bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design Evolution of a Head-Worn Biofeedback System to Address Vestibular Balance Impairment
Authors: Suliman Ahmad , Skubic Marjorie , Abbott Carmen , Rivera Arnaldo , May Jason 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Balance impairment due to vestibular feedback loss is considered a significant disabling factor. While older adults are more often impacted by this impairment, unfortunate events and infections can cause a similar impairment in younger adults as well. This paper reports the design evolution of a prototype wearable system proposed to help reduce the recovery time of vestibular balance impairment. We describe the design evolution and rationale from a baseball cap design to a headband design, including the separation of the sensing and processing components, to reduce the weight positioned on the skull, which may adversely affect balance. We assessed balance performance of participants using the Motor Control Test (MCT) and Sensory Organization Test (SOT) in conjunction with Functional Gait Assessment as a balance test protocol. To evaluate system effectiveness, the tests were performed before the biofeedback system was activated and then again with the system active. Based on experiments with two participants (one healthy and one with bilateral vestibular balance impairment), the preliminary results show that our proposed system can be effective in the rehabilitation of impaired individuals.
Development of a Negative Pressure Isolation System for Containment, Filtration, and Disinfection of Airborne Diseases for Use in Hospitals, Ambulances, and Alternate Care Settings.
Authors: Lyng John W. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
COVID-19 has renewed focus on the potential for medical interventions to nosocomially spread airborne infectious diseases to healthcare providers and other patients. Of primary concern is generation of potentially infectious plumes of droplets or aerosols by aerosol generating procedures (AGPs). This project developed a proof-of-concept prototype of a portable device capable of being deployed into hospitals, ambulances, and alternate care settings that is intended to reduce potential nosocomial spread of disease by mitigating aerosols and droplets in those environments.
High-Fidelity Simulation of Flows in Bone-Like Environment to Investigate the Growth of Cancer Cells
Authors: Akerkouch Lahcen , Le Trung , Jasuja Haneesh , Katti Kalpana , Katti Dinesh 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Metastatic cancer in bones is incurable, which causes significant mobility and mortality to the patients. In this work, we investigate the role of interstitial fluid flow on cancer cells' growth within the interconnected pores of human bone. In-vitro experiments were carried out in a bio-reactor which includes bone-like scaffold specimens. A pump is used to maintain a laminar flow condition inside the bioreactor to resemble fluid flow in bones. The scaffold specimens are harvested after 23 days in the bioreactor. The scaffold specimen is scanned with Micro-CT under the resolution of 70 micrometers. We created a full-scale 3D computational model of the scaffold based on the micro-CT data using the open-source software Seg3D and Meshmixer. Based on the geometrical models, we generated the computational grids using the commercial software Gridgen. We performed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with the immersed boundary method (Gilmanov, Le, Sotiropoulos, JCP 300, 1, 2015) to investigate the flow patterns inside the pores of the scaffolds. The results reveal a non-uniform flow distribution in the vicinity of the scaffold. The flow velocity and the shear stress distributions inside the scaffold are shown to be convoluted and very sensitive to the pore sizes. Our future work will further quantify these distributions and correlate them to cancer cells' growth observed in the experiments.
Amplicoat® – Conductive Polymer Coating with Enhanced Durability and Performance for Chronic Implants
Authors: Narayan Suman , Stoica Leonard , Liess Andreas , Reisinger Andreas 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Amplicoat® is a biocompatible conductive polymer coating which shows higher charge storage capacity, charge injection capacity and lower impedance compared to uncoated Pt/Ir electrodes. Amplicoat® not only improves the electrical performance of a metal electrode, it also enables further electrode miniaturization, more targeted therapies and an extension of the battery life.
Laser structuring was used to improve Amplicoat® adhesion to Pt/Ir electrodes leading to consistent performance under accelerated aging conditions, thermal shocks, thermal cycling and under 19,000 CV stimulation cycles. In summary, Amplicoat® and particularly the combination with laser structuring exhibits excellent electrical performance and a very high durability under extreme conditions and thus, displays great potential for chronic applications like Deep Brain Stimulation, Spinal Cord Stimulation and Sacral Nerve Stimulation.
Cardiovascular Medical Devices: Regulatory Science Research Overview in the Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories (OSEL) at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Authors: Aycock Kenneth , Blinova Ksenia , Casciola Maura , Craven Brent , Prima Matthew Di , D’Souza Gavin , Duraiswamy Nandini , Farahmand Masoud , Hariharan Prasanna , Herbertson Luke , Jamiolkowski Megan , Lu Qijin , Malinauskas Richard , Patel Mehulkumar , Rinaldi Jean , Sivan Shiril , Vesnovsky Oleg , Weaver Jason 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The Cardiovascular Research Program in OSEL at the FDA consists of a diverse group of engineers and scientists who seek to drive innovation in cardiovascular device technology through development and standardization of pre-clinical test methods using in vitro, in vivo, and in silico models. The goal is to improve the pre- and post-market regulatory review processes and to accelerate patient access to safe and effective cardiovascular medical devices (e.g., heart valves, ventricular assist devices, cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac mapping systems, ablation catheters, pacemakers, defibrillators, cardiac occluders, etc).
The Self Actuated Tenim Hand: The Conversion of a Body-Driven Prosthesis to an Electromechanically Actuated Device
Authors: Bardien Moegammad Ameen , Sivarasu Sudesh 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Users of body-driven prostheses often abandon their prostheses due to overexertion of their shoulders and a lack of features. The aim of this study was thus to design an electromechanical hand prosthesis that meets the functional and grasping requirements of prosthesis users.
To this end, the Self-Actuated Tenim Hand (SATH), a functional electromechanically actuated prosthesis, was developed. The SATH, based on the novel body-driven Tenim Hand, incorporated design refinements that improved on its predecessor’s grasping capabilities. An electromechanical actuator and a wrist supination and pronation mechanism were integrated into the SATH thereby improving its functional capabilities.
The Anthropomorphic Hand Assessment Protocol (AHAP) was used as a design validation tool to assess the functional capabilities of the SATH. The SATH performed satisfactorily in AHAP and achieved results that are comparable to scores obtained by a more advanced prosthesis.
Computational Model of a Two Material Object Predicts Non-Symmetric Dispersal Volume Profile
Authors: Morales Brianna E. , Mehta Jason N. , Rylander Christopher G. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is an experimental method of localized treatment to release high concentrations of the drug into a target area. An implementation of CED by our lab is the convection-enhanced thermo-therapy catheter system (CETCS). The device is a collection of arborizing microneedles used to affect a broader coverage of a dispersed volume in the regions of interest. We suspect the coverage of the dispersal volume depends on the material properties of the brain the infusate is being administered. In this study, we create a computational model to evaluate how two adjacent materials with varying permeability (4.45 mm4 N-1 s-1 with 13.35 or 35.6 mm4 N-1 s-1) will disperse into a 0.6% (w/w) agarose gel. Transient state analysis was conducted using the FEBio Software Suite. As expected, results show a much larger dispersal volume in the material with the higher permeability and along the border of the two materials.
Use of repurposed and adjuvant drugs in hospital patients with covid-19: multinational network cohort study
Authors: Prats-Uribe Albert , Sena Anthony G , Lai Lana Yin Hui , Ahmed Waheed-Ul-Rahman , Alghoul Heba , Alser Osaid , Alshammari Thamir M , Areia Carlos , Carter William , Casajust Paula , Dawoud Dalia , Golozar Asieh , Jonnagaddala Jitendra , Mehta Paras P , Gong Mengchun , Morales Daniel R , Nyberg Fredrik , Posada Jose D , Recalde Martina , Roel Elena , Shah Karishma , Shah Nigam H , Schilling Lisa M , Subbian Vignesh , Vizcaya David , Zhang Lin , Zhang Ying , Zhu Hong , Liu Li , Cho Jaehyeong , Lynch Kristine E , Matheny Michael E , You Seng Chan , Rijnbeek Peter R , Hripcsak George , Lane Jennifer CE , Burn Edward , Reich Christian , Suchard Marc A , Duarte-Salles Talita , Kostka Kristin , Ryan Patrick B , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the use of repurposed and adjuvant drugs in patients admitted to hospital with covid-19 across three continents.

Design
Multinational network cohort study.

Setting
Hospital electronic health records from the United States, Spain, and China, and nationwide claims data from South Korea.

Participants
303 264 patients admitted to hospital with covid-19 from January 2020 to December 2020.

Main outcome measures
Prescriptions or dispensations of any drug on or 30 days after the date of hospital admission for covid-19.

Results
Of the 303 264 patients included, 290 131 were from the US, 7599 from South Korea, 5230 from Spain, and 304 from China. 3455 drugs were identified. Common repurposed drugs were hydroxychloroquine (used in from <5 (<2%) patients in China to 2165 (85.1%) in Spain), azithromycin (from 15 (4.9%) in China to 1473 (57.9%) in Spain), combined lopinavir and ritonavir (from 156 (<2%) in the VA-OMOP US to 2,652 (34.9%) in South Korea and 1285 (50.5%) in Spain), and umifenovir (0% in the US, South Korea, and Spain and 238 (78.3%) in China). Use of adjunctive drugs varied greatly, with the five most used treatments being enoxaparin, fluoroquinolones, ceftriaxone, vitamin D, and corticosteroids. Hydroxychloroquine use increased rapidly from March to April 2020 but declined steeply in May to June and remained low for the rest of the year. The use of dexamethasone and corticosteroids increased steadily during 2020.

Conclusions
Multiple drugs were used in the first few months of the covid-19 pandemic, with substantial geographical and temporal variation. Hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, lopinavir-ritonavir, and umifenovir (in China only) were the most prescribed repurposed drugs. Antithrombotics, antibiotics, H2 receptor antagonists, and corticosteroids were often used as adjunctive treatments. Research is needed on the comparative risk and benefit of these treatments in the management of covid-19.
Distress Thermometer in breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Huihui , Lv Huimin , Zeng Huiai , Niu Limin , Yan Min 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveThis meta-analysis aimed to reach a summarised estimate of distress prevalence screened by Distress Thermometer (DT) among patients with breast cancer and compare different pooled prevalence estimated between different subgroups.MethodsTwo independent interviewers conducted a systematic search from PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid and Cochrane Library and checked related reviews and meta-analyses for eligible studies. The studies that identified distress of patients with breast cancer with DT were included. After extracting demographic characteristics and distress prevalence, the pooled analysis and the forest plot were completed by using STATA V.12.0 software. We conducted a subgroup analysis based on demographic and methodological characteristics of the studies. The publication bias was estimated by funnel plot.ResultsSeventeen studies describing 3870 patients with breast cancer were included in this meta-analysis. The distress prevalence of patients with breast cancer varied from 25.3% to 71.7% among these studies. The pooled distress prevalence was 50% (95% CI 49% to 52%) for the overall sample. The pooled distress prevalence rates in DT ≥7, DT ≥5 and DT ≥4 subgroups were 37% (95% CI 35% to 40%), 45% (95% CI 40% to 49%) and 62% (95% CI 60% to 65%), respectively. The distress prevalence had statistically significant differences between subgroups, which were differentiated by the initial time of distress identified, papers’ publication time, patients’ average age and country. There was no publication bias among the included studies.ConclusionThe distress prevalence was high among patients with breast cancer. Routine and timely screening of distress for patients with breast cancer is of great significance in oncology management.
Human and preclinical studies of the host–gut microbiome co-metabolite hippurate as a marker and mediator of metabolic health
Authors: Brial François , Chilloux Julien , Nielsen Trine , Vieira-Silva Sara , Falony Gwen , Andrikopoulos Petros , Olanipekun Michael , Hoyles Lesley , Djouadi Fatima , Neves Ana L , Rodriguez-Martinez Andrea , Mouawad Ghiwa Ishac , Pons Nicolas , Forslund Sofia , Le-chatelier Emmanuelle , Le Lay Aurélie , Nicholson Jeremy , Hansen Torben , Hyötyläinen Tuulia , Clément Karine , Oresic Matej , Bork Peer , Ehrlich Stanislav Dusko , Raes Jeroen , Pedersen Oluf Borbye , Gauguier Dominique , Dumas Marc-Emmanuel 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveGut microbial products are involved in regulation of host metabolism. In human and experimental studies, we explored the potential role of hippurate, a hepatic phase 2 conjugation product of microbial benzoate, as a marker and mediator of metabolic health.DesignIn 271 middle-aged non-diabetic Danish individuals, who were stratified on habitual dietary intake, we applied1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of urine samples and shotgun-sequencing-based metagenomics of the gut microbiome to explore links between the urine level of hippurate, measures of the gut microbiome, dietary fat and markers of metabolic health. In mechanistic experiments with chronic subcutaneous infusion of hippurate to high-fat-diet-fed obese mice, we tested for causality between hippurate and metabolic phenotypes.ResultsIn the human study, we showed that urine hippurate positively associates with microbial gene richness and functional modules for microbial benzoate biosynthetic pathways, one of which is less prevalent in theBacteroides2 enterotype compared with Ruminococcaceae orPrevotellaenterotypes. Through dietary stratification, we identify a subset of study participants consuming a diet rich in saturated fat in which urine hippurate concentration, independently of gene richness, accounts for links with metabolic health. In the high-fat-fed mice experiments, we demonstrate causality through chronic infusion of hippurate (20 nmol/day) resulting in improved glucose tolerance and enhanced insulin secretion.ConclusionOur human and experimental studies show that a high urine hippurate concentration is a general marker of metabolic health, and in the context of obesity induced by high-fat diets, hippurate contributes to metabolic improvements, highlighting its potential as a mediator of metabolic health.
Five-year outcomes following left ventricular assist device implantation in England
Authors: Bottle Alex , Faitna Puji , Aylin Paul P , Cowie Martin R 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveImplant rates of mechanical circulatory supports such as left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have steadily increased in the last decade. We assessed the utility of administrative data to provide information on hospital use and outcomes.MethodsUsing 2 years of national hospital administrative data for England linked to the death register, we identified all patients with an LVAD and extracted hospital activity for 5 years before and after the LVAD implantation date.ResultsIn the two index years April 2011 to March 2013, 157 patients had an LVAD implanted. The mean age was 50.9 (SD 15.4), and 78.3% were men. After 5 years, 92 (58.6%) had died; the recorded cause of death was noncardiovascular in 67.4%. 42 (26.8%) patients received a heart±lung transplantation. Compared with the 12 months before implantation, the 12 months after but not including the month of implantation saw falls in total inpatient and day case admissions, a fall in admissions for heart failure (HF), a rise in non-HF admissions, a fall in emergency department visits not ending in admission and a rise in outpatient appointments (all per patient at risk). Postimplantation complications were common in the subsequent 5 years: 26.1% had a stroke, 23.6% had a device infection and 13.4% had a new LVAD implanted.ConclusionsDespite patients’ young age, their mortality is high and their hospital use and complications are common in the 5 years following LVAD implantation. Administrative data provide important information on resource use in this patient group.
Differences in stem form and bark anomalies of northern red oak trees in forest stands in Canada and Germany
Authors: Burkardt Katharina , Ammer Christian , Seidel Dominik , Vor Torsten 
Published: May 2021

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) wood is valuable for a variety of applications not only in its natural distribution range in North America but also in Europe. Timber quality and stem diameter largely determine timber prices and respective uses. Silvicultural management is key to influencing tree growth and stem quality. In Germany, crop tree thinning is currently the standard treatment, while in Canada the shelterwood system is common practice. The objective of this study was to compare stem characteristics related to stem quality of northern red oaks from Canada with those from Germany to determine effects of different silvicultural treatments on stem quality. We examined stem characteristics from a total of 150 dominant northern red oaks in Canadian and German forest stands using the terrestrial laser scanning approach. Northern red oak stems in Canada (shelterwood system) were significantly straighter, whereas German stems (crop tree thinning approach) were significantly smoother on the surface and rounder on the upper parts of the stems (height 4–8 m). The number of bark anomalies decreased with increasing tree competition, indicating that competition is the main driver influencing external stem form and the occurrence or persistence of bark anomalies.
Testing CPT violation, entanglement and gravitational interactions in particle mixing with trapped ions
Authors: Capolupo Antonio , Giampaolo Salvatore Marco , Quaranta Aniello 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBy analyzing the analogies between the effective system of N spins described by the Ising Hamiltonian and the phenomenon of the self-gravity in mixed particle systems, we show that cooled ions held in a segmented ion trap and exposed to a magnetic field gradient can simulate the proposed mechanism of mutual interaction in mixed neutrino system. We show that with trapped ions one can reproduce the expected corrections to the flavor transitions and the CPT violation induced by gravity on flavor fields, which may have played an important role in the early stages of the universe. The results presented are experimentally testable.
Roadmap on dynamics of molecules and clusters in the gas phase
Authors: Zettergren Henning , Domaracka Alicja , Schlathölter Thomas , Bolognesi Paola , Díaz-Tendero Sergio , Łabuda Marta , Tosic Sanja , Maclot Sylvain , Johnsson Per , Steber Amanda , Tikhonov Denis , Castrovilli Mattea Carmen , Avaldi Lorenzo , Bari Sadia , Milosavljević Aleksandar R. , Palacios Alicia , Faraji Shirin , Piekarski Dariusz G. , Rousseau Patrick , Ascenzi Daniela , Romanzin Claire , Erdmann Ewa , Alcamí Manuel , Kopyra Janina , Limão-Vieira Paulo , Kočišek Jaroslav , Fedor Juraj , Albertini Simon , Gatchell Michael , Cederquist Henrik , Schmidt Henning T. , Gruber Elisabeth , Andersen Lars H. , Heber Oded , Toker Yoni , Hansen Klavs , Noble Jennifer A. , Jouvet Christophe , Kjær Christina , Nielsen Steen Brøndsted , Carrascosa Eduardo , Bull James , Candian Alessandra , Petrignani Annemieke 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This roadmap article highlights recent advances, challenges and future prospects in studies of the dynamics of molecules and clusters in the gas phase. It comprises nineteen contributions by scientists with leading expertise in complementary experimental and theoretical techniques to probe the dynamics on timescales spanning twenty order of magnitudes, from attoseconds to minutes and beyond, and for systems ranging in complexity from the smallest (diatomic) molecules to clusters and nanoparticles. Combining some of these techniques opens up new avenues to unravel hitherto unexplored reaction pathways and mechanisms, and to establish their significance in, e.g. radiotherapy and radiation damage on the nanoscale, astrophysics, astrochemistry and atmospheric science.

Graphic abstract
Impact of a northern-hemispherical cryosphere on late Pliensbachian–early Toarcian climate and environment evolution
Authors: Ruebsam Wolfgang , Schwark Lorenz 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

The historical view of an equable Jurassic greenhouse world has been challenged by recent studies documenting recurrent alternation between contrasting climate modes. Cooling of high-latitudinal areas may have been caused by orogenic processes at the northern margin of the Tethys Ocean that reduced heat transport towards the polar regions. Warm phases correlate to periods of intensified volcanism. The Jenkyns Event occurred during the transition from a late Pliensbachian icehouse into an early Toarcian greenhouse. Parallel evolution of different environmental processes, including sea level, climate and carbon cycle, indicate a causal mechanism tied to astronomical forcing. Insolation-controlled variations in the extent of the cryosphere (ice caps and permafrost) facilitated orbitally paced sea-level cycles via waxing and waning of the polar ice caps, and negative carbon isotope excursions via the release of cryosphere-bound
12
C-enriched carbon. This review and synthesis of sedimentological, geochemical and palaeontological palaeoenvironment indicators, and of simulations from climate models, aims to reconstruction, in particular, the high-latitudinal environmental conditions of late Pliensbachian–early Toarcian times. Focus is laid on the extent of the regions that were potentially suitable for hosting a cryosphere. An environmental response to cryosphere dynamics is considered to have been a key component of the Jenkyns Event.