bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vacant lot to community garden conversion and crime in Milwaukee: a difference-in-differences analysis
Authors: Beam David R , Szabo Aniko , Olson Jared , Hoffman Lawrence , Beyer Kirsten M M
Published: September 2020

Background

Vacant lots generate the perception of neglect and are often opportunistic locations for crime. Evidence is building to suggest that greening vacant lots, especially through community engaged approaches, is associated with reductions in some types of crime.

Methods

Using a retrospective quasi-experimental approach, we compared the conversion of vacant lots into community gardens (n=53) with a group of matched control lots (n=159) to examine the effect of this intervention on police reported theft, violent and nuisance crime in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Conversions often involved the addition of planter boxes to create a garden, and sometimes included benches, paths, works of art or other landscaping features. Public crime data were used to generate crime rates within 100 m and 250 m around each lot.

Results

Violent and nuisance crime rates are lower near treatment lots based on an unadjusted difference-in-differences analysis of means and two Poisson regression models. While no substantial effects were observed among theft crimes, the most consistent crime rate reductions were found among violent crime within 250 m, ranging between 3.7% and 6.4% across analyses.

Conclusions

Despite the small number of interventions, community-driven vacant lot to garden conversions were associated with slight reductions in crime. Urban greening initiatives may be a promising strategy to reduce urban crime and warrant further study.
Orphans and the relational significance of birth: a response to Singh
Authors: Bobier Christopher A
Published: September 2020

Prabhpal Singh has defended a relational account of the difference in moral status between fetuses and newborns. Newborns stand in the parent-child relation while fetuses do not, and standing in the parent-child relationship brings with it higher moral status for newborns. Orphans pose a problem for this account because they do not stand in a parent-child relationship. I argue that Singh has not satisfactorily responded to the problem.
The role of dry mouth in screening sleep apnea
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Shen Yane , Liping Feng , Ma Jing , wang guang-fa
Published: September 2020

Purpose of the study

Effective screening questionnaires are essential for early detection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The STOP-Bang questionnaire has high sensitivity but low specificity. Dry mouth is a typical clinical sign of OSA. We hypothesised that adding dry mouth in the STOP-Bang questionnaire would improve its specificity.

Study design

A survey of the incidence of dry mouth was performed in a general population group and suspected sleep apnea clinical population group. Patients with suspected OSA were assessed by laboratory polysomnography and STOP-Bang questionnaire was performed. Adding the option of dry mouth to the OSA screening questionnaire resulted in a new quesionnaire, where cut-off value, diagnostic efficacy and the predictive parameters (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value) were explored.

Results

(In the 912 general population group, the incidence of dry mouth in the snoring group (54.0%) was much higher than that in the non-snoring group (30.5%) (p<0.05). In 207 patients with suspected OSA, the incidence of dry mouth in the OSA group was much higher than that in the non-OSA group (p<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the STOP-Bang questionnaire were 88.8% and 23.7% for identifying OSA, and 92.2% and 23.1% for identifying moderate and severe OSA, respectively. Adding the option of dry mouth (dry mouth every morning) to the STOP-Bang questionare resulted in a new questionnaire (STOP-Bang-dry-mouth questionnarie) with 9 items. Its sensitivity and specificity were 81.70% and 42.10% for identifying OSA, and 89.10% and 42.30% for identifying moderate and severe OSA, respectively.

Conclusions

The dry mouth symptom correlated with snoring and sleep apnea. The specificity of the STOP-Bang questionnaire can be improved by integrating dry mouth. The diagnostic accuracy of the STOP-Bang-dry mouth questionnaire is yet to be further verified in prospective studies.
Mycoplasma genitaliumcoinfection in men with symptomatic gonococcal urethritis
Authors: Richardson Daniel , Lewis David A , Jeoffreys Neisha J , Couldwell Deborah L
Published: September 2020

Objectives

International guidelines recommendMycoplasma genitaliumtesting, preferably using an assay to detect macrolide resistance-associated mutations, for men presenting with non-gonococcal urethritis, but there is no specific guidance on such testing for men with gonococcal urethritis.

Methods

This study aimed to estimate the proportion of men with gonococcal urethritis who have coinfection withM. genitaliumthrough a retrospective analysis of cases of symptomatic urethral gonorrhoea at Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre in 2017 and 2018.

Results

Fourteen of 184 (7.6%, 95% CI 3.7 to 11.5) men with gonococcal urethritis hadM. genitaliumdetected in the urine at the time of presentation. No demographic or behavioural factors predictedM. genitaliumcoinfection. Coinfection with urethralChlamydia trachomatiswas detected in 29 of 184 (15.8%, 95% CI 10.5 to 21.1). All five men with macrolide-resistantM. genitaliumdetected returned for treatment with moxifloxacin at a median of 8 days (range 5–16 days) after presentation and treatment of gonorrhoea; three of five were documented to remain symptomatic at this visit.

Conclusion

AlthoughM. genitaliumcoinfection is less common than chlamydia among men with symptomatic gonococcal urethritis,M. genitaliumtesting, using an assay to detect macrolide resistance, will potentially reduce symptom duration particularly for men with macrolide-resistant infections, but may not be justifiable on cost-benefit analysis.
Reliability of diaphragm voluntary activation measurements in healthy adults
Authors: Ramsook Andrew H. , Molgat-Seon Yannick , Boyle Kyle G. , Mitchell Reid A. , Puyat Joseph H. , Koehle Michael S. , Sheel A. William , Guenette Jordan A.
Published: September 2020

Voluntary activation can be used to assess central fatigue of the diaphragm after tasks such as exercise or inspiratory muscle loading. Cervical magnetic stimulation (CMS) of the phrenic nerves elicits an involuntary contraction, or twitch, of the diaphragm. This twitch is quantified based on a measure of transdiaphragmatic pressure and can be used to evaluate diaphragm contractile function and diaphragm voluntary activation (diaphragm-VA). The test–retest reliability of diaphragm-VA using CMS is currently unknown. Thirteen participants (4 male, 9 female; aged 25 ± 3 years) performed a series of interpolated twitch manoeuvres, which included a maximal inspiratory effort against a semi-occluded mouthpiece and 2 CMS-stimuli, 1 during the inspiratory manoeuvre and 1 after when the participant returned to functional residual capacity to quantify diaphragm-VA. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard error of measurement (SEM) measured between-day and within-session reliability of diaphragm-VA, respectively. Maximal diaphragm-VA values were 91% (SD: 6; SEM: 3.9) and 92% (SD: 5; SEM: 2.2) during visits 1 and 2 (p = 0.68), respectively, and displayed “good” between-day reliability (ICC: 0.88; 95% confidence interval: 0.67–0.95; SEM: 2.7). Our results suggest that assessing diaphragm-VA using CMS is reliable in young healthy adults. Measuring diaphragm-VA may provide additional insight into the consequences and mechanisms of diaphragm fatigue.

Novelty: Magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves can reliably measure voluntary activation of the diaphragm. Diaphragm voluntary activation can be used to provide additional insight into fatigability of the diaphragm.
A physics-based approach for predicting time-dependent progression length of backward erosion piping
Authors: Rahimi Mehrzad , Shafieezadeh Abdollah , Wood Dylan , Kubatko Ethan
Published: September 2020

The progression length at various stages of backward erosion piping (BEP) in levee systems can serve as a key engineering demand parameter for reliability and risk assessments. The main goal of this study is to put forward a reliable and computationally efficient technique for predicting the progression length during BEP. Many existing modeling approaches for predicting progression lengths of BEP are either computationally expensive or consider a constant, time-independent amplification factor for the permeability coefficient. In contrast, the model developed here considers the underlying physical phenomena to properly capture the amplification of the permeability coefficient during the progression of BEP. The proposed model is derived considering the rolling threshold condition, which is obtained from the moment equilibrium of erodible particles. This modeling approach with time-varying permeability coefficients has been implemented in FLAC3D, and the derived BEP paths are validated for three flume experiments. The impact of material properties including porosity, tortuosity, and coefficient of uniformity on the amplification factor are investigated. These analyses show that the permeability amplification factor and the progression length increase with low rates at the initial stages of piping. Following the formation of the piping path, they both increase at a generally greater rate over time.
Crustal structure of the metasedimentary Kisseynew domain and bounding volcanic–plutonic domains, Trans-Hudson orogen, Canada
Authors: Clowes Ron M. , Roy Baishali
Published: September 2020

The Kisseynew domain (KD) is the largest component of the Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson orogen (THO) in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It is bounded to the north by the Lynn Lake – Leaf Rapids (LL-LR) domain and to the south by the Glennie – Flin Flon (G-FF) complex. The THO was the focus of one of the study areas of Lithoprobe, Canada’s national Earth science research project (1984–2005). To further investigate the crustal structure of the KD and its bounding domains, this study reprocesses reflection line S3a across its northern boundary, analyses four 2.5-D gravity profiles, carries out 3-D gravity inversions for two areas, and replicates results from reflection lines 7 and 10 across the southern boundary of the KD. The reprocessed seismic section enhances the continuity of reflections within the crust. The reflectivity is representative of the complex tectonic development of the boundary zone and clearly identifies a subsurface deformation zone consistent with the boundary. The reflection section also shows that a lower plate (at about 30 to 50 km depth), interpreted as remnant lower crust of the G-FF complex, extends 30 km further northward than in the original section. Lines 7 and 10 illustrate the complex nature of the transition from the KD to the G-FF complex. The gravity analyses show that the variability and complexities of the boundary region between the LL-LR domain and KD, and the G-FF complex and KD, as indicated by the geological and Bouguer gravity maps, extend at depth throughout the crust.
Early predictive blood markers of hemorrhagic stroke — influence of cytoflavin therapy
Authors: Silina Ekaterina V. , Rumyantceva Sofia A. , Stupin Victor A. , Parfenov Vladimir A. , Bolevich Sergey B.
Published: September 2020

Examination of the patterns of free-radical processes (FRP) and changes of the early screening markers to predict the course of hemorrhagic stroke (HS) and applied pathophysiologically based therapy can be of great practical importance. This study aimed to determine early changes in the parameters of oxidative stress and routine biochemistry blood tests in patients with HS and to assess their relationship with clinical outcome. The effects of early applied cytoflavin were also investigated. The prospective study included 151 patients with HS. Forty-eight percent of patients in the standard conservative therapy were given cytoflavin antioxidant energy therapy from the first day of hospitalization. The neurological status, neuroimaging, biochemical blood tests and FRP were assessed on days 1, 5, 10, and 20 of hospitalization. In patients with HS, an imbalance of all stages of FRP was detected proportionately to the severity of HS. The malondialdehyde concentration above 5.3 μmol/L, the number of leukocytes above 15 800, glucose above 11.9 mmol/L, lactate dehydrogenase above 574 IU/L, and lactate above 2.5 mmol/L, detected on the first day, predetermined a high risk of death. Additional cytoflavin treatment allowed stabilizing the clinical laboratory picture of HS, improved the treatment results, and reduced hospital mortality rate.
Vacuum bosonic currents induced by a compactified cosmic string in dS background
Authors: Bragança E. A. F. , de Mello E. R. Bezerra , Mohammadi A.
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we study the vacuum bosonic currents in the geometry of a compactified cosmic string in the background of the de Sitter spacetime. The currents are induced by magnetic fluxes, one running along the cosmic string and another one enclosed by the compact dimension. To develop the analysis, we obtain the complete set of normalized bosonic wave functions obeying a quasiperiodicity condition. In this context, we calculate the azimuthal and axial current densities and we show that these quantities are explicitly decomposed into two contributions: one originating from the geometry of a straight uncompactified cosmic string and the other induced by the compactification. We also compare the results with the literature in the case of a massive fermionic field in the same geometry.
Shape phase changes with N in 72−84Kr isotopes
Authors: Gupta J. B. , Hamilton J. H.
Published: September 2020

The Kr isotopes lying in between the lighter isotopes of (Zn, Ge and Se) and the heavier isotopes of (Sr and Zr) in the [Formula: see text]–80 region exhibit very interesting spectral features. The spectra of [Formula: see text]Kr isotopes display a striking contrast from those of Zn, Ge and Se isotopes. The role of spherical and oblate and prolate deformed subshell gaps at specific [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and the resulting re-inforcement are strikingly evident in these contrasting features, with variation in [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]. The evolution of the spectral features in Kr isotopes with [Formula: see text] as reflected in the quadrupole deformation, [Formula: see text]-band structures, [Formula: see text]0 decay, [Formula: see text]2) values, [Formula: see text]-softness of the nuclear core and odd–even staggering in [Formula: see text]-bands is studied to explore the role of the under lying nuclear interactions. The correlations with odd–[Formula: see text] isotopes are explored. The shape co-existence displayed in some Kr isotopes is studied. The large deformation observed in the ground bands of [Formula: see text]Kr, as exhibited in the [Formula: see text]2) values, is especially interesting.
Spectral Stochastic Infinite Element Method in Vibroacoustics
Authors: Kronowetter Felix , Moheit Lennart , Eser Martin , Sepahvand Kian K. , Marburg Steffen
Published: September 2020

A novel method to solve exterior Helmholtz problems in the case of multipole excitation and random input data is developed. The infinite element method is applied to compute the sound pressure field in the exterior fluid domain. The consideration of random input data leads to a stochastic infinite element formulation. The generalized polynomial chaos expansion of the random data results in the spectral stochastic infinite element method. As a solution technique, the non-intrusive collocation method is chosen. The performance of the spectral stochastic infinite element method is demonstrated for a time-harmonic problem and an eigenfrequency study.
A Recap of the 18th Annual Sloan Consortium Conference on Online Learning
Authors: Venable Melissa A.
Published: September 2020

For nearly 20 years, the Sloan Consortium has held an annual conference on online learning. Keeping with this year's theme "At a Crossroads: Online Education in a Complex World," the conference drew a diverse group of instructors, administrators, support services providers, technology experts, and instructional designers. In this conference overview, Melissa Venable discusses the highlights of the event.
The Rock Stars of eLearning: An interview with Chad Udell
Authors: Raymer Rick
Published: September 2020

Where and when do learning occur, and how do you track it? These are simple questions, with complex answers. As an eLearning Rockstar Chad Udell has tackled these problems, and is here to help in this exclusive interview with Rick Raymer for eLearn Magazine.
Online Learning and the Doctorate
Authors: Carr-Chellman Alison
Published: September 2020

As the popularity of online doctoral programs grows, it's vital for learners to have an accurate picture of the professional opportunities that await them within industry and academia.
How Mentors Can Improve Online Graduate Student Attrition Rates
Authors: Hyder Narjis , Gilliam Judith
Published: September 2020

Do higher levels of mentoring support contribute to a successful academic graduate career? This article tackles mentoring for online graduate students and its relation to attrition rates focusing on: the benefits of successful mentoring, challenges of online mentoring programs, a review of a model of an online mentoring program, and establishing mentor-mentee relationships.
CHAMP—character manipulation procedures
Authors: Storm Edward F.
Published: September 2020

A new programming language facility for symbol manipulation is described. String procedures may be declared and called in a standard ALGOL context. ALGOL procedures can in turn be called by string procedures so that numeric and symbolic processes may conveniently be programmed together. Concatenation and a variant of SNOBOL's pattern matching make up a set of primitive commands. These are assembled together into conditional expressions which are to be used to provide alternative computational patterns. Arrays of strings are processed using quantifiers. The class of things which may be assigned to an identifier can be restricted by a procedure expressed in the notation. The language facilities have been implemented in the ALGOL compiler for the Burroughs B5500.
The company of the future
Authors: Cairncross Frances
Published: September 2020

Creating new business models may be as important an innovation as products themselves.
The all applications digital computer
Authors: Nissen Stanley M. , Wallach Steven J.
Published: September 2020

This paper describes the AADC Data Processing Element (DPE) developed and being built by Raytheon for the Navy to be used for multiplatform (air, land, seas, and underseas) applications in the 1978-1990 time frame. It was the intent of the designers of this computer to: achieve a Syntax-oriented internal architecture (Ref. 1) so that application programs written in a higher level language (HLL) would run efficiently, and to make use of a memory heiracy system to minimize the number of page faults generated by the virtual addressing mechanisms.
Structure of a direct high-level language processor
Authors: Bloom Howard M.
Published: September 2020

This paper gives a brief description of the structure of a direct high-level language processor (DHLLP) and of how the various elements in the processor function.
GLOSS
Authors: Herriot Robert G.
Published: September 2020

A program of a high level language can be executed either by applying a suitable high level machine to the program or by translating the program to an equivalent program in another language for which a machine exists. Constructing a high level machine for each language is an interesting solution, but such a solution requires the construction of many machines and also does not enable the semanticist to compare programming languages. Using an existing conventional machine whose machine language is the target language of a translator provides an un-interesting solution which also does not allow the semanticist to easily compare programming languages.

If we use a high level machine, such as GLOSS, whose machine language is the target language of a translator, then we can write a translator which merely rearranges syntax and does not lose any semantics. Such a solution is interesting to the semanticist if a large class of programming languages can be translated into this high level machine by syntax rearrangement because the high level machine can serve as a medium of programming language comparison.
Structure of a Polish String language for an Algol 60 language processor
Authors: Haynes Leonard S.
Published: September 2020

This paper reports on the Polish String intermediate language used in the hardware high level language processor for Algol 60. The intermediate language was pinpointed because it is the most important aspect of the language processor, affecting the entire design. The reader is referred to Gries (1) for a good description of the basic operation of a Polish String processor, and to the Burroughs B5500 (2) for an example of a system using a Polish String intermediate language. This paper attempts to give a brief description of the complete Polish String language and to emphasize those aspects which relate to the hardware implementation of the language processor.
The V̇e/V̇co2 slope: a useful tool to evaluate the physiological status of children with congenital heart disease
Authors: Gavotto Arthur , Huguet Helena , Picot Marie-Christine , Guillaumont Sophie , Matecki Stefan , Amedro Pascal
Published: September 2020

Using V̇e/V̇co2 slope is useful for children with congenital heart disease. V̇e/V̇co2 slope is sensitive to pulmonary blood flow maldistribution during exercise, this concerns congenital heart disease with pulmonary regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, right ventricular hypertension, and right ventricle outflow tract obstacle. V̇e/V̇co2 slope is a good parameter to follow single ventricles and right heart residual lesions (tetralogy of Fallot; pulmonary atresia; truncus arteriosus…).
A Coupled Nonlinear Flow Model for Particle Migration and Seepage Properties of Water Inrush through Broken Rock Mass
Authors: Shi Wenhao , Yang Tianhong
Published: September 2020

A large number of statistics indicate that broken rock mass always transforms into a flowing channel and leads to water inrush disasters in mining engineering, such as fault, karst, and strongly weathered rock mass. During the process of water inrush, the structure of the broken rock mass is constantly changing due to seepage erosion under high-velocity flow. Therefore, it is of vital importance to quantitatively evaluate the flow behavior of the water inrush related to the seepage erosion in order to prevent or reduce the risks. This study described a coupled nonlinear flow model, which couples the high-velocity seepage, the small particle migration, and the evolution of the broken rock mass structure. The model was verified firstly for simulation of nonlinear flow behavior by comparing with the traditional one. Then, the proposed model was used to simulate the evolution of particle migration and seepage properties of the water inrush through broken rock mass by a numerical case. The simulation results generally agree well with the existing experimental results. The simulations indicate that small particle migration causes the unstable characteristics of the seepage and the heterogeneity properties of the broken rock mass, which lead to the nonlinear flow behavior of the water inrush in both time and space. From a different perspective, it also indicates that the proposed model is capable of simulating the interaction of high-velocity seepage, small particle migration, and evolution of broken rock mass structure in the process of water inrush.
A Numerical Study on the Regularity of d-Primes via Informational Entropy and Visibility Algorithms
Authors: Mayer B. L. , Monteiro L. H. A.
Published: September 2020

Let a

d

-prime be a positive integer number with

d

divisors. From this definition, the usual prime numbers correspond to the particular case

d
=
2

. Here, the seemingly random sequence of gaps between consecutive

d

-primes is numerically investigated. First, the variability of the gap sequences for

d
∈

2,3
,
…
,
11

is evaluated by calculating the informational entropy. Then, these sequences are mapped into graphs by employing two visibility algorithms. Computer simulations reveal that the degree distribution of most of these graphs follows a power law. Conjectures on how some topological features of these graphs depend on

d

are proposed.
Persistent Retinal Detachment in Retinoblastoma: The Challenges
Authors: El Hamichi Sophia , Acon Dhariana , Kon Graversen Veronica , Gold Aaron S. , Berrocal Audina M. , Murray Timothy G.
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common eye tumor in children. There have been significant improvements in treatment options targeting killing the tumor while also conserving the eye and attempting to conserve functional vision. Retinal detachment (RD) is not an uncommon event and compromises the vision and sometimes RB treatment. Materials and Methods. Retrospective review of 62 patients over a period of 8 years between 2012 and 2019 with eyes treated for RB and having persistent RD that did not resolve after complete tumor regression. Results. Forty-two patients of these 62 cases developed RD (67%). The RD resolved in 35 patients (83% of RD), and 7 patients (16% of RD) developed a persistent RD. In all the persistent RD groups (7 patients/11 eyes), RB and RD were present simultaneously in the first ophthalmological assessment. Sex ratio was 2 females/5 males. The mean age of diagnosis was 11 months. All eyes had advanced RB stages. Eight eyes had local treatment with transpupillary laser, 6 eyes received IAC, and 3 patients received systemic chemotherapy. In 9 eyes, the RD had both exudative and tractional components. Only one eye had a pure tractional RD due to persistent fetal vasculature, and one eye had rhegmatogenous RD component with presence of a tear in addition to exudation. None of the eyes received RD surgical repair. Conclusion. Persistent RD occurs in eyes with advanced RB stages with complex RD with more than one component. The dilemma is performing a vitrectomy in eyes with cancer and poor visual outcome.
Synchronization-Based Guaranteed-Performance Formation Design for Swarm Systems
Authors: Dang Hongtao , Du Yichen , Kong Lingyun , Yao Hui , Xi Jianxiang
Published: September 2020

Guaranteed-performance formation control for swarm systems with the second-order dynamics is investigated based on the synchronization control strategy. Firstly, a new formation protocol is presented, where the weights of connected edges are adaptively regulated and the performance constraint is imposed. Then, on the basis of the Riccati inequality, sufficient conditions for synchronization-based guaranteed-performance formation are proposed, and an explicit expression of the guaranteed-performance cost is shown, where it is fully distributed to design gain matrices of the formation protocol in the sense that it is independent of global information of swarm systems. Moreover, the whole motion of a swarm system is determined, which is associated with initial states of all agents and formation control vectors. Finally, two numerical examples are shown to demonstrate theoretical conclusions, where the static whole motion and the dynamic whole motion are considered, respectively.
Strategies in Surgical Decompression for Thyroid Eye Disease
Authors: Cheng Anny M. S. , Wei Yi-Hsuan , Liao Shu-Lang
Published: September 2020

Surgical management of thyroid eye disease- (TED-) associated morbidity has been plagued by the complex interplay of different operative techniques. Orbital decompression is the well-recognized procedure for disfiguring exophthalmos and dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). There are numerous published techniques described for the removal of the orbital bone, fat, or a combination. The diverse studies are noncomparative as they include different indications, stages of disease, and methods of evaluation. Thus, it is difficult to conclude the most efficient decompression technique. To obtain effective and predictable results, it is therefore important to propose a logical and acceptable clinical guideline to customize patient treatment. Herein, we developed an algorithm based on the presence of DON, preoperative existing diplopia, and severity of proptosis which were defined by patient’s disabling symptoms together with a set of ocular signs reflecting visual function or cosmesis. More specifically, we aimed to assess the minimal but effective surgical technique with acceptable potential complications to achieve therapeutic efficacy. Transcaruncular or inferomedial decompressions are indicated in restoring optic nerve function in patients with DON associated with mild or moderate to severe proptosis, respectively. Inferomedial or fatty decompressions are effective to treat patients with existing diplopia associated with mild or moderate to severe proptosis, respectively. Fatty or balanced decompressions can improve disfiguring exophthalmos in patients without existing diplopia associated with mild to moderate or severe proptosis, respectively. Inferomedial or 3-wall decompressions are preferred to address facial rehabilitation in patients associated with very severe proptosis but without preoperative diplopia.
Vitrectomy with Air Endotamponade for Traumatic Cyclodialysis
Authors: Wang Anan , Zhao Zhenquan
Published: September 2020

Background. Various techniques have been described for repairing cyclodialysis clefts, but there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment. This study investigated the clinical efficacy of a novel surgical approach that is used to manage traumatic cyclodialysis.Methods. We prospectively enrolled 7 patients (7 eyes) with traumatic cyclodialysis of the concomitant lens and other vitreous diseases. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was used to diagnose cyclodialysis, and all eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy with air endotamponade. The main outcome measures were postoperative anatomical success rates, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and intraocular pressure (IOP).Results. All patients were male, and their age ranged from 46 to 64 years (mean: 54.3 years). After the surgical intervention, the extent of the cyclodialysis cleft ranged from 1 to 4 clock hours (mean: 2.3 clock hours) and the detached ciliary body of all cases was completely restored; the anatomical success rate was 100%. The BCVA significantly increased from 1.40 ± 0.49 to 0.42 ± 0.31 (P = 0.002). The IOP increased from 8.91 ± 1.77 to 14.67 ± 6.38, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.056). The postoperative IOP of most patients was temporarily elevated or lowered after surgery. At the last follow-up, there were still two abnormal cases, including one with ocular hypertension and one with hypotony.Conclusions. This study revealed that vitrectomy with air endotamponade is an effective and minimally invasive alternative surgical approach for small traumatic cyclodialysis clefts.
Statistical Characteristics and Community Analysis of Urban Road Networks
Authors: Shang Wen-Long , Chen Yanyan , Bi Huibo , Zhang Haoran , Ma Changxi , Ochieng Washington Y.
Published: September 2020

Urban road networks are typical complex systems, which are crucial to our society and economy. In this study, topological characteristics of a number of urban road networks purely based on physical roads rather than routes of vehicles or buses are investigated in order to discover underlying unique structural features, particularly compared to other types of transport networks. Based on these topological indices, correlations between topological indices and small-worldness of urban road networks are also explored. The finding shows that there is no significant small-worldness for urban road networks, which is apparently different from other transport networks. Following this, community detection of urban road networks is conducted. The results reveal that communities and hierarchy of urban road networks tend to follow a general nature rule.
Urinary Function of the Sasang Type and Cold‐Heat Subgroup Using the Sasang Urination Inventory in Korean Hospital Patients
Authors: Lee Seul , Lee Yongjae , Han Sang Yun , Bae Nayoung , Hwang Minwoo , Lee Jeongyun , Chae Han
Published: September 2020

Introduction. The Sasang type‐specific pathophysiological symptom is pivotal for the Sasang type classification and pattern identification. The Sasang Urination and Defecation Inventory (SUDI) for urinary function analysis was developed; however, the clinical usefulness of urination‐related subscales of SUDI in the Sasang type and Cold‐Heat subgroup was not reported with acceptable validation analysis. Methods. The clinical diagnosis of the Sasang type and Cold‐Heat subgroup, responses to SUDI items, and weight and height of the 350 hospital patients were acquired retrospectively. The Sasang Urination Inventory (SUI) with SUI‐CHR (problematic physical characteristics of urine), SUI‐HSS (hypersensitivity of urinary urgency and high frequency), and SUI‐DIS (urinary discomfort of hesitancy and residual urine sense) subscales using 12 items of SUDI were improvised. The item and construct validity of the SUI were examined using item response theory and confirmatory factor analysis, and the clinical usefulness of the SUI in Sasang type and Cold‐Heat subgroup differentiation was attested. Results. The SUI and its subscales showed acceptable structural validity and have clinical usefulness in the Tae‐Eum type. The Tae‐Eum type has a significantly higher SUI‐CHR score than did the So‐Yang type, and the Heat subgroup has a significantly higher SUI‐HSS score than did the Cold subgroup in the Tae‐Eum type. Discussion. The distinctive Sasang type‐ and Cold‐Heat subscale‐specific pathological symptoms in urinary function were revealed using the SUI. The SUI combined with objective Sasang typology measures might be useful for integrative precision medicine combining Eastern and Western practice and for evidence‐based clinical education for medical professions.
Exploratory Study on Screening Chronic Renal Failure Based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and a Support Vector Machine Algorithm
Authors: Yuan Yushuai , Yang Li , Gao Rui , Chen Cheng , Li Min , Tang Jun , Lv Xiaoyi , Yan Ziwei
Published: September 2020

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a clinically serious kidney disease. If the patient is not treated in a timely manner, CRF will develop into uremia. However, current diagnostic methods, such as routine blood examinations and medical imaging, have low sensitivity. Therefore, it is important to explore new and effective diagnostic methods for CRF, such as serum spectroscopy. This study proposes a cost-effective and reliable method for detecting CRF based on Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. We measured and analyzed the FT-IR spectra of serum from 44 patients with CRF and 54 individuals with normal renal function. The partial least squares (PLS) algorithm was applied to reduce the dimensionality of the high-dimensional spectral data. The samples were input into the SVM after division by the Kennard–Stone (KS) algorithm. Compared with other models, the SVM optimized by a grid search (GS) algorithm performed the best. The sensitivity of our diagnostic model was 93.75%, the specificity was 100%, and the accuracy was 96.97%. The results demonstrate that FT-IR spectroscopy combined with a pattern recognition algorithm has great potential in screening patients with CRF.
Exploring the Mechanism of Action Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule in Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Li Haoran , Li Biao , Zheng Yanlin
Published: September 2020

Aim of the Study. To study the mechanism of Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule in diabetic retinopathy treatment based on network pharmacology. Materials and Methods. The components with oral bioavailability ≥30% and drug similarity ≥0.18 were screened by the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and the effective grouping of Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule was obtained. At the same time, the targets of each drug active component in the Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule were obtained by searching the TCMSP. The effective components and targets of the Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule were annotated by the UniProt database, and the disease treatment targets were searched by the GeneCards database. The disease treatment target is intersected with the drug target and the Wayne diagram is drawn by VennDiagram. The active ingredient targets of the intersection and Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule were inputted into Cytoscape 3.7.2 software to construct the active ingredient‐target‐disease interaction network. The above targets were inputted into the String database for protein‐protein interaction network prediction. Finally, by using the DAVID database, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis was carried out to reveal the potential signal pathway of the Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule in diabetic retinopathy treatment. Results. 93 active components of the Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule and 92 targets for treating diabetic retinopathy were screened. The main active components of the Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule in treating diabetic retinopathy were quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, beta‐sitosterol, isorhamnetin, and tanshinone IIa. The effect of the Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule on diabetic retinopathy may be related to IL6, EFGR, CASP3, and VEGFA. In addition, the treatment of diabetic retinopathy mainly involves in the regulation of nuclear receptors and transcription factors in vivo. The target of the Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule in diabetic retinopathy treatment is significantly enriched in the AGE‐RAGE signal pathway, TNF signal pathway, HIF‐1 signal pathway, and VEGF signal pathway in diabetic complications. Conclusion. Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule can treat diabetic retinopathy through multitarget, multipathway, and multipathway regulation of the biomolecular network. The potential biological mechanism of the Compound‐Xueshuantong Capsule in diabetic retinopathy treatment may be related to the AGE‐RAGE signal pathway, TNF signal pathway, HIF‐1 signal pathway, and VEGF signal pathway in diabetic complications, but these findings still need to be confirmed by further clinical research.
Hydropneumothorax Revealing a Pneumoblastoma in Children
Authors: El Fakiri Karima , Draiss Ghizlane , Rada Noureddine , Bouskraoui Mohammed , Hamdaoui Abderrachid , Oulad Saiad Mohamed
Published: September 2020

Pneumoblastoma is a rare primary childhood tumor. We report the observation of an infant aged 2 years and 8 months who presented with dry cough and dyspnea. The physical examination found mixed pleural effusion syndrome on the right. The chest X-ray revealed a right pneumothorax. Biology has shown leukocytosis at 16,000/mm3. The CT scan revealed parenchymal air cystic lesions affecting the outer segment of the middle lobe mimicking a pulmonary malformation. Thoracic drainage brought back 100 ml of the fluid. Two months later, when a pyopneumothorax appeared, a medium lobectomy was performed. Pathological study specimen showed a high-grade type II pneumoblastoma The extension assessment identified a secondary hepatic location. Chemotherapy has been indicated. This observation illustrates the diagnosis challenge of pneumoblastoma in children.
Bilateral Sesamoiditis as First Manifestation of Gout
Authors: de Oliveira Beraldo Daniel , Duarte Sasha , Pacheco Gustavo , Barbosa Rodrigo , Mendes Carolina , Silva Marcela , Beraldo Fabiana , Alkmim Andrei , Teixeira Ricardo , Bonfim Alexandre
Published: September 2020

Sesamoiditis secondary to gout is an extremely rare condition with few case reports in the literature. It is an important differential diagnosis because the treatment depends on targeted therapy, unlike the main causes of sesamoiditis that often involves immobilization with special orthoses and prescription of anti-inflammatory drugs. We report here a case of a 38-year-old male, athlete, with bipartite medial sesamoid, who had insidious pain in the base of the left hallux. Laboratory tests showed no alterations, and imaging examinations demonstrated sesamoiditis with suspicion of stress fracture. The patient was initially prescribed an immobilization boot and analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, but he did not respond to the measures taken. After the onset of the same condition in the contralateral foot and getting the same imaging findings, we began an investigation of systemic disease, focusing on gout, because of a positive family history, which was confirmed by dual-energy computed tomography.
Gene Networks Constructed Through Simulated Treatment Learning can Predict Proteasome Inhibitor Benefit in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Ubels Joske , Sonneveld Pieter , van Vliet Martin H. , de Ridder Jeroen
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

Proteasome inhibitors are widely used in treating multiple myeloma, but can cause serious side effects and response varies among patients. It is, therefore, important to gain more insight into which patients will benefit from proteasome inhibitors.

Experimental Design:

We introduce simulated treatment learned signatures (STLsig), a machine learning method to identify predictive gene expression signatures. STLsig uses genetically similar patients who have received an alternative treatment to model which patients will benefit more from proteasome inhibitors than from an alternative treatment. STLsig constructs gene networks by linking genes that are synergistic in their ability to predict benefit.

Results:

In a dataset of 910 patients with multiple myeloma, STLsig identified two gene networks that together can predict benefit to the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib. In class “benefit,” we found an HR of 0.47 (P = 0.04) in favor of bortezomib, while in class “no benefit,” the HR was 0.91 (P = 0.68). Importantly, we observed a similar performance (HR class benefit, 0.46; P = 0.04) in an independent patient cohort. Moreover, this signature also predicts benefit for the proteasome inhibitor, carfilzomib, indicating it is not specific to bortezomib. No equivalent signature can be found when the genes in the signature are excluded from the analysis, indicating that they are essential. Multiple genes in the signature are linked to working mechanisms of proteasome inhibitors or multiple myeloma disease progression.

Conclusions:

STLsig can identify gene signatures that could aid in treatment decisions for patients with multiple myeloma and provide insight into the biological mechanism behind treatment benefit.
Diagnostic Capability of Cerebrospinal Fluid-Placental Alkaline Phosphatase Value in Intracranial Germ Cell Tumor
Authors: Okamoto Michinari , Yamaguchi Shigeru , Ishi Yukitomo , Motegi Hiroaki , Mori Takashi , Hashimoto Takayuki , Terashita Yukayo , Hirabayashi Shinsuke , Sugiyama Minako , Iguchi Akihiro , Cho Yuko , Manabe Atsushi , Houkin Kiyohiro
Published: September 2020

Objective: Most types of intracranial germ cell tumors (IGCTs) are sensitive to chemoradiation. However, biopsy specimens are usually small and thus cannot be used for obtaining an accurate pathological diagnosis. Recently, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) value has been considered a new biomarker of IGCTs. The present study aimed to evaluate the discriminatory characteristics of the CSF-PLAP value upon diagnosis and at the time of recurrence in patients with IGCTs. Methods: Between 2015 and 2019, this study included 37 patients with tumors located in the intraventricular and/or periventricular region. The CSF-PLAP level was assessed before the patients received any treatment. The PLAP level was evaluated during and after first-line chemoradiotherapy in 7 patients with IGCTs. The CSF-PLAP values were compared according to histological diagnosis, and the correlation between these values and radiographical features was assessed. The CSF-PLAP values of 6 patients with IGCTs with suspected recurrence were evaluated based on neuroimaging findings. Results: The CSF-PLAP values were significantly higher in patients with IGCTs than in those with other types of brain tumor (n = 19 vs. 18; median: 359.0 vs. <8.0 pg/mL). The specificity and sensitivity were 88 and 95%, respectively, with a cutoff value of 8.0 pg/mL. In patients with IGCT, the CSF-PLAP value was higher in patients with germinoma than in those with nongerminomatous germ cell tumors (n = 12 vs. 7; median: 415.0 vs. 359.0 pg/mL). Regarding the time course, the CSF-PLAP value decreased to below the detection limit after the reception of first-line chemoradiotherapy in all 7 patients. A significant correlation was observed between the initial CSF-PLAP value and the tumor reduction volume after receiving first-line chemoradiotherapy (p < 0.0003, R2 = 0.6165, logY = 1.202logX – 1.727). Among the patients with suspected IGCT recurrence (n = 6), the CSF-PLAP value was high in patients with recurrence (n = 3; median: 259.0 pg/mL), and that in patients (n = 3) without recurrence was below the lower detection limit. Conclusions: The CSF-PLAP level is a useful biomarker during the initial diagnosis of IGCTs and at the time of recurrence. It may be associated with the volume of germinomatous components of tumors.
Effects of Craniosacral Osteopathy in Patients with Peripheral Vestibular Pathology
Authors: Atay Feride , Bayramlar Kezban , Sarac Elif Tugba
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Vertigo appears as a result of a sudden neural activity imbalance of the vestibular system. The vertigo prevalence is higher in patients over 60 years of age compared to patients under 40 years of age. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of craniosacral osteopathy on dizziness and balance in individuals who have peripheral vestibular pathology. Methods: A total of 30 individuals, aged 24–50 years, participated in this study. Twenty-four of the participants were female (80%) and 6 were male (20%). The participants were separated into 2 groups, with 15 patients included in the cranial osteopathy treatment group (study group) and 15 patients included in the group that used dimenhydrinate (control group). The individuals were evaluated in terms of dizziness and balance. A visual analog scale was used to evaluate dizziness. Balance was evaluated using the Berg balance scale and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence scale. The craniosacral treatment program was applied once per week for 6 sessions. All of the individuals included in this study were evaluated 3 times, i.e., prior to treatment, on the third week of treatment, and on the sixth week of treatment. Results: Significant improvement was noted within each group in terms of dizziness and balance (p < 0.05). When the groups were compared with each other, it was observed that craniosacral osteopathy was more effective than dimenhydrinate treatment for dizziness and balance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Craniosacral osteopathy is an effective treatment choice in individuals who have chronic peripheral vestibular pathology. In individuals who have resistant and chronic vestibular pathology, craniosacral osteopathy should be evaluated among the treatment choices.