bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic Non-linear Feature Selection Framework for Epileptic Seizure Detection
Authors: Nayak Jigyasa , Dhanoa Jasdeep Kaur
Published: June 2023

This paper presents a qualitative automatic feature selection framework. Feature selection plays a very important role in selecting those features which provides the best results in terms of accuracy. The research work is aimed for in depth analysis of non-linear parameters using EEG signals. This paper also provides a comprehensive study of the features and their interpretations in characterizing epileptic seizures. We examine the quality of each feature independently in terms of classification performance metrics to provide meaningful information about the features. Optimally setting the non-linear combination leads to high classification accuracy. The accuracy can further improve by combining some other qualitative features with the optimal non-linear combination. Experimental results on two data sets shows that Hjorth parameters (HjPm) + approximate entropy (ApEn), and HjPm + ApEn + Higuchi fractal dimension (HFrDm) give high and nearly the same accuracy. However, HjPm + ApEn combined with some statistical feature gives more than 99% accuracy for most of the cases. The optimal combination of the features is providing a computationally inexpensive solution and can be deployed on low-cost hardware.
A Comprehensive Review on Medical Imaging Technologies to Detect Brain Stroke
Authors: Halder Subhas , Biswas Gopa Halder , Samanta Hiranmoy , Shahid Saquib
Published: June 2023

Brain stroke discovery remains one of the foremost critical investigation zones in restorative imaging. A brain stroke can be classified into two primary categories Ischemic and Haemorrhagic. Imaging technology detects strokes early. When it comes to imaging, the American College of Radiology persistently overhauls its rules for imaging pathways through the ACR Fittingness Criteria. There are a few prevalent restorative imaging methods for brain stroke locations like X-ray, computed tomography, positron outflow tomography, attractive reverberation imaging, and utilitarian attractive reverberation imaging. MRI and fMRI, using radio waves and a magnet, provide a detailed image of the brain, detecting a wide variety of brain tissues and blood vessel anomalies, including those in regions undetectable by CT (Computed tomography) scans. Advanced technology is making medical imaging crucial in emergencies, with faster scans and better stroke detection. Therefore, MRI and/or fMRI remain the best imaging technologies for detecting strokes.
Dental Caries Detection Using Faster R-CNN and YOLO V3
Authors: Juyal Aayush , Tiwari Himanshu , Singh Ujjwal Kumar , Kumar Nitin , Kumar Sandeep
Published: June 2023

Deep learning techniques are gradually being utilized in many fields. Healthcare is a field in which deep learning can thrive. The study conducted focuses on using deep learning object detection models to detect dental cavities in an individual’s mouth. These images taken from a camera will be fed live to the object detection model to discover the precise coordinates of dental caries if it happens to exist. Previous studies depict that X-rays were often used for detecting dental caries. This study wants to put emphasis on avoiding the use of X-rays since they have a chance of harming human tissue, as well as, and they cannot detect hidden caries. Thus, it is necessary to detect dental caries in an accurate manner, with the proper tools. Studies have also conducted dental caries prediction using the frontal view of the images only. Some have made use of different angles for the images in the dataset, however, there still lies the problem of capturing the posterior teeth. Roughly 300 images get used, as the dataset, for the training and testing of the object detection model. 80% is used for training whereas 20% is used for testing. Two deep learning frameworks have been proposed to evaluate dental cavities, the You Only Once (YOLO) V3 object detection model and the Faster Region-Convolutional Neural Network object detection model. Our results show that the YOLO V3 model consists of an accuracy of 75%, while Faster R-CNN had an accuracy of 80%. The sensitivity values of YOLO V3 and Faster R-CNN were 76% and 73% respectively. The model with better performance would be used for future development of the product, along with the hardware components. Our hardware components aim to take images from outside the mouth, for the frontal teeth, and take images from inside the mouth, for the posterior teeth.
Sentimental Analysis of Movie Reviews Using Machine Learning
Authors: Sharma Harsh , Pangaonkar Satyajit , Gunjan Reena , Rokade Prakash
Published: June 2023

Sentiment analysis is a rapidly growing field in natural language processing that aims to extract subjective information from text data. One of the most common applications of sentiment analysis is in the movie industry, where it is used to gauge public opinion on films. In this research paper, a sentimental analysis of movie reviews has been presented using a dataset of over 25,000 reviews collected from various sources. A machine learning model with different classifiers was built using Naïve Bayes, Logistic Regression and Support Vector Machines for classifying movie reviews as positive, negative or neutral. A comparison of three popular machine learning algorithms was made. After pre-processing the dataset by removing stop words, a stemming technique was applied to reduce the dimensionality of the dataset. The recognition algorithms were evaluated in terms of performance matrices such as accuracy, precision, recall and F1-score. Compared to others, it was observed that the SVM algorithm performed the best among all three algorithms, achieving an accuracy of 73%. The results of this analysis demonstrated the eﬀectiveness of the model in accurately classifying movie reviews and provided valuable insights into the current state of public opinion on films. The comparison of the three algorithms provided insight into the best algorithm to be used for a specific dataset and scenario.
Various License Plate Detection and Recognition Methods using Computer Vision and Machine Learning
Authors: Joshi Spandan , Parikh Mehul
Published: June 2023

With the increasing advancements in the technology, our lives have become significantly more convenient. We now have automated many things. One example of such things is the automated number plate recognition system. There are many ways to perform the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition). Performing ANPR in wild still remains a big challenge. This review focuses on some techniques that have tried to overcome this challenge.
Time Series Prediction of Wheat Crop based on FB Prophet Forecast Framework
Authors: Desai Mittal , Shingala Amisha
Published: June 2023

The production of wheat plays an important role in the Indian economy. Wheat yield prediction is significant in trade, industry, and agriculture to increase profitability and better growth for farmers. We propose a prediction model to classify the wheat yield using time series analysis using the FB Prophet algorithm, which is considered as better than most of the other supervised learning models with respect to accuracy. [1]. The study aims to evaluate the predicted growth of wheat yield for the next five years. The dataset is collected by the government agency of India [2], considering the years 1997 to 2022, seasonal data, Gujarat state with four districts, and analysis is done for the Wheat/ Rabi crop. A total of 589 instances are collected from a dataset. We pre-process the data, train the data, and through the testing result set, the experimental result indicates the model achieves the lowest Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for the summer wheat prediction (10.03 and 0.39 respectively) when the number of the layer in seasonality is yearly. The study will help the research community and other stakeholders to make plans for the next five years for the sustainable growth of India.
Optimised Image Storage and Retrieval on Hadoop
Authors: Dhulavvagol Praveen M. , Gadagkar Akhilesh , Ateeth K.J. , Hegade Gururaj , Poonia Ritik , Totad S.G.
Published: June 2023

With the exponential growth of data, it is difficult to efficiently store and retrieve data using traditional methods. There is a need to optimize the storage and to efficiently retrieve relevant data matching the user query. Traditional methods lack optimized storage and to effectively retrieve data. To overcome these limitations, in this project, we propose a distributed architecture framework to optimize memory usage and to effectively retrieve relevant data using Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR). The experimental results show that the proposed model enhances storage performance and retrieval time by 20%.
Bilateral “pricing” for consultation companies’ competition considering customers’ switching behavior
Authors: Li Junchang , Zhang Jiantong , Song Hongzhen
Published: June 2023

Customers are either eager or obliged to switch from a physical consultation firm to an online consultation platform. Considering customers’ switching behavior and competition effect on bilateral users, the paper developed a three-echelon Stackelberg game framework where two consultation companies decide bilateral “pricing” (the service price and the wage), and the servicer decides service investment. In four scenarios combining two salary strategies (Employment or Sharing Strategy) and two game sequences (firm as leader or follower), stakeholders’ optimal decision-making and revenue were proved. We then theoretically analyzed the influence of some parameters on the equilibrium status and the gap between them and numerically simulated the joint effect of switching rate and parameters on the equilibrium revenue of stakeholders. It is deduced that in the consultation service market: (a) there is equilibrium status in all four scenarios when the switching rate, the servicer’s sensitivity to current revenue, and the service cost coefficient on the firm satisfy certain conditions; (b) the servicer’s potential market and the service investment cost coefficients negatively affect the optimal fixed wage set by the two companies and the servicer’s revenue; (c) two consultation companies can achieve greater revenue when both adopt Sharing Strategy; (d) servicer with higher perceived service cost are incented to devote more to servicing when both employ Employment strategy.
The Enigma of Basilar Artery Dissections Secondary to Vasospasm Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Exploration of the Unknown Effect of Superior Cervical Ganglia: A Preliminary Experimental Study
Authors: Zeynal Mete , Sahin Mehmet Hakan , Kanat Ayhan , Karadag Mehmet Kursat , Sipal Sare , Ergene Saban , Aydin Mehmet Dumlu
Published: June 2023

Background Life-threatening basilar artery dissection (BAD) can be seen following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but it is not clear whether SAH causes dissection, or not. This study aims to investigate the relationship between degenerative changes in the superior cervical ganglia and the dissection rate of the basilar artery.

Method In this study, after 3 weeks of experimental SAH, animals were decapitated. Eighteen rabbits were divided into three groups according to their vasospasm indices. The basilar arteries were examined by anatomical and histopathologic methods.

Results Basilar dissection with high vasospasm index (VSI) value (VSI > 3) was detected in six animals (group I); severe basilar edema and moderate VSI value (>2.4) were detected in seven rabbits (group II); and slight VSI value (<1.5) was detected in five subjects (group III). The degenerated neuron densities of the superior cervical ganglia were 12 ± 4 n/mm3 in group I, 41 ± 8 n/mm3 in group II, and 276 ± 78 n/mm3 in group III. The dissected surface values/lumen values were calculated as (42 ± 1)/(64 ± 11) in G-I, (21 ± 6)/(89 ± 17) in group II, and (3 ± 1)/(102 ± 24) in group III. If we look at these ratios as a percentage, it was 62% in group I, 23% in group II, and 5% in group III.

Conclusion Inverse relationship between the degenerated neuron densities of the superior cervical ganglia and the dissected surface values of the basilar artery was observed. Common knowledge is that BAD may lead to SAH; however, this study indicates that SAH is the cause of BAD.
Intracranial Hypotension Syndrome after Lumbar Drainage in Skull Base Surgery: Diagnosis and Correct Management
Authors: Baram Ali , Zaed Ismail , Safa Adrian , Robertis Mario De , Lasio Giovanni , Maira Giulio , Cannizzaro Delia
Published: June 2023

Lumbar drainage is commonly used in skull base surgery; however, very few cases of intracranial hypotension syndrome are reported to be caused by this procedure. We present a clinical case of lumbar drainage–assisted orbital and optic canal decompression surgery for a recurrent voluminous spheno-orbital meningioma, together with a literature review. A 49-year-old woman became confused and drowsy on postoperative day 3, after initially experiencing neurologic stability. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head showed extradural frontotemporal fluid collection with moderate right to left midline shift. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed signs of intracranial hypotension, such as brain sagging and diffuse dural contrast enhancement. Conservative treatment with bed rest, aggressive hydration, steroids, and aminophylline led to progressive neurologic improvement. A systematic literature review was also performed, and previous reported cases were analyzed. Overall, neurosurgeons must be aware of the lumbar drainage–induced hypotension syndrome in skull base surgeries, because immediate diagnosis is essential for therapeutic decision-making. In this setting, conservative management is the first-line treatment as surgery may lead to severe complications.
Elastic network model provides new view of how SARS-CoV-2 dissociates from ACE2 protein
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: June 2023

Long-range interactions between virus and protein can have an impact on association and dissociation.
Two hills flow differently than one
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: June 2023

Understanding turbulent flow over hills will aid the study of wildfire spread, wind energy utilization, and more.
Imaging hybrid perovskites while minimizing damage
Authors: Green Leigh Ann
Published: June 2023

Providing insight into structural damage from electron microscopy and techniques to reduce the negative effects.
Using piezoelectric nanoarrays for ultrasensitive chemical detection
Authors: Johnson-Groh Mara
Published: June 2023

Piezo-electrocatalytic zinc oxide nanoarray sensor can detect hydrogen peroxide at unexpectedly low concentrations.
John Herschel’s reform of science
Authors: Case Stephen
Published: June 2023

The son of the world’s most famous astronomer, Herschel helped liberate science from the realm of aristocratic privilege.
A synthesis of physical connectedness
Authors: Balents Leon
Published: June 2023

Topological Phases of Matter, Roderich Moessner and Joel E. Moore
Australian general practitioners’ views on qualities that make effective discharge communication: a scoping review
Authors: Gusmeroli Melinda , Perks Stephen , Lanskey Cassie , Bates Nicole
Published: June 2023

Transitions of patient care between hospital discharge and primary care are known to be an area of high-risk where communication is imperative for patient safety. Discharge summaries are known to often be incomplete, delayed and unhelpful for community healthcare providers. The aim of this review was to identify and map the literature which discusses Australian general practitioners’ (GPs) views on the qualities that make up effective discharge communication. Medline, Scopus and the Cochrane register of controlled drug trails and systematic reviews were searched for publications until October 2021 that discussed Australian GPs’ views on discharge communication from hospital to general practice. Of 1696 articles identified, 18 met inclusion and critical appraisal criteria. Five studies identified that GPs view timeliness of discharge summary receipt to be a problem. Communication of medication information in the discharge summary was discussed in six studies, with two reporting that GPs view reasons for medication changes to be essential. Five studies noted GPs would prefer to receive clinical discipline or diagnosis specific information. Four studies identified that GPs viewed the format and readability of discharge summaries to be problematic, with difficulties finding salient information. The findings of this scoping review indicate that GPs view timeliness, completeness, readability, medication related information and diagnosis/clinical discipline specific information to be qualities that make up effective discharge communication from hospital to the community. There are opportunities for further research in perspectives of effective discharge communication, and future studies on interventions to improve discharge communication, patient safety and policy in transfers of care.
A more perfect dissolution
Authors: Michiels Laura
Published: June 2023

Samuel D. Hunter’s 2019 play Greater Clements is named after a fictional former mining town in Northern Idaho, which straddles the space between presence and absence. The locals have decided to put an end to a dispute with the Californian second-homers that have flocked to town in recent years, by voting to unincorporate. Hunter has indicated that the play relies heavily on the “toxicity of nostalgia”, on which the present essay concentrates. This article explores nostalgia as connected to two marginalised communities in Greater Clements: the miners, now out of work due to the effects of deindustrialisation, and the town’s Japanese American residents, who are still reeling from the trauma of wartime internment.
A terahertz metamaterial sensor with high-sensitivity based on electromagnetically induced transparency effect
Authors: Zhu Lei , Wang Yun , Li Haodong , Rong Miaoxin , Dong Liang
Published: June 2023

In this study, we design an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect based on a metamaterial sensor composed of three split-ring structures in the terahertz range. The EIT transparency window appears at 1.83 THz due to the electromagnetic coupling between the three split-rings. To analyze its physical mechanism, we use the ‘two-particle’ model and obtain good consistency between the simulation and theoretical results. The simulation results also show that when the thickness of the measured object is 15 μm and the refractive index is between 1 and 1.5, the refractive index sensitivity of the sensor is as high as 423.9 GHz RIU−1, and the figure of merit value is 6.9. In addition, the sensor is used to simulate the detection and distinction of different types of microbiota. We expect that this work will pave the way for designing high-sensitivity EIT sensors in the terahertz region and promote the development of terahertz sensing and label-free detection of pathogens.
Solving bound state equation for scalar and hybrid QCD in two-dimensional spacetime
Authors: Li Xiaolin , Jia Yu 贾宇 , Li Ying 李营 , Mo Zhewen
Published: June 2023

We investigate the bound-state equations in two-dimensional QCD in the $N_c\to \infty$ limit. We consider two types of hadrons, an exotic ``meson" (which is composed of a bosonic quark and a bosonic anti-quark), and an exotic ``baryon" (composed of a fermionic quark and a bosonic antiquark). Using the operator approach, we derive the corresponding bound-state equations for both types of hadrons from the perspectives of light-front quantization and equal-time quantization and confirm the known results. We also present a novel diagrammatic derivation for the exotic meson bound-state equation in the equal-time quantization.Our bound-state equation for the exotic baryons in the equal-time quantization is new. We also numerically solve various bound-state equations, obtain the hadron spectrum and the bound-state wave functions of the lowest-lying states. We explicitly demonstrate the pattern that as the hadron is boosted to infinite-momentum frame, the forward-moving bound-state wave function approach the light-front wave function. Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI. Article funded by SCOAP3 and published under licence by Chinese Physical Society and the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Science and the Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and IOP Publishing Ltd.
Algebraic methods for reconstruction of coordinates in strip detectors
Authors: Smirnov Igor B.
Published: June 2023

Many types of detectors, such as cathode strip chambers and some MPGDs, allow us to
reconstruct track positions by induced strip charges. There are two main types of algebraic
methods for this reconstruction: center of gravity methods and little-known differential methods.
General formulas for differential methods are derived. Their performance is compared with the
performance of center of gravity methods. It is shown that the differential methods are better
than the previously known center of gravity methods, but the improved center of gravity methods
provide results similar to the results of differential methods.
Effect of multiple discharges on accumulated damage to the DLC anode layer of a resistive Well Electron Multiplier
Authors: Bayev V. , Afanaciev K. , Movchan S. , Kashchuk A. , Levitskaya O. , Akulich V.
Published: June 2023

A prototype of the WEM (Well Electron Multiplier) detector with an active area of 10 × 10 mm2 and a resistive DLC anode was tested in terms of robustness to electrical discharges induced by highly ionizing particles (241Am alpha source). The perforated structure of the WEM detector was produced from a 500 μm thick FR4 with drilled holes of 200 μm in diameter and 500 μm in pitch. The resistive anode was made of 100 nm thick DLC layer with 30 MOhm/square sheet resistance deposited on the anode grid electrode. The anode grid electrode is used to distribute voltage to the resistive layer and provide fast charge evacuation. The detector was operated in Ar:CO2 (90:10) gas mixture at gas gain of 3,500. The alpha source was placed in the drift gap. The WEM detector with intrinsic capacitance of 34 pF did not show visible damage and changes in performance after 1 million accumulated discharges. To simulate a large area detector, we added a capacitance up to 1 nF in parallel with the test device. The results of the experiments with an additional capacitance revealed that a small WEM prototype can't be directly scaled to the dimensions more than 60 × 60 mm2 without losing the robustness to discharges. We assume that the observed damage could be caused by the design features of the prototype. The grid anode electrode with a thickness of 35 μm results in a gap between the perforated FR4 board and the resistive anode board. Simulations of the electric field distribution with Comsol Multiphysics software revealed a significant electric field strength in this gap. This could lead to electric discharge path bypassing the protective resistive DLC layer. A possible solution to this problem could be additional insulation of the anode grid electrode with a coverlay similar to that used in bulk MicroMegas production.
Stability Analysis of Toll Road Embankment Induced by Liquefaction In Klaten Regency Based On FEM Numerical Simulation
Authors: Hasiholan F , Ismanti S , Rifa’i A
Published: June 2023

The construction of toll roads in Klaten Regency supports community connectivity in increasing economic growth and accessibility to tourist areas around the southern part of Java Island. The location of this study is in Polanharjo District, Klaten Regency. The study area has geological conditions, sandy volcanic ash, and shallow groundwater levels and is accompanied by a history of earthquakes that have occurred greater than Mw. 5.0. These three things are triggers for liquefaction. This study discusses the stability analysis of toll road embankments at the STA. 10+724 on the construction of the Solo - Yogyakarta - YIA Kulon Progo Toll Road due to the potential for liquefaction reaching 14 meters. The road embankment construction is placed on the ground surface, which has the potential for liquefaction with a height of up to 5 meters. Calculate the safety factor using the numerical simulation finite element (Plaxis v.8.2 software) with static and pseudostatic analysis. Numerical calculations show that the stability analysis of toll road embankments placed on the ground with the liquefaction potential is still safe for construction with a safety factor on the static analysis (SF: 1.989 > 1.5) and pseudostatic analysis (SF: 1.912 > 1.1).
Influence of Groundwater Table Fluctuation on Liquefaction Potential Analysis Using Cyclic Stress Approach
Authors: Dwiyantoro W , Fathani T F , Adi A D
Published: June 2023

In addition to earthquakes, groundwater table (GWT) also contributes to uncertainty in liquefaction analysis, so it needs to be considered. This research was conducted by analyzing the liquefaction potential with a cyclic stress approach using standard penetration test data and cone penetration test data with varied GWT in a case study of building design in Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Region. The liquefaction safety factor (FS
L
) was calculated to obtain the liquefaction potential index (LPI) and liquefaction severity index (LSI). Based on the survey results, the GWT ranges from -6 m to -8 m. Referring to the FS
L
, there are several soil layers that have liquefaction potential at all GWT variations. The shallower the GWT, the greater the LPI and LSI values at the same point will be. Changes in GWT from -8 m to -6 m cause changes in the LPI and LSI classifications at several points. Based on LPI classification, the location belongs to high to very high category at -8 m and -7 m GWT and very high category at -6 m GWT. Based on LSI classification, the location belongs to low category at -8 m GWT, and low to moderate category at -7 m and -6 m GWT.
Integrating Fine Ceramic Tile Aggregates in Concrete Hollow Blocks
Authors: Ramirez J , Remolisan C , Coscos MJ , Canseco-Tuñacao HA
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the effect of fine ceramic tile aggregates (CTA), specifically floor and wall tiles, as a replacement for fine aggregates in non-load bearing Concrete Hollow Block’s (CHB) fresh and hardened properties. The experimental design of this study performed was in line with the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard procedure. Results for the workability of CHB with CTA showed comparable behavior to the control mix, which ranged between low to medium slump values (49 mm-59 mm). Specimens with CTA are characterized by higher water absorption and lesser density and moisture content. All the CHB with CTA replacement yielded higher compressive strength than the control mix. The 30% CTA substitution gained the highest compressive strength of 3.20 MPa (462.12 psi) for 28-days of curing. Overall, the physical and mechanical qualities of the samples with CTA percentage performed better than the control mix.
Coconut Shell Ash as Partial Substitute to Cement in Concrete Hollow Blocks
Authors: Lumbab J S , Bongo J , Moralde R M , Villaceran G I
Published: June 2023

Due to heightened demand for construction materials and environmental crisis, this study presents an alternative to cement using upcycled agricultural waste to help the construction industry and address environmental issues. The study focuses on substituting cement in concrete hollow blocks with coconut shell ash at 0, 10, 20, and 30 percent replacement. Four-inch width specimens are fabricated after slump test and underwent compressive strength and water absorption tests at 7, 14, and 28 curing periods. These are some of the insights of the study: (a) slump height of CHB with 30% substitution is the lowest at 4 mm, (b) the 10% CSA performed well among CHB with CSA gaining 3.7454 MPa, and (c) CSA decreased the water absorption to up to 4.6% at 20% replacement and moisture content to a value of 18.22% at 30% substitution after 28 days curing.
The Effect of Natrium Hydroxide Molarity Variation and Alkali Ratio on the Compressive Strength of Geopolymer Paste and Mortar
Authors: Mariamah  , Chairunnisa Nursiah , Nurwidayati Ratni
Published: June 2023

Geopolymers have great potential to replace conventional cementitious materials and are classified as green materials. Their main constituents are silica (Si) and aluminum (Al), which can be found in the fly ash material from industrial processes of the PLTU. The parameters that affect the strength of the concrete are influenced by the molarity of natrium hydroxide and the ratio of alkalis (NaOH/Na2SiO3). This study examined the characteristics of the geopolymer paste and mortar specimens. Furthermore, mixture composition was carried out using the weight ratio method. The mortar produced consists of 65% fine aggregate and 35% paste, while the pasta contains 60% fly ash and 40% alkaline solution. The molarities of NaOH used were 8M, 10M, 12M, and 14M with a base ratio of 1.5, 2, and 2.5 Na2SiO3/NaOH. The curing of specimens was carried out with the humid temperature method. The results showed that the highest compressive strength of geopolymer paste and mortar was obtained at 12M NaOH molarity with an alkaline ratio of 2.5, namely 12.59 MPa and 21.75 MPa at 28 days, respectively. NaOH of more than 12M can cause a decrease, while the base ratio of 2.5 has the highest strength. The results also showed that the higher the molarity of NaOH and the greater the alkaline ratios, the longer the setting time.
Arthroscopic management of large subchondral talar cyst: a novel treatment strategy
Authors: Dahiya Rohan , Sundarapandian Rajkumar , Nair Abhinav , Pillai Anand
Published: June 2023

Subchondroplasty is a novel and minimally invasive technique used to treat large subchondral talar cysts. It avoids soft tissue scarring, the need for osteotomies, bone grafting and its associated complications as seen with conventional approaches. Subchondroplasty involves arthroscopically approaching the cyst and injecting it with calcium phosphate paste injection, which undergoes an endothermic process and crystallizes in a manner that resembles cancellous bone to fill the defect. This case series presents two patients who underwent subchondroplasty: a 44-year-old female nurse with atraumatic right ankle pain of 2 years with a CT scan revealing a large subchondral cyst over the medial talar dome and a 55-year-old male chemical plant worker with left ankle pain following a biking accident 6 years ago whose CT scan too showed a large subchondral cyst in the medial talus. Both tolerated the surgery well, with significant reductions noted in MOXFQ scores at the 1-year follow-up.
Climate Security Connects Fragile and Strong States via Cascading Effects: A Review Article
Authors: Kivimaa Paula
Published: June 2023

During the ongoing decade, the importance of security as a topic has heightened, not least because of the health and broader implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian attack on Ukraine. We have also seen a rapid acceleration in extreme weather events influenced by climate change, including forest fires in Australia, the United States, and Europe; severe flooding in many parts of the world; and extreme heat waves in, for instance, India and Pakistan. These demonstrate how climate change is also increasingly a matter of human and national security. Therefore, climate change as a policy issue and a political topic reaches beyond the remit of sectoral climate or environmental policy. It should be seen as a horizontal cross-government policy area that increasingly affects the security of the whole society.
Bidirectional understanding and cooperation: interbrain neural synchronization during social navigation
Authors: Zhou Song , Yang Huaqi , Yang Haibo , Liu Tao
Published: June 2023

The complexity of the environment requires humans to solve problems collaboratively. The aim of this study was to investigate the neural mechanism of social navigation in group problem-solving situations. A novel cooperative task was designed in which dyadic participants assumed the role of an operator or a navigator with different skills and knowledge and worked together to complete the task. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy–based hyperscanning, we found stronger interbrain neural synchronization of the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) between dyads when the operator received instructions from the navigator rather than from a computer. The functional connections between the rTPJ and the other brain areas indicated the involvement of the mirror neural system during the task. Further directional analysis using Granger causality analysis revealed a flow of information from the temporal to the parietal and then to the pre-motor cortex in the operator’s brain. These findings provide empirical evidence for the neural mechanism of social navigation and highlight the importance of the rTPJ for communication and joint attention in uncertain group problem-solving situations.
The default mode network and rumination in individuals at risk for depression
Authors: Chou Tina , Deckersbach Thilo , Dougherty Darin D , Hooley Jill M
Published: June 2023

The default mode network (DMN) is a network of brain regions active during rest and self-referential thinking. Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) show increased or decreased DMN activity relative to controls. DMN activity has been linked to a tendency to ruminate in MDD. It is unclear if individuals who are at risk for, but who have no current or past history of depression, also show differential DMN activity associated with rumination. We investigated whether females with high levels of neuroticism with no current or lifetime mood or anxiety disorders (n = 25) show increased DMN activation, specifically when processing negative self-referential information, compared with females with average levels of neuroticism (n = 28). Participants heard criticism and praise during functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in a 3T Siemens Prisma scanner. The at-risk group showed greater activation in two DMN regions, the medial prefrontal cortex and the inferior parietal lobule (IPL), after hearing criticism, but not praise (relative to females with average levels of neuroticism). Criticism-specific activation in the IPL was significantly correlated with rumination. Individuals at risk for depression may, therefore, have an underlying neurocognitive vulnerability to use a brain network typically involved in thinking about oneself to preferentially ruminate about negative, rather than positive, information.
Rethinking Religion and Political Participation: The Case of Voting Among Religiously Unaffiliated Americans
Authors: Stewart Evan
Published: June 2023

Is civic disengagement correlated across institutions? One case of this question is a long-observed “secular voting gap” where religiously unaffiliated Americans are less likely to vote than their affiliated counterparts. This work often uses self-reports or exit polls that cannot measure variation within the unaffiliated. Using an improved measure of validated voter turnout in four presidential election years (2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020), I find estimates of the secular voting gap are attenuated by demographic controls. More importantly, the mechanism that explains this finding is that more frequent church attendance associates with a lower probability of turnout among respondents who are unaffiliated, and results vary by voting method. These results support a theory of civic disengagement as a domain-specific process and demonstrate the substantive value of revisiting classic findings about religion and political behavior amid social change.
The Fusarium graminearum Transporters Abc1 and Abc6 Are Important for Xenobiotic Resistance, Trichothecene Accumulation, and Virulence to Wheat
Authors: O'Mara Sean P. , Broz Karen , Schwister Erin M. , Singh Lovepreet , Dong Yanhong , Elmore J. Mitch , Kistler H. Corby
Published: June 2023

The plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum is the causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease on small-grain cereals. F. graminearum produces trichothecene mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON) that are required for full virulence. DON must be exported outside the cell to cause FHB disease, a process that may require the involvement of membrane-bound transporters. In this study, we show that the deletion of membrane-bound transporters results in reduced DON accumulation as well as reduced FHB symptoms on wheat. Deletion of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene Abc1 results in the greatest reduction in DON accumulation and virulence. Deletion of another ABC transporter gene, Abc6, also reduces FHB symptoms to a lesser degree. Combining deletions fails to reduce DON accumulation or virulence in an additive fashion, even when a ∆ abc1 deletion is included. Heterologous expression of F. graminearum transporters in a DON-sensitive strain of yeast confirms Abc1 as a major DON resistance mechanism; furthermore, it suggests that Abc1 is directly participating in DON transport rather than facilitating DON transport though other means. Yeast expression further indicates that multiple transporters, including Abc1, play an important role in resistance to the wheat phytoalexin 2-benzoxazolinone (BOA) and other xenobiotics. Thus, Abc1 may contribute to virulence on wheat both by facilitating export of DON and by providing resistance to the wheat phytoalexin BOA. This research provides useful information that may aid in designing novel management techniques of FHB or other destructive plant diseases.
Probiotic-Associated Central Venous Catheter Bloodstream Infections Lead to Increased Mortality in the ICU*
Authors: Mayer Scott , Bonhag Colin , Jenkins Patrick , Cornett Brendon , Watts Paula , Scherbak Dmitriy
Published: June 2023

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the occurrence rate and impact on patient outcomes of probiotic-associated central venous catheter bloodstream infections in the ICU.

DESIGN:

Retrospective observational cohort study.

SETTING:

The cohort was gathered using HCA Healthcare’s data warehouse.

PATIENTS:

Adult patients with central venous catheters in the ICU.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Blood culture data were used to determine whether an infection had occurred with an organism contained in an administered probiotic. Eighty-six probiotic-associated central venous catheter bloodstream infections were identified among the 23,015 patient cohort who received probiotics (0.37%). The number needed to harm was 270. Zero infections were found in the cohort that did not receive probiotics. Patients who contracted a probiotic infection had increased mortality (odds ratio, 2.23; 1.30–3.71; p < 0.01). Powder formulations had an increased rate of infection compared with nonpowder formulations (0.76% vs 0.33%; odds ratio, 2.03; 1.05–3.95; p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS:

Probiotic administration is associated with a substantial rate of probiotic-associated bloodstream infection in ICU patients with central venous catheters in place. Probiotic-associated bloodstream infections result in significantly increased mortality. Powder formulations cause bloodstream infections more frequently than nonpowder formulations. In ICU patients with central venous catheters, the risks of probiotic-associated central venous catheter bloodstream infection and death outweigh any potential benefits of probiotic administration.
Outcomes in Pregnant Adolescent Patients Infected With SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Nguyen Anh Quynh , Murrin Ellen , Nasrallah Sebastian , Hitchings Laura , Wang Jenny Q. , VanDillen Michael B. , Eletu Oluwafunmilayo , Maxwell G. Larry , Gomez Luis M.
Published: June 2023

Background:

Pregnant patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although clinical outcomes for pregnant adults have been reported, the impact of COVID-19 on adolescents is lacking. We sought to evaluate obstetric outcomes of pregnant adolescents infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and compare them with uninfected adolescent controls.

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study of pregnant adolescents (14–19 years) who had a positive polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2 from April 2020 to December 2020 at Inova Health System Hospitals. Controls included pregnant adolescents who tested negative. The primary outcome was a composite of preeclampsia, preterm delivery, cesarean delivery, fetal growth restriction and stillbirth. Secondary outcomes included maternal and neonatal morbidity.

Results:

Forty-eight pregnant adolescents who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were compared with 394 controls. Infected adolescents were more likely to be Hispanic (91.67% vs. 12.18%; risk ratio [RR] 41.85 [95% CI: 15.43–113.5]) and uninsured (50% vs. 7.87%; RR 7.04 [95% CI: 4.31–11.49]. Nearly 80% of infected adolescents remained asymptomatic, whereas one-third of symptomatic adolescents progressed to severe or critical COVID-19. The primary composite outcome was more prevalent in infected adolescents compared with noninfected controls (41.67% vs. 25.38%; adjusted RR 2.65 [95% CI: 1.19–5.93]). Maternal morbidity was more prevalent in infected adolescents (6.25% vs. 0.76%; adjusted RR 9.53 [95% CI: 3.83–23.71]). Primary and secondary maternal outcomes were more prevalent in younger adolescents and those with higher severity of COVID-19. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection was not associated with neonatal morbidity.

Conclusions:

Pregnant adolescents infected with SARS-CoV-2 are more likely to have adverse obstetric outcomes and maternal morbidity compared with noninfected pregnant adolescents.
Tracheal hemangioma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Sadidi Hossein , Bahrami Taqanaki Pegah , Amirfakhrian Hamed , Rezaei Reza
Published: June 2023

Introduction and importance:

Hemangiomas are the most common vascular tumors in children. Although hemangiomas are common, they are rarely seen in areas like the trachea and larynx.The most common clinical manifestations in tracheal hemangiomas are stridor and respiratory distress. The main diagnostic method is bronchoscopy. Other imaging techniques like computed tomography scans and MRIs are also helpful. Various treatment options are now used for treating the disease, including beta blockers like propranolol, local and systemic steroids, and surgical resection.

Case presentation:

An 8-year-old boy with the chief complaint of severe progressive dyspnea and a history of neonatal postbreastfeeding cyanosis was admitted. On physical examination, he had tachypnea, and stridor was heard upon auscultation. There was no history of fever, chest pain, or coughing. He underwent a rigid bronchoscopy followed by a neck computed tomography scan. The results indicated a soft tissue mass with a vascular nature. An MRI of the neck confirmed the diagnosis of tracheal hemangioma. The mass was not resectable during surgery; hence, angioembolization was carried out. Treatment was successful and there was no recurrence on the follow-up.

Clinical discussion:

Based on the findings in this literature review tracheal hemangiomas present with stridor, progressive respiratory distress, dyspnea, hemoptysis, and chronic coughs. Advanced tracheal hemangiomas commonly do not reduce in size by themselves and need treatment. A close follow-up ranging from 3 months to 1 year is recommended.

Conclusion:

Although tracheal hemangiomas are rare they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe dyspnea and stridor.
Fractures in the Faultline
Authors: Weberg Dan
Published: June 2023

The nursing profession is at a paradigm shifting moment. The cracks in the profession and the health system were exacerbated by the global pandemic of COVID-19 and chronic workforce issues. Nursing must explicitly acknowledge the broken systems and work specifically to address them. Through innovation leadership, health care leaders can identify the issues and create novel solutions to lead nursing into our desired future.
Decreasing Technology Burdens to Bedside Staff Through the Introduction of a Patient Technology Technician Role
Authors: Varty Maureen , Hassell Amy , Greeson Jennifer , Newth Casey , Thomson Amanda , Winchester Cristina
Published: June 2023

With increased technology integration into health care, the focus and time of nurses are often shifting toward technology and away from direct patient care. The goal of this quality improvement project was to implement a patient technology technician role on 3 acute care units in order to reduce the time burden of technology to nurses. During this quality improvement project, the patient technology technician role focused on addressing technology issues and ensured adequate, functioning technology supplies were available on nursing units. Outcomes assessed included self-reporting of the technology time burden, the satisfaction associated with technology, and the impact on telemetry calls from the virtual telemetry monitoring center. In the pretest survey, only 10% to 14% of bedside staff were somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with the time spent managing technology. In the posttest survey, that number increased from 92% to 96%. In the pretest survey, 64% to 83% of bedside staff reported often or frequently fixing, managing, or looking for technology. In the posttest survey that number decreased from 4% to 16%. There was also a reduction in telephone calls from the virtual telemetry monitoring center after implementation. The patient technology technician role was able to successfully relieve the technology time burden for bedside staff.
Evaluating the association of antiretroviral therapy and immune status with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among people with HIV
Authors: YEE Lynn M. , Jacobson Denise L. , Haddad Lisa B. , Jao Jennifer , Powis Kathleen M. , Kacanek Deborah , Zash Rebecca , Diperna Alexandria , Chadwick Ellen G.
Published: June 2023

Objective:

To examine the association of timing of ART initiation and ART class with risk of new-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Design:

Observational study of participants in the multisite Surveillance Monitoring for ART Toxicities (SMARTT) study.

Methods:

Data were abstracted from medical records of pregnant PLHIV enrolled in SMARTT (1/30/15–3/25/19). New-onset HDP included gestational hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome. We examined the associations of clinical risk factors and three exposures of interest, each in a separate model, with risk of new-onset HDP. Log-binomial regression models were fit using generalized estimating equations to account for correlations within people. Exposures included: timing of ART initiation, antiretroviral class among those on therapy at conception, and antiretroviral class among those initiating treatment during pregnancy.

Results:

Of 1038 pregnancies in this cohort, 973 were singletons with complete data on HDP, with ART use in 948. Overall, 9% had a new-onset HDP, 10% had chronic hypertension, and 81% had no hypertension. Diabetes (aRR 2.44, 95% CI 1.42–4.21) and first/second trimester CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (aRR 1.99, 95% CI 1.21–3.27) were associated with greater risk of new-onset HDP. Risk of new-onset HDP was similar by antiretroviral class, but those initiating ART after 20 weeks’ gestation had greater risk (aRR 1.93, 95% CI 1.12–3.30) compared with those receiving ART at conception.

Conclusion:

In this large, diverse cohort of pregnant PLHIV, worse early pregnancy immune status and later ART initiation were associated with increased risk of HDP while ART class was not.