bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Allograft bone vs. bioactive glass in rehabilitation of canal wall-down surgery
Authors: Fieux Maxime , Tournegros Romain , Hermann Ruben , Tringali Stéphane 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCanal wall-down (CWD) mastoidectomy creates a radical cavity that modifies the anatomy and physiology of the middle ear, thus preventing it from being self-cleaning and causing epidermal stagnation in the posterior cavities. Canal wall-down tympanomastoidectomy with reconstruction (CWDTwR) can obliterate such radical cavities. The main objective of this study was to compare postoperative results after CWDTwR by using either bone allografts or 45S5 bioactive glass as a filling tissue with an 18-month follow-up. This was a single-center observational trial including all patients undergoing CWDTwR. Patients were divided into two groups according to the filling material used: allograft bone (AB group) or 45S5 bioactive glass (BG group). Clinical monitoring was performed regularly, with control imaging performed at 18 months (CT scan and DW MRI). The two groups were compared with the t test for quantitative variables and the chi square test for qualitative variables (no revision surgery, audiometric results, complications, mastoid obliteration volume). Thirty-two patients underwent CWDTwR between October 2015 and 2018. The mean age was 48 years, and 71.9% (23/32) were men. A total of 46.9% (15/32) of the patients had undergone at least 3 middle-ear surgeries prior to CWDTwR. The most frequent preoperative symptom was otorrhea (100.0%, 32/32), and only 12.5% (4/32) experienced dizziness. Fifteen and 17 patients underwent surgery with bone allografts and 45S5 bioactive glass, respectively. At 18 months post-operation, 53.3% of the patients (8/15) in the AB group presented with recurrent otorrhea versus 5.9% (1/17) of patients in the BG group (p = 0.005). Seventy-eight percent (7/9) of symptomatic patients had undergone revision surgery at 18 months postoperation: 40.0% (6/15) in the AB group and 5.9% (1/17) in the BG group (p = 0.033). One patient’s surgery was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and one patient refused surgery. The effects of CWDTwR with bone allografts are disappointing in early follow-up, with significant resorption leading to a 40.0% revision surgery rate. 45S5 BG is a simple solution, with preliminary results that are superior to those of AB. However, prospective controlled studies with longer follow-up times are needed to evaluate the value of BG versus other synthetic materials (such as hydroxyapatite) in surgical management of CWDTwR.Trial registration: retrospectively registered.
Predicting female pelvic tilt and lumbar angle using machine learning in case of urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction
Authors: Abdel Hady Doaa A. , Abd El-Hafeez Tarek 
Published: October 2023

AbstractUrinary incontinence (UI) is defined as any uncontrolled urine leakage. Pelvic floor muscles (PFM) appear to be a crucial aspect of trunk and lumbo-pelvic stability, and UI is one indication of pelvic floor dysfunction. The evaluation of pelvic tilt and lumbar angle is critical in assessing the alignment and posture of the spine in the lower back region and pelvis, and both of these variables are directly related to female dysfunction in the pelvic floor. UI affects a significant number of women worldwide and can have a major impact on their quality of life. However, traditional methods of assessing these parameters involve manual measurements, which are time-consuming and prone to variability. The rehabilitation programs for pelvic floor dysfunction (FSD) in physical therapy often focus on pelvic floor muscles (PFMs), while other core muscles are overlooked. Therefore, this study aimed to predict the activity of various core muscles in multiparous women with FSD using multiple scales instead of relying on Ultrasound imaging. Decision tree, SVM, random forest, and AdaBoost models were applied to predict pelvic tilt and lumbar angle using the train set. Performance was evaluated on the test set using MSE, RMSE, MAE, and R2. Pelvic tilt prediction achieved R2 values > 0.9, with AdaBoost (R2 = 0.944) performing best. Lumbar angle prediction performed slightly lower with decision tree achieving the highest R2 of 0.976. Developing a machine learning model to predict pelvic tilt and lumbar angle has the potential to revolutionize the assessment and management of this condition, providing faster, more accurate, and more objective assessments than traditional methods.
BDNF-loaded PDADMAC-heparin multilayers: a novel approach for neuroblastoma cell study
Authors: Dąbkowska Maria , Stukan Iga , Kowalski Bogusław , Donerowicz Wiktoria , Wasilewska Monika , Szatanik Alicja , Stańczyk-Dunaj Małgorzata , Michna Aneta 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBiomaterial science has contributed tremendously to developing nanoscale materials for delivering biologically active compounds, enhancing protein stability, and enabling its therapeutic use. This paper presents a process of formation of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) prepared by sequential adsorption of positively charged polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDADMAC) and negatively charged heparin sodium salt (HP), from low polyelectrolyte concentration, on a solid substrate. PEM was further applied as a platform for the adsorption of a brain-derived growth factor (BDNF), which is a protein capable of regulating neuronal cell development. The multilayers containing BDNF were thoroughly characterized by electrokinetic (streaming potential measurements, SPM) and optical (optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy, OWLS) techniques. It was found that BDNF was significantly adsorbed onto polyelectrolyte multilayers terminated by HP under physiological conditions. We further explore the effect of established PEMs in vitro on the neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed that BDNF was released from multilayers, and the use of the PEMs intensified its cellular uptake. Compared to the control, PEMs with adsorbed BDNF significantly reduced cell viability and mitochondrial membrane polarization to as low as 72% and 58%, respectively. HPLC analysis showed that both PDADMAC-terminated and HP-terminated multilayers have antioxidative properties as they almost by half decreased lipid peroxidation in SH-SY5Y cells. Finally, enhanced formation of spheroid-like, 3D structures was observed by light microscopy. We offer a well-characterized PEM with antioxidant properties acting as a BDNF carrier, stabilizing BDNF and making it more accessible to cells in an inhomogeneous, dynamic, and transient in vitro environment. Described multilayers can be utilized in future biomedical applications, such as boosting the effect of treatment by selective anticancer as adjuvant therapy, and in biomedical research for future development of more precise neurodegenerative disease models, as they enhance cellular 3D structure formation.
Characterization of aluminum composite reinforced by silver nanoparticles
Authors: Gassour H. , El-Magd Gamal El-Din Ali Abu , Mazen Asaad , Ibrahim Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis research investigates the mechanical properties improvement of reinforced Al6061 using powder metallurgy (PM) route. It utilizes the nanoparticles strengthening mechanism to enhance the prepared samples’ mechanical properties. For this purpose, Silver Nano-Particles (AgNPs) with contents of 0 wt%, 1 wt%, and 2 wt% were used to reinforce the Al6061 Matrix Composition (AMC). For optimization purposes, many parameters have been considered during the research journey namely: compaction pressure, sintering temperature, dwelling time, and reinforcement contents. All samples are examined in terms of density, hardness, and compression strength. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, mapping analysis, and XRD were used to investigate the microstructure. The experimental results revealed highest hardness values at 2 wt% AgNPs reinforced sample that was sintered at 600 °C, while the lowest was obtained at un-reinforced sample sintered at 550 °C. Furthermore, the compression strength of sample reinforced with 2 wt% AgNPs and sintered at 600 °C recorded an improvement of 25.8% of the maximum compression strength compared to the un-reinforced sample, as it reached 216 N/mm2. Regarding microstructural analysis, SEM imaging and EDX played an important role in exploring and interpreting many unusual test behaviors including the formation of intermetallic bonding, minor pores formation, and reinforcement dispersion un-homogeneity.
Comparison of sacroiliac CT findings in patients with and without ankylosing spondylitis aged over 50 years
Authors: Fakih Olivier , Ramon André , Chouk Mickaël , Prati Clément , Ornetti Paul , Wendling Daniel , Verhoeven Frank 
Published: October 2023

AbstractDiagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is nowadays commonly made with the help of pelvic radiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, there is an important inter-observer variability in radiography, and MRI is subject to possible false positives and is not the best modality for studying structural lesions. Conversely, pelvic computed tomography (CT) has excellent specificity and appears to be more effective than radiography for the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, its findings in patients over 50 years of age have not yet been studied. The objectives of this study were to describe the CT characteristics of sacro-iliac joints (SIJ) and the presence of intra-articular gas in patients with AS aged over 50 years and to compare them with controls of the same age and sex. This two-center, cross-sectional, observational study was performed using the medical records of the rheumatology departments of two University Hospitals. We included patients with a clinical diagnosis of axSpA, who had both definite radiographic sacroiliitis according to the modified New York criteria and met the ASAS 2009 criteria for axSpA (that is, AS), and who had undergone any CT scan including the whole SIJ. Each patient was matched for age and sex to a control randomly selected on the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), symptomatic or asymptomatic, and without spondyloarthritis. For each individual, CT scans were interpreted blindly by two independent rheumatologists and scored for joint space narrowing (JSN), erosions, sclerosis, intra-articular gas, and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). Ninety patients and 90 controls were included in the study. The rates of positive JSN, erosion, and sclerosis scores were higher in the AS group (91% vs. 21%, p < 0.0001; 31% vs. 2%, p < 0.0001; 27% vs. 13%, p = 0.03, respectively), but the rates of intra-articular gas and DISH were higher in the control group (24% vs. 68%, p < 0.0001; 7% vs. 33%, p < 0.0001, respectively). 58% of patients had complete bilateral ankylosis. A total of 83 (92.2%) patients had a CT scan considered positive for AS, compared with only seven controls (7.8%). Sclerosis and erosions were predominantly on the anterosuperior part and iliac side of the joint in controls and were more diffuse in patients with AS. CT findings in patients with AS over 50 years of age are mostly represented by changes in the joint space; patients with AS have more erosions and sclerosis changes, but less intra-articular gas than controls.
Chaotic vibration control of a composite cantilever beam
Authors: Liu Xiaopei , Sun Lin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn this research, an adaptive control strategy adapted from fuzzy sliding mode control is established and applied in chaotic vibration control of a multiple-dimension nonlinear dynamic system of a laminated composite cantilever beam. The third order shearing effect on the vibration of the beam is considered in the nonlinear dynamic model establishment, and the Hamilton principle as well as the Galerkin method is employed. It is discovered that a multi-dimensional nonlinear dynamic system of the cantilever beam needs to be considered for accurate vibration estimation. Therefore, the control strategy appropriate for the chaotic vibration control of a multiple-dimension system of the laminated composite beam is necessary, and then proves to be effective in chaotic vibration control in numerical simulation.
Sympathetic activity regulates epithelial proliferation and wound healing via adrenergic receptor α2A
Authors: ten Hove Anne S. , Mallesh Shilpashree , Zafeiropoulou Konstantina , de Kleer Janna W. M. , van Hamersveld Patricia H. P. , Welting Olaf , Hakvoort Theodorus B. M. , Wehner Sven , Seppen Jurgen , de Jonge Wouter J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractInnervation of the intestinal mucosa by the sympathetic nervous system is well described but the effects of adrenergic receptor stimulation on the intestinal epithelium remain equivocal. We therefore investigated the effect of sympathetic neuronal activation on intestinal cells in mouse models and organoid cultures, to identify the molecular routes involved. Using publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing datasets we show that the α2A isoform is the most abundant adrenergic receptor in small intestinal epithelial cells. Stimulation of this receptor with norepinephrine or a synthetic specific α2A receptor agonist promotes epithelial proliferation and stem cell function, while reducing differentiation in vivo and in intestinal organoids. In an anastomotic healing mouse model, adrenergic receptor α2A stimulation resulted in improved anastomotic healing, while surgical sympathectomy augmented anastomotic leak. Furthermore, stimulation of this receptor led to profound changes in the microbial composition, likely because of altered epithelial antimicrobial peptide secretion. Thus, we established that adrenergic receptor α2A is the molecular delegate of intestinal epithelial sympathetic activity controlling epithelial proliferation, differentiation, and host defense. Therefore, this receptor could serve as a newly identified molecular target to improve mucosal healing in intestinal inflammation and wounding.
Understanding public perceptions toward sustainable healthcare through psychological network analysis of material preference and attitudes toward plastic medical devices
Authors: Chambon Monique , Elberse Janneke E. , Dalege Jonas , Beijer Nick R. M. , van Harreveld Frenk 
Published: October 2023

AbstractRecent and potential future health-care users (i.e., the public) are important stakeholders in the transition toward environmentally sustainable healthcare. However, it remains unclear whether, according to the public, there is room for sustainable innovations in materials for plastic medical devices (PMD). This study explores preferences regarding conventional or bio-based PMD, and psychological mechanisms underlying these preferences. We administered two surveys among Dutch adults from a research panel. Results from the first survey (i.e., open-text survey on attitude elements; NStudy1 = 66) served as input for the second survey (i.e., Likert-scale survey on beliefs, emotions, perceived control, social norms, trust, related to current and bio-based PMD, and health and age; NStudy2 = 1001; Mage = 47.35; 54.4% female). The second survey was completed by 501 participants who, in the last two years, received care in which PMD were used, and 500 participants who did not. Cross-sectional psychological networks were estimated with data from the second study using the EBICglasso method. Results showed that participants preferred bio-based over conventional PMD, and this applied regardless of whether devices are used inside or outside of the body. Results also showed emotions play an important role, with emotions regarding bio-based PMD being strongly related to preference. Furthermore, comparing recent and potential future receivers of PMD revealed differences in preference but comparable relations between preference and other psychological variables. This study shows that receivers’ perspectives should not be seen as potential barriers, but as additional motivation for transitioning toward sustainable healthcare. Recommendations for implementation are discussed.
Health and quality of life among women after participation in a CBPR-informed physical activity intervention: with a pandemic perspective
Authors: Ramji Rathi , Rämgård Margareta , Carlson Elisabeth , Shleev Sergey , Awad Eman , Cirovic Stefan , Kottorp Anders 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe lack of culturally and contextually oriented interventions promoting physical activity (PA) has led to increased physical inactivity among women living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Sweden. In this study one such intervention informed by community-based participatory research (CBPR) has been evaluated among 34 women from a disadvantaged neighbourhood before and during COVID-19. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL), behavioural and biomedical outcomes were assessed directly prior and post-intervention, followed by evaluations at 6-months and 18-months follow-up during COVID-19. The results revealed that HRQOL, particularly psychological, social, and environmental health significantly increased post-intervention compared to prior to intervention but reversed back at 6-months follow-up. Perceived health satisfaction and environmental health increased at 18-months follow-up during COVID-19. Participation in PA improved post-intervention and at 6-months follow-up. Everyday activities and fruit and vegetable intake continued to increase through all timepoints. Systolic blood pressure significantly decreased post-intervention and 6-months follow-up; blood flow rate increased significantly at all timepoints. Overall, the findings underscores the potential effectiveness of CBPR approaches in promoting and sustaining healthy lifestyles, even during acute situations such as the COVID-19. It may even serve as a future model for promoting health and addressing health disparities in similar groups.
Investigation of crack recognition and spatio-temporal evolution pattern in coal samples damage
Authors: Chen Zeng , Wang Ping , Shi Feng 
Published: October 2023

AbstractUnderstanding the evolution mechanism of cracks helps to evaluate the behavior and performance of rock masses and provides a theoretical basis for the mechanism of crack propagation and instability. For this purpose, a rock mechanics testing system and an acoustic emission monitoring system were used to conduct acoustic emission positioning experiments on coal samples under uniaxial compression. According to clustering theory, the distribution pattern of microcracks and the dynamic evolution process of multiple cracks were studied. Subsequently, the reasons for the change in the spatio-temporal entropy (H) and fractal dimension (D) of a single crack were revealed. The research results show that microcracks present a statistical equilibrium distribution, the Gaussian distribution model is applicable to cluster crack distribution patterns, and a machine learning method can effectively identify cracks. The fractal dimension reflects the spatial characteristics of three-dimensional elliptical cracks, and low-dimensional cluster cracks are more likely to develop into macroscopic cracks. The change of H is related to the formation process of cracks, and an abnormal H (sudden increase and sudden decrease) could provide precursor information for the instability of coal samples. This research provides a new method to study crack distributions and formations and shows the competitiveness of the method in evaluating the damage state of coal.
Computationally efficient model of an electric motor thermal field
Authors: Kreuzova Terezie , Polansky Jiri 
Published: October 2023

In this work a computationally efficient transient model of an electric motor thermal field is proposed. This model is based on discretized heat equation complemented by analytical-empirical relations, that are used to compute heat fluxes between selected nodes of interest and to set boundary conditions of the whole system.
Stability issues of numerical solution of the set of ODEs arising from the discretization are addressed. Validation is performed using known analytical solution of simple heat transfer cases such as heat conduction in plane wall with volumetric heat source.
The model can be utilized as a stand-alone tool for an initial estimate of temperatures reached in a newly developed device. It can also be tuned by data from measurements or large CFD simulations. Then it can serve for prediction of behaviour of the device in longer time frames or under different operating conditions than those measured or simulated by CFD.
La carte des métiers du nucléaire en tension
Authors: Dupin Ludovic 
Published: October 2023

En mai dernier, l’Université des métiers du nucléaire (UMN) dévoilait le plan d’actions « compétences » mis au point grâce à l’étude Match du Groupement des industriels français de l’énergie nucléaire (Gifen). Métier par métier, il fait le point sur les besoins en recrutement dans les années à venir.
Low-frequency heat waves transport in graded Si–Ge alloys
Authors: Rivera Iván , Salgado-García Raúl , Vázquez Federico 
Published: October 2023

In this work, we consider a rigid heat conductor graded material subjected to an oscillating thermal signal applied on its boundary. We use a recently proposed novel concept, the so-called spectral diffusivity, to characterize the response of the material to an externally applied variable temperature difference. The spectral diffusivity has the physical meaning of an effective transport coefficient. We found a frequency window between 10−2 and 102 Hz wherein the spectral diffusivity increases, showing a maximum. The transport equation was numerically solved to calculate the average heat flowing through the material. We found that it also increased having a maximum in the mentioned range of frequencies. We then investigated the thermal rectification of the material finding a maximum in the same frequency range. The thermal rectification, as well as the spectral diffusivity, improved as the inhomogeneity of the heat conductivity of the material was higher. The spectral diffusivity enables a more in-depth analysis of heat wave transfer, and it contributes to a better understanding of the material response in front of periodic thermal disturbances.
The pragmatics of royal discourse in William Shakespeare’s Henry vi
Authors: Kizelbach Urszula 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Politeness (Brown and Gilman 1989; Rudanko 1993; Kopytko 1995) and impoliteness (Culpeper 1996, 2001; Bousfield 2007) have a prominent place in the reading of Shakespearean drama and serve as a means of characterisation.
In this study, I utilise (im)politeness and face theory to characterise the royal discourse in 1, 2, 3 Henry
vi
. The study aims to analyse the linguistic behaviour of King Henry vi to see how well his royal
discourse reflects his kingship and how his linguistic inadequacy contributes to his political failures. I investigate Henry’s use
of (im)politeness and facework to handle political negotiations and I evaluate his level of awareness of the “political face”,
which is the king’s desire to preserve a positive public image and to save face in social interactions. I look at the examples of
Henry’s inadequate linguistic behaviour and try to establish why this behaviour was inefficient in a given scene and context.