On ∗-paranormal contractions and properties for ∗-class A operators

AbstractAn operator T∈B(H) is called a ∗-class A operator if |T2|⩾|T∗|2, and T is said to be ∗-paranormal if ‖T∗x‖2⩽‖T2x‖ for every unit vector x in H. In this paper we show that ∗-paranormal contractions are the direct sum of a unitary and a C.0 completely non-unitary contraction. Also, we consider the tensor products of ∗-class A operators

CloudNine: Analyzing Meteorological Observation Impact on Weather Prediction Using Explainable Graph Neural Networks

The impact of meteorological observations on weather forecasting varies with sensor type, location, time, and other environmental factors. Thus, quantitative analysis of observation impacts is crucial for effective and efficient development of weather forecasting systems. However, the existing impact analysis methods are difficult to be widely applied due to their high dependencies on specific forecasting systems. Also, they cannot provide observation impacts at multiple spatio-temporal scales, only global impacts of observation types. To address these issues, we present a novel system called ``CloudNine,'' which allows analysis of individual observations' impacts on specific predictions based on explainable graph neural networks (XGNNs). Combining an XGNN-based atmospheric state estimation model with a numerical weather prediction model, we provide a web application to search for observations in the 3D space of the Earth system and to visualize the impact of individual observations on predictions in specific spatial regions and time periods

Optimal timing of surgery for prenatally diagnosed choledochal cysts

ObjectiveCholedochal cysts are increasingly being diagnosed antenatally. The appropriate time of surgical treatment has the greatest impact on the prognosis of choledochal cyst treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of prenatally diagnosed choledochal cysts in infants according to the surgical treatment timing.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of infants who underwent surgery for choledochal cysts with antenatal diagnoses. We investigated each patient's demographic information, type of choledochal cyst, serum liver enzyme levels, and surgical outcomes according to the surgical intervention timing.ResultsBetween May 2006 and December 2020, 93 infants underwent surgery to treat choledochal cysts; among them, 68 had antenatally suspected choledochal cysts. Of the 68 patients, 21 developed symptoms directly after birth. While 38 patients remained asymptomatic, 9 developed symptoms before operation. To compare surgical outcomes, asymptomatic patients were divided into early (13 cases) and late (25 cases) operation groups based on an age benchmark of 30 days. The early surgical group experienced longer times to resume a full diet (6.0 ± 1.6 vs. 4.5 ± 0.7, p < 0.001) and longer postoperative hospital stays (11 ± 3.9 vs. 7.5 ± 0.8, p < 0.001). Surgical complications occurred in two patients in the early operation group. Minimally invasive surgery was performed in 12 patients in the late operation group. In both groups, postoperative liver function recovered at 6 months, with no significant difference.ConclusionThe results of this study showed longer hospital stays, increased diet durations, and postoperative complications in early surgery patients. However, liver function recovery was not different between the early and late operation groups. Thus, asymptomatic patients should be closely monitored, and we recommend that definitive surgical intervention be postponed until 4 months of age or until weight reaches 7 kg

Inter-rater agreement among shoulder surgeons on treatment options for proximal humeral fractures among shoulder surgeons

Background The treatment approach for proximal humeral fractures is determined by various factors, including patient age, sex, dominant arm, fracture pattern, presence of osteoporosis, preexisting arthritis, rotator cuff status, and medical comorbidities. However, there is a lack of consensus in the literature regarding the optimal treatment for displaced proximal humeral fractures. This study aimed to assess and quantify the decision-making process for either conservative or surgical treatment and the choice of surgical method among shoulder surgeons when treating proximal humeral fractures. Methods Forty sets of true anteroposterior view, scapular Y projection view, and three-dimensional computed tomography of proximal humeral fractures were provided to 12 shoulder surgeons along with clinical information. Surveys regarding Neer classification, decisions between conservative and surgical treatments, and chosen methods were conducted twice with an interval of 2 months. The factors affecting the treatment plans were also assessed. Results The inter-rater agreement was fair for Neer classification (kappa=0.395), moderate for the decision between conservative and surgical treatments (kappa=0.528), and substantial for the chosen method of surgical treatment (kappa=0.740). The percentage of agreement was 71.1% for Neer classification, 84.6% for the decision between conservative and surgical treatment, and 96.4% for the chosen method of surgical treatment. The fracture pattern was the most crucial factor in deciding between conservative and surgical treatments, followed by age and physical activity. Conclusions The decision between conservative and surgical treatment for proximal humeral fractures showed good agreement, while the chosen method between osteosynthesis and arthroplasty showed substantial agreement among shoulder surgeons

Long-term outcomes of initially conservatively treated midshaft clavicle fractures

Background Recent studies about completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures have reported that their nonunion/malunion rates were significantly higher in conservatively treated patients compared to surgically treated patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with treatment decisions for midshaft clavicle fractures and also the factors that affect patient satisfaction with their treatment choice. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 75 patients who had been diagnosed with a midshaft clavicle fracture and were treated conservatively at a single institution between March 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014. Their medical records were reviewed to investigate the severity of the initial vertical displacement. A telephone survey was carried out to identify the presence of any patient-perceived deformity and determine if the patient eventually underwent surgery and whether the patient would prefer surgery if the injury recurred. Results Significantly more patients with vertical displacement ≥100% (9/28) eventually underwent surgery compared to patients with vertical displacement <100% (3/32, p=0.028). Patients with vertical displacement ≥100% (13/28) were significantly more likely to prefer surgery compared to patients with vertical displacement <100% (7/32, p=0.044). Among the conservatively treated patients, nine of 32 participants with a patient-perceived deformity and one of 16 without a patient-perceived deformity responded that they would prefer to receive surgery in same situation in the future (p=0.079). Conclusions Patients with a midshaft clavicle fracture with vertical displacement of ≥100% may eventually require surgical treatment. When conservative treatment is carried out, the long-term patient results may be unsatisfactory due to perceived residual deformities

Arthroscopic Excision of Heterotopic Ossification in the Supraspinatus Muscle

Heterotopic ossification is formation of bone in atypical extra-skeletal tissues and usually occurs spontaneously or following neurologic injury with unknown cause. We report a 46-year-old female with right shoulder pain and restricted range of motion (ROM) for 3 months without history of trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a lesion within the rotator cuff supraglenoid. Excisional biopsy from a previous institution revealed a heterotopic ossificans (HO ). Following repeat MRI and bone scan, histopathology from arthroscopic resection confirmed an HO. The patient demonstrated improved pain and ROM at follow-up. Idiopathic HO rarely occurs in the shoulder joint, and resection of HO should be delayed until maturation of the lesion to avoid recurrence. The current case showed that arthroscopic HO resection provides an excellent surgical view to ensure complete lesion removal and minimize soft tissue damage at the supraglenoid area. Furthermore, the minimally invasive procedure of arthroscopy may reduce rehabilitation time and facilitate early return to work

Reconstituting ring-rafts in bud-mimicking topography of model membranes.

During vesicular trafficking and release of enveloped viruses, the budding and fission processes dynamically remodel the donor cell membrane in a protein- or a lipid-mediated manner. In all cases, in addition to the generation or relief of the curvature stress, the buds recruit specific lipids and proteins from the donor membrane through restricted diffusion for the development of a ring-type raft domain of closed topology. Here, by reconstituting the bud topography in a model membrane, we demonstrate the preferential localization of cholesterol- and sphingomyelin-enriched microdomains in the collar band of the bud-neck interfaced with the donor membrane. The geometrical approach to the recapitulation of the dynamic membrane reorganization, resulting from the local radii of curvatures from nanometre-to-micrometre scales, offers important clues for understanding the active roles of the bud topography in the sorting and migration machinery of key signalling proteins involved in membrane budding

Development of a high yield purification process for the production of influenza virus vaccines

Production of influenza virus in animal cells has emerged as an alternative to conventional platforms such as egg-based production system. Animal cells, especially MDCK and VERO cell lines, are widely used as the primary production cell for influenza virus vaccine because of their high susceptibility to infection with various influenza viruses. Recently, a robust and reliable purification process was successfully developed for the production of quadri-valent HA proteins (from two strains of the type A virus and two strains of the type B virus) by using animal cell-based production system in Green Cross Corp., Korea. The UF/DF process, Benzonase treatment at high temperature as well as column chromatography strategy was optimized to maximize the final HA production yields. Benzonase treatment was conducted to reduce in hcDNA (host cell DNA) because hcDNA was main impurity for cell-based influenza virus vaccine. A simple and stable UF/DF process has been tested with membrane molecular weight cutoffs of 100 and 300 kDa as well as 0.2 and 0.45 um microfiltration membrane. Anion exchange chromatography (AEC) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) were selected for acceptable reduction in hcDNA and HCP. AEC was used to separate hcDNA from virus at a salt concentration of 0.5 M sodium chloride. The HA yield through AEC & SEC combination process was sufficiently achieved under specific purification process condition. Overall, the amount of residual hcDNA was reduced to an acceptable level (10ng/dose) and the increased HA yield was maintained throughout the whole process. The performance, productivity and scalability of the purification process were successfully demonstrated in over 30 GMP batches using 4 different influenza virus strains