bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining the Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Athletes Undergoing Arthroscopic Correction of Sports-Related Femoroacetabular Impingement: The Percentage of Possible Improvement
Authors: Carton Patrick , Filan David
Published: January 2020

Background:

Measures of clinically meaningful improvement in patient-reported outcomes within orthopaedics are becoming a minimum requirement to establish the success of an intervention.

Purpose:

To (1) define the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) at 2 years postoperatively in competitive athletes undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery for symptomatic, sports-related femoroacetabular impingement utilizing existing anchor- and distribution-based methods and (2) derive a measure of the MCID using the percentage of possible improvement (POPI) method and compare against existing techniques.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

There were 2 objective outcome measures—the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)—administered at baseline and 2 years postoperatively. External anchor questions were used to determine the MCID through mean change, mean difference, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) techniques. Distribution-based calculations consisted of 0.5 SD, effect size, and standard error of measurement techniques. The POPI was calculated alongside each technique as an achieved percentage change of maximum available improvement for each athlete relative to the individual baseline score. The impact of the preoperative baseline score on the MCID was assessed by assigning athletes to groups determined by baseline percentiles. Statistical analysis was performed, with P < .05 considered significant.

Results:

There were 576 athletes (96% male; mean age, 25.9 ± 5.7 years). The MCID score change (and POPI) for the mHHS and SF-36 ranged from 2.4 to 16.7 (21.6%-63.6%) and from 3.3 to 24.9 (22.1%-57.4%), respectively. The preoperative threshold value for achieving the ROC-determined MCID was 80.5 and 86.5 for the mHHS and 70.1 and 72.4 for the SF-36 for the patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) score– and POPI-calculated MCID, respectively. Through the commonly used mean change method, 40.0% (mHHS) and 42.4% (SF-36) of athletes were unable to achieve the MCID because of high baseline scores and PROM ceiling effects compared with 0% when the POPI technique was used. A highly significant difference for the overall MCID was observed between preoperative baseline percentile groups for the mHHS ( P = .014) and SF-36 ( P = .004) (improvement in points), while there was no significant difference between groups for either the mHHS ( P = .487) or SF-36 ( P = .417) using the POPI technique.

Conclusion:

The MCID defined by an absolute value of improvement was unable to account for postoperative progress in a large proportion of higher functioning athletes. The POPI technique negated associated ceiling effects, was unrestricted by the baseline score, and may be more appropriate in quantifying clinically important improvement.
The Association Between Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Scores and Preference for Specific Interventions
Authors: Boersma Emily Z , Kortlever Joost T P , Loeb Michael D , McDonald John , Vagner Gregg A , Ring David , Driscoll Matt
Published: January 2020

To determine whether greater patient-reported symptom intensity and functional limitation influence expressed preferences for discretionary diagnostic and treatment interventions, we studied the association of patient factors and several Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) scores with patient preferences for diagnostic and treatment interventions before and after the visit, a cross-sectional cohort study. One hundred and forty-three adult patients who completed several PROMs were asked their preferences for diagnostic and treatment interventions before and after a visit with an orthopedic surgeon. Patients with better physical function had fewer preferences for specific diagnostic interventions after the visit ( P = .02), but PROM scores had no association with preferences for treatment interventions before or after the visit. A greater percentage of patients expressed the preference for no diagnostic or treatment intervention after the visit with a physician than before (diagnostic intervention; 2.1% before vs 30% after the visit; P ≤ .001 and treatment intervention; 2.1% before vs 17% after the visit; P ≤ .001). This study suggests that physician expertise may be more reassuring to people with more adaptive mind sets.
Associations between young children’s  print fixations during book reading and  their early literacy skills
Authors: Liu Baogen , Li Feifei , Jiang Hui , Laura Justice M.
Published: January 2020

In the current study, the potentially causal association between young children’s fixations on print and their early literacy ability was explored. The primary purpose was to determine the potentially reciprocal relations between print fixations and literacy abilities, such that print fixations and early literacy skills reciprocally enhance one another rather than one having a direct effect on the other (e.g., fixation on print leads to improvement in early literacy skills). Visual fixations on print for 95 Chinese children ranging in age from 4 to 6 years were recorded using an eye tracker, and their early literacy abilities (vocabulary, orthographic awareness and reading ability) were concurrently examined. Results of structural equation models designed to test different pathways through which print fixations and early literacy skills are related revealed that the reciprocal relationship between print fixations and early literacy skills was not supported, and that fixations on print seem to have a direct effect on children’s literacy skills.
Envisioning Amazonia: Geospatial technology, legality and the (dis)enchantments of infrastructure
Authors: Vurdubakis Theodore , Rajão Raoni
Published: January 2020

The article discusses the sociotechnical infrastructures of deforestation detection in the Brazilian Amazon and the forms of visibility and legality these enact. It draws upon a long-term ethnographic study of how digital infrastructures impinge upon, and are enacted as, social relations. We focus upon the role of satellite images in these processes and on how the arrangements for their production and circulation become sites where knowledge and ‘un-knowledge’ are engendered and environmental politics waged.
Correction to: Functional analysis of GhCHS, GhANR and GhLAR in colored fiber formation of Gossypium hirsutum L
Authors: Gao Jianfang , Shen Li , Yuan Jingli , Zheng Hongli , Su Quansheng , Yang Weiguang , Zhang Liqing , Nnaemeka Vitalis Ekene , Sun Jie , Ke Liping , Sun Yuqiang
Published: January 2020

In the original publication of this article [1], the authors pointed out the Fig. 4b was same with Fig. 4c. The correct Fig. 4b should be below.
Liouville-type theorem for Kirchhoff equations involving Grushin operators
Authors: Wei Yunfeng , Chen Caisheng , Yang Hongwei
Published: January 2020

The aim of this paper is to prove the Liouville-type theorem of the following weighted Kirchhoff equations:
$$\begin{aligned} \begin{aligned}[b] & -M \biggl( \int _{{\mathbb{R}} ^{N}}\omega (z) \vert \nabla _{G}u \vert ^{2}\,dz \biggr) \operatorname{div}_{G} \bigl(\omega (z) \nabla _{G}u \bigr)=f(z)e^{u}, \\ &\quad z=(x,y) \in R^{N}=R^{N_{1}}\times R^{N_{2}} \end{aligned} \end{aligned}$$

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$$\begin{aligned} \begin{aligned}[b] & M \biggl( \int _{\mathbb{R}^{N}}\omega (z) \vert \nabla _{G}u \vert ^{2}\,dz \biggr) \operatorname{div}_{G} \bigl(\omega (z) \nabla _{G}u \bigr)=f(z)u^{-q}, \\ &\quad z=(x,y) \in {\mathbb{R}} ^{N}={\mathbb{R}} ^{N_{1}}\times {\mathbb{R}} ^{N_{2}}, \end{aligned} \end{aligned}$$

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where $M(t)=a+bt^{k}$
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N
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, the nonexistence of stable weak solutions to equations (0.1) and (0.2) is investigated.
Silibinin attenuates adipose tissue inflammation and reverses obesity and its complications in diet-induced obesity model in mice
Authors: Alsaggar Mohammad , Bdour Shifa , Ababneh Qutaibah , El-Elimat Tamam , Qinna Nidal , Alzoubi Karem H.
Published: January 2020

Background

Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease that comprises several pathological events, such as adipose hypertrophy, fatty liver and insulin resistance. Inflammation is a key contributer to development of these events, and therefore, targeting inflammation is increasingly considered for management of obesity and its complications. The aim of the current study was to investigate therapeutic outcomes of anti-inflammatory activities of the natural compound Silibinin in reversing obesity and its complication in mice.

Methods

C57BL/6 male mice were fed high-fat diet for 8 weeks until development of obesity, and then injected with 50 mg/kg silibinin intraperitoneally twice per week, or vehicle for 8 weeks. Throughout the experiment, mice were continuously checked for body weight and food intake, and glucose tolerance test was performed toward the end of the experiment. Animals were sacrificed and serum and tissues were collected for biochemical, histological, and gene expression analysis to assess silibinin effects on adipose inflammation, fat accumulation, liver adipogenesis and glucose homeostasis.

Results

Silibinin treatment reversed adipose tissue inflammation and adipocyte hypertrophy, and blocked progression in weight gain and obesity development with no significant effects on rates of food intake. Silibinin also reversed fatty liver disease and restored glucose homeostasis in treated animals, and reversed hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia.

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrated that silibinin as an anti-inflammatory therapy is a potential alternative to manage obesity, as well as its related complications. Moreover, silibinin-based therapies could further evolve as a novel treatment to manage various inflammation-driven disorders.
A direct power control of a DFIG based-WECS during symmetrical voltage dips
Authors: Mensou Sara , Essadki Ahmed , Nasser Tamou , Bououlid Idrissi Badr
Published: January 2020

The Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) based Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) has experienced a rapid development in the world, which leads to an increasing insertion of this source of energy in the electrical grids. The sudden and temporary drop of voltage at the network can affect the operation of the DFIG; the voltage dips produce high peak currents on the stator and rotor circuits, without protection, the rotor side converter (RSC) will suffer also from over-current limit, consequently, the RSC may even be destroyed and the generator be damaged. In this paper a new Direct Power Control (DPC) method was developed, in order to control the stator powers and help the operation of the aero-generator during the faults grid; by injecting the reactive power into the network to contribute to the return of voltage, and set the active power to the optimum value to suppress the high peak currents. The DPC method was designed using the nonlinear Backstepping (BS) controller associated with the Lyapunov function to ensure the stability and robustness of the system. A comparison study was undertaken to verify the robustness and effectiveness of the DPC-BS to that of the classical vector control (VC) using Proportional-Integral (PI) correctors. All were simulated under the Simulink® software.
Infertility, Gravidity, and Risk Of Diabetes among High-Risk Women in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study
Authors: Kim Catherine , Younes Naji , Temprosa Marinella , Edelstein Sharon , Goldberg Ronald B , Araneta Maria G , Wallia Amisha , Brown Angela , Darwin Christine , Ibebuogu Uzoma , Pi-Sunyer Xavier , Knowler William C
Published: January 2020

Objective

The extent to which infertility and pregnancy independently increase risk of diabetes and subclinical atherosclerosis is not known.

Research Design And Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and the DPP Outcomes Study over a 15-year period. We included women who answered questions about gravidity and infertility at baseline (n = 2085). Infertility was defined as > 1 year of unsuccessful attempts to conceive; thus, women could have histories of infertility as well as pregnancy. Risk of diabetes associated with gravidity and infertility was calculated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, treatment arm, body mass index, and pregnancy during the study. Among women who underwent assessment of coronary artery calcification (CAC) (n = 1337), odds of CAC were calculated using logistic regression models with similar covariates.

Results

Among premenopausal women (n = 1075), women with histories of pregnancy and infertility (n = 147; hazard ratio [HR] 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30, 2.49) and women with histories of pregnancy without infertility (n = 736; HR 1.49; 95% CI 1.15, 1.93) had greater diabetes risk than nulligravid women without infertility (n = 173). Premenopausal nulligravid women with histories of infertility had a non-significant elevation in risk, although the number of these women was small (n = 19; HR 1.63; 95% CI 0.88, 3.03). Associations were not observed among postmenopausal women (n = 1010). No associations were observed between infertility or pregnancy with CAC.

Conclusions

Pregnancy, particularly combined with a history of infertility, confers increased risk of diabetes but not CAC among glucose-intolerant premenopausal women.
Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: Findings from Prospective Real-life T1D Exchange Registry
Authors: Shah Viral N , Bailey Ryan , Wu Mengdi , Foster Nicole C , Pop-Busui Rodica , Katz Michelle , Crandall Jill , Bacha Fida , Nadeau Kristen , Libman Ingrid , Hiers Paul , Mizokami-Stout Kara , DiMeglio Linda A , Sherr Jennifer , Pratley Richard , Agarwal Shivani , Snell-Bergeon Janet , Cengiz Eda , Polsky Sarit , Mehta Sanjeev N
Published: January 2020

Context

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality in adults with type 1 diabetes.

Objective

We prospectively evaluated CVD risk factors in a large, contemporary cohort of adults with type 1 diabetes living in the United States.

Design

Observational study of CVD and CVD risk factors over a median of 5.3 years.

Setting

The T1D Exchange clinic network.

Patients

Adults (age ≥ 18 years) with type 1 diabetes and without known CVD diagnosed before or at enrollment.

Main Outcome Measure

Associations between CVD risk factors and incident CVD were assessed by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The study included 8,727 participants (53% female, 88% non-Hispanic white, median age 33 years [interquartile ratio {IQR} = 21, 48], type 1 diabetes duration 16 years [IQR = 9, 26]). At enrollment, median HbA1c was 7.6% (66 mmol/mol) (IQR = 6.9 [52], 8.6 [70]), 33% used a statin, and 37% used blood pressure medication. Over a mean follow-up of 4.6 years, 325 (3.7%) participants developed incident CVD. Ischemic heart disease was the most common CVD event. Increasing age, body mass index, HbA1c, presence of hypertension and dyslipidemia, increasing duration of diabetes, and diabetic nephropathy were associated with increased risk for CVD. There were no significant gender differences in CVD risk.

Conclusion

HbA1c, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetic nephropathy are important risk factors for CVD in adults with type 1 diabetes. A longer follow-up is likely required to assess the impact of other traditional CVD risk factors on incident CVD in the current era.
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase Variability and Risk of Dementia in Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Hong So-hyeon , Han Kyungdo , Park Sanghyun , Kim Seon Mee , Kim Nan Hee , Choi Kyung Mook , Baik Sei Hyun , Park Yong Gyu , Yoo Hye Jin
Published: January 2020

Context

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) has been associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. Variability in various biomarkers has emerged as a new clinical indicator for diseases including neurodegenerative disorders.

Objective

We investigated the association between GGT variability and dementia risk in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Design, Participants, and Methods

We used the Korean National Health Insurance Service datasets of Claims and Health Check-ups from 2004 to 2016. The risk of incident dementia (all-cause dementia, Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia) was analyzed by quartiles of GGT variability in ≥ 40-year-old DM individuals without baseline dementia.

Results

During 6.12 years of follow-up, 37, 983 cases of dementia developed. In the fully adjusted model, the group with the highest quartile of GGT variability had a 19% increased risk of all-cause dementia when compared with the lowest quartile group (hazard ratio; 95% confidence interval): 1.19; 1.16-1.22, with a small effect size (Cohen d’s = 0.14). Compared with the group with low baseline GGT level and the lowest quartiles of its variability, the group with high baseline GGT level and the highest quartile of its variability increased 27% of all-cause dementia. A 1 SD increment in the GGT variability was associated with a 3% increased risk of all-cause dementia. Subgroup analysis showed a more prominent association between increased GGT variability and dementia risk in men and < 60-year-old individuals (P for interaction ≤ .001).

Conclusions

In subjects with DM, high variability of GGT increased the risk of dementia independently of other factors, including baseline GGT levels.
Anastomotic Leak Does Not Impact on Long-Term Outcomes in Esophageal Cancer Patients
Authors: Kamarajah S. K. , Navidi M. , Wahed S. , Immanuel A. , Hayes N. , Griffin S. M. , Phillips A. W.
Published: January 2020

Background

Esophagectomy is a technically demanding procedure associated with high levels of morbidity. Anastomotic leak (AL) is a common complication with potentially major ramifications for patients. It has also been associated with poorer long-term overall survival (OS) and disease recurrence.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether AL contributes to poor OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) for patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing a two-stage, two-field transthoracic esophagectomy from a single high-volume unit between 1997 and 2016 were evaluated. Clinicopathologic characteristics, along with oncological and postoperative outcomes, were stratified by no AL versus non-severe leak (NSL) versus severe esophageal AL (SEAL). SEAL was defined as ALs associated with Clavien–Dindo grade III/IV complications.

Results

This study included 1063 patients, of whom 8% (87/1063) developed AL; 45% of those who developed AL were SEALs (39/87). SEAL was associated with a prolonged critical care stay (median 8 vs. 3 vs. 2 days;p < 0.001) and prolonged hospital stay (median 43 vs. 27 vs. 15 days;p < 0.001) compared with NSL or no AL. There were no significant differences in number of lymph nodes harvested and rates of R1 resection between groups. OS and RFS were not affected by either NSL or SEAL, and Cox multivariate regression showed NSL and SEAL were not independently associated with OS and RFS. Sensitivity analysis in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy followed by esophagectomy demonstrated similar findings.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that AL leads to prolonged critical care and in-hospital length of stay; however, contrary to previous reports, our results do not compromise long-term outcomes and are unlikely to have a detrimental oncological impact.
No Clinical Predictors of Postconcussion Musculoskeletal Injury in College Athletes
Authors: BUCKLEY THOMAS A. , HOWARD CAROLINE M. , OLDHAM JESSIE R. , LYNALL ROBERT C. , SWANIK C. BUZ , GETCHELL NANCY
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to identify clinical predictors of postconcussion subsequent musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries.

Methods

We recruited 66 National Collegiate Athletic Association intercollegiate student-athletes with a diagnosed concussion as well as 36 National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes without a concussion. All participants completed a multifaceted concussion baseline consisting of 1) 22-item 0–6 self-reported symptom checklist with outcomes including both the number of symptoms endorsed (0–22) and 2) total symptom score (0–132), 3) Standard Assessment of Concussion, 4) Balance Error Scoring System, 5) Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, 6) clinical reaction time, and 7) the King-Devick as well as demographic and injury characteristics. The concussion participants completed the same examination acutely postconcussion, and binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of subsequent MSK from the change scores (acute minus baseline). From the 66 concussed student-athletes, a subset 36, matched with the healthy athletes, compared the risk of subsequent MSK in the year before and year after their concussion.

Results

The concussion participants were 1.78 times (95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.84;P= 0.015) more likely to suffer a lower extremity MSK in the year after their concussion than the control participants. The participant demographics and injury characteristics (P= 0.318) and concussion clinical outcomes (P= 0.461) did not predict subsequent MSK.

Conclusion

The concussion participants were 1.78 times more likely to sustain a subsequent MSK; however, no demographic, injury characteristic, or concussion assessments predicted the MSK. Thus, clinicians are not able to utilize common neurological measures or participant demographics to identify those at risk for subsequent lower extremity MSK. Injury prevention strategies should be considered for collegiate student-athletes upon premature return to participation after a concussion to reduce the subsequent MSK.
Effect of High-Intensity Training and Asthma on the V˙O2 Kinetics of Adolescents
Authors: MCNARRY MELITTA A. , WINN CHARLES O. N. , DAVIES GWYNETH A. , EDDOLLS WILLIAM T. B. , MACKINTOSH KELLY A.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) represents a potent stimulus to the dynamic oxygen uptake (V˙O2) response in adults, but whether the same is evident in youth is unknown. HIIT has also been suggested to place a lower demand on the respiratory system, decreasing the likelihood of exacerbation in those with respiratory conditions, such as asthma.

Methods

Sixty-nine adolescents (13.6 ± 0.9 yr; 36 asthma) took part, 35 of which (17 asthma) participated in a 30-min HIIT intervention three times a week for 6 months. Each participant completed an incremental ramp test to volitional exhaustion and three heavy-intensity constant work rate tests to determine the dynamic V˙O2, heart rate, and deoxyhemoglobin response at baseline, midintervention, postintervention and at a 3-month follow-up.

Results

There was no influence of asthma at baseline or in response to the intervention. Participants in the intervention group demonstrated a faster V˙O2 time constant (τp) after intervention (intervention: 29.2 ± 5.7 s vs control: 34.2 ± 6.5 s; P = 0.003), with these differences maintained at follow-up (intervention: 32.5 ± 5.5 s vs control: 37.3 ± 8.7 s; P = 0.008). The intervention was associated with a speeding of the concentration of deoxyhemoglobin τ (pre: 20.1 ± 4.7 s vs post: 18.2 ± 4.1 s; P = 0.05) compared with a slowing over the same time period in the control participants (pre: 17.9 ± 4.9 s vs post: 20.1 ± 4.6 s; P = 0.012). Heart rate kinetics were not altered (pre: 46.5 ± 12.2 s vs post: 47.7 ± 11.1 s; P = 0.98).

Conclusion

These findings highlight the potential utility of school-based HIIT as a strategy to enhance the V˙O2 kinetics of youth, regardless of the presence of asthma.
Through the quality kaleidoscope: reflections on research in dentomaxillofacial imaging
Authors: Rohlin Madeleine , Horner Keith , Lindh Christina , Wenzel Ann
Published: January 2020

The REduce research Waste And Reward Diligence statement has highlighted how weaknesses in health research can produce misleading results and waste valuable resources. Research on diagnostic efficacy in the field of dentomaxillofacial radiology (DMFR) is no exception to these criticisms and could be strengthened by more robust study designs, consistent use of a core set of outcome measures and completeness in reporting. Furthermore, we advocate that everyone participating in collaborative research on clinical interventions subscribes to the importance of methodological quality in how imaging methods are used. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to present a guide to conducting high-quality research on diagnostic efficacy in DMFR.

We initially propose a framework inspired by the hierarchical model of efficacy of Fryback and Thornbury, highlighting study designs, measures of analysis, completeness of reporting and established guidelines to assist in these aspects of research. Bias in research, and measures to prevent or limit it, are then described.

It is desirable to climb the Fryback and Thornbury “ladder” from technical efficacy, via accuracy and clinical efficacy, to societal efficacy of imaging methods. Efficacy studies on the higher steps of the ladder may be difficult to perform, but we must strive to answer questions of how useful our methods are in patient management and assess benefits, risks, costs, ethical and social issues. With the framework of six efficacy levels as the structure and based on our experience, we present information that may facilitate quality enhancement of diagnostic efficacy research in DMFR.
Theorem of (upwards) Harmonic Subdivision
Authors: Lekkas Demetrios E.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this paper is to study the theoretical outcome of an aliquot equidistant fingering / fretting pattern on a string, within standard formality, a. by stating and proving a theorem expressing the exact resulting intervallic structure mathematically –a set of interval ratios between adjacent terms of a mirrored arithmetic sequence, b. by pursuing the complete mathematical properties of this structure, c. by discussing its various applications, with emphasis put on drillings on flutes, d. by calling upon practice in order to spot actual historical manifestations of the theorem and its discussion, e. by hypothesizing the rôle of the particular conditions implicit in the theorem towards the historical emergence and evolution of two primeval prototypes of the most prominent and universally disseminated intonational systems / “ur-scales”: an anhemitonic pentatonic one ([C, D, E¼↑, G, A+]) and the lower fifth of a “smooth” heptatonic one ([D, E¼↓, F+, G, A+]).
Ο ουδός (threshold) επιστήμης και αισθητικής. Το παράδειγμα της μουσικής
Authors: Περιστέρης Φίλιππος
Published: January 2020

Στο πρώτο μέρος της διδακτορικής διατριβής “Οι τέχνες και οι συ-ζεύξεις τους στον 20ό αιώνα” η οποία υποστηρίχθηκε με επιτυχίαστις 21 Μαρτίου 2017 στο Ε.Μ.Π. (ΣΕΜΦΕ), αναπτύχθηκαν θέσειςστηριγμένες στα καθαρά μαθηματικά, τη φυσική και τη βιολογία με πα-ράδειγμα αιχμής τη μουσική θεωρία προκειμένου να φανεί η δυνατότηταελέγχου που μας παρέχει η επιστήμη στον εντοπισμό ενός μικρού χάρτηπαραμέτρων πριν εισέλθει κανείς στο αισθητικό πεδίο. Η ύπαρξη μιας δι-αχωριστικής γραμμής μεταξύ του επιστημονικού ελέγχου και αισθητικήςπροσέγγισης μετατοπίστηκε αρκετές φορές στην ιστορία ενώ τα τελευ-ταία χρόνια αμφισβητείται ακόμη και η ίδια της η ύπαρξη. Η παρούσα ερ-γασία αποτελεί μια επιτομή αυτής της έρευνας εμπλουτισμένη με ακόμαπερισσότερα στοιχεία.
RESULTS OF RELIABILITY EVALUATION OF THE 1921VK035 CHIP
Authors: Zolnikov Vladimir , Evdokimova Svetlana , Grosheva Ekaterina , Yankov A.
Published: January 2020

The article considers a model for evaluating the reliability of integrated circuits (IC) depending on the temperature of the crystal and the environment. The calculation and experimental prediction of the reliability of the 1921VK035 chips was carried out, the dependences of the minimum time to failure of the product on the temperature of the 1921VK035 IC crystal and the gamma-percent life of the IC on the ambient temperature were obtained. The obtained values of these chip parameters meet the requirements of ISO 11 0998-99.
Early onset Alzheimer’s disease – a case study
Authors: Łabuz-Roszak Beata , Torbus-Paluszczak Magdalena , Becelewski Janusz , Becelewski Michał , Dobrakowski Paweł , Pierzchała Krystyna
Published: January 2020

Zespoły otępienne są problemem nie tylko osób starszych. Otępienie o wczesnym początku (ang. early-onset dementia, EOD) rozpoczyna się poniżej 65 roku życia. Stanowi 4-10% wszystkich przypadków otępień. EOD wywiera istotne konsekwencje psychospołeczne, dotyka bowiem ludzi w ich najbardziej produktywnych latach życia, mających liczne obowiązki rodzinne, zawodowe i społeczne. Istnieje wiele chorób, które zidentyfikowano jako przyczynę EOD. Wśród nich najczęściej wymienia się chorobę Alzheimera, otępienie naczyniowe, otępienie czołowo-skroniowe, otępienie z ciałkami Lewy'ego, urazowe uszkodzenie mózgu, otępienie alkoholowe, chorobę Huntingtona, chorobę Parkinsona, otępienie mieszane, chorobę Creutzfeldta – Jakoba i zespół Downa. Większość badań wykazała chorobę Alzheimera jako najczęstszą etiologię EOD. Artykuł prezentuje przypadek 33-letniego chorego hospitalizowanego w Klinice Neurologii w Zabrzu, z postępującymi od około 15 miesięcy zaburzeniami funkcji poznawczych, zaburzeniami mowy i cechami zespołu pozapiramidowego parkinsonowskiego. MR głowy uwidocznił wyraźnie zaznaczone zaniki korowe i podkorowe, zwłaszcza płatów ciemieniowych i skroniowych. W płynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym wykazano obniżony poziom β-amyloidu oraz znacznie podwyższony poziom P-tau. U chorego rozpoznano chorobę Alzheimera o wczesnym początku, co potwierdziło badanie genetyczne - zidentyfikowano zmianę sekwencji w genie preseniliny 1 w układzie heterozygotycznym.
Das Frühdynastische Gräberfeld vom Gebel es-Silsileh
Authors: Kuhn Robert
Published: January 2020

Between 1897 and 1902 a Predynastic necropolis near Gebel es-Silsileh, Upper Egypt, has been excavated by a French team of archaeologists. The material is now spread over different collections all over Europe and Egypt and awaits a detailed review. Starting with the finds, consisting of pottery, small finds made of bone and stone as well as parts of the human skeletons, stored in the Egyptian Museum in Berlin, it is the goal to re-evaluate this necropolis by using both, the available archaeological methods as well as natural sciences such as 14-C, histology, aDNA etc.
Pottery Production in Egypt: the chaîne opératoire as a Heuristic Tool
Authors: Nicholson Paul
Published: January 2020

The main steps in the production of pottery are well known and are often similar across much of the world. However, the loci of production where such steps took place, namely the workshops/workspaces, have traditionally attracted less attention from Egyptologists than have the major religious and funerary monuments. In the past three decades or so, however, there has been an increased emphasis on settlement archaeology and ‘daily life’ and this shift has increased the importance of understanding production loci.This paper attempts to use the concept of the chaîne opératoire in association with spatial information in the way which Monteix (2016) has done in his study of Pompeian bakeries in an attempt to better understand the layout of workshops and to identify potential gaps in the archaeological record.
The Reign of Ramesses III – under the Influence of Personal Religion
Authors: Liesegang Diana
Published: January 2020

The phenomenon of “Personal Religion” influenced Egyptian culture for a long time and left behind an impressive heritage of literature, which shows the development of a historical-social change. The reign of Ramesses III is marked by these special religious-cultural changes and influenced the royal self-presentation of the Egyptian pharaoh and his contact with the divine world. The royal image of Ramesses III demonstrates new aspects in the relation between the king and the deities, which emphasized the effect of a special religious conception. It changed the internal structures of the Egyptian empire under the influence of “Personal Religion” and served as a special of royal legitimation.
A Few Preliminary Remarks on the Cypriot Sculptures Known as Temple-Boys
Authors: Wacławik Maciej
Published: January 2020

Although scholars have pored over them for many years, there are still more questions than answers concerning the temple-boy figurines. Aside from canonical presentations, many figurines are considered as belonging to the temple-boy category, even though they do not possess features compatible with it. Symbolic analysis of the manner of their presentation, as well as animals, fruits and other objects held by the boys, shifts the direction of influence from Phoenicia to Egypt, also raising the age of the presented boys to two to three years old. Finally, they might be interpreted as votive gifts to ensure protection and well-being for Cypriot heirs to the throne.
A Faience Aryballos in the Collection of the University Museum at Wroclaw
Authors: Kubala Agata
Published: January 2020

In the collection of the University Museum of Wroclaw is a spherical faience aryballos of unknown provenance. It belongs to a group of vessels which enjoyed widespread popularity over a vast area of the Mediterranean in the 6th century BC. The analysis clearly shows that the spherical faience aryballos at the University Museum of Wroclaw should be classified within section 3 of V. Webb’s classification, that containing the most common and crudest type of faience aryballos. Aryballoi classified within this section were made, judging from their distribution, partly or mainly at Naukratis and they belong in date to the second part of the 6th century. It is likely that the Wroclaw aryballos is the product of an Egyptian workshop, perhaps of that located at Naukratis. An Eastern Greek workshop cannot be ruled out either.
The Athenian Red-Figure Pottery Found in Nikonion During Excavations of 2007-2012
Authors: Głuszek Inga
Published: January 2020

The article discusses fragments of the Athenian red-figure pottery discovered during excavations in Nikonion, an ancient Greek colony founded on the northern coast of the Black Sea, at the end of the 6th century BC. The collection of Athenian pottery finds at this site is very diverse in terms of technique, style and phase of production. In a short introduction to the article the state of research on the finds of Athenian red–figure pottery from the site is presented, but the main focus is on the findings of the Ukrainian-Polish team of archaeologists who conducted joint excavations at the site in the years 2007–2012. The described fragments of vessels, except for one item, come from the same archaeological context – a residential building discovered in the north-western part of the site dating back to the end of the 5th century – the first half of the 4th century BC. One vessel fragment comes from an earlier phase of the city development dated preliminarily to the second half of the 5th century BC.
When Did Pompey the Great Engage in his imitatio Alexandri?
Authors: Kopij Kamil
Published: January 2020

The aim of this article is to revisit the issue of Pompey the Great’s imitatio Alexandri, especially the timetable for its beginnings and development. Previous studies of the subject have indicated that either the Roman general was involved in imitating the Macedonian king since his youth, or he did not do so at all. Meanwhile, this article presents evidence indicating that the most likely scenario implies that the image of Pompey as the Roman Alexander was created during his eastern campaign against Mithridates. Moreover, it was probably Theophanes of Mytilene, Pompey’s friend and trusted advisor, who developed this theme. Additionally, there is evidence indicating that Pompey tried to limit the use of imitatio Alexandri primarily to the eastern parts of the Roman Empire, fearing that an ambiguous perception of Alexander in Rome would harm his image.
Fake News Propagation and Detection: A Sequential Model
Authors: Papanastasiou Yiangos
Published: January 2020

In the wake of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, social-media platforms are facing increasing pressure to combat the propagation of “fake news” (i.e., articles whose content is fabricated). Motivated by recent attempts in this direction, we consider the problem faced by a social-media platform that is observing the sharing actions of a sequence of rational agents and is dynamically choosing whether to conduct an inspection (i.e., a “fact-check”) of an article whose validity is ex ante unknown. We first characterize the agents’ inspection and sharing actions and establish that, in the absence of any platform intervention, the agents’ news-sharing process is prone to the proliferation of fabricated content, even when the agents are intent on sharing only truthful news. We then study the platform’s inspection problem. We find that because the optimal policy is adapted to crowdsource inspection from the agents, it exhibits features that may appear a priori nonobvious; most notably, we show that the optimal inspection policy is nonmonotone in the ex ante probability that the article being shared is fake. We also investigate the effectiveness of the platform’s policy in mitigating the detrimental impact of fake news on the agents’ learning environment. We demonstrate that in environments characterized by a low (high) prevalence of fake news, the platform’s policy is more effective when the rewards it collects from content sharing are low relative to the penalties it incurs from the sharing of fake news (when the rewards it collects from content sharing are high in absolute terms).

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
Percutaneous cyst aspiration with injection of two different bioresorbable bone cements in treatment of simple bone cyst
Authors: Dong Chao , Klimek Peter , Abächerli Christof , De Rosa Vincenzo , Krieg Andreas H.
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Simple bone cysts (SBCs) are common in children and adolescents. The risk of refracture and the probability of spontaneous healing in SBCs are mainly dependent on the activity of the cyst and can be quantified with the Cyst-Index. Avoiding pathological fractures is the primary goal. Our study presents a comparison of two different bioresorbable bone graft substitutes (BGSs) in the minimally-invasive treatment of SBC in the active stage by percutaneous cyst aspiration and injection.

Methods

Between 2006 and 2017, 38 patients (aged two to 37 years; mean age 12.4 (sd 5.6)) were treated with percutaneous cyst aspiration and refilled with bioresorbable BGSs in three hospitals. The cysts of 21 patients (11 humerus, five femur, four calcaneus, one fibula) were refilled with porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (PB-TP group) (ChronOS Inject) and of 17 patients (nine humerus, six femur, one calcaneus, one fibula) with hydroxyapatite/calcium sulphate (H/CS group) (CERAMENT|BONE VOID FILLER). There were 13 (62%) preceding fractures in the PB-TP group and eight (47%) in the H/CS group. The follow-up of all patients was at least two years. During follow-up, radiological healing (modified Neer classification), activity level, refracture rates, recurrence rates, resorption period and complications were analyzed.

Results

In all, 21 patients treated with PB-TP group experienced 27 operations (one refracture, three recurrences and one persistent cyst). A total of 17 patients treated with H/CS experienced 20 operations (one refracture and one recurrence). After six weeks, 95% in the PB-TP group returned to unrestricted activity with one refracture in the femur due to insufficient biomechanical stability and all returned to unrestricted activity in the H/CS group. Partial or complete radiological response was observed in 81% after 13 months (sd 3.4). Three recurrences (14%) occurred in the PB-TP group and one recurrence (6%) occurred in the H/CS group. The refracture rates were similar in both groups; one (5%) in the PB-TP group and one (6%) in the H/CS group. All H/CS treated cysts showed completed resorption after two years, whilst in PB-TP treated cysts no resorption occurred in five cases (25%) (p = 0.031). Two (10%) wound infections occurred in the PB-TP group and no infections occurred in the H/CS group.

Conclusion

Both PB-TP and H/CS can provide stability and prevent refracture in patients with single bone cysts at the upper extremity or the foot. For the proximal femur, additional stabilization is necessary, due to the weight-bearing and associated high refracture rate. The H/CS bone graft substitute has a better resorption rate than the PB-TP graft.

Level of Evidence

III
In vitro litholytic activity of extracts and phenolic fractions of some medicinal plants on urinary stones
Authors: Ammor Kenza , Mahjoubi Fatima , Bousta Dalila , Elhabbani Radouane , Chaqroune Abdellah
Published: January 2020

Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of plant extracts used in traditional medicine on the dissolution of oxalo-calcic and cystine stones. Also, the efficiency of phenolic fractions (Tannins and Flavonoids) for the plants that gave us the best stone dissolution rate. Subjects and methods: Kidney stone of oxalo-calcic and cystine stones were incubated in vitro for 8 weeks in the presence of five plants extracts (hydro-ethanolic and aqueous extracts). NaCl solution (0,9 %) used as negative control and sodium citrate solution at 3 mM/L as a positive control. The studied plants were Herniaria hirsuta L. aerial parts, Opuntia ficus-indica L. flowers, Zea mays L. stigmata, Ammi visnaga L. seeds and Ziziphus lotus L. fruits. After 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks the stones were weighed after 18 h drying at 40°C and the dissolution rate of the stones and the pH of the solution were measured.Results: After eight weeks, all the plant extracts and phenolic fractions had revealed a significant effect to dissolve oxalo-calcic and cystine stones in comparison to the control solutions. The best result of cystine stones was showed with aqueous extract of H. hirsuta aerial parts which had a dissolution rate of 88,91 %. Concerning the dissolution rate of oxalo-calcic stones the aqueous extract of Z. mays had the best results with 68 % against 19 % for the sodium citrate solution.  The dissolution rate of the fractions studied showed a better result for Z. mays flavonoids fraction toward oxalo-calcic stones, and Z. mays tannins fraction for cystine stones. The pH undergoes a non-negligible linear increase over the eight weeks for all extracts and phenolic fractions and both kidney stones.Conclusion: The tested plants' extracts and the phenolic fractions for the plants that gave us the best stone dissolution rate were able to dissolve oxalo-calcic and cystine stones. To confirm the efficiency of these plant extracts on the treatment of oxalo-calcic and cystine stones multiple in vivo tests could be made.
Modelling laser machining of nickel with spatially shaped three pulse sequences using deep learning
Authors: McDonnell M. D. T. , Grant-Jacob J. A. , Xie Y. , Praeger M. , Mackay B. S. , Eason R. W. , Mills B.
Published: January 2020

Femtosecond laser machining is a complex process, owing to the high peak intensities involved. Modelling approaches for the prediction of final sample quality based on photon-atom interactions are therefore challenging to extrapolate up to the microscale and beyond. The problem is compounded when multiple exposures are used to produce a final structure, where surface modifications from previous exposures must be taken into consideration. Neural network approaches allow for the automatic creation of a model that accounts for these challenging processes, without any physical knowledge of the processes being programmed by a specialist. We present such a network for the prediction of surface quality for multi-exposure femtosecond machining on a 5µm electroless nickel layer deposited on copper, where each pulse is uniquely spatially shaped using a spatial light modulator. This neural network modelling method accurately predicts the surface profile after three, sequential, overlapping exposures of dissimilar intensity patterns. It successfully reproduces such effects as the sub-diffraction limit machining feasible with multiple exposures, and the smoothing effect on edge-burr from previous exposures expected in multi-exposure laser machining.
Dynamically tuning polarizations of electromagnetic fields based on hybrid skew-resonator-graphene meta-surfaces
Authors: Li Jiacheng , Yang Rui
Published: January 2020

We demonstrate the enhanced polarization modulation of electromagnetic fields through hybrid skew-ring-resonator-graphene meta-surfaces that can dynamically transform the linearly polarized waves into its cross-linearly polarized counterparts or the circularly polarized waves. Such a meta-surface consists of a grounded skew-ring resonator array inserted with a monolayer graphene sheet that controls the electromagnetic interactions between the skew-ring resonators and the ground. Especially, the reconfigurable characteristic of graphene enables the reflections to be capable of converting from the cross-linearly polarized fields to the circularly polarized waves by setting different Fermi energies with the same original co-linearly polarized incidence. Finally, we demonstrate that the bandwidth of the cross-polarization conversion would be greatly expanded when the monolayer graphene sheet is integrated with skew-bar-resonator meta-surfaces.
Multimode description of self-mode locking in a single-section quantum-dot laser
Authors: Chow Weng W. , Liu Songtao , Zhang Zeyu , Bowers John E. , Sargent Murray
Published: January 2020

This paper describes a theory for mode locking and frequency comb generation by four-wave mixing in a semiconductor quantum-dot active medium. The derivation uses a multimode semiclassical laser theory that accounts for fast carrier collisions within an inhomogeneous distribution of quantum dots. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the role of active medium nonlinearities in mode competition, gain saturation, carrier-induced refractive index and creation of combination tones that lead to locking of beat frequencies among lasing modes in the presence of cavity material dispersion.