bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dual layer barrier functions based adaptive higher order sliding mode control
Authors: Obeid Hussein , Laghrouche Salah , Fridman Leonid 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis article presents an adaptive discontinuous higher order sliding mode control (HOSMC) strategy for a disturbed chain of integrators of order n. This strategy employs a barrier function‐based dual layer adaptation and it ensures the convergence of the sliding variable and its (n − 1) first derivatives to zero without requiring any information on the bounds of the disturbances or their derivatives. It consists in applying a barrier function‐based adaptive super‐twisting methodology compensating Lipschitz disturbances with some error, and a growing gain‐based adaptive HOSMC which just needs to counteract this error. Real‐time simulation platform is used to test the efficacy of the proposed strategy to control a linear induction motor considering dynamic end effects.
Not on Bread Alone Doth Man Liveth (Deut. 8:3; Mat 4:4): Some Iconoclastic Views on Populism, Democracy, the Rule of Law and the Polish Circumstance
Authors: Weiler Joseph H. H. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPolarization in today’s politics, pre- and post COVID, transcends nations, states regions and continents. It’s a feature of politics which, in and on itself, when played to extremes by demonizing one’s opponents, it threatens democracy itself—since it frays the demos some cohesion of which is necessary for the legitimacy of majoritarianism, one of the pillars of national democracies. Its lexical manifestation is to be found with expressions such as ‘traitors’ or ‘not real’ Americans, Italians, Israelis—take your pick and fill in the gap.It has, lamentably in my view, a spillover effect also into the academic world of scholarship. A word of criticism of, say, the European Court of Justice instantly brands you a ‘Eurosceptic’ and one of ‘them’. To speak of Universal Values, casts you as an enemy of this or that national cause. This is not to say, not at all, that one cannot bring to one’s scholarship a fully engaged normative and ethical commitment, especially in the field of law which has, or should have, at its roots a commitment to justice. But it militates against careful listening, complex reasoning and understanding and more fine grained normative judgments. Justice is oftentimes not black and white.It is particularly so when it comes to dealing with the phenomenon of Populism which has moved from the fringe to the center of politics. Trying to understand Populism is not akin to justifying it.
History-Taking Skills in Rheumatology
Authors: Alharbi Laila , Almoallim Hani 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHistory taking in rheumatology is the most important skill needed for proper handling of a patient with a rheumatological complaint. Obtaining a good history will help you to reach almost 90% of your diagnosis. However, history taking is mostly depending on experience and practice rather than theoretical recall. Here in this section, we provide you with the most important points in history taking you should use while dealing with rheumatological patients. There is an approach to history taking in rheumatology started as with the classical approach in history taking like any other disease. There is much focus on rheumatological aspects related to the onset of joints pains, patterns, symmetry of joints involvement, number of joints involved, and ultimately rheumatology review of systems. We summarized the classic symptomatic correlations with certain rheumatological diseases. We present briefly a suggested approach to your presentation of the entire case.
Aktuelles zu neurogenen Dysfunktionen des unteren Harntraktes bei Multipler Sklerose
Authors: Domurath Burkhard , Flachenecker Peter , Henze Thomas , Feneberg Wolfgang , Brandt Anna , Kurze Ines , Kirschner-Hermanns Ruth , Kaufmann Albert , Bremer Jörn , Vonthien Manuela , Ratering Kerstin , Schäfer Christoph , Vance Will Nelson , Schmidt Paul 
Published: January 2021

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
In der Routine steht man vor der Aufgabe, neurogene Störungen des unteren Harntraktes (NLUTD) bei Patienten mit Multipler Sklerose (MS) frühzeitig zu erkennen und adäquat zu therapieren. Verschiedene nationale Leitlinien geben dazu sehr unterschiedliche praktische Empfehlungen.

Ziel der Arbeit
Erarbeitung eines einfachen, studienbasierten Algorithmus zum Nachweis von NLUTD bei Patienten mit MS, aus dem sich therapeutische Konsequenzen ableiten lassen.

Material und Methode
Als direktes Ergebnis zweier multidisziplinärer Konferenzen wurde eine prospektive, multizentrische Studie initiiert. Deren Ziel war es, statistisch relevante Parameter für die Routinediagnostik von NLUTDs zu identifizieren. Als Goldstandard dienten Auffälligkeiten in der Urodynamik. In drei weiteren Konsensuskonferenzen wurden die Ergebnisse der Studie diskutiert, ein diagnostischer Algorithmus entwickelt und eine Erstlinientherapie konsentiert.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion
Der vorgeschlagene Algorithmus ermöglichte das Erkennen einer NLUTD bei Patienten mit MS mithilfe von 4 statistisch signifikanten Prädiktoren: (1) dem Restharnvolumen, (2) der Anzahl der Harnwegsinfektionen (HWI) innerhalb der letzten 6 Monate, (3) der standardisierten Miktionsfrequenz und (4) dem Vorhandensein/Fehlen einer Harninkontinenz. Gestützt auf den Algorithmus benötigen ca. 75 % der Patienten keine urodynamische Untersuchung zur First-line-Therapieentscheidung. In 25 % der Fälle sind urodynamische Untersuchungen unerlässlich. Für die Routine notwendigen Assessments sind: die Anamneseerhebung, eine Restharnbestimmung, ein Miktionstagebuch und eine Uroflowmetrie (optional).
Energy intake during hospital stay predicts all-cause mortality after discharge independently of nutritional status in elderly heart failure patients
Authors: Katano Satoshi , Yano Toshiyuki , Kouzu Hidemichi , Ohori Katsuhiko , Shimomura Kanako , Honma Suguru , Nagaoka Ryohei , Inoue Takuya , Takamura Yuhei , Ishigo Tomoyuki , Watanabe Ayako , Koyama Masayuki , Nagano Nobutaka , Fujito Takefumi , Nishikawa Ryo , Ohwada Wataru , Hashimoto Akiyoshi , Katayose Masaki , Miura Tetsuji 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Objective
Malnutrition is associated with an increased risk of mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. Here, we examined the hypothesis that assessment of energy intake in addition to nutritional status improves the stratification of mortality risk in elderly HF patients.

Methods
We retrospectively examined 419 HF patients aged ≥ 65 years (median 78 years, 49% female). Nutritional status was assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF), and daily energy intake was calculated from intake during 3 consecutive days before discharge.

Results
During a median 1.52-year period (IQR 0.96–2.94 years), 110 patients (26%) died. Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that patients with low tertile of daily energy intake had a higher mortality rate than did patients with high or middle tertile of daily energy intake. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, low daily energy intake was independently associated with higher mortality after adjustment for the model including age, sex, BNP, Charlson Comorbidity Index, history of HF hospitalization, and cachexia in addition to MNA-SF. Inclusion of both MNA-SF and energy intake into the adjustment model improved the accuracy of prediction of the mortality after discharge (continuous net reclassification improvement, 0.355, p = 0.003; integrated discrimination improvement, 0.029, p = 0.003). Results of a fully adjusted dose-dependent association analysis showed that risk of all-cause mortality was lowest among HF patients who consumed 31.5 kcal/kg/day of energy.

Conclusions
Energy intake during hospital stay is an independent predictor of the mortality in elderly HF patients, and its assessment together with established predictors improves the mortality risk stratification.

Graphic abstract
Care in practice: negotiations regarding care for the elderly in multigenerational Arab Muslim families in Denmark
Authors: Ismail Abir Mohamad 
Published: January 2021

AbstractRecent studies conclude that ethnic minority families in Denmark tend to be dismissive of senior housing and municipal homecare services for elderly family members. A large proportion of Muslim minority families in Denmark attach great importance to caring for the elderly as a tradition and prefer to take care of their own elderly family members at home. Nevertheless, the fact that morality, incentives, and obligations in relation to care for the elderly may be legitimized and/or contested with reference to cultural traditions and Islam has not received much attention in current research. In this article, drawing on material from ongoing ethnographic fieldwork among Arab Muslim families in Denmark, I discuss how cultural and religious backgrounds may determine and influence perceptions and behavior regarding care for the elderly. By observing and engaging in the everyday life of an Arab Muslim family, I explore how caring for elderly people with health problems at home raises specific questions about obligations and triggers negotiations across genders and generations. I argue that besides kinship and ethnicity, it is equally important to consider religiosity in an attempt to learn more about how Arab Muslims care for their elderly family members.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of an Austenitic Heat-Resistant Steel after Service at 570 °C and 25.4 MPa for 18 Years
Authors: Yang Xu , Yu Chengwei , Yang Xisheng , Yan Kai , Qian Gong , Wang Baochen , Yan Wei , Shi Xianbo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMicrostructure and mechanical properties of an austenitic heat-resistant steel (12Cr18Ni12Ti) serviced in a supercritical power plant at 570 °C/25.4 MPa for 160,000 h were investigated. The results show that the hardness and the tensile strength did not decrease; however, the impact toughness was remarkably reduced. The TiC precipitate shows excellent thermostability; for example, it hardly grew up, and no big M23C6 carbides were found. However, large Fe, Cr-rich σ-phase was doomed to precipitate along grain boundary, which should be responsible for the reduced toughness. The growth of σ-phase was observed to have an interaction with the preexisted carbides.
European context of the diversity and phylogenetic position of SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Polish COVID-19 patients
Authors: Hryhorowicz Szymon , Ustaszewski Adam , Kaczmarek-Ryś Marta , Lis Emilia , Witt Michał , Pławski Andrzej , Ziętkiewicz Ewa 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTo provide a comprehensive analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence diversity in Poland in the European context. All publicly available (n = 115; GISAID database) whole-genome SARS-Cov-2 sequences from Polish samples, including those obtained during coronavirus testing performed in our COVID-19 Lab, were examined. Multiple sequence alignment of Polish isolates, phylogenetic analysis (ML tree), and multidimensional scaling (based on the pairwise DNA distances) were complemented by the comparison of the coronavirus clades frequency and diversity in the subset of over 5000 European GISAID sequences. Approximately seventy-seven percent of isolates in the European dataset carried frequent and ubiquitously found haplotypes; the remaining haplotype diversity was population-specific and resulted from population-specific mutations, homoplasies, and recombinations. Coronavirus strains circulating in Poland represented the variability found in other European countries. The prevalence of clades circulating in Poland was shifted in favor of GR, both in terms of the diversity (number of distinct haplotypes) and the frequency (number of isolates) of the clade. Polish-specific haplotypes were rare and could be explained by changes affecting common European strains. The analysis of the whole viral genomes allowed detection of several tight clusters of isolates, presumably reflecting local outbreaks. New mutations, homoplasies, and, to a smaller extent, recombinations increase SARS-CoV-2 haplotype diversity, but the majority of these variants do not increase in frequency and remains rare and population-specific. The spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 haplotypes in the Polish dataset reflects many independent transfers from a variety of sources, followed by many local outbreaks. The prevalence of the sequences belonging to the GR clade among Polish isolates is consistent with the European trend of the GR clade frequency increase.
Energy-Efficient Path-Following Control System of Automated Guided Vehicles
Authors: Holovatenko Illia , Pysarenko Andrii 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe theoretical bases of optimal tracking systems synthesis are considered. The main purpose of such systems is to keep the error between the actual and desired outputs of the system at a low level with minimal energy consumption. This concept is appealing to the fact that the vast majority of control systems solve problems without regard to the expediency of using the internal energy resources of the system itself. The main task of an automated guided vehicle is to move from one point to another. An algorithm for forming the desired trajectory between two points, specified on the map, was developed. With optimal energy consumption, this approach will make a practical contribution to the field of automation, self-driving cars, etc. The concept of optimal, energy-efficient control has been implemented. Several experiments with different regulators have been carried out to verify the concept of the tracking systems and to convince the significant advantage of the optimality among the other systems.
Novel and accurate non-linear index for the automated detection of haemorrhagic brain stroke using CT images
Authors: Raghavendra U. , Pham The-Hanh , Gudigar Anjan , Vidhya V. , Rao B. Nageswara , Sabut Sukanta , Wei Joel Koh En , Ciaccio Edward J. , Acharya U. Rajendra 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBrain stroke is an emergency medical condition which occurs mainly due to insufficient blood flow to the brain. It results in permanent cellular-level damage. There are two main types of brain stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic brain stroke is caused by a lack of blood flow, and the haemorrhagic form is due to internal bleeding. The affected part of brain will not function properly after this attack. Hence, early detection is important for more efficacious treatment. Computer-aided diagnosis is a type of non-invasive diagnostic tool which can help in detecting life-threatening disease in its early stage by utilizing image processing and soft computing techniques. In this paper, we have developed one such model to assess intracerebral haemorrhage by employing non-linear features combined with a probabilistic neural network classifier and computed tomography (CT) images. Our model achieved a maximum accuracy of 97.37% in discerning normal versus haemorrhagic subjects. An intracerebral haemorrhage index is also developed using only three significant features. The clinical and statistical validation of the model confirms its suitability in providing for improved treatment planning and in making strategic decisions.
Charge-Transfer Resonance and Electromagnetic Enhancement Synergistically Enabling MXenes with Excellent SERS Sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 S Protein Detection
Authors: Peng Yusi , Lin Chenglong , Long Li , Masaki Tanemura , Tang Mao , Yang Lili , Liu Jianjun , Huang Zhengren , Li Zhiyuan , Luo Xiaoying , Lombardi John R. , Yang Yong 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 has seriously threatened human health. Rapidly and sensitively detecting SARS-CoV-2 viruses can help control the spread of viruses. However, it is an arduous challenge to apply semiconductor-based substrates for virus SERS detection due to their poor sensitivity. Therefore, it is worthwhile to search novel semiconductor-based substrates with excellent SERS sensitivity. Herein we report, for the first time, Nb2C and Ta2C MXenes exhibit a remarkable SERS enhancement, which is synergistically enabled by the charge transfer resonance enhancement and electromagnetic enhancement. Their SERS sensitivity is optimized to 3.0 × 106 and 1.4 × 106 under the optimal resonance excitation wavelength of 532 nm. Additionally, remarkable SERS sensitivity endows Ta2C MXenes with capability to sensitively detect and accurately identify the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Moreover, its detection limit is as low as 5 × 10−9 M, which is beneficial to achieve real-time monitoring and early warning of novel coronavirus. This research not only provides helpful theoretical guidance for exploring other novel SERS-active semiconductor-based materials but also provides a potential candidate for the practical applications of SERS technology.
Naproxen/Layered Double Hydroxide Composites for Tissue-Engineering Applications: Physicochemical Characterization and Biological Evaluation
Authors: Bernardo Marcela P. , Rodrigues Bruna C.S. , de Oliveira Tamires D. , Guedes Adriana P.M. , Batista Alzir A. , Mattoso Luiz H.C. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractInjured bone tissues can be healed with bone grafts, but this procedure may cause intense pain to the patient. A slow and localized delivery of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could help to reduce the pain without affecting bone regeneration. The objective of the present study was to use [Mg-Al]-layered double hydroxide (LDH) as a matrix for controlled release of sodium naproxen (NAP). This system could be applied in biomaterial formulations (such as bone grafts) to achieve a local delivery of naproxen. [Mg-Al]-LDH successfully incorporated up to 80% (w/w) of naproxen by the structural reconstruction route, with the [Mg-Al]-LDH interlayer space increasing by 0.55 nm, corresponding to the drug molecule size. The evaluation of the naproxen release kinetics showed that 40% of the drug was delivered over 48 h in aqueous medium (pH 7.4 ± 0.1), indicating the potential of [Mg-Al]-LDH/NAP for local release of naproxen at adequate concentrations. Kinetic modeling showed that the naproxen release process was closely related to the Higuchi model, which considers the drug release as a diffusional process based on Fick’s law. The chemical stability of NAP after the release tests was verified by 1H NMR. The [Mg-Al]-LDH/NAP also exhibited low cytotoxicity toward fibroblast cells (L929 cell line), without modifications in their morphology and adhesion capacity. These results describe a suitable approach for preparing efficient systems for local delivery of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for biomedical applications.
CURRENT RESEARCH ON GÖDEL’S INCOMPLETENESS THEOREMS
Authors: CHENG YONG 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe give a survey of current research on Gödel’s incompleteness theorems from the following three aspects: classifications of different proofs of Gödel’s incompleteness theorems, the limit of the applicability of Gödel’s first incompleteness theorem, and the limit of the applicability of Gödel’s second incompleteness theorem.
Improving the quality and quantity of clinical and translational research statewide: An application of group concept mapping
Authors: Fede Jacquelyn , Kogut Stephen J. , Hayward Anthony , Stevenson John F. , Willey-Temkin Cynthia , Fournier Heather , Stranieri Gabrielle , Kimberly Judy A. , Padbury James 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Introduction:
Advance Clinical and Translational Research (Advance-CTR) serves as a central hub to support and educate clinical and translational researchers in Rhode Island. Understanding barriers to clinical research in the state is the key to setting project aims and priorities.

Methods:
We implemented a Group Concept Mapping exercise to characterize the views of researchers and administrators regarding how to increase the quality and quantity of clinical and translational research in their settings. Participants generated ideas in response to this prompt and rated each unique idea in terms of how important it was and feasible it seemed to them.

Results:
Participants generated 78 unique ideas, from which 9 key themes emerged (e.g., Building connections between researchers). Items rated highest in perceived importance and feasibility included providing seed grants for pilot projects, connecting researchers with common interests and networking opportunities. Implications of results are discussed.

Conclusions:
The Group Concept Mapping exercise enabled our project leadership to better understand stakeholder-perceived priorities and to act on ideas and aims most relevant to researchers in the state. This method is well suited to translational research enterprises beyond Rhode Island when a participatory evaluation stance is desired.
Preliminary study of the impact of elevated circulating plasma levels of catecholamines on opioid requirements for acute surgical pain
Authors: Uribe-Rivera Armando , Rasubala Linda , Machado-Perez Ana C. , Ren Yan-Fang , Malmström Hans , Carinci Adam 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Introduction:
The objective of this study is to determine whether elevated circulating plasma catecholamine levels significantly impact opioid requirements during the first 24 hours postoperative period in individuals with acute surgical pain.

Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 15 electronic medical records (EMRs) from adults 18 years and older, with confirmed elevated plasma catecholamine levels (experimental) and 15 electronic health records (EHRs) from matched-controls for age, gender, race and type of surgery, with a follow up of 24 hours postoperatively.

Results:
The total morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) requirements from the experimental group were not statistically different when compared with controls [44.1 (13 to 163) mg versus 47.5 (13 to 151) mg respectively; p 0.4965]. However, the intraoperative MMEs showed a significant difference, among the two groups; [(experimental) 32.5 (13. to 130) mg, (control) 15 (6.5 to 130) mg; p 0.0734]. The intraoperative dosage of midazolam showed a highly significant positive correlation to the total MMEs (p 0.0005). The subjects with both elevated plasma catecholamines and hypertension used significantly higher intraoperative MMEs compared to controls [34.1 (13 to 130) mg versus 15 (6.5 to 130) mg, respectively; p 0.0292)]. Those 51 years and younger, with elevated circulating levels of catecholamines, required significantly higher levels of both the postoperative MMEs [29.1 (0 to 45) mg versus 12 (0 to 71.5) mg; (p 0.0553)] and total MMEs [544.05 (13 to 81) mg versus 29.42 (13 to 92.5) mg; (p 0.00018), when compared to controls with history of nicotine and alcohol use.

Conclusion:
This preliminary study evaluated a biologic factor, which have promising clinical usefulness for predicting analgesic requirements that can drive clinical decisions on acute surgical pain.
Virtual infection prevention—The next frontier
Authors: Pryor Rachel J. , Vokes Rebecca , Anderson Deverick , Bearman Gonzalo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the acceleration of telehealth and remote environments as stakeholders and healthcare systems respond to the threat of this disease. How can infectious diseases and healthcare epidemiology expertise be adapted to support safe care for all?