bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges of slope design for high cut slopes in jointed rock masses
Authors: Dinis João Carlos Carvalho , Lenz Gerold , Pöschl Irmina , Priewasser Robert
Published: October 2024

The construction of the 275 m high Yusufeli arch dam and auxiliary structures required the execution of very steep cut slopes with more than 400 m height. Uncertainties regarding the geotechnical conditions imposed a serious challenge for the cut slope design. The design approach evolved from initial back‐calculations to a robust methodology, which was constantly revised and updated as excavation proceeded. The article explains the modular design procedure that allowed continuous interaction, adjustments and updates of and between different design and construction activities. It briefly describes the process of geological data collection and parameter determination and elaborates on the calculation tools utilised for the design. Finally, the verification and updating of the design during construction is explained on a selected case study. The excavation of the Yusufeli Dam was completed in 2018, dam concreting and grouting in 2022, and the final impounding level was reached by the end of 2023.
Examining mothers' obsessive and compulsive behaviors regarding baby care, cyberchondria level and maternal burnout in the postpartum period: Path analysis
Authors: Tiryaki Öznur , Menekşe Dilek , Arsoy Hacer Efnan Melek , Çınar Nursan
Published: October 2024

Objective

To examine the effects of postpartum women's obsessive and compulsive behaviors towards the care of their babies and maternal exhaustion levels on cyberchondria.

Methods

The study, designed as a cross‐sectional and correlation‐seeking study, included 275 mothers. Data were collected from Turkish mothers with maternal burnout scale (MBS), scale for obsessive and compulsive behavıors of mothers ın the postpartum perıod wıth regard to baby care and cyberchondria severity scale (CSS).

Results

A total of 41.8% of the mothers, whose average age was 28.49 ± 5.04, had their first birth, 62.5% of the mothers were feeding their babies with breast milk, and 65.8% had regular sleep. The total mean score of the scales was 24.76 ± 5.15 for T‐MBS, 81.19 ± 22.16 for CSS, and 16.11 ± 10.28 for the obsession scale. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between the maternal burnout and postpartum obsession scales and the cyberchondria severity scale.

Conclusion

In the present study, mothers in the postpartum period did not show signs of burnout or obsessive‐compulsive behaviors in the care of their babies, and their cyberchondria severity scores were at a moderate level.
FDT‐Net: Frequency‐Aware Dual‐Branch Transformer‐Based Optic Cup and Optic Disk Segmentation With Parallel Contour Information Mining and Uncertainty‐Guided Refinement
Authors: Gan Jierui , Zhu Hongqing , Qian Tianwei , Liu Jiahao , Chen Ning , Wang Ziying
Published: October 2024

Accurate segmentation of the optic cup and disc in fundus images is crucial for the prevention and diagnosis of glaucoma. However, challenges arise due to factors such as blood vessels, and mainstream networks often demonstrate limited capacity in extracting contour information. In this paper, we propose a segmentation framework named FDT‐Net, which is based on a frequency‐aware dual‐branch Transformer (FDBT) architecture with parallel contour information mining and uncertainty‐guided refinement. Specifically, we design a FDBT that operates in the frequency domain. This module leverages the inherent contextual awareness of Transformers and utilizes Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) transformation to mitigate the impact of certain interference factors on segmentation. The FDBT comprises global and local branches that independently extract global and local information, thereby enhancing segmentation results. Moreover, to further mine additional contour information, this study develops the parallel contour information mining (PCIM) module to operate in parallel. These modules effectively capture more details from the edges of the optic cup and disc while avoiding mutual interference, thus optimizing segmentation performance in contour regions. Furthermore, we propose an uncertainty‐guided refinement (UGR) module, which generates and quantifies uncertainty mass and leverages it to enhance model performance based on subjective logic theory. The experimental results on two publicly available datasets demonstrate the superior performance and competitive advantages of our proposed FDT‐Net. The code for this project is available at https://github.com/Rookie49144/FDT‐Net.
Subchronic Toxicity Evaluation of Dietary Administration of a Fungal Biomass From Rhizomucor pusillus
Authors: Scaife Kevin , Phipps Kirt R. , Scalise Daniella , Polgár Olivér
Published: October 2024

Fungal‐derived food products align with sustainable food supply principles and offer a sustainable and nutritious option for consumers. Rhizomucor pusillus strain CBS 143028 has emerged as a candidate food ingredient. Fermentation of R. pusillus CBS 143028 results in a mycelium biomass mainly comprising fungal proteins, cell wall components, and micronutrients. Although R. pusillus has a history of safe use in the production of food enzymes and in traditional fermented foods, the fungal biomass obtained after fermentation of R. pusillus CBS 143028 is considered a novel food and requires a thorough safety assessment. To this end, a 90‐day oral toxicity study was conducted in which Wistar rats (10/sex/group) were provided diets containing 0, 100,000, 200,000, or 300,000 ppm of R. pusillus mycelium. Standard toxicity study parameters as given in OECD Test Guideline 408 were examined. The mean achieved dosages of R. pusillus mycelium were 6398, 12,738, or 19,668 mg/kg body weight/day for males and 7235, 14,949, or 22,461 mg/kg body weight/day for females in the low‐, mid‐, and high‐dose groups, respectively. Although statistically significant differences were reported, these effects were not considered biologically relevant or test article‐related due to atypical values in the control groups, the lack of a dose response relationship, or were attributed to normal biological variation. Thus, the no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level (NOAEL) was established at 300,000 ppm (corresponding to 19,668 and 22,461 mg/kg body weight/day for males and females, respectively), the highest concentration tested.
Comparison of Shear‐Wave Elastography USG and CT: Composition Analysis of Rectus Femoris Muscle in Healthy Adults and Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Yeom Jisun , Lee Yoo Jin , Yi Jisook , Hahn Seok , Park Bong Soo , Heo Chang Min
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to compare shear‐wave elastography (SWE) USG and composition analysis of CT on the right mid‐rectus femoris muscle (RF) in both healthy adults and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Methods

Sixty‐three healthy adults and 22 CKD patients were included. One musculoskeletal radiologist performed right RF SWE USG, while two radiologists measured shear‐wave velocity (SWV) from the same SWE images. CT scan was performed, and muscle composition was measured using imageJ, categorized into four HU‐based compositions. Interobserver agreement for SWV between two readers was evaluated. Correlations between SWV and CT compositions were analyzed using Pearson's or Spearman's correlation.

Results

SWV of healthy group was significantly higher than CKD group by each reader (p = 0.030 and 0.038). The percentage of low‐density muscle was higher in CKD group than healthy group (p < 0.001), and the percentage of normal density muscle was higher in healthy group than CKD (p < 0.001) by each reader. Interobserver agreement of SWV by the two readers was almost perfect in both groups (k = 0.957–0.984, 0.959–0.993). There was a statistically significant correlation between SWV and the percentage of normal density muscle on CT in both healthy adults and CKD patient groups (Reader 1, r = 0.318–0.480, p = 0.001 and 0.024; Reader 2, r = 0.511–0.518, p < 0.001 and p = 0.013).

Conclusions

SWV demonstrated a significant correlation with the percentage of normal density muscle on CT in both healthy adults and CKD patients by each reader. SWE provides a radiation‐free approach that may offer an objective method for evaluating muscle quality, potentially making it an option for muscle monitoring.
No difference in patient‐reported outcomes or range of motion between ultracongruent and posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Macedo Fernando , Lucas João , Cunha Patrícia , Rocha Miguel , Cerqueira Rui , Basto Tiago , Moura João
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Ultracongruent (UC) inserts were designed to overcome potential issues with posterior stabilized (PS) inserts, including bone resection, post‐breakage, and patellar clunk syndrome. However, there remains a shortage of high‐quality studies directly comparing this insert design to the established PS Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). This prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to compare clinical outcomes, range of motion, and complications of UC and PS TKA.

Methods

Ninety six patients with primary knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to either the PS or the UC group. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding age, body mass index, sex, or Osteoarthritis grade. The measured outcomes were Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Range of Motion (ROM), recorded preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperative. Both the patient and interviewer were blinded to the allocation group.

Results

Eighty one patients were included in the analysis, with a mean follow‐up of 1.3 years. Both groups exhibited a gradual improvement in KOOS. Still, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups during the follow‐up examinations at 3 or 6 months in KOOS or range of motion. No complication occurred in either group during the follow‐up period.

Conclusion

Both designs demonstrated comparable positive outcomes, reinforcing the viability of UC designs as an alternative to the well‐established PS TKA.

Levels of Evidence

Level l, randomized controlled trial.
Refeeding syndrome and vitamin B1 deficiency in a young man with normal body mass index following starvation in the COVID‐19 era
Authors: Tsuji Naoaki , Okumura Hisatoshi , Inaba Satoshi , Kaneko Akihito , Kawashima Atsushi
Published: October 2024

COVID‐19 has spread worldwide and significantly influenced economies. Refeeding syndrome (RFS) is a potentially fatal abnormalities of electrolytes and fluid that can occur in malnourished patients undergoing mechanical refeeding. Herein, we report the case of a man in his 20s with a normal body mass index who presented with RFS and vitamin B1 deficiency. Although it was uncommon under normal circumstances, it occurred because of the severe social situations that were prevalent in the COVID‐19 era. In this era, physicians should carefully evaluate their patients' nutritional status to identify those at risk for RFS, even in young individuals.
Frailty as a predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with hepatectomy ‐ the importance of design studies to improve frailty: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of 128 868 patients
Authors: Zhang Fei , Yan Ying , Li Baifeng , Ge Chunlin
Published: October 2024

Background

Frailty has been associated with increased mortality among patients with surgery. However, evidence about the frailty prevalence and outcomes in frail populations with hepatectomy is inconsistent and has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively synthesize the prevalence of frailty and the role of frailty on mortality in patients with hepatectomy.

Methods

Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for eligible studies that explored the prevalence and impact of frailty in hepatectomy from inception until January 24, 2024. The pooled prevalence of frailty and odds ratio (OR) corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) in mortality and major complications estimates were analyzed.

Results

A total of 26 studies containing 128 868 patients with hepatectomy were included. The prevalence of frailty in hepatectomy was 23% (95% CI: 17–28; p = .000). Frailty was associated with an increased odds ratio for mortality (adjusted OR = 3.06; 95% CI: 1.85–5.04; p = .000). Furthermore, frailty was significantly associated with an increased odds ratio for major complications (adjusted OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 2.04–5.04; p < .01).

Conclusion

The prevalence of frailty in patients with hepatectomy is prevalent, which has a significant adverse impact on the outcomes of patients with hepatectomy. These findings highlight the importance of frailty assessment in this population, which may provide prognostic details.
Metabolic management of a successful pregnancy and postpartum complications in fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase deficiency
Authors: Ferguson Callie , Madison Anita , Hamosh Ada , Koerner Celide
Published: October 2024

Fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase (FBPase) deficiency is a rare, inborn error of metabolism, that causes hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis in response to inadequate glucose intake and/or high intakes of fructose, sucrose, or sorbitol. Pregnancy in women with FBPase deficiency puts them at high risk for metabolic decompensation due to increased glucose demands from the growing fetus. Here we report a 31‐year‐old primipara who was treated starting at 14 weeks gestation with a diet high in complex carbohydrates and low in fructose, sucrose, and sorbitol and close monitoring of glucose levels throughout her pregnancy. She delivered a healthy 2860 g baby at 37 weeks via vaginal delivery with no complications or hypoglycemia. At 5 months postpartum and 5 months of life, the patient and baby are doing well, although the patient experienced an episode of hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis at 4 months postpartum due to the increased metabolic demands of breastfeeding. This report adds to the limited case reports that discuss outcomes and proposed interventions during pregnancy in individuals with FBPase deficiency.
Relay strip intercropping of soybeans and maize achieves high net ecosystem economic benefits by boosting land output and alleviating greenhouse gas emissions
Authors: Fu Zhidan , Chen Ping , Luo Kai , Lin Ping , Li Yiling , Pu Tian , Li Yuze , Wu Yushan , Wang Xiaochun , Yang Wenyu , Yong Taiwen
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Cereal–legume intercropping provides a solution for achieving global food security, but the mechanism of greenhouse gas emissions and net ecosystem economic benefits of maize–soybean relay intercropping are poorly understood. Hence, we conducted a two‐factor experiment to investigate the effects of cropping systems, containing maize–soybean relay intercropping (IMS), monoculture maize (M) and monoculture soybean (S), as well as three nitrogen levels at 0 (N0), 180 (N1), 240 (N2) kg N ha−1 on crop grain yield, greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon stock and net ecosystem economic benefit (NEEB).

RESULTS

The average grain yield of IMS (7.7 t ha−1) increased by 28.5% and 242.4% compared with M (6.0 t ha−1) and S (2.2 t ha−1). The land equivalent ratio (LER) of IMS was 2.0, which was mainly contributed by maize (partial LER: 1.2) rather than soybean (partial LER: 0.8). Although the total grain yield of IMS remarkably enhanced by 43.6% and 45.5% in N1 and N2 contrast in N0, the LER was 37.5% and 38.6% lower in N1 and N2 than in N0. The net global warming potential (GWP) of maize and soybean was 11.6% and 1.8% lower in IMS than in the corresponding monoculture, which resulted from a decline in GWP and enhanced soil organic carbon stock rate. Moreover, NEEB was 133.5% higher in IMS (14 032.0 Chinese yuan per year) than in M, mainly resulting from an increase in total economic gains and a decline in GWP cost. A more robust response in yield gain rather than total costs to N inputs of IMS led to 46.8% and 48.3% higher NEEB in N1 and N2 than in N0.

CONCLUSION

Maize–soybean relay intercropping with 180 kg N ha−1 application can obtain yield advantages without raising environmental costs, which provides an approach to achieving sustainable agricultural production. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Identification of genes governing YMD resistance in soybean cultivar SL 958
Authors: Mandahal Kamalpreet Singh , Meghana Danda Prasad , Sirari Asmita , Bhatia Dharminder , Garcha Karmvir Singh , Gill Balwinder Singh
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Yellow mosaic disease (YMD) is the most devastating disease of soybean under north Indian conditions. A recombinant inbred line population derived from SL 958 (R) × AGS 456 (S) was used to map the genes imparting YMD resistance. Genotyping by sequencing (GBS) of 148 individuals and the parents was used to identify polymorphic SNPs in the population. These were used to generate linkage maps and subsequently map the QTL.

RESULTS

A QTL, MYMIV 1‐1.1, was mapped onto chromosome 6. The QTL was mapped at a genetic distance of 114.31 cM, with likelihood ratio of 81.34 (LOD 17.68), explaining 33.80% of the variation for the trait, with an additive effect of 1.22. MYMIV 1‐1.1 was flanked by SNPs Gm06_12614920 explaining 33.80% of variation and Gm06_12887789 explaining 31.04% of the variation. The QTL region spanned for a total of 2.798 Mbp.

CONCLUSION

The QTL was mapped in an approximately 4 cM region. Flanking SNPs can be developed into linked markers for effective marker‐assisted selection. Out of the genes in the QTL region, Glyma.06G161700 (Suppressor of Gene Silencing/SGS3) is the strongest contender for the resistance gene. This is the first study documenting GBS‐based mapping of YMD resistance in soybean. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Validation of a software‐based torsional measurement method of the lower limb: A retrospective study
Authors: Grünwald Leonard , Nejima Shuntaro , Histing Tina , Schröter Steffen , Hagedorn Peter
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate a software‐based measurement tool of computed tomography imaging to assess torsional alignment of the lower limb—usually used for patients with posttraumatic deformities and patellofemoral issues—and compare these measurements with manual measurements of two experienced raters.

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of 58 lower limbs (47 patients, 20 men and 27 women) aged between 19 and 97 years. Inclusion criteria were the clinical indication for torsion measurement of the lower limb. Legs with incomplete imaging and age less than 18 years were excluded. Femoral and tibial torsion were measured separately. Torsional alignment was assessed software‐based at two time points by two raters. Rater one additionally assessed manual‐based measurement at two time points. The software used was mediCAD 3D Knee Version 2.5.33 (Hectec). Subsequently, intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Validity testing was performed by means of precision, concordance correlation coefficient according to Lin (ccc) and Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

High intra‐rater reliability for software‐based as well as manual‐based evaluation of torsional alignment was found for the tibia as well as the femur (ICC ranging between 0.870 and 0.993). Inter‐rater reliability also showed highly significant results of both manual and software‐based measurements (ICC ranging between 0.851 and 0.993). For almost all comparisons (except the tibia left), software‐based measurements showed higher ICC scores above 0.9, and, therefore, classified as ‘excellent reliability’. For validity testing, correlation coefficients and precision showed very good correspondence of the measurements (all values > 0.9), without systematic deviations.

Conclusions

Software‐based measurement of torsional alignment according to the measurement method developed by H.‐A. Waidelich proved to be a reliable and valid technique. Especially for inexperienced surgeons, software‐based measurement, therefore, might improve confidence in reliable medical decisions in diagnostics and treatment.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Cultivated Land Quality Assessment and Obstacle Factors Diagnosis in Changtu County, Northeast China
Authors: Qian Fengkui , Jiao Siyu , Yu Yuanjun , Wang Xiangguo , Shao Tianyi
Published: October 2024

Effective evaluation of cultivated land quality is crucial for sustainable agricultural management. Existing research often focuses on regional scales and lacks sufficient detailed analysis of spatial distribution and limiting factors at localized scales. This study aims to select the key indicators to evaluate cultivated land quality and analyze their influence on cultivated land quality at the county level. Taking Changtu County as the research area, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to identify the most effective Minimum Data Set (MDS) for evaluation, including cultivated layer thickness, soil organic matter (SOM), pH, bulk density (BD), and cultivated layer texture. Additionally, an obstacle degree model was used to analyze restricting factors and their degrees of impact. Results showed that the constructed MDS could replace all indicators for cultivated land quality evaluation. Quality was higher in central areas and lower in eastern and western regions. SOM content decreases with the decrease of quality grade, significantly affecting the quality distribution, and pH in the medium category (Grades III and VI) cultivated lands were lower compared to other categories. Low organic matter content and low pH levels were the main obstacles affecting cultivated land quality, with average obstacle degrees of 43.5% and 29.3%, respectively. Low SOM content significantly affected land quality, particularly in the western region, whereas acidic soils in the eastern region influenced quality grade distribution. Thus, strategies for pH control and SOM enhancement are essential for improving cultivated land quality. This study provides valuable insights into sustainable agriculture.
Multiple Circular Polarizations Coexisting with Bound States in the Continuum Without Breaking Symmetry
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Xu JiPeng , Zhu ZhiHong
Published: October 2024

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) have been engineered in periodic photonic systems to achieve diverse polarization behavior in momentum space. By breaking C2z symmetry of photonic crystal slabs (PhCS), purely circular polarization, which hold significant potential for applications in topological physics and chiral optics, can be achieved near the BICs. In this study, the intriguing phenomenon of BICs on the degenerate band of PhCS with a triangular lattice featuring cylindrical holes are investigated. Unlike previous studies that mainly focused on BICs on non‐degenerate photonic bands, this research reveals a sophisticated interplay between BICs and Dirac points on the more intricate degenerate photonic band. This interaction gives birth to two pairs of purely circular polarizations with opposite chirality, even without breaking any symmetry of the PhCS. Additionally, It is find that by further breaking the σz mirror symmetry of the PhCS, these purely circular polarization states can be significantly amplified. This findings not only enrich the polarization responses of high‐Q photonic devices but also enables the modulation of chiral light, laying the groundwork for the creation of high‐quality optical devices with precisely engineered polarization properties.
On the Use of Reflection Polarized Optical Microscopy for Rapid Comparison of Crystallinity and Phase Segregation of P3HT:PCBM Thin Films
Authors: Alzahrani Rawan A. , Alshehri Nisreen , Alessa Alaa A. , Amer Doha A. , Matiash Oleksandr , De Castro Catherine S. P. , Alam Shahidul , Jurado José P. , Gorenflot Julien , Laquai Frédéric , Petoukhoff Christopher E.
Published: October 2024

Rapid, nondestructive characterization techniques for evaluating the degree of crystallinity and phase segregation of organic semiconductor blend thin films are highly desired for in‐line, automated optoelectronic device fabrication facilities. Here, it is demonstrated that reflection polarized optical microscopy (POM), a simple technique capable of imaging local anisotropy of materials, is capable of determining the relative degree of crystallinity and phase segregation of thin films of polymer:fullerene blends. While previous works on POM of organic semiconductors have largely employed the transmission geometry, it is demonstrated that reflection POM provides 3× greater contrast. The optimal configuration is described to maximize contrast from POM images of polymer:fullerene films, which requires Köhler illumination and slightly uncrossed polarizers, with an uncrossing angle of ±3°. It is quantitatively demonstrated that contrast in POM images directly correlates with 1) the degree of polymer crystallinity and 2) the degree of phase segregation between polymer and fullerene domains. The origin of the bright and dark domains in POM is identified as arising from symmetry‐broken liquid crystalline phases (i.e., dark conglomerates), and it is proven that they have no correlation with surface topography. The use of reflection POM as a rapid diagnostic tool for automated device fabrication facilities is discussed.
Structural insights into the mechanotransducing mechanism of FtsEX in cell division
Authors: Chen Yuejia , Guo Du , Wang Xin , Zhang Changbin , Chen Yatian , Luo Qinghua , Chen Yujiao , Yang Lili , Zhang Zhibo , Hong Tian , Zhang Zhengyu , Dong Haohao , Chang Shenghai , Hu Jianping , Tang Xiaodi
Published: October 2024

The filamentous temperature‐sensitive (Fts) protein FtsEX plays a pivotal role in Escherichia coli (E. coli) cell division by facilitating the activation of peptidoglycan hydrolysis through the adaptor EnvC. FtsEX belongs to the type VII ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily, which harnesses ATP energy to induce mechanical force, triggering a cascade of conformational changes that activate the pathway. However, the precise mechanism by which FtsEX initiates mechanotransmission remains elusive. Due to the inherent instability of this type of ABC transporter protein in vitro, the conformation of FtsEX has solely been determined in the stabilized ATP‐bound state. To elucidate the dynamics of FtsEX, we characterized FtsEX and EnvC of various functional structures through cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM) and homology modeling. We validated the structures by molecular dynamics simulations. By site‐directed mutagenesis and phenotype screening, we also identified the functional residues involved in allosteric communication between FtsE and FtsX as well as FtsX and EnvC. Additionally, we discovered a potential role of phospholipids in stabilizing the complex conformation during mechanotransmission. This comprehensive exploration significantly enhances our understanding of the intricate mechanisms governing bacterial cell division and unveils potential molecular targets for developing innovative antimicrobial drugs to combat antibiotic resistance.
Prospective Connectomic‐Based Deep Brain Stimulation Programming for Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Hines Kevin , Noecker Angela M. , Frankemolle‐Gilbert Anneke M. , Liang Tsao‐Wei , Ratliff Jeffrey , Heiry Melissa , McIntyre Cameron C. , Wu Chengyuan
Published: October 2024

Background

Efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) relies on accurate lead placement as well as optimization of the stimulation parameters. Although clinical software tools are now available, programming still largely relies on a monopolar review, a tedious process for both patients and programmers.

Objective

This study investigates the safety and feasibility of prospective automated connectomic DBS programming (automated connectomic programming [ACP]), focusing on the recruitment of specific white matter pathways.

Methods

After DBS implantation, a detailed connectomic DBS model in patient‐specific space was developed for each study participant. A driving‐force model was used to quantify pathway recruitment across 2400 different DBS settings. Optimization algorithms maximized recruitment of therapeutic pathways while minimizing recruitment of side‐effect pathways. Thirteen subjects were enrolled in two study phases that compared DBS settings derived from ACP to standard clinical DBS settings.

Results

Nine patients underwent reprogramming with ACP (5 globus pallidus interna [GPi], 4 subthalamic nucleus [STN]). Four patients underwent initial programming with ACP (3 GPi, 1 STN). All patients tolerated ACP without persistent side effects. In the reprogramming cohort, 3 patients preferred their ACP program, and 1 patient felt it was comparable to their clinical program. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Part III, scores for the initial ACP cohort (3 GPi, 1 STN) improved by an average of 43.5% (40.4–52.6 ± 5.6%).

Conclusions

ACP appeared clinically safe and feasible. It provided reasonable motor improvement, which can be further optimized with subsequent clinical adjustment. Additional investigation is required to refine the optimization algorithm and to quantify the clinical benefit of ACP in a larger cohort. © 2024 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Bridging gaps at key intersections: Strategies to improve early intervention and treatment access for eating disorders
Authors: Kennett Juliane , Stelfox Henry T.
Published: October 2024

Mental health is at the forefront of discussions in healthcare, education, and social settings, yet eating disorders remain poorly understood and inadequately treated. This paper presents evidence on risk factors for insufficient recognition and intervention for eating disorders across clinical and community healthcare settings and proposes actionable strategies to improve awareness and early intervention for eating disorders. Specifically, gaps in eating disorder awareness and treatment access are exacerbated at two key intersections within health and social systems. First, eating disorders manifest themselves at the intersection of mental and physical categories of health, which places them at risk of being misunderstood, poorly diagnosed, and insufficiently intervened upon. Second, the peak onset of eating disorders falls at the intersection of adolescence and young adulthood, which is a period of rapid developmental, social change, and transitions in care. This analysis highlights how systemic issues within existing social and health systems underlie these intersections and contribute to the continued stigmatization and inadequate treatment access for eating disorders. Given their increased incidence and severity, there is an urgent need to address both the individual and societal burden of these disorders. Healthcare systems must prioritize coordination between physical and mental health practices and improve transitions in care from pediatric and adult healthcare services. Identifying gaps at intersections provides the opportunity to make concrete progress toward improving awareness and treatment.
A weakly supervised model for incomplete multimodal MRI synthesis with tumor‐aware approach
Authors: Chang Can , Yao Li , Zhao Xiaojie
Published: October 2024

Background

Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) are a valuable tool in the study of brain tumors, and multimodal sequences provide unique insights into different aspects of brain tumors. However, in clinical practice, missing modalities are often encountered due to various factors. This makes it difficult to obtain comprehensive and reliable information related to brain tumors.

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to develop an algorithm for the synthesis of missing MRI modality with high precision, and to center on generating accurate tumor‐related information to offer more data for clinical diagnosis.

Methods

A novel weakly supervised MRI synthesis model named TAM‐DAM‐GAN has been proposed, which integrates tumor‐aware and detail adjustment mechanisms to enhance the quality of tumor generation. The tumor‐aware mechanism leverages weak label information to guide the network to classify images based on crucial information in local structures, thereby compelling the generative network to identify and highlight the learning of local tumor regions. The detail adjustment mechanism utilizes a discriminator to create attention maps at the pixel level in real‐time. These maps are then used to modify the loss weight, which in turn adjusts the details that are generated.

Results

Generation quality of four tasks (T1‐to‐T2, T2‐to‐T1, T1‐to‐FLAIR, and FLAIR‐to‐T1) was evaluated. Experiments on the BRATS2015 dataset show that the proposed approach is superior in both qualitative and quantitative measures. Taking FLAIR‐to‐T1 as an example, TAM‐DAM‐GAN improves PSNR of tumor region from 18.556 to 20.576 compared to baseline. Also, using real FLAIR data with generated T1 data boosts tumor segmentation accuracy by 10% compared to using only real FLAIR data.

Conclusion

This finding will be conducive to enhancing the accuracy of cross‐modality synthesis in incomplete multimodal MRI, especially for tumor regions, thereby providing more dependable and comprehensive data for clinical diagnosis and scientific research.
Motion and anatomy dual aware lung ventilation imaging by integrating Jacobian map and average CT image using dual path fusion network
Authors: Ma Pei , Chen Zhi , Huang Yu‐Hua , Zhao Mayang , Li Wen , Li Haojiang , Cao Di , Jiang Yi‐Quan , Zhou Ta , Cai Jing , Ren Ge
Published: October 2024

Background

Deep learning‐based computed tomography (CT) ventilation imaging (CTVI) is a promising technique for guiding functional lung avoidance radiotherapy (FLART). However, conventional approaches, which rely on anatomical CT data, may overlook important ventilation features due to the lack of motion data integration.

Purpose

This study aims to develop a novel dual‐aware CTVI method that integrates both anatomical information from CT images and motional information from Jacobian maps to generate more accurate ventilation images for FLART.

Methods

A dataset of 66 patients with four‐dimensional CT (4DCT) images and reference ventilation images (RefVI) was utilized to develop the dual‐path fusion network (DPFN) for synthesizing ventilation images (CTVIDual). The DPFN model was specifically designed to integrate motion data from 4DCT‐generated Jacobian maps with anatomical data from average 4DCT images. The DPFN utilized two specialized feature extraction pathways, along with encoders and decoders, designed to handle both 3D average CT images and Jacobian map data. This dual‐processing approach enabled the comprehensive extraction of lung ventilation‐related features. The performance of DPFN was assessed by comparing CTVIDual to RefVI using various metrics, including Spearman's correlation coefficients (R), Dice similarity coefficients of high‐functional region (DSCh), and low‐functional region (DSCl). Additionally, CTVIDual was benchmarked against other CTVI methods, including a dual‐phase CT‐based deep learning method (CTVIDLCT), a radiomics‐based method (CTVIFM), a super voxel‐based method (CTVISVD), a Unet‐based method (CTVIUnet), and two deformable registration‐based methods (CTVIJac and CTVIHU).

Results

In the test group, the mean R between CTVIDual and RefVI was 0.70, significantly outperforming CTVIDLCT (0.68), CTVIFM (0.58), CTVISVD (0.62), and CTVIUnet (0.66), with p < 0.05. Furthermore, the DSCh and DSCl values of CTVIDual were 0.64 and 0.80, respectively, outperforming CTVISVD (0.63; 0.73) and CTVIUnet (0.62; 0.77). The performance of CTVIDual was also significantly better than that of CTVIJac and CTVIHU.

Conclusions

A novel dual‐aware CTVI model that integrates anatomical and motion information was developed to synthesize lung ventilation images. It was shown that the accuracy of lung ventilation estimation could be significantly enhanced by incorporating motional information, particularly in patients with tumor‐induced blockages. This approach has the potential to improve the accuracy of CTVI, enabling more effective FLART.
Identification of Disc Cutter Wear via Operation Parameters Combined With Vibration Data: A Case Study
Authors: Wang Yan‐Ning , Chen Han , Min Xin‐Hao , Zhao Lin‐Shuang
Published: October 2024

This paper proposed an approach to estimate disc cutter wear utilizing a combination of multiple operational parameters and vibration data collected during shield tunneling operations. The incorporation of vibration signals, notably those originating from acceleration sensors mounted on the back plate of the soil chamber, has markedly enhanced the accuracy of the model. Time‐frequency domain features were extracted through analysis methods such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Short‐Time Fourier Transform (STFT), and Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT). A predictive model utilizing vibration and shield operation parameters was developed using the XGBoost algorithm, and a deep GoogLeNet Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was trained on time‐frequency graphs from the CWT. In addition, this study also investigated the impact of signal duration on wavelet image information and model accuracy. In the Huang‐Shang Intercity Railway Project, the approach effectively assessed disc cutter wear during tunneling operations and dynamically optimized the operational parameters of the shield tunnel machine through predictive analysis.
Blood‐based biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: Standardization and comprehensiveness
Authors: Liu Ying , Guo Yu , Yu Jintai
Published: October 2024

Population aging is sweeping across the globe, resulting in a striking prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia and a heavy economic burden. Given the time window of 10–20 years from pathological initiation to clinically detected cognitive impairment, early detection can significantly impact the prevention and control of AD. The invasiveness and high cost of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and positron emission tomography‐computed tomography imaging limit large‐scale disease screening. However, blood‐based biomarkers (BBMs) lack these disadvantages, shedding light on their usefulness in the large‐scale identification and prevention of AD. Prominent advancement has recently been made regarding BBMs of AD co‐pathology (amyloid β, tau protein, neurofilament light polypeptide, and glial fibrillary acidic protein) to improve their accuracy as clinical diagnostics of AD to a level comparable to that of canonical methods, facilitating the large‐scale clinical implementation of diagnostic tests with higher precision. To briefly summarize, the prospects of AD BBMs rely on standardization and comprehensiveness. Calibrating the sample collection procedure and clarifying the boundaries for indices and abnormalities are beneficial for constructing a canonical diagnostic assay. The comprehensive assembly of heterogeneous clinical evidence guarantees the accuracy of diagnosis and improves the workflow for early identification.
Multigrid Reduction‐In‐Time Convergence for Advection Problems: A Fourier Analysis Perspective
Authors: De Sterck H. , Friedhoff S. , Krzysik O. A. , MacLachlan S. P.
Published: October 2024

A long‐standing issue in the parallel‐in‐time community is the poor convergence of standard iterative parallel‐in‐time methods for hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs), and for advection‐dominated PDEs more broadly. Here, a local Fourier analysis (LFA) convergence theory is derived for the two‐level variant of the iterative parallel‐in‐time method of multigrid reduction‐in‐time (MGRIT). This closed‐form theory allows for new insights into the poor convergence of MGRIT for advection‐dominated PDEs when using the standard approach of rediscretizing the fine‐grid problem on the coarse grid. Specifically, we show that this poor convergence arises, at least in part, from inadequate coarse‐grid correction of certain smooth Fourier modes known as characteristic components, which was previously identified as causing poor convergence of classical spatial multigrid on steady‐state advection‐dominated PDEs. We apply this convergence theory to show that, for certain semi‐Lagrangian discretizations of advection problems, MGRIT convergence using rediscretized coarse‐grid operators cannot be robust with respect to CFL number or coarsening factor. A consequence of this analysis is that techniques developed for improving convergence in the spatial multigrid context can be re‐purposed in the MGRIT context to develop more robust parallel‐in‐time solvers. This strategy has been used in recent work to great effect; here, we provide further theoretical evidence supporting the effectiveness of this approach.
The Interconnection Between the Liver and Other Organs: Insights for Hepatic Long–Term Normothermic Machine Perfusion
Authors: Cai Ruilin , Liu Zhiying , Feng Zhiyin , Qin Meiting , Li Jiahao , Zhao Qiang , He Xiaoshun
Published: October 2024

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) is emerging as a promising technique for organ preservation, evaluation, and scientific research, offering the potential to enhance the viability and function of donor organs. To fully harness the benefits of NMP, sustained long–term NMP (LNMP) at 36°C for periods exceeding 24 h is required. However, the development of stable LNMP devices is hindered by our limited understanding of ex vivo liver physiology. This review synthesizes insights from clinical and experimental studies to highlight the knowledge gaps associated with the impact of the absence of various organs or systems on isolated livers during ex vivo perfusion. Additionally, it discusses liver injuries and adverse events documented in published liver LNMP studies, elucidating their underlying mechanisms. By analyzing these findings, the paper proposes a series of recommendations to establish a more stable LNMP platform, aiming to optimize the outcomes of liver preservation and expand the applications of NMP in clinical practice and research.
Exact sparse representation recovery in signal demixing and group BLASSO
Authors: Carioni Marcello , Grande Leonardo Del
Published: October 2024

In this short article we present the theory of sparse representations recovery in convex regularized optimization problems introduced in (Carioni and Del Grande, arxiv:2311.08072, 2023). We focus on the scenario where the unknowns belong to Banach spaces and measurements are taken in Hilbert spaces, exploring the properties of minimizers of optimization problems in such settings. Specifically, we analyze a Tikhonov‐regularized convex optimization problem, where are the measured data, denotes the noise, and is the regularization parameter. By introducing a Metric Non‐Degenerate Source Condition (MNDSC) and considering sufficiently small and , we establish Exact Sparse Representation Recovery (ESRR) for our problems, meaning that the minimizer is unique and precisely recovers the sparse representation of the original data. We then emphasize the practical implications of this theoretical result through two novel applications: signal demixing and super‐resolution with Group BLASSO. These applications underscore the broad applicability and significance of our result, showcasing its potential across different domains.
Feasibility of transcranial Doppler to evaluate vasculopathy among survivors of childhood brain tumors exposed to cranial radiation therapy
Authors: Bowers Daniel C. , Johnson Mark D.
Published: October 2024

Background

The ability of transcranial Doppler (TCD) to detect asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease among childhood brain tumor survivors following exposure to cranial radiation therapy has not been established.

Methods

Survivors of childhood brain tumors, more than 3 years since diagnosis and exposed to greater than 30 Gy cranial radiation, underwent a history and physical exam, laboratory biomarkers of cerebrovascular disease (cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high‐sensitivity CRP, hemoglobin A1C, apoprotein A, and apoprotein B), and a TCD evaluation of their cerebral arteries.

Results

In all 165 cerebral arteries from 13 patients (medulloblastoma = 10; germ cell tumor = 3; females = 5; mean age at diagnosis = 8.0 years; mean age at time of study = 20.9 years) were examined. Twenty‐eight of 165 (17%) were considered abnormal by pre‐specified criteria. Total 114 cerebral arteries from 13 patients were assessed for greater than 50% stenosis velocities. Arteries most likely to be considered abnormal included the distal bilateral vertebral arteries (right 38%, left 30%), basilar artery 30%, bilateral siphon internal carotid arteries (right 30%, left 23%), bilateral middle cerebral arteries (23% bilaterally), and bilateral anterior cerebral arteries (7% bilaterally). Two vessels had mean flow velocities consistent with 50% stenosis (1.8%). No vessels were found to have greater than 80% stenosis.

Conclusions

TCD may be a useful and practical tool to examine asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease among childhood brain tumor survivors after exposure to cranial radiation therapy. Posterior circulation vessels appear to have the highest burden of disease in this group of brain tumor survivors, a majority of whom had medulloblastoma.
An overview of the effects of water and moisture absorption on the performance of hemp fiber and its composites
Authors: Islam Shahidul , Hasan Byzed
Published: October 2024

Researchers compare natural hemp fibers with synthetic fibers because of their distinct physical and mechanical properties, which have been well established over time. Hemp fibers are a versatile type of plant fiber commonly used in structural composites and have shown promise in various applications which include packaging, construction, and automotive parts. However, designing hemp‐based composite components presents challenges due to factors related to the plant's origin, growth conditions, age, stem position, separation methods, and the irregularity of fiber cross‐sections. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of research on the performance of hemp fibers and their composites concerning moisture and water absorption. It reviews and analyzes important research on the water and moisture absorption properties of hemp fibers. The article also explains the critical properties of hemp fibers, the various factors affecting these properties, the role of hemp fibers in reinforcement composites, and how relative humidity and swelling characteristics impact hemp fiber composite components. Additionally, it highlights potential areas for future research.

Highlights

Effects of moisture on hemp fiber's structural properties.

Mechanisms of water and moisture absorption in hemp fibers.

Impact of moisture on hemp fiber reinforced composites.

Key factors in selecting matrices for hemp fiber composites.

Future prospects for hemp fiber composites in various applications.