bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomic Landscape of Human Spermatozoa: Optimized Extraction Method and Application
Authors: Luo Mengqi , Su Tao , Wang Shisheng , Chen Jianhai , Lin Tianhai , Cheng Qingyuan , Chen Younan , Gong Meng , Yang Hao , Li Fuping , Zhang Yong
Published: December 2022

Human spermatozoa proteomics exposed to some physical, biological or chemical stressors is being explored. However, there is a lack of optimized sample preparation methods to achieve in-depth protein coverage for sperm cells. Meanwhile, it is not clear whether antibiotics can regulate proteins to affect sperm quality. Here, we systematically compared a total of six different protein extraction methods based the combination of three commonly used lysis buffers and physical lysis strategies. The urea buffer combined with ultrasonication (UA-ultrasonication) produced the highest protein extraction rate, leading to the deepest coverage of human sperm proteome (5685 protein groups) from healthy human sperm samples. Since the antibiotics, amoxicillin and clarithromycin, have been widely used against H. pylori infection, we conduct a longitudinal study of sperm proteome via data-independent acquisition tandem mass spectrometry (DIA-MS/MS) on an infected patient during on and off therapy with these two drugs. The semen examination and morphological analysis were performed combined with proteomics analysis. Our results indicated that antibiotics may cause an increase in the sperm concentration and the rate of malformed sperm and disrupt proteome expression in sperm. This work provides an optimized extraction method to characterize the in-depth human sperm proteome and to extend its clinical applications.
A Surface-Scattering-Based Composite Optical Waveguide Sensor for Aerosol Deposition Detection
Authors: Zhao Min , Tang Hongyi , Liu Ziwei , Tong Zhaoyang , Qi Zhimei
Published: December 2022

Aerosol is a suspension of fine chemical or biological particles in the air, and it is harmful, easily causing air pollution, respiratory diseases, infrastructure corrosion, and poor visibility. Therefore, the development of advanced optical sensors for real-time detection of aerosol deposition is of great significance. In this work, a prism-coupled composite optical waveguide (COWG) sensor for aerosol deposition detection based on surface scattering is proposed and demonstrated theoretically and experimentally. The COWG consists of a single-mode slab glass waveguide locally covered with a tapered thin film of high-index metal oxide. The tapered film can greatly enhance the evanescent field through the adiabatic transition of the fundamental transverse electric (TE0) mode between the uncovered and film-covered regions, thereby enabling the COWG to serve as a simple yet highly sensitive evanescent-wave scattering sensor for sensitive detection of aerosol deposition. The COWG with a tapered layer of Ta2O5 was prepared by masked sputtering, aerosol salt particle deposition on the COWG was successfully detected, and the influence of surface water droplets on the COWG sensor performance was analyzed. The experimental results indicate that the sensitivity of the COWG is 30 times higher than that of the bare glass waveguide.
Evaluation of Commercial Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration Membranes for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Surface Water in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Lumami Kapepula Vercus , García Alvarez Mar , Sang Sefidi Vida , Buleng Njoyim Tamungang Estella , Ndikumana Théophile , Musibono Dieu-Donné , Van Der Bruggen Bart , Luis Patricia
Published: December 2022

This study evaluates the performance of commercial reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes for the removal of metal ions from synthetic water and surface water carried from the north-west of Lake Tanganyika in the city of Uvira, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Metal ion analyses were performed by the standardized ICP-MS and ICP-OES methods. The RO membrane showed higher metal ion rejection in high-concentration solutions (synthetic samples) prepared in the laboratory as well as in low-concentration samples from real raw water collected near Lake Tanganyika. Rejection levels were higher than 98% for Cr3+, Pb2+, Cd2+, As3+, Ni2+, and Sb+3 ions in the synthetic solutions, and 99.2, 98.8, 98.6, 99.2, 98.4, and 98.8%, respectively, in the real samples. The concentrations of metals in the permeate varied depending on the feed concentration and were 0.15 to 1.02 mg/L, 0.33 to 22 mg/L, and 0.11 to 22 mg/L in RO, NF90, and NF270 membranes, respectively. Regarding the NF membranes, the rejection of Cr, Ni, and Cd ions was interesting: 98.2, 97.8, and 92.3%, respectively. However, it was lower for Pb, As, and Sb ions: 76.9, 52.5 and 64.1%, respectively. The flux of NF was 329 to 375 L/m2.h, much higher than for RO membranes, which had a flux of 98 to 132 L/m2.h. The studied membranes are thus a feasible solution to remove the studied metals from real water sources at low concentrations since they meet the standards of the World Health Organization on specific values assigned to chemicals from industrial sources and human habitation areas where these ions are present in drinking water.
Application of TLS Technology for Documentation of Brickwork Heritage Buildings and Structures
Authors: Damięcka-Suchocka Marzena , Katzer Jacek , Suchocki Czesław
Published: December 2022

Remote measurement of historic buildings and structures using the technology of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is becoming a more and more popular approach for conducting inventory activities, documentation and conservation works. In this paper, TLS was harnessed for analysis of historic brickwork structures from the 19th century. During the research programme, chosen brickwork heritage buildings were scanned. Based on the collected geometric data of the point cloud, it was possible to create an exact model of the scanned objects. The obtained radiometric information of the point cloud allowed us to identify changes in the surface of walls, such as cavities, cracks and previous repairs. Moisture was also identified in some cases. The conducted tests enabled the identification of brickwork in need of urgent repair. It was possible to assess the general technical state of the tested structures. The possibilities and limitations of the TLS diagnostic methodology of analysing the quality of historic brickwork and its future possible applications were indicated.
A Survey on Security Attacks and Intrusion Detection Mechanisms in Named Data Networking
Authors: Hidouri Abdelhak , Hajlaoui Nasreddine , Touati Haifa , Hadded Mohamed , Muhlethaler Paul
Published: December 2022

Despite the highly secure content sharing and the optimized forwarding mechanism, the content delivery in a Named Data Network (NDN) still suffers from numerous vulnerabilities that can be exploited to reduce the efficiency of such architecture. Malicious attacks in NDN have become more sophisticated and the foremost challenge is to identify unknown and obfuscated malware, as the malware authors use different evasion techniques for information concealing to prevent detection by an Intrusion Detection System (IDS). For the most part, NDN faces immense negative impacts from attacks such as Cache Pollution Attacks (CPA), Cache Privacy Attacks, Cache Poisoning Attacks, and Interest Flooding Attacks (IFA), that target different security components, including availability, integrity, and confidentiality. This poses a critical challenge to the design of IDS in NDN. This paper provides the latest taxonomy, together with a review of the significant research works on IDSs up to the present time, and a classification of the proposed systems according to the taxonomy. It provides a structured and comprehensive overview of the existing IDSs so that a researcher can create an even better mechanism for the previously mentioned attacks. This paper discusses the limits of the techniques applied to design IDSs with recent findings that can be further exploited in order to optimize those detection and mitigation mechanisms.
Annual Excess Crude Mortality in Europe during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Joinpoint Regression Analysis of Historical Trends from 2000 to 2021
Authors: Rovetta Alessandro
Published: December 2022

COVID-19 represents the greatest health crisis in recent human history. To date, it is still difficult to estimate its impact on mortality. This paper investigates the excess crude mortality in 27 European countries. The differences between the values observed in 2020 and 2021 with those predicted by a joinpoint regression model were evaluated. A multi-regression analysis was implemented to assess the relationship between health variables and excess mortality. Europe experienced a marked and surprising (S-value > 52) increase in crude mortality during 2020 (Δ% = +10.0%, 95% CI: [2.5; 18.7]) and 2021 (Δ% = +12.1%, 95% CI: [4.3; 21.2]). The difference between average excesses of Eastern and Western countries was not surprising (S < 2) and had little relevance (ΔE-W = −2.4, 95% CI: [−2; 7]) during 2020 but was more pronounced (S = 15, ΔE-W = +17.2, 95% CI: [11.0; 23.5]) during 2021. Excess crude mortality increased in 2021 (Δ% = +65%, 95% CI: [12.6; 118], S = 5.9). Evidence has been found for a surprising and marked negative linear relationship between COVID-19 vaccinations and excess mortality (“2021 excess mortality = A + BX4”, with “A = 58 ± 7, S = 28” and “B = −0.65 ± 0.10, S = 22, Radj2 = 0.65, 95% CI: [0.38; 0.82]). In light of the current literature, these findings provide solid evidence of the substantial role of COVID-19 in the unexpected and marked excess mortality recorded in Europe. COVID-19 vaccinations have appeared to be one of the main determinants for reducing mortality. Future research should explore these aspects in more detail.
Effect of Short-Range Ordering on the Grain Boundary Character Distribution Optimization of FCC Metals with High Stacking Fault Energy: A Case Study on Ni-Cr Alloys
Authors: Liu Yifan , Guan Xianjun , Zhang Yanjie , Jia Zipeng , Liang Simin , Li Xiaowu
Published: December 2022

The critical roles of short-range ordering (SRO) in the grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) optimization of Ni-Cr alloys with high stacking fault energies were experimentally studied by thermomechanical treatments. It is found that, with the enhancement of the SRO degree (or the increase in Cr content), the dislocation slip mode changes from wavy slip to planar slip, and even deformation twins (DTs) appear in the cold-rolled Ni-40at.%Cr alloy. Within the lower level of Cr content (≤20 at.%), the optimized result of GBCD is conspicuous with the increase in Cr content. As the Cr content is higher than 20 at.%, the GBCD optimization of Ni-Cr alloys cannot be further enhanced, since the cold rolling induced DTs would hinder the growth of twin related domains during subsequent annealing.
The Presence of Charge Transfer Defect Complexes in Intermediate Band CuAl1−pFepS2
Authors: Dickens Christopher , Kinsella Adam O. J. , Watkins Matt , Booth Matthew
Published: December 2022

Despite chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) being one of the oldest known copper ores, it exhibits various properties that are still the subject of debate. For example, the relative concentrations of the ionic states of Fe and Cu in CuFeS2 can vary significantly between different studies. The presence of a plasmon-like resonance in the visible absorption spectrum of CuFeS2 nanocrystals has driven a renewed interest in this material over recent years. The successful synthesis of CuAl1−pFepS2 nanocrystals that exhibit a similar optical resonance has recently been demonstrated in the literature. In this study, we use density functional theory to investigate Fe substitution in CuAlS2 and find that the formation energy of neutral [FeCu]2++[CuAl]2− defect complexes is comparable to [FeAl]0 antisites when p≥0.5. Analysis of electron density and density of states reveals that charge transfer within these defect complexes leads to the formation of local Cu2+/Fe2+ ionic states that have previously been associated with the optical resonance in the visible absorption of CuFeS2. Finally, we comment on the nature of the optical resonance in CuAl1−pFepS2 in light of our results and discuss the potential for tuning the optical properties of similar systems.
Effect of Rod-like Nanoparticles on the Dielectric Susceptibility of Nematic Nano-Composites: A Molecular Theory
Authors: Osipov Mikhail A. , Merekalov Alexey S. , Ezhov Alexander A.
Published: December 2022

The effect of rod-like nanoparticles on the high-frequency dielectric susceptibility of the nematic nano-composites has been investigated in the framework of a molecular theory. Analytical expressions for the components of the effective polarizability of a rod-like nanoparticle in the nematic host have been obtained and used in the calculations of the dielectric susceptibility of the composites as functions of the nanoparticle volume fraction. Numerical calculations of the susceptibility have been undertaken using the nematic liquid crystal 5CB as a host doped with either gold or silver particles for different values of the concentration of nanoparticles. It has been shown that the rod-like nanoparticles have a much stronger effect on the components of the dielectric susceptibility of the nano-composites including, in particular, the one with gold nanoparticles in the vicinity of the plasmon resonance. The main conclusion is that at sufficiently large concentration of nanoparticles, the anisotropy of the dielectric susceptibility of the nano-composites may even change the sign with an increasing concentration which may be important for various applications.
Gemstone Inclusion Study by 3D Raman-Mapping and High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography: The Case of Trapiche Emerald from Swat, Pakistan
Authors: Gao Yujie , He Mingyue , Li Xu , Lin Moqing , Sun Xueying , Zhang Yanfang
Published: December 2022

Gemstones usually contain inclusions as the natural hallmark of their formation. Studies on inclusions may contribute to our understanding of the gem and better adapt to the gems and jewelry industry. In this study, we applied advanced 3D Raman mapping and high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) and conducted a thorough experiment on one emerald with a special trapiche pattern containing a colorless core, solid minerals, and fluids. Hematite and magnetite were identified as metallic minerals by the Raman spectrum. The hexagonal core is beryl, and the voids are primarily filled with CO2 and N2. HRXCT demonstrated a visualized distribution of these inclusions within the gem host by reconstructing a 3D illustration. Further calculation of the volume of inclusions regarding the host showed that the minerals take up 0.07%, void 0.03%, and the hexagonal core 8.25%. The combined application of Raman-Mapping and X-ray Micro Computed Tomography proved to be a very promising technique for tracing the gemstones by characterizing the unique inclusions (identification and morphology) within the gem host.
Pressure-Induced Superconductivity in PdTeI with Quasi-One-Dimensional PdTe Chains
Authors: Zhao Yi , Hou Jun , Fu Yang , Pei Cuiying , Sun Jianping , Wang Qi , Gao Lingling , Cao Weizheng , Li Changhua , Zhu Shihao , Zhang Mingxin , Chen Yulin , Lei Hechang , Cheng Jinguang , Qi Yanpeng
Published: December 2022

The quasi-one-dimensional material PdTeI exhibits unusual electronic transport properties at ambient pressure. Here, we systematically investigate both the structural and electronic responses of PdTeI to external pressure, through a combination of electrical transport, synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy measurements. The charge density wave (CDW) order in PdTeI is fragile and the transition temperature TCDW decreases rapidly with the application of external pressure. The resistivity hump is indiscernible when the pressure is increased to ~1 GPa. Upon further compression, the resistivity dropping is observed approximately ~15 GPa and zero resistance is established above ~20 GPa, suggesting the occurrence of superconductivity. Combined XRD and Raman data evidence that the emergence of superconductivity is accompanied by a pressure-induced amorphization of PdTeI.
Complement and Fungal Dysbiosis as Prognostic Markers and Potential Targets in PDAC Treatment
Authors: Speth Cornelia , Bellotti Ruben , Schäfer Georg , Rambach Günter , Texler Bernhard , Thurner Gudrun C. , Öfner Dietmar , Lass-Flörl Cornelia , Maglione Manuel
Published: December 2022

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still hampered by a dismal prognosis. A better understanding of the tumor microenvironment within the pancreas and of the factors affecting its composition is of utmost importance for developing new diagnostic and treatment tools. In this context, the complement system plays a prominent role. Not only has it been shown to shape a T cell-mediated immune response, but it also directly affects proliferation and apoptosis of the tumor cells, influencing angiogenesis, metastatic spread and therapeutic resistance. This makes complement proteins appealing not only as early biomarkers of PDAC development, but also as therapeutic targets. Fungal dysbiosis is currently the new kid on the block in tumorigenesis with cancer-associated mycobiomes extracted from several cancer types. For PDAC, colonization with the yeast Malassezia seems to promote cancer progression, already in precursor lesions. One responsible mechanism appears to be complement activation via the lectin pathway. In the present article, we review the role of the complement system in tumorigenesis, presenting observations that propose it as the missing link between fungal dysbiosis and PDAC development. We also present the results of a small pilot study supporting the crucial interplay between the complement system and Malassezia colonization in PDAC pathogenesis.
First Description of Akanthomyces uredinophilus comb. nov. from Hemipteran Insects in America
Authors: Manfrino Romina , Gutierrez Alejandra , Diez del Valle Flavia , Schuster Christina , Ben Gharsa Haifa , López Lastra Claudia , Leclerque Andreas
Published: December 2022

Filamentous fungi of the genera Lecanicillium and Akanthomyces (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) have been isolated from a variety of insect orders and are of particular interest as biological control agents for phloem-sucking plant pests. Three aphid- and whitefly-pathogenic fungal strains that had been isolated from naturally infected Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Myzus persicae in Argentina were assigned to the species Lecanicillium uredinophilum by combined analyses of morphology and ITS, LSU, EF1A, RPB1 and RPB2-based molecular taxonomy, giving rise to both the first description of this fungus from hemipteran insects and its first report from outside South-East Asia, especially from the American continent. A combination of phylogenetic reconstruction and analysis of pair-wise sequence similarities demonstrated that—reflecting recent changes in the systematics of Cordycipitaceae—the entire species L. uredinophilum should be transferred to the genus Akanthomyces. Consequently, the introduction of a new taxon, Akanthomaces uredinophilus comb. nov., was proposed. Moreover, extensive data mining for cryptic A. uredinophilus sequences revealed that (i) the fungus is geographically widely distributed, including earlier unrecognized isolations from further American countries such as the USA, Mexico, and Colombia, and (ii) entomopathogenic and mycoparasitic lifestyles are predominant in this species.
The CSIESA: A Novel Score for the Assessment of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Skin Aging Based on Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Imaging
Authors: Lupu Mihai , Malciu Ana Maria , Cozma Elena Codruta , Banciu Madalina Laura , Voiculescu Vlad Mihai
Published: December 2022

Skin aging is an intricate physiological process governed by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Increasing life expectancy has turned skin aging into a growing concern for the general population. Clinical examination of the skin does not fully describe the skin aging process. This study aims to evaluate the healthy skin of five different age groups in order to develop an easy-to-use confocal score for quantifying signs of skin aging and test the correlation between this new score and the already described clinical score, SCINEXA (score of intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging). Thirty-five subjects split into five age groups: <35; 36–45; 46–55; 56–65, and >65 years old were enrolled. Clinical signs were quantified using the SCINEXA score, and known confocal variables of skin aging were evaluated. Three different semi-quantitative scores were calculated: epidermal disarrangement score (EDS), epidermal hyperplasia score (EHS), and dermal score (DS). The EDS showed a stable trend up to the age of 65 and a dramatic increase in older subjects. EHS was characterized by an ascending trend from younger subjects to middle-aged ones. The DS was progressive with age, with a different proportion of distinct collagen types. The confocal CSIESA (confocal score for the assessment of intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging) score correlated well with the SCINEXA score. Reflectance confocal microscopy is a powerful, non-invasive technique for microscopically quantifying aging signs.
A Pilot Study on the Reliability of Ultrasound-Based Assessment of Patella Diameter and Sulcus Angle
Authors: Schlüter Isa-Maria , Prill Robert , Królikowska Aleksandra , Cruysen Caren , Becker Roland
Published: December 2022

This pilot study aimed to determine the reliability of a newly developed ultrasound-based protocol for the assessment of patella diameter and sulcus angle. The diameter of the patella expressed in mm and the sulcus angle, expressed in degrees were measured in the right knee in 12 healthy participants (eight women and four men) in two separate sessions by two examiners (experienced rater and inexperienced rater) using ultrasonography according to a developed standardized protocol. The reliability was determined on the calculated intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC, expressed as a 95% confidence interval (lower bound, upper bound). For the patella diameter measurement, intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were good to excellent, with the ICC exceeding 0.836–0.998 and 0.859–0.997, respectively. The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the sulcus measurement was moderate to excellent, as the ICC amounted to 0.559–0.993 and 0.559–0.990, respectively. The reliability of both measures increased with the experience of the examiner. Therefore, it was determined that the newly developed protocol for an ultrasound-based assessment of patella diameter and sulcus angle is reliable. Further studies validating their clinical use should be carried out.
Overall Hemostatic Potential Assay Detects Risk of Progression to Post-Thrombotic Syndrome in Anticoagulated Patients following Deep Vein Thrombosis
Authors: McLeod Blake , Lim Hui Yin , Nandurkar Harshal , Ho Prahlad , Wang Julie
Published: December 2022

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) frequently leads to post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) which is challenging to predict and prevent. Identifying those at high risk of developing PTS may help to focus preventative strategies. Adults were recruited within 3 months of DVT diagnosis. Blood was sampled during the therapeutic anticoagulation phase. Overall hemostatic potential (OHP) assay, a spectrophotometric assay, was performed on platelet-poor plasma (PPP). In this assay, fibrin formation is triggered by small amounts of thrombin and termed the overall coagulation potential (OCP). Simultaneously, thrombin and tissue plasminogen activator are added to PPP and the resulting fibrin aggregation curve is the overall hemostatic potential (OHP). Fibrinolysis is expressed by the parameter overall fibrinolytic potential (OFP%). Patients were followed up at regular intervals. PTS was diagnosed if the Villalta score was ≥5 at least 3 months after the DVT diagnosis. Results were obtained from 190 patients (53.7% male, mean age 56.9 years). PTS developed in 62 (32.6%) patients. Patients with PTS displayed significantly higher median OCP (45.8 vs. 38.8 units, p = 0.010), OHP (12.8 vs. 9.2 units, p = 0.005) and significantly lower OFP (74.1 vs. 75.6%, p = 0.050). PTS patients had higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios (NLR) (2.3 vs. 1.9, p = 0.007). After multivariate analysis, proximal DVT location, history of varicose veins, NLR ≥ 2.6, OHP > 13.0 units and weight >108 kg were independent predictors for PTS. The c-statistic of the multivariate model was 0.77. This pilot study suggests that OHP testing while patients are still anticoagulated may assist in the prediction of PTS development and could assist in prognostication and targeting of preventative measures. However, larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
An Unusual Case of Urachal Cyst Misdiagnosed as a Paraovarian Cyst: Ultrasound Assessment and Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Ilea Ciprian , Ilie Ovidiu-Dumitru , Stoian Irina-Liviana , Scripcariu Ioana-Sadyie , Doroftei Bogdan
Published: December 2022

The urachus is an embryologic remnant of the cloaca that usually degenerates after birth, resulting from the obliteration of the allantois, whose role is to connect the bladder to the umbilicus. Incomplete removal of the lumen may give rise to different malformations of the median umbilical ligament after birth. Although in the pediatric population urachus are common, most cases are asymptomatic and may go unrecognized until adulthood and give rise to cysts, rarely reported in the literature. Thus, in this manuscript we present the circumstances of a 43-year-old Romanian woman showing hypogastric pain of moderate intensity for three weeks, radiation in the left lower limb, menstrual cycle abnormalities, and dysmenorrhea. Based on the initial examinations, a paraovarian cyst measuring 80 mm was noted. Through the subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted, a hypoechoic mass was detected, and the patient underwent a tumorectomy and partial cystectomy. A 9.7/7.5-cm tumor was excised, and the anatomopathological result was urachal mucinous cystadenoma. It came to our attention that relatively scarce data were found in the literature, with only seven studies with the diagnosis of the urachal cyst.
Integration of Artificial Intelligence into the Approach for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Dry Eye Disease
Authors: Yang Hee Kyung , Che Song A , Hyon Joon Young , Han Sang Beom
Published: December 2022

Dry eye disease (DED) is one of the most common diseases worldwide that can lead to a significant impairment of quality of life. The diagnosis and treatment of the disease are often challenging because of the lack of correlation between the signs and symptoms, limited reliability of diagnostic tests, and absence of established consensus on the diagnostic criteria. The advancement of machine learning, particularly deep learning technology, has enabled the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in various anterior segment disorders, including DED. Currently, many studies have reported promising results of AI-based algorithms for the accurate diagnosis of DED and precise and reliable assessment of data obtained by imaging devices for DED. Thus, the integration of AI into clinical approaches for DED can enhance diagnostic and therapeutic performance. In this review, in addition to a brief summary of the application of AI in anterior segment diseases, we will provide an overview of studies regarding the application of AI in DED and discuss the recent advances in the integration of AI into the clinical approach for DED.
The Role of Autopsy and Post-Mortem Investigations in Falling Traumas in the Hospital Environment
Authors: Sacco Matteo Antonio , Cordasco Fabrizio , Abenavoli Ludovico , Lavano Angelo , Gallotta Giovanni , Garofalo Eugenio , Bruni Andrea , Scalise Carmen , Gualtieri Saverio , Tarallo Alessandro Pasquale , Aquila Valerio Riccardo , Ricci Pietrantonio , Aquila Isabella
Published: December 2022

Falls in a hospital setting are a global public health problem. Despite the production of sensors and various preventive tools to reduce the risk, falls remain a dangerous event with a significant impact on the morbidity and mortality of patients. Despite numerous prevention strategies, falling in the hospital are not always investigated and the autopsy is not always performed in these cases, so it is often not known whether the death is related to the fall or to other causes, inevitably affecting the assessment of any profiles of medical liability for health personnel or for the hospital in the accident. We describe three cases of falls that occurred in different hospitals, in which the autopsy allowed to diagnose with certainty the extent of the trauma and to reconstruct its dynamics. Along with the circumstantial and documentary analyses, deficiencies both in the trauma diagnostics and in the application of the safety measures on the patients were showed. Together with the description of our cases, we propose the post-mortem investigations of these events, both for judicial and risk management purposes.
Association between Hepatic Venous Congestion and Adverse Outcomes after Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Eke Csaba , Szabó András , Nagy Ádám , Szécsi Balázs , Szentgróti Rita , Dénes András , Kertai Miklós D. , Fazekas Levente , Kovács Attila , Lakatos Bálint , Hartyánszky István , Benke Kálmán , Merkely Béla , Székely Andrea
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Hepatic venous flow patterns reflect pressure changes in the right ventricle and are also markers of systemic venous congestion. Fluid management is crucial in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: Our goal was to determine which factors are associated with the increased congestion of the liver as measured by Doppler ultrasound in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This prospective, observational study included 41 patients without preexisting liver disease who underwent cardiac surgery between 1 January 2021 and 30 September 2021 at a tertiary heart center. In addition to routine echocardiographic examination, we recorded the maximal velocity and velocity time integral (VTI) of the standard four waves seen in the common hepatic vein (flow profile) using Doppler ultrasound preoperatively and at the 20–24th hour of the postoperative period. The ratios of the retrograde and anterograde hepatic venous waves were calculated, and the waveforms were compared to the baseline value and expressed as a delta ratio. Demographic data, pre- and postoperative echocardiographic parameters, intraoperative variables (procedure, cardiopulmonary bypass time), postoperative factors (fluid balance, vasoactive medication requirement, ventilation time and parameters) and perioperative laboratory parameters (liver and kidney function tests, albumin) were used in the analysis. Results: Of the 41 patients, 20 (48.7%) were males, and the median age of the patients was 65.9 years (IQR: 59.8–69.9 years). Retrograde VTI growth showed a correlation with positive fluid balance (0.89 (95% CI 0.785–0.995) c-index. After comparing the postoperative echocardiographic parameters of the two subgroups, right ventricular and atrial diameters were significantly greater in the “retrograde VTI growth” group. The ejection fraction and decrement in ejection fraction to preoperative parameters were significantly different between the two groups. (p = 0.001 and 0.003). Ventilation times were longer in the retrograde VTI group. The postoperative vs. baseline delta VTI ratio of the hepatic vein correlated with positive fluid balance, maximum central venous pressure, and ejection fraction. (B = −0.099, 95% CI = −0.022–0.002, p = 0.022, B = 0.011, 95% CI = 0.001–0.021, p = 0.022, B = 0.091, 95% CI = 0.052–0.213, p = 0.002, respectively.) Conclusion: The increase of the retrograde hepatic flow during the first 24 h following cardiac surgery was associated with positive fluid balance and the decrease of the right ventricular function. Measurement of venous congestion or venous abdominal insufficiency seems to be a useful tool in guiding fluid therapy and hemodynamic management.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Social Isolation among Adults with Physical Disabilities Living in Canada and The Netherlands
Authors: Meijer Kim , Hoekstra Trynke , Brandenbarg Pim ,   COVID-19 Disability Survey Group,   ReSpAct 2.0 Group, Hoekstra Femke
Published: December 2022

Background: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among people with physical disabilities might differ between countries due to differences in implemented measures and infection rates. This study aimed to understand the impact of the pandemic on physical activity (PA) and social isolation among adults with physical disabilities in Canada and the Netherlands, and examine associations between PA and social isolation. Methods: Secondary data from two studies were used: the Canadian COVID-19 Disability Survey (n = 353) and the Dutch Rehabilitation, Sports and Active lifestyle (ReSpAct) 2.0 study (n = 445). Self-reported PA was measured using IPAQ-SF and Adapted-SQUASH. Social isolation was measured using the PROMIS Social Isolation. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed. Results: Canadian participants spent on average 163 min (Median = 0; IQR = 120) on moderate-to-vigorous PA per week and Dutch participants 934 min (Median = 600; IQR = 1125). In Canada, 64% reported to have become less physically active since the pandemic compared to 37% of Dutch participants. In both samples, no clinically relevant associations were found between PA and social isolation. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the negative impact of the pandemic on PA and social isolation in adults with physical disabilities in Canada and the Netherlands. Future research is needed to better understand if and how PA can be used to reduce social isolation in people with disabilities. This study illustrates how cross-country collaborations and exchange provide opportunities to inspire and learn from initiatives and programs in other countries and may help to improve PA support among people with disabilities during and after the pandemic.
Building Change Detection Based on a Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix and Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Christaki Marianna , Vasilakos Christos , Papadopoulou Ermioni-Eirini , Tataris Georgios , Siarkos Ilias , Soulakellis Nikolaos
Published: December 2022

The recovery phase following an earthquake event is essential for urban areas with a significant number of damaged buildings. A lot of changes can take place in such a landscape within the buildings’ footprints, such as total or partial collapses, debris removal and reconstruction. Remote sensing data and methodologies can considerably contribute to site monitoring. The main objective of this paper is the change detection of the building stock in the settlement of Vrissa on Lesvos Island during the recovery phase after the catastrophic earthquake of 12 June 2017, through the analysis and processing of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) images and the application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). More specifically, change detection of the settlement’s building stock by applying an ANN on Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) texture features of orthophotomaps acquired by UAVs was performed. For the training of the ANN, a number of GLCM texture features were defined as the independent variable, while the existence or not of structural changes in the buildings were defined as the dependent variable, assigning, respectively, the values 1 or 0 (binary classification). The ANN was trained based on the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm, and its ability to detect changes was evaluated on the basis of the buildings’ condition, as derived from the binary classification. In conclusion, the GLCM texture feature changes in conjunction with the ANN can provide satisfactory results in predicting the structural changes of buildings with an accuracy of almost 92%.
A New Deep Learning Method with Self-Supervised Learning for Delineation of the Electrocardiogram
Authors: Wu Wenwen , Huang Yanqi , Wu Xiaomei
Published: December 2022

Heartbeat characteristic points are the main features of an electrocardiogram (ECG), which can provide important information for ECG-based cardiac diagnosis. In this manuscript, we propose a self-supervised deep learning framework with modified Densenet to detect ECG characteristic points, including the onset, peak and termination points of P-wave, QRS complex wave and T-wave. We extracted high-level features of ECG heartbeats from the QT Database (QTDB) and two other larger datasets, MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database (MITDB) and MIT-BIH Normal Sinus Rhythm Database (NSRDB) with no human-annotated labels as pre-training. By applying different transformations to ECG signals, the task of discriminating signals before and after transformation was defined as the pretext task. Subsequently, the convolutional layer was frozen and the weights of the self-supervised network were transferred to the downstream task of characteristic point localizations on heart beats in the QT dataset. Finally, the mean ± standard deviation of the detection errors of our proposed self-supervised learning method in QTDB for detecting the onset, peak, and termination points of P-waves, the onset and termination points of QRS waves, and the peak and termination points of T-waves were −0.24 ± 10.04, −0.48 ± 11.69, −0.28 ± 10.19, −3.72 ± 8.18, −4.12 ± 13.54, −0.68 ± 20.42, and 1.34 ± 21.04. The results show that the deep learning network based on the self-supervised framework constructed in this manuscript can accurately detect the feature points of a heartbeat, laying the foundation for automatic extraction of key information related to ECG-based diagnosis.
User-Oriented Policies in European HEIs: Triggering a Participative Process in Today’s Digital Turn—An OpenU Experimentation in the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
Authors: Dell’Omodarme Marco Renzo , Cherif Yasmine
Published: December 2022

As European higher education institutions (HEIs) increasingly grapple with new challenges, the importance and difficulty of massification, democratization, and inclusion have been reinforced by the recent pandemic crisis and the simultaneous need for pedagogical continuity. Meeting these challenges not only implies a profound change in organization and teaching practices, which need to focus on user-centered quality learning, but also raises questions about financing, management, and governance. Using results from two participative experiments conducted in the French University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in the framework of the OpenU (Online Pedagogical Resources in European Universities) project, the authors present ethical and practical issues that currently face inclusive and user-oriented policies in the European higher education area. Through this paper, we argue that creating an imaginative and inclusive participative process is as essential today in the spirit of evidence-based policies supporting digital education as it is partial. We furthermore present emerging results on current needs, as well as incentives to increase participation. Such results ultimately allow us to draw conclusions and recommendations for institutional and national policymakers to further improve user-oriented policies.
What Are Male and Female Students’ Views of Science in a Society in Transition? A Self-Study of an Institution of Higher Education
Authors: Pilotti Maura A. E. , El Alaoui Khadija , Al-Zohbi Gaydaa
Published: December 2022

Consensus exists among countries of the world that science literacy is necessary for sustainability. Instruction may emphasize comprehension of scientific contents as well as the use of scientific information to examine and understand life on earth, but students’ interest in science is the base on which such instruction rests. In the present field research, we examined female and male college students’ views of science education within their chosen major (STEM versus non-STEM). We specifically selected students whose socio-cultural context is that of a society in transition from a patriarchal model to one that fosters gender equity. A successive-independent-samples design was used to administer a simplified version of the RISC surveys to two clusters of students differing in educational experience: entry-level students (first and second year) and exit-level students (third and fourth year). Female and male students majoring in STEM or non-STEM disciplines at each level were targeted. Although there were no gender differences in major selection at the entry level, at the exit level, male students were more numerous in STEM than non-STEM majors. Only a few gender differences were recorded in students’ views of science education within their STEM and non-STEM majors. At the exit level, opinions about majors were positive across the board. In the microcosm of an academic institution inside a society once defined by patriarchy, gender is now less of a distinctive professional marker for students receiving a college education. Because attitudes are often linked to behavior, these findings also demonstrate the usefulness of periodic institutional assessments of not only students’ performances but also attitudes and preferences to determine the need for gender equity interventions.
Providing Access to Reading Comprehension for Greek Secondary Students with Mild Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Ladias Georgios , Iatraki Georgia , Soulis Spyridon-Georgios
Published: December 2022

All students should achieve improved outcomes in academic content within general classroom and access information through reading comprehension during their daily interactions. Several adaptations and recommendations should be required for students with intellectual disabilities to access information, such as adapted texts that can provide access to reading comprehension and help them participate equally in modern society. The current study shows promise for the use of easy to read (EtR) material combined with systematic instruction, task analysis, and prompting in facilitating Greek language lessons for students with mild intellectual disabilities. Researchers used an AB single-subject design to evaluate the effects of transcribed EtR texts for providing access to information regarding grade-aligned reading comprehension in Greek language lessons. Students with mild intellectual disabilities were assessed through baseline and intervention phases and their results showed a correlational relation between the intervention supported by EtR material and the number of students’ correct responses on the comprehension probes. In addition, social validity indicated the teaching intervention through adapted EtR texts as being practical and useful. Discussion of results, future research, and limitations are provided with a focus of the importance of teaching interventions based on EtR language that positively contribute to the accessibility and equality of people with intellectual disabilities to information.
Creating an Online Social Learning Platform: A Model Approach for Open Development, Open Access and Open Education
Authors: Schumacher Kevin , Duch Franziska , Sielaff Lisa
Published: December 2022

The importance of online learning platforms in the face of the challenges of the 21st century cannot be stressed enough. Multiple approaches based on different didactic concepts and software have already been discussed. At Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, our team supports the development of an innovative digital infrastructure in creating a virtual campus that provides a portfolio of digital skills and key qualifications for students of all disciplines. The following paper presents this open source-based social online learning platform called hocampus: it aims to function as a model approach for future learning platforms connecting unsupervised learning, peer communication and tutoring as well as teaching. However, our platform is not a mere technical architecture that employs online learning and communication possibilities: it is characterized by a strong correlation of structure and content. For this, we advance a didactic concept focused on empowering students to strengthen their cross-disciplinary key competences and 21st century skills. We also depict the digital infrastructure and tools being used in the creating and operation of hocampus. Lastly, the general design principles for digital platforms are put forward. This paper also presents a firsthand account of how to implement such a learning platform by showing what hindrances need to be overcome, how students benefit from a social online learning platform and how digital learning can develop and change in the coming years. Thus, it can function as a manual portraying the necessary steps for the realization of concrete didactic concepts in a digital space.
Pretend Play: Children in Control of a Shifting Narrative
Authors: Kervin Lisa , Mantei Jessica
Published: December 2022

Imaginative play is an important part of childhood that provides insight not only into a child’s ability to use language, but ultimately into their understandings of the world more broadly. Through play, children control the story as they shape an emerging narrative through words, gestures, movement, and use of play spaces. In this paper we deconstruct a single instance of imaginative play captured in the home corner of a preschool classroom. The unscripted play dialogue creates a shared and compelling narrative evident in the texts the children created and their ongoing and complex interactions. Microanalysis of this narrative provides a novel insight into the play scenarios children create, the resources they select for developing the play, and the ways they communicate. We focus on discourse, subjectivity, and power to analyse the scenario. The cultural and linguistic resources demonstrated by this group of four-year-old children through their play provides insight not only into their understanding and interpretation of activities conducive to the home corner but also into their emerging social identities.
An Uncalibrated Image-Based Visual Servo Strategy for Robust Navigation in Autonomous Intravitreal Injection
Authors: He Xiangdong , Luo Hua , Feng Yuliang , Wu Xiaodong , Diao Yan
Published: December 2022

Autonomous intravitreal injection in ophthalmology is a challenging surgical task as accurate depth measurement is difficult due to the individual differences in the patient’s eye and the intricate light reflection or refraction of the eyeball, often requiring the surgeon to first preposition the end-effector accurately. Image-based visual servo (IBVS) control does not rely on depth information, exhibiting potential for addressing the issues mentioned above. Here we describe an enhanced IBVS strategy to achieve high performance and robust autonomous injection navigation. The radial basis function (RBF) kernel with strong learning capability and fast convergence is used to globally map the uncertain nonlinear strong coupling relationship in complex uncalibrated IBVS control. The Siamese neural network (SNN) is then used to compare and analyze the characteristic differences between the current and target poses, thus making an approximation of the mapping relationships between the image feature changes and the end-effector motion. Finally, a robust sliding mode controller (SMC) based on min–max robust optimization is designed to implement effective surgical navigation. Data from the simulation and the physical model experiments indicate that the maximum localization and attitude errors of the proposed method are 0.4 mm and 0.18°, exhibiting desirable accuracy with the actual surgery and robustness to disturbances. These results demonstrate that the enhanced strategy can provide a promising approach that can achieve a high level of autonomous intravitreal injection without a surgeon.