bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Daily fluctuations in visual motion discriminability contribute to daily fluctuations in continuous visuomotor performance
Authors: Takami Ayaka , Goya Ryoma , Aoyama Chisa , Komiyama Takaaki , Kawajiri Toshitaka , Shimegi Satoshi
Published: November 2022

In ball sports such as table tennis, in which a ball moving at high speed is hit, an athlete's brain needs to process the motion information of the ball, predict the arrival point, and form a motor command to direct the racket there. Therefore, day-to-day fluctuations in visuomotor performance may be ascribed to fluctuations in visual motion discriminability, but it is not clear how the two are related. To examine this point, university table tennis players performed a motion direction discrimination (MDD) task and continuous visuomotor (CVM) task over 10 days as an estimation of visual motion discriminability and visuomotor performance, respectively. In the MDD task, using a joystick, participants distinguished the direction of a global coherent motion of target dots moving in the same direction on a PC monitor from innumerable dots moving in random directions. In the CVM task, participants hit sequential targets moving fast from right to left on the PC monitor by operating the cursor on the left side of the monitor up and down using the prehensile force of their thumb and index finger. The scores in the MDD and CVM tasks fluctuated day by day and showed a significant and moderate correlation between the MDD task score for the visual field in which the participants captured the target in the CVM task and the CVM task score. This correlation was confirmed even with the target moving from left to right. The fluctuations in the onset latency and the endpoint position of the cursor movement approaching the target were correlated with those of the visual motion discriminability, suggesting the contribution of motion vision to the speed and accuracy of the visuomotor performance. Moreover, these relationships were prominent in veteran players. For table tennis athletes, especially experienced players, fluctuations in the visual motion discrimination performance in a visual field specific for capturing a ball may be responsible for the fluctuations in continuous visuomotor (striking) performance.
Effect of cold ambient temperature on heat flux, skin temperature, and thermal sensation at different body parts in elite biathletes
Authors: Blokker Thomas , Bucher Elias , Steiner Thomas , Wehrlin Jon Peter
Published: November 2022

Introduction

When exercising in the cold, optimizing thermoregulation is essential to maintain performance. However, no study has investigated thermal parameters with wearable-based measurements in a field setting among elite Nordic skiers. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the thermal response and sensation measured at different body parts during exercise in a cold environment in biathletes.

Methods

Thirteen Swiss national team biathletes (6 females, 7 males) performed two skiing bouts in the skating technique on two consecutive days (ambient temperature: −3.74 ± 2.32 °C) at 78 ± 4% of maximal heart rate. Heat flux (HF), core (Tcore) and skin (Tskin) temperature were measured with sensors placed on the thigh, back, anterior and lateral thorax. Thermal sensation (TS) was assessed three times for different body parts: in protective winter clothing, in a race suit before (PRE) and after exercise (POST).

Results

HF demonstrated differences (p < 0.001) between sensor locations, with the thigh showing the highest heat loss (344 ± 37 kJ/m2), followed by the back (269 ± 6 kJ/m2), the lateral thorax (220 ± 47 kJ/m2), and the anterior thorax (192 ± 37 kJ/m2). Tcore increased (p < 0.001). Tskin decreased for all body parts (p < 0.001). Thigh Tskin decreased more than for other body parts (p < 0.001). From PRE to POST, TS of the hands decreased (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Biathletes skiing in a race suit at moderate intensity experience significant heat loss and a large drop in Tskin, particularly at the quadriceps muscle. To support the optimal functioning of working muscles, body-part dependent differences in the thermal response should be considered for clothing strategy and for race suit design.
Soil bacterial community response to cover crop introduction in a wheat-based dryland cropping system
Authors: Eberly Jed O. , Bourgault Maryse , Dafo Julia M. , Yeoman Carl J. , Wyffels Samuel A. , Lamb Peggy F. , Boss Darrin L.
Published: November 2022

The incorporation of cover crops into cropping systems is important for enhancing soil health in agricultural systems. Soil microbes contribute to soil health by supplying key nutrients and providing protection against plant pests, diseases, and abiotic stress. While research has demonstrated the connection between cover crops and the soil microbiology, less is known regarding the impact of cover crops on the soil microbial community in semi-arid regions of the Northern Great Plains. Our objectives were to evaluate changes in the soil bacterial community composition and community networks in wheat grown after multi-species cover crops. Cover crops were compared to continuous cropping and crop/fallow systems and the effects of cover crop termination methods were also evaluated. Cover crops consisted of a cool season multispecies mix, mid-season multispecies mix, and a warm season multispecies mix, which were grown in rotation with winter wheat. A continuous cropping (wheat/barley) and wheat/fallow system were also included along with cover crop termination by grazing, herbicide application, and haying. Cover crop treatments and termination methods had no significant impact on microbial community alpha diversity. Cover crop termination methods also had no significant impact on microbial community beta diversity. Families belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacterioidota, and Proteobacteria were more abundant in the cool season cover crop treatment compared to the warm season cover crop treatment. Co-occurrence network analysis indicated that incorporation of cool season cover crops or mid-season mixes in a wheat-based cropping system led to greater complexity and connectivity within these microbial networks compared to the other treatments which suggests these communities may be more resilient to environmental disturbances.
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with zero-profile versus stand-alone cages for two-level cervical spondylosis: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mu Guanzhang , Chen Hao , Fu Haoyong , Wang Shijun , Lu Hailin , Yi Xiaodong , Li Chunde , Yue Lei , Sun Haolin
Published: November 2022

Objective

To assess the mid-long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of zero-profile (ZP) compared with stand-alone (ST) cages for two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Methods

We included 77 patients (39 women and 38 men) who underwent two-level ACDF between May 5, 2016, and May 5, 2020, and who were followed up for at least 1 year. The subjects were divided into the ST (n = 38) and ZP (n = 39) group. For the evaluation of functional status, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were used. Additionally, radiological outcomes and procedure complications were observed at final follow-up.

Results

Both groups had excellent clinical outcomes at the final follow-up. There were no significant intergroup (ZP vs. ST) differences in the fusion rate (91.02% vs. 90.79%, P > 0.05) and postoperative dysphagia (15.4% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.108). However, the disc height at the final follow-up in the ZP group was higher than that in the ST group (6.86 ± 0.84 vs. 6.17 ± 1.03, P = 0.002). The ZP group accomplished a lower loss of cervical lordosis (18.46 ± 4.78 vs. 16.55 ± 4.36, P = 0.071), but without reaching statistical significance.

Conclusion

ACDF with either ZP or ST cages turns out to be a dependable strategy for two-level ACDF in terms of clinical results. However, compared with the ST, the ZP cage may achieve a significantly lower loss of disc height.
Treatment for complete bilateral duplex kidneys with severe hydronephrosis and ureterectasis of the upper moiety in a child: A case report and literature review
Authors: Wu Chengchuang , Ji Fengming , Zhang Huangchenghao , Yao Zhigang , Li Li , Yan Bing
Published: November 2022

Aim

To explore the treatment experience of the duplex kidney.

Method

A case of the complete bilateral duplex kidney with severe hydronephrosis and ureterectasis in the upper moiety of the kidney diagnosed in the Department of Urology of Kunming Children's Hospital from 2021 to 2022 was retrospectively analyzed and relevant literature was reviewed.

Results

A 2-month-old baby girl was admitted to the hospital because of hydronephrosis of bilateral kidneys found by prenatal ultrasound for 3 months and fever for 3 days. After being given the relevant examinations, the girl was diagnosed with complete bilateral duplex kidneys with severe hydronephrosis and ureterectasis in the upper moiety, and urinary tract infection. The patient's urinary tract infection was poorly controlled after positive anti-infective therapy, so a bilateral ureterostomy was performed. After the surgery, urinary tract infection was soon cured. A bilateral ureteroureterostomy was performed 13 months later, and the patient recovered after 7 days.

Conclusion

Cutaneous ureterostomy combined with late ureteroureterostomy for children with complete bilateral duplex kidneys with severe hydronephrosis in the upper moiety and ureter are not only beneficial to caregivers’ nursing after the operation, but also have significance for salvaging renal function.
Predictive role of preoperative geriatric nutritional risk index for clinical outcomes in surgical gastric cancer patients: A meta-analysis
Authors: Lu Wei , Shen Jian , Zou Dehong , Li Peng , Liu Xiaocong , Jian Yi
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The association between the preoperative Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and postoperative short-term and long-term clinical outcomes remains unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to identify the predictive role of the preoperative GNRI for postoperative clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients based on current evidence.

Methods

Several databases were searched up to July 28, 2022. The primary and secondary outcomes were long-term survival, including overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and postoperative complications. Meanwhile, the hazard ratios (HRs) and relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to assess the association of preoperative GNRI with postoperative survival and complications separately. The results Eight studies involving 4,189 patients were included, and they were all from Japan. The pooled results demonstrated that a lower preoperative GNRI was significantly related to worse OS (HR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.18–2.53, P = 0.005) and CSS (HR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.20–2.32, P = 0.002). Meanwhile, a lower preoperative GNRI was significantly associated with postoperative complications (RR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.51–2.58, P < 0.001). Further analysis focusing on elderly patients showed similar results.

Conclusion

Preoperative GNRI is related to postoperative short-term and long-term clinical outcomes of Japanese gastric cancer patients, and a lower GNRI predicts poorer prognosis.
Associations between smoking and clinical outcomes after total hip and knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yue Chen , Cui Guofeng , Ma Maoxiao , Tang Yanfeng , Li Hongjun , Liu Youwen , Zhang Xue
Published: November 2022

Background

Smoking increases risk of several complications after total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), so we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the literature to take into account all relevant evidence, particularly studies published since 2010.

Methods

The PubMed, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, and EBSCOHost databases were searched and studies were selected and analyzed according to MOOSE recommendations. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data were qualitatively synthesized or meta-analyzed using a random-effects model.

Results

A total of 40 studies involving 3,037,683 cases were included. Qualitative analysis suggested that smoking is associated with worse patient-reported outcomes within one year after surgery, and meta-analysis showed that smoking significantly increased risk of the following outcomes: total complications (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.01–1.98), wound complications (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.50–2.10), prosthetic joint infection (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.52–2.24), aseptic loosening (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.12–2.34), revision (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.46–3.08), cardiac arrest (OR 4.90, 95% CI 2.26–10.60), cerebrovascular accident (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.01–4.85), pneumonia (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.17–4.74), acute renal insufficiency (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.48–2.73), sepsis (OR 4.35, 95% CI 1.35–14.00), inpatient mortality (OR 12.37, 95% CI 4.46–34.28), and persistent opioid consumption (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.39–1.92).

Conclusion

Smoking patients undergoing THA and TKA are at increased risk of numerous complications, inpatient mortality, persistent opioid consumption, and worse 1-year patient-reported outcomes. Pre-surgical protocols for these outcomes should give special consideration to smoking patients.
Repairing tendon-exposed wounds by combing the Masquelet technique with dermoplasty
Authors: Yao Jiangling , Zeng Yunfu , Yang Jian , Wu Qian , Chen Liying , Zheng Linyang , Wang Rong , Zhu Hengjie , Cui Hongwang , Huang Yuesheng , Cheng Shaowen
Published: November 2022

Background

Wound repair is a new field that has emerged in China in the last 5 years. Exposed tendon wounds are one of the most common problems faced in wound treatment today, as the poor blood supply leads to low survival rates of skin grafts. This paper explores the feasibility of applying the Masquelet technique to repair tendon-exposed wounds.

Method

We examined 12 patients with tendon-exposed wounds, 5 males and 7 females, from January 2021 to November 2021, including 2 patients with post-traumatic wounds, 8 diabetic patients with dorsal wounds, and 2 patients with various chronic infections. The Masquelet technique was employed to treat these wounds. The wound surface was sealed with antibiotic bone cement to form an induction membrane, the cement was removed after 3–4 weeks, and the wound was repaired with skin grafts to observe survival, appearance, texture, healing, and related functions.

Results

All wounds were covered with antibiotic bone cement, and after 3–4 weeks, an induction membrane was applied, and in 10 out of 12 patients, full-thickness skin grafts were applied, and the patients survived. However, in 2 patients, the skin became partially necrotic, but these patients recovered by changing medications.

Conclusion

The current study found that direct skin grafting may effectively treat exposed tendon wounds once the Masquelet approach generates the induction membrane. Further, this method is less difficult, less expensive, and easier to care for the procedure that deserves to be used more frequently.
Dual continuum upscaling of liver lobule flow and metabolism to the full organ scale
Authors: Coombe Dennis , Rezania Vahid , Tuszynski Jack Adam
Published: November 2022

The liver is the body’s primary metabolic organ and its functions operate at multiple time and spatial scales. Here we employ multiscale modelling techniques to describe these functions consistently, based on methods originally developed to describe reactive fluid flow processes in naturally-fractured geological sediments. Using a fully discretized idealized lobule model for flow and metabolism, a dual continuum approach is developed in two steps: 1) Two interacting continua models for tissue and sinusoids properties, followed by 2) further upscaled dual continua models leading to an averaged lobule representation. Results (flows, pressures, concentrations, and reactions) from these two approaches are compared with our original model, indicating the equivalences and approximations obtained from this upscaling for flow, diffusion, and reaction parameters. Next, we have generated a gridded dual continuum model of the full liver utilizing an innovative technique, based on published liver outline and vasculature employing a vasculature generation algorithm. The inlet and outlet vasculature systems were grouped into five generations each based on radius size. With a chosen grid size of 1 mm3, our resulting discretized model contains 3,291,430 active grid cells. Of these cells, a fraction is occupied vasculature, while the dominant remaining fraction of grid cells approximates liver lobules. Here the largest generations of vasculature occupy multiple grid cells in cross section and length. The lobule grid cells are represented as a dual continuum of sinusoid vasculature and tissue. This represents the simplest gridded dual continuum representation of the full liver organ. With this basic model, numerous full liver drug metabolism simulations were run. A non-reactive PAC (paclitaxel) injection case including only convective transfer between vasculature and tissue was compared with including an additional diffusive transfer mechanism. These two cases were then rerun with tissue reaction, converting injected PAC to PAC-OH (6-hydroxypaclitaxel). There was little transfer of PAC from vasculature to tissue without the addition of diffusive transfer, and this had a significant observable effect on internal PAC distribution in the absence of reaction, and also on the distribution of PAC-OH for the reactive cases.
Sensorless Control Analysis of Electric Motor Drives Based on High-Frequency Signal Injection and Its Simulation Verification
Authors: Duhancik Michal , Coranic Tomas , Gaspar Stefan , Lipovsky Vladimir
Published: November 2022

The subject of this research is the sensorless control method verification of an asynchronous motor by a simulation in the area of low speed (up to 5 Hz) via the high-frequency analog signal injection method. The implementation of the continuous signal injection method is simpler when compared with the discrete signal injection; however, the discrete signal injection method has more advantages in signal processing. The injected analog signal will be superimposed on the main stator voltage. The response to this signal will be manifested mainly based on the asymmetries of the asynchronous motor, which are given by the design of the motor. The influence of the stator inductance LS will be suppressed by a suitable elimination method since this asymmetry is undesirable for the rotor position detection. The asymmetry caused by the rotor slotting will be used to detect the rotor position. The less the rotor slots are inclined, the stronger the asymmetry. Therefore, to verify the given estimation method as realistically as possible, a mathematical model of an asynchronous motor, including asymmetries due to magnetic core saturation and asymmetries due to rotor slotting, has been designed in order to get as close as possible to the real condition. Thus, the chapter “Asymmetry Creation due to Rotor Slotting” describes the given phenomenon in more detail. Subsequently, the INFORM method the rotor position detection is implemented and defined in the chapter: “Rotor Position Estimation Based on HF Signal Injection.” Given the fact that the asymmetries caused by magnetic core saturation are undesirable, he estimation error reaches up to 10%; therefore, saturations are suppressed by a convenient method. After filtering out these asymmetries, the control accuracy is achieved with the maximum rotor position estimation error of 0.05 rad, representing 1%. The inaccuracy is directly proportional to the rotor rotation speed, and it is also caused by the computing power, the processing frequency, and the complexity of the computing algorithm. The present research paper serves essentially to verify the sensorless method based on a high-frequency signal injection and as a basis for effectiveness and efficiency compared with other control methods.
Sixty Years of Manned Spaceflight—Incidents and Accidents Involving Astronauts between Launch and Landing
Authors: Schmitz Jan , Komorowski Matthieu , Russomano Thais , Ullrich Oliver , Hinkelbein Jochen
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Since Gagarin became the first human to travel into space and complete one orbit around the Earth, on 12 April 1961, the number of manned spaceflights has increased significantly. Spaceflight is still complex and has potential risk for incidents and accidents. The aim of this study was to analyze how safe it is for humans to travel in space. Objectives: This paper, therefore, summarizes incidents and accidents covering the six decades of manned spaceflight (1961–2020). Material and methods: Extensive PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar searches were made with search strings of “incidents”, “accident”, “spaceflight”, and “orbit”, and including all vehicles so far. Search terms were combined by AND or OR in search strings. Of the results obtained, studies which evaluated manned spaceflight were included in the study. Data from the National Aeronautics Space Agency (NASA), the Russian Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Chinese Space Agency (CNSA), as well as from the Virgin Galactic and the SpaceX databases, were searched to complete data and to identify all the accomplished manned spaceflights, as well as all incidents and accidents that have occurred in the specific period. Search results were compared to findings on Wikipedia, Encyclopedia Astronautica, and other public webpages. Reference lists of included articles/homepages were also included for further potential data. Results: From 1961–2020, our data revealed an increasing number of manned space flights, n = 327. The number of times an astronaut has been sent to space, n = 1294, resulted in an accumulated n = 19,414 days spent in space. The number of days spent in orbit has constantly increased from 1961 until today. The number of incidents (altogether n = 36) and accidents (altogether n = 5) has constantly decreased. The number of astronauts who have died during spaceflight is represented by n = 19. The current statistical fatality rate is 5.8% (deaths per spaceflight) with the highest fatality rate in the 1960s (0.013 deaths/day spent in space), and the lowest rates in the 1990s and the period from 2010 until the present (no deaths). The most dangerous phases of spaceflight are launch, landing and staying in orbit. Altogether, n = 12 incidents (incident rate per spaceflight: 0.04) and one accident (accident rate: 0.003) during launch have been reported, n = 9 incidents (incident rate: 0.03) and two accidents (accident rate: 0.006) have been reported during landing and n = 10 incidents (incident rate: 0.03) have been reported in orbit. Discussion: Manned spaceflight over the last six decades has become significantly safer. Since 2003, no astronaut fatality has been reported. With greater international cooperation and maintaining of the International Space Station (ISS), the number of manned spaceflights and days spent in space has constantly increased, with constantly lower rates of incidents and accidents.
Assessment of the Phytotoxic Potential of Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook.f. and Identification of its Phytotoxic Substances for Weed Control
Authors: Kyaw Ei Han , Iwasaki Arihiro , Suenaga Kiyotake , Kato-Noguchi Hisashi
Published: November 2022

The phytotoxic potential of plants and the effect of their active components on another plant species is being explored as a potential alternative to synthetic herbicides for weed control. In the current study, we investigated the phytotoxic potential of the leaves of Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook.f. against four test plants [timothy (Phleum pratense L.), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)] and observed significant growth inhibition on those plants at concentrations >3 mg D.W. equivalent extract mL−1. A bioassay-governed purification of the D. volubilis extracts using different chromatography phases produced two growth inhibitory compounds, 3-hydroxy-α-ionone (compound 1) and 5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentylfuran-2(5H)-one (compound 2). The compounds retarded the growth of barnyard grass and cress (Lepidium sativum L.) with I50 (concentration required for 50% growth suppression) values ranging from 0.098 to 0.450 mM for 3-hydroxy-α-ionone and 0.029 to 0.420 mM for 5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentylfuran-2(5H)-one. Thus, the extracts and identified compounds may have the possibility to be utilized as bioagents for weed control.
The Effect of Neutral Salt and Alkaline Stress with the Same Na+ Concentration on Root Growth of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) Seedlings
Authors: Wang Guangda , Shen Wanzheng , Zhang Zhaoning , Guo Shuang , Hu Jiachen , Feng Ruiqi , Zhao Qiang , Du Jidao , Du Yanli
Published: November 2022

Salt stress is a common abiotic stress that negatively affects crop growth and yield. However, there have been significant differences found on the effect degree and management mechanism in plants under neutral salt stress and alkaline stress. In this study, two soybean cultivars, Heihe 49 (HH49, saline-alkali stress tolerant) and Henong 95 (HN95, saline-alkali stress sensitive), were hydroponically cultured and treated with salt solutions of 25, 50, and 75 mM Na+ in the form of NaCl, Na2SO4, NaHCO3, and Na2CO3. Plants treated with alkaline stress (NaHCO3 and Na2CO3) showed a greater decrease in root growth and root activity of both soybean cultivar seedlings than that under neutral salt stresses (NaCl and Na2SO4) with 25–75 mM Na+ concentration. Alkaline stress (25–50 mM Na+ content) activated a higher ability of antioxidant defense (by enhancing the activists of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)) and increased the content of soluble sugars to a higher level than that under neutral salt stresses. However, 75 mM Na+ content salt treatments reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and osmotic regulating substance content. Furthermore, alkaline salt and neutral salt stress was able to induce DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in HH49 and HN95 seedling roots. Treatment with Na2CO3 induced the least random amplification polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymorphism in soybean seedling roots among all salt treatments, which could have been related to the early cell cycle arrest.
Identification and Introgression of a Novel HMW-GS Gene from Aegilops tauschii
Authors: Bo Cunyao , Fan Zhongqing , Ma Xin , Li Anfei , Wang Hongwei , Kong Lingrang , Wang Xiaoqian
Published: November 2022

High molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) play a major role in determining the dough quality of wheat. As the D genome donor of hexaploid wheat, Aegilops tauschii is an important genetic resource for wheat quality breeding. In the present study, a novel HMW-GSs from Ae. tauschii was identified and designated as Glu-Dt1. Multiple sequence alignment indicated that one cysteine was mutated into arginine in the y-type subunit. Site-directed mutagenesis technology was applied to verify the function of gene Glu-Dt1. Three introgression lines (ILs), B9, B25, and B35 with the Glu-D1 loci substituted by Glu-Dt1 were detected from the BC3F5 population derived from hexaploid wheat cultivar Jimai22 and Ae. tauschii Y215 through the direct hybridization approach. The dough quality and agronomic performance analysis were performed, which provide valuable resources for wheat genetic studies and breeding for distinctive end-use quality.
Perioperative Antibiotics in Appendicitis—Do We Need to Adjust Therapy for the Elderly? A Matched Pair Analysis
Authors: Strohäker Jens , Brüschke Martin , Leser Nora , Königsrainer Alfred , Ladurner Ruth , Bachmann Robert
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: Perioperative Antibiotics for acute complicated appendicitis are a standard of care. While there are plenty of trials for pediatric patients, data for elderly patients are scarce. The goal of our study was to evaluate whether elderly patients carry more resistant bacteria and thus have less favorable outcomes after an appendectomy that may warrant intensified perioperative antibiotic treatment (2) We present a retrospective single-center matched pair (139 patients each) analysis of perioperative and microbiological outcomes of an elderly appendicitis cohort (i.e., older than 60 years) compared with a younger adult cohort (i.e., ≤60 years). Both groups were matched one for one according to gender, duration of symptoms, c-reactive protein at presentation and whether they presented with uncomplicated or complicated appendicitis. (3) Results: After matching, complicated appendicitis was present in 76.3% of both groups. Elderly patients more frequently received preoperative diagnostic CT (p < 0.001) than the young. Both operative strategy (laparoscopic appendectomy in 92.1% each) and duration of surgery (57 vs. 56 min) were equal in both groups. Postoperative antibiotics were prescribed in ~57% for a median of 3 days in both groups and antibiotic selection was similar. The incidence of surgical site infections was higher in the young (12.2% vs. 7.9%) yet not significant. There was no difference in culture positivity or bacterial spectrum and the elderly cohort did not present with increased resistant bacterial isolates. (4) Conclusions: While overall resistant bacterial strains were rare, perioperative outcomes between the young and the elderly did not differ and did neither warrant longer nor intensified antibiotic treatment.
Molecular Epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA in Bedridden Patients and Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities
Authors: Silva Lucas Porangaba , Fortaleza Carlos Magno Castelo Branco , Teixeira Nathalia Bibiana , Silva Luís Thadeo Poianas , de Angelis Carolina Destro , Ribeiro de Souza da Cunha Maria de Lourdes
Published: November 2022

At present, multidrug-resistant microorganisms are already responsible for community-acquired infections. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious public health risk worldwide because of the rapid spread and diversification of pandemic clones that are characterized by increasing virulence and antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with nasal, oral and rectal carriage of S. aureus and MRSA in bedridden patients and residents of long-term care facilities for the elderly (LTCFs) in Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Nasal, oral and rectal swab isolates obtained from 226 LTCF residents or home-bedridden patients between 2017 and 2018 were submitted to susceptibility testing, detection of the mecA gene, SCCmec characterization, and molecular typing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with the presence of S. aureus and MRSA. The prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA was 33.6% (n = 76) and 8% (n = 18), respectively. At the nine LTCFs studied, the prevalence of S. aureus ranged from 16.6% to 85.7% and that of MRSA from 13.3% to 25%. Living in an LTCF, male gender, a history of surgeries, and a high Charlson Comorbidity Index score were risk factors associated with S. aureus carriage, while MRSA carriage was positively associated with male gender. This study showed a high prevalence of S. aureus among elderly residents of small (<15 residents) and medium-sized (15–49 residents) LTCFs and a higher prevalence of MRSA in the oropharynx.
Studies of the Specific Activity of Aerosolized Isoniazid against Tuberculosis in a Mouse Model
Authors: Valiulin Sergey V. , Onischuk Andrey A. , Baklanov Anatoly M. , Dubtsov Sergey N. , Dultseva Galina G. , An’kov Sergey V. , Tolstikova Tatiana G. , Belogorodtsev Sergey N. , Schwartz Yakov Sh.
Published: November 2022

The aerosol inhalation delivery of isoniazid in mice was investigated, and the specific activity of the aerosol form of isoniazid was studied with the mouse model of tuberculosis infection, the M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain. Aerosol delivery was performed using a laminar-flow horizontal nucleation chamber. The inhalation dose was measured in real-time mode using a diffusion aerosol spectrometer. The mean particle diameter was 0.6 ± 0.03 μm, and the inhalation dose was 5–9 mg/kg. Pharmacokinetic measurements were carried out in nose-only and whole-body chambers. Isoniazid concentration in blood serum and its mass in the lungs were measured as a function of time using high-performance liquid chromatography. Studies of the specific activity of aerosolized isoniazid reveal that treatment with the aerosol lead to the complete recovery of the experimental tuberculosis infection as early as after 28 days after the start of inhalation treatment, while in the animals from the group receiving isoniazid per-orally, sole revivable tuberculosis mycobacteria were detected. Histologic examinations show that only a few macrophagal (nonspecific) granulomas without mycobacteria were detected in the spleen after per-oral and aerosol treatment, the number of granulomas on the 28th day being three times smaller in the latter case. The results show that the developed technique of isoniazid aerosol inhalation may have clinical potential.
Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of Nebulized Colistimethate Sodium Using Two Different Types of Nebulizers in Critically Ill Patients with Ventilator-Associated Respiratory Infections
Authors: Kyriakoudi Anna , Pontikis Konstantinos , Valsami Georgia , Avgeropoulou Stavrina , Neroutsos Efthymios , Christodoulou Eirini , Moraitou Eleni , Markantonis Sophia L. , Dokoumetzidis Aristides , Rello Jordi , Koutsoukou Antonia
Published: November 2022

Background: Rising antimicrobial resistance has led to a revived interest in inhaled colistin treatment in the critically ill patient with ventilator-associated respiratory infection (VARI). Nebulization via vibrating mesh nebulizers (VMNs) is considered the current standard-of-care, yet the use of generic jet nebulizers (JNs) is more widespread. Few data exist on the intrapulmonary pharmacokinetics of colistin when administered through VMNs, while there is a complete paucity regarding the use of JNs. Methods: In this study, 18 VARI patients who received 2 million international units of inhaled colistimethate sodium (CMS) through a VMN were pharmacokinetically compared with six VARI patients who received the same drug dose through a JN, in the absence of systemic CMS administration. Results: Surprisingly, VMN and JN led to comparable formed colistin exposures in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) (median (IQR) AUC0–24: 86.2 (46.0–185.9) mg/L∙h with VMN and 91.5 (78.1–110.3) mg/L∙h with JN). The maximum ELF concentration was 10.4 (4.7–22.6) mg/L and 7.4 (6.2–10.3) mg/L, respectively. Conclusions: Based on our results, JN might be considered a viable alternative to the theoretically superior VMN. Therapeutic drug monitoring in the ELF can be advised due to the observed low exposure, high variability, and appreciable systemic absorption.
Removal of Antibiotic Resistance Genes, Class 1 Integrase Gene and Escherichia coli Indicator Gene in a Microalgae-Based Wastewater Treatment System
Authors: Inuwa Abdullahi B. , Mahmood Qaisar , Iqbal Jamshed , Widemann Emilie , Shafiq Sarfraz , Irshad Muhammad , Irshad Usman , Iqbal Akhtar , Hafeez Farhan , Nazir Rashid
Published: November 2022

Microalgae-based wastewater treatment systems (AWWTS) have recently shown promise in the mitigation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from municipal wastewater (MWW). However, due to the large number of ARGs that exist in MWW, the use of indirect conventional water quality parameters to monitor ARGs reduction in wastewater would make the process less burdensome and economically affordable. In order to establish a robust relationship between the ARGs and water quality parameters, the current study employed different microalgae strains in monoculture (CM2, KL10) and multi-species combinations (CK and WW) for the MWW treatment under outdoor environmental conditions. The studied genes were quantified in the MWW influents and effluents using real-time PCR. All the cultures substantially improved the physicochemical qualities of the MWW. Out of the 14 genes analyzed in this study, tetO, tetW, tetX and ermB were decreased beyond detection within the first 4 days of treatment in all the cultures. Other genes, including blaCTX, sul1, cmlA, aadA, int1 and uidA were also decreased beyond a 2 log reduction value (LRV). The mobile genetic element, int1, correlated positively with most of the ARGs, especially sul1 (r ≤ 0.99, p < 0.01) and aadA (r ≤ 0.97, p < 0.01). Similarly, the Escherichia coli indicator gene, uidA, correlated positively with the studied genes, especially with aadA, blaCTX, blaTEM and cmlA (r ≤ 0.99 for each, p < 0.01). Some of the studied genes also correlated positively with total dissolved solids (TDS) (r ≤ 0.98, p < 0.01), and/or negatively with total suspended solids (TSS) (r ≤ −0.98, p < 0.01) and pH (r ≤ −0.98, p < 0.01). Among the tested cultures, both monocultures, i.e., KL10 and CM2 were found to be more consistent in gene suppression than their multi-species counterparts. The findings revealed water quality parameters such as TDS, TSS and E. coli as reliable proxies for ARGs mitigation in AWWTS and further highlight the superiority of monocultures over multi-species cultures in terms of gene suppression from the MWW stream.
The Impact of RES Development in Poland on the Change of the Energy Generation Profile and Reduction of CO2 Emissions
Authors: Kulpa Jarosław , Olczak Piotr , Stecuła Kinga , Sołtysik Maciej
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic with subsequent economic fluctuations during consecutive epidemics waves and preventive measures in the form of lockdowns, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have had a meaningful impact on the European economy, including the energy market. These events have caused an increase in the prices of many products, including fossil fuels, and also a lack of their availability. The changes inspired the authors to conduct research on the current situation in Poland in the field of renewable energy and coal. The paper describes the research on the impact of the development of RES (mainly photovoltaic sources) on the change in the energy generation profile in the case of Poland. The article analyzes the impact of RES (renewable energy sources) on the reduction of CO2 emissions. The conducted analysis was based on the historical similarity of the replacement of conventional (carbon) sources by PV (photovoltaics) by determining in how many cases (%), a specific carbon source will be displaced. Based on the prepared forecast, it was determined that by the end of the year, the installed capacity in PV will reach the level of 11,213 MWp (in wind energy, it will be 7875 MWp). Replacement (reduction of consumption) of approximately 1.5 million Mg of hard coal and 2.87 million Mg of lignite was concluded to be possible (~4.4% and 6.3% of the hard-coal and lignite volume used for energy production). Limiting this volume of hard coal and lignite will also reduce CO2 emissions in the entire NPS by 5.24 million Mg (−5%) in 2022.
Evaluation of the Soil Thrust on Continuous Tracks Considering Independent Soil Shearing by Grousers
Authors: Baek Sung-Ha , Bong Taeho , Cho Jinwoo , Shin Gyu-Beom
Published: November 2022

Soil thrust is a traction force of an off-road tracked vehicle. Existing soil thrust assessment methods assume that a continuous shear failure plane exists along the soil-track interface. However, recent experimental works revealed that the soil beneath the track is divided into soil blocks; each soil block is sheared independently. This study proposed a new total soil thrust assessment method based on the block-shaped failure mechanism, and the total soil thrust predicted by the proposed and the existing methods was compared. The results showed that the existing method showed a greater maximum soil thrust at a lower slip rate than the proposed method. When the soil exhibited a hardening behavior, the total soil thrust in the existing method was always greater than that in the proposed method. However, when the soil exhibited softening behavior or hump behavior, the total soil thrust in the existing method was greater than that in the proposed method until a specific slip ratio, after which the latter became greater. Unlike the existing method, the proposed method can consider the difference in soil thrust with the grouser shape ratio, showing that the total soil thrust increased as the grouser height increased and the shape ratio decreased.
Thermo-Hydrodynamic Analysis of Low-Temperature Supercritical Helium Spiral-Grooved Face Seals: Large Ambient Temperature Gradient
Authors: Wang Rong , Bai Shaoxian
Published: November 2022

Hhighly efficient and reliable sealing technology is essential to improve the efficiency of precooled aeroengines. To explore the effects of large ambient temperature gradients on the sealing performance, the thermo-hydrodynamic characteristics of a supercritical helium spiral-grooved face seal were studied numerically, under low-temperature conditions. Considering the real gas effect of helium, the thermal deformations of the seal were analyzed numerically, under different temperature gradients. Additionally, the distributions of the pressure, temperature, and film thickness of the gas film were calculated, and the sealing performances of the seal under a wide range of working conditions were evaluated simultaneously. Results showed that a turning point occurred at the sealing pressure of 1.6 MPa in both the dynamic pressure effect and temperature rise of the gas film under the ambient-temperature gradient, leading to the transformation of the sealing gap, from convergent to divergent. The temperature gradient contributed to decreasing the thermal deformation and improving the sealing performance of the face seal. As the temperature gradient increased, although a mutational phenomenon existed near the sealing temperature of 250 K with both the dynamic pressure effect and the temperature rise, the variation of the opening force was within 120 N and the leakage was more than halved, indicating the broad application prospects of gas face seals in precooled aeroengine systems.
Deep 3D Convolutional Neural Network for Facial Micro-Expression Analysis from Video Images
Authors: Talluri Kranthi Kumar , Fiedler Marc-André , Al-Hamadi Ayoub
Published: November 2022

Micro-expression is the involuntary emotion of the human that reflects the genuine feelings that cannot be hidden. Micro-expression is exhibited by facial expressions that last for a short duration and have very low intensity. Because of these reasons, micro-expression recognition is a challenging task. Recent research on the application of 3D convolutional neural networks (CNNs) has gained much popularity for video-based micro-expression analysis. For this purpose, both spatial as well as temporal features are of great importance to achieve high accuracies. The real possibly suppressed emotions of a person are valuable information for a variety of applications, such as in security, psychology, neuroscience, medicine and many other disciplines. This paper proposes a 3D CNN model architecture which is able to extract spatial and temporal features simultaneously. Thereby, the selection of the frame sequence plays a crucial role, since the emotions are only distinctive in a subset of the frames. Thus, we employ a novel pre-processing technique to select the Apex frame sequence from the entire video, where the timestamp of the most pronounced emotion is centered within this sequence. After an extensive evaluation including many experiments, the results show that the train–test split evaluation is biased toward a particular split and cannot be recommended in case of small and imbalanced datasets. Instead, a stratified K-fold evaluation technique is utilized to evaluate the model, which proves to be much more appropriate when using the three benchmark datasets CASME II, SMIC, and SAMM. Moreover, intra-dataset as well as cross-dataset evaluations were conducted in a total of eight different scenarios. For comparison purposes, two networks from the state of the art were reimplemented and compared with the presented architecture. In stratified K-fold evaluation, our proposed model outperforms both reimplemented state-of-the-art methods in seven out of eight evaluation scenarios.
Ultra-Short-Term Continuous Time Series Prediction of Blockchain-Based Cryptocurrency Using LSTM in the Big Data Era
Authors: Kim Yongjun , Byun Yung-Cheol
Published: November 2022

This study uses the API of Upbit, one of Korea’s cryptocurrency exchanges, to predict continuous time series for a limited period and cryptocurrencies using LSTM, a machine learning technique. The trading (buying and selling) point algorithm presented in this study was used to conduct experimental research on efficient profit creation for cryptocurrency investment. Several related studies have shown the results of time series prediction for long-term forecasts, such as a week or several months. Still, they have not attempted to make an ultra-short-term prediction in units of one minute. This paper attempts such a 1 min prediction. This is an experiment to create efficient profits by setting efficient trading (buying and selling) points using machine learning techniques and repeating these operations by an algorithm. Applying it to cryptocurrency shows the possibility of time series prediction.
Project Success Criteria Evaluation for a Project-Based Organization and Its Stakeholders—A Q-Methodology Approach
Authors: Sastoque-Pinilla Leonardo , Artelt Sascha , Burimova Aleksandra , Lopez de Lacalle Norberto , Toledo-Gandarias Nerea
Published: November 2022

The criteria that define project success change from one project to another, also from organization to organization, making success contextual for both the project organization and its stakeholders. This paper proposes a way to bridge this gap between what project success means to an organization and to its stakeholders in the context of Research and Development (R&D) projects. To achieve this, the available literature on project success has been analyzed to convert the different aspects identified into tangible units, allowing us to define and analyze the success criteria of a project in different dimensions. Subsequently, using Q-Methodology, which allowed us to determine among subjective opinions of Project Managers (PMs) of a project-based organization and their internal stakeholders, we will determine which criteria, within the previously identified dimensions, they consider as the most important for the success of a project, aiming to identify common success criteria that can be measured and controlled in the projects. Achieving the project goal, customer satisfaction regarding the quality of the activities, and knowledge generation turned out to be the most important criteria for PMs and stakeholders.