bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction of symbrachydactyly: a systematic review of surgical options
Authors: Bartsch A. , Nikkhah D. , Miller R. , Mende K. , Hovius S. E. R. , Kaempfen A.
Published: November 2023

Symbrachydactyly is a rare congenital malformation of the hand characterized by short or even absent fingers with or without syndactyly, mostly unilaterally present. The hand condition can vary from a small hand to only nubbins on the distal forearm. This study aims to systematically review the surgical management options for symbrachydactyly and compare functional and aesthetic outcomes.

The review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Literature was systematically assessed searching the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and PROSPERO databases up to January 1, 2023. Studies were identified using synonyms for ‘symbrachydactyly’ and ‘treatment’. Inclusion criteria were the report of outcomes after surgical treatment of symbrachydactyly in humans. Studies were excluded if they were written in another language than English, German, or French. Case reports, letters to the editor, studies on animals, cadaveric, in vitro studies, biomechanical reports, surgical technique description, and papers discussing traumatic or oncologic cases were excluded.

Twenty-four studies published were included with 539 patients (1037 digit corrections). Only one study included and compared two surgical techniques. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score and ranged from 25 to 47. The range of motion was the main reported outcome and demonstrated modest results in all surgical techniques. The report on aesthetics of the hand was limited in non-vascularized transfers to 2/8 studies and in vascularized transfers to 5/8 studies, both reporting satisfactory results. On average, there was a foot donor site complication rate of 22% in non-vascularized transfers, compared to 2% in vascularized transfers. The hand-related complication rate of 54% was much higher in the vascularized group than in the non-vascularized transfer with 16%.

No uniform strategy to surgically improve symbrachydactyly exists. All discussed techniques show limited functional improvement with considerable complication rates, with the vascularized transfer showing relative high hand-related complications and the non-vascularized transfer showing relative high foot-related complications.

There were no high-quality studies, and due to a lack of comparing studies, the data could only be analysed qualitatively. Systematic assessment of studies showed insufficient evidence to determine superiority of any procedure to treat symbrachydactyly due to inadequate study designs and comparative studies. This systematic review was registered at the National Institute for Health Research PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews number: CRD42020153590 and received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Level of evidence

I.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42020153590.
SAMD13 serves as a useful prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yoo Wonbeak , Kim Seokho , Noh KyungHee
Published: November 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer and the 5-year relative overall survival (OS) rate is less than 20%. Since there are no specific symptoms, most patients with HCC are diagnosed in an advanced stage with poor prognosis. Therefore, identifying novel prognostic biomarkers to improve the survival of patients with HCC is urgently needed. In the present study, we attempted to identify SAMD13 (Sterile Alpha Motif Domain-Containing Protein 13) as a novel biomarker associated with the prognosis of HCC using various bioinformatics tools. SAMD13 was found to be highly expressed pan-cancer; however, the SAMD13 expression was significantly correlated with the worst prognosis in HCC. Clinicopathological analysis revealed that SAMD13 upregulation was significantly associated with advanced HCC stage and high-grade tumor type. Simultaneously, high SAMD13 expression resulted in association with various immune markers in the immune cell subsets by TIMER databases and efficacy of immunotherapy. Methylation analysis showed SAMD13 was remarkably associated with prognosis. Furthermore, a six-hub gene signature associated with poor prognosis was correlated with the cell cycle, transcription, and epigenetic regulation and this analysis may support the connection between SAMD13 expression and drug-resistance. Our study illustrated the characteristics of SAMD13 role in patients with HCC using various bioinformatics tools and highlights its potential role as a therapeutic target and promising biomarker for prognosis in HCC.
Partitioning survival during early marine migration of wild and hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolts using acoustic telemetry
Authors: Doogan Aisling , Cotter Deirdre , Bond Nigel , Ó’Maoiléidigh Niall , Brophy Deirdre
Published: November 2023

The marine migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) has been prioritised for research internationally as populations of S. salar have declined significantly throughout the species’ range. The main objectives of this study were to use acoustic telemetry to partition survival during the early migration phase, investigate potential causes of mortality and establish diurnal and tidal influences on movements. In 2017 and 2018 wild (n = 49) and hatchery (n = 81) S. salar smolts were tagged with acoustic transmitters. Migration was monitored through a brackish tidal lake, which discharges through a short estuary into northeast Clew Bay in Ireland situated in the northeast Atlantic. Partitioned survival through each area was similar for both wild and hatchery smolts and both groups followed the same migration routes, travelling along the main current out of Clew Bay. Total survival was high within the brackish lake (wild = 98% ± 1.21 and hatchery = 100%) and estuary (wild = 98% ± 1.01 and hatchery = 89% ± 9.28) compared to the marine environment (wild = 67% ± 4.39 and hatchery = 66% ± 7.91). Leaving the brackish lake during an ebb tide and entering the marine environment during daylight increased the probability of survival through the early marine period. The majority of smolts transited through the study area during ebb tides. Migration of hatchery smolts occurred mainly during hours of daylight while wild smolt migration showed no diel patterns. High mortality rates during the initial stages of the marine migration have consequences for the persistence of salmon populations and should be addressed through regionally tailored management measures and conservation efforts aimed at increasing the resilience of salmon stocks.
Transoral traumatic perforation of the pyriform sinus by a marker pen: report of an infant case
Authors: Oyachi Noboru , Numano Fuminori , Saito Tomohiro , Hoshiai Minako , Koizumi Keiichi
Published: November 2023

Background

Perforation of the pyriform sinus, included in hypopharyngeal injury, is a rare condition typically caused by iatrogenic factors. We present a case of an infant who developed deep cervical and mediastinal abscesses due to a traumatic pyriform sinus perforation caused by accidentally falling with a marker pen in the mouth.

Case presentation

An 11-month-old healthy male infant fell on a trampoline with a marker pen in his mouth. The patient developed swelling in the neck 3 h after the incident and was taken to a regional general hospital. Although a laryngoscopy showed no perforation in the oral cavity or posterior pharynx, a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed significant emphysema extending from the cervix to the mediastinum. The patient was transferred to our tertiary hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit, where he was mechanically ventilated, and antibiotic therapy was initiated. On day 3 of admission, a CT scan revealed deep abscesses in the cervical and upper posterior mediastinum with pneumomediastinum. Although his respiratory status stabilized and he was temporarily weaned, the fever recurred. Pharyngoesopagography revealed significant leakage of contrast from the left pyriform sinus to the mediastinum. Consequently, surgical drainage of the abscess was performed on day 10. Two low-pressure continuous suction drains were placed, one in the posterior mediastinum and the other close to the pyriform sinus. Pharyngoesophagography on postoperative day (POD) 7 demonstrated decreased contrast leakage into the posterior mediastinum. The patient was initiated on enteral nutrition through a nasogastric tube. The patient was discharged on POD 31 after the suction drains were replaced with open Penrose drains, and enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube was continued at home. The Penrose drains were removed on POD 54, and salivary leakage ceased on POD 111.

Conclusions

Although injuries to the oral cavity and posterior pharynx are more easily recognized, the existence of injury in the pyriform sinus can be challenging to evaluate. However, prompt and appropriate management, including intubation, antibiotic therapy, surgical drainage, and nutritional support, is critical in preventing life-threatening complications.
Ocular manifestations and diagnosis of tuberculosis involving the uvea: a case series
Authors: Tsui Jennifer KS , Poon Stephanie Hiu Ling , Fung Nicholas Siu Kay
Published: November 2023

Background

Ocular tuberculosis (TB) affects 1–2% of patients with TB, with TB uveitis being the most common. This series aims to look at different manifestations of tuberculosis associated uveitis and the different tests used to make a presumptive or definitive diagnosis.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with TB related uveitis in Hong Kong SAR between 2017 and 2020 were reviewed. Demographics, clinical features, investigations and treatments of patients were collected.

Results

Fifteen eyes in 10 patients with a mean age 57.30 ± 10.17 years were included. The ocular manifestations on presentation included anterior uveitis (50%), posterior uveitis (40%) and panuveitis (10%), where 70% of them were unilateral and 30% were bilaterally infected; on subsequent visits the manifestations further developed into posterior uveitis (40%), panuveitis (40%) and anterior uveitis (20%), where 50% of them were unilateral and 50% bilateral infected. Tuberculosis tests were positive in 5 out of 7 Mantoux tests, 4 out of 4 T-SPOT TB tests, 3 out of 4 QuantiFERON-TB gold tests, 1 out of 1 lymph node biopsy, 0 out of 9 chest x-rays, and no aqueous fluid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was tested. Vision impairing complications were seen in 6 patients where retinal vasculitis was most commonly seen. With anti-TB treatment prescribed in 9 patients, side effects occurred in 5 patients, including ocular hypertension, disc swelling, and hepatitis.

Conclusions

Ocular TB infections may manifest in various forms, and can involve different parts of the eye. Bilateral involvement of TB is commonly presented, and both eyes should be evaluated at every follow up. When TB is suspected in a patient, diagnostic confirmation requires multimodal investigations where a negative chest x-ray is not useful in ruling out ocular TB infections, especially in an endemic region like Hong Kong. In these patients, it is crucial to have a high index of suspicion for TB, even when they do not demonstrate classical respiratory signs and symptoms of TB.
Prime-boost-type PspA3 + 2 mucosal vaccine protects cynomolgus macaques from intratracheal challenge with pneumococci
Authors: Yokota Chieko , Fujimoto Kosuke , Yamakawa Natsuko , Kono Masamitsu , Miyaoka Daichi , Shimohigoshi Masaki , Uematsu Miho , Watanabe Miki , Kamei Yukari , Sugimoto Akira , Kawasaki Natsuko , Yabuno Takato , Okamura Tomotaka , Kuroda Eisuke , Hamaguchi Shigeto , Sato Shintaro , Hotomi Muneki , Akeda Yukihiro , Ishii Ken J. , Yasutomi Yasuhiro , Sunami Kishiko , Uematsu Satoshi
Published: November 2023

Background

Although vaccination is recommended for protection against invasive pneumococcal disease, the frequency of pneumococcal pneumonia is still high worldwide. In fact, no vaccines are effective for all pneumococcal serotypes. Fusion pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) has been shown to induce a broad range of cross-reactivity with clinical isolates and afford cross-protection against pneumococcal challenge in mice. Furthermore, we developed prime-boost-type mucosal vaccines that induce both antigen-specific IgG in serum and antigen-specific IgA in targeted mucosal organs in previous studies. We investigated whether our prime-boost-type immunization with a fusion PspA was effective against pneumococcal infection in mice and cynomolgus macaques.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were intramuscularly injected with fusion PspA combined with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and/or curdlan. Six weeks later, PspA was administered intranasally. Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected and antigen-specific IgG and IgA titers were measured. Some mice were given intranasal Streptococcus pneumoniae and the severity of infection was analyzed. Macaques were intramuscularly injected with fusion PspA combined with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and/or curdlan at week 0 and week 4. Then, 13 or 41 weeks later, PspA was administered intratracheally. Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected and antigen-specific IgG and IgA titers were measured. Some macaques were intranasally administered S. pneumoniae and analyzed for the severity of pneumonia.

Results

Serum samples from mice and macaques injected with antigens in combination with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and/or curdlan contained antigen-specific IgG. Bronchial samples contained antigen-specific IgA after the fusion PspA boosting. This immunization regimen effectively prevented S. pneumoniae infection.

Conclusions

Prime-boost-type immunization with a fusion PspA prevented S. pneumoniae infection in mice and macaques.
Successful treatment of esophageal perforation due to black esophagus (acute esophageal necrosis): a case report
Authors: Ochiai Takahiro , Takeno Shinsuke , Kawano Fumiaki , Tashiro Kousei , Nanashima Atsushi , Tsuzuki Ryo , Doi Kouichi
Published: November 2023

Background

Black esophagus, or acute esophageal necrosis (AEN), is a rare disease with a poor prognosis in which the esophageal mucosa is black in color. We report a case of esophageal perforation due to AEN that was successfully treated.

Case presentation

An 88-year-old woman presented to her local hospital with the chief complaint of abdominal pain. Endoscopic and radiological examinations revealed esophageal perforation due to AEN and duodenal perforation. Omental patch repair was performed for the esophageal perforation, and the duodenal ulcer perforation was treated by simple closure and gastrojejunostomy at the local hospital. Following refractory esophageal and duodenal perforations after the initial surgery, the patient was transferred to our hospital where emergent surgery was performed, comprising thoracoscopic esophagectomy, cervical esophagostomy, T-tube drainage, and omentopexy for duodenal perforation, as well as thoracic and abdominal drainage. Mucosal regeneration of the esophagostomy was confirmed endoscopically on postoperative day 19.

Conclusions

Appropriate surgical intervention may be an optimal option in patients with esophageal perforation due to AEN.
Numerical simulation and interpretation of sonic arrival times in high-angle wells using the eikonal equation
Authors: Liu Jingxuan , Torres-Verdín Carlos
Published: November 2023

Unlike the common situation for which vertical wells penetrate horizontal layers, the trajectory of high-angle wells is usually not aligned with the principal axes of elastic rock properties. Borehole sonic measurements acquired in high-angle wells in general do not exhibit axial symmetry in the vicinity of bed boundaries and thin layers, and sonic waveforms remain strongly affected by the corresponding contrast in elastic properties across bed boundaries. The latter conditions often demand sophisticated and time-consuming numerical modeling to reliably interpret borehole sonic measurements into rock elastic properties. The problem is circumvented by implementing the eikonal equation based on the fast marching method to (1) calculate first-arrival times of borehole acoustic waveforms and (2) trace raypaths between sonic transmitters and receivers in high-angle wells. Furthermore, first-arrival times of P and S waves are calculated at different azimuthal receivers included in wireline borehole sonic instruments and are verified against waveforms obtained via 3D finite-difference time-domain simulations. Calculations of traveltimes, wavefronts, and raypaths for challenging synthetic examples with effects due to formation anisotropy and different inclination angles indicate a transition from a head wave to a boundary-induced refracted wave as the borehole sonic instrument moves across bed boundaries. Apparent slownesses obtained from first-arrival times at receivers can be faster or slower than the actual slownesses of rock formations surrounding the borehole, depending on formation dip, azimuth, anisotropy, and bed boundaries. Differences in apparent acoustic slownesses measured by adjacent azimuthal receivers reflect the behavior of wave propagation within the borehole and across bed boundaries and can be used to estimate bed-boundary orientation and anisotropy. The high-frequency approximation of traveltimes obtained with the eikonal equation saves more than 99% of calculation time with acceptable numerical errors, with respect to rigorous time-domain numerical simulation of the wave equation, and is therefore amenable to inversion-based measurement interpretation. Apparent slownesses extracted from acoustic arrival times suggest a potential method for estimating formation elastic properties and inferring boundary geometries.
Highly dispersive solitons in polarization-preserving fibers by Adomian decomposition method
Authors: Asma Mir , Ali A. K. Shafeeque , Alotaibi Abdulaziz , Abolaban Fouad A.
Published: November 2023

This paper numerically studies the existence and characteristics of highly dispersive bright optical solitons in polarization-preserving fibers. The numerical strategy adopted here is the Adomian decomposition method (ADM). The governing model is without self-phase modulation as its influence is negligible. We consider the impacts of group velocity dispersion, third-order dispersions, spatiotemporal dispersion, and nonlinear dispersions on the evolution of bright soliton. We have numerically obtained the bright soliton, which is formed as a result of robust balance among linear and nonlinear temporal as well as spatiotemporal dispersions. To check the accuracy of our numerical results we compare them with the analytical solution. The absolute error is very small and negligible even at large values of propagation time.
The Dangers of Drawing Cohort Profiles From Period Data: A Research Note
Authors: van Raalte Alyson A. , Basellini Ugofilippo , Camarda Carlo Giovanni , Nepomuceno Marília R. , Myrskylä Mikko
Published: November 2023

Drawing cohort profiles and cohort forecasts from grids of age–period data is common practice in demography. In this research note, we (1) show how demographic measures artificially fluctuate when calculated from the diagonals of age–period rates because of timing and cohort-size bias, (2) estimate the magnitude of these biases, and (3) illustrate how prediction intervals for cohort indicators of mortality may become implausible when drawn from Lee–Carter methods and age–period grids. These biases are surprisingly large, even when the cohort profiles are created from single-age, single-year period data. The danger is that we overinterpret deviations from expected trends that were induced by our own data manipulation.
Effects of Preoperative Use of Povidone-Iodine–Impregnated Dressing on Postoperative Rate of Surgical Site Infection in Patients Undergoing Posterolateral Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Randomized, Nonblinded, Active-Controlled Trial
Authors: Tavanaei Roozbeh , Ashghani Mohammad Nasirzadeh , Ahmadi Pooria , Alizadeh Sajjad , Yazdani Kaveh Oraii , Zali Alireza , Oraee-Yazdani Saeed
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

No study has evaluated the efficacy of using preoperative antiseptic dressings in reducing the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) in spine surgery thus far. To investigate the efficacy of the use of preoperative povidone-iodine–impregnated antiseptic dressings in patients undergoing instrumented posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion.

METHODS:

This was a randomized, nonblinded, active-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. Patients were randomly assigned to the 2 study groups, including treatment and control. Patients in the treatment group received povidone-iodine–impregnated antiseptic dressing applied to the anticipated incision site 12 hours before the operation. The control group merely received the standard perioperative care with no additional intervention or placebo. Patients were followed up for 90 days, and SSIs were recorded.

RESULTS:

A total of 200 patients were included in this study (100 in each arm). Three cases of SSI were observed in the treatment group compared with 12 in the control one. A significant reduction in the postoperative rate of SSI was observed in the treatment group compared with the control one (P = .029). In addition to study intervention (P = .029), body mass index (P = .005), smoking status (P = .005), duration of the procedure (P = .003), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (P = .002), and diabetes mellitus (P < .001) were significantly associated with the postoperative rate of SSI.

CONCLUSION:

To the best of our knowledge, this study for the first time showed that preoperative use of antiseptic dressings is significantly effective in reducing the rate of SSI in instrumented posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of different preparations or the effectiveness of the present one in patients undergoing spine procedures with other surgical characteristics.
APOL1-G2 accelerates nephrocyte cell death by inhibiting the autophagy pathway
Authors: Zhu Jun-yi , Lee Jin-Gu , Fu Yulong , van de Leemput Joyce , Ray Patricio E. , Han Zhe
Published: November 2023

People of African ancestry who carry the APOL1 risk alleles G1 or G2 are at high risk of developing kidney diseases through not fully understood mechanisms that impair the function of podocytes. It is also not clear whether the APOL1-G1 and APOL1-G2 risk alleles affect these cells through similar mechanisms. Previously, we have developed transgenic Drosophila melanogaster lines expressing either the human APOL1 reference allele (G0) or APOL1-G1 specifically in nephrocytes, the cells homologous to mammalian podocytes. We have found that nephrocytes that expressed the APOL1-G1 risk allele display accelerated cell death, in a manner similar to that of cultured human podocytes and APOL1 transgenic mouse models. Here, to compare how the APOL1-G1 and APOL1-G2 risk alleles affect the structure and function of nephrocytes in vivo, we generated nephrocyte-specific transgenic flies that either expressed the APOL1-G2 or both G1 and G2 (G1G2) risk alleles on the same allele. We found that APOL1-G2- and APOL1-G1G2-expressing nephrocytes developed more severe changes in autophagic pathways, acidification of organelles and the structure of the slit diaphragm, compared to G1-expressing nephrocytes, leading to their premature death. We conclude that both risk alleles affect similar key cell trafficking pathways, leading to reduced autophagy and suggesting new therapeutic targets to prevent APOL1 kidney diseases.
The genome sequence of the critically endangered Kroombit tinkerfrog (Taudactylus pleione)
Authors: Farquharson Katherine A. , McLennan Elspeth A. , Belov Katherine , Hogg Carolyn J.
Published: November 2023

The Kroombit tinkerfrog (Taudactylus pleione) is a stream-dwelling amphibian of the Myobatrachidae family. It is listed as Critically Endangered and is at high risk of extinction due to chytridiomycosis. Here, we provide the first genome assembly of the evolutionarily distinct Taudactylus genus. We sequenced PacBio HiFi reads to assemble a high-quality long-read genome and identified the mitochondrial genome. We also generated a global transcriptome from a tadpole to improve gene annotation. The genome was 5.52 Gb in length and consisted of 4,196 contigs with a contig N50 of 8.853 Mb and an L50 of 153. This study provides the first genomic resources for the Kroombit tinkerfrog to assist in future phylogenetic, environmental DNA, conservation breeding, and disease susceptibility studies.
Combining contour-based and region-based in image segmentation
Authors: Dagher Issam , Abboud Elie
Published: November 2023

Background This paper presents an optimized clustering approach applied to image segmentation. Accurate image segmentation impacts many fields like medical, machine vision, object detection. Applications involve tumor detection, face detection and recognition, and video surveillance. Methods The developed approach is based on obtaining an optimum number of clusters and regions of an image. We combined Region-based and contour-based approaches. Initial rough regions are obtained using edge detection. We have used Gabor wavelets for texture classification and spatial resolutions. Color frequencies are also used to determine the number of clusters of the Fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithm which gave an optimum number of clusters or regions. Results We have compared our approach with other similar wavelet and clustering techniques. Our algorithm gave better values for segmentation metrics like SNR, PSNR, and MCC. Conclusions Optimizing the number of clusters or regions has a significant effect on the performance of the image segmentation techniques. This will result in better detection and localization of the segmentation-based application.
SOURCES OF VARIABILITY IN SMALL-SCALE TENSILE TESTING OF CARBON FIBER REINFORCED RESINS
Authors: VONDRASEK BRITANNIA , KESSLER JEFF , CZABAJ MICHAEL
Published: November 2023

Scaling down the dimensions of standardized materials testing methods can provide opportunities for comparison between established and emerging materials. However, scaled-down testing methods can be sensitive to a variety of testing variables and may not always produce material properties that are comparable to standardized methods. In this work, we developed a method for tensile testing small fiber-reinforced composite specimens and used it to test unidirectional IM7/8552 laminates. Specimens with dimensions around one-third of the ASTM standard recommended size were loaded in tension using aluminum inserts inside hydraulic collet grips, without the need for specimen end tabs. To investigate specific variables that can lead to deviation in the measured tensile strength and modulus of the laminate, 14 different specimen sets were tested. Overall, the testing method was not sensitive to the specimen dimensions over the range of lengths, widths, and thicknesses that were investigated. The ability to fabricate very small specimens with consistent quality was the main challenge to generating accurate and precise tensile data. Uncertainty in the cross-sectional area measurement for very small specimens can also contribute significantly to the deviation in the measured tensile properties. Using an alignment jig significantly reduced the scatter in the tensile strength measurement. The developed testing method consistently and accurately measures tensile modulus but tends to report strength values that are lower than reference values. We consider the method to be a useful and reliable tool for comparing tensile properties of small composite specimens, but not a direct replacement for testing using ASTM D3039 or other established testing standards.
Should Gig Platforms Decentralize Dispute Resolution?
Authors: Lee Wee Kiat , Cui Yao
Published: November 2023

Problem definition: Disputes on online labor platforms have traditionally been mediated by the platform itself, which is often viewed as unhelpful or biased. However, there are emerging platforms that promise to resolve disputes with a novel tribunal system and relegate dispute resolution to individual platform users through a voting mechanism. We aim to examine the dispute resolution systems used by traditional platforms (i.e., the centralized dispute system) and emerging platforms (i.e., the decentralized dispute system) in order to assess whether the latter has an advantage over the former. Methodology/results: We use game theory to analyze both the centralized and decentralized dispute systems, and we model the tribunal’s voting game using the global games framework. Our findings indicate that in order to achieve a fair voting outcome, it is crucial to have sufficient heterogeneity in the assessments of tribunal members. Moreover, the decentralized dispute system outperforms the centralized dispute system only when the freelancer’s skill level is sufficiently high. Lastly, the decentralized dispute system has the potential to induce a more socially optimal quality level from the freelancer. Managerial implications: Our findings provide insights on the optimal adoption and implementation of the decentralized dispute system. The decentralized dispute system is more effective for tasks that involve subjective evaluations, and platforms should avoid strategies that homogenize the assessments of tribunal members. Moreover, platforms should consider switching to the decentralized dispute system only if they are able to verify the skill level of freelancers through certification or other means. Lastly, the decentralized dispute system may be more appealing to policy makers because of its potential to induce a more socially optimal outcome.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0398 .
O uso das redes sociais como ferramenta de formação e de promoção do aleitamento materno
Authors: Farias Silvia Cristina
Published: November 2023

O leite materno é o primeiro alimento que consumimos. Recomenda-se o seu consumo até os dois anos de idade ou mais, sendo exclusivamente, nos primeiros seis meses. O aleitamento materno faz bem à saúde da criança, da mulher, à promoção de vínculo afetivo entre mãe e bebê, à sociedade, à economia e ao planeta. Durante a pandemia de Covid-19, atenção especial faz-se necessário uma vez que a principal medida de prevenção é o isolamento social e unidades de saúde estão focadas no tratamento de indivíduos infectados pela Covid. Além disso, o receio de sair com os filhos é prevalente entre as mães, principalmente aquelas que se encontram no início da amamentação com crianças muito pequenas, quando as dúvidas sobre o aleitamento são mais frequentes. Sendo assim, esse texto objetiva descrever sobre o uso de ferramentas tecnológicas em relação a temática do aleitamento e como ação de incentivo e apoio, além de apresentar o processo de elaboração e o alcance das publicações e atendimentos do Grupo Mulheres Apoiando Mulheres na Amamentação. As ações do Grupo demonstraram-se potencializadoras das ações do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e na formação de estudantes de saúde sobre o incentivo, apoio e proteção ao aleitamento.
Processo judicial e decisão fundamentada. Atualmente no contexto brasileiro é possível a inteligência artificial de raciocínio jurídico aplicar o direito tal qual o juiz humano?
Authors: Casimiro Juliana Souza Carvalho , Gouveia Lúcio Grassi de
Published: November 2023

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar se, na atualidade, é possível a emulação tecnológica por sistemas de inteligência artificial do raciocínio jurídico empreendido por humanos na aplicação do direito nas decisões judiciais. Assim, apresentam-se as teorias jurídicas hermenêuticas, identificando quais o Judiciário brasileiro recepcionou, bem como são analisadas algumas técnicas de Inteligência Artificial voltadas para a área jurídica e exemplos de ferramentas em uso nos sistemas de justiça do Brasil e no mundo. Para o trabalho é utilizado o método descritivo, com apoio na literatura interdisciplinar (jurídica e computacional) de referência nacional e estrangeira.
Impact of bovine herpesvirus-1 infection on fertility in dairy cattle
Authors: Henderson Katrina , Caldow George
Published: November 2023

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) is endemic in the UK dairy herd and can have an important negative impact on fertility. As well as being the cause of infectious pustular vulvovaginitis and infectious balanoposthitis, BoHV-1 can reduce conception rate following introduction of the virus in contaminated semen at the time of artificial insemination. Its ability to cause abortions, particularly in the last trimester, is well-documented and the incidence of abortions can be high following the introduction of infection to naïve herds. The impact of BoHV-1 on herd fertility will depend on the degree of herd immunity, route of infection and strain of BoHV-1. Vaccination has been shown to reduce spread of BoHV-1 within and between herds, and to significantly reduce the risk of abortion. In light of the cost of a single abortion, and the impact of BoHV-1 on milk yield, routine vaccination against BoHV-1 offers a cost-effective control strategy suitable for most UK dairy herds.
Clinical study of NFNC in the treatment of acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with respiratory failure
Authors: Chen Xiang , Dai Ling , Ma Jin-Zhu , Chu Xin-Xu , Dai Liang , Liu Jian-Ming , Guo Si-Wei , Ru Xin-Wei , Zhuang Xue-Shi
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Most patients with acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) have respiratory failure that necessitates active correction and the improvement of oxygenation is particularly important during treatment. High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy is a non-invasive respiratory aid that is widely used in the clinic that improves oxygenation state, reduces dead space ventilation and breathing effort, protects the loss of cilia in the airways, and improves patient comfort.

AIM

To compare HFNC and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in the treatment of patients with AECOPD.

METHODS

Eighty AECOPD patients were included in the study. The patients were in the intensive care department of our hospital from October 2019 to October 2021. The patients were divided into the control and treatment groups according to the different treatment methods with 40 patients in each group. Differences in patient comfort, blood gas analysis and infection indices were analyzed between the two groups.

RESULTS

After treatment, symptoms including nasal, throat and chest discomfort were significantly lower in the treatment group compared to the control group on the 3rd and 5th days (P < 0.05). Before treatment, the PaO2, PaO2/FiO2, PaCO2, and SaO2 in the two groups of patients were not significantly different (P > 0.05). After treatment, the same indicators were significantly improved in both patient groups but had improved more in the treatment group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the white blood cell count, and the levels of C-reactive protein and calcitonin in patients in the treatment group were significantly higher compared to patients in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HFNC treatment can improve the ventilation of AECOPD patients whilst also improving patient comfort, and reducing complications. HFNC is a clinically valuable technique for the treatment of AECOPD.
Analysis of the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation for patients with chronic mental illness: A meta-analysis
Authors: Jang Jong-Sik , Oh Seri , Kim Geonwoo , Lee Narae , Song Hyesu , Park Jihye , Lee Yushin , Kim Minji , Kwon Mihwa
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

People suffering from chronic mental illness are sensitive to stressful stimuli, lack coping skills, and have low self-esteem due to problems such as social situations. They also experience depression, isolation, fear, and frustration. Due to cognitive dysfunction, people suffering from chronic mental illness have inadequate cognitive processes that lead to distorted thinking.

AIM

To confirm the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation therapy in improving cognitive function and alleviating behavioral and psychological symptoms in patients with chronic mental illness, and to identify the cognitive function that had the main effect.

METHODS

The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews criteria, and data published from 2011 to December 2022 were searched using PubMed, Cochrane, RISS, KISS, and DBpia. The keywords used in the search were “mental illness,” “cognitive rehabilitation,” “cognition,” and “mental.” A meta-analysis was conducted on the 12 selected papers.

RESULTS

The level of evidence for the 12 documents was that of a randomized experimental study. Intervention types in cognitive rehabilitation can be divided into cognitive behavior, cognitive training, cognitive rehabilitation, and computerized cognitive programs. Most of the studies were on schizophrenia, and the measurement areas were cognitive functions (e.g ., concentration, memory, and executive function) as well as depression, sociability, and quality of life. As a result of the meta-analysis of each variable, the effect size for cognitive rehabilitation treatment was in the following order: Sociability, memory, concentration, executive function, quality of life, and depression. Particularly, sociability and memory exhibited significant effects.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive rehabilitation aids cognitive function and sociability in patients with chronic mental illness and can be used as evidence for cognitive rehabilitation in mental health and occupational therapy.
A ‘Hub and Spoke’ Shared Care initiative for CTEV Ponseti service
Authors: Hussain Sabba A. , Russell Aisling , Cavanagh Sean E. , Bridgens Anna , Gelfer Yael
Published: November 2023

Aims

The Ponseti method is the gold standard treatment for congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), with the British Consensus Statement providing a benchmark for standard of care. Meeting these standards and providing expert care while maintaining geographical accessibility can pose a service delivery challenge. A novel ‘Hub and Spoke’ Shared Care model was initiated to deliver Ponseti treatment for CTEV, while addressing standard of care and resource allocation. The aim of this study was to assess feasibility and outcomes of the corrective phase of Ponseti service delivery using this model.

Methods

Patients with idiopathic CTEV were seen in their local hospitals (‘Spokes’) for initial diagnosis and casting, followed by referral to the tertiary hospital (‘Hub’) for tenotomy. Non-idiopathic CTEV was managed solely by the Hub. Primary and secondary outcomes were achieving primary correction, and complication rates resulting in early transfer to the Hub, respectively. Consecutive data were prospectively collected and compared between patients allocated to Hub or Spokes. Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, or chi-squared tests were used for analysis (alpha-priori = 0.05, two-tailed significance).

Results

Between 1 March 2020 and 31 March 2023, 92 patients (139 feet) were treated at the service (Hub 50%, n = 46; Spokes 50%, n = 46), of whom nine were non-idiopathic. All patients (n = 92), regardless of allocation, ultimately achieved primary correction, with idiopathic patients at the Hub requiring fewer casts than the Spokes (mean 4.0 (SD 1.4) vs 6.9 (SD 4.4); p < 0.001). Overall, 60.9% of Spokes’ patients (n = 28/46) required transfer to the Hub due to complications (cast slips Hub n = 2; Spokes n = 17; p < 0.001). These patients ultimately achieved full correction at the Hub.

Conclusion

The Shared Care model was found to be feasible in terms of providing primary correction to all patients, with results comparable to other published services. Complication rates were higher at the Spokes, although these were correctable. Future research is needed to assess long-term outcomes, parents’ satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(11):865–872.
A Non-[ ]Hotic Child Avoids the White Woods
Authors: Parker Caleb A. P.
Published: November 2023

Abstract: “A Non-[ ]hotic Child Avoids the White Woods” is a lipogram that can also be read with the missing letter added back in. Without Rs, the poem is a fanciful or surreal account of a day in the life of the speaker at age eight; with the Rs replaced, the speaker reflects on the social and physical burdens of articulation disorders, as well as the rest one can find in the Imagination.
Detecting vibrations in digital holographic multiwavelength measurements using deep learning
Authors: Störk Tobias , Seyler Tobias , Fratz Markus , Bertz Alexander , Hensel Stefan , Carl Daniel
Published: November 2023

Digital holographic multiwavelength sensor systems integrated in the production line on multi-axis systems such as robots or machine tools are exposed to unknown, complex vibrations that affect the measurement quality. To detect vibrations during the early steps of hologram reconstruction, we propose a deep learning approach using a deep neural network trained to predict the standard deviation of the hologram phase. The neural network achieves 96.0% accuracy when confronted with training-like data while it achieves 97.3% accuracy when tested with data simulating a typical production environment. It performs similar to or even better than comparable classical machine learning algorithms. A single prediction of the neural network takes 35 µs on the GPU.
Optimization of diffuse Raman spectroscopy for in-vivo quantification of foreign body response in a small animal model
Authors: Dooley Max , Luckett Jeni , Alexander Morgan R. , Matousek Pavel , Dehghani Hamid , Ghaemmaghami Amir M. , Notingher Ioan
Published: November 2023

Diffuse Raman spectroscopy (DRS) allows subsurface molecular analysis of optically turbid samples. Numerical modeling of light propagation was used as a method for improving the design of an DRS instrument to maximize the signal to noise ratio (SNR) while ensuring safe laser exposure parameters required for in-vivo measurements. Experimental validation of the model was performed on both phantom samples and disks implanted postmortem to mimic the typical response to foreign bodies (formation of a fibrotic capsule around an implant). A reduction of laser exposure of over 1500-fold was achieved over previous studies whilst maintaining the same Raman collection rates and reaching the safe power density of 3 mW/mm2. The validation of this approach in a subcutaneous implant in a mouse cadaver showed a further improvement of 1.5-fold SNR, with a thickness limit of detection for the fibrotic layer of 23 µm, under the same acquisition times. In the animal body, a thickness limit of detection of 16 µm was achieved. These results demonstrate the feasibility of numerical model-based optimization for DRS, and that the technique can be improved sufficiently to be used for in-vivo measurement of collagenous capsule formation as a result of the foreign body response in murine models.
Load-balancing routing algorithms for service congestion avoidance in LEO optical satellite networks
Authors: Ning Yunxiao , Yi Longteng , Zhao Yongli , Qi Kaiqiang , Wang Hua , Rahman Sabidur , Zhang Jie
Published: November 2023

The low-Earth-orbit optical satellite network (LOSN) is an attractive solution to realize the end-to-end service quality of large-scale services, and it is the basis of establishing the 6G mobile network with high throughput and high reliability. However, the current LOSN is practically unable to achieve such high throughput for global service access. First, the centralized deployment of ground gateways will cause a heavy traffic load in the space segment of the LOSN, which becomes the bottleneck constraining the further growth of network throughput. Second, the high-speed movement of LEO satellites will cause continuous movement of traffic load, which will affect the scalability of routing computing. In this paper, two routing algorithms are proposed to increase the throughput in the dynamic LOSN topology. The congestion-aware load balancing (CALB) algorithm is proposed to address the inter-satellite link congestion in the dynamic LOSN topology. Then, a load-balancing routing algorithm based on satellite–ground cooperation (SGC-LB) is proposed to further reduce the impact of the network bottleneck. To evaluate the performance of the proposed routing algorithm, extensive simulations were performed on a 288-satellite Walker-Star constellation with inter-satellite links. The service blockage rate and network bandwidth utilization rate are evaluated showing the effectiveness of the proposed routing algorithm. The network using the SGC-LB algorithm can accommodate 60.00%, 56.00%, 42.22%, and 33.33% more services than using the Shortest Path algorithm, Sway algorithm, CALB algorithm, and Anycast algorithm, respectively, with zero service congestion during the simulation. The SGC-LB also gains a 6.04%, 5.00%, 5.04%, and 0.77% higher network utilization rate than the Shortest Path, Sway, CALB, and Anycast algorithms, respectively.
Footsteps detection and identification based on distributed optical fiber sensor and double-YOLO model
Authors: Shi Yi , Zhang Yingchao , Dai Shangwei , Zhao Lei , Xu Chunying
Published: November 2023

A footstep detection and recognition method based on distributed optical fiber sensor and double-YOLO method is proposed. The sound of footsteps is detected by a phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) and the footsteps are located and identified by double-YOLO method. The Φ-OTDR can cover a much larger sensing range than traditional sensors. Based on the stride and step frequency of the gait, the double-YOLO method can determine the walker’s ID. Primary field experiment results show that this method can detect, locate and identify the footsteps of three persons, and achieve about 86.0% identification accuracy, with 12.6% accuracy improvement compared to single-YOLO method. This footstep detection and recognition method may promote the development of gait-based clinical diagnosis or person identification application.
Enhanced Fano resonances in a silicon nitride photonic crystal nanobeam-assisted micro ring resonator for dual telecom band operation
Authors: Mendoza-Castro Jesus Hernan , Vorobev Artem S. , Iadanza Simone , Lendl Bernhard , O’Faolain Liam , Grande Marco
Published: November 2023

Silicon-based Micro Ring Resonators (MRR) are a powerful tool for the realization of label free optical biosensors. The sharp edge of a Fano resonance in a Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) platform can boost photonic sensing applications based on MRRs. In this work, we demonstrate enhanced Fano resonance features for a Si3N4 Micro Ring Resonator assisted by a Photonic Crystal Nanobeam (PhCN-MRR) operating in the TM-like mode at the O-band wavelengths. Our findings show that the fabricated PhCN-MRR results in increased asymmetric resonances for TM-like mode compared with TE-like mode operation in the C-band. As a result, a versatile and flexible design to realize Fano resonance with polarization dependent asymmetry in the C and O telecom bands is presented.