bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A reassessment of the role of joint receptors in human position sense
Authors: Proske Uwe 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn the past, the peripheral sense organs responsible for generating human position sense were thought to be the slowly adapting receptors in joints. More recently, our views have changed and the principal position sensor is now believed to be the muscle spindle. Joint receptors have been relegated to the lesser role of acting as limit detectors when movements approach the anatomical limit of a joint. In a recent experiment concerned with position sense at the elbow joint, measured in a pointing task over a range of forearm angles, we have observed falls in position errors as the forearm was moved closer to the limit of extension. We considered the possibility that as the arm approached full extension, a population of joint receptors became engaged and that they were responsible for the changes in position errors. Muscle vibration selectively engages signals of muscle spindles. Vibration of elbow muscles undergoing stretch has been reported to lead to perception of elbow angles beyond the anatomical limit of the joint. The result suggests that spindles, by themselves, cannot signal the limit of joint movement. We hypothesise that over the portion of the elbow angle range where joint receptors become active, their signals are combined with those of spindles to produce a composite that contains joint limit information. As the arm is extended, the growing influence of the joint receptor signal is evidenced by the fall in position errors.
Surgical site infections after stabilization of pelvic ring injuries: a retrospective analysis of risk factors and a meta-analysis of similar studies
Authors: Salášek Martin , Český Richard , Whitley Adam , Šídlo Kryštof , Klézl Petr , Džupa Valér 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPurposePelvic ring fractures requiring surgical stabilization are severe injuries. Surgical site infections occurring after stabilization of the pelvis are serious complications, requiring complex and multidisciplinary treatment.MethodsThis is a retrospective observational study from a level I trauma centre. One hundred and ninety-two patients who underwent stabilization of closed pelvic ring injuries without signs of pathological fracture were selected for inclusion into the study. After excluding seven patients for having incomplete data, the final study group consisted of 185 patients (117 men and 68 women). Basic epidemiologic data and potential risk factors were recorded and analyzed by Cox regression, Kaplan–Meier curves, and risk ratios in 2 × 2 tables. Categorical variables were compared by Fisher exact tests and chi squared tests. Parametric variables were analyzed with Kruskal–Wallis tests with post hoc Wilcoxon tests.ResultsSurgical site infections occurred in 13% of the study group (24 from 185). Eighteen infections occurred in men (15.4%) and six in women (8.8%). There were two significant risk factors in women: age over 50 years (p = 0.0232) and concomitant urogenital trauma (p = 0.0104). The common risk ratio for both these factors was 212.59 (8.78–5148.68),p = 0.0010. No significant risk factors were identified in men despite younger men having a higher incidence of infection (p = 0.1428).ConclusionOverall rate of infectious complications was higher than in the literature, but this might be caused by inclusion of all patients regardless of surgical strategy. Higher age in women and lower age in men were associated with higher infection rates. Concomitant urogenital trauma was a significant risk factor in women.
Unconventional computing based on magnetic tunnel junction
Authors: Cai Baofang , He Yihan , Xin Yue , Yuan Zhengping , Zhang Xue , Zhu Zhifeng , Liang Gengchiau 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe conventional computing method based on the von Neumann architecture is limited by a series of problems such as high energy consumption, finite data exchange bandwidth between processors and storage media, etc., and it is difficult to achieve higher computing efficiency. A more efficient unconventional computing architecture is urgently needed to overcome these problems. Neuromorphic computing and stochastic computing have been considered to be two competitive candidates for unconventional computing, due to their extraordinary potential for energy-efficient and high-performance computing. Although conventional electronic devices can mimic the topology of the human brain, these require high power consumption and large area. Spintronic devices represented by magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) exhibit remarkable high-energy efficiency, non-volatility, and similarity to biological nervous systems, making them one of the promising candidates for unconventional computing. In this work, we review the fundamentals of MTJs as well as the development of MTJ-based neurons, synapses, and probabilistic-bit. In the section on neuromorphic computing, we review a variety of neural networks composed of MTJ-based neurons and synapses, including multilayer perceptrons, convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks, and spiking neural networks, which are the closest to the biological neural system. In the section on stochastic computing, we review the applications of MTJ-based p-bits, including Boltzmann machines, Ising machines, and Bayesian networks. Furthermore, the challenges to developing these novel technologies are briefly discussed at the end of each section.
Microbiome analysis and fecal microbiota transfer in pediatric gastroenterology — a structured online survey in German-speaking countries
Authors: Brenig Alicia , Broekaert Ilse , Gerner Patrick , Posovszky Carsten , Hünseler Christoph , Joachim Alexander 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Purpose
To assess the current attitude and the status quo towards the use of microbiome analysis and fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) in pediatric patients in German-speaking pediatric gastroenterology centers.

Methods
A structured online survey among all certified facilities of the German-speaking society of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition (GPGE) was conducted from November 01, 2020, until March 30, 2021.

Results
A total of 71 centers were included in the analysis. Twenty-two centers (31.0%) use diagnostic microbiome analysis, but only a few perform analysis frequently (2; 2.8%) or regularly (1; 1.4%). Eleven centers (15.5%) have performed FMT as a therapeutic approach. Most of these centers use individual in-house donor screening programs (61.5%). One-third (33.8%) of centers rate the therapeutic impact of FMT as high or moderate. More than two-thirds (69.0%) of all participants are willing to participate in studies assessing the therapeutic effect of FMT.

Conclusions
Guidelines for microbiome analyses and FMT in pediatric patients and clinical studies investigating their benefits are absolutely necessary to improve the patient-centered care in pediatric gastroenterology. The long-term and successful establishment of pediatric FMT centers with standardized procedures for patient selection, donor screening, application route, volume, and frequency of use is highly required to obtain a safe therapy.
Elektromagnetischer Energiewandler auf Basis des Klauenpol-Prinzips
Authors: Bosler Eugenia , Abo-Koos Sawsan , Kastl Paul , Oberschmidt Dirk , Schäfer Uwe 
Published: March 2023

ZusammenfassungDieser Beitrag stellt einen elektrodynamischen Wandler vor, der im Vergleich zu konventionellen E‑Maschinen wettbewerbsfähige Betriebseigenschaften aufweist, beliebig skalierbar und kostengünstig herzustellen ist. Der Wandler ist geeignet, in vielfältigen Anwendungen als effizienter und effektiver Generator oder Motor eingesetzt zu werden. Der hier vorgestellte prototypische Wandler ist eine zweiphasige Außenläufer-Zahnpolmaschine mit permanenterregtem Rotor und Ringspulen am Stator. Die Maschine ist an das Klauenpolprinzip angelehnt und besitzt Zahnpolpaare. Der Versatz der beiden Teilsysteme zueinander beträgt elektrisch 90°, und sie erzeugen jeweils ein zeitlich pulsierendes Drehmoment. Die Rotorzahnreihen jedes Systems weisen jeweils einen elektrischen Versatz von 180° zueinander auf. Ein weichmagnetischer Kompositwerkstoff wird verwendet, um den magnetischen Fluss in allen drei Raumrichtungen führen zu können. Der Prototyp generiert pro Spule bei einer Drehzahl von 1500 U/min eine Spannung von 30 V und erzeugt eine extrapolierte Wirkleistung von 350 W.
Vectors of indicators and pointer function in the Multistage Bipolar Method
Authors: Trzaskalik Tadeusz 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe Multistage Bipolar Method considered in the paper deals with multistage decision processes. Multistage alternatives are not compared directly to each other, but they are confronted with the stage sets of reference objects—desirable and non-acceptable. In the paper vectors and pointer functions are defined. The aim of the paper is to apply them to classify and rank multistage alternatives and search for the final solution. Our method simplifies the procedure of finding the final solution and allows to use single criterion dynamic programming to solve the problem.
Outcome of COVID-19 patients with haematological malignancies after the introduction of vaccination and monoclonal antibodies: results from the HM-COV 2.0 study
Authors: Oliva Alessandra , Cogliati Dezza Francesco , Petrucci Flavia , Romani Francesco Eugenio , Morviducci Matteo , Mirabelli Flavio Marco , Cancelli Francesca , Valeriani Emanuele , Marcelli Giulia , Pugliese Francesco , Turriziani Ombretta , Ricci Paolo , Venditti Mario , Palange Paolo , Mastroianni Claudio Maria 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPatients with haematological malignancies (HM) and SARS-CoV-2 infection present a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and mortality. The aim of the study was to investigate whether vaccination and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have modified the outcomes of HM patients with COVID-19. This is a single-centre retrospective study in HM patients hospitalized due to SARS-CoV-2 infection from March 2020 to April 2022. Patients were divided into PRE-V-mAb group (patients hospitalized before the introduction of vaccination and mAbs) and POST-V-mAb group (patients hospitalized after the use of vaccine and mAbs). A total of 126 patients were included (65 PRE-V-mAb and 61 POST-V-mAb). POST-V-mAb patients showed a significantly lower risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (8.2% vs. 27.7%,p = 0.005), shorter viral shedding [17 (IQR 10–28) vs. 24 days (IQR 15–50),p = 0.011] and shorter hospitalization length [13 (IQR 7–23) vs. 20 (IQR 14–41) days,p = 0.0003] compared to the PRE-V-mAb group. Nevertheless, both in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates did not significantly differ between the two groups (29.5% POST-V-mAb vs. 36.9% PRE-V-mAb and 21.3% POST-V-mAb vs. 29.2% PRE-V-mAb, respectively). At the multivariable analysis, an active malignancy (p = 0.042), a critical COVID-19 at admission (p = 0.025) and the need for high-level of oxygen support at respiratory worsening [either HFNC/CPAP (p = 0.022) or mechanical ventilation (p = 0.011)] were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. In the subgroup of POST-V-mAb patients, receiving therapy with mAbs was a protective factor (p = 0.033). Despite the new therapeutic and preventive strategies available, HM patients with COVID-19 disease represent an extremely vulnerable group with still high mortality rates.
Anti-Ri paraneoplastic neurological syndrome presenting with bilateral cranial nerve VI palsy and jaw dystonia—a distinctive syndrome within the anti-Ri spectrum?
Authors: Freydl Elisabeth , Tinchon Alexander , Blauensteiner Katrin , Oberndorfer Stefan 
Published: March 2023

Summary
Objective
Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are rare disorders associated with various onconeuronal antibodies. Anti-Ri antibodies (ANNA-2) are typically found in patients with opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome (OMS) and ataxia.

Case report
We present an anti-Ri antibody-positive 77-year-old woman with subacute progressive bilateral cranial nerve VI palsy, gait disturbance and jaw dystonia. MRI of the brain showed hyperintense signals on T2 bitemporal without contrast enhancement. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination exhibited mild pleocytosis of 13 cells/µl and positive oligoclonal bands. CSF was overall inconspicuous for a malignant or inflammatory etiology. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed anti-Ri antibodies in both serum and CSF. Subsequent diagnostic work up resulted in a newly diagnosed ductal carcinoma of the right breast. PNS in this case partially responded to the anti-tumor therapy.

Conclusion
This case shows similarities with recently published anti-Ri syndromes, which might form a distinct triad within the anti-Ri spectrum.
Values and tensions of a health education program based on evidence-based medicine: a qualitative study
Authors: Vergel John , Casallas-Murillo Ana-Lucía , Laverde-Robayo Diana-Marcela , Cristancho-Casallas Pablo 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Aim
This study explored how patients, caregivers, clinicians, designers, and funders who worked collaboratively on a health education program experienced its design. The program was based on evidence-based medicine and knowledge transmission.

Subject and methods
Through exploratory qualitative research, the authors conducted 21 semistructured interviews, collected six nonparticipatory observations, and conducted a documentary analysis. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, producing rich descriptions about the participants’ experiences. The researchers’ interpretations were validated through peer review.

Results
Three themes were revealed by the findings: background, values, and tensions. All participants had a range of assumptions about this experience regarding which evidence-based recommendations should be prioritized and disseminated to patients/caregivers in program implementation. These assumptions were based on participants’ beliefs about how people make evidence-informed decisions, allowing them to take charge of their health. The authors found a gap between these assumptions and the purposes of the educational program.

Conclusion
Although health education programs aim to foster patients’ informed decision making and health empowerment, in our case we found some assumptions that were not in line with the objectives of the educational program. We hypothesize that some gaps in the program design, derived from different assumptions, such as (a) conflicts of particular interests, (b) knowledge gaps about health-disease processes, and (c) power asymmetries between doctors and patients/caregivers, could hinder the goals of health education (e.g., engagement) in the practice of evidence-based medicine.
Predicting dynamic spectrum allocation: a review covering simulation, modelling, and prediction
Authors: Cullen Andrew C. , Rubinstein Benjamin I. P. , Kandeepan Sithamparanathan , Flower Barry , Leong Philip H. W. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe advent of the Internet of Things and 5G has further accelerated the growth in devices attempting to gain access to the wireless spectrum. A consequence of this has been the commensurate growth in spectrum conflict and congestion across the wireless spectrum, which has begun to impose a significant impost upon innovation in both the public and private sectors. One potential avenue for resolving these issues, and improving the efficiency of spectrum utilisation can be found in devices making intelligent decisions about their access to spectrum through Dynamic Spectrum Allocation. Changing to a system of Dynamic Spectrum Allocation would require the development of complex and sophisticated inference frameworks, that would be able to be deployed at a scale able to support significant numbers of devices. The development and deployment of these systems cannot exist in isolation, but rather would require the development of tools that can simulate, measure, and predict Spectral Occupancy. To support the development such tools, this work reviews not just the available prediction frameworks for networked systems with sparse sensing over large scale geospatial environments, but also holistically considers the myriad of technological approaches required to support Dynamic Spectrum Allocation.
Bullwhip effect in closed-loop supply chains with multiple reverse flows: a simulation study
Authors: Fussone Rebecca , Dominguez Roberto , Cannella Salvatore , Framinan Jose M. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDue to the complex nature of some products and the different quality of returns, in closed-loop supply chains there might be different types of reverse processes and reverse flows, including repaired, refurbished, remanufactured, or recycled goods. These reprocessed goods return to different echelons of the supply chain according to their quality, and the volume of each type of reverse flow (i.e. the returns share) may significantly vary between different supply chains, affecting the dynamic behaviour of the entire system. The aim of this work is to explore the impact of the volume of returns among multiple reverse flows in a closed-loop supply chain where each member can have its own reverse flow. We analyse a four-echelon closed-loop supply chain, where a collector is in charge of collecting and inspecting the returns and sending them to the different echelons depending on their quality. An agent-based simulation model considering different return rates, coefficient of variations for the forward lead times, and returns share is developed and evaluated in terms of bullwhip effect. We observe that considerable volume and medium–low quality of the returns enable bullwhip effect reduction in systems where returns are shared among all the members of the supply chain. However, in single reverse flow closed-loop supply chains, moderate volume and high quality of the returns are preferable to gain improvements both in terms of order and inventory variability. From a managerial point of view, we provide useful recommendations for companies adopting closed-loop.
A novel pharmacological mechanism of anti-cancer drugs that induce pyroptosis
Authors: Guo Haohao , Wang Ziyang , Ma Runsheng , Chen Xin , Li Hongqiang , Tang Yifeng , Du Gongbo , Zhang Yifei , Yin Detao 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPyroptosis is an inflammasome-induced lytic form of programmed cell death, and its main effect involves the release of inflammatory mediators when a cell dies, resulting in an inflammatory response in the body. The key to pyroptosis is the cleavage of GSDMD or other gasdermin families. Some drugs can cause cleavage GSDMD or other gasdermin members cause pyroptosis and suppress cancer growth and development. This review explores several drugs that may induce pyroptosis, thereby contributing to tumor treatment. Pyroptosis-inducing drugs, such as arsenic, platinum, and doxorubicin, were used originally in cancer treatment. Other pyroptosis-inducing drugs, such as metformin, dihydroartemisinin, and famotidine, were used to control blood glucose, treat malaria, and regulate blood lipid levels and are effective tumor treatments. By summarizing drug mechanisms, we provide a valuable basis for treating cancers by inducing pyroptosis. In future, the use of these drugs may contribute to new clinical treatments.
Feasibility of mapping and ablating ectopy-triggering ganglionated plexus reproducibly in persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Coyle Clare , Koutsoftidis Simos , Kim Min-Young , Porter Bradley , Keene Daniel , Luther Vishal , Handa Balvinder , Kay Jamie , Lim Elaine , Malcolme-Lawes Louisa , Koa-Wing Michael , Lim Phang Boon , Whinnett Zachary I. , Ng Fu Siong , Qureshi Norman , Peters Nicholas S. , Linton Nicholas W. F. , Drakakis Emmanuel , Kanagaratnam Prapa 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Ablation of autonomic ectopy-triggering ganglionated plexuses (ET-GP) has been used to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). It is not known if ET-GP localisation is reproducible between different stimulators or whether ET-GP can be mapped and ablated in persistent AF. We tested the reproducibility of the left atrial ET-GP location using different high-frequency high-output stimulators in AF. In addition, we tested the feasibility of identifying ET-GP locations in persistent atrial fibrillation.

Methods
Nine patients undergoing clinically-indicated paroxysmal AF ablation received pacing-synchronised high-frequency stimulation (HFS), delivered in SR during the left atrial refractory period, to compare ET-GP localisation between a custom-built current-controlled stimulator (Tau20) and a voltage-controlled stimulator (Grass S88, SIU5). Two patients with persistent AF underwent cardioversion, left atrial ET-GP mapping with the Tau20 and ablation (Precision™, Tacticath™ [n = 1] or Carto™, SmartTouch™ [n = 1]). Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was not performed. Efficacy of ablation at ET-GP sites alone without PVI was assessed at 1 year.

Results
The mean output to identify ET-GP was 34 mA (n = 5). Reproducibility of response to synchronised HFS was 100% (Tau20 vs Grass S88; [n = 16] [kappa = 1, SE = 0.00, 95% CI 1 to 1)][Tau20 v Tau20; [n = 13] [kappa = 1, SE = 0, 95% CI 1 to 1]). Two patients with persistent AF had 10 and 7 ET-GP sites identified requiring 6 and 3 min of radiofrequency ablation respectively to abolish ET-GP response. Both patients were free from AF for > 365 days without anti-arrhythmics.

Conclusions
ET-GP sites are identified at the same location by different stimulators. ET-GP ablation alone was able to prevent AF recurrence in persistent AF, and further studies would be warranted.
Destructive and non-destructive mechanical characterisation of chocolate with different levels of porosity under various modes of deformation
Authors: Bikos Dimitrios , Samaras Georgios , Cann Philippa , Masen Marc , Hardalupas Yannis , Vieira Joselio , Hartmann Christoph , Huthwaite Peter , Lan Bo , Charalambides Maria N. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractChocolate exhibits a complex material response under the varying mechanical loads present during oral processing. Mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus and fracture stress are linked to sensorial attributes such as hardness. Apart from this link with hardness perception, these mechanical properties are important input parameters towards developing a computational model to simulate the first bite. This study aims to determine the mechanical properties of chocolate with different levels of micro-aeration, 0–15%, under varying modes of deformation. Therefore, destructive mechanical experiments under tension, compression, and flexure loading are conducted to calculate the Young’s modulus, yield, and fracture stress of chocolate. The values of Young’s modulus are also confirmed by independent ultrasonic mechanical experiments. The results showed that differences up to 35% were observed amongst the Young’s modulus of chocolate for different mechanical experiments. This maximum difference was found to drop with increasing porosity and a negligible difference in the Young’s modulus measurements amongst the different mechanical experiments is observed for the 15% micro-aerated chocolate. This phenomenon is caused by micro-pores obstructing the microscopic inelastic movement occurring from the early stages of the material’s deformation. This work provides a deeper understanding of the mechanical behaviour of chocolate under different loading scenarios, which are relevant to the multiaxial loading during mastication, and the role of micro-aeration on the mechanical response of chocolate. This will further assist the food industry’s understanding of the design of chocolate products with controlled and/or improved sensory perception.