bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DyCo: Dynamic, Contextualized AI Models
Authors: Yang Yi , Sankaradas Murugan , Chakradhar Srimat 
Published: March 2022

Devices with limited computing resources use smaller AI models to achieve low-latency inferencing. However, model accuracy is typically much lower than the accuracy of a bigger model that is trained and deployed in places where the computing resources are relatively abundant. We describe DyCo, a novel system that ensures privacy of stream data and dynamically improves the accuracy of small models used in devices. Unlike knowledge distillation or federated learning, DyCo treats AI models as black boxes. DyCo uses a semi-supervised approach to leverage existing training frameworks and network model architectures to periodically train contextualized, smaller models for resource-constrained devices. DyCo uses a bigger, highly accurate model in the edge-cloud to auto-label data received from each sensor stream. Training in the edge-cloud (as opposed to the public cloud) ensures data privacy, and bespoke models for thousands of live data streams can be designed in parallel by using multiple edge-clouds. DyCo uses the auto-labeled data to periodically re-train, stream-specific, bespoke small models. To reduce the periodic training costs, DyCo uses different policies that are based on stride, accuracy, and confidence information.
We evaluate our system, and the contextualized models, by using two object detection models for vehicles and people, and two datasets (a public benchmark and another real-world proprietary dataset). Our results show that DyCo increases the mAP accuracy measure of small models by an average of 16.3% (and up to 20%) for the public benchmark and an average of 19.0% (and up to 64.9%) for the real-world dataset. DyCo also decreases the training costs for contextualized models by more than an order of magnitude.
Thinner Central Corneal Thickness is Associated with a Decreased Parapapillary Vessel Density in Normal Tension Glaucoma
Authors: Chuang Lan-Hsin , Koh Yeo-Yang , Chen Henry S. L. , Lin Yun-Hsuan , Lai Chi-Chun 
Published: March 2022

This retrospective cross-sectional study, which enrolled 124 normal tension glaucoma (NTG) eyes and 68 healthy eyes as the control, determined the association between central corneal thickness (CCT) and ocular parameters in NTG. CCT was measured using the Pentacam® system, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) was adopted to measure the peripapillary and macular area VDs, and spatial data were based on the Garway–Heath map as illustrated in OCT-A. Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were used to statistically analyze for associations between CCT and other factors. In this study, the mean age was similar for both the NTG and control groups. The mean CCT of the NTG group was significantly thinner than that of the control group (533.97 ± 33.11 µm vs. 546.78 ± 38.21 µm;

p

= .022). Considering all the factors, CCT negatively correlated with visual field (VF) pattern standard deviation (univariate,

p

= .045). To analyze structural and functional factors separately, we found a significant positive correlation between CCT and whole disc radial peripapillary capillary VD (VDRPC; multivariate,

p

= .019). To analyze the relationship between all factors and sectoral changes in VDRPC, a significant positive correlation was observed between CCT and inferior temporal VDRPC (univariate,

p

= .039) and inferior nasal VDRPC (VDRPC IN; univariate,

p

= .048). In conclusion, this novel study shows that among NTG participants, a thinner cornea correlated with weaker biomechanical properties susceptible to optic nerve tissue displacement, especially in response to mild transient elevation of IOP, leads to compromised ocular microcirculation.
The Antioxidant Properties of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Its Biochemical, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Pathological Effects on Nicotine-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Rat Liver
Authors: Raeeszadeh Mahdieh , Beheshtipour Javad , Jamali Rozhin , Akbari Abolfazl 
Published: March 2022

Medicago sativa Linn or alfalfa is a tonic plant rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals that is used to treat many diseases due to its pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of alfalfa methanolic extract (AME) on the prevention of liver damage caused by nicotine. The total phenols, flavonoids levels, and the free radical scavenging activity of its extract (IC50) were measured. In this study, 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups as control (untreated), N (nicotine only), T1, T2, and T3 (nicotine + AME 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, respectively). AME (orally) and nicotine (intraperitoneal injection, 0.5 mg/kg/day) were then administered for 21 days. Weight gain, the liver-to-body weight ratio, liver functional enzymes, and the lipid profile were measured. Moreover, we evaluated oxidative stress, proinflammatory parameters, and histopathological changes in the liver. Total phenols, flavonoids, and IC50 were determined as

51.68
±
0.62

mg GAE/g,

18.55
±
1.01

mg QE/g, and

350.91
±
16.46

μg/ml, respectively. Nicotine changed the measured parameters to abnormal. AME increased weight gain, the liver-to-body weight ratio, and enzymatic antioxidant levels and decreased malondialdehyde, liver functional enzymes, and proinflammatory cytokine levels. The lipid profile and histopathological changes have also been improved by AME in a dose-dependent manner. The results showed that AME in a dose-dependent manner by improving the inflammation and oxidative damage could improve the liver damage caused by nicotine.
Two new species of army ants of the Aenictus ceylonicus group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Kerala, India
Authors: Anupa K. Antony  , G. Prasad  
Published: March 2022

The genus Aenictus Shuckard is a diverse group of army ants in the Old World tropics and subtropics. Herein, two new species from India (Aenictus kodungallurensis and Aenictus malakkaparensis) belonging to Aenictus ceylonicus group were discovered from Kerala, India. An updated key to the Aenictus ceylonicus species group from southern Asia is presented.
Addition of three new angiospermic taxa to the flora of Bangladesh
Authors: Ashrafuzzaman M. , Alam M. Khairul , Sarwar A.K.M. Golam 
Published: March 2022

During updating the plant holding database of the botanical garden, Bangladesh Agricultural University, the authors identified three species of the family Commelinaceae namely, Callisia fragrans (Lindl.) Woodson, Murdannia gigantea (Vahl) G.Brückn., and Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda as new records to the flora of Bangladesh. This paper provides a comprehensive description and colour photographs of these species from Bangladesh.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sociodemographic Disparities in Rates of Elective Hernia Surgeries
Authors: Rosen Samantha , Phillips Sharon , Gupta Anand , Pierce Richard 
Published: March 2022

Background The global pandemic has shed light on the role of health care disparities; however, little data exists to determine how COVID-19 affected access to elective surgical care. We aimed to determine the impact of health care disparities and surgical care for patients undergoing hernia surgery across a national quality collaborative database. Materials and Methods All patients undergoing elective hernia surgery between March 2018 and April 2021 were identified within the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative. Patients were divided based on date of surgery into pre-, post-, and COVID-19 spike groups. Descriptive statistics were calculated for comorbidities, demographics, surgical location, Distressed Community Index (DCI), and hernia characteristics stratified by period of surgery. Rates and chi-squared test were used for categorical variables. Median, IQR, and Wilcoxon test were used continuous variables. Results 35 149 patients met inclusion criteria. Pre-COVID-19, COVID-19 spike, and post-COVID-19 groups showed no significant difference in mean age or the proportion of patients in each DCI variable. Proportionately fewer females and more White non-Hispanic patients were operated on during the COVID-19 spike. Surgeons affiliated with academic hospitals saw proportionality fewer elective cases during the COVID-19 spike. Discussion This study suggests white males with private hospital affiliation were more likely to have elective hernia surgery during the COVID-19 spike, however these trends were not associated with health care DCI changes during the same period. Further study is necessary to determine the reasons for these differences and will be important to optimize surgical care for patients during a worldwide pandemic.
Persistence of Disparity in Thyroid Cancer Survival After Adjustments for Socioeconomic Status and Access
Authors: Nnorom Siobhan O. , Baig Hana , Akinyemi Oluwasegun A. , Tran Joseph H. , Harris Jeduthun , Sidhom Fady , Frederick Wayne A. , Cornwell Edward E. , Wilson Lori L. 
Published: March 2022

Introduction Thyroid cancer incidence has increased substantially in the past 4 decades, estimated at 3.5% annually. Incidence is highest in white patients, yet black patients have the worst survival. Racial/ethnic differences in presentation and outcomes are hypothesized to be a result of differences in access to care. Analyses delineating the relative contribution of access to racial/ethnic survival disparities are scarce. We aimed to explore the association of delay in access to care and early/increased detection with racial/ethnic disparities in thyroid cancer survival. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried from 2007 to 2011 for patients with a first primary thyroid cancer diagnosis and up to 5 years of follow-up. Composite scores were generated from county-level variables to capture socioeconomic status and screening habits. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized for survival analysis. Results We identified 46,970 patients (67% white, 7% black, 15% Hispanic, 10% Asian or Pacific Islander, and 1% unknown/other). Compared to white patients, black, Hispanic, and Asian or Pacific Islander patients were more likely to present with distant disease (3% vs 5%, 5%, and 6%, respectively; P < .001). After adjusting for sex, age, stage, subtype, tumor size, surgery, radiation, socioeconomics, and screening habits, black patients were the only race/ethnicity found to have increased odds of 5-year mortality compared to white patients (24%, P < .001). Conclusion Thyroid cancer survival is worst for black patients regardless of socioeconomic status or screening habits. Racial/ethnic disparities in survival are not attributable to early detection alone.
How Short-Term Rentals are Changing the Neighborhood
Authors: Wrede Matthias 
Published: March 2022

This paper examines how short-term rentals are changing living conditions and the composition of the population in affected parts of a town. First, to analyze the relation between quality, distance, and rents, we develop a spatial monocentric city model with varying housing quality levels. Second, for 200 m grids in the city of Berlin (Germany) in 2019, we show that the proportion of low and medium quality residential units correlates positively near the city center with the probability of Airbnb listings and the number of these listings, but negatively in the suburbs. Third, applying fixed effect and IV strategies, we investigate the impact of Airbnb listings on living conditions and the composition of the population in the almost 450 planning areas of Berlin in the years 2016–2019. We show that Airbnb offers increase the number of residents with long periods of residence and reduce the number of residents in low-quality residential environments, but we do not find above-average effects on socially weak groups. JEL Classification: R21, R31, Z32
Utility of cephalic drains in infants receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Rose Allison T , Davis Joel , Williams Helen O , Clifton Matthew , Paden Matthew , Keene Sarah D 
Published: March 2022

Introduction The addition of cephalic drains (CDs) in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to augment venous drainage may offer benefit, though their use is varied. Our objective was to describe our institution’s experience with CDs including flow rates and patency. We also compared complication rates between patients with and without a CD. Methods This retrospective cohort study included infants <12 months of age cannulated for ECMO between January 1, 2010 and September 30, 2019 at a single institution. Flow data were obtained for those with a CD. Demographic and complication rates were obtained for all. Results Of 264 patients in the final cohort, 220 (83%) had a CD of which 93.2% remained patent to decannulation. CDs typically provided 30% or more of ECMO flow throughout the ECMO run. The median time to CD clot was 139 h (range 48–635 h). Patients with a clotted CD had longer ECMO runs than those whose CD remained patent (median 382 h [IQR 217–538] vs 139 h [IQR 91–246], p < 0.001). Survival to discharge was lower for those with clotted versus patent CD (14% vs 70%, p < 0.001). Mechanical complications were more common in patients with CD ( p = 0.005). Seizures were more common in those without a CD ( p = 0.021). Conclusions In this cohort, the majority of CDs placed remained patent at decannulation and provided substantial additional venous drainage. Mechanical problems were common in patients with CDs, but without clinical sequelae. Further study is warranted to elucidate CD impact on short- and long-term outcomes.
Intimate Partner Violence and Health Conditions Among U.S. Adults—National Intimate Partner Violence Survey, 2010–2012
Authors: Gilbert Leah K. , Zhang Xinjian , Basile Kathleen C. , Breiding Matthew , Kresnow Marcie-jo 
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Few studies of intimate partner violence and health outcomes include multiple forms of intimate partner victimization, so this paper sought to examine health associations with intimate partner violence (IPV), including sexual, physical, stalking, and psychological forms, as well as polyvictimization. Methods: Data are from the 2010-2012 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, an on-going national random-digit-dial telephone survey of U.S. adults. There were 41,174 respondents. Logistic regression was used to compute prevalence ratios for any IPV, adjusted for demographics and non-IPV victimization. For individual forms of IPV, prevalence ratios were further adjusted for other forms of IPV. Tests for linear trend in poly-victimization were performed. Results: Any IPV was associated with all health conditions for both sexes with a few exceptions for males. Female penetrative sexual victimization and male stalking victimization were associated with the most health conditions. For each health condition, a significant linear trend indicated that as the number of forms of IPV experienced increased, prevalence of each health condition increased, with a few exceptions for males. Conclusions: It is important for service providers to screen for multiple forms of IPV, including psychological aggression, because individual forms or polyvictimization may have unique and cumulative health effects.
Efficacy of Drug-Eluting Beads Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus Camrelizumab Compared With Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus Camrelizumab for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ren Yanqiao , Guo Yusheng , Chen Lei , Sun Tao , Zhang Weihua , Sun Bo , Zhu Licheng , Xiong Fu , Zheng Chuansheng 
Published: March 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization plus camrelizumab (D-TACE-C) with conventional transarterial chemoembolization plus camrelizumab (C-TACE-C) in the treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods This was a retrospective study that evaluated the consecutive medical records of patients with unresectable HCC who had undergone D-TACE-C or C-TACE-C from April 2020 to August 2021. Efficacy of treatment was evaluated using tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS) and survival rates. The adverse events were recorded. Results A total of 54 patients were included in this study, including 27 patients who had received D-TACE-C treatment, and 27 patients who had received C-TACE-C treatment. The median PFS and DCR in the D-TACE-C group were significantly longer than those for the C-TACE-C group (PFS: 10 vs. 3 months, P=.017; DCR: 70.4% vs. 40.7%, P = .028). Cox regression analysis showed that D-TACE-C was the only protective factor for PFS. The 6-month and 12-month survival rates in D-TACE-C group and C-TACE-C group were 85.2% versus 79.4% (P = .646) and 65.2% versus 65.1% (P = .903), respectively. Reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation was the most common adverse event associated with the treatment. There was no significant difference in the adverse events related to TACE and camrelizumab between the two groups. No treatment-related deaths occurred in this study. Conclusions D-TACE-C is a safe and well-tolerated treatment, and may produce better PFS and tumor response in patients with unresectable HCC than C-TACE-C.
Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Small Cell Carcinoma in the Nasopharynx: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Zhou Yu-ling , Peng Ying-peng , Liu Qiao-dan , Chen Xian-zhen , He Jianzhong , Wei Wei , Zhong Gui-hua , Zhang Ya-qin , Liu Ye , Pan Jia-ying , Feng Shao-yan , Liu Zhi-gang 
Published: March 2022

Background Nasopharyngeal small cell carcinoma (SmCC) is a rare histological type of nasopharyngeal cancer, and its prognosis remains poor. This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and survival prognostic factors of nasopharyngeal SmCC. Methods Detailed clinicopathologic and therapeutic characteristics of a patient diagnosed with nasopharyngeal SmCC were determined. Nasopharyngeal SmCC cases reported previously were reviewed and summarized. Furthermore, a retrospective analysis was performed on data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program database. Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to compare survival within groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate prognostic factors. Results A nasopharyngeal SmCC patient treated with chemoradiotherapy who achieved 46 months long-term survival was reported. In reviewing 16 reported cases with epidemiologic and therapeutic details, we found most of nasopharyngeal SmCC patients were diagnosed with advanced grades and received chemoradiotherapy. In total, 13,993 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer were extracted from the SEER database, from which 57 nasopharyngeal SmCC cases were eventually screened out. The mean age of the patients was 55.70 years, and 64.9% of these cases were either grade III or IV; the median overall survival (OS) was 18 months. Statistically significant differences were observed in the OS values of groups categorized by age (P = .025) or radiotherapy (P = .037). Age (<70 years) and radiotherapy were identified as independent survival and prognostic factors. Conclusion Patients with nasopharyngeal SmCC are usually diagnosed with advanced grades and have poor prognoses; nevertheless, they can benefit from radiotherapy with prolonged overall survival.
Threshold for Anaphylactoid Reaction to Polysorbate 80 in Canines
Authors: Holbrook Kristen , Andrews Dina , Sutherland Wes , Coppi Aldo , Barry Shane , Escamilla Max , Authier Simon , Miraucourt Loїs , Xie Fang , Rock Brooke , Bussiere Jeanine 
Published: March 2022

Polysorbate 80 (PS80) functions as a dispersing agent or solubilizer in many pharmaceuticals, and as a stabilizer in biopharmaceuticals. Topical or parenteral administration of low doses of PS80 in biopharmaceuticals has been associated with mild allergic reactions, including local injection site reactions in humans. High doses of PS80, such as levels found in traditional Chinese herbal parenteral medicines, have been linked to systemic effects consistent with anaphylactoid-type reactions, which are characterized by the direct release of histamine from mast cells (degranulation). Nonclinical safety assessments of PS80 in vivo have mainly focused on canine model systems, a species established to be particularly sensitive to PS80. However, there is conflicting data about the dose and route of administration of PS80 required to elicit an anaphylactoid-type reaction in this model system. Therefore, studies using multiple dosing regimens in anesthetized and conscious dogs including a combination of cardiovascular data, clinical signs, and biomarkers of mast cell degranulation were conducted. An intravenous (IV) bolus of 1 mg/kg PS80 (0.25% w/v) elicited a positive anaphylactoid reaction including increased heart rate, hypotension, and clinical signs associated with anaphylactoid reactions (e.g., reddened muzzle). However, a full reaction was not observed with a subcutaneous (SC) injection of PS80 (0.25% w/v) up to 20 mg/kg and IV bolus or IV infusions up to 0.5 mg/kg. These data establish a threshold dose for eliciting an anaphylactoid reaction in canine which varies depending on the route of administration as well as the rate of PS80 infusion.
A new dynamic zOnal model with air-diffuser (DOMA) - Application to thermal comfort prediction
Authors: Megri Ahmed , Yu Yao , Miao Rui , Hu Xiaoou 
Published: March 2022

A new Dynamic zOnal Model with Air-diffuser (DOMA) was developed. Several case studies were investigated and tested to evaluate and validate this program using measurement data. This new model was integrated into a TRaNsient SYstems Simulation program library and coupled with the multi-zone thermal model. The DOMA/TRNSYS coupled model was then used to predict room temperature distribution over an entire day of a single-zone building. The results show that increasing the heating outputs of the electric floor system, for example, from 75 to 200 W/m2, would not effectively improve the indoor thermal comfort, since the thermostat will reach the set point first and then turn off the system before the room gets enough heat and reach a comfortable level. This indicates the importance of selecting an appropriate location and set point for the thermostat when using a floor heating system. This potential thermal comfort issue can only be identified through the two-node model with a dynamic zonal model rather than the conventional PMV model, which thus suggests that for optimizing indoor thermal comfort of a building equipped with a time-sensitive control strategy and/or HVAC system, the TSENS results obtained from the two-node model integrated with DOMA are more appropriate than PMVs.