bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Commercial AI solutions in detecting COVID-19 pneumonia in chest CT: not yet ready for clinical implementation?
Authors: Jungmann Florian , Müller Lukas , Hahn Felix , Weustenfeld Maximilian , Dapper Ann-Kathrin , Mähringer-Kunz Aline , Graafen Dirk , Düber Christoph , Schafigh Darius , Pinto dos Santos Daniel , Mildenberger Peter , Kloeckner Roman 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Objectives
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many researchers have developed artificial intelligence (AI) tools to differentiate COVID-19 pneumonia from other conditions in chest CT. However, in many cases, performance has not been clinically validated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of commercial AI solutions in differentiating COVID-19 pneumonia from other lung conditions.

Methods
Four commercial AI solutions were evaluated on a dual-center clinical dataset consisting of 500 CT studies; COVID-19 pneumonia was microbiologically proven in 50 of these. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and AUC were calculated. In a subgroup analysis, the performance of the AI solutions in differentiating COVID-19 pneumonia from other conditions was evaluated in CT studies with ground-glass opacities (GGOs).

Results
Sensitivity and specificity ranges were 62–96% and 31–80%, respectively. Negative and positive predictive values ranged between 82–99% and 19–25%, respectively. AUC was in the range 0.54–0.79. In CT studies with GGO, sensitivity remained unchanged. However, specificity was lower, and ranged between 15 and 53%. AUC for studies with GGO was in the range 0.54–0.69.

Conclusions
This study highlights the variable specificity and low positive predictive value of AI solutions in diagnosing COVID-19 pneumonia in chest CT. However, one solution yielded acceptable values for sensitivity. Thus, with further improvement, commercial AI solutions currently under development have the potential to be integrated as alert tools in clinical routine workflow. Randomized trials are needed to assess the true benefits and also potential harms of the use of AI in image analysis.

Key Points
• Commercial AI solutions achieved a sensitivity and specificity ranging from 62 to 96% and from 31 to 80%, respectively, in identifying patients suspicious for COVID-19 in a clinical dataset.
• Sensitivity remained within the same range, while specificity was even lower in subgroup analysis of CT studies with ground-glass opacities, and interrater agreement between the commercial AI solutions was minimal to nonexistent.
• Thus, commercial AI solutions have the potential to be integrated as alert tools for the detection of patients with lung changes suspicious for COVID-19 pneumonia in a clinical routine workflow, if further improvement is made.
Empfehlungen zur konservativen Therapie und Sekundärprävention der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit (PAVK): Eine evidenzbasierte Informationsbroschüre für Betroffene
Authors: Rosenberg Yvonne , Görtz Hartmut , Rother Ulrich , Uhl Christian , Stavroulakis Konstantinos , Pfeiffer Manfred , Pfeiffer-Krahl Mechtild , Behrendt Christian-Alexander 
Published: December 2021

ZusammenfassungDie periphere arterielle Verschlusskrankheit (PAVK) gilt als Volkskrankheit mit weltweit mehr als 230 Mio. Betroffenen und schlechter Prognose. Durch den systemischen und progressiven Charakter der Atherosklerose sowie den Befall vieler Gefäßbereiche ist neben dem Risiko für gefäßbedingte Amputationen auch die generelle Lebenserwartung deutlich eingeschränkt. Die strikte Ausschöpfung der konservativen Therapie gilt als wichtiges Fundament der komplementären Behandlung, wird aber nicht immer erfolgreich umgesetzt. Neben dem strukturierten Gehtraining, Raucherentwöhnung, Optimierung von Ernährung und Körpergewicht, Blutdrucktherapie sowie Normalisierung von Blutzucker- und Blutfettwerten gilt die optimale Arzneimitteltherapie als zentrales Behandlungsziel. Dieser Artikel soll laienverständliche evidenzbasierte Empfehlungen zur Optimierung des sogenannten Best Medical Treatment in der Behandlung der PAVK geben.
Immersive virtual-reality computer-assembly serious game to enhance autonomous learning
Authors: Checa David , Miguel-Alonso Ines , Bustillo Andres 
Published: December 2021

AbstractImmersive virtual reality (VR) environments create a very strong sense of presence and immersion. Nowadays, especially when student isolation and online autonomous learning is required, such sensations can provide higher satisfaction and learning rates than conventional teaching. However, up until the present, learning outcomes with VR tools have yet to prove their advantageous aspects over conventional teaching. The project presents a VR serious game for teaching concepts associated with computer hardware assembly. These concepts are often included in any undergraduate’s introduction to Computer Science. The learning outcomes are evaluated using a pre-test of previous knowledge, a satisfaction/usability test, and a post-test on knowledge acquisition, structured with questions on different knowledge areas. The results of the VR serious game are compared with another two learning methodologies adapted to online learning: (1) an online conventional lecture; and (2) playing the same serious game on a desktop PC. An extensive sample of students (n = 77) was formed for this purpose. The results showed the strong potential of VR serious games to improve student well-being during spells of confinement, due to higher learning satisfaction. Besides, ease of usability and the use of in-game tutorials are directly related with game-user satisfaction and performance. The main novelty of this research is related to academic performance. Although a very limited effect was noted for learning theoretical knowledge with the VR application in comparison with the other methodologies, this effect was significantly improved through visual knowledge, understanding and making connections between different concepts. It can therefore be concluded that the proposed VR serious game has the potential to increase student learning and therefore student satisfaction, by imparting a deeper understanding of the subject matter to students.
Microvascular myocutaneous and cutaneous free flap reconstruction in patients with terminal esophagostomy after complicated oncological esophagus resection
Authors: Poelsler Lukas , Koch Oliver , Gaggl Alexander , Presl Jaroslav , Hutter Joerg , Brandtner Christian , Emmanuel Klaus 
Published: December 2021

Summary
Background
Persisting anastomotic leakage after oncological esophagectomy is a severe problem associated with high mortality and morbidity. Unfortunately, treatment options with promising results are scarce, especially when conventional operative and endoscopic methods have failed. Due to limitation of oral intake and the need for artificial nutrition, quality of life (QOL) is reduced. Microvascular myocutaneous and cutaneous free flap (MFF) reconstruction could be a promising alternative.

Methods
This retrospective case series presents 7 patients treated between March 2017 and November 2020 at our surgical department, with persisting postoperative anastomotic leakage without further feasible treatment options. All patients received anastomotic MFF reconstruction; used flaps and important intraoperative factors like microvascular anastomosis were evaluated. Complications and patient contentment was assessed.

Results
The included 7 male patients had median age of 65.15 years (range: 48–75). MFF function was adequate in 6/7 patients, one flap necrosis was encountered. Whereas 5 patients initially had good results, surgical revision was performed in 1 patient to ensure graft function. Postoperative complications appeared in 6/7 patients. Mean duration of inpatient care was 63 days (range: 24–156). At the time of evaluation, 1 patient has died of his malignant disease. No more additional nutrition was needed in 3/6 patients with adequate graft function. Most patients reported improved QOL after MFF.

Conclusion
MFF free flap can be an alternative treatment option for patients with terminal esophagostomy after complicated oncological esophagus resection without further treatment options. The renewed ability of oral food intake results in a significant improvement of QOL.
An effective simulation- and measurement-based workflow for enhanced diagnostics in rhinology
Authors: Waldmann Moritz , Grosch Alice , Witzler Christian , Lehner Matthias , Benda Odo , Koch Walter , Vogt Klaus , Kohn Christopher , Schröder Wolfgang , Göbbert Jens Henrik , Lintermann Andreas 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPhysics-based analyses have the potential to consolidate and substantiate medical diagnoses in rhinology. Such methods are frequently subject to intense investigations in research. However, they are not used in clinical applications, yet. One issue preventing their direct integration is that these methods are commonly developed as isolated solutions which do not consider the whole chain of data processing from initial medical to higher valued data. This manuscript presents a workflow that incorporates the whole data processing pipeline based on a environment. Therefore, medical image data are fully automatically pre-processed by machine learning algorithms. The resulting geometries employed for the simulations on high-performance computing systems reach an accuracy of up to 99.5% compared to manually segmented geometries. Additionally, the user is enabled to upload and visualize 4-phase rhinomanometry data. Subsequent analysis and visualization of the simulation outcome extend the results of standardized diagnostic methods by a physically sound interpretation. Along with a detailed presentation of the methodologies, the capabilities of the workflow are demonstrated by evaluating an exemplary medical case. The pipeline output is compared to 4-phase rhinomanometry data. The comparison underlines the functionality of the pipeline. However, it also illustrates the influence of mucosa swelling on the simulation.
Eine alternative Methode zur Behandlung von Tinnitus: Sporttherapie zur Verbesserung des subjektiven Wohlbefindens
Authors: Schulze Carolin 
Published: December 2021

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Trotz nachgewiesener positiver Wirkungen auf die psychische, physische und soziale Gesundheit werden sporttherapeutische Interventionen momentan äußerst selten bei der Behandlung von Tinnitus eingesetzt.

Fragestellung
Wirkt sich ein sporttherapeutisches Interventionsprogramm positiv auf die individuelle Belastung durch den Tinnitus, das globale Wohlbefinden und die subjektiv wahrgenommene Lautstärke bei PatientInnen mit Tinnitusbeschwerden aus?

Material und Methode
Es wurde ein Prä-Post-Design mit Interventions- und Kontrollgruppe (Sportprogramm vs. keine Intervention) durchgeführt. Die gekürzte Fassung des Tinnitusfragebogens (Erfassung der individuellen Belastung), der Gesichterskala (Erfassung des globalen Wohlbefindens) und einer selbstkonstruierten Skala zur Erhebung der subjektiv eingeschätzten Lautstärke wurden als Erhebungsinstrumente eingesetzt.

Ergebnisse
Insgesamt nahmen 64 Personen an der Untersuchung teil (jeweils 32 in der Interventions- und Kontrollgruppe). Signifikante Gruppenunterschiede resultierten bezüglich der Veränderung der individuellen Belastung (2,84 ± 1,11 Punkte; F = 2,64; p = 0,010) und der subjektiv eingeschätzten Lautstärke (2,56 ± 0,68 Punkte; F = 3,79; p = 0,000). Die Interventionsgruppe zeigte eine signifikant stärkere Abnahme im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe. Hinsichtlich der Veränderung der globalen Stimmung resultierten keine signifikanten Gruppenunterschiede (−0,53 ± 0,38 Punkte; F = −1,39; p = 0,690).

Schlussfolgerungen
Sport zeigt vielfältige positive Wirkungen auf die selbst eingeschätzte Symptomatik einer Tinnituserkrankung und sollte dementsprechend innerhalb der Therapie häufiger eingesetzt werden.
Partizipative Forschung mit Menschen mit Behinderungen
Authors: Gillitzer Stefanie , Thienel C. , Duda A. , Renner J. , Hornberg C. 
Published: December 2021

ZusammenfassungHintergrundPartizipative Gesundheitsforschung (PGF) gewinnt zunehmend an Bedeutung. Durch die Beteiligung der zu beforschenden Zielgruppe können lebensweltnahe, praxisorientierte Ergebnisse generiert und gesundheitsbezogene Veränderungen angestoßen werden. Dies bietet auch Potenziale zur Verbesserung der Teilhabe und Gesundheit von Menschen mit Behinderungen. Viele Forschungsprojekte setzen jedoch nur niedrige Stufen der Partizipation um.Ziel des BeitragsEs werden Herausforderungen und entsprechende Lösungsansätze von PGF mit der Zielgruppe Menschen mit Behinderungen diskutiert. Der Beitrag soll Forschenden eine Orientierung zur Erreichung hoher Stufen von Partizipation bieten.Material und MethodeEs wurde ein Modellvorhaben zur Entwicklung und Umsetzung gesundheitsfördernder Maßnahmen in Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen (WfbM) durchgeführt, das die Erreichung hoher Partizipationsstufen durch PGF mit Menschen mit Behinderungen zum Ziel hatte. Der Prozess wurde durch Interviews und Fragebögen evaluiert.ErgebnisseHerausforderungen waren die Diversität der in der Lebenswelt WfbM arbeitenden Menschen, komplexe Strukturen von WfbM, die Verfügbarkeit personeller, zeitlicher und finanzieller Ressourcen sowie lange Kommunikationswege. Der Einbezug der gesamten Lebenswelt, die Nutzung bekannter Kommunikationsmittel und ein häufiger Austausch mit den Beteiligten waren besonders zielführend. Für die Motivation sowie die Verstetigung der entwickelten Maßnahmen war die Wertschätzung gegenüber der Zielgruppe essenziell.SchlussfolgerungenWenn die Herausforderungen von PGF überwunden werden, ermöglicht dies vielfältige Einblicke in die Lebenswelt von Menschen mit Behinderungen, bedarfs- und bedürfnisorientierte Gesundheitsförderung sowie hohe Motivation aller Beteiligten, diese umzusetzen.
Control of noise-induced coherent oscillations in three-neuron motifs
Authors: Bönsel Florian , Krauss Patrick , Metzner Claus , Yamakou Marius E. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe phenomenon of self-induced stochastic resonance (SISR) requires a nontrivial scaling limit between the deterministic and the stochastic timescales of an excitable system, leading to the emergence of coherent oscillations which are absent without noise. In this paper, we numerically investigate SISR and its control in single neurons and three-neuron motifs made up of the Morris–Lecar model. In single neurons, we compare the effects of electrical and chemical autapses on the degree of coherence of the oscillations due to SISR. In the motifs, we compare the effects of altering the synaptic time-delayed couplings and the topologies on the degree of SISR. Finally, we provide two enhancement strategies for a particularly poor degree of SISR in motifs with chemical synapses: (1) we show that a poor SISR can be significantly enhanced by attaching an electrical or an excitatory chemical autapse on one of the neurons, and (2) we show that by multiplexing the motif with a poor SISR to another motif (with a high SISR in isolation), the degree of SISR in the former motif can be significantly enhanced. We show that the efficiency of these enhancement strategies depends on the topology of the motifs and the nature of synaptic time-delayed couplings mediating the multiplexing connections.
A contribution on versatile process chains: joining with adaptive joining elements, formed by friction spinning
Authors: Wischer Christian , Homberg Werner 
Published: December 2021

AbstractNowadays, manufacturing of multi-material structures requires a variety of mechanical joining techniques. Mechanical joining processes and joining elements are used to meet a wide range of requirements, especially on versatile process chains. Most of these are explicitly adapted to only one, specific application. This leads to a less flexibility process chain due to many different variants and high costs. Changes in the boundary conditions like sheet thickness, or layers, lead to a need of re-design over the process and thus to a loss of time. To overcome this drawback, an innovative approach can be the use of individually manufactured and application-adapted joining elements (JE), the so-called Friction Spun Joint Connectors (FSJC). This new approach is based on defined, friction-induced heat input during the manufacturing and joining of the FSJC. This effect increases the formability of the initial material locally and permits them to be explicitly adapted to its application area. To gain a more detailed insight into the new process design, this paper presents a detailed characterization of the new joining technique with adaptive joining elements. The effects and interactions of relevant process variables onto the course and joining result is presented and described. The joining process comprises two stages: the manufacturing of FSJC from uniform initial material and the adaptive joining process itself. The following contribution presents the results of ongoing research work and includes the process concept, process properties and the results of experimental investigations. New promising concepts are presented and further specified. These approaches utilize the current knowledge and expand it systematically to open new fields of application.
Holistic investigation chain for the experimental determination of fracture mechanical material parameters with special specimens
Authors: Weiß Deborah , Schramm Britta , Kullmer Gunter 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn addition to the classical strength calculation, it is important to design components with regard to fracture mechanics because defects and cracks in a component can drastically influence its strength or fatigue behavior. Cracks can propagate due to operational loads and consequently lead to component failure. The fracture mechanical analysis provides information on stable or unstable crack growth as well as about the direction and the growth rate of a crack. For this purpose, sufficient information has to be available about the crack location, the crack length, the component geometry, the component loading and the fracture mechanical material parameters. The fracture mechanical properties are determined experimentally with standardized specimens as defined by the guidelines of the American Society for Testing and Materials. In practice, however, especially in the context with damage cases or formed material fracture mechanical parameters directly for a component are of interest. However, standard specimens often cannot be extracted at all due to the complexity of the component geometry. Therefore, the development of special specimens is required whereby certain arrangements have to be made in advance. These arrangements are presented in the present paper in order to contribute to a holistic investigation chain for the experimental determination of fracture mechanical material parameters with special specimens.
Comparison of 4 Different Threshold Values of Shock Index in Predicting Mortality of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Ak Rohat , Doğanay Fatih 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Objective:
The object of this study was to examine the accuracy in prehospital shock index (SI) for predicting intensive care unit (ICU) requirement and 30-d mortality among from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Methods:
All consecutive patients who were the age ≥18 y, transported to the emergency department (ED) by ambulance with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in the prehospital frame were included in the study. Four different cutoff points were compared (0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0) to examine the predictive performance of both the mortality and ICU requirement of the SI. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate each cut-off value discriminatory for predicting 30-d mortality and ICU admission.

Results:
The total of 364 patients was included in this study. The median age in the study population was 69 y (range, 55-80 y), of which 196 were men and 168 were women. AUC values for 30-d mortality outcome were calculated as 0.672, 0.674, 0.755, and 0.626, respectively, for threshold values of 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 1.0. ICU admission was more likely for the patients with prehospital SI > 0.9. Similarly, the mortality rate was higher in patients with prehospital SI > 0.9.

Conclusions:
Early triage of COVID-19 patients will ensure efficient use of health-care resources. The SI could be a helpful, fast, and powerful tool for predicting mortality status and ICU requirements of adult COVID-19 patients. It was concluded that the most useful threshold value for the shock index in predicting the prognosis of COVID-19 patients is 0.9.
Exposure to the anthelmintic dinitroaniline oryzalin causes changes in meiotic prophase morphology and loss of synaptonemal complexes in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Goldstein Paul 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The anthelmintic dinitroaniline oryzalin interferes with the formation of microtubules and inhibits meiosis and mitosis in nematodes. Exposure to oryzalin resulted in deterioration in morphology of the oocytes and loss of synaptonemal complexes at meiotic prophase I. The nuclear matrix and envelope were poorly formed, and the central rachis was diminished. These results provide the basis for the loss of fecundity after treatment with the oryzalin resulting in control of parasitic nematodes.
Incorporating rainy season and reproductive phenology into the survival and transition rates of the invasive speciesSambucus nigra: an approximation with multistate models
Authors: Bonilla-Valencia Leticia , Hernández-Apolinar Mariana , Zúñiga-Vega J. Jaime , Espinosa-García Francisco J. , Martínez-Orea Yuriana , Castillo-Argüero Silvia 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAlthough it has been demonstrated that environmental changes within a year can affect the reproduction, survival, and growth of invasive species, these factors have rarely been incorporated into demographic analyses. Therefore, we applied multistate demographic models (based on capture–recapture animal methods accounting for imperfect detectability of individuals in natural conditions) to evaluate the effects of reproductive phenology and rainy season on the survival and transition/retrogression rates among stage categories of black elderberry (Sambucus nigraL.)—an invasive tree species widely distributed in temperate forests of Europe and America. In theAbies religiosatemperate forest, Mexico City, a multistate demographic model ofS. nigrawas built using bimonthly censuses during a year. We selected the best-fitting model according to Akaike’s information criterion adjusted for small sample sizes (AICc). We determined the response of reproductive phenology ofS. nigrato the rainy season for 2 yr through repeatability and phenotypic plasticity indexes. Our results showed that the reproductive phenology ofS. nigrahas a low repeatability index and a high phenotypic plasticity index. We demonstrated that additive and interactive effects of reproductive phenology and rainy season promote changes in survival and transition/retrogression rates among stage categories. During the rainy season, the survival probability of seedlings and transition probability toward the adult category increased. Therefore, our study represents a significant contribution to the knowledge of the demographic dynamics of invasive species on an intra-annual scale.