bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conservative management for retained products of conception after less than 22 weeks of gestation
Authors: Shitanaka Shimpei , Chigusa Yoshitsugu , Kawahara Shunsuke , Kawasaki Kaoru , Mogami Haruta , Mandai Masaki , Kondoh Eiji 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimThe aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of conservative treatment in cases of retained products of conception (RPOC) with a preceding pregnancy of less than 22 weeks and to assess whether serum beta‐human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels could be a useful index to monitor the progress of treatment.MethodsThis is a case series of patients with RPOC developed after less than 22 weeks of gestation and managed expectantly with serial serum hCG measurement between 2011 and 2017. The clinical data of subjects were reviewed retrospectively. Cases that did not require invasive treatment such as surgery were designated as conservative management success.ResultsA total of 19 cases were eligible: 14 miscarriages and 5 induced abortions. Eleven patients underwent dilatation and curettage. The diagnosis of RPOC was made 35 (8–80) days after abortion. All patients were successfully treated with conservative management. Serum hCG levels at diagnosis were 29.6 (3.2–1585) mIU/mL. Serial measurement of serum hCG was continued until the levels became lower than the cutoff value, and the mean duration to hCG disappearance was 67.5 (6–183) days. In all cases, RPOC vanished spontaneously 77 (27–184) days after diagnosis. The disappearance of RPOC in the uterine cavity was subsequent to a significant decrease in serum hCG. Once serum hCG levels reached the cutoff value, no bleeding episodes were observed.ConclusionConservative management for RPOC might be acceptable and effective. Furthermore, serial serum hCG levels reflect the activity of RPOC, and hCG may be a reliable index to monitor the progress of treatment.
Outcome of the fetuses with severely increased nuchal translucency thickness in the first trimester
Authors: Nakamura Yasushi , Fujita Satoko , Yamada Kenji , Song Mihyon , Tajima Atsushi , Matsumoto Junko , Kihira Chikara , Kurata Yoshie , Arakawa Hiromi , Tamura Chieko 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimTo study the outcome of pregnancies with severely increased nuchal translucency (NT) thickness at the 11–13‐week scan.MethodsThis study included 162 singleton pregnancies whose fetuses had increased NT thickness ≥ 5.5 mm between September 2013 and August 2018. The cases were divided into two groups: NT ≥ 6.5 mm (n = 112) (group A); and 6.5 mm > NT ≥ 5.5 mm (n = 50) (group B). Fetal (amniotic fluid) or placental (chorionic villous) chromosome analyses were conducted. Subsequent ultrasound findings, pregnancy outcome and structural defects in the neonates were recorded and analyzed.ResultsAbnormal karyotype was found in 71% (60/84) (group A) and 57% (21/37) (group B) of the cases respectively. In group A, 15 cases out of 24 with normal karyotype were born. Among these 15 cases, one case died soon after birth and 5 cases had associated abnormalities. In group B, 13 cases out of 18 with normal karyotype or negative noninvasive prenatal testing results and 1 case out of 2 cases with 47,XXY were born. All of them survived with no major anomaly.ConclusionIncidence of chromosomal aberrations was high in the cases with severely increased NT thickness. But favorable outcome could be expected if the fetus had no chromosomal abnormality and no abnormal findings were found in second trimester ultrasound scan especially in a fetus with increased NT < 6.5 mm.
Geofencing: Mobile Technology as a Health Promotion Tool to Raise Awareness of a Dental Clinic in Rural North Carolina
Authors: Wright Wanda G. , Rafferty Ann P. , Winterbauer Nancy , Locklear Kayla , Tucker‐McLaughlin Mary 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of the study was to assess the use of geofence technology to raise awareness of a dental clinic in rural North Carolina.MethodsThe catchment area of the dental clinic was defined by ZIP Codes. A geofence was identified, and cell phones within the perimeter were targeted for oral health message drops to occur over 3 months from April to June 2017. Surveys conducted twice, pre‐ and postintervention (message drop), evaluated change in community awareness of services available at the dental clinic. A cross‐sectional analysis was used to measure the effect of the exposure to the geofence technology in survey respondents.FindingsThe survey included 200 participants (100 pre‐ and 100 postintervention). There were no significant differences in race or age for pre‐ and postintervention survey groups. The majority of respondents were American Indians (47.0% pre, 58.6% post) or black (28.8% pre, 25.5% post). There was a statistically significant improvement in awareness of the dental clinic (P = .045) from pre‐ to postintervention. A significant increase was also observed in the question related to dental visits by the respondent or family member of the respondent (from 6.5% to 15.0%, P = .04). A more modest improvement was found in questions related to the cost of dental care, type of insurance accepted, and services provided.ConclusionGeofencing has the potential to increase awareness of health care services and ultimately increase the number of patients receiving care.
Incidence of severe acute malnutrition after treatment: A prospective matched cohort study in Sokoto, Nigeria
Authors: Adegoke Olufemi , Arif Shafique , Bahwere Paluku , Harb Jana , Hug Julia , Jasper Paul , Mudzongo Paul , Nanama Simeon , Olisenekwu Gloria , Visram Aly 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSevere acute malnutrition (SAM) among children in Nigeria is tackled through the outpatient therapeutic programme (OTP) of the Community‐based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programme. CMAM is evidently effective in resolving SAM, but little evidence exists on the remaining risk of SAM relapse for children discharged as cured from the OTP. We aimed to measure and compare the 6‐month incidence of SAM among OTP‐cured and community control children and identify factors associated with SAM relapse. We conducted a prospective matched cohort study that tracked 553 OTP‐cured and 526 control children in Sokoto State, Northern Nigeria. Outcomes and covariates were measured fortnightly in up to 12 home visits. We used multivariate Cox and accelerated failure time models to identify significant risk correlates, where the covariates to be tested for correlation with relapse were selected using domain knowledge and automatic feature selection methods. SAM incidence rates were 52 times higher in the OTP‐cured cohort (0.204/100 child‐days) than in the community control cohort (0.004/100 child‐days). Children with lower mid‐upper arm circumference at OTP admission, with lower height/length‐for‐age z‐scores, whose household head did not work over the full year, who lived in an area previously affected by environmental shocks, who were female and who had diarrhoea before the visit had a significantly higher relapse risk. Our study shows that OTP‐cured children remain at a significantly excess risk of SAM. To improve long‐term health outcomes of these children, programmes adopting a CMAM approach should strengthen follow‐up care and be integrated with other preventive services.
Maternal diets matter for children's dietary quality: Seasonal dietary diversity and animal‐source foods consumption in rural Timor‐Leste
Authors: Bonis‐Profumo Gianna , Stacey Natasha , Brimblecombe Julie 
Published: August 2020

AbstractImproving the dietary quality of women and children is essential to reduce all forms of malnutrition. In this study, we assessed seasonal child and maternal dietary diversity and consumption of animal‐source foods (ASF), using 1,236 observations from combined data collected among 167 mother–child dyads in rural Timor‐Leste. We used generalized linear and logistic mixed‐effects models to examine the dietary differentials of mothers and children in two agricultural livelihood zones and across the seasons, as well as to identify household and agroecological characteristics associated with children's dietary quality in relation to their mothers'. We found dietary quality to be marginally better in coastal than in mid‐altitude zones. However, women's diets were strikingly poor, and their intake of ASF was lower than among children. Mothers exhibited preferential allocation patterns of specific ASF, dairy products and eggs, to children. The intake of ASF was predicted by seasonality. Flesh foods and red meat were much more likely to be consumed during the dry season, when cultural ceremonies are often performed. We found a positive and strongly significant association between children's dietary indicators—dietary diversity score, minimum dietary diversity and ASF consumption, and those of their mothers'. Maternal dietary quality and educational attainment, more so than agroecological characteristics, were explanatory factors of children's diet. Our study highlights that addressing the dietary quality of children in Timor‐Leste would benefit from improving women's diets through better access to nutritious foods and to secondary education.
Mycorrhizal and environmental controls over root trait–decomposition linkage of woody trees
Authors: Jiang Lei , Wang Huimin , Li Shenggong , Fu Xiaoli , Dai Xiaoqin , Yan Han , Kou Liang 
Published: August 2020

Summary

Traits are critical in predicting decomposition that fuels carbon and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. However, our understanding of root trait–decomposition linkage, and especially its dependence on mycorrhizal type and environmental context, remains limited.

We explored the control of morphological and chemical (carbon‐ and nutrient‐related) traits over decomposition of absorptive roots in 30 tree species associated with either arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) or ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in temperate and subtropical forests in China.

Carbon‐related traits (acid‐unhydrolysable residue (AUR) and cellulose concentrations) had predominant control of root decomposition in AM species while nutrient‐related traits (magnesium concentration) predominately controlled that in ECM species. Thicker absorptive roots decomposed faster in AM species as a result of their lower AUR concentrations, but more slowly in ECM angiosperm species potentially as a result of their higher magnesium concentrations. Root decomposition was linked to root nutrient economy in both forests while root diameter–decomposition coordination emerged only in the subtropical forest where root diameter and decomposition presented similar cross‐species variations.

Our findings suggest that root trait–decomposition linkages differ strongly with mycorrhizal type and environment, and that root diameter can predict decomposition but in opposing directions and with contrasting mechanisms for AM and ECM species.
Effects of lifestyle intervention on long‐term risk of diabetes in women with prior gestational diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Li Ninghua , Yang Yingzi , Cui Dingyu , Li Changping , Ma Ronald C.W. , Li Jing , Yang Xilin 
Published: August 2020

SummaryWe performed two meta‐analyses to estimate the effects of lifestyle intervention during pregnancy and after delivery on the risk of postpartum diabetes among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We searched the major databases to retrieve articles published in English or Chinese before 15 December 2019. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of diet, physical activity or both, conducted during or after pregnancy among women with GDM. The exclusion criteria were (1) having type 1 or type 2 diabetes before the intervention and (2) without postpartum diabetes documented. Fixed‐effects model analysis was used to obtain the pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of lifestyle intervention for diabetes in women with GDM. Four RCTs were identified to have implemented the intervention during pregnancy (n = 2883) and 10 to have conducted it within 3 years after delivery (n = 1733). Lifestyle intervention during pregnancy was not effective at reducing the risk of postpartum diabetes (RR: 0.91, 95%CI: 0.66–1.25). However, lifestyle intervention initiated within 3 years after delivery was highly effective in reducing the risk of postpartum diabetes (pooled RR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.42–0.78). In conclusion, our findings support the early initiation of lifestyle intervention in women with GDM for the prevention of diabetes.
Antihypertensives and melanoma: An updated review
Authors: Williams Natalie M. , Vincent Louis T. , Rodriguez Gregor A. , Nouri Keyvan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAntihypertensive medications are commonly prescribed and well‐studied. Given the widespread use and potential side effects, various theories have been made about the relationship between antihypertensives and malignancy, including melanoma. This review describes the current understanding of the most commonly prescribed antihypertensives and their associations with melanoma. The literature demonstrates that diuretics, specifically hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide, may increase the risk of melanoma. While there is no evidence that antihypertensives have a role in melanoma prevention, non‐selective β‐blocker therapy has been associated with a decreased risk of disease progression and recurrence and may also improve outcomes in patients undergoing immunotherapy. In addition, experimental studies reveal that angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers have anti‐tumor effects, meriting further study.
3D reconstruction of internal wood decay using photogrammetry and sonic tomography
Authors: Zhang Junjie , Khoshelham Kourosh 
Published: August 2020

AbstractKnowledge of deteriorations within tree trunks is critical for arborists to conduct individual tree health assessments. Sonic tree tomography, a non‐destructive technique using sound waves, has been widely used to estimate the size and shape of internal decay based on sound wave velocity variations. However, it has commonly been applied to 2D horizontal or vertical cross sections and its accuracy is questionable due to the poor approximation of the shape of the cross section. This paper proposes an integration of close‐range photogrammetry and sonic tomography to enable accurate reconstruction of the exterior and interior of the tree trunk in 3D. The internal wood quality is represented by the spatially interpolated sound wave velocities, using the time of flight of the sound waves and the coordinates of the acoustic sensors obtained from the photogrammetric model. Experimental results show that the proposed approach provides a realistic 3D visualisation of the size, shape and location of the internal deteriorations.
Helping and Happiness: A Review and Guide for Public Policy
Authors: Aknin Lara B. , Whillans Ashley V. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPerhaps one of the most reaffirming findings to emerge over the past several decades is that humans not only engage in generous behavior, they also appear to experience pleasure from doing so. Yet not all acts of helping lead to greater happiness. Here, we review the growing body of evidence showing that people engage in a wide array of prosocial behaviors (e.g., charitable giving, volunteering, blood/organ donation, offering advice, food sharing) which can promote positive emotions. Then, using self‐determination theory, a foundational theory of human motivation, we consider when and how generous actions are most likely to boost the helper's happiness—and when they are not. Finally, we leverage these insights to consider how public policy and organizations can apply this information to make prosocial action more emotionally rewarding for citizens and employees alike.
Xeno‐regenerative medicine: A novel concept for donor kidney fabrication
Authors: Yokoo Takashi , Yamanaka Shuichiro , Kobayashi Eiji 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAllogeneic kidney transplantation not only dramatically improves the prognosis and quality of life of patients with end‐stage renal disease who require dialysis, but also provides significant medical economic benefits. However, due to chronic shortage of donor organs, patients have to continue to undergo dialysis, which can be stressful and expensive. To overcome such circumstances, xenotransplantation and kidney regeneration are being studied as the ultimate treatment options that can be a replacement for allogenic donor organs. A complete organ with vascular pedicles can be xenotransplanted; however, the control of immune response against a xenoantigen is one consideration. Conversely, regenerative medicine may be used to generate a self‐organ or at least an allo‐organ from iPS cells, but completion of a whole organ is another story. The creation of a hybrid organ that can compensate for the shortcomings of both xenotransplantation and regenerative medicine may be advocated. Here, we propose what we may call “xenogenerative medicine.” The present review extracts the current limitations of each strategy, especially in Japan, and discusses how the combination of both the strategies may lead to dramatic progress in the development of a new organ creation method.
Constant Force Spring System With a Spiral
Authors: Hetnarski Richard B. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The paper is devoted to the theory of a mechanism called constant force spring system. The system consists of a linear helical spring, a spiral drum, a take-up pulley, and two cords. The spiral drum and the take-up pulley are attached rigidly to each other. One of the cords connects the spring with the spiral drum, and at the initial position of the system fills the entire spiral groove on the drum. During the operation of the system, the spiral drum may rotate about its center, and the cord may gradually unwind from the spiral and wind again. The process of winding/unwinding causes the spring to change its length and change the force it exerts on the spiral drum. Due to the shape of the spiral, the distance of the cord from the center of the drum changes, so that the force in the other cord which is wound on the take-up pulley remains constant. Creation of that constant force is the goal of the system. The heart of the system is a specially designed spiral. The solution to the associated differential equation is provided. The system may allow to eliminate weight towers in exercise machines; eliminate counterweights in elevators, as well as in windows that open by moving upwards. The landing path of fighter planes’ landing on aircraft carriers may be reduced. The spiral of the system exhibits an important property which may interest mathematicians; its behavior is compared with that of the Archimedes’ and logarithmic spirals. Because of this property, the spiral may find other applications.
Kinematic Modeling and Analysis of a Novel Bio-Inspired and Cable-Driven Hybrid Shoulder Mechanism
Authors: Niyetkaliyev A. S. , Sariyildiz E. , Alici G. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The robotic shoulder rehabilitation exoskeletons that do not take into consideration all shoulder degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) lead to undesirable interaction forces and cause discomfort to the patient due to the joint axes misalignments between the exoskeleton and shoulder joints. In order to contribute to the solution of this human–robot compatibility issue, we present the kinematic modeling and analysis of a novel bio-inspired 5-DOFs hybrid human–robot mechanism (HRM). The human limbs are regarded as the inner passive restrained links in the proposed hybrid constrained anthropomorphic mechanism. The proposed hybrid mechanism combines serial and parallel manipulators with rigid and cable links enabling a match between human and exoskeleton joint axes. It is designed to cover the whole range of motion of the human shoulder with the workspace free of singularities. The numerical and simulation results from the computer-aided drawing model of the mechanism are presented to demonstrate the validity of the kinematic model, and the kinematic and singularity merits of the proposed mechanism. A three-dimensional printed prototype of the hybrid mechanism was fabricated to further validate the kinematic model and its overall advantages.
System Kinematic Reliability Analysis for Robotic Manipulators Under Rectangular and Spherical Tolerant Boundaries
Authors: Zhao Qiangqiang , Guo Junkang , Hong Jun 
Published: August 2020

AbstractKinematic reliability is an essential index assessing the work performance of robotic manipulators. In general, the kinematic reliability of robotic manipulators is defined as the probability of the pose or position error falling into a specified tolerant region. Therefore, this work proposes an efficient method to conduct kinematic reliability analysis for robotic manipulators under rectangular and spherical allowable safe boundaries in terms of dimension and input uncertainties. First, based on the Baker–Campbell–Hausdorff formula and Lie group theory, the mean and covariance matrix of the distribution of the pose error are analytically determined. Then, the expectation propagation of the multivariate Gaussian and saddlepoint approximation method are employed to calculate the probabilities of kinematic reliability under the rectangular and spherical safe boundaries, respectively. The proposed method takes into account the boundness of the random error variable and is available for arbitrarily distributed errors. Finally, a spatial six degrees-of-freedom industrial robot is used as an example to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method by comparison with other methods. The comparison results indicate that the proposed method has higher accuracy and efficiency.
Development of Robotic Ankle–Foot Orthosis With Series Elastic Actuator and Magneto-Rheological Brake
Authors: Chen Bing , Zi Bin , Wang Zhengyu , Li Yuan , Qian Jun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This paper illustrates the development and experimental validation of a robotic ankle–foot orthosis (AFO) with a series elastic actuator (SEA) and a magneto-rheological (MR) brake. First, the biomechanics of a human ankle joint during walking is explained. Next, the hardware design of the robotic AFO is introduced, including its mechanical structure, actuator design and configuration, and electronic system. The SEA is primarily composed of an electric motor, a planetary gearbox, a torsion spring, and a pair of bevel gears. The MR brake can modulate the viscosity of the robotic AFO and generate a large braking torque of 21.8 Nm with a low power of 8.8 W. Additionally, the modeling of the robotic AFO is presented, followed by an introduction to its control; several gait evaluation indices are proposed as well. Finally, a pilot study is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the developed robotic AFO. The experimental results demonstrate that the robotic AFO has the potential to provide dorsiflexion assistance, thus preventing foot slap and toe drag, in addition to plantarflexion assistance for the forward propulsion of the body. During a gait cycle, an average power of 0.23 W is harvested, and an 8% improvement in the system energy efficiency is achieved.