bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Analyses Distinguish Load Carriage Dynamics in Walking and Standing: A Systematic Review
Authors: Brink Kolby J. , McKenzie Kari L. , Likens Aaron D.
Published: September 2022

Load carriage experiments are typically performed from a linear perspective that assumes that movement variability is equivalent to error or noise in the neuromuscular system. A complimentary, nonlinear perspective that treats variability as the object of study has generated important results in movement science outside load carriage settings. To date, no systematic review has yet been conducted to understand how load carriage dynamics change from a nonlinear perspective. The goal of this systematic review is to fill that need. Relevant literature was extracted and reviewed for general trends involving nonlinear perspectives on load carriage. Nonlinear analyses that were used in the reviewed studies included sample, multiscale, and approximate entropy; the Lyapunov exponent; fractal analysis; and relative phase. In general, nonlinear tools successfully distinguish between unloaded and loaded conditions in standing and walking, although not in a consistent manner. The Lyapunov exponent and entropy were the most used nonlinear methods. Two noteworthy findings are that entropy in quiet standing studies tends to decrease, whereas the Lyapunov exponent in walking studies tends to increase, both due to added load. Thus, nonlinear analyses reveal altered load carriage dynamics, demonstrating promise in applying a nonlinear perspective to load carriage while also underscoring the need for more research.
Practice Schedules Affect How Learners Correct Their Errors: Secondary Analysis From a Contextual Interference Study
Authors: Taylor Sarah , Fawver Bradley , Thomas Joseph L. , Williams A. Mark , Lohse Keith R.
Published: September 2022

Contextual interference is an established phenomenon in learning research; random practice schedules are associated with poorer performance, but superior learning, compared with blocked practice schedules. We present a secondary analysis of N = 84 healthy young adults, replicating the contextual interference effect in a time estimation task. We used the determinant of a correlation matrix to measure the amount of order in participant responses. We calculated this determinant in different phase spaces: trial space, the determinant of the previous five trials (lagged constant error 0–4); and target space, the determinant of the previous five trials of the same target. In trial space, there was no significant difference between groups (p = .98) and no Group × Lag interaction (p = .54), although there was an effect of Lag (p < .01). In target space, there were effects of Group (p = .02), Lag (p < .01), and a Group × Lag interaction (p = .03). Ultimately, randomly scheduled practice was associated with adaptive corrections but positive correlations between errors from trial to trial (e.g., overshoots followed by smaller overshoots). Blocked practice was associated with more adaptive corrections but uncorrelated responses. Our findings suggest that random practice leads to the retrieval and updating of the target from memory, facilitating long-term retention and transfer.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity, Pain, Mood, and Sleep in Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Rose Michael J. , LaValley Michael P. , Jafarzadeh S. Reza , Costello Kerry E. , Shah Nirali , Lee Soyoung , Borrelli Belinda , Messier Stephen P. , Neogi Tuhina , Kumar Deepak
Published: September 2022

Objective: To examine changes in physical activity, sleep, pain, and mood in people with knee osteoarthritis during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by leveraging an ongoing randomized clinical trial. Methods: Participants enrolled in a 12-month parallel two-arm randomized clinical trial (NCT03064139) interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic wore an activity monitor (Fitbit Charge 3) and filled out custom weekly surveys rating knee pain, mood, and sleep as part of the study. Data from 30 weeks of the parent study were used for this analysis. Daily step count and sleep duration were extracted from activity monitor data, and participants self-reported knee pain, positive mood, and negative mood via surveys. Metrics were averaged within each participant and then across all participants for prepandemic, stay-at-home, and reopening periods, reflecting the phased reopening in the state of Massachusetts. Results: Data from 28 participants showed small changes with inconclusive clinical significance during the stay-at-home and reopening periods compared with prepandemic for all outcomes. Summary statistics suggested substantial variability across participants with some participants showing persistent declines in physical activity during the observation period. Conclusion: Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity, sleep, pain, and mood were variable across individuals with osteoarthritis. Specific reasons for this variability could not be determined. Identifying factors that could affect individuals with knee osteoarthritis who may exhibit reduced physical activity and/or worse symptoms during major lifestyle changes (such as the ongoing pandemic) is important for providing targeted health-care services and management advice toward those that could benefit from it the most.
Accurate detection of benign and malignant renal tumor subtypes with MethylBoostER: An epigenetic marker–driven learning framework
Authors: Rossi Sabrina H. , Newsham Izzy , Pita Sara , Brennan Kevin , Park Gahee , Smith Christopher G. , Lach Radoslaw P. , Mitchell Thomas , Huang Junfan , Babbage Anne , Warren Anne Y. , Leppert John T. , Stewart Grant D. , Gevaert Olivier , Massie Charles E. , Samarajiwa Shamith A.
Published: September 2022

Current gold standard diagnostic strategies are unable to accurately differentiate malignant from benign small renal masses preoperatively; consequently, 20% of patients undergo unnecessary surgery. Devising a more confident presurgical diagnosis is key to improving treatment decision-making. We therefore developed MethylBoostER, a machine learning model leveraging DNA methylation data from 1228 tissue samples, to classify pathological subtypes of renal tumors (benign oncocytoma, clear cell, papillary, and chromophobe RCC) and normal kidney. The prediction accuracy in the testing set was 0.960, with class-wise ROC AUCs >0.988 for all classes. External validation was performed on >500 samples from four independent datasets, achieving AUCs >0.89 for all classes and average accuracies of 0.824, 0.703, 0.875, and 0.894 for the four datasets. Furthermore, consistent classification of multiregion samples (
N
= 185) from the same patient demonstrates that methylation heterogeneity does not limit model applicability. Following further clinical studies, MethylBoostER could facilitate a more confident presurgical diagnosis to guide treatment decision-making in the future.
The long noncoding RNA
mimi
scaffolds neuronal granules to maintain nervous system maturity
Authors: Grzejda Dominika , Mach Jana , Schweizer Johanna Aurelia , Hummel Barbara , Rezansoff Andrew Mischa , Eggenhofer Florian , Panhale Amol , Lalioti Maria-Eleni , Cabezas Wallscheid Nina , Backofen Rolf , Felsenberg Johannes , Hilgers Valérie
Published: September 2022

RNA binding proteins and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) assemble into ribonucleoprotein granules that regulate mRNA trafficking, local translation, and turnover. The dysregulation of RNA-protein condensation disturbs synaptic plasticity and neuron survival and has been widely associated with human neurological disease. Neuronal granules are thought to condense around particular proteins that dictate the identity and composition of each granule type. Here, we show in
Drosophila
that a previously uncharacterized long noncoding RNA,
mimi
, is required to scaffold large neuronal granules in the adult nervous system. Neuronal ELAV-like proteins directly bind
mimi
and mediate granule assembly, while Staufen maintains condensate integrity.
mimi
granules contain mRNAs and proteins involved in synaptic processes; granule loss in
mimi
mutant flies impairs nervous system maturity and neuropeptide-mediated signaling and causes phenotypes of neurodegeneration. Our work reports an architectural RNA for a neuronal granule and provides a handle to interrogate functions of a condensate independently of those of its constituent proteins.
Losing the battle over best-science guidance early in a crisis: COVID-19 and beyond
Authors: Illari Lucia , Restrepo Nicholas J. , Johnson Neil F.
Published: September 2022

Ensuring widespread public exposure to best-science guidance is crucial in any crisis, e.g., coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), monkeypox, abortion misinformation, climate change, and beyond. We show how this battle got lost on Facebook very early during the COVID-19 pandemic and why the mainstream majority, including many parenting communities, had already moved closer to more extreme communities by the time vaccines arrived. Hidden heterogeneities in terms of who was talking and listening to whom explain why Facebook’s own promotion of best-science guidance also appears to have missed key audience segments. A simple mathematical model reproduces the exposure dynamics at the system level. Our findings could be used to tailor guidance at scale while accounting for individual diversity and to help predict tipping point behavior and system-level responses to interventions in future crises.
Designing interphases for practical aqueous zinc flow batteries with high power density and high areal capacity
Authors: Jin Shuo , Shao Yiqi , Gao Xiaosi , Chen Pengyu , Zheng Jingxu , Hong Shifeng , Yin Jiefu , Joo Yong Lak , Archer Lynden A.
Published: September 2022

Aqueous zinc flow batteries (AZFBs) with high power density and high areal capacity are attractive, both in terms of cost and safety. A number of fundamental challenges associated with out-of-plane growth and undesirable side reactions on the anode side, as well as sluggish reaction kinetics and active material loss on the cathode side, limit practical deployment of these batteries. We investigated artificial interphases created using a simple electrospray methodology as a strategy for addressing each of these challenges. The effectiveness of the electrospray interphases in full cell zinc-iodine flow batteries was evaluated and reported; it is possible to simultaneously achieve high power density [115 milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm
2
)] and high areal capacity [25 milliampere hour per square centimeter (mA·hour/cm
2
)]. Last, we extended it to aqueous zinc-bromine and zinc-vanadium flow batteries of contemporary interest. It is again found that high power density (255 and 260 mW/cm
2
, respectively) and high areal capacity (20 mA·hour/cm
2
) can be simultaneously achieved in AZFBs.
A wave-confining metasphere beamforming acoustic sensor for superior human-machine voice interaction
Authors: Ma Kejing , Chen Huyue , Wu Zhiyuan , Hao Xiangling , Yan Ge , Li Wenbo , Shao Lei , Meng Guang , Zhang Wenming
Published: September 2022

Highly sensitive, source-tracking acoustic sensing is essential for effective and natural human-machine interaction based on voice. It is a known challenge to omnidirectionally track sound sources under a hypersensitive rate with low noise interference using a compact sensor. Here, we present a unibody acoustic metamaterial spherical shell with equidistant defected piezoelectric cavities, referred to as the metasphere beamforming acoustic sensor (MBAS). It demonstrates a wave-confining capability and low self-noise, simultaneously achieving an outstanding intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (72 dB) and an ultrahigh sensitivity (137 mV
pp
/Pa or −26.3 dBV), with a range spanning the daily phonetic frequencies (0 to 1500 Hz) and omnidirectional beamforming for the perception and spatial filtering of sound sources. Moreover, the MBAS-based auditory system is shown for high-performance audio cloning, source localization, and speech recognition in a noisy environment without any signal enhancement, revealing its promising applications in various voice interaction systems.
Clearing away barriers to oral drug delivery
Authors: Xia Dengning , Wood-Yang Amy J. , Prausnitz Mark R.
Published: September 2022

Ingestible devices have the potential to clear away barriers to oral delivery of biologics to improve drug bioavailability.
CAR T cells targeting
Aspergillus fumigatus
are effective at treating invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in preclinical models
Authors: Seif Michelle , Kakoschke Tamara Katharina , Ebel Frank , Bellet Marina Maria , Trinks Nora , Renga Giorgia , Pariano Marilena , Romani Luigina , Tappe Beeke , Espie David , Donnadieu Emmanuel , Hünniger Kerstin , Häder Antje , Sauer Markus , Damotte Diane , Alifano Marco , White P. Lewis , Backx Matthijs , Nerreter Thomas , Machwirth Markus , Kurzai Oliver , Prommersberger Sabrina , Einsele Hermann , Hudecek Michael , Löffler Jürgen
Published: September 2022

Aspergillus fumigatus
is a ubiquitous mold that can cause severe infections in immunocompromised patients, typically manifesting as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). Adaptive and innate immune cells that respond to
A. fumigatus
are present in the endogenous repertoire of patients with IPA but are infrequent and cannot be consistently isolated and expanded for adoptive immunotherapy. Therefore, we gene-engineered
A. fumigatus
–specific chimeric antigen receptor (Af-CAR) T cells and demonstrate their ability to confer antifungal reactivity in preclinical models in vitro and in vivo. We generated a CAR targeting domain AB90-E8 that recognizes a conserved protein antigen in the cell wall of
A. fumigatus
hyphae. T cells expressing the Af-CAR recognized
A. fumigatus
strains and clinical isolates and exerted a direct antifungal effect against
A. fumigatus
hyphae. In particular, CD8
+
Af-CAR T cells released perforin and granzyme B and damaged
A. fumigatus
hyphae. CD8
+
and CD4
+
Af-CAR T cells produced cytokines that activated macrophages to potentiate the antifungal effect. In an in vivo model of IPA in immunodeficient mice, CD8
+
Af-CAR T cells localized to the site of infection, engaged innate immune cells, and reduced fungal burden in the lung. Adoptive transfer of CD8
+
Af-CAR T cells conferred greater antifungal efficacy compared to CD4
+
Af-CAR T cells and an improvement in overall survival. Together, our study illustrates the potential of gene-engineered T cells to treat aggressive infectious diseases that are difficult to control with conventional antimicrobial therapy and support the clinical development of Af-CAR T cell therapy to treat IPA.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Uncultivated Freshwater Bacteroidota Lineage
Authors: Mauch Emanuel , Serra Moncadas Lucas , Andrei Adrian-Stefan
Published: September 2022

We report here a complete metagenome-assembled genome belonging to the AKYH767 order within the Bacteroidota phylum. The recovered genome stems from a nonaxenic Amoebozoa culture from Lake Zürich and was assembled as a circular element at a length of 4.1 Mbp and a coverage of 115×.
Replication-Deficient Zika Vector-Based Vaccine Provides Maternal and Fetal Protection in Mouse Model
Authors: Garcia Gustavo , Chakravarty Nikhil , Abu Angel Elma , Jeyachandran Arjit Vijey , Takano Kari-Ann , Brown Rebecca , Morizono Kouki , Arumugaswami Vaithilingaraja
Published: September 2022

This research is important as it strives to address the critical need for effective prophylactic measures against the outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) and outlines an important vaccine technology that could potentially be used to induce immune responses against other pandemic-potential viruses.
Application of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) Using Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) in Diagnosing Pneumonia of Children
Authors: Yang Aimei , Chen Chen , Hu Yan , Zheng Guilang , Chen Peiling , Xie Zhiwei , Fan Huifeng , Sun Yueyu , Wu Peiqiong , Jiang Wenhui , Wang Chun , Zhang Jingwen , Zhang Dongwei , Wang Jing , Hu Xiaoyin , Xia Han , Yin Genquan , Guo Yuxiong
Published: September 2022

Our study indicates high efficiency of mNGS using BALF for the detection of causative pathogens that cause pneumonia in children. mNGS can be a potential diagnostic tool to supplement conventional methods for children’s pneumonia.
Reverse Transcription-Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification-CRISPR-Cas13a Technology as a Promising Diagnostic Tool for SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Ortiz-Cartagena Concha , Fernández-García Laura , Blasco Lucia , Pacios Olga , Bleriot Inés , López María , Cantón Rafael , Tomás María
Published: September 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis has driven the development of innovative molecular diagnosis methods, including CRISPR-Cas technology. In this work, we performed a protocol, working with RNA extraction kit-free samples and using RT-LAMP-CRISPR-Cas13a technology; our results place this method at the forefront of rapid and specific diagnostic methods for COVID-19 due to the high specificity (100%), sensitivity (83%), PPVs (100%), and NPVs (81% for high viral loads) obtained with clinical samples.
Self-compassion, sleep quality and psychological well-being in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gunn Sarah , Henson Joseph , Robertson Noelle , Maltby John , Brady Emer M , Henderson Sarah , Hadjiconstantinou Michelle , Hall Andrew P , Rowlands Alex V , Yates Thomas , Davies Melanie J
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Low self-compassion and poor sleep quality have been identified as potential key predictors of distress in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study investigated relationships between sleep behaviors (sleep duration, social jetlag and daytime sleepiness), diabetes-related distress (DRD) and self-compassion in people with T2D.

Research design and methods

This cross-sectional study used data from 467 people with T2D derived from self-report questionnaires, accelerometer-assessed sleep measures and demographic information (clinicaltrials.gov registration:NCT02973412). All participants had a diagnosis of T2D and no comorbid sleep disorder (excluding obstructive sleep apnea). Hierarchical multiple regression and mediation analysis were used to quantify relationships between self-compassion, sleep variables and DRD.

Results

Significant predictors of DRD included two negative subscales of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and daytime sleepiness. The ‘overidentified’ and ‘isolation’ SCS subscales were particularly important in predicting distress. Daytime sleepiness also partially mediated the influence of self-compassion on DRD, potentially through self-care around sleep.

Conclusions

Daytime sleepiness and negative self-compassion have clear associations with DRD for people with T2D. The specific negative subscale outcomes suggest that strengthening individuals’ ability to mindfully notice thoughts and experiences without becoming enmeshed in them, and reducing a sense of separateness and difference, might be key therapeutic targets for improving well-being in T2D. Psychological interventions should include approaches focused on reducing negative self-compassion and improving sleep behavior. Equally, reducing DRD may carry beneficial outcomes for sleep and self-compassion. Further work is however crucial to establish causation and long-term impact, and for development of relevant clinical resources.
‘Every patient, every day’: a daily ward round tool to improve patient safety and experience
Authors: Johnston Judith , Stephenson John , Rajgopal Anu , Bhasin Neeraj
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Many essential interventions are required to ensure in-patients receive safe and effective care with a good experience. In addition, healthcare organisations are assessed on numerous performance indicators, including the aforementioned interventions, where underperformance can lead to lower publicly reported ratings, loss of income and reputational damage. Most importantly, underperformance can lead to compromised patient experience and outcomes. We created a prompt card as a service improvement tool to be used on the daily ward rounds at the bedside of every patient, entitled ‘every patient, every day’ to improve documentation, antibiotic prescribing, venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, coding and patient communication.

Method

Preimplementation data around these interventions and patient experience factors were collected by shadowing ward rounds. The ‘every patient, every day’ tool was then implemented. The ward rounds were shadowed by the same individual to collect post-implementation data. Effect of implementation was assessed via Poisson regression models conducted on the documentation, antibiotics and VTE measures, and logistic regression models conducted on the communication and coding measures.

Results

The corresponding rate ratios for the effect of the implementation of the service improvement tool were found to be 1.53 (95% CI 1.38 to 1.69) for improved documentation. Antibiotics prescribing improved by 1.44 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.94). VTE prescribing and documentation improved by a rate ratio 1.25 (95% 1.04 to 1.50). For communication, the effect of the implementation was significant at the 5% significance level (p<0.001), with an OR of 18.6 (95% CI 8.41 to 41.09). Coding effect was non-significant at the 5% significance level (p=0.113) but was substantive. Implementation of the tool resulted in substantive improvements in all outcomes and shows corrected significance with the documentation and communication outcomes.

Conclusion

The ‘every patient, every day’ ward round prompt card is an extraordinarily simple tool shown to increase compliance with a number of safety and quality indicators to improve an organisation’s performance, and hopefully be a facet contributing to enhanced patient experience and outcomes.
Compliance to donning and doffing of personal protective equipment among dental healthcare practitioners during the coronavirus pandemic: a quality improvement plan, do, study and act (PDSA) Initiative
Authors: Qabool Hafsa , Ali Faiza , Sukhia Rashna Hoshang , Badruddin Naila
Published: September 2022

Introduction

With the emergence of SARS-Cov-2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defined mandatory guidelines for donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) among dental healthcare professionals. The study’s objective was to improve the compliance of the donning and doffing protocols for PPE among dental practitioners by the Plan, Do, Study, and Act (PDSA) cycle.

Materials and methods

A quasi-experimental study was conducted on a sample of dental healthcare professionals using the non-probability purposive technique. In the first planning stage, compliance with CDC-approved donning and doffing was assessed on the clinical premises. In the second stage, an educational session was arranged with all the healthcare professionals to explain stepwise guidelines of donning and doffing to improve the quality of donning and doffing compliance. In the third stage, improvement in the quality outcome was then assessed after the session. Data were normally distributed. Qualitative variables for all the steps of donning and doffing are reported as frequency and percentages. Pareto charts were made to assess the non-compliance rate for donning and doffing protocols among dental healthcare professionals.

Results

There was an improvement of 44.55% in the hand hygiene practices before wearing the PPE after the second step of the PDSA cycle. A percentage improvement of 7.4% was recorded for removing jewellery, wearing the gown and wearing a surgical cap. No improvement was seen in securing the mask/ respirator ties, washing hands after wearing the respirator, placing the goggles or face shield practices.

Conclusions

PDSA cycle improved the overall compliance to PPE donning and doffing practices. Most of the protocols were followed by the dental healthcare professionals; however, some of them remained the same or worsened due to ease in SARS-CoV 2 restrictions.
Safety and efficacy of drug coated balloon angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerotic disease
Authors: Qiao Hanzi , Chang Chien-Hung , Wang Alvin Yi-Chou , Li Shaoxue , Yang Weilin , Li Guoming , Cen Xuecheng , Wang Rongfei , Lin Hao
Published: September 2022

Background

Drug coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty can provide sustained anti-restenotic efficacy without the limitations of permanent vascular implantation and is presumably ideal for treating intracranial atherosclerotic disease. However, the safety of paclitaxel in the neurovasculature remains a concern.

Methods

242 patients with angiographically verified symptomatic stenosis >70% in intracranial arteries treated with DCB angioplasty were reviewed divided into two groups: group A, patients with stenotic intracranial arteries; and group B, patients with acute, subacute, or chronic occluded intracranial arteries. The primary endpoint was any stroke or death within 30 days. The secondary endpoint was arterial restenosis of >50% during follow-up.

Results

16 major and 12 minor complications occurred among 245 procedures (6.5% and 4.9%, respectively). Five patients died within 30 days after the procedure (2.1%, 5/242). 12 major and 12 minor complications occurred among 211 procedures in group A (5.7% and 5.7%). In group B, four major complications occurred among 34 procedures (11.8%). Hyperperfusion and perforator stroke accounted for half of all complications (53.6%, 15/28). Restenosis >50% was present in eight lesions during the follow-up period (4.8%, 8/167).

Conclusions

After treatment with DCB angioplasty, complications were no different from those after standard balloon angioplasty or stenting. This study suggests that DCB angioplasty may be a safe and effective procedure for intracranial arterial stenosis.
Effect of bleeding risk prediction on decision making of intravenous thrombolysis before thrombectomy: a subgroup analysis of DIRECT-MT
Authors: Yan Shenqiang , Zhang Minmin , Zhou Huan , Zhou Ying , Chen Yi , Zhang Xuting , Chen Zhicai , Yang Pengfei , Zhang Yongwei , Zhang Lei , Li Zifu , Xing Pengfei , Sun Jun , Lou Min , Liu Jianmin
Published: September 2022

Background

The major concern for bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) before endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the potentially increased risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). Thus we conducted this study to clarify whether evaluation of individual bleeding risk could assist in the decision to perform IVT before EVT.

Methods

The study was a subgroup analysis of a randomized trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of IVT before EVT. The SEDAN (blood Sugar, Early infarct signs and (hyper) Dense cerebral artery sign, Age, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Score) score, GRASPS (Glucose, Race, Age, Sex, systolic blood Pressure, and Severity of stroke) score, and SITS-SICH (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage) score were used to evaluate individual bleeding risk. The primary outcome was functional independence, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2 at 90 days. Binary logistic regression with an interaction term was used to estimate treatment effect modification to clarify whether direct EVT was more beneficial in patients with a higher sICH risk, while adjunctive IVT before EVT was more beneficial in patients with a lower sICH risk.

Results

Among 658 randomized patients, 639 (361 men, 56.5%; median age 69 (IQR 61–76) years) were included in the study. With the SITS-SICH score as an example, adjusted OR for functional independence with EVT alone was 1.12 (95% CI 0.68 to 1.82) in patients with a lower sICH risk (SITS-SICH score 0–4) and 0.92 (0.53 to 1.60) in those with a higher sICH risk (SITS-SICH score 5–15). There were no treatment-by-bleeding-risk interactions for all dichotomized mRS outcomes based on the three scores (all p>0.05).

Conclusions

We found no evidence that clinicians can decide whether to omit IVT before EVT based on an individualized assessment of bleeding risk.
Prevalence and clinical significance of arrhythmias during labour in women with structurally normal hearts
Authors: Sharma Nikhil , Coleman Kristie , Ma Rosaline , Gurciullo Dillon , Bimal Tia , Ansari Umair , Wolf Elliot , Liu Yan , Hentz Roland , Mountantonakis Stavros E
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Examine the association between arrhythmias and adverse maternal outcomes in women with structurally normal hearts.

Methods

This was a case–control study of women admitted in labour to one of eight hospitals of Northwell Health from January 2015 to June 2021. After excluding women with structurally abnormal hearts, we identified women with an arrhythmic event and randomly subsampled the rest of the cohort to create a control group of 1025 patients. Multivariate analysis was performed to examine the association between arrhythmias and the incidence of caesarean section (CS), preterm labour (PTL), admission to the neonatal intensive care unit and longer length of stay (LOS).

Results

Of 1 41 769 women admitted in labour with a structurally normal heart, 137 had at least one arrhythmic event (0.097%). Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) and frequent premature ventricular complexes or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (VA) were present in 65 (0.046%), 22 (0.016%) and 46 (0.032%) women, respectively. Arrhythmia was previously diagnosed in 58.0% SVT cases but only in 9.7% AF and 8.1% VA cases. After adjusting for age, parity and comorbidities, the presence of any arrhythmia was an independent predictor of CS (OR 1.7 95% CI 1.2 to 2.5), PTL (OR 1.8, CI 1.1 to 3.0) and LOS (mean ratio 1.6, CI 1.4 to 1.8). This association was driven by presence of SVT and AF, whereas VAs were not associated with adverse outcomes.

Conclusions

Arrhythmias, specifically SVT and AF, during labour in women with structurally normal heart are independently associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes.
Machine Learning Optimization of Quantum Circuit Layouts
Authors: Paler Alexandru , Sasu Lucian , Florea Adrian-Cătălin , Andonie Răzvan
Published: September 2022

The quantum circuit layout (QCL) problem involves mapping out a quantum circuit such that the constraints of the device are satisfied. We introduce a quantum circuit mapping heuristic, QXX, and its machine learning version, QXX-MLP. The latter automatically infers the optimal QXX parameter values such that the laid out circuit has a reduced depth. In order to speed up circuit compilation, before laying the circuits out, we use a Gaussian function to estimate the depth of the compiled circuits. This Gaussian also informs the compiler about the circuit region that influences most the resulting circuit’s depth. We present empiric evidence for the feasibility of learning the layout method using approximation. QXX and QXX-MLP open the path to feasible large-scale QCL methods.
Iron Homeostasis in Insects
Authors: Gorman Maureen J.
Published: September 2022

Iron is an essential micronutrient for all types of organisms; however, iron has chemical properties that can be harmful to cells. Because iron is both necessary and potentially damaging, insects have homeostatic processes that control the redox state, quantity, and location of iron in the body. These processes include uptake of iron from the diet, intracellular and extracellular iron transport, and iron storage. Early studies of iron-binding proteins in insects suggested that insects and mammals have surprisingly different mechanisms of iron homeostasis, including different primary mechanisms for exporting iron from cells and for transporting iron from one cell to another, and subsequent studies have continued to support this view. This review summarizes current knowledge about iron homeostasis in insects, compares insect and mammalian iron homeostasis mechanisms, and calls attention to key remaining knowledge gaps.
Data Integration in Bayesian Phylogenetics
Authors: Hassler Gabriel W. , Magee Andrew F. , Zhang Zhenyu , Baele Guy , Lemey Philippe , Ji Xiang , Fourment Mathieu , Suchard Marc A.
Published: September 2022

Researchers studying the evolution of viral pathogens and other organisms increasingly encounter and use large and complex data sets from multiple different sources. Statistical research in Bayesian phylogenetics has risen to this challenge. Researchers use phylogenetics not only to reconstruct the evolutionary history of a group of organisms, but also to understand the processes that guide its evolution and spread through space and time. To this end, it is now the norm to integrate numerous sources of data. For example, epidemiologists studying the spread of a virus through a region incorporate data including genetic sequences (e.g., DNA), time, location (both continuous and discrete), and environmental covariates (e.g., social connectivity between regions) into a coherent statistical model. Evolutionary biologists routinely do the same with genetic sequences, location, time, fossil and modern phenotypes, and ecological covariates. These complex, hierarchical models readily accommodate both discrete and continuous data and have enormous combined discrete/continuous parameter spaces including, at a minimum, phylogenetic tree topologies and branch lengths. The increasedsize and complexity of these statistical models have spurred advances in computational methods to make them tractable. We discuss both the modeling and computational advances, as well as unsolved problems and areas of active research.
Research on Estimation of State of Charge of Li-ion Battery based on Cubature Kalman Filter
Authors: Zhuang Shiqiang , Gao Yuan , Chen Andi , Ma Tingyu , Cai Yang , Liu Min , Ke Yiming
Published: September 2022

Li-ion batteries are widely used in the new energy vehicle industry. To make the battery pack work safely and reliably, it is necessary to estimate the state of charge of battery (SOC) accurately. In this paper, the second-order Thevenin is used as the equivalent circuit model, and the parameters of the model are identified based on the experimental data of Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization (HPPC). In view of the shortcomings of the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) algorithm and the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) algorithm, the Cubature Kalman Filter (CKF) algorithm is chosen to estimate the SOC in this paper. Three algorithms are estimated and verified under different operating conditions. This paper also compare the estimated results with the simulation data. The results showed that the accuracy of SOC-estimation is significantly improved by using the optimized CKF algorithm method. The maximum error of estimated SOC is kept within 4% and the average error is kept within 1%. Compared with other algorithms, it is greatly improved and satisfies the accuracy and real-time requirements of Li-ion battery SOC estimation, which provides a reference value for practical applications.
Evaluation of Microwave Absorption Performance of Annealed Cr2AlC at Different Temperatures
Authors: Guo Yang , Song Yuyang , Wen Jin , Yan Zongkai , Zhang Li , Zhang Yin , Lu Haipeng , Liang Difei
Published: September 2022

Cr2AlC (CAC) has attracted increasing attention due to high conductivity and excellent oxidation resistance, which is useful for high-temperature microwave absorption. However, systematic research on microwave absorption performance of CAC at high temperatures is still lacking. In this work, CAC was synthesized by salt bath method followed by annealing at 500 °C–950 °C. Effects of various annealing temperatures on compositions and electromagnetic properties were studied. Results revealed slight oxidation of CAC at annealing temperature of 500 °C, with formation of small amounts of Al2O3 and Cr2O3 on the surface. Increase in annealing temperature to 950 °C generated Al2O3 and Cr2O3 components in CAC. CAC annealed at 500 °C showed better microwave absorption properties than annealed at 950 °C and pure CAC. Effective absorption bandwidth (Reflection loss, RL < −10 dB) of CAC annealed at 500 °C was estimated to 2.3 GHz (9.7–12.0 GHz), and RLmin was −28.1 dB with thickness of 2.0 mm. The reason for this had to do with appropriate micro-oxidation, which could increase the permittivity of CAC and enhance dielectric loss capability for electromagnetic waves. In sum, these findings look promising to have referential significance for the application and promotion of CAC in the field of high temperature microwave absorption.
Impact of Rare-Earth Ion Doping on Dielectric Properties of Li2O-CaO-B2O3 Glass System
Authors: Anjaiah J.
Published: September 2022

The dielectric constant (ε′), loss factor (tanδ), and ac conductivity (σ
ac) of 30 Li2O-10 CaO-(60-x) B2O3: xLn2O3, where (x = 0 and 1) and (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu) were investigated using a frequency range of 102–105 Hz and temperature ranging from 30 °C to 250 °C in this work. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) technique was employed to confirm the glassy nature of the materials under study. The dielectric parameters ε′, tanδ, and σ
ac rise when rare-earth ions are added to the glass matrix at any frequency or temperature. Dielectric breakdown and activation energies are lower in doped than in undoped glasses while ac current flows through them at room temperature. Rare-earth ion doping’s dielectric parameter values decrease with temperature as atomic number (Z) rises. The dielectric parameter values for the Pr3+ doped glass matrix are the highest. Quantum Mechanical tunnelling (QMT) model was used to describe the ac conduction behaviour of these glasses.
Investigation of Boron Nitro Silicone Band Modulation Using the Tight-Binding Method
Authors: Ahani Parasto , Ahmadi Mohammad Taghi , Abazari Amir Musa , Rahmani Meisam
Published: September 2022

Boron Nitro silicon (Si2BN), as a 2D material, is used in a wide variety of applications due to its outstanding electrical properties. The electrical parameters of Si2BN need to be defined and engineered precisely to improve the device performance. This paper investigates the band structure and effective parameters of Si2BN using the tight binding approach. The unit cell including 4 atoms is considered for monolayer structure and the Schrodinger equation is calculated to obtain the energy levels. The effect of hopping energy on Si2BN band structure is also studied considering the conduction and valence bands. It is demonstrated that the distance between conduction and valance bands can be modified using the effect of lattice constant variation. The obtained results show that the nature of matter changes with fluctuating hopping energy of Si2BN. Alteration of the material properties can be explained in the form of applied perpendicular electric field to the Si2BN surface or strain and stress effects. The overlap energy variation in the form of band gap modulation is also explored and it is concluded that the band gap is decreased by strengthening of Silicon–Boron interaction. This research emphasized that obtained results are now suitable for being employed in different applications of nanoelectronics.
Predicting the Spread of Vessels in Initial Stage Cervical Cancer through Radiomics Strategy Based on Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Pareek Piyush Kumar , Surendhar S Prasath Alais , Prasad Ram , Ramkumar Govindaraj , Dixit Ekta , Subbiah R. , Salmen Saleh H. , Almoallim Hesham S. , Priya S. S. , Jayadhas S. Arockia
Published: September 2022

Novel methods and materials are used in healthcare applications for finding cancer in various parts of the human system. To select the most suitable therapy plan for individuals with domestically progressed cervical cancer, robustness metrics are required to estimate their early phase. The goal of the research is to increase the effectiveness of cervical cancer patients' detection by using deep learning-based radiomics assessment of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). From March 2016 to November 2019, 125 patients with early-stage cervical cancer provided 980 dynamic X1 contrast-enhanced (X1DCE) and 850 X2 weighted imaging (X2WI) MRI images for training and testing. A convolutional neural network model was used to estimate cervical cancer state based on the specified characteristics. The X1DCE exhibited high discriminative outcomes than X2WI MRI in terms of prediction ability, as calculated by the confusion matrix assessment and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve approach. The mean maximum region under the curve of 0.95 was found using an attentive ensemble learning method that included both MRI sequencing (Sensitivity = 0.94, Specificity = 0.94, and accuracy = 0.96). Whenever compared with conventional radiomic approaches, the results show that a variety of radiomics based on deep learning might be created to help radiologists anticipate vascular invasion in patients with cervical cancer before surgery. Based on radiomics technique, it has proven to be an effective tool for estimating cervical cancer in its early stages. It would help people choose the best therapy method for them and make medical judgments.
The Construction and Approximation of ReLU Neural Network Operators
Authors: Chen Hengjie , Yu Dansheng , Li Zhong
Published: September 2022

In the present paper, we construct a new type of two-hidden-layer feedforward neural network operators with ReLU activation function. We estimate the rate of approximation by the new operators by using the modulus of continuity of the target function. Furthermore, we analyze features such as parameter sharing and local connectivity in this kind of network structure.
Novel Modified High Step-Up DC/DC Converters with Reduced Switch Voltage Stress
Authors: Liu Lingling , Li Donghui
Published: September 2022

This paper presents the improved switched inductor unit and new step-up DC/DC converters with reduced switch voltage stress and high voltage gain. The proposed switching-inductor unit is composed of 1 switch, 2 diodes, and 2 inductors, which can realize the step-up function. Through comparison, the better topology is selected from the proposed converters, which is named the double-switch high step-up (DS-HS) converter. The CCM operating principles and voltage gain of the DS-HS converter are analyzed. Then, the influences of nonideal components, efficiency analysis, small signal modeling and control, and design criteria of components are discussed. The comparison of the converters is given, and the loss of the DS-HS converter is lower through theoretical derivation, which shows that the DS-HS converter has the advantages of high voltage gain, low voltage stress, and high efficiency. Finally, in order to verify the effectiveness of the DS-HS converter, simulation and experimental results are given, and the efficiency of the DS-HS converter can reach 96.15%.
Neuroprotective Effects of the Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Crassocephalum crepidioides (Asteracaeae) on Diazepam-Induced Amnesia in Mice
Authors: Galba Jean Beppe , Alice Irène Folefack , Albert Donatien Atsamo , Hervé-Hervé Ngatanko Aïbassou , Bertrand Barga Mpoo , Nanou Gael Allah-Doum , Merline Nguedia Ymele , Franklik Zemo Gamo , Bertrand Dongmo Alain , Théophile Dimo
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of Crassocephalum crepidioides (Cc) on diazepam-induced amnesia in mice. Thirty mice distributed into six groups of five mice each were used. The normal control and negative control groups received 2% ethanol per os, the positive control group received piracetam (150 mg/kg, p.o), and three experimental groups were treated with three doses of ethanolic leaf extract of Cc (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o). All groups except the normal control group were co-treated with diazepam (3 mg/kg, i.p) daily for 14 days. The memory effects were evaluated using the Radial Arm Maze (RAM) and the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) tests, while the anti-depressive effects were evaluated using the tail suspension test. All animals were sacrificed at the end of the study. Hippocampi, isolated from the right hemisphere, were used to prepare a homogenate for the determination of oxidative stress biomarkers. The ethanolic leaf extract of cc significantly (

p
<
0.001

) decreased the number of working and reference memory errors in the RAM test and induced a significant (

p
<
0.01

) increase in the time spent exploring the novel object in the NOR test. The extract also induced a significant (

p
<
0.001

) increase in the mobility time in tail suspension. Moreover, compared to the negative control group, the extract significantly (

p
<
0.01

) increased superoxide dismutase activity and significantly (

p
<
0.01

) decreased malondialdehyde levels. The histopathological analysis of hippocampi showed that the cc extract increased cell density when compared with the negative control. These results suggest that the ethanolic left extract of cc could have neuroprotective properties, which could be attributed to its antioxidant properties.
Experimental Investigation on Flame Chemiluminescence and Flow Characteristics of a Reverse-Flow Combustor
Authors: Hu Ge , Li Jianzhong , Jin Wu , Zhang Jingzhou , Yuan Li
Published: September 2022

The reverse-flow combustor is extensively applied in small engines due to its compact structure. The cold-state flow characteristics, the ignition process, and flame chemiluminescence characteristics of the reserve-flow combustor were investigated experimentally. Using the particle imaging velocimeter, the cold-state time-averaged flow fields at three different total pressure loss coefficients

ζ

B

are examined. The ignition processes of the combustor, as well as flame characteristics during stable combustion at different equivalent ratios

φ

, are analyzed based on flame chemiluminescence imaging when

ζ

B

is 3%. As

ζ

B

increases from 1% to 5%, the flow field of the combustor remains almost unchanged while the flow velocity increases. For

ζ

B

=3%, the ignition time

T

drops from 26 ms to 16 ms with an increase of

φ

. In addition, the ignition performance is enhanced. Proportions of the T2 phase (quasi-stable phase) are 73%, 68%, and 66%, respectively, suggesting that the quasi-stable phase is the key to successful ignition. As

φ

increases, the flame becomes thinner and shorter. Furthermore, standard deviations of continuous image areas of

CH
∗

and

OH
∗

drop from 0.0143 and 0.0132 to 0.0115 and 0.0109, respectively, which indicates the enhancement of combustion stability. According to the brightness distributions of

CH
∗

and

OH
∗

along the axial direction of the combustor at different equivalent ratios, the production of

OH
∗

is significantly affected by the temperature. It can be adopted as an important sign of heat release during combustion.