bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Football-related injuries are the major reason for the career end of professional male football players
Authors: Koch Matthias , Klügl Martin , Frankewycz Borys , Lang Siegmund , Worlicek Michael , Popp Daniel , Alt Volker , Krutsch Werner
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Little is known about the consequences of injuries on professional male football players’ career and retirement period. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of injuries that male professional football players endure during their career, reasons for the end of their career and the post-career phase of retirement.

Methods

In a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study, retired male professional football players of the German Bundesliga were investigated by a standardised questionnaire to analyse the history of injuries sustained during their professional football career, the reasons for ending their career, their current health status and their suggestions for future prevention strategies.

Results

Most of the 116 analysed players (n = 73 (62.9%)) stated an injury as the reason for ending their professional career. Relevant injuries were mainly located in the lower extremities (n = 587 (61.3%)) with a focus on the knee (p < 0.001) and ankle (p < 0.001). A significant majority of the participants who had retired due to injury described degenerative symptoms, such as pain or instability, and were diagnosed with osteoarthritis after retirement (p < 0.001). These players had also often been affected by symptoms of depression during their career, which had decreased significantly after retirement. Moreover, players who had not retired due to injury had significantly better overall health status and quality of life after retirement.

Conclusion

Football-related injuries have a significant impact on the career end of professional male football players and their health status after retirement. Future prevention strategies need to particularly address injuries to the knees and ankles and to implement measures for preventing osteoarthritis after retirement.

Level of evidence

Level III
Towards a traceable divider for composite voltage waveforms below 1 kV
Authors: Galliana F. , Caria S. E. , Roccato P. E.
Published: August 2021

In the framework of the European Project 19NRM07 HV-com2 supporting the standardization in high-voltage testing with composite and combined wave shapes, a divider to employ in a test set-up for validation of electrical devices submitted to composite voltages below 1 kV has been developed at the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRIM) and currently is under extensive testing. After a simulation stage, an available divider has been modified to comply with the IEC 60,060 requirements in terms of step response and scale factor. To be suitably fast in replying to step voltages, an adjustment of the components of the low-voltage arm has been made. The divider has been calibrated with traceability to the relevant INRIM National Standards and characterized exploiting its scale factor at different voltages and frequencies. The divider has been then inserted in a set-up with a sinusoidal generator, an impulse generator and coupling–blocking elements to carry out tests at low voltages (below 1 kV) with single voltages. In these tests, the divider showed a satisfactory attitude as converting device and its scale factor is traceable with suitable uncertainty.
A representation theoretic explanation of the Borcea–Brändén characterization
Authors: Leake Jonathan
Published: August 2021

In 2009, Borcea and Brändén characterized all linear operators on multivariate polynomials which preserve the property of being non-vanishing (stable) on products of prescribed open circular regions. We give a representation theoretic interpretation of their findings, which generalizes and simplifies their result and leads to a conceptual unification of many related results in polynomial stability theory. At the heart of this unification is a generalized Grace’s theorem which addresses polynomials whose roots are all contained in some real interval or ray. This generalization allows us to extend the Borcea–Brändén result to characterize a certain subclass of the linear operators which preserve such polynomials.
The local fundamental group of a Kawamata log terminal singularity is finite
Authors: Braun Lukas
Published: August 2021

We prove a conjecture of Kollár stating that the local fundamental group of a klt singularity x is finite. In fact, we prove a stronger statement, namely that the fundamental group of the smooth locus of a neighbourhood of x is finite. We call this the regional fundamental group. As the proof goes via a local-to-global induction, we simultaneously confirm finiteness of the orbifold fundamental group of the smooth locus of a weakly Fano pair.
Outcomes of Patients with Anastomotic Leakage After Transhiatal, McKeown or Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Verstegen Moniek H. P. , Slaman Annelijn E. , Klarenbeek Bastiaan R. , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I. , Gisbertz Suzanne S. , Rosman Camiel , van Workum Frans
Published: August 2021

Background

Anastomotic leakage has a great impact on clinical outcomes after esophagectomy. It has never been studied whether anastomotic leakage is of equal severity between different types of esophagectomy (i.e., transhiatal, McKeown and Ivor Lewis) in terms of postoperative mortality and morbidity.

Methods

All esophageal cancer patients with anastomotic leakage after transhiatal, McKeown or Ivor Lewis esophagectomy between 2011 and 2019 were selected from the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA) registry. The primary outcome was 30‐day/in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, re‐operation and ICU readmission rate.

Results

Data from 1030 patients with anastomotic leakage after transhiatal (n=287), McKeown (n=397) and Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (n=346) were evaluated. The 30‐day/in‐hospital mortality rate was 4.5% in patients with leakage after transhiatal esophagectomy, 8.1% after McKeown and 8.1% after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (P=0.139). After correction for confounders, leakage after transhiatal resection was associated with lower mortality (OR 0.152–0.699, P=0.004), but mortality after McKeown and Ivor Lewis esophagectomy was similar. Re‐operation rate was 24.0% after transhiatal, 40.6% after McKeown and 41.3% after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (P<0.001). ICU readmission rate was 24.0% after transhiatal, 37.8% after McKeown and 43.4% after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (P<0.001).

Conclusion

This study in patients with anastomotic leakage confirms a strong association between severity of clinical consequences and different types of esophagectomy. It supports the hypothesis that cervical leakage is generally less severe than intrathoracic leakage. The clinical impact of anastomotic leakage should be taken into account, in addition to its incidence, when different types of esophagectomy are compared by clinicians or researchers.
The Impact of Obesity on Renal Trauma Outcome: An Analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank from 2013 to 2016
Authors: Hakam Nizar , Nabavizadeh Behnam , Sadighian Michael J. , Holler Jordan , Shibley Patrick , Li Kevin D. , Low Patrick , Amend Gregory , Stein Deborah M. , Breyer Benjamin N.
Published: August 2021

Background

The obesity paradox has been recently demonstrated in trauma patients, where improved survival was associated with overweight and obese patients compared to patients with normal weight, despite increased morbidity. Little is known whether this effect is mediated by lower injury severity. We aim to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and renal trauma injury grade, morbidity, and in‐hospital mortality.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of adults with renal trauma was conducted using 2013–2016 National Trauma Data Bank. Multiple regression analyses were used to assess outcomes of interest across BMI categories with normal weight as reference, while adjusting for relevant covariates including kidney injury grade.

Results

We analyzed 15181 renal injuries. Increasing BMI above normal progressively decreased the risk of high‐grade renal trauma (HGRT). Subgroup analysis showed that this relationship was maintained in blunt injury, but there was no association in penetrating injury. Overweight (OR 1.02, CI 0.83–1.25, p = 0.841), class I (OR 0.92, CI 0.71–1.19, p = 0.524), and class II (OR 1.38, CI 0.99–1.91, p = 0.053) obesity were not protective against mortality, whereas class III obesity (OR 1.46, CI 1.03–2.06, p = 0.034) increased mortality odds. Increasing BMI by category was associated with a stepwise increase in odds of acute kidney injury, cardiovascular events, total hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, and ventilator days.

Conclusions

Increasing BMI was associated with decreased risk of HGRT in blunt trauma. Overweight and obesity were associated with increased morbidity but not with a protective effect on mortality. The obesity paradox does not exist in kidney trauma when injury grade is accounted for.
Association of age with response to preoperative chemotherapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: D’Andrea David , Black Peter C. , Zargar Homayoun , Zargar-Shoshtari Kamran , Soria Francesco , Fairey Adrian S. , Mertens Laura S. , Dinney Colin P. , Mir Maria C. , Krabbe Laura-Maria , Cookson Michael S. , Jacobsen Niels-Erik , Montgomery Jeffrey S. , Vasdev Nikhil , Yu Evan Y. , Xylinas Evanguelos , Campain Nicholas J. , Kassouf Wassim , Dall’Era Marc A. , Seah Jo-An , Ercole Cesar E. , Horenblas Simon , Sridhar Srikala S. , McGrath John S. , Aning Jonathan , Wright Jonathan L. , Thorpe Andrew C. , Morgan Todd M. , Holzbeierlein Jeff M. , Bivalacqua Trinity J. , North Scott , Barocas Daniel A. , Lotan Yair , Grivas Petros , Stephenson Andrew J. , Shah Jay B. , van Rhijn Bas W. , Daneshmand Siamak , Spiess Philippe E. , Shariat Shahrokh F.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To assess the association of patient age with response to preoperative chemotherapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

Materials and methods

We analyzed data from 1105 patients with MIBC. Patients age was evaluated as continuous variable and stratified in quartiles. Pathologic objective response (pOR; ypT0-Ta-Tis-T1N0) and pathologic complete response (pCR; ypT0N0), as well survival outcomes were assessed. We used data of 395 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to investigate the prevalence of TCGA molecular subtypes and DNA damage repair (DDR) gene alterations according to patient age.

Results

pOR was achieved in 40% of patients. There was no difference in distribution of pOR or pCR between age quartiles. On univariable logistic regression analysis, patient age was not associated with pOR or pCR when evaluated as continuous variables or stratified in quartiles (all p > 0.3). Median follow-up was 18 months (IQR 6–37). On Cox regression and competing risk regression analyses, age was not associated with survival outcomes (all p > 0.05). In the TCGA cohort, patient with age ≤ 60 years has 7% less DDR gene mutations (p = 0.59). We found higher age distribution in patients with luminal (p < 0.001) and luminal infiltrated (p = 0.002) compared to those with luminal papillary subtype.

Conclusions

While younger patients may have less mutational tumor burden, our analysis failed to show an association of age with response to preoperative chemotherapy or survival outcomes. Therefore, the use of preoperative chemotherapy should be considered regardless of patient age.
Cardiorespiratory monitoring of red blood cell transfusions in preterm infants
Authors: Poppe Jarinda A. , van Essen Tanja , van Weteringen Willem , Willemsen Sten P. , Reiss Irwin K. M. , Simons Sinno H. P. , de Jonge Rogier C. J.
Published: August 2021

Clinical improvement after red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm infants remains debated. This study aims to investigate the effect of RBC transfusion on the occurrence of desaturations and hypoxia, and other cardiorespiratory outcomes in preterm infants. In this longitudinal observational study, prospectively stored cardiorespiratory parameters of preterm infants who received at least one RBC transfusion between July 2016 and June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty infants with 112 RBC transfusions, median GA of 26.7 weeks, were included. The number of desaturations and area < 80% SpO2 limit, as a measure of the hypoxic burden, were calculated in 24 h before and after RBC transfusion. A mixed effects model was used to account for repeated measurements. Overall, the mean (SE) number of desaturations per hour decreased from 3.28 (0.55) to 2.25 (0.38; p < 0.001), and area < 80% SpO2 limit decreased from 0.14 (0.04) to 0.08 (0.02) %/s (p = 0.02). These outcomes were stratified for the number of desaturations in 24 h prior to RBC transfusion. The largest effect was observed in the group with the highest mean number of desaturations (≥ 6) prior to RBC transfusion, with a decrease from 7.50 (0.66) to 4.26 (0.38) (p < 0.001) in the number of desaturations and 0.46 (0.13) to 0.20 (0.06) in the area < 80% SpO2. Perfusion index increased significantly after RBC transfusion (p < 0.001). No other significant effects of RBC transfusion on cardiorespiratory data were observed.

Conclusions: RBC transfusions in preterm newborns could help decrease the incidence of desaturations and the area < 80% SpO2 as a measure of the hypoxic burden. The higher the number of desaturations prior to the RBC transfusion, the larger the effect observed.

What is Known:•Red blood cell transfusions potentially prevent hypoxia in anemic preterm infants by increasing the circulatory hemoglobin concentration and improving tissue oxygenation.•There is not a predefined hemoglobin concentration cut-off for the occurrence of symptomatic anemia in preterm infants.

What is New:•Oxygen desaturations and hypoxia in anemic preterm infants can be improved by RBC transfusions, especially if more desaturations have occurred before transfusion.•Cardiorespiratory monitor data may help identify infants who will benefit most from red blood cell transfusions.
Crizotinib: aseptic abscesses in multiple organs during treatment of EML4-ALK-positive NSCLC
Authors: Weber Daniel , Decker Miriam , Schuster Michael , Folz Sara , Stürmer Carsten Johannes , Lutz Manfred P.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

We report a novel side effect of Crizotinib, an oral ALK inhibitor used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating rearrangement of EML4-ALK. It expands the known spectrum of complications of Crizotinib.

Methods

Clinical case report.

Results

Multiple aseptic and recurrent abscesses were observed in the liver, thoracic wall as well as in both kidneys in a 75-year-old female patient suffering from NSCLC who had been treated with Crizotinib for almost 2 years. After discontinuation of the treatment the abscesses dissolved spontaneously and did not reoccur.

Conclusion

Aseptic abscesses under treatment with Crizotinib are not restricted to the kidneys as described before, but can also occur in other abdominal organs as the liver and even in the thoracic wall. We postulate that this finding may point to a yet unknown not tissue-dependent mechanism of action.
Metagenomic analysis of nepoviruses: diversity, evolution and identification of a genome region in members of subgroup A that appears to be important for host range
Authors: Hily J. M. , Poulicard N. , Kubina J. , Reynard J. S. , Spilmont A. S. , Fuchs M. , Lemaire O. , Vigne E.
Published: August 2021

Data mining and metagenomic analysis of 277 open reading frame sequences of bipartite RNA viruses of the genus Nepovirus, family Secoviridae, were performed, documenting how challenging it can be to unequivocally assign a virus to a particular species, especially those in subgroups A and C, based on some of the currently adopted taxonomic demarcation criteria. This work suggests a possible need for their amendment to accommodate pangenome information. In addition, we revealed a host-dependent structure of arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) populations at a cladistic level and confirmed a phylogeographic structure of grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) populations. We also identified new putative recombination events in members of subgroups A, B and C. The evolutionary specificity of some capsid regions of ArMV and GFLV that were described previously and biologically validated as determinants of nematode transmission was circumscribed in silico. Furthermore, a C-terminal segment of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of members of subgroup A was predicted to be a putative host range determinant based on statistically supported higher π (substitutions per site) values for GFLV and ArMV isolates infecting Vitis spp. compared with non-Vitis-infecting ArMV isolates. This study illustrates how sequence information obtained via high-throughput sequencing can increase our understanding of mechanisms that modulate virus diversity and evolution and create new opportunities for advancing studies on the biology of economically important plant viruses.
Analysis of the nodal beam isolation system based on application of helical spring
Authors: Michalczyk Krzysztof , Sikora Wojciech
Published: August 2021

A nodal beam isolation system allows the transmission of vibration from the source to an isolated element to be limited using nodal points on the elastic beam connecting them. These points are selected in such a way that their position during vibration is constant. The application of a helical spring as an elastic beam reduces the dimensions of the system and increases its applications. An effective computational model of the nodal beam isolation system based on a helical spring application as an elastic beam is presented in the paper. The model allows the position of nodal points to be determined for a given excitation frequency. It also allows the influence of system parameters on spring vibration amplitudes and static stiffness of the connection between the source and isolated element to be analysed. The analysis makes it possible to formulate conclusions facilitating the designer to select the proper system parameters for the given operating conditions. The results of numerical and experimental tests exhibit high compliance with the results of the presented model.
A new time-delayed periodic boundary condition for discrete element modelling of railway track under moving wheel loads
Authors: Li Huiqi , McDowell Glenn , de Bono John
Published: August 2021

A new time-delayed periodic boundary condition (PBC) has been proposed for discrete element modelling (DEM) of periodic structures subject to moving loads such as railway track based on a box test which is normally used as an element testing model. The new proposed time-delayed PBC is approached by predicting forces acting on ghost particles with the consideration of different loading phases for adjacent sleepers whereas a normal PBC simply gives the ghost particles the same contact forces as the original particles. By comparing the sleeper in a single sleeper test with a fixed boundary, a normal periodic boundary and the newly proposed time-delayed PBC (TDPBC), the new TDPBC was found to produce the closest settlement to that of the middle sleeper in a three-sleeper test which was assumed to be free of boundary effects. It appears that the new TDPBC can eliminate the boundary effect more effectively than either a fixed boundary or a normal periodic cell.

Graphic abstract
Real-world evaluation of effectiveness, persistence, and usage patterns of monotherapy and combination therapy tofacitinib in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Australia
Authors: Bird Paul , Littlejohn Geoffrey , Butcher Belinda , Smith Tegan , O’Sullivan Catherine , Witcombe David , Griffiths Hedley
Published: August 2021

Objective

This study aimed to describe the real-world effectiveness and treatment persistence among patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with monotherapy and combination therapy tofacitinib and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs).

Methods

This was a post hoc analysis of a retrospective, non-interventional study that extracted data for patients treated with tofacitinib or bDMARDs from the Australian OPAL dataset between March 2015 and September 2018. Monotherapy tofacitinib and bDMARDs and combination therapy tofactinib and bDMARDs were propensity score matched and treatment effectiveness and persistence of the groups were evaluated.

Results

In the bDMARD and tofacitinib monotherapy and combination therapy matched populations there were 1300 bDMARD initiators (n = 564 monotherapy) and 650 tofacitinib initiators (n = 282 monotherapy). In the bDMARD and tofacitinib monotherapy matched groups, 62.9% and 66.7% were in DAS-28 CRP disease remission after 18 months of treatment, respectively. In the combination therapy bDMARD and tofacitinib groups, 50% and 58.9% were in DAS-28 CRP disease remission after 18 months, respectively. The median treatment persistence was similar between the monotherapy bDMARD and tofacitinib treatment groups (36.7 months (95% CI 27.4 to “not reached’) and 34.2 months (95%CI 30.3 to “not reached”) respectively) as well as the combination therapy bDMARD and tofacitinib groups (32.2 months (95% CI 25.7 to 34.4) and 32.7 months (95%CI 28.7 to “not reached”, respectively).

Conclusions

Patients receiving combination therapy with tofacitinib or bDMARDs had higher disease activity scores at index than patients receiving monotherapy. Monotherapy with tofacitinib or bDMARDs, and combination therapy with tofacitinib or bDMARDs demonstrated similar treatment effectiveness and persistence, respectively.

Key Points• This study provides real-world evidence regarding effectiveness, treatment persistence, and treatment patterns, among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with monotherapy or combination therapy tofacitinib.• The study suggests that monotherapy and combination therapy tofacitinib is an effective intervention in RA with persistence and effectiveness comparable to bDMARDs.
Local and regional politicians’ considerations of newly arrived migrants’ health in political decision-making: a public health study in northern Sweden
Authors: Svanholm Sara , Carlerby Heidi , Viitasara Eija
Published: August 2021

Background and aim

Early action is important for promoting newly arrived migrants’ health. Politicians are major actors in decision-making that affects health outcomes in the population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore local and regional politicians’ considerations of newly arrived migrants’ health in political decision-making: whether politicians reflect on or discuss the effects of decision-making specifically on newly arrived migrants’ health, whether considerations differ between municipality and regional politicians, and how knowledge and attitudes are associated with such considerations.

Subject and methods

A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted. A total of 667 municipality and regional politicians from northern Sweden responded to a questionnaire developed based on interviews with politicians. Bivariate analyses were performed using χ2 tests, the independent samples t-test, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression.

Results

Politicians considered the effects on newly arrived migrants’ health significantly less frequently than those on the total population’s health. Regional politicians discussed such effects more often than municipality politicians. Knowledge (odds ratio [OR] = 1.343), attitude (OR = 5.962), previous experience working on public health issues (OR = 1.784), and female gender (OR = 1.787) were positively associated with considering effects on newly arrived migrants’ health in decision-making.

Conclusion

Politicians play important roles in health promotion, and most consider health-related effects in their decision-making. However, about a third do not consider such effects. General health-related knowledge and attitude are important factors that could be affected or changed during political assignments.
Long non-coding RNA ARHGAP5-AS1 inhibits migration of breast cancer cell via stabilizing SMAD7 protein
Authors: Wang Chen-Long , Li Jing-Chi , Zhou Ci-Xiang , Ma Cheng-Ning , Wang Di-Fei , Wo Lu-Lu , He Ming , Yin Qianqian , He Jian-Rong , Zhao Qian
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Tumor metastasis is the main cause of death from breast cancer patients and cell migration plays a critical role in cancer metastasis. Recent studies have shown long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an essential role in the initiation and progression of cancer. In the present study, the role of an LncRNA, Rho GTPase Activating Protein 5- Antisense 1 (ARHGAP5-AS1) in breast cancer was investigated.

Methods

RNA sequencing was performed to find out dysregulated LncRNAs in MDA-MB-231-LM2 cells. Transwell migration assays and F-actin staining were utilized to estimate cell migration ability. RNA pulldown assays and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to prove the interaction between ARHGAP5-AS1 and SMAD7. Western blot and immunofluorescence imaging were used to examine the protein levels. Dual luciferase reporter assays were performed to evaluate the activation of TGF-β signaling.

Results

We analyzed the RNA-seq data of MDA-MB-231 and its highly metastatic derivative MDA-MB-231-LM2 cell lines (referred to as LM2) and identified a novel lncRNA (NR_027263) named as ARHGAP5-AS1, which expression was significantly downregulated in LM2 cells. Further functional investigation showed ARHGAP5-AS1 could inhibit cell migration via suppression of stress fibers in breast cancer cell lines. Afterwards, SMAD7 was further identified to interact with ARHGAP5-AS1 by its PY motif and thus its ubiquitination and degradation was blocked due to reduced interaction with E3 ligase SMURF1 and SMURF2. Moreover, ARHGAP5-AS1 could inhibit TGF-β signaling pathway due to its inhibitory role on SMAD7.

Conclusion

ARHGAP5-AS1 inhibits breast cancer cell migration via stabilization of SMAD7 protein and could serve as a novel biomarker and a potential target for breast cancer in the future.
Revisiting Piezoelectric Sensor Calibration Methods Using Elastodynamic Body Waves
Authors: Wu Rui , Selvadurai Paul A. , Chen Chaojian , Moradian Omid
Published: August 2021

The application of absolutely calibrated piezoelectric (PZT) sensors is increasingly used to help interpret the information carried by radiated elastic waves of laboratory/in situs acoustic emissions (AEs) in nondestructive evaluation. In this paper, we present the methodology based on the finite element method (FEM) to characterize PZT sensors. The FEM-based modelling tool is used to numerically compute the true Green’s function between a ball impact source and an array of PZT sensors to map active source to theoretical ground motion. Physical-based boundary conditions are adopted to better constrain the problem of body wave propagation, reflection and transmission in/on the elastic medium. The modelling methodology is first validated against the reference approach (generalized ray theory) and is then extended down to 1 kHz where body wave reflection and transmission along different types of boundaries are explored. We find the Green’s functions calculated using physical-based boundaries have distinct differences between commonly employed idealized boundary conditions, especially around the anti-resonant and resonant frequencies. Unlike traditional methods that use singular ball drops, we find that each ball drop is only partially reliable over specific frequency bands. We demonstrate, by adding spectral constraints, that the individual instrumental responses are accurately cropped and linked together over 1 kHz to 1 MHz after which they overlap with little amplitude shift. This study finds that ball impacts with a broad range of diameters as well as the corresponding valid frequency bandwidth, are necessary to characterize broadband PZT sensors from 1 kHz to 1 MHz.
Is Dance Closer to Physical Activity or Spirituality? A Philosophical Exploration
Authors: Gronek Piotr , Gronek Joanna , Karpińska Aleksandra , Dobrzyńska Małgorzata , Wycichowska Paulina
Published: August 2021

Dancing is inevitably associated with kinesthetics of the body, including movements, gestures, poses, jumps, turnings, transferring body weight, etcetera. Thus, dance is a manifestation of an amateur or the skilled behavior of a fully trained athletic performance. At the same time, dance is accompanied by emotions as an effect of expression, narration of choreography. Dance is also pre-planned and designed to produce numerous styles and techniques. It is a unique type of improvisation. However, in certain situations, styles and techniques that will be discussed below, the dancing body can bring the dancer closer to his/her emotionality and even spirituality. Thus, the aim of this philosophical exploration is to analyze the impact of spirituality on dance performance.
Rockfall susceptibility and runout in the Valley of the Kings
Authors: Marija Lukovic , Martin Ziegler , Jordan Aaron , Matthew Perras
Published: August 2021

The UNESCO world heritage site Valley of the Kings or Wadi el-Moluk (وادي الملوك) near Luxor, Egypt, hosts unique burial places of Egyptian kings and royals from the New Kingdom (c. 1539–1075 BCE) and attracts about 0.5 to 2 million tourists per year. Very steep to subvertical cliffs of Thebes Limestone surround the Valley of the Kings. The rock mass is cut by frequent joints and faults making the cliff walls prone to rockfalls. However, only few rockfall debris are found in the valley, likely due to natural remobilisation by flood events and artificial clearings and excavation works that rendered the natural debris cover over the millennia. This work focuses on rockfall susceptibility and runout and makes use of new high-resolution landscape surface models utilising terrestrial laser scanning. We investigated rockfall release areas by exploring rock mass fractures at 23 cliff segments and analysed the kinematics of potential rockfalls. Furthermore, we estimated potential rockfall deposition areas with CONEFALL supported by nine numerical simulations of single rockfall events using Rockyfor3D. We found that nearly 4500 m2 (26%) of the public walking paths and 24 out of 64 tomb entrance areas locate within potential rockfall runout zones.
Elemental and Thermo-gravimetric Characterization of Trace Metals in Leaves and Soils as Bioindicators of Pollution in Kyiv City
Authors: Tarik Mohamed , Hoffmann Michael , Shmarin Sergey , Patil Ajay Bhagwan , Ludwig Christian
Published: August 2021

In this study, leaf and soil samples were used as bio-monitors for different alkali and heavy metals at six different locations in Kyiv city. Using x–y plots of the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) data measured the discrepancy level in elemental composition between the different investigated areas; the correlation between the concentrations in tree leaves and the samples from the surrounding soils were investigated. While the concentration of essential mineral elements and metals was found to be similar in several leaf and soil samples, in other samples, their concentration spread up to more than one order of magnitude. The concentration of metals was found to be higher in soil samples than in leaves. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) data helped to further characterize both types of samples. The metal removal during the incineration of the leaves was investigated by coupling a thermo-gravimetric analyzer to an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (TGA-ICP-OES). The release of Cd, K, Na, Pb, and Zn during incineration at temperatures up to 960 °C was online monitored, and some insights were drawn about the behavior of such metals and the chemistry involved in the volatilization process.
A Practical Speed Loss Prediction Model at Arbitrary Wave Heading for Ship Voyage Optimization
Authors: Lang Xiao , Mao Wengang
Published: August 2021

This paper proposes a semi-empirical model to predict a ship’s speed loss at arbitrary wave heading. In the model, the formulas that estimate a ship’s added resistance due to waves attacking from different heading angles have been further developed. A correction factor is proposed to consider the nonlinear effect due to large waves in power estimation. The formulas are developed and verified by model tests of 5 ships in regular waves with various heading angles. The full-scale measurements from three different types of ships, i.e., a PCTC, a container ship, and a chemical tanker, are used to validate the proposed model for speed loss prediction in irregular waves. The effect of the improved model for speed loss prediction on a ship’s voyage optimization is also investigated. The results indicate that a ship’s voyage optimization solutions can be significantly affected by the prediction accuracy of speed loss caused by waves.
Influence of Patient-Specific Covariates on Test Validity of Two Delirium Screening Instruments in Neurocritical Care Patients (DEMON-ICU)
Authors: Weiss Björn , Paul Nicolas , Spies Claudia D. , Ullrich Dennis , Ansorge Ingrid , Salih Farid , Wolf Stefan , Luetz Alawi
Published: August 2021

Background

Delirium screening instruments (DSIs) should be used to detect delirium, but they only show moderate sensitivity in patients with neurocritical illness. We explored whether, for these patients, DSI validity is impacted by patient-specific covariates.

Methods

Data were prospectively collected in a single-center quality improvement project. Patients were screened for delirium once daily using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) and the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU). Reference was the daily assessment using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). In a two-step receiver operating characteristics regression analysis adjusting for repeated measurements, the impact of acute diagnosis of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), neurosurgical intervention, Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale, and ventilation status on test validity was determined.

Results

Of 181 patients screened, 101 went into final analysis. Delirium incidence according to DSM-IV-TR was 29.7%. For the first complete assessment series (CAM-ICU, ICDSC, and DSM-IV-TR), sensitivity for the CAM-ICU and the ICDSC was 73.3% and 66.7%, and specificity was 91.8% and 94.1%, respectively. Consideration of daily repeated measurements increased sensitivity for the CAM-ICU and ICDSC to 75.7% and 73.4%, and specificity to 97.3% and 98.9%, respectively. Receiver operating characteristics regression revealed that lower Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale levels significantly impaired validity of the ICDSC (p = 0.029) and the CAM-ICU in its severity scale version (p = 0.004). Neither acute diagnosis of stroke or TIA nor neurosurgical intervention or mechanical ventilation significantly influenced DSI validity.

Conclusions

The CAM-ICU and ICDSC perform well in patients requiring neurocritical care, regardless of the presence of acute stroke, TIA, or neurosurgical interventions. Yet, even very light or moderate sedation can significantly impair DSI performance.
Distress disclosure and psychological Distress among men: the role of feeling understood and loneliness
Authors: Keum Brian TaeHyuk , Oliffe John L. , Rice Simon M. , Kealy David , Seidler Zac E. , Cox Dan W. , Levant Ronald F. , Ogrodniczuk John S.
Published: August 2021

We examined whether men’s distress disclosure would be indirectly associated with psychological distress through feeling understood by others and loneliness as serial or parallel mediators. We conducted path analyses (N = 1827 adult men; mean 37.53 years, SD = 14.14) to test the mediators while controlling for race/ethnicity. Post-hoc multi-group analysis was conducted to examine differences across White and Asian men. The serial mediation model fit the data better than the parallel mediation model. Controlling for race/ethnicity, a significant partial indirect association was found between greater distress disclosure and lower psychological distress through greater feelings of being understood and lower feelings of loneliness. Post-hoc multi-group analysis suggested that the hypothesized paths fit equivalently across White and Asian men, and the direct effect was not significant for Asian men. Our hypothesized serial model also fit the data significantly better than alternative models with distress and the mediators predicting disclosure. Distress disclosure may be a socially conducive strategy for men to feel understood and socially connected, a process that may be associated with lower psychological distress.
Application of Artificial Intelligence in Food Industry—a Guideline
Authors: Mavani Nidhi Rajesh , Ali Jarinah Mohd , Othman Suhaili , Hussain M. A. , Hashim Haslaniza , Rahman Norliza Abd
Published: August 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) has embodied the recent technology in the food industry over the past few decades due to the rising of food demands in line with the increasing of the world population. The capability of the said intelligent systems in various tasks such as food quality determination, control tools, classification of food, and prediction purposes has intensified their demand in the food industry. Therefore, this paper reviews those diverse applications in comparing their advantages, limitations, and formulations as a guideline for selecting the most appropriate methods in enhancing future AI- and food industry–related developments. Furthermore, the integration of this system with other devices such as electronic nose, electronic tongue, computer vision system, and near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) is also emphasized, all of which will benefit both the industry players and consumers.
Towards individualised treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: an update on technical innovations in the prehospital chain of survival
Authors: Thannhauser J. , Nas J. , Waalewijn R. A. , van Royen N. , Bonnes J. L. , Brouwer M. A. , de Boer M. J.
Published: August 2021

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major healthcare problem, with approximately 200 weekly cases in the Netherlands. Its critical, time-dependent nature makes it a unique medical situation, of which outcomes strongly rely on infrastructural factors and on-scene care by emergency medical services (EMS). Survival to hospital discharge is poor, although it has substantially improved, to roughly 25% over the last years. Recognised key factors, such as bystander resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use at the scene, have been markedly optimised with the introduction of technological innovations. In an era with ubiquitous smartphone use, the Dutch digital text message alert platform HartslagNu (www.hartslagnu.nl) increasingly contributes to timely care for OHCA victims. Guidelines emphasise the role of cardiac arrest recognition and early high-quality bystander resuscitation, which calls for education and improved registration at HartslagNu. As for EMS care, new technological developments with future potential are the selective use of mechanical chest compression devices and extracorporeal life support. As a future innovation, ‘smart’ defibrillators are under investigation, guiding resuscitative interventions based on ventricular fibrillation waveform characteristics. Taken together, optimisation of available prehospital technologies is crucial to further improve OHCA outcomes, with particular focus on more available trained volunteers in the first phase and additional research on advanced EMS care in the second phase.
Removal of Phenolic Compounds from Olive Mill Wastewater by Microalgae Grown Under Dark and Light Conditions
Authors: Lindner Astrid Victoria , Pleissner Daniel
Published: August 2021

Phenolic compounds in olive mill wastewater (OMW) are considered an environmental threat due to their antimicrobial properties. Because of the metabolic versatility of microalgae, a biotic removal of these compounds seems a suitable approach. To investigate the biotic removal of phenolic compounds, the three microalgae species Chlorella vulgaris, Acutodesmus obliquus and Monoraphidium braunii were cultivated in flasks under constant light (50 µmol/m2s) and dark (1 g/L glucose) conditions in presence of different concentrations of OMW. Addition of 1% (v/v) OMW to the culture medium was shown to be non-inhibitory or even growth enhancing, and phenolic compounds were removed by 7–21% by all tested species. Cultivations with 6% (v/v) OMW resulted in a few exceptional experiments in fast growth (C. vulgaris under light, M. braunii under dark conditions) and removal of phenolic compounds (M. braunii, dark). Higher percentages (12 and 25%, v/v) of OMW were inhibitory. Under dark conditions microalgae first consumed glucose and removed phenolic compounds in a diauxic process. Removal of phenolic compounds was favoured under light conditions. Results of this study reveal the opportunities and the challenges of a microalgae-based removal of phenolic compounds and valorization of toxic OMW.

Graphic abstract
The Dangers of Mindfulness: Another Myth?
Authors: Anālayo Bhikkhu
Published: August 2021

Criticism of potential drawbacks of mindfulness is crucial for the field to move forward and remain grounded in reality rather than become carried away by the mindfulness hype. At the same time, however, such criticism needs to be reasonable and based on actual facts rather than subjective imagination. The allegation that mindfulness is intrinsically dangerous appears to have been influenced by unreasonable claims made by Daniel Ingram, which have been taken seriously due to an apparent lack of acquaintance of some scholars with Buddhist doctrine and with genuine forms of insight meditation.
Petrophysical and petrographic characteristics of Barail Sandstone of the Surma Basin, Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md Shofiqul , Shijan Md Hasibul Hasan , Saif Md Samin , Biswas Pradip Kumar , Faruk Muhammad Omar
Published: August 2021

The Barail sandstone in the Surma Basin is a medium- to coarse-grained pinkish-colored rock exposed near the northeastern margin of Bangladesh. In this study, we evaluated the reservoir quality of the Barail sandstone based on its petrophysical and petrographic characteristics. Petrophysical analyses of outcropped samples showed that sandstones are made up of 16.48% porosity and 132.48 mD permeability. Sandstone density ranges from 1.94 g/cm3 to 2.37 g/cm3, with a mean value of 2.12 g/cm3, shown as moderately compacted sandstone. Integrated data such as bulk density, porosity, permeability, Rock Quality Index (RQI), Normalized Porosity Index (NPI), Flow Zone Indicator (FZI), compressive strength, etc. with their relationships indicate that Barail sandstone owing characters to become a good petroleum reservoir. The rock samples consisted mainly of quartz with an insignificant amount of rock fragments and plagioclase feldspar and are categorized as sub-arkose to sub-litharenite. The rock samples also contains lithic (andesine, microcline, muscovite, biotite, etc.) of granitic and gneissic fabric and some volcanic product like aguite, albite, andesine, garnet, spinel and ulvo-spinel indicating the source of nearby orogeny. The euhedral to subhedral shape of the quartz grain in a porphyritic texture, moderately sorted with a smaller amount of clay minerals indicating the moderately mature rock type. The iron oxide border around the quartz grain also indicates that the Barail sandstone was deposited under dry climatic condition.
Possible ecological advantages from use of carbonless magnesia refractory bricks in secondary steelmaking: a framework LCA perspective
Authors: Boenzi F.
Published: August 2021

In the present paper, two types of magnesia-based refractory bricks for the wear lining of a steel ladle furnace are considered, with the aim of comparing their ecological performances. The adopted methodology is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach from cradle-to-gate of the two brick product systems, in accordance with the European and International Standard EN ISO 14044:2006, and the chosen methodology for the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) is ReCiPe 2016, considering the midpoint impact categories and the hierarchist perspective. The conducted study is part of a European industrial research project aimed at investigating the possibility of cleanliness improvement of the steel produced in secondary steelmaking, by reducing the refractory contamination in the steel ladle furnace. The compared refractory bricks consist of a reference, currently used, MgO-C type and a more innovative "carbonless" one, containing magnesia and MA sintered spinel as principal components, on the basis of recipe data provided by the industrial partners of the project. The results attained so far in industrial practice are preliminary, because of the lack of a full-ladle lining experimentation, even though the application of the conceived innovative bricks in the upper part of the slag line of the ladle presents promising aspects. The results of the LCIA comparison between the two brick product systems highlight better performances for all the impact categories, except for "Human carcinogenic toxicity" and markedly for "Mineral resource scarcity." Besides these results, a general framework for shifting the ecological analysis to the steel production is provided. Calculations, referred to the production of one tonne of steel, are therefore performed, involving scenario assumptions not only regarding the refractory consumption but also the forecast operational features of the steel ladle with the "carbonless" lining. In this second set of results, it is clear how the principal contribution to almost all the impact categories is the electrical energy consumption of the ladle, while the contribution from the brick product systems remains important for the above-mentioned worsened impact categories, whose magnitude is strongly dependent on the refractory consumption.
Risk Factors for Death Among Hospitalized Patients Aged 21–64 Years Diagnosed with COVID-19—New York City, March 13–April 9, 2020
Authors: Bushman Dena , Davidson Alexander , Pathela Preeti , Greene Sharon K. , Weiss Don , Reddy Vasudha , Team New York City Fatal Case-Control St , Latash Julia
Published: August 2021

Background

COVID-19 mortality studies have primarily focused on persons aged ≥ 65 years; less is known about decedents aged <65 years.

Methods

We conducted a case-control study among NYC residents aged 21–64 years hospitalized with COVID-19 diagnosed March 13–April 9, 2020, to determine risk factors for death. Case-patients (n=343) were hospitalized decedents with COVID-19 and control-patients (n=686) were discharged from hospitalization with COVID-19 and matched 2:1 to case-patients on age and residential neighborhood. Conditional logistic regression models were adjusted for patient sex, insurance status, and marital status. Matched adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated for selected underlying conditions, combinations of conditions, and race/ethnic group.

Results

Median age of both case-patients and control-patients was 56 years (range: 23–64 years). Having ≥ 1 selected underlying condition increased odds of death 4.45-fold (95% CI: 2.33–8.49). Patients with diabetes; morbid obesity; heart, kidney, or lung disease; cancer; neurologic/neurodevelopmental conditions; mental health conditions; or HIV had significantly increased odds of death. Compared with having neither condition, having both diabetes and obesity or diabetes and heart disease was associated with approximately threefold odds of death. Five select underlying conditions were more prevalent among non-Hispanic Black control-patients than among control-patients of other races/ethnicities.

Conclusions and Relevance

Selected underlying conditions were risk factors for death, and most prevalent among racial/ethnic minorities. Social services; health care resources, including vaccination; and tailored public health messaging are important for COVID-19 prevention. Strengthening these strategies for racial/ethnic minority groups could minimize COVID-19 racial/ethnic disparities.