bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Area under the Expiratory Flow-Volume Curve: Normative Values in the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) Study
Authors: Ioachimescu Octavian C , McCarthy Kevin , Stoller James K 
Published: February 2022

The area under the expiratory flow-volume (AEX-FV) loop has been evaluated before as a spirometric tool for assessing respiratory functional impairment. We computed the AEX-FV curves in spirometry tests performed on 20,313 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study. We analyzed 108,939 spirometry tests performed between 2007 and 2012 (5964 children; 14,349 adults). In these tests, we computed the three areas from existing NHANES raw data on instantaneous expiratory flows measured at 0.01 s intervals. Mean best-trial measurements for AEX-FV were 3.4 in boys, 2.8 in girls, 11.8 in men and 7.7 L2/s in women. We characterized indices of central tendency and dispersion of the measurements (eg, means and fifth percentiles—lower limits of normal) by age group (children vs adults), gender, race or ethnicity group and effort grading. Simple regression equations using logarithmic transformations of the above areas and using age, gender and height as inputs provided good predictive ability for the variable AEX-FV. Regular, digital spirometry could and should make available to clinicians and researchers the area under the curves for flow versus volume graph, providing additional tools in our armamentarium to evaluate ventilatory impairments and patterns, and possibly respiratory disability.
Comparing liposomal bupivacaine plus bupivacaine to bupivacaine alone in interscalene blocks for rotator cuff repair surgery: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Flaherty James M , Berg Aaron A , Harrison Alicia , Braman Jon , Pearson Jonah M , Matelich Benjamin , Kaizer Alexander M , Hutchins Jacob L 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundSingle-injection interscalene brachial plexus blocks are used for analgesia for rotator cuff repair (RCR) but have limited duration. The value of adding liposomal bupivacaine (LB) to prolong single-injection interscalene blocks is unclear. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the addition of LB to regular bupivacaine interscalene blocks for patients undergoing arthroscopic RCR.MethodsIn this prospective, randomized trial, 70 patients undergoing primary RCR with equal group allocation were randomized by random number generator to receive an interscalene block with 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine or 10 mL 0.5% bupivacaine plus 133 mg LB. The primary outcome was cumulative opioid consumption within 72 hours of the procedure. Secondary outcomes included maximum pain scores and quality of recovery 15 survey scores.Results70 of the 80 randomized patients were included in final analysis following exclusion for protocol violations and loss to follow-up. Cumulative opioid consumption (oral morphine equivalents) within 72 hours in patients receiving LB was a median (IQR) of 31.9 mg (0, 73.1) compared with 45.0 mg (15.0, 108.8) among patients receiving bupivacaine alone (p=0.312). Patients receiving LB demonstrated mixed results regarding worst pain scores with improvements at 24 hours and 72 hours, but not 48 hours.ConclusionsLB added to bupivacaine interscalene blocks does not reduce opioid consumption within 72 hours following arthroscopic RCR.Trial registration numberNCT03587584.
Developing a theoretical marketing framework to analyse JUUL and compatible e-cigarette product promotion on Instagram
Authors: Kostygina Ganna , Tran Hy , Czaplicki Lauren , Perks Siobhan N , Vallone Donna , Emery Sherry L , Hair Elizabeth C 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundE-cigarette promotion on social media coincided with the rapid growth of e-cigarette use among American youth, particularly with the increased JUUL pod vaporiser use. We examined commercial JUUL-related messages on Instagram to identify marketing appeals used to target users along the continuum of e-cigarette use; we mapped the appeals to existing theoretical marketing frameworks to better understand industry strategies.MethodsHashtag-based keyword rules were used to collect JUUL-related posts from the Instagram application programming interface, 1 March–13 November 2018. Posts were classified as commercial or non-commercial. A combination of machine learning methods, keyword algorithms and human coding were used to characterise message themes in commercial posts.ResultsKeyword filters captured 50 817 relevant posts and 41% were commercial. Among commercial posts, 91% contained recruitment/trial-based appeals (eg, combustible tobacco cessation; product sampling; giveaways) and 71% featured reinforcement/addiction-related appeals (eg, loyalty programmes). None of the commercial messages contained e-cigarette cessation-related appeals and less than 25% mentioned quitting combustible tobacco as a recruitment appeal.ConclusionsInstagram posts featuring e-cigarette related marketing can increase exposure to persuasive messages encouraging e-cigarette trial and use particularly among susceptible youth. Stronger regulations are needed to prevent exposure to social media marketing among young social media users.
Universal leading quantum correction to the Newton potential
Authors: de Paula Netto Tibério , Modesto Leonardo , Shapiro Ilya L. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe derivation of effective quantum gravity corrections to Newton’s potential is an important step in the whole effective quantum field theory approach. We hereby add new strong arguments in favor of omitting all the diagrams with internal lines of the massive sources, and we also recalculate the corrections to the Newtonian potential using functional methods in an arbitrary parametrization of the quantum fluctuations of the metric. The general proof of the gauge- and parametrization-independence within this approach is also explicitly given. On top of that, we argue that the universality of the result holds regardless of the details of the ultraviolet completion of quantum gravity theory. Indeed, it turns out that the logarithm quantum correction depends only on the low energy spectrum of the theory that is responsible for the analytic properties of loop’s amplitudes.
Multi-Extended Target Tracking Algorithm Based on VBEM-CPHD
Authors: Li Yawen , Wang Bo 
Published: February 2022

Considering that the extended targets tracking problem of the measurement is a glint noise with an unknown inverse covariance, a new algorithm from a multi-extended target tracking based on the Variational Bayesian Expectation Maximization (VBEM) is proposed. To improve the variational Bayesian technique, a modeled Student’s t distribution is proposed based on multiple Gaussian mixture terms in order to replace the probability hypothesis density (PHD) intensity. The extended target was modeled with a Student’s t distribution with the glint noise, using Gauss-Gamma distribution combining the variational Bayesian technique to obtain an approximate distribution and applying the expectation-maximization algorithm for iterative estimation. The two experiments are compared and analyzed with the VBEM-CPHD algorithm and the traditional extended target tracking algorithm. Experiment 1 estimated the trajectory of the target, compared algorithms of VBEM-CPHD and GM-CPHD with OSPA distance, varied glint noise with the three different measurement noise standard deviations. Experiment 2 completed the examination of the tracking performance and stability of the proposed method and performed to compare the VBEM-CPHD algorithm proposed with the VB-based GM-CPHD (GM-VBCPHD) algorithm under an unknown measurement noise covariance. The experimental results indicate that the algorithm of VBEM-CPHD has high tracking accuracy, good adaptability, and a strong antijamming ability for multiple extended targets under glint noise conditions.
Link Connectivity-Based Access Selection Method for Multi-UAV Heterogeneous Networks
Authors: Wen Shaojie , Deng Lianbing , Liu Zengliang 
Published: February 2022

While UAV ad hoc networks have made significant progress, implementing it in most of real-application scenarios is challenging due to data explosion. Instead of only ad hoc mode, this work simultaneously considers non-orthogonal multiple access technique (NOMA) and ad hoc mode to handle the problem. We further propose an effective framework to seamlessly integrate these two techniques, namely Multi-UAV heterogeneous networks. Specifically, we formulate the framework as a mixed integer nonlinear programming, in which original problem can be decomposed into two sub-problems, e.g., access mode selection for UAV to UAV mode (U2U) and UAV to Ground Base mode (U2G), and transmission rate optimization. For the access mode selection, to reduce the computational complexity at each UAV, a candidate set is constructed based on the connection time and link quality. After that, the component in candidate set that maximizes the objective function is selected as the access point. Due to the different communication techniques in U2U mode and U2G mode, we can obtain the optimal rate for each UAV by using the NOMA technique in U2G mode and channel prediction method with local information in U2U mode, respectively. For the transmission rate optimization, an effective algorithm is proposed for U2G mode and U2U mode, which considers the effects of the network connectivity and link quality on the optimization performance. Simulation results show that our method can reduce the outage rate and improve the network throughput effectively.
An alternative technique to reduce time, cost and human effort during natural or manufactured disasters
Authors: Al-Janabi Samaher , Alkaim Ayad , Rahem Ahmed 
Published: February 2022

The world suffers from a very large number of missing persons, ranging from about 250,000 to about one million people for various reasons in recent years. Therefore, the process of finding and tracing the missing persons as a result of a plane crash, fire or explosion in a particular area is a humanitarian and religious and national duty, and is one of the most important issues in our country. So, the idea of using a drone to find missing people was invested. We have designed system that collects real - time data and analyzes in a smart way and utilizes global positioning system (GPS) to locate people and track their impact. The idea of this work has been developed and implemented. They represent it in the form of a triangular problem, which included: First, h ow to locate the missing persons and send video broadcasts to a calculator or mobile device remotely. Analyze the data collected in real time, and send a report identifying the safe path that can be taken to reach the missing persons. The second stage is c ollection the data in the master computer and analysis it, while the final stage determines the coordinates of the location to the missing persons and the best possible way to reach of them.
Cosmismo Russo
Authors: Guercio Maria Rita 
Published: February 2022

O Programa Espacial Soviético foi um importante marco na história das repúblicas comunistas. Em 1957 a URSS lança o primeiro objeto em órbita, o satélite Sputnik e em 1961 a nave Vostok leva Iuri Gagarin (1934-1968), o primeiro homem a ir ao espaço. Os soviéticos ficam muito à frente em relação ao seu maior oponente na época, os Estados Unidos. Mas toda essa empreitada teve como responsável um matemático autodidata proveniente de uma pequena cidade russa chamada Kaluga. Seu nome era Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857–1935), o responsável pela equação matemática que iria possibilitar a URSS catapultar seus foguetes e a própria história para a modernidade.
Deep Learning Models for Data-Driven Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) Analysis of Interstitial Oxygen Impurities in Czochralski-Si Crystals
Authors: Davari Seyyed Ali , Mukherjee Dibyendu 
Published: February 2022

Analytical advantages of facile and expeditious spectral data collections from laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) are often offset by the low-accuracy quantitative analyses offered by the technique due to non-equilibrium plasma–matrix interactions. Herein, we developed a one-dimensional (1D) convolutional neural network (CNN) and a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) models for LIBS data analyses to predict trace amounts of interstitial oxygen impurities in commercial Czochralski-silicon (Cz-Si) crystals with known interstitial oxygen concentrations at 0–16 parts per million (ppm). While traditional spectral analyses from O(I) (777.2 nm) atomic lines offer poor accuracy, CNN and LASSO analyses generate excellent predictions for the interstitial oxygen concentrations. Specifically, CNN-based spectral analyses uniquely identified systematic alterations in LIBS fingerprints manifested by laser-matter interactions. Our results pave the path for combining facile and voluminous LIBS data collection with deep learning driven high-fidelity data analytics.
COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in Skilled Nursing Facilities in Cook County, Illinois
Authors: Kim Sage J. , Hollender Meredith , DeMott Andrew , Oh Haewon , Bhatia Ishan , Eisenberg Yochai , Gelder Michael , Hughes Susan 
Published: February 2022

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on older adults residing in skilled nursing facilities. This study examined the pathways through which community and facility factors may have affected COVID-19 cases and deaths in skilled nursing facilities. Methods: We used structural equation modeling to examine the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in skilled nursing facilities in Cook County, Illinois, from January 1 through September 30, 2020. We used data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the number of resident COVID-19 cases and deaths, number of staff cases, facility-level characteristics, and community-level factors. Results: Poorer facility quality ratings and higher numbers of staff COVID-19 cases were associated with increased numbers of resident COVID-19 cases and deaths. For-profit ownership was associated with larger facilities and higher resident-to-staff ratios, which increased the number of staff COVID-19 cases. Furthermore, skilled nursing facilities with a greater percentage of White residents were in areas with lower levels of social vulnerability and were less likely to be for-profit and, thus, were associated with higher quality. Conclusions: For-profit ownership was associated with lower facility quality ratings and increases in the number of staff COVID-19 cases, leading to increased resident COVID-19 cases and deaths. Establishing enforceable regulations to ensure quality standards in for-profit skilled nursing facilities is critical to prevent future outbreaks and reduce health disparities in facilities serving racial and ethnic minority populations.
Palliative care needs and models of care for people who use drugs and/or alcohol: A mixed methods systematic review
Authors: Cook Olivia , Doran John , Crosbie Kate , Sweeney Phillipa , Millard Ian , O’Connor Margaret 
Published: February 2022

Background: Providing palliative care for individuals who use alcohol and/or drugs poses a multi-faceted challenge. In addition to clinical and social needs, individuals may endure mental health problems, co-morbidities and homelessness, thus requiring a multi-disciplinary, flexible approach to care. Aim: To identify the palliative care needs and models of care for people who use drugs and/or alcohol. Design: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted using the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Data Sources: Six databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Full text review and quality appraisal were completed independently and in-duplicate by two reviewers with conflicts resolved by a third reviewer. Qualitative and quantitative data were tabulated together using narrative synthesis, then categorised according to outcomes of interest, with similar and divergent findings reported accordingly. Results: Thirteen studies were included, nine qualitative and four quantitative, using a range of data collection methods, across various settings. The difficulties for individuals who use alcohol and/or drugs as well as their formal and informal carers, in relation to end-of-life care were examined, revealing access, care and skills issues. Three themes emerged which could underpin the development of a model of care: interpersonal/organisational relationships; holistic care; and collaborating with other services and training. Conclusion: Despite end-of-life needs of this population being different to others, challenges include creating inclusive policies, sensitising staff to distinctive individual needs and training exchanges for staff working in both drug and alcohol services and palliative care.
Evaluation of a WeChat-based Dyadic Life Review Program for people with advanced cancer and family caregivers: A mixed-method feasibility study
Authors: Chen Ying , Sun Lijun , Xiao Huimin , Zheng Jianwei , Lin Xiaoyan 
Published: February 2022

Background: Cancer not only affects cancer patients’ quality of life but also their family caregivers’. A WeChat-based Dyadic Life Review Program was developed by our research team for people with advanced cancer and their family caregivers to improve their quality of life. Aim: To explore the feasibility and preliminary effects of the WeChat-based Dyadic Life Review Program on people with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. Methods: A feasibility randomized controlled trial was conducted. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. A total of 47 advanced cancer patient-family caregiver dyads was recruited. Twenty-six dyads were randomized into the experimental group, and 21 dyads into the control group. The experimental group engaged in the WeChat-based Dyadic Life Review Program twice a week for 4 weeks. Results: For qualitative results, five themes emerged: (1) accepting and enjoying the program; (2) increasing communication with one another; (3) feeling grateful for each other; (4) providing emotional support to each other; and (5) releasing caregivers’ stress. In terms of quantitative results, quality of life ( Z = −4.06, p < 0.001; t = 4.30, p < 0.001), family adaptability( Z = −3.01, p = 0.003; Z = −3.29, p = 0.001), and family cohesion( Z = −4.14, p < 0.001; Z = −3.88, p < 0.001) of people with advanced cancer and family caregivers were improved, and family caregivers’ care burden ( t = −2.50, p = .018) was decreased in the experimental group compared with the control group post-test. Conclusions: The WeChat-based Dyadic Life Review Program is feasible and acceptable for people with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. It has the potential to improve their quality of life, adaptability and cohesion, and reduce family caregivers’ care burden.
Acute myeloid leukemia relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a retrospective study from a single institution
Authors: Lin Cheng-Hsien , Chen Tsung-Chih , Shih Yu-Hsuan , Chou Cheng-Wei , Hsu Chiann-Yi , Li Po-Hsien , Teng Chieh-Lin Jerry 
Published: February 2022

Objective The outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) are poor. However, the risk factors for relapse in this context remain unclear. Methods We retrospectively assessed 84 consecutive adult AML patients who underwent allo-HSCT and achieved complete remission (CR). These patients were dichotomized into non-relapse (n = 58) and relapse (n = 26) groups, and the cumulative relapse rates and associated risk factors were examined. We also examined the treatments for and outcomes of patients with AML relapse after allo-HSCT. Results Non-CR status before allo-HSCT and high-risk cytogenetics were significant risk factors for AML relapse in univariate analysis, and non-CR status was also identified as a risk factor in multivariate analysis. The cumulative AML relapse rates after allo-HSCT were significantly higher in patients with non-CR (70.0%) compared with patients with CR (25.6%). Only 2 of the 26 relapsed patients remained alive on the study-censored day. Conclusions Non-CR status before allo-HSCT was a significant risk factor for AML relapse after allo-HSCT. Patients with AML relapse after allo-HSCT had poor outcomes due to a lack of response to salvage remission-induction chemotherapy or treatment-related adverse events.
Evaluation of the Effects of Transforming Growth Factor–Beta 3 (TGF-β3) Loaded Nanoparticles on Healing in a Rat Achilles Tendon Injury Model
Authors: Cetik Riza Mert , Yabanoglu Ciftci Samiye , Arica Betul , Baysal Ipek , Akarca Dizakar Saadet Ozen , Erbay Elibol Fatma Kubra , Gencer Ayse , Demir Teyfik , Ayvaz Mehmet 
Published: February 2022

Background:Achilles tendon (AT) midsubstance injuries may heal suboptimally, especially in athletes. Transforming growth factor–beta 3 (TGF-β3) shows promise because of its recently discovered tendinogenic effects. Using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-b-PEG) nanoparticles (NPs) may enhance the results by a sustained-release effect.Hypothesis:The application of TGF-β3 will enhance AT midsubstance healing, and the NP form will achieve better outcomes.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:A total of 80 rats underwent unilateral AT transection and were divided into 4 groups: (1) control (C); (2) empty chitosan film (Ch); (3) chitosan film containing free TGF-β3 (ChT); and (4) chitosan film containing TGF-β3–loaded NPs (ChN). The animals were sacrificed at 3 and 6 weeks. Tendons were evaluated for morphology (length and cross-sectional area [CSA]), biomechanics (maximum load, stress, stiffness, and elastic modulus), histology, immunohistochemical quantification (types I and III collagen [COL1 and COL3]), and gene expression (COL1A1, COL3A1, scleraxis, and tenomodulin).Results:Morphologically, at 3 weeks, ChT (15 ± 2.7 mm) and ChN (15.6 ± 1.6 mm) were shorter than C (17.6 ± 1.8 mm) ( P = .019 and = .004, respectively). At 6 weeks, the mean CSA of ChN (10.4 ± 1.9 mm2) was similar to that of intact tendons (6.4 ± 1.1 mm2) ( P = .230), while the other groups were larger. Biomechanically, at 3 weeks, ChT (42.8 ± 4.9 N) had a higher maximum load than C (27 ± 9.1 N; P = .004) and Ch (29.2 ± 5.7 N; P = .005). At 6 weeks, ChN (26.9 ± 3.9 MPa) had similar maximum stress when compared with intact tendons (34.1 ± 7.8 MPa) ( P = .121); the other groups were significantly lower. Histologically, at 6 weeks, the mean Movin score of ChN (4.5 ± 1.5) was lower than that of ChT (6.3 ± 1.8). Immunohistochemically, ChN had higher COL3 (1.469 ± 0.514) at 3 weeks and lower COL1 (1.129 ± 0.368) at 6 weeks. COL1A1 gene expression was higher in ChT and ChN at 3 weeks, but COL3A1 gene expression was higher in ChN.Conclusion:The application of TGF-β3 had a positive effect on AT midsubstance healing, and the sustained-release NP form improved the outcomes, more specifically accelerating the remodeling process.Clinical Relevance:This study demonstrated the effectiveness of TGF-β3 on tendon healing on a rat model, which is an important step toward clinical use. The novel method of using PLGA-b-PEG NPs as a drug-delivery system with sustained-release properties had promising results.