bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successful epilepsy surgery in two cases with multiple sclerosis
Authors: van Klink Nicole , Tousseyn Simon , Schijns Olaf , van Eijsden Pieter , Vos Pieter , Hilkman Danny , Killestein Joep , Leijten Frans
Published: October 2023

Brain surgery is the only curative treatment for people with focal epilepsy, but it is unclear whether this induces active disease in multiple sclerosis (MS). This creates a barrier to evaluate MS patients for epilepsy surgery. We present two cases of successful epilepsy surgery in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy and stable MS and give an overview of the existing literature. (1) a 28‐year‐old woman with seizures arising from a right basal temporo‐occipital ganglioglioma was seizure‐free after surgery, without MS relapse but with one new MS lesion postsurgically. (2) a 46‐year‐old woman with seizures arising from a natalizumab‐associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) lesion in the right frontal lobe was seizure‐free after surgery preceded by extraoperative subdural electrocorticography, with new subclinical MS lesions. We are the first to report brain surgery in a PML survivor. Both patients stabilized radiologically after initiating second‐line therapies. Successful epilepsy surgery can substantially increase the quality of life in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy and MS. With increasing survival rates of brain tumors and PML, the risk–benefit ratio of epilepsy surgery compared to a potential MS relapse after surgery becomes critically important. Shared decision‐making is valuable for balancing the risks related to both diseases.
Refined deformation limit states for circular reinforced concrete bridge columns
Authors: Aldabagh Saif , Hossain Faroque , Alam M. Shahria
Published: October 2023

One hurdle against the widespread implementation of the performance‐based design (PBD) for bridges is the lack of consensus among practitioners, researchers, and code committees on engineering demand parameter (EDP) limits defining the onset of various types of damage and their variability. This study seeks to bring consistency to the PBD methodology by establishing refined EDP limits at concrete cover spalling and bar buckling for circular reinforced concrete bridge columns. To this end, a database consisting of 118 previously tested flexure‐dominant bridge columns was formulated and analyzed. The EDP limit considered at the member level was drift ratio, whereas, at the sectional level, the EDP limits considered were material strain and curvature ductility. State‐of‐the‐art symbolic regression was adopted to fit the resulting data to mathematical expressions. At the member level, predicted drift ratio limits at the two damage states obtained with the proposed expressions were associated with lower root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) than those obtained from other similar expressions in the literature. At the sectional level, drift ratios at concrete cover spalling were adequately predicted with compressive strain limits in concrete ranging from 0.004 to 0.007 and a curvature ductility limit of 6.3. More accurate predictions of drift ratios at bar buckling were attained with variable sectional EDP limits, particularly for columns subjected to relatively high axial load. Two expressions predicting the tensile strain limit in the rebar and curvature ductility limit at bar buckling were proposed. The ratios of the measured drift ratio at bar buckling to the drift ratio predicted based on the proposed variable tensile strain limit had a mean of 0.99 and a coefficient of variation (COV) of 33%. Corresponding ratios based on the proposed variable curvature ductility limit had a mean of 1.02 and a COV of 31%. Fragility functions relating the likelihood of concrete cover spalling and bar buckling to the considered EDP limits were also developed.
Associations between major depressive and bipolar disorders and eating disorder, PTSD, and comorbid symptom severity in eating disorder patients
Authors: Brewerton Timothy D. , Gavidia Ismael , Suro Giulia , Perlman Molly M.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) are commonly comorbid with eating disorders (EDs). However, there is limited data about the clinical features of such patients, especially their association with traumatic histories and PTSD, which occur commonly in patients admitted to residential treatment.

Methods

Adults (≥18 years, 91% female, n = 2155) admitted to residential ED treatment were evaluated upon admission for DSM‐5 defined MDD and BD. Patients were divided into three groups based on an admission diagnosis of no mood disorder (NMD), MDD, and BD (types I and II) and compared on a number of demographic variables, clinical features and assessments.

Results

Mood disorders occurred in 76.4% of participants. There were statistically significant differences across groups in most measures with the BD group showing higher rates and doses of traumatic events; higher current PTSD; higher BMIs; higher severity of ED, depression and state‐trait anxiety symptoms; worse quality of life; and higher rates of substance use disorders. Similarly, the MDD group had higher rates than the NMD group on most measures.

Conclusions

These findings have important implications for prevention, treatment and long‐term follow‐up and highlight the need for early trauma‐focused treatment of ED patients with comorbid mood disorders and PTSD.
Method for evaluating the accuracy of state‐of‐charge (SOC)/state‐of‐health (SOH) estimation of BMSs
Authors: Song Hyunsik , Shin Donghyun
Published: October 2023

The battery management system (BMS), which is widely adopted in various eco‐friendly automobiles that use batteries for propulsion, increases energy efficiency and extends the usable life by monitoring and optimally managing batteries. Eco‐friendly automobile original equipment manufacturers demand improvements in state‐of‐charge (SOC) and state‐of‐health (SOH) accuracies. However, because standards for evaluating accuracy do not exist, evaluations are performed using methods suggested by BMS developers or researchers, which differ from each other. Thus, the reliability of the SOC and SOH accuracy results is low. To accurately evaluate the SOC/SOH, it is necessary to reflect various conditions such as the power of the battery during actual vehicle operation and the temperature inside and outside the battery at the time. Therefore, a method is proposed herein that individually or simultaneously evaluates the SOC and SOH estimation accuracies of the BMS while considering an eco‐friendly vehicle's actual driving environment, instead of simple charge and discharge test conditions and room temperature. The reference values for evaluating the accuracy of SOC/SOH estimation in a battery can be defined as follows: Full charge and full discharge are conducted before applying the evaluation pattern to calculate the precise available capacity of the battery. Subsequently, it is fully charged and discharged to its initial SOC. A load pattern reflecting the load conditions of the subsequent application is repeatedly applied. After concluding the evaluation pattern, the remaining capacity is discharged, thereby determining the reference value. The proposed method is applied to two types of BMSs to evaluate its accuracy in SOC/SOH estimation and the validity of the proposed method was verified.
State of the Art der Verschleißprognose im maschinellen Tunnelbau
Authors: Stopp Annika , Feinendegen Martin
Published: October 2023

The wear of cutting tools in mechanised tunnelling is closely linked to the abrasiveness of the present subsoil. Therefore, most of the models used for wear prediction take an abrasiveness index into account. The most common index used for hard rock is the Cerchar Abrasiveness Index (CAI); whereas such a standard does not yet exist for soil. Both the literature research and the results of calculation examples presented in the article show that significantly more practical models are currently available for wear prediction in hard rock. One reason for this is that far more wear‐relevant influencing factors have to be quantified for soft ground. Another reason is that the scientific studies concerning this topic only started in the course of mechanised tunnelling. Since especially the calculations carried out for low‐abrasive rocks differ widely among the different models for tool life, further research is needed also for wear prediction in hard rock
Felsbauplanung mit dem geotechnischen Werkzeugkasten von morgen: Eurocode und die Grundlagen der Planung von Tragwerken und geotechnischen Bauwerken (die zweite Generation der EN 1990 und EN 1997)
Authors: Lamas Luís , Burbaum Ulrich , Estaire José , Harrison John , Nuijten Guido , Pereira Renato
Published: October 2023

The current first generation of Eurocodes is a suite of ten European standards for the design of buildings and civil engineering works, whose implementation started in 2010. EN 1990 sets the basis of structural design, with the other Eurocodes dealing with different materials and specific aspects of design. Geotechnical aspects of design are covered by EN 1997 ”Geotechnical design“, usually called Eurocode 7.

The evolution of the Eurocodes started in 2012 and the main objectives of their revision were to incorporate improvements that reflect the state‐of‐the‐art in engineering design and the needs of the civil engineering market, to improve the ease‐of‐use and to harmonize practice between countries. While the original version was developed largely based on soil mechanics, the aim was that the revised version treats soil and rock on an equal basis.

The second generation of the Eurocodes is now nearly finished, and the revised EN 1997 is expected to be formally approved in 2024. This paper is the first of a set of six informative papers on the revised Eurocodes and rock engineering, prepared by members of the Rock Engineering Platform of CEN/TC250/SC7, a group of rock engineering experts that has been assisting in drafting EN 1997 from a rock‐engineering perspective. The paper presents the main changes to EN 1990 and EN 1997 as far as they affect geotechnical and rock engineering design.
Semantic‐specific and domain‐general mechanisms for integration and update of contextual information
Authors: Branzi Francesca M. , Lambon Ralph Matthew A.
Published: October 2023

Recent research has highlighted the importance of domain‐general processes and brain regions for language and semantic cognition. Yet, this has been mainly observed in executively demanding tasks, leaving open the question of the contribution of domain‐general processes to natural language and semantic cognition. Using fMRI, we investigated whether neural processes reflecting context integration and context update—two key aspects of naturalistic language and semantic processing—are domain‐specific versus domain‐general. Thus, we compared neural responses during the integration of contextual information across semantic and non‐semantic tasks. Whole‐brain results revealed both shared (left posterior‐dorsal inferior frontal gyrus, left posterior inferior temporal gyrus, and left dorsal angular gyrus/intraparietal sulcus) and distinct (left anterior‐ventral inferior frontal gyrus, left anterior ventral angular gyrus, left posterior middle temporal gyrus for semantic control only) regions involved in context integration and update. Furthermore, data‐driven functional connectivity analysis clustered domain‐specific versus domain‐general brain regions into distinct but interacting functional neural networks. These results provide a first characterisation of the neural processes required for context‐dependent integration during language processing along the domain‐specificity dimension, and at the same time, they bring new insights into the role of left posterior lateral temporal cortex and left angular gyrus for semantic cognition.
Prediction of postoperative recurrence of oral cancer by artificial intelligence model: Multilayer perceptron
Authors: Cai Yongkang , Xie Yutong , Zhang Shulian , Wang Yuepeng , Wang Yan , Chen Jian , Huang Zhiquan
Published: October 2023

Background

Postoperative recurrence of oral cancer is an important factor affecting the prognosis of patients. Artificial intelligence is used to establish a machine learning model to predict the risk of postoperative recurrence of oral cancer.

Methods

The information of 387 patients with postoperative oral cancer were collected to establish the multilayer perceptron (MLP) model. The comprehensive variable model was compared with the characteristic variable model, and the MLP model was compared with other models to evaluate the sensitivity of different models in the prediction of postoperative recurrence of oral cancer.

Results

The overall performance of the MLP model under comprehensive variable input was the best.

Conclusion

The MLP model has good sensitivity to predict postoperative recurrence of oral cancer, and the predictive model with variable input training is better than that with characteristic variable input.
Maternal medically diagnosed infection and antibiotic prescription during pregnancy and risk of childhood cancer: A population‐based cohort study in Taiwan, 2004 to 2015
Authors: Sirirungreung Anupong , Lee Pei‐Chen , Hu Ya‐Hui , Liew Zeyan , Ritz Beate , Heck Julia E.
Published: October 2023

While associations between maternal infections during pregnancy and childhood leukemia in offspring have been extensively studied, the evidence for other types of childhood cancers is limited. Additionally, antibiotic exposure during pregnancy could potentially increase the risk of childhood cancers. Our study investigates associations between maternal infections and antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy and the risk of childhood cancer in Taiwan. We conducted a population‐based cohort study using the Taiwan Maternal and Child Health Database (TMCHD), linked with national health and cancer registries. The study included 2 267 186 mother‐child pairs, and the median follow‐up time was 7.96 years. Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to estimate effects. Maternal infections during pregnancy were associated with a moderate increase in the risk of childhood hepatoblastoma (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90‐1.98) and a weaker increase in the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (adjusted HR = 1.15; 95% CI: 0.99‐1.35). Antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy were also associated with an elevated risk of childhood ALL (adjusted HR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.04‐1.63), particularly with tetracyclines (adjusted HR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.34‐3.45). Several specific antibiotics were also associated with an increased risk of hepatoblastoma and medulloblastoma. Children exposed in utero to antibiotic prescription or both infections and antibiotics during pregnancy were at higher risk of developing ALL. Our findings suggest that there are associations between maternal infections, antibiotic use during pregnancy and the risk of several childhood cancers in addition to ALL and highlight the importance of further research in this area.
Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug Modulation of Behavioral Responses to Intrathecal N‐Methyl‐D‐Aspartate, but Not to Substance P and Amino‐Methyl‐Isoxazole‐Propionic Acid in the Rat
Authors: Björkman Roland , Hallman Katarina M. , Hedner Jan , Hedner Thomas , Henning Matts
Published: October 2023

Antinociception by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, notably diclofenac and S(+)‐ ibuprofen, has traditionally been attributed to peripheral tissue cyclooxygenase inhibition. This study investigates the potential role of the nitric oxide system for the central antinociceptive effects of diclofenac, S(+)‐, and R(‐)‐ibuprofen. Diclofenac and S(+)‐ but not R(‐)‐ibuprofen inhibited the behavioral response dose dependently, “biting, scratching, and licking (BSL),” induced by the spinal application of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartale, but not that of amino‐methylisoxazole‐propionic acid or substance P. Diclofenac and S(+)‐ibuprofen induced a parallel shift in the number of BSL responses and in the duration of the response in the behavioral model at their approximate median effective doses (diclofenac 1 µmol and S(+)‐ibuprofen 5 µmol). Pretreatment with L‐arginine, the natural substrate for the nitric oxide synthetase, antagonized diclofenac, and S(+)‐ ibuprofen‐induced suppression of the biting, scratching, and licking response evoked by intrathecal N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate. D‐arginine did not antagonize the diclofenac‐ and S(+)‐ibuprofen‐induced antinociception. The study results indicate that analgesia after diclofenac and S(+)‐ibuprofen involves a central mechanism which may add to the peripheral antinociceptive effect of these agents. The central action of diclofenac and S(+)‐ibuprofen is partly mediated by an interaction with the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor and nitric oxide‐generating mechanisms.
Reevaluation of Some Double‐Blind, Randomized Studies of Dexibuprofen (Seractil): A State‐of‐the‐Art Overview: Studies in Patients with Lumbar Vertebral Column Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Distortion of the Ankle Joint, Gonarthrosis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Activated Coxarthrosis
Authors: Rahlfs Volker W.
Published: October 2023

This article presents a reevaluation of studies previously performed regarding the efficacy and safety of dexibuprofen (Seractil; S(+)‐ibuprofen) for use in patients with inflammatory or degenerative diseases. Using appropriate standardized measures (univariate and multivariate analysis with the Mann‐Whitney statistic with confidence intervals), the authors were able to compare the effects of treatment in different diseases. For the primary criterion and for the combined analysis of all efficacy criteria, onesided equivalence was proved in all six studies reviewed.
Multifractal approach for a biological porous media: Human dentin case
Authors: Sánchez‐Chávez H. D. , Flores‐Cano L. , Santiago‐Hernández A. , García‐Soriano A. A.
Published: October 2023

A multifractal characterization to human dentin porosity is made. Micrographs of human dentin samples gotten from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were studied in order to characterize porosity. We got the generalized dimensions (multifractal moments) for pore space and matrix skeleton on gray scale and binary images for samples of both gender. For the case, we found that superficial porosity is linked to mass fractal dimension in an approximately linear relationship as for binary images. In addition, probability density distribution (PDD) for pore diameters is found a normal PDD type. Other quantities of interest like mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum pore diameters, voit ratios, and percentage of chemical composition are reported.

Research Highlights

SEM sample, images and procedure for multifractal analysis are detailed.

Micro patterns in grayscale are multifractal and in binary scale are monofractals.

Superficial porosity is relate to mass fractal dimension approximately linearly.

From the porosity values, voit ratios are determined.

Pores diameters obey a normal PDD.
Central pancreatectomy might be an acceptable surgical procedure for clinical T1 pancreatic body ductal adenocarcinoma: A multicenter retrospective analysis
Authors: Terai Taichi , Kawai Manabu , Kitahata Yuji , Satoi Sohei , Hashimoto Daisuke , Nagai Minako , Nishiwada Satoshi , Yamamoto Tomohisa , Yamaue Hiroki , Sho Masayuki
Published: October 2023

Background

Central pancreatectomy (CP) is accepted as a function‐preserving procedure for benign tumors. However, the indication of CP for pancreatic cancers is limited. This multicenter study aimed to clarify the indications of CP for clinical T1 pancreatic body cancer.

Methods

This multicenter study analyzed patients who underwent CP or distal pancreatectomy (DP) for clinical T1 pancreatic body cancer between 2013 and 2020 at three high‐volume centers.

Results

A total of 50 patients were enrolled: nine patients, who underwent CP, were classified into the CP group, while 38 patients, who underwent DP, served as controls. Three patients converted CP to DP during operation were excluded. Five patients in the CP group and 15 patients in the control group underwent preoperative treatment. The 5‐year survival rate was 100% in the CP group, and 42% (p = .040) in the control group. Recurrence was found in three patients in the CP group. Importantly, insulin was not required after surgery in patients in the CP group.

Conclusion

The clinical outcomes of CP were comparable to or even better than that of conventional pancreatectomy. Our collaborative study suggests that CP may be an acceptable therapeutic option for selected patients with clinical T1 pancreatic body cancer.
Judging Nonacademic Claims about Leadership According to Academic Standards
Authors: Harter Nathan W.
Published: October 2023

This short piece questions the utility and preferable form of academic criticisms about popular materials on leadership, such as Ted talks, blogs, and what are called airport books. It then addresses an effort to say that when these materials claim that a leader is or does something in particular, what they are saying is that anyone who is, or does that particular thing is therefore a leader. It is unclear that anyone makes that argument. If these materials are instead stipulating a definition, then it is not invalid to apply that definition. But even if they are saying that among the things that leaders are or do is something in particular, they are still not saying that anyone who is or does that particular something is necessarily a leader. It is not illogical to identify what a person believes that leaders are or do. That much can be helpful. The question is what logical inferences they draw from this premise.
COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine, but not a viral vector‐based vaccine, promotes neutralizing anti‐type I interferon autoantibody production in a small group of healthy individuals
Authors: Xu Wanli , Wen Xiaoting , Cong Xiaomei , Jiang Wei
Published: October 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccines are highly effective but also induce adverse events, in particular, autoimmunity. Findings from several studies revealed that patients with life‐threatening SARS‐CoV‐2 infection had increased, pre‐existing, neutralizing antibodies against type I interferons (IFNs). However, whether COVID‐19 vaccination induces the anti‐type I IFN antibody remains unclear. In the current study, we evaluated plasma levels of 103 autoantibodies against various human self‐antigens and 16 antibodies against viral antigens in healthy individuals pre‐ and post‐COVID‐19 vaccination. Twelve participants received a COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine (Pfizer‐BioNTech or Moderna), and 8 participants received a viral vector‐based vaccine (Janssen). All participants produced increased antibody levels against SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens following vaccination. Among the 103 autoantibodies, only plasma levels of IgG autoantibodies against type I IFNs increased in participants who received a mRNA vaccine (3/12), but not in those who received the viral vector‐based vaccine (0/8) at postvaccination compared to pre‐vaccination. Among the three individuals showing increased anti‐IFN IgG following vaccination, both plasma samples and plasma‐purified total IgGs showed a dose‐dependent binding ability to IFN‐α; two of the three showed neutralizing activity to IFN‐α‐2a‐induced phosphorated STAT1 responses in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells postvaccination compared to baseline in vitro. Among the 103 autoantibodies tested, the COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine, but not the viral vector‐based vaccine, specifically induced neutralizing anti‐type I IFN autoantibodies in a small group of healthy individuals (~10%). Findings from this study imply that COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines may suppress IFN‐mediated innate immunity and impair immune defense through induced autoimmunity in some healthy individuals, who may need to switch to another type of COVID‐19 vaccine (e.g., a viral vector‐based vaccine).
Older workers' knowledge seeking from younger coworkers: Disentangling countervailing pathways to successful aging at work
Authors: Pfrombeck Julian , Burmeister Anne , Grote Gudela
Published: October 2023

Increasing age diversity in the workplace has led to growing research attention to the knowledge transfer between older and younger employees. The existing literature on age‐diverse knowledge exchange has mostly focused on knowledge transfer from older to younger employees as a means of knowledge retention. In this study, we change perspectives by aiming to understand how and when older employees' knowledge seeking from younger coworkers is related to their successful aging at work (i.e., the motivation and ability to continue working). Grounded in the self‐regulatory process model of successful aging at work, we predict two countervailing pathways: a positive self‐enhancing path via perceived learning and a negative self‐protective path via embarrassment. In a time‐lagged study with 764 older employees, we found that their knowledge seeking from younger coworkers was positively related to motivation to continue working and workability via perceived learning and negatively related to workability via embarrassment. We further examined older employees' positive intergenerational affect as a boundary condition and found a buffering effect on the negative path to workability. This research shows that knowledge transfer from younger to older employees is a net contributor to successful aging at work and embarrassment can be mitigated by positive intergenerational affect.
Local application of gingiva‐derived mesenchymal stem cells on experimental periodontitis in rats
Authors: Balaban Yunus Emre , Akbaba Sema , Bozkurt Serife Buket , Buyuksungur Arda , Akgun E. Ece , Gonen Zeynep Burcin , Salkin Hasan , Tezcaner Aysen , Hakki Sema S.
Published: October 2023

Background

Stem cell‐based approaches in regenerative periodontal therapy have been used in different experimental models. In this study, the effect of local application of gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSC) in fibroin/chitosan oligosaccharide lactate hydrogel (F/COS) on periodontal regeneration was evaluated using experimental periodontitis model in rats.

Methods

Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the gingiva of rats and characterized. Viability tests and confocal imaging of GMSC in hydrogels were performed. Healthy control without periodontitis (Health; H; n=10), control with periodontitis but no application (Periodontitis; P; n=10), only hydrogel application (F/COS; n=10), and GMSC+F/COS (n=10) four groups were formed for in vivo studies. Experimental periodontitis was created with silk sutures around the maxillary second molars. GMSC labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) (250,000 cells/50 μL) in F/COS were applied to the defect. Animals were sacrificed at 2nd and 8th weeks and maxillae of the animals were evaluated by micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) and histologically. The presence of GFP‐labeled GMSC was confirmed at the end of 8 weeks.

Results

Micro‐CT analysis showed statistically significant new bone formation in the F/COS+GMSC treated group compared with the P group at the end of 8 weeks (p < 0.05). New bone formation was also observed in the F/COS group, but the statistical analysis revealed that this difference was not significant when compared with the P group (p > 0.05). Long junctional epithelium formation was less in the F/COS+GMSC group compared with the P group. Periodontal ligament and connective tissue were well‐organized in F/COS+GMSC group.

Conclusion

The results showed that local GMSC application in hydrogel contributed to the formation of new periodontal ligament and alveolar bone in rats with experimental periodontitis. Since gingiva is easly accessible tissue, it is promising for autologous cell‐based treatments in clinical applications.
Ultrasound‐Guided Prospective Screening for Spinal Dysraphism in Offspring of Mothers With Pregestational Diabetes
Authors: Gajagowni Saivaroon , Mazuru‐Witten Danielle , Hegstrom Jessica , Goodman Jean , Vachharajani Akshaya J.
Published: October 2023

Aim

Determine the utility of prospective spinal ultrasound in infants of mothers with pregestational diabetes (PGDM) for the diagnosis of closed spinal dysraphism (SDs).

Methods

This prospective observational pilot study was completed at a tertiary care center between May 1, 2020 and December 30, 2022. Infants born to mothers with PGDM and with normal spinal physical examinations were included. A total of 25 mother–infant dyads were enrolled in the study and prospectively screened with spinal ultrasound. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier‐NCT05033275).

Results

Twenty‐five spinal ultrasounds were performed over the course of this study with three (8%) resulting in abnormal findings that required further imaging. Follow‐up with magnetic resonance imaging found one case of tethered cord syndrome.

Conclusion

Prospective screening in infants of mothers with PGDM found one case of tethered cord syndrome. This finding suggests that risk stratified screening of mothers with diabetes might be a reasonable approach to care.
The Diagnostic Accuracy of Transvaginal Ultrasound for Detection of Ureteral Involvement in Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
Authors: Chway Cizar , Flórez Sandra , Muñoz Maria Dolores , Guerriero Stefano , Alcázar Juan Luis
Published: October 2023

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) for the diagnosis of ureteral involvement in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).

Methods

The meta‐analysis included primary studies comparing the use of TVU for diagnosing endometriotic involvement of the ureter, using laparoscopic surgery and histological diagnosis as the reference standard. Search was performed in several databases (Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed/MEDLINE). The studies' quality and bias risk were assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Study‐2 (QUADAS‐2). Diagnostic performance was estimated by assessing pooled sensitivity and specificity.

Results

A total of 496 citations were found. Six articles were ultimately selected for this systematic review and meta‐analysis after the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.42–0.96), 1.00 (95% CI: 0.93–1.00). The heterogeneity observed was high for both sensitivity and specificity. Overall risk of bias was low.

Conclusion

TVU is a valuable tool for the pre‐operative identification of ureteral involvement by DIE.
Neurophysiology of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve in an In Vivo Rat Model
Authors: Cvancara David J. , de Leon Julio A. , Baertsch Hans C. , Jaleel Zaroug , Kinney Greg , Martinez Vicente , Bhatt Neel K.
Published: October 2023

Objective

The superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) is fundamental in laryngeal sensation, cough reflex, and pitch control. SLN injury has substantial consequences including altered sensation, aspiration, and dysphonia. To date, in vivo measurement of the SLN remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of recording motor and sensory evoked potentials in a rat SLN model.

Methods

Twenty‐two rat hemi‐laryngeal preparations (n = 11) were obtained from 4‐month‐old Sprague–Dawley rats and included in this study. Compound motor action potentials (CMAPs) and motor unit number estimation (MUNE) were calculated by stimulating the SLN at the point of medial extension near the carotid artery and by placing a recording electrode on the cricothyroid muscle. Sensory response was determined through stimulation of the SLN and laryngoscopic visualization of a laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR). SLN and cricothyroid muscle cross‐sections were stained and histologic morphometrics were quantified.

Results

Laryngeal evoked potentials were successfully obtained in all trials. Mean CMAP latency and negative durations were 0.99 ± 0.57 ms and 1.49 ± 0.57 ms, respectively. The median MUNE was 2.06 (IQR 1.88, 3.51). LAR was induced with a mean intensity of 0.69 ± 0.20 mV. Mean axon count, myelin thickness, and g‐ratio were 681 ± 192.2, 1.72 ± 0.26, and 0.45 ± 0.04, respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility of recording evoked response potentials following SLN stimulation. We hypothesize that this work will provide a tractable animal model to study changes in laryngeal sensation and cricothyroid motor function with aging, neurodegenerative disease, aspiration, or nerve injury.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 134:1778–1784, 2024
Global sustainable land use and management: Illustrating the linkage between carbon sink and ecological engineering
Authors: Zhang Mengqi , Duo Jieji , Sun Jian , Haregeweyn Nigussie
Published: October 2023

Ecological engineering has been implemented worldwide to mitigate land use and management stresses. It can remarkably alter the spatiotemporal patterns of carbon sinks and regulate ecosystem functions and processes. However, the linkage between ecological engineering and carbon sink remains unclear. To adequately address this dilemma, we must urgently determine the spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of carbon sinks and illustrate ecological response and feedback mechanisms. We created a Special Issue to answer these questions, establish future research directions, and propose a framework for sustainable land use and management. All these efforts provide a theoretical basis to guide the implementation of ecological projects and contribute to global carbon neutrality.
Virtual built‐up land transfers and induced ecosystem service potential loss embodied in China's inter‐regional trade
Authors: Weng Chuyao , Bai Yuping , Chen Bihui , Hu Yecui , Liu Shuai , Wu Lantian
Published: October 2023

Inter‐regional trade can potentially extend the management of resources and induced ecological environmental impacts beyond a region's territory along supply chains. We combined environmental‐extended multi‐regional input–output analysis and ecosystem services value (ESV) assessment, to identify the remote connections of construction land use and the induced ecosystem services potential loss in inter‐provincial trade in China from 2007 to 2017. The findings indicated that the virtual construction land flow increased by 0.774 million ha in the eight regions of China during 2007–2017. The Northeast and the Northwest were net exporters while most of the inflow areas were in the more developed areas such as Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei and the Yangtze River Delta. The net regional flow of ecosystem service potential loss (ESPL) in China increased by 352.64 billion yuan. The spatial heterogeneity of ESV in each province led to differences in the inter‐sectoral or inter‐regional flow characteristics of ESPL from embodied construction land use. The outflow areas of ESPL were mostly located in the old industrial bases of the Northeast and Northern Coast, which sacrificed their local ecological service value to meet the development needs of Southern Coast, Southwest China and Beijing–Tianjin. The research results help to clarify ecological and environmental responsibility, improve ecological compensation mechanisms and formulate scientific policies for coordinated protection of ecosystem services.
Coupled primary production and respiration in a large river contrasts with smaller rivers and streams
Authors: Roley Sarah S. , Hall Robert O. , Perkins William , Garayburu‐Caruso Vanessa A. , Stegen James C.
Published: October 2023

Although time series in ecosystem metabolism are well characterized in small and medium rivers, patterns in the world's largest rivers are almost unknown. Large rivers present technical difficulties, including depth measurements, gas exchange (, ) estimates, and the presence of large dams, which can supersaturate gases. We estimated reach‐scale metabolism for the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River (Washington state, USA), a free‐flowing stretch with an average discharge of 3173 . We calculated from semi‐empirical models and directly estimated it from tracer measurements. We fixed at the median value from these calculations (0.5 ), and used maximum likelihood to estimate reach‐scale, open‐channel metabolism. Both gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) were high (GPP range: 0.3–30.8 g , ER range: 0.8–30.6 g ), with peak GPP and ER occurring in the late summer or early fall. GPP increased exponentially with temperature, consistent with metabolic theory, while light was seasonally saturating. Annual average GPP, estimated at 1500 g carbon , was in the top 2% of estimates for other rivers. GPP and ER were tightly coupled and 90% of GPP was immediately respired, resulting in net ecosystem production near 0. Patterns in the Hanford Reach contrast with those in small‐medium rivers, suggesting that metabolism magnitudes and patterns in large rivers may not be simply scaled from knowledge of smaller rivers.
Scalable Synthesis of Lead‐Free Tetramethylammonium Manganese Halides for Highly Efficient Backlight Displays
Authors: Tang Huidong , Xu Yanqiao , Hu Xiaobo , Chen Haijie , Wang Sanhai , Jiang Weihui , Hu Qing , Wang Lianjun , Jiang Wan
Published: October 2023

Lead‐free halides have emerged as clean candidates for lighting and display applications because of their superior optoelectronic properties and environmental friendliness. As for the commercialization, the simple synthetic process, scaled production, low‐cost, and excellent performance are the upmost factors. In this work, lead‐free tetramethylammonium manganese halides are quantitatively synthesized using a mechanochemical approach, in which [(CH3)4N]2MnCl4 powders show green emission with a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 21% and (CH3)4NMnCl3 powders possess red emission with a PLQY of 51%, arising from the intrinsic 4T1(4G) → 6A1(6S) d‐d transition of Mn2+. To further boost the green emission efficiency, the composition engineering strategies by Br/Cl substitution and excess organic halide compensation are developed, achieving a high PLQY of 98% for the obtained [(CH3)4N]2MnBr4 powders. Furthermore, white light emitting diode (WLED) devices are fabricated by combining green [(CH3)4N]2MnBr4 powders with red (CH3)4NMnCl3 powders or single crystals, which exhibit a high luminous efficacy (98.06 or 142.40 lm W−1), wide color gamut (over 100 % of NTSC in CIE 1931), and good operating stability (maintained above 80% efficiency after 176 h). This work suggests ball‐milling as a mass synthesis method for metal halides and provides a new Mn2+‐based phosphor for white LEDs in backlight display applications.
Uniform decay rate estimates for the 2D wave equation posed in an inhomogeneous medium with exponential growth source term, locally distributed nonlinear dissipation, and dynamic Cauchy–Ventcel–type boundary conditions
Authors: Simion Antunes José G. , Cavalcanti Marcelo M. , Cavalcanti Valéria N. Domingos
Published: October 2023

We study the wellposedness and stabilization for a Cauchy–Ventcel problem in an inhomogeneous medium with dynamic boundary conditions subject to a exponential growth source term and a nonlinear damping distributed around a neighborhood of the boundary according to the geometric control condition. We, in particular, generalize substantially the work due to Almeida et al. (Commun. Contemp. Math. 23 (2021), no. 03, 1950072), in what concerns an exponential growth for source term instead of a polynomial one. We give a proof based on the truncation of a equivalent problem and passage to the limit in order to obtain in one shot, the energy identity as well as the observability inequality, which are the essential ingredients to obtain uniform decay rates of the energy. We show that the energy of the equivalent problem goes uniformly to zero, for all initial data of finite energy taken in bounded sets of finite energy phase space. One advantage of our proof is that the decay rate is independent of the nonlinearity.
A note on subsets of positive reach
Authors: Lytchak Alexander
Published: October 2023

We provide new structural results on sets of positive reach in Euclidean spaces and Riemannian manifolds. In particular, we describe neighborhoods of points, whose tangent cones have maximal dimensions.
Forkhead box O6 (FoxO6) promotes cardiac pathological remodeling and dysfunction by activating Kif15–TGF‐β1 under aggravated afterload
Authors: Zhang Bing , Shi Lei , Tan Yanzhen , Zhou Yenong , Cui Jun , Song Yujie , Liu Yingying , Zhang Miao , Duan Weixun , Jin Zhenxiao , Liu Jincheng , Yi Dinghua , Sun Yang , Yi Wei
Published: October 2023

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy exhibits complex and abnormal gene expression patterns and progresses to heart failure. Forkhead box protein O6 (FoxO6) is a key transcription factor involved in many biological processes. This study aimed to explore the role of FoxO6 in cardiac hypertrophy. Three groups of mice were established: wild‐type, FoxO6 knockout, and FoxO6‐overexpressing. The mice received daily administration of angiotensin‐II (Ang‐II) or saline for 4 weeks, after which they were examined for cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and function. Elevated cardiac expression of FoxO6 was observed in Ang‐II‐treated mice. FoxO6 deficiency attenuated contractile dysfunction and cardiac remodeling, including cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibroblast proliferation and differentiation. Conversely, FoxO6 overexpression aggravated the cardiomyopathy and heart dysfunction. Further studies identified kinesin family member 15 (Kif15) as downstream molecule of FoxO6. Kif15 inhibition attenuated the aggravating effect of FoxO6 overexpression. In vitro, FoxO6 overexpression increased Kif15 expression in cardiomyocytes and elevated the concentration of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) in the medium where fibroblasts were grown, exhibiting increased proliferation and differentiation, while FoxO6 knockdown attenuated this effect. Cardiac‐derived FoxO6 promoted pathological cardiac remodeling induced by aggravated afterload largely by activating the Kif15/TGF‐β1 axis. This result further complements the mechanisms of communication among different cells in the heart, providing novel therapeutic targets for heart failure.
Local heating‐induced cutaneous vasodilation in reinnervated and noninnervated deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps
Authors: Smeele Hansje P. , Martin Lisa , van Kuijk Sander M. J. , Zwanenburg Pieter R. , van der Hulst René R. W. J. , Tuinder Stefania M. H. , Fromy Bérengère
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Cutaneous vascular reactivity to local heating in free flaps has not been characterized. We aimed to assess local heating‐induced cutaneous vasodilation in reinnervated and noninnervated deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 21 female patients with an uncomplicated unilateral delayed DIEP breast reconstruction at least 2 years after surgery. DIEP flaps and contralateral breasts were subjected to direct local heating, and skin blood flow was assessed using laser‐Doppler flowmetry. To evaluate sensory‐nerve‐fiber function, touch perception thresholds were assessed using a 20‐piece Touch‐test™ Sensory Evaluator, and cutaneous warm detection and heat pain thresholds were measured using a TSA‐II device.

Results

Of the participants, 10 had a reinnervated DIEP flap with a single coapted nerve (mean flap weight, 610 ± 296 g) and 11 had a noninnervated DIEP flap (mean flap weight, 613 ± 169 g). Mean age was 58 ± 11 years, mean follow‐up time was 5 ± 1 years, and mean BMI was 24 ± 3 kg/m2. DIEP flaps exhibited significantly weaker cutaneous vasodilation in response to local heating than contralateral breasts (median peak skin blood flow, 59 [25th–75th percentile, 36–71] a.u. for DIEP flaps versus 94 [74–141] a.u. for contralateral breasts; p < .001). The magnitude of the response was similar between reinnervated and noninnervated flaps (median peak skin blood flow, 55 [25th–75th percentile, 39–68] a.u. for reinnervated DIEP flaps versus 66 [36–77] a.u. for noninnervated DIEP flaps; p = .75). Of participants with reinnervated DIEP flaps, 90% perceived heat pain below the 50°C safety threshold, as compared to 36% of participants with noninnervated DIEP flaps (two‐tailed p = .02).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that free flap transfer causes longstanding impairment, yet not complete abolition, of both the sensory nerve‐mediated and nitric oxide‐dependent local heating‐induced cutaneous vasodilatory systems. We found no statistical evidence that flap reinnervation improves the ability to raise skin blood flow in response to local heating.
Exome sequencing in the pediatric neuromuscular clinic leads to more frequent diagnosis of both neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental conditions
Authors: Meyer Alayne P. , Ma Jianing , Brock Guy , Hashimoto Sayaka , Cottrell Catherine E. , Mathew Mariam , Hunter Jesse M. , Leung Marco L. , Corsmeier Don , Jayaraman Vijayakumar , Waldrop Megan A. , Flanigan Kevin M.
Published: October 2023

Introduction/Aims

Exome sequencing (ES) has proven to be a valuable diagnostic tool for neuromuscular disorders, which often pose a diagnostic challenge. The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical outcomes associated with utilization of ES in the pediatric neuromuscular clinic and to determine if specific phenotypic features or abnormal neurodiagnostic tests were predictive of a diagnostic result.

Methods

This was a retrospective medical record review of 76 pediatric neuromuscular clinic patients who underwent ES. Based upon clinical assessment prior to ES, patients were divided into two groups: affected by neuromuscular (n = 53) or non‐neuromuscular (n = 23) syndromes.

Results

A diagnosis was made in 28/76 (36.8%), with 29 unique disorders identified. In the neuromuscular group, a neuromuscular condition was confirmed in 78% of those receiving a genetic diagnosis. Early age of symptom onset was associated with a significantly higher diagnostic yield. The most common reason neuromuscular diagnoses were not detected on prior testing was due to causative genes not being present on disease‐specific panels. Changes to medical care were made in 57% of individuals receiving a diagnosis on ES.

Discussion

These data further support ES as a powerful diagnostic tool in the pediatric neuromuscular clinic and highlight the advantages of ES over gene panels, including the ability to identify diagnoses regardless of etiology, identify genes newly associated with disease, and identify multiple confounding diagnoses. Rapid and accurate diagnosis by ES can not only end the patient's diagnostic odyssey, but often impacts patients' medical management and genetic counseling of families.
Convergent spectral inclusion sets for banded matrices
Authors: Chandler‐Wilde Simon N. , Chonchaiya Ratchanikorn , Lindner Marko
Published: October 2023

We obtain sequences of inclusion sets for the spectrum, essential spectrum, and pseudospectrum of banded, in general non‐normal, matrices of finite or infinite size. Each inclusion set is the union of the pseudospectra of certain submatrices of a chosen size n. Via the choice of n, one can balance accuracy of approximation against computational cost, and we show, in the case of infinite matrices, convergence as of the respective inclusion set to the corresponding spectral set.
Efficient estimation of transition rates as functions of pH
Authors: Donati Luca , Weber Marcus
Published: October 2023

Extracting the kinetic properties of a system whose dynamics depend on the pH of the environment with which it exchanges energy and atoms requires sampling the grand canonical ensemble. As an alternative, we present a novel strategy that requires simulating only the most recurrent canonical ensembles that compose the grand canonical ensemble. The simulations are used to estimate the grand canonical distribution for a specific pH value by reweighting and to construct the transition rate matrix by discretizing the Fokker–Planck equation by square root approximation and robust Perron cluster cluster analysis. As an application, we have studied the tripeptide Ala‐Asp‐Ala.