bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastric dysplasia causing gastric outlet obstruction
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Ilahi Ipsit , Prajapati Tripti , Garg Pankaj Kumar
Published: July 2021

Gastric dysplasia signifies the presence of atypical cells in the gastric mucosa, which have not invaded beyond the lamina propria, and it rarely leads to tissue growth large enough to cause gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) to the gastric contents. However, GOO is commonly observed as a first clinical manifestation of advanced invasive gastric cancer in developing countries where patients seek medical care late. The present case highlights the treatment journey of a young woman who presented to us with features of GOO. Her endoscopic and radiological findings revealed a nodular gastric antral thickening causing GOO. An endoscopic biopsy showed features of dysplasia. She underwent distal gastrectomy following discussion in a multidisciplinary tumour board. Histopathological examination of the gastrectomy specimen confirmed dysplasia without any invasion beyond lamina. To the best of our knowledge, this is perhaps the first report of dysplasia of the stomach presenting as GOO.
Utility of Ct values in differentiating COVID-19 reinfection versus prolonged viral shedding in an immunocompromised patient
Authors: Julian Katherine , Shah Neal , Banjade Rashmi , Bhatt Dhirisha
Published: July 2021

We describe the case of a 26-year-old man who presented to an outside hospital with concerns of blurred vision. He subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 and his lab work suggested acute leukaemia. The patient was admitted to our hospital and completed a course of remdesivir. He eventually tested negative for COVID-19 before initiating chemotherapy. Two days after starting chemotherapy, he developed a neutropenic fever and tested positive for COVID-19. Through this case, we aim to bring attention to patients who recurrently test positive with COVID-19 PCR testing, thereby causing a dilemma of differentiating between reinfections and prolonged shedding of the virus, as well as understand and use cycle threshold values to discern these aetiologies.
Unusual organ involvement in sarcoidosis: sarcoid myopathy and peritoneal sarcoidosis
Authors: Itagane Masaki , Kinjo Mitsuyo
Published: July 2021

Myopathy and peritoneal involvement are rare complications of sarcoidosis, and the latter can mimic malignancy with peritoneal dissemination. In this case, a patient with a history of polyarthritis and positive rheumatoid factor presented with proximal muscle weakness and abdominal pain. Biopsies of muscle and peritoneum revealed non-caseating granuloma suggesting sarcoidosis. Ocular and pulmonary involvement later developed and confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.
Primary care physicians’ views on the factors for enhancing patients’ trust in rural areas of Zhejiang province, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Cai Jingjing , Wu Dan , Sun Kai Sing , Yang Shengzhi , Lam Kwok Fai , Li Lu , Lam Tai Pong , Zhou Xudong
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To examine primary care physicians’ (PCPs) perception of patients’ trust and associated factors for enhancing perceived trust in rural China.

Design

A cross-sectional questionnaire study.

Setting

All township health centres (primary care facilities in rural areas of China) in both developed and less developed counties of Zhejiang province, China, were chosen as the study sites.

Participants

A total of 849 questionnaires were distributed from December 2019 to January 2020, and 673 PCPs working in township health centres completed the questionnaires. The response rate was 79.3%.

Outcome measures

PCPs’ perceived patients’ trust in them, PCPs’ practices to meet patients’ expectations and PCPs’ perceived conflicting patient and employer interests were measured by a self-designed and verified questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to verify the measurement model of PCPs’ practices. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the association between clinical practice characteristics, discordant patient and employer interests and perceived patient trust after controlling for social–demographic characteristics.

Results

Among all participants, 572 (85.0%) PCPs often/always perceived patients’ trust in their clinical competence, and over two-thirds of PCPs reported ever perceived patient worries about overprescriptions. After adjustment for social-demographic characteristics, regression model results indicated that, among PCPs’ clinical practices characteristics, emotional support (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.06 to 1.42) and accurate diagnosis and treatment (OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.17 to 1.55) were positively associated with PCPs’ perceived patients’ trust in their clinical competence. A strong association was found between accurate diagnosis and treatment (OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.08 to 1.34, p<0.001; OR=1.22, 95% CI=1.10 to 1.35, p<0.001), conflicting patient and employer interests (OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.12 to 1.63, p<0.01; OR=1.29, 95% CI=1.07 to 1.54, p<0.01) and PCPs’ perceived patient worries about unnecessary medicine or tests, respectively.

Conclusions

PCPs’ emotional support to patients as well as their abilities to make accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment is positively associated with PCPs’ self-reported patients’ trust. It is recommended that reforms to realign patient and employer’s interests be investigated.
Applied sport science and medicine of women’s rugby codes: a systematic-scoping review and consensus on future research priorities protocol
Authors: Heyward Omar , Emmonds Stacey , Roe Gregory , Scantlebury Sean , Stokes Keith , Jones Ben
Published: July 2021

Women’s rugby (rugby league, rugby union and rugby sevens) has recently grown in participation and professionalisation. There is under-representation of women-only cohorts within applied sport science and medicine research and within the women’s rugby evidence base. The aims of this article are: Part 1: to undertake a systematic-scoping review of the applied sport science and medicine of women’s rugby, and Part 2: to develop a consensus statement on future research priorities. This article will be designed in two parts: Part 1: a systematic-scoping review, and Part 2: a three-round Delphi consensus method. For Part 1, systematic searches of three electronic databases (PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, SPORTDiscus (EBSCOhost)) will be performed from the earliest record. These databases will be searched to identify any sport science and medicine themed studies within women’s rugby. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews will be adhered to. Part 2 involves a three-round Delphi consensus method to identify future research priorities. Identified experts in women’s rugby will be provided with overall findings from Part 1 to inform decision-making. Participants will then be asked to provide a list of research priority areas. Over the three rounds, priority areas achieving consensus (≥70% agreement) will be identified. This study has received institutional ethical approval. When complete, the manuscript will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings of this article will have relevance for a wide range of stakeholders in women’s rugby, including policymakers and governing bodies.
Something old, something new, a DNA preparation procedure for long-read genomic sequencing
Authors: Wang Hongjun , Xu Sen
Published: July 2021

Extracting high-molecular-weight DNA is critical for successful long-read DNA sequencing. Here, we present a DNA preparation procedure combining the CTAB DNA extraction protocol and a short-read eliminator kit, which consistently produces high yields of high-molecular-weight DNA in the freshwater microcrustacean Daphnia. This method only requires common chemicals and equipment, providing researchers a viable alternative to DNA extraction kits that often require specialized tools.
Effective field theory versus UV-complete model: vector boson scattering as a case study
Authors: Lang Jannis , Liebler Stefan , Schäfer-Siebert Heiko , Zeppenfeld Dieter
Published: July 2021

Effective field theories (EFT) are commonly used to parameterize effects of BSM physics in vector boson scattering (VBS). For Wilson coefficients which are large enough to produce presently observable effects, the validity range of the EFT represents only a fraction of the energy range covered by the LHC, however. In order to shed light on possible extrapolations into the high energy region, a class of UV-complete toy models, with extra SU(2) multiplets of scalars or of fermions with vector-like weak couplings, is considered. By calculating the Wilson coefficients up to energy-dimension eight, and full one-loop contributions to VBS due to the heavy multiplets, the EFT approach, with and without unitarization at high energy, is compared to the perturbative prediction. For high multiplicities, e.g. nonets of fermions, the toy models predict sizable effects in transversely polarized VBS, but only outside the validity range of the EFT. At lower energies, dimension-eight operators are needed for an adequate description of the models, providing another example that dimension-eight can be more important than dimension-six operators. A simplified VBFNLO implementation is used to estimate sensitivity of VBS to such BSM effects at the LHC. Unitarization captures qualitative features of the toy models at high energy but significantly underestimates signal cross sections in the threshold region of the new particles.
Flow and thermal field investigation of rarefied gas in a trapezoidal micro/nano-cavity using DSMC
Authors: Zakeri Mostafa , Roohi Ehsan
Published: July 2021

The impetus of the this study is to investigate flow and thermal field in rarefied gas flows inside a trapezoidal micro/nano-cavity using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) technique. The investigation covers the hydrodynamic properties and thermal behavior of the flow. The selected Knudsen numbers for this study are arranged in the slip and transition regimes. The results show the center of the vortex location moves by variation in the Knudsen numbers. Also, as the Knudsen number increases, the non-dimensional shear stress increases, but the distribution deviates from a symmetrical profile. The cold to hot transfer, which is in contrast with the conventional Fourier law, is observed. We show that the heat transfer is affected by the second derivative of the velocity. By increasing the Knudsen number, the transferred heat through the walls decreases, but the contraction/expansion effects on the temperature in the corner of the cavity become higher.
Bifurcation in a New Fractional Model of Cerebral Aneurysm at the Circle of Willis
Authors: Cui Zhoujin , Shi Min , Wang Zaihua
Published: July 2021

A fractional-order model is proposed to describe the dynamic behaviors of the velocity of blood flow in cerebral aneurysm at the circle of Willis. The fractional-order derivative is used to model the blood flow damping term that features the viscoelasticity of the blood flow behaving between viscosity and elasticity, unlike the existing fractional models that use fractional-order derivatives to replace the integer-order derivatives as mathematical/logical generalization. A numerical analysis of the nonlinear dynamic behaviors of the model is carried out, and the influence of the damping term and the external power supply on the nonlinear dynamics of the model is investigated. It shows that not only chaos via period-doubling bifurcation is observed, but also two additional small period-doubling-bifurcation-like diagrams isolated from the big one are observed, a phenomenon that needs further investigation.
Damped Perturbations of Systems with Center-Saddle Bifurcation
Authors: Sultanov Oskar A.
Published: July 2021

An autonomous system of ordinary differential equations on the plane with a center-saddle bifurcation is considered. The influence of a class of time damped perturbations is investigated. The particular solutions tending to the fixed points of the limiting system are considered. The stability of these solutions is analyzed by Lyapunov function method when the bifurcation parameter of the unperturbed system takes critical and noncritical values. Conditions that ensure the persistence of the bifurcation in the perturbed system are described. When the bifurcation is broken, a pair of solutions tending to a degenerate fixed point of the limiting system appears in the critical case. It is shown that, depending on the structure and the parameters of the perturbations, one of these solutions can be stable, metastable or unstable, while the other solution is always unstable. The proposed theory is applied to the study of autoresonance capturing in systems with quadratically varying driving frequency.
Phase space correspondence between Jordan and Einstein frames
Authors: Salehi Amin
Published: July 2021

Scalar–tensor theories of gravity can be formulated in the Einstein frame or in the Jordan frame (JF) which are related with each other by conformal transformations. Although the two frames describe the same physics and are equivalent, the stability of the field equations in the two frames is not the same. Here, we implement dynamical system and phase space approach as a robustness tool to investigate this issue. We concentrate on the Brans–Dicke theory in a Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker universe, but the results can easily be generalized. Our analysis shows that while there is a one-to-one correspondence between critical points in two frames and each critical point in one frame is mapped to its corresponds in another frame, however, stability of a critical point in one frame does not guarantee the stability in another frame. Hence, an unstable point in one frame may be mapped to a stable point in another frame. All trajectories between two critical points in phase space in one frame are different from their corresponding in other ones. This indicates that the dynamical behavior of variables and cosmological parameters is different in two frames. Hence, for those features of the study, which focus on observational measurements, we must use the JF where experimental data have their usual interpretation.
Bell inequalities, counterfactual definiteness and falsifiability
Authors: Lambare Justo Pastor
Published: July 2021

We formally prove the existence of an enduring incongruence pervading a widespread interpretation of the Bell inequality and explain how to rationally avoid it with a natural assumption justified by explicit reference to a mathematical property of Bell’s probabilistic model. Although the amendment does not alter the relevance of the theorem regarding local realism, it brings back Bell theorem from the realm of philosophical discussions about counterfactual conditionals to the concrete experimental arena.
On the normalized Laplacian spectrum of the comaximal graphs
Authors: Afkhami Mojgan
Published: July 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative ring with nonzero identity. The comaximal graph of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is a simple graph with vertex set [Formula: see text], and two distinct vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are adjacent if and only if [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be an induced subgraph of [Formula: see text] with nonunit elements of [Formula: see text] as vertices. In this paper, we describe the normalized Laplacian spectrum of [Formula: see text], and we determine it for some values of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the ring of integers modulo [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we investigate the normalized Laplacian energy and general Randic index of [Formula: see text].
Beyond Constant Curvature: A New Mechanics Model for Unidirectional Notched-Tube Continuum Wrists
Authors: Pacheco Nicholas E. , Gafford Joshua B. , Atalla Mostafa A. , Webster Robert J. , Fichera Loris
Published: July 2021

This paper presents a new mechanics model for unidirectional notched-tube continuum wrists, a class of mechanisms frequently used to implement distal steering in needle-sized surgical robotic instruments. Existing kinematic models available for these devices are based on the simplifying assumption that, during actuation, all the notches undergo the same amount of deflection, so that the shape of a wrist can be approximated by an arc of constant curvature. This approach is analytically attractive, but, as we show in this paper, it can sometimes fail to provide good tracking accuracy. In this paper, we provide a new model that relaxes the assumption above, and we report experimental evidence showing its superior accuracy. We model wrist deflection using Castigliano’s Second Theorem, with the addition of a capstan friction term that accounts for frictional losses on the actuation tendon. Because notched-tube wrists are typically made of Nickel-Titanium (Nitinol), which has nonlinear stress–strain characteristics, we use a technique to obtain a local linearized approximation of the material modulus, suitable for use in the deflection model. The result of our modeling is a system of nonlinear equations that can be solved numerically to predict the wrist configuration based on the applied actuation force. Experimental results on physical specimens show that this improved model provides a more accurate estimate of wrist kinematics than prior models assuming constant curvature bending.
Strengthening Semaglutide-GLP-1R Binding Affinity via a Val27-Arg28 Exchange in the Peptide Backbone of Semaglutide: A Computational Structural Approach
Authors: Li Wei
Published: July 2021

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 analog used for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. With 94% sequence similarity to human GLP-1, semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, which binds directly to GLP-1R, causing various beneficial downstream effects that reduce blood glucose. Incorporating currently (June 21, 2021) available experimental structural data in PDB of semaglutide and GLP-1R, and with a set of computational structural and biophysical analysis, this short paper for the first time puts forward an experimentally testable hypothesis: semaglutide is able to bind tighter to GLP-1R via a simple Val27-Arg28 exchange in its peptide backbone.
Real-Time Visualization and Monitoring of Physiological Dynamics by Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogens (AIEgens)
Authors: He Xuewen , Lam Jacky W.Y. , Kwok Ryan T.K. , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: July 2021

Physiological dynamics in living cells and tissues are crucial for maintenance and regulation of their normal activities and functionalities. Tiny fluctuations in physiological microenvironments can leverage significant influences on cell growth, metabolism, differentiation, and apoptosis as well as disease evolution. Fluorescence imaging based on aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) exhibits superior advantages in real-time sensing and monitoring of the physiological dynamics in living systems, including its unique properties such as high sensitivity and rapid response, flexible molecular design, and versatile nano- to mesostructural fabrication. The introduction of canonic AIEgens with long-wavelength, near-infrared, or microwave emission, persistent luminescence, and diversified excitation source (e.g., chemo- or bioluminescence) offers researchers a tool to evaluate the resulting molecules with excellent performance in response to subtle fluctuations in bioactivities with broader dimensionalities and deeper hierarchies.
Nonmuscle Myosin II Regulation Directs Its Multiple Roles in Cell Migration and Division
Authors: Garrido-Casado Marina , Asensio-Juárez Gloria , Vicente-Manzanares Miguel
Published: July 2021

Nonmuscle myosin II (NMII) is a multimeric protein complex that generates most mechanical force in eukaryotic cells. NMII function is controlled at three main levels. The first level includes events that trigger conformational changes that extend the complex to enable its assembly into filaments. The second level controls the ATPase activity of the complex and its binding to microfilaments in extended NMII filaments. The third level includes events that modulate the stability and contractility of the filaments. They all work in concert to finely control force generation inside cells. NMII is a common endpoint of mechanochemical signaling pathways that control cellular responses to physical and chemical extracellular cues. Specific phosphorylations modulate NMII activation in a context-dependent manner. A few kinases control these phosphorylations in a spatially, temporally, and lineage-restricted fashion, enabling functional adaptability to the cellular microenvironment. Here, we review mechanisms that control NMII activity in the context of cell migration and division.
Bacteriophage ICP1: A Persistent Predator of Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Boyd Caroline M. , Angermeyer Angus , Hays Stephanie G. , Barth Zachary K. , Patel Kishen M. , Seed Kimberley D.
Published: July 2021

Bacteriophages or phages—viruses of bacteria—are abundant and considered to be highly diverse. Interestingly, a particular group of lytic Vibrio cholerae–specific phages (vibriophages) of the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh cholera phage 1 (ICP1) lineage show high levels of genome conservation over large spans of time and geography, despite a constant coevolutionary arms race with their host. From a collection of 67 sequenced ICP1 isolates, mostly from clinical samples, we find these phages have mosaic genomes consisting of large, conserved modules disrupted by variable sequences that likely evolve mostly through mobile endonuclease-mediated recombination during coinfection. Several variable regions have been associated with adaptations against antiphage elements in V. cholerae; notably, this includes ICP1’s CRISPR-Cas system. The ongoing association of ICP1 and V. cholerae in cholera-endemic regions makes this system a rich source for discovery of novel defense and counterdefense strategies in bacteria-phage conflicts in nature.
Electrochemical Recovery of Cobalt from Cobalt Oxide in an Amide-Type Ionic Liquid with Low-Temperature Carbochlorination
Authors: Yeh Hsing-Wen , Serizawa Nobuyuki , Katayama Yasushi
Published: July 2021

Electrochemical recovery of metallic Co was attempted from CoO in 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide (BMPTFSA) containing 0.5 M BMPCl. CoO was dissolved in 0.5 M BMPCl/BMPTFSA with a carbochlorination reagent, C2Cl6, to form [CoCl4]2− at 150 °C. After the removal of electroactive C2Cl6 and byproducts, the electrochemical reduction of [CoCl4]2– was found to be possible on a glassy carbon electrode in the ionic liquid. Co nanowires were deposited by electrochemical reduction of [CoCl4]2– in 0.5 M BMPCl/BMPTFSA under an external magnetic field, which promoted the cathodic reduction and affected the morphology of the deposits. The deposited Co nanowires were found to be composed of crystalline Co nanoparticles by transmission electron microscopy.
Blowing Up for the
p
-Laplacian Parabolic Equation with Logarithmic Nonlinearity
Authors: Alharbi Asma
Published: July 2021

In this article, we are concerned with a problem for the

p

-Laplacian parabolic equation with logarithmic nonlinearity; the blow-up result of the solution is proven. This work is completed Boulaaras’ work in Math. Methods Appl. Sci., (2020), where the author did not study the blowup of the solution.
Applications of Mittag-Leffer Type Poisson Distribution to a Subclass of Analytic Functions Involving Conic-Type Regions
Authors: Khan Muhammad Ghaffar , Ahmad Bakhtiar , Khan Nazar , Mashwani Wali Khan , Arjika Sama , Khan Bilal , Chinram Ronnason
Published: July 2021

In this article, we introduce a new subclass of analytic functions utilizing the idea of Mittag-Leffler type Poisson distribution associated with the Janowski functions. Further, we discuss some important geometric properties like necessary and sufficient condition, convex combination, growth and distortion bounds, Fekete-Szegö inequality, and partial sums for this newly defined class.
Research on the Influence of Moisture Condition on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Sandstone
Authors: Luo Zuosen. , Zhu Zuoxiang. , Bai Hao , Liu Daxiang , Sun Qiancheng.
Published: July 2021

The sandstone from the dry to saturated state shows obvious deterioration characteristics. Taking the sandstone of a slope in the Three Gorges Reservoir area as the research object, uniaxial/triaxial compression of sandstone samples with different water‐bearing states (dry, natural, and saturated) is carried out to study the changes in macromechanical properties of sandstone under different water‐bearing states. Combined with NMR and SEM, the characteristics of microstructure of sandstone under different moisture conditions were studied. The results show that, with the increase of water content, the macromechanical parameters of sandstone gradually decrease, and the fine and microstructure characteristics are characterized by the gradual increase in the number of pores and the gradual increase in pore size. Based on the PFC2D software, considering the weakening effect of water on the partial cementation from a mesoscopic point of view, it is proposed to use soft and hard contacts to simulate the changes in the degree of cementation between particles under different water‐bearing conditions and to study the impact of sandstone micromechanical parameters with changes in water content. Related research results can provide theoretical guidance for the stability evaluation of wading rock mass engineering.
Acute Pulmonary Embolism Associated with Low-Dose Olanzapine in a Patient without Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Vu Vu Hoang , Khang Nguyen Duong , Thao Mai Thanh , Khoi Le Minh
Published: July 2021

Background. Olanzapine is a second-generation antipsychotic drug commonly prescribed for certain mental/mood conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. This agent has been considered a precipitating factor for venous thromboembolism formation. Most of the cases previously reported were associated with high-dose olanzapine therapy or in patients with high-risk factors for the development of thromboembolism. Case Presentation. We report a patient who developed pulmonary embolism after a long course of low-dose olanzapine. A 66-year-old female patient suffering from insomnia had been prescribed olanzapine 2.5 mg and paroxetine 10 mg for two years. The patient suddenly developed a syncopal episode at home and was immediately brought to the hospital. The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was made by chance during the computerized tomography of coronary arteries. The patient made a full recovery under conventional treatment and was discharged in stable condition. The thoracic computed tomography taken two months after discharge showed a completely normal pulmonary arterial tree. Conclusion. Olanzapine-associated pulmonary embolism is a rare entity and might be missed if the physician in charge is not vigilant and well informed. Even low-dose olanzapine can be associated with pulmonary embolism in patients with low classic risk factors if the treatment is prolonged. Pulmonary embolism should be sought in patients taking olanzapine even though the presenting manifestations are nonspecific.
Optimized Clustering Algorithm for Comparative Analysis of Different Prenatal Corticosteroid Neurological Deficits in Premature Infants through Magnetic Reasoning Imaging (MRI)
Authors: Zhao Shu
Published: July 2021

Objective. This study aimed to explore the application of different prenatal corticosteroids in the assessment of neurological deficits and prognosis in premature infants through Magnetic Reasoning Imaging (MRI) under optimized cluster algorithm. Methods. 100 pregnant women with threatened preterm labor were retrospectively analyzed, in which 38 pregnant women with lasting threatened preterm labor (group A) were treated with multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids (dexamethasone treatment) and 62 cases of pregnant women with threatened preterm labor (group B) were treated with single course of dexamethasone treatment. Craniocerebral MRI images based on optimal clustering algorithm were used to examine neonates. Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) rate, serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) concentration, neonatal behavioral neurological score (NBNA), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) rate, perinatal mortality, neonatal birth weight, and maternal complications rate of two groups were compared. Results. Compared with other traditional image segmentation algorithms, this algorithm had the best segmentation effect, the shortest running time (1.43 s), the least number of iterations (5 times), and the highest segmentation accuracy (97.98%). There was no significant difference in the HIE rate, serum NSE concentration, NBNA score, RDS score, and perinatal mortality in group A and group B (

P
>
0.05

). Compared with group B, neonates’ body weight in group A was decreased, while the maternal complication rate in group A was increased (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. MRI images based on optimized clustering algorithm can be used in the diagnosis of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. There is no significant difference in the application of different antenatal corticosteroids affecting premature nerve function defect and prognosis, but multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids can affect neonatal body mass and increased maternal complications to a certain extent; therefore, before threatened premature delivery treatment, the pros and cons of multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids should fully be considered and in the treatment, measures should be actively taken to alleviate the side effect.
Prediction and Value of Ultrasound Image in Diagnosis of Fetal Central Nervous System Malformation under Deep Learning Algorithm
Authors: Zhou Yuehong
Published: July 2021

This study was to explore the application of deep learning neural network (DLNN) algorithms to identify and optimize the ultrasound image so as to analyze the effect and value in diagnosis of fetal central nervous system malformation (CNSM). 63 pregnant women who were gated in the hospital were suspected of being fetal CNSM and were selected as the research objects. The ultrasound images were reserved in duplicate, and one group was defined as the control group without any processing, and images in the experimental group were processed with the convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm to identify and optimize. The ultrasound examination results and the pathological test results before, during, and after the pregnancy were observed and compared. The results showed that the test results in the experimental group were closer to the postpartum ultrasound and the results of the pathological result, but the results in both groups showed no statistical difference in contrast to the postpartum results in terms of similarity (

P
>
0.05

). In the same pregnancy stage, the ultrasound examination results of the experimental group were higher than those in the control group, and the contrast was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

); in the different pregnancy stages, the ultrasound examination results in the second trimester were more close to the postpartum examination results, showing statistically obvious difference (

P
<
0.05

). In conclusion, ultrasonic image based on deep learning was higher in CNSM inspection; and ultrasonic technology had to be improved for the examination in different pregnancy stages, and the accuracy of the examination results is improved. However, the amount of data in this study was too small, so the representative was not high enough, which would be improved.
IMRT Images Based on Swarm Intelligence Algorithm in the Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Pain
Authors: Fu Xiaoli , Li Minxiang , Yin Mantian , Li Qing , Chen Ying
Published: July 2021

Objective. To investigate the IMRT treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma term effect, toxicity, and technical features. Methods. Sliding windows dynamic CT image-guided IMRT techniques on 31 patients for treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma radical radiotherapy, with 30 to 33 min irradiation. Target prescription dose GTVnx, GTVnd, CTV1, and CTV2 were 70∼76Gy, 68∼70Gy, 60∼66Gy, and 54Gy, while giving a dose of vital organs, the brain stem, and other restrictions to protect the parotid gland. Results. During 3 to 18 months of follow-up for a median period of 10 months, 1-year locoregional patients’ progression-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival rates were 93.5%, 87.1%, and 93.5%, respectively. Acute radiation reactions of grade I and II, xerostomia, and radioactive stomatitis were not observed. IMRT DVH analysis showed increased total dose and the irradiation target volume divided doses, reduced OARs illuminated, and the total dose divided doses. Conclusion. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy can achieve good short-term effects, significantly reduce the acute radiation response, and improve the quality of life of patients. It is worthy of promotion and application and in-depth research.
Development of Newly Formulated Nanoalumina-/Alkasite-Based Restorative Material
Authors: Abdallah Reham M. , Aref Neven S.
Published: July 2021

Purpose. Nanotechnology offers considerable scope in dentistry to improve dental treatment, care, and prevention of oral diseases through the use of nanosized biomaterials. This study assessed the effect of incorporating alumina nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPa) to the recently introduced alkasite-based restorative material (Cention N) on its mechanical properties and surface topographical features. Materials and Methods. Alumina nanopowder was incorporated into the powder component of Cention N at 5 and 10% (w/w). The unblended powder was used as a control. Compressive strength was assessed using a universal testing machine. Surface microhardness and roughness were evaluated using the Vickers microhardness test and surface profilometer, respectively. Surface topography was inspected using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (

P
<
0.05

). Results. Incorporation of either 5 or 10% (w/w) Al2O3 NPa into alkasite-based restorative materials (Cention N) increased both its compressive strength and surface microhardness. This increase was significant with the use of lower concentration Al2O3 NPa (5% w/w). Meanwhile, there was an increase in surface roughness values of Cention N modified with either 5 or 10% (w/w) Al2O3 NPa. This increase was only significant in the case of 10% (w/w) Al2O3 NPa. Conclusion. Incorporation of 5% (w/w) Al2O3 NPa into the newly introduced alkasite-based restorative material (Cention N) seems to produce a promising restorative material with high compressive strength and surface hardness without adversely affecting its surface roughness properties. Thus, nanotechnology implementation into Cention N restorative material may be strongly helpful for a diversity of clinical applications.
An Improved Algorithm Based on Fast Search and Find of Density Peak Clustering for High‐Dimensional Data
Authors: Du Hui , Ni Yiyang , Wang Zhihe
Published: July 2021

The find of density peak clustering algorithm (FDP) has poor performance on high‐dimensional data. This problem occurs because the clustering algorithm ignores the feature selection. All features are evaluated and calculated under the same weight, without distinguishing. This will lead to the final clustering effect which cannot achieve the expected. Aiming at this problem, we propose a new method to solve it. We calculate the importance value of all features of high‐dimensional data and calculate the mean value by constructing random forest. The features whose importance value is less than 10% of the mean value are removed. At this time, we extract the important features to form a new dataset. At this time, improved t‐SNE is used for dimension reduction, and better performance will be obtained. This method uses t‐SNE that is improved by the idea of random forest to reduce the dimension of the original data and combines with improved FDP to compose the new clustering method. Through experiments, we find that the evaluation index NMI of the improved algorithm proposed in this paper is 23% higher than that of the original FDP algorithm, and 9.1% higher than that of other clustering algorithms (K‐means, DBSCAN, and spectral clustering). It has good performance in high‐dimensional datasets that are verified by experiments on UCI datasets and wireless sensor networks.
Study on the Influence of Sand Core Compactness on Surface Entropy considering Engineering Disturbance
Authors: Su Ding-li , Chen Hang , Xu Xuemiao , Tang Mengxiong , Hu He-song
Published: July 2021

In order to explore the correlation between the compactness of sand core samples and its surface image features and to provide the basis for rapid identification and recognition of core samples in engineering investigation, a typical image data set of sand core samples disturbed by drilling construction in practical engineering has been established, using Python language to compile algorithm to calculate one‐dimensional entropy and two‐dimensional entropy of 60 groups of sand core samples with different densities. The influence of different sand core compactness on surface entropy characteristics was discussed, and the following conclusions were obtained: (1) Affected by drilling construction and disturbance, the looser the sand core surface particles are, the worse the sorting is and the more irregular the shape characteristics are. There is a close relationship between grain texture and compactness. (2) The calculation results of sand image entropy of one‐dimensional entropy and two‐dimensional entropy showed that the entropy value of loose, slightly dense, and medium dense sand images is positively correlated with the compactness of sand. (3) The maximum variance of two‐dimensional entropy of loose, slightly dense, and medium dense sand image in the same borehole is less than 0.09, and the data variance amplification effect of two‐dimensional entropy of image is mainly between different boreholes. (4) The dense feature of core sample structure forms an ordered structure with a gray change boundary, which increases the roughness of the image and leads to the increase of entropy. The two‐dimensional entropy reveals the internal correlation mechanism of the influence of the engineering state on the surface structure of sand more clearly than the one‐dimensional entropy and more effectively characterizes the dense degree of sand particles. (5) Using two‐dimensional entropy to judge the compactness of sand image in the same borehole, the data fluctuation is small, and the algorithm is stable and reliable. The research results have reference values for the detection and analysis of sand sample density in geotechnical engineering investigation.
Comparative Study on Cold Compaction Behavior of TiH2 Powder and HDH‐Ti Powder
Authors: Dong Shucheng , Wang Baicheng , Song Yuchao , Ma Guangyu , Xu Huiyan , Savvakin Dmytro , Ivasishin Orest
Published: July 2021

The compaction mechanism of titanium hydride powder is an important issue because it has a direct impact on density and strength of green compacts and ultimately on the physical and mechanical properties of a final sintered products. In this paper, the characteristics and compaction behavior of titanium hydride and hydrogenation‐dehydrogenation titanium powders are comparatively studied and analyzed for better understanding of compaction mechanism of brittle low‐strength titanium hydride. The results indicate that the particles of titanium hydride powder are easily crushed under compaction loading at relatively low pressure well below compression strength of bulk titanium hydride, the degree of particle crushed increases with the increase of pressure. The compaction behavior of titanium hydride powder mainly includes the rearrangement and crushing of particles in the early compaction stage, minor plastic deformation, if any, and further rearrangement of particle fragments with filling the pores in the later stage. Such compaction behavior provides relative density of green hydride compacts higher than that for titanium powder of the same size. The relatively coarse titanium hydride powder with wide particle size distribution is easier to fill the pores providing highest green density.
Aggressive Colorectal Cancer in an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient following Treatment with Vedolizumab: A Case Report
Authors: Nascimento Catarina , Oliveira Helena , Fidalgo Catarina , Ramos Lídia Roque , Glória Luísa , Torres Joana
Published: July 2021

Introduction: The increased risk of bowel cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease can be related with the extent, duration and severity of inflammation or with the cancer immune surveillance interference of immunosuppressive drugs used in inflammatory bowel disease treatment. Therefore, the risk-benefit ratio associated with long-term therapeutic strategies should be based on the patient’s age, sex, comorbidities and disease phenotype. Case Report: We present the case of a 76-year-old man with a history of melanoma stage Clark III and steroid-dependent left-sided colitis, refractory to mesalamine and thiopurines, with a diagnosis of a multifocal colorectal adenocarcinoma shortly after clinical and endoscopic remission 1 year after starting vedolizumab. Discussion: Vedolizumab is a gut-selective monoclonal anti-α4β7-integrin antibody that inhibits lymphocyte migration into the gastrointestinal submucosa. Its effectiveness for induction and maintenance of remission and its favorable safety profile make it an alternative in patients with chronic refractory colitis and contraindications to anti-TNF-α. However, there is the hypothesis that, by reducing the migration of activated leukocytes to the gastrointestinal tract, it may also reduce immunosurveillance, increasing the colorectal malignancy risk in the long term. More studies are necessary to address this issue.
Soluble CD163 for Prediction of High-Risk Esophageal Varices and Variceal Hemorrhage in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Taher Mohamed Yousri , El-Hadidi Abeer , El-Shendidi Assem  , Sedky Ahmed
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Activation of hepatic macrophages in liver disease is pathogenically related to portal hypertension (PH). Soluble CD163 (sCD163) is shed in blood by activated macrophages and may predict PH progression noninvasively. This study was designed to investigate the relation of serum sCD163 to the grade and bleeding risk of esophageal varices (EV) and its role for prediction of variceal hemorrhage (VH). Methods: The study included cirrhotic patients divided into 3 groups: patients who presented with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) proved to originate from EV on endoscopy, patients without any history of UGIB but who revealed EV on surveillance endoscopy, and patients without endoscopic evidence of varices. Variceal grade and risk signs and bleeding stigmata were noted simultaneously with measurement of serum sCD163 concentration. Results: Serum sCD163 concentration showed a significant increase in cirrhotic patients compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001) with a stepwise increase among the group without varices, nonbleeder group, and bleeder group sequentially. Serum sCD163 levels correlated positively with the variceal grade and risk signs in both the bleeder and nonbleeder groups (p = 0.002, p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, p < 0.001, respectively). Serum sCD163 at a cutoff value of 3.6 mg/L performed significantly for prediction of EV presence (AUC = 0.888). Serum sCD163 at a cutoff value >4 mg/L significantly predicted large-size and high-risk EV (AUC = 0.910 and AUC = 0.939, respectively) and the index bleed risk (AUC = 0.977). Serum sCD163 at a cutoff value >4.05 mg/L modestly discriminated bleeding EV from those that had never bled (AUC = 0.811). Conclusions: Serum sCD163 levels accurately predicted high-grade and high-risk EV and could help plan for primary prophylaxis. However, it modestly identified VH occurrence, and endoscopy would be required to make a definitive diagnosis.
Advanced Machine Learning Tools to Monitor Biomarkers of Dysphagia: A Wearable Sensor Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: O’Brien Megan K. , Botonis Olivia K. , Larkin Elissa , Carpenter Julia , Martin-Harris Bonnie , Maronati Rachel , Lee KunHyuck , Cherney Leora R. , Hutchison Brianna , Xu Shuai , Rogers John A. , Jayaraman Arun
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) occurs frequently in patients with neurological disorders and can lead to aspiration, choking, and malnutrition. Dysphagia is typically diagnosed using costly, invasive imaging procedures or subjective, qualitative bedside examinations. Wearable sensors are a promising alternative to noninvasively and objectively measure physiological signals relevant to swallowing. An ongoing challenge with this approach is consolidating these complex signals into sensitive, clinically meaningful metrics of swallowing performance. To address this gap, we propose 2 novel, digital monitoring tools to evaluate swallows using wearable sensor data and machine learning. Methods: Biometric swallowing and respiration signals from wearable, mechano-acoustic sensors were compared between patients with poststroke dysphagia and nondysphagic controls while swallowing foods and liquids of different consistencies, in accordance with the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA). Two machine learning approaches were developed to (1) classify the severity of impairment for each swallow, with model confidence ratings for transparent clinical decision support, and (2) compute a similarity measure of each swallow to nondysphagic performance. Task-specific models were trained using swallow kinematics and respiratory features from 505 swallows (321 from patients and 184 from controls). Results: These models provide sensitive metrics to gauge impairment on a per-swallow basis. Both approaches demonstrate intrasubject swallow variability and patient-specific changes which were not captured by the MASA alone. Sensor measures encoding respiratory-swallow coordination were important features relating to dysphagia presence and severity. Puree swallows exhibited greater differences from controls than saliva swallows or liquid sips (p < 0.037). Discussion: Developing interpretable tools is critical to optimize the clinical utility of novel, sensor-based measurement techniques. The proof-of-concept models proposed here provide concrete, communicable evidence to track dysphagia recovery over time. With refined training schemes and real-world validation, these tools can be deployed to automatically measure and monitor swallowing in the clinic and community for patients across the impairment spectrum.