bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient‐specific dose correction for prostate postimplant evaluation with flexible timing of postimplant imaging
Authors: Luo Wei , Cheek Dennis , St Clair William , Washington Brien
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The dosimetric effect of edema on prostate implants have long been realized, but large uncertainties still exist in the estimation of dose actually received by the prostate. This study attempted to develop a new method to accurately estimate dose delivered to the prostate accounting for the variation of prostate volume and seed distribution, edema half‐lives, and times for postimplant evaluation.

Methods and materials

A series of prostate seed implants for Cs‐131, Pd‐103, and I‐125 with various prostate volumes were simulated in a water phantom using the TG‐43 algorithm on the Varian Eclipse treatment planning system. Dose analysis was performed to derive a quantitative relationship between the prostate peripheral dose and the prostate radius with the variation of prostate volume and seed distribution. Using this relationship to calculate dynamically, the total dose accumulated in the prostate (DT) accounting for the variation of prostate volume and seed distribution and edema half‐lives. Moreover, the total dose can be estimated statically based on the prostate volume that can be determined in a computerized tomography (CT) image taken at a time after implantation. The statically estimated total dose (DCT) was compared with DT to determine optimal imaging times as well as dose correction factors for other imaging times.

Results

An inverse power law was established between the prostate peripheral dose and prostate radius. The value of the power was 1.3 for Cs‐131 and I‐125, and 1.5 for Pd‐103, respectively. DT was derived dynamically using the inverse power law. Given the edema half‐lives, TE, of 4, 9.3, and 25 days and the volume expansion of 1.1 and 2.0 times of the prostate without edema, the optimal times for postimplant imaging were: 7, 9, and 16 days for TE = 4 days; 10, 14, and 28 days for TE = 9.3 days; and 12, 19, 45 days TE = 25 days, for Cs‐131, Pd‐103, and I‐125, respectively. DCT calculated using the prostate volume determined on the optimal days agreed with DT to 0.0%–1.8% and within 0.3% for most cases. For various prostate volumes, edema half‐lives, and nonoptimal times, DCT was able to achieve a 1% accuracy.

Conclusion

The postimplant dose calculation based on the proposed inverse power law for prostate seed implants with edema has improved the accuracy of postimplant dosimetry with accurate and patient‐specific dose corrections accounting for prostate size, edema half‐life, and postimplant imaging times. Optimal times for postimplant imaging have been accurately determined, and the high accuracy of postimplant dose calculation can be achieved for both optimal imaging times and nonoptimal imaging times.
The role of IL‐23 and the use of IL‐23 inhibitors in psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Fragoulis George E. , Siebert Stefan
Published: September 2022

Background

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis characterised by musculoskeletal and extra‐articular manifestations, most notably psoriasis. While the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms are not yet fully understood, a central role has been identified for the IL‐23/IL‐17 pathway.

Objectives

We briefly describe the role of IL‐23 in the pathogenesis of PsA and go on to describe the available anti‐IL‐23 agents and their place in the management of PsA.

Methods

This is a narrative review of the current literature, focussing on the results of the phase 3 studies in PsA for the IL‐12/23 p40 inhibitor ustekinumab and the more recent IL‐23 p19 inhibitors guselkumab, risankizumab and tildrakizumab.

Results

IL‐23 triggers expression of IL‐17 and other effector cytokines in a variety of cells, leading to tissue inflammation and injury. Targeting IL‐23, particularly with p19 inhibitors, appears to be an effective and safe strategy for multiple clinical domains in PsA, most notably the skin, with some differences in efficacy emerging between these agents.

Conclusion

The development of IL‐23 inhibitors represents a significant advance in the management of psoriatic disease. In the absence of head‐to‐head studies, future data emerging from real‐world experiences of individual IL‐23 p19 inhibitors will help inform the use of these agents in relation to other biologics in PsA.
Redesigning care for back pain in an Australian hospital setting: A service evaluation to identify need for change
Authors: Gorgon Edward , Maka Katherine , Sullivan Justin , Nisbet Gillian , Hancock Michelle , Regan Gerard , Leaver Andrew
Published: September 2022

Objective

This needs assessment study examined current processes of physiotherapy care for adults with back pain in a large teaching hospital serving a multicultural community in Sydney, Australia. Evaluation of current practices is a necessary first step in the design of a patient‐centred, multidisciplinary service that promotes best practice in back pain management.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective service evaluation in the physiotherapy outpatient department by reviewing clinical data on episode of care and processes of care for adults managed for back pain over a 6‐month period using a defined protocol (n = 252).

Results

Patients (median age = 56 years; 72.2% born outside of Australia) were referred from various internal and external sources, with 79.8% having chronic back pain. The median length of episode of care was 8 weeks. Active interventions were almost universally used (98.4% of records). Key aspects of assessment were frequently recorded (84.5%–98% of records), but psychosocial risk assessment was not routinely recorded. Aspects of longitudinal management planning, including goal setting, outcome measurement, and routine follow‐up, were also not routinely recorded.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that physiotherapy processes of care in this setting followed key messages of best practice particularly with regard to interventions, in contrast to other settings and jurisdictions. However, the brief episodes of care and less evident focus on psychosocial aspects might not align with the needs of the majority with chronic back pain. These findings suggest the need to reframe processes of care with a biopsychosocial approach and structure episodes of care towards long‐term management solutions.
The multi‐depot family traveling salesman problem and clustered variants: Mathematical formulations and branch‐&‐cut based methods
Authors: Bernardino Raquel , Gouveia Luís , Paias Ana , Santos Daniel
Published: September 2022

In this article, we study the multi‐depot family traveling salesman problem (MDFTSP) and two clustered variants, the soft‐clustered MDFTSP (SC‐MDFTSP) and the hard‐clustered MDFTSP. We emphasize the relevance of this study by relating the problems with warehouse activities supported by scattered storage systems and by pointing out that clustered variants of routing problems have been scarcely addressed in the literature. For these three problems, we present several mixed integer linear programming formulations and develop appropriate branch‐&‐cut based algorithms which are tested with a newly generated data set including instances with up to 200 nodes and 40 depots. The results from the computational experiments allow us to identify the main differences between the three problems concerning modeling approaches as well as solution methods and put in evidence that these problems are challenging problems, in particular the SC‐MDFTSP.
Computing f‐divergences and distances of high‐dimensional probability density functions
Authors: Litvinenko Alexander , Marzouk Youssef , Matthies Hermann G. , Scavino Marco , Spantini Alessio
Published: September 2022

Very often, in the course of uncertainty quantification tasks or data analysis, one has to deal with high‐dimensional random variables. Here the interest is mainly to compute characterizations like the entropy, the Kullback–Leibler divergence, more general ‐divergences, or other such characteristics based on the probability density. The density is often not available directly, and it is a computational challenge to just represent it in a numerically feasible fashion in case the dimension is even moderately large. It is an even stronger numerical challenge to then actually compute said characteristics in the high‐dimensional case. In this regard it is proposed to approximate the discretized density in a compressed form, in particular by a low‐rank tensor. This can alternatively be obtained from the corresponding probability characteristic function, or more general representations of the underlying random variable. The mentioned characterizations need point‐wise functions like the logarithm. This normally rather trivial task becomes computationally difficult when the density is approximated in a compressed resp. low‐rank tensor format, as the point values are not directly accessible. The computations become possible by considering the compressed data as an element of an associative, commutative algebra with an inner product, and using matrix algorithms to accomplish the mentioned tasks. The representation as a low‐rank element of a high order tensor space allows to reduce the computational complexity and storage cost from exponential in the dimension to almost linear.
T cells dominate peripheral inflammation in a cross‐sectional analysis of obesity‐associated diabetes
Authors: Pugh Gabriella H. , Fouladvand Sajjad , SantaCruz‐Calvo Sara , Agrawal Madhur , Zhang Xiaohua Douglas , Chen Jin , Kern Philip A. , Nikolajczyk Barbara S.
Published: September 2022

Objective

Myeloid cells dominate metabolic disease‐associated inflammation (metaflammation) in mouse obesity, but the contributions of myeloid cells to the peripheral inflammation that fuels sequelae of human obesity are untested. This study used unbiased approaches to rank contributions of myeloid and T cells to peripheral inflammation in people with obesity across the spectrum of metabolic health.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from people with obesity with or without prediabetes or type 2 diabetes were stimulated with T cell‐targeting CD3/CD28 or myeloid‐targeting lipopolysaccharide for 20 to 72 hours to assess cytokine production using Bio‐Plex. Bioinformatic modeling ranked cytokines with respect to their predictive power for metabolic health. Intracellular tumor necrosis factor α was quantitated as a classical indicator of metaflammation.

Results

Cytokines increased over 72 hours following T cell‐, but not myeloid‐, targeted stimulation to indicate that acute myeloid inflammation may shift to T cell inflammation over time. T cells contributed more tumor necrosis factor α to peripheral inflammation regardless of metabolic status. Bioinformatic combination of cytokines from all cohorts, stimuli, and time points indicated that T cell‐targeted stimulation was most important for differentiating inflammation in diabetes, consistent with previous identification of a mixed T helper type 1/T helper type 17 cytokine profile in diabetes.

Conclusions

T cells dominate peripheral inflammation in obesity; therefore, targeting T cells may be an effective approach for prevention/management of metaflammation.
How we established a multidisciplinary program for vascular anomalies
Authors: Borst Alexandra J. , Swerdlin Rachel F. , Phillips James D. , Hawkins C. Matthew , Briones Michael A.
Published: September 2022

The care of patients with vascular anomalies is quickly becoming a complex field requiring high‐quality, coordinated multidisciplinary care. In this article, we review the history of multidisciplinary care in this field, discuss the benefits of this model of care, and outline some of the essential components and structure of a successful vascular anomalies team. We provide an overview of two example programs and a roadmap for other centers to develop their own multidisciplinary vascular anomalies teams.
How we approach pediatric congenital chylous effusions and ascites
Authors: Nakano Taizo A. , Dori Yoav , Gumer Lindsey , Liptzin Deborah R. , Hill Lauren R. S. , Kulungowski Ann M.
Published: September 2022

Congenital lymphatic leak may develop in patients with maldeveloped lymphatics and result in life‐threatening fluid and electrolyte imbalance, protein deficiency, and immunodeficiency. Rapid diagnosis and therapy are necessary to prevent these complications; however, the field lacks clinical trials to support standardized diagnostic treatment guidelines. We present our current multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of congenital lymphatic leak including chylous pleural effusions and ascites. Depending on the rate of lymphatic leak, therapy can range from observation with nutritional modifications to surgical and interventional procedures aimed to reduce lymphatic drainage. Modalities to image central and peripheral lymphatics have advanced considerably. Genetic variants and subsequent targets that drive lymphatic maldevelopment have expanded the repertoire of possible pharmacotherapeutic options.
Seeking virtual support: Digital technology use in adolescent and young adults with advanced cancer
Authors: Steineck Angela , Lau Nancy , Fladeboe Kaitlyn M. , Walsh Casey A. , Rosenberg Abby R. , Yi‐Frazier Joyce P. , Barton Krysta S.
Published: September 2022

Background

A cancer diagnosis, especially advanced cancer, interferes with adolescent/young adult (AYA) peer relationships. AYAs increasingly use digital technologies (i.e., social media, video games) as a social instrument; little is known about the role of digital technologies in the AYA cancer experience. The objective of this analysis was to describe the use and impact of digital technologies among AYAs with advanced cancer.

Procedure

As part of the “Exploring the Concept of a ‘Good Death’” study, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 32 English‐speaking AYAs (14–25 years) with advanced cancer (relapsed/refractory disease, estimated survival <50%). Interviews were audio recorded, deidentified, and transcribed verbatim. Questions focused on communication and sources of psychosocial support. Directed content analysis was used for codebook creation. Three reviewers completed transcript coding and reconciled discrepancies. Thematic analysis identified hierarchical themes. The present analysis focused on the specific theme of “digital technologies as a support mechanism.”

Results

When asked about sources of support, social media and multiplayer online games were most often recognized by AYAs. Three themes emerged regarding the role of digital technologies: distraction, maintaining existing peer support, and connecting with peers with cancer. Two AYAs acknowledged negative consequences of social media.

Conclusions

AYAs with advanced cancer cite digital technologies as a mechanism for maintaining and seeking peer support. Digital technologies may be leveraged to provide psychosocial support for AYAs with advanced cancer.
Safety analysis of high‐dose methotrexate in pediatric non‐Hodgkin lymphomas
Authors: Bernhardt M. Brooke , Brown Austin L. , Grim Austyn T. , Scheurer Michael E. , El‐Mallawany Nader Kim , Ozuah Nmazuo W.
Published: September 2022

High‐dose methotrexate (HD‐MTX) with rigorous supportive care is essential to the treatment of pediatric non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). We describe the safety and tolerability of HD‐MTX in patients with NHL treated at our center. In our cohort of 46 patients, the majority had at least one course of delayed clearance and/or creatinine elevation. Additionally, more than one‐third of patients experienced an episode of grade ≥3 mucositis. Creatinine elevations and delayed clearance were independently associated with subsequent grade ≥3 mucositis. We advocate for greater availability of methotrexate monitoring to allow dose escalation of this essential modality around the world.
Cell‐free DNA screening for rare autosomal trisomies and segmental chromosome imbalances
Authors: Raymond Yvette C. , Fernando Shavi , Menezes Melody , Meagher Simon , Mol Ben W. , McLennan Andrew , Scott Fergus , Mizia Karen , Carey Karen , Fleming Gabrielle , Rolnik Daniel Lorber
Published: September 2022

Objective

To assess the outcomes of pregnancies at high‐risk for rare autosomal trisomies (RATs) and segmental imbalances (SIs) on cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) screening.

Method

A retrospective study of women who underwent cfDNA screening between September 2019 and July 2021 at three ultrasound services in Australia. Positive predictive values (PPVs) were calculated using fetal chromosomal analysis.

Results

Among 23,857 women screened, there were 93 high‐risk results for RATs (0.39%) and 82 for SIs (0.34%). The PPVs were 3.8% (3/78, 95% CI 0.8%–10.8%) for RATs and 19.1% (13/68, 95% CI 10.6%–30.5%) for SIs. If fetuses with structural anomalies were also counted as true‐positive cases, the PPV for RATS increased to 8.5% (7/82, 95% CI 3.5%–16.8%). Among 85 discordant cases with birth outcomes available (65.4%), discordant positive RATs had a significantly higher proportion of infants born below the 10th and 3rd birthweight percentiles than expected (19.6% (p = 0.022) and 9.8% (p = 0.004), respectively), which was not observed in the SI group (2.9% < 10th (p = 0.168) and 0.0% <3rd (p = 0.305)).

Conclusion

The PPVs for SI and RAT results are low, except when a structural abnormality is also present. Discordant positive RATs are associated with growth restriction.
Neoplastic malignant cord compression mimicking low back pain: A case report
Authors: Cataldi Fabio , Brindisino Fabrizio , Angilecchia Domenico , Andreani Alessandro , Giovannico Giuseppe
Published: September 2022

Background

The point prevalence of Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) as a cause of Low Back Pain (LBP) is estimated at 0.04% in primary care, and it is reported as a complication in about 2% of patients with disc herniation. Compression of the cauda equina usually occurs as a result of disc prolapse. However, CES may be caused by any space‐occupying lesion, including spinal stenosis, neoplasms, cysts, infection, and osteophytes. First contact physiotherapists may encounter patients with early CES, as the clinical presentation of CES can mimic non‐specific LBP.

Case presentation

This case report presents the medical history, diagnostic tests and relevant clinical data of a 52‐year‐old man complaining of LBP. The patient's medical history, his symptoms and the clinical findings led to the identification of a number of red flags (i.e. risk factors) suggestive of a non‐musculoskeletal condition. The patient was referred to the emergency department for further investigation. Having undergone several diagnostic tests, the patient was diagnosed with CES due to malignancy.

Conclusions

This case report highlights the importance of differential screening throughout the treatment period, in order to identify red flags that warrant further investigation and a referral to an appropriate specialist. Physiotherapy screening should include clinical reasoning, careful analysis of clinical presentation and symptom progression, in addition to appropriate referral for medical assessment and diagnostic imaging, if necessary.
A grape (Vitis vinifera L.) pomace water extract modulates inflammatory and immune response in SW‐480 cells and isolated mouse colon
Authors: Recinella Lucia , Chiavaroli Annalisa , Veschi Serena , Cama Alessandro , Acquaviva Alessandra , Libero Maria Loreta , Leone Sheila , Di Simone Simonetta Cristina , Pagano Ester , Zengin Gokhan , Menghini Luigi , Brunetti Luigi , Izzo Angelo Antonio , Orlando Giustino , Ferrante Claudio
Published: September 2022

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) pomace is a residue derived from the winemaking process, which contains bioactive compounds displaying noteworthy health‐promoting properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the phenolic composition and protective effects of a water extract of grape pomace (WEGP) in colorectal cancer cell line SW480 and in isolated mouse colon exposed to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The extract decreased SW‐480 cell viability, as well as vascular endothelial factor A (VEGFA), hypoxia‐induced factor 1α (HIF1α), and transient receptor potential M8 (TRPM8) LPS‐induced gene expression. Moreover, the extract inhibited mRNA levels of nuclear factor kB (NFkB), cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐10, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interferon (IFN)γ, in isolated colon. Conversely, WEGP increased the gene expression of antioxidant catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), in the same model. The modulatory effects exerted by WEGP could be related, at least in part, to the phenolic composition, with particular regards to the catechin level. Docking calculations also predicted the interactions of catechin toward TRPM8 receptor, deeply involved in colon cancer; thus further suggesting the grape pomace as a valuable source of bioactive extracts and phytochemicals with protective effects in the colon.
A multirobot system for autonomous deployment and recovery of a blade crawler for operations and maintenance of offshore wind turbine blades
Authors: Jiang Zhengyi , Jovan Ferdian , Moradi Peiman , Richardson Tom , Bernardini Sara , Watson Simon , Weightman Andrew , Hine Duncan
Published: September 2022

Offshore wind farms will play a vital role in the global ambition of net zero energy generation. Future offshore wind farms will be larger and further from the coast, meaning that traditional human‐based operations and maintenance approaches will become infeasible due to safety, cost, and skills shortages. The use of remotely operated or autonomous robotic assistants to undertake these activities provides an attractive alternative solution. This paper presents an autonomous multirobot system which is able to transport, deploy and retrieve a wind turbine blade inspection robot using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The proposed solution is a fully autonomous system including a robot deployment interface for deployment, a mechatronic link‐hook module (LHM) for retrieval, both installed on the underside of a UAV, a mechatronic on‐load attaching module installed on the robotic payload and an intelligent global mission planner. The LHM is integrated with a 2‐DOF hinge that can operate either passively or actively to reduce the swing motion of a slung load by approximately 30%. The mechatronic modules can be coupled and decoupled by special maneuvers of the UAV, and the intelligent global mission planner coordinates the operations of the UAV and the mechatronic modules for synchronous and seamless actions. For navigation in the vicinity of wind turbine blades, a visual‐based localization merged with the location knowledge from Global Navigation Satellite System has been developed. A proof‐of‐concept system was field tested on a full‐size decommissioned wind‐turbine blade. The results show that the experimental system is able to deploy and retrieve a robotic payload onto and from a wind turbine blade safely and robustly without the need for human intervention. The vicinity localization and navigation system have shown an accuracy of 0.65 and 0.44 m in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. Furthermore, this study shows the feasibility of systems toward autonomous inspection and maintenance of offshore windfarms.
A probability‐based model to quantify the impact of hydropeaking on habitat suitability in rivers
Authors: Jelovica Bähar , Marttila Hannu , Ashraf Faisal Bin , Kløve Bjørn , Torabi Haghighi Ali
Published: September 2022

A negative effect of hydropower on river environment includes rapid changes in flow and habitat conditions. Any sudden flow change could force fish to move towards a refuge area in a short period of time, causing serious disturbances in the life cycle of the fish. A probability‐based model was developed to quantify the impact of hydropeaking on habitat suitability for two fish species, brown trout (Salamo trutta) and Grayling (Thymallus thymallus). The model used habitat preference curves, river velocity and depth to develop the suitability maps. The suitability maps reveal that habitat suitability deteriorates as flow increases in the studied part of the river. The probability model showed that, on average, suitability indices are higher for adult grayling than juvenile trout in hydropeaking events in this part of the river. The method developed shows the potential to be used in river management and the evaluation of hydropeaking impacts in river systems affected by hydropower.
Transcriptomic Features in a Single Extracellular Vesicle via Single‐Cell RNA Sequencing
Authors: Luo Tao , Chen Si‐Yi , Qiu Zhi‐Xin , Miao Ya‐Ru , Ding Yue , Pan Xiang‐Yu , Li Yirong , Lei Qian , Guo An‐Yuan
Published: September 2022

Although many studies have investigated functional molecules in extracellular vesicles (EVs), the exact number of ribonucleic acid molecules in a single‐EV is unknown. Therefore, it is critical to explore the transcriptomic features and heterogeneity at the level of a single‐EV. Here, using the 10x Genomics platform, the RNA cargos are profiled in single EVs derived from human K562 and mesenchymal stem cells. The key steps are labeling intact EVs using calcein‐AM, detecting the EV concentration via flow cytometry, and using the CB2 algorithm with adaptive thresholds to effectively distinguish real EVs from background. The gene number in a single‐EV varied from 6 to 148, with a mean of 52. Ribosomal genes, mitochondrial genes, and eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha has a high EV percentage in all EV samples. Hemoglobin genes are uniquely highly expressed in K562‐EVs, and cytoskeleton genes are enriched in MSC‐EVs. Ten or more clusters with different marker genes in each single‐EV dataset demonstrated EV heterogeneity. Moreover, integrating EVs and their parental cells reveal both EVs and cells in each cluster, indicating different cell origins of various EVs. To the best of the author's knowledge, this study provides the first high‐throughput transcriptome at the single‐EV level and improves the understanding of EVs.
Overview of the cyclic response of reinforced concrete members subjected to artificial chloride‐induced corrosion
Authors: Matthews Benjamin , Palermo Alessandro , Scott Allan
Published: September 2022

Reinforced concrete (RC) elements suffer continuous deterioration across their lifetime from in situ aggressive environmental factors. Chloride‐induced deterioration of the steel reinforcement presents significant repercussions on the mechanical and seismic behavior of affected RC members. This paper introduces and summarizes experimental work carried out at the University of Canterbury, investigating the long‐term implications of chloride‐induced deterioration on various mechanical properties. The impact of chloride corrosion on bond‐slip behavior, the cyclic flexural response of large‐scale RC piers, and the shear resistance of short RC columns, with particular focus on the latter, is reported. Results indicate that corrosion damage presents more severe consequences to the displacement ductility of RC columns than the load‐bearing capacity. Transverse reinforcement presents a much greater risk and vulnerability to deterioration, leading to a transition in failure mechanism from a ductile response to a brittle shear/shear‐bond failure. Reduced confinement negatively impacts the stress–strain response of the confined concrete and bond‐slip behavior in cracked members, where friction is relied upon as the primary load‐transfer mechanism once mechanical interlock is lost through the generation of rust by‐products and concrete splitting.
Diagnostic accuracy of pan‐enteric capsule endoscopy and magnetic resonance enterocolonography in suspected Crohn's disease
Authors: Brodersen Jacob Broder , Knudsen Torben , Kjeldsen Jens , Juel Mie Agerbæk , Rafaelsen Søren Rafael , Jensen Michael Dam
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

Magnetic resonance enterocolonography (MREC) and pan‐enteric capsule endoscopy (CE) offers visualization of the entire gastrointestinal tract in a single examination. We examined the diagnostic accuracy of MREC and CE in patients with suspected Crohn's disease (CD).

Method

In a prospective, blinded, multicenter study, we included patients with clinically suspected CD. Patients were examined with MREC, CE, and ileocolonoscopy (IC) within 2 weeks. The primary outcome was per patient sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy for ileocolonic CD. IC served as reference standard.

Results

153 patients were included in the study and IC, MREC, and CE was performed in 152, 151, 133 patients, respectively. CD was diagnosed with IC in 59 (39%) patients (terminal ileum (TI) 22, colon 20, TI and colon 17). The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing ileocolonic CD with MREC was 67.9% (CI 53.7–80.1) and 76.3% (CI 65.2–85.3) (TI 76.9% and 85.6%; colon 27% and 93%) compared to 87.5% (CI 73.2–95.8) and 87.8% (CI 78.2–94.3) with CE (TI 96.6% and 87.5%; colon 75.0% and 93.0%). The sensitivity of CE was superior to that of MREC (p = 0.02). The patient experienced discomfort was equal with CE and MREC and significantly less than with IC.

Conclusion

In patients with suspected CD, CE has a high sensitivity for diagnosing CD in the TI and colon, which is superior to that of MREC. The sensitivity of MREC for diagnosing CD in the colon is poor. CE could be a patient‐friendly alternative to IC in selected patients with suspected CD.

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03134586.
Effects of weather and landscape use on mourning dove population trends in North Dakota
Authors: Dinges Andrew J. , Szymanski Michael L. , Parent Chad J.
Published: September 2022

Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) populations are believed to be declining throughout much of the United States since widespread population surveys were implemented in the mid‐1960s. However, results from the Mourning Dove Call‐Count Survey and North American Breeding Bird Survey indicate no trend for mourning doves in North Dakota. In addition, little is known about how climate and landscape factors may influence trends in mourning dove populations, especially in the northern extent of their breeding range. We used late‐summer roadside counts conducted in North Dakota from 1970–2017 (n = 3,368), along with information from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather stations and the Census of Agriculture (United State Department of Agriculture) to develop generalized linear mixed models to analyze trends and identify weather and landscape variables that may be affecting mourning dove populations in North Dakota. Our results indicated that mourning doves counted along roadside transects have declined over the last 50 years in northcentral, northeast, and southeast regions of North Dakota where agriculture activity is most intensive and total cropland currently makes up at least 65% of the total landscape. Conversely, in northwest, southwest, and southcentral regions of North Dakota, where cropland makes up less than 50% of the landscape, we detected no trends in mourning doves counted during the same period. In our weather and landscape model, area of harvested corn and soybeans had a negative effect on mourning doves counted ( = −0.174, SE = 0.029, 95% CI = −0.232, −0.116), whereas area of woodland had a positive effect on mourning dove abundance ( = 0.137, SE = 0.053, 95% CI = 0.032, 0.241). In addition, we found no evidence that temperature or precipitation were influencing mourning dove populations in North Dakota. Woodland habitat steadily declined in North Dakota during our study period. Additionally, the amount of corn and soybeans planted throughout the state has increased rapidly over the last 20 years, which has decreased cropland diversity, and this pattern of land use change is likely reducing food and cover during the nesting season. To halt declining mourning dove populations in intensively farmed regions, managers should implement conservation programs and private land initiatives that aim to provide a more balanced mix of cropland, grassland, and woodland, with reductions in corn and soybean acres.
A new candling procedure for thick and opaque eggs and its application to avian conservation management
Authors: Hall Clancy A. , Potvin Dominique A. , Conroy Gabriel C.
Published: September 2022

The ability to monitor developing avian embryos and their associated vascular system via candling enables the application of important reproductive management techniques. Egg candling facilitates the confirmation of egg viability throughout the incubation process and identification of a precise position on a vein for the safe extraction of blood. Blood samples may then be analysed to retrieve vital health and genetic information to assist in conservation management. However, the thick or opaque egg shell characteristics of some avian species prevents the observation of egg contents using traditional candling methods, thus limiting management options. This paper tests a novel method of preparing thick‐shelled or opaque eggs so that traditional egg candling and blood extraction methods may be applied. Eggs from captive emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae, Latham 1790) and southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii, Linnaeus 1758) were obtained, and partial fenestration was performed on two areas of shell either before incubation or at ⅓ of incubation. Hatchability and weight loss were examined as a measure of effect of the fenestration process on the developing embryo. Clear observation of vascular development was successful in 97% of viable fenestrated eggs, without affecting hatchability or weight loss. Blood samples were taken from developing embryos and DNA was successfully extracted for proof of concept of this new technique. The ability to observe vascular development and monitor the developing embryo in thick and opaque eggs will significantly improve both in situ and ex situ population management options such as in ovo sexing in species of concern.
The Collapsing Compass
Authors: Ben-Ari Mordechai
Published: September 2022

A modern compass is a fixed compass: the distance between the two legs can be fixed so that it is possible to copy a line segment or a circle from one position to another (Fig. 1.1a).Euclid used a collapsing compass where a fixed distance cannot be maintained (Fig. 1.1b). Teachers often use a collapsing compass consisting of a marker tied to a string that is used to construct a circle on a whiteboard. It is impossible to maintain a fixed length when the compass is removed from the whiteboard.
The Axioms of Origami
Authors: Ben-Ari Mordechai
Published: September 2022

Origami, the art of paper folding, was developed several centuries ago in Japan and nowhas aworldwide following. In the late twentieth century the mathematical theory of origami was developed. Its foundation is a set of seven axioms, the Huzita–Hatori axioms, named after Humiaki Huzita who formalized the first six axioms andKoshiro Hatori who found the seventh. Jacques Justin published all seven axioms several years before Huzita and Hatori, and Margherita P. Beloch formulated the sixth axiom in 1936. Nevertheless, the axioms as known as the Huzita-Hatori axioms.
Geometric Constructions Using Origami
Authors: Ben-Ari Mordechai
Published: September 2022

This chapter shows that constructions with origami are more powerful than constructions with a straightedge and compass. We give two constructions for trisecting an angle, one by HisashiAbe (Sect. 12.1) and the other by George E. Martin (Sect. 12.2), two constructions for doubling a cube, one by Peter Messer (Sect. 12.3) and the other by Marghareta P. Beloch (Sect. 12.4), and the construction of a nonagon, a regular polynomial with nine sides (Sect. 12.5).
Are Triangles with Equal Areas and Perimeters Congruent?
Authors: Ben-Ari Mordechai
Published: September 2022

Are two triangles with the same area and the same perimeter congruent? Not necessarily: the triangles with sides (17, 25, 28) and (20, 21, 29) both have perimeter 70 and area 210 but they are not congruent (Fig. 15.1).
Construction of a Regular Heptadecagon
Authors: Ben-Ari Mordechai
Published: September 2022

The only regular polygons that the Greeks knew how to construct with a straightedge and compass were the triangle, the square, the pentagon and the regular polygon with 15 sides.
Trisection of an Angle
Authors: Ben-Ari Mordechai
Published: September 2022

It is impossible to trisect an arbitrary angle (divide the angle into three equal parts) using only a straightedge and compass. Trisection requires the construction of cube roots, but a straightedge and compass can only construct lengths that are expressions built from integers, the four arithmetic operators and square roots. This was proved by Pierre Wantzel in 1837. Nevertheless, innumerable amateurs continue to attempt to trisect an angle. Their constructions are approximations though they are convinced that the constructions are correct. Section 2.1 presents two such constructions, develops formulas for the angles and shows the errors in the approximations.
Squaring the Circle
Authors: Ben-Ari Mordechai
Published: September 2022

Squaring the circle, the construction of a square with the same area as a given circle, is one of the three construction problems that the Greeks posed but were unable to solve. Unlike trisecting the angle and doubling the cube, where the impossibility follows from properties of the roots of polynomials, the impossibility of squaring the circle follows from the transcendentality of 𝜋: it is not the root of any polynomial with rational coefficients. This is a difficult theorem that was proved in 1882 by Carl von Lindemann.
Solving Quadratic Equations
Authors: Ben-Ari Mordechai
Published: September 2022

Poh-Shen Loh proposed a method for solving quadratic equations that is based on a relation between the coefficients of the quadratic polynomial and its roots. Section 7.1 reviews the traditional methods for solving quadratic equations. Section 7.2 tries to convince the reader that Loh’s method makes sense and then explains howto compute the roots. In Sect. 7.3 the computation is carried out for two quadratic polynomials and a similar computation for a quartic polynomial. Section 7.4 derives the traditional formula for the roots from Loh’s formulas.
Langford’s Problem
Authors: Ben-Ari Mordechai
Published: September 2022

C. Dudley Langford noticed that his son had arranged colored blocks as shown in Fig. 9.1. There is one block between the red blocks, two blocks between the blue blocks and three blocks between the green blocks.
M2-branes wrapped on a topological disk
Authors: Suh Minwoo
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Employing the method applied to M5-branes recently by Bah, Bonetti, Minasian and Nardoni, we study M2-branes on a disk with non-trivial holonomies at the boundary. In four-dimensional U(1)4-gauged $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supergravity, we find supersymmetric AdS2 solutions from M2-branes wrapped on a topological disk in Calabi-Yau two-, three- and four-folds. We uplift the solutions to eleven-dimensional supergravity. For the solutions from topological disk in Calabi-Yau four-folds, the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy is finite and well-defined. On the other hand, from the topological disk in Calabi-Yau two- and three-folds, we could not find solutions with finite Bekenstein-Hawking entropy.
Symplectic Grassmannians, dual conformal symmetry and 4-point amplitudes in 6D
Authors: Bering Klaus , Pazderka Michal
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We investigate a new algebra-based approach of finding Grassmannian formulas for scattering amplitudes. Our prime motivation is massive amplitudes of 4D $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM, and therefore we consider a 6D Grassmannian formula, where we can take advantage of massless kinematics. We next use symmetry arguments, and in particular, 6D dual conformal symmetry generalized to arbitrary dual conformal weights. Assuming a rational ansatz in terms of Plücker coordinates (i.e. minors) for the integrand, this approach leads to a set of algebraic equations. As an example, we explicitly find the solution for 4-point scattering amplitudes up to proportionality constants.
Search for Milli-Charged particles from the Sun at IceCube
Authors: Xu Ye
Published: September 2022

Abstract

It is assumed that heavy dark matter particles ϕ with O(TeV) mass captured by the Sun may decay to relativistic light milli-charged particles (MCPs). These MCPs could be measured by the IceCube detector. The massless hidden photon model was taken for MCPs to interact with nuclei, so that the numbers and fluxes of expected MCPs and neutrinos may be evaluated at IceCube. Based on the assumption that no events are observed at IceCube in 6 years, the corresponding upper limits on MCP fluxes were calculated at 90% C. L. These results indicated that MCPs could be directly detected in the secondaries’ energy range O(100GeV)-O(10TeV) at IceCube, when ϵ2 ≳ 10−10. And a new region of 0.6 MeV < mMCP < 10 MeV and 6 × 10−6 < ϵ ≲ 10−4 is ruled out in the mMCP-ϵ plane with 6 years of IceCube data.
A comparison of probable post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol consumption among active female members of the UK Police Service and UK Armed Forces
Authors: Irizar Patricia , Stevelink Sharon A. M. , Pernet David , Gage Suzanne H. , Greenberg Neil , Wessely Simon , Goodwin Laura , Fear Nicola T.
Published: September 2022

Background

The British Police Service and Armed Forces are male-dominated occupations, characterised by frequent trauma exposure and intensive demands. Female police employees and military personnel may have unique experiences and face additional strains to their male counterparts. This analysis compared the levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hazardous/harmful alcohol consumption, and comorbidity in female police employees and military personnel.

Methods

Police data were obtained from the Airwave Health Monitoring Study (N = 14,145; 2007–2015) and military data from the Health and Wellbeing Cohort Study (N = 928; phase 2: 2007–2009 and phase 3: 2014–2016). Multinomial/logistic regressions analysed sample differences in probable PTSD, hazardous (14–35 units per week) and harmful (35 + units per week) alcohol consumption, and comorbid problems. We compared covariate adjustment and entropy balancing (reweighting method controlling for the same covariates) approaches.

Results

There were no significant differences in probable PTSD (police: 3.74% vs military: 4.47%) or hazardous drinking (police: 19.20% vs military: 16.32%). Female military personnel showed significantly higher levels of harmful drinking (4.71%) than police employees (2.42%; Adjusted Odds Ratios [AOR] = 2.26, 95% Confidence Intervals [CIs] = 1.60–3.21), and comorbidity (1.87%) than police employees (1.00%, AOR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.21–3.54). Entropy balancing and covariate-adjustments obtained the same results.

Conclusions

Comparable levels of probable PTSD were observed, which are slightly lower than estimates observed in the female general population. Future research should explore the reasons for this. However, female military personnel showed higher levels of harmful drinking than police employees, emphasising the need for alcohol interventions in military settings.
A specific slip length model for the Maxwell slip boundary conditions in the Navier–Stokes solution of flow around a microparticle in the no-slip and slip flow regimes
Authors: Wedel Jana , Štrakl Mitja , Ravnik Jure , Steinmann Paul , Hriberšek Matjaž
Published: September 2022

In the case of microscopic particles, the momentum exchange between the particle and the gas flow starts to deviate from the standard macroscopic particle case, i.e. the no-slip case, with slip flow occurring in the case of low to moderate particle Knudsen numbers. In order to derive new drag force models that are valid also in the slip flow regime for the case of non-spherical particles of arbitrary shapes using computational fluid dynamics, the no-slip conditions at the particle surface have to be modified in order to account for the velocity slip at the surface, mostly in the form of the Maxwell’s slip model. To allow a continuous transition in the boundary condition at the wall from the no-slip case to the slip cases for various Knudsen (Kn) number value flow regimes, a novel specific slip length model for the use with the Maxwell boundary conditions is proposed. The model is derived based on the data from the published experimental studies on spherical microparticle drag force correlations and Cunningham-based slip correction factors at standard conditions and uses a detailed CFD study on microparticle fluid dynamics to determine the correct values of the specific slip length at selected Kn number conditions. The obtained data on specific slip length are correlated using a polynomial function, resulting in the specific slip length model for the no-slip and slip flow regimes that can be applied to arbitrary convex particle shapes.

Graphic abstract
A skill- and feature-based approach to planning process monitoring in assembly planning
Authors: Gonnermann Clemens , Hashemi-Petroodi S. Ehsan , Thevenin Simon , Dolgui Alexandre , Daub Rüdiger
Published: September 2022

Frequent changes in customer needs and large product variety are forcing manufacturing companies to move from mass production to mass customization. Customized production can be achieved by introducing reconfigurable production systems (RMS). The customized flexibility and several characteristics of RMSs provide many opportunities in terms of process and production planning. However, those characteristics greatly increase the complexity of the design and planning of production systems. This paper presents a decision support system relying on a skill-based approach to design a reconfigurable assembly line considering the planning of assembly processes and monitoring. The proposed decision aid system is modular in design and is composed of four modules. The main input data is a CAD model of a new product variant for the identification of the assembly and monitoring requirements. Besides, a current assembly system layout with its resource descriptions exists. In the first developed module, assembly-by-disassembly and a skill-based approach are used to generate different assembly plans. In the second module, feature recognition and skill-based approaches generate process monitoring alternatives. The third module uses a linear program (LP) that aims to minimize the total cost of workstation activation and reconfiguration, as well as cycle time, and to maximize the process quality of the assembly tasks. A user-based generative model design approach is applied to optimize the values of three objective functions. In the fourth and final module, a simulation of the optimized assembly plan allows either the validation of the assembly plan and process monitoring plan or initiates a new iteration due to their infeasibility. To further demonstrate how the proposed methodology works, some computational experiments are provided for two use cases.