bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Closed Relations and Lyapunov Functions for Dynamical Polysystems
Authors: Cazacu George
Published: May 2023

This work follows the ideas of E. Akin in an attempt to ease the construction of strict Lyapunov functionsfor dynamical polysystems by means of closed relations. A "best hope" type of result is presented.
Evaluation of a high resolution diode array for CyberKnife quality assurance
Authors: García‐Fuentes Juan D. , Sevillano David , Colmenares Rafael , Capuz Ana B. , Morís Rafael , Cámara Miguel , Galiano Pablo , Williamson Sandra , Béjar María J. , Prieto Daniel , García‐Vicente Feliciano
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The CyberKnife quality assurance (QA) program relies mainly on the use of radiochromic film (RCF). We aimed at evaluating high‐resolution arrays of detectors as an alternative to films for CyberKnife machine QA.

Methods

This study will test the SRS Mapcheck (Sun Nuclear, Melbourne, Florida, USA) diode array and its own software, which allows three tests of the CyberKnife QA program to be performed. The first one is a geometrical accuracy test based on the delivery of two orthogonal beams (Automated Quality Assurance, AQA). Besides comparing the constancy and repeatability of both methods, known errors will be introduced to check their sensitivity. The second checks the constancy of the iris collimator field sizes (Iris QA). Changes in the field sizes will be introduced to study the array sensitivity. The last test checks the correct positioning of the multileaf collimator (MLC). It will be tested introducing known systematic displacements to whole banks and to single leaves.

Results

The results of the RCF and diode array were equivalent (maximum differences of 0.18 ± 0.14 mm) for the AQA test, showing the array a higher reproducibility. When known errors were introduced, both methods behaved linearly with similar slopes. Regarding Iris QA, the array measurements are highly linear when changes in the field sizes are introduced. Linear regressions show slopes of 0.96–1.17 with r2 above 0.99 in all field sizes. Diode array seems to detect changes of 0.1 mm. In MLC QA, systematic errors of the whole bank of leaves were not detected by the array, while single leaf errors were detected.

Conclusions

The diode array is sensitive and accurate in the AQA and Iris QA tests, which give us the possibility of substituting RCF with a diode array. QA would be performed faster than using the film procedure, obtaining reliable results. Regarding the MLC QA, the inability to detect systematic displacements make it difficult to confidently use the detector.
SAMHSA continues methadone take‐home flexibility
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2023

Below is information from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on guidance for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) on exemptions from the take‐home regulations. The exemptions continue for one year beyond the end of the COVID‐19 emergency. It ended on May 11, 2023. So OTPs can continue to provide flexible take‐homes to methadone patients, providing the appropriate criteria (listed below) are met.
Dissecting the Interrelationship between COVID‐19 and Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Roham Pratiksha H. , Kamath Jayesh J. , Sharma Shilpy
Published: May 2023

COVID‐19 disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), has led to enormous morbidity and mortality worldwide. After gaining entry into the human host, the virus initially infects the upper and lower respiratory tract, subsequently invading multiple organs, including the pancreas. While on one hand, diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant risk factor for severe COVID‐19 infection and associated death, recent reports have shown the onset of DM in COVID‐19‐recovered patients. SARS‐CoV‐2 infiltrates the pancreatic islets and activates stress response and inflammatory signaling pathways, impairs glucose metabolism, and consequently leads to their death. Indeed, the pancreatic autopsy samples of COVID‐19 patients reveal the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 particles inβ‐cells. The current review describes how the virus enters the host cells and activates an immunological response. Further, it takes a closer look into the interrelationship between COVID‐19 and DM with the aim to provide mechanistic insights into the process by which SARS‐CoV‐2 infects the pancreas and mediates dysfunction and death of endocrine islets. The effects of known anti‐diabetic interventions for COVID‐19 management are also discussed. The application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a future therapy for pancreaticβ‐cells damage to reverse COVID‐19‐induced DM is also emphasized.
Electrically Wavelength‐Controllable Color Filters with High Optical Transmittance Using Heterogeneous Chiral Liquid Crystals
Authors: Wang Dahee , Nam Seungmin , Jung Wontae , Yang Hak Jun , Choi Su Seok
Published: May 2023

Optical signals necessitate using filters that selectively transmit or reflect light with the desired wavelength information. In visual imaging‐related devices, a color filter acts as a wavelength selector to extract certain information from the incident light. To overcome the limitations of commercial pigmented color filters, structural color filters with controllable photonic bandgaps (PBGs) have recently attracted significant interest. Especially, chiral liquid crystal (CLC) has been widely investigated for tunable color filters owing to its selective reflection. However, most of the research has been limited to the control of conventional reflection rather than transmission wavelength. This study proposes an electrically wavelength‐tunable color filter with high optical transmittance using a heterogeneous CLC with extremely small voltages not exceeding 1.4 V. Electrothermal tuning of CLC is approached so that transmission wavelength of the device can be tuned among red, green, and blue. Moreover, analog pixel binning using CLC color filters is explored in a tetra‐layout beyond state‐of‐the‐art pixel binning with post‐capture digital image processing. Dynamic and direct binning can prevent the quality degradation of the images captured under low‐light illumination in image sensors. The wavelength‐tunable transmission color filter proposed in this study is expected to facilitate future electro‐optical dynamic color filter applications.
Integrated Moist‐Thermoelectric Generator for Efficient Waste Steam Energy Utilization
Authors: Yang Mingchen , Hu Yin , Zheng Sijie , Liu Ziyang , Li Weizheng , Yan Feng
Published: May 2023

Industrial waste steam is one of the major sources of global energy losses. Therefore, the collection and conversion of waste steam energy into electricity have aroused great interest. Here, a “two‐in‐one” strategy is reported that combines thermoelectric and moist‐electric generation mechanisms for a highly efficient flexible moist‐thermoelectric generator (MTEG). The spontaneous adsorption of water molecules and heat in the polyelectrolyte membrane induces the fast dissociation and diffusion of Na+ and H+, resulting in the high electricity generation. Thus, the assembled flexible MTEG generates power with a high open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.81 V (effective area = 1cm2) and a power density of up to 4.75±0.4 µW cm−2. With efficient integration, a 12‐unit MTEG can produce a Voc of 15.97 V, which is superior to most known TEGs and MEGs. The integrated and flexible MTEGs reported herein provide new insights for harvesting energy from industrial waste steam.
Markov model planning on the adoption of an enhanced wheat cultivar
Authors: Golpira Hiwa , Rashidian Parviz , Demmel Markus
Published: May 2023

Predictions on the time needed to adopt new technologies can be used for planning purposes. These predictions should be calculated using a Markov planning model, which is a probabilistic approach to estimating the speed of adoption. In a research project, a data‐driven model was developed to simulate the adoption rate of an enhanced, drought‐resistant rain‐fed hard wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar in Kurdistan, Iran. The growers’ decision‐making on cultivar replacement was mapped onto the transition matrix, state probability, transition diagram, and tree of the states of the Markov process to compute the limiting probability of the stochastic model, thereby simulating the adoption rate of the wheat cultivar. The mathematical model, which achieves a convergence of 82% adoption for the enhanced wheat cultivar within 5 years, simulates farmers’ behavior and knowledge to enhance food security. Simulating the future of new technology in food and agricultural systems using the proposed methodology can assist policymakers in making informed decisions.
Why Arbitration Will Be the Dispute Resolution Go‐To For the Paris Climate Change Treaty
Authors: Jedrzejowski Paulina
Published: May 2023

In December 2015, 196 nations met to discuss the critical issue of climate change and to negotiate an agreement which culminated in the Paris Agreement Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, best known as the Paris Agreement, a treaty in which countries agreed to maintain global temperature rise below 2°C in relation to pre‐industrial levels and make efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
U.K. Contractor's Arbitration Award Against Nigeria Is a Three‐Continent, ADR‐in‐Politics Controversy
Authors: Jedrzejowski Paulina
Published: May 2023

There are developments on the way in a long‐running case involving an allegedly fraudulent $11 billion arbitral award against Nigeria, in which the District of Columbia U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year reaffirmed that foreign sovereigns are not immune from the jurisdiction of U.S. courts in arbitration cases. Process and Industrial Developments Ltd. v. Fed. Republic of Nigeria, 27 F.4th 771 (D.C. Cir. 2022). The decision left a longstanding arbitration award undisturbed.
Characterization of genetic humanized mice with transgenic HLA DP401 or DRA but deficient in endogenous murine MHC class II genes upon Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia
Authors: Li Feng , Niu Bowen , Liu Lingling , Zhu Mengmin , Yang Hua , Qin Boyin , Peng Xiuhua , Chen Lixiang , Xu Chunhua , Zhou Xiaohui
Published: May 2023

Background

Staphylococcus aureus can cause serious infections by secreting many superantigen exotoxins in “carrier” or “pathogenic” states. HLA DQ and HLA DR humanized mice have been used as a small animal model to study the role of two molecules during S. aureus infection. However, the contribution of HLA DP to S. aureus infection is unknown yet.

Methods

In this study, we have produced HLA DP401 and HLA DRA0101 humanized mice by microinjection of C57BL/6J zygotes. Neo‐floxed IAβ+/− mice were crossbred with Ella‐Cre and further crossbred with HLA DP401 or HLA‐DRA0101 humanized mice. After several rounds of traditional crossbreeding, we finally obtained HLA DP401‐IAβ−/− and HLA DRA‐IAβ−/− humanized mice, in which human DP401 or DRA0101 molecule was introduced into IAβ−/− mice deficient in endogenous murine MHC class II molecules. A transnasal infection murine model of S. aureus pneumonia was induced in the humanized mice by administering 2 × 108 CFU of S. aureus Newman dropwise into the nasal cavity. The immune responses and histopathology changes were further assessed in lungs in these infected mice.

Results

We evaluated the local and systemic effects of S. aureus delivered intranasally in HLA DP401‐IAβ−/− and HLA DRA‐IAβ−/− transgenic mice. S. aureus Newman infection significantly increased the mRNA level of IL 12p40 in lungs in humanized mice. An increase in IFN‐γ and IL‐6 protein was observed in HLA DRA‐IAβ−/− mice. We observed a declining trend in the percentage of F4/80+ macrophages in lungs in HLA DP401‐IAβ−/− mice and a decreasing ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T cells in lungs in IAβ−/− mice and HLA DP401‐IAβ−/− mice. A decreasing ratio of Vβ3+ to Vβ8+ T cells was also found in the lymph node of IAβ−/− mice and HLA DP401‐IAβ−/− mice. S. aureus Newman infection resulted in a weaker pathological injury in lungs in IAβ−/− genetic background mice.

Conclusion

These humanized mice will be an invaluable mouse model to resolve the pathological mechanism of S. aureus pneumonia and study what role DP molecule plays in S. aureus infection.
Quantum Simulation of Tunable Neuron Activation
Authors: Yan Wei‐Bin , Zhang Ying‐Jie , Man Zhong‐Xiao , Fan Heng , Xia Yun‐Jie
Published: May 2023

The activation of the neuron is simulated by a quantum circuit. When the circuit is deep enough, the output qubit is deterministically in the state if the probability of the input qubit in the designated state is larger than the threshold value. Conversely, the output qubit is deterministically in the state if the probability is smaller than the threshold value. The threshold value is adjustable. When the depth of the circuit is limited, the nonlinear relations between the input and the output can also be realized.
Extensive characterization of pretreated/enzyme treated cellulosicAreca catechu L. peduncle fiber for polymer composite applications
Authors: Binoj Joseph Selvi , Jaafar Mariatti , Brailson Mansingh Bright , Varaprasad Karu Clement
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates thermo‐mechanical, chemical, and morphological characteristics of alkali pretreated and enzyme treatedAreca catechutree peduncle fibers (ACTPFs) for probable reinforcement in polymer composites. ACTPFs were pre‐treated with 0.4 M NaOH solution and treated with enzymes such as xylanase, laccase, and pectinase before investigations. Alkali pre‐treated ACTPF (AACTPF) cum pectinase treated AACTPF (PAACTPF) exhibited maximum cellulose content 57.28 wt% and single fiber tensile strength 203.5 ± 22.12 MPa. Further, the crystallinity index and crystal size of PAACTPF was determined as 55% and 12.9 nm by x‐ray diffraction analysis. Also, the prevalence of chemical bonds and thermal stability up to 233°C in PAACTPF was exposed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and thermogravimetric analysis respectively. Moreover, the coarse surface of PAACTPF viewed through scanning electron microscope owing to removal of amorphous contents makes it a considerable counterpart for substitutional reinforcement to artificial fibers in polymer composites.
Aspect sentiment mining of short bullet screen comments from online TV series
Authors: Liu Jiayue , Zhou Ziyao , Gao Ming , Tang Jiafu , Fan Weiguo
Published: May 2023

Bullet screen comments (BSCs) are user‐generated short comments that appear as real‐time overlays on many video platforms, expressing the audience opinions and emotions about different aspects of the ongoing video. Unlike traditional long comments after a show, BSCs are often incomplete, ambiguous in context, and correlated over time. Current studies in sentiment analysis of BSCs rarely address these challenges, motivating us to develop an aspect‐level sentiment analysis framework. Our framework, BSCNET, is a pre‐trained language encoder‐based deep neural classifier designed to enhance semantic understanding. A novel neighbor context construction method is proposed to uncover latent contextual correlation among BSCs over time, and we also incorporate semi‐supervised learning to reduce labeling costs. The framework increases F1 (Macro) and accuracy by up to 10% and 10.2%, respectively. Additionally, we have developed two novel downstream tasks. The first is noisy BSCs identification, which reached F1 (Macro) and accuracy of 90.1% and 98.3%, respectively, through fine‐tuning the BSCNET. The second is the prediction of future episode popularity, where the MAPE is reduced by 11%–19.0% when incorporating sentiment features. Overall, this study provides a methodology reference for aspect‐level sentiment analysis of BSCs and highlights its potential for viewing experience or forthcoming content optimization.
Design Strategy for Enabling Multifunctional Properties of Anthracene‐based Emitters
Authors: Deori Upasana , Ravindran Ezhakudiyan , Nanda Gyana Prakash , Ramanath Suman G. , Acharya Upasha , Gandeepan Parthasarathy , Rajamalli Pachaiyappan
Published: May 2023

The design of multifunctional materials is a challenging and important objective for a wide array of multidisciplinary applications. However, a multifunctional organic emitter exhibiting simultaneous aggregation‐induced emission (AIE), multi‐responsive polymorphs, mechanoluminescence and electroluminescence have been scarce. In this study, two anthracene based compounds, namely 10‐(4‐(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)phenyl)anthracene‐9‐carbonitrile (CzPACN) and 10‐(4‐(di‐p‐tolylamino)phenyl)anthracene‐9‐carbonitrile (DTPACN) was designed and synthesized with rigid and flexible donors, respectively. The CzPACN shows the bright blue emission and DTPACN shows the bright green emission in solution. We have demonstrated an effective strategy to achieve three polymorphic phases such as DTPACN‐α, DTPACN‐β and DTPACN‐γ from DTPACN by controlling the temperature. Under mechanical stimuli, highly restricted and non‐planar crystals of the structurally tuned polymorphs DTPACN‐α, and DTPACN‐β exhibited red shifted emission and DTPACN‐γ showed blue shifted emission. Conversely, CzPACN is not showing polymorphism and is not sensitive to external stimuli. In addition, blue and green OLEDs were fabricated using CzPACN and DTPACN, respectively, as an emitter and achieved a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 5.5% and 5.7%, respectively, for blue and green OLEDs. Further, this study suggests designing multi‐responsive smart materials via a simple modification by introducing a non‐planar unit with a large twist.
Novel piperazine‐based ionizable lipid nanoparticles allow the repeated dose of mRNA to fibrotic lungs with improved potency and safety
Authors: Kim Minjeong , Jeong Michaela , Lee Gyeongseok , Lee Yeji , Park Jeongeun , Jung Hyein , Im Seongeun , Yang Joo‐Sung , Kim Kyungjin , Lee Hyukjin
Published: May 2023

mRNA‐based protein replacement therapy has received much attention as a novel intervention in clinical disease treatment. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are widely used for their therapeutic potential to efficiently deliver mRNA. However, clinical translation has been hampered by the immunogenicity of LNPs that may aggravate underlying disease states. Here, we report a novel ionizable LNP with enhanced potency and safety. The piperazine‐based biodegradable ionizable lipid (244cis) was developed for LNP formulation and its level of protein expression and immunogenicity in the target tissue was evaluated. It was found that 244cis LNP enabled substantial expression of the target protein (human erythropoietin), while it minimally induced the secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) as compared to other conventional LNPs. Selective lung targeting of 244cis LNP was further investigated in tdTomato transgenic mice with bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). The repeated administration of 244cis LNP with Cre recombinase mRNA achieved complete transfection of lung endothelial cells (~80%) and over 40% transfection of Sca‐1‐positive fibroblasts. It was shown that 244cis LNP allows the repeated dose of mRNA without the loss of activity due to its low immunogenicity. Our results demonstrate that 244cis LNP has great potential for the treatment of chronic diseases in the lungs with improved potency and safety.
Trajectory‐BERT: Pre‐training and fine‐tuning bidirectional transformers for crowd trajectory enhancement
Authors: Li Lingyu , Huang Tianyu , Li Yihao , Li Peng
Published: May 2023

To address the issue of trajectory fragments and ID switches caused by occlusion in dense crowds, we propose a space‐time trajectory encoding method and a point‐line‐group division method to construct Trajectory‐BERT in this paper. Leveraging the spatiotemporal context‐dependent features of trajectories, we introduce pre‐training and fine‐tuning Trajectory‐BERT tasks to repair occluded trajectories. Experimental results show that data augmented with Trajectory‐BERT outperforms raw annotated data on the MOTA metric and reduces ID switches in raw labeled data, demonstrating the feasibility of our method.
Is there a role for role‐playing games in psychotherapy?
Authors: Vanderslice Samantha
Published: May 2023

You are an elven bard. Carrying a lute on your back, you have just entered the town of Nightstone on a mission to find a mystical orb. There you see a band of druids deep in conversation. They appear friendly, but you still feel nervous. What do you want to do?
Ischemic stroke at first presentation of Takayasu arteritis in a young African male from Kenya, East Africa: Case report and brief literature review
Authors: Owino Christopher , Sirera Betty , Tarus Felix , Ganda Beryl , Oduor Chrispine , Siika Abraham
Published: May 2023

Key Clinical Message

This case highlights the need for thorough clinical examination to rule out Takayasu arteritis (TA) as a cause of stroke in a young asymptomatic East‐African male. Available clinical management guidelines should guide management of TA patients.

We present a case of a young, previously asymptomatic East‐African Black male presenting with large territory ischemic infarct at first diagnosis of TA. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of a male patient in East Africa with a stroke as the first presentation of TA.
Use of the osmolal gap in diagnosing mixed physiology hyponatremia in a child with B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Gabbay Jonathan M. , Place Andrew E. , Ilowite Maya , Zhu Jia
Published: May 2023

Key Clinical Message

Hyponatremia is common among children undergoing treatment for hematologic malignancies and may be attributed to multiple underlying causes. In cases of hyponatremia due to mixed physiology, the osmolal gap, can identify pseudohyponatremia that may be masked by other causes.
Dual epigenetic changes in diabetes mellitus‐associated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma correlate with downregulation of E‐cadherin and worsened prognosis
Authors: Hara Yutaro , Mizukami Hiroki , Yamazaki Keisuke , Yamada Takahiro , Igawa Akiko , Takeuchi Yuki , Sasaki Takanori , Kushibiki Hanae , Murakami Kotaro , Kudoh Kazuhiro , Ishido Keinosuke , Hakamada Kenichi
Published: May 2023

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) that promotes the promoter methylation of CDH1. It is still unclear whether DM can exert other epigenetic effects, such as altering microRNA (miR) expression, in PDAC. The expression of miR‐100‐5p is known to be changed in DM patients and can suppress the expression of E‐cadherin. In this study, the correlation between DM status and dual epigenetic changes was evaluated in PDAC specimens from patients who underwent radical surgical resection. A total of 132 consecutive patients with PDAC were clinicopathologically evaluated. E‐cadherin and nuclear β‐catenin expression was measured using immunohistochemistry. DNA and miRs were extracted from the main tumor site on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue sections. TaqMan miR assays were applied to assess miR‐100‐5p expression. Bisulfite modification was conducted on the extracted DNA, which was then subjected to methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry revealed that decreased E‐cadherin expression and increased nuclear β‐catenin expression were significantly associated with DM and poor tumor cell differentiation. The presence of long‐duration DM (≥3 years)  was a significant factor contributing to CDH1 promoter methylation (p < 0.01), while miR‐100‐5p expression was proportionally correlated with the preoperative HbA1c level (R = 0.34, p < 0.01), but not the duration of DM. The subjects with high miR‐100‐5p expression and CDH1 promoter methylation showed the highest level of vessel invasion and prevalence of tumor size ≥30 mm. PDAC subjects with dual epigenetic changes showed poorer overall survival (OS) than those with a single epigenetic change. miR‐100‐5p expression ≥4.13 and CDH1 promoter methylation independently predicted poor OS and disease‐free survival (DFS) in the multivariate analysis. OS and DFS worsened in DM subjects with both HbA1c ≥ 6.5% and DM duration ≥3 years. Thus, DM is associated with two modes of epigenetic change by independent mechanisms and worsens prognosis.
Reproductive response of the Samoan swallowtail butterfly to variability in host plant and habitat characteristics
Authors: Banko Paul C. , Peck Robert W. , Schmaedick Mark A. , Miles Adam C. , Leifi Niela , Brinck Kevin W.
Published: May 2023

The Samoan swallowtail butterfly (Papilio godeffroyi) has become restricted to Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Factors driving its extirpation on other islands may be partly due to the availability and suitability of habitat, given the singular association we observed of P. godeffroyi with its host plant, Micromelum minutum. We expected that as a host plant specialist, P. godeffroyi might respond to variation in the physical traits and habitat context of M. minutum, which could help identify conservation opportunities throughout its present and former range. Because the ecology of P. godeffroyi is largely unknown, we conducted systematic surveys during 15 months in 2013 and 2014 on Tutuila to investigate its reproductive response to the physical and phenological variability of individual host trees and to the structural and geographical variability of the stands in which they occurred. We searched foliage for eggs, larvae, and pupae and monitored seasonal trends in herbivory and production of leaves, flowers, and fruits on 117 host trees in 8 rainforest stands, mostly within the National Park of American Samoa (NPSA), starting in March 2013 and ending in August 2014. We observed high variability in butterfly reproductive output between individual trees and stands, due largely to a strong negative relationship between leaf biomass (at both tree and stand levels) and oviposition density (number of eggs per foliar biomass) and frequency (number of eggs per survey). Distribution patterns of larvae and pupae were less distinct but generally followed trends in oviposition. Our findings indicate that the butterfly is reproducing widely across Tutuila and is likely to respond positively to management to increase the availability of small host trees in low‐density stands. Thus, the species is a good candidate for conservation management focusing on habitat.
Anxiety and depressive symptoms in adults with new‐onset seizures: A scoping review
Authors: Cronin William , Kwan Patrick , Foster Emma
Published: May 2023

Objective

Anxiety and depression are common comorbidities in people living with epilepsy. Emerging research suggests that these conditions may even predate epilepsy onset. This review aimed to summarize the prevalence of clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms in people with first seizures and newly diagnosed epilepsy, as well as clinicodemographic factors associated with these symptoms.

Methods

A scoping literature review was performed. OVID Medline and Embase were searched from January 1, 2000, through May 1, 2022. Articles of interest were selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

From 1836 studies identified on screening, 16 met eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms, as determined by validated cutoff scores for anxiety and depression screening instruments, were common in people with first seizures (range 13–28%) and newly diagnosed epilepsy (range 11–45%). They were associated with a range of clinicodemographic factors including past psychiatric history and trauma, personality traits, self‐esteem, and stigma profiles.

Significance

There is substantial evidence that clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms are often present at the time and shortly following the first seizure or epilepsy diagnosis. Future research is needed to better understand the complex interactions between these common psychiatric comorbidities, new‐onset seizure disorders, and certain clinicodemographic characteristics. This knowledge may inform targeted and holistic treatment approaches.
Development and validation of a quality control procedure for automatic segmentation of hippocampal subfields
Authors: Canada Kelsey L. , Saifullah Samaah , Gardner Jennie C. , Sutton Bradley P. , Fabiani Monica , Gratton Gabriele , Raz Naftali , Daugherty Ana M.
Published: May 2023

Automatic segmentation methods for in vivo magnetic resonance imaging are increasing in popularity because of their high efficiency and reproducibility. However, automatic methods can be perfectly reliable and consistently wrong, and the validity of automatic segmentation methods cannot be taken for granted. Quality control (QC) by trained and reliable human raters is necessary to ensure the validity of automatic measurements. Yet QC practices for applied neuroimaging research are underdeveloped. We report a detailed QC and correction procedure to accompany our validated atlas for hippocampal subfield segmentation. We document a two‐step QC procedure for identifying segmentation errors, along with a taxonomy of errors and an error severity rating scale. This detailed procedure has high between‐rater reliability for error identification and manual correction. The latter introduces at maximum 3% error variance in volume measurement. All procedures were cross‐validated on an independent sample collected at a second site with different imaging parameters. The analysis of error frequency revealed no evidence of bias. An independent rater with a third sample replicated procedures with high within‐rater reliability for error identification and correction. We provide recommendations for implementing the described method along with hypothesis testing strategies. In sum, we present a detailed QC procedure that is optimized for efficiency while prioritizing measurement validity and suits any automatic atlas.
Risk factors for a negative birth experience using the Birth Satisfaction Scale‐Revised
Authors: Hochman Neta , Galper Alex , Stanger Varda , Levin Gabriel , Herzog Karin , Cahan Tal , Bookstein Peretz Shiran , Meyer Raanan
Published: May 2023

Objective

To evaluate the risk factors for a negative birth experience using the Birth Satisfaction Scale‐Revised (BSS‐R) questionnaire.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study including women who gave birth at a single tertiary hospital between February 2021 and January 1, 2022. Birth satisfaction was measured using the BSS‐R questionnaire. Maternal, pregnancy, and delivery characteristics were collected. Negative birth experience was defined as a BSS‐R score lower than the median. Multivariable regression analysis was used to examine the association between birth characteristics and negative birth experience.

Results

A total of 1495 women answered the questionnaire and were included in the analysis; 779 women comprised the positive birth experience group and 716 women comprised the negative birth experience group. Prior deliveries, prior abortions, and smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.52 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.41–0.66]; aOR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.62–0.99]; aOR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.27–0.99], respectively) were independently associated with lower risk of negative birth experience. Immigration, answering the questionnaires in person, and cesarean delivery were independently associated with increased negative birth experience risk (aOR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.01–1.86]; aOR 1.37 [95% CI, 1.04–1.79]; aOR, 1.92 [95% CI, 1.52–2.41], respectively).

Conclusion

Parity, prior abortions, and smoking were associated with a lower risk of negative birth experience, while immigration, answering questionnaires in person, and cesarean delivery were associated with a higher risk of negative birth experience.
Nudged elastic stiffness band method: A method to solve kinks problems of reaction paths
Authors: Mitsuta Yuki , Asada Toshio
Published: May 2023

The nudged elastic band (NEB) method has been widely employed for reaction path (RP) finding; however, certain NEB calculations do not converge to the minimum energy paths (MEPs) because of the occurrence of kinks, which are caused by the free bending of bands. Thus, we propose an extension of the NEB method, called the nudged elastic stiffness band (NESB) method, which adds the stress of stiffness using a beam theory. Here we present results from three examples: the NFK potential, the RPs of the Witting reaction, and finding saddle points for a set of five chemical reaction benchmarks. The results showed that the NESB method has three advantages: to decrease the number of iterations, shrink the length of the pathways from reducing unnecessary fluctuations, and find TS structures by converging to paths close to the MEPs for systems that have sharp curves on the MEPs.
Investigating the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on older adolescents' psychological wellbeing and self‐identified cognitive difficulties
Authors: Attwood Meg , Jarrold Christopher
Published: May 2023

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic coincides with growing concern regarding the mental health of young people. Older adolescents have faced a particular set of pandemic‐related challenges and demonstrate heightened vulnerability to affective disorders (particularly anxiety). Anxiety symptoms are associated with a range of cognitive difficulties. Older adolescents may therefore be susceptible to pandemic‐related declines in wellbeing and associated cognitive difficulties.

Methods

At three timepoints, independent samples of young people aged 16–18 years (N = 607, 242, 618 respectively) completed an online survey. Data collection coincided with periods of lockdown (timepoints 1 and 3) and young people returning to school (timepoint 2). The survey assessed subjective impacts of the pandemic on overall wellbeing, anxiety and cognitive function.

Results

Findings demonstrated the detrimental impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on older adolescents' psychological wellbeing—a finding that was consistent across samples. The majority of young people at each timepoint experienced heightened anxiety. Crucially, pandemic‐related anxiety was associated with self‐identified cognitive difficulties, a pattern of association that was evident at all three timepoints. The nature and extent of these difficulties were predictive of specific pandemic‐related concerns in this age group.

Conclusions

Older adolescents' experiences of the pandemic are characterised by subjective declines in wellbeing and stable patterns of association between anxiety and self‐identified cognitive difficulties. Implications are discussed with reference to future research and intervention.
Resident selection, assessment, and management: Proceedings of the 2022 ADEA Advanced Dental Education Summit
Authors: Al‐Jewair Thikriat , Lloyd Adam , Paurazas Susan , House Sherman , Conrad Heather , Ness Gregory , Hirschberg Craig , Bergman Russ
Published: May 2023

The fifth biennial Advanced Dental Education Summit was organized by the ADEA Council on Advanced Education Programs. With a focus on “Resident selection, assessment, and management,” the summit aimed to discuss best practices for selecting, assessing, and managing advanced education residents. Expert presentations covered the resident's journey from interview to graduation, emphasizing strategies for supporting resident wellness, success, and evaluation. The summit provided recommendations, including the incorporation of psychosocial assessments in the selection process, early recognition of behavioral issues, clearly defining clinical competencies, and creating a culture of wellness through supportive policies and structures.
Music alleviates cognitive impairments in an animal model of autism
Authors: Taheri Farahnaz , Joushi Sara , Esmaeilpour Khadijeh , Sheibani Vahid , Ebrahimi Mohammad Navid , Taheri Zadeh Zahra
Published: May 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core symptoms including impairment in social communication and restrictive and repetitive behaviors and interests. Music has emerged in the past decade as an intervention therapy for children with ASD. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of music on cognition impairments in the valproic acid (VPA) rat model of autism. The VPA was administered for animal modeling of autism on embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) (600 mg/kg). Male and female pups were sub divided into four main groups (Saline.Non‐music, VPA.Non‐music, Saline.Music, and VPA.Music). The rats in the music groups were exposed to Mozart's piano sonata K.448 for 30 days (4 h/day), from postnatal day (PND) 21 to 50. Autistic‐like behaviors were tested using a social interaction, the Morris water maze (MWM), and a passive avoidance tasks at the end of the PND 50. Our results demonstrated that VPA‐exposed rat pups had significantly lower sociability and social memory performance compared with the saline‐exposed rats in both sexes. VPA‐exposed rat pups exhibited learning and memory impairments in the MWM and passive avoidance tasks. Our results demonstrated that music improved sociability in VPA‐exposed rats, especially in males. Furthermore, our findings revealed that music improved learning impairments in VPA‐exposed male rats in MWM task. In addition, music improved spatial memory impairments in VPA‐exposed rats of both sexes. We also found that music improved passive avoidance memory impairments in VPA‐exposed rats of both sexes, especially in females. More investigation in future studies are needed.
Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Investigations on Acute and Long‐Term Kidney Injury
Authors: Wang Bin , Wang Yongfang , Wang Jing , Jin Chentao , Zhou Rui , Guo Jinxia , Zhang Hong , Wang Min
Published: May 2023

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of critical illness and carries a significant risk of short‐ and long‐term mortality. The prediction of the progression of AKI to long‐term injury has been difficult for renal disease treatment. Radiologists are keen for the early detection of transition from AKI to long‐term kidney injury, which would help in the preventive measures. The lack of established methods for early detection of long‐term kidney injury underscores the pressing needs of advanced imaging technology that reveals microscopic tissue alterations during the progression of AKI. Fueled by recent advances in data acquisition and post‐processing methods of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multiparametric MRI is showing great potential as a diagnostic tool for many kidney diseases. Multiparametric MRI studies offer a precious opportunity for real‐time noninvasive monitoring of pathological development and progression of AKI to long‐term injury. It provides insight into renal vasculature and function (arterial spin labeling, intravoxel incoherent motion), tissue oxygenation (blood oxygen level‐dependent), tissue injury and fibrosis (diffusion tensor imaging, diffusion kurtosis imaging, T1 and T2 mapping, quantitative susceptibility mapping). The multiparametric MRI approach is highly promising but the longitudinal investigation on the transition of AKI to irreversible long‐term impairment is largely ignored. Further optimization and implementation of renal MR methods in clinical practice will enhance our comprehension of not only AKI but chronic kidney diseases. Novel imaging biomarkers for microscopic renal tissue alterations could be discovered and benefit the preventative interventions. This review explores recent MRI applications on acute and long‐term kidney injury while addressing lingering challenges, with emphasis on the potential value of the development of multiparametric MRI for renal imaging on clinical systems.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Evaluation of Key Molecular Markers in Adult Diffuse Gliomas Based on a Novel Combination of Diffusion and Perfusion MRI and MR Spectroscopy
Authors: Su Xiaorui , Yang Xibiao , Sun Huaiqiang , Liu Yanhui , Chen Ni , Li Shuang , Huang Zongyao , Shao Hanbing , Zhang Simin , Gong Qiyong , Yue Qiang
Published: May 2023

Background

Preoperative identification of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation and 1p/19q codeletion status could help clinicians select the optimal therapy in patients with diffuse glioma. Although, the value of multimodal intersection was underutilized.

Purpose

To evaluate the value of quantitative MRI biomarkers for the identification of IDH mutation and 1p/19q codeletion in adult patients with diffuse glioma.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

Two hundred sixteen adult diffuse gliomas with known genetic test results, divided into training (N = 130), test (N = 43), and validation (N = 43) groups.

Sequence/Field Strength

Diffusion/perfusion‐weighted‐imaging sequences and multivoxel MR spectroscopy (MRS), all 3.0 T using three different scanners.

Assessment

The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) of the core tumor were calculated to identify IDH‐mutant and 1p/19q‐codeleted statuses and to determine cut‐off values. ADC models were built based on the 30th percentile and lower, CBV models were built based on the 75th centile and higher (both in five centile steps). The optimal tumor region was defined and the metabolite concentrations of MRS voxels that overlapped with the ADC/CBV optimal region were calculated and added to the best‐performing diagnostic models.

Statistical Tests

DeLong's test, diagnostic test, and decision curve analysis were performed. A P value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

Almost all ADC models achieved good performance in identifying IDH mutation status, among which ADC_15th was the most valuable parameter (threshold = 1.186; Youden index = 0.734; AUC_train = 0.896). The differential power of CBV histogram metrics for predicting 1p/19q codeletion outperformed ADC histogram metrics, and the CBV_80th‐related model performed best (threshold = 1.435; Youden index = 0.458; AUC_train = 0.724). The AUCs of ADC_15th and CBV_80th models in the validation set were 0.857 and 0.733. These models tended to improve after incorporation of N‐acetylaspartate/total_creatine and glutamate‐plus‐glutamine/total_creatine, respectively.

Data Conclusion

The intersection of ADC‐, CBV‐based histogram and MRS provide a reliable paradigm for identifying the key molecular markers in adult diffuse gliomas.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3
Impact of corticosteroids use on midterm sequelae in survivors of COVID‐19 admitted to hospital: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Gault Nathalie , Bachelet Delphine , Laouénan Cédric , Borie Raphaël , Cracowski Claire , Poissy Julien , Faure Karine , Lainé Fabrice , Lefèvre Benjamin , Isnard Margaux , Patrier Juliette , Launay Odile , Costagliola Dominique , Ghosn Jade , Bouadma Lila ,   The French COVID Cohort Study Group and The French COVID Investigators Study Group
Published: May 2023

An understanding of the midterm sequelae in COVID‐19 and their association with corticosteroids use are needed. Between March and July 2020, we evaluated 1227 survivors of COVID‐19, 3 months posthospitalization, of whom 213 had received corticosteroids within 7 days of admission. Main outcome was any midterm sequelae (oxygen therapy, shortness of breath, one major clinical sign, two minor clinical signs or three minor symptoms). Association between corticosteroids use and midterm sequelae was assessed using inverse propensity‐score weighting models. Our sample included 753 (61%) male patients, and 512 (42%) were older than 65 years. We found a higher rate of sequelae among users than nonusers of corticosteroids (42% vs. 35%, odds ratio [OR] 1.40 [1.16–1.69]). Midterm sequelae were more frequent in users of low‐dose corticosteroids than nonusers (64% vs. 51%, OR 1.60 [1.10–2.32]), whereas no association between higher doses (≥20 mg/day equivalent of dexamethasone) and sequelae was evidenced (OR 0.95 [0.56–1.61]). Higher risk of sequelae with corticosteroids use was observed among subjects with propensity score below the 90th percentile. Our study suggest that corticosteroids use during hospitalization for COVID‐19 is associated with higher risk of midterm sequelae.
The Increasing Problem of Syphilis Manifesting as Head and Neck Cancer: A Case Series
Authors: Culbert August A. , Israel Anna‐Karoline , Ku Jamie , Silver Natalie L.
Published: May 2023

Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Rates have been rising in the US and globally. Known as the “Great Imitator,” syphilis can involve head and neck subsites, and often can masquerade as possible carcinoma of the head and neck. Here, we present three distinct cases of syphilis presenting as suspected head and neck malignancy involving the oropharynx, larynx and oral cavity. All cases were diagnosed on surgical pathologic examination of diseased tissues and treated. It is important for practicing otolaryngologists to understand head and neck manifestations of syphilis to facilitate proper diagnosis and treatment. Laryngoscope, 134:236–239, 2024
Tribological Performance of Bamboo Fabric Reinforced Epoxy Composites
Authors: Oliver Bernardo Antonio , Dong Qiao , Ramezani Maziar , Selles Miguel Angel , Sanchez‐Caballero Samuel
Published: May 2023

Bamboo fiber is one of the strongest natural fibers with high strength‐to‐weight and stiffness‐to‐weight ratios and can be used economically for manufacturing fiber‐reinforced composites. In this paper, bamboo fabric‐reinforced epoxy composite is manufactured and its tribological properties for load‐bearing applications are investigated. Sliding wear tests are conducted using a linear reciprocating tribometer and the effect of dry and lubricated contact conditions, applied load, sliding speed, temperature, and woven fabric direction on the coefficient of friction and wear rate are investigated. A scanning electron microscope is used to define the wear mechanisms at room and elevated temperatures. It is observed that the fabric orientation influences the mechanical and tribological performances of the composite material. Wear rate increases at higher loads and working temperatures; however, the effect of sliding speed is not remarkable, especially under lubricated contact conditions. The results present in this paper can be used for designing bamboo‐reinforced epoxy composites for load‐bearing applications, under different working conditions.