bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meckel's diverticulum diagnosed by double‐balloon enteroscopy: A single‐center retrospective study in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Kai‐Chih , Chang Chia‐Hsi , Chou Jen‐Wei , Wu Yi‐Hua , Huang Po‐Ju , Cheng Ken‐Sheng
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is a common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although a few patients with MD present symptoms, preoperative diagnosis of MD is a clinical challenge because of its endoscopic inaccessibility. The aim of the present study was to investigate patients with MD diagnosed by double‐balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in Taiwan.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study in a tertiary referral center in middle Taiwan. The clinical characteristics, endoscopic features, histopathological findings, treatment methods, and outcomes of patients with MD diagnosed by DBE were analyzed.

Results

A total of 14 male patients with MD diagnosed by DBE were enrolled. The mean age of all patients was 32.3 years. GI bleeding (78.6%) accounted for the major indication of DBE, followed by abdominal pain and Crohn's disease follow‐up. The mean distance between the ileocecal valve and MD was 68.9 cm. The average length of 12 patients with surgically resected MD was 5.2 cm. The diagnostic yields of the other modalities excepting DBE are as follows: capsule endoscopy, 50%; Meckel's scan, 11.1%; computed tomography, 16.7%; small bowel series, 0%; and angiography, 33.3%. MD presented as a large ostium in 13 patients (92.9%), a small ostium in 1 patient (7.1%), and bleeding signs in 10 patients (71.4%). Twelve patients (85.7%) underwent surgical treatment and 2 patients (14.3%) received conservative treatment. Heterotopic gastric tissue was identified in 4 patients (28.6%).

Conclusion

The present study showed that DBE is a more powerful modality in detecting MD than the other conventional modalities in Taiwan.
Same‐day antiretroviral therapy initiation hub model at the Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic in Bangkok, Thailand: an observational cohort study
Authors: Seekaew Pich , Phanuphak Nittaya , Teeratakulpisarn Nipat , Amatavete Sorawit , Lujintanon Sita , Teeratakulpisarn Somsong , Pankam Tippawan , Nampaisan Oranuch , Jomja Pintip , Prabjunteuk Chotika , Plodgratoke Prapaipan , Ramautarsing Reshmie , Phanuphak Praphan
Published: December 2021

Introduction

WHO has recommended rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, including same‐day ART (SDART). However, data on the feasibility in real‐world settings are limited. We implemented a cohort study at a stand‐alone HIV testing centre to examine its applicability and effectiveness.

Methods

Data were collected from the Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic in Bangkok, Thailand, between July 2017 and July 2018 from clients who were ART‐naïve and could return for follow‐up visits. Baseline laboratory tests and chest X‐ray were performed according to national guidelines, and clinical eligibility was determined based on physical examination and chest X‐ray findings. Primary outcomes were retention in care and viral load suppression at 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results

During the study period, 2427 people tested HIV positive. Of these, 2107 (2207/2427, 86.8%) met logistical criteria, and 1904 (1904/2427, 78.5%) agreed to SDART. One thousand seven hundred and twenty‐nine (1729/2427, 71.2%) were placed on ART, with 1257 received same‐day initiation and 1576 initiated ART within 7 days; 1198 clients were successfully referred to free, sustained ART sites. Retention among eligible clients who accepted SDART service at months 3, 6 and 12 was 79.8%, 75.2% and 75.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

Same‐day ART initiation hub model at a stand‐alone HIV testing centre in an urban setting in Bangkok, Thailand, is highly feasible and has a potential for scaling up.

Clinical Trial Number

NCT04032028
The changing dynamics of neutralizing antibody response within 10 months of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections
Authors: Bastug Aliye , Bodur Hurrem , Aydos Omer , Filazi Nazlican , Oksuz Ergun , Ozkul Aykut
Published: December 2021

There are limited data on how long neutralizing antibody (NAb) response elicited via primary SARS‐CoV‐2 infection will last. Eighty‐four serum samples were obtained from a prospective cohort of 42 laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 inpatients at the time of discharge from the hospital and in the late convalescent phase. A virus neutralization assay was performed to determine the presence and titers of NAbs with authentic SARS‐CoV‐2. Long‐term dynamics of NAbs and factors that may have an impact on humoral immunity were investigated. Mild and moderate/severe patients were compared. The mean sampling time was 11.12 ± 5.02 days (4–28) for the discharge test and 268.12 ± 11.65 days (247–296) for the follow‐up test. NAb response was present in 83.3% of the patients about 10 months after infection. The detectable long‐term NAb rate was significantly higher in mild patients when compared to moderate/severe patients (95.7% vs. 68.4%, p = 0.025). In the follow‐up, NAb‐positive and ‐negative patients were compared to determine the predictors of the presence of long‐term humoral immunity. The only significant factor was disease severity. Patients with mild infections have more chance to have NAbs for a longer time. Age, gender, and comorbidity did not affect long‐term NAb response. NAb titers decreased significantly over time, with an average rank of 24.0 versus 19.1 (p = 0.002). Multivariate generalized estimating equation analysis revealed that no parameter has an impact on the change of NAb titers over time. The majority of the late convalescent patients still had detectable low levels of neutralizing antibodies. The protective effect of these titers of NAbs from re‐infections needs further studies.
The endogenous factors affecting the detection of serum SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG/IgM antibodies by ELISA
Authors: Liu Weiping , Long Xia , Wan Kexing , Yin Minggang , Yin Yi , Zhang Bo , Li Lin , Song Yaohui
Published: December 2021

To investigate endogenous interference factors of the detection results of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) IgM/IgG. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM/IgG in sera of 200 patients without COVID‐19 infection, including rheumatoid factor (RF) positive group, antinuclear antibody (ANA) positive group, pregnant women group, and normal senior group, with 50 in each group and 100 normal controls. The level of SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG in pregnant women was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (p = 0.000), but there was no significant difference between other groups. The levels of SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM in the pregnant women group, normal senior group, ANA positive group, and RF positive group were significantly higher than that in the normal control group (p < 0.05), with significant higher false‐positive rates in these groups (p = 0.036, p = 0.004, p = 0.000, vs. normal control group). Serum RF caused SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM false‐positive in a concentration‐dependent manner, especially when its concentration was higher than 110.25 IU/L, and the urea dissociation test can turn the false positive to negative. ANA, normal seniors, pregnant women, and RF can lead to false‐positive reactivity of SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM and/or IgG detected using ELISA. These factors should be considered when SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM or IgG detection is positive, false positive samples caused by RF positive can be used for urea dissociation test.
Association between periodontitis and metabolic syndrome in the Hamburg City Health Study
Authors: Kotin Jennifer , Walther Carolin , Wenzel Ulrich , Zyriax Birgit‐Christiane , Borof Katrin , Schnabel Renate B. , Seedorf Udo , Jagodzinski Annika , Heydecke Guido , Lamprecht Ragna , Smeets Ralf , Beikler Thomas , Aarabi Ghazal
Published: December 2021

Background

Previous studies demonstrated an association between severe chronic periodontitis (CP) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, these studies mostly used the outdated National Cholesterol Education Program‐Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP‐ATP) III case definition of MetS. Additionally, CP was rarely diagnosed based on a full‐mouth examination. Thus, the aim of the current study was to re‐evaluate the potential association between CP and MetS in the Hamburg City Health Study (HCHS), a large population‐based survey of middle‐aged and elderly men and women in Germany, in view of more current definitions of MetS and CP.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed with baseline‐data from participants of the HCHS. Periodontitis severity grades were determined in a random sample of 6,209 participants of which 5,456 had sufficient data to call absence or presence of MetS. Variables defining MetS according to the currently valid harmonized definition were determined and a full‐mouth examination was performed, including determination of the clinical attachment loss, bleeding on probing, and dental plaque index. CP was classified in three grades of severity (none/mild, moderate, and severe). The Kruskal‒Wallis test or the Chi‐squared test were used for descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models with and without adjustments for potential confounders (age, sex, smoking, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein [hsCRP], energy intake, and physical activity) were used to test for associations.

Results

The prevalence of MetS (39.0%) increased according to the severity grades of periodontitis (none/mild: 33.6%; moderate: 38.7%, and severe: 46.8%). Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that severe but not moderate CP was associated with MetS after adjusting for age and sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.48; P = 0.02). However, the association was attenuated after additional adjustment for smoking (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.43; P = 0.058) and hsCRP, energy intake, and physical activity (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.36; P = 0.294).

Conclusions

The use of the more current definitions for MetS and CP confirmed previous observations of an age‐ and sex‐adjusted association between severe CP and MetS. Smoking, high‐energy intake, and low physical activity were identified as important lifestyle‐related confounders. Abdominal obesity, as indicated by elevated waist circumference, was determined as the most important component of MetS in relationship to CP.
Ionic‐liquid‐based ultrasound‐assisted extraction combined with countercurrent chromatography and semipreparative LC for the preparation of monoamine oxidase B inhibitors from Pueraria thomsonii
Authors: Li Sainan , Li Yanjie , Wang Ying , Li Ruizhe , Niu Huazhou , Liu Chunming , Zhang Yuchi
Published: December 2021

A simple and efficient method was developed for the rapid screening and identification of ligands for monoamine oxidase B. A new ionic‐liquid‐based ultrasound‐assisted extraction method for medicinal herbs was also developed and validated. In addition, the hyphenated technique of countercurrent chromatography and semipreparative‐LC was developed and applied to the isolation of the chemical constituents for Pueraria thomsonii Benth. Three potent monoamine oxidase B inhibitors, namely, daidzein‐4′,7‐diglucoside (42.2 mg), puerarin 6′′‐O‐xyloside (88.3 mg), and 3′‐hydroxypuerarin (48.5 mg) with purities of 98.2, 96.3, and 97.1%, respectively, were obtained from 500 g of P. thomsonii raw material using semi‐preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography, whereas 3′‐methoxypuerarin (76.2 mg), daidzein‐8‐C‐apiosyl (1→6) glucoside (84.2 mg), and tectorigenin (75.1 mg) with purities of 98.5, 96.4, and 96.8%, respectively, were obtained from 500 g raw material via countercurrent chromatography using a two‐phase solvent system comprising n‐hexane–ethyl acetate–methanol–water at a volume ratio of 1.85:1.00:0.86:3.69 (v/v/v/v). Then, the anti‐Alzheimer activity of the phytochemicals was assessed using a PC12 cell model. Treatment with tectorigenin, daidzein‐4′,7‐diglucoside, puerarin 6′′‐O‐xyloside, 3′‐hydroxypuerarin, 3′‐methoxypuerarin, and daidzein‐8‐C‐apiosyl (1→6) glucoside (100 μg/mL), resulted in cell viabilities of 69.00, 65.81, 59.69, 57.90, 55.61, and 54.59%, respectively (p < 0.001). The protocol was proved to be very accurate and efficient.
Design, construction and evaluation of a device for the manufacture of ferrogram for analytical ferrography
Authors: Júnior Anderson Inácio Junqueira , Gonçalves Aparecido Carlos , Ribeiro Victor Hugo , Chavarette Fábio Roberto , Outa Roberto
Published: December 2021

The dynamism of the reliability of machines and equipment has the objective of availability, leading to the development of several techniques of predictive maintenance, to define the ideal point for the intervention. Among the several predictive techniques, the analysis of lubricants has its highlight. In this sense, lubricants are used to reduce friction and wear between two interacting surfaces, filling the space of surface imperfections. In this way, wear is common even with the use of lubricating oils on the interacting surfaces. Thus, an artefact for ascertaining the wear particles by size in lubricating oils is analytical ferrography. In this way, this work presents the development of a low cost rotary separator prototype to obtain ferrograms, through five distinct combinations of permanent magnets and electronic devices. Several combinations of magnets were used and it was concluded that the 03, 04, and 05 combinations showed a better formation quality of ferrous wear particle rings. In addition, only two rings were formed in the 04 combination, but this was the best combination by size separation.
Functional Applications of Polymer Electrolytes in High‐Energy‐Density Lithium Batteries
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Zhai Fangfang , Zhou Qian , Lv Zhaolin , Jian Li , Han Pengxian , Zhou Xinhong , Cui Guanglei
Published: December 2021

Polymer electrolytes have attracted great interest in advanced lithium batteries. Recently, it has been found that there are many functional applications of polymer electrolytes in lithium batteries, which are very important for the development of high‐energy‐density lithium batteries. In this review, the functional applications of polymer electrolytes are reviewed in terms of protecting lithium metal anode, coating for high‐voltage cathodes, and improving the safety of batteries. Finally, the remaining challenges and future perspectives of polymer electrolytes in these functional applications are presented. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of polymer electrolytes and promotes their functional application in high‐energy‐density lithium batteries.
Reason for Optimism? The Critical Pre‐Petition Period
Authors: Wich Scott
Published: December 2021

From Management Report as well as other sources of union prevention information, you know that the past year or so has not been friendly to employer interests. The labor law landscape is quickly tilting to a union‐friendly view. The NLRB has a Democrat‐controlled majority. The NLRB's General Counsel has announced an aggressive stance on enforcement of labor law violations. While the more substantive provisions of the much heralded PRO Act are likely shelved for now given the even split of the U.S. Senate, recent legislation has carried forward increased financial liability exposure for unfair labor practices. As we move through 2022, the labor law is poised to promote union organizing activity.
Lymphatic‐venous anastomosis for the treatment of refractory lymphatic ascites following radiation therapy: A case report
Authors: Hattori Yoshitsugu , Yamashita Shuji , Furuse Kiichi , Nakatsukasa Shuichi , Iida Takuya
Published: December 2021

Radical treatments for intra‐abdominal malignancies disturb physiological lymphatic drainage and predispose the patients to lymphatic complications such as lymphatic ascites. Despite its infrequent occurrence, lymphatic ascites is a morbid complication, and a definitive treatment protocol for refractory cases has not been established. Surgical treatments are opted depending on the etiology, symptoms, and facility equipment. Lymphatic‐venous anastomosis (LVA) bypasses the proximal lymphatic blockages and provides an alternative route for lymphatic fluid recirculation into the venous system, thereby improving the lymphatic congestion. Herein, we report the utility of LVA surgery in the treatment of refractory serous lymphatic ascites that developed after radiation therapy for cervical cancer in a 77‐year‐old woman. The patient had massive ascites and suffered from abdominal distention and anorexia for 1 year. The ascites was unresponsive to conservative treatment. Under local anesthesia, eight incisions were made in the lower extremities just above the lymphatic channels that were identified by indocyanine green lymphography, and a total of 14 LVAs were created. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the ascites improved significantly. The patient remained free from the recurrence of ascites during 3.5 years of postoperative follow‐up. LVA surgery was effective for the improvement and long‐term control of lymphatic ascites. This procedure may be a viable option for the management of lymphatic ascites.
Portulaca oleracea L. Extract Ameliorates Intestinal Inflammation by Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy
Authors: Zhang Ziwei , Qiao Dan , Zhang Yali , Chen Qian , Chen Yujun , Tang Yingjue , Que Renye , Chen Ying , Zheng Lie , Dai Yancheng , Tang Zhipeng
Published: December 2021

Scope

To investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)‐induced autophagy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the intervention mechanism ofPortulaca oleracea L. (POL) extract, a medicinal herb with anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, immune‐regulating, and antitumor properties, in vitro and in vivo.

Methods and Results

An IL‐10‐deficient mouse model is used for in vivo experiments; a thapsigargin (Tg)‐stimulated ERS model of human colonic mucosal epithelial cells (HIECs) is used for in vitro experiments. The levels of ERS‐autophagy‐related proteins are examined by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Cellular ultrastructure is assessed with transmission electron microscopy.

POL extract promotes a healing effect on colitis by regulating ERS‐autophagy through the protein kinase R‐like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)‐eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α)/Beclin1‐microtubule‐associated protein light chain 3II (LC3II) pathway.

Conclusion

Overall, the results of this study further confirm the anti‐inflammatory mechanism and protective effect of POL extract and provide a new research avenue for the clinical treatment of IBD.
Validation of cardiac diffusion tensor imaging sequences: A multicentre test–retest phantom study
Authors: Teh Irvin , Romero R. William A. , Boyle Jordan , Coll‐Font Jaume , Dall'Armellina Erica , Ennis Daniel B. , Ferreira Pedro F. , Kalra Prateek , Kolipaka Arunark , Kozerke Sebastian , Lohr David , Mongeon François‐Pierre , Moulin Kévin , Nguyen Christopher , Nielles‐Vallespin Sonia , Raterman Brian , Schreiber Laura M. , Scott Andrew D. , Sosnovik David E. , Stoeck Christian T. , Tous Cyril , Tunnicliffe Elizabeth M. , Weng Andreas M. , Croisille Pierre , Viallon Magalie , Schneider Jürgen E.
Published: December 2021

Cardiac diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an emerging technique for the in vivo characterisation of myocardial microstructure, and there is a growing need for its validation and standardisation. We sought to establish the accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility of state‐of‐the‐art pulse sequences for cardiac DTI among 10 centres internationally. Phantoms comprising 0%–20% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were scanned with DTI using a product pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE; N = 10 sites) sequence, and a custom motion‐compensated spin echo (SE; N = 5) or stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM; N = 5) sequence suitable for cardiac DTI in vivo. A second identical scan was performed 1–9 days later, and the data were analysed centrally. The average mean diffusivities (MDs) in 0% PVP were (1.124, 1.130, 1.113) x 10−3 mm2/s for PGSE, SE and STEAM, respectively, and accurate to within 1.5% of reference data from the literature. The coefficients of variation in MDs across sites were 2.6%, 3.1% and 2.1% for PGSE, SE and STEAM, respectively, and were similar to previous studies using only PGSE. Reproducibility in MD was excellent, with mean differences in PGSE, SE and STEAM of (0.3 ± 2.3, 0.24 ± 0.95, 0.52 ± 0.58) x 10−5 mm2/s (mean ± 1.96 SD). We show that custom sequences for cardiac DTI provide accurate, precise, repeatable and reproducible measurements. Further work in anisotropic and/or deforming phantoms is warranted.
A finite addition of matter elements method for modeling and solution of an SLM thermal problem by a multiscale method
Authors: Ruyssen Romain , Ben Dhia Hachmi
Published: December 2021

In this article, we are interested in flexible modeling and performing solution of transient thermal selective laser melting problems. For this, we first introduce a finite addition of matter elements method (FAMEM) to generate any wished finite sequence of thermal problems, defined in additively constructed domains. Second, we use the multiscale Arlequin frame‐work to develop a three‐level Arlequin weak‐strong formulation of each problem of the finite sequence. Two Arlequin patches are used in the latter to localize the steepest thermal gradients and the nonlinear phase‐change phenomena, allowing for fine local approximations and the localized nonlinearity treatment by an algorithm we develop. These patches are identified via the solution of a representative mono‐domain transient thermal problem. The latter is also solved with our three‐level Arlequin method for comparison of the solutions and respective performances of both approaches. Moreover, two dimensional tests consisting in the creation of a 316 L stainless steel wall and a two AlSi10Mg layers, are carried out to further enlighten our global approach and to position it with respect to literature.
Fabrication and characterization of micro alumina zirconia particulate filled dental restorative composite materials
Authors: Meena Anoj , Bisht Diksha , Yadav Ramkumar , Saini Sonu , Dangayach Govind Sharan , Patnaik Amar , Meena Makkhan Lal
Published: December 2021

Composite resin is quickly becoming the most extensively utilized material in the field of cosmetic and restorative dentistry. It eliminates the problem of poisonous nature caused by the amalgam's mercury content. This research article is based on the outcome of adding micro‐alumina and zirconia particulates filled dental composites on the physical properties, mechanical properties, and wear analysis. Three dental composites named AZDC2, AZDC4, and AZDC6, were prepared. Alumina microparticles were constant (6 wt%) while zirconia microparticles were varying (2, 4, and 6 wt%). Two‐body wear was performed on pin‐on‐disc friction & wear test rig under dry sliding for all three dental composites under different normal load (20, 40, and 60 N) and sliding speed (10, 15, and 20 mm/s). The experiments were designed as per L9 Taguchi orthogonal array. The least volumetric wear was found in AZDC6 dental composite under a sliding velocity of 15 mm/s and a normal load of 20 N. From the ANOVA analysis, normal load and filler content were the significant factors affecting the volumetric wear with a significance level 5%, respectively. Dental composite AZDC6 exhibited maximum compressive strength (451.49 MPa). Micro hybrid particulates‐filled dental composites improve physical and mechanical characterization.
Promotion of the photoacid generation performance of sulfonium salts by inhibiting the isomerization of conjugated systems using a cyclization strategy
Authors: Wei Junkun , Chen Shixiong , Wan Decheng , Jin Ming
Published: December 2021

This work describes an original structure−reactivity relationship within a series of sulfonium salts synthesized using a cyclization strategy. The new sulfonium salt comprises a stilbene subunit decorated with a combination of cyclized structure, that is, carbocyclic ring, furan ring, and thiophene ring, to inhibit the isomerization of double bond systems. The photoacid generation efficiency of such cyclized stilbene derivative sulfonium salts is mainly modulated by the five‐membered ring structures and the substituent as confirmed by photodegradation, in situ nuclear magnetic resonance, and cyclic voltammetry. Such cyclization drastically regulates the population of highly reactive excited singlet species and thus enhances the photoacid generation performance of the sulfonium salts by more than one order of magnitude within the series, especially when introducing oxygen to form the benzofuran ring structure. Given this amplified photoreactivity, the application potential of the photoinitiated cationic polymerization of the sulfonium salts was evaluated at different irradiation wavelengths.
Exploring predictors of and barriers to online prostate cancer community use: A cross‐sectional survey of users and non‐users
Authors: Pyle Denise , Tehan Gerry , Lamont‐Mills Andrea , Chambers Suzanne K.
Published: December 2021

Objective

Prostate cancer survivors are increasingly turning to online communities for support. This study explored predictors of and barriers to use.

Methods

A prospective survey of 141 Australian prostate cancer survivors assessed sociodemographic, clinical, psychosocial, and attitudinal characteristics associated with intention to use, and subsequent use of online communities.

Results

The sample was divided into current, past, and non‐user groups. Current users reported more intent to use online communities and had higher levels of social support. Current and past users, and their close contacts, held a more positive attitude towards use. Non‐users experienced more barriers to use, fewer life impacts due to health changes, and were more likely to live in rural or remote regions. According to current users online prostate cancer communities are too informal, to past users they are too time intensive, and non‐users believe they are too shallow. The most critical barriers to use were finding a suitable community, time to use them, and being capable of talking about or articulating their illness on the Internet. While these forums allow men to share experiences, gain recognition and understanding, and receive information, they may lead men to becoming too preoccupied with their illness and feeling more concerned about the consequences of their disease.

Conclusion

Improving attitudes towards online communities and reducing barriers to use may help better encourage men with unmet supportive care needs to seek help from these groups. Future research exploring supporter attitudes towards use and explicating how men are supported online is needed.
Scenario‐based fertility projections incorporating impacts of COVID‐19
Authors: Berrington Ann , Ellison Joanne , Kuang Bernice , Vasireddy Sindhu , Kulu Hill
Published: December 2021

This paper examines the recent declines in period fertility in the constituent countries of the UK during the past decade and speculates mechanisms through which the COVID‐19 pandemic could influence childbearing in the UK. The effects are likely to differ by age and presence of children. Considering potential forces acting on individuals at different ages and family sizes, we expect that the COVID‐19 pandemic will depress fertility, particularly among younger people. Because fertility at all ages was declining before the onset of the pandemic, this could mean a further decline in period fertility to historically low UK levels. We put forward a number of scenarios to examine the possible impact of the pandemic on numbers of live births. Our projections show that for three scenarios out of four, fertility is expected to decline over the next 3 years, leading to significantly fewer births annually compared with the pre‐pandemic period.
Constraint of musculoskeletal tissue and path planning of robot‐assisted fracture reduction with collision avoidance
Authors: Xu Haifei , Lei Jingtao , Hu Lei , Zhang Lihai
Published: December 2021

Background

For the robot‐assisted fracture reduction, due to the complex fracture musculoskeletal environment, it is necessary to consider the influence of soft tissue traction on preoperative reduction path planning.

Method

An improved 3D A* algorithm is adopted to plan the fracture reduction path. The distal fragment point clouds are updated to avoid the collision, and the end point coordinates of the muscles are updated to calculate muscular lengths during the path search.

Results

3D reduction path of long‐bone fracture is planned, effectively avoiding the fracture fragments collision and ensuring the length of the corresponding muscle is always less than the allowable maximum muscle length after elongation.

Conclusion

The proposed method can effectively avoid the collision between the distal fragment and the proximal fragment during the fracture reduction, can avoid secondary injury of the muscles around the femoral bone caused by over‐distraction, and effectively improve the safety of robot reduction operation.
OrbiSIMS metrology Part I: Optimisation of the target potential and collision cell pressure
Authors: Matjacic Lidija , Seah Martin P. , Trindade Gustavo F. , Pirkl Alexander , Havelund Rasmus , Vorng Jean‐Luc , Niehuis Ewald , Gilmore Ian S.
Published: December 2021

In 2017, we introduced the OrbiSIMS instrument that features a dual analyser configuration with a time‐of‐flight (ToF) mass spectrometer (MS) and an Orbitrap MS, which confer advantages of speed and high‐performance mass spectrometry, respectively. The ability to combine the MS performance usually found in a state‐of‐the‐art proteomics and metabolomics MS with 3D imaging at the microscale and from nanolayers of <10 nm of material has proved popular in a broad field of application from organic electronics to drug discovery. There are now several instruments in operation around the world, and metrology is needed to help ensure repeatability and reproducibility of the intensity scale. We conduct a systematic study of two key parameters, the target potential, VT, and the collision cell pressure, P, in the transfer optics on the transmitted secondary ion intensities. We measure VT–P maps of the ions across the mass range for Ag as a representative of inorganic materials and two different organic materials, Irganox 1010 and NPB (N,N′‐Di[1‐naphthyl]‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐4,4′‐biphenyldiamine). The manufacturer's defaults for these values ensure very good transmission for a broad range of analyte classes. However, the maps reveal a sometimes complex behaviour and indicate the possibility for additional separation of ions based on their shape, labile nature and kinetics of formation. Guidance is provided on how to optimise these parameters for sensitivity for different material classes and also the need for optimisation to improve spectral repeatability and reproducibility.
A compendium of sphere path integrals
Authors: Law Y.T. Albert
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We study the manifestly covariant and local 1-loop path integrals onSd+1for general massive, shift-symmetric and (partially) massless totally symmetric tensor fields of arbitrary spins ≥0 in any dimensionsd ≥2. After reviewing the cases of massless fields with spins= 1,2, we provide a detailed derivation for path integrals of massless fields of arbitrary integer spinss ≥1. Following the standard procedure of Wick-rotating the negative conformal modes, we find a higher spin analog of Polchinski’s phase for any integer spins ≥2. The derivations for low-spin (s= 0,1,2) massive, shift-symmetric and partially massless fields are also carried out explicitly. Finally, we provide general prescriptions for general massive and shift-symmetric fields of arbitrary integer spins and partially massless fields of arbitrary integer spins and depths.
Boundary element methods for the wave equation based on hierarchical matrices and adaptive cross approximation
Authors: Seibel Daniel
Published: December 2021

Time-domain Boundary Element Methods (BEM) have been successfully used in acoustics, optics and elastodynamics to solve transient problems numerically. However, the storage requirements are immense, since the fully populated system matrices have to be computed for a large number of time steps or frequencies. In this article, we propose a new approximation scheme for the Convolution Quadrature Method powered BEM, which we apply to scattering problems governed by the wave equation. We use $${\mathscr {H}}^2$$

H

2

-matrix compression in the spatial domain and employ an adaptive cross approximation algorithm in the frequency domain. In this way, the storage and computational costs are reduced significantly, while the accuracy of the method is preserved.
Index appearance record with preorders
Authors: Křetínský Jan , Meggendorfer Tobias , Waldmann Clara , Weininger Maximilian
Published: December 2021

Transforming $$\omega $$
ω
-automata into parity automata is traditionally done using appearance records. We present an efficient variant of this idea, tailored to Rabin automata, and several optimizations applicable to all appearance records. We compare the methods experimentally and show that our method produces significantly smaller automata than previous approaches.
Recent advances in terahertz imaging: 1999 to 2021
Authors: Castro-Camus Enrique , Koch Martin , Mittleman Daniel M.
Published: December 2021

We discuss the progress in the field of THz imaging based on time-domain spectroscopy during the last 20 years emphasizing several highlights. These include 3D mapping of the water distribution of plants, THz reflection imaging of samples with arbitrary shape, burn wound imaging and the early diagnosis of diabetic foot disease. These applications greatly benefit from the introduction of fibre-coupled THz time-domain system operated by rugged and portable femtosecond fibre-lasers. THz imaging is a versatile measurement method that has a plethora of practical applications and great promise for the future.
The accessory neural arch: development, morphology, and systematic distribution
Authors: Thieme Philipp , Moritz Timo
Published: December 2021

The accessory neural arch is an oddly distributed character present in several non-acanthomorph teleostean taxa. Its homology was often implied but never satisfyingly tested. In this study, we attended this pending problem. We analyzed the morphology, development, and systematic distribution of the accessory neural arch in teleosts. Using a comprehensive taxon sampling of cleared and stained specimens, we evaluated if the accessory neural arch fulfils existing homology criteria. We then combined these data with recent genetic phylogenies and ancestral character state estimation to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the accessory neural arch. While its gross morphology and development fit homology criteria, results from ancestral character state estimations suggest multiple independent evolutions within teleosts. Although the accessory neural arch cannot be homologous between several teleostean taxa, the concept of parallelism may explain the presence of such a similar character in a variety of non-acanthomorph teleostean taxa.
Embeddings from protein language models predict conservation and variant effects
Authors: Marquet Céline , Heinzinger Michael , Olenyi Tobias , Dallago Christian , Erckert Kyra , Bernhofer Michael , Nechaev Dmitrii , Rost Burkhard
Published: December 2021

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants stressed the demand for tools allowing to interpret the effect of single amino acid variants (SAVs) on protein function. While Deep Mutational Scanning (DMS) sets continue to expand our understanding of the mutational landscape of single proteins, the results continue to challenge analyses. Protein Language Models (pLMs) use the latest deep learning (DL) algorithms to leverage growing databases of protein sequences. These methods learn to predict missing or masked amino acids from the context of entire sequence regions. Here, we used pLM representations (embeddings) to predict sequence conservation and SAV effects without multiple sequence alignments (MSAs). Embeddings alone predicted residue conservation almost as accurately from single sequences as ConSeq using MSAs (two-state Matthews Correlation Coefficient—MCC—for ProtT5 embeddings of 0.596 ± 0.006 vs. 0.608 ± 0.006 for ConSeq). Inputting the conservation prediction along with BLOSUM62 substitution scores and pLM mask reconstruction probabilities into a simplistic logistic regression (LR) ensemble for Variant Effect Score Prediction without Alignments (VESPA) predicted SAV effect magnitude without any optimization on DMS data. Comparing predictions for a standard set of 39 DMS experiments to other methods (incl. ESM-1v, DeepSequence, and GEMME) revealed our approach as competitive with the state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods using MSA input. No method outperformed all others, neither consistently nor statistically significantly, independently of the performance measure applied (Spearman and Pearson correlation). Finally, we investigated binary effect predictions on DMS experiments for four human proteins. Overall, embedding-based methods have become competitive with methods relying on MSAs for SAV effect prediction at a fraction of the costs in computing/energy. Our method predicted SAV effects for the entire human proteome (~ 20 k proteins) within 40 min on one Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000. All methods and data sets are freely available for local and online execution through bioembeddings.com, https://github.com/Rostlab/VESPA, and PredictProtein.
Reducing complication rates for repeat craniotomies in glioma patients: a single-surgeon experience and comparison with the literature
Authors: Morshed Ramin A. , Young Jacob S. , Gogos Andrew J. , Haddad Alexander F. , McMahon James T. , Molinaro Annette M. , Sudhakar Vivek , Al-Adli Nadeem , Hervey-Jumper Shawn L. , Berger Mitchel S.
Published: December 2021

Background

There is a concern that glioma patients undergoing repeat craniotomies are more prone to complications. The study’s goal was to assess if the complication profiles for initial and repeat craniotomies were similar, to determine predictors of complications, and to compare results with those in the literature.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted of glioma patients (WHO grade II–IV) who underwent either an initial or repeat craniotomy performed by the senior author from 2012 until 2019. Complications were recorded by discharge, 30 days, and 90 days postoperatively. New neurologic deficits were recorded by 90 days postoperatively. Multivariate regression was performed to identify factors associated with complications. A meta-analysis was performed to identify rates of complications based on number of prior craniotomies.

Results

Within the cohort of 714 patients, 400 (56%) had no prior craniotomies, 218 (30.5%) had undergone 1 prior craniotomy, and 96 (13.5%) had undergone ≥ 2 prior craniotomies. There were 27 surgical and 10 medical complications in 30 patients (4.2%) and 19 reoperations for complications in 19 patients (2.7%) with no deaths by 90 days. Complications, reoperation rates, and new neurologic deficits did not differ based on number of prior craniotomies. On multivariate analysis, older age (OR1.5, 95%CI 1.0–2.2) and significant leukocytosis due to steroid use (OR12.6, 95%CI 2.5–62.9) were predictors of complications. Complication rates in the cohort were lower than rates reported in the literature.

Conclusion

Contrary to prior reports in the literature, repeat craniotomies can be as safe as initial operations if surgeons implement best practices.
Waiting time for surgery influences the outcome in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus — a population-based study
Authors: Chidiac Christine , Sundström N. , Tullberg M. , Arvidsson L. , Olivecrona M.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a disease that comes with a great impact on the patient’s life. The only treatment for iNPH, which is a progressive disease, is shunt surgery. It is previously indicated that early intervention might be of importance for the outcome.

Aim

To investigate if a longer waiting time for surgery, negatively influences the clinical outcome.

Methods

Eligible for this study were all iNPH patients (n = 3007) registered in the Swedish Hydrocephalus Quality Registry (SHQR) during 1st of January 2004–12th of June 2019. Waiting time, defined as time between the decision to accept a patient for surgery and shunt surgery, was divided into the intervals ≤ 3, 3.1–5.9 and ≥ 6 months. Clinical outcome was assessed 3 and 12 months after surgery using the modified iNPH scale, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the mini mental state examination (MMSE).

Results

Three months after surgery, 57% of the patients with ≤ 3 months waiting time showed an improvement in modified iNPH scale (≥ 5 points) whereas 52% and 46% of patients with 3.1–5.9 and ≥ 6 months waiting time respectively improved (p = 0.0115). At 12 months of follow-up, the corresponding numbers were 61%, 52% and 51% respectively (p = 0.0536).

Conclusions

This population-based study showed that in patients with iNPH, shunt surgery should be performed within 3 months of decision to surgery, to attain the best outcome.
Attachment and mentalization as predictors of outcome in family therapy for adolescent anorexia nervosa
Authors: Jewell Tom , Herle Moritz , Serpell Lucy , Eivors Alison , Simic Mima , Fonagy Peter , Eisler Ivan
Published: December 2021

Anorexia nervosa-focussed family therapy (FT-AN) is the first-line treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN), but the predictors of poor treatment response are not well understood. The main aim of this study was to investigate the role of attachment and mentalization in predicting treatment outcome. The secondary aims of the study were to investigate therapeutic alliance at 1 month as a predictor of outcome, and to test the associations between alliance and baseline attachment and mentalization. 192 adolescents with AN and their parents were recruited as they began family therapy in out-patient specialist eating disorder services. Self-report measures of attachment, mentalization, and emotion regulation were completed at the start of treatment by adolescent patients and one of their parents. Self-reported alliance scores were collected at one month. Higher scores on the Certainty Scale of the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire, completed by parents, which indicate over-certainty about mental states, were the strongest predictor of poor outcome (Odds Ratio: 0.42, CI: 0.20–0.87). Similarly, for adolescents, higher Lack of Clarity scores on the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, representing being unclear about one’s feelings, were predictive of positive treatment outcome (OR: 1.10, CI: 1.00–1.21). Higher alliance scores at 1 month predicted positive outcome, and were associated with attachment security and mentalization. These novel findings suggest that, particularly in parents, a tendency towards excessive certainty about mental states in others may predict poor outcome in FT-AN. Further research is warranted to replicate the finding and characterise families at risk of poor outcome.
Creating a common priority vector in intuitionistic fuzzy AHP: a comparison of entropy-based and distance-based models
Authors: Duleba Szabolcs , Alkharabsheh Ahmad , Gündoğdu Fatma Kutlu
Published: December 2021

In the case of conflicting individuals or evaluator groups, finding the common preferences of the participants is a challenging task. This statement also refers to Intuitionistic Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process models, in which uncertainty of the scoring of individuals is well-handled, however, the aggregation of the modified scores is generally conducted by the conventional way of multi-criteria decision-making. This paper offers two options for this aggregation: the relatively well-known entropy-based, and the lately emerged distance-based aggregations. The manuscript can be considered as a pioneer work by analyzing the nature of distance-based aggregation under a fuzzy environment. In the proposed model, three clearly separable conflicting groups are examined, and the objective is to find their common priority vector, which can be satisfactory to all participant clusters. We have tested the model results on a real-world case study, on a public transport development decision-making problem by conducting a large-scale survey involving three different stakeholder groups of transportation. The comparison of the different approaches has shown that both entropy-based and distance-based techniques can provide a feasible solution based on their high similarity in the final ordinal and cardinal outcomes.
Behavior of structural lightweight concrete produced with expanded clay aggregate and after exposure to high temperatures
Authors: Nemes Rita , Abed Mohammed A. , Seyam Ahmed M. , Lublóy Éva
Published: December 2021

The residual compressive strength of eight lightweight concrete mixtures containing three commercial grading (Liapor HD 5 N, Liapor HD 7 N, and Liapor 8F) of coarse lightweight aggregate (LWA) were determined after to expose at high temperatures. Eight mixes were produced, two by normal weight aggregate and the rest by different types of LWA. The produced concrete was analyzed after high temperature exposure and the effect of using LWA, the type of LWA, and compaction method was studied. To do so, visual inspection, residual compressive strength, crack pattern, spalling, and thermoanalytical analysis were conducted. Generally, it could be concluded that concrete formulations with LWA behave more advantageous up to 500 °C, compared to those with quartz gravel aggregates. Moreover, this study found that an ideal type of LWA to produce structural concrete was Liapor HD 5 N, which was used for producing the mixes L1 and L3.
Structural analysis and seismic stratigraphy for delineation of Neoproterozoic-Cambrian petroleum system in central and eastern part of Bikaner–Nagaur basin, India
Authors: Mandal Anita , Saha Debasish , Kumar Asit
Published: December 2021

Bikaner–Nagaur basin is located in the northwestern part of India and lies on the rising flank of Punjab platform of Middle Indus basin in Pakistan. Existence of Neoproterozoic-Cambrian petroleum system was confirmed by the exploration activities in the western periphery of the basin, whereas vast areas of central and eastern parts remain unexplored. Knowledge of petroleum system in this unexplored part of the basin is limited due to non-availability of data. Recently, 2525 line km of regional 2D seismic data acquired for the first time by Government of India under National Seismic Program (NSP) unlocks the opportunity for comprehensive understanding of subsurface geology in unexplored part of the basin. Present work aims to interpret recently acquired 2D seismic data and integrate with available surface (outcrop) data, gravity and well data (drilled in western part of basin) for unfolding the petroleum system elements, structural configurations and stratigraphic features in the hitherto central-eastern part of the basin. Two Neoproterozoic-Cambrian hydrocarbon plays: (1) Jodhpur and (2) overlying Bilara/Hanseran Evaporite Group (HEG) were envisaged. Both the plays depicted distinctive seismic characteristics, structural alignment and distribution of reservoir, source and seal. Fluvio-deltaic sandstone within Jodhpur group and shallow marine fractured dolomites within Bilara/HEG showed potential reservoir characteristics whereas organic rich laminated dolomites, stromatolites and argillaceous litho-units within Bilara/HEG group have been predicted as prospective source. The Halite layers within HEG group were considered as effective regional seals. Fault bounded anticlinal structures associated with Cambrian compression have been identified as the main entrapment for hydrocarbon accumulation. The basin witnessed long tectonostratigraphic history with two major compressional phases Structures formed by Cambrian compression are likely to be charged as the time of source maturity and peak expulsion was later, during early Mesozoic period. Overall, the study indicates new opportunities and potential accumulation of hydrocarbon in the unexplored part of the basin.