bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ropeginterferon alfa‐2b in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C: Pharmacokinetics, safety, and preliminary efficacy
Authors: Lin Hsien‐Hong , Hsu Shih‐Jer , Lu Sheng‐Nan , Chuang Wan‐Long , Hsu Chao‐Wei , Chien Rong‐Nan , Yang Sien‐Sing , Su Wei‐Wen , Wu Jaw‐Ching , Lee Tzong‐Hsi , Peng Cheng‐Yuan , Tseng Kuan‐Chiao , Qin Albert , Huang Yi‐Wen , Chen Pei‐Jer
Published: July 2021

Background and Aim

Ropeginterferon alfa‐2b (P1101) is a novel long‐acting mono‐PEGylated recombinant proline interferon (IFN) conjugated to a 40 kDa branched polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain at its N‐terminus, allowing every‐two‐week injection. It received European Medicines Agency and Taiwan marketing authorization for the treatment of polycythemia vera in 2019 and 2020, respectively. This phase 2 study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and preliminary efficacy of ropeginterferon alfa‐2b as compared with PEG‐IFN‐α2a in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection.

Methods

One hundred six treatment naive patients were enrolled in this phase 2 study and randomized to four treatment groups: subcutaneous weekly PEG‐IFN‐α2a 180 μg (group 1), weekly ropeginterferon alfa‐2b 180 μg (group 2), weekly ropeginterferon alfa‐2b 270 μg (group 3), or biweekly ropeginterferon alfa‐2b 450 μg (group 4) plus ribavirin for 48 weeks.

Results

After multiple weekly administration, serum exposure (AUC0‐τ) in ropeginterferon alfa‐2b 180 μg was approximately 41% greater and the accumulation ratio of 2‐fold greater than PEG‐IFN‐α2a 180 μg. The incidences of flu‐like symptoms were 66.7% (18/27), 53.3% (16/30), 55.0% (11/20), and 48.3% (14/29), anxiety were 14.8% (4/27), 6.7% (2/30), 0%, and 0%, and depression were 25.9% (7/27), 13.3% (4/30), 0%, and 3.4% (1/29), for groups 1–4, respectively. Two grade 2 of 3 depression were noted in PEG‐IFN‐α2a arm, but none in ropeginterferon arms. The SVR24 rates were 77.8% (21/27), 66.7% (20/30), 80% (16/20), and 69% (20/29), respectively.

Conclusions

Ropeginterferon alfa‐2b showed longer effective half‐life and superior safety profile than PEG‐IFN‐α2a. Biweekly injection of ropeginterferon alfa‐2b will be studied in larger viral hepatitis patient population.
Added value of CMIP6 models over CMIP5 models in simulating the climatological precipitation extremes in China
Authors: Luo Neng , Guo Yan , Chou Jieming , Gao Zhibo
Published: July 2021

Performance of six models in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) and their new versions in CMIP phase 6 (CMIP6) in representing the climatological (1976–2005) precipitation extremes over China were evaluated based on five precipitation indices. Improvements are found in CMIP6 models in simulating the climatology of all five indices, in which GFDL‐CM4 and GFDL‐ESM4 show significant improvement. Dry biases over South China (SC) are reduced in five CMIP6 models (BCC‐CSM, CanESM, GFDL‐CM, GFDL‐ESM, and IPSL‐CM), with the largest decreased root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) of 59.2% in GFDL‐CM. The reduced dry biases in CMIP6 can be attributed to more moisture transported into SC from the southern boundary and dynamic processes of the atmosphere except in BCC‐CSM, where the increased evaporation dominates. Additionally, increased heavy precipitation events (>20 mm·day−1) are produced over SC in CMIP6 models. Wet biases over West China (WC) are also reduced. with the largest reduced RMSE of 46.8% in GFDL‐CM, which are related to the reduced precipitation frequency (more than 40%) and weakened precipitation intensity. In addition, the CMIP6 models show a higher skill in simulating the frequency distribution of daily precipitation intensity. More heavy precipitation over SC and Northeast China, and fewer weak precipitation (<20 mm·day−1) over WC can be reasonably reproduced. Although the CMIP6 models have obviously improved in simulating total precipitation on wet days, wet days (WD), simple daily intensity index (SDII), and extreme precipitation amount (R95T), the bias still exists in simulating consecutive dry days (CDD).
Volumetric assessment of changes in the alveolar ridge dimension following guided bone regeneration using a combination freeze‐dried bone allograft with collagen membrane or novel resorbable scaffold: A prospective two‐center clinical trial
Authors: Dowlatshahi Sahar , Chen Chia‐Yu , Zigdon‐Giladi Hadar , Horwitz Jacob , Ahn Chiho , Kim David M. , Machtei Eli E.
Published: July 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to examine osseous changes following lateral bone augmentation using a novel scaffold (OV) alone and compare it to combination therapy using freeze‐dried bone allograft (FDBA) and resorbable collagen membrane (FDBA/CM).

Methods

Thirty patients completed this 9‐months prospective two‐center cohort clinical trial. Before surgery and 9‐months re‐entry, linear measurements were performed, and impressions taken. Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) were done at baseline and 9 months. DICOM slice data were converted into volumetric images using 3D Slicer. Following 3D volumetric image construction, pre‐ and post‐op Standard Triangle Language files were superimposed and volumetric data were extracted for a 10‐mm region of interest. Linear measurements were compared similarly.

Results

Baseline clinical parameters were similar in both groups (4.22 and 4.53 mm for OV and FDBA/CM at ‐2 mm, respectively). Following treatment, vertical distance from the stent had changed minimally (‐0.36 and ‐0.12 mm, respectively). Similarly, lateral bone gain ranged from 0 to 0.4 mm, for both groups. To the contrary, the CBCT measurements showed a significantly greater increase in horizontal width in the control at ‐2 mm (0.95 ± 0.2 mm) compared with ‐0.62 mm for the OV (P = 0.000). Similar changes were observed at ‐5 mm (0.63 and ‐0.41 mm, respectively, P = 0.01). Sites volume had increased from 266 ± 149 mm3 to 360 ± 138 mm3 (P = 0.001) for FDBA/CM with negligible changes for OV (from 334 to 335 mm3, P = 0.952). these between‐group changes being statistically significant (P = 0.023).

Conclusion

FDBA/CM yielded better albeit moderate increase in the volume of the edentulous ridge, while OV scaffolds failed to produce similar results.
Bayesian meta‐analysis usingSAS PROC BGLIMM
Authors: Rott Kollin W. , Lin Lifeng , Hodges James S. , Siegel Lianne , Shi Amy , Chen Yong , Chu Haitao
Published: July 2021

Meta‐analysis is commonly used to compare two treatments. Network meta‐analysis (NMA) is a powerful extension for comparing and contrasting multiple treatments simultaneously in a systematic review of multiple clinical trials. Although the practical utility of meta‐analysis is apparent, it is not always straightforward to implement, especially for those interested in a Bayesian approach. This paper demonstrates that the recently‐developed SAS procedure BGLIMM provides an intuitive and computationally efficient means for conducting Bayesian meta‐analysis in SAS, using a worked example of a smoking cessation NMA data set. BGLIMM gives practitioners an effective and simple way to implement Bayesian meta‐analysis (pairwise and network, either contrast‐based or arm‐based) without requiring significant background in coding or statistical modeling. Those familiar with generalized linear mixed models, and especially the SAS procedure GLIMMIX, will find this tutorial a useful introduction to Bayesian meta‐analysis in SAS.
Power of the collective: A review of multimodal internet‐based surgical education resources in the 21st century
Authors: Barmettler Gabi , Adnan Sakib , Malcolm Threshia S. N. , Terhune Kyla , Joshi Amit R.T.
Published: July 2021

Electronic resources have changed surgical education in the 21st century. Resources spanning from digital textbooks to multiple choice question banks, online society meetings, and social media can facilitate surgical education. The COVID pandemic drastically changed the paradigm for education. The ramifications of Zoom lectures and online surgical society meetings will last into the future. Educators and learners can be empowered by the many available electronic resources to enhance surgical training and education.
Tele‐education assisted mentorship in surgery (TEAMS)
Authors: Williams Taylor P. , Klimberg Vicki , Perez Alexander
Published: July 2021

Tele‐education assisted mentorship in surgery (TEAMS) is a novel methodology for surgical skills training with remote, hands‐on, high‐fidelity, and low‐cost simulation‐based education and one‐to‐one mentorship with longitudinal assessments. We review the background, methodology, and our experience with implementing TEAMS as an adjunct to traditional methods of surgical education and mentorship.
Telesimulation for remote simulation and assessment
Authors: Roach Eileen , Okrainec Allan
Published: July 2021

Telesimulation (TS), the process of using the internet to link educators and trainees at locations remote from one another, harnesses the powers of technology to enable access to high‐quality simulation‐based education and assessment to learners across the globe. From its first uses in the teaching and assessment of laparoscopic skills to more recent interpretations during the current pandemic, TS has shown promise in helping educators to address pressing dilemmas in medical education.
Application of technology to educational needs in surgery
Authors: Beqari Jorind , Seymour Neal E.
Published: July 2021

Innovations in surgical education follow advancing clinical technology. New surgical methods have prompted demand for systematic methods to leverage computing power and internet tools to achieve proficiency‐based training goals. Virtual reality, high‐fidelity patient simulation, web‐based resources to facilitate performance assessment, and telementoring have become mainstream practices, although patient outcomes benefits are not well studied. Remote virtual meeting and mentoring have had transformative effects on resident experiences, the full effects of which remain to be seen.
Team training and surgical crisis management
Authors: Tsuda Shawn , Olasky Jaisa , Jones Daniel B.
Published: July 2021

Team training and crisis management derive their roots from fundamental learning theory and the culture of safety that burgeoned forth from the industrial revolution through the rise of nuclear energy and aviation. The integral nature of telemedicine to many simulation‐based activities, whether to bridge distances out of convenience or necessity, continues to be a common theme moving into the next era of surgical safety as newer, more robust technologies become available.
Educational value of surgical telementoring
Authors: A. Butt Khayam , Augestad Knut Magne
Published: July 2021

Educating surgeons is a time‐consuming process. In addition to theoretical knowledge, the practical tasks of surgical procedures must be mastered. Translation of such knowledge from mentor to mentee may be efficiently done by surgical telementoring (ST). This is a review on surgical telementoring. Recent technological advances have made this tool in surgical education more available and applicable but future applications of ST have to be wisely guided by high‐quality trials.
Optimal heating rate in constant pressure and constant flow gas chromatography
Authors: Merrick Mark , Blumberg Leonid M.
Published: July 2021

Optimal heating rate is the one resulting in the shortest analysis time for achieving a required separation performance of a column. The previously recommended default heating rate (RT,Def) was optimal for temperature‐programmed gas chromatography analyses in constant pressure mode. It has been shown herein that the same recommendation can be extended to constant flow mode with fixed heating rate (RT). The numerical value of RT,Def has been herein rescaled from previous (10°C per void time) where tM was measured at 50°C, to with tM measured at 150°C—a round number in the middle of the gas chromatography temperature range, chosen as a reference temperature for numerical values of all temperature‐dependent gas chromatography parameters.

It has been experimentally found based on theory developed herein that is optimal for columns with ( is dimensionless film thickness, d and df  are the column internal diameter and film thickness, respectively) in constant pressure mode and constant flow mode with fixed RT. Theory shows that, for arbitrary φ, . The theory also shows that the fixed RT is optimal for constant pressure mode. In constant flow mode, however, the optimal RT should gradually increase with increasing temperature (T). The optimal theoretical curves RT(T), different for different flow rates, were found. However, only the optimization of the fixed RT was experimentally evaluated due to limited capability of existing gas chromatography instrumentation and resources. It has been shown that the separation‐time tradeoff in constant pressure mode is slightly better than that in constant flow mode. The experimental data are compiled in the Supporting information.
Vulnerability to COVID‐19–Related Disability: The Impact of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms on Psychosocial Impairment During the Pandemic
Authors: Morabito Danielle M. , Bedford Carter E. , Woller Savannah , Schmidt Norman B.
Published: July 2021

As a result of the COVID–19 pandemic, many individuals have experienced disruptions in social, occupational, and daily life activities. Individuals with mental health difficulties, particularly those with elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), may be especially vulnerable to increased impairment as a result of COVID–19. Additionally, demographic factors, such as age, gender, and race/ethnicity, may impact individual difficulties related to the pandemic. The current study examined the concurrent and prospective associations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, broader anxiety and depression symptoms, and COVID–19–related disability. Participants recruited through Amazon's Mechanical Turk (N = 136) completed questionnaire batteries approximately 1 month apart during the COVID–19 pandemic (i.e., Wave 1 and Wave 2). The results indicated that PTSD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were all associated with increased COVID–19–related disability across assessment points, rs = .44–.68. PTSD symptoms, specifically negative alterations in cognition and mood, significantly predicted COVID–19–related disability after accounting for anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as demographic factors, βs = .31–.38. Overall, these findings suggest that individuals experiencing elevated PTSS are particularly vulnerable to increased functional impairment as a result of COVID–19 and suggest a need for additional outreach and clinical care among individuals with elevated PTSD symptoms during the pandemic.
Hsa‐circ_0000064 accelerates the malignant progression of gastric cancer via spongingmicroRNA‐621
Authors: Hare Ayiguli , Zeng Min , Rehemutula Aizimaiti , Su Shi‐Kun , Wang Hai‐Feng
Published: July 2021

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common digestive system tumors in the world. Many circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the progression of GC. The purpose of this study was to delve into the expression characteristics and biological functions of circ_0000064 in GC, and further study its mechanisms. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was performed to detect circ_0000064 expression in 61 GC tissues and cell lines. Circ_0000064 knockdown was successfully modeled with siRNA. The effects of circ_0000064 on the biological functions of GC cells were analyzed by CCK‐8, BrdU, and Transwell assays. Bioinformatics and dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay were adopted to explore the relations between circ_0000064 and microRNA‐621 (miR‐621). Western blot was used to examine the regulatory function of circ_0000064 and miR‐621 on SYF2 pre‐mRNA splicing factor 2. Cric_0000064 expression was elevated in GC tissues and cell lines. Knocking down cric_0000064 could inhibit the viability, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay showed that miR‐621 could bind circ_0000064 and SYF2 3'UTR; in addition, miR‐621 overexpression or SYF2 knockdown could partially weaken the cancer‐promoting effect of circ_0000064 on GC cells. Circ_0000064 expression was negatively correlated with miR‐621 expression in GC tissues while positively with SYF2 expression. Circ_0000064 can participate in the GC progression via modulating miR‐621/SYF2 axis. This implies that circ_0000064 may be a new diagnosed biomarker or a new therapeutic target of GC.
Flexible fiber‐based CO2 laser vs monopolar cautery for resection of oral cavity lesions: A single center randomized controlled trial assessing pain and quality of life following surgery
Authors: Rosenthal Matthew , Baser Raymond E. , Migliacci Jocelyn , Boyle Jay O. , Morris Luc G. T. , Cohen Marc A. , Singh Bhuvanesh , Shah Jatin P. , Wong Richard J. , Patel Snehal , Ganly Ian
Published: July 2021

Importance

This study reports the impact of laser surgery on quality of life in patients with oral cavity lesions.

Objective

To compare postoperative pain and quality of life in patients treated with flexible fiberoptic CO2 laser vs electrocautery in patients with oral cavity precancerous lesions and early stage cancers.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Single center.

Participants

Patients with premalignant oral cavity lesions and early stage oral cancer.

Intervention

Patients were randomized to have surgical resection using either flexible fiber carbon dioxide laser (Laser) or electrocautery (EC). The patients were then followed over a period of 28 days to assess for outcomes including pain, quality of life, performance status, return to work, and return to diet. Quality of life was measured by the University of Washington Quality of Life (UWQOL) questionnaire and the performance status score (PSS).

Main outcome measure

The primary endpoint for this study was the numerical pain rating on postoperative day (POD) 7.

Results

Sixty‐two patients were randomized (32 laser and 30 electrocautery). Lesions excised were carcinoma in 30(48%), dysplasia in 31(50%) and benign in 1(2%). There was no difference in the location of lesion, size of lesion, defect size, type of closure, resection time, and blood loss between Laser and EC arms. Patients who had Laser had less pain compared to EC (mean pain score on POD 7 L = 2.84 vs EC = 3.83, P = 0.11). better UW QOL scores and PSS scores, quicker return to normal diet (median days L = 26.0 vs EC = 28.5, P = 0.17) and faster return to work (median days L = 13.0 vs EC = 16.5, P = 0.14). However, these results were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

There was a trend for patients treated with laser to have less pain and better quality of life scores but these result were not statistically significant. Based on the actual observed difference, a large multicenter RCT with 90 patients in each arm is required to determine the clinical relevance of our results.
Facile Deposition of Silver Nanoparticles on Photonic Cellulose Nanocrystals Films: A Study on Solvent Stability and Post Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Hanif Zahid , Khan Zeeshan Ahmad , Shin Dongho , Choi Dongwhi , Park Sung Jea
Published: July 2021

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) incorporated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) photonic films have drawn considerable attention due to their plasmonic chiroptical activity. However, the exploitation of some fundamental properties for practical use such as the affinity analysis of metal nanoparticles attached to the surface of photonic films according to the solvent compatibility and antibacterial activity under physical conditions has yet not been studied. Hence, a facile process of in situ deposition of AgNPs into the chiral structure of CNC films is proposed. CNC photonic films, cross‐linked by glutaraldehyde are prepared. This interaction generated the solvents‐stable photonic film with a considerable amount of unreacted aldehyde functional groups that facilitates the reduction of Ag salt to AgNPs. The formed AgNPs in the photonic films show excellent stability over immersion in various polar and non‐polar solvents. The post‐solvent treated photonic films display excellent contact‐based antibacterial behavior against gram‐negative Escherichia coli.
Controllable Power‐Law Distribution in Free‐Radical Vinyl/Divinyl Copolymerization by Using a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor
Authors: Tobita Hidetaka
Published: July 2021

It has been believed that the power‐law molecular weight distribution is formed at the gel point, and the power exponent falls in a category of universality in critical phenomena, and therefore, it cannot be changed. It is found that the power‐law weight fraction distribution W(P) ∝ P−α, capable of controlling the exponent α, can be synthesized by using a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The exponent is governed by a single non‐dimensional parameter, ξ that is equivalent to the Damköhler number, representing the ratio of timescales between the mean residence time and the crosslinking reaction. For small ξ’s, the non‐critical transition of the weight‐average molecular weight to infinity is observed, and the exponent approaches α = 2. For large ξ’s, the system shows similar behavior to that in a closed system and the exponent is the same as for the batch polymerization, with α = 1.5. At the gel point, the product of the average crosslinking density and the weight‐average primary chain length satisfies the relationship, . The crosslinking density of the gel molecule at the gel point is found to be .
Financial performance drivers in BRICS healthcare companies: Locally estimated scatterplot smoothing partial utility functions
Authors: Wanke Peter , Azad Md. Abul Kalam , Tan Yong , Pimenta Roberto
Published: July 2021

The Healthcare sector is increasing in importance and relative size in BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). Despite BRICS relevance, the financial performance of their healthcare companies has been scarcely studied. This research fills this literature gap not only by focusing on the impacts of such diverse business environments on the financial performance of healthcare providers but also by proposing a novel approach to estimate an overall financial performance index based on weighted additive utility functions given a set of financial performance criteria. Precisely, bootstrapped Singular Value Decomposition is the cornerstone for identifying an orthogonal base of rotated financial performance criteria, upon which partial utility functions (PUFs) are estimated using locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS) polynomial regression. A compromise weighting scheme between singular values and quadratic programming results for minimal covariance and joint entropy matrices of residuals was used for summing up the PUFs. Results indicate that the values of financial performance range between 0.7 and 0.85. We further find that current assets, level of debt and liability, the company's Tobin Q are related to the financial performance. Besides, business freedom, government integrity, tax burden, monetary freedom and government spending are also the determinants of financial performance.
Effects of risk aversion in auctions without and with default
Authors: Zhang Meng , Liu Shulin
Published: July 2021

We study the second‐price auctions without and with default, where bidders are assumed to be risk averse and have uncertain valuations. We show that without default both the equilibrium bid and the seller's expected revenue decrease with risk aversion, and with default the equilibrium bid still decreases but the seller's expected revenue may decrease or increase as risk aversion increases. These results imply that without default the seller prefers risk‐neutral bidders to risk‐averse bidders, but with default the seller's preference is ambiguous, which contrast with the well‐known results obtained in auctions with certain valuations.
Exploring peer support for community, criminal justice and crisis response
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2021

Observing that mental health and substance use disorder crisis response and prevention are critical to helping people move forward on a path to recovery and well‐being, mental health leaders discussed opportunities to engage peers as leaders in developing community solutions to behavioral health challenges during a recent webinar hosted by The College for Behavioral Health Leadership.
Unit offering trauma‐informed care for youth opens in Maryland
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2021

Delivering trauma‐informed care for children and adolescents and providing them with a safe and healing space to recover is the mission behind a new Baltimore‐based psychiatric unit that opened June 30 following more than three years of planning and construction.
CDC examines MH impact on public health workers amid COVID
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2021

While increases in mental health conditions have been documented among the general population and health care workers since the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the extent of mental health conditions among public health workers during this period is uncertain, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Inhibitory Effect of Garcinol on Obesity‐Exacerbated, Colitis‐Mediated Colon Carcinogenesis
Authors: Lee Pei‐Sheng , Nagabhushanam Kalyanam , Ho Chi‐Tang , Pan Min‐Hsiung
Published: July 2021

Scope

Epidemiological studies show a consistent and compelling association between the risk of colorectal cancer development and obesity, but its mechanisms remain poorly understood. Evidence is mounting that colorectal cancer can be prevented by nutritional supplements, such as phytochemicals. Garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivative, is widely present in Garcinia plants. This study investigates the potential role of garcinol supplementation in ameliorating obesity‐induced colon cancer development.

Methods and Results

An animal model to investigate the effect of high‐fat‐diet (HFD)‐induced obesity on promoting colitis‐associated colon cancer (AOM (azoxymethane)/DSS (dextran sodium sulfate)‐induced) is designed. The results show that HFD can promote colitis‐associated colon cancer as compared to an AOM/DSS group without the intervention of obesity, and supplementing with 0.05% garcinol in the diet can significantly ameliorate obesity‐promoted colon carcinogenesis. The results also reveals that the microbiota composition of each group is significantly different and clustered. The most representative genera are Alistipes, Romboutsia, and Ruminococcus. The RNA‐sequencing results show that the administration of garcinol can regulate genes and improve obesity‐promoting colitis‐associated colon carcinogenesis.

Conclusion

The study results suggest that garcinol can prevent obesity‐promoted colorectal cancer, and these findings provide important niches for the future development of garcinol as functional foods or adjuvant therapeutic agents.
Deep‐learning‐based nuclear power plant fault detection using remote light‐emitting diode array data transmission
Authors: Choi Yourak , Bae Ji‐Hoon , Yeo Doyeob , Cho Dongyun , Lee Jaecheol , Lee Jeonghan , Kwon Ohseok
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes a deep‐learning‐based wireless sensor system that uses an embedded two‐dimensional (2D) light‐emitting diode (LED) array to display measured sensor data and remote data transmission to detect nuclear power plant (NPP) equipment defects. The frequent use of electromagnetic waves often interferes with the operation of NPP. Therefore, we devised a wireless image transmission network using a 2D LED array panel that includes a sensor module and a camera to capture LED array images. Based on the experimental results, the proposed method adopting deep‐learning‐based LED array data extraction produces reliable digital data restoration performance in terms of classification accuracy, even in a complex noise environment.
Asymmetric meander line slot‐based X‐band leaky wave antenna
Authors: Kumar Awanish , Reddy G. Shrikanth , Padhi Jyoti B. , Narayan Shiv
Published: July 2021

This article presents broadband, high gain, and highly efficient, leaky wave antenna for X‐band applications. The proposed leaky wave antenna consists of periodic unit cells created by a combination of modified asymmetric meander line slots and an array of metallic via. The proposed unit cell configuration work as a composite left hand‐right hand leaky wave transmission line and it is characterized using dispersion analysis. The simulated and measurement results indicate that the proposed antenna offers a wide bandwidth of 52.94% (*with stop band of 2.1%) and a large beam scanning range from −59° to 70° with a maximum measured gain of 13.1 dBi.
A predictive model for fracture in human ribs based on in vitro acoustic emission data
Authors: García‐Vilana Silvia , Sánchez‐Molina David , Llumà Jordi , Fernández‐Osete Ismael , Veláquez‐Ameijide Juan , Martínez‐González Eva
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to propose a fracture model for human ribs based on acoustic emission (AE) data. The accumulation of microcracking until a macroscopic crack is produced can be monitored by AE. The macrocrack propagation causes the loss of the structural integrity of the rib.

Methods

The AE technique was used in in vitro bending tests of human ribs. The AE data obtained were used to construct a quantitative model that allows an estimation of the failure stress from the signals detected. The model predicts the ultimate stress with an error of less than 3.5% (even at stresses 15% lower than failure stress), which makes it possible to safely anticipate the failure of the rib.

Results

The percolation theory was used to model crack propagation. Moreover, a quantitative probability‐based model for the expected number of AE signals has been constructed, incorporating some ideas of percolation theory. The model predicts that AE signals associated with micro‐failures should exhibit a vertical asymptote when stress increases. The occurrence of this vertical asymptote was attested in our experimental observations. The total number of microfailures detected prior to the failure is and the ultimate stress is MPa. A significant correlation (p < 0.0001) between and the predicted value is found, using only the first N = 30 micro‐failures (correlation improves for N higher).

Conclusions

The measurements and the shape of the curves predicted by the model fit well. In addition, the model parameters seem to explain quantitatively and qualitatively the distribution of the AE signals as the material approaches the macroscopic fracture. Moreover, some of these parameters correlate with anthropometric variables, such as age or Body Mass Index. The proposed model could be used to predict the structural failure of ribs subjected to bending.
Multitask 3D CBCT‐to‐CT translation and organs‐at‐risk segmentation using physics‐based data augmentation
Authors: Dahiya Navdeep , Alam Sadegh R , Zhang Pengpeng , Zhang Si‐Yuan , Li Tianfang , Yezzi Anthony , Nadeem Saad
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In current clinical practice, noisy and artifact‐ridden weekly cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images are only used for patient setup during radiotherapy. Treatment planning is performed once at the beginning of the treatment using high‐quality planning CT (pCT) images and manual contours for organs‐at‐risk (OARs) structures. If the quality of the weekly CBCT images can be improved while simultaneously segmenting OAR structures, this can provide critical information for adapting radiotherapy mid‐treatment as well as for deriving biomarkers for treatment response.

Methods

Using a novel physics‐based data augmentation strategy, we synthesize a large dataset of perfectly/inherently registered pCT and synthetic‐CBCT pairs for locally advanced lung cancer patient cohort, which are then used in a multitask three‐dimensional (3D) deep learning framework to simultaneously segment and translate real weekly CBCT images to high‐quality pCT‐like images.

Results

We compared the synthetic CT and OAR segmentations generated by the model to real pCT and manual OAR segmentations and showed promising results. The real week 1 (baseline) CBCT images which had an average mean absolute error (MAE) of 162.77 HU compared to pCT images are translated to synthetic CT images that exhibit a drastically improved average MAE of 29.31 HU and average structural similarity of 92% with the pCT images. The average DICE scores of the 3D OARs segmentations are: lungs 0.96, heart 0.88, spinal cord 0.83, and esophagus 0.66.

Conclusions

We demonstrate an approach to translate artifact‐ridden CBCT images to high‐quality synthetic CT images, while simultaneously generating good quality segmentation masks for different OARs. This approach could allow clinicians to adjust treatment plans using only the routine low‐quality CBCT images, potentially improving patient outcomes. Our code, data, and pre‐trained models will be made available via our physics‐based data augmentation library, Physics‐ArX, at https://github.com/nadeemlab/Physics‐ArX.
The correlation between transperineal ultrasound assessment of the levator ani muscle and postpartum urinary incontinence
Authors: Youssef Aly , Fiorentini Marta , Di Donna Gaetana , Brunelli Elena , Salsi Ginevra , Pilu Gianluigi , El‐Balat Ahmed
Published: July 2021

Aims

The primary aim of the present study was to assess the association between levator ani muscle (LAM) integrity and function on the one hand, and the risk of urinary incontinence (UI) on the other. A secondary objective was to assess the association between fundal pressure in the second stage of labor (Kristeller maneuver) and the risk of postpartum UI.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, women underwent a clinical and transperineal ultrasound examination at rest, at pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC), and at Valsalva maneuver 3–6 months after their first vaginal delivery. LAM avulsion and levator hiatal area (LHA) were evaluated. In addition, women were interviewed about the presence of UI, whether stress (SUI) or urgency (UUI).

Results

Overall, data of 244 women were analyzed. SUI was reported in 50 (20.5%), while UUI was reported in 19 (7.8%) women. Women who reported SUI had a higher prevalence of LAM avulsion and less proportional reduction in LHA from rest to a maximum contraction in comparison to women with no SUI. Women who reported UUI had a greater LHA at rest, during contraction, and during maximal Valsalva in comparison to women without UUI. No significant association was found between the Kristeller maneuver and the incidence of any UI.

Conclusion

Levator ani avulsion and less proportional reduction of LHA with PFMC appear to be associated with a higher risk of postpartum urinary stress incontinence.
Impact of a nutrition support therapy on hospital‐acquired infections: A value analysis
Authors: Bechtold Matthew L. , Regunath Hariharan , Tyler Renay , Guenter Peggi , Barrocas Albert , Collins Nilsa A.
Published: July 2021

Background

Hospital‐acquired conditions (HACs) have a direct impact on value, as they decrease quality and increase costs. Numerous interventions have been tried, including nutrition support therapy, with unknown effect on value. Therefore, a value analysis of nutrition support therapy on HACs was performed.

Methods

An extensive literature search was performed. Using the Medicare Parts A and B Claims 5% Sample data set, analytic claims modeling was conducted.

Results

The search identified 1099 studies, with eight meeting the inclusion criteria. All studies were performed on adult critically ill patients and focused on HA infections (HAIs) as the HAC. One study underwent Medicare claims modeling and revealed nutrition therapy has the potential of saving at least $104 million annually in Medicare patients with HAIs.

Conclusion

Nutrition support therapy has the potential to reduce costs of Medicare spending in respect to HAIs.
A monolithic arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian‐based finite element strategy for fluid–structure interaction problems involving a compressible fluid
Authors: Dutta Suman , Jog C. S.
Published: July 2021

In this work, we present a new monolithic finite element strategy for solving fluid–structure interaction problems involving a compressible fluid and a hyperelastic structure. In the Lagrangian limit, the time‐stepping strategy that we propose conserves the total energy, and linear and angular momenta. Detailed proofs with numerical validations are provided. We use a displacement‐based Lagrangian formulation for the structure, and a velocity‐based arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian mixed formulation with appropriately chosen interpolations for the various field variables to ensure stability of the resulting numerical procedure. A hybrid formulation is used to prevent locking of thin structures. Apart from physical variables such as displacement, velocity, and so forth, no new variables are introduced in the formulation. The use of the exact tangent stiffness matrix ensures that the algorithm converges quadratically within each time step. A number of benchmark examples have been solved to illustrate the good performance of the proposed method.
Pharmacogenomic associations of cyclophosphamide pharmacokinetic candidate genes with event‐free survival in intermediate‐risk rhabdomyosarcoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Pinto Navin , Navarro Sandi L. , Rimorin Christine , Wurscher Michelle , Hawkins Douglas S. , McCune Jeannine S.
Published: July 2021

Background

In vitro data suggest that the growth of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells is suppressed in a concentration‐dependent manner by 4‐hydroxycyclophosphamide (4HCY), the principal precursor to the cytotoxic metabolite of cyclophosphamide (CY). Various retrospective studies on the relationship between genes encoding proteins involved in the formation and elimination of 4HCY (i.e., 4HCY pharmacokinetics) and cyclophosphamide (CY) efficacy and toxicity have been conflicting.

Procedures

We evaluated germline pharmacogenetics in 262 patients with newly diagnosed intermediate‐risk RMS who participated in one prospective Children's Oncology Group clinical trial, ARST0531. Patients were treated with either vincristine/actinomycin/cyclophosphamide (VAC) or VAC alternating with vincristine/irinotecan (VAC/VI). We analyzed the associations between event‐free survival and 394 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 14 drug metabolizing enzymes or transporters involved in 4HCY pharmacokinetics.

Results

Eight SNPs were associated (p‐value < .05 by univariate analysis) with 3‐year event‐free survival; no SNPs survived a false discovery rate < 0.05.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that a pharmacogenomic approach to therapy personalization of cyclophosphamide in intermediate‐risk rhabdomyosarcoma is not viable. Other methods to personalize therapy should be explored.
Prognostic value of baseline metabolic tumor volume in children and adolescents with intermediate‐risk Hodgkin lymphoma treated with chemo‐radiation therapy: FDG‐PET parameter analysis in a subgroup from COG AHOD0031
Authors: Milgrom Sarah A. , Kim Jihyun , Chirindel Alin , Kim Jongho , Pei Qinglin , Chen Lu , Buxton Allen , Kessel Sandy , Leal Jeffrey , McCarten Kathleen M. , Hoppe Bradford S. , Wolden Suzanne L. , Schwartz Cindy L. , Friedman Debra L. , Kelly Kara M. , Cho Steve Y.
Published: July 2021

Background

Positron emission tomography (PET)‐based measures of baseline total‐body tumor burden may improve risk stratification in intermediate‐risk Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).

Materials and methods

Evaluable patients were identified from a cohort treated homogeneously with the same combined modality regimen on the Children's Oncology Group AHOD0031 study. Eligible patients had high‐quality baseline PET scans. Metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were each measured based on 15 thresholds for every patient. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier survival analyses assessed for an association of MTV and TLG with event‐free survival (EFS).

Results

From the AHOD0031 cohort (n = 1712), 86 patients were identified who (i) were treated with four cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, cyclophosphamide (ABVE‐PC) chemotherapy followed by involved field radiotherapy, and (ii) had a baseline PET scan that was amenable to quantitative analysis. Based on univariate Cox regression analysis, six PET‐derived parameters were significantly associated with EFS. For each of these, Kaplan–Meier analyses and the log‐rank test were used to compare patients with highest tumor burden (i.e., highest 15%) to the remainder of the cohort. EFS was significantly associated with all six PET parameters (all p < .029). In a multivariable model controlling for important covariates including disease bulk and response to chemotherapy, MTV2BP was significantly associated with EFS (p = .012).

Conclusion

Multiple baseline PET‐derived volumetric parameters were associated with EFS. MTV2BP was highly associated with EFS when controlling for disease bulk and response to chemotherapy. Incorporation of baseline MTV into risk‐based treatment algorithms may improve outcomes in intermediate‐risk HL.
Fever and neutropenia outcomes and areas for intervention: A report from SUCCOUR ‐ Supportive Care for Children with Cancer in Africa
Authors: Israels Trijn , Afungchwi Glenn Mbah , Klootwijk Larissa , Njuguna Festus , Hesseling Peter , Kouya Francine , Paintsil Vivian , Landman Lisa , Chitsike Inam , Chagaluka George , Sung Lillian , Molyneux Elizabeth
Published: July 2021

Background

Death during paediatric cancer treatment is common in sub‐Saharan Africa. Using the infrastructure of Supportive Care for Children with Cancer in Africa (SUCCOUR), our objective was to describe fever and neutropenia (FN) characteristics and outcomes in order to identify potential areas for future intervention.

Methods

A multicentre prospective, observational cohort study was conducted in sub‐Saharan Africa. Data were collected from September 2019 to March 2020. Children below 16 years with newly diagnosed cancer treated with curative intent were included. Data were abstracted in real time using standardised case report forms by trained personnel. Characteristics and outcomes of FN during the first 3 months of treatment were documented.

Results

A total of 252 patients were included (median age 6.0, range 0.2–15.0 years, 54% male). The most common cancer was Burkitt lymphoma (63/252, 25%). Among 104 FN episodes, 21 (21%) were associated with prolonged neutropenia (>1 week) and 32 (31%) were associated with profound neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <0.1 × 109/L). In 10/104 (10%) episodes, empiric antibiotics were started within 1 hour following fever onset and in 16/104 (15%) episodes, a blood culture was obtained before starting antibiotics. Malaria parasitaemia was detected in four of 104 (4%). A total of 11/104 (11%) patients died in the FN episodes.

Conclusions

Although in most, FN was not associated with prolonged or profound neutropenia, 11% resulted in death. Areas to target include blood cultures prior to antibiotics and earlier initiation of empiric antibiotics. Future efforts should modify FN practices to reduce treatment‐related mortality.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant for erythropoietic porphyrias in pediatric patients
Authors: Wang YunZu M. , Gloude Nicholas J. , Davies Stella M. , Lucky Anne W. , Nelson Adam S.
Published: July 2021

Cutaneous, hematopoietic, and hepatic manifestations of congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP) and erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) can be debilitating. We present our institution's experience with five patients with porphyria who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Four patients with CEP, including three under age 2, received myeloablation. One patient with EPP, with prior liver transplant, received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC). Four patients are alive without porphyria symptomology and with full donor chimerism. HSCT corrects the defective heme pathway and should be considered early in patients with severe erythropoietic porphyrias to minimize end‐organ damage. RIC regimens can minimize toxicity in patients with comorbidities.
Orthogonal synthesis and modification of polymer materials
Authors: Shahrokhinia Ali , Biswas Priyanka , Reuther James F.
Published: July 2021

In this review, we detail the progress throughout the years toward developing truly orthogonal polymerization mechanisms and modification procedures en route to complex macromolecular structures built from synthetic polymer materials. The orthogonal modifications of polymer side‐chains and end‐groups via sequential click reactions is described providing post‐polymerization routes to functional materials and unique polymer topologies. Further, historical and modern orthogonal polymerization methodologies are thoroughly reviewed showing the evolution of the field through the decades long study of selective polymerization mechanisms that provide unique copolymer structures that are typically difficult to achieve. These include the combinations of reversible deactivation radical polymerization mechanisms with a variety of polymerization mechanisms including ring opening polymerizations, ring opening metathesis polymerizations, and cationic polymerizations, to name a few.
A fast protein binding site comparison algorithm for proteome‐wide protein function prediction and drug repurposing
Authors: Li Shiliang , Cai Chaoqian , Gong Jiayu , Liu Xiaofeng , Li Honglin
Published: July 2021

The expansion of three‐dimensional protein structures and enhanced computing power have significantly facilitated our understanding of protein sequence/structure/function relationships. A challenge in structural genomics is to predict the function of uncharacterized proteins. Protein function deconvolution based on global sequence or structural homology is impracticable when a protein relates to no other proteins with known function, and in such cases, functional relationships can be established by detecting their local ligand binding site similarity. Here, we introduce a sequence order‐independent comparison algorithm, PocketShape, for structural proteome‐wide exploration of protein functional site by fully considering the geometry of the backbones, orientation of the sidechains, and physiochemical properties of the pocket‐lining residues. PocketShape is efficient in distinguishing similar from dissimilar ligand binding site pairs by retrieving 99.3% of the similar pairs while rejecting 100% of the dissimilar pairs on a dataset containing 1538 binding site pairs. This method successfully classifies 83 enzyme structures with diverse functions into 12 clusters, which is highly in accordance with the actual structural classification of proteins classification. PocketShape also achieves superior performances than other methods in protein profiling based on experimental data. Potential new applications for representative SARS‐CoV‐2 drugs Remdesivir and 11a are predicted. The high accuracy and time‐efficient characteristics of PocketShape will undoubtedly make it a promising complementary tool for proteome‐wide protein function inference and drug repurposing study.