bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of empirical and laboratory-confirmed tuberculosis on treatment outcomes
Authors: Abdullahi Osman , Moses Ngari , Sanga Deche , Annie Willetts
Published: July 2021

The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for diagnosing and treating Tuberculosis (TB) includes clinical signs, therefore not requiring bacteriological laboratory confirmation. In resource-limited settings, including Kenya, this empirical TB treatment is routine practice however limited data exist on patient clinical outcomes when comparing the method of diagnosis. We evaluated TB treatment outcomes comparing clinically diagnosed and bacteriologically confirmed TB, 6 months after starting treatment of TB in a rural county in Kenya. Our analysis compared patients with a clinical versus a bacteriologically confirmed TB diagnosis. In this retrospective analysis, we included all adults (≥ 18 years) starting treatment of TB and followed up for 6 months, within the County TB surveillance database from 2012 to 2018. Patients included from both public and private facilities. The TB treatment outcomes assessed included treatment success, treatment failure, death, defaulted and transferred out. We used survival regression models to assess effect of type of diagnosis on TB treatment outcome defining time at risk from date of starting treatment to experiencing one of the treatment outcomes or completing 6-months of treatment. A total of 12,856 patients; median age 37 [IQR 28 − 50] years were included. 7639 (59%) were male while 11,339 (88%) were pulmonary TB cases. Overall, 11,633 (90%) were given first-line TB treatment and 3791 (29%) were HIV infected. 6472 (50%) of the patients were clinically diagnosed of whom 4521/6472 (70%) had a negative sputum/GeneXpert test. During the study 5565 person-years (PYs) observed, treatment success was 82% and 83% amongst clinically and bacteriologically diagnosed patients (P = 0.05). There were no significant differences in defaulting (P = 0.70) or transfer out (P = 0.19) between clinically and bacteriologically diagnosed patients. Mortality was significantly higher among clinically diagnosed patients: 639 (9.9%) deaths compared to 285 (4.5%) amongst the bacteriologically diagnosed patients; aHR 5.16 (95%CI 2.17 − 12.3) P < 0.001. Our study suggests survival during empirical TB treatment is significantly lower compared to patients with laboratory evidence, irrespective of HIV status and age. To improve TB treatment outcomes amongst clinically diagnosed patients, we recommend systematic screening for comorbidities, prompt diagnosis and management of other infections.
Tempol differently affects cellular redox changes and antioxidant enzymes in various lung-related cells
Authors: Park Woo Hyun
Published: July 2021

Tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) is a potential redox agent in cells. The present study investigated changes in cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels and in antioxidant enzymes, in Tempol-treated Calu-6 and A549 lung cancer cells, normal lung WI-38 VA-13 cells, and primary pulmonary fibroblasts. Results demonstrated that Tempol (0.5–4 mM) either increased or decreased general ROS levels in lung cancer and normal cells at 48 h and specifically increased O2•−levels in these cells. In addition, Tempol differentially altered the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and thioredoxin reductase1 (TrxR1) in A549, Calu-6, and WI-38 VA-13 cells. In particular, Tempol treatment increased TrxR1 protein levels in these cells. Tempol at 1 mM inhibited the growth of lung cancer and normal cells by about 50% at 48 h but also significantly induced cell death, as evidenced by annexin V-positive cells. Furthermore, down-regulation of TrxR1 by siRNA had some effect on ROS levels as well as cell growth inhibition and death in Tempol-treated or -untreated lung cells. In addition, some doses of Tempol significantly increased the numbers of GSH-depleted cells in both cancer cells and normal cells at 48 h. In conclusion, Tempol differentially increased or decreased levels of ROS and various antioxidant enzymes in lung cancer and normal cells, and induced growth inhibition and death in all lung cells along with an increase in O2•−levels and GSH depletion.
Automated cortical thickness measurement of the mandibular condyle head on CBCT images using a deep learning method
Authors: Kim Young Hyun , Shin Jin Young , Lee Ari , Park Seungtae , Han Sang-Sun , Hwang Hyung Ju
Published: July 2021

This study proposes a deep learning model for cortical bone segmentation in the mandibular condyle head using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and an automated method for measuring cortical thickness with a color display based on the segmentation results. In total, 12,800 CBCT images from 25 normal subjects, manually labeled by an oral radiologist, served as the gold-standard. The segmentation model combined a modified U-Net and a convolutional neural network for target region classification. Model performance was evaluated using intersection over union (IoU) and the Hausdorff distance in comparison with the gold standard. The second automated model measured the cortical thickness based on a three-dimensional (3D) model rendered from the segmentation results and presented a color visualization of the measurements. The IoU and Hausdorff distance showed high accuracy (0.870 and 0.928 for marrow bone and 0.734 and 1.247 for cortical bone, respectively). A visual comparison of the 3D color maps showed a similar trend to the gold standard. This algorithm for automatic segmentation of the mandibular condyle head and visualization of the measured cortical thickness as a 3D-rendered model with a color map may contribute to the automated quantification of bone thickness changes of the temporomandibular joint complex on CBCT.
A case study of university student networks and the COVID-19 pandemic using a social network analysis approach in halls of residence
Authors: Benítez-Andrades José Alberto , Fernández-Villa Tania , Benavides Carmen , Gayubo-Serrenes Andrea , Martín Vicente , Marqués-Sánchez Pilar
Published: July 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that young university students have had to adapt their learning and have a reduced relational context. Adversity contexts build models of human behaviour based on relationships. However, there is a lack of studies that analyse the behaviour of university students based on their social structure in the context of a pandemic. This information could be useful in making decisions on how to plan collective responses to adversities. The Social Network Analysis (SNA) method has been chosen to address this structural perspective. The aim of our research is to describe the structural behaviour of students in university residences during the COVID-19 pandemic with a more in-depth analysis of student leaders. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at one Spanish Public University, León, from 23th October 2020 to 20th November 2020. The participation was of 93 students, from four halls of residence. The data were collected from a database created specifically at the university to "track" contacts in the COVID-19 pandemic, SiVeUle. We applied the SNA for the analysis of the data. The leadership on the university residence was measured using centrality measures. The top leaders were analyzed using the Egonetwork and an assessment of the key players. Students with higher social reputations experience higher levels of pandemic contagion in relation to COVID-19 infection. The results were statistically significant between the centrality in the network and the results of the COVID-19 infection. The most leading students showed a high degree of Betweenness, and three students had the key player structure in the network. Networking behaviour of university students in halls of residence could be related to contagion in the COVID-19 pandemic. This could be described on the basis of aspects of similarities between students, and even leaders connecting the cohabitation sub-networks. In this context, Social Network Analysis could be considered as a methodological approach for future network studies in health emergency contexts.
Type I hypersensitivity promotes Aedes aegypti blood feeding
Authors: Conway Michael J.
Published: July 2021

Mosquitoes play a major role in human disease by serving as vectors of pathogenic microorganisms. Mosquitoes inject saliva into host skin during the probing process. Mosquito saliva contains a number of proteins that facilitate blood feeding by preventing hemostasis. Mosquito saliva also contains potent allergens that induce type I hypersensitivity reactions in some individuals. Type I hypersensitivity reactions in skin involve IgE-mediated degranulation of mast cells, which leads to vasodilation and an itch sensation. We hypothesized that hypersensitivity to mosquito saliva influences blood feeding. To test this hypothesis, we recruited human subjects who consented to Aedes aegypti bites. We measured their first sensation of itch, the strength of their itch sensation, the number of times mosquitoes attempted to feed, the number of times mosquitoes probed their skin, feeding time, engorgement status, and wheal diameter. Here we show that hypersensitive subjects had a stronger itch sensation, and that the time to first itch sensation was inversely correlated with wheal diameter; however, mosquitoes tended to probe less and engorge more on these subjects. Follow-up experiments testing the impact of oral antihistamine treatment on mosquito feeding parameters failed to reveal a statistically significant result. Histamine also failed to promote blood feeding on an artificial membrane feeder. This study suggests that mosquito saliva-induced type I hypersensitivity promotes blood feeding but that this may be independent from histamine or histamine signaling.
Machine learning-based preoperative datamining can predict the therapeutic outcome of sleep surgery in OSA subjects
Authors: Kim Jin Youp , Kong Hyoun-Joong , Kim Su Hwan , Lee Sangjun , Kang Seung Heon , Han Seung Cheol , Kim Do Won , Ji Jeong-Yeon , Kim Hyun Jik
Published: July 2021

Increasing recognition of anatomical obstruction has resulted in a large variety of sleep surgeries to improve anatomic collapse of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the prediction of whether sleep surgery will have successful outcome is very important. The aim of this study is to assess a machine learning-based clinical model that predict the success rate of sleep surgery in OSA subjects. The predicted success rate from machine learning and the predicted subjective surgical outcome from the physician were compared with the actual success rate in 163 male dominated-OSA subjects. Predicted success rate of sleep surgery from machine learning models based on sleep parameters and endoscopic findings of upper airway demonstrated higher accuracy than subjective predicted value of sleep surgeon. The gradient boosting model showed the best performance to predict the surgical success that is evaluated by pre- and post-operative polysomnography or home sleep apnea testing among the logistic regression and three machine learning models, and the accuracy of gradient boosting model (0.708) was significantly higher than logistic regression model (0.542). Our data demonstrate that the data mining-driven prediction such as gradient boosting exhibited higher accuracy for prediction of surgical outcome and we can provide accurate information on surgical outcomes before surgery to OSA subjects using machine learning models.
Male sex is not an independent risk factor for recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer: a propensity score-matching study
Authors: Park Joonseon , Kim Kwangsoon , Lim Dong-Jun , Bae Ja Seong , Kim Jeong Soo
Published: July 2021

Male patients have a significantly higher prevalence of advanced-stage thyroid cancer. However, sex differences in the risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) recurrence have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate male sex as a prognostic factor for DTC. We assessed 5566 patients with DTC who underwent thyroid surgery between January 2009 and December 2015 at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital (Seoul, Korea). Clinicopathological characteristics and long-term oncologic outcomes between female and male patients with DTC were compared using propensity score matching to reduce selection bias. The mean follow-up duration was 99.9 ± 18.7 months. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in male patients than female patients before matching (3.3% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.030), and there was no significant difference in recurrence rates between the matched groups after matching (3.0% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.591). Based on Kaplan–Meier analysis, the two groups did not significantly differ in disease-free survival after matching. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex was not an independent prognostic factor of DTC recurrence. Male sex did not have a significant effect on DTC recurrence. Further studies with larger cohorts are required to validate the findings of this study.
Yoga versus massage in the treatment of aromatase inhibitor-associated knee joint pain in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tsai Chia-Lin , Liu Liang-Chih , Liao Chih-Ying , Liao Wen-Ling , Liu Yu-Huei , Hsieh Ching-Liang
Published: July 2021

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are standard adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with oestrogen receptor-positive, early-stage, and metastatic breast cancer. Although effective, the risk of falls due to AI-associated knee joint pain significantly increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of yoga and massage on AI-associated knee joint pain. Breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned to a 6-week yoga intervention-2-week rest-6-week massage exposure (Yoga first, n = 30) or a 6-week massage intervention-2-week rest-6-week yoga exposure (Massage first, n = 30). Evaluations of the treatment efficacy were made at baseline, post-intervention, and post-exposure using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale, plasma cytokine levels, and changes in meridian energy. The results showed that yoga, superior to massage intervention, significantly reduced AI-associated knee joint pain, as demonstrated by the WOMAC pain score. The yoga intervention improvements were also associated with changes in plasma cytokine levels and meridian energy changes. In conclusion, this study provides scientific evidence that yoga was more effective than massage for reducing AI-associated knee joint pain. Meridian energy changes may provide another scientific, objective, non-invasive way to monitor the therapeutic effects of yoga and investigate another alternative, complementary medicine.
A cell permeable bimane-constrained PCNA-interacting peptide
Authors: Horsfall Aimee J. , Vandborg Beth A. , Kikhtyak Zoya , Scanlon Denis B. , Tilley Wayne D. , Hickey Theresa E. , Bruning John B. , Abell Andrew D.
Published: July 2021

A small, inherently fluorescent macrocyclic peptide constrained with a bimane-linker is cell permeable, and binds the human sliding clamp protein, PCNA, in a 310-helical conformation with nanomolar affinity.
Investigation of iron–ammine and amido complexes within a C3-symmetrical phosphinic amido tripodal ligand
Authors: Sun Chen , Oswald Victoria F. , Hill Ethan A. , Ziller Joseph W. , Borovik A. S.
Published: July 2021

A symmetry match was achieved between an FeIII synthon with phosphinic amido group and ammonia to achieve an FeIII–NH3 complex with three intramolecular hydrogen bonds.
A novel Mn4+-activated layered oxide-fluoride perovskite-type KNaMoO2F4 red phosphor for wide gamut warm white light-emitting diode backlights
Authors: Wu Jiao , Wang Bo , Liu Zhiyuan , Zhang Kang , Li Xiaoshuang , Huang Jianhui , Liu Pengfei , Zeng Qingguang
Published: July 2021

A novel Mn4+-activated oxide-fluoride perovskite KNaMoO2F4 red phosphor for wide gamut warm LED applications was prepared.
Microaerobic conditions in anaerobic sludge promote changes in bacterial composition favouring biodegradation of polymeric siloxanes
Authors: Ortiz-Ardila A. E. , Díez B. , Celis C. , Jenicek P. , Labatut R.
Published: July 2021

Microaeration changes the native anaerobic microbial community composition allowing the degradation of polydimethylsiloxanes and releasing volatile siloxanes into biogas.
Effects of ingested nanocellulose and nanochitosan materials on carbohydrate digestion and absorption in an in vitro small intestinal epithelium model
Authors: Guo Zhongyuan , DeLoid Glen M. , Cao Xiaoqiong , Bitounis Dimitrios , Sampathkumar Kaarunya , Ng Kee Woei , Loo Say Chye Joachim , Demokritou Philip
Published: July 2021

Cellulose and chitosan nanomaterials, which have many potential agri-food and pharmaceutical applications, variably modulated amylolysis in simulated digestions of starch and increased glucose absorption in an in vitro intestinal epithelium.
High optoelectronic performance of a local-back-gate ReS2/ReSe2 heterojunction phototransistor with hafnium oxide dielectric
Authors: Li Yu-Chun , Li Xiao-Xi , Zeng Guang , Chen Yu-Chang , Chen Ding-Bo , Peng Bo-Fang , Zhu Li-Yuan , Zhang David Wei , Lu Hong-Liang
Published: July 2021

A high-performance ReS2/ReSe2 heterojunction phototransistor was fabricated for the first time with an innovative introduction of a local-back-gate structure.
Structural and mechanistic insight into DNA bending by antitumour calicheamicins
Authors: Mills Alberto , Gago Federico
Published: July 2021

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations shed structural light on the curvature inflicted on DNA upon binding of calicheamicin ε to high-affinity and low-affinity target sites.
Concise synthesis of bicyclic iminosugars via reductive functionalization of sugar-derived lactams and subsequent RCM reaction
Authors: Szcześniak Piotr , Furman Bartłomiej
Published: July 2021

An efficient synthetic approach for bicyclic iminosugars via reductive activation of sugar-derived lactams and other key reactions was developed.
The effect of chiral end groups on the assembly of supramolecular polyurethanes
Authors: Hermida-Merino Daniel , Hart Lewis R. , Harris Peter J. , Slark Andrew T. , Hamley Ian W. , Hayes Wayne
Published: July 2021

We describe the generation of supramolecular polyurethanes and the positive effect that chirality has upon the physical properties of these materials.
Self-assembly of dual-responsive amphiphilic POEGMA-b-P4VP-b-POEGMA triblock copolymers: effect of temperature, pH, and complexation with Cu2+
Authors: Zanata Daniela de Morais , Felisberti Maria Isabel
Published: July 2021

Amphiphilic and dual-responsive triblock copolymer POEGMA-b-P4VP-b-POEGMA synthesized by RAFT self-assemble into spherical or interconnected micelles depending on the external stimulus and their complexation with Cu2+ results in responsive nanogels.
Halogen regulation triggers NLO and dielectric dual switches in hybrid compounds with green fluorescence
Authors: Wang Ying , Zhang Tie , Lun Meng-Meng , Zhou Fo-Ling , Fu Da-Wei , Zhang Yi
Published: July 2021

An effective strategy of using halogens to modify organic–inorganic hybrid materials to obtain NLO switching characteristics, which is expected to be used for the directional adjustment of NLO switch activity.
Porous SiOC/SiC ceramicsviaan active-filler-catalyzed polymer-derived method
Authors: Rau Advaith V. , Knott Ken , Lu Kathy
Published: July 2021

Effects of Fe and POSS on the phase formation of SiOC between 1100 °C and 1500 °C were studied. Fe induces higher SiO2and SiC contents. Phase contents are calculated based on a modified Gibbs free energy minimization method.
One-pot three-step mechanically assisted synthesis and catalytic performance of tripodal metallic complexes
Authors: Tedjini Rima , Viveiros Raquel , Casimiro Teresa , Bonifácio Vasco D. B.
Published: July 2021

All-green matters. Synthesis of the ligand and metal–ligand complexes and a model catalytic oxidation reaction can be sequentially processed under solventless conditions using a planetary ball mill, via fast, high yielding and selective processes.
Excitation ratiometric chloride sensing in a standalone yellow fluorescent protein is powered by the interplay between proton transfer and conformational reorganization
Authors: Chen Cheng , Tutol Jasmine N. , Tang Longteng , Zhu Liangdong , Ong Whitney S. Y. , Dodani Sheel C. , Fang Chong
Published: July 2021

We discovered an interplay between proton transfer and conformational reorganization that powers a standalone fluorescent-protein-based excitation-ratiometric biosensor for chloride imaging.
The role of polymers in lithium solid-state batteries with inorganic solid electrolytes
Authors: Sen Sudeshna , Trevisanello Enrico , Niemöller Elard , Shi Bing-Xuan , Simon Fabian J. , Richter Felix H.
Published: July 2021

Polymers in the form of composite electrolytes, as binders and as protective coatings are used to modify interfaces and to facilitate the manufacture of lithium solid-state batteries with inorganic solid electrolytes.
Three-dimensional covalent organic framework membrane for efficient proton conduction
Authors: Fan Chunyang , Geng Haobo , Wu Hong , Peng Quan , Wang Xiaoyao , Shi Benbing , Kong Yan , Yin Zhuoyu , Liu Yiqin , Jiang Zhongyi
Published: July 2021

A free-standing 3D COF membrane with interconnected nanochannels was fabricated using interfacial polymerization method, and exhibited ultrafast proton conduction after being loaded with proton carriers.
Hybrid white quantum dot–organic light-emitting diodes with highly stable CIEx,ycoordinates by the introduction of n-type modulation and multi-stacked hole transporting layer
Authors: Lee Hakjun , Song Seung-Won , Hwang Kyo Min , Kim Ki Ju , Yang Heesun , Kim Young Kwan , Kim Taekyung
Published: July 2021

The concept of hybrid white quantum dot–OLED with an n-type modulation layer is presented. The modulation layer helps uniform charge and exciton distribution across the EMLs, leading to stable white emission as a function of the applied voltage.
Redox index of Cys-thiol residues of serum apolipoprotein E and its diagnostic potential
Authors: Yamauchi Kazuyoshi , Taira Chiaki , Kawakami Yasushi
Published: July 2021

Background: The redox modulation of Cys-thiol participates in various pathophysiological processes. We explored the proper index for estimating the redox status of Cys-thiol of serum apolipoprotein E (apoE), named “redox-IDX-apoE,” which is necessary to understand the redox biology of age-related diseases.

Methods: The fractions of the reduced form (red-), reversible oxidized form (roxi-), and irreversibly oxidized form (oxi-) apoE in serum, obtained from the patients with no apparent disease (controls, n=192) and with atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes (patients, n=16), were measured by a band-shift assay using a maleimide compound. Redox-IDX-apoE candidates were determined by calculating the values of these fractions and the total apoE concentration.

Results: Cys number of apoE significantly increased for the ratio of roxi-apoE to total-apoE (roxi/total) (E2/E3>E3/E3>E3/E4) but decreased for the ratios of red-apoE to roxi-apoE (red/roxi) and [red-apoE + oxi-apoE] to roxi-apoE ([red + oxi]/roxi) (E2/E3<E3/E3<E3/E4). Considering the subjects with apoE3/E3, these ratios were independent of age and sex. Roxi/total showed negative correlations with serum triglyceride (TG) and HbA1c levels, while both red/roxi and [red + oxi]/roxi showed significant positive correlations with them. However, red/roxi and [red + oxi]/roxi in patients were significantly lower than those in controls, although serum TG and HbA1c levels in the patients were significantly higher than those in controls.

Conclusion: The redox status of serum apoE-Cys-thiol is closely involved in the metabolism of TG-rich lipoproteins and glucose. The appropriate use of redox-IDX-apoE could be helpful in the diagnosis and prognosis of age-related diseases and in understanding the underlying mechanisms.
Listening to Gender-Diverse People of Color: Barriers to Accessing Voice and Communication Care
Authors: Hancock Adrienne B. , Downs Sierra C.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purposes of this study are to gather and analyze perspectives of people from racial and gender minority groups in order to identify barriers to voice and communication services for these populations.

Method

In focus groups facilitated by community members, 11 people in racial and gender minority groups discussed their gender-related goals and accessibility of voice and communication services. Salient themes were derived using a grounded theory approach and analyzed using an access to care framework.

Results

During discussion of voice and communication as it relates to gender presentation, most utterances were speculations on the processes and potential outcomes of interventions for voice and communication; the majority of these were characterized as uninformed or misinformed.

Conclusions

Future studies will need to overcome barriers related to health literacy and beliefs in order to thoroughly assess potential interest or intentions regarding voice and communication services. Additional study is expected to provide valuable information that can be interpreted using the Levesque et al. (2013) framework of access to care and eventually eliminate barriers to voice and communication services for all.
Developing, Implementing, and Learning From a Student-Led Initiative to Support Minority Students in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Authors: Girolamo Teresa M. , Ghali Samantha
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The Student Equity & Inclusion Workgroup is a student-led initiative at The University of Kansas that aims to advance equity and inclusion. Within this structure, the workgroup is entirely student-led and independent of any institutional initiatives. It has developed three themes— recognizing minority student leadership, ensuring equitable access to opportunities, and meaningfully supporting students—and used those themes to develop comprehensive programming in research, institutional advocacy, mentorship, and fellowship. Research initiatives included creating research opportunities for minority students by developing independent research projects. Institutional advocacy initiatives focused on policy change and developing a uniquely situated network of allies at and beyond the university. Mentorship centered student-to-student transmission of knowledge, skills, and support. Fellowship entailed creating opportunities for community building and recognition of minority student excellence.

Conclusions

Student-led initiatives such as those of the workgroup may be an effective way of supporting minority students in communication sciences and disorders. Institutions endeavoring to advance equity and inclusion should consider empowering students through facilitation of self-directed development, using institutional supports to support minority students on their terms, and recognizing students as capable partners in rethinking equity and inclusion.
Evaluating the Influence of Targeted Air Flow on Sound Pressure Level and Closed Quotient
Authors: Hammer Michael J.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Measures of estimated subglottal air pressure and translaryngeal air flow enable the researcher or clinician to noninvasively assess aerodynamic features related to respiratory and phonatory function. Our goal was to examine the unique relationship between air flow with sound pressure level (SPL) during syllable production while attempting to hold fundamental frequency and subglottal air pressure relatively constant.

Method

We completed two studies.
Study 1:
During syllable production, resultant sound pressure level was measured under conditions of constant fundamental frequency and estimated subglottal air pressure while systematically varying translaryngeal air flow.
Study 2:
During syllable production, resultant sound pressure level and closed quotient (using laryngeal stroboscopy) were measured under conditions of constant fundamental frequency and estimated subglottal air pressure while systematically varying translaryngeal air flow.

Results

Study 1:
Findings suggest a steady increase in sound pressure level with increases in air flow between 25 cc/s and 150 cc/s. Interestingly, relatively stable mean sound pressure level was maintained over a considerable range of air flow values between 225 and 450 cc/s, suggesting that air flow could be further increased without a marked loss of sound pressure level.
Study 2:
Findings suggest a systematic increase in mean sound pressure level as supraglottic activity subsided and as the closed quotient decreased from 0.80 to 0.58. Interestingly, sound pressure level was relatively stable as the closed quotient decreased from 0.58 to 0.35.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that sound pressure level can be maintained over a considerable range of increasing translaryngeal air flow values and over a considerable range of decreasing closed quotient values. These results provide motivation for investigating the interaction between air flow, glottal closure, and sound pressure level among other measures of phonatory function, with important clinical implications for therapeutic approaches that emphasize increases in air flow and focus on reducing contact between the vocal folds.
Power losses in the three‐phase three‐limb transformer due to common and differential mode of dc‐bias
Authors: Wang Wei , Nysveen Arne , Magnusson Niklas
Published: July 2021

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) and the converter modulation effect are the two main causes for dc magnetisation in power transformers. It is well known that a small dc‐bias can saturate a large transformer and thereby generate high unbalanced magnetising currents, imposing a serious risk of excessive power losses and local overheating. Magnetising currents due to GIC phenomena have been studied extensively, whereas studies on converter related dc‐bias are few. In particular, a discussion on loss characteristics related to converter modulation lacks. In this study, the dc‐bias of common mode and differential mode in a three‐phase, three‐limb transformer is investigated experimentally. Additionally, to interpret the physical phenomena, the system was modelled using the finite element method. The results revealed that the power losses are significantly influenced by the dc current direction, arrangement of the structural parts, and the method of winding connection.
An agent‐based fast concurrent prediction scheme for transient and short‐term voltage instability
Authors: Lashgari Mahmoud , Shahrtash Seyed Mohammad
Published: July 2021

A novel agent‐based online prediction method is presented in this paper, to predict the status of both transient and short‐term voltage (STV) stability, against fault occurrence. In the proposed method, the trajectories of the relative frequency deviation (ΔF) and the power imbalance (ΔP) are estimated by employing the third‐degree polynomial curve fitting method. By tracking the estimated trajectories on ΔF–ΔP plane and checking some simple defined rules, an early prediction of both transient and STV instability is achieved in an organized multi‐agent system (MAS). In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, the method has been tested on IEEE 39‐bus system, IEEE 118‐bus system and IEEE Nordic test system. Based on the obtained results, the proposed algorithm has an overall accuracy of 99.5% under symmetrical and asymmetrical faults, PMU measurement error, different operating points and topological changes.
Optimal power regulation for wind integration in the balancing market environment
Authors: Lyu Xue , Groß Dominic , Xu Zhao , Dong Zhaoyang , Jia Youwei
Published: July 2021

Variable renewable generation and load fluctuations induce significant balancing cost in power system operation. To overcome this issue, this paper proposes a control architecture that leverages inherent regulation capabilities of wind turbines to minimize the system‐wide balancing costs. Instead of handling wind power fluctuations via power filtering algorithms that are agnostic to system‐wide power imbalance, this paper aims to optimize the wind power generation profile from system perspective. In the proposed method, wind turbines are modelled as semi‐dispatchable units, where the dispatch command is dynamically generated at every automatic generation control cycle by considering mileage payments as an indicator of system‐wide imbalance. As a result, local resources of wind turbines are optimally leveraged in real‐time to mitigate system‐wide power imbalances. The proposed strategy and state‐of‐the‐art techniques are compared in comprehensive high‐fidelity case studies. Our simulation results demonstrate that the proposed system‐aware regulation scheme can alleviate system balancing costs without investments into energy storage systems.
GALACTICNUCLEUS: A high-angular-resolution JHKs imaging survey of the Galactic centre
Authors: Nogueras-Lara F. , Schödel R. , Neumayer N.
Published: July 2021

Context. The extreme extinction (AV ~ 30 mag) and its variation on arc-second scales towards the Galactic centre hamper the study of its stars. Analysis of them is restricted to the near infrared (NIR) regime, where the extinction curve can be approximated by a broken power law for the JHKs bands. Therefore, it is fundamental to correct for extinction at these wavelengths in order to analyse the structure and stellar population of the central regions of our Galaxy.

Aims. We aim to, (1) discuss different strategies to de-redden the photometry and check the usefulness of extinction maps to deal with variable stars; (2) build extinction maps for the NIR bands JHKs and make them publicly available; (3) create a de-reddened catalogue of the GALACTICNUCLEUS (GNS) survey, identifying foreground stars; and (4) perform a preliminary analysis of the de-reddened Ks luminosity functions (KLFs).

Methods. We used photometry from the GNS survey to create extinction maps for the whole catalogue. We took red clump (RC) and red giant stars of similar brightnesses as a reference to build the maps and we de-reddened the GNS photometry. We also discussed the limitations of the process and analysed non-linear effects of the de-reddening.

Results. We obtained high resolution (~3″) extinction maps with low statistical and systematics uncertainties (≲5%) and computed average extinctions for each of the regions covered by the GNS. We checked that our maps effectively correct the differential extinction reducing the spread of the RC features by a factor of ~2. We assessed the validity of the broken power law approach computing two equivalent extinction maps AH using either JH and HKs photometry for the same reference stars and obtained compatible average extinctions within the uncertainties. Finally, we analysed de-reddened KLFs for different lines of sight and found that the regions belonging to the NSD contain a homogeneous stellar population that is significantly different from that in the innermost bulge regions.
The Fornax3D project: Planetary nebulae catalogue and independent distance measurements to Fornax cluster galaxies
Authors: Spriggs T. W. , Sarzi M. , Galán-de Anta P. M. , Napiwotzki R. , Viaene S. , Nedelchev B. , Coccato L. , Corsini E. M. , Fahrion K. , Falcón-Barroso J. , Gadotti D. A. , Iodice E. , Lyubenova M. , Martín-Navarro I. , McDermid R. M. , Morelli L. , Pinna F. , van de Ven G. , de Zeeuw P. T. , Zhu L.
Published: July 2021

Extragalactic planetary nebulae (PNe) offer a way to determine the distance to their host galaxies thanks to the nearly universal shape of the planetary nebulae luminosity function (PNLF). Accurate PNe distance measurements rely on obtaining well-sampled PNLFs and the number of observed PNe scales with the encompassed stellar mass. This means either disposing of wide-field observations or focusing on the bright central regions of galaxies. In this work we take this second approach and conduct a census of the PNe population in the central regions of galaxies in the Fornax cluster, using VLT/MUSE data for the early-type galaxies observed over the course of the Fornax3D survey. Using such integral-field spectroscopic observations to carefully separate the nebular emission from the stellar continuum, we isolated [O III] 5007 Å sources of interest, filtered out unresolved impostor sources or kinematic outliers, and present a catalogue of 1350 unique PNe sources across 21 early-type galaxies, which includes their positions, [O III] 5007 Å line magnitudes, and line-of-sight velocities. Using the PNe catalogued within each galaxy, we present independently derived distance estimates based on the fit to the entire observed PNLF observed while carefully accounting for the PNe detection incompleteness. With these individual measurements, we arrive at an average distance to the Fornax cluster itself of 19.86 ± 0.32 Mpc (μPNLF = 31.49 ± 0.04 mag). Our PNLF distance measurements agree well with previous distances based on surface brightness fluctuations, finding no significant systematic offsets between the two methods as otherwise reported in previous studies.
Perinatal Data of Refugee Women from the Gynaecology Department of Charité University Hospital Berlin Compared with German Federal Analysis
Authors: Ammoura Ola , Sehouli Jalid , Kurmeyer Christine , Richter Rolf , Kutschke Nadja , Henrich Wolfgang , Inci Melisa Guelhan
Published: July 2021

Introduction The aim of this study was to record the perinatal data of refugee women at Charité Hospital, Berlin, and to evaluate possible differences in pre-, peri- and postnatal outcomes compared with indigenous women.

Material and Methods All pregnant women who gave birth in the period from 1 January 2014 to 30 September 2017 and were registered at least once in the hospital as “refugee” were included in the analysis. The data recorded from the refugee women were compared with the perinatal data of the German Federal obstetric analysis for the year 2016, which was published by the IQTIG (Institut für Qualitätssicherung und Transparenz im Gesundheitswesen [Institute for Quality Assurance and Transparency in Healthcare]).

Results The analysis comprised 907 refugee women and 928 infants (21 twin pregnancies). Pregnant refugee women were significantly younger than the pregnant women from the Federal analysis (birth before the age of 30: 66 vs. 41%, p < 0.001, RR: 1.6, 95% CI: 62.9 – 69.2). They had a history both of more pregnancies (≥ 3 pregnancies: 29.4 vs. 13.4%, p < 0.001, RR: 2.2, 95% CI: 26.4 – 32.5) and of more miscarriages (> 2 miscarriages: 9.7 vs. 5.9%, p < 0.001, RR: 1.6, 95% CI: 7.9 – 11.8) and more often had a history of suffering from psychological stress (11.1 vs. 4.1%, p < 0.001, RR: 2.70, 95% CI: 9.2 – 13.4). There were more premature births (10.3 vs. 3.0%, p < 0.001, RR: 3.36, 95% CI: 8.4 – 12.4), post-term pregnancies (8.5 vs. 0.5%, p < 0.001, RR: 15.4, 95% CI: 6.7 – 10.5), and cases of postpartum anaemia (28.7 vs. 22.0%, p < 0.001, RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 25.7 – 31.7) and puerperal endometritis (1 vs. 0.2%, p = 0.006, RR: 4.3, 95% CI: 0.5 – 1.9)
compared with the Federal analysis. The neonatal outcome showed an increased rate of hypotrophy (11 vs. 7%, p < 0.001, RR: 1.6, 95% CI: 9.1 – 13.2), more stillbirths (0.7 vs. 0.2%, p = 0.006, RR: 3, 95% CI: 0.2 – 1.4) and increased congenital malformations (2.8 vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001, RR: 3, 95% CI: 0.2 – 1.4).

Conclusion Both refugee women and their infants showed significant differences. Despite the average younger age of the pregnant refugee women, the rates of premature birth and stillbirth and congenital malformations were significantly more frequent. More intensive antenatal screening with differentiated foetal organ diagnostics including psychosomatic care could contribute to early identification and prompt diagnosis. As regards the postpartum anaemia and puerperal endometritis, which occur more often in refugee women, midwife engagement and an improvement in the living situation in homes and accommodation facilities could be of great importance.
Praktische Hebammenausbildung im Kreißsaal – Überlegungen zur Qualitätssicherung
Authors: Polleit Heike
Published: July 2021

Ab 2021 studieren angehende Hebammen an Hochschulen und absolvieren die praktischen Studienphasen in klinischen und außerklinischen Praxiseinrichtungen. Eine Forschungsarbeit aus Berlin evaluierte die Erwartungen der Studierenden an die praktische Ausbildung im Kreißsaal. Die Ergebnisse wurden in DIE HEBAMME 2/2021 vorgestellt 14. In der weiteren Auswertung werden Maßnahmen diskutiert, mit deren Hilfe ausbildungsbezogene Prozessqualität im Praxisfeld verankert werden kann.
Molecular Iodine-Mediated Synthesis of 2-Azaanthraquinones from [3.3.3]Propellanes via a Metal-Free Rearrangement
Authors: Alizadeh Abdolali , Bagherinejad Akram , Khanpour Mojtaba
Published: July 2021

A novel iodine-mediated rearrangement of heterocyclic [3.3.3]propellanes under green conditions is described. This metal-free transformation for the straightforward synthesis of substituted 2-azaanthraquinones proceeds via ring opening/dissociation of C–O and C–N bonds/intramolecular C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond formation/ring expansion/aza-ring closure/1,3-N to N alkyl migration. High atom-efficiency, synthetically useful yields, easily accessible starting materials, and mild reaction conditions are advantages of this process.
Asymmetric Formal Synthesis of Trichodermamides B and C
Authors: Kimishima Atsushi , Arai Masayoshi , Saito Hayato , Petrova Violeta
Published: July 2021

An asymmetric formal synthesis of trichodermamides B and C was achieved in 15 steps based on a tyrosine ester chiral-pool approach. Key features of this synthesis include stereoselective construction of a cis-1,2-oxazadecaline core by an acid-mediated tandem deprotection–intramolecular oxy-Michael reaction, oxime ether formation via an N-bromination–elimination sequence, and diene construction by a palladium-catalyzed demonomethylcarbonation.
Low-Dose Aspirin Thromboprophylaxis Is Safe and Effective in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty with or without Outpatient Pneumatic Compression Devices
Authors: Tang Alex , Lygrisse Katherine A. , Zak Stephen G. , Hepinstall Matthew S. , Slover James D. , Long William J. , Schwarzkopf Ran , Macaulay William
Published: July 2021

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a serious complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Current guidelines recommend pharmacologic prophylaxis with or without intermittent pneumatic compression devices (IPCDs). At our institution, portable IPCDs were previously worn by THA patients at standard risk for VTE for 14 days. Routine prescription of portable outpatient IPCDs was discontinued due to concerns with their efficacy and safety. We sought to determine if discontinuation of portable outpatient IPCDs changed VTE rates after THA. A retrospective review of 1,825 consecutive THA cases was conducted identifying patients with VTE, periprosthetic fractures, dislocations, bleeding complications, infection, and death at 90 days postoperatively. Patients were divided into two cohorts. One cohort received outpatient IPCDs for a period of 14 days (control) while the other did not (no-IPCD). All patients received inpatient IPCDs and were maintained on 81-mg aspirin (ASA) twice daily for 28 days. A total of 748 IPCD patients and 1,077 no-IPCD patients were identified. There was no difference between the total VTE rate for the IPCD versus no-IPCD groups (0 vs. 0.19%, p = 0.24). There were also no differences in periprosthetic fractures (p = 0.09), dislocations (p = 0.22), bleeding complications (p = 0.79), or infection rates (p = 0.75). No deaths were observed. The use of a low-dose ASA thromboprophylaxis protocol was safe and effective for VTE prevention in standard-risk patients undergoing THA with or without portable IPCDs. Any marginal benefit of portable IPCD use was too small to demonstrate despite our relatively large sample size.
A Conceptual Framework of Data Readiness: The Contextual Intersection of Quality, Availability, Interoperability, and Provenance
Authors: Douthit Brian J. , Del Fiol Guilherme , Staes Catherine J. , Docherty Sharron L. , Richesson Rachel L.
Published: July 2021

Background Data readiness is a concept often used when referring to health information technology applications in the informatics disciplines, but it is not clearly defined in the literature. To avoid misinterpretations in research and implementation, a formal definition should be developed.

Objectives The objective of this research is to provide a conceptual definition and framework for the term data readiness that can be used to guide research and development related to data-based applications in health care.

Methods PubMed, the National Institutes of Health RePORTER, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Duke University Library databases for business and information sciences were queried for formal mentions of the term “data readiness.” Manuscripts found in the search were reviewed, and relevant information was extracted, evaluated, and assimilated into a framework for data readiness.

Results Of the 264 manuscripts found in the database searches, 20 were included in the final synthesis to define data readiness. In these 20 manuscripts, the term data readiness was revealed to encompass the constructs of data quality, data availability, interoperability, and data provenance.

Discussion Based upon our review of the literature, we define data readiness as the application-specific intersection of data quality, data availability, interoperability, and data provenance. While these concepts are not new, the combination of these factors in a novel data readiness model may help guide future informatics research and implementation science.

Conclusion This analysis provides a definition to guide research and development related to data-based applications in health care. Future work should be done to validate this definition, and to apply the components of data readiness to real-world applications so that specific metrics may be developed and disseminated.
New modules shrink and improve controls on current quantum computers
Authors: Lim Alane
Published: July 2021

Modular design could decrease the size, cost, and failure rate of quantum-computing control.
Controlled oxidation and surface modification increase heating capacity of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Jiang Kaiyi , Zhang Qingbo , Hinojosa Daniel Torres , Zhang Linlin , Xiao Zhen , Yin Yu , Tong Sheng , Colvin Vicki L. , Bao Gang
Published: July 2021

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) can generate heat under an alternating magnetic field, enabling a wide range of applications from water treatment to cancer hyperthermia therapy. For most magnetic heating applications, it is crucial to generate a high level of heat with a low dose of MIONs. Current methods to increase the specific absorption rate (SAR) of MIONs include increasing their size and doping iron oxide nanocrystals with other metal elements. Here, we demonstrate that controlled oxidation and surface modification can significantly increase SAR of MIONs. We synthesized MIONs of different core sizes and with different coatings, including phospholipid-PEG and triethylenetetramine (TETA). We oxidized PEG-coated MIONs in a controlled fashion and measured the SAR values of the MIONs under different oxidation states. We found that, with controlled oxidation, the SAR values of 15-nm and 18-nm MIONs increased by ∼1.87 fold after two weeks of oxidation. A similar fold-increase in SAR was achieved for 15-nm MIONs with TETA coating compared with PEG coating. We systematically characterized the physical properties of MIONs and showed that oxidation caused MIONs to transition from magnetite to maghemite, resulting in increased anisotropy constant and SAR values. Our results demonstrate new approaches to significantly increase the heating capacity of MIONs by controlled nanocrystal oxidation and surface modification.