bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Ab Initio Study for Oxygen Adsorption Behavior on Polar GaN Surfaces
Authors: Akiyama Toru , Kawamura Takahiro
Published: April 2024

Theoretical investigations for the adsorption behavior of O atoms on both Ga‐polar (+c) surface and N‐polar (c) GaN surfaces using ab initio calculations to clarify the influence of adsorption behavior on oxygen incorporation are presented. The calculations demonstrate that the O atom is stabilized by forming GaOH bond on the flat +c plane GaN(0001) surface, while the topmost N atom is replaced by the O atom on the flat c plane GaN(000) surface. The calculations using the nudged elastic band method also reveal that the energy barriers for oxygen incorporation on the flat c plane surface are comparable to that on the flat +c plane surface. Furthermore, the adsorption energy on the c plane surface drastically increases on the vicinal surface with step edges and kinks, indicating that step edges and kinks enhance the incorporation of O atoms on the c plane surfaces. The calculated results offer better understanding of the atom‐scale mechanisms for the orientation dependence of oxygen concentrations in GaN.
Photoluminescence Excitation Spectroscopy of Stimulated Emission from AlGaN‐Based Multiple Quantum Wells with an Emission Wavelength Around 280 nm
Authors: Murotani Hideaki , Himeno Kunio , Ohkawara Hayate , Tani Kaichi , Kurai Satoshi , Okada Narihito , Maeda Noritoshi , Khan Muhammad Ajmal , Hirayama Hideki , Yamada Yoichi
Published: April 2024

Stimulated emission properties of AlGaN‐based multiple quantum wells with an emission wavelength of about 280 nm are studied by photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopy. The excitation power density dependence of the PLE spectra is evaluated at excitation energies from 4.4788 to 4.6293 eV, which allows the spontaneous and stimulated emission PLE spectra to be obtained. A clear peak is observed in the PLE spectrum for spontaneous emission, indicating that the spontaneous emission is due to the excitonic optical transition. A clear peak is also observed in the PLE spectrum for stimulated emission, suggesting that excitons are involved in the stimulated emission process. Furthermore, the threshold excitation power density for stimulated emission is analyzed as a function of the excitation energy and the threshold excitation power density depends on the excitation energy. The excitation energy at which the threshold excitation power density is minimized agrees with the peak of the stimulated emission PLE spectrum. This observation directly indicates that excitons are important in optical gain formation.
Effect of Pre‐annealing Treatment on Growth and Properties of (Cu0.5Ag0.5)2ZnSnSe4 Thin Films
Authors: Patil Rhishikesh Mahadev , Mondal Rohit , Babujani Shaik , Chandra Gali Hema , Subbaiah Yerva Pedda Venkata , Gupta Mukul , Prasada Rao Rayavarapu
Published: April 2024

In this work, the preparation of “Ag” alloying Cu2ZnSnSe4 films using a two‐step process, comprising vacuum evaporated ([Sn/ZnSe/Ag/Sn/ZnSe/Cu] × 2) precursor layer deposition on glass substrates followed by low‐temperature pre‐annealing treatment (PAT) in Se ambiance (200–400 °C) for 30 min and high‐temperature annealing at 500 °C for 1 min, is reported. The low‐temperature PAT provides adequate Se diffusion into precursor layers and plays a pivotal influence on the growth and properties of (Cu,Ag)2ZnSnSe4 films. The Zn/Sn and Se/metals ratios are found to be varied in the range 0.77–1.32 and 1.07–0.86 with PAT (200–400 °C) followed by annealing at 500 °C for 1 min. The precursor layers are pre‐annealed at 300 °C for 30 min, followed by annealing at 500 °C for 1 min, found to be nearly stoichiometric with uniform distribution of constituents. The valence states of the constituents are confirmed by X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Both X‐Ray diffraction and Raman studies confirm the formation of single‐phase (Cu,Ag)2ZnSnSe4 along (112) orientation with a strong Raman mode at 194 cm−1. Large and well‐defined grains with a mean size of 0.7 μm are seen in the field‐emission scanning electron microscope images. The (Cu,Ag)2ZnSnSe4 films exhibit a direct bandgap of 1.12 eV and p‐type conductivity with high mobility, 5.23 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Abnormal Strain Rate‐Dependent Work‐Hardening Behavior in Quenching and Partitioning Steel
Authors: Bisch Max‐Maria , Fang Xiangfan
Published: April 2024

Due to their high levels of formability and crashworthiness, the new quenching and partitioning (QP) steels are increasingly being used in car‐body structures. Using a unique experimental technique for tensile testing in a large strain‐rate range of 10−4–1000 s−1, an anomalous work‐hardening behavior is found in a QP1180 steel that may affect its formability and crashworthiness. At the lowest strain rate of 10−4 s−1, the work‐hardening rate θ decreases linearly with increasing flow stress. With an increasing strain rate, however, an increasingly severe nonlinearity in the work‐hardening rate is evident, as has been observed in metastable austenitic steels when the deformation‐induced martensitic transformation occurs at lower temperatures. This work‐hardening‐rate peak reaches its maximum at 10 s−1. Above this value, the peak decreases again, and at more than 500 s−1, it behaves like the quasi‐static test. The corresponding material characteristics, such as elongation and strength, change similarly.
Assessment of Reactivity between Submerged Entry Nozzle (SEN) and Ultra‐low C Liquid Steel: Comparison between Oxide‐Based SEN and Oxide‐Less SEN
Authors: Lee Dong‐Jun , Cho Yong‐Min , Kim Jun Hyun , Choi Sangbae , Kang Youn‐Bae
Published: April 2024

Submerged entry nozzle (SEN) clogging is investigated with an emphasis on the interfacial reaction between the nozzle refractory and the liquid steel. Within the context of carbothermically produced CO(g) being the main cause of the early stage SEN clogging, various SEN refractory materials are assessed in view of their impact on the initial clog deposit formation. A series of high‐temperature experiments are carried out to observe the interfacial reaction between the SEN refractory materials and the liquid steel: three oxide‐based and one oxide‐less refractory materials are employed. Ti‐free and Ti‐added ultra‐low C steel are reacted with these refractory materials. The reactivity of the refractories is assessed by 1) the morphology, composition, and thickness of the initial clog deposit and 2) the evolution of steel compositions. Decreasing SiO2content in “oxide‐based” refractory is recommended. The “oxide‐less” refractory composed of AlON–BN–AlN is shown to be promising to suppress the early stage of SEN clogging. The present results would provide directions for designing the SEN refractory constitution to suppress the SEN clogging.
Numerical Simulation of the Effect of Feeding Mode on the Reduction of Ore Powder in Hydrogen‐Based Flash Ironmaking Process
Authors: Tan Jinchi , Guo Lei , Yang Yiru , Zuo Haibin , Guo Zhancheng
Published: April 2024

The efficiency and heat utilization of modern large‐scale blast furnace in China are close to limits. The potential for energy saving and consumption reduction by continuing to improve blast furnace operation is limited, so there is a need to develop nonblast furnace ironmaking technologies to solve the problems of high energy consumption and pollution. The emerging flash ironmaking technology, which is highly efficient and has low pollutant emissions, has become an option. This article uses CFD software to simulate the 3D steady‐state hydrogen‐based flash ironmaking process at a pilot scale. It is a complex system involving gas‐particle two‐phase flow, heat transfer, and chemical reactions. The article mainly studies the effects of the feeding mode and hydrogen concentration in the reducing gas on the reduction of ore particles. The results show that the residence time of the particles in the furnace is very sensitive to the feeding method, and the maximum residence time of the particles reaches about 2.8 s under the optimal feeding method. In addition, increasing the hydrogen concentration in the reducing gas decreases the particles’ residence time. However, the minimum residence time is more than 2.2 s, and the ore powder can still obtain a high reduction degree.
High‐dimensional feature screening for nonlinear associations with survival outcome using restricted mean survival time
Authors: Chen Yaxian , Fai Lam Kwok , Liu Zhonghua
Published: April 2024

Feature screening is an important tool in analysing ultrahigh‐dimensional data, particularly in the field of Omics and oncology studies. However, most attention has been focused on identifying features that have a linear or monotonic impact on the response variable. Detecting a sparse set of variables that have a nonlinear or nonmonotonic relationship with the response variable is still a challenging task. To fill the gap, this paper proposed a robust model‐free screening approach for right‐censored survival data by providing a new perspective of quantifying the covariate effect on the restricted mean survival time, rather than the routinely used hazard function. The proposed measure, based on the difference between the restricted mean survival time of covariate‐stratified and overall data, is able to identify comprehensive types of associations including linear, nonlinear, nonmonotone and even local dependencies like change points. The sure screening property is established, and a more flexible iterative screening procedure is developed to increase the accuracy of the variable screening. Simulation studies are carried out to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method in selecting important features with a complex association with the response variable. The potential of applying the proposed method to handle interval‐censored failure time data has also been explored in simulations, and the results have been promising. The method is applied to a breast cancer dataset to identify potential prognostic factors, which reveals potential associations between breast cancer and lymphoma.
The immune landscape and prognostic analysis of CXCL8 immune‐related genes in cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqian , Yang Jian , Feng Qianqian , Gu Liping , Qin Gongzhao , Cheng Chen , Hou Shunyu , Shi Zhouhong
Published: April 2024

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC), one of the most common malignancies in women, imposes a significant burden on women's health worldwide. Despite extensive research, the molecular and pathogenic mechanisms of cervical squamous cell carcinoma and CESC remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the immune‐related genes, immune microenvironment infiltration, and prognosis of CESC, providing a theoretical basis for guiding clinical treatment. Initially, by mining four gene sets and immune‐related gene sets from public databases, 14 immune‐related genes associated with CESC were identified. Through univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses, as well as lasso regression analysis, four CESC‐independent prognostic genes were identified, and a prognostic model was constructed, dividing them into high and low‐risk groups. The correlation between these genes and immune cells and immune functions were explored through ssGSEA enrichment analysis, revealing a close association between the high‐risk group and processes such as angiogenesis and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, using public databases and qRT‐PCR experiments, significant differences in CXCL8 expression between normal cervical cells and cervical cancer cells were discovered. Subsequently, a CXCL8 knockdown plasmid was constructed, and the efficiency of CXCL8 knockdown was validated in two CESC cell lines, MEG‐01 and HCE‐1. Through CCK‐8, scratch, and Transwell assays, it was confirmed that CXCL8 knockdown could inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration abilities of CESC cells. Targeting CXCL8 holds promise for personalized therapy for CESC, providing a strong theoretical basis for achieving clinical translation.
Outcome of surgical correction of medial patellar luxation in dogs weighing less than 10 kg
Authors: Vodnarek Jakub , Schneider Eva , Bockstahler Barbara , Schnabl‐Feichter Eva
Published: April 2024

Background

Various trochleoplasty techniques, including trochlear wedge recession (TWR) and trochlear block recession (TBR), are used to treat dogs with medial patellar luxation (MPL). However, the objective outcomes of these surgical procedures are underreported.

Methods

Medical records were obtained for dogs weighing less than 10 kg that underwent either TWR or TBR and tibial tuberosity transposition to address grade I–III MPL. Long‐term (at least 1 year after the last procedure) follow‐up included orthopaedic and radiographic examinations, such as osteoarthritis score (OAS), ground reaction force (GRF) analysis and canine brief pain inventory (CBPI).

Results

Overall, 20 dogs (26 stifles) were followed up in the long term. Minor postoperative complications, medial patellar reluxation (MPR) and intermittent lameness occurred in 46.15%, 19.23% and 15% of the dogs, respectively. MPR occurred only in TWR‐treated stifles, while mean OAS increased in all groups. Using the CBPI, the owners perceived an excellent or very good outcome in 95% of dogs.

Limitations

The limitations of the study include its retrospective observational nature, a lack of randomisation and a small sample size.

Conclusion

Surgical treatment resulted in a favourable outcome. GRF analysis could detect subtle differences in weight bearing in dogs treated for MPL, which might not be apparent clinically. There might be a higher risk for reluxation for TWR. However, a larger‐scale prospective study would be required to find which treatment is superior.
A hundred-year-old mystery—the reproductive mode and larval morphology of the enigmatic frog genus Allophryne (Amphibia; Anura; Allophrynidae)
Authors: dos Santos Dias Pedro Henrique , Delia Jesse , Taboada Carlos , Altig Ronald , Rada Marco
Published: April 2024

Frogs of the Allophrynidae are an enigmatic family from South America. To date, published information is lacking regarding this group’s reproductive biology and larval morphology. Here, we provide the first detailed description of the reproductive mode, developmental mode, and tadpole morphology for Allophryne ruthveni. We developed a captive breeding and rearing protocol for this species and then conducted a series of observations to describe aspects of its reproductive biology. In captivity, this species exhibits aquatic oviposition, where single eggs are laid ungrouped within a simple jelly capsule and are scattered free in the water column before sinking to develop on benthic substrates. We did not observe parental care nor any parental interactions with eggs post-fertilization. Tadpoles are characterized by an oval body, anteroventral oral disc, a labial tooth row formula of 2(2)/3, and a dextral vent tube. The buccopharyngeal cavity is marked by the presence of two pairs of infralabial papilla and four lingual papillae. Cranial morphology is characterized by the presence of the commissura quadratoorbital. This species possesses an additional slip of the m. rectus cervicis and of the m. levator arcuum branchialium III. We discuss our results in comparison with glassfrogs (Centrolenidae).
Problematic social media use and psychological symptoms in adolescents
Authors: Mojtabai Ramin
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study examined time trends in significant child and adolescent psychological symptoms and explored the association of frequent and problematic social media use with these symptoms.

Methods

Time trends in psychological symptoms were assessed using data from five waves of the international survey of Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC), conducted between 2001 and 2018 (N = 1,036,869). The associations of frequent and problematic social media use with significant psychological symptoms were assessed by hierarchical multinomial logistic regression using data from 2001–2002 and the 2017–2018 survey waves. The direction of effect between social media use variables and psychological symptoms was explored using Linear Non-Gaussian Acyclic Models (LiNGAM).

Results

Prevalence of more severe psychological symptoms increased from 6.7% in 2001–2002 to 10.4% in the 2017–2018 survey waves. The increase was especially large among 15-year old and older girls: from 10.9 to 19.1%. The higher prevalence of more severe psychological symptoms in 2017–2018 compared with 2001–2002 was eliminated after adjusting the model for problematic social media use. LiNGAM analysis supported the direction of effect going from social media use and problematic social media use to psychological symptoms.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that frequent and problematic use of social media contribute to the increasing trend of psychological symptoms in adolescents in recent years.
Changes in the ability to correctly identify schizophrenia and depression: results from general population surveys in Germany over 30 years
Authors: Grohmann Elise , Al-Addous Amani , Sander Christian , Dogan-Sander Ezgi , Baumann Eva , Angermeyer Matthias C. , Schomerus Georg
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine time trends in the ability to correctly identify schizophrenia and major depression within the German general population from 1990 to 2020, as an indicator of changing mental health literacy (MHL). Additionally, we investigated shifts in the use of stigmatizing language.

Methods

Our analysis is based on four waves of representative population surveys in Germany in 1990/1993 (West Germany: N = 2044, East Germany: N = 1563), 2001 (N = 5025), 2011 (N = 2455), and 2020 (N = 3042) using identical methodology. Respondents were presented with an unlabelled case vignette describing a person who exhibited symptoms of either schizophrenia or major depression. Participants were then asked to name the problem described in the vignette using an open-ended question.

Results

From 1990/1993 to 2020, correct identification of schizophrenia increased from 18% to 34% and from 27% to 46% for major depression. However, derogatory labels remained constant throughout all survey waves, particularly for schizophrenia (19% in 1990/1993 and 18% in 2020). For depression, more trivializing and potentially devaluing statements were recorded.

Conclusion

Despite the increasing use of psychiatric terminology among the general population, the persistence of derogatory labels suggests that improved MHL, reflected in higher recognition rates, may not automatically translate into a reduction in stigmatizing language. With depression, a normalization and trivialization of a severe illness could pose new challenges to people with major depression. Dedicated efforts to combat the stigma of severe mental illness are still needed.
Opening the black boxes of the black carpet in the era of risk society: a sociological analysis of AI, algorithms and big data at work through the case study of the Greek postal services
Authors: Kouroutzas Christos , Palamari Venetia
Published: April 2024

This article draws on contributions from the Sociology of Science and Technology and Science and Technology Studies, the Sociology of Risk and Uncertainty, and the Sociology of Work, focusing on the transformations of employment regarding expanded automation, robotization and informatization. The new work patterns emerging due to the introduction of software and hardware technologies, which are based on artificial intelligence, algorithms, big data gathering and robotic systems are examined closely. This article attempts to “open the black boxes” of the “black carpet” (robotic sorting system) and examine the reorganization of Greek postal services through the introduction of software and hardware technologies, highlighting a) the high risk of flexible, pluralistic, decentralized (under)employment and aspects of the sub-politics of automation, b) the new forms of work organization and c) aspects of labor precariousness as a result of de-specialization or “flexible expertise” interconnected with new forms of inequalities based on AI, algorithms, big data and robots as reflected in the lived experiences of workers. The above are investigated through primary empirical social research in postal service companies in Greece.
Second-order productivity, second-order payoffs, and the Banzhaf value
Authors: Casajus André , Takeng Rodrigue Tido
Published: April 2024

First, we suggest and discuss second-order versions of properties for solutions for TU games used to characterize the Banzhaf value, in particular, of standardness for two-player games, of the dummy player property, and of 2-efficiency. Then, we provide a number of characterizations of the Banzhaf value invoking the following properties: (i) [second-order standardness for two-player games or the second-order dummy player property] and 2-efficiency, (ii) standardness for one-player games, standardness for two-player games, and second-order 2-efficiency, (iii) standardness for one-player games, [second-order standardness for two-player games or the second-order dummy player property], and second-order 2-efficiency. These characterizations also work within the classes of simple games, of superadditive games, and of simple superadditive games.
Evaluating the mutagenicity of N-nitrosodimethylamine in 2D and 3D HepaRG cell cultures using error-corrected next generation sequencing
Authors: Seo Ji-Eun , Le Yuan , Revollo Javier , Miranda-Colon Jaime , Xu Hannah , McKinzie Page , Mei Nan , Chen Tao , Heflich Robert H. , Zhou Tong , Robison Timothy , Bonzo Jessica A. , Guo Xiaoqing
Published: April 2024

Human liver-derived metabolically competent HepaRG cells have been successfully employed in both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D spheroid formats for performing the comet assay and micronucleus (MN) assay. In the present study, we have investigated expanding the genotoxicity endpoints evaluated in HepaRG cells by detecting mutagenesis using two error-corrected next generation sequencing (ecNGS) technologies, Duplex Sequencing (DS) and High-Fidelity (HiFi) Sequencing. Both HepaRG 2D cells and 3D spheroids were exposed for 72 h to N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), followed by an additional incubation for the fixation of induced mutations. NDMA-induced DNA damage, chromosomal damage, and mutagenesis were determined using the comet assay, MN assay, and ecNGS, respectively. The 72-h treatment with NDMA resulted in concentration-dependent increases in cytotoxicity, DNA damage, MN formation, and mutation frequency in both 2D and 3D cultures, with greater responses observed in the 3D spheroids compared to 2D cells. The mutational spectrum analysis showed that NDMA induced predominantly A:T → G:C transitions, along with a lower frequency of G:C → A:T transitions, and exhibited a different trinucleotide signature relative to the negative control. These results demonstrate that the HepaRG 2D cells and 3D spheroid models can be used for mutagenesis assessment using both DS and HiFi Sequencing, with the caveat that severe cytotoxic concentrations should be avoided when conducting DS. With further validation, the HepaRG 2D/3D system may become a powerful human-based metabolically competent platform for genotoxicity testing.
Hibiscus sabdariffa-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for fortified nutraceutical milks
Authors: Pimentel-Moral Sandra , Durazzo Alessandra , Lucarini Massimo , Fernández-Ochoa Álvaro , de la Luz Cádiz-Gurrea María , Arráez-Román David , Silva Amélia M. , Santini Antonello , Fonseca Joel , Segura-Carretero Antonio , Souto Eliana B.
Published: April 2024

The Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) belongs to the Malvaceae family, and originates from Africa. It is characterized by a high polyphenols content (e.g., quercetin and anthocyanins), and has recognized bioactivity, that makes this plant an interesting resource for possible addition of its extracts to dairy beverages and obtain functional beverages. Nonetheless, it may be observed that many of these phenolic compounds are not stable depending on the environmental conditions. In this work, we propose the use of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) as a carrier for the loading of H. sabdariffa extracts, for further incorporation in daily beverages. Polyphenols-enriched extracts from H. sabdariffa were obtained using two distinct extraction approaches: by (i) microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), or by (ii) pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The obtained extracts were then loaded into NLC to obtain two distinct samples identified as: HS-MAE-NLC and HS-PLE-NLC. The developed nanoparticles were then incorporated into a dairy beverage for the production of fortified milks identified with the same names. The long-term stability, texture properties and in vitro release profile were evaluated. The results show that the fortified milks, HS-MAE-NLC and HS-PLE-NLC, were stable under stress conditions attributed to the enhanced stability provided by the protein content present in the milk. The in vitro release profile of quercetin and anthocyanins from NLC-enriched dairy beverage was more prolonged than the milk containing the non-loaded extract, fitting better to the Korsmeyers–Peppas model. From our results, NLC may be considered a potential approach to formulate photoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant bioactives from H. sabdariffa adding the extracts into dairy beverages to increase their bioavailability, and bioactivity.
Exploring tradeoffs among diet quality and environmental impacts in self-selected diets: a population-based study
Authors: Mazac Rachel , Hyyrynen Matti , Kaartinen Niina E. , Männistö Satu , Irz Xavier , Hyytiäinen Kari , Tuomisto Hanna L. , Lombardini Chiara
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Proposed sustainable diets often deviate dramatically from currently consumed diets, excluding or drastically reducing entire food groups. Moreover, their environmental sustainability tends to be measured only in terms of greenhouse gases emissions. The aim of this study was to overcome these limitations and identify a cluster of already adopted, relatively healthy diets with substantially lower environmental impacts than the average diet. We also aimed to estimate the reduction in multiple environmental impacts that could be achieved by shifting to this diet cluster and highlight possible tradeoffs among environmental impacts.

Methods

The diet clusters were identified by applying energy-adjusted multiple factor analysis and hierarchical clustering to the dietary data of the National FinHealth 2017 Study (n = 5125) harmonized with life cycle assessment data on food products from Agribalyse 3.0 and Agri-Footprint using nutrient intakes and global warming potential, land use, and eutrophication of marine and freshwater systems as the active variables.

Results

We identified five diet clusters, none of which had the highest overall diet quality and lowest impact for all four environmental indicators. One cluster, including twenty percent of the individuals in the sample was identified as a “best compromise” diet with the highest diet quality and the second lowest environmental impacts of all clusters, except for freshwater eutrophication. The cluster did not exclude any food groups, but included more fruits, vegetables, and fish and less of all other animal-source foods than average. Shifting to this cluster diet could raise diet quality while achieving significant reductions in most but not all environmental impacts.

Conclusion

There are tradeoffs among the environmental impacts of diets. Thus, future dietary analyses should consider multiple sustainability indicators simultaneously. Cluster analysis is a useful tool to help design tailored, socio-culturally acceptable dietary transition paths towards high diet quality and lower environmental impact.
Naming fMRI-guided white matter language tract volumes influence naming decline after temporal lobe resection
Authors: Trimmel Karin , Vos Sjoerd B. , Binding Lawrence , Caciagli Lorenzo , Xiao Fenglai , van Graan Louis A. , Koepp Matthias J. , Thompson Pamela J. , Duncan John S.
Published: April 2024

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the relation of language functional MRI (fMRI)-guided tractography with postsurgical naming decline in people with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods

Twenty patients with unilateral TLE (9 left) were studied with auditory and picture naming functional MRI tasks. Activation maxima in the left posterobasal temporal lobe were used as seed regions for whole-brain fibre tractography. Clinical naming performance was assessed preoperatively, 4 months, and 12 months following temporal lobe resection. Volumes of white matter language tracts in both hemispheres as well as tract volume laterality indices were explored as moderators of postoperative naming decline using Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression with other clinical variables.

Results

Larger volumes of white matter language tracts derived from auditory and picture naming maxima in the hemisphere of subsequent surgery as well as stronger lateralization of picture naming tract volumes to the side of surgery correlated with greater language decline, which was independent of fMRI lateralization status. Multiple regression for picture naming tract volumes was associated with a significant decline of naming function with 100% sensitivity and 93% specificity at both short-term and long-term follow-up.

Interpretation

Naming fMRI-guided white matter language tract volumes relate to postoperative naming decline after temporal lobe resection in people with TLE. This can assist stratification of surgical outcome and minimize risk of postoperative language deficits in TLE.
Stability against fluctuations: a two-dimensional study of scaling, bifurcations and spontaneous symmetry breaking in stochastic models of synaptic plasticity
Authors: Elliott Terry
Published: April 2024

Stochastic models of synaptic plasticity must confront the corrosive influence of fluctuations in synaptic strength on patterns of synaptic connectivity. To solve this problem, we have proposed that synapses act as filters, integrating plasticity induction signals and expressing changes in synaptic strength only upon reaching filter threshold. Our earlier analytical study calculated the lifetimes of quasi-stable patterns of synaptic connectivity with synaptic filtering. We showed that the plasticity step size in a stochastic model of spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) acts as a temperature-like parameter, exhibiting a critical value below which neuronal structure formation occurs. The filter threshold scales this temperature-like parameter downwards, cooling the dynamics and enhancing stability. A key step in this calculation was a resetting approximation, essentially reducing the dynamics to one-dimensional processes. Here, we revisit our earlier study to examine this resetting approximation, with the aim of understanding in detail why it works so well by comparing it, and a simpler approximation, to the system’s full dynamics consisting of various embedded two-dimensional processes without resetting. Comparing the full system to the simpler approximation, to our original resetting approximation, and to a one-afferent system, we show that their equilibrium distributions of synaptic strengths and critical plasticity step sizes are all qualitatively similar, and increasingly quantitatively similar as the filter threshold increases. This increasing similarity is due to the decorrelation in changes in synaptic strength between different afferents caused by our STDP model, and the amplification of this decorrelation with larger synaptic filters.
Clinical risk factors for portal hypertension-related complications in systemic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Fujiwara Kisako , Kondo Takayuki , Fujimoto Kentaro , Yumita Sae , Ogawa Keita , Ishino Takamasa , Nakagawa Miyuki , Iwanaga Terunao , Tsuchiya Satoshi , Koroki Keisuke , Kanzaki Hiroaki , Inoue Masanori , Kobayashi Kazufumi , Kiyono Soichiro , Nakamura Masato , Kanogawa Naoya , Ogasawara Sadahisa , Nakamoto Shingo , Chiba Tetsuhiro , Koizumi Jun , Kato Jun , Kato Naoya
Published: April 2024

Background

During systemic therapy, the management of portal hypertension (PH)-related complications is vital. This study aimed to clarify factors associated with the incidence and exacerbation of PH-related complications, including the usefulness of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in the management of PH-related complications during systemic therapy.

Methods

A total of 669 patients who received systemic therapy as first-line treatment (443 patients for sorafenib, 131 for lenvatinib, and 90 for atezolizumab/bevacizumab [ATZ/BEV]) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Additionally, the lower esophageal intramural vessel diameters (EIV) on CECT and endoscopic findings in 358 patients were compared.

Results

The cutoff values of the EIV diameter on CECT were 3.1 mm for small, 5.1 mm for medium, and 7.6 mm for large varices, demonstrating high concordance with the endoscopic findings. esophageal varices (EV) bleeding predictors include EIV ≥ 3.1 mm and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). In patients without EV before systemic therapy, factors associated with EV exacerbation after 3 months were EIV ≥ 1.9 mm and ATZ/BEV use. Predictors of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) include the ammonia level or portosystemic shunt diameter ≥ 6.8 mm. The incidence of HE within 2 weeks was significantly higher (18%) in patients with an ammonia level ≥ 73 μmol/L and a portosystemic shunt ≥ 6.8 mm. The exacerbating factors for ascites after 3 months were PVTT and low albumin levels.

Conclusions

Careful management is warranted for patients with risk factors for exacerbation of PH-related complications; moreover, the effective use of CECT is clinically important.
Extending intergranular normal-stress distributions using symmetries of linear-elastic polycrystalline materials
Authors: El Shawish Samir
Published: April 2024

Intergranular normal stresses (INS) are critical in the initiation and evolution of grain boundary damage in polycrystalline materials. To model the effects of such microstructural damage on a macroscopic scale, knowledge of INS is usually required statistically at each representative volume element subjected to various loading conditions. However, calculating INS distributions for different stress states can be cumbersome and time-consuming. This study proposes a new method to extend the existing INS distributions to arbitrary loading conditions using the symmetries of a polycrystalline material composed of randomly oriented linear-elastic grains with arbitrary lattice symmetry. The method relies on a fact that INS distributions can be accurately reproduced from the first (typically) ten statistical moments, which depend trivially on just three stress invariants and a few material invariants due to assumed isotropy and material linearity of the polycrystalline model. While these material invariants are complex averages, they can be extracted numerically from a few existing INS distributions and tabulated for later use. Practically, only three such INS distributions at properly selected loadings are required to provide all relevant material invariants for the first 11 statistical moments, which can then be used to reconstruct the INS distribution for arbitrary loading conditions. The proposed approach is demonstrated to be accurate and feasible for an arbitrarily selected linear-elastic material under various loading conditions.
The hemostatic and comforting effects of oral adhesive bandages in tooth extraction: a randomized controlled clinical study
Authors: Zhou Xiaocheng , Cai Yu , Zhao Jihong
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To compare oral adhesive bandages with the classic compression method and evaluate the clinical efficacy of this wound dressing material in improving postoperative comfort, wound healing, and hemostasis in tooth extraction.

Materials and methods

The study was designed as a randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 120 patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the study group and the control group. In the study group, oral adhesive bandages were used as wound dressing. In the control group, patients bit on cotton balls and gauze, as usual. Hemorrhage, comfort, and healing levels were evaluated at postoperative 1 h, 24 h, and 7 days. The adhesion time of the oral adhesive bandages was also recorded.

Results

The average adhesion time of the oral adhesive bandages was 26.6 h. At postoperative 1 and 24 h, the hemostatic levels of the oral adhesive bandage group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The oral adhesive bandage group also reported significantly higher comfort scores than the control group. Both groups had similar healing levels and side effects. But the mean score for wound healing was slightly higher in the oral adhesive bandage group.

Conclusions

Oral adhesive bandages were more effective than cotton balls and gauze in providing hemostatic and comfort effects on extraction wounds.

Clinical relevance

Oral adhesive bandages possess clinical value in the management of extraction wounds.
Focalize K-NN: an imputation algorithm for time series datasets
Authors: Almeida Ana , Brás Susana , Sargento Susana , Pinto Filipe Cabral
Published: April 2024

The effective use of time series data is crucial in business decision-making. Temporal data reveals temporal trends and patterns, enabling decision-makers to make informed decisions and prevent potential problems. However, missing values in time series data can interfere with the analysis and lead to inaccurate conclusions. Thus, our work proposes a Focalize K-NN method that leverages time series properties to perform missing data imputation. This approach shows the benefits of taking advantage of correlated features and temporal lags to improve the performance of the traditional K-NN imputer. A similar approach could be employed in other methods. We tested this approach with two datasets, various parameter and feature combinations, and observed that it is beneficial in scenarios with disjoint missing patterns. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of Focalize K-NN for imputing missing values in time series data. The more noticeable benefits of our methods occur when there is a high percentage of missing data. However, as the amount of missing data increases, so does the error.
Virtual rehabilitation for patients with osteoporosis or other musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Thuilier Eléa , Carey John , Dempsey Mary , Dingliana John , Whelan Bryan , Brennan Attracta
Published: April 2024

This study aims to identify effective ways to design virtual rehabilitation to obtain physical improvement (e.g. balance and gait) and support engagement (i.e. motivation) for people with osteoporosis or other musculoskeletal disorders. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder and is among the most prevalent diseases globally, affecting 0.5 billion adults. Despite the fact that the number of people with osteoporosis is similar to, or greater than those diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and dementia, osteoporosis does not receive the same recognition. Worldwide, osteoporosis causes 8.9 million fractures annually; it is associated with substantial pain, suffering, disability and increased mortality. The importance of physical therapy as a rehabilitation strategy to avoid osteoporosis fracture cannot be over-emphasised. However, the main rehabilitation challenges relate to engagement and participation. The use of virtual rehabilitation to address such challenges in the delivery of physical improvement is gaining in popularity. As there currently is a paucity of literature applying virtual rehabilitation to patients with osteoporosis, the authors broadened the search parameters to include articles relating to the virtual rehabilitation of other skeletal disorders (e.g. Ankylosing spondylitis, spinal cord injury, motor rehabilitation, etc.). This systematic review initially identified 130 titles, from which 23 articles (involving 539 participants) met all eligibility and selection criteria. Four groups of devices supporting virtual rehabilitation were identified: a head-mounted display, a balance board, a camera and more specific devices. Each device supported physical improvement (i.e. balance, muscle strength and gait) post-training. This review has shown that: (a) each device allowed improvement with different degrees of immersion, (b) the technology choice is dependent on the care need and (c) virtual rehabilitation can be equivalent to and enhance conventional therapy and potentially increase the patient’s engagement with physical therapy.
Root surface roughness evaluation following application of different periodontal instruments and Er:YAG laser: A profilometry and SEM study
Authors: İnce Kuka Gizem , Gürsoy Hare
Published: April 2024

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of 30°-angled Er:YAG laser tip and different periodontal instruments on root surface roughness and morphology in vitro.

Methods

Eighteen bovine teeth root without carious lesion were decoronated from the cementoenamel junction and seperated longitidunally. A total of 36 obtained blocks were mounted in resin blocks and polished with silicon carbide papers under water irrigation. These blocks were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups. In Group 1, 30°-angled Er:YAG laser (2.94 μm) tip was applied onto the blocks with a 20 Hz, 120 mJ energy output under water irrigation for 20 s. In Groups 2 and 3, the same treatment was applied to the blocks with new generation ultrasonic tip and conventional curette apico-coronally for 20 s with a sweeping motion. Surface roughness and morphology were evaluated before and after instrumentation with a profilometer and SEM, respectively.

Results

After instrumentation, profilometric analysis revealed significantly higher roughness values compared to baseline in all treatment groups(p < 0.05). Laser group revealed the roughest surface morphology followed by conventional curette and new generation ultrasonic tip treatment groups (p < 0.05). In SEM analysis, irregular surfaces and crater defects were seen more frequently in the laser group.

Conclusion

Results of the study showed that the use of new generation ultrasonic tip was associated with smoother surface morphology compared to 30°-angled Er-YAG laser tip and conventional curette. Further in vitro and in vivo studies with an increased sample size are necessary to support the present study findings.
Development and validation of a nomogram to predict overall survival in patients with redefined anaplastic thyroid carcinoma based on the SEER database
Authors: Zhang Chuyue , Li Bin , Yang Yan
Published: April 2024

Background

According to the latest classification of thyroid tumors released by the WHO in 2022, primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (PSCCTh) is classified as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). The objective of this study was to determine the differences in characteristics between ATC and PSCCTh and develop a nomogram to predict overall survival patients with the redefined anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (rATC).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with ATC and PSCCTh between 2000 and 2018 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were enrolled and randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort with a ratio of 7:3. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to determine independent prognostic factors of rATC patients. We then developed and validated nomograms to predict the 3-, 6- and 12-month OS of rATC and the results were evaluated by C-index and calibration curves.

Results

After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 1338 ATC and 127 PSCCTh patients were included in the study. Further, OS and CSS of patients with PSCCTh were better than that of patients with ATC. Prognostic factors were not identical for the two cancers. Multivariate Cox model analysis indicated that age, tumor size, metastasis, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy are independent prognostic factors for CSS in patients with ATC; while for patients with PSCCTh, the corresponding factors are age, and surgery. We selected six survival predictors (age, tumor size, metastasis, surgery, radiation, and, chemotherapy) for nomogram construction. The C-indexes in the training and validation cohort were 0.740 and 0.778, respectively, reflecting the good discrimination ability of the model. The calibration curves also showed good consistency in the probability of 3-, 6-, and 12-month OS between the actual observation and the nomogram prediction.

Conclusion

We constructed a nomogram to provide a convenient and reliable tool for predicting OS in rATC patients. Prognostic factors influencing CSS were not identical in patients with ATC and PSCCTh. These findings indicate that different clinical treatment and management plans are required for patients with these two types of thyroid cancer.
Exploring Ca and Sr stannate perovskites as adsorbents for Congo Red removal
Authors: Reinders Nataliia , Luxová Jana , Dohnalová Žaneta , Šulcová Petra
Published: April 2024

Organic azo-dyes, including Congo Red, present a significant environmental concern due to their widespread industrial usage and resistance to biodegradation, leading to severe contamination of effluents. This study explores the efficacy of two basic perovskites (MSnO3, where M = Ca and Sr) in removing Congo Red by adsorption, offering a potential solution for wastewater treatment. The synthesis of the adsorbents was performed by a coprecipitation technique, an effective and no-waste producing method. By adjusting reaction conditions, the physical-chemical characteristics of the perovskites, including crystallinity, morphological features, surface area and porosity, were controlled. Adsorption studies conducted across a range of Congo Red concentrations (10–100 mg L− 1) at pH 10 revealed MSnO3 to possess exceptional adsorption capacity exceeding 100 mg per gram. The results indicate irreversible adsorption and potential adsorbent regeneration by thermal treatment. Slow kinetics also suggest strong binding forces aligned with the fundamentals of pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetic model. Regarding the impact of the synthesis parameters, while the precipitation conditions may not significantly influence adsorption performance, perovskite samples synthesized at higher temperatures are considered more suitable for this application due to their enhanced stability and regenerative capabilities for repeated use. Estimated correlations between sample parameters and adsorption efficiency provide a valuable insight for the practical application of oxide perovskites in addressing dye contamination issues.
Dynamical low-rank approximation of the Vlasov–Poisson equation with piecewise linear spatial boundary
Authors: Uschmajew André , Zeiser Andreas
Published: April 2024

Dynamical low-rank approximation (DLRA) for the numerical simulation of Vlasov–Poisson equations is based on separation of space and velocity variables, as proposed in several recent works. The standard approach for the time integration in the DLRA model uses a splitting of the tangent space projector for the low-rank manifold according to the separated variables. It can also be modified to allow for rank-adaptivity. A less studied aspect is the incorporation of boundary conditions in the DLRA model. In this work, a variational formulation of the projector splitting is proposed which allows to handle inflow boundary conditions on spatial domains with piecewise linear boundary. Numerical experiments demonstrate the principle feasibility of this approach.