bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the surgical treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children
Authors: Ye Zhao Lan , Zhang Li Hua , Zhu Lin , Chen Wei Ji , Xu Di , Lin Ning 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
To determine the utility of contrast-enhanced voiding urography (CeVUS) in the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) through ureterovesical reimplantation in children.

Methods
A total of 159 children with recurrent urinary tract infections were selected for CeVUS and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) from December 2018 to December 2020, among whom 78 patients were eventually diagnosed with VUR. Overall, 60 pyelo-ureteric units (PUUs) were operated according to surgical indications. Accordingly, we determined the general clinical characteristics of all children, obtained two-dimensional ultrasound images, assessed the reflux status of children using the contrast-enhanced technique, and compared the obtained results via CeVUS and VCUG. Both imaging modalities were reperformed at 6, 12, and 18 months after surgery to evaluate postoperative outcomes. In particular, we assessed the consistency of the evaluation and calculated the diagnostic efficacy of CeVUS for different levels of reflux at different time points.

Results
CeVUS showed considerable efficacy in the diagnosis of children with VUR. Notably, the diagnostic results of both CeVUS and VCUG achieved high agreement, with a kappa value of 0.966 (P < 0.001). The results of our follow-up at different stages and evaluation of postoperative efficacy revealed that CeVUS possessed substantial diagnostic efficacy and good consistency with VCUG.

Conclusion
CeVUS is an accurate and safe examination, with considerable clinical significance for diagnosing VUR in children, determining the treatment approach, conducting follow-up during treatment, and evaluating subsequent treatment outcomes.
Surprise positive culture rate in the treatment of presumed aseptic long-bone nonunion: a systematic review with meta-analysis of 2397 patients
Authors: Wagner Robert Kaspar , van Trikt Clinton Hugo , Visser Caroline E. , Janssen Stein J. , Kloen Peter 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Introduction
In pre-operatively presumed aseptic nonunions, the definitive diagnosis of infection relies on intraoperative cultures. Our primary objective was to determine (1) the rate of surprise positive intraoperative cultures in presumed aseptic long-bone nonunion (surprise positive culture nonunion), and (2) the rate of surprise positive cultures that represent infection vs. contamination. Secondary objectives were to determine the healing and secondary surgery rates and to identify cultured micro-organisms.

Materials and Methods
We performed a systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Libraries from 1980 until December 2021. We included studies reporting on ≥ 10 adult patients with a presumed aseptic long-bone nonunion, treated with a single-stage surgical protocol, of which intraoperative cultures were reported. We performed a meta-analysis for: (1) the rates of surprise positive culture nonunion, surprise infected nonunion, and contaminated culture nonunion, and (2) healing and (3) secondary surgery rates for each culture result. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool.

Results
21 studies with 2,397 patients with a presumed aseptic nonunion were included. The rate of surprise positive culture nonunion was 16% (95%CI: 10–22%), of surprise infected nonunion 10% (95%CI: 5–16%), and of contaminated culture nonunion 3% (95%CI: 1–5%). The secondary surgery rate for surprise positive culture nonunion was 22% (95%CI: 9–38%), for surprise infected nonunion 14% (95%CI 6–22%), for contaminated culture nonunion 4% (95%CI: 0–19%), and for negative culture nonunion 6% (95CI: 1–13%). The final healing rate was 98% to 100% for all culture results. Coagulase-negative staphylococci accounted for 59% of cultured micro-organisms.

Conclusion
These results suggest that surprise positive cultures play a role in the clinical course of a nonunion and that culturing is important in determining the etiology of nonunion, even if the pre-operative suspicion for infection is low. High healing rates can be achieved in presumed aseptic nonunions, regardless of the definitive intraoperative culture result.
Auditory capacity of the better-hearing ear in asymmetric hearing loss
Authors: Speck Iva , Gundlach Elisabeth , Schmidt Sandra , Spyckermann Nadine , Lesinski-Schiedat Anke , Rauch Ann-Kathrin , Aschendorff Antje , Thangavelu Kruthika , Reimann Katrin , Arndt Susan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Our aim was to investigate the course of the hearing capacity of the better-hearing ear in single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) over time, in a multicenter study.

Methods
We included 2086 pure-tone audiograms from 323 patients with SSD and AHL from four hospitals and 156 private practice otorhinolaryngologists. We collected: age, gender, etiology, duration of deafness, treatment with CI, number and monosyllabic speech recognition, numerical rating scale (NRS) of tinnitus intensity, and the tinnitus questionnaire according to Goebel and Hiller. We compared the pure tone audiogram of the better-hearing ear in patients with SSD with age- and gender-controlled hearing thresholds from ISO 7029:2017.

Results
First, individuals with SSD showed a significantly higher hearing threshold from 0.125 to 8 kHz in the better-hearing ear compared to the ISO 7029:2017. The duration of deafness of the poorer-hearing ear showed no relationship with the hearing threshold of the better-hearing ear. The hearing threshold was significantly higher in typically bilaterally presenting etiologies (chronic otitis media, otosclerosis, and congenital hearing loss), except for Menière’s disease. Second, subjects that developed AHL did so in 5.19 ± 5.91 years and showed significant reduction in monosyllabic word and number recognition.

Conclusions
Individuals with SSD show significantly poorer hearing in the better-hearing ear than individuals with NH from the ISO 7029:2017. In clinical practice, we should, therefore, inform our SSD patients that their disease is accompanied by a reduced hearing capacity on the contralateral side, especially in certain etiologies.
Diverticulitis patient care during the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany—a retrospective nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Uttinger Konstantin L. , Brunotte Maximilian , Diers Johannes , Lock Johan Friso , Jansen-Winkeln Boris , Seehofer Daniel , Germer Christoph-Thomas , Wiegering Armin 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacted health care systems around the world. Despite a decrease in emergency admissions, an increased number of complicated forms of diverticulitis was reported. It was the aim of this study to analyze the pandemic impact on diverticulitis management in Germany.

Methods
This is a retrospective population-wide analysis of hospital billing data (2012–2021) of diverticulitis in Germany. Patients were identified based on diagnosis (ICD10) and procedural codes to stratify by conservative and operative management. Primary outcome of interest was admission rates, secondary outcomes were rates of surgical vs conservative treatment and fraction of complicated clinical courses during the pandemic.

Results
Of a total of 991,579 cases, 66,424 (6.7%) were admitted during pandemic lockdowns. Conservative treatment was the most common overall (66.9%) and higher during lockdowns (70.7%). Overall admissions and population adjusted rates of surgically treated patients decreased, the latter by 12.7% and 11.3%, corrected to estimated rates, in the two lockdowns. Surgery after emergency presentation decreased by 7.1% (p=0.053) and 11.1% (p=0.002) in the two lockdowns with a higher rate of ostomy and/or revision (+5.6%, p=0.219, and +10.2%, p=0.030). In-hospital mortality was increased in lockdown periods (1.64% vs 1.49%). In detail, mortality was identical in case of conservative treatment during lockdown periods (0.5%) but was higher in surgically treated patients (4.4% vs 3.6%).

Conclusion
During lockdowns, there was an overall decrease of admissions for diverticulitis, especially non-emergency admissions in Germany, and treatment was more likely to be conservative. In case of surgery, however, there was increased risk of a complicated course (ostomy, re-surgery), possibly due to patient selection.
Sleep duration is associated with liver steatosis in children depending on body adiposity
Authors: de Cuevillas Begoña , Lubrecht Judith , Navas-Carretero Santiago , Vreugdenhil Anita , Martinez J. Alfredo 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSleep is a factor associated with overweight/obesity risk, wherein interactions with fatty liver should be ascertained. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the possible relationships of sleep with liver health and whether this interplay is related to body adiposity distribution in children and adolescents. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical measurements were performed in children and adolescents (2–18 years old) with overweight/obesity (n = 854). Body fat distribution was clinically assessed, and several hepatic markers, including hepatic steatosis index, were calculated. Sleep time mediation (hours/day) in the relationship between the hepatic steatosis index and body fat distribution was investigated. Differences among diverse fatty liver disease scores were found between children with overweight or obesity (p < 0.05). Linear regression models showed associations between hepatic steatosis index and lifestyle markers (p < 0.001). Hepatic steatosis index was higher (about + 15%) in children with obesity compared to overweight (p < 0.001). Pear-shaped body fat distribution may seemingly play a more detrimental role on liver fat deposition. The association between sleep time and hepatic steatosis index was dependent on body mass index z-score. Post hoc analyses showed that 39% of the relationship of body fat distribution on hepatic steatosis index may be explained by sleep time. Conclusion: An association of sleep time in the relationship between body fat distribution and hepatic steatosis index was observed in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity, which can be relevant in the prevention and treatment of excessive adiposity between 2 and 18 years old. Clinical trial: NCT04805762. Import: As part of a healthy lifestyle, sleep duration might be a modifiable factor in the management of fatty liver disease in children.

What is Known:• Sleep is an influential factor of overweight and obesity in children.• Excessive adiposity is associated with liver status in children and adolescents.

What is New:• Sleep time plays a role in the relationship between body fat distribution and liver disease.• Monitoring sleep pattern may be beneficial in the treatment of hepatic steatosis in children with excessive body weight.
Selective electrochemical reduction of mercury(II) from a simulated traditional gold mining wastewater contaminated with cyanide and heavy metals
Authors: Tami-Pimiento Leidy M. , Joya-Herrera Laura M. , Pérez-Chía Yolanda Isabel , Meléndez Angel M. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn traditional gold mining (TGM), the wastewater discharges are contaminated with high concentrations of cyanide and heavy metals. Understanding the effects of different cyanide species on the electrochemical behavior of mercury(II) is critical for its removal from TGM wastewater. Herein, we evaluated mercury electroreduction using a model solution simulating a TGM wastewater containing Fe(II), Cu(I), Zn(II), Hg(II), and CN– ions. According to speciation diagrams, the predominant Hg(II) species is Hg(CN)42–. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the reduction processes from the simulated TGM wastewater solution and to select the potential for the potentiostatic deposition process of mercury. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to study the morphology and elemental composition of the deposits. The free cyanide (CN–) concentration affects the electrochemical behavior of the anionic cyanide complex Hg(CN)42– in addition to the chemical stability of 316 stainless steel under open circuit conditions. Voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements show that the 316 stainless steel electrode becomes more resistive when exposed to the simulated TGM wastewater solution due to a passive surface oxide, while the passive layer on the titanium electrode inhibits Hg(II) reduction.
Graphical Abstract
Enhancing security in Fiat–Shamir transformation-based non-interactive zero-knowledge protocols for IoT authentication
Authors: Hamila Firas , Hamad Mohammad , Salgado Daniel Costa , Steinhorst Sebastian 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWith the rapid expansion of IoT devices and their applications, there is an increasing demand for efficient and secure authentication mechanisms to protect against unauthorized access. Traditional authentication mechanisms face limitations regarding computational speed, communication costs, and vulnerability to cyber-attacks. Zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) protocols have emerged as an effective solution for achieving secure and efficient authentication in such environments without revealing sensitive information. Among ZKP protocols, $$\Sigma $$
Σ
-protocols, a class of interactive ZKP protocols, have been employed for their efficiency and security. However, their interactive nature necessitates multiple rounds of communication, which can reduce efficiency and increase communication overhead for resource-constrained devices. Many works have aimed to eliminate the interaction of $$\Sigma $$
Σ
-protocols by utilizing a transformation called the Fiat–Shamir transformation (FST). However, there is still a concern regarding the soundness of the FST as it can sometimes convert a secure $$\Sigma $$
Σ
-protocol into an insecure non-interactive zero-knowledge (NIZK) authentication scheme. In this paper, we propose an approach for transforming $$\Sigma $$
Σ
-protocols into a NIZK protocol based on the FST, yielding significant enhancements in efficiency, communication overhead reduction, and elimination of interaction. Our proposed protocol enables the completion of the authentication process in a single request while also strengthening the soundness of $$\Sigma $$
Σ
-protocols in comparison with the traditional FST by requiring two authentication factors instead of one. To demonstrate our approach’s robustness, we conducted comprehensive informal and formal security analyses (using the Tamarin-Prover). Our protocol demonstrated completeness, soundness, zero-knowledge properties, and robustness against attacks, including eavesdropping, message modification, replay, and brute force attacks. Additionally, our performance analysis displayed a remarkable 50% improvement in computational cost compared to traditional $$\Sigma $$
Σ
-protocols, underscoring its efficiency for practical use.
Computational modeling and simulation for endovascular embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations with liquid embolic agents
Authors: Zhang Bowen , Chen Xi , Zhang Xiaolong , Ding Guanghong , Ge Liang , Wang Shengzhang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractEndovascular embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the brain usually requires injecting liquid embolic agents (LEAs) to reduce blood flow through the malformation. In clinical procedures, the feeding artery into which the LEAs are injected, and the amount of LEAs needs to be carefully planned preoperatively. Computational fluid dynamics can simulate the injecting process of LEAs in nidus and evaluate the therapeutic effects of different procedures preoperatively. Applying a porous media model avoided the difficulties of geometric modeling of AVMs, and the complex vascular network structure within the nidus was reproduced. The multi-phase flow was applied to simulate the interaction between LEAs and blood. The viscosity of LEAs is determined by the concentration of its solute ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). The diffusion process of the solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was calculated by solving the species transport equation. The coagulation of LEAs was simulated by constructing the relationship between the concentration of EVOH and viscosity. The numerical simulation method of LEAs for injection and coagulation was tested on two patient-specific AVMs. The calculations predicted the flow direction of the LEAs in the nidus. The morphology of the injected LEAs could be well visualized by 3D rendering. Quantitative analysis was conducted, including flow rate changes at the feeding arteries and draining veins. The embolization process of AVMs with LEAs can be simulated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods to show the therapeutic effects of different embolization procedure planning, the optimal treatment plan can be determined.
Geophysical fluid dynamics in the hypergravity field
Authors: Yeh Harry 
Published: November 2023

AbstractHypergravity can be realized by creating a field imposed by centripetal acceleration in a centrifuge apparatus. Such an apparatus is often used to test soil response in geotechnical engineering problems. Here we present the potential usage of a centrifuge apparatus to study various topics in hydrodynamics. The scaling law associated with hydrodynamics is first reviewed, and the advantage of controlling the body force is described. One of the perceived disadvantages in such experiments is the unwanted presence of the Coriolis effect in the centrifuge. However, we propose exploiting this effect to our advantage to study geophysical fluid-dynamic problems that occur particularly in the equatorial region.
CMR reveals myocardial damage from cardiotoxic oncologic therapies in breast cancer patients
Authors: Kersten Johannes , Fink Visnja , Kersten Maria , May Lisa , Nunn Samuel , Tadic Marijana , Huober Jens , Bekes Inga , Radermacher Michael , Hombach Vinzenz , Rottbauer Wolfgang , Buckert Dominik 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Breast cancer is a common and increasingly treatable disease. However, survivors have a significantly elevated risk of cardiac events afterwards. This study aimed to characterise cardiac changes during cardiotoxic cancer therapy using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.

Methods
This study involved 34 patients with histologically proven breast cancer and planned cardiotoxic therapy. All patients underwent CMR before starting therapy, and 6 and 12 months thereafter. The CMR protocol included volumetric and functional analyses, parametric mapping, and deformation analysis using feature tracking. As the control group, 10 healthy female volunteers were scanned using the same protocol.

Results
With therapy, there was a significant reduction of left ventricular and right ventricular ejection fractions (both p < 0.05) without reaching pathologic values. Left ventricular radial (p = 0.008), circumferential (p = 0.010), and longitudinal strain (p = 0.036) were also reduced at follow-up. In the parametric mapping, there was a significant increase in native T1 time (start: 1037 ± 41 ms vs. 6 months: 1068 ± 51 ms vs. 12 months: 1017 ± 57 ms, p < 0.001) and T2 time (start: 55 ± 4 ms vs. 6 months: 59 ± 3 ms vs. 12 months: 57 ± 3 ms, p = 0.001), with unchanged extracellular volume and relative late gadolinium enhancement. Twelve months after cancer diagnosis, the breast cancer patients exhibited significant impairments in left ventricular global radial (p = 0.001), circumferential (p = 0.001), and longitudinal strain (p = 0.002) and T2 time (p = 0.008) compared to the healthy controls.

Discussion
Breast cancer patients receiving cardiotoxic chemotherapy show persistent deterioration in left ventricular strain values. This is accompanied by inflammatory changes in non-invasive tissue characterisation. Larger studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to identify patients at risk and establish preventive and therapeutic approaches.
Molecular dynamics simulations of hydrophilic pores in phospholipid bilayers and Fe3O4 nanoparticles loaded with the 5-fluorouracil anticancer drug
Authors: Harris R. A. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe interaction of a PEGylated and non-PEGylated Fe3O4 nanoparticle drug-delivery system, with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as the chemotherapy drug, is investigated via atomistic molecular dynamics (MD). The induced pore formation in a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer phospholipid (BLPL) is studied, and the resulting hourglass-shaped pores with hydrophilic lipid headgroups lining the pores are observed. Furthermore, we optimize the required number of ligands that are required to allow for the formed pores to spontaneously reseal. Additionally, the number of water molecules that transverse through the water bridge is investigated. These results may be useful to design nanocarrier systems that will maintain the cellular osmotic pressure and stability, while the 5-FU is converted to the required metabolites inside the cell to serve its purpose as a chemotherapeutic drug.
Time point and scale measurement of carbon sink trading market risk based on catastrophe entropy and potential function
Authors: Yang Xing , Yang Zhihua , Mi Junlong , Li Jiawen 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAccording to the principle of total entropy change of dissipative structure, the carbon trading market is defined as a nonlinear complex system that follows the law of entropy increase in this paper. Based on the potential function of sudden change theory, this paper studies the risk point and scale of the carbon trading market. The results show that (1) the theory of dissipative structure and catastrophe theory can be used as the theoretical basis of carbon financial market risk research, and its core technology can be used to measure and predict risks. (2) The risk mutation point measurement model based on the total entropy change principle and potential function technology effectively detected 16 major risk mutation points in the financial crisis, the European debt crisis, and the European new energy efficiency plan. The empirical test shows that the model has a good ability to capture abrupt changes and prediction accuracy. The fitting effect is very good. (3) The risk index value of the risk abrupt point can be calculated effectively by the risk scale measurement technique based on information entropy and the potential function surface equation. Furthermore, we judge the degree and grade of risk. From 2008 to 2021, amongst the 16 risk mutation points in the EU carbon trading market, there are three extremely high risk mutation points, seven high-risk mutation points, two medium-risk mutation points, two low-risk mutation points, and two very low risk mutation points. High risk or above grade accounted for 62.5%. Empirical analysis supports this conclusion.
Failure Analysis of a Needle Roller Bearing in a Megawatt Reciprocating Pump
Authors: Li Ran , Wei Wenshu , Ye Jian , Lai Yuehua , Liu Hao , Chen Rongming , Wu Mengyu , Wang Dalong , Li Shoubin , Wang Wei , Wu Huigang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this paper, bearing failure was reported for a needle roller bearing used as intermediate support in a pinion shaft system. Severe deformation and wear were noticed on the working surface of the failed needle roller and around the window lintel of the bearing cage. The geometry, materials and hardness of the failed needle roller bearing were analyzed. Appearance detection, SEM and EDS analyses were carried out for clarifying the potential reasons of the needle roller bearing failure. The effect of radial displacement, Hertz contact stress and misalignment on the service life of the needle roller bearing were discussed. The excessive deformation and misalignment, resulting from the unbalanced loading and improper assembly, are the likely cause of the needle roller bearing failure.