multifactorial condition affecting 6 to 27% of women aged 18–50 years worldwide. This study was conducted to review and meta-analyse the current literature on the reduction of chronic pelvic pain after botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection.

Method

In July 2021 we performed a systematic search in PubMed and EMBASE to assess the benefits of BTA injection in pelvic floor muscles in women with chronic pelvic pain. Primary outcome was reduction in visual analogue scale (VAS) after treatment. Secondary outcomes evaluated were: reduction of dyspareunia, pelvic floor resting pressure and quality of life. Identified reports were assessed on quality of reporting and risk of bias. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to combine and analyse outcomes of the included studies.

Results

Eight studies with 289 participants were considered eligible to be included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. After recalculating SMD into VAS scores (0–100), long-term follow-up (24–26 weeks) showed a significant 15-point improvement in VAS scores (95% CI: 8.8–21.5) for non-menstrual pelvic pain and a 13-point improvement (95% CI: 2.1–24.0) for dyspareunia. BTA injection had a significant effect on pelvic floor resting pressure and quality of life.

Conclusion

There is limited scientific evidence on the effectiveness of BTA injections in pelvic floor muscles in women with chronic pelvic pain. The available studies show that BTA injections significantly reduce pain levels and improve quality of life at 6 months follow-up.

Prospero ID

CRD42018105204.
Stability of mixed FEMs for non-selfadjoint indefinite second-order linear elliptic PDEs
Authors: Carstensen C. , Nataraj Neela , Pani Amiya K.
Published: April 2022

For a well-posed non-selfadjoint indefinite second-order linear elliptic PDE with general coefficients $${\mathbf {A}}, {\mathbf {b}},\gamma $$

A
,
b
,
γ

in $$L^\infty $$

L
∞

and symmetric and uniformly positive definite coefficient matrix $${\mathbf {A}}$$
A
, this paper proves that mixed finite element problems are uniquely solvable and the discrete solutions are uniformly bounded, whenever the underlying shape-regular triangulation is sufficiently fine. This applies to the Raviart-Thomas and Brezzi-Douglas-Marini finite element families of any order and in any space dimension and leads to the best-approximation estimate in $$H({{\,\mathrm{div}\,}})\times L^2$$

H

(

div

)

×

L
2

as well as in in $$L^2\times L^2$$

L
2

×

L
2

up to oscillations. This generalises earlier contributions for piecewise Lipschitz continuous coefficients to $$L^\infty $$

L
∞

coefficients. The compactness argument of Schatz and Wang for the displacement-oriented problem does not apply immediately to the mixed formulation in $$H({{\,\mathrm{div}\,}})\times L^2$$

H

(

div

)

×

L
2

. But it allows the uniform approximation of some $$L^2$$

L
2

contributions and can be combined with a recent $$L^2$$

L
2

best-approximation result from the medius analysis. This technique circumvents any regularity assumption and the application of a Fortin interpolation operator.
Mit Chatbots die finanzielle Allgemeinbildung stärken
Authors: Hundertmark Sophie , Grüter Aeneas , Portmann Edy
Published: April 2022

Die finanzielle Allgemeinbildung (eng. Financial Literacy) wird immer wichtiger und hat immer mehr Auswirkungen auf die wirtschaftliche Lage der einzelnen Bürger. Branchenexperten wie auch die allgemeine Bevölkerung sind sich einig, dass Finanzwissen wichtig ist und dennoch gibt es immer noch große Lücken im Bereich des Finanzwissens. In dieser Arbeit wird versucht, die finanzielle Bildung junger Menschen mithilfe eines chatbotbasiertes Wissenstrainings zu verbessern. Studien dazu haben gezeigt, dass Chatbotsequenzen von 5–10 min, die von der Zielgruppe 2‑ bis 3‑mal pro Woche absolviert werden, das Wissen über Finanzthemen verbessern und gleichzeitig von der Zielgruppe als angenehm und teilweise sogar unterhaltsam empfunden werden. Die Tonalität der Chatbots muss dabei an die Zielgruppe angepasst werden. Einfache Sprache, ein bisschen Humor und der Einsatz von Medien werden sehr geschätzt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen weiter, dass es den Teilnehmern wichtig ist, während der Trainingseinheiten anonym zu bleiben.
Contrast-enhanced CT techniques and MRI perform equally well in arthritis imaging of the hand: a prospective diagnostic accuracy study
Authors: Ulas Sevtap Tugce , Ziegeler Katharina , Richter Sophia-Theresa , Ohrndorf Sarah , Biesen Robert , Proft Fabian , Poddubnyy Denis , Diekhoff Torsten
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To investigate the performance of dual-energy CT (DECT)-generated iodine maps (iMap) and CT subtraction (CT-S) in the detection of synovitis, tenosynovitis, and peritendonitis/paratenonitis compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) as standard of reference.

Methods

This IRB-approved prospective study consecutively investigated patients with undifferentiated arthritis. All patients underwent MSUS, MRI and contrast-enhanced DECT of the hand; from the latter conventional CT-S, image-based iMap (iMap-I) and raw data-based iMap (iMap-RD) were reconstructed. CT and MRI datasets were scored for synovitis and tenosynovitis/paratenonitis applying the modified Rheumatoid Arthritis MRI Score (RAMRIS). Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated. Non-inferiority was tested using the one-tailed McNemar test. Correlation of sum scores was assessed using Pearson’s test. Interreader reliability was assessed using Cohen’s kappa.

Results

Overall, 33 patients were included. MSUS was positive for synovitis and tenosynovitis/paratenonitis in 28 patients with a sum score of 6.91. Excellent correlation with MSUS was shown for CT-S (sum score 6.38; r = 0.91), iMap-RD (sum score 9.74; r = 0.82), MRI (sum score 12.70; r = 0.85), and iMap-I (sum score 6.94; r = 0.50). CT-S had the highest diagnostic accuracy of 83%, followed by iMap-I (78%), MRI (75%), and iMap-RD (74%). All modalities showed non-inferiority. Reader agreement was good for CT-S and MRI (κ = 0.62; 0.64) and fair for iMap-RD and iMap-I (κ = 0.31; 0.37).

Conclusion

CT-S and iMap allow highly standardized arthritis imaging and are suitable for clinical practice. MSUS still has the highest availability for arthritis imaging and served as gold standard for this study.

Key Points

• CT subtraction, iodine map with dual-energy CT, and MRI showed non-inferiority to musculoskeletal ultrasound.

• MRI was the most sensitive but least specific imaging technique compared with CT subtraction and dual-energy CT.

• CT subtraction showed the best correlation with musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Environmental, social and reproductive factors influence the risk–reward trade-off in a group-living fish
Authors: Wong Marian Y. L. , Aitken Leigha R. , Beasley Amanda L. , Morris Stephen G. , Scott Anna
Published: April 2022

Animals are faced with a fundamental risk-reward trade-off when making decisions about foraging in the presence of predation, yet little is known about how social, reproductive and environmental factors mediate this trade-off. In the marine environment, anemonefishes provide a model system for investigating the determinants of risk–reward trade-offs, because they live in size- and sex-structured groups within protective sea anemones tentacles, yet feed predominantly in the water column where they are at risk of predation. Furthermore, exposure to changing tides means the availability of planktonic food covaries with their risk of predation. Therefore, we examined how tide, sex and status, and the presence of eggs influenced the time that Amphiprion mccullochi spent at different distances from their anemone, a proxy for foraging effort and predation risk. We found that individuals significantly adjusted their time spent far and close to the anemone depending on the tide, status and the presence of eggs, and that these adjustments can be explained in light of threat sensitive behaviour. This study illustrates the relative importance of environmental and social factors on intraspecific variation in foraging and antipredator behaviour and bolsters our understanding of the decision’s individuals make to balance the costs and benefits of foraging over temporal and spatial scales.
Screening programs for renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review by the EAU young academic urologists renal cancer working group
Authors: Diana Pietro , Klatte Tobias , Amparore Daniele , Bertolo Riccardo , Carbonara Umberto , Erdem Selcuk , Ingels Alexandre , Kara Onder , Marandino Laura , Marchioni Michele , Muselaers Stijn , Pavan Nicola , Pecoraro Angela , Pecoraro Alessio , Roussel Eduard , Campi Riccardo ,   the European Association of Urology (EAU) Young Academic Urologists (YAU) Renal Cancer group
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To systematically review studies focused on screening programs for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and provide an exhaustive overview on their clinical impact, potential benefits, and harms.

Methods

A systematic review of the recent English-language literature was conducted according to the European Association of Urology guidelines and the PRISMA statement recommendations (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021283136) using the MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Risk-of-bias assessment was performed according to the QUality In Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool.

Results

Overall, nine studies and one clinical trials were included. Eight studies reported results from RCC screening programs involving a total of 159 136 patients and four studies reported screening cost-analysis. The prevalence of RCC ranged between 0.02 and 0.22% and it was associated with the socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects; selection of the target population decreased, overall, the screening cost per diagnosis.

Conclusions

Despite an increasing interest in RCC screening programs from patients and clinicians there is a relative lack of studies reporting the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and the optimal modality for RCC screening. Targeting high-risk individuals and/or combining detection of RCC with other health checks represent pragmatic options to improve the cost-effectiveness and reduce the potential harms of RCC screening.
Spatio-temporal analysis and comparison of 3D videos
Authors: Cammarasana Simone , Patanè Giuseppe
Published: April 2022

Depth sensors of low-cost acquisition devices (e.g. Microsoft Kinect, Asus Xtion) are coming into widespread use; however, 3D acquired data are generally large, heterogeneous, and complex to analyse and interpret. In this context, our overall goal is the analysis of the action of a subject in a 3D video, e.g. the action of a human or the movement of its subparts. To this end, the action classification is achieved through the analysis of the temporal variation of geometric (e.g. centroid path, volume variation, activated voxels) and kinematic (e.g. speed) properties in consecutive frames. Then, these descriptors and the corresponding histograms are used to search a frame in a 3D video and to compare 3D videos. Our approach is applied to 3D videos represented as triangle meshes or point sets, and eventually to an underlying skeleton or to markers (if available). Our tests on the MIT, Berkley, i3DPost, NTU, and DUTH data sets confirm the usefulness of the proposed approach for the analysis and comparison of 3D videos, as well as for action classification.
Salmon fish protein supplement increases serum vitamin B12 and selenium concentrations: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hustad Kristin S. , Ottestad Inger , Olsen Thomas , Sæther Thomas , Ulven Stine M. , Holven Kirsten B.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The main aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a fish protein supplement made from by-products from production of Atlantic salmon, on blood concentration of micronutrients.

Methods

We conducted an 8-week double-blind parallel-group randomised controlled trial. In total, 88 adults were randomised to a salmon fish protein supplement or placebo, and 74 participants were included in the analysis of vitamin D, omega-3, vitamin B12, selenium, folate, zinc, homocysteine and mercury.

Results

During the intervention period, geometric mean (GSD) of serum vitamin B12 concentrations increased from 304 (1.40) to 359 (1.42) pmol/L in the fish protein group (P vs. controls = 0.004) and mean (SD) serum selenium increased from 1.18 (0.22) to 1.30 (0.20) μmol/L (P vs. controls = 0.002). The prevalence of low vitamin B12 status (B12 < 148–221 > pmol/L) decreased from 15.4 to 2.6% in the fish protein group, while increasing from 5.9 to 17.6% in the placebo group (P = 0.045). There was no difference between the groups in serum levels of the other micronutrients measured.

Conclusion

Including a salmon fish protein supplement in the daily diet for 8 weeks, increases serum vitamin B12 and selenium concentrations. From a sustainability perspective, by-products with high contents of micronutrients and low contents of contaminants, could be a valuable dietary supplement or food ingredient in populations with suboptimal intake.

Trail Registration

The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT03764423) on June 29th 2018.
The CCAS-scale in hereditary ataxias: helpful on the group level, particularly in SCA3, but limited in individual patients
Authors: Thieme Andreas , Faber Jennifer , Sulzer Patricia , Reetz Kathrin , Dogan Imis , Barkhoff Miriam , Krahe Janna , Jacobi Heike , Aktories Julia-Elisabeth , Minnerop Martina , Elben Saskia , van der Veen Raquel , Müller Johanna , Batsikadze Giorgi , Konczak Jürgen , Synofzik Matthis , Roeske Sandra , Timmann Dagmar
Published: April 2022

Background

A brief bedside test has recently been introduced by Hoche et al. (Brain, 2018) to screen for the Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Syndrome (CCAS) in patients with cerebellar disease.

Objective

This multicenter study tested the ability of the CCAS-Scale to diagnose CCAS in individual patients with common forms of hereditary ataxia.

Methods

A German version of the CCAS-Scale was applied in 30 SCA3, 14 SCA6 and 20 FRDA patients, and 64 healthy participants matched for age, sex, and level of education. Based on original cut-off values, the number of failed test items was assessed, and CCAS was considered possible (one failed item), probable (two failed items) or definite (three failed items). In addition a total sum raw score was calculated.

Results

On a group level, failed items were significantly higher and total sum scores were significantly lower in SCA3 patients compared to matched controls. SCA6 and FRDA patients performed numerically below controls, but respective group differences failed to reach significance. The ability of the CCAS-Scale to diagnose CCAS in individual patients was limited to severe cases failing three or more items. Milder cases failing one or two items showed a great overlap with the performance of controls exhibiting a substantial number of false-positive test results. The word fluency test items differentiated best between patients and controls.

Conclusions

As a group, SCA3 patients performed below the level of SCA6 and FRDA patients, possibly reflecting additional cerebral involvement. Moreover, the application of the CCAS-Scale in its present form results in a high number of false-positive test results, that is identifying controls as patients, reducing its usefulness as a screening tool for CCAS in individual patients.