bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Indian Ocean Dipole on Atlantic Niño predictive skill
Authors: Liu Ao , Zuo Jinqing , Tian Ben , Lu Bo
Published: June 2023

Recent studies suggest that tropical Indian Ocean sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, especially those associated with the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), may trigger Atlantic Niño through atmospheric teleconnection. However, it remains unclear whether the former has an impact on the prediction skill of the latter. This work applies hindcasts from 21 operational seasonal forecast systems based on dynamical climate models to verify the impact of the IOD in boreal autumn on the predictive skill of the Atlantic Niño in the following winter. The results indicate that the prediction skills of both the IOD and Atlantic Niño show pronounced seasonality, with a peak in the target season of boreal autumn for the former and in the following winter for the latter. The models with a stronger connection between the boreal autumn IOD and the following winter Atlantic Niño appear to have a higher skill in predicting the latter when compared to the weaker connection models. This leads to a significant in-phase relationship between the prediction skills of the boreal winter Atlantic Niño and the strength of the IOD–Atlantic Niño connection among the models. When compared to the weaker connection models, the stronger connection models tend to simulate a warmer climatological mean of SST in the tropical Indian Ocean during boreal autumn and winter. The warmer climatological mean of SST benefits a stronger atmospheric circulation response to the underlying SST forcing associated with the IOD. This suggests that mean state bias in the tropical Indian Ocean plays a role in modulating the strength of the simulated IOD–Atlantic Niño connection and thus prediction skill of the Atlantic Niño in boreal winter.
Abundance and composition analysis of dinoflagellates in Mayangan and Binor Coastal Area, Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Herawati E Y , Valina R , Dini C A F , Cahyani V , Khasanah R I , Wiratno E N , Samuel P D
Published: June 2023

Dinoflagellates are one of the phytoplankton groups that an important role as primary producers in waters. However, in very abundant conditions (blooming) it can be dangerous for ecosystems and aquatic biota. This study aims to determine the composition and abundance of harmful dinoflagellates and environmental factors that influence the presence of dinoflagellates in coastal area of Mayangan and Binor, Probolinggo Regency, East Java. The method used in this study is a survey method by determining the sample point by purposive sampling. The research was conducted in March 2022. The result showed that the abundance of dinoflagellates in Mayangan waters 255 – 1511 cells/mL consisting of 10 genera namely Alexandrium, Ceratium, Dinophysis, Gambierdiscus, Glenodinium, Gymnodinium, Ostreopsis, Peridinium, Phyrodinium, and Prorocentrum. The abundance of dinoflagellates in Binor waters 716 – 2536 cells/mL consisting of 10 genera namely Alexandrium, Amphydinium, Bysmatrum, Cochlodinium, Gambierdiscus, Glenodinium, Gymnodinium, Peridinium, Protoperidinium, and Scrippsiella. The highest genus in Mayangan waters Ceratium 18% and Binor waters Protoperidinium 21%. The abundance of dinoflagellates in the Mayangan and Binor waters has no potential for blooming, but the presence of the dinoflagellate genus in the waters can still endanger coastal ecosystems because it can produce toxins. The presence of dinoflagellates is influenced by environmental factors such as salinity, nitrate, and phosphate.
Pathway analysis of pH in whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei concrete pond intensifies in Banyuwangi East Java
Authors: Supriatna  , Darmawan A , Maizar A
Published: June 2023

The study aims to understand the pH analysis path model in white shrimp-intensive ponds. The method used is the ex-post-facto analytical analysis by observing changes in the pH of pond water and other water quality parameter factors that affect it—shrimp farming method under the intensively patterned BAPC. The measured water parameters were pH, temperature, salinity, transparency, TOM, carbonate, bicarbonate, and total alkalinity. The collected research data were analyzed by regression and correlation to create a path analysis model for pH. The results showed that changes in the pH of pond water are influenced directly and indirectly by salinity, TOM, and total alkalinity. The most significant direct influence comes from the total alkalinity and the smallest of TOM.
Influence of bearing waviness on the lubrication performances of coupled journal-thrust water-lubricated bearings
Authors: Zhang Hengguan , Cai Jianlin , Yang Tianyou , Chen Shouan , Tang Dongxing , Wang Jiaxu
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study is to discuss the effect of the bearing waviness on the lubrication performances of coupled journal-thrust water-lubricated bearings using an elastohydrodynamic lubrication model. The results of the numerical model are compared to the published experimental data to verify the validity of the numerical model. The load capacity and maximum fluid pressure under different parameters of waviness of coupled journal-thrust bearings are calculated by numerical model, and then the influence of the bearing waviness on the performance of coupled journal-thrust water-lubricated bearings is analyzed. The simulation results show that the waviness amplitude has great influence on the bearing performances and the effect becomes increasingly pronounced with the growth of waviness amplitude. For the waviness of journal bearings, the performances are more sensitive to the waviness arranged in bearing circumferential direction than radial direction. For the waviness of thrust bearings, the presence of circumferential waviness can improve the load capacity, while radial waviness can reduce the load capacity. With the increase of wavelength, the load capacity and maximum fluid pressure have similar periodic changes, but the change is irregular. More investigations are required regarding the influence of geometrical shape of the waviness and its wavelength on the performance of the bearing.
Bending of electric field lines and light-ray trajectories in a static gravitational field
Authors: Singal Ashok K
Published: June 2023

It is well known that the light-ray trajectories follow a curved path in a gravitational field. This has been confirmed observationally where light rays coming from distant astronomical objects are seen to get bent in Sun’s gravitational field. We explore here the bending of electric field lines due to gravity. We determine, from a theoretical perspective, not only the exact shapes of the bent trajectories of light rays, emitted isotropically by a source supported in a gravitational field, but also demonstrate that the electric field lines of a charge, supported in a gravitational field, follow exactly the trajectories of light rays emitted isotropically from a source at the charge location. From a detailed examination of the electrostatic field of a charge accelerated uniformly in the instantaneous rest frame, exploiting the strong principle of equivalence, we determine the bending of the electric field lines of a charge in a gravitational field. The fraction of electric field lines crossing a surface, stationary above or below the charge in the gravitational field, are shown to be exactly similar to the fraction of light-ray trajectories intersecting that surface, emanating from a source lying at the charge location. On the other hand, for a freely falling charge in the gravitational field there is no such bending of electric field lines. The field lines continue to extend in radial straight lines from the instantaneous ‘present’ position of the charge, as do the trajectories of light rays spreading away from the instantaneous position of a freely falling source in the gravitational field. The electric field configuration of a freely falling charge in the gravitational field is shown to be exactly the same as that of a charge moving uniformly in an inertial frame with velocity equal to the instantaneous ‘present’ velocity of the freely falling charge.
Imaging skins: stretchable and conformable on-organ beta particle detectors for radioguided surgery
Authors: Dietsch S , Lindenroth L , Stilli A , Stoyanov D
Published: June 2023

While radioguided surgery (RGS) traditionally relied on detecting gamma rays, direct detection of beta particles could facilitate the detection of tumour margins intraoperatively by reducing radiation noise emanating from distant organs, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the imaging technique. In addition, most existing beta detectors do not offer surface sensing or imaging capabilities. Therefore, we explore the concept of a stretchable scintillator to detect beta-particles emitting radiotracers that would be directly deployed on the targeted organ. Such detectors, which we refer to as imaging skins, would work as indirect radiation detectors made of light-emitting agents and biocompatible stretchable material. Our vision is to detect scintillation using standard endoscopes routinely employed in minimally invasive surgery. Moreover, surgical robotic systems would ideally be used to apply the imaging skins, allowing for precise control of each component, thereby improving positioning and task repeatability. While still in the exploratory stages, this innovative approach has the potential to improve the detection of tumour margins during RGS by enabling real-time imaging, ultimately improving surgical outcomes.
Self-similarity and spectral theory: on the spectrum of substitutions
Authors: Bufetov A. , Solomyak B.
Published: June 2023

This survey of the spectral properties of substitution dynamical systems is devoted to primitive aperiodic substitutions and associated dynamical systems:

Z

\mathbb {Z}

-actions and

R

\mathbb {R}

-actions, the latter viewed as tiling flows. The focus is on the continuous part of the spectrum. For

Z

\mathbb {Z}

-actions the maximal spectral type can be represented in terms of matrix Riesz products, whereas for tiling flows, the local dimension of the spectral measure is governed by the spectral cocycle. References are given to complete proofs and emphasize ideas and various links.
Functions of perturbed pairs of noncommutative dissipative operators
Authors: Aleksandrov A. , Peller V.
Published: June 2023

Let a function

f
f

belong to the inhomogeneous analytic Besov space

(

B

∞
,
1

1

)
+

(

R

2

)

(B_{\infty ,1}^{\,1})_+(\mathbb {R}^2)

. For a pair

(
L
,
M
)

(L,M)

of not necessarily commuting maximal dissipative operators, the function

f
(
L
,
M
)

f(L,M)

of

L
L

and

M
M

is defined as a densely defined linear operator. For

p
∈
[
1
,
2
]

p\in [1,2]

, it is proved that if

(

L
1

,

M
1

)

(L_1,M_1)

and

(

L
2

,

M
2

)

(L_2,M_2)

are pairs of not necessarily commuting maximal dissipative operators such that both differences

L
1

−

L
2

L_1-L_2

and

M
1

−

M
2

M_1-M_2

belong to the Schatten–von Neumann class

S

p

{\boldsymbol S}_p

, then for an arbitrary function

f
f

in

(\mathcyr {B}_{\infty ,1}^{\,1})_+(\mathbb {R}^2), the operator difference

f
(

L
1

,

M
1

)
−
f
(

L
2

,

M
2

)

f(L_1,M_1)-f(L_2,M_2)

belongs to

S

p

{\boldsymbol S}_p

and the following Lipschitz type estimate holds:

\begin{equation*} \|f(L_1,M_1)-f(L_2,M_2)\|_{{\boldsymbol S}_p} \le const\|f\|_{\mathcyr {B}_{\infty ,1}^{\,1}}\max \big \{\|L_1-L_2\|_{{\boldsymbol S}_p},\|M_1-M_2\|_{{\boldsymbol S}_p}\big \}. \end{equation*}
Summation method in an optimal control problem with delay
Authors: Barkhayev P. , Belov Yu. , Lyubarskii Yu.
Published: June 2023

A summation procedure is described for the construction of the optimal solution in the null controllability problem for a differential equation with distributed delay.
Spectral asymptotics for a family of LCM matrices
Authors: Hilberdink T. , Pushnitski A.
Published: June 2023

The family of arithmetical matrices is studied given explicitly by
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper E left-parenthesis sigma comma tau right-parenthesis equals left-brace StartFraction n Superscript sigma Baseline m Superscript sigma Baseline Over left-bracket n comma m right-bracket Superscript tau Baseline EndFraction right-brace Subscript n comma m equals 1 Superscript normal infinity Baseline comma">

E
(
σ
,
τ
)
=

{

n
σ

m
σ

[
n
,
m

]
τ

}

n
,
m
=
1

∞

,

\begin{equation*} E(\sigma ,\tau )= \bigg \{\frac {n^\sigma m^\sigma }{[n,m]^\tau }\bigg \}_{n,m=1}^\infty , \end{equation*}

where

[
n
,
m
]

[n,m]

is the least common multiple of

n
n

and

m
m

and the real parameters

σ
\sigma

and

τ
\tau

satisfy

ρ
≔
τ
−
2
σ
>
0

\rho ≔\tau -2\sigma >0

,

τ
−
σ
>

1
2

\tau -\sigma >\frac 12

, and

τ
>
0

\tau >0

. It is proved that

E
(
σ
,
τ
)

E(\sigma ,\tau )

is a compact selfadjoint positive definite operator on

ℓ
2

(

N

)

\ell ^2(\mathbb {N})

, and the ordered sequence of eigenvalues of

E
(
σ
,
τ
)

E(\sigma ,\tau )

obeys the asymptotic relation
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="lamda Subscript n Baseline left-parenthesis upper E left-parenthesis sigma comma tau right-parenthesis right-parenthesis equals StartFraction kappa left-parenthesis sigma comma tau right-parenthesis Over n Superscript rho Baseline EndFraction plus o left-parenthesis n Superscript negative rho Baseline right-parenthesis comma n right-arrow normal infinity comma">

λ
n

(
E
(
σ
,
τ
)
)
=

ϰ
(
σ
,
τ
)

n
ρ

+
o
(

n

−
ρ

)
,

n
→
∞
,

\begin{equation*} \lambda _n(E(\sigma ,\tau ))=\frac {\varkappa (\sigma ,\tau )}{n^\rho }+o(n^{-\rho }), \quad n\to \infty , \end{equation*}

with some

ϰ
(
σ
,
τ
)
>
0

\varkappa (\sigma ,\tau )>0

. This fact is applied to the asymptotics of singular values of truncated multiplicative Toeplitz matrices with the symbol given by the Riemann zeta function on the vertical line with abscissa

σ
>
1

/

2

\sigma >1/2

. The relationship of the spectral analysis of

E
(
σ
,
τ
)

E(\sigma ,\tau )

with the theory of generalized prime systems is also pointed out.
Preservation of absolutely continuous spectrum for contractive operators
Authors: Liaw C. , Treil S.
Published: June 2023

Contractive operators

T
T

that are trace class perturbations of a unitary operator

U
U

are treated. It is proved that the dimension functions of the absolutely continuous spectrum of

T
T

,

T
∗

T^*

, and of

U
U

coincide. In particular, if

U
U

has a purely singular spectrum, then the characteristic function

θ
\theta

of

T
T

is a two-sided inner function, i.e., 

θ
(
ξ
)

\theta (\xi )

is unitary a.e. on

T

\mathbb {T}

. Some corollaries to this result are related to investigations of the asymptotic stability of the operators

T
T

and

T
∗

T^*

(the convergence

T
n

→
0

T^n\to 0

and

(

T
∗

)
n

→
0

(T^*)^n\to 0

, respectively, in the strong operator topology).

The proof is based on an explicit computation of the characteristic function.
Free boundary problems via Sakai’s theorem
Authors: Vardakis D. , Volberg A.
Published: June 2023

A Schwarz function on an open domain

Ω
\Omega

is a holomorphic function satisfying

S
(
ζ
)
=

ζ
¯

S(\zeta )=\overline {\zeta }

on

Γ
\Gamma

, which is part of the boundary of

Ω
\Omega

. Sakai in 1991 gave a complete characterization of the boundary of a domain admitting a Schwarz function. In fact, if

Ω
\Omega

is simply connected and

Γ
=
∂
Ω
∩
D
(
ζ
,
r
)

\Gamma =\partial \Omega \cap D(\zeta ,r)

, then

Γ
\Gamma

has to be regular real analytic. This paper is an attempt to describe 

Γ
\Gamma

when the boundary condition is slightly relaxed. In particular, three different scenarios over a simply connected domain

Ω
\Omega

are treated: when

f
1

(
ζ
)
=

ζ
¯

f
2

(
ζ
)

f_1(\zeta )=\overline {\zeta }f_2(\zeta )

on

Γ
\Gamma

with

f
1

,

f
2

f_1,f_2

holomorphic and continuous up to the boundary, when

U

/

V

\mathcal {U}/\mathcal {V}

equals certain real analytic function on

Γ
\Gamma

with

U

,

V

\mathcal {U},\mathcal {V}

positive and harmonic on

Ω
\Omega

and vanishing on

Γ
\Gamma

, and when

S
(
ζ
)
=
Φ
(
ζ
,

ζ
¯

)

S(\zeta )=\Phi (\zeta ,\overline {\zeta })

on

Γ
\Gamma

with

Φ
\Phi

a holomorphic function of two variables. It turns out that the boundary piece

Γ
\Gamma

can be, respectively, anything from 

C
∞

C^\infty

to merely 

C
1

C^1

, regular except finitely many points, or regular except for a measure zero set.
Chapter 7. Angles between invariant subspaces
Authors: Vasyunin V.
Published: June 2023

This paper is a chapter from the continuation of a survey by the author and N. K. Nikolski published in 1998. It contains two theorems describing when an invariant subspace has an invariant complement and when the angle between two given invariant subspaces is positive. The presentation involves the technique of the coordinate-free functional model.
Galois representations ramified at one prime and with suitably large image
Authors: Ray Anwesh
Published: June 2023

Let

p
≥
7

p\geq 7

be a prime and

n
>
1

n>1

be a natural number. We show that there exist infinitely many Galois representations
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="rho colon upper G a l left-parenthesis double-struck upper Q overbar slash double-struck upper Q right-parenthesis right-arrow upper G upper L Subscript n Baseline left-parenthesis double-struck upper Z Subscript p Baseline right-parenthesis">

ϱ
:
Gal
⁡
(

Q

¯

/

Q

)
→

GL

n

⁡
(

Z

p

)

\varrho :\operatorname {Gal}(\bar {\mathbb {Q}}/\mathbb {Q})\rightarrow \operatorname {GL}_{n}(\mathbb {Z}_p)

which are unramified outside

{
p
,
∞
}

\{p, \infty \}

with large image. More precisely, the Galois representations constructed have image containing the kernel of the mod-

p
t

p^t

reduction map
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper S upper L Subscript n Baseline left-parenthesis double-struck upper Z Subscript p Baseline right-parenthesis right-arrow upper S upper L Subscript n Baseline left-parenthesis double-struck upper Z slash p Superscript t Baseline double-struck upper Z right-parenthesis">

SL
n

⁡
(

Z

p

)
→

SL
n

⁡
(

Z

/

p
t

Z

)

\operatorname {SL}_n(\mathbb {Z}_p)\rightarrow \operatorname {SL}_n(\mathbb {Z}/p^t\mathbb {Z})

, where

t
≔
8
(

n
2

−
n
)

(
3
+
⌊

log
p

⁡
(

2
n

+
1
)
⌋
)

+
8

t≔8(n^2-n)\left (3+\lfloor \operatorname {log}_p(2^n+1)\rfloor \right )+8

. The results are proven via a purely Galois theoretic lifting construction. When

p
≡
1

mod

4

p\equiv 1\mod {4}

, our results are conditional since in this case, we assume a very weak version of Vandiver’s conjecture.
Screening of morphology-related genes based on predator-induced transcriptome sequencing and the functional analysis of Dagcut gene in Daphnia galeata
Authors: Cao Ya-Qin , Zhao Ya-Jie , Qi Hui-Ying , Huang Jin-Fei , Zhu Fu-Cheng , Wang Wen-Ping , Deng Dao-Gui
Published: June 2023

High fish predation pressure can trigger “induced defense” in Daphnia species, resulting in phenotypic plasticity in morphology, behavior, or life-history traits. The molecular mechanisms of defense morphogenesis (e.g., the tail spine and helmet) in Daphnia remain unclear. In the present study, the tail spine, helmet, and body of Daphnia galeata under fish and non-fish kairomones conditions were collected for transcriptome analysis. A total of 24 candidate genes related to the morphological defense of D. galeata were identified, including 2 trypsin, one cuticle protein, 1 C1qDC protein, and 2 ferritin genes. The function of the Dagcut gene (D. galeata cuticle protein gene) in relation to tail spine morphology was assessed using RNA interference (RNAi). Compared with the EGFP (Enhanced green fluorescent protein) treatment, after RNAi, the expression levels of the Dagcut gene (D. galeata cuticle protein gene) showed a significant decrease. Correspondingly, the tail spines of the offspring produced by D. galeata after RNAi of the Dagcut gene appeared curved during the experiment. In whole-mount in situ hybridization, a clear signal site was detected on the tail spine of D. galeata before RNAi which disappeared after RNAi. Our results suggest that the Dagcut gene may play an important role in tail spine formation of D. galeata, and will provide a theoretical basis for studying the molecular mechanisms of the morphological plasticity in cladocera in the future.
Chitin nanocrystal-assisted 3D bioprinting of gelatin methacrylate scaffolds
Authors: Ling Zhengyun , Zhao Jian , Song Shiyu , Xiao Shuwei , Wang Pengchao , An Ziyan , Fu Zhouyang , Shao Jinpeng , Zhang Zhuang , Fu Weijun , Song Shenghan
Published: June 2023

In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the application of hydrogels in tissue engineering. The integration of 3D bioprinting technology has expanded the potential applications of hydrogels. However, few commercially available hydrogels used for 3D biological printing exhibit both excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) has good biocompatibility and is widely used in 3D bioprinting. However, its low mechanical properties limit its use as a standalone bioink for 3D bioprinting. In this work, we designed a biomaterial ink composed of GelMA and chitin nanocrystal (ChiNC). We explored fundamental printing properties of composite bioinks, including rheological properties, porosity, equilibrium swelling rate, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, effects on the secretion of angiogenic factors and fidelity of 3D bioprinting. The results showed that adding 1% (w/v) ChiNC to 10% (w/v) GelMA improved the mechanical properties and printability of the GelMA hydrogels, promoted cell adhesion, proliferation and vascularization and enabled the printing of complex 3D scaffolds. This strategy of incorporating ChiNC to enhance the performance of GelMA biomaterials could potentially be applied to other biomaterials, thereby expanding the range of materials available for use. Furthermore, in combination with 3D bioprinting technology, this approach could be leveraged to bioprint scaffolds with complex structures, further broadening the potential applications in tissue engineering.
New insights into the diagnosis and management of Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
Authors: Saito Yuki , Abe Riichiro
Published: June 2023

Purpose of review:

Recent studies have been clarifying the pathogenesis and early diagnostic markers of Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Additionally, the efficacy of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors is attracting attention. This review provides) recent evidence for the diagnosis and management of SJS/TEN.

Recent findings:

Risk factors for the development of SJS/TEN have been identified, particularly the association between HLA and the onset of SJS/TEN with specific drugs, which has been intensively studied. Research on the pathogenesis of keratinocyte cell death in SJS/TEN has also progressed, revealing the involvement of necroptosis, an inflammatory cell death, in addition to apoptosis. Diagnostic biomarkers associated with these studies have also been identified.

The pathogenesis of SJS/TEN remains unclear and effective therapeutic agents have not yet been established. As the involvement of innate immunity, such as monocytes and neutrophils, in addition to T cells, has become clear, a more complex pathogenesis is predicted. Further elucidation of the pathogenesis of SJS/TEN is expected to lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
Is Lidocaine Patch Beneficial for Postoperative Pain?
Authors: Wu Xiaoxian , Wei Xiaoxia , Jiang Li , Cai Jiaqin , Ju Mingyu , Zheng Xiaochun
Published: June 2023

Objectives:

The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate whether a lidocaine patch is beneficial for postoperative pain as an option for multimodal analgesia.

Methods:

Information was obtained from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for clinical randomized controlled trials of lidocaine patches for postoperative pain (as of March 2022). Two researchers independently completed study screening, risk bias assessment, and data extraction. Review Manager (version 5.4, Cochrane Collaboration) was used to conduct the meta-analysis. The evaluation metrics were postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, and patient satisfaction.

Results:

Sixteen randomized controlled trials were included, and data from 918 patients were available. Pain scores differed between the 2 groups at 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively, and the pain scores of the lidocaine patch group were significantly lower (mean difference [MD]=−1.32 [95% CI, −1.96 to −0.68], P<0.0001; I
2=92%) at 12 hours after the operation; (MD=−1.23 [95% CI, −1.72 to −0.75], P<0.00001; I
2=92%) at 24 hours after the operation; and (MD=−0.25 [95% CI,−0.29 to −0.21], P<0.00001; I
2=98%) at 48 hours after the operation. In addition, the lidocaine patch group had decreased opioid requirements (MD=−3.57 [95% CI, −5.06 to −2.09], P<0.00001; I
2=96%). The lidocaine patch group seemed to be more satisfied, but there was no statistically significant difference (risk ratio, 1.50 [95% CI, 0.74 to 3.05], P=0.26) between the groups.

Discussion:

Lidocaine patches are beneficial for postoperative pain and can be used in multimodal analgesia to reduce opioid use, but there is no significant increase in patient satisfaction with pain control. More data are needed to support this conclusion due to the large heterogeneity in the present study.
Health Belief Model Factors and Personal Characteristics Associated With COVID-19 Vaccination Behaviors in Adults
Authors: Kim Suhyun , Lee Seonah
Published: June 2023

Prior studies have mainly examined factors regarding COVID-19 vaccination intentions. This study investigated the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination behaviors in Korean adults. A total of 620 adults recruited from a survey company between July and August 2021 completed an online survey asking about their personal characteristics, health beliefs, and COVID-19 vaccination status. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson'sχ2test, independent-samplesttest, and logistic regression analysis. Less than half the participants received COVID-19 vaccinations, whereas 56.3% did not. The full regression model explained 33.3% of the variance in COVID-19 vaccination status. Age older than 60 years, perception of feeling healthy, presence of chronic diseases, past flu shot experiences, and five health belief model factors were significant factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination behaviors. COVID-19 vaccination intention was the most closely related factor (odds ratio, 12.37; 95% confidence interval, 3.54–43.26;P< .001). Vaccinated participants were more likely than unvaccinated to perceive susceptibility to COVID-19 infection, benefits, self-efficacy, moral responsibility, and subjective norms regarding COVID-19 vaccination. Based on the results, vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals showed different attitudes toward COVID-19 infection and vaccination. This study suggests that COVID-19 vaccination intentions lead to actual vaccination behavior.
A novel technique for unilateral dissection of the penile neurovascular bundle to prevent loss of penile sensation during treatment of Peyronie’s disease—Initial results of a pilot study
Authors: Pinkhasov Alexandr M. , Beamer Matthew , Shulman Daniel , Yakubov Rachel , Pinkhasov Esther , Kravchick Sergey
Published: June 2023

Background

Plaque incision/excision and grafting are surgical techniques used to treat patients with Peyronie's disease who are refractory to less invasive interventions, have severe penile curvature, or have an hourglass deformity. However, the procedure carries the risk of penile sensory loss because of the need for dissection of the neurovascular bundle (NVB). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a novel technique for unilateral NVB dissection and its ability to preserve penile sensitivity while maintaining adequate correction of the penile curvature.

Materials and methods

Charts of patients who underwent unilateral NVB dissection during Peyronie's plaque incision/excision and grafting were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received preprocedural intracavernosal injections of TriMix, and the curvature was measured to be >70 degrees. In 3 cases, an incision and minimal excision of the plaque were performed at the point of maximum curvature on the concave side of the curvature. In 3 cases, Tutoplast allografts (Coloplast US, Minneapolis, MN) were used, whereas autografts were used in 2 other cases. All patients were examined at 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure when curvature and penile sensation were assessed.

Results

Five patients underwent this procedure. The mean age of patients was 55 years (45–70 years). All plaques were dorsally located. The mean preoperative curvature was 78 degrees (75–90 degrees). At the 6-month follow-up, all patients had <15 degrees residual curvature and were satisfied with their cosmetic results. Only 1 patient continued with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors to improve potency at the 6-month follow-up. All patients reported normal penile glans sensation. Four patients experienced decreased sensation at the site of NVB dissection, but this was only detected when compared with the contralateral side. Only 2 patients reported a difference after 6 months, and only a minor area of involvement was noted.

Conclusions

Unilateral NVB dissection is a feasible technique that does not compromise surgical success in curvature correction and helps avoid sensory injury to the penile glans.
Expansion of Urology Residency Training Programs Has Not Had a Negative Impact on Trainee Case Log Experience
Authors: Corey Zachary , Lehman Erik , Raman Jay D.
Published: June 2023

Background:

The expansion of urology residency programs is necessary to offset the projected workforce shortage. However, this expansion must occur without compromising the current trainee environment. To date, there is limited information on how the growth of urology residency programs has affected resident operative experience.

Objective:

We examined the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Case Log Graduate Statistics National Report for Urology from 2016 to 2021 to determine changes in the number and types of cases that graduating residents performed.

Methods:

The Urology ACGME Case Log Graduate Statistics National Report for the academic years 2015 to 2016 to 2020 to 2021 were analyzed. Data were grouped into 6 major categories: general, endourology, reconstructive, oncology, pediatrics, and laparoscopic/robotic.

Results:

There was an increase in the average total cases logged by graduating urology residents from 1449.3 to 1569.4 cases per resident (P < .0001). The average number of general urology procedures increased (P = .0071). There was also an increase in the average number of reconstructive (P = .0470), oncology (P = .0215), and laparoscopic/robotic (P ≤ .0001) cases performed by graduating urology residents. There was no difference in the average number of endourology cases completed by graduating residents (P = .0918). There was a significant decrease in the average number of pediatric cases performed by graduating residents (P = .0002).

Conclusion:

The expansion of urology programs and trainee positions has not negatively affected the average operative case log experience of residents between the 2015 to 2016 and 2020 to 2021 academic years.
Can Propranolol Affect Platelet Indices in Infantile Hemangioma?
Authors: Eroglu Nilgun , Sen Hilal Susam , Kar Yeter Duzenli , Pektas Ayhan , Eker Ibrahim
Published: June 2023

Introduction:

Propranolol, a nonselective beta-blocker used in the medical treatment of infantile Hemangioma (IH), has been shown to decrease the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and reduce angiogenesis with its antiproliferative and antiangiogenetic effects.

Materials and Methods:

It has been reported that the storage, transport, and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are associated with platelet volume indices (PVI). We aimed to investigate the effect of propranolol on PVI in IH patients. Propranolol treatment was started on 22 IH patients. Platelets, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and plateletcrit values in the follow-ups at months 0, 1, and 2 were compared between 22 patients who received treatment and 25 patients who did not.

Results:

While a statistically significant difference between months 0, 1, and 2 in PDW and MPV values was detected in the treated group, it was not detected in the untreated group. Taking into consideration that VEGF levels were higher at the beginning of the treatment in the pathophysiology of the disease, it was thought that the decrease in VEGF levels by propranolol may have led to a decrease in MPV and PDW levels in the treatment group.

Conclusion:

Consequently, in IH cases, propranolol response follow-up can be evaluated with PVIs, especially MPV and PDW, and it may facilitate clinicians’ monitoring of the disease after propranolol administration.
Effect of Low-dose Atropine on Binocular Vision and Accommodation in Children Aged 6 to 17 Years
Authors: Breliant Rachel Emily , Pang Yi , Bandstra Alaina , Kattouf Valerie
Published: June 2023

SIGNIFICANCE

Low-dose atropine is one of the leading treatments of myopia progression in children. However, the effect of low-dose atropine on binocular vision measurements has not been thoroughly studied.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the effect of 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05% atropine on visual acuity, pupil size, binocular vision, and accommodation in children aged 6 to 17 years.

METHODS

Forty-six children (28 girls and 18 boys) were randomized into four groups: placebo (n = 10) and 0.01% (n = 13), 0.03% (n = 11), and 0.05% (n = 12) atropine. One drop of atropine or placebo was administered into each eye once. The following measurements were collected before applying the eye drops and 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 24 hours after application of eye drops: habitual visual acuity at distance and near, pupil size, dissociated phoria at distance and near, negative and positive fusional vergence, near point convergence, near point convergence stamina and fragility, accommodative lag, and amplitude of accommodation. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used, and P < .05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Differences in pupil diameters under photopic and scotopic conditions were statistically significant when comparing all three atropine groups with placebo over time (P < .001). Pupil size in both the 0.03 and 0.05% atropine groups was enlarged from baseline at the 30-minute, 60-minute, and 24-hour time points (P < .05) in both photopic and scotopic conditions. Pupil size in the 0.01% atropine group had minimal change, and only the scotopic 60-minute time point was statistically significant (P = .02). All three concentrations of atropine eye drops have no significant effect on accommodation, binocular vision measurements, or visual acuity compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Pupil size was significantly enlarged by 0.03 and 0.05% atropine in both photopic and scotopic conditions. Low-dose atropine eye drops have no significant effect on accommodation, binocular vision measurements, or visual acuity compared with control.
Case Report: Conjunctival Chemosis as a Presenting Sign of Plasmablastic Lymphoma in a HIV Negative Patient
Authors: Mani Shital
Published: June 2023

Significance

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) involving the ocular adnexa, although reported in the literature, is a rare clinical entity, especially when found in an immunocompetent patient. Understanding the clinical presentation can aid eye care practitioners in seeking timely diagnosis to avoid further delays in the treatment of this disease.

Purpose

To report orbital plasmablastic lymphoma in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patient and discuss the presenting clinical signs, symptoms, and other diagnostic findings for the proper treatment and management of this condition.

Case Report

A 79-year-old white male presented to our clinic for a second opinion for evaluation of a swollen, mildly painful right eye for two months. The patient also complained of intermittent tenderness of the right frontal and paranasal sinuses. The initial diagnosis was preseptal cellulitis. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. A thorough comparison of the globe revealed subtle proptosis in the right eye. Slit lamp evaluation revealed severe conjunctival chemosis, which was greatest in the inferotemporal quadrant, and diffuse right inferior eyelid edema. Globe proptosis was quantified via Luedde Exophthalmometer (Gulden Ophthalmics). Exophthalmometry values were 22 mm in the right eye and 20 mm in the left eye, suggesting mild proptosis of the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and orbits revealed an expansile lesion in the right maxillary, ethmoid, and paranasal sinuses. The mass also extended into the anterior cranial fossa and the right orbit. Needle biopsy and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed a diagnosis of plasmablastic lymphoma. The patient chose to discontinue chemotherapy owing to adverse systemic effects and succumbed to the disease 36 months after the initial diagnosis.

Conclusions

Unilateral conjunctival chemosis with no improvement or resolution warrants further investigation and workup. Eye care practitioners play a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of these patients in close collaboration with pathology, hematology, and oncology specialists.
Case Report: An Unusual Presentation of Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Labreche Tammy , Furtado Nadine M.
Published: June 2023

Significance

Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is often associated with onset in the young, adult male demographic. This case report serves as a reminder that it can affect both sexes with onset into middle-age.

Purpose

LHON is a maternally-inherited mitochondrial disorder that typically affects males during young adulthood. It presents with a rapid, yet painless loss of vision with the fellow eye often affected within a few months. The optic neuropathy causes a dense central scotoma with visual acuities reduced to less than 20/400.

Case Report

A 60-year-old Caucasian female presented with reports of decreased vision in both eyes for the previous two months. She had been followed for the previous five years for glaucoma suspect monitoring, with full fields and normal OCT scans. Entering visual acuity was finger counting at 1 meter OD and 20/100 OS. Pupil testing revealed a grade 1 relative afferent pupillary defect OD. Dilated fundus examination revealed stable moderate optic nerve cupping and intact neuroretinal rim tissue. Humphrey 24-2 Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) Standard visual field testing showed a significant superior altitudinal defect and inferior paracentral defect in the right eye, and a partial superior arcuate in the left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast of the head and orbits was normal. A history of alcoholism was elicited and Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy testing revealed positive 11778 mutation at homoplasmy.

Conclusions

Although still uncommon, presentation of LHON in a middle-aged female is possible, and should be considered a viable differential when individuals present with painless vision loss and central/centrocecal scotomas.
Intraoral Scanning Evaluation of Maxillary Arch Changes after Modified Sommerlad Palatoplasty for around Three Years
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Tao Hongxu , Yao Meilin , Wu Min , Tsauo Chialing , Shi Bing , Liu Renkai , Li Chenghao
Published: June 2023

Background:

The purpose of this study was to investigate dental arch changes after modified Sommerlad palatoplasty in patients with cleft palate by intraoral scanning technique in children with early deciduous dentition.

Methods:

This study included 60 patients with nonsyndromic unilateral complete cleft lip with palate or cleft palate only treated by modified Sommerlad palatoplasty without relaxed excision before 18 months of age and 95 healthy controls without cleft. Three-dimensional images of the maxillary dental arches of all participants at age 3 to 4 years were obtained by intraoral scanning technique. Seven parameters (anterior dental arch width, middle dental arch width, posterior dental arch width, anterior palatal arch width, posterior palatal arch width, anterior dental arch length, and entire dental arch length) were measured.

Results:

Compared with the male group, the posterior palatal arch width distance of controls in the female group decreased significantly (P = 0.039), and the middle dental arch width, posterior dental arch width, and posterior palatal arch width distance of female patients decreased (P = 0.013, P = 0.002, P = 0.005, respectively). The anterior dental arch length and entire dental arch length distance of children in the unilateral complete cleft lip with palate group was shorter than those of children with cleft palate only (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, respectively). The patient group showed decreased distance of anterior dental arch width, anterior palatal arch width, anterior dental arch length, and entire dental arch length, and increased distance of posterior dental arch width and posterior palatal arch width compared with the control group (P = 0.0002, P = 0.002, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.007, P = 0.027, respectively).

Conclusion:

The results indicated that the modified palatoplasty group showed no growth inhibition in the middle or posterior dental arch width, or palatal arch width, but slight but significant inhibition in the length of the anterior and entire dental arch.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDNCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Comparing Migraine Headache Index versus Monthly Migraine Days after Headache Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ormseth Benjamin H. , ElHawary Hassan , Huayllani Maria T. , Weber Kevin D. , Blake Pamela , Janis Jeffrey E.
Published: June 2023

Background:

Nerve deactivation surgery for the treatment of migraine has evolved rapidly over the past 2 decades. Studies typically report changes in migraine frequency (attacks/month), attack duration, attack intensity, and their composite score—the Migraine Headache Index—as primary outcomes. However, the neurology literature predominantly reports migraine prophylaxis outcomes as change in monthly migraine days (MMD). The goal of this study was to foster common communication between plastic surgeons and neurologists by assessing the effect of nerve deactivation surgery on MMD and motivating future studies to include MMD in their reported outcomes.

Methods:

An updated literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Scopus, and Embase were systematically searched for relevant articles. Data were extracted and analyzed from studies that met the inclusion criteria.

Results:

A total of 19 studies were included. There was a significant overall reduction in MMDs [mean difference (MD), 14.11; 95% CI, 10.95 to 17.27; I2 = 92%], total migraine attacks per month (MD, 8.65; 95% CI, 7.84 to 9.46; I2 = 90%), Migraine Headache Index (MD, 76.59; 95% CI, 60.85 to 92.32; I2 = 98%), migraine attack intensity (MD, 3.84; 95% CI, 3.35 to 4.33; I2 = 98%), and migraine attack duration (MD, 11.80; 95% CI, 6.44 to 17.16; I2 = 99%) at follow-up (range, 6 to 38 months).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the efficacy of nerve deactivation surgery on the outcomes used in both the plastic and reconstructive surgery and neurology literature.
Reconstruction of a Large Lower Lip Defect Including Vermilion Using a V-Y Advanced Flap Combined with a Musculomucosal Stacked Flap
Authors: Wu Tong , Yang Tianye , Yin Qiang , Chen Kang , Rong Li
Published: June 2023

Reconstruction of large lower lip defects is challenging, especially when repairing the vermilion at the same time. The authors describe a novel method for reconstruction of a large lower-lip defect including the vermilion. The reconstruction includes two layers: the anterior layer, reconstructed from V-Y advanced musculocutaneous flap of the cheek; and the posterior layer, reconstructed from the musculomucosal flap from the remnant lower lip. Stacking of the bilateral musculomucosal flaps raises the height of the posterior layer and covers the top of the lower lip to form the new vermilion. This is a simple and reliable method with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results.
Learning artificial number symbols with ordinal and magnitude information
Authors: Weiers Hanna , Inglis Matthew , Gilmore Camilla
Published: June 2023

The question of how numerical symbols gain semantic meaning is a key focus of mathematical cognition research. Some have suggested that symbols gain meaning from magnitude information, by being mapped onto the approximate number system, whereas others have suggested symbols gain meaning from their ordinal relations to other symbols. Here we used an artificial symbol learning paradigm to investigate the effects of magnitude and ordinal information on number symbol learning. Across two experiments, we found that after either magnitude or ordinal training, adults successfully learned novel symbols and were able to infer their ordinal and magnitude meanings. Furthermore, adults were able to make relatively accurate judgements about, and map between, the novel symbols and non-symbolic quantities (dot arrays). Although both ordinal and magnitude training was sufficient to attach meaning to the symbols, we found beneficial effects on the ability to learn and make numerical judgements about novel symbols when combining small amounts of magnitude information for a symbol subset with ordinal information about the whole set. These results suggest that a combination of magnitude and ordinal information is a plausible account of the symbol learning process.
Link updating strategies influence consensus decisions as a function of the direction of communication
Authors: Kunjar Sharaj , Strandburg-Peshkin Ariana , Giese Helge , Minasandra Pranav , Sarkar Sumantra , Jolly Mohit Kumar , Gradwohl Nico
Published: June 2023

Consensus decision-making in social groups strongly depends on communication links that determine to whom individuals send, and from whom they receive, information. Here, we ask how consensus decisions are affected by strategic updating of links and how this effect varies with the direction of communication. We quantified the coevolution of link and opinion dynamics in a large population with binary opinions using mean-field numerical simulations of two voter-like models of opinion dynamics: an incoming model (IM) (where individuals choose who to receive opinions from) and an outgoing model (OM) (where individuals choose who to send opinions to). We show that individuals can bias group-level outcomes in their favour by breaking disagreeing links while receiving opinions (IM) and retaining disagreeing links while sending opinions (OM). Importantly, these biases can help the population avoid stalemates and achieve consensus. However, the role of disagreement avoidance is diluted in the presence of strong preferences—highly stubborn individuals can shape decisions to favour their preferences, giving rise to non-consensus outcomes. We conclude that collectively changing communication structures can bias consensus decisions, as a function of the strength of preferences and the direction of communication.