bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating resource recovery process and watershed modelling to facilitate decision-making regarding bio-fertilizer production and application
Authors: Vaneeckhaute Céline
Published: February 2021

Waste management strategies such as anaerobic digestion and composting produce bio-based fertilizer products that could be applied to agricultural soil. Although multiple modelling software tools are available to simulate the environmental effect of fertilizer application to the soil, these models do not allow specification of emerging bio-based fertilizer types. Moreover, mathematical process models exist that allow optimizing the operational settings of waste management processes in order to produce an optimal bio-fertilizer quality adjusted to the local market needs. If an integrated tool would be available that couples process modelling to watershed modelling, the valorization chain could be simulated as a whole, i.e. the bio-fertilizer type and composition could be adjusted to the local watershed and environmental impacts of bio-based fertilizer production and application could more easily be assessed and controlled. The availability of such integrated tool may as such allow for improved decision and policy making regarding bio-fertilizer production and application with environmental benefits as a result.
Scalable distributed gate-model quantum computers
Authors: Gyongyosi Laszlo , Imre Sandor
Published: February 2021

A scalable model for a distributed quantum computation is a challenging problem due to the complexity of the problem space provided by the diversity of possible quantum systems, from small-scale quantum devices to large-scale quantum computers. Here, we define a model of scalable distributed gate-model quantum computation in near-term quantum systems of the NISQ (noisy intermediate scale quantum) technology era. We prove that the proposed architecture can maximize an objective function of a computational problem in a distributed manner. We study the impacts of decoherence on distributed objective function evaluation.
Fluid–structure interactions (FSI) based study of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) uptake in the left coronary artery
Authors: Chen Xueping , Zhuang Jian , Huang Huanlei , Wu Yueheng
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of the different physical factors on low-density lipoproteins (LDL) accumulation from flowing blood to the arterial wall of the left coronary arteries. The three-dimensional (3D) computational model of the left coronary arterial tree is reconstructed from a patient-specific computed tomography angiography (CTA) image. The endothelium of the coronary artery is represented by a shear stress dependent three-pore model. Fluid–structure interaction ($$FSI$$

FSI

) based numerical method is used to study the LDL transport from vascular lumen into the arterial wall. The results show that the high elastic property of the arterial wall decreases the complexity of the local flow field in the coronary bifurcation system. The places of high levels of LDL uptake coincide with the regions of low wall shear stress. In addition, hypertension promotes LDL uptake from flowing blood in the arterial wall, while the thickened arterial wall decreases this process. The present computer strategy combining the methods of coronary CTA image 3D reconstruction, $$FSI$$

FSI

simulation, and three-pore modeling was illustrated to be effective on the simulation of the distribution and the uptake of LDL. This may have great potential for the early prediction of the local atherosclerosis lesion in the human left coronary artery.
Automatic multilabel detection of ICD10 codes in Dutch cardiology discharge letters using neural networks
Authors: Sammani Arjan , Bagheri Ayoub , van der Heijden Peter G. M. , te Riele Anneline S. J. M. , Baas Annette F. , Oosters C. A. J. , Oberski Daniel , Asselbergs Folkert W.
Published: February 2021

Standard reference terminology of diagnoses and risk factors is crucial for billing, epidemiological studies, and inter/intranational comparisons of diseases. The International Classification of Disease (ICD) is a standardized and widely used method, but the manual classification is an enormously time-consuming endeavor. Natural language processing together with machine learning allows automated structuring of diagnoses using ICD-10 codes, but the limited performance of machine learning models, the necessity of gigantic datasets, and poor reliability of terminal parts of these codes restricted clinical usability. We aimed to create a high performing pipeline for automated classification of reliable ICD-10 codes in the free medical text in cardiology. We focussed on frequently used and well-defined three- and four-digit ICD-10 codes that still have enough granularity to be clinically relevant such as atrial fibrillation (I48), acute myocardial infarction (I21), or dilated cardiomyopathy (I42.0). Our pipeline uses a deep neural network known as a Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit Neural Network and was trained and tested with 5548 discharge letters and validated in 5089 discharge and procedural letters. As in clinical practice discharge letters may be labeled with more than one code, we assessed the single- and multilabel performance of main diagnoses and cardiovascular risk factors. We investigated using both the entire body of text and only the summary paragraph, supplemented by age and sex. Given the privacy-sensitive information included in discharge letters, we added a de-identification step. The performance was high, with F1 scores of 0.76–0.99 for three-character and 0.87–0.98 for four-character ICD-10 codes, and was best when using complete discharge letters. Adding variables age/sex did not affect results. For model interpretability, word coefficients were provided and qualitative assessment of classification was manually performed. Because of its high performance, this pipeline can be useful to decrease the administrative burden of classifying discharge diagnoses and may serve as a scaffold for reimbursement and research applications.
Applications of digital health for public health responses to COVID-19: a systematic scoping review of artificial intelligence, telehealth and related technologies
Authors: Gunasekeran Dinesh Visva , Tseng Rachel Marjorie Wei Wen , Tham Yih-Chung , Wong Tien Yin
Published: February 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has overwhelmed healthcare services, faced with the twin challenges in acutely meeting the medical needs of patients with COVID-19 while continuing essential services for non-COVID-19 illnesses. The need to re-invent, re-organize and transform healthcare and co-ordinate clinical services at a population level is urgent as countries that controlled initial outbreaks start to experience resurgences. A wide range of digital health solutions have been proposed, although the extent of successful real-world applications of these technologies is unclear. This study aims to review applications of artificial intelligence (AI), telehealth, and other relevant digital health solutions for public health responses in the healthcare operating environment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic scoping review was performed to identify potentially relevant reports. Key findings include a large body of evidence for various clinical and operational applications of telehealth (40.1%, n = 99/247). Although a large quantity of reports investigated applications of artificial intelligence (AI) (44.9%, n = 111/247) and big data analytics (36.0%, n = 89/247), weaknesses in study design limit generalizability and translation, highlighting the need for more pragmatic real-world investigations. There were also few descriptions of applications for the internet of things (IoT) (2.0%, n = 5/247), digital platforms for communication (DC) (10.9%, 27/247), digital solutions for data management (DM) (1.6%, n = 4/247), and digital structural screening (DS) (8.9%, n = 22/247); representing gaps and opportunities for digital public health. Finally, the performance of digital health technology for operational applications related to population surveillance and points of entry have not been adequately evaluated.
Specific PIP2 binding promotes calcium activation of TMEM16A chloride channels
Authors: Jia Zhiguang , Chen Jianhan
Published: February 2021

TMEM16A is a widely expressed Ca2+-activated Cl−channel that regulates crucial physiological functions including fluid secretion, neuronal excitability, and smooth muscle contraction. There is a critical need to understand the molecular mechanisms of TMEM16A gating and regulation. However, high-resolution TMEM16A structures have failed to reveal an activated state with an unobstructed permeation pathway even with saturating Ca2+. This has been attributed to the requirement of PIP2for preventing TMEM16A desensitization. Here, atomistic simulations show that specific binding of PIP2to TMEM16A can lead to spontaneous opening of the permeation pathway in the Ca2+-bound state. The predicted activated state is highly consistent with a wide range of mutagenesis and functional data. It yields a maximal Cl−conductance of ~1 pS, similar to experimental estimates, and recapitulates the selectivity of larger SCN−over Cl−. The resulting molecular mechanism of activation provides a basis for understanding the interplay of multiple signals in controlling TMEM16A channel function.
Three-color plasmon-mediated reduction of diazonium salts over metasurfaces
Authors: Therien Denis A. B. , McRae Danielle M. , Mangeney Claire , Félidj Nordin , Lagugné-Labarthet François
Published: February 2021

Surface plasmon-mediated chemical reactions are of great interest for a variety of applications ranging from micro- and nanoscale device fabrication to chemical reactions of societal interest for hydrogen production or carbon reduction.
Bio-oil and biochar production from halophyte biomass: effects of pre-treatment and temperature on Salicornia bigelovii pyrolysis
Authors: Iaccarino Alessia , Gautam Ribhu , Sarathy S. Mani
Published: February 2021

This study reveals the potential of Salicornia bigelovii for producing valuable products via pyrolysis. The presence of metals in the ash inhibited decarboxylation and dehydration during pyrolysis and increased the yield of bio-oil.
Photo-induced weak base-catalyzed synthesis of α-haloboronates from vinylboronates and polyfluoroalkyl halides
Authors: Fang Tongchang , Qiu Jian , Yang Kai , Song Qiuling
Published: February 2021

An unprecedented strategy for the synthesis of sp2-α-haloboronates has been developed. Unique KOAc catalytic system, high synthetic application value of the product and no participation of metal constitute the notable features of this reaction.
Correction: The metabolomic analysis of five Mentha species: cytotoxicity, anti-Helicobacter assessment, and the development of polymeric micelles for enhancing the anti-Helicobacter activity
Authors: Bakr Riham O. , Tawfike Ahmed F. , El-Gizawy Heba A. , Tawfik Nashwa , Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan , Abdelwahab Miada F. , Alshareef Walaa A. , Fayez Sahar M. , El-Mancy Shereen M. S. , El-Fishawy Ahlam M. , Abdelkawy Mostafa A. , Fayed Marwa A. A.
Published: February 2021

Correction for ‘The metabolomic analysis of five Mentha species: cytotoxicity, anti-Helicobacter assessment, and the development of polymeric micelles for enhancing the anti-Helicobacter activity’ by Riham O. Bakr et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 7318–7330, DOI: 10.1039/D0RA09334C.
Ensemble learning‐based classification of microarray cancer data on tree‐based features
Authors: Dagnew Guesh , Shekar B.H.
Published: February 2021

Cancer is a group of related diseases with high mortality rate characterized by abnormal cell growth which attacks the body tissues. Microarray cancer data is a prominent research topic across many disciplines focused to address problems related to the higher curse of dimensionality, a small number of samples, noisy data and imbalance class. A random forest (RF) tree‐based feature selection and ensemble learning based on hard voting and soft voting is proposed to classify microarray cancer data using six different base classifiers. The selected features due to RF tree are submitted to the base classifiers as the training set. Then, an ensemble learning method is applied to the base classifiers in which case each base classifier predicts class label individually. The final prediction is carried out hard and soft voting techniques that use majority voting and weighted probability on the test set. The proposed ensemble learning method is validated on eight different standard microarray cancer datasets, of which three of the datasets are binary class and the remaining five datasets are multi‐class datasets. Experimental results of the proposed method show 1.00 classification accuracy on six of the datasets and 0.96 on two of the datasets.
Relay selection for spatially random full‐duplex cooperative non‐orthogonal multiple access networks
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Jia Min , Ho Ivan Wang‐Hei , Guo Qing , Lau Francis Chung‐Ming
Published: February 2021

This paper investigates the relay selection problem and proposes a three‐stage relay selection strategy with power allocation (TRSPA) for a spectrum‐sensing‐based full‐duplex (FD) user relaying cooperative non‐orthogonal multiple access (CNOMA) scheme. Uniformly‐distributed strong user relays in the investigated scheme help a weak user communicates with the base station in an efficient and reliable way. The proposed TRSPA strategy maximizes the transmission data rate of the selected relay while ensuring successful transmissions for the weak user by precisely narrowing down relay candidates step‐by‐step and dynamically allocating optimal power coefficients. Exact and asymptotic outage probabilities and ergodic rates are worked out. Accordingly, diversity orders and spatial multiplexing gains are derived. We further exploit the impact of self‐interference (SI) on TRSPA for FD‐CNOMA and then compare its performance with TRSPA applied in other relaying modes, that is half‐duplex and orthogonal multiple access. Finally, simulation results reveal that: (i) theoretical derivation results are correct; (ii) TRSPA always outperforms other relay selection strategies in terms of outage probability and ergodic rate; and (iii) TRSPA for FD‐CNOMA in a real‐world scenario achieves better performance than other relaying modes in spite of the adverse effect of SI in FD mode.
Bow image retrieval method based on SSD target detection
Authors: Liao Kaiyang , Fan Bing , Zheng Yuanlin , Lin Guangfeng , Cao Congjun
Published: February 2021

The query image is usually a simple and single object in image retrieval, and the reference images in the database usually have many distractions. The precision of image retrieval can be greatly improved If the target regions in the database image are extracted during retrieval. So this paper proposes a Bow image retrieval method based on SSD target detection. First, the training gallery is manually annotated to record the location and size information. Second, the SSD target detection model is trained with the labeled training gallery to obtain the target object SSD model. Third, the SSD model is used to locate the similar target regions of the reference image and the query graph. Finally, the target region information is mapped into the convolutional features, and these feature vectors are used for image similarity matching. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated on Paris6k, Oxford5k, Paris106k and Oxford105k databases. The experimental results show that the accuracy of image retrieval will be greatly improved by adding optimization methods in the proposed image retrieval framework. The image retrieval accuracy of this method is higher than that of similar methods in recent years.
Cervical cancer detection in cervical smear images using deep pyramid inference with refinement and spatial‐aware booster
Authors: Ma Dongyang , Liu Jinhua , Li Jing , Zhou Yuanfeng
Published: February 2021

With the development of artificial intelligence and image processing technology, more and more intelligent diagnosis technologies are used in cervical cancer screening. Among them, the detection of cervical lesions by thin liquid‐based cytology is the most common method for cervical cancer screening. At present, most cervical cancer detection algorithms use the object detection technology of natural images, and often only minor modifications are made while ignoring the specificity of the complex application scenario of cervical lesions detection in cervical smear images. In this study, the authors combine the domain knowledge of cervical cancer detection and the characteristics of pathological cells to design a network and propose a booster for cervical cancer detection (CCDB). The booster mainly consists of two components: the refinement module and the spatial‐aware module. The characteristics of cancer cells are fully considered in the booster, and the booster is light and transplantable. As far as the authors know, they are the first to design a CCDB according to the characteristics of cervical cancer cells. Compared with baseline (Retinanet), the sensitivity at four false positives per image and average precision of the proposed method are improved by 2.79 and 7.2%, respectively.
A novel denoising algorithm for medical images based on the non‐convex non‐local similar adaptive regularization
Authors: Tian Lin , Miao Jiaqing , Zhou Xiaobing , Wang Chao
Published: February 2021

Sparse representation is a powerful statistical image modelling technique and has been successfully applied to image denoising. For a given patch, a non‐convex non‐local similarity adaptive method is adopted for sparse representation of images. First, it uses the autoregressive model to perform dictionary learning from sample patch datasets. Second, the sparse representation of an image introduces non‐convex non‐local self‐similarity as the regularization term. In order to make better use of the sparse regularization method for image denoising, the parameters used in this study are estimated using adaptive methods. This model is more efficient and accurate, Compared with K‐means singular value decomposition (KSVD) algorithm, a generalized K‐means clustering method, total variation of population sparsity (GSTV) algorithm, adaptive sparse domain selection (ASDS) algorithm, forward denoising convolutional neural network (DnCNNs), a fast and flexible Convolutional Neural Network image denoising method (FFNNet) and operator‐splitting algorithm to minimize the Euler elastica functional (OSEEF). Image noise‐reduction experiments confirmed that using the adaptive regularization method, the results in peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and visual opinion are better than other algorithms.
Quasi‐3D magnetic field simulation of superconducting devices with translational symmetry
Authors: D'Angelo Laura A. M. , De Gersem Herbert
Published: February 2021

This work presents a quasi‐three‐dimensional (Q3D) approach for the magnetic field simulation in superconducting devices. First‐order two‐dimensional finite‐element edge functions in the model's cross‐section are combined with one‐dimensional orthogonal polynomials along the longitudinal direction. The interfilament coupling currents arising in superconducting multi‐filament materials are modelled by taking the associated magnetization into account. For this formulation, the Q3D ansatz is elaborated, verificated and applied to a superconducting cable model. In the end, the approach is compared to a conventional three‐dimensional finite‐element method against which the proposed Q3D method demonstrates a superior computational efficiency.
L’imagerie numérique : outil de la gestion thérapeutique des dents incluses
Authors: Le Gall Michel , Dubernard Charles , Philip-Alliez Camille
Published: February 2021

Le traitement avec dégagement chirurgical et mise en place orthodontique de canines incluses étant complexe, la décision thérapeutique finale doit s’appuyer sur une concertation pluridisciplinaire impliquant l’orthodontiste et le praticien responsable de l’acte chirurgical. Pour améliorer le pronostic et réduire les échecs et ré-interventions, une appréciation initiale précise de la localisation de la dent, de la présence de résorption initiale, de la direction de traction et de l’ancrage nécessaire, est indispensable.

Lorsque l’imagerie conventionnelle ne fournit pas toutes les informations souhaitées, une analyse tridimensionnelle peut être recommandée afin de mieux localiser une dent incluse et mieux visualiser les structures associées. La sensibilité diagnostique de la radiologie conventionnelle étant peu élevée pour la détection de résorptions des dents adjacentes, le scanner augmente celle-ci de 50% en moyenne. Le cone beam peut être proposéafin d’améliorer la prise en charge du patient en se substituant au scanner plus irradiant.

L’imagerie médicale en reconstruction 3D est non seulement une aide pour l’orthodontiste de façon à visualiser et mettre en place la mécanique la plus adaptée compte tenu du contexte mais sert aussi au praticien qui va réaliser l’acte de façon à optimiser sa procédure de dégagement (respect des structures environnantes) pour le bien du patient.
Le Deep Learning en orthodontie : vers une relation patient-praticien repensée…
Authors: Foucart Jean-Michel , Gillibert Luc , Chavanne Augustin , Ripoche Xavier
Published: February 2021

Depuis une dizaine d’année, l’Intelligence artificielle (IA) transforme progressivement les pratiques, la médecine aussi bien que l’orthodontie n’échappent pas à cette règle. Dès lors, se pose la question de la place de cette technologie au sein de la pratique quotidienne; et ce à toutes les étapes de la prise en charge thérapeutique.

Cette technologie simplifie l’analyse du nombre croissant de données de plus en plus complexes dont nous disposons, notamment à travers le scanner optique intra-oral, le scanner facial ou la radiographie 3D. Pour savoir l’exploiter, il est nécessaire d’en connaître ses différents principes.

L’objectif de ce travail est, après avoir introduit les bases du Deep Learning qui s’appuie les réseaux neuronaux virtuels, d’aborder quelles sont les applications actuelles de cette technologie en médecine bucco-dentaire et en orthodontie.

La connaissance des dernières recherches et des derniers résultats obtenus permet alors d’envisager la future relation praticien-machine dans le cadre d’une approche personnalisée et repensée autour du patient.
Akutes Nierenversagen bei Neugeborenen als Risikofaktor für die chronische Niereninsuffizienz
Authors: Scheerer Moritz , Oh Jun
Published: February 2021

Die akute Nierenschädigung (AKI) stellt ein Risiko für Frühgeborene und Säuglinge mit sehr niedrigem Geburtsgewicht dar. Durch die seit 2013 genutzte, einheitliche Definition der Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 1 konnten in den letzten Jahren das Verständnis über die Prävalenz und Konsequenzen von AKI deutlich verbessert werden. So können nicht nur validere Aussagen zur akuten Mortalität und Verlängerung von Krankenhausaufenthalten getätigt werden. Gerade auch das erhöhte Risiko für die Entwicklung eines chronischen Nierenversagens mit den einhergehenden Komplikationen rückt im Rahmen aktueller Studien immer weiter in den Fokus 2. Daher möchten wir das Bewusstsein für die potenziellen Konsequenzen einer AKI schärfen, um die Nachsorge und damit auch die Versorgung dieser besonders gefährdeten Patienten zu verbessern.
Heimdialyse
Authors: Taylan Christina , Weber Lutz Thorsten
Published: February 2021

In der Pädiatrie ist die Heimdialyse in Form von Peritonealdialyse seit Langem ein wesentlicher Bestandteil der Behandlung und wird bei der überwiegenden Anzahl, insbesondere bei sehr kleinen Kindern, eingesetzt. Trotz der Risiken, die eine Heimdialysebehandlung beinhaltet, überwiegen die Vorteile. Die Heimhämodialyse hingegen hat aktuell keinen großen Stellenwert in der Behandlung pädiatrischer Dialysepatienten, die Gründe hierfür sind vielfältig. Sie sollte aber in Zukunft mehr Berücksichtigung finden. Der vielfach bewiesene Vorteil der intensivierten Hämodialyse, die im Gegensatz zur Zentrumsdialyse als Heimdialyse logistisch einfacher durchzuführen ist, sollte dazu führen, in Zukunft die Heimdialyseverfahren durch einfacher zu bedienende, kleinere Geräte sowie unterstützende Systeme wie, z. B. Remote-controlled Patientenmanagement-Programme, weiter zu entwickeln.
Gelenksonografie im Treat-to-Target-Konzept bei der juvenilen idiopathischen Arthritis
Authors: Gohar Faekah , Windschall Daniel
Published: February 2021

In unserem Artikel werden aktuelle Bedeutung und Entwicklung der Gelenksonografie als fester Bestandteil eines „Treat-to-Target“-Konzeptes bei der Behandlung der juvenilen idiopathischen Arthritis (JIA) dargestellt und diskutiert. Dabei nimmt die Gelenksonografie neben der klinischen Untersuchung eine entscheidende Rolle in der frühen Diagnosestellung einer JIA ein mit dem Ziel, dem Patienten so früh wie möglich eine effiziente Therapie zukommen zu lassen (Window of Opportunity). Zusätzlich kann die Gelenksonografie, eingebettet in das „Treat-to-Target“-Konzept, eine wichtige Rolle in der Verlaufskontrolle und Evaluation einer subklinischen Entzündungsaktivität spielen. Bisherige etablierte Diagnose-, Verlaufs- und auch Remissionskriterien einer JIA lassen stringente und objektivierbare bildgebende Kriterien vermissen, obwohl sich Qualität und Erfahrung bei der Gelenksonografie stetig verbessern. Neben den sonografischen Kriterien haben sich inzwischen auch verschiedene Biomarker zur Beurteilung der Krankheitsaktivität etabliert. Mit der Entwicklung der Sonografie und sicheren Testung von Biomarkern könnte sich in Zukunft zur frühen Diagnosestellung und sicheren Remissionseinschätzung eine Kombination aus immunologischen und sonografischen Kriterien etablieren, die das bisherige „Treat-to-Target“-Konzept bei der JIA unterstützen und verbessern.
Vierfachregime, Antikörper und CAR-T-Zelltherapien
Authors: Arnheim Katharina
Published: February 2021

Das Multiple Myelom (MM) ist eine die Betroffenen stark und anhaltend belastende Erkrankung. Es ist daher erfreulich, dass sich die therapeutischen Erfolge dank moderner Kombinationsregime mehren. Auf dem virtuellen ASH 2020 wurden Studien zu einer ganzen Reihe von neuen Therapieansätzen vorgestellt.
CRPS und Inaktivitätsosteoporose
Authors: Schultz Katharina
Published: February 2021

Das komplexe regionale Schmerzsyndrom (CRPS) und die Inaktivitätsosteoporose rufen am Knochen eine lokalisierte Osteoporose hervor. Radiologisch ähneln sich die Entitäten stark, wenngleich die Veränderungen beim CRPS deutlich stärker vorhanden sind als bei der Inaktivitätsosteoporose. Entscheidendes Merkmal zur Differenzierung sind Anamnese und klinischer Befund – hier vor allem die Weichteilveränderungen wie Schwellung, Überwärmung, Hyperhidrose, Verfärbung der Haut, die in dieser Form bei einer Inaktivitätsosteoporose nicht zu erwarten sind. Therapeutisch kommt bei beiden Krankheitsbildern eine multifaktorielle Therapie in Betracht, bestehend aus frühfunktioneller Beübung und Mobilisation, Training der Muskulatur sowie ergänzender medikamentöser Therapie mit Bisphosphonaten. Insbesondere beim CRPS spielen auch die Säulen der multimodalen Schmerz- und Verhaltenstherapie eine wichtige Rolle.
Critical fields and features of electromagnetic transport of Bi2Se3 whiskers at low temperatures
Authors: Druzhinin Anatoly , Ostrovskii Igor , Khoverko Yuriy , Liakh-Kaguy Natalia , Mazur Valeria
Published: February 2021

The temperature dependences of resistance of n-type conductivity Bi2Se3 whiskers with doping concentration (1–2)⋅1019 cm−3 were studied in the temperature range 1.6–300 K. The sharp drop of the resistance was detected that is a result of a partial transition to the superconductive state at the critical temperature Tc = 5.3 K and probably due to the inclusion of β-PdBi2 phase in the studied samples. The transverse magnetoresistance of Bi2Se3 whiskers with various concentration of Pd doping impurity corresponding to the metal side of metal-insulator transition was studied in a magnetic field of 0–10 T. Superconductivity suppression effect by the magnetic field was found that permits to create the basic parameters such as the upper critical field Bc2 = 1.5 T, the coherence length of the superconductor ξ (0) = 15 nm and the superconducting gap Δ ≈ 0.8 meV. Studies of the n-type conductivity Bi2Se3 whiskers allow to create on their basis magnetic field sensors with a sensitivity of about 3.5% / T, capable in the temperature range of 4.2–77 K. The investigated crystals can also be used in the magnetic switch-control sensors magnetic switches due to the transition to the superconducting state at the critical temperature Tc, depending on a magnetic field induction.
Adult capture on the nest does not affect hatching success of masked lapwing (
Authors: Lees Daniel , Cardilini Adam P. A. , Sherman Craig D. H. , Dann Peter , Weston Michael A.
Published: February 2021

Abstract Context Capture, measurement, genetic sampling, ringing and flagging of shorebirds on their nests are standard techniques that underpin the study and conservation of these species. However, these techniques may reduce hatching success by compromising parental care or nest crypsis, thereby negatively influencing results, study populations and bird welfare. Only a few studies that examine the effect of capture of shorebirds on subsequent egg hatching success are currently available. Aims To compare the hatching success of masked lapwing (Vanellus miles) nests, at which adult capture and associated techniques (ringing, flagging and bleeding) have occurred, with nests at which these did not occur, on the fox-free Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. Methods Hatching success of masked lapwings was monitored and compared between nests at which adult capture did, and did not, occur. Clutches were aged and age was included in our models to adjust for exposure of clutches to risks such as predators. Key results There was no difference in egg hatching success between nests at which capture occurred and those at which it did not occur: 138 chicks hatched from 178 eggs attended by adults that were captured (77.5% hatched); and 279 chicks hatched from 442 eggs attended by adults that were not captured (63.1%). Conclusion Trapping incubating lapwings using our existing protocols does not compromise egg hatching success, at least where there are no foxes present. Implications Studies of ground-nesting shorebird hatching success in relation to capture can usefully assess for adverse effects of the methods employed. We suggest that further examination of capture of lapwings at the nest be conducted in environments where foxes are present.
Rectal dose-sparing effect with bioabsorbable spacer placement in carbon ion radiotherapy for sacral chordoma: dosimetric comparison of a simulation study
Authors: Shiba Shintaro , Okamoto Masahiko , Tashiro Mutsumi , Ogawa Hiroomi , Osone Katsuya , Yanagawa Takashi , Kohama Isaku , Okazaki Shohei , Miyasaka Yuhei , Osu Naoto , Chikuda Hirotaka , Saeki Hiroshi , Ohno Tatsuya
Published: February 2021

It is difficult to treat patients with an inoperable sarcoma adjacent to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract using carbon ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT), owing to the possible development of serious GI toxicities. In such cases, spacer placement may be useful in physically separating the tumor and the GI tract. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of spacer placement by conducting a simulation study of dosimetric comparison in a patient with sacral chordoma adjacent to the rectum treated with C-ion RT. The sacral chordoma was located in the third to fourth sacral spinal segments, in extensive contact with and compressing the rectum. Conventional C-ion RT was not indicated because the rectal dose would exceed the tolerance dose. Because we chose spacer placement surgery to physically separate the tumor and the rectum before C-ion RT, bioabsorbable spacer sheets were inserted by open surgery. After spacer placement, 67.2 Gy [relative biological effectiveness (RBE)] of C-ion RT was administered. The thickness of the spacer was stable at 13–14 mm during C-ion RT. Comparing the dose–volume histogram (DVH) parameters, Dmax for the rectum was reduced from 67 Gy (RBE) in the no spacer plan (simulation plan) to 45 Gy (RBE) in the spacer placement plan (actual plan) when a prescribed dose was administered to the tumor. Spacer placement was advantageous for irradiating the tumor and the rectum, demonstrated using the DVH parameter analysis.
Emergence and characterization of a putative novel human adenovirus recombinant HAdV-C104 causing pneumonia in Southern China
Authors: Ji Tianxing , Li Ling , Li Wenrui , Zheng Xuehua , Ye Xianmiao , Chen Hongliang , Zhou Qiang , Jia Hongyun , Chen Bo , Lin Zhen , Chen Haoyu , Huang Shiwen , Seto Donald , Chen Ling , Feng Liqiang
Published: February 2021

In 2017, a survey of the molecular epidemiology of human adenovirus (HAdV) infections in Southern China based on hexon and fiber genotype demonstrated that the most prevalent genotypes of HAdV were HAdV-3 (n = 62), HAdV-2 (n = 21), and HAdV-7 (n = 16). In addition, two patients were co-infected with two genotypes of HAdV. Interestingly, a novel human adenovirus C recombinant genotype strain was isolated from one of the pneumonia patients in this survey. Phylogenetic, recombination, and proteotyping analysis showed that this novel pathogen originated from the recombination of parental viruses harboring the HAdV-1 penton and hexon gene, and the HAdV-2 fiber gene. It was named ‘P1H1F2’ and was assigned as HAdV-C104 based on the nomenclature protocol of using three major capsid proteins for characterization. Subsequent in vitro experiments demonstrated that HAdV-C104 had comparable proliferation capacity to HAdV-1, HAdV-2, and another recombination genotype P1H2F2. In addition, the HAdV-C104 infected patient was diagnosed with pneumonia and recovered after antiviral therapy. This report strengthens the hypothesis of recombination as a major pathway for the molecular evolution of HAdV-C species.
Valaciclovir to Prevent Vertical Transmission of Cytomegalovirus After Maternal Primary Infection During Pregnancy: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Shahar-Nissan Keren , Pardo Joseph , Peled Orit , Krause Irit , Bilavsky Efraim , Wiznitzer Arnon , Hadar Eran , Amir Jacob
Published: February 2021

(Abstracted from Lancet 2020;396:779–785)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a congenital infection that has a high rate of maternal morbidity after infection. There is a relatively high rate of vertical transmission to the fetus following a maternal infection of 30% to 40%.
Rethinking Second-Line Therapy for Overactive Bladder to Improve Patient Access to Treatment Options
Authors: Escobar Christina M. , Falk Kerac N. , Mehta Shailja , Hall Evelyn F. , Menhaji Kimia , Sappenfield Elisabeth C. , Brown Oluwateniola E. , Ringel Nancy E. , Chang Olivia H. , Tellechea Laura M. , Barnes Hayley C. , Jeney Sarah E.S. , Bennett Alaina T. , Cardenas-Trowers Olivia O.
Published: February 2021

Idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic condition that negatively affects quality of life, and oral medications are an important component of the OAB treatment algorithm. Recent literature has shown that anticholinergics, the most commonly prescribed oral medication for the treatment of OAB, are associated with cognitive side effects including dementia. β3-adrenoceptor agonists, the only alternative oral treatment for OAB, are similar in efficacy to anticholinergics with a more favorable side effect profile without the same cognitive effects. However, there are marked cost variations and barriers to access for OAB medications, resulting in expensive copays and medication trial requirements that ultimately limit access to β3-adrenoceptor agonists and more advanced procedural therapies. This contributes to and perpetuates health care inequality by burdening the patients with the least resources with a greater risk of dementia. When prescribing these medications, health care professionals are caught in a delicate balancing act between cost and patient safety. Through multilevel collaboration, we can help disrupt health care inequalities and provide better care for patients with OAB.
Breaking Barriers: Studying Fracture Healing in the BONES Program
Authors: Mack Christina D. , Pavesio Alessandra , Kelly Kim , Irwin Debra E. , Maislin Greg , Jones John , Wester Tawana , Zura Robert
Published: February 2021

The Bioventus Observational Noninterventional EXOGEN Studies (BONES) Program includes 3 concurrent studies designed to estimate the incidence of fracture nonunions in patients treated with the EXOGEN Ultrasound Bone Healing System compared with those receiving standard fracture care. This article outlines the design and methodology within the fifth metatarsal fracture study; similar approaches are taken in the second and third BONES Program studies, which examine nonunions of the tibia and scaphoid. The BONES Program is an external comparator design and incorporates several unique, fit-for-purpose components to strengthen the approach and allow it to be submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be considered for a label expansion. BONES consisted of 2 cohorts: (1) EXOGEN-treated patients recruited into a patient registry and (2) comparator patients from a large administrative health claims database. The study used International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, nonunion diagnosis codes reported by the treating clinician for the primary outcome measure. Many data sources (medical and billing records, patient-reported health data, usage data from the device itself, and commercial product complaint system) were used on the registry side, alongside insurance claims data to source the external comparator cohort, to achieve broader understanding of factors predisposing patients to the development of nonunions. In step with the FDA's increasing acceptance of real-world evidence for use in regulatory decision making and coupled with the infeasibility of a randomized clinical trial in this setting, the innovative study design of the BONES Program allowed for both an evaluation of the effect of EXOGEN in mitigating nonunions in a real-world setting and an assessment of the patient experience with EXOGEN treatment.
The Prognostic Value of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring by Combining Somatosensory- and Motor-Evoked Potentials for Thoracic Spinal Decompression Surgery in Patients with Neurological Deficit
Authors: Liu Tun , Dong Buhuai , Qi Huaguang , Yan Liang , Zhao Songchuan , Liu Zhian , Liu Xuemei , Wang Fei , Li Liang , Cai Wenbo , Luo Zhenguo , Wang Gang
Published: February 2021

Study Design.

Retrospective study.

Objective.

To explore a relation between somatosensory- and motor-evoked potential (SEPs, MEPs) and corresponding thoracic cord function for thoracic spinal decompression surgery (TSDS) in patients with neurological deficit.

Summary of Background Data.

Although SEPs and MEPs monitoring has been developed as an essential technique in spinal surgery. There are limited data on the reliability of using SEPs and MEPs for TSDS and its prognosis.

Methods.

One hundred twenty patients underwent TSDS in our hospital, 91 patients completed the trial. All the patients were divided into three subgroups according to the changes of MEPs and SEPs: neither SEPs nor MEP deteriorated -. Simply MEP deteriorated and both SEPs and MEP deteriorated -. Bispectral (BIS) was used to monitor the depth of sedation, which ranged from 40 to 60 by varying the infusion speed of anesthetics. The pre- and postoperative spinal function was assessed by muscle strength and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score at three time points:1) before surgery; 2) immediately after general anesthesia recovery; 3) after 3-month follow-up.

Results.

Sixty-nine cases showed neither SEPs nor MEP deteriorated -, 10 cases showed only MEP deteriorated, and 12 cases showed both SEPs and MEP deteriorated -. The patients in the group where neither SEPs nor MEP deteriorated had the best recovery of the extremity muscle strength, the shortest recovery time (8.10 ± 1.60, P < 0.05), and toe movement time (8.50 ± 1.60, P < 0.05). There is a strong correlation between SEPs variability ratio at T4 time point and JOA recovery ratio (JOA RR) in the 3-month follow-up.

Conclusion.

Combined SEPs and MEPs monitoring are important for TSDS in patients with neurological deficit and it is helpful for evaluating postoperative prognosis. It is more accurate to record SEPs at T4 time point to predict the patients’ prognosis.

Level of Evidence: 3
Does Matching Roussouly Spinal Shape and Improvement in SRS-Schwab Modifier Contribute to Improved Patient-reported Outcomes?
Authors: Passias Peter G. , Pierce Katherine E. , Raman Tina , Bortz Cole , Alas Haddy , Brown Avery , Ahmad Waleed , Naessig Sara , Krol Oscar , Passfall Lara , Kummer Nicholas A. , Lafage Renaud , Lafage Virginie
Published: February 2021

Study Design.

Retrospective review.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of matching Roussouly and improving in Schwab modifier following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery.

Summary of Background Data.

The Roussouly Classification system of sagittal spinal shape and the SRS-Schwab classification system have become important indicators of spine deformity. No previous studies have examined the outcomes of matching both Roussouly type and improving in Schwab modifiers postoperatively.

Methods.

Surgical ASD patients with available baseline (BL) and 1 year (1Y) radiographic data were isolated in the single-center spine database. Patients were classified by their “theoretical” and “current” Roussouly types as previously published. Patients were considered a “Match” if their theoretical and current Roussouly types were the same, or a “Mismatch” if the types differed. Patients were noted as improved if they were Roussouly “Mismatch” preoperatively, and “Match” at 1Y postop. Schwab modifiers at BL were categorized as follows: no deformity (0), moderate deformity (+), and severe deformity (++) for PT, SVA, and PI-LL. Improvement in SRS-Schwab was defined as a decrease in any modifier severity at 1Y.

Results.

103 operative ASD patients (61.8 years, 63.1% female, 30 kg/m2) were included. At baseline, breakdown of “current” Roussouly type was: 28% Type 1, 25.3% Type 2, 32.0% Type 3, 14.7% Type 4. 65.3% of patients were classified as Roussouly “Mismatch” at BL. Breakdown of BL Schwab modifier severity: PT (+: 41.7%, ++: 49.5%), SVA (+: 20.3%, ++: 50%), PI-LL (+: 25.2%, ++: 46.6%). At 1 year postop, 19.2% of patients had Roussouly “Match”. Analysis of Schwab modifiers showed that 12.6% improved in SVA, 42.7% in PI-LL, and 45.6% in PT. Count of patients who both had a Roussouly type “Match” at 1Y and improved in Schwab modifier severity: nine PT (8.7%), eight PI-LL (7.8%), and two SVA (1.9%). There were two patients (1.9%) who met their Roussouly type and improved in all three Schwab. 1Y matched Roussouly patients improved more in health-related quality of life scores (minimal clinically important difference [MCID] for Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], EuroQol-5D-3L [EQ5D], Visual Analogue Score Leg/Back Pain), compared to mismatched, but was not significant (P > 0.05). Match Roussouly and improvement in PT Schwab met MCID for EQ5D more (P = 0.050). Matched Roussouly and improvement in SVA Schwab met MCID for ODI more (P = 0.024).

Conclusion.

Patients who both matched Roussouly sagittal spinal type and improved in SRS-Schwab modifiers had superior patient-reported outcomes. Utilizing both classification systems in surgical decision-making can optimize postop outcomes.

Level of Evidence: 3
The Comparison of Spinopelvic Parameters, Complications, and Clinical Outcomes After Spinal Fusion to S1 with or without Additional Sacropelvic Fixation for Adult Spinal Deformity
Authors: Han Bo , Yin Peng , Hai Yong , Cheng Yunzhong , Guan Li , Liu Yuzeng
Published: February 2021

Study Design.

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective.

The purpose of the study was to compare the outcomes and after spinal fusion with or without iliac screw (IS) insertion for patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD).

Summary of Background Data.

The number of patients undergoing multilevel spinal stabilization for the treatment of ASD is growing. However, the selection of spinopelvic fixation for ASD patients with long fusion is controversial.

Methods.

A comprehensive literature search was performed without time restriction according to the guidelines from the Cochrane Collaboration in May 2020 using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. The comparison of the two types of fixation was evaluated by spinopelvic parameters, incidence rate of complications, rate of revision, and clinical outcomes at the last follow-up.

Results.

The literature search identified 422 records, of which eight studies were included for meta-analysis with a total of 439 patients. All the included studies provided level III evidence. There was no significant difference in the sagittal vertical axis, pelvic incidence, the proximal junctional kyphosis rates, the pseudarthrosis rates, the revision rates, and the clinical outcomes at the last follow-up between those who receive sacrum fixation and sacropelvic fixation. Nevertheless, greater lumbar lordosis (LL) (weighted mean difference [WMD], 4.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.46–5.84, P < 0.01), greater sacral slope (SS) (WMD, 2.32; 95% CI 1.21–3.43, P < 0.01), and lower rate of the distal instrumentation instability (odds ratio, 0.25; 95% CI 0.10–0.61, P = 0.002) were observed in IS group between the comparison.

Conclusion.

The clinical outcomes in the IS group were similar to those in the non-IS group, but the application of the IS significantly restored LL, prevented decompensation, and reduced the occurrence of the distal instrumentation instability. Therefore, the IS may be a good choice for the operative treatment of ASD patients with sagittal malalignment and other risks of lumbosacral fracture, metal breakage, and screw pullout.

Level of Evidence: 3