bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti-Disturbance Sliding Mode Control of a Novel Variable Stiffness Actuator for the Rehabilitation of Neurologically Disabled Patients
Authors: Mo Lufan , Feng Pengbo , Shao Yixin , Shi Di , Ju Linhang , Zhang Wuxiang , Ding Xilun 
Published: May 2022

Lower limb exoskeletons are widely used for rehabilitation training of patients suffering from neurological disorders. To improve the human–robot interaction performance, series elastic actuators (SEAs) with low output impedance have been developed. However, the adaptability and control performance are limited by the constant spring stiffness used in current SEAs. In this study, a novel load-adaptive variable stiffness actuator (LaVSA) is used to design an ankle exoskeleton. To overcome the problems of the LaVSA with a larger mechanical gap and more complex dynamic model, a sliding mode controller based on a disturbance observer is proposed. During the interaction process, due to the passive joints at the load side of the ankle exoskeleton, the dynamic parameters on the load side of the ankle exoskeleton will change continuously. To avoid this problem, the designed controller treats it and the model error as a disturbance and observes it with the disturbance observer (DOB) in real time. The first-order derivative of the disturbance set is treated as a bounded value. Subsequently, the parameter adaptive law is used to find the upper bound of the observation error and make corresponding compensation in the control law. On these bases, a sliding mode controller based on a disturbance observer is designed, and Lyapunov stability analysis is given. Finally, simulation and experimental verification are performed. The wearing experiment shows that the resistance torque suffered by humans under human–robot interaction is lower than 120 Nmm, which confirms that the controller can realize zero-impedance control of the designed ankle exoskeleton.
Identification of Main Influencers of Surgical Efficiency and Variability Using Task-Level Objective Metrics: A Five-Year Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy Case Series
Authors: Tousignant Mark R. , Liu Xi , Ershad Langroodi Marzieh , Jarc Anthony M. 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveSurgical efficiency and variability are critical contributors to optimal outcomes, patient experience, care team experience, and total cost to treat per disease episode. Opportunities remain to develop scalable, objective methods to quantify surgical behaviors that maximize efficiency and reduce variability. Such objective measures can then be used to provide surgeons with timely and user-specific feedbacks to monitor performances and facilitate training and learning. In this study, we used objective task-level analysis to identify dominant contributors toward surgical efficiency and variability across the procedural steps of robotic-assisted sleeve gastrectomy (RSG) over a five-year period for a single surgeon. These results enable actionable insights that can both complement those from population level analyses and be tailored to an individual surgeon's practice and experience.MethodsIntraoperative video recordings of 77 RSG procedures performed by a single surgeon from 2015 to 2019 were reviewed and segmented into surgical tasks. Surgeon-initiated events when controlling the robotic-assisted surgical system were used to compute objective metrics. A series of multi-staged regression analysis were used to determine: if any specific tasks or patient body mass index (BMI) statistically impacted procedure duration; which objective metrics impacted critical task efficiency; and which task(s) statistically contributed to procedure variability.ResultsStomach dissection was found to be the most significant contributor to procedure duration (β = 0.344, p&lt; 0.001; R = 0.81, p&lt; 0.001) followed by surgical inactivity and stomach stapling. Patient BMI was not found to be statistically significantly correlated with procedure duration (R = −0.01, p = 0.90). Energy activation rate, a robotic system event-based metric, was identified as a dominant feature in predicting stomach dissection duration and differentiating earlier and later case groups. Reduction of procedure variability was observed between earlier (2015-2016) and later (2017-2019) groups (IQR = 14.20 min vs. 6.79 min). Stomach dissection was found to contribute most to procedure variability (β = 0.74, p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsA surgical task-based objective analysis was used to identify major contributors to surgical efficiency and variability. We believe this data-driven method will enable clinical teams to quantify surgeon-specific performance and identify actionable opportunities focused on the dominant surgical tasks impacting overall procedure efficiency and consistency.
Late-Onset Acute Kidney Injury is a Poor Prognostic Sign for Severe Burn Patients
Authors: You Bo , Yang Zichen , Zhang Yulong , Chen Yu , Gong Yali , Chen Yajie , Chen Jing , Yuan Lili , Luo Gaoxing , Peng Yizhi , Yuan Zhiqiang 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a morbid complication and the main cause of multiple organ failure and death in severely burned patients. The objective of this study was to explore epidemiology, risk factors, and outcomes of AKI for severely burned patients.MethodsThis retrospective study was performed with prospectively collected data of severely burned patients from the Institute of Burn Research in Southwest Hospital during 2011–2017. AKI was diagnosed according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria (2012), and it was divided into early and late AKIs depending on its onset time (within the first 3 days or &gt;3 days post burn). The baseline characteristics, clinical data, and outcomes of the three groups (early AKI, late AKI and non-AKI) were compared using logistic regression analysis. Mortality predictors of patients with AKI were assessed.ResultsA total of 637 adult patients were included in analysis. The incidence of AKI was 36.9% (early AKI 29.4%, late AKI 10.0%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, gender, total burn surface area (TBSA), full-thickness burns of TBSA, chronic comorbidities (hypertension or/and diabetes), hypovolemic shock of early burn, and tracheotomy were independent risk factors for both early and late AKIs. However, sepsis was only an independent risk factor for late AKI. Decompression escharotomy was a protective factor for both AKIs. The mortality of patients with AKI was 32.3% (early AKI 25.7%, late AKI 56.3%), and that of patients without AKI was 2.5%. AKI was independently associated with obviously increased mortality of severely burned patients [early AKI, OR = 12.98 (6.08–27.72); late AKI, OR = 34.02 (15.69–73.75)]. Compared with patients with early AKI, patients with late AKI had higher 28-day mortality (34.9% vs. 19.4%, p = 0.007), 90-day mortality (57.1% vs. 27.4%, p &lt; 0.0001).ConclusionsAKI remains prevalent and is associated with high mortality in severely burned patients. Late-onset acute kidney injury had greater severity and worse prognosis.
Non-Intubated Versus Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery in Patients Aged 75 Years and Older: A Propensity Matching Study
Authors: Chen Pei-Hsing , Chuang Jen-Hao , Lu Tzu-Pin , Hung Wan-Ting , Liao Hsien-Chi , Tsai Tung-Ming , Lin Mong-Wei , Chen Ke-Cheng , Hsu Hsao-Hsun , Chen Jin-Shing 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionIn most developed countries, lung cancer is associated with the highest mortality rate among all cancers. The number of elderly patients with lung cancer is increasing, reflecting the global increase in aging population. Patients with impaired lung or cardiac function are at a high risk during intubated general anesthesia, which may preclude them from surgical lung cancer treatment. We evaluated the safety and survival of non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) versus those of intubated thoracoscopic surgery for surgical resection for lung cancer in older patients.MethodsPatients aged ≥75 years who underwent non-intubated and intubated VATS resection with pathologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer, using a combination of thoracic epidural anesthesia or intercostal nerve block and intra-thoracic vagal block with target-controlled sedation, from January 2011 to December 2019 were included. Ultimately, 79 non-intubated patients were matched to 158 patients based on age, sex, body mass index, family history, comorbidity index, pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in one second/ forced vital capacity [%]), and disease stage. The endpoints were overall survival and recurrence progression survival.ResultsAll patients had malignant lung lesions. Data regarding conversion data and the postoperative result were collected. Both groups had comparable preoperative demographic and cancer staging profiles. The anesthetic duration in the non-intubated group was shorter than that in the intubated group, which showed a significantly higher mean number of lymph nodes harvested (intubated vs non-intubated, 8.3 vs. 6.4) and lymph stations dissected (3.0 vs. 2.6). Intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate and postoperative ICU stay were significantly longer in the intubated group. The complication rate was higher and hospital stay were longer in the intubated group, but these differences were not significant (12% vs. 7.6%; p = .07, respectively).ConclusionsIn the elderly, non-intubated thoracoscopic surgery provides similar survival results as the intubated approach, although fewer lymph nodes are harvested. Non-intubated surgery may serve as an alternative to intubated general anesthesia in managing lung cancer in carefully selected elderly patients with a high risk of impaired pulmonary and cardiac function.
Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: Frameshift in Medical and Surgical Management. Does the Perioperative Setting Have an Impact on Transplant Outcome? A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Bergel Berenice , Geppert Tamara , Bañuelos Marco Beatriz , Friedersdorff Frank , Müller Dominik , Kempf Caroline , Lachmann Nils , Lingnau Anja 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionFrameshift in medical management as well as in surgical thinking is putting the patient as a whole is the focus, rather than just the disease. To optimize the treatment of our pediatric transplant patients in our institution, we changed in 2013 the transplant program setting, treating, and operating all patients with pediatric transplant exclusively in a pediatric environment. The aim of this study was to analyze whether or not this change had an impact on patients safety, patient population, and patients and transplant outcome.MethodsIn the retrospective analysis, we compared transplant outcome of two eras. Era1 (2008–2012) solely included patients treated in the adult facilities, era 2 (2013–2017) patients were exclusively treated in the pediatric environment.ResultsThere were 53 patients with renal transplant, with era 1 (28 patients) and era 2 (25 patients). Overall mortality was 5.6%. Median recipient age at transplantation was 13.2 years in era 1 and 8.59 years in era 2, median recipient weight at transplantation was 41.7 kg in era 1 vs. 26 kg in era 2, median size 149. 5 cm (era 1) vs. 123 cm in era2 (p = 0.05). The direct recipient/donor weight ratio remained stable in both eras, for recipients below 20 kg we saw a larger weight mismatch in era 1 (0.84 vs. 0.66). In the subgroup of patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) those were significantly younger at onset of dialysis (p &lt; 0.001) and at time of transplantation (p &lt; 0.001), also they were less in body weight (p &lt; 0.01), and body size (p &lt; 0.001), this subgroup was larger in era 2. HLA mismatch data, serum creatinine, and GFR yield comparable results in both groups. Median time to detection of DSA was 46.2 month (3.8 years).ConclusionSince children with ESRD at the time of transplant trend to be younger and smaller, it is crucial to ensure a medical environment that is able to address their particular challenges. Even in this recipient cohort, renal transplantation can be performed safely as outlined by our data.
O-Arm-Navigated, Robot-Assisted Versus Conventional CT Guided Radiofrequency Ablation in Treatment of Osteoid Osteoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Tian-Long , Luo Yi-Ping , Zhou Zi-Fei , Liu Jun-Feng , Hou Xiao-Dong , Jia Shao-Hua , Zheng Long-Po 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundOsteoid osteoma is a common benign bone tumor, and clinically there is severe local pain that typically worsens at night. The conventional CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was widely used in the treatment of osteoid osteoma (OO), which could result in some radiation-related and imprecise complications due to the overdose of radiation exposure. This study aimed to compare the surgical effect of robot-assisted RFA with O-arm navigation and conventional CT-guided RFA in the treatment of OO.MethodsSixty-two patients who underwent robot-assisted RFA with O-arm navigation (Robot-RFA, n = 24) or CT-guided RFA (CT-RFA, n = 38) were included in this retrospective cohort study. The mean follow-up time was 23.3 months. The intra-operative data, primary technical success rate, visual analog scale (VAS), and post-operative complications were analyzed.ResultsPrimary technical success was obtained in 23 patients who had robot-assisted RFA, and 35 patients who had conventional CT-guided RFA. One patient in Robot-RFA group and three patients in CT-RFA group with pain recurrence received repeat-RFA and had a secondary success. Mean operation time and dose of radiation exposure were lower in Robot-RFA group than that in CT-RFA group. The Robot-RFA group took fewer K-wire adjustment times for each patient than the CT-RFA group. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean operation time, dose of radiation exposure, and K-wire adjustment times between the groups (p &lt; 0.05). No complications associated with the procedure were reported in the two groups during the follow-up period.ConclusionRobot-assisted RFA with O-arm navigation is a safer and more precise strategy in the treatment of osteoid osteoma with less operation time and radiation exposure compared with the conventional CT-guided radiofrequency ablation.
Long-Term Outcome of Horses Undergoing Unilateral Mandibular Condylectomy and Meniscectomy for Temporomandibular Joint Disease
Authors: White Sarah A. , Canada Nathan C. , Carmalt James L. , Schumacher James , Amitrano Fernando N. , Ortved Kyla , Henry Travis J. , Brounts Sabrina H. , Arnold Carolyn E. 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundThere are no reports describing the long-term outcome of sport horses undergoing unilateral mandibular condylectomy with meniscectomy (UMC) for treatment for severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease (TMD). Whether horses undergoing UMC require a specialized diet, can return to riding with a bit, or return to intended function after surgery is unknown.ObjectiveTo determine the long-term outcome of horses undergoing UMC for treatment of severe TMD.Study DesignA multi-institutional, retrospective study.MethodsMedical records obtained from seven equine referral hospitals of horses with severe TMD that underwent UMC were reviewed. Details regarding the presenting complaints, results of clinical examination, findings of diagnostic imaging, surgical technique, and outcome (including long-term follow-up with an owner questionnaire) were recorded.ResultsEleven horses fit the inclusion criteria. Three had severe idiopathic osteoarthritis, and eight had confirmed septic osteoarthritis of the TMJ. The most common post-operative complications were drainage and peri-incisional swelling (n= 5). One horse developed a hematoma at the surgical site because the facial artery was inadvertently transected during the approach, causing the condylectomy to be postponed. All horses were discharged alive from the hospital, and 10 returned to their previous or intended use. All had complete resolution of clinical signs of TMD. One mare was retired from athletic use due to her genetic value as a broodmare. One horse was euthanized 2 years after UMC due to progressively worsening of clinical signs of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO), which were not present before surgery. When available, owner satisfaction of the results of the procedure was excellent.Main LimitationsSample size; multiple institutions; owner bias.ConclusionsUnilateral mandibular condylectomy should not be considered a salvage procedure. Horses treated for severe TMD by UMC can return to their previous or intended level of athletic performance and do not require a specialized diet.
Influences of Boundary Temperature and Angular Velocity on Thermo-Elastic Characteristics of a Functionally Graded Circular Disk Subjected to Contact Forces
Authors: Go Jaegwi 
Published: May 2022

The behaviors of functionally graded (FG) engineering structures are influenced by various parameters, such as the boundary temperature, the angular velocity, variations in the thickness, the weight of the structure, and the loading state. The thermo-elastic characteristics of FG rotating circular disks under the loading of contact forces were investigated. Hooke’s law in plane stress problems was applied to derive a pair of partial differential equations and a finite volume method was developed due to the complexity of the governing equations. The thermo-elastic characteristics of the FG rotating disks were investigated according to the variations in their outer boundary temperature and angular velocity. The increase in the outer boundary temperature caused crack generation at the inner surface of the circular disk and on the opposite side to the loading point. The increase in the angular velocity caused unstable thermo-elastic behaviors near the area of the outer boundary surface, especially at 0.7<(r−a)/(b−a) < 0.9, and may have led to crack generation at the outer surface of the rotating disk. These results may be applied to the design of functionally graded circular cutters or grinding disks undergoing contact forces to produce proper and reliable thermo-elastic characteristics for practical applications.
International Scientific and Practical Conference «Statistical Assessments of Sustainable Development»
Authors: Burova N. V. , Dekina M. P. , Neradovskaya Yu. V. 
Published: May 2022

The article contains an overview of the reports submitted at the International Scientific and Practical Conference «Statistical Assessments of Sustainable Development», held on January 27–28, 2022 at the Saint Petersburg State University of Economics (UNECON). Of the 123 announced reports, more than 70 were heard in plenary and breakout sessions. They addressed a wide range of issues, both theoretical and applied.Speakers noted that the list of indicators for achieving sustainable development goals is still in progress and requires improvement. It is necessary to ensure the adequacy of indicators for the tasks set, cohesion of methods of information gathering, international comparability of data, and their availability to a wide range of users. The speakers also touched upon monitoring issues associated with achieving sustainable development goals.Conference participants discussed application of statistical and econometric methods for solving specific problems, formulated proposals for improving the methodology of analysis and establishing generalizing characteristics of sustainable development. Theoretical and practical issues of using statistical and econometric methods and models are considered in the context of forecasting target indicators of strategic planning, modelling and forecasting of individual socio-economic phenomena and processes, and the development of individual countries or regions.A significant portion of reports focused on analyzing the achievement of specific sustainable development goals, studying various characteristics of the economy and society, identifying patterns that arise when progressing toward the target goals. The papers also discussed ESG business transformation, modelling of a circular economy, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sustainable development, the functioning of health care and family sustainability.
Assessment of the Regional Labor Market, Taking into Account the Territorial Effect (Case Study: The Republic of Belarus)
Authors: Soshnikava L. A. , Kishkovich A. V. 
Published: May 2022

The relevance of the study concerning evaluation problems and a specific comparative analysis of regional labor markets is explained by the growing importance of improving macroeconomic regulation in almost all CIS countries. The purpose of the work was to demonstrate the capabilities of spatial econometrics tools in the analysis of regional labor markets on the example of the Republic of Belarus. The authors consider methodological approaches to analyzing labor market indicators based on modern statistical and econometric tools.The authors substantiated the necessity of using spatial econometrics methods for a more accurate assessment of the specific characteristics of the regions of the Republic of Belarus. A spatial autoregressive model was built using panel data. Here, integral block indicators were used as factors, covering only 40 primary characteristics of the region. This article briefly discusses the provisions used in spatial data analysis. It also presents the results of building a mixed model of spatial autoregression. For calculations, the authors used data for 2016–2019, which are freely available in the interactive business intelligence system for distribution of official statistical information of the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus (Belstat, 2021).As predictors, the regression model included integral indicators of the regional labor market, weighted using a matrix of distances between the centers of regions. Here, were used forty initial indicators. According to the authors, the results of the study can have practical application when planning programs for the development of regional labor markets.
Swelling and dissolution kinetics of poly(4-hydroxystyrene) in tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) aqueous solutions studied by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) method—in comparison with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) aqueous solutions
Authors: Ito Yuko Tsutsui , Betsumiya Hitomi , Kozawa Takahiro , Sakamoto Kazuo , Muramatsu Makoto 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The dissolution (including the formation of a transient swelling layer) of a resist polymer is key to realizing ultrafine patterning. However, the details of the dissolution of resist polymers remain unclarified. In this study, the swelling and dissolution kinetics of poly(4-hydroxystyrene) (PHS) films in tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) aqueous solutions were investigated by a quartz crystal microbalance method. PHS is a typical backbone polymer (a dissolution agent) of chemically amplified resists. The swelling and dissolution kinetics of PHS were observed by changing the protection ratio of the hydroxyl groups of PHS and the alkaline concentration in developers. Not only the dissolution rate but also the mode of dissolution depended on the molecular structure of tetraalkylammonium cations. For polymer matrices with strong hydrogen bond networks such as PHS, the penetration of tetrabutylammonium cations is considered to be strongly suppressed by their long alkyl chains.