bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wirelessly interfacing sensor‐equipped implants and MR scanners for improved safety and imaging
Authors: Silemek Berk , Seifert Frank , Petzold Johannes , Brühl Rüdiger , Ittermann Bernd , Winter Lukas
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To investigate a novel reduced RF heating method for imaging in the presence of active implanted medical devices (AIMDs) which employs a sensor‐equipped implant that provides wireless feedback.

Methods

The implant, consisting of a generator case and a lead, measures RF‐induced ‐fields at the implant tip using a simple sensor in the generator case and transmits these values wirelessly to the MR scanner. Based on the sensor signal alone, parallel transmission (pTx) excitation vectors were calculated to suppress tip heating and maintain image quality. A sensor‐based imaging metric was introduced to assess the image quality. The methodology was studied at 7T in testbed experiments, and at a 3T scanner in an ASTM phantom containing AIMDs instrumented with six realistic deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead configurations adapted from patients.

Results

The implant successfully measured RF‐induced ‐fields (Pearson correlation coefficient squared [R2] = 0.93) and temperature rises (R2 = 0.95) at the implant tip. The implant acquired the relevant data needed to calculate the pTx excitation vectors and transmitted them wirelessly to the MR scanner within a single shot RF sequence (<60 ms). Temperature rises for six realistic DBS lead configurations were reduced to 0.03–0.14 K for heating suppression modes compared to 0.52–3.33 K for the worst‐case heating, while imaging quality remained comparable (five of six lead imaging scores were ≥0.80/1.00) to conventional circular polarization (CP) images.

Conclusion

Implants with sensors that can communicate with an MR scanner can substantially improve safety for patients in a fast and automated manner, easing the current burden for MR personnel.
Implant‐friendly MRI of deep brain stimulation electrodes at 7 T
Authors: Sadeghi‐Tarakameh Alireza , DelaBarre Lance , Zulkarnain Nur Izzati Huda , Harel Noam , Eryaman Yigitcan
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a strategy to calculate the implant‐friendly (IF) excitation modes—which mitigate the RF heating at the contacts of deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes—of multichannel RF coils at 7 T.

Methods

An induced RF current on an implantable electrode generates a scattered magnetic field whose left‐handed circularly polarizing component () is approximated using a ‐mapping technique and subsequently used as a gauge for the electrode's induced current. Using this approach, the relative induced currents resulting from each channel of a multichannel RF coil on the DBS electrode were calculated. The IF modes of the corresponding multichannel coil were determined by calculating the null space of the relative induced currents. The proposed strategy was tested and validated for unilateral and bilateral commercial DBS electrodes (directional lead; Infinity DBS system, Abbott Laboratories) placed inside a uniform phantom by performing heating and imaging studies on a 7T MRI scanner using a 16‐channel transceive RF coil.

Results

Neither individual IF modes nor shim solutions obtained from IF modes induced significant temperature increase when used for a high‐power turbo spin‐echo sequence. In contrast, shimming with the scanner's toolbox (i.e., based on per‐channel fields) resulted in a more than 2°C temperature increase for the same amount of input power.

Conclusion

A strategy for calculating the IF modes of a multichannel RF coil is presented. This strategy was validated using a 16‐channel RF coil at 7 T for unilateral and bilateral commercial DBS electrodes inside a uniform phantom.
Rapid and automated lipid profiling by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using neural networks
Authors: Johnson Hayden , Puppa Melissa , van der Merwe Marie , Tipirneni‐Sajja Aaryani
Published: August 2023

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for quantitative metabolomics; however, quantification of metabolites from NMR data is often a slow and tedious process requiring user input and expertise. In this study, we propose a neural network approach for rapid, automated lipid identification and quantification from NMR data. Multilayered perceptron (MLP) networks were developed with NMR spectra as the input and lipid concentrations as output. Three large synthetic datasets were generated, each with 55,000 spectra from an original 30 scans of reference standards, by using linear combinations of standards and simulating experimental‐like modifications (line broadening, noise, peak shifts, baseline shifts) and common interference signals (water, tetramethylsilane, extraction solvent), and were used to train MLPs for robust prediction of lipid concentrations. The performances of MLPS were first validated on various synthetic datasets to assess the effect of incorporating different modifications on their accuracy. The MLPs were then evaluated on experimentally acquired data from complex lipid mixtures. The MLP‐derived lipid concentrations showed high correlations and slopes close to unity for most of the quantified lipid metabolites in experimental mixtures compared with ground‐truth concentrations. The most accurate, robust MLP was used to profile lipids in lipophilic hepatic extracts from a rat metabolomics study. The MLP lipid results analyzed by two‐way ANOVA for dietary and sex differences were similar to those obtained with a conventional NMR quantification method. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential and feasibility of a neural network approach for improving speed and automation in NMR lipid profiling and this approach can be easily tailored to other quantitative, targeted spectroscopic analyses in academia or industry.
Displacement‐based partitioned equations of motion for structures: Formulation and proof‐of‐concept applications
Authors: Park K. C. , González J. A. , Park Y. H. , Shin S. J. , Kim J. G. , Maute K. K. , Farhat C. , Felippa C. A.
Published: August 2023

A new formulation for the displacement‐only partitioned equations of motion for linear structures is presented, which employs: the partitioned displacement, acceleration, and applied force (); the partitioned block diagonal mass and stiffness matrices (); and, the coupling projector (), yielding the partitioned coupled equations of motion: ). The key element of the proposed formulation is the coupling projector () which can be constructed with the partitioned mass matrix (), the Boolean matrix that extracts the partition boundary degrees of freedom (), and the assembly matrix () relating the assembled displacements () to the partitioned displacements () via . Potential utility of the proposed formulation is illustrated as applied to six proof‐of‐concept problems in an ideal setting: unconditionally stable explicit‐implicit transient analysis, static parallel analysis in an iterative solution mode; reduced‐order modeling (component mode synthesis); localized damage identification which can pinpoint damage locations; a new procedure for partitioned structural optimization; and, partitioned modeling of multiphysics problems. Realistic applications of the proposed formulation are presently being carried out and will be reported in separate reports.
Cardiovascular risk stratification among individuals with obesity: The Coronary Artery Calcium Consortium
Authors: Boakye Ellen , Grandhi Gowtham R. , Dardari Zeina , Adhikari Rishav , Soroosh Garshasb , Jha Kunal , Dzaye Omar , Tasdighi Erfan , Erhabor John , Kumar Sant J. , Whelton Seamus , Blumenthal Roger S. , Albert Michael , Rozanski Alan , Berman Daniel S. , Budoff Matthew J. , Miedema Michael D. , Nasir Khurram , Rumberger John A. , Shaw Leslee J. , Blaha Michael
Published: August 2023

Objective

The effectiveness of coronary artery calcification (CAC) for risk stratification in obesity, in which imaging is often limited because of a reduced signal to noise ratio, has not been well studied.

Methods

Data from 9334 participants (mean age: 53.3 ± 9.7 years; 67.9% men) with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 from the CAC Consortium, a retrospectively assembled cohort of individuals with no prior cardiovascular diseases (CVD), were used. The predictive value of CAC for all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality was evaluated using multivariable‐adjusted Cox proportional hazards and competing‐risks regression.

Results

Mean BMI was 34.5 (SD 4.4) kg/m2 (22.7% Class II and 10.8% Class III obesity), and 5461 (58.5%) had CAC. Compared with CAC = 0, those with CAC = 1–99, 100–299, and ≥300 Agatston units had higher rates (per 1000 person‐years) of all‐cause (1.97 vs. 3.5 vs. 5.2 vs. 11.3), CVD (0.4 vs. 1.1 vs. 1.5 vs. 4.2), and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality (0.2 vs. 0.6 vs. 0.6 vs. 2.5), respectively, after mean follow‐up of 10.8 ± 3.0 years. After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, CAC ≥ 300 was associated with significantly higher risk of all‐cause (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.49–2.82), CVD (subdistribution HR: 3.48; 95% CI: 1.81–6.70), and CHD mortality (subdistribution HR: 5.44; 95% CI: 2.02–14.66), compared with CAC = 0. When restricting the sample to individuals with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, CAC ≥ 300 remained significantly associated with the highest risk.

Conclusions

Among individuals with obesity, including moderate–severe obesity, CAC strongly predicts all‐cause, CVD, and CHD mortality and may serve as an effective cardiovascular risk stratification tool to prioritize the allocation of therapies for weight management.
Cultural importance, availability and conservation status of Spanish wild medicinal plants: Implications for sustainability
Authors: Mateo‐Martín J. , Benítez G. , Gras A. , Molina M. , Reyes‐García V. , Tardío J. , Verde A. , Pardo‐de‐Santayana M.
Published: August 2023

The harvest of wild plants with medicinal uses is increasing globally, both for self‐treatment and as a source of income. The increasing demand for these remedies could lead to the over‐harvest of some species. Despite a recent surge in the number of studies analysing wild medicinal plants management, little is known about the effects of non‐commercial harvesting on the conservation status of medicinal plants.

We explore the connection between the cultural importance (CI) of medicinal vascular plants traditionally used in Spain for self‐treatment and their availability, conservation and legal protection status, and discuss the implications of our results for sustainability. We focus on Spain, located in one of the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots and the most diverse country in Europe regarding vascular plants (7071 species, 1357 endemic), while also being culturally and linguistically diverse.

Spain has a rich body of traditional knowledge referring to wild medicinal plants, with 1376 species with medicinal uses, which represents nearly a fourth (22%) of the total autochthonous vascular flora of the country (16% endemic). Species CI is positively correlated with abundance (ρ = 0.466) and occupancy area (ρ = 0.495). Only 8% of the wild medicinal plants traditionally used in Spain have an endangered conservation status and just 6% are fully or largely affected by protection measures. Most species used for self‐treatment in Spain are common, highly available and not threatened. This suggests that domestic use alone does not result in overexploitation and that traditional knowledge systems of plant management might ensure their sustainability.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Red cell transfusions in children with thalassemia: Outcomes of a10 mL/kg/h infusion rate
Authors: Fritch Lilla Stephanie , Goldstein Amy , Hart Nicole , Hooke Casey
Published: August 2023

Children with transfusion‐dependent thalassemia have an impaired ability to synthesize alpha or beta globin, which results in anemia. Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions are required to increase hemoglobin, which supports appropriate growth and development. PRBC transfusions must be completed within 4 h; however, infusion rates vary across institutions. Our institution infuses PRBCs up to 10 mL/kg/h. A descriptive study of 21 children who received a total of 276 transfusions during 2021 demonstrated that this rate is safe and well tolerated. Shorter transfusion times support patients’ and families’ time, resources, and quality of life and aptly utilize institutional resources.
Discovery of strigol synthase from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum): The enzyme behind the first identified germination stimulant for Striga
Authors: Wakabayashi Takatoshi , Nakayama Megumi , Kitano Yurie , Homma Masato , Miura Kenji , Takikawa Hirosato , Mizutani Masaharu , Sugimoto Yukihiro
Published: August 2023

Societal Impact Statement

Parasitic witchweeds (Striga species) pose a serious threat to food security in Africa, attacking cereal grains and legumes. Chemicals released from the host roots that initiate the life cycle of Striga are known as germination stimulants, predominantly strigolactones (SLs). Strigol, the first identified SL, was isolated from the root exudates of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), a false host of Striga, over 50 years ago. The identification of strigol synthase in cotton establishes the complete biosynthesis pathway of this emblematic SL. This discovery has the potential to advance our understanding of SL‐mediated rhizosphere interactions and enhance cotton's effectiveness as a trap crop.
Anisotropic Optical Properties of Monolayer Aligned Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Ermolaev Georgy A. , Xie Ying , Qian Liu , Tatmyshevskiy Mikhail K. , Slavich Aleksandr S. , Arsenin Aleksey V. , Zhang Jin , Volkov Valentyn S. , Chernov Alexander I.
Published: August 2023

The 2D materials are the fundamental building blocks for modern optoelectronics and photonics. Optically anisotropic monolayers give even more flexibility in device design and performance. However, the random orientation of optical axes in the large‐scale samples prevents anisotropic monolayers from widespread use. The alternative structure is a monolayer of aligned single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with an anisotropic dielectric tensor. Herein, aligned SWCNTs monolayer anisotropic optical constants in a broad spectral range (250–1700 nm) are measured for the first time. It is discovered that it has a large birefringence of Δn ≈ 0.2 and a high dichroism of Δk ≈ 0.4. Moreover, it is demonstrated that aligned SWCNTs monolayer optical response can be described by an effective medium approximation using the graphene dielectric function. In addition, it gives a universal approach for a determination of carbon concentration in nanotubes structures. It also applies for other types of carbon nanotubes, such as multi‐walled and randomly oriented carbon nanotubes arrays. Hence, in the results, aligned SWCNTs monolayer optical constants are added to the optical anisotropy database, which facilitates the longstanding challenge of using 1D structures in two dimensions, and a rapid characterization method for carbon nanotubes is provided.
36.1: Invited Paper: Innovations in Thin Film Electronics for the New Generation of Displays
Authors: Brewer John
Published: August 2023

Improvements in semiconductor materials carried Moore's Law
into the 1990s, where device geometries and limits in materials
performance drove the need for fundamental innovation at the
materials and structural levels of MOSFETs. The display
industry has reached a similar point the need for fundamental
innovation at the materials and structural levels of thin film
transistors. Successful transition to a higher plateau of thin film
device technology enables a new inflection point in the use of
displays just as the FinFET was the foundation for an
inflection point in the use of microprocessors.

This paper provides an overview of two thin film technology
innovations offering promise as the next two plateaus in the
evolution of thin film integrated circuit manufacturing:
achieving bulk accumulation in single gate metal oxide
semiconductor thin film transistors, and semiconductor less
quantum tunneling. Linked through a single core materials set
based on strong yet flexible amorphous metals, these two
innovations create a roadmap simplifying the manufacturing of
high image quality, low power consumption displays on glass and
plastic.
SrO‐MnO/Ceramic: A Novel Bifunctional Catalyst for Biodiesel production via Simultaneous Transesterification‐Esterification of Waste Frying Oil
Authors: Sajjad Hamza , Nasir Shah Syed , Nasreen Sadia , Zahoor Hamza , Rasheed Muhammad Asif , Maroof Haris
Published: August 2023

The strontium‐manganese supported over ceramic was synthesized through wet impregnation method and investigated as a solid catalyst for its catalytic performance in transesterifying‐esterifying low‐grade waste frying oil with methanol in a batch reactor; parameters for synthesis of catalyst and transesterification reaction were also optimized. The maximum biodiesel yield of 93.66 % was attained by SrO‐MnO/Ceramic catalyst under normal process conditions. The synthesized catalyst reusability potential was also evaluated for 12 runs with regeneration carried out after the 7th run only and it revealed that the catalyst showed great stability for the initial five cycles offering yield of over 90 %. The fresh and used SrO‐MnO/Ceramic catalysts were characterized to address the mechanism of catalytic behavior and deactivation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), benzoic acid and n‐butylamine titration method, and Hammett indicators. The alteration in surface morphology; Mn solubility in glycerol and methanol; occupation of energetic centers by organics might be the reasons for diminished activity or deactivation of solid catalyst after repeated reuse.
Synthesis, optimization and characterization of Silver nanoparticles using aqueous seed extract of Trigonella foenum‐graceum L. for catalytic reduction of p‐nitrophenol
Authors: Moond Monika , Singh Sushila , Sangwan Seema , Devi Ritu , Rani Jyoti , Beniwal Anuradha , Beniwal Rajita
Published: August 2023

The present study was focused on green synthesis of Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Trigonella foenum‐graceum L. seed extract belonging to specific variety HM (Hisar Mukta) 425, optimizing the different experimental conditions required for the formation and stability of AgNPs. UV‐Vis spectroscopy, Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterise the synthesised AgNPs. The average size of AgNPs was found to be 22 nm and were spherical in shape. Additionally, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has listed nitrophenols as a priority pollutant, and biosynthesized AgNPs can catalytically convert them into less harmful aminophenols. One example of a reaction where AgNPs are used as a catalyst is the conversion of p‐nitrophenol to p‐aminophenol, which acts as a bridge for many analgesics and antipyretic medications. Hence, the study is anticipated to have a significant impact on the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.
Positional Isomers of Covalent Organic Frameworks for Indoor Humidity Regulation
Authors: Fu Jia‐Xing , Liu Yong , Chen Liang‐Hui , Han Wang‐Kang , Liu Xin , Shao Jun‐Xiang , Yan Xiaodong , Gu Zhi‐Guo
Published: August 2023

Humidity is one of the most important indicators affecting human health. Here, a pair of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) of positional isomers (p‐COF and o‐COF) for indoor humidity regulation is reported. Although p‐COF and o‐COF have the same sql topology and pore size, they exhibit different water adsorption behaviors due to the subtle differences in water adsorption sites. Particularly, o‐COF exhibits a steep adsorption isotherm in the range of 45–65% RH with a hysteresis loop, which is perfectly suitable for indoor humidity regulation. In the laboratory experiment, when the humidity of the external environment is 20–75% RH, o‐COF can control the humidity of the room in the range of 45–60% RH. o‐COF has shown great potential as a dual humidification/dehumidification adsorbent for indoor humidity regulation.
An extended universal morphological model for concrete mode‐I fracture: Parametric and case studies
Authors: Li Dong , S. Hejazi S. M. Ali , Jin Liu , Du Xiuli
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study is to develop a systematic meso‐level theoretical modeling approach for analyzing the mode‐I fracture failure behaviors of concrete. Firstly, the eXtended Universal Morphological Model (XUMM) is briefly reviewed. Secondly, a normalized analysis method for the evaluation of effects of properties and scales of meso structures on the performance of concrete is proposed based on the XUMM. Afterwards, parametric studies regarding the aggregate strength effect, the aggregate volume effect, the maximum aggregate size (MAS) effect, the tortuosity of mesoscopic crack, the roughness of fracture surface and the characteristic length are conducted. At last, a case study on the MAS effect based on experimental tests is provided to verify the applicability of the XUMM.
A systematic review of exploratory factor analysis packages in R software
Authors: Govindasamy Priyalatha , Isa Nor Junainah Mohd , Mohamed Nor Firdous , Noor Amelia Mohd , Ma Lin , Olmos Antonio , Green Kathy
Published: August 2023

The increasing prevalence of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) applications in scholarly literature reflects its popularity and the convenience of computer‐assisted analysis. With advancements in computer hardware and software, the complexity and variations of EFA analysis have also grown. Despite the availability of sophisticated computer programming, the appropriate utilization of EFA necessitates users to make informed judgments. Additionally, users are responsible for searching and identifying suitable statistical software to accommodate their data and analysis requirements. This review aims to enhance understanding of the EFA technique and summarize the analysis options available for EFA in R packages. A total of 50 packages were examined in this study. Specifically, the review focuses on (1) diagnostic functions, (2) factor extraction, (3) factor retention, (4) factor rotation, and (5) complex data and technique features provided by these packages. The review summarizes the available function options in R packages by outlining these five crucial steps in conducting an EFA analysis. This synthesis offers an overview of the similarities and distinctive features of each package, serving as a valuable resource for users in selecting a suitable EFA technique. It is important to note that there is no definitive approach to conducting an exploratory factor analysis. Users need to deliberately select and combine appropriate techniques to achieve optimal results.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Dimension Reduction

Software for Computational Statistics > Software/Statistical Software
Facial fillers: Relevant anatomy, injection techniques, and complications
Authors: Clark Nicholas W. , Pan Debbie R. , Barrett Dane M.
Published: August 2023

Objective

The aim of this review article is to discuss the currently available facial fillers, their differences and indications, relevant anatomy, injection techniques, and avoidance and management of complications.

Data Sources

Clinical experience and scientific papers.

Conclusions

Reversal of facial aging via filler injection has been around since the late 1800s with the initial use of detrimental products. Today, many safe and effective products exist and can be tailored to the individual patient's desired effect. With the evolution of both products and injection techniques, the rate of complications with facial filler use is low. Nonetheless, providers offering facial filler injections should have detailed knowledge of facial anatomy, including facial planes and soft tissue compartments. Multiple injection techniques exist. Different techniques should be used, depending on the anatomic target. Providers should also know how to avoid and manage complications.
Dispersal of blackbird flocks from sunflower fields: efficacy influenced by flock and field size but not drone platform
Authors: Egan Conor C. , Blackwell Bradley F. , Fernández‐Juricic Esteban , Klug Page E.
Published: August 2023

Crop depredation by blackbirds (Icteridae) results in substantial economic losses to the United States sunflower industry, and a solution to effectively reduce damage remains elusive. We evaluated the utility of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, as hazing tools to deter foraging blackbirds from commercial sunflower (Helianthus annuus) fields in North Dakota, USA, between September and October 2017. We compared the efficacy of 3 drones: a fixed‐wing predator model mimicking the form of an aerial raptor, a fixed‐wing airplane of similar size, and a multirotor drone. Multirotor drones are relatively easy to fly and are a multifunctional tool for agricultural use; however, they may not be an effective avian deterrent due to a lack of similarity in appearance with natural predators. Free‐ranging blackbird flocks (n = 58) reacted to every drone approach by initiating flight and took flight 1.6 times sooner for the fixed‐wing predator model (flight initiation distance [FID] = 90 m) and 1.8 times sooner for the fixed‐wing airplane (FID = 98 m) compared to the multirotor drone (FID = 55 m). However, the probability of a blackbird flock (n = 53) abandoning a field was greater with smaller field and flock sizes, rather than the specific drone deployed. In an applied setting, the performance of drones as avian hazing devices will likely depend on a combination of factors including platform selection, drone trajectory, duration of use, season, landscape context, and natural history of the pest species.
Alternatives to corn for baiting wild pigs
Authors: Foster Justin A. , Williamson Lee H. , Kinsey John C. , Reitz Ryan L. , VerCauteren Kurt C. , Snow Nathan P.
Published: August 2023

We examined dietary preferences of wild pigs to discern possible bait alternatives to corn. Captive trials were conducted during spring and fall 2021 in the Wild Pig Research Facility at Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Hunt, Texas, USA. We conducted 2‐choice tests by allowing wild pigs to feed ad libitum on soybeans, split peas, mealworms, and peanuts (spring 2021), and oats, acorns, earthworms, and peanuts (fall 2021), always with corn available as a second choice for reference. In each trial, we used proportion of test bait eaten versus total bait eaten, and relative access to both food sources as indices of bait preference. We found that a higher proportion of corn was consumed than that of any test bait in the spring, but not in the fall. However, we found that earthworms were consumed more than any other test bait in the fall. We also found that corn was accessed more than test baits in the spring, but not more than earthworms or peanuts in the fall. Greater consumption of earthworms relative to other baits, and access rates comparable to corn indicated that earthworms could be an effective alternative bait to corn. Our work suggests that alternative baits may be equally or more effective for attracting wild pigs than corn.
Super‐resolution reconstruction of vertebrate microfossil computed tomography images based on deep learning
Authors: Hou Yemao , Canul‐Ku Mario , Cui Xindong , Zhu Min
Published: August 2023

Micropaleontologists use the fine structures of microfossils to extract evolutionary information. These structures could not be directly observed with the naked eye. Recently, paleontologists resort to computed tomography (CT) images to mine the information, and pursue higher resolution CT images with in‐depth research. Therefore, we propose a new model, weighted super‐resolution generative adversarial network (WSRGAN), for the super‐resolution reconstruction of CT images. The model proposed herein (WSRGAN) obtained higher LPIPS (0.0757) on the experimental dataset, compared with Bilinear (0.4289), Bicubic (0.4166), EDSR (0.2281), WDSR (0.2640), and SRGAN (0.0815). WSRGAN meets the requirements of paleontologists for reconstructing fish microfossils. We hope that more super‐resolution reconstruction methods based on deep learning could be applied to paleontology and achieve better performance.
Black Hole Instead of Black Box?: The Double Opaqueness of Recommender Systems on Gaming Platforms and Its Legal Implications
Authors: Gesmann-Nuissl Dagmar , Meyer Stefanie
Published: August 2023

Recommender systems that support us in our everyday lives are becoming more precise and accurate in terms of the appropriateness of recommendations to users’ needs – with the result that the user often follows these recommendations. This is mainly due to the filtering methods and various algorithms used. In our paper, we will look specifically at the recommender systems on gaming platforms. These consist of different components: a shopping component, a streaming component and a social media component. The recommender systems of these components, when considered individually, have certain characteristics in terms of the machine learning and filtering methods used, which are mixed by combining them on one platform. As a result, it is unclear which of the information collected about the user at any time is lost and disappears into obscurity, and what information is used to generate recommendations. The frequently discussed “black box” problem exacerbates at this point and becomes a “black hole.” With the interests of platform users, platform operators, and software developers in mind, we examine the legal provisions that have been established to address this opaqueness: transparency obligations. Derived from the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act, we present various legally valid solutions to address the “black hole” problem and also lead them to practical suggestions for implementation.
Soluble mutant huntingtin drives early human pathogenesis in Huntington’s disease
Authors: Miguez Andrés , Gomis Cinta , Vila Cristina , Monguió-Tortajada Marta , Fernández-García Sara , Bombau Georgina , Galofré Mireia , García-Bravo María , Sanders Phil , Fernández-Medina Helena , Poquet Blanca , Salado-Manzano Cristina , Roura Santiago , Alberch Jordi , Segovia José Carlos , Allen Nicholas D. , Borràs Francesc E. , Canals Josep M.
Published: August 2023

Huntington's disease (HD) is an incurable inherited brain disorder characterised by massive degeneration of striatal neurons, which correlates with abnormal accumulation of misfolded mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein. Research on HD has been hampered by the inability to study early dysfunction and progressive degeneration of human striatal neurons in vivo. To investigate human pathogenesis in a physiologically relevant context, we transplanted human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) from control and HD patients into the striatum of new-born mice. Most hNPCs differentiated into striatal neurons that projected to their target areas and established synaptic connexions within the host basal ganglia circuitry. Remarkably, HD human striatal neurons first developed soluble forms of mHTT, which primarily targeted endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and nuclear membrane to cause structural alterations. Furthermore, HD human cells secreted extracellular vesicles containing mHTT monomers and oligomers, which were internalised by non-mutated mouse striatal neurons triggering cell death. We conclude that interaction of mHTT soluble forms with key cellular organelles initially drives disease progression in HD patients and their transmission through exosomes contributes to spread the disease in a non-cell autonomous manner.

Graphical abstract
Remarks on Dunkl Translations of Non-radial Kernels
Authors: Dziubański Jacek , Hejna Agnieszka
Published: August 2023

On $$ {\mathbb {R}}^N$$

R

N

equipped with a root system R and a multiplicity function $$k>0$$

k
>
0

, we study the generalized (Dunkl) translations $$\tau _{{\textbf{x}}}g(-{\textbf{y}})$$

τ
x

g

(
-
y
)

of not necessarily radial kernels g. Under certain regularity assumptions on g, we derive bounds for $$\tau _{{\textbf{x}}}g(-{\textbf{y}})$$

τ
x

g

(
-
y
)

by means the Euclidean distance $$\Vert {\textbf{x}}-{\textbf{y}}\Vert $$

‖
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y
‖

and the distance $$d({\textbf{x}},{\textbf{y}})=\min _{\sigma \in G} \Vert {\textbf{x}}-\sigma ({\textbf{y}})\Vert $$

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y
)

=

min

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∈
G

‖
x
-
σ

(
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)

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, where G is the reflection group associated with R. Moreover, we prove that $$\tau $$
τ
does not preserve positivity, that is, there is a non-negative Schwartz class function $$\varphi $$
φ
, such that $$\tau _{{\textbf{x}}}\varphi (-{\textbf{y}})<0$$

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for some points $${\textbf{x}},{\textbf{y}}\in {\mathbb {R}}^N$$

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.
Sacroiliac versus transiliac–transsacral screw osteosynthesis in osteoporotic pelvic fractures: a biomechanical comparison
Authors: Cintean Raffael , Fritzsche Cornelius , Zderic Ivan , Gueorguiev-Rüegg Boyko , Gebhard Florian , Schütze Konrad
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Pelvic fractures were often associated with high-energy trauma in young patients, but data show a significant increase in osteoporotic pelvic fractures in old age due to the progressive demographic change. There is an ongoing discussion about the best fixation techniques, which are ranging from lumbopelvic fixation to sacral bars or long transiliac–transsacral (TITS) screws. This study analyzes TITS screw osteosynthesis and sacroiliac screw osteosynthesis (SI), according to biomechanical criteria of fracture stability in osteoporotic human pelvic cadavers ex vivo.

Methods

Ten osteoporotic cadaveric pelvises were randomized into two groups of 5 pelvises each. An FFP-IIc fracture was initially placed unilaterally and subsequently surgically treated with a navigated SI screw or a TITS screw. The fractured side was loaded in a one-leg stance test setup until failure. Interfragmentary movements were assessed by means of optical motion tracking.

Results

No significant difference in axial stiffness were found between the SI and the TITS screws (21.2 ± 4.9 N and 18.4 ± 4.1 N, p = 0.662). However, there was a significantly higher stability of the fracture treatment in the cohort with TITS-screws for gap angle, flexion, vertical movement and overall stability. The most significant difference in the cycle interval was between 6.000 and 10.000 for the gap angle (1.62 ± 0.25° versus 4.60 ± 0.65°, p = 0.0001), for flexion (4.15 ± 0.39 mm versus 7.60 ± 0.81 mm, p = 0.0016), interval 11.000–15.000 for vertical shear movement (7.34 ± 0.51 mm versus 13.99 ± 0.97 mm, p < 0.0001) and total displacement (8.28 ± 0.66 mm versus 15.53 ± 1.07 mm, p < 0.0001) for the TITS and the SI screws.

Conclusions

The results of this biomechanical study suggest a clear trend towards greater fracture stability of the TITS screw with significantly reduced interfragmentary movement. The application of a TITS screw for the treatment of the osteoporotic pelvic ring fracture may be prioritized to ensure the best possible patient care.
A Theoretical Framework for the Analysis of Physical Unclonable Function Interfaces and Its Relation to the Random Oracle Model
Authors: van Dijk Marten , Jin Chenglu
Published: August 2023

Analysis of advanced physical unclonable function (PUF) applications and protocols relies on assuming that a PUF behaves like a random oracle; that is, upon receiving a challenge, a uniform random response with replacement is selected, measurement noise is added, and the resulting response is returned. In order to justify such an assumption, we need to rely on digital interface computation that to some extent remains confidential—otherwise, information about PUF challenge–response pairs leak with which the adversary can train a prediction model for the PUF. We introduce a theoretical framework that allows the adversary to have a prediction model (with a typical accuracy of 75% for predicting response bits for state-of-the-art silicon PUF designs). We do not require any confidential digital computing or digital secrets, while we can still prove rigorous statements about the bit security of a system that interfaces with the PUF. In particular, we prove the bit security of a PUF-based random oracle construction; this merges the PUF framework with fuzzy extractors.
Aluminium deep drawing with additive manufacturing polymer punches: analysis of performance in small batch production
Authors: Giorleo Luca , Ceretti Elisabetta
Published: August 2023

In this research the authors tested the performance of polymer punches, filled with short carbon fibres, produced with fused filament fabrication technology for aluminium sheet deep drawing. An experimental campaign was designed to investigate the geometry accuracy of 99th produced cup and the punches wear mechanism. Results demonstrated that polymer punches are subjected to elastic and plastic deformation that affects cup radius and depth. However, the tolerance comparison with cup produced by conventional steel tools is in a range of tenth of micron; consequently, these punches can withstand the small batch or customised production of one hundred parts.
Inequality and growth in China
Authors: Lin Haiyan , Brueckner Markus
Published: August 2023

We provide estimates of the effects that income inequality has on economic growth in China. Our empirical analysis is at the county level. Using data provided by the China Health and Nutrition Survey, we construct measures of inequality and the growth rates of household incomes per capita for 72 Chinese counties during the period 1989–2015. System-GMM estimates of panel models show that the within-county effect of inequality on economic growth is significantly decreasing in initial average income. For the relatively low levels of initial average incomes that were prevalent in China during the 1980s and 1990s, our model estimates imply that the increase in inequality that occurred in China during the 1980s and 1990s had a significant positive effect on economic growth. However, for current levels of average income, our panel model predicts that inequality has a negative effect on economic growth: a 1 percentage point increase in the Gini would reduce the per annum growth rate by around 1 percentage point.
The first annually resolved analysis of slash-and-burn practices in the boreal Eurasia suggests their strong climatic and socio-economic controls
Authors: Drobyshev Igor , Aleinikov Alexei , Lisitsyna Olga , Aleksutin Vadim , Vozmitel Foma , Ryzhkova Nina
Published: August 2023

Slash-and-burn (SAB) was a widespread agricultural practice across large parts of the boreal region until the early 20th century. Despite its paramount importance in the procurement of food and particularly in supporting frontier populations of settlers during the colonization of the Eurasian boreal zone, analyses of spatial and temporal patterns in the use of SAB at annual and sub-annual scales are currently missing. We present the first such analysis of climatic and social controls of SAB practices in a remote region in the northern Ural mountains from 1880 to 1894. We observed a significant positive correlation between the total number of burns and the village population (p = 0.005, R2 = 0.26), indicating that the frequency of burns directly reflected the local demand for food. The amount of agricultural land, regarded as a cumulative measure of burning activity over multiple decades, showed a strong positive correlation with the village population (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.60). This result supported our interpretation of burns as an important food procurement tool, probably also positively affected by higher labour availability in larger villages. Villages where the number of burns were higher than predicted by the “the population vs. burns” regression tended (p = 0.15) to have larger areas of arable land than predicted by the “population vs. arable land” regression. This pattern implied that variability in the local environmental and/or socio-economic settings of the villages made some of them more (or otherwise less) favourable for agricultural activities based on SAB. Most reported burns occurred in June and July. The three years with the maximum number of reported burns had a tendency to be wetter during these months when compared to the same period during an “average” year (p = 0.19). The pattern suggested that farmers preferred conducting burns during years with a below-average climatological fire hazard. An earlier start of the fire season favoured burning activity (p = 0.10 R2 = 0.33), while its later ending had no significant effect on the number of burns (p = 0.53). Our study documented strong climatic controls of SAB practices at the annual scale and their social controls at above-annual scales. These patterns emerged despite the common use of slash-and-burn to mitigate generally limited food availability in the northern Ural mountain region and likely conservative estimates of these practices in available records.
Improving the power of hypothesis tests in sparse contingency tables
Authors: Nicolussi Federica , Cazzaro Manuela , Rudas Tamás
Published: August 2023

When analyzing data in contingency tables it is frequent to deal with sparse data, particularly when the sample size is small relative to the number of cells. Most analyses of this kind are interpreted in an exploratory manner and even if tests are performed, little attention is paid to statistical power. This paper proposes a method we call redundant procedure, which is based on the union–intersection principle and increases test power by focusing on specific components of the hypothesis. This method is particularly helpful when the hypothesis to be tested can be expressed as the intersections of simpler models, such that at least some of them pertain to smaller table marginals. This situation leads to working on tables that are naturally denser. One advantage of this method is its direct application to (chain) graphical models. We illustrate the proposal through simulations and suggest strategies to increase the power of tests in sparse tables. Finally, we demonstrate an application to the EU-SILC dataset.
Providing open imaging data at scale: An EMBL-EBI perspective
Authors: Hartley Matthew , Iudin Andrii , Padwardhan Ardan , Sarkans Ugis , Yoldaş Aybüke Küpcü , Kleywegt Gerard J.
Published: August 2023

Biological imaging is one of the primary tools by which we understand living systems across scales from atoms to organisms. Rapid advances in imaging technology have increased both the spatial and temporal resolutions at which we examine those systems, as well as enabling visualisation of larger tissue volumes. These advances have huge potential but also generate ever increasing amounts of imaging data that must be stored and analysed. Public image repositories provide a critical scientific service through open data provision, supporting reproducibility of scientific results, access to reference imaging datasets and reuse of data for new scientific discovery and acceleration of image analysis methods development. The scale and scope of imaging data provides both challenges and opportunities for open sharing of image data. In this article, we provide a perspective influenced by decades of provision of open data resources for biological information, suggesting areas to focus on and a path towards global interoperability.
Surgical outcomes in elective sigmoid resection for diverticulitis stratified according to indication: a propensity-score matched cohort study with 903 patients
Authors: Nocera Fabio , Haak Fabian , Posabella Alberto , Angehrn Fiorenzo Valente , Peterli Ralph , Müller-Stich Beat P. , Steinemann Daniel C.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Weighing the perioperative risk of elective sigmoidectomy is done regardless of the specific diverticulitis classification. The aim of this study is to evaluate surgical outcomes according to the classification grade and the indication.

Methods

All patients who underwent elective colonic resection for diverticulitis during the ten-year study period were included. They were divided into two groups: relative surgery indication (RSI) and absolute surgery indication (ASI). RSI included microabscess and recurrent uncomplicated disease. ASI included macroabscess and recurrent complicated disease. Propensity score-matching (PSM, 1:1) was performed.

Results

585 patients fulfilled criteria for RSI and 318 patients fulfilled criteria for ASI. In the univariate analysis, RSI patients were younger (62 vs. 67.7 years, p < 0.001), had a higher physical status (ASA score 1 or 2 in 80.7% vs. 60.8%, p < 0.001), were less immunosuppressed (3.4% vs. 6.9%, p = 0.021) and suffered less often from coronary heart disease (3.8% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.025). After PSM, 318 RSI vs. 318 ASI patients were selected; baseline characteristics results were comparable. The proportion of planned laparoscopic resection was 93% in RSI versus 75% in ASI (p < 0.001), and the conversion rate to open surgery for laparoscopic resection was 5.0% and 13.8% in RSI versus ASI, respectively (p < 0.001). Major morbidity (Clavien/Dindo ≥ IIIb) occurred less frequently in RSI (3.77% vs. 10%, p = 0.003). A defunctioning stoma was formed in 0.9% and 11.0% in RSI vs ASI, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The lower risk for postoperative morbidity, the higher chance for a laparoscopic resection and the decreased rate of stoma formation are attributed to patients with recurrent uncomplicated diverticulitis or diverticulitis including a microabscess as compared to patients with complicated diverticulitis or diverticulitis and a macroabscess, and this applies even after PSM.
Probing real-world Central European population midfacial skeleton symmetry for maxillofacial surgery
Authors: Franke Adrian , Hofmann Elisabeth Claudia , Steinberg Anna , Lauer Günter , Kitzler Hagen , Leonhardt Henry
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Symmetry is essential for computer-aided surgical (CAS) procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). A critical step for successful CAS is mirroring the unaffected side to create a template for the virtual reconstruction of the injured anatomical structure. The aim was to identify specific anatomical landmarks of the midfacial skeleton, to evaluate the symmetry in a group of the real-world Central European population, and to use these landmarks to assess midfacial symmetry in CT scans.

Material and methods

The retrospective cross-sectional study defined landmarks of the midface’s bony contour using viscerocranial CT data. The distances of the skeletal landmarks (e.g., the frontozygomatic suture and temporozygomatic suture) of the left and right sides from the midline were measured and statistically compared. Midfacial symmetry for reference points was defined as a difference within 0 mm and their mean difference plus one standard deviation.

Results

We examined a total of 101 CT scans. 75% of our population shows symmetrical proportions of the midface. The means of the differences for the left and right sides ranged from 0.8 to 1.3 mm, averaging 1.1 ± 0.2 mm for all skeletal landmarks. The standard deviations ranged from 0.6 to 1.4 mm, with a computed mean of 0.9 ± 0.3 mm.

Conclusion

We established a methodology to assess the symmetry of the bony midface. If the determined differences were equal to or lower than 2.5 mm in the mentioned midfacial skeletal landmarks, then the symmetry of the bony midface was considered present, and symmetry-based methods for CAS procedures are applicable.

Clinical relevance

Many CAS procedures require facial symmetry. We provide an easy-to-apply method to probe for symmetry of the midface. The method may be used for population-based research, to check for proper reduction of fractures after reposition or to screen for symmetry prior to CAS planning.