bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factor analysis of omicron patients with mental health problems in the Fangcang shelter hospital based on psychiatric drug intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai, China
Authors: Yu Ping , Bian Xiaolan , Xie Zhihui , Wang Xu , Zhang Xujing , Gu Zhidong , Yang Zhitao , Jing Feng , Qiu Weiyu , Lin Jingsheng , Tang Jie , Huang Chen , Zhang Yibo , Chen Ying , Zhang Zongfeng , Bi Yufang , Shang Hanbing , Chen Erzhen
Published: February 2023

Backgrounds

The widespread coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak impacted the mental health of infected patients admitted to Fangcang shelter hospital a large-scale, temporary structure converted from existing public venues to isolate patients with mild or moderate symptoms of COVID-19 infection.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of the infected patients from a new pharmacological perspective based on psychiatric drug consumption rather than questionnaires for the first time.

Methods

We summarised the medical information and analysed the prevalence proportion, characteristics, and the related risk factors of omicron variants infected patients in the Fangcang Shelter Hospital of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) from 9 April 2022 to 31 May 2022.

Results

In this study, 6,218 individuals at 3.57% of all admitted patients in the Fangcang shelter were collected suffering from mental health problems in severe conditions including schizophrenia, depression, insomnia, and anxiety who needed psychiatric drug intervention. In the group, 97.44% experienced their first prescription of psychiatric drugs and had no diagnosed historical psychiatric diseases. Further analysis indicated that female sex, no vaccination, older age, longer hospitalization time, and more comorbidities were independent risk factors for the drug-intervened patients.

Conclusion

This is the first study to analyse the mental health problems of omicron variants infected patients hospitalised in Fangcang shelter hospitals. The research demonstrated the necessity of potential mental and psychological service development in Fangcang shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic and other public emergency responses.
Functional connectivity and gray matter deficits within the auditory attention circuit in first-episode psychosis
Authors: Curtis Mark T. , Sklar Alfredo L. , Coffman Brian A. , Salisbury Dean F.
Published: February 2023

Background

Selective attention deficits in first episode of psychosis (FEP) can be indexed by impaired attentional modulation of auditory M100. It is unknown if the pathophysiology underlying this deficit is restricted to auditory cortex or involves a distributed attention network. We examined the auditory attention network in FEP.

Methods

MEG was recorded from 27 FEP and 31 matched healthy controls (HC) while alternately ignoring or attending tones. A whole-brain analysis of MEG source activity during auditory M100 identified non-auditory areas with increased activity. Time-frequency activity and phase-amplitude coupling were examined in auditory cortex to identify the attentional executive carrier frequency. Attention networks were defined by phase-locking at the carrier frequency. Spectral and gray matter deficits in the identified circuits were examined in FEP.

Results

Attention-related activity was identified in prefrontal and parietal regions, markedly in precuneus. Theta power and phase coupling to gamma amplitude increased with attention in left primary auditory cortex. Two unilateral attention networks were identified with precuneus seeds in HC. Network synchrony was impaired in FEP. Gray matter thickness was reduced within the left hemisphere network in FEP but did not correlate with synchrony.

Conclusion

Several extra-auditory attention areas with attention-related activity were identified. Theta was the carrier frequency for attentional modulation in auditory cortex. Left and right hemisphere attention networks were identified, with bilateral functional deficits and left hemisphere structural deficits, though FEP showed intact auditory cortex theta phase-gamma amplitude coupling. These novel findings indicate attention-related circuitopathy early in psychosis potentially amenable to future non-invasive interventions.
A randomized, sham-controlled trial of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation on the right orbital frontal cortex in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Wang Yi-chao , Liu Jun , Wu Yan-chun , Wei Yan , Xie Hong-jing , Zhang Tao , Zhang Zhen
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study aimed to find out the clinical and cognitive effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on the right orbital frontal cortex (OFC) in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods

A total of 56 patients with ADHD were recruited as subjects and completely and randomly divided into the HD-tDCS group and the Sham group. A 1.0 mA anode current was applied to the right OFC. The HD-tDCS group received real stimulation, while the Sham group received sham stimulation in 10 sessions of treatment. ADHD symptom assessment (the SNAP-IV Rating Scale and the Perceived Stress Questionnaire) was carried out before treatment, after the 5th and 10th stimuli, and at the 6th week after the end of all stimulations, while the cognitive effect was assessed by the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA-CPT), the Stroop Color and Word Test (Stroop), and the Tower of Hanoi (TOH). Repeated-measure ANOVA was used to find out the results of both groups before and after treatment.

Results

A total of 47 patients completed all sessions and evaluations. Their SNAP-IV score, their PSQ score, the mean visual and auditory reaction times by IVA-CPT, the interference RT of Stroop Color and Word, and the number of completed steps of TOH did not change with intervention time before and after treatment (P > 0.0031). However, the integrated visual and audiovisual commission errors and the TOH completion time results of the HD-tDCS group were significantly decreased after the 5th intervention, the 10th intervention, and the 6th week of intervention follow-up compared to the Sham group (P < 0.0031).

Conclusion

This study draws cautious conclusions that HD-tDCS does not significantly alleviate the overall symptoms of patients with ADHD but leads to significant improvements in the cognitive measures of attention maintenance. The study also attempted to fill in the gaps in research studies on HD-tDCS stimulation of the right OFC.

Clinical trial registration

ChiCTR2200062616.
Knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practice toward seasonal influenza and its vaccine: A cross-sectional study from a country of conflict
Authors: Ahmed Wesam S. , Abu Farha Rana , Halboup Abdulsalam M. , Alshargabi Arwa , Al-mohamadi Ahmed , Abu-rish Eman Y. , Zawiah Mohammed , Al-Ashbat Yousf K. , Al-Jamei Sayida
Published: February 2023

Background

The seasonal influenza vaccine is an important preventive measure against influenza and its associated complications. In Yemen, there is no seasonal influenza vaccination policy, and the influenza vaccine is excluded from the national immunization program. Data on vaccination coverage remain scarce with no previous surveillance programs or awareness campaigns implemented in the country. The current study aims to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of the public in Yemen toward seasonal influenza and their motivators and perceived barriers to receiving its vaccine.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to eligible participants using convenience sampling.

Results

A total of 1,396 participants completed the questionnaire. The respondents showed a median knowledge score of influenza of 11.0/15.0, and most of them (70%) were able to recognize its modes of transmission. However, only 11.3% of the participants reported receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine. Physicians were the respondents' most preferred information source for influenza (35.2%), and their recommendation (44.3%) was the most cited reason for taking its vaccine. On the contrary, not knowing about the vaccine's availability (50.1%), concerns regarding the safety of the vaccine (17%), and not considering influenza as a threat (15.9%) were the main reported barriers to getting vaccinated.

Conclusion

The current study showed a low uptake of influenza vaccines in Yemen. The physician's role in promoting influenza vaccination seems to be essential. Extensive and sustained awareness campaigns would likely increase the awareness of influenza and remove misconceptions and negative attitudes toward its vaccine. Equitable access to the vaccine can be promoted by providing it free of charge to the public.
Worldwide trends in prediabetes from 1985 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis using bibliometrix R-tool
Authors: Zhao JingYi , Li Min
Published: February 2023

Background

Prediabetes is a widespread condition that represents the state between normal serum glucose and diabetes. Older individuals and individuals with obesity experience a higher rate of prediabetes. Prediabetes is not only a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (t2dm) but is also closely related to microvascular and macrovascular complications. Despite its importance, a bibliometric analysis of prediabetes is missing. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive and visually appealing overview of prediabetes research.

Methods

First, the Web of Science (WOS) database was searched to collect all articles related to prediabetes that were published from 1985 to 2022. Second, R language was used to analyze the year of publication, author, country/region, institution, keywords, and citations. Finally, network analysis was conducted using the R package bibliometrix to evaluate the hotspots and development trends of prediabetes.

Results

A total of 9,714 research articles published from 1985 to 2022 were retrieved from WOS. The number of articles showed sustained growth. Rathmann W was the most prolific author with 71 articles. Diabetes Care was the journal that published the highest number of articles on prediabetes (234 articles), and Harvard University (290 articles) was the most active institution in this field. The United States contributed the most articles (2,962 articles), followed by China (893 articles). The top five clusters of the keyword co-appearance network were “prediabetes”, “diabetes mellitus”, “glucose”, “insulin exercise”, and “oxidative stress”. The top three clusters of the reference co-citation network were “Knowler. WC 2002”, “Tabak AG 2012”, and “Matthews DR1985”.

Conclusions

The combined use of WOS and the R package bibliometrix enabled a robust bibliometric analysis of prediabetes papers, including evaluation of emerging trends, hotspots, and collaboration. This study also allowed us to validate our methodology, which can be used to better understand the field of prediabetes and promote international collaboration.
Assessing capacities and resilience of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from use of rapid key informant surveys
Authors: Rivas-Morello Briana , Horemans Dirk , Viswanathan Kavitha , Taylor Chelsea , Blanchard Andrea , Karamagi Humphrey , Droti Benson , Titi-Ofei Regina , Nikiema Laetitia Ouedraogo , Traore Moussa , Kipruto Hillary , del Riego Amalia , Houghton Natalia , Salah Hassan , Alasfoor Deena , Doctor Henry , Tahirukaj Ardita , Tille Florian , Zapata Tomas , O'Neill Kathryn
Published: February 2023

This article is part of the Research Topic

‘Health Systems Recovery in the Context of COVID-19 and Protracted Conflict.’

Problem

Many countries lacked rapid and nimble data systems to track health service capacities to respond to COVID-19. They struggled to assess and monitor rapidly evolving service disruptions, health workforce capacities, health products availability, community needs and perspectives, and mitigation responses to maintain essential health services.

Method

Building on established methodologies, the World Health Organization developed a suite of methods and tools to support countries to rapidly fill data gaps and guide decision-making during COVID-19. The tools included: (1) a national “pulse” survey on service disruptions and bottlenecks; (2) a phone-based facility survey on frontline service capacities; and (3) a phone-based community survey on demand-side challenges and health needs.

Use

Three national pulse surveys revealed persisting service disruptions throughout 2020–2021 (97 countries responded to all three rounds). Results guided mitigation strategies and operational plans at country level, and informed investments and delivery of essential supplies at global level. Facility and community surveys in 22 countries found similar disruptions and limited frontline service capacities at a more granular level. Findings informed key actions to improve service delivery and responsiveness from local to national levels.

Lessons learned

The rapid key informant surveys provided a low-resource way to collect action-oriented health services data to inform response and recovery from local to global levels. The approach fostered country ownership, stronger data capacities, and integration into operational planning. The surveys are being evaluated to inform integration into country data systems to bolster routine health services monitoring and serve as health services alert functions for the future.
Effects of resourcefulness on internet game addiction among college students: The mediating role of anxiety and the moderating role of gender
Authors: Zhang Yan , Zhong Yun-Ling , Luo Jing , He Jin-Long , Lin Cen , Zauszniewski Jaclene A. , Zhou Jin-Hui , Chen Ying , Wu Chun-Yan , Wang Shu-Rui , Li Zheng-Huan , Tang Jing , Li Wan-Ning , Wu Jing , Luo Jia-Ming
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The mechanism of internet game addiction is unclear. Whether anxiety mediates between resourcefulness and internet game addiction and whether gender affect its mediation role have not been studied previously.

Methods

A total of 4,889 college students from a college in southwest China were included in this study to complete the investigation, in which three questionnaires were used for evaluation.

Results

Pearson's correlation analysis indicated a remarkable negative correlation between resourcefulness with internet game addiction and anxiety, as well as a significant positive correlation between anxiety and this addiction. The structural equation model confirmed the mediation role of anxiety. The multi-group analysis confirmed the moderating role of gender in the mediation model.

Discussion

These findings have advanced the results of existing studies, indicating the buffering effect of resourcefulness on internet game addiction and revealing the potential mechanism of this relationship.
Immune cell population and cytokine profiling suggest age dependent differences in the response to SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Aragon Larraitz , Iribarren-López Andrea , Alberro Ainhoa , Iparraguirre Leire , Von Wichmann Miguel , Marimon Jose María , Saiz-Calderon Nagore , Agudo Julia , Gálvez M. Isabel , Cipitria M. Carmen , Prada Alvaro , Otaegui David
Published: February 2023

Aging population is at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. In this work, to further understand the relationship between host age-related factors, immunosenescence/exhaustion of the immune system and the response to the virus, we characterized immune cell and cytokine responses in 58 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital and 40 healthy controls of different age ranges. Lymphocyte populations and inflammatory profiles were studied in blood samples, using different panels of multicolor flow cytometry. As expected, our analysis reveals differences at both the cellular and cytokine level in COVID-19 patients. Interestingly, when the age range analysis was carried out, the immunological response to the infection was found to differ with age, being especially affected in the group of 30–39 years. In this age range, an increased exhausted T cell response and a decrease of naïve T helper lymphocytes was found in patients, as well as a reduced concentration of the proinflammatory TNF, IL-1β and IL-8 cytokines. Besides, the correlation between age and the study variables was evaluated, and multiple cell types and interleukins were found to correlate with donor age. Notably, the correlations of T helper naïve and effector memory cells, T helper 1–17 cells, TNF, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-8, among others, showed differences between healthy controls and COVID-19 patients. Our findings, in the context of other previous studies, suggest that aging affects the behavior of the immune system in COVID-19 patients. They suggest that young individuals are able to mount an initial response to SARS-CoV-2, but some of them present an accelerated exhaustion of the cell response and an insufficient inflammatory response, resulting in a moderate to severe COVID-19. On the other hand, in older patients there is a smaller immune cell response to the virus, reflected in fewer differences in immune populations between COVID-19 patients and controls. Nevertheless, old patients show more evidence of an inflammatory phenotype, suggesting that the underlying inflammation associated with their age is exacerbated by the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Comparing cybersickness in virtual reality and mixed reality head-mounted displays
Authors: Kirollos Ramy , Merchant Wasim
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Defence Research and Development Canada is developing guidance on the use of Mixed Reality head-mounted displays for naval operations in the Royal Canadian Navy. Virtual reality head-mounted displays display graphics to the user in 3D and completely occlude the user’s view of the real world. Mixed Reality head-mounted displays overlay and integrate graphics onto the real world allowing the user to perceive the real world and rich 3D graphic elements simultaneously. Nausea and other debilitating symptoms caused by the use of head-mounted displays, known as ‘cybersickness’, is well documented during Virtual reality head-mounted display exposure and can be quite severe. However, it is not yet clear from the literature on Mixed Reality head-mounted displays whether CS differs in Virtual reality vs. Mixed Reality head-mounted displays. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of MR HMDs on CS.

Method: This was done by modulating the quantity of graphics in two Mixed Reality conditions and one Virtual reality condition. Only foreground objects were graphically rendered in the first Mixed Reality condition (called ‘Mixed Reality’ condition), while the entire scene was graphically rendered in the second Mixed Reality condition (called ‘Mixed Reality +’ condition). The Virtual reality condition simulated the Mixed Reality + condition but was displayed in a Virtual reality head-mounted display. Participants observed the virtually rendered scene in one of the three conditions and reported their CS with the simulator sickness questionnaire six times throughout the 30-min experiment. We hypothesized that CS severity would increase as quantity of graphics in the display increased.

Results and Discussion: Findings indicated that CS was significantly greater in the ‘Mixed Reality +’ condition compared to the ‘Mixed Reality’ and ‘Virtual reality’ conditions, providing partial evidence for our main hypothesis. Moreover, CS increased significantly and meaningfully after 25 min in the ‘Mixed Reality +’ condition. These findings indicate safe use of Mixed Reality head-mounted displays by the RCN for shore-based applications provided quantity of graphics is limited.
Dark blue-green: Cave-inhabiting cyanobacteria as a model for astrobiology
Authors: Jung Patrick , Harion Felix , Wu Shujie , Nürnberg Dennis J. , Bellamoli Francesco , Guillen Antonio , Leira Manuel , Lakatos Michael
Published: February 2023

Subterranean environments on Earth serve as an analog for the study of microbes on other planets, which has become an active area of research. Although it might sound contradictory that photosynthetic cyanobacteria thrive in extreme low light environments, they are frequent inhabitants of caves on Earth. Throughout the phylum these cyanobacteria have developed unique adaptations that cannot only be used for biotechnological processes but also have implications for astrobiology. They can, for example, both accommodate for the low light conditions by producing specific pigments that allow photosynthesis in near-infrared (IR) radiation/far-red light, and they can synthesize bioplastic compounds and calcium carbonate sheaths which represent valuable resources during human colonization of other planets or rock bodies. This article will highlight the potential benefits of cave-inhabiting cyanobacteria and will present a suitable bioreactor technique for the utilization of these special microbes during future space missions.
High-speed running and sprinting in professional adult soccer: Current thresholds definition, match demands and training strategies. A systematic review
Authors: Gualtieri Antonio , Rampinini Ermanno , Dello Iacono Antonio , Beato Marco
Published: February 2023

The aims of this systematic review were (1) to summarize the evidence on absolute velocity thresholds used to classify high-speed running and sprinting, (2) to examine the existing evidence about the individualized thresholds approach, (3) to describe high-speed and sprint running distance match demands, and (4) to provide training strategies for eliciting HSR and sprinting during training sessions in professional adult soccer. This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. After the authors' screening, 30 studies were included in this review. This review found that, to date, there is no consensus on the absolute thresholds defining high-speed and sprint running in adult soccer players. Until international standards are defined, it is reasonable to set absolute thresholds considering the range of values found in the literature collected in this review. Relative velocity thresholds could be considered for specific training sessions whose goal is to reach near maximal velocity exposure. During official matches, high-speed and sprint running distances ranged from 911 to 1,063 m and 223–307 m, respectively, in professional female soccer players, while ranges from 618 to 1,001 m and 153–295 m, respectively, in professional male soccer players. During training, game-based drills designed in formats using relative areas per player greater than 225 m2 and 300 m2 appear to be adequate for achieving high-speed running and sprinting exposure, respectively, for male players. The combination of game-based, running exercises and soccer circuit-based drills is advisable to ensure adequate high-speed and sprint running exposure both at a team and individual level.
Oscillatory shear stress promotes vein graft intimal hyperplasia via NADPH oxidase-related pathways
Authors: Yao Guoqing , Li Huanhuan , Zuo Xiangyi , Wang Chunkai , Xiao Yelei , Zhao Yu , Wang Xuehu
Published: February 2023

Background

Uncontrolled intimal hyperplasia (IH) after autologous saphenous vein grafting triggers a high restenosis rate; however, its association with the activation of NADPH oxidase (NOX)-related pathways is unclear. Here, we investigated the effects and mechanism of oscillatory shear stress (OSS) on grafted vein IH.

Methods

Thirty male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control, high-OSS (HOSS), and low-OSS (LOSS) groups, and the vein grafts were harvested after 4 weeks. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson staining assays were used to observe morphological and structural changes. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect α-SMA, PCNA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expression. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the tissues. Western blotting was used to determine the expression levels of pathway-related proteins (NOX1, NOX2, AKT, p-AKT, and BIRC5), PCNA, BCL-2, BAX, and caspase-3/cleaved caspase-3 in tissues.

Results

Blood flow velocity was lower in the LOSS group than in the HOSS group, while vessel diameter did not change significantly. Shear rate was elevated in both HOSS and LOSS groups but was higher in the HOSS group. Additionally, vessel diameter increased with time in the HOSS and LOSS groups, whereas flow velocity did not. Intimal hyperplasia was significantly lower in the LOSS group than in the HOSS group. IH was dominated by smooth muscle fibers in the grafted veins and collagen fibers in the media. OSS restriction significantly reduced the α-SMA, PCNA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 levels. Moreover, ROS production and the expression of NOX1, NOX2, p-AKT, BIRC5, PCNA, BCL-2, BAX, and cleaved caspase-3 were phase-reduced in LOSS compared to the levels in the HOSS group. Total AKT was not differentially expressed among the three groups.

Conclusion

OSS promotes the proliferation, migration, and survival of subendothelial vascular smooth muscle cells in grafted veins, which may be related to the regulation of downstream p-AKT/BIRC5 levels through the increased production of ROS by NOX. Drugs inhibiting this pathway might be used to prolong vein graft survival time.
Case Report: Curative effect of OA-PICA protected bypass in severe PICA-complicated vertebral artery stenosis treatment: Results in 3 cases
Authors: Zhao Liming , Xue Bingqian , Guo Gaochao , Wu Ruiyu , Gao Tao , Liu Yang , Sun Yuxue , Hernesniemi Juha , Andrade Barazarte Hugo , Li Tianxiao , Li Chaoyue
Published: February 2023

Objectives

We aimed to explore the results of OA-PICA-protected bypass grafting in patients with severe stenosis of the vertebral artery combined with PICA.

Methods

Three patients with vertebral artery stenosis involving the posterior inferior cerebellar artery, treated by the Department of Neurosurgery of Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients underwent Occipital Artery–Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (OA-PICA) bypass surgery followed by elective vertebral artery stenting. Intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICGA) showed patency of the bridge-vessel anastomosis. Postoperatively, the ANSYS software was used to assess the flow pressure changes and vascular shear in combination with the reviewed DSA angiogram. CTA or DSA was reviewed 1–2 years postoperatively, and the prognosis was evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) one year postoperatively.

Results

OA-PICA bypass surgery was completed in all patients, with intraoperative ICGA showing a patent bridge anastomosis, followed by stenting of the vertebral artery, and a review of the DSA angiogram. We also employed ANSYS software evaluation of the bypass vessel, which showed stable pressure and low turnover angle, suggesting a low rate of long-term occlusion of the vessel. All patients had no procedure-related complications during their hospitalization, and were followed up for a mean of 24 months postoperatively, with a good prognosis (mRS score of 1) at 1 year postoperatively.

Conclusion

OA-PICA-protected bypass grafting is an effective treatment for patients with severe stenosis of the vertebral artery combined with PICA.
Proximal and extended aortic arch replacement in acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection
Authors: Narita Masahiko , Tsutsui Masahiro , Ushioda Ryouhei , Kikuchi Yuta , Shirasaka Tomonori , Ishikawa Natsuya , Kamiya Hiroyuki
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of proximal repair vs. extensive arch surgery for acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection.

Subjects

From April 2014 to September 2020, 121 consecutive patients with acute type A dissection were surgically treated at our institute. Of these patients, 92 had dissections extending beyond the ascending aorta.

Methods

Of the 92 patients, 58 underwent proximal repair, including aortic root and/or hemiarch replacement, and 34 underwent extended repair, including partial and total arch replacement. Perioperative variables and early and late postoperative results were statistically analyzed.

Results

The duration of surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass, and circulatory arrest was significantly shorter in the proximal repair group (p < 0.01). The overall operative mortality rate was 10.3% in the proximal repair group and 14.7% in the extended repair group (p = 0.379). The mean follow-up period was 31.1 ± 26.7 months in the proximal repair group and 35.3 ± 26.8 months in the extended repair group. During follow-up, the cumulative survival and freedom from reintervention rates at 5 years were 66.4% and 92.9% in the proximal repair group, and 76.1% and 72.6% in the extended repair group, respectively (p = 0.515 and p = 0.134).

Conclusions

No significant differences were found in the rates of long-term cumulative survival and freedom from aortic reintervention between the two surgical strategies. These findings suggest limited aortic resection achieves acceptable patient outcomes.
Reliability of end, stable, neutral, first coronal reverse vertebrae identification in degenerative lumbar scoliosis: Intra- and interobserver consistency analysis
Authors: Wang Hui , Liang Xiao , Xu Jiaxin , Sun Jiayuan , Yang Dalong , Li Weishi , Ding Wenyuan
Published: February 2023

Objective

To assess the intra- and interobserver reliability by observer training level used for selecting the end vertebra (EV), neutral vertebra (NV), stable vertebra (SV), and first coronal reverse vertebrae (FCRV) in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) patients.

Methods

Fifty consecutive upright long-cassette radiographs and CT examination of operative cases of DLS were evaluated by three surgeons at various levels of training. For each iteration, the observers attempted to identify the UEV, NV and SV from x-ray, and FCRV from the CT examination. Intra- and interobserver reliability was assessed by means of Cohen's Kappa correlation coefficient, and raw percentages of agreement were recorded.

Results

Intraobserver reliability was excellent for determining FCRV (Ka = 0.761–0.837), fair to good for determining UEV (Ka = 0.530–0.636), fair to good for determining SV (Ka = 0.519–0.644), and fair to good for determining NV (Ka = 0.504–0.734), respectively. Additionally, we also noted a trend towards better intraobserver reliability with increasing levels of experience. Interobserver reliability was poor between observers beyond chance for UEV, NV, SV (Ka = 0.105–0.358), and good reliability for FCRV (Ka = 0.581–0.624). All three observers agreed on the same level of the FCRV in 24 patients of the time, which presented less Coronal imbalance type C compared to the other 26 patients.

Conclusion

Experience and training level of the observers are important factors affecting the accurate identification of these vertebrae in DLS, intraobserver reliability increases along with increasing levels of observer experience. FCRV is superior to UEV, NV, and SV in the accuracy of identification, Type C coronal malalignment could affect the accurate identification of FCRV.
Post-intubation iatrogenic tracheobronchial injuries: The state of art
Authors: Passera Eliseo , Orlandi Riccardo , Calderoni Matteo , Cassina Enrico Mario , Cioffi Ugo , Guttadauro Angelo , Libretti Lidia , Pirondini Emanuele , Rimessi Arianna , Tuoro Antonio , Raveglia Federico
Published: February 2023

Iatrogenic tracheobronchial injury (ITI) is an infrequent but potentially life-threatening disease, with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Its incidence is presumably underestimated since several cases are underrecognized and underreported. Causes of ITI include endotracheal intubation (EI) or percutaneous tracheostomy (PT). Most frequent clinical manifestations are subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and unilateral or bilateral pneumothorax, even if occasionally ITI can occur without significant symptoms. Diagnosis mainly relies on clinical suspicion and CT scan, although flexible bronchoscopy remains the gold standard, allowing to identify location and size of the injury. EI and PT related ITIs more commonly consist of longitudinal tear involving the pars membranacea. Based on the depth of tracheal wall injury, Cardillo and colleagues proposed a morphologic classification of ITIs, attempting to standardize their management. Nevertheless, in literature there are no unambiguous guidelines on the best therapeutic modality: management and its timing remain controversial. Historically, surgical repair was considered the gold standard, mainly in high-grade lesions (IIIa-IIIb), carrying high morbi-mortality rates, but currently the development of promising endoscopic techniques through rigid bronchoscopy and stenting could allow for bridge treatment, delaying surgical approach after improving general conditions of the patient, or even for definitive repair, ensuring lower morbi-mortality rates especially in high-risk surgical candidates. Our perspective review will cover all the above issues, aiming at providing an updated and clear diagnostic-therapeutic pathway protocol, which could be applied in case of unexpected ITI.
Dietary yucca extract and Clostridium butyricum promote growth performance of weaned rabbits by improving nutrient digestibility, intestinal development, and microbial composition
Authors: Wang Yuyan , Zhang Yan , Ren Hongjie , Fan Zubo , Yang Xu , Zhang Cong , Jiang Yibao
Published: February 2023

Yucca has abundant amounts of polyphenolics, steroidal saponins, and resveratrol and its extract can be used as a feed additive in the animal husbandry, which might contribute to the improvement in the growth and productivity in rabbit production. Hence, the current study aimed to examine the effects of yucca extract alone and in combination with Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, muscle quality, and intestinal development of weaned rabbits. A total of 400 40-day-old male rabbits were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups for 40 days: (1) basal diet group, (2) basal diet contained 300 mg/kg of yucca extract, (3) basal diet supplemented with 0.4 × 1010 colony-forming units (CFU)/kg of C. butyricum, and (4) the blend of 0.4 × 1010/kg CFU of C. butyricum and 300 mg/kg of yucca extract. The supplementation of yucca extract or C. butyricum increased body weight (BW) of rabbits depending on the age, the combined addition of yucca extract and C. butyricum significantly increased BW, weight gain, and feed intake, companying with increased the digestibility of crud protein, fiber, phosphorous, and calcium as compared to control diet (P < 0.05). Furthermore, yucca extract and C. butyricum treatment alone and in combination notably increased the villus high and the ratio of villus high to crypt depth of rabbits (P < 0.05). The combined supplementation of yucca extract and C. butyricum altered the intestinal microbiota of rabbits, as demonstrated by increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria Ruminococcaceae and decreased the proportion of pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonadaceae and S24-7. In addition, the rabbits fed the diet with yucca extract and the blend of yucca extract and C. butyricum had significantly increased pH45min, decreased pressing loss, drip loss, and shears force when compared with rabbits received control diet (P < 0.05). Diet with C. butyricum or its mixture with yucca extract increased the fat content of meat, while the combined addition of yucca extract and C. butyricum declined the content of fiber in meat (P < 0.05). Collectively, the combined use of yucca extract and C. butyricum showed better results on growth performance and meat quality, which might be closely associated with the improved intestinal development and cecal microflora of the rabbits.
Lactate is useful for the efficient replication of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in cell culture
Authors: Wuri Nile , Gou Hongchao , Zhang Bin , Wang Menglu , Wang Songqi , Zhang Weixiao , He Haiyan , Fan Xuelei , Zhang Chunhong , Liu Zhicheng , Geri Letu , Shen Haiyan , Zhang Jianfeng
Published: February 2023

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a deadly pathogen infecting pig herds, and has caused significant economic losses around the world. Vaccination remains the most effective way of keeping the PEDV epidemic under control. Previous studies have shown that the host metabolism has a significant impact on viral replication. In this study, we have demonstrated that two substrates of metabolic pathway, glucose and glutamine, play a key role in PEDV replication. Interestingly, the boosting effect of these compounds toward viral replication appeared to be dose-independent. Furthermore, we found that lactate, which is a downstream metabolite, promotes PEDV replication, even when added in excess to the cell culture medium. Moreover, the role of lactate in promoting PEDV was independent of the genotype of PEDV and the multiplicity of infection (MOI). Our findings suggest that lactate is a promising candidate for use as a cell culture additive for promoting PEDV replication. It could improve the efficiency of vaccine production and provide the basis for designing novel antiviral strategies.
On a Vision-Based Manipulator Simulator
Authors: Yu Shuwen , Hao Guangbo
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a typical grasp–hold–release micromanipulation simulator based on MATLAB and Simulink. Closed-loop force and position control were implemented only based on a camera. The work was mainly focused on control performance improvements and GUI design. Different types of control strategies were investigated in both the position and force control processes. Finally, incremental PID and positional PID were adopted in the gripper position control and force control processes, respectively. The best performance of the gripper position control was the fast response of 0.3 s without overshoot and steady-state errors in the range of 10–40 Hz. The new camera control algorithm kept a big motion range (4.48 × 4.48 mm) and a high position resolution of 0.56 µm, with a high force resolution of 1.56 µN in the force control stage. The maximum error between the measured force and the real force was maintained below 4 µN. The steady-state error and the setting time were less than 1.2% and less than 1.5 s, respectively. A separate app, the Image Generation Simulator app, was developed to assist users in getting suitable initial coordinates, camera parameters, desired position resolutions, and force resolutions, which are packed as a standalone executable file. The main app can run the simulation model, debug, playback, and report simulation results, and calculate the calibration equation. Different initial coordinates, camera parameters, sample frequencies, controller parameters, and even controller types can be adjusted from this app.
GIANN—A Methodology for Optimizing Competitiveness Performance Assessment Models for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Authors: Schaefer Jones Luís , Tardio Paulo Roberto , Baierle Ismael Cristofer , Nara Elpidio Oscar Benitez
Published: February 2023

The adoption of models based on key performance indicators to diagnose and evaluate the competitiveness of companies has been presented as a trend in the operations’ management. These models are structured with different variables in complex interrelationships, making diagnosis and monitoring difficult due to the number of variables involved, which is one of the main management challenges of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. In this sense, this article proposes the Gain Information Artificial Neural Network (GIANN) method. GIANN is a method to optimize the number of variables of assessment models for the competitiveness and operational performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. GIANN is a hybrid methodology combining Multi-attribute Utility Theory with Entropy and Information Gain concepts and computational modeling through Multilayer Perceptron Artificial Neural Network. The model used in this article integrates variables such as fundamental points of view, critical success factors, and key performance indicators. GIANN was validated through a survey of managers of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Southern Brazil. The initial model was adjusted, reducing the number of key performance indicators by 39% while maintaining the accuracy of the results of the competitiveness measurement. With GIANN, the number of variables to be monitored decreases considerably, facilitating the management of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.
Dynamic Pricing Models and Negotiating Agents: Developments in Management Accounting
Authors: Cornacchione Edgard Bruno , Reginato Luciane , Imoniana Joshua Onome , Souza Marcelo
Published: February 2023

Linking decision systems, negotiating agents, management accounting, and computational accounting, this paper aims at exploring dynamic pricing strategies of a synthetic business-to-consumer online operation and a comparative analysis of evolving strategy-specific pricing optimization. Five price models based on market, utility, or demand information (three single and two combined), merging online and offline data, are explored over a seven-day period and with twenty selected products. A total of 17,529 website visits and 538 agent negotiations are studied (94,607 main data points) using a Python solution, with model simulation parameters and assumptions described. Findings show the combined market-utility-demand performance of dynamic pricing to be superior as an input to the negotiating agent. Contributions are threefold, pointing to (a) management accounting practice and research (dynamic pricing), (b) science and research strategy (method), and (c) accounting education (skill set).
Organization Preference Knowledge Acquisition of Multi-Platform Aircraft Mission System Utilizing Frequent Closed Itemset Mining
Authors: Wu Yuqian , Wang Miao , Chu Wenkui , Wang Guoqing
Published: February 2023

Organization preference knowledge is critical to enhancing the intelligence and efficiency of the multi-platform aircraft mission system (MPAMS), particularly the collaboration tactics of task behaviors, platform types, and mount resources. However, it is challenging to extract such knowledge concisely, which is buried in massive historical data. Therefore, this paper proposes an innovative data-driven approach via frequent closed itemset mining (FCIM) algorithm to discover valuable MPAMS organizational knowledge. The proposed approach addresses the limitations of poor effectiveness and low mining efficiency for the previously discovered knowledge. To ensure the knowledge effectiveness, this paper designs a multi-layer knowledge discovery framework from the system-of-systems perspective, allowing to discover more systematic knowledge than traditional frameworks considering an isolated layer. Additionally, the MPAMS’s contextual capability reflecting the decision motivation is integrated into the knowledge representation, making the knowledge more intelligible to decision-makers. Further, to ensure mining efficiency, the knowledge mining process is accelerated by designing an itemset storage structure and three pruning strategies for FCIM. The simulation of 1100 air-to-sea assault scenarios has provided abundant knowledge with high interpretability. The performance superiority of the proposed approach is thoroughly verified by comparative experiments. The approach provides guidance and insights for future MPAMS development and organization optimization.
Integrated Guidance-and-Control Design for Three-Dimensional Interception Based on Deep-Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Wang Wenwen , Wu Mingyu , Chen Zhihua , Liu Xiaoli
Published: February 2023

This study applies deep-reinforcement-learning algorithms to integrated guidance and control for three-dimensional, high-maneuverability missile-target interception. Dynamic environment, reward functions concerning multi-factors, agents based on the deep-deterministic-policy-gradient algorithm, and action signals with pitch and yaw fins as control commands were constructed in the research, which control the missile in order to intercept targets. Firstly, the missile-interception system includes dynamics such as the inertia of the missile, the aerodynamic parameters, and fin delays. Secondly, to improve the convergence speed and guidance accuracy, a convergence factor for the angular velocity of the target line of sight and deep dual-filter methods were introduced into the design of the reward function. The method proposed in this paper was then compared with traditional proportional navigation. Next, many simulations were carried out on high-maneuverability targets with different initial conditions by randomization. The numerical-simulation results showed that the proposed guidance strategy has higher guidance accuracy and stronger robustness and generalization capability against the aerodynamic parameters.
Enhanced Starting Control Scheme for PMM-Based Starter/Generator System for MEA
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed A. A. , Shen Yeoh Seang , Atkin Jason , Diab Ahmed M. , Khalaf Mohsen , Bozhko Serhiy
Published: February 2023

A control approach for aircraft Starter/Generator (S/G) with Permanent Magnet Machine (PMM) operating in Flux Weakening (FW) mode is presented. The proposed strategy helps the previous approaches which are adopted for the Variable Voltage Bus (VVB) or Voltage Wild Bus (VWB) concept for an aircraft Electric Power System (EPS), to cover a wide speed range in motoring and generation modes. Compared to prior works, the proposed control approach adjusts the q-axis reference voltage with a single current regulator, and the maximum available voltage provided by the converter is used to evaluate the d-axis voltage. By adopting the proposed approach, the DC bus voltage can be fully utilized, increasing aircraft efficiency by allowing the S/G system to operate at a wide range of speeds. The results of the analytical design and the performance of the system were verified by time-domain simulations using MATLAB/Simulink and experiments and compared to the conventional method.
Prediction of Tail-Off Pressure Peak Anomaly on Small-Scale Rocket Motors
Authors: Mini Stefano , Ponti Fabrizio , Brusa Alessandro , Bertacin Roberto , Betti Barbara
Published: February 2023

Numerical studies intended to predict solid rocket motors anomalies are the major contributors when developing strategies to both limit expensive fire tests and to investigate and understand the physical phenomena from which anomalies can arise. This paper aims to present a mathematical–physical method to evaluate the pressure peak, namely Friedman Curl, occurring at the tail-off phase of small-scale rocket motors. Such phenomenon is linked to the grain solid particles arrangement (i.e., packing effect); indeed, those particles show a tendency to accumulate at a certain distance from the metallic case, implying a local burn rate increment and a combustion chamber pressure rise close to the tail-off phase. Comparisons between experimental and simulated combustion chamber pressure profiles are outlined to prove the effectiveness of the mathematical–physical approach. Simulations were carried out with an internal ballistic simulation tool developed by the authors of this work.