bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of an Integrated Supportive Programme on Xerostomia and Salivary Characteristics in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jiang Nan , Zhao Yue , Stensson Malin , Mårtensson Jan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Aim: This study evaluates the effect of an integrated supportive programme on xerostomia and saliva characteristics at a one-year follow-up of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiotherapy (RT).Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n=47) or a control group (n=45). The intervention group received usual care and an integrated supportive programme, which included three steps: face-to-face education; face-to-face coaching at one-month post RT; and four telephone coaching sessions at 2-, 3-, 6-, and 9-months post RT. The face-to-face education consisted of oral hygiene instruction, oral self-care strategies, facial and tongue muscle exercises, and salivary gland massage. Adherence to the intervention was evaluated using a questionnaire completed during the nine-month follow-up. The control group received usual care. The unstimulated saliva flow rate, saliva pH, buffering capacity, and xerostomia were assessed in both groups.Results: A total of 79 participants (40 in the intervention group and 39 in the control group) completed the 12-month follow-up. There were statistically significant differences between the groups in level of xerostomia at the 3- and 12-month follow-up (P=0.027 and P<0.001, respectively) and in the mean value of unstimulated saliva flow rate at the 12-month follow-up (P=0.035), with better outcome in the intervention group. The adherence of the intervention was good but decreased slightly during the follow-up. Conclusion: This integrated supportive programme with good adherence relieved xerostomia and had a positive effect on unstimulated saliva flow rate among patients with HNC during the 12-month follow-up.
The role of PDL-cementum enthesis in protecting PDL under masticatory loading: A finite element investigation
Authors: Jokar Hossein , Rouhi Gholamreza , Abolfathi Nabiollah 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
PURPOSE. Function of periodontal ligament-cementum enthesis (PCE) in transferring mechanical stimuli within tooth-periodontium (PDT)-bone complex was not made clear yet. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PCE on the mechanical stimuli distribution within the PDL and alveolar bone in the tooth-PDT-bone complex under occlusal forces using finite element method (FEM). METHODS. A computed tomography (CT) based model of alveolar bone and 2nd premolar of mandible was constructed, in which the PDT was considered at the interface of alveolar bone and tooth. Under a 3MPa distributed occluso-apical masticatory load, applied over the uppermost surface of crown, the von Mises strain (vMST) and strain energy density (SED) within PDL, and von Mises stress (vMSR) and SED within alveolar bone were calculated in two situations: 1. When the PCE was absent; and 2. When the PCE was present between the PDL and cementum. RESULTS. PCE levels-off the SED and vMST within PDL by maximum values of 92 kPa and 0.04 mm/mm, respectively, compared to the model without PCE. Moreover, it increased the alveolar bone SEDs and vMSR by maximum values of 0.36 kPa and 0.63 MPa, respectively, compared to the without PCE model.CONCLUSION. By including PCE in the tooth-PDT-bone model, the mechanical stimuli shift from PDL to its surrounding alveolar bone. Thus, it can be speculated that the tooth-PDT-bone complex has the capability of, through shifting excess mechanical stimuli from PDL toward the alveolar bone, reducing the risk of PDL damage.
A Single Hidden Layer Artificial Neural Network Model that Employs Algebraic Neurons: Algebraic Learning Machine
Authors: Ertuğrul Ömer Faruk 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Artificial neural networks (ANN) have been employed successfully because of their high modeling capability. Many versions of the ANN have been proposed to increase the modeling ability. Since ANN based on the biological neural network system, the only mathematical operation is summation or subtraction (while the coefficients are negative). This research was done to investigate the application of other mathematical operations, which are multiplication, division, logarithm, and exponential, in nodes. Based on this fact, a novel a single hidden layer feed-forward artificial neural network (SLFN) model, which was called was algebraic learning machine (ALM), was proposed. The proposed ALM was evaluated and validated with 60 different benchmark datasets. Obtained results were compared with results obtained by each of the extreme learning machine (ELM), randomized artificial neural network, and random vector functional link, and back-propagation trained SLFN methods. Achieved results show that the proposed method is successful enough to be employed in classification and regression.
A Parametric Simulation Model for HVOF Coating Thickness Control
Authors: Ren Jiangzhuo , Ahmad Rafiq , Zhang Guofeng , Rong Yiming , Ma Yongsheng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
High velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) thermal spraying is a coating process involving multidisciplinary aspects, e.g., the fuel-oxidant combustion, flame-particle jet, particle deposition, mass and heat transfer, and even robotic kinematics. Like most coating processes, in HVOF processes, coating thickness is a significant property determining the coating performance, hence this property should be accurately controlled during the process. In view of green, smart, and digital manufacturing, the coating thickness prediction model is demanded for producing high-quality coatings efficiently. This paper presents an approach to parametrically simulate the coating thickness in HVOF processes via an integrated numerical model. Firstly, an axisymmetric computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is constructed to compute the behaviors of the fuel-oxidant combustion, flame-particle jet, and particle deposition distribution. Secondly, based on the particle distribution in a 2D axisymmetric model, a 3D single coating thickness profile model is developed by constructing a circular pattern using the axis of the nozzle. Further, this profile is smoothened by a Gaussian model and its mathematical expression is obtained. Finally, a numerical model couples spray paths with the mathematical expression to model the coating thickness distribution on a substrate surface under industrial scenarios. At the end of this paper, the coating results of four sets of operating parameters were experimentally obtained and compared with the predicted simulation results to verify the proposed model’s effectiveness.
A computational probe into the behavioral and neural markers of atypical facial emotion processing in autism.
Authors: Kar Kohitij 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Despite ample behavioral evidence of atypical facial emotion processing in individuals with autism (IwA), the neural underpinnings of such behavioral heterogeneities remain unclear. Here, I have used brain-tissue mapped artificial neural network (ANN) models of primate vision to probe candidate neural and behavior markers of atypical facial emotion recognition in IwA at an image-by-image level. Interestingly, the ANNs' image-level behavioral patterns better matched the neurotypical subjects' behavior than those measured in IwA. This behavioral mismatch was most remarkable when the ANN behavior was decoded from units that correspond to the primate inferior temporal (IT) cortex. ANN-IT responses also explained a significant fraction of the image-level behavioral predictivity associated with neural activity in the human amygdala — strongly suggesting that the previously reported facial emotion intensity encodes in the human amygdala could be primarily driven by projections from the IT cortex. Furthermore, in silico experiments revealed how learning under noisy sensory representations could lead to atypical facial emotion processing that better matches the image-level behavior observed in IwA. In sum, these results identify primate IT activity as a candidate neural marker and demonstrate how ANN models of vision can be used to generate neural circuit-level hypotheses and guide future human and non-human primate studies in autism.
Si-doped Al2o3 Nanosheet Supported Pd for Catalytic Combustion of Propane: Effects of Si Doping on Morphology, Thermal Stability and Water-resistance
Authors: Jiang Mingxiang , Wu Qingqing , Yan Jiaorong , Pan Jun , Dai Qiguang , Zhan Wangcheng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Catalytic combustion of propane as typical light alkanes was important for the purification of industrial VOCs and automobile hydrocarbon emissions. Si-doped Al2O3 nanosheet was synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and effects of Si content on the morphology and thermal stability of Al2O3 were investigated. The doping of SiO2 could tune the thickness of Al2O3 nanosheets and significantly improve its thermal stability, the θ phase was still maintained and the specific surface area was as high as 56.3 m2∙g-1 after calcination at 1200 ℃. And then the Si-doped Al2O3 nanosheets were used as support of Pd catalysts (Pd/Si-Al2O3 nanosheets) for catalytic combustion of propane, especially Pd/3.6Si-Al2O3 nanosheets, which presented high activity, stability and resistance to sintering and H2O due to the promotion of Si on the thermal stability of Al2O3 and the stabilization (dispersion, isolation and strong interaction) of PdOx species.
Feasibility of Low-dose Dexmedetomidine for Prevention of Postoperative Delirium after Intracranial Operations: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Cheng Kun-Ming , He Xuan , Duan Yu-Qing , Xu Shan-Shan , Gao Hao-Ran , Miao Ming-Yue , Li Hong-Liang , Chen Kai , Yang Yan-Lin , Zhang Linlin , Gu Hong-Qiu , Zhou Jian-Xin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Clinical trials have shown that dexmedetomidine might decrease the occurrence of postoperative delirium after major surgery, but neurosurgical patients were excluded from these studies. We aimed to determine the feasibility of conducting a full-scale randomized controlled trial of the effect of prophylactic low-dose dexmedetomidine on postoperative delirium in patients after elective intracranial operation for brain tumors.Methods: This single-center, parallel-arm pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted in a twenty-bed intensive care unit (ICU) at an academic affiliated hospital. Adult patients who underwent an elective intracranial operation for brain tumors and admitted to the ICU were recruited. Dexmedetomidine (0.1 mg/kg/hour) or placebo was continuously infused from ICU admission on the day of surgery until 08:00 AM on postoperative day one. Adverse events during the study-drug administration were recorded. The primary feasibility endpoint was the occurrence of study-drug interruption. Delirium was assessed twice daily with the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU during the first five postoperative days. The assessable rate of delirium evaluation was documented.Results: Sixty participants were randomly assigned to receive either dexmedetomidine (n=30) or placebo (n=30). The study-drug was stopped in two patients (6.7%) in the placebo group due to desaturation after new-onset unconsciousness and an unplanned reoperation for hematoma evacuation and in one patient (3.3%) in the dexmedetomidine group due to unplanned discharge from the ICU (P=0.554). During the study-drug infusion, no bradycardia occurred, and hypotension occurred in one patient (3.3%) in the dexmedetomidine group. Dexmedetomidine tended to decrease the incidence of tachycardia (10.0% vs. 23.3%) and hypertension (3.3% vs. 23.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.299 and 0.052). Respiratory depression, desaturation, and unconsciousness occurred in the same patient with study-drug interruption in the placebo group (3.3%). Delirium was evaluated 600 times, of which 590 (98.3%) attempts were assessable except in one patient in the placebo group who remained in a coma after an unplanned reoperation.Conclusions: The low rate of study-drug interruption and high assessable rate of delirium evaluation supported a fully powered trial to determine the effectiveness of low-dose dexmedetomidine on postoperative delirium in patients after intracranial operation for brain tumors.Trial registration: The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04494828) on July 31, 2020.
Theoretical Modeling and Machining Experiments of Cylindrical Microstructure Assisted by Single Point Diamond Turning
Authors: Li Jingjin , Ji Shijun , Zhao Ji , Li Jianfeng , Dai Handa 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Micro structure requires nanometer-scale surface roughness and micro- or even sub-micron form error accuracy in different applications. Two kinds of modeling theories and methods of micro-feature of rotating body and non-rotating body are studied, and the corresponding tool turning trajectory planning method is put forward. In order to process the designed micro-feature structure successfully and avoid the interference and overcutting between tool and workpiece caused by improper selection of tool parameters, the cutting parameters are analyzed and two error theories are proposed. Then a precision driven turning trajectory planning method is proposed, which can optimize the turning parameters according to the setting error and then optimize the trajectory. The experiments are carried out to verify the proposed theory. The surface roughness and surface accuracy of the features were measured by Talysurf PGI 1240 and KEYENCE vhx900 respectively. The surface roughness and surface accuracy of the cylindrical sine wave groove micro feature surface are 0.1714µm and 1.32µm respectively. The surface roughness and surface accuracy of the cylindrical sinusoidal mesh micro feature surface are 0.1625µm and 1.8µm respectively. The results meet expectations and verify the reliability of the error theory and the trajectory optimization theory.
A Case of Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis With Pulmonary Nodules and Masses
Authors: Wu Qian , Zhang Limin , Yang Qingrui , Sun Hongsheng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is autoimmune-mediated, necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis, primarily involving the upper and lower respiratory tract and kidneys. Pulmonary parenchymal necrosis, vasculitis, and granulomatous inflammation are the main pathological features. Pulmonary imaging visualizes various manifestations, like lung consolidation, ground-glass shadow, speckle shadow, nodules and mass shadows, cavitation, pulmonary interstitial change, pleural effusion, and multiple mediastinal lymph nodes enlargements, and stenosis or occlusion of a lobe or bronchus segment. Case presentation: We report a 53-year-old patient diagnosed with Granulomatous polyangiitis with multiple pulmonary nodules and masses, by ultrasound-guided lung mass puncture biopsy. After treatment with methylprednisolone, Mycophenolate Mofetil, compound sulfamethoxazole and cyclophosphamide, the patient's condition improved and the pulmonary lesions were better than before.Conclusions: In addition to specific infections and tumors, immunological diseases, especially granulomatous polyangiitis, should be considered when treating patients in a clinical setting with multiple pulmonary nodules and weights. Through close multidisciplinary cooperation and communication, the disease will be hopefully received timely diagnosis and early treatment, relieving pain for more patients.
Association between sedentary behaviour inside and outside preschools and executive function in preschoolers
Authors: Bezerra Thayna , Esteban-Cornejo Irene , Goulart Natalia Batista Albuquerque , Mota Jorge Augusto Pinto Silva , Filho Anastácio Neco Souza , Bandeira Paulo Felipe Ribeiro , Martins Clarice Maria 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Preschool children spend a large part of their day at school, and a large part of that time they spend in sedentary behaviour (SB). Although SB negatively affects regions of the brain responsible for cognition, it is believed that the type of SB performed can favour executive functions' performance. The present study aimed to analyse the association between SB inside and outside preschools and EF tasks in preschool children. Thus, 73 pre-school children (60.3% girls) were evaluated, with a mean age of 55.0 ± 9.1 months. The SB and physical activity (PA) were objectively assessed using accelerometers. The executive function (EF) was assessed using the Go / No Go paradigm by Early Years Toolbox – YET, and for the purposes of analysis, the inverse efficiency of Go and No Go accuracy were considered. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated [weight/height² (kg/m2)]. The preschool secretary provided the children's sex and age. To assess possible associations between EF and SB, with sex, age, BMI and PA as covariates, a structural equation model, using multivariate linear regression analysis, was conducted. A significant and positive association between SB in weekend days and IE of Go (b = 0.61; p < 0.001) was observed. The model´s general explaining 51.9% of IE, and 2% of Ac-No Go. Conclusion: the model presented in this study showed that SB on weekend days showed a significant and adverse association with children´s IE, suggesting that excessive SB on these days may be harmful to EF in early child.
Prevalence of Inconsistency and Its Association With Network Structural Characteristics in 201 Published Networks of Interventions
Authors: Veroniki Areti Angeliki , Tsokani Sofia , White Ian R. , Schwarzer Guido , Rücker Gerta , Mavridis Dimitris , Higgins Julian P.T. , Salanti Georgia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Network meta-analysis (NMA) has attracted growing interest in evidence-based medicine. Consistency between different sources of evidence is fundamental to the reliability of the NMA results. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of inconsistency and describe its association with different NMA characteristics. Methods: We updated our collection of NMAs with articles published up to July 2018. We included networks with randomised clinical trials, at least four treatment nodes, at least one closed loop, a dichotomous primary outcome, and available arm-level data. We assessed consistency using the design-by-treatment interaction (DBT) model. We estimated the prevalence of inconsistency and its association with different network characteristics (e.g., number of studies, treatments, treatment comparisons, loops), and evaluated heterogeneity in NMA and DBT models.Results: We included 201 published NMAs. The p-value of the design-by-treatment interaction (DBT) model was lower than 0.05 in 14% of the networks and lower than 0.10 in 20% of the networks. Networks comparing few interventions in many studies were more likely to have small DBT p-values (less than 0.10), which is probably because they yielded more precise estimates and power to detect differences between designs was higher. In the presence of inconsistency (DBT p-value lower than 0.10), the consistency model displayed higher heterogeneity than the DBT model. Conclusions: Our findings show that inconsistency was more frequent than what would be expected by chance, suggesting that researchers should devote more resources to exploring how to mitigate inconsistency. The results of this study highlight the need to develop strategies to detect inconsistency (because of the relatively high prevalence of inconsistency in published networks), and particularly in cases where the existing tests have low power.
The effects of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway Inhibitors on Immune Evasion Mechanisms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Line
Authors: Taghiloo Saeid , Norozi Saeid , Asgarian-Omran Hossein 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose: One of the most important immune escape mechanisms of AML is the up-regulation of immune checkpoint ligands. Herein, we have investigated the relationship between the inhibition of these pathways and the expression regulation of the immune checkpoint ligands in AML cells. Methods: HL-60 cell line was treated with different inhibitors including idelalisib as PI3K inhibitor, MK-2206 as Akt inhibitor, and everolimus as mTOR inhibitor either in single or combination therapy. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated using MTT and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The relative expression of PD-L1, galectin-9, and CD155 was determined by Real-Time PCR. Results: Our findings demonstrated decreasing in proliferation and increasing in apoptosis of HL60 cells after treatment with idelalisib, MK-2206, and everolimus. As expected, combined treatment showed more growth inhibition when compared to single treatment. Interestingly, our results demonstrated that the expression of PD-L1 and Gal-9 but not MK-2206, was decreased after treatment with idelalisib and everolimus. Regarding CD155, the expression of this molecule was downregulated after treatment with everolimus, but not idelalisib and MK-2206. However, combined treatment of HL-60 cells with two or three inhibitors decreased the expression levels of PD-L1, Gal-9 and CD155 checkpoint ligands. Conclusion: We showed that PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitors not only serve as cytotoxic drugs, but also regulate the expression of immune checkpoint ligands and interfere with the immune evasion mechanisms of AML leukemic cells. Combinational therapy approaches to block these pathways might be a promising and novel therapeutic strategy for AML patients via interfering in immune escape mechanisms.
Comparison of microvascular decompression and two isocenters gamma knife for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia caused by vertebrobasilar compression
Authors: Zhao Zhen , Chai Songshan , Wang Jiajing , Jiang Xiaobing , Nie Chuansheng , Zhao Hongyang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective: Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is one of the uncommon causes of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The main surgical treatments for TN caused by VBD (VBD-TN) are invasive microvascular decompression (MVD) and mini-invasive Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). However, the therapeutic effects of the two methods have not been clinically reported, so this study evaluated the outcomes of MVD and GKRS for patients with VBD-TN.Methods: The retrospective study of patients diagnosed with VBD-TN in Wuhan Union Hospital was performed from March 2011 to March 2019. A total of 80 patients were included in this study, and they were divided into the MVD group (n = 46) and GKRS group (n = 34) according to the surgical methods. Among patients in the GKRS group, all performed by two isocenters gamma knife. The imaging data, intraoperative findings, outcomes, and complications of the two groups were analyzed and compared.Results: Patients who underwent MVD were younger than patients who underwent GKRS (median ages were 61.1 and 65.4 years old, p=0.03). The average follow-up was 61.1 months for the MVD group and was 56.8 months for the GKRS group. The favorable outcomes (BNI score I-II) occurred in 97.8% of patients treated with MVD and in 78.9% of patients treated with GKRS (P=0.009). The favorable outcomes in the percentage of patients after MVD 1,3,5 and 7 years were 95.7%, 85.1%, 74.2%, and 74.2%. The corresponding percentages after GKRS were 76.5%, 66.2%, 56.6% and 47.2%, respectively (P=0.031). The postoperative complications (except facial numbness) in the MVD group were higher than those in the GKRS group (P=0.036), but the incidence of new and worsening facial numbness was higher in the GKRS group (P<0.001).Conclusions: For VBD-TN, MVD is superior to GKRS in obtaining and maintaining favorable outcomes, but it also comes with more complications other than facial sensation. Treatment choice can be tailored to a patient’s unique condition and wishes.