bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive and Efficient Assessment of Psychological Flexibility in the Context of Chronic Pain
Authors: Lavefjord Amani , Sundström Felicia T. A. , Chia Dane , Tabrizi Fara , Buhrman Monica , McCracken Lance M.
Published: January 2025

Background

The Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI) is a measure of all facets of psychological flexibility and inflexibility, potentially important processes of change in psychological treatment for chronic pain. In some contexts, it can be considered too long. The aim of this study was, therefore, to validate a short form MPFI (MPFI‐24P) in a chronic pain sample.

Methods

Adults with chronic pain were recruited online (N = 404) for a cross‐sectional survey study. They first completed pain background questions and the MPFI. For examining convergent construct validity and explained variance in pain‐related outcomes, participants also completed the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Pain Interference Scale, the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9), a depression measure. Data were collected on two occasions, 2 weeks apart. Item response theory (IRT) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used for selecting the best‐performing items.

Results

IRT parameters were overall adequate, and hierarchical CFA demonstrated a good model fit. Network analysis of the MPFI items indicated that, in general, items intended to measure the same facets were substantially interconnected, more so for the inflexibility items. Temporal stability was adequate, and internal consistency was good. The MPFI‐24P correlated with pain interference, work and social adjustment and depression, with the inflexibility scale better predicting these outcomes. The MPFI‐24P correlated strongly with the full‐length MPFI.

Conclusions

The MPFI‐24P for chronic pain is generally valid and reliable, especially the inflexibility scale. It performs similarly to the full‐length MPFI.

Significance

This paper contributes with a measure that is both feasible to use in clinical practice and research, while being able to measure all facets of psychological flexibility and inflexibility—psychological processes of change that are important to evaluate in psychological treatment of chronic pain in order to better individualize treatment.
Exploring the Potential of Lanthanum‐Doped ZnFe2O4 Nanomaterials as Electrode Materials for Next‐Generation Supercapacitors
Authors: Rai Apoorva , Tripathi Prashant , Kumar P. , Singh Kedar , Tewari H. S. , Singh Jai
Published: January 2025

In this study, we synthesized ZnFe2‐xLaxO4 nanoparticles with varying lanthanum (La) content (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) via a cost‐effective combustion method utilizing citric acid as a fuel. This method was selected for its cost‐effectiveness and its capability to produce high‐quality nanoparticles with tailored properties. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the cubic structure of the synthesized ZnFe2O4 product, revealing planes (220), (311), (400), (511), and (440) within the Fd‐3m space group, with no additional peaks observed, indicating phase purity. The study proceeded to calculate essential parameters including lattice parameter, particle size, and strain, utilizing the Williamson–Hall method, offering important insights into the structural features and behaviors of synthesized nanoparticles. The crystallite size and surface morphology were investigated by TEM analysis. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy revealed five distinct Raman‐active modes (A1g + Eg + 3F2g), consistent with the spinel structure. The electrochemical properties of the electrodes were assessed using a three‐electrode system in a 2 M KOH electrolyte, employing cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). At a scan rate of 2 mV/s, a specific capacitance of 109.58 F/g was achieved with the nanomaterial synthesized via the combustion technique.
Improving Electric Vehicle Air‐Cooled Cylindrical Battery Temperature Control Systems: A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Study of an Innovative Uniform Flow Distribution Plate
Authors: Suryavanshi Shweta S. , Ghanegaonkar P. M.
Published: January 2025

Temperature significantly affects the operation of lithium‐ion batteries in electric vehicles (EVs). A battery temperature management system (BTMS) is necessary for battery safety and extended lifespan. This study proposes an innovative flow circulation technique to achieve uniform airflow distribution throughout the 26 650 cylindrical cells arranged in a 5P5S configuration. The 3D models of nine aluminum perforated plates with varying topologies have been developed to identify a more effective cooling method for rectangular battery packs. The CFD simulations examine the effects of air velocities, air inlet temperatures, C rate, and cell spacing (L) on the nine‐plate structure. Optimal cooling is achieved with 2 mm cell spacing, evenly dispersing airflow and enhancing heat dissipation. An investigation has been conducted for various C rates. The best thermal performance is obtained at air speeds of 0.8 m/s for 0.5 C, 5 m/s for 1C, and 30 m/s for 2C. The outcome shows that altering the flow distribution layout is a practical way to improve the BP's cooling capacity.
Identification of Stable Intermetallic Compounds for Hydrogen Storage via Machine Learning
Authors: Athul A. S. , Muthachikavil Aswin V. , Buddhiraju Venkata Sudheendra , Premraj Karundev , Runkana Venkataramana
Published: January 2025

Hydrogen is one of the most promising alternatives to fossil fuels for energy as it is abundant, clean and efficient. Storage and transportation of hydrogen are two key challenges faced in utilizing it as a fuel. Storing H2 in the form of metal hydrides is safe and cost effective when compared to its compression and liquefaction. Metal hydrides leverage the ability of metals to absorb H2 and the stored H2 can be released from the hydride by applying heat when needed. A multi‐step methodology is proposed to identify intermetallic compounds that are thermodynamically stable and have high hydrogen storage capacity (HSC). It combines compound generation, thermodynamic stability analysis, prediction of properties of the metal hydride and ranking of discovered materials based on predicted properties. The US Department of Energy (DoE) Hydrogen Storage Materials Database and the Open Quantum Materials Database (OQMD) are utilized for building and testing machine learning (ML) models for enthalpy of formation of the intermetallic compounds, stability analysis, and enthalpy of formation, equilibrium pressure and HSC of metal hydrides. The models proposed here require only attributes of elements involved and compositional information as inputs and do no need any experimental data. Random forest algorithm was found to be the most accurate amongst the ML algorithms explored for predicting all the properties of interest. A total of 349 772 hypothetical intermetallic compounds were generated initially, out of which, only 8568 compounds were found to be stable. The highest predicted HSC of these stable compounds was found to be 3.6. Magnesium, Lithium and Germanium constitute majority of the high HSC compounds. The predictions of HSC using the present models for metal hydrides that are not in the DoE database were reasonably close to the experimental data published recently but there is scope for improvement in prediction accuracy for metal hydrides with high HSC. The findings of this study will be useful in reducing the time required for development and discovery of new hydrogen storage materials and can be used to check the practical applicability of the hydride compound using the predicted properties.
Techno Economic Analysis of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems With Battery Energy Storage: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Saurabh Shiv , Kumar Adesh , Kumar Roushan
Published: January 2025

The usage of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for power generation has significantly increased due to the global demand for sustainable and clean energy sources. When combined with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and grid loads, photovoltaic (PV) systems offer an efficient way of optimizing energy use, lowering electricity expenses, and improving grid resilience. The study highlights the environmental and economic advantages, such as reduced carbon emissions, lower energy expenses, and job creation, while facilitating grid modernization through bi‐directional power flow and enhanced energy management. The findings demonstrate the evolution towards a sustainable energy future by analyzing the incorporation of photovoltaic systems and battery energy storage systems, investigating standards for the secure and efficient integration of grid‐connected solar photovoltaic systems, and evaluating the environmental and techno‐economic implications of these systems. The techno‐economic analysis, encompassing estimates of payback period, return on investment, and net present value, is utilized to evaluate the economic feasibility of the integrated system. The findings from this research aim to aid consumers, businesses, utilities, and legislators in making informed decisions that optimize solar energy advantages, diminish grid reliance, and alleviate environmental consequences.
Relationship Between Physical Characteristics of Cereal Polysaccharides and Soft Tribology—The Importance of Grain Source and Malting Modification
Authors: Moreno Ravelo Rolando Cesar , Gastl Martina , Becker Thomas
Published: January 2025

Starch and non‐starch polysaccharides ((N)SPs) are relevant in cereal‐based beverages. Although their molar mass and conformation are important to the sensory characteristics of beer and non‐alcoholic beer, their triggering mechanism in the mouth is not fully understood. Soft tribology has emerged as a tool to mimic oral processing (drinking). The contribution of each (N)SPs to the friction coefficient can be determined when they are enzymatically isolated and characterized by chromatography techniques. Thus, this work aimed to study the relationship between the physical characteristics of isolated (N)SPs and their possible contribution to oral processing through soft tribology (friction). To accomplish this, this research analyzes the effect of grain source (barley, wheat, and oats) and its modification (by steeping degree at two levels) to the (N)SPs´ physical characteristics in wort produced on a laboratory scale. Different characteristics were present in the (N)SPs due to the grain source and the degree of modification. When comparing the impact of the grain source, the malted oats showed the highest molar masses. A higher modification degree produced smaller and more compact structures except for wheat's arabinoxylans and dextrins. The conformation ratio () values indicate the existence of sphere and micro‐gel structures within each (N)SPs, with branches in arabinoxylans and dextrins. Subsequently, soft tribology was measured on all the worts and their correlation to the (N)SPs' data was performed by multivariate analysis. The wort produced with high modification grains generated higher friction responses. However, this was only statistically significant in barley samples. The multivariate analysis showed that within the mouth (tongue) velocity, the apparent density of the (N)SPs, and the molar mass of arabinoxylans and β‐glucans may influence the friction response and, hence, the oral processing in the mouth during oral processing (drinking).
Retinoic Acid Regulates Allergic Inflammation via Limiting Mast Cell Activation
Authors: Zhang Wenxin , Dai Wenwen , Xie Yingdong , Chen Xingyang , Zhang Peng , Cui Weiwei
Published: January 2025

BackgroundAllergic diseases have become one of the major public health problems to be addressed in the world today. As a tissue resident cell, mast cells are crucial in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Vitamin A is an important fat‐soluble vitamin with immunomodulatory functions. Vitamin A deficiency has been shown to be associated with allergic disease states, including asthma; however, no studies have been reported on whether vitamin A deficiency has an effect on the activation of mast cells in allergic reactions. ObjectiveTo explore whether blocking retinoic acid receptors has an effect on mast cell degranulation. Methods Flow cytometry was used to analyze the expression of FCεRIα and CD117 on the cell surface, toluidine blue staining was used to visualize cellular features and morphological changes. ELISA was used to detect histamine release. High‐throughput transcriptome sequencing and qRT‐PCR were used to detect the expression of relevant signaling pathways and cytokine genes. Western blot was used to detect the expression of relevant signaling pathway proteins. ResultsIn the present study, we found that antagonism of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) resulted in overactive mast cells and increased their degranulation. Furthermore, inflammatory signaling pathways such as MyD88‐IKK‐NF‐κB and PI3K‐Akt‐m‐TOR were involved in the effect of retinoic acid (RA) on the activation state of mast cells. ConclusionsIn this paper, we demonstrated that blocking RAR can exacerbate its activation state in IgE‐mediated mast cells. This study provided new insights into the possibility that vitamin A deficiency exacerbated mast cell activation and thus affectd allergic diseases and their mechanisms.
Refinement of a Published Gene‐Physical Activity Interaction Impacting HDL‐Cholesterol: Role of Sex and Lipoprotein Subfractions
Authors: Westerman Kenneth E. , Kilpeläinen Tuomas O. , Sevilla‐Gonzalez Magdalena , Connelly Margery A. , Wood Alexis C. , Tsai Michael Y. , Taylor Kent D. , Rich Stephen S. , Rotter Jerome I. , Otvos James D. , Bentley Amy R. , Mora Samia , Aschard Hugues , Rao D. C. , Gu Charles , Chasman Daniel I. , Manning Alisa K. ,   The CHARGE Gene‐Lifestyle Interactions Working Group
Published: January 2025

Large‐scale gene–environment interaction (GxE) discovery efforts often involve analytical compromises for the sake of data harmonization and statistical power. Refinement of exposures, covariates, outcomes, and population subsets may be helpful to establish often‐elusive replication and evaluate potential clinical utility. Here, we used additional datasets, an expanded set of statistical models, and interrogation of lipoprotein metabolism via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)‐based lipoprotein subfractions to refine a previously discovered GxE modifying the relationship between physical activity (PA) and HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐C). We explored this GxE in the Women's Genome Health Study (WGHS; N = 23,294; the strongest cohort‐specific signal in the original meta‐analysis), the UK Biobank (UKB; N = 281,380), and the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA; N = 4587), using self‐reported PA (MET‐min/wk) and genotypes at rs295849 (nearest gene: LHX1). As originally reported, minor allele carriers of rs295849 in WGHS had a stronger positive association between PA and HDL‐C (pint = 0.002). When testing available NMR metabolites to refine the HDL‐C outcome, we found a stronger interaction effect on medium‐sized HDL particle concentrations (M‐HDL‐P; pint = 1.0 × 10−4) than HDL‐C. Meta‐regression revealed a systematically larger interaction effect in cohorts from the original meta‐analysis with a greater fraction of women (p = 0.018). In the UKB, GxE effects were stronger in women and using M‐HDL‐P as the outcome. In MESA, the primary interaction for HDL‐C showed nominal significance (pint = 0.013), but without clear sex differences and with a greater magnitude for large HDL‐P. Our work provides additional insights into a known gene‐PA interaction while illustrating the importance of phenotype and model refinement toward understanding and replicating GxEs.
Green Improvisation and Knowledge Absorption: Catalysts for Geo‐Sustainable Environmental Management Initiatives
Authors: Jianbing Shao , Ahmad Hassan , Butt Asad Hassan , Bousrih Jihen
Published: January 2025

This research examines the dynamic relationships between green improvisation, green absorptive capacity, environmental management initiatives (EMIs), corporate social responsibility (CSR) authenticity, and their combined impact on firms' green competitive advantage and environmental performance. The study empirically tested seven hypotheses, utilising structural equation modelling (SEM) via SmartPLS. Data was collected from the employees of firms situated in Pakistan through a survey in a time span of 6 months. Results indicate that green improvisation significantly enhances EMIs, highlighting the importance of innovative and adaptive approaches in environmental stewardship. Green absorptive capacity was found to effectively acquire and assimilate environmental knowledge, positively influencing EMIs. Additionally, EMIs were shown to strengthen CSR authenticity, thereby improving firms' green competitive advantage and environmental performance. The mediating role of CSR authenticity was confirmed, revealing its significance in translating effective environmental management into tangible outcomes. Moreover, green creativity was found to moderate the relationship between EMIs and CSR authenticity, with novel environmental solutions enhancing the effectiveness of CSR activities. These findings contribute to the literature on environmental management by elucidating the mechanisms through which environmental initiatives lead to competitive and ecological benefits. The study provides actionable insights for firms aiming to integrate environmental strategies into their core business practices, achieving a sustainable competitive edge in today's green economy.
Assessing the Feasibility of Drone‐Mediated Vaccine Delivery: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Aggarwal Sumit , Gupta Prakamya , Balaji Sivaraman , Sharma Saurabh , Ghosh Ajoy Kanti , Simmy  , Bhargava Balram , Panda Samiran
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

In the past decade, unmanned aerial systems (UASs), commonly known as drones, have found applications not only in military and agriculture but also in the transportation of medical supplies.

Purpose

The present study was conducted to assess the practicality of utilizing drones as a mode for the delivery of vaccines to combat the challenges.

Study Design

An exploratory study.

Methodology

Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic restrictions and paucity of availability of rules and regulations related to drones in India in 2021, this study was conducted as a exploratory study for which number of regulatory approvals are obtained and it involves five drone missions within the premises of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, India on a confined airstrip of 3 km2 to transport simulated vaccine vials using a multi‐rotor top‐load UAS in the normal weather conditions in daylight where dummy vaccine vials (COVID‐19) were packed with cool packs to maintain the temperature. Study was conducted to explore feasibility to carry vaccines through drones and any environmental impact on the vaccine vials while its transportation.

Results

The drones demonstrated a maximum flight endurance of 31 min while carrying a payload of up to 4.5 Kg, covering an aerial distance of 17 km at an average speed ranging at 12 m per second. Notably, the vaccine carrier box was able to maintain a recommended temperature of 3°C–4°C throughout the transportation process, and there is no impact of vibration on the physical integrity and leakage of the vaccine vials during flight.

Conclusions

These findings signify the potential for the drone‐based medical supply deliveries across confined and controlled environment conditions. This study provides the insights that there is no environmental impact such as humidity, temperature, wind etc on the drone and no impact on vibrations on the physical integrity and leakage of the dummy vaccine vials. There were few regulatory barriers that required special approvals from concerned authorities. The study was not designed to assess for cost‐effectiveness, also it was conducted in defined geography so all sorties were VLOS. Study has various limitations such as using simulated vaccine vials, regulatory barriers, operational barriers etc. Conducting the study in a controlled environment at IIT Kanpur limits generalizability. In spite of these limitations this study provides valuable insights and may explore a diverse environment that can help in strengthening health services especially in difficult terrains.
Enhancing Infection Control in ICUS Through AI: A Literature Review
Authors: Godbole Aditya Amit , Paras  , Mehra Maanya , Banerjee Sumitaksha , Roy Poulami , Deb Novonil , Jagtap Sarang
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Infection control in intensive care units (ICUs) is crucial due to the high risk of healthcare‐associated infections (HAIs), which can increase patient morbidity, mortality, and costs. Effective measures such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), patient isolation, and environmental cleaning are vital to minimize these risks. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) offers new opportunities to enhance infection control, from predicting outbreaks to optimizing antimicrobial use, ultimately improving patient safety and care in ICUs.

Objectives

The primary objectives are to explore AI's impact on predicting HAIs, real‐time monitoring, automated sterilization, resource optimization, and personalized infection control plans.

Methodology

A comprehensive search of PubMed and Scopus was conducted for relevant articles up to January 2024, including case series, reports, and cohort studies. Animal studies and irrelevant articles were excluded, with a focus on those considered to have significant clinical relevance.

Discussion

The review highlights AI's prowess in predicting HAIs, surpassing conventional methods. Existing evidence demonstrates AI's efficacy in accurately predicting and mitigating HAIs. Real‐time patient monitoring and alert systems powered by AI are shown to enhance infection detection and patient outcomes. The paper also addresses AI's role in automating sterilization and disinfection, with studies affirming its effectiveness in reducing infections. AI's resource optimization capabilities are exemplified in ICU settings, showcasing its potential to improve resource allocation efficiency. Furthermore, the review emphasizes AI's personalized approach to infection control post‐procedures, elucidating its ability to analyze patient data and create tailored control plans.
The Protective Role of Ambient Ultraviolet Radiation Against Dementia: An Ecological Analysis of Global Data
Authors: You Wenpeng
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

This study investigates the global impact of ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on dementia incidence, addressing its controversial association with dementia risk. UVR, through both vitamin D‐dependent and independent mechanisms, influences physiological processes essential for brain health, such as reducing neuroinflammation, improving sleep regulation, and enhancing neuroplasticity. This study aims to clarify the relationship between UVR and dementia incidence and evaluate its role in public health strategies for dementia prevention.

Methods

An ecological analysis across 204 countries was conducted using country‐specific data on UVR levels and dementia incidence rates. Bivariate analysis, partial correlation, and multiple linear regression models were employed to assess the relationship between UVR and dementia incidence. Confounding factors, including aging, economic affluence, genetic predisposition, and urbanization, were controlled to ensure robust results. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore differences across income classifications, regional groupings, and developmental statuses, based on World Bank and United Nations criteria.

Results

A significant inverse correlation between UVR and dementia incidence was identified (r = −0.764, p < 0.001), which persisted after adjusting for confounding factors. UVR emerged as the strongest predictor of dementia incidence, explaining a substantial portion of the variance, followed by aging as the second strongest predictor. Subgroup analyses revealed that the protective effects of UVR were particularly pronounced in developing countries, where limited access to vitamin D supplementation, combined with greater exposure to natural sunlight may enhance its influence.

Conclusion

Lower ambient UVR levels are associated with higher dementia incidence rates worldwide, suggesting a critical role for UVR in mitigating dementia risk. Public health strategies should consider environmental factors like UVR, particularly in regions with limited sunlight. Incorporating interventions to optimize UVR exposure could offer a cost‐effective approach to reducing the global dementia burden and improving brain health outcomes.
Attitudes, Awareness, and Willingness of Iranians Toward Using Telemedicine in Post‐COVID Era: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Gholamzadeh Marsa , Abtahi Hamidreza , Safdari Reza , Haghshenas Elham , Gharabaghi Mehrnaz Asadi , Rahimi Besharat
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

With the increased use of telemedicine during the pandemic, understanding patients' attitudes and readiness to adopt telemedicine is crucial. This study investigates the attitudes, willingness, and usage behaviors of Iranian patients toward telemedicine.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study took place in Iran from October 2021 to January 2023. Participants received a web‐based questionnaire consisting of five sections. The study aimed to assess Iranians' attitudes toward telemedicine following the COVID‐19 pandemic and their readiness to utilize telemedicine services in the post‐pandemic period by analyzing the gathered data.

Results

A total of 569 Iranian patients participated in the questionnaire, resulting in a 95% response rate. While 80% of respondents were familiar with telemedicine terms, only 30% had utilized telemedicine services before the COVID‐19 outbreak. Overall, Iranians displayed positive attitudes toward telemedicine, with over two‐thirds expressing a strong willingness to continue using telemedicine post‐pandemic. The analysis revealed a positive correlation between higher e‐health literacy scores and favorable attitudes toward telemedicine. Additionally, a significant relationship was observed between having a positive attitude toward telemedicine and prior usage of telemedicine services before the pandemic.

Conclusion

The findings indicated a positive attitude toward telemedicine among public patients. The results highlight a willingness to utilize remote medical services if the required infrastructure is in place to address trust issues among patients. These outcomes can be utilized to assess the feasibility of implementing telemedicine services in Iran.
Thyroid Dysfunction Prevalence and Risk Factors in the Southeastern Part of Bangladesh: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Hossen Muhammad Shahadat , Islam Md. Mahmodul , Das Abhijit , Ripon Md. Abdur Rahman , Tohidul Amin Mohammad , Basher Mohammad Anwarul , Rashid Md. Mamun Or
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

Globally thyroid disorders (TDs) are common health issues including in the Southeast Asian region. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of thyroid disorders in the Bangladeshi population, with a particular focus on the frequency, etiology, and comorbidity of various thyroid diseases.

Methods

A cross‐sectional research design was conducted in the southeastern part of Bangladesh. Information regarding prior diagnosis and current management of TDs was obtained through a questionnaire.

Results

Of the 300 respondents, 209 were female, and 91 were male. Females were found to be more predominant across all categories of TDs (χ2 = 17.738, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the older age group (31–45 years) demonstrated a higher frequency of thyroid problems (OR: 1.320). Specifically, hyperthyroidism was identified as the most common thyroid disorder, followed by hypothyroidism, and euthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism was found to be less common in males (18.69%) compared to females (43.06%), while hypothyroidism was more prevalent in males (46.15%) compared to females (27.75%). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrates that participants with a family history of TDs have a significantly higher chance (OR: 2.991, CI: 1.480–6.044, p < 0.05) of having hyperthyroidism than those without such a history. Interestingly, the studied population also exhibited higher rates of comorbidities including gastritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusion

According to the study's findings, it is advised to concentrate on educating Bangladeshis about thyroid problems, particularly female population. Moreover, healthcare professionals should check elderly patient's thyroid conditions and consider the possibility that thyroid dysfunction can coexist with other conditions.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Vacuum‐Pressure Leaky Pipes in Promoting Localized Soil Desalination During Surface Leaching Events
Authors: Lu Peirong , Yang Yujie , Liu Yaxin , Zhang Zikun , Zhang Xi
Published: January 2025

Fields under subsurface leaky pipe irrigation require timely soil leaching to prevent salt accumulation along the pipeline, and methods for handling such localized desalination deserve to be explored. A potential application was attempted experimentally and numerically to assess whether the vacuum pressure leaky pipe (VPLP) method could promote soil desalination by absorbing saline solution during soil leaching. The laboratory results indicated that, compared with loamy sand and silty loam, loam soil could maintain more suitable saturation conditions for the extraction of soil water, resulting in 22% and 311% greater salt discharge, respectively. By modelling the wall of a leaky pipe as a finer soil layer, a series of HYDRUS‐based simulations were performed to evaluate the effects of the inner‐pipe operating vacuum pressure (OVP), pipe placement depth (PPD) and surface leaching size (SLS) on the salt dynamics within the leached soil profile. The model results revealed that the maximum VPLP salt discharge occurred at 20 cm PPD, and increasing the OVP led to a decrease in salt discharge when the OVP exceeded 200 cm. Additionally, reduced infiltration‐induced salt downwards built‐up and evaporation‐induced salt surface accumulation were obtained under VPLP application, with an average 12% and 1% increase of soil desalination rate for 0–10 cm and 40–50 cm soil depth compared with those under non‐VPLP conditions. This study extends the application of subsurface pipe irrigation systems in terms of soil salt management.
Near‐Optimal Pilot Assignment in Cell‐Free Massive MIMO
Authors: Guedes Raphael M. , de Rezende José F. , Barbosa Valmir C.
Published: January 2025

Cell‐free massive MIMO systems are currently being considered as potential enablers of future (6G) technologies for wireless communications. By combining distributed processing and massive MIMO, they are expected to deliver improved user coverage and efficiency. A possible source of performance degradation in such systems is pilot contamination, which contributes to causing interference during uplink training and affects channel estimation negatively. Contamination occurs when the same pilot sequence is assigned to more than one user. This is in general inevitable, as the number of mutually orthogonal pilot sequences corresponds to only a fraction of the coherence interval. We introduce a new algorithm for pilot assignment and analyze its performance both from a theoretical perspective and in computational experiments. We show that it has an approximation ratio close to 1 for a plausibly large number of orthogonal pilot sequences, as well as low computational complexity under massive parallelism. We also show that, on average, it outperforms other methods in terms of per‐user SINR and throughput on the uplink.
A Reassessment of Likelihood Approximation by Integration on Sparse Grids
Authors: Madaras Szilárd , Sándor Zsolt
Published: January 2025

This paper revisits sparse grid integration proposed in the literature for approximating integrals that occur as choice probabilities in random coefficient discrete choice models. First, we successfully replicate their main findings for the panel mixed logit. Second, for higher variances and for a different structure of the variances of the random coefficients, in certain cases, we fail to replicate the original results. Third, for the important special case of cross‐sectional mixed logit, replication of the original results is successful when the number of alternatives is moderate but fails otherwise.
On Quasi‐Hermitian Varieties in Even Characteristic and Related Orthogonal Arrays
Authors: Aguglia Angela , Giuzzi Luca , Montinaro Alessandro , Siconolfi Viola
Published: January 2025

In this article, we study the BM quasi‐Hermitian varieties, laying in the three‐dimensional Desarguesian projective space of even order. After a brief investigation of their combinatorial properties, we first show that all of these varieties are projectively equivalent, exhibiting a behavior which is strikingly different from what happens in odd characteristic. This completes the classification project started there. Here we prove more; indeed, by using previous results, we explicitly determine the structure of the full collineation group stabilizing these varieties. Finally, as a byproduct of our investigation, we also construct a family of simple orthogonal arrays , with entries in , where is an even prime power. Orthogonal arrays (OA's) are principally used to minimize the number of experiments needed to investigate how variables in testing interact with each other.
Horizontal Distortion Correction of AFM Images Based on Automatic Labeling of Feature Graphics
Authors: Xu Ke , Liu Yuzhe
Published: January 2025

The atomic force microscope (AFM) image will be inclined and bent due to the tilt angle between the probe and the sample surface. When the least squares fitting method is used to correct the horizontal distortion of the AFM image, the shape structure that is lower or higher than the sample base will affect the final fitting correction result. In view of the limitations of existing methods and the diversity of AFM images, an AFM image level distortion correction method based on automatic feature marking is proposed. The Canny edge detection algorithm with adaptive threshold is used to automatically detect and recognize the feature graphics, and the feature graphics are zeroed by the hole filling algorithm to automatically remove the feature graphics data from the line fitting data. After completing the least squares fitting correction of all the rows of data, the full AFM image data with eliminating horizontal distortion can be obtained. Finally, the corrected full image data are used for imaging. This method can be adapted to different types of AFM images and realize automatic fitting correction of the whole image, which improves the accuracy and efficiency of correction.
Diffusion tensor imaging with free‐water correction reveals distinctions between severe and attenuated subtypes in Mucopolysaccharidosis type I
Authors: Svatkova Alena , Pasternak Ofer , Eisengart Julie B. , Rudser Kyle D. , Bednařík Petr , Mueller Bryon A. , Delaney Kathleen A. , Shapiro Elsa G. , Whitley Chester B. , Nestrašil Igor
Published: January 2025

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder leading to deleterious brain effects. While animal models suggested that MPS I severely affects white matter (WM), whole‐brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis was not performed due to MPS‐related morphological abnormalities. 3T DTI data from 28 severe (MPS IH, treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation—HSCT), 16 attenuated MPS I patients (MPS IA) enrolled under the study protocol NCT01870375, and 27 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed using the free‐water correction (FWC) method to resolve macrostructural partial volume effects and unravel differences in DTI metrics accounting for microstructural abnormalities. FWC analysis in MPS IH compared to HC revealed higher free‐water fraction (FWF) in all WM regions with increased radial (RD) and mean diffusivity (MD). Higher RD, MD, and FWF in cingulate and FWF in temporal WM were observed in MPS IA relative to HC. FWF and RD in the corpus callosum (CC) were higher in MPS IH than in MPS IA. Reaction time was correlated with fractional anisotropy (FA) in frontal and parietal WM in MPS IH. FA in temporal and central WM correlated with d‐prime in MPS IA. The HSCT age was related to FA in parietal WM and FWF in frontal WM in MPS IH. FWC delineated subtype‐specific WM microstructural abnormalities linked to myelination that were more extensive in MPS IH than IA, with CC findings being a key differentiator between subtypes. Earlier age at HSCT was related to preserved WM microstructure in the brain of MPS IH patients. Free water‐corrected DTI distinguishes severe and attenuated MPS I patients and reveals a relationship between attention, age at HSCT, and white matter microstructure.
High heterogeneity in the size distribution of the micellar fraction from in vitro digestions: sample preparation and reporting recommendations
Authors: Will Roman , Rein Claudia , Frank Jan , Malan Johanita
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

Understanding the size and surface charge (ζ‐potential) of particles in the mixed micellar fraction produced by in vitro digestion is crucial to understand their cellular absorption and transport. The inconsistent presentation of micellar size data, often limited to average particle diameter, makes comparison of studies difficult. The present study aimed to assess different size data representations (mean particle diameter, relative intensity‐ or volume‐weighted size distribution) to better understand physiological mixed micelle characteristics and to provide recommendations for size reporting and sample handling.

RESULTS

Dietary compounds (RRR‐α‐tocopherol, retinyl‐palmitate, β‐carotene, curcumin and naringenin) underwent a simplified in vitro digestion, whereas foods (spinach and red cabbage) were subjected to both a simplified and the INFOGEST 2.0 digestions. Dynamic light scattering was used to measure size and surface charge of the mixed micelles. A significant percentage of particles above the 200 nm filter cut‐off was observed, indicating aggregation and dynamic size changes in the mixed micellar fraction. Freezing of the mixed micelles notably enhanced the aggregation.

CONCLUSION

The determination of particle size in polydisperse mixed micellar fractions is challenging, and relying solely on average particle diameter can be misleading. Especially in more polydisperse samples, parameters such as polydispersity index and volume‐weighted distribution should accompany average particle diameter data. To minimize the effect of freezing on particle size, we recommend filtering the digesta after storage (freezing), as this leads to similar size distribution compared to mixed micellar fraction measured directly after digestion. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Exploring the Causal Relationship Between the Plasma Levels of MMP1 (Matrix Metalloproteinase‐1), MMP3, MMP7, MMP10, and MMP12 and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Mendelian Randomization
Authors: Sun Lin , Yan Kai‐Qing , Zhang Qi , Ma Ji , Shi Bo , Yang Xi‐Yuan , Li Li‐Jun
Published: January 2025

Background

Several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been reported to be associated with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in several previous studies. However, the causal relationship between MMPs and IDD remains unclear. In this study, Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to analyze the causal relationship between the plasma levels of multiple MMPs and the risk of IDD.

Methods

The GWAS data of the plasma levels of MMP1, MMP3, MMP7, MMP10, and MMP12 were derived from the genome‐wide variation associations of 21 758 European individuals. The genetic associations of the variants with IDD were investigated in the largest genome‐wide association study from GWAS pipeline using Phesant derived variables from UKBiobank (1045 cases; 461 965 controls). We used a two‐sample MR method to evaluate the causal relationship between these five MMPs and IDD. The causal effects were examined by inverse variance weighted (IVW) test. And sensitivity analysis was performed using Q test of IVW and MR‐Egger, MR‐Egger‐intercept and MR‐PRESSO.

Results

We found a significant correlation between increased the plasma level of MMP3 and an increased risk of IDD (IVW: OR 1.000564, 95% CI 1.0000304–1.00110; p = 0.0383). The heterogeneity test (MR‐Egger Q test: p = 0.346 and IVW Q test: p = 0.460) indicated that there was no heterogeneity in this instrumental variable on the surface. Also, no directional horizontal pleiotropy was observed in the MR analysis (MR‐Egger, p = 0.708 and MR‐PRESSO, p = 0.609). There was no significant correlation between the plasma levels of MMP1, MMP7, MMP10, and MMP12 and an increased risk of IDD.

Conclusion

Our MR analysis found that there is a potential causal relationship between increased the plasma level of MMP3 and the risk of IDD in the European population. There is no potential causal relationship between the plasma levels of MMP1, MMP7, MMP10, and MMP12 and an increased risk of IDD.
Social network analysis as a new tool to measure academic impact of physicians
Authors: Vivek Niketna , Clark Evan , Gao Lily , Xu Shenmeng , Baskauf Steven , Nguyen Kirsten , Goldin Melissa , Prasad Kavita , Miller Alexis , Zhang Panpan , Yang Shiayin , Rohde Sarah , Topf Michael , Gelbard Alexander
Published: January 2025

Introduction

H‐index is a widely used metric quantifying a researcher's productivity and impact based on an author's publications and citations. Though convenient to calculate, h‐index fails to incorporate collaborations and interrelationships between physicians into its assessment of academic impact, leading to limited insight into grouped networks. We present social network analysis as a tool to measure relationships between physicians and quantify their academic impact.

Methods

A bibliometric multicenter analysis was conducted on physician faculty from 129 US ACGME accredited otolaryngology programs who have publications with a physician co‐author in the field. Using web searches, 2494 physician faculty were identified. Scopus IDs, h‐indices, and publication data for these physicians were identified using multiple Elsevier APIs queried in December 2023. Publications with multiple otolaryngology physician co‐authors were included. Network and sub network maps were generated using Gephi and analyzed with custom R scripts. Centrality measures (degree, PageRank, betweenness centralities) quantified collaboration propensity. Non‐parametric correlation analysis between centrality measures and h‐index was conducted. Sankey diagrams were plotted using ggplot2.

Results

A co‐authorship network of 2259 physicians was constructed. Physicians were visualized as nodes with collaborations as links. Centrality measures correlated strongly with h‐index (h‐index vs. degree centrality: r2 = 0.62, h‐index vs. PageRank: r2 = 0.55, h‐index vs. betweenness centrality: r2 = 0.55; p < .0001). Analysis revealed novel insights into physician network structure, identifying 14 communities primarily populated by single subspecialties with varied node density.

Conclusion

Social network analysis showed moderate correlation between social connectedness measures and h‐index, supporting its use in measuring academic impact. In otolaryngology, collaborative interactions within the academic community are strongly shaped by sub‐specialty affiliation and academic institution.
The impact of music on patient tolerance during office‐based laryngeal surgery
Authors: Hamdan Abdul‐Latif , Yammine Yara , Ghzayel Lana , Hosri Jad , Semaan Zeina Maria , Mourad Marc
Published: January 2025

Objective

To investigate the impact of music on patient tolerance during office‐based laryngeal surgery (OBLS).

Methods

All patients undergoing OBLS between February 2024 to June 2024 were invited to participate in this study. They were divided into two subgroups, those with music in the background during surgery and those without. Following surgery, all patients were asked to fill IOWA tolerance score and the VAS for discomfort ranging from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no discomfort and 10 indicating maximum discomfort.

Results

A total of 87 patients undergoing 95 office‐based laryngeal surgeries (OBLS) were included, with a mean age of 54.7 years and a male‐to‐female ratio of 1.5. The most common procedure was blue laser therapy (45.3%), followed by vocal fold injection (29.5%). The mean IOWA tolerance score was 2.02. Patients who listened to music during OBLS showed a significantly higher mean IOWA tolerance score compared to those without music (2.48 vs. 1.55; p < .001). Significant differences persisted when stratified by procedure type. Additionally, the mean VAS score for discomfort was lower with music (2.27 vs. 4.21; p = .001), with a significant difference noted for laser therapy (p = .004).

Conclusion

The results of this investigation indicate that music has a positive effect on procedural tolerance in OBLS. Participants who underwent OBLS with music in the background had significantly higher tolerance score and less discomfort than those who had no music in the background. Music can be used as a safe nonpharmacologic modality to reduce stress and improve patient tolerance in awake OBLS.

Level of Evidence

2.
Septoplasty‐mediated improvements in nasal patency and pulmonary function: A prospective study
Authors: de Sousa Francisco Alves , Tavares Correia João , Carvalho Almeida João , Raquel Azevedo Sara , Gonçalves Ferreira Miguel , Magalhães Manuel , Santos Mariline
Published: January 2025

Background and Objective

Septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery (STR) is hypothesized to affect pulmonary function by modifying airway dynamics. This study investigates the impact of STR‐mediated improvements in nasal patency on pulmonary function tests (PFTs).

Methods

In a prospective analysis, 37 adult patients undergoing STR were enrolled. Peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and PFT parameters, including forced expiratory flow at 25% (FEF25) and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF75) and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF25–75), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), were measured before and after surgery.

Results

Significant improvements were observed in PNIF (p < .001). Additionally, significant improvements in peripheral airway function occurred, as measured by FEF25, FEF25‐75, and FEF75 (p < .05), suggesting reduced airway resistance after STR. Notably, a significant positive correlation was found between the change in PNIF (∆PNIF) and the change in various PFT measurements (∆PFT) (p < .05). FVC and FEV1 did not show significant changes.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that improving nasal patency through STR can affect lower airway resistance, potentially benefiting patients with nasal obstruction. The observed positive correlation between ∆PNIF and ∆PFT warrants further investigation into the underlying mechanism.

Level of evidence

Level III.