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Showing papers by "University of Ioannina published in 2022"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A methodology is presented for the optimization of an FFBP-NN and the application of the Taguchi Design of Experiments (TDE) to predict the surface roughness in various cut depths during laser cutting of thin thermoplastic plates.

27 citations


DOI
01 Jan 2022
TL;DR: In this article, a hybrid poly-lactic acid (PLA)-based filament bearing bioactive material, suited for hydroxyapatite (HAp) development, as well as carbon dots which by virtue of their strong luminescence could support an optical characterization of the composite, thus, its regenerative stages.
Abstract: Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D-printing, has been successfully employed to create novel bioactive scaffolds incorporating carbon dots for bioimaging purposes. Fused filament fabrication technique (FFF) was used to print a hybrid poly-lactic acid (PLA)-based filament bearing bioactive material, suited for hydroxyapatite (HAp) development, as well as carbon dots which by virtue of their strong luminescence could support an optical characterization of the composite, thus, its regenerative stages. This technique using FFF biodegradable PLA can be used to create the exact custom-made scaffold depending on the user needs (i.e. shape of a bone fracture), whereas the bioactive material (bioglass® 45S5) assists bone regeneration by HAp development. On the other hand, biocompatible red emissive boron-doped carbon dots could allow for monitoring of the procedure. Scaffolds were tested for their in vitro bioactivity by soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity testing confirmed the low toxicity of the composite materials used for creating the scaffolds. Degradation of the PLA scaffold initiated immediately providing space for bone regeneration. HAp development was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy - energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Ultraviolet visible and photoluminescence spectroscopies were used to evaluate the properties of the carbon dots as well as composite materials. Results indicate that this is a promising technique for confronting asymmetric or irregular-shaped bone fractures with simultaneous monitoring of the healing process through bioimaging.

18 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the preparation of porous-foam mullite-bonded SiC-ceramic membranes with a 3D interconnecting pore network by a direct foaming method combined with gel-tape casting is described.

17 citations


DOI
01 Mar 2022
TL;DR: In this article, the application of biochar matrix as an alternative carbon catalyst for the activation of persulfate (PS) and degradation of phenol and phenolic transformation products was examined.
Abstract: Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) based on sulfate radicals (SR-AOPs) are efficient chemical methods for water and wastewater treatment gaining attention in the last years. In this study, the application of biochar (BC) matrix as an alternative carbon catalyst for the activation of persulfate (PS) and degradation of phenol and phenolic transformation products was examined. BC/PS system was compared with BC/Fe2+/PS system however the presence of Fe2+ did not enhance greatly the degradation rate showing that biochar playing the major role in PS activation. The effect of various parameters, such as PS and BC dosing, pH, the presence of anions (Cl−, NO3−, HCO3−, HPO42−) and humic acids (HA), separately and in combination, at different concentration levels, simulating surface waters and wastewaters, in degradation kinetics was studied. Degradation of phenolics followed pseudo-first order kinetics in all cases and under optimum conditions, fast complete removal was achieved within few minutes. The presence of all anions studied decreased the removal rate of phenolics with HPO42− showing the greater inhibition. Moreover, humic acids, as representatives of natural organic matter (NOM), decrease phenolics degradation efficiency and in combination with anions showed the more pronounced inhibitory effect. In addition, scavenger quenching experiments with ethanol, tert-butanol and NaN3 confirmed the dominant role of 1O2 following by HO• radicals while sulfate (SO4•−) radicals contribute to a minor degree. Biochar loses progressively its activation efficiency after three cycles. The results of this study contribute to the development of analogous treatment technologies for the removal of phenol-based taste and odor compounds.

16 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , the capacity of polyamide nylon 6 (PN6), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyamide polyurethane (PN6) materials to carry anionic dye commonly found in textile wastewaters was investigated.

14 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , the authors conducted a diet-wide association study (DWAS) in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) to evaluate the associations between several dietary exposures with colorectal cancer risk.

12 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors used WPC and aqueous rosemary and sage extracts to produce active edible packaging materials and evaluated the antioxidant activity of the extracts along with their total phenolic and flavonoid contents.
Abstract: Active packaging can be utilized to keep away from undesirable microbes on the surface of the cheese, prolong its shelf life, and improve its quality. The objective of this study was to use whey protein concentrate (WPC) and aqueous rosemary and sage extracts to produce active edible packaging materials. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated along with their total phenolic and flavonoid contents. LC/DAD/ESI-MSn analysis was used for the qualitative characterization of extracts and their main compounds were quantified using HPLC methods. Films were characterized according to their physicochemical and tensile properties. They were applied for coating soft cheese surfaces stored 60 days of cold storage at 4 °C. Both infusions showed almost similar antioxidant activity, although differences were detected in their total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Their phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of polyphenols. No significant differences in film thickness and moisture content were detected among the films. The presence of rosemary infusion did not significantly influence the mechanical properties of the films; while, sage infusion reinforced films compared to the control film. In the cheese samples coated with edible films fortified with infusions no spoilage or pathogenic bacteria appeared until the end of storage days.

12 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , a robust Al3+ metal-organic framework MOF, [Al(OH)(PATP)]·solvent (Al-MOF-1, with PATP2- = 2-((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)terephthalate).
Abstract: Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a new robust Al3+ metal-organic framework MOF, [Al(OH)(PATP)]·solvent (Al-MOF-1, with PATP2- = 2-((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)terephthalate). Al-MOF-1 exhibits excellent stability from highly acidic (pH = 2) to basic (pH = 12) aqueous solutions or in the presence of oxoanionic species [As(V) and Cr(VI)]. On the contrary, the related MIL-53(Al) MOF (Al(OH) (BDC), with BDC2- = terephthalate) shows a partial structure collapse under these conditions, signifying the superior chemical robustness of Al-MOF-1. Al-MOF-1 was proved to be an effective sorbent toward As(V) with efficient sorption capacity (71.9 ± 3.8 mg As/g), rapid sorption kinetics (equilibrium time ≤1 min), and high selectivity in the presence of various competing anions. Furthermore, Al-MOF-1 revealed high sorption capacities for Cr(VI) species in both neutral (124.5 ± 8.6 mg Cr/g) and acidic (63 ± 2 mg Cr/g) aqueous media, combining fast kinetics and relatively good selectivity. The limited porosity (BET = 38 m2/g) and small pores (2-3 Å) of the material indicate that the sorption process occurs exclusively on the external surface of Al-MOF-1 particles. The driving force for the capture of oxoanions by Al-MOF-1 is the strong electrostatic interactions between the oxoanionic species and the positively charged surface of MOF particles. Aiming at a practical wastewater treatment, we have also immobilized Al-MOF-1 on a cotton substrate, coated with polydopamine. The fabric sorbent exhibited highly effective removal of the toxic oxoanionic species from aqueous media under either batch or dynamic (continuous flow) conditions. In addition, Al-MOF-1 was found to be a promising luminescence sensor for detecting trace amounts of Cr(VI) in real water samples, with Cr(VI) being successfully detected at concentrations well below the acceptable limits (<50 ppb). Moreover, Al-MOF-1 was demonstrated to be a sufficient water sensor in organic solvents (LOD ≤0.25% v/v). All the above indicate that Al-MOF-1 represents a multifunctional material with a multitude of potential applications, such as environmental remediation, industrial wastewater treatment, chemical analysis, and water determination in biofuels.

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , a review explores the latest knowledge on RA epidemiology and the possible risk factors associated with its presentation to identify potential warning signs that may in the future help disease management.
Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic disease characterized by articular involvement and extra-articular manifestations. The incidence and prevalence of the disease vary across populations, and there is an ongoing debate on whether a change of RA occurrence over time exists or is due to methodological issues and other biases. Moreover, the disease's onset is related to an interaction of genetic and environmental factors that influence its expression.This review explores the latest knowledge on RA epidemiology and the possible risk factors associated with its presentation to identify potential warning signs that may in the future help disease management.Current epidemiological evidence suggests a significant impact of smoking, sex hormones, and lifestyle status in RA occurrence. However, the association between these variables has not yet been thoroughly studied. Still, their effect must be interpreted as they may present subsequently integral indicators for a more rational approach of the disease.

8 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a measure to assess the local label imbalance of multi-label datasets, as well as two multilabel sampling approaches, namely, Multi-Label Synthetic Oversampling based on Local label imbalance (MLSOL) and Multi-label Undersampling (MLUL) for minority class examples that plays a key role in performance degradation.

7 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a study aimed at the determination of volatile compounds (VOCs) of Greek Quercus ilex honey, which comprises a rarely studied honeydew honey, from different regions and to characterize its provenance using a targeted chemometric evaluation of the semi-quantitative data of VOCs determined with headspace solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS).
Abstract: The present study aimed at the determination of volatile compounds (VOCs) of Greek Quercus ilex honey, which comprises a rarely studied honeydew honey, from different regions and to characterize its provenance using a targeted chemometric evaluation of the semi-quantitative data of VOCs determined with headspace solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Principal component analysis (PCA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and stepwise linear discriminant analysis (SLDA) showed that provenance affected the volatile composition of Quercus ilex honey. PCA explained 98.10% of total variance with the factors that maximized the squared cosine to be 10 VOCs: heptane, dimethyl-disulfide, octane, nonane, styrene, alpha-pinene, meta-cymene, dl -limonene, 1-decanol, and tetradecanoic acid ethyl ester. SLDA resulted in the formation of linear discriminant functions that provided a classification rate of honey samples according to provenance by ∼80%, based on styrene, eucalyptol, benzeneacetaldehyde, 1-decanol, and tetradecanoic acid ethyl ester. Considering the complementary results of PLS-VIP (partial least squares analysis-variable importance in projection) eucalyptol, 1-decanol, and tetradecanoic acid ethyl ester are proposed as volatile indicators of the provenance of Greek Quercus ilex honey. These VOCs were also correlated with the percent of Castanea sativa and Polygonum aviculare pollen grains.

Journal ArticleDOI
20 May 2022-Vaccines
TL;DR: In this article , a study was conducted to estimate vaccine hesitancy towards the established childhood immunization programs in a non-random sample of Greek parents and explore possible links with important drivers of this phenomenon.
Abstract: (1) Background: Vaccine hesitancy remains a major public health concern. The reasons behind this attitude are complex and warrant careful consideration, especially in the context of the COVID-19 era. The purpose of this study was to estimate vaccine hesitancy towards the established childhood immunization programmes in a non-random sample of Greek parents and explore possible links with important drivers of this phenomenon. (2) Methods: An online self-administered questionnaire was used from October 2020 to April 2021 to collect socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health status data and evaluate knowledge, views, and attitudes of the Greek population on COVID-19 pandemic-related issues. Parents were further asked to complete the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) questionnaire. (3) Results: A total of 1095 parents participated in the study with a mean age of 50 years (SD 9.5 years). The hesitancy against the established childhood vaccinations was estimated at 8.9% (95% CI, 7.3-10.8%). Married status and higher education and income were negatively correlated with hesitancy, whereas positive correlations were found for stress and depressive symptoms and current smoking. Variables related to proper awareness, sound knowledge, and trust toward authorities regarding the COVID-19 pandemic were strongly associated with being less hesitant against the established childhood vaccination programmes. (4) Conclusion: The estimated parental hesitancy against the established childhood vaccination programmes is worrisome. Variables related to good awareness and knowledge of the COVID-19 pandemic were strongly associated with being less hesitant against childhood vaccinations. Since controversy surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations may decrease parents' confidence in routine childhood vaccinations, appreciating the complex reasons behind vaccine hesitancy may inform public health policies to overcome barriers and increase vaccine acceptance.

Journal ArticleDOI
Jin Zhou1
25 Sep 2022-Universe
TL;DR: In this paper , a simple and comprehensive analysis of the recently released SH0ES data for the determination of H0 is presented, where the authors focus on testing the homogeneity of the Cepheid+SnIa sample and the robustness of the results in the presence of new degrees of freedom in the modeling of Cepheids and SnIa.
Abstract: We reanalyze in a simple and comprehensive manner the recently released SH0ES data for the determination of H0. We focus on testing the homogeneity of the Cepheid+SnIa sample and the robustness of the results in the presence of new degrees of freedom in the modeling of Cepheids and SnIa. We thus focus on the four modeling parameters of the analysis: the fiducial luminosity of SnIa MB and Cepheids MW and the two parameters (bW and ZW) standardizing Cepheid luminosities with period and metallicity. After reproducing the SH0ES baseline model results, we allow for a transition of the value of any one of these parameters at a given distance Dc or cosmic time tc, thus adding a single degree of freedom in the analysis. When the SnIa absolute magnitude MB is allowed to have a transition at Dc≃50 Mpc (about 160 Myrs ago), the best-fit value of the Hubble parameter drops from H0=73.04±1.04 km s−1 Mpc−1 to H0=67.32±4.64 km s−1 Mpc−1 in full consistency with the Planck value. Additionally, the best-fit SnIa absolute magnitude MB> for D>Dc drops to the Planck inverse distance ladder value MB>=−19.43±0.15, while the low distance best fit MB< parameter remains close to the original distance ladder calibrated value MB<=−19.25±0.03. Similar hints for a transition behavior is found for the other three main parameters of the analysis (bW, MW and ZW) at the same critical distance Dc≃50 Mpc, even though in that case, the best-fit value of H0 is not significantly affected. When the inverse distance ladder constraint on MB> is included in the analysis, the uncertainties for H0 reduce dramatically (H0=68.2±0.8 km s−1 Mpc−1), and the MB transition model is strongly preferred over the baseline SH0ES model (Δχ2≃−15, ΔAIC≃−13) according to the AIC and BIC model selection criteria.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , a large class of explicit, asymptotically flat and regular wormhole solutions in higher order scalar tensor theories are constructed via a general disformal transformation of a seed black hole solution.
Abstract: We construct a large class of explicit, asymptotically flat and regular wormhole solutions in higher order scalar tensor theories. The solutions are vacuum solutions of scalar tensor theory and no matter (exotic or regular) is introduced in order to support them. They are constructed via a general disformal transformation of a seed black hole solution. The seed solutions belong to a particular Horndeski theory which requires the presence of all extended Galileons and has a higher dimensional Lovelock origin. As a result, the resulting wormholes are always solutions of general beyond Horndeski theory. The particular class of wormholes we study are parametrised by their ADM mass and two coupling constants of the theory, one related to their higher dimensional Lovelock origin and one to the disformal transformation itself. The latter of the coupling constants affects the throat size of the wormhole solutions, thus giving them a compact or non-compact nature, as well as their properties.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , an analytic, asymptotically flat, and regular (ultra-compact) black-hole solutions with non-trivial scalar hair of secondary type were derived.
Abstract: A bstract In this work, we consider a very simple gravitational theory that contains a scalar field with its kinetic and potential terms minimally coupled to gravity, while the scalar field is assumed to have a coulombic form. In the context of this theory, we study an analytic, asymptotically flat, and regular (ultra-compact) black-hole solutions with non-trivial scalar hair of secondary type. At first, we examine the properties of the static and spherically symmetric black-hole solution — firstly appeared in [109] — and we find that in the causal region of the spacetime the stress-energy tensor, needed to support our solution, satisfies the strong energy conditions. Then, by using the slow-rotating approximation, we generalize the static solution into a slowly rotating one, and we determine explicitly its angular velocity ω ( r ). We also find that the angular velocity of our ultra-compact solution is always larger compared to the angular velocity of the corresponding equally massive slow-rotating Schwarzschild black hole. In addition, we investigate the axial perturbations of the derived solutions by determining the Schrödinger-like equation and the effective potential. We show that there is a region in the parameter space of the free parameters of our theory, which allows for the existence of stable ultra-compact black hole solutions. Specifically, we calculate that the most compact and stable black hole solution is 0.551 times smaller than the Schwarzschild one, while it rotates 2.491 times faster compared to the slow-rotating Schwarzschild black hole. Finally, we present without going into details the generalization of the derived asymptotically flat solutions to asymptotically (A)dS solutions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compare the vascular remodeling process in CEA-and stentation-treated patients with respect to morphological and hemodynamic features, because of their possible engagement in carotid atherosclerosis.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a wear mechanism has been formulated based on the wear track morphology, debris nature and friction coefficient trends, and the main wear modes are identified as adhesive wear and abrasive wear assisted by oxidative wear.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , a review summarizes the current knowledge on the mechanism of action, the clinical efficacy, and safety of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) vs. Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), which act at a molecular level, regulating many cytokines.
Abstract: In recent decades, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment landscape has evolved with the induction of new biological and targeted therapies that provide significant therapeutic benefits in patients with sustained disease.Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) were the first biologics used in the treatment of RA. Although they present a significant efficacy, an insufficient response of some patients led to further research and discovery of targeted therapies, such as Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), which act at a molecular level, regulating many cytokines. Clinical benefits have been seen with both TNFi and JAKi as monotherapy and combined with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Still, some significant side effects have been reported with JAKi, and several questions remain about their safety and selectivity in action. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the mechanism of action, the clinical efficacy, and safety of TNFi vs. JAKi.TNFi and JAKi are particularly useful in treating inflammatory arthropathies. Both drug categories are recommended by ACR and EULAR institutions in RA patients suffering from moderate to severe disease. Safety data in long-term studies are required to determine the optimal benefit to the risk profile of JAKi use.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , a multi-trait analysis of genome-wide association studies on C-reactive protein levels along with cardiometabolic traits was performed, followed by a series of in silico analyses including colocalization, phenome-wide associations studies and Mendelian randomization.
Abstract: C-reactive protein is involved in a plethora of pathophysiological conditions. Many genetic loci associated with C-reactive protein are annotated to lipid and glucose metabolism genes supporting common biological pathways between inflammation and metabolic traits. To identify novel pleiotropic loci, we perform multi-trait analysis of genome-wide association studies on C-reactive protein levels along with cardiometabolic traits, followed by a series of in silico analyses including colocalization, phenome-wide association studies and Mendelian randomization. We find 41 novel loci and 19 gene sets associated with C-reactive protein with various pleiotropic effects. Additionally, 41 variants colocalize between C-reactive protein and cardiometabolic risk factors and 12 of them display unexpected discordant effects between the shared traits which are translated into discordant associations with clinical outcomes in subsequent phenome-wide association studies. Our findings provide insights into shared mechanisms underlying inflammation and lipid metabolism, representing potential preventive and therapeutic targets.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the Dresden-II neutrino-nucleus data were used for a low-energy determination of the weak mixing angle and for the study of new physics leading to spectral distortions at low momentum transfer.
Abstract: A bstract The Dresden-II reactor experiment has recently reported a suggestive evidence for the observation of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering, using a germanium detector. Given the low recoil energy threshold, these data are particularly interesting for a low-energy determination of the weak mixing angle and for the study of new physics leading to spectral distortions at low momentum transfer. Using two hypotheses for the quenching factor, we study the impact of the data on: (i) The weak mixing angle at a renormalization scale of ~ 10 MeV, (ii) neutrino generalized interactions with light mediators, (iii) the sterile neutrino dipole portal. The results for the weak mixing angle show a strong dependence on the quenching factor choice. Although still with large uncertainties, the Dresden-II data provide for the first time a determination of sin 2 θ W at such scale using coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering data. Tight upper limits are placed on the light vector, scalar and tensor mediator scenarios. Kinematic constraints implied by the reactor anti-neutrino flux and the ionization energy threshold allow the sterile neutrino dipole portal to produce up-scattering events with sterile neutrino masses up to ~ 8 MeV. In this context, we find that limits are also sensitive to the quenching factor choice, but in both cases competitive with those derived from XENON1T data and more stringent that those derived with COHERENT data, in the same sterile neutrino mass range.

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an approach that systematically collects and evaluates information from multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses is presented, and a step-by-step guide on how to perform an umbrella review is provided.
Abstract: Evidence in clinical research is accumulating and scientific publications have increased exponentially in the last decade across all disciplines. Available information should be critically assessed. Here, we focus on umbrella reviews, an approach that systematically collects and evaluates information from multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses. To facilitate the design and the conduct of such a study, we provide a step-by-step guide on how to perform an umbrella review. We also present ways to report the summary findings, we describe various proposed grading criteria, and we discuss potential limitations.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , Belbasis and colleagues explain the rationale for umbrella reviews and the key steps involved in conducting an umbrella review, using a working example, and present an example of how to conduct a review.
Abstract: In this article, Lazaros Belbasis and colleagues explain the rationale for umbrella reviews and the key steps involved in conducting an umbrella review, using a working example.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , a phase diagram based on a series of tapered diblock copolymers is reported, generated by the sec-butyllithium initiated statistical anionic copolymerization of styrene and isoprene in cyclohexane.
Abstract: Although several phase diagrams of block copolymers prepared by sequential monomer addition are known today, the phase diagrams of the corresponding tapered copolymers have not been reported in detail and this despite the industrial importance of the latter. A phase diagram based on a series of tapered diblock copolymers is reported, generated by the sec-butyllithium initiated statistical anionic copolymerization of styrene and isoprene in cyclohexane. This affords copolymers with polyisoprene volume fractions, f, in the range of 0.43 < f < 0.82 and total molar mass in the range of 46–160 kg mol–1. The phase diagram consists of lamellae, hexagonally packed cylinders, weakly ordered hexagonally packed cylinders (CYL), and perforated (PL) as well as irregular bicontinuous morphologies. The phase state in the tapered copolymers bears some similarities and several distinct differences in comparison to the respective copolymers prepared by conventional sequential monomer addition. It is shown that the weakly ordered CYL/PL morphologies comprise a large part of the phase diagram that is significantly extended in comparison to diblock copolymers prepared sequentially. On the other hand, the composition range for the bicontinuous morphologies is similar in the two systems (0.64 < fPI < 0.68).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper introduces a novel technique, for merging CSs based on their hierarchical structure, which employs a lattice to capture the hierarchical relationships between CSs, identifies denseCSs and merges dense CSs with their ancestors.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The lip-split mandibulotomy (LSMA) is an access procedure that has been used in head and neck (H&N) surgery as an aid to surgical resection of inaccessible tumours of the postertior oral cavity and oropharynx as mentioned in this paper .
Abstract: The lip-split mandibulotomy (LSMA) is an access procedure that has been used in head and neck (H&N) surgery as an aid to surgical resection of inaccessible tumours of the postertior oral cavity and oropharynx. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it has significant morbidity. Voices of concern within the H&N surgical community suggest that it has been abandoned in favour of technological advances such as robotic surgery. We report here the first (to our knowledge) registered systematic review of its kind, documenting the safety and efficiency of LSMA in H&N surgery. We performed a PRISMA-guided systematic review (PROSPERO-registered) and identified reports using a search algorithm in MEDLINE/EMBASE. LSMA-related surgical complications were recorded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Secondary outcomes included swallowing dysfunction, facial cosmesis, and patient satisfaction recorded in health-related quality of life questionnaires (HRQoL). From 125 studies identified, 54 met the inclusion criteria (3872 patients). The LSMA mortality rate was 0%; we did not identify a single case of perioperative death. The median rate of osteoradionecrosis was 5.4%, whereas fistula formation was 5.7%. Malunion was noted in 4.9%. Other complications (surgical site infection, plate exposure) were around 5%. There was significant between-study variation with regards to swallowing assessment tools, but overall there was no significant difference in outcomes. This was also the case for the HRQoL questionairres. LSMA is a safe procedure with an acceptable rate of complications, and should definitely remain in the armamentarium of H&N surgery.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors show that in the absence of parity symmetry, the system can be directly integrable giving multiple families of black-hole solutions with different properties, and they also discuss disformal transformations within this context as a means of obtaining wormhole and black hole solutions.
Abstract: A bstract We analyse in all generality beyond Horndeski theories of shift symmetry in a static and spherically symmetric spacetime. By introducing four auxiliary functions, we write the field equations in a particularly compact form. We show that assuming additionally parity symmetry renders the system directly integrable giving multiple families of black-hole solutions. These have typically an asymptotically-flat Reissner-Nordstrom behaviour, and emerge in the presence of a canonical kinetic term for the scalar field. In the absence of parity symmetry, we present a general method which allows us to integrate the field equations by choosing the form of only one coupling function and an auxiliary quantity. This method leads to asymptotically flat and AdS black hole solutions with differing properties. We finally discuss disformal transformations within this context as a means of obtaining wormhole and black hole solutions in different theories.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , the authors proposed the use of two distinct windows; the sliding window which can be used to optimize the data flow based on the link's bandwidth-delay product, and the coding window that can be employed exclusively in the coding process.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , the authors construct and classify heterotic models where N = 1 supersymmetry is spontaneously broken à la Scherk-Schwarz, and compare the space of ∼1010 Pati-Salam models with their parent theories based on SO(10) gauge symmetry.

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors illustrate current methodology for meta-analysis of multiple test comparisons, introduce NMA methods of diagnostic tests as an extension to the standard meta analysis of diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) studies, and present existing approaches to rank tests according to their accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity.
Abstract: The rapid increase in diagnostic and screening techniques has urged the need to choose among multiple diagnostic tests. For the majority of diseases, there is more than a single test available, and studies usually compare a subset of these tests. In such cases, a separate meta-analysis of each test cannot provide a reliable answer on the relative accuracy of the multiple available tests. Extensions of standard (hierarchical) meta-analysis to network meta-analysis (NMA) models for the comparison of at least three diagnostic tests have been the subject of methodological research in recent years. NMA can be used to jointly analyze the totality of evidence in order to provide estimates of relative accuracy (sensitivity and specificity ), to compare tests that have not been compared head-to-head, and to obtain a ranking of all competing tests in order to further facilitate the decision-making process.In this chapter, we illustrate current methodology for meta-analysis of multiple test comparisons, introduce NMA methods of diagnostic tests as an extension to the standard meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) studies, and present existing approaches to rank tests according to their accuracy, specificity , and sensitivity . We also describe the basic concepts, underlying assumptions, and challenges in NMA of multiple diagnostic tests.