bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of the work ability index—single item and the pain disability index—work item in patients with chronic low back pain
Authors: Boekel Imke , Dutmer Alisa L. , Schiphorst Preuper Henrica R. , Reneman Michiel F. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Purpose
A cross-sectional and longitudinal study was conducted to analyse construct validity, responsiveness, and Minimal Clinically Important Change (MCIC) in the Work Ability Score (WAS) and Pain Disability Index Work item (PDI-W) in patients with Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP).

Method
Construct validity was assessed by testing predefined hypotheses. Responsiveness and MCIC were measured with an anchor-based method. The area under the receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) and the optimal cut-off point were calculated. Smallest Detectable Change (SDC) was calculated to determine measurement error.

Results
In total, 1502 patients (age 18–65 years) with CLBP were included. For validity of the WAS and PDI-W, respectively, seven and six out of 10 hypotheses were not rejected. The WAS (n = 355) was responsive to change with an AUC of 0.70. MCIC was 1.5 point, SDCindividual 4.9, and SDCgroup 0.3. MCICs were 4.5, 1.5, and − 0.5 points for, respectively, low, middle, and high scoring baseline groups. The PDI-W (n = 297) was responsive to change with an AUC of 0.80. MCIC was − 2.5 points, SDCindividual 5.2, and SDCgroup 0.3. MCICs were − 0.5, − 2.5, and − 4.5 points for, respectively, low, middle, and high scoring baseline groups.

Conclusion
Construct validity of the WAS and PDI-W was insufficient in this patient sample. The WAS and PDI-W are responsive to change. On average, improvements of 1.5 point (WAS) and  − 2.5 points (PDI-W) were interpreted as clinically important. However, MCICs are also baseline dependent. Due to a risk of measurement error, at the individual level change scores should be interpreted with caution.
Line-of-sight path-following control utilizing an extended Kalman filter for estimation of speed and course over ground from GNSS positions
Authors: Fossen Thor I. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPath-following control systems for ships can be designed using both heading and course angle autopilots in conjunction with a proportional line-of-sight (LOS) guidance law. Ships are usually equipped with a gyrocompass from a safety perspective since magnetic compasses are susceptible to magnetic disturbances. Unfortunately, the gyrocompass is an expensive device, and smaller vessels and boats cannot afford to use this as the primary device for steering. An alternative solution is to compute the course over ground (COG) and speed over ground (SOG) from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and use these signals for feedback control. This article presents course autopilot design for path following and a five-state extended Kalman filter (EKF) to estimate the COG and SOG efficiently. Even though many algorithms exist for computation of the COG and SOG, it is advantageous to design an EKF since a state estimator can be extended to include other sensory systems such as Doppler Velocity Log (DVL), radar, attitude rate sensors, computer vision systems, etc. This is in contrast to proprietary systems that do not allow the user to modify the software. The convergence and accuracy of the EKF are significantly improved by using target-tracking models in combination with kinematic equations. A high-fidelity model of a MARINER class cargo ship is used in the path-following case study. From the simulation study, it can be concluded that the EKF successfully estimates the COG and the SOG from GNSS measurements during path following. The solution is remarkably robust and accurate, and when combined with a course autopilot, the need for a compass is eliminated during path following.
Effects of benzydamine and mouthwashes containing benzydamine on Candida albicans adhesion, biofilm formation, regrowth, and persistence
Authors: Ardizzoni Andrea , Boaretto Giorgia , Pericolini Eva , Pinetti Diego , Capezzone de Joannon Alessandra , Durando Lucia , Ragni Lorella , Blasi Elisabetta 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Objectives
To assess the effects of benzydamine and mouthwashes (MoWs) containing benzydamine on different stages of Candida albicans biofilm: adhesion, formation, persistence, and regrowth (if perturbed).

Materials and methods
C. albicans CA1398, carrying the bioluminescence ACT1p-gLUC59 fusion product, was employed. Fungal cells were exposed for 1′, 5′, or 15′ to 4 different benzydamine concentrations (0.075 to 0.6%) to 2 mouthwashes (MoWs) containing benzydamine and to a placebo MoW (without benzydamine). Treated cells were tested for adhesion (90 min) and biofilm formation (24-h assay). Next, 24- and 48-h-old biofilms were exposed to benzydamine and MoWs to assess regrowth and persistence, respectively. The effects of benzydamine, MoWs containing benzydamine, and placebo on different biofilm stages were quantified by bioluminescence assay and by the production of quorum sensing (QS) molecules.

Results
Benzydamine and MoWs containing benzydamine impaired C. albicans ability to adhere and form biofilm, counteracted C. albicans persistence and regrowth, and impaired a 48-h-old biofilm. Some of these effects paralleled with alterations in QS molecule secretion.

Conclusions
Our results show for the first time that benzydamine and MoWs containing benzydamine impair C. albicans capacity to form biofilm and counteract biofilm persistence and regrowth.

Clinical relevance
Benzydamine and MoWs containing benzydamine capacity to affect C. albicans biofilm provides an interesting tool to prevent and treat oral candidiasis. Likely, restraining C. albicans colonization through daily oral hygiene may counteract colonization and persistence by other critical oral pathogens, such as Streptococcus mutans, whose increased virulence has been linked to the presence of C. albicans biofilm.
Exploring the relevance of ‘smart city’ approaches to low-income communities in Medellín, Colombia
Authors: Smith Harry , Medero Gabriela M. , Crane De Narváez Stephanie , Castro Mera Wilmar 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSmart city approaches have tended to be top-down, techno-centric/corporate and expensive approaches which are promoted by large, global companies. Smart city narratives focus on their expected capacity to improve citizens’ quality of life. However, can technology-driven and municipally-led smart city initiatives address the issues faced by poor and vulnerable communities in urban and peri-urban areas? This paper explores key aspects of the implementation of smart city approaches in the Global South taking as a case study the Colombian city of Medellín, which has been recognized internationally for its social innovation and is considered a smart city by the Inter-American Development Bank. The paper draws on a local, national and international literature review; interviews with key local stakeholders involved in smart city initiatives; and an international workshop on smart cities and community data management organized by the authors in Medellín and bringing together three perspectives: academia, government and community. The paper provides a reflection on the concept of smart city, data management and citizen participation in smart city initiatives in Medellín, contrasting each of these with the literature. Our research found gaps between broader conceptualisations and community-oriented intentions in smart city initiatives in Medellín, as well as very low uptake and reported impact of such initiatives. We conclude that a redefinition of smart city approaches that may respond to the needs of the population while improving liveability is still urgently needed, and we set out a series of questions for an international research agenda on low-income community-oriented smart city research.
Phenotyping a diversity panel of quinoa using UAV-retrieved leaf area index, SPAD-based chlorophyll and a random forest approach
Authors: Jiang Jiale , Johansen Kasper , Stanschewski Clara S. , Wellman Gordon , Mousa Magdi A. A. , Fiene Gabriele M. , Asiry Khalid A. , Tester Mark , McCabe Matthew F. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractGiven its high nutritional value and capacity to grow in harsh environments, quinoa has significant potential to address a range of food security concerns. Monitoring the development of phenotypic traits during field trials can provide insights into the varieties best suited to specific environmental conditions and management strategies. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide a promising means for phenotyping and offer the potential for new insights into relative plant performance. During a field trial exploring 141 quinoa accessions, a UAV-based multispectral camera was deployed to retrieve leaf area index (LAI) and SPAD-based chlorophyll across 378 control and 378 saline-irrigated plots using a random forest regression approach based on both individual spectral bands and 25 different vegetation indices (VIs) derived from the multispectral imagery. Results show that most VIs had stronger correlation with the LAI and SPAD-based chlorophyll measurements than individual bands. VIs including the red-edge band had high importance in SPAD-based chlorophyll predictions, while VIs including the near infrared band (but not the red-edge band) improved LAI prediction models. When applied to individual treatments (i.e. control or saline), the models trained using all data (i.e. both control and saline data) achieved high mapping accuracies for LAI (R2 = 0.977–0.980, RMSE = 0.119–0.167) and SPAD-based chlorophyll (R2 = 0.983–0.986, RMSE = 2.535–2.861). Overall, the study demonstrated that UAV-based remote sensing is not only useful for retrieving important phenotypic traits of quinoa, but that machine learning models trained on all available measurements can provide robust predictions for abiotic stress experiments.
Occupational ocular health problems among marble workers at Shaq El Tho’ban industrial area in Egypt
Authors: Khorshed Enjy A. E. , El-Naggar Safaa A. , El-Gohary Samia S. , Awad Ahmed M. B. , Ahmed Amani S. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractEye health of the working population is an essential condition for productivity. Marble industry is processed at large scale at Shaq El Tho’ban area where much dust, crushed pieces of stone, and fluctuating temperatures are endangering employees’ health generally and eye health specifically. The objectives of this study were assessing the prevalence of the most common ocular health problems associated with marble industry and investigating the impact of the working environment and occupational risk factors on the oculo-visual status of marble workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 workers, working at Shaq El Tho’ban area in Egypt during the period from August 2020 to September 2021, using a semi-structured questionnaire and eye examination comprised of full ocular history, visual acuity testing (unaided/aided), slit lamp examination, ophthalmoscopy, and Schirmer’s type I and tear break up time tests. The current study showed that gritty sensation (65.2%) and eye dryness (51.2%) were the commonest symptoms complained. By examination, conjunctival hyperemia (59.6%) was the most prevalent finding. By performing dry eye tests, dry eye was diagnosed in 60.4% and 51.2% of workers by Schirmer’s test and tear break up time test respectively. The study’s results indicated that age, working category, smoking, and diabetes had significant impact on development of ocular symptoms, while working duration, diabetes, smoking, ocular symptoms, and ocular foreign body had significant impact on development of dry eye disease. Implementation of engineering control measures, proper designing, and supply of eye PPE together with adequate health education to all workers about occupational health risks and preventive measures are recommended.
Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Comorbidities in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): a Pilot Study in Treatment-Seeking Population
Authors: AshaRani P. V. , Karuvetil Mohamed Zakir , Brian Tan Yeow Wee , Satghare Pratika , Roystonn Kumarasan , Peizhi Wang , Cetty Laxman , Zainuldin Noor Azizah , Subramaniam Mythily 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to understand the prevalence of physical comorbidities, undiagnosed and inadequately controlled chronic physical conditions and correlates of high cholesterol, hypertension and liver enzyme abnormalities in those with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Participants (n = 101) with AUD were recruited from a tertiary care centre through convenient sampling. The prevalence of physical and psychiatric comorbidities in the sample was 83.17% and 51.49%, respectively. Around 53.47% had two or more chronic physical conditions (multimorbidity). Hypertension (44.55%), asthma (23.76%), high cholesterol (22.77%) and liver enzyme abnormalities (21.78%) were the top four physical comorbidities. The prevalence of undiagnosed and inadequately controlled chronic physical conditions was 61.4% and 32.7%, respectively. Gender, education and body mass index (BMI) were associated with hyperlipidaemia while age and education were associated with hypertension. Higher waist-hip ratio was associated with liver enzyme abnormalities. Routine clinical care must include regular screening and follow-up of the risk groups to monitor their physical and mental health.
Kinetic specific features of singlet fission in highly anisotropic organic semiconductors
Authors: Shushin A. I. 
Published: January 2022

Kinetics of singlet fission (SF) in molecular semiconductors, i.e., spontaneous splitting of the excited singlet state into a pair of triplet (T) excitons, is known to be strongly affected by geminate annihilation of created TT-pairs. In our work, we analyze in detail the specific properties of SF-kinetics in highly anisotropic molecular crystals (in which T-excitons undergo strongly anisotropic hopping migration) within the earlier proposed two-state model (TSM). This model allows for accurate treatment of the characteristic effects of anisotropic relative migration of T-excitons and TT-interaction on SF-kinetics, describing these effects within the approximation, that assumes kinetic coupling of two states: the [TT]-state of interacting TT-pairs and the [T + T]-state of freely migrating T-excitons. The TSM makes it possible to represent the TT-migration and interaction effects in terms of lattice-migration Green’s functions, accurate analytical formulas that are obtained in this work. The TSM is applied to the analysis of SF-kinetics in rubrene single crystals, recently measured in a wide range of times (0.1 ns &lt; t &lt; 104 ns). The analysis enables one to obtain important information on specific properties of SF-kinetics in highly anisotropic crystals. In particular, the observed specific “hump” of SF-kinetics at intermediate times can be treated as a manifestation of the TT-coupling in the [TT]-state. It is also found that the characteristic asymptotic time-dependence of SF-kinetics (∼t−3/2) can markedly be distorted by spin relaxation in TT-pairs.
A Neuropathological Study of Diffuse Vascular Injury in Fatal Motor Vehicle Collisions
Authors: Stewart Michael K G , Shkrum Michael J , McClafferty Kevin J , Mao Haojie , Zhang Qi 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
In Canada, 42 929 people were involved in fatal motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) between 1999 and 2018. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including diffuse vascular injury (DVI), were the most frequent cause of death. The neuroanatomical injury pattern and severity of DVI in relation to data on MVC dynamics and other MVC factors were the focus of the current study. Five cases of fatal MVCs investigated by Western University’s Motor Vehicle Safety (MOVES) Research Team with the neuropathological diagnosis of DVI were reviewed. DVI was seen in single and multiple vehicle collisions, with/without rollover and with/without partial occupant ejection. DVI occurred regardless of seatbelt use and airbag deployment and in vehicles equipped with/without antilock brakes. All DVI cases sustained head impacts and had focal TBIs, including basal skull fractures and subarachnoid hemorrhages. DVI was seen in MVCs that ranged in severity based on the change in velocity (delta-V) during the crash (minimum 31 km/hour) and occupant compartment intrusion (minimum 25 cm). In all cases, DVI in frontal white matter, corpus callosum and pontine tegmentum were common. In cases with more extensive DVI, pronounced vehicle rotation occurred before the final impact. Extensive DVI was seen in drivers who experienced sudden acceleration during vehicle rotation and deceleration.
Risk Factors for 30-day and 90-day Readmission After Lumbar Decompression
Authors: Canseco Jose A. , Karamian Brian A. , Minetos Paul D. , Paziuk Taylor M. , Gabay Alyssa , Reyes Ariana A. , Bechay Joseph , Xiao Kevin B. , Nourie Blake O. , Kaye I. David , Woods Barrett I. , Rihn Jeffrey A. , Kurd Mark F. , Anderson D. Greg , Hilibrand Alan S. , Kepler Christopher K. , Schroeder Gregory D. , Vaccaro Alexander R. 
Published: January 2022

Study Design.
Retrospective cohort study.

Objective.
To assess readmission rates and risk factors for 30-day and 90-day readmission after elective lumbar decompression at a single institution.

Summary of Background Data.
Hospital readmission is an undesirable aspect of interventional treatment. Studies evaluating readmissions after elective lumbar decompression typically analyze national databases, and therefore have several drawbacks inherent to their macroscopic nature that limit their clinical utility.

Methods.
Patients undergoing primary one- to four-level lumbar decompression surgery were retrospectively identified. Demographic, surgical, and readmission data within “30-days” (0–30 days) and “90-days” (31–90 days) postoperatively were extracted from electronic medical records. Patients were categorized into four groups: (1) no readmission, (2) readmission during the 30-day or 90-day postoperative period, (3) complication related to surgery, and (4) Emergency Department (ED)/Observational (OBs)/Urgent (UC) care.

Results.
A total of 2635 patients were included. Seventy-six (2.9%) were readmitted at some point within the 30- (2.3%) or 90-day (0.3%) postoperative periods. Patients in the pooled readmitted group were older (63.1 yr, P
< 0.001), had a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade (31.2% with ASA of 3, P = 0.03), and more often had liver disease (8.1%, P = 0.004) or rheumatoid arthritis (12.0%, P = 0.02) than other cohorts. A greater proportion of 90-day readmissions and complications had surgical-related diagnoses or a diagnosis of recurrent disc herniation than 30-day readmissions and complications (66.7% vs. 44.5%, P = 0.04 and 33.3% vs. 5.5%, P < 0.001, respectively). Age (Odds ratio [OR]: 1.02, P = 0.01), current smoking status (OR: 2.38, P < 0.001), longer length of stay (OR: 1.14, P < 0.001), and a history of renal failure (OR: 2.59, P = 0.03) were independently associated with readmission or complication.

Conclusion.
Increased age, current smoking status, hospital length of stay, and a history of renal failure were found to be significant independent predictors of inpatient readmission or complication after lumbar decompression.
The Differences of CPR duration between Shockable and Nonshockable Rhythms in Predicting the Benefit of Target Temperature Management
Authors: Lin Jr-Jiun , Huang Chien-Hua , Chien Yu-San , Hsu Chih-Hsin , Chiu Wei-Ting , Wu Cheng-Hsueh , Wang Chen-Hsu , Tsai Min-Shan 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:
Among cardiac arrest (CA) survivors, whether the combination of duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shockable/nonshockable rhythms during resuscitation can help predict the benefit of targeted temperature management (TTM) remains un-investigated.

Materials and methods:
This multicenter retrospective cohort study enrolled 479 nontraumatic adult CA survivors with TTM and CPR duration < 60 min during January 2014 to June 2019 from the Taiwan network of targeted temperature ManagEment for CARDiac arrest (TIMECARD) registry. The differences of CPR duration between shockable and nonshockable rhythms in predicting outcomes in the studied population was evaluated.

Results:
We observed that 205 patients (42.8%) survived to hospital discharge and 100 patients (20.9%) presented favorable neurological outcomes at discharge. The enrolled patients were further re-classified into four groups according to shockable/nonshockable rhythms and CPR duration. Patients with shockable rhythms and shorter CPR duration had better survival-to-discharge (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.729, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.384–5.383, P = 0.004) and neurological recovery (adjusted OR = 9.029, 95%CI = 3.263–24.983, P
< 0.001) than did those with nonshockable rhythms and longer CPR duration.

Conclusion:
The CPR duration for predicting outcomes differs between CA patients with shockable and nonshockable rhythms. The combination of shockable/nonshockable rhythms and CPR duration may help predict the prognosis in CA survivors undergoing TTM.
Esmolol to Treat the Hemodynamic Effects of Septic Shock: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Cocchi Michael N. , Dargin James , Chase Maureen , Patel Parth V. , Grossestreuer Anne , Balaji Lakshman , Liu Xiaowen , Moskowitz Ari , Berg Katherine , Donnino Michael W. 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Septic shock is often characterized by tachycardia and a hyperdynamic hemodynamic profile. Use of the beta antagonist esmolol has been proposed as a therapy to lower heart rate, thereby improving diastolic filling time and improving cardiac output, resulting in a reduction in vasopressor support.

Methods:
We conducted a two-center, open-label, randomized, Phase II trial comparing esmolol to placebo in septic shock patients with tachycardia. The primary endpoint was improvement in hemodynamics as measured by the difference in norepinephrine equivalent dose (NED) between groups at 6 hours after initiation of study drug. Secondary outcomes included assessing differences in inflammatory biomarkers and oxygen consumption (VO2).

Results:
A total of 1,122 patients were assessed for eligibility and met inclusion criteria; 42 underwent randomization, and 40 received study interventions (18 in the esmolol arm and 22 in the usual care arm). The mean NED at 6 h was 0.30 ± 0.17 mcg/kg/min in the esmolol arm compared to 0.21 ± 0.19 in the standard care arm (P = 0.15). There was no difference in number of shock free days between the esmolol (2, IQR 0, 5) and control groups (2.5, IQR 0, 6) (P = 0.32). There were lower levels of C-reactive protein at 12 and 24 h in the esmolol arm, as well as a statistically significant difference in trend over time between groups. There were no differences in terms of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα. Among a subset who underwent VO2 monitoring, there was decreased oxygen consumption in the esmolol patients; the mean difference between groups at 24 h was −2.07 mL/kg/min (95% CI −3.82, −0.31) (P = 0.02), with a significant difference for the trend over time (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:
Among patients with septic shock, infusion of esmolol did not improve vasopressor requirements or time to shock reversal. Esmolol was associated with decreased levels of C-reactive protein over 24 h.

Trial Registration:

www.clinicaltrials.gov. Registered February 24, 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02369900