bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrathin carpet cloak enabled by infinitely anisotropic medium
Authors: Fakheri Mohammad Hosein , Abdolali Ali 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThanks to the pioneering studies conducted on the fields of transformation optics (TO) and metasurfaces, many unprecedented devices such as invisibility cloaks have been recently realized. However, each of these methods has some drawbacks limiting the applicability of the designed devices for real-life scenarios. For instance, TO studies lead to bulky coating layer with the thickness that is comparable to, or even larger than the dimension of the concealed object. In this paper, based on the coordinate transformation, an ultrathin carpet cloak is proposed to hide objects with arbitrary shape and size using a thin anisotropic material, called as infinitely anisotropic medium (IAM). It is shown that unlike the previous metasurface-based carpet cloaks, the proposed IAM hides objects from all viewing incident angles while it is extremely thin compared with the object dimensions. This material also circumvents the conventional transformation optics’ complexities and could be easily implemented in practical scenarios. To demonstrate the capability of the proposed carpet cloak, several full-wave simulations are carried out. Finally, as a proof of concept, the IAM is implemented based on the effective medium theory which exhibits good agreement with the results obtained from the theoretical investigations. The introduced material not only constitutes a significant step towards the invisibility cloak but also can greatly promote the practical application of the other TO-based devices.
Distributed photovoltaic short‐term power forecasting using hybrid competitive particle swarm optimization support vector machines based on spatial correlation analysis
Authors: Sheng Wanxing , Li Rui , Shi Lei , Lu Tianguang 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn order to further improve the accuracy of distributed photovoltaic (DPV) power prediction, this paper proposes a support vector machine (SVM) model based on hybrid competitive particle swarm optimization (HCPSO) with consideration of spatial correlation (SC), for realizing short‐term PV power prediction tasks. Firstly, the spatial correlation analysis is conducted on the distributed PV stations. The k‐means clustering method based on morphological similarity distance improvement and mutual information function is used to select the best reference station and the best delay, which generates strongly correlated PV sequences. Then, a hybrid algorithm of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and sine cosine algorithm (SCA) in a competitive framework (HCPSO) is proposed, aiming to fuse the fast convergence capability of PSO algorithm with the global search capability of SCA algorithm, while enabling the algorithm to effectively handle high‐dimensional optimization problems based on a competitive mechanism. Finally, the HCPSO algorithm is combined with SVM algorithm, which expands the applicable scenarios of the SVM model and effectively improves the accuracy of PV short‐term prediction.
Bedeutung von Biofilmen bei Harnwegsinfektionen –
Senföle als pflanzliche Alternative zum
Antibiotika-Einsatz
Authors: Beckmann Gero , Bocklet Bad 
Published: October 2023

ZusammenfassungHarnwegsinfektionen (HWI) repräsentieren eine der bedeutendsten
bakteriellen Infektionen in der ärztlichen Praxis. HWI betreffen
hauptsächlich Frauen sowie in geringerem Ausmaß kleine Jungen
und betagtere Männer. Basierend auf nationalen und internationalen
Studien ist davon auszugehen, dass mindestens jede 3. Frau eine oder mehrere HWI
im Laufe ihres Lebens erleidet und jede 10. Frau sogar mindestens einmal
jährlich betroffen ist. In über 80% der Fälle
gehen die Beschwerden auf eine Infektion der Blase (Zystitis) zurück.
Blasenentzündungen sind damit die häufigste Form der HWI. Die
meisten dieser Infektionen gelten zwar als unkompliziert, gehen aber mit einem
hohen Leidensdruck einher.Jede vierte Frau leidet unter rezidivierenden Harnwegsinfektionen (rHWI). In
diesen Fällen entziehen sich die Keime häufig durch Bildung von
Biofilmen oder Internalisierung in die Blasenwand der meist antibiotischen
Therapie und es kommt zu einem späteren Aufflammen des Infekts.Insbesondere bei der Therapie von unkomplizierten HWI kam es in den letzten
Jahren zu einem Paradigmenwechsel. Zunehmende Resistenzentwicklung uropathogener
Erreger, neuere Erkenntnisse zur Auswirkung antibakterieller Therapien auf das
intestinale Mikrobiom und Anforderungen des „antibiotic
stewardship“ führten zum Umdenken der früher
häufig verordneten sofortigen antibiotischen Therapie. Dies hat sich
auch in den Handlungsempfehlungen der ärztlichen Leitlinien
niedergeschlagen. So betont die aktuelle S3-Leitlinie, dass es bei der Therapie
der unkomplizierten Zystitis bei Erwachsenen im Wesentlichen darum gehe, die
klinischen Symptome rascher zum Abklingen zu bringen und dass bei Patientinnen
mit leichten bis mittleren Beschwerden eine rein symptomatische Therapie erwogen
werden könne. Gerade bei solchen unkomplizierten Infektionen
können multimodal wirksame Pflanzeninhaltsstoffe sowohl den
zugrundeliegenden Bakterien als auch der unangenehmen Symptomatik entgegenwirken
und zur Reduktion von Antibiotikaresistenzen beitragen.Auch bei rHWI werden inzwischen im Rahmen einer Stufentherapie Phytotherapeutika
vor der antibiotischen Langzeitprophylaxe empfohlen und als pflanzliche
Behandlungsmöglichkeit der Einsatz von Kapuzinerkresse und Meerrettich
befürwortet.
Sozialleistungen für Kinder und Jugendliche mit rheumatischen Erkrankungen
Authors: Fasshauer Maria , Dunst Franziska 
Published: October 2023

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGPatient:innen und deren Familien mit einer neu diagnostizierten chronischen Erkrankung sind zunächst mit vielen Problemen konfrontiert. In Deutschland ist die medizinische Behandlung von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit chronischen Erkrankungen und/oder Behinderungen im Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) V festgeschrieben 1. Der Artikel soll einen Überblick zu potenziellen Fragen bezüglich Sozialleistungen oder sonstigen Unterstützungsangeboten darstellen und grob auf verschiedene Hilfen eingehen. In der Praxis kann eine gezielte Sozialberatung Informationen und Wegweiser bei Themen wie Selbsthilfe, Teilhabe, Erziehung, Bildung, Freizeit, Schule/Arbeit, Prävention, Rehabilitation und Pflege bieten. Wichtig ist es, die Familien auf dieses Angebot hinzuweisen.
Selbstbehandlung des Kreuzdarmbeingelenkes
Authors: Mensching Steffen 
Published: October 2023

SummarySchmerzen im Kreuzdarmbeingelenk lassen sich in vielen Fällen auch in Eigentherapie behandeln. Verschiedene Übungen, die die Patient*innen zu Hause selbst durchführen, können Schmerzen lindern und die Beweglichkeit verbessern. Wichtig ist, auch bei der Eigentherapie die Grundsätze der Manuellen Medizin zu beachten und beispielsweise nicht über die Belastungsgrenze hinauszugehen. Sollten sich die Beschwerden dabei jedoch nicht bessern oder sogar zunehmen, sollte dies noch einmal ärztlich abgeklärt werden.
Faszien: Was ist übrig von dem Hype?
Authors: Schleip Robert 
Published: October 2023

SummaryFaszien waren lange Zeit ein wenig beachtetes Gewebe, bis um sie ein regelrechter Hype entstand. In der Forschung verdeutlicht sich ihre Bedeutung für die Gesundheit des Bewegungsapparates. So zeigt es sich, dass Faszien eine wichtige Rolle bei der Entstehung von Beschwerden wie Rückenschmerzen oder bei Zerrverletzungen spielen. In der Sportmedizin ist der Blick auf die Faszien ein wichtiger Pfeiler bei der Verletzungsprophylaxe.
Looking back at five decades of embryo technology in practice
Authors: Hasler John F. 
Published: October 2023

This paper covers developments from International Embryo Technology Society (IETS) meetings over the past 50 years. The IETS was officially ‘born’ at a meeting in Denver, Colorado on Sunday 26 May 1974. There have been 51 IETS meetings (the first was in May 1974), and the first conference at which papers were presented was in 1975. The name of the IETS was changed from International Embryo Transfer Society to International Embryo Technology Society in 2016. The annual IETS conferences are held once a year in January. Embryo technology advanced from the laborious and slow techniques of surgical recovery and transfer of bovine embryos to non-surgical recovery and transfer in many species. Cryopreservation of embryos was initially a slow process that met with only moderate technical success before the development of technology that resulted in high embryo survival rates. The polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the sex of embryos following laminar flow cytology, which came into use to separate X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa. IVF has grown to become widely used, and several factors make it more useful than superovulation and embryo recovery/transfer. Perhaps the most important tool of all was the system that allowed the genetic ‘mapping’ of the genomic sequence of Bos taurus cattle. Charting key DNA differences by scientists, ‘haplotypes’ are now used routinely to identify animals with desirable traits of economic importance, discover new genetic disorders, and track carrier status of genotyped animals. Future technology is discussed.
Semiotic excess in memes
Authors: Wagener Albin 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Since the apparition of the web 2.0, memes have emerged as a form of language that blends visual and linguistic signs in a compressed format. Memes represent a typical production of our postdigital society, insofar as they blur boundaries between the digital and the non-digital, circulate quickly and may have an influence on our society. Memes also participate in the reinterpreting and expressing complex emotions, ideas, and cultural references in a new, condensed form. The aim of this paper is to show how memes convey hateful representations, both through language and visual signs based on popular culture, thus participating in a climate of violence in public discourse. This discourse analysis is based on a case study of memes that present excessive messages, through a particular blend of linguistic and visual utterances.
Verb placement in L3 French and L3 German
Authors: Busterud Guro , Dahl Anne , Kush Dave , Listhaug Kjersti Faldet 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
This article explores cross-linguistic influence and the relationship between surface structure and underlying syntactic structure in L3 acquisition of verb placement in L1 Norwegian L2 English learners of L3 German or French, respectively. In these languages, verb placement varies systematically. Previous research has found transfer from both L1 and L2 in similar language combinations. Using an acceptability judgment task, we tested verb placement in non-subject-initial and subject-initial sentences. Findings indicate that L3 French learners performed better on non-subject-initial sentences compared to subject-initial sentences, whereas the opposite was the case in L3 German.
We argue that our findings can be explained by a generative account of verb movement and are compatible with an analysis where verbs do not move, or do not move far enough, in the L3 learners’ underlying syntactic representation. Following the assumption that verb movement is a costly operation, we argue that the syntactic operation verb movement is constrained by principles of economy in L3 acquisition, and that economy plays a role in determining cross-linguistic influence in multilingual acquisition. Our account is compatible with a uniform analysis of the acquisition of verb movement in L1, L2 and L3, and underlines the qualitative similarities in different acquisition processes.
Engaging early experiential learners to improve quality at a VA medical center — a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Gamston Courtney E , Stamm Pamela L , McDowell Lena , Aikens Garrett B , Stevenson T Lynn , Peden Greg , Lloyd Kimberly Braxton 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Purpose
An innovative population health–based introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) leveraging a Veterans Affairs (VA) and college of pharmacy collaboration was implemented in fall 2019. All second-year pharmacy students from the college actively engage in the evaluation of the medical records of veterans identified using population health management tools as needing additional care or experiencing a gap in care. This study examines the clinical impact of the experience on the care of patients at the partnering VA medical center.

Methods
Course and patient records were reviewed to enumerate the number and types of interventions performed as part of the IPPE from fall 2019 to spring 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to report clinical impact. Where relevant, t test analysis was used to compare pre- and postintervention clinical values.

Results
A total of 1,794 medical records were reviewed. An average of 2.67 interventions were completed for each of the 615 veterans receiving an intervention. A total of 155 patients were identified as needing routine laboratory tests (eg, glycated hemoglobin), with 48.4% of patients receiving recommended laboratory tests within 3 months. Thirty-three veterans were eligible for prescription renewals, resulting in 43 medication orders. Thirty-six veterans were recommended to take a statin medication, and statin therapy was initiated in 11, resulting in a significant decrease in the mean (SD) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (–42.4 [30.3] mg/dL, P &lt; 0.05). Eight hundred immunizations were recommended for 632 veterans, and 286 recommendations were verbally accepted.

Conclusion
This study demonstrates that a population health–based IPPE can provide significant clinical support to the care of patients within the VA health system.
Understanding pathways to health-system pharmacy administration: A journey mapping study
Authors: McLaughlin Jacqueline E , Morbitzer Kathryn A , Zeeman Jacqueline M , Eckel Stephen F 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Purpose
Pharmacy administrators play a critical role in the success of health systems, yet pathways to pharmacy administration are incompletely understood. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe pathways to becoming a health-system pharmacy administrator, including challenges experienced and resources needed.

Methods
Participants (N = 21) individually completed one or more journey maps detailing the pathway(s) to pharmacy administration and then engaged in small group discussion to identify common themes. A large group debrief was used to share and identify findings across small groups. Thematic analysis was utilized to identify common ideas shared.

Results
There was variation across the maps, illustrating many steps one might follow to become a pharmacy administrator. In the 23 maps completed, pathways most frequently began with pharmacy school (n = 9, 39.1%), high school (n = 6, 26.1%), or undergraduate training (n = 4, 17.4%). Most included residency training or dual master’s of science in health-system pharmacy administration/residency training (n = 16, 69.6%). Common challenges included distractions, time constraints, grades/performance, financial constraints, and stress. Common resources needed included exposure to diverse career paths, pipeline and outreach support, mentoring, and leadership. Themes included debate about the definition of a pharmacy administrator, questions regarding the core competencies of the pharmacy administrator, discussion regarding ways to enter pharmacy administration, and reflection on the role of serendipity and networking.

Conclusion
Understanding the pathways to pharmacy administration is critical to fostering a sustainable and competent workforce. Work must be done to identify strategies and develop processes for identifying, equipping, and retaining talented health-system pharmacy administrators and leaders.
Outcomes of open repair for descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in recent 10 years: experience of a high-volume centre in Korea
Authors: Oh Ah Ran , Lim Suk Kyung , Sung Kiick , Lee Sangmin Maria , Lee Jong-Hwan 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Although recent studies and guidelines suggest the preferred outcomes after surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA), published results are limited to those from high-volume hospitals and based on old data gathered before optimal management was established. Here, we analysed our outcomes over the previous 10 years from cases of open TAA and TAAA repair to offer updated and real-world results of those complex procedures performed in a high-volume centre.

METHODS
From November 2013 to April 2022, 212 consecutive adult patients who underwent open TAA and TAAA repair were enrolled. We analysed early and late outcomes after surgery, including postoperative complications and mortality.

RESULTS
There were 154 (73%) men, and the median age at surgery was 61 years. Intraoperative death occurred in 1 patient due to uncontrolled bleeding. Nine patients (4%) died during follow-up, and the survival estimates at 5 years were 94 ± 3% and 95 ± 3% after descending TAA and TAAA repair, respectively. Ten patients (4%) suffered from spinal cord ischaemic injury (9 with paraplegia and 1 with paresthesia), but permanent paraplegia persisted in only 1 case.

CONCLUSIONS
We report very low postoperative complication rates and excellent early and late survival rates after open TAA and TAAA repair from our recent 10-year data analysis. These findings may assist when choosing treatment options for these complicated diseases.
CardioCel® for repair of congenital heart defects: nationwide results of over 1000 implants
Authors: Patukale Aditya A , Marathe Supreet P , Betts Kim S , Daley Michael , Shetty Gautham , Anand Abhishek , Suna Jessica , Andrews David , Karl Tom R , Brizard Christian , Venugopal Prem , Alphonso Nelson 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To assess the mid-term performance of CardioCel for the repair of congenital heart defects.

METHODS
Data were retrospectively collected from databases and hospital records in 3 congenital cardiac surgery centres in Australia. Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to test for associations between patient age, gender, patch type and site of implantation. Multivariable Cox regression was used to test whether any specific implantation site was associated with reintervention risk, after adjusting for age group, gender and patch type.

RESULTS
A total of 1184 CardioCel patches were implanted in 752 patients under the age of 18 years. Median age at implant was 12 months [interquartile range (IQR) 3.6–84]. Median follow-up was 2.1 years (IQR 0.6–4.6). Probability of freedom from CardioCel-related reintervention was 93% [95% confidence interval (CI) 91–95] at 1 year, 91% (95% CI 88–93) at 3 years and 88% (95% CI 85–91) at 5 years, respectively. On multivariable regression analysis, aortic valve repair had a higher incidence of reintervention [hazard ratio (HR) = 7.15, P = 0.008] compared to other sites. The probability of reintervention was higher in neonates (HR = 6.71, P = 0.0007), especially when used for augmentation of the pulmonary arteries (HR = 14.38, P = 0.029), as compared to other age groups.

CONCLUSIONS
CardioCel can be used for the repair of a variety of congenital heart defects. In our study, in patients receiving a CardioCel implant, reinterventions were higher when CardioCel was used to augment the pulmonary arteries in neonates and for aortic valve repair as compared to other sites.
Extracellular vesicles altered by a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance mixture:in vitrodose-dependent release, chemical content, and microRNA signatures involved in liver health
Authors: Carberry Celeste K , Bangma Jacqueline , Koval Lauren , Keshava Deepak , Hartwell Hadley J , Sokolsky Marina , Fry Rebecca C , Rager Julia E 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as high-priority contaminants due to their ubiquity and pervasiveness in the environment. Numerous PFAS co-occur across sources of drinking water, including areas in North Carolina (NC) where some detected concentrations are above the Environmental Protection Agency’s health advisory levels. Although evidence demonstrates that PFAS exposure induces harmful effects in the liver, the involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as potential mediators of these effects has yet to be evaluated. This study set out to evaluate the hypothesis that PFAS mixtures induce dose-dependent release of EVs from liver cells, with exposures causing differential loading of microRNAs (miRNAs) and PFAS chemical signatures. To test this hypothesis, a defined PFAS mixture was prioritized utilizing data collected by the NC PFAS Testing Network. This mixture contained 3 substances, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), selected based upon co-occurrence patterns and the inclusion of both short-chain (PFHxA) and long-chain (PFOA and PFOS) substances. HepG2 liver cells were exposed to equimolar PFAS, and secreted EVs were isolated from conditioned media and characterized for count and molecular content. Exposures induced a dose-dependent release of EVs carrying miRNAs that were differentially loaded upon exposure. These altered miRNA signatures were predicted to target mRNA pathways involved in hepatic fibrosis and cancer. Chemical concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxA were also detected in both parent HepG2 cells and their released EVs, specifically within a 15-fold range after normalizing for protein content. This study therefore established EVs as novel biological responders and measurable endpoints for evaluating PFAS-induced toxicity.
Homeostatic Modulation of CD4+ T Cell Subsets Using the Chinese Medicine Jianpi Qushi Heluo Formula During the Alleviation of Primary Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Zeng Qin , Wang Xinhui , Chen Jiemei , Yan Lei , Zhu Haibo , Liang Ying 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:
Compelling evidence suggests that the immune system plays a key role in the development and progression of primary membranous nephropathy (pMN). The Jianpi Qushi Heluo Formula (JQHF) is an empirical and effective traditional Chinese medicine prescription used for the clinical treatment of pMN in China. However, it remains unclear whether JQHF treatment affects the peripheral immune system of patients with pMN.

Methods:
Twenty-five patients with pMN and 10 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. Patients with pMN were treated with JQHF for 6 months. Circulating CD4+ T cell subsets and associated chemokines were analyzed using flow cytometry among both HC and pMN before and after 6 months of JQHF treatment.

Results:
Patients with pMN treated with JQHF achieved 60% clinical remission and a significant reduction in 24-hour urinary protein excretion (24hUTP). Compared to HC, Th1 cells increased, Treg cells decreased, and Th1/Th2, Th1/Treg, and Th17/Treg cells increased in the pMN (P = 0.011, P = 0.035, P = 0.001, P = 0.026, P = 0.038, respectively). JQHF treatment significantly improved cellular immune imbalance in patients with pMN. Patients with pMN showed increased levels of peripheral blood C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9), CXCL10, and C-C motif ligand 20 (CCL20), but no significant difference was observed compared with HC. JQHF treatment significantly reduced CXCL10 levels (P = 0.0071). Moreover, 24hUTP was strongly and positively correlated with Th1 cell and CXCL10 levels (P = 0.0438 and P = 0.0211, respectively). Total serum protein levels were strongly and positively correlated with Tregs (P = 0.0816). Th1 cells also strongly and positively correlated with CXCL10 levels (P = 0.0012).

Conclusion:
Our findings suggest an imbalance in the immune differentiation of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in patients with pMN. JQHF treatment had a pronounced effect on pMN, which may be mediated by the improvement of homeostatic modulation of CD4+ T cell subsets.