bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sudden perceived absence of foetal movement – a unique presentation of a vertebral haemangioma in pregnancy
Authors: Devaraj Ankitha , Raoof Jamaal , Janjua Osman , Tsang Kevin , Zamir Muhammad 
Published: October 2021

Objective: Symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas that present during pregnancy are extremely uncommon with few cases reported in literature. Epidural haemangiomas are rarer still with few documented. Methods: In this report, we describe the case of a 22-year-old pregnant patient who presented with apparent loss of foetal movement at 38 weeks’ gestation. Clinical review demonstrated the foetus was well but neurological examination revealed lower limb paresthesia, paresis and evident uterine hypoesthesia. An MRI scan illustrated a haemangioma in the T1 vertebral body with an epidural component causing cord compression. Results: The management of spinal haemangiomas that present during pregnancy is a complex clinical scenario, which requires careful multidisciplinary consideration to determine if surgical intervention is appropriate. In this case, the patient had an emergency caesarean section followed by posterior decompression and laminectomy of the T1 vertebra with excellent post-operative recovery. Conclusion: Gestational increase in the size of vertebral haemangiomas is well documented. We discuss a rare case in which a young pregnant patient presents with an atypical symptom of a vertebral haemangioma (uterine hypoesthesia). This case highlights the importance of prompt imaging in these scenarios and a cohesive multidisciplinary approach in order to provide optimal treatment for the patient.
The Metrics of Seto Choral Laments in the Context of Runosong Metrics
Authors: Oras Janika , Pärtlas Žanna , Sarv Mari , Kalkun Andreas 
Published: October 2021

The aim of this paper is to get an overview of the lament metrics in Seto oral song tradition, which belongs to the southern border area of the Finnic song tradition, and the placement and historical development of lament metrics in the framework of the whole Seto oral song tradition. In the paper the metrical structures of two main genres of Seto choral laments – choral bridal laments and death laments – are analysed that share common features with solo laments and are similar to the structures of Seto runosongs. Metrical structures of the laments are detected based on sound recordings, taking into account the linguistic structure of the lines and the varied realization of it in a musical performance rhythm.
The analysis showed that laments’ metrics where 5-unit end structures play an important role, differs the most from the main body of runosongs and is structurally more similar to a group of runosongs with refrains and varying line length. Outlining the development patterns of the metrical system of Seto songs, the influences of local unique musical tradition with varied rhythmic structures atypical of the most runosong area, specific functions of ritual song genres, historical changes in language, as well as possible external connections to early eastern and southern song cultures are highlighted.
Population-based identification and temporal trend of children with primary nephrotic syndrome: The Kaiser Permanente nephrotic syndrome study
Authors: Parikh Rishi V. , Tan Thida C. , Fan Dongjie , Law David , Salyer Anne S. , Yankulin Leonid , Wojcicki Janet M. , Zheng Sijie , Ordonez Juan D. , Chertow Glenn M. , Khoshniat-Rad Farzien , Yang Jingrong , Go Alan S. 
Published: October 2021

Introduction
Limited population-based data exist about children with primary nephrotic syndrome (NS).

Methods
We identified a cohort of children with primary NS receiving care in Kaiser Permanente Northern California, an integrated healthcare delivery system caring for >750,000 children. We identified all children <18 years between 1996 and 2012 who had nephrotic range proteinuria (urine ACR>3500 mg/g, urine PCR>3.5 mg/mg, 24-hour urine protein>3500 mg or urine dipstick>300 mg/dL) in laboratory databases or a diagnosis of NS in electronic health records. Nephrologists reviewed health records for clinical presentation and laboratory and biopsy results to confirm primary NS.

Results
Among 365 cases of confirmed NS, 179 had confirmed primary NS attributed to presumed minimal change disease (MCD) (72%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (23%) or membranous nephropathy (MN) (5%). The overall incidence of primary NS was 1.47 (95% Confidence Interval:1.27–1.70) per 100,000 person-years. Biopsy data were available in 40% of cases. Median age for patients with primary NS was 6.9 (interquartile range:3.7 to 12.9) years, 43% were female and 26% were white, 13% black, 17% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 32% Hispanic.

Conclusion
This population-based identification of children with primary NS leveraging electronic health records can provide a unique approach and platform for describing the natural history of NS and identifying determinants of outcomes in children with primary NS.
Analysis of cartilage injury patterns and risk factors for knee joint damage in patients with primary lateral patella dislocations
Authors: Palmowski Yannick , Jung Tobias , Doering Anne-Katrin , Gwinner Clemens , Schatka Imke , Bartek Benjamin 
Published: October 2021

Background
Lateral patellar dislocation (LPD) frequently causes damage to the knee. Injury patterns and risk factors contributing to such injuries have not yet been examined in detail.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 50 consecutive patients with primary LPD. Two reviewers evaluated the MRI images regarding risk factors for LPD (Dejours classification; Caton-Deschamps Index, CDI; distance from the tibial tuberosity to trochlear groove, TT-TG; trochlear depth, TD) as well as joint damages according to the Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS).

Results
33 male and 17 female patients with a mean age of 23.2 (±9.6) years were included in this study. 52% were classified Dejours ≥ B, 34% had a CDI ≥ 1.3, 22% a TT-TG ≥ 20mm and 52% a TD < 3mm. 49 out of 50 patients (98%) showed abnormalities according to WORMS. The most frequently observed abnormalities were synovitis/effusion (49/50, 98%), bone marrow oedema (44/50, 88%) and cartilage damage (42/50, 84%). Most frequently affected subregions were medial (41/50, 82%) and lateral (31/50, 62%) patella as well as the anterior (43/50, 86%), central (42/50, 84%) and posterior (11/50, 22%) portion of the lateral femoral condyle. There was no significant correlation between any of the examined risk factors and joint damages according to WORMS. Male patients had higher scores regarding total cartilage damage (5.11 vs. 2.56, p = 0.029), total score for the lateral femorotibial joint (3.15 vs. 1.65, p = 0.026) and overall total WORMS score (12.15 vs. 8.29, p = 0.038).

Conclusion
Risk factors for LPD do not influence the risk of damages to the knee joint after primary LPD. Although LPD is generally known to affect more female than male patients, male patients suffered more severe injuries after primary LPD, particularly of the lateral femorotibial joint. Overall, our results underline the importance of MRI imaging after primary LPD.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of influenza vaccination among Lebanese parents: A cross-sectional survey from a developing country
Authors: Zakhour Ramia , Tamim Hani , Faytrouni Farah , Khoury Joanne , Makki Maha , Charafeddine Lama 
Published: October 2021

Background
A growing number of parents refuse vaccination due to concerns about side effects. Influenza vaccine is no exception and remains one of the most controversial vaccines. Data regarding influenza vaccine uptake and parental knowledge, attitude and practice towards vaccination in the Lebanese population is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of vaccination refusal and potential associated factors among Lebanese parents of school-aged children, in general and with a focus on influenza vaccine.

Methods
A parent questionnaire was distributed in randomly selected 2 public and 2 private schools from the greater Beirut area during the school year 2017–2018. Questionnaires covered knowledge, attitude (including themes of efficacy, hesitancy and trust), and practice of vaccination in general and influenza vaccine in particular.

Results
The response rate was 76.5% (306/400). Overall, 29.4% parents reported vaccinating their children against influenza (62.2% in private and 37.7% in public schools). Younger age, paternal employment and higher household income were associated with higher vaccination rates (p = 0.01, 0.02 and <0.0001 respectively). Lack of vaccine recommendation by the physician was the most common reason for not taking it (47%). Parents who accepted influenza vaccination had higher scores in efficacy, hesitancy and trust and were more compliant with other vaccinations.

Conclusion
One third of parents of school aged children in the greater Beirut area vaccinate their children against influenza. This rate is likely lower in rural remote areas. Physician’s recommendation is the single most important predictor of such vaccination. Future studies tackling physicians’ attitude and practice are needed to help improve influenza vaccination rates in the Lebanese population.
Does mental fatigue affect skilled performance in athletes? A systematic review
Authors: Sun He , Soh Kim Geok , Roslan Samsilah , Wazir Mohd Rozilee Wazir Norjali , Soh Kim Lam 
Published: October 2021

Background
Mental fatigue is a psychobiological state induced by a prolonged duration of demanding cognitive tasks. The effects of mental fatigue on physical performance have been well investigated in the literature. However, the effect of mental fatigue on skilled performance in sports remains unclear.

Objective
This study aimed to report a comprehensive systematic review investigating the carryover effects of mental fatigue on skilled performance among athletes.

Methods
A thorough search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost (CENTRAL, SPORTDicus), and Scopus to select relevant literature, as well as on Google Scholar and sources of reference for grey literature. The selected literatures are centred on a mental fatigue protocol in which cognitive tasks are performed prior to athletic tasks. Only studies that used an experimental design to test two conditions, namely mental fatigue and non-mental fatigue, were selected.

Results
Eleven articles were chosen based on the selection criteria. Mental fatigue affects skilled performance in three sports: soccer, basketball, and table tennis. A decline in skilled performance (decreased accuracy, increased performing time etc) is relevant to impaired executive functions. Seven studies focus on offensive skills, whereas only two studies are associated with defensive skills.

Conclusion
Mental fatigue has a negative effect on various sports skills of high-level athletes, including their technical and decision-making skills; however, the impact is greater on offensive skills than that of defensive skills in terms of the role of athletes. Impaired executive functions may be responsible for the negative effects of mental fatigue on skilled performance.
Point-of-care molecular diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae including macrolide sensitivity using quenching probe polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Ishiguro Nobuhisa , Sato Rikako , Mori Toshihiko , Tanaka Hiroshi , Narita Mitsuo , Nagano Takashi , Owaku Masato , Miyajima Kensuke , Manabe Atsushi 
Published: October 2021

Objectives
Macrolides are generally considered to be the drugs of choice for treatment of patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. However, macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae has been emerging since about 2000. The Smart Gene® system (MIZUHO MEDY Co., Ltd., Tosu, Japan) is a novel fully automated system for detection of pathogens using the method of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with QProbe (QProbe PCR). The entire procedure is completed within 50 min and the size of the instrument is small (15 x 34 x 30 cm). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the Smart Gene® system for detection of M. pneumoniae and detection of a point mutation at domain V of the 23S rRNA gene of M. pneumoniae.

Materials
Pharyngeal swab samples were collected from 154 patients who were suspected of having respiratory tract infections associated with M. pneumoniae.

Results
Compared with the results of qPCR, the sensitivity and specificity of the Smart Gene® system were 98.7% (78/79) and 100.0% (75/75), respectively. A point mutation at domain V of the 23S rRNA gene was detected from 7 (9.0%) of 78 M. pneumoniae-positive samples by the Smart Gene® system and these results were confirmed by direct sequencing. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of clarithromycin among the 5 isolates of M. pneumoniae with a point mutation at domain V of the 23S rRNA gene were >64 μg/ml and those among the 33 isolates without a mutation in the 23S rRNA gene were <0.0625 μg/ml.

Conclusion
The Smart Gene® system is a rapid and accurate assay for detection of the existence of M. pneumoniae and a point mutation at domain V of the 23S rRNA gene of M. pneumoniae at the same time. The Smart Gene® system is suitable for point-of-care testing in both hospital and outpatient settings.
The Xu-Based Approach to Second Language Learning
Authors: Wang Chuming 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
This special issue provides an overview of the xu-argument, a newly emerging view on language acquisition. The view is new in that it makes two key points: i) language is acquired through xu, a Chinese word with a composite meaning of completion, extension and creation (CEC) (Wang, 2016), and ii) high efficiency in learning a language is achieved by xu. Using a single word to capture the highly complex human endowment of language learning might be too ambitious an attempt. Convincing justifications and supporting evidence are needed to verify this claim, as the papers in this issue are intended to do.
Geochemistry of the mudrocks and sandstones from the Bredasdorp Basin, offshore South Africa: Implications for tectonic provenance and paleoweathering
Authors: Baiyegunhi Temitope Love , Liu Kuiwu , Gwavava Oswald , Baiyegunhi Christopher , Rapholo Maropene 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
An inorganic geochemical investigation of mudrocks and sandstone from the southern Bredasdorp Basin, off the south coast of South Africa was carried out to unravel the provenance, paleoweathering, and tectonic setting of the basin. Seventy-seven representative samples from exploration wells E-AH1, E-AJ1, E-BA1, E-BB1, and E-D3 underwent geochemical analysis involving major and trace elements. The major oxide compositions show that the sandstones could be classified as sub-arkose and sub-lithic arenite. The provenance discrimination diagrams based on major oxide geochemistry revealed that the sandstones are mainly of quartzose sedimentary provenance, while the mudrocks are of quartzose sedimentary and intermediate igneous provenances. The discrimination diagrams indicate that the Bredasdorp sediments were mostly derived from a cratonic interior or recycled orogen. The bivariate plots of TiO2 versus Ni, TiO2 against Zr, and La/Th versus Hf as well as the ternary diagrams of V–Ni–Th∗10 suggest that the mudrocks and sandstones were derived from felsic igneous rocks. The tectonic setting discrimination diagrams support passive-active continental margin setting of the provenance. Also, the closely similar compositions of the analysed samples and recent sedimentary rocks of the East African Rift System perhaps suggest a rifted basin tectonic setting for the Bredasdorp Basin. Chemical index of alteration (CIA) indices observed in the sandstones suggest that their source area underwent low to moderate degree of chemical weathering. However, the mudrocks have high CIA indices suggesting that the source area underwent more intense chemical weathering, possibly due to climatic and/or tectonic variations.
Acquisition of doubly articulated stops among Ga-speaking children
Authors: Kpogo Felix , Gathercole Virginia C. Mueller , Tetteh Jonathan Nsiah 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
This study investigates the acquisition of labio-velar stops by Ga-speaking children in Ghana. Such stops were elicited in initial, intervocalic, and pre-lateral positions through a picture naming task. Sixty Ga-dominant and Ga-English children at 5-, 61/2-, and 8-years of age were tested. All age groups showed some difficulty with the doubly articulated stops, but this was relative to voicing, phonological environment, age, and input. Performance on the voiceless labio-velar stop was better than on the voiced labio-velar stop, and better in intervocalic position than in word-initial and pre-lateral positions. Older children performed better than younger children and Ga-dominant children better than Ga-English children. Performance was better when children did not receive a prompt than when they did. Analysis of modifications reveals frequent processes of simplification to labial singleton stops, some voicing changes, and the occurrence of processes of vowel insertion between the stops and /l/. These findings are discussed in terms of universals of speech sound acquisition, the role of input, and the influence of language-specific factors on children’s performance.
Efficient solution for WDM-PON with low value of BER using NRZ modulation
Authors: Verma Dinesh Kumar , Garg Amit Kumar 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
This paper focused on the novel design of receiver side of wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON). It serves the need for a dramatic change in demand for high data rate beyond 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) at the last mile for a larger coverage area or distance. This increase in demand for higher bandwidth is due to the emerging future technologies like Internet of things (IoT), silicon on chip (SoC), cloud computing, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI). Simulation results demonstrated for the different coverage areas which compare the bit error rate (BER), quality (Q)-Factor, and eye height as per the guidelines of ITU-T. It has been predicted that the proposed WDM-PON design supports up to a distance of 60 km. Results have been verified for 40 km, 50 km, 60 km, and 70 km, respectively, at 100 GHz frequency spacing with acceptable BER and better quality (Q)-factor as defined by ITU.
Pre-albumin is a strong prognostic marker in elderly intensive care unit patients
Authors: Luo Liyan , Wang Min 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Pre-albumin (PAB) can be used to evaluate the association between nutrition status and in-hospital mortality. However, there is no literature to compare if PAB is the best indicator to predict in-hospital mortality among the nutrition indexes in a study.

Methods
We operated a retrospective study including 145 patients admitted to our institution’s elderly intensive care unit (ICU) from January, 2017 to December, 2019. Admission laboratory results were collected. Regression analysis and receiver operating curve (ROC) were analyzed to explore the performance of different nutrition indexes.

Results
The levels of PAB were significantly different between the survivor and non-survivor group (p=0.001). Univariate analysis showed nutrition indexes (lymphocytes, albumin, body mass index [BMI], geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), prognostic nutritional index [PNI] and PAB) were associated with in-hospital mortality (all p<0.1). Following adjustment for age, platelets and creatinine (CREA), only BMI and PAB remained statistically significant (BMI: HR 2.799, 95% CI 1.167–6.715, p=0.021; PAB: HR 6.329, 95% CI 2.660–15.151, p<0.001). In addition, PAB had the highest area under the curve (AUC) for predicting in-hospital mortality (AUC = 0.696) followed by BMI (AUC = 0.561) and other factors.

Conclusions
PAB is a better predictor of in-hospital mortality than other nutrition indexes in elderly ICU patients.
Bulk Nanocrystalline Permanent Magnets by Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Trauter F. , Schanz J. , Riegel H. , Bernthaler T. , Goll D. , Schneider G. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractFe-Nd-B powders were processed by additive manufacturing using laboratory scale selective laser melting to produce bulk nanocrystalline permanent magnets. The manufacturing process was carried out in a specially developed process chamber under Ar atmosphere. This resulted in novel types of microstructures with micrometer scale clusters of nanocrystalline hard magnetic grains. Owing to this microstructure, a maximum coercive field strength (coercivity)μ0Hcof 1.16 T, a remanenceJrof 0.58 T, and a maximum energy product(BH)maxof 62.3 kJ/mm3could, for example, be obtained for the composition Nd16.5-Pr1.5-Zr2.6-Ti2.5-Co2.2-Fe65.9-B8.8.
A Metallographic Preparation Method for Three-Dimensional Microstructural Characterization of Machining Chips
Authors: Fang S. , Frank A. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Chip formation is an important indicator of machining processes. Statistical characterization of machining chips’ geometric features can offer crucial information for evaluating the stability and productivity of the machining processes. In abrasive machining processes, an abundance of small chips are produced by the vast number of abrasives exposed to the cutting surfaces. Geometric features of abrasives, such as shape, dimension, and distribution, may be hierarchically passed on to the chips. Similar to those of the abrasives, geometric features of the chips may also vary to a certain extent and conform to some statistical distribution. To verify these characteristics, a metallographic preparation method in connection with chips formed in abrasive machining processes is proposed in this study. Challenges in collecting and segmenting chips have been successfully overcome through several steps using ultrasonic bath cleaning and powder cold embedding methods. Finally, a considerable amount of chips was formed and uniformly embedded in a resin mold, ready for microscopic characterization.
Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane–polysiloxane block copolymers modified by α,ω-hydroxyalkyl polysiloxanes with methacrylate side chain
Authors: Xiaofeng Su , Yitao Yu , Bing Li , Jing Wang , Chuan Lu , Jianping Zong , Jinhui Li , Feng Wang 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
In order to prepare polyurethane–polysiloxane block copolymers, α,ω-hydroxyalkyl polysiloxanes with methacrylate side chain and α,ω-bis(2-methyl-3-hydroxypropyl)polymethyl(2-methyl-methylpropanoate) siloxanes, were synthesized and characterized in this study. The syntheses process included hydroxyl protection, hydrosilylation, deprotection, and ring-opening equilibrium reactions. The intermediates and target products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The characterization results showed that each step was successfully carried out in all the cases. Then the waterborne polyurethane–polysiloxane block copolymers were prepared via step-growth polymerization. The properties of the block copolymer films were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic thermomechanical analysis methods in detail. The experimental results showed that the block introduction of hydroxyalkyl polysiloxane could reduce the water absorption of waterborne polyurethane from 62 to 11%, and significantly improve the water resistance of polyurethane. With the introduction of polysiloxane, the tensile strength decreased and the elongation at break increased. At the same time, with the increase of the polysiloxane content, the glass transition temperature of the soft segment decreased to −56.4°C and the thermal decomposition temperature increased to 300°C. The results revealed that the introduction of polysiloxane could effectively improve the comprehensive performance of polyurethane–polysiloxane block copolymer films.