bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retrospective analyses on preputioplasties in boys with pathological phimosis performed over the last nine years
Authors: Bosveld Jikke , Hornung Paul , Klijn Aart J. , Schroeder Rogier P. J.
Published: November 2022

In our clinic, more patients wish to treat pathological phimosis with a preputioplasty to preserve their foreskin. This study aims to analyze the long-term effects of preputioplasty. Additionally, we have produced an instructional video for those who want to master this surgical technique. A retrospective cohort study was performed in boys aged ≤ 18 years old suffering from pathological phimosis. All patients underwent preputioplasty between January 2011–2020. The outcome of the preputioplasty is considered positive when the foreskin was retractable months post-operative.

In total, 176 patients were included. The mean age operating was 8.9 years. A positive result after preputioplasty was observed in 163/176 patients (93%). Patients with a negative outcome most often chose a re-operation: circumcision in seven cases and a redo-preputioplasty in three. Four patients showed complications (minor infection (1), wound dehiscence (2), and excess amount of skin (1)). Thus, a preputioplasty is shown to be a feasible operative treatment option.
Coupled Finite Element Simulation of Shape Memory Bending Microactuator
Authors: Tshikwand Georgino Kaleng , Seigner Lena , Wendler Frank , Kohl Manfred
Published: November 2022

Due to their high-energy density, shape memory alloys (SMAs) are investigated as material for bending microactuators in applications of self-folding structures, realizing the concept of programmable matter. Here, for the numerical prediction of the electro-thermo-mechanical performance, the quantification of the time-dependent coupling effects in SMA materials during phase transformation is of crucial interest. Isothermal SMA material models cannot treat the time-dependent interaction between deformation, temperature and electric potential in thermally controlled actuation. In this paper, we extend an isothermal SMA model using standard thermodynamics (Coleman–Noll procedure) to treat the time-dependent behavior of polycrystalline SMAs. The model is implemented as a user material subroutine (UMAT) in a standard finite element (FE) code (Abaqus standard). The time-dependent loading of a tensile sample and a bending microactuator made from 20 $$\mu \hbox {m}$$

μ
m

thick SMA foil are simulated. A comparative study between experimental and simulation results on the thermoelastic and caloric effects during stress-induced phase transformation is presented. Joule heating simulations for shape recovery during both tensile and bending loading are conducted. Time-resolved temperature variations accompanying the loading and Joule heating processes are reported. The coupled SMA material model is found to be capable of approximating the time-dependent field quantities of a polycrystalline SMA microactuator subjected to electro-thermo-mechanical loading.
Chaos Analysis of Single-Stage Spur Gear System Considering Backlash Fractal
Authors: Yu Jiahui , Wang Huiyuan , Ren Dongdong
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Considering the time-varying pressure angle and dynamic clearance, the effects of rotational speed, tooth surface friction, and tooth surface morphology on the system’s dynamic response are studied.

Method

An improved gear nonlinear model is proposed, which considered nonlinear factors such as time-varying pressure angle, position angle, tooth surface morphology, and tooth surface friction. The time-varying dynamic backlash is deduced, and the nonlinear dynamic equation of the gear is established. The nonlinear dynamic response of the gear system is obtained based on Runge–Kutta method.

Results

The influence of the rotational speed and tooth surface friction on single-stage spur gear system response is analyzed through the analysis of the bifurcation diagram, the three-dimensional spectrum diagram, the proportion of the meshing state, and the largest dynamic meshing force (LDMF). Dynamic response differences between the three different model are compared. In addition, by changing the tooth surface roughness and fractal dimension, the influence of tooth surface morphology on the dynamic response of the system is studied.

Conclusion

Compared with the traditional model, when the dynamic center distance and dynamic pressure angle are considered, the system response may enter a chaotic state earlier. When the tooth surface friction is further considered, the chaotic state of the system response is suppressed. At the same time, the velocity of the dynamic transmission error is significantly reduced, and the fluctuation amplitude of the dynamic pressure angle is increased. The value of LDMF rose overall. The stability of the system response decreases with the increase of tooth surface roughness and fractal dimension. Compared with the fractal dimension, the tooth surface roughness has a more obvious effect on the dynamic response of the system.
Classical Covariant Fields
Authors: Burgess Mark
Published: November 2022

This 2002 book discusses the classical foundations of field theory, using the language of variational methods and covariance. It explores the limits of what can be achieved with purely classical notions, and shows how these have a deep and important connection with the second quantized field theory, which follows on from the Schwinger Action Principle. The book takes a pragmatic view of field theory, focusing on issues which are usually omitted from quantum field theory texts and cataloging results which are hard to find in the literature. Care is taken to explain how results arise and how to interpret them physically, for graduate students starting out in the field. An ideal supplementary text for courses on elementary field theory, group theory and dynamical systems, it is also a valuable reference for researchers working in these and related areas. It has been reissued as an Open Access publication on Cambridge Core.
Mathematics of Quantization and Quantum Fields
Authors: Dereziński Jan , Gérard Christian
Published: November 2022

Unifying topics that are scattered throughout the literature, this book offers a definitive review of mathematical aspects of quantization and quantum field theory. It presents both basic and advanced topics of quantum field theory in a mathematically consistent way, focusing on canonical commutation and anti-commutation relations. It begins with a discussion of the mathematical structures underlying free bosonic or fermionic fields: tensors, algebras, Fock spaces, and CCR and CAR representations. Applications of these topics to physical problems are discussed in later chapters. Although most of the book is devoted to free quantum fields, it also contains an exposition of two important aspects of interacting fields: diagrammatics and the Euclidean approach to constructive quantum field theory. With its in-depth coverage, this text is essential reading for graduate students and researchers in mathematics and physics. This title, first published in 2013, has been reissued as an Open Access publication on Cambridge Core.
Feminisms in Latin America
Authors: Zaremberg Gisela , de Almeida Débora Rezende
Published: November 2022

This Element analyzes the features of current feminist movements in Latin America and their responses to conservative reactions. For this, it focuses on the pro-choice movement vis-à-vis the anti-abortion countermovement in Mexico and Brazil. It offers a relational approach embracing the dynamics within the feminist field and between feminism and the state to capture the movements' potential effects. First, the Element proposes the concept of nested feminist networks, which comprises of three dimensions revealing the plurality of the movement across intersectional and sexual identity issues (horizontal), its relationship with the multifaceted state (vertical), and the intermediation of political parties and participatory institutions in this relationship (intermediary). Second, it argues that nested networks allow feminists to enable policies and block actions from conservatives. In sum, it explores how feminists, leveraging their plurality and connection with the state, can counter conservative attacks.
Who shapes the CJEU regulatory jurisprudence? On the epistemic power of economic actors and ways to counter it
Authors: Morvillo Marta , Weimer Maria
Published: November 2022

What role does the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) play in holding European Union (EU) regulatory science, ie the science underpinning public regulation, to account for its epistemic quality? Since Pfizer, CJEU case law has strengthened the role of science in both EU risk regulation and litigation, whilst intensifying judicial scrutiny of scientific reasoning based on procedural standards. Scholars often welcome this approach as striking an adequate balance between effective judicial protection and institutional competence. Some praise the Court as an ‘information catalyst’ promoting procedures, in which epistemic quality is ensured through diligent consideration of and deliberation among all relevant voices. These debates, however, overlook the role of economic actors as information providers, in and challengers of EU risk regulation. This paper re-evaluates the modern post-Pfizer approach from a new, socio-legal perspective by studying, for the first time, the interactions between judicial review and the epistemic power of economic actors, ie their relative ability to influence what EU regulators know at the expense of other actors. We combine an epistemologically informed comparative institutional analysis with doctrinal critique of CJEU case law. Our findings show the need to rethink both legal standing and procedural review in EU risk regulation. Instead of catalysing inclusive procedures that open regulatory science to public scrutiny, the modern approach fosters an exclusive bilateral information exchange between the administration and the regulated industry. The Court reduces the function of process values, such as duty of care and reason-giving, to the protection of a small circle of actors, neglecting the public interest dimension of such values. Thus, the modern approach fails to address, and instead further entrenches the epistemic power imbalances inherent in EU risk regulation. We end by sketching out a normative and doctrinally sound vision of how CJEU review could contribute to EU expert accountability in a more publicly oriented way.
Posting of workers in the European Union: an exploitative labour system
Authors: Robin-Olivier Sophie
Published: November 2022

This article unpacks some severe forms of exploitation of workers, resulting from the use of free provision of services for purposes that it was not intended to fulfil, under internal market law. It explores how this evolution of posting relates to the existence of a market resting only on the international assignment of workers, and proposes that the European Union (EU) takes steps to limit or prohibit assignment of labour, especially in the sectors (agriculture, meat sector, construction) where posting of workers, as some recent cases show, leads to extreme forms of exploitation that can be tagged as slavery.
An ergodic system is dominant exactly when it has positive entropy
Authors: AUSTIN TIM , GLASNER ELI , THOUVENOT JEAN-PAUL , WEISS BENJAMIN
Published: November 2022

An ergodic dynamical system
$\mathbf {X}$
is called dominant if it is isomorphic to a generic extension of itself. It was shown by Glasner et al [On some generic classes of ergodic measure preserving transformations. Trans. Moscow Math. Soc.82(1) (2021), 15–36] that Bernoulli systems with finite entropy are dominant. In this work, we show first that every ergodic system with positive entropy is dominant, and then that if
$\mathbf {X}$
has zero entropy, then it is not dominant.
Effects of procalcitonin on antimicrobial treatment decisions in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Conlon Anna S.C. , Chopra Zoey , Cahalan Shannon , Cinti Sandro , Rao Krishna
Published: November 2022

Objective:

To describe the natural course of procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the correlation between PCT and antimicrobial prescribing to provide insight into best practices for PCT data utilization in antimicrobial stewardship in this population.

Design:

Single-center, retrospective, observational study.

Setting:

Michigan Medicine.

Patients:

Inpatients aged ≥18 years hospitalized March 1, 2020, through October 31, 2021, who were positive for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with ≥1 PCT measurement. Exclusion criteria included antibiotics for nonpulmonary bacterial infection on admission, treatment with azithromycin only for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, and pre-existing diagnosis of cystic fibrosis with positive respiratory cultures.

Methods:

A structured query was used to extract data. For patients started on antibiotics, bacterial pneumonia (bPNA) was determined through chart review. Multivariable models were used to assess associations of PCT level and bPNA with antimicrobial use.

Results:

Of 793 patients, 224 (28.2%) were initiated on antibiotics: 33 (14.7%) had proven or probable bPNA, 125 (55.8%) had possible bPNA, and 66 (29.5%) had no bPNA. Patients had a mean of 4.1 (SD, ±5.2) PCT measurements if receiving antibiotics versus a mean of 2.0 (SD, ±2.6) if not. Initial PCT level was highest for those with proven/probable bPNA and was associated with antibiotic initiation (odds ratio 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.30). Initial PCT (rate ratio [RR] 95% CI, 1.01–1.08), change in PCT over time (RR 95% CI, 1.01–1.05), and bPNA group (RR 95% CI, 1.23–1.84) were associated with antibiotic duration.

Conclusions:

PCT trends are associated with the decision to initiate antibiotics and duration of treatment, independent of bPNA status and comorbidities. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether PCT level can be used to safely make decisions regarding antibiotic treatment for COVID-19.
From drag-reducing riblets to drag-increasing ridges
Authors: von Deyn Lars H. , Gatti Davide , Frohnapfel Bettina
Published: November 2022

Small drag-reducing riblets and larger drag-increasing ridges are longitudinally invariant and laterally periodic surface structures that differ only in the details of their lateral periodicity and their size in viscous units. Due to their different drag behaviour, typically riblets and ridges have been analysed separately. By studying experimentally trapezoidal-grooved surfaces of different sizes, we address systematically the transition from riblet-like to ridge-like behaviour in a unified framework. The structure height and lateral wavelength are varied both physically, by considering eight different surfaces, and in their viscous-scaled form, by spanning a wide range of bulk Reynolds number$Re_b$. The effective skin-friction coefficient$C_f$is determined via pressure-drop measurement in a turbulent channel flow facility designed for accurate drag measurements. An unexpectedly rich drag behaviour is unveiled, in which different drag regimes are distinguished depending on the value of$l_g^+$, the viscous-scaled square root of the groove area. The well-known drag-reducing regime of riblets that spans up to$l_g^+=17$is followed by a regime in which the roughness function${\rm \Delta} U^+$increases logarithmically with$l_g^+$, indicating an apparent fully rough behaviour up to$l_g^+\approx 40$. Further increase of$l_g^+$leads to a clear departure from the fully rough regime, and an unexpected non-monotonic behaviour of the roughness function${\rm \Delta} U^+$for$50< l_g^+<200$is reported for the first time. For sufficiently large$Re_b$and$l_g$, it is shown that a single parameter, similar to the classical hydraulic diameter, is sufficient to describe the drag behaviour of ridges. We find that an appropriate definition of the effective channel height is crucial for interpreting the drag behaviour. When the longitudinal protrusion height of the structured surface is accounted for in the channel height definition, a laminar flow exhibits the same$C_f(Re_b)$relation known for flat surfaces. This approach thus allows us to discern the modification of$C_f$induced by turbulence. We provide predictive correlations for the fully rough regime and the high Reynolds number range of trapezoidal-grooved surfaces that become possible thanks to the chosen channel height definition.
Two trichinellosis outbreaks in Serbia – challenging diagnosis due to a potential co-infection with Toxocara spp.
Authors: Mitic I. , Gnjatovic M. , Vasilev S. , Ristovic N. , Miladinovic-Tasic N. , Sofronic-Milosavljevic Lj.
Published: November 2022

In Serbia, in most cases, small family outbreaks of trichinellosis occur due to the consumption of untested infected meat from domestic pigs that are raised and slaughtered in the backyards of small individual farms. The aim of this study is to present data regarding 24 patients involved in two outbreaks that occurred in two neighbouring districts in Serbia during a closely related period of time in August 2014. The source of infection in the first outbreak was undercooked pork, while raw pork sausages caused the second outbreak. Meat samples and sausages were Trichinella spp. positive by artificial digestion. With the aim to obtain a second opinion and validate the serological findings discovered at the Public Health Institute Nis, all samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory for Trichinellosis, INEP. Serodiagnosis showed that 21 persons were positive (87.5%) and three (12.5%) were negative for anti-Trichinella antibodies, while 15 patients fulfilled the trichinellosis case definition. Western blot analysis (using an epitope unique for the muscle larvae stage of the Trichinella genus) confirmed the diagnosis of trichinellosis in five patients. Six patients also had specific antibodies against Toxocara canis (T. canis). Due to the fact that in endemic foci in Serbia there is the presence of Trichinella spiralis and T. canis and that these two infections could be asymptomatic, we consider that trichinellosis cases were irrefutably proven. The dilemma about the existence of co-infection with T. canis remained open due to the lack of clinical findings.
Anaesthesia for non-cardiac surgery in children and young adults with Fontan physiology
Authors: Brown Morgan L. , Cradeur Michael , Staffa Steven J. , Nasr Viviane G. , Hernandez Michael R. , DiNardo James A.
Published: November 2022

Introduction:

Patients with Fontan physiology require non-cardiac surgery. Our objectives were to characterise perioperative outcomes of patients with Fontan physiology undergoing non-cardiac surgery and to identify characteristics which predict discharge on the same day.

Materials and Method:

Children and young adults with Fontan physiology who underwent a non-cardiac surgery or an imaging study under anaesthesia between 2013 and 2019 at a single-centre academic children’s hospital were reviewed in a retrospective observational study. Continuous variables were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, and categorical variables were analysed using the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Multivariable logistic regression analysis results are presented by adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and p values.

Results:

182 patients underwent 344 non-cardiac procedures with anaesthesia. The median age was 11 years (IQR 5.2–18), 56.4% were male. General anaesthesia was administered in 289 (84%). 125 patients (36.3%) were discharged on the same day. On multivariable analysis, independent predictors that reduced the odds of same-day discharge included the chronic condition index (OR 0.91 per additional chronic condition, 95% CI 0.76–0.98, p = 0.022), undergoing a major surgical procedure (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.05–0.64, p = 0.009), the use of intraoperative inotropes (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.25–0.94, p = 0.031), and preoperative admission (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.1–0.57, p = 0.001).

Discussion:

In a contemporary cohort of paediatric and young adults with Fontan physiology, 36.3% were able to be discharged on the same day of their non-cardiac procedure. Well selected patients with Fontan physiology can undergo anaesthesia without complications and be discharged same day.
Late diagnosis of CHD and its associated factors in Kenya: an analytic cross-sectional study
Authors: Ng’eno Mercy , Quadros Del-rossi S. , Gachara Naomi , Kihurani Isaac , Yonga Gerald
Published: November 2022

Introduction:

Burden of CHD in Africa is generally underestimated mainly due to significant under-reporting and early-related fetal and neonatal mortality.

Objectives:

Determine the prevalence and factors associated with late diagnosis of CHD seen at three tertiary care hospitals in Kenya.

Design:

A cross-sectional study on paediatric patients with CHDs, aged 0–18 years, seen over a 5-year period, between January, 2011 and December, 2016.

Setting:

Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, Mater Hospital, and Kenyatta National Hospital.

Methods:

Patients were stratified into those diagnosed late (>1 year of age) and those diagnosed early (<1 year of age). Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to determine factors associated with late diagnosis.

Results:

The study enrolled 411 patients, with equal gender distribution. Prevalence of late diagnosis (>1 year of age) of CHD was 60.6% (95% CI 55.7–65.3). Median age at diagnosis was 15 (IQR 5–48) months. Presence of a cardiac murmur (OR = 0.87; 95% CI 0.72–0.92, p-value = 0.016) and level of parental education (OR = 4.99; 95% CI 2.25–11.40, p-value <0001) were associated with a decreased odds of late diagnosis. Other factors like cyanosis, an increase in the number of healthcare workers and healthcare facilities per 10,000 population showed some association with decreased odds of late diagnosis of CHD, but these were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

Late diagnosis of CHD remains alarmingly high in our setting. Initiatives to enhance early detection and screening of CHD should be adopted to reduce related mortality and morbidity.
Senior food insecurity in the USA: a systematic literature review
Authors: Mavegam Tango Assoumou Bertille Octavie , Coughenour Courtney , Godbole Amruta , McDonough Ian
Published: November 2022

Objective:

Understanding the factors associated with senior food insecurity is key to understanding senior-specific needs to develop targeted interventions and ultimately lower the prevalence and the incidence of food insecurity. We aimed to systematically review published literature and summarise the associated factors of food insecurity in older adults in the USA.

Design:

We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of science, EconLit and JSTOR databases for peer-reviewed articles published in English between January 2005 and September 2019 that assessed food security or its associated factors for US adults aged 60 years and older. After a two-step screening process, twenty articles were retained and included in the review.

Setting:

NA

Participants:

NA

Results:

The majority of studies were cross-sectional (70 %), consisted of data from one state (60 %), and had large sample sizes. Food-insecure individuals were more likely to be younger, less educated, Black or African American, female, a current smoker, low income, and self-report fair/poor health, have chronic conditions, and utilise government assistance programmes. Food insecurity was associated with medication non-adherence, poor mental health outcomes and limitations in physical functioning. Results were mixed for overweight/obesity status. There was no discernable pattern related to the consistency of findings by the assessed quality of the included studies.

Conclusions:

Food insecurity is a prevalent and pervasive issue for older adults. The numerous correlates identified suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing food and nutrition safety net and medication assistance programmes are warranted, and upstream, systemic-level interventions may be best suited to deal with the correlates of food insecurity.
E-Learningangebot zum wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten und Denken für Praxisanleiter_innen
Authors: Schmidt Annika , Dörmann Lena , Seilacher Eckart , Zündel Matthias
Published: November 2022

Zusammenfassung. Die primärqualifizierende Pflegeausbildung an Hochschulen bringt neue und zusätzliche Anforderungen für Praxisanleitungen mit sich. Um eine qualifizierte praktische Ausbildung abzusichern, erscheint es relevant, hochschulische Weiterbildungsangebote vorzuhalten. Ziel des Beitrages ist es, Erkenntnisse zu einem akademischen E-Learningkurs für praxisanleitende Pflegefachkräfte vorzustellen.
Unmasking the Effects of Aerosols on Greenhouse Warming Over Europe
Authors: Glantz P. , Fawole O. G. , Ström J. , Wild M. , Noone K. J.
Published: November 2022

Aerosol optical thickness (AOT) has decreased substantially in Europe in the summer half year (April–September) since 1980, with almost a 50% reduction in Central and Eastern Europe, according to Modern‐Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA‐2) reanalysis. At the same time, strong positive trends in ERA5 reanalysis surface solar radiation downward for all‐sky and clear‐sky conditions (SSRD and SSRDc, respectively) and temperature at 2 m are found for Europe in summer during the period 1979–2020. The GEBA observations show as well strong increases in SSRD during the latest four decades. Estimations of changes in SSRDc, using the Santa Barbara DISORT Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (SBDART) model, show similarly strong increases when fed by MERRA‐2 AOT. The estimates of warming in this study, caused by increases in SSRD and SSRDc, are based on energy budget approximations and the Stefan Boltzmann law. The increases in near surface temperature, estimated both for clear‐sky and all‐sky conditions, are up to about 1°C for Central and Eastern Europe. The total warming over large parts of this region for clear‐sky conditions is however nearly double the global mean temperature increase of 1.1°C, while somewhat less for all‐sky conditions. The effects of aerosols on warming over the southerly Iberian Peninsula are weaker compared to countries further north. The rapid total warming over the Iberian Peninsula is probably caused by greenhouse warming, drier surface conditions, and to some degree decline in aerosols. Reduced cloud cover is found for large parts of Europe in summer during the latest four decades.
The Climatic Impact‐Driver Framework for Assessment of Risk‐Relevant Climate Information
Authors: Ruane Alex C. , Vautard Robert , Ranasinghe Roshanka , Sillmann Jana , Coppola Erika , Arnell Nigel , Cruz Faye Abigail , Dessai Suraje , Iles Carley E. , Islam A. K. M. Saiful , Jones Richard G. , Rahimi Mohammad , Carrascal Daniel Ruiz , Seneviratne Sonia I. , Servonnat Jérôme , Sörensson Anna A. , Sylla Mouhamadou Bamba , Tebaldi Claudia , Wang Wen , Zaaboul Rashyd
Published: November 2022

The climate science and applications communities need a broad and demand‐driven concept to assess physical climate conditions that are relevant for impacts on human and natural systems. Here, we augment the description of the “climatic impact‐driver” (CID) approach adopted in the Working Group I (WGI) contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report. CIDs are broadly defined as “physical climate system conditions (e.g., means, events, and extremes) that affect an element of society or ecosystems. Depending on system tolerance, CIDs and their changes can be detrimental, beneficial, neutral, or a mixture of each across interacting system elements and regions.” We give background information on the IPCC Report process that led to the development of the 7 CID types (heat and cold, wet and dry, wind, snow and ice, coastal, open ocean, and other) and 33 distinct CID categories, each of which may be evaluated using a variety of CID indices. This inventory of CIDs was co‐developed with WGII to provide a useful collaboration point between physical climate scientists and impacts/risk experts to assess the specific climatic phenomena driving sectoral responses and identify relevant CID indices within each sector. The CID Framework ensures that a comprehensive set of climatic conditions informs adaptation planning and risk management and may also help prioritize improvements in modeling sectoral dynamics that depend on climatic conditions. CIDs contribute to climate services by increasing coherence and neutrality when identifying and communicating relevant findings from physical climate research to risk assessment and planning activities.
Hyperspectral Reflectance for Measuring Canopy‐Level Nutrients and Photosynthesis in a Salt Marsh
Authors: Vázquez‐Lule Alma , Seyfferth Angelia L. , Limmer Matt A. , Mey Paul , Guevara Mario , Vargas Rodrigo
Published: November 2022

Salt marsh ecosystems are underrepresented in process‐based models due to their unique location across the terrestrial–aquatic interface. Particularly, the role of leaf nutrients on canopy photosynthesis (FA) remains unclear, despite their relevance for regulating vegetation growth. We combined multiyear information of canopy‐level nutrients and eddy covariance measurements with canopy surface hyperspectral remote sensing (CSHRS) to quantify the spatial and temporal variability of FA in a temperate salt marsh. We found that FA showed a positive relationship with canopy‐level N at the ecosystem scale and for areas dominated by Spartina cynosuroides, but not for areas dominated by short S. alterniflora. FA showed a positive relationship with canopy‐level P, K, and Na, but a negative relationship with Fe, for areas associated with S. cynosuroides, S. alterniflora, and at the ecosystem scale. We used partial least squares regression (PLSR) with CSHRS and found statistically significant data–model agreements to predict canopy‐level nutrients and FA. The red‐edge electromagnetic region and ∼770 nm showed the highest contribution of variance in PLSR models for canopy‐level nutrients and FA, but we propose that underlying sediment biogeochemistry can complicate interpretation of reflectance measurements. Our findings highlight the relevance of spatial variability in salt marshes vegetation and the promising application of CSHRS for linking information of canopy‐level nutrients with FA. We call for further development of canopy surface hyperspectral methods and analyses across salt marshes to improve our understanding of how these ecosystems will respond to global environmental change.
A Swin Transformer-based model for mosquito species identification
Authors: Zhao De-zhong , Wang Xin-kai , Zhao Teng , Li Hu , Xing Dan , Gao He-ting , Song Fan , Chen Guo-hua , Li Chun-xiao
Published: November 2022

Mosquito transmit numbers of parasites and pathogens resulting in fatal diseases. Species identification is a prerequisite for effective mosquito control. Existing morphological and molecular classification methods have evitable disadvantages. Here we introduced Deep learning techniques for mosquito species identification. A balanced, high-definition mosquito dataset with 9900 original images covering 17 species was constructed. After three rounds of screening and adjustment-testing (first round among 3 convolutional neural networks and 3 Transformer models, second round among 3 Swin Transformer variants, and third round between 2 images sizes), we proposed the first Swin Transformer-based mosquito species identification model (Swin MSI) with 99.04% accuracy and 99.16% F1-score. By visualizing the identification process, the morphological keys used in Swin MSI were similar but not the same as those used by humans. Swin MSI realized 100% subspecies-level identification inCulex pipiensComplex and 96.26% accuracy for novel species categorization. It presents a promising approach for mosquito identification and mosquito borne diseases control.
Prevalence of cerebrovascular accidents in patients with ulcerative colitis in a single academic health system
Authors: Horta Erika , Burke-Smith Conor , Megna Bryant W. , Nichols Kendall J. , Vaughn Byron P. , Reshi Rwoof , Shmidt Eugenia
Published: November 2022

In general, IBD increases arteriovenous thromboembolic events, though the association between UC and cerebrovascular complications remains inconclusive. Some studies suggest young women with UC have an increased risk of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). The focus of this study was to characterize the rates, anatomic distribution, and risk factors for CVA in patients with UC. We developed a retrospective cohort of patients with UC at a single health care system from June 2010 to June 2015. Neuroimaging was used to document presence, location and type of stroke and traditional risk factors were considered. Prevalence of CVAs in patients with UC was compared to that of the general population of Minnesota (MN) and the United States (U.S.). A total of 2,183 UC patients were identified (1088 females [f-UC], 1095 males [m-UC]). The prevalence of CVA in UC patients (4.7%, 95% CI 3.9–5.6) was higher than in the U.S. (2.5–2.7%, p < 0.0001) and in Minnesota (1.8% CI 1.5–2.2, p < 0.0001) . The prevalence increased in both sexes with a peak prevalence of 24.7% (95% CI 17.1–34.4) in women with UC over the age of 80. Older age, cancer and atrial fibrillation were risk factors for CVA in univariate analysis for both sexes. In multifactorial analysis, both age and atrial fibrillation were risk factors for CVA in the m-UC cohort, but only age was associated with CVA in f-UC. The most common type of CVA was ischemic stroke (77.7%). The most common locations for CVAs in UC patients were frontal and occipital lobes (19% and 18%, respectively). UC patients have an increased risk for CVA, with women over 80 demonstrating the highest risk. Providers should be aware of these risks in making treatment decisions for UC.
Evaluating the diagnostic value of multi-detector brain CT angiography in diagnosing acute cerebral venous thrombosis
Authors: Abbasi Bita , Kahani Nadia , Ghalibaf AmirAli Moodi , Layegh Parvaneh , Niroumand Shabnam , Akhavan Reza , Hamidi Ehsan , Salehi Maryam
Published: November 2022

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare type of venous thromboembolism mostly affecting young adults. Despite improved imaging studies, the diagnosis is usually delayed by several days. An average diagnostic delay of seven days from the onset of symptoms is still reported for this condition, and it is crucial for radiologists to detect this potentially lethal condition in routine imaging studies. In this study we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of multi-detector brain CTA in diagnosing acute CVT. We searched our Picture Archiving and Communicating System (PACS) of our tertiary-level academic hospital between March 2016 and March 2019, and collected all patients for whom both contrast-enhanced MRV and brain CTA were acquired at the same admission. A total of 242 patients were found on our PACS database who met our criteria. In the blinded multidetector-row computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) evaluation, there was a sensitivity of 96.1%, specificity of 98.6% and accuracy of 98.3% for MDCTA in detecting CVST. In the emergency settings, and in centers in which MRI scanners are not available, MDCTA can be used instead of CE-MRV for diagnosis of CSVT with a good sensitivity and specificity.
Risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients with diabetes and acute pancreatitis history: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Jang Dong Kee , Choi Jin Ho , Paik Woo Hyun , Ryu Ji Kon , Kim Yong-Tae , Han Kyung-Do , Lee Sang Hyub
Published: November 2022

Patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) may have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Few studies have dealt with the association between AP and the risk of CVD in diabetic patients. This study aimed to investigate the risk of CVD and mortality in patients with diabetes and AP history by analyzing a large-scale national claims database in Korea. Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database was analyzed. A total of 2,746,988 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus that underwent a general health examination between 2009 and 2012 were enrolled. The participants were divided into two groups according to AP history (yes or no) prior to the examination date, and follow-up data until 2018 was analyzed. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), or death. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between AP history and the risk of stroke, MI, and mortality. After exclusion, the included number of participants with and without AP history were 3,810 and 2,258,910, respectively. The presence of AP history showed a significantly higher incidence of stroke, MI, and mortality. The adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for the risk of stroke, MI, and mortality were 1.534 (1.342–1.753), 1.998 (1.733–2.303), and 2.353 (2.200–2.515), respectively. Age < 65, male sex, current smoking, and drinking significantly increased the risk of death in the subgroup analyses. The risk of stroke, MI, and mortality was significantly higher in diabetic participants with AP history than those without AP history at 9-year follow-up. This suggests that active management of cardiovascular risk factors is necessary in diabetic patients with AP history.
Development of generalized Fourier and Fick’s law of electro-osmotic MHD flow of sodium alginate based Casson nanofluid through inclined microchannel: exact solution and entropy generation
Authors: Khan Dolat , Asogwa Kanayo Kenneth , Akkurt Nevzat , Kumam Poom , Watthayu Wiboonsak , Sitthithakerngkiet Kanokwan
Published: November 2022

Electro-osmotic flow via a microchannel has numerous uses in the contemporary world, including in the biochemical and pharmaceutical industries. This research explores the electroosmotic flow of Casson-type nanofluid with Sodium Alginate nanoparticles through a vertically tilted microchannel. In addition, the transverse magnetic field is also considered. In this flowing fluid, the influence of heat and mass transmission is also explored. The aforementioned physical process is represented by partial differential equations. Utilizing suitable dimensionless variables for nondimensionalized. Furthermore, the non—dimensional classical system is fractionalized with the use of generalized Fourier and Fick's law. Generalizations are made using the Caputo derivative's description. The analytical solution of the velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles is obtained by combining the methods of Laplace and Fourier. Interestingly, the influence of several physical characteristics such as the fractional parameter, Casson fluid parameter, the thermal and mass Grashof numbers, and the zeta potential parameter is displayed. Moreover, the results show that the volume fractional of nanoparticles enhances the rate of heat transfer up to 39.90%, Skin friction up to 38.05%, and Sherwood number up to 11.11%. Also, the angle of inclination enhances the fluid velocity.
The role of executive functions, social cognition and intelligence in predicting social adaptation of vulnerable populations
Authors: Schulte M. , Trujillo N. , Rodríguez-Villagra O. A. , Salas N. , Ibañez A. , Carriedo N. , Huepe D.
Published: November 2022

This study sought to evaluate the roles of and interactions between cognitive processes that have been shown to exhibit impact from socioeconomic status (SES) and living conditions in predicting social adaptation (SA) in a population of adults living in socially vulnerable conditions. Participants included 226 people between the ages of 18 and 60 who have been living in vulnerable contexts throughout life in Santiago, Chile. Data was collected through a battery of psychological assessments. A structural equation model (SEM) was implemented to examine the interrelationships among cognitive and social variables. Results indicate a significant relationship between executive function (EF) and SA through both social cognition (SC) and intelligence. Theory of Mind (ToM), a component of SC, was shown to exhibit a significant relationship with affective empathy; interestingly, this was negatively related to SA. Moreover, fluid intelligence (FI) was found to exhibit a positive, indirect relationship with SA through crystallized intelligence (CI). Evaluation of these results in the context of research on the impacts of SES and vulnerable living conditions on psychological function may allow for the development of more effective clinical, political, and social interventions to support psychosocial health among socially vulnerable populations.
Expression of DNA repair genes and its relevance for DNA repair in peripheral immune cells of patients with posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Behnke Alexander , Mack Matthias , Fieres Judy , Christmann Markus , Bürkle Alexander , Moreno-Villanueva María , Kolassa Iris-Tatjana
Published: November 2022

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves elevated levels of cellular oxidative stress which jeopardizes the integrity of essential cell compartments. Previously, we demonstrated higher levels of DNA lesions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in PTSD. Retaining vital levels of DNA integrity requires cells to mobilize compensatory efforts in elevating their DNA-repair capacity. Accordingly, we hypothesized to find increased expression rates of the DNA-repair genes X-ray repair cross complementing 1 (XRCC1), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), and polymerase β (Polβ) in PBMCs of PTSD patients as compared to controls, leading to functionally relevant changes in DNA-repair kinetics. In a cohort of 14 refugees with PTSD and 15 without PTSD, we found significantly higher XRCC1 expression in PTSD patients than controls (U = 161.0, p = 0.009, Cohen’s r = 0.49), and positive correlations between the severity of PTSD symptoms and the expression of XRCC1 (rS = 0.57, p = 0.002) and PARP1 (rS = 0.43, p = 0.022). Higher XRCC1 (F = 2.39, p = 0.010, η2p = 0.10) and PARP1 (F = 2.15, p = 0.022, η2p = 0.09) expression accounted for slower repair of experimentally X-ray irradiation-induced DNA damage, highlighting the possible physiological relevance of altered DNA-repair gene expression in PTSD. Our study provides first evidence for a compensatory regulation of DNA-repair mechanisms in PTSD. We discuss the implications of increased DNA damage and altered DNA-repair mechanisms in immune senescence, premature aging, and increased physical morbidity in PTSD.
The thresholding problem and variability in the EEG graph network parameters
Authors: Adamovich Timofey , Zakharov Ilya , Tabueva Anna , Malykh Sergey
Published: November 2022

Graph thresholding is a frequently used practice of eliminating the weak connections in brain functional connectivity graphs. The main aim of the procedure is to delete the spurious connections in the data. However, the choice of the threshold is arbitrary, and the effect of the threshold choice is not fully understood. Here we present the description of the changes in the global measures of a functional connectivity graph depending on the different proportional thresholds based on the 146 resting-state EEG recordings. The dynamics is presented in five different synchronization measures (wPLI, ImCoh, Coherence, ciPLV, PPC) in sensors and source spaces. The analysis shows significant changes in the graph’s global connectivity measures as a function of the chosen threshold which may influence the outcome of the study. The choice of the threshold could lead to different study conclusions; thus it is necessary to improve the reasoning behind the choice of the different analytic options and consider the adoption of different analytic approaches. We also proposed some ways of improving the procedure of thresholding in functional connectivity research.
Association between visit-to-visit fasting glycemic variability and depression: a retrospective cohort study in a representative Korean population without diabetes
Authors: Kim Hye Jun , Kim Sung Min , Lee Gyeongsil , Choi Seulggie , Son Joung Sik , Oh Yun Hwan , Choi Soo Jung , Jeong Seogsong , Park Sang Min
Published: November 2022

Glycemic variability (GV) is a risk factor for depression in patients with diabetes. However, whether it is also a predictor of incident depression in people without diabetes remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between visit-to-visit variability in fasting serum glucose (FSG) levels and the incidence of depression among Koreans without diabetes. This retrospective cohort study included data of people without diabetes who did not have depression at baseline and had at least three FSG measurements (n = 264,480) extracted from the 2002–2007 Korean National Health Insurance Service–National Health Screening Cohort. GV was calculated as the average successive variability of FSG. Among 264,480 participants, 198,267 were observed during 2008–2013 and their hazard ratios (HR) of incident depression were calculated. Participants with the highest GV showed a higher risk of depression in fully adjusted models than those with the lowest GV (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02–1.16). The risk of incident depression heightened with increasing GV (p for trend < 0.001). Greater visit-to-visit GV may be associated with the risk of developing depression in people without diabetes. Conversely, maintaining steady FSG levels may reduce the risk of incident depression in people without diabetes.
DeepPDT-Net: predicting the outcome of photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy using two-stage multimodal transfer learning
Authors: Yoo Tae Keun , Kim Seo Hee , Kim Min , Lee Christopher Seungkyu , Byeon Suk Ho , Kim Sung Soo , Yeo Jinyoung , Choi Eun Young
Published: November 2022

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), characterized by serous detachment of the macular retina, can cause permanent vision loss in the chronic course. Chronic CSC is generally treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT), which is costly and quite invasive, and the results are unpredictable. In a retrospective case–control study design, we developed a two-stage deep learning model to predict 1-year outcome of PDT using initial multimodal clinical data. The training dataset included 166 eyes with chronic CSC and an additional learning dataset containing 745 healthy control eyes. A pre-trained ResNet50-based convolutional neural network was first trained with normal fundus photographs (FPs) to detect CSC and then adapted to predict CSC treatability through transfer learning. The domain-specific ResNet50 successfully predicted treatable and refractory CSC (accuracy, 83.9%). Then other multimodal clinical data were integrated with the FP deep features using XGBoost.The final combined model (DeepPDT-Net) outperformed the domain-specific ResNet50 (accuracy, 88.0%). The FP deep features had the greatest impact on DeepPDT-Net performance, followed by central foveal thickness and age. In conclusion, DeepPDT-Net could solve the PDT outcome prediction task challenging even to retinal specialists. This two-stage strategy, adopting transfer learning and concatenating multimodal data, can overcome the clinical prediction obstacles arising from insufficient datasets.