bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypertonic packs to reverse blindness caused by facial lymphoedema in the setting of head and neck cancer – A case report
Authors: Gurgenci Taylan , Cree Rosalind , Jessop Melissa , Lomas Jonathan , Good Phillip
Published: February 2022

Background:

Severe, cancer-related facial oedema can impair vision. It can result from lymphatic and/or venous obstruction due to disease and/or treatment related fibrosis. There is very limited data on the use of directly applied hypertonic packs for the relief of periorbital oedema.

Case:

A 63 year old man with recurrent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma developed functional blindness secondary to periorbital oedema in the setting of severe facial swelling. This was refractory to maximal facial lymphatic massage available in the community setting.

Possible courses of action:

Management dilemmas included what non-medical interventions may relieve his periorbital oedema and thereby restore his vision outside of daily lymphatic massage from a qualified physiotherapist.

Formulation of management plan:

The patient agreed to an initial dry hypertonic pack with a great functional improvement of his vision. He was taught how to do this so that he could repeat ad libitum.

Outcome:

The patient had previously expressed that his most distressing thought was the prospect of becoming functionally blind prior to dying. The provision of an easy additional therapy to relieve his visual obstruction provided him with much comfort. He passed away peacefully a few weeks later.

Lessons:

The case demonstrates that application of a dry hypertonic pack can relieve periorbital oedema in the setting of facial oedema in cases which are refractory to the combination of self-massage, cold-compress application, and daily lymphatic massage by a certified physiotherapist.

Research avenues:

A case series to define incidence of adverse effects and duration of treatment effectiveness.
Improvement in arterial enhancement using diluted injection of contrast medium in CT angiography
Authors: Muroga Koji , Minochi Yoshimi , Fukuzawa Akira
Published: February 2022

Background

Arterial enhancement after contrast injection affects the quality of computed tomography angiography (CTA) images.

Purpose

To evaluate whether the dilution of contrast medium (CM) for CTA increases arterial enhancement after the adjustment of iodine concentration as per the patient's body weight (BW).

Material and Methods

We retrospectively studied 700 patients who underwent coronary CTA. The first 350 consecutive patients underwent standard CTA with a fixed iodine concentration, whereas the remaining 350 underwent CTA with a diluted CM injection. All patients were classified into three groups according to their BW (<55, 55–65, and 66–73 kg). The mean and proportion of contrast enhancements (CEs) in the ascending aorta of ≥350 Hounsfield units (HUs) (CE350) were compared between the standard CTA and diluted CM injection and among the BW groups. The associations between BW and CE were analyzed using linear regression.

Results

Receiving diluted CM increased the mean CE in the <55-kg group (403.4 ± 55.4 HU vs. 382.8 ± 59.3 HU; P < 0.01) but not in the groups with heavier BW. The proportion of patients with CE350 increased with BW (<55 kg = 71%, 55–65 kg = 84%, and 66–73 kg = 91%) and increased after dilution (86%, 93%, and 96%, respectively). After CM dilution, the correlation between BW and CE among patients undergoing CTA decreased from 0.37 to 0.22 ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion

CM dilution for CTA improves arterial enhancement.
Maxillary third molars with horizontal impaction: A cross-sectional study using computed tomography in young Japanese patients
Authors: Matsuda Shinpei , Yoshimura Hitoshi
Published: February 2022

Objective

To examine the anatomical characteristics of impacted maxillary third molars to help predict and prevent possible adverse events during extraction.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled young Japanese patients that were assessed for third molar extraction. Patients with maxillary third molar impaction presenting with no space between the maxillary second molar and the occlusal surface of the maxillary third molar were analysed using computed tomography data.

Results

In this study, a total of 663 patients aged 20–29 years were examined for third molar extraction and 26 teeth in 23 patients were analysed. The mean ± SD angle between the second and third molar axes was 54.2° ± 7.5° and the mean ± SD length of the maxillary third molar was 16.1 ± 1.9 mm. The maxillary third molars showed close or extensive contact with the maxillary sinus and computed tomography did not show any bone from the maxillary sinus floor. Furthermore, in all patients, the crowns of the third molars were not completely covered by the alveolar bone.

Conclusions

Maxillary third molars with horizontal impaction showed close or extensive contact with the maxillary sinus and their crowns were not completely covered by the alveolar bone.
An unsupervised data-driven approach for wind turbine blade damage detection under passive acoustics-based excitation
Authors: Solimine Jaclyn , Inalpolat Murat
Published: February 2022

Existing passive acoustics-based techniques for wind turbine blade damage detection lack the robustness and adaptability necessary for an operational implementation due to their physics- and model-based dependency. In contrast, this study develops an entirely unsupervised, data-driven damage detection technique. The novelty of the technique lies in (i) the development and comparison of spectral and cepstral-domain features for the robust characterization of the cavity-internal acoustics, (ii) the use of autoencoder networks to reduce the effects of non-stationary acoustic excitation, and (iii) the exclusion of labeled or damage-case data in the training set. The technique was successfully demonstrated on a wind turbine blade section inflicted with damage of various sizes, types, and locations, and subjected to airflow-induced passive acoustic excitation provided by a wind tunnel. Damage detection accuracy up to 99.82% was achieved for some damage types.
Toward Explainable Artificial Intelligence for Early Anticipation of Traffic Accidents
Authors: Karim Muhammad Monjurul , Li Yu , Qin Ruwen
Published: February 2022

Traffic accident anticipation is a vital function of Automated Driving Systems (ADS) in providing a safety-guaranteed driving experience. An accident anticipation model aims to predict accidents promptly and accurately before they occur. Existing Artificial Intelligence (AI) models of accident anticipation lack a human-interpretable explanation of their decision making. Although these models perform well, they remain a black-box to the ADS users who find it to difficult to trust them. To this end, this paper presents a gated recurrent unit (GRU) network that learns spatio-temporal relational features for the early anticipation of traffic accidents from dashcam video data. A post-hoc attention mechanism named Grad-CAM (Gradient-weighted Class Activation Map) is integrated into the network to generate saliency maps as the visual explanation of the accident anticipation decision. An eye tracker captures human eye fixation points for generating human attention maps. The explainability of network-generated saliency maps is evaluated in comparison to human attention maps. Qualitative and quantitative results on a public crash data set confirm that the proposed explainable network can anticipate an accident on average 4.57 s before it occurs, with 94.02% average precision. Various post-hoc attention-based XAI methods are then evaluated and compared. This confirms that the Grad-CAM chosen by this study can generate high-quality, human-interpretable saliency maps (with 1.23 Normalized Scanpath Saliency) for explaining the crash anticipation decision. Importantly, results confirm that the proposed AI model, with a human-inspired design, can outperform humans in accident anticipation.
Opportunities and Barriers for Truck Platooning on Norwegian Rural Freight Routes
Authors: Eitrheim Maren Helene Rø , Log Markus Metallinos , Tørset Trude , Levin Tomas , Pitera Kelly
Published: February 2022

Truck platooning can potentially make road freight transportation safer and greener. Technological readiness, business opportunities, and acceptance of truck platooning have mainly been studied for multilane highways with ample truck volumes. Less is known about truck platooning in areas with low traffic volumes and challenging roads and weather conditions. This paper investigates the opportunities and barriers for truck platooning on Norwegian rural freight routes, through stakeholder interviews and realistic case examples. Given modest freight volumes, dispersed industry clusters, and challenging road conditions, this study identified several prerequisites to deploying platooning and achieving economic savings. The paper discusses the future steps required to organize platooning across carriers, ensure appropriate infrastructure, and gain acceptance among truck drivers, motorists, and other road users.
Home Care Use and Out-of-Hospital Death in Pancreatic Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hegagi Mehdi , James Paul , Hsu Amy , Tanuseputro Peter
Published: February 2022

Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors associated with usage of home care, including palliative home care, in patients with pancreatic cancer in Ontario. In addition, this study attempted to investigate factors associated with early-onset palliative home care as well as the impact of home care services on survival and out-of-hospital death. Methods: The Ontario Cancer Registry (OCR) was used to identify and capture basic patient/cancer characteristics of index cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed between April first, 2010 and March 31st, 2016. Patients that received home care were identified using the Home Care Database (HCD) and stratified into general, transition-to-palliative, and early-onset palliative home care. Logistic regressions were used to describe determinants of home care use and determinants of out-of-hospital death. Results: A total of 6888 pancreatic cancer patients met eligibility criteria for this study. A high proportion of patients (83.7%) received home care, including palliative home care (56.8%). In general, older patients (OR = 3.07) and those with more advanced malignancy (OR = 4.98) for stage 4 versus stage 1) had greater odds of receiving palliative home care. Patients receiving home care ( P < .01) and those residing in rural regions ( P < .01) had greater odds of out-of-hospital death. Conclusion: A large proportion of patients with pancreatic cancer are directed to home care and those that do are more likely to die outside of hospital. Age and stage at diagnosis are significant predictors of home care use. Differences exist in the healthcare experience of patients depending on if they receive home care services and the type of home care.
Critical Care Randomized Trials Demonstrate Power Failure: A Low Positive Predictive Value of Findings in the Critical Care Research Field
Authors: Nostedt Sarah , Joffe Ari R
Published: February 2022

Background

We aimed to determine the post-hoc power of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in critical care, and describe the implications for long-term positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of statistically significant and non-significant findings respectively in the research field.

Methods

We reviewed three cohorts of RCTs. “Adult-RCTs” were 216 multicenter RCTs with a mortality outcome from a published systematic review. “Pediatric-RCTs” were 120 RCTs with a mortality outcome, obtained by search of picutrials.net. “Consecutive-RCTs” were 90 recent RCTs obtained by screening publications in 6 journals. Post-hoc power for each study was calculated at α 0.05 and 0.005, for measures of small, medium, and large effect-size, using G*Power software. Long-run expected PPV and NPV of critical care research field findings were then calculated.

Results

With α 0.05, post-hoc power for small effect-size was very low in all RCT-cohorts (eg, median 24% in Adult-RCTs). For medium effect-size, post-hoc power was low, except for Adult-RCTs (eg, median 9% in Pediatric-RCTs). For large effect-size, post-hoc power for non-human-animal Consecutive-RCTs was low (median 32%). With α 0.005, post-hoc power was even lower. The corollary was that both PPV and NPV were poor for small effect-size, unless α 0.005 was used. Even with α 0.005, with realistic (vs. optimistic) prior probability of the alternative hypothesis, the PPV was low (eg, in Adult-RCTs 57.1% vs. 92.3%). Adding mild bias (0.1) reduced the PPV even further. For medium effect-size both PPV and NPV were better; nevertheless, with α 0.05 and realistic prior probability of the alternative hypothesis the PPV was poor, and with α 0.005 and mild bias (0.1) the PPV was very low (eg, Adult-RCTs median 44.1%).

Conclusions

To improve the predictive value of findings in the critical care research field, RCTs should be designed to have 80% power for realistic effect-size at α 0.005.
Presence as Policy Action: Black Mothers as Policy Actors Navigating Antiblack Geopolitics
Authors: Aguayo David
Published: February 2022

Antiblack geopolitics and educational policies continue to produce oppressive systems, making it difficult for educators to acknowledge Black families’ actions as contributions to produce equitable education. Policy processes have the potential to transform oppressive systems of power. Conceptualizing policy as a practice of power permits local policy actors to use their individualized power to shift a policy’s course of action and transform oppressive educational systems. With an anticolonial framework and using an institutional ethnography, this inquiry explores Black mothers’ actions as policy actors. Findings detail the mothers’ relentless invitation to allow their darkskinned agentic power to collaborate with their school district and form a teacher-recruitment program. The mothers’ policy actions are exemplary of the abilities to transform policy processes ridden with antiblack geopolitics that ignore the voices of BIPOC individuals. This project illustrates the daily antiblackness individuals endure before and while enlisting as educational partners and policy actors.
An analytical cutting force model of quasi-intermittent vibration assisted swing cutting based on predictive machining theory
Authors: Lu Mingming , Guo Mingqi , zhou Jiakang , Lin Jieqiong , Xian Jing , Diao Yunlong
Published: February 2022

Quasi-intermittent vibration assisted swing (QVASC) method was aimed to improve the cutting machinability of difficult-to-machine materials. Inherited the intermittent cutting characteristics of the elliptical vibration cutting (EVC) technology, this method reduces the impact of residual height on the machined surface quality. But there is still a lack of in-depth research on cutting force modeling of QVASC. Based on the conventional cutting force model, a cutting force prediction model in QVASC processing, which considers the time-variable characteristics of QVASC, adopts the non-equidistant shear zone model and regards the workpiece material properties, tool geometry, and cutting conditions as the input data are proposed in this paper. Using the micro-element method, the proposed model decomposed the cutting edge to calculate the cutting force and the cutting force value by superimposing them. It finally predicts the chip flow angle. Experimental results show that when the cutting velocity increases, the average cutting force and the Z -direction increases by 20%, the average cutting force and the Y direction decreases by 17%. The average cutting force along X direction remains unchanged; the depth of cutting became larger. Besides, the average cutting force X decreased by 18%, Y decreased 21%, and Z increased by 13%. As the feed rate increases, the X direction is increased by 26%, and the Z direction is reduced by 22%, while the cutting force in the Y direction is unchanged. After comparing and verifying the measured value and the predicted value, the minimum error of the prediction model reaches 4.01%, which validates the force model of QVACS.
Structural similitude for a scaled rotor system considering stiffness characteristics of bolted joints
Authors: Li Lei , Luo Zhong , Li Yuqi , He Fengxia , Li Xiang , Yan Xiaolu
Published: February 2022

Rotor system with bolted joints is widely used in aero-engine, and has the features of large axial span, high-degrees of freedom, and nonlinearity. There exist several researches on similitude of rotor systems, but these studies mainly focus on the simple and linear systems. The similitude investigation for the rotor system considering bolted joints has not been conducted. To fill this gap, a method to obtain the scaling laws for low-pressure (LP) compressor are presented based on the generalized and fundamental equations of substructures (bolted joint, shaft, and disk), which considers the nonlinearity of bolted joints and different materials. The dynamic model of the LP compressor considering the nonlinearity produced by bolted joints is established. Moreover, the effect of bolted joints on the LP compressor is investigated to illustrate the necessity for considering bolted joints in similitude procedure. In order to ensure the similitude of nonlinear dynamic characteristics, the scaling factors are divided into the linear and nonlinear scaling factors, where the nonlinear scaling factors are used to put the bolted joint into similitude. The results show that the natural frequencies, vibration responses, frequency components, and stability can be predicted accurately by scaled models, even the models are made of relatively cheap materials.
Application of an indentation sensor for the arthroscopic measurement of articular cartilage stiffness
Authors: Kitta Yuki , Kiriyama Yoshimori , Harato Kengo , Kobayashi Shu , Niki Yasuo , Matsumoto Morio , Nakamura Masaya , Nagura Takeo
Published: February 2022

Direct measurement of cartilage stiffness provides useful clinical information and enables us to develop treatment strategies for patients. We applied an indentation sensor to evaluate cartilage stiffness under arthroscopic control. The purpose of this study was to validate the arthroscopic indentation sensor using cadaver knees and to measure cartilage stiffness in clinical cases. The stiffness of a material with known properties was measured at thicknesses from 2 mm to 10 mm with a 2-mm interval. This was repeated three times at each thickness to evaluate repeatability. The articular cartilage stiffness of the medial and lateral femoral condyles of five human cadaveric knees was measured. The sensor was inclined from 0° to 20° with 1° intervals. The stiffness value at each degree of inclination was compared to evaluate the acceptable measuring angle. Additionally, articular cartilage stiffness was measured in 23 adolescent and 11 adult patients under arthroscopy. Young’s moduli of the material were 1.15–1.24 (mean 1.20) MPa. Inter-class correlation coefficients in repeated measurements using the material were 0.83–0.99. There were no differences in the cartilage stiffness between the medial and lateral femoral condyles of the cadaver knees. All condyles showed a nonlinear relationship between force and displacement. The force decreased in all condyles when the tip of the sensor system was tilted. The range of error was < 97.1% within 5° inclination. There was a moderate negative correlation between age and cartilage stiffness in adolescent patients, and a moderate positive correlation in adult patients. Since the sensor system is manually held during measurement, the validity and repeatability to assess material properties of the cartilage may be inaccurate. This study has proven that the instrument can measure the stiffness of joint cartilage reliably and is a useful clinical tool under arthroscopic control.
Laser surface texturing for enhancing microbial fuel cell-based electricity generation from wastewater
Authors: Govindarajan Prabu , Duraiselvam Muthukannan , Matheswaran Manickam , Prabakaran Amrish , Jayabalan Tamilmani , Muthukrishnan Varatharajulu
Published: February 2022

A high volume of wastewater is drained out every year from agriculture and industrial operations. In the present study, Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) are used to generate electricity from sugarcane wastewater using titanium as an anode material. Besides, three different laser texturing such as linear pattern (LP), sinusoidal pattern (SP), and waviness pattern (WP) are created on titanium surface to enhance the electricity production and has been compared with the un-textured surface (UTS). In addition, water contact angle and roughness are measured on un-textured surface, LP, SP, and WP surfaces which are 60°, 45°, 34°, 20° and 2.9 μm, 10.7 μm, 15.9 μm, and 19.0 μm, respectively. Results show that laser textured surfaces exhibit a higher power density than the un-textured surface. The improvement in power density is 2–3.5 times that in un-textured surfaces. The outcome of this study indicates that laser textured microbial fuel cells can be considered as an efficient technique for generating electricity from the wastewater and also this could be considered as a new technique to offset wastewater treatment plant operating costs.
Experimental investigation of frosting behavior on superhydrophobic copper surface prepared by thermal evaporation Method
Authors: Yuvaraj R , Senthilkumar D
Published: February 2022

An experimental study is proposed to analyze the frosting behavior of ice on a superhydrophobic surface. Ice accumulation can result in performance problems and safety concerns for transmission lines, marine and offshore structures, refrigeration, cryogenics, wind turbines, and heat-exchangers. Wetting properties are important for ice formation on surfaces from the liquid phase, where the water repellency of the surfaces could enhance their anti-icing effect. Such surfaces will be prepared by using a nanotextured coating. A thermal evaporation system will be proposed for nanocoating on a copper surface. The prepared surface produces a contact angle of 162° ± 2°. The Low Bond Asymmetric Drop Shape analysis is used to measure the contact angle using imageJ software. The heat-transfer performance of an evaporator is affected by frost formation. In this work, the heat-transfer coefficient of the surface will be estimated in the defrosting process. The effect of hydrophobicity and superhydrophobicity of surfaces, surface chemistry, morphology, and roughness scale will be studied on the defrosting process. In particular, wetting characteristics of the superhydrophobic surfaces revealed defrosting performance. The experiments will be performed in controlled environmental conditions. The anti-icing properties of superhydrophobic surfaces with different topography but similar chemistry are studied.
A ‘Dark Side’ of Humane Entrepreneurship? Unveiling the Side Effects of Humane Entrepreneurship on Work–Life Balance
Authors: Palumbo Rocco
Published: February 2022

Humane entrepreneurship postulates an innovative strategic posture assuming that entrepreneurs should concomitantly focus on the enterprise, the human and the societal cycles of the firm to achieve organisational excellence. Scholars have stressed the economic and societal gains triggered by humane entrepreneurship. However, little is known about its implications for work–life balance (WLB). The article fills in this gap, shedding light into the dark side of humane entrepreneurship on the entrepreneurs’ ability to handle the interplay between work and life. Adopting a humane entrepreneurship posture negatively affected the ability to achieve a WLB, paving the way for work-to-life conflicts. Work engagement and subjective well-being moderated the side effects of humane entrepreneurship on WLB. Tailored initiatives are required to address the overlapping between work and life generated by humane entrepreneurship. Inter alia, employees’ empowerment and the improvement of organisational culture are needed to foster the effective implementation of humane entrepreneurship.
Research Progress of Exosome-Loaded miRNA in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Yao Peng , Lu Yubao , Cai Zongyan , Yu Tianci , Kang Yuchen , Zhang Yu , Wang Xulong
Published: February 2022

Currently, although the improvement of surgical techniques and the development of chemotherapy drugs have brought a certain degree of development to the treatment of osteosarcoma, the treatment of osteosarcoma has many shortcomings, and its treatment is limited. MiRNAs and exosomes can be used as diagnostic tools, and they play an important role in the occurrence and chemotherapy resistance of osteosarcoma. Therefore, providing a new method for the treatment of osteosarcoma is the key to solving this problem. To systematically summarize the research status of exoskeleton drug-loaded miRNA in osteosarcoma, we identified and evaluated 208 studies and found that exosome-carrying miRNA can be used as an index for the diagnosis and prognosis of osteosarcoma and share a certain relationship with chemosensitivity. In addition, exosomes can also be used as a carrier of genetic drugs able to regulate the progression of osteosarcoma. Based on the above findings, we propose suggestions for the future development of this field, aiming to bring new ideas for the early diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma.
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Practice: A Qualitative Study of Media Managers
Authors: Holmes Todd A. , Grzeslo Jenna , Aupperle Anna
Published: February 2022

This study seeks to bridge the gap between education and practice by conducting qualitative research with hiring managers at legacy media companies. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 media managers on the East and West coasts of the United States to understand how to prepare students for a dynamic media industry. The study identified themes related to experience, resume writing, successful interning, showing passion, interviewing, self-branding, and advice for educators. It is recommended that educators and media programs provide students with a broad overview of the media landscape, more skills-based classes, and a strong connection to the industry.
Venetoclax ramp-up with concurrent voriconazole in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Krapfl Aaron , McLeod Caleb , Myers Rebecca , Venugopal Parameswaran , Seddon Amanda
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is commonly treated with the B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitor (BCL-2) venetoclax. Venetoclax is associated with an increased risk of tumor lysis syndrome in this patient population. Because venetoclax undergoes CYP3A4 metabolism, strong CYP3A4 inhibitors are contraindicated during the ramp-up phase of venetoclax in patients with CLL.

Case report

Our case report describes a 58 year old male initially diagnosed with CLL in 2013, whose first-line treatment consisted of ibrutinib. The patient developed a central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis infection in 2018, and was initiated on voriconazole. He was subsequently under active surveillance until his disease progressed. The patient was started on venetoclax therapy, while on concomitant voriconazole, for management of his CLL.

Management and outcome

The patient's initial venetoclax dose was 10 mg daily, and he received rasburicase on day 1 of therapy. He tolerated a modified ramp-up phase without complication. After receiving 9 days of inpatient therapy, the patient was discharged on 50 mg of venetoclax to continue outpatient dose escalation. His dose was ultimately escalated to 100 mg daily.

Discussion

Although this report describes the safe administration of venetoclax with voriconazole, extreme caution should be exercised when administering venetoclax with any strong CYP3A4 inhibitor during the ramp-up phase in patients with CLL.
HPV-related quality of life in diagnosed women: A longitudinal study
Authors: Santos B. Daiana , Moreira Célia S , Teixeira-Santos Ana C , Carvalho Emília , Pereira M. Graça
Published: February 2022

This paper explored changes in the HPV-related quality of life (QoL) of 209 women diagnosed with human papillomavirus (HPV) during 1 year of medical monitoring, at three time points (6-month interval between them). Participants completed the HPV Impact Profile (HIP) questionnaire to assess HPV-related QoL. The relationship between HIP scores and time was moderated by the HPV risk type and infection duration: an HPV diagnosis had a stronger negative effect on patients with an HPV high-risk type and on those living with HPV for a long period of time. Age, condom use, motherhood, and type of family were significant predictors.
Suicide in cultural context: An ecosocial approach
Authors: Kirmayer Laurence J.
Published: February 2022

This article introduces a thematic issue of Transcultural Psychiatry on suicide in cultural context. Developmental and social structural factors including exposure to violence, childhood abuse and privation, as well as intractable social problems that create psychic pain and a sense of entrapment have been shown to increase the risk of suicidal behavior. However, all of the major social determinants identified in suicide research are influenced or mediated by particular cultural meanings and contexts. To move beyond crude generalizations about suicide based on psychological theories developed mainly in Western contexts and culture-specific prototypes or exemplars, we need more fine-grained analysis of the experience of diverse populations. The articles in this issue provide clear illustrations of the impact of cultural and contextual factors in the causes of suicide, with implications for psychiatric research, theory, and practice. Cross-cultural research points to the possibility of developing a typology of social predicaments affecting specific sociodemographic groups and populations. This typology could be elaborated and applied in clinical and public health practice through an ecosocial approach that considers the ways that suicide is embodied and enacted in social systemic contexts.
Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured or Symptomatic Thoracoabdominal and Pararenal Aortic Aneurysms Using Octopus Endograft Technique: Mid-Term Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Wang Mian , Yao Chen , Yin Hen-Hui , Wang Jin-Song , Liao Bing-Ye , Li Zi-Lun , Wu Ri-Dong , Peng Gui-Yan , Chang Guang-Qi
Published: February 2022

Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using off-the-shelf “Octopus” technique to treat ruptured or symptomatic thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) and pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (PRAAA).

Methods and Results:

All cases who underwent “Octopus” technique from May 2016 to May 2019 at our center were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 10 cases (8 males) were included. The mean age was 54.5±14.2 years (range: 31–80 years). Eight cases presented as aneurysm rupture or impending rupture accepted emergency repair. Technical success, defined by placement of all endografts as planned, was achieved in all cases. A total of 30 target visceral branches were successfully cannulated, 9 celiac arteries were covered intentionally. Intraoperative endoleak was observed in 6 patients, all of them were gutter leak. During hospital stay, there was no death, no side branch occlusion or spinal cord ischemia. Median follow-up was 30 months (range: 12–50 months). One patient died of lung cancer at 14-month follow-up. There was no secondary endoleak. The primary endoleak were found spontaneously resolved in 3 cases at 7 days, 3-month, and 1-year imaging. One persistent endoleak totally resolved after sealing of gutter spaces at 4-month follow-up. The other 2 persistent endoleak decreased during follow-up, which are still under observation. The branch patency rate was 90.3% (28/31). All the 3 occluded branches were renal arteries. Branch occlusion occurred in 2 cases at 1-month follow-up and 1 case at 2-year follow-up, but renal insufficiency was not observed in these cases. Obvious aneurysm sac shrinkage (≥5 mm) was observed in all cases. The aneurysm size shrunk from 7.6±1.9 to 5.5±1.4 cm. No spinal cord ischemia occurred during follow-up.

Conclusion:

Treatment of ruptured TAAA and PRAAA with “Octopus” technique is feasible and safe for high surgical risk patients in the absence of fenestrated and branched devices. The long-term clinical outcomes needed to be investigated.
Efficient Spread Betting Markets: A Literature Review
Authors: Vandenbruaene Jonas , Ceuster Marc De , Annaert Jan
Published: February 2022

Are simple trading strategies profitable? It is a question that has been on the minds of academics and practitioners for decades. In this paper, we review the longstanding literature on trading strategies in spread betting (also known as handicap betting), a popular sports betting microstructure. We review over 600 strategy implementations and find that market efficiency and systematic misperceptions are not mutually exclusive per se. Predictable glitches occur, but they are too small to be profitably exploited which is consistent with efficient markets. Furthermore, while controlling for data mining issues is becoming mainstream in finance, it has not yet made its way into this literature. We provide evidence that the hurdle rate of | z| > 3 which has been put forward in the broader finance literature should also be used in betting market research.
Establishment of a Competing Risk Nomogram in Patients with Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma
Authors: Liang Ziwei , Zhang Enyu , Duan Ling , Weygant Nathaniel , An Guangyu , Hu Bin , Yao Jiannan
Published: February 2022

Background and aim: Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare subtype of nonsmall cell lung cancer with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes among patients with PSC, lung squamous cell cancer (SCC), and lung adenocarcinoma (LAC), and to construct a competing risk nomogram for patients with PSC. Method: Data of 3 groups of patients diagnosed with PSC, SCC, or LAC from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database between 1988 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to balance the baseline data of patients. Independent risk factors associated with survival outcomes were screened by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and further determined by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional risk regression analyses. The overall survival (OS) of patients was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis and compared with a log-rank test. The cumulative incidence function was used to estimate the 5-year probabilities of the cancer-specific mortality of PSC. A nomogram was constructed to illustrate the competing risk model to predict the 3- and 5-year OS, and corresponding concordance indexes (C-indexes) and calibration curves were used to assess and validate the competing risk nomogram. Results: A total of 2285 patients with PSC were included in this study. Compared with SCC and LAC patients, the Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with PSC had a worse prognosis, with a median survival of 5 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5-6 months) and a 5-year OS rate of 15.3% (95% CI: 13.9%-16.9%). Similar outcomes were demonstrated after 1:1 PSM. Moreover, the competing risk model showed that age, T stage, M stage, tumor size, lymph node ratio (LNR), surgery, and chemotherapy were associated with PSC-specific mortality. The 5-year C-index of the nomogram was 0.718. Calibration curves illustrated that the nomogram was well-validated and had great accuracy. Conclusions: Patients with PSC had a worse survival outcome compared with SCC or LAC patients. Age, T stage, M stage, tumor size, LNR, surgery, and chemotherapy were associated with PSC-specific mortality. The competing risk nomogram displayed excellent discrimination in predicting PSC-specific mortality.
Design principle and meshing analysis of internal gear drive with three contact points
Authors: Liang Dong , Meng Sheng , Gao Yane
Published: February 2022

A kind of internal gear drive with three contact points is presented in the article. Firstly, the pinion with circular-arc form and the internal gear with parabola-circular form are proposed, respectively. General equations of tooth profiles are provided. Furthermore, according to gear geometry, mathematical model of the pinion and the internal gear are generated and their tooth surfaces equations are derived. Meanwhile, based on design parameters, 3D solid models of the new gear pair with three contact points are developed utilizing modeling software. Finally, meshing characteristics of generated new gear pair are analyzed, such as sliding ratios and contact stress conditions. General corresponding comparisons with other internal gear drive are also discussed. Research conclusions show that the new internal gear pair with three contact points has low sliding ratios and high contact strength.
A two-directional calculation model for the combination uniformity coefficient of an impact sprinkler
Authors: Xu Zhengdian , Li Hong , Xiang Qingjiang , Chen Cao , Jiang Yue , Tang Pan
Published: February 2022

An impact sprinkler loaded on a remote control trailer can be used for motion to improve the efficiency of a single Hard Hose Traveler in small and medium-sized irregular fields. Herein, a model for calculating the combination uniformity coefficient (CU) was established in the square test area under two-directional motion. The accuracy of the irrigation uniformity model was verified using the test data of application depth ( hn). The results revealed that the nozzle diameter, speed of sprinkler motion ( v), and motion methods can significantly impact the average application depth ([Formula: see text]) and the CU value of sprinkler irrigation performance. The motion methods included uniform motion and a constant speed combination motion. The highest CU values were recorded when the primary and secondary nozzle diameters were 10.5 and 4.5 mm, respectively (overall value, about 81.7%). The CU value gradually decreased with the increasing v value of the sprinkler. The CU value was higher under the constant speed combination motion than the uniform motion. The [Formula: see text] value gradually decreased with increasing v value. The [Formula: see text] value was classified based on the water requirement of different crops. The optimal CU value corresponding to each grade of the [Formula: see text] value was obtained in different schemes of the combination of sprinkler speeds. This research guides the realization of variable spraying of a Hard Hose Traveler and the intelligent uniform motion of the sprinklers.
Time-varying non-uniform temperature distributions in concrete box girders caused by solar radiation in various regions in China
Authors: Sheng Xingwang , Shi Tao , Zheng Weiqi , Lou Ping
Published: February 2022

Non-uniform temperature distributions of concrete box girders are induced by solar radiation depending on the structural shapes and shadows cast on them. Using a real-time shadow-selection algorithm and finite element method, the thermodynamic analysis of concrete box girders is carried out to simulate their time-varying temperature distributions. The theoretical results of the finite element model (FEM) are verified by measured data. Based on this, a series of FEMs of concrete box girders are established considering regional influences, and the temperature gradients of concrete box girders in different climatic zones in China are studied. The most unfavorable temperature gradient of concrete box girders in China is obtained, and it is important for design and not only for health monitoring. Moreover, comparing the temperature gradient modes in the specifications of various countries, the temperature gradient of concrete box girders in the China Highway Bridges Design Code is conservative for structural design. Furthermore, the influences on structural temperature distributions of varying environmental factors induced by regional influences are explored, including atmospheric transparency coefficient (ATC) and solar radiation absorptivity (SRA).
Arterial thromboxane A2-induced transient contraction after IL-1β exposure
Authors: Yuui Katsuya , Kudo Risa , Kasuda Shogo
Published: February 2022

The involvement of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in systemic inflammation and infection is well recognized. However, there are few reports on the involvement of prostanoids in warm shock (the initial pathology of sepsis). Previous studies showed that interleukin (IL)-1β causes a rapid inducible nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (iNOS/NO)-mediated relaxation in peripheral blood vessels during warm shock. Furthermore, a transient contraction was seen before this relaxation occurred. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of this transient contraction. We measured isometric tension changes in the superior mesenteric arteries from normal male Wistar rats by adding IL-1β at the point of maximum contraction by phenylephrine (Ph). The same study was performed for each vessel pretreated with various inhibitors, including SQ29548, a TXA2 receptor antagonist, 30 min before Ph contraction. In addition, the concentration of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in SMA was measured by probe electrospray ionization. Treatment of endothelial vessels with cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1)/2 inhibitors SC560/NS398 and TXA2 receptor antagonist SQ29548 suppressed IL-1β–induced transient contractions. This transient contraction reaction was derived from TXA2. Additionally, gene expression of COX2/TXA2 synthetase and the concentration of TXB2 were significantly increased in IL-1β-exposed vessels. It was demonstrated for the first time in inflamed blood vessels that endothelial cell-derived COX2/TXA2 is induced before iNOS and causes transient contractions. TXA2 may be considered an early sign of warm shock or as a biological defense mechanism in the early stages of septic shock.
Enhancement of infection prevention case review process to optimize learning from defects
Authors: Reynolds Staci S , Sova Christopher , Lozano Halie , Bhandari Kalpana , Taylor Bonnie , Lobaugh-Jin Erica , Carriker Charlene , Lewis Sarah S , Smith Becky A , Kalu Ibukunoluwa C
Published: February 2022

Hospitals continue to struggle with preventable healthcare-associated infections. Whereas the focus is generally on proactive prevention processes, performing retrospective case reviews of infections can identify opportunities for quality improvement and maximize learning from defects. This brief article provides practical information for structuring the case review process using readily available health system platforms. Using a structured approach for case reviews can help identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
Correlation of the Histological ICRS II Score and the 3D MOCART Score for the Analysis of Aged Osteochondral Regenerates in a Large Animal Model
Authors: Schagemann J.C. , Galle L. , Gille J. , Frydrychowicz A. , Welsch G. , Salzmann G. , Paech A. , Mittelstaedt H.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Reliable outcome measures are essential to predict the success of cartilage repair techniques. Histology is probably the gold standard, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to decrease the need for invasive histological biopsies. The 3D magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score is a reliable yet elaborate tool. Moreover, literature is controversial concerning the correlation of histology and MRI.

Design

To test the applicability of the International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) II and MOCART 3D score for the evaluation of aged osteochondral regenerates in a large animal model, and to identify correlating histological and MRI parameters. Osteochondral defects in medial femoral condyles of n = 12 adult sheep were reconstructed with biodegradable bilayer implants. About 19.5 months postoperation, n = 10 joints were analyzed with MRI (3D MOCART score). Histological samples were analyzed using the ICRS II score; both pre- and post-training. The intraclass correlation coefficient, the inter-rater reliability, and the 95% confidence interval were calculated. Matching histological and MRI parameters were tested for correlation.

Results

We found a statistically significant correlation of all histological parameters. MRI parameters reflecting “overall” assessments had very strong inter-rater correlations. Statistically significant strong correlations were found for the MRI parameters defect filling, cartilage interface, bone interface, and surface. For defect overall (MRI) and overall assessment (ICRS II), we found a significant yet mild correlation.

Conclusions

The ICRS II and the 3D MOCART score are applicable to aged osteochondral regenerates. Prior training on the scoring systems is essential. Select MRI and histological parameters correlate; however, the only statistically significant correlation was found for overall assessment.
Listening to Music Through Hearing Aids: Potential Lessons for Cochlear Implants
Authors: Moore Brian C. J.
Published: February 2022

Some of the problems experienced by users of hearing aids (HAs) when listening to music are relevant to cochlear implants (CIs). One problem is related to the high peak levels (up to 120 dB SPL) that occur in live music. Some HAs and CIs overload at such levels, because of the limited dynamic range of the microphones and analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs), leading to perceived distortion. Potential solutions are to use 24-bit ADCs or to include an adjustable gain between the microphones and the ADCs. A related problem is how to squeeze the wide dynamic range of music into the limited dynamic range of the user, which can be only 6–20 dB for CI users. In HAs, this is usually done via multi-channel amplitude compression (automatic gain control, AGC). In CIs, a single-channel front-end AGC is applied to the broadband input signal or a control signal derived from a running average of the broadband signal level is used to control the mapping of the channel envelope magnitude to an electrical signal. This introduces several problems: (1) an intense narrowband signal (e.g. a strong bass sound) reduces the level for all frequency components, making some parts of the music harder to hear; (2) the AGC introduces cross-modulation effects that can make a steady sound (e.g. sustained strings or a sung note) appear to fluctuate in level. Potential solutions are to use several frequency channels to create slowly varying gain-control signals and to use slow-acting (or dual time-constant) AGC rather than fast-acting AGC.