bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dimethyl fumarate treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysms: a study protocol for a double-blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Huang Jiliang , Zhang Yisen , Turhon Mirzat , Zheng Zhaoxu , Li Wenqiang , Kang Huibin , Wang Chao , Liu Jian , Jiang Peng
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a common cerebrovascular disease. Considering the risks and benefits of surgery, a significant proportion of patients with unruptured IA (UIA) choose conservative observation. Previous studies suggest that inflammation of aneurysm wall is a high-risk factor of rupture. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and other pathways. Animal experiments found DMF reduces the formation and rupture of IAs. In this study, DMF will be evaluated for its ability to reduce inflammation of the aneurysm wall in high-resolution vessel wall imaging.

Methods and analysis

This is a multi-centre, randomised, controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Three hospitals will enrol a total of 60 patients who have UIA with enhanced wall. Participants will be assigned randomly in a 1:1 proportion, taking either 240 mg DMF or placebo orally every day for 6 months. As the main result, aneurysm wall enhancement will be measured by the signal intensity after 6 months of DMF treatment. Secondary endpoints include morphological changes of aneurysms and factors associated with inflammation. This study will provide prospective data on the reduction of UIA wall inflammation by DMF.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University (approval no: KY2022-064-02). We plan to disseminate our research findings through peer-reviewed journal publication and relevant academic conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT05959759.
Medical students’ attitudes towards well-being and welfare: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Mazzoleni Adele , Garg Sakshi , Bhatia Shreya , Kumar Niraj S
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Medical education poses serious stressors on medical students, as they report overall higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities compared with students enrolled in other university-level courses. The high rates of poor well-being reported should be considered a concern, as students represent the future workforce of healthcare professionals. Although there has been an increased interest towards well-being and burn-out in medical students, there is still much to be elucidated. Indeed, there is an overall lack of understanding of which attitudes medical students have towards well-being and welfare, something that could be used to develop targeted practice to improve medics’ quality of life and reduce overall burn-out.

This review will aim at evaluating and reporting the current research available on medical students’ attitudes towards well-being and welfare. We will take into account which countries have published data on the topic, and we will analyse papers written during the COVID-19 period separately, giving this particular time frame a separate outlook.

Methods and analysis

This systematic review protocol has been developed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. A systematic search including “medical students” AND “wellbeing” AND “perceptions” was carried out on MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus databases. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool will be used to assess the quality of the available studies and risk of bias. Studies will be screened using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data will be summarised narratively and in tabular forms. A narrative subgroup analysis of the COVID-19 period will be carried out, and a country-wise approach will be used to describe which areas have published relevant studies.

Ethics and dissemination

This will be the first systematic review looking at the reported attitudes that medical students have towards well-being and welfare. This will provide an account of the available data on the topic, and a starting point to understand where further research is needed in the future.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023471022.
Lifelong development in medicine: a thematic analysis of coaching goals throughout medical careers
Authors: Stojanović Ana , Fris Daan A H , Solms Lara , van Hooft Edwin A J , De Hoog Matthijs , de Pagter Anne P J
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Healthcare grapples with staff shortages and rising burnout rates for medical students, residents and specialists. To prioritise both their well-being and the delivery of high-quality patient care, it becomes imperative to deepen our understanding of physicians’ developmental aims and needs. Our first aim is, therefore, to gain comprehensive insights into the specific developmental aims physicians prioritise by examining the coaching goals they set at the beginning of coaching. Since physicians face distinct roles as they advance in their careers, our second aim is to highlight similarities and differences in developmental aims and needs among individuals at various medical career stages.

Design

We conducted a qualitative analysis of 2571 coaching goals. We performed an inductive thematic analysis to code one-half of coaching goals and a codebook thematic analysis for the other half. Our interpretation of the findings was grounded in a critical realist approach.

Setting

Sixteen hospitals in the Netherlands.

Participants

A total of 341 medical clerkship students, 336 medical residents, 122 early-career specialists, 82 mid-career specialists and 57 late-career specialists provided their coaching goals at the start of coaching.

Results

The findings revealed that coachees commonly set goals about their career and future, current job and tasks, interpersonal work relations, self-insight and development, health and well-being, nonwork aspects and the coaching process. Furthermore, the findings illustrate how the diversity of coaching goals increases as physicians advance in their careers.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the significance of recognising distinct challenges at various career stages and the necessity for tailoring holistic support for physicians. This insight holds great relevance for healthcare organisations, enabling them to better align system interventions with physicians’ needs and enhance support. Moreover, our classification of coaching goals serves as a valuable foundation for future research, facilitating a deeper exploration of how these goals influence coaching outcomes.
Breaking bad news in oncology practice: experience and challenges of oncology health professionals in Ethiopia – an exploratory qualitative study
Authors: Mulugeta Tefera , Alemu Wudma , Tigeneh Wondemagegnehu , Kaba Mirgissa , Haileselassie Werissaw
Published: May 2024

Objective

To explore the experience and challenges health professionals face during breaking bad news (BBN) to patients with cancer in the oncology centre of Black Lion Specialized Hospital (BLSH), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019.

Design

An exploratory qualitative phenominological study using in-depth interviews was carried out in the only radiotherapy integrated oncology centre in Ethiopia during March 2019. Purposeful maximum variation sampling was used to select participants. OpenCode (V.4.02) assisted thematic analysis approach was employed to analyse the data.

Participants

Eleven oncology health practitioners (oncologists, residents and nurses) working at the oncology centre were interviewed. Repeated interviews and analysis were done until theoretical saturation.

Results

All participants were cognisant of the positive outcome of proper and effective practice of BBN. However, they were practicing it empirically, no standardised protocols or guidelines were in place. Four dimensions of challenges were mentioned: (1) setup centric: unconducive environment, lack of protocols or guidelines, inaccessible treatment, and psychotherapy or counselling services; (2) health care centric, such as inadequate expertise, inadequate time due to patient load,treatment backlog, and referral system; (3) patients/family centric: poor medical literacy level, poor compliance, and family interference; and (4) sociocultural: wrong perception of families on BBN and treatment modalities, and opposition from religious leaders.

Conclusion

BBN is challenging for professionals caring for patients in the oncology centre of BLSH. Hence, there is a critical need to improve practices. Change efforts may focus on the development of contextualised, content and context specific practice oriented training programmes and curriculum interventions. Raising awareness of the community and religious leaders regarding the nature and treatment of cancer may also be a helpful adjunct.
When do medical operators choose to use, or not use, video in emergency calls? A case study
Authors: Harring Astrid Karina V , Idland Siri , Dugstad Janne
Published: May 2024

Background

An evaluation report for a pilot project on the use of video in medical emergency calls between the caller and medical operator indicates that video is only used in 4% of phone calls to the emergency medical communication centre (EMCC). Furthermore, the report found that in half of these cases, the use of video did not alter the assessment made by the medical operator at the EMCC.

We aimed to describe the reasons for when and why medical operators choose to use or not use video in emergency calls.

Method

The study was conducted in a Norwegian EMCC, employing a thematic analysis of notes from medical operators responding to emergency calls regarding the use of video.

Result

Informants reported 19 cases where video was used and 46 cases where it was not used. When video was used, three main themes appeared: ‘unclear situation or patient condition’, ‘visible problem’ and ‘children’. When video was not used the following themes emerged: ‘cannot be executed/technical problems’, ‘does not follow instructions’, ‘perceived as unnecessary’. Video was mostly used in cases where the medical operators were uncertain about the situation or the patients’ conditions.

Conclusion

The results indicate that medical operators were selective in choosing when to use video. In cases where operators employed video, it provided a better understanding of the situation, potentially enhancing the basis for decision-making.
DIGIPREDICT: physiological, behavioural and environmental predictors of asthma attacks—a prospective observational study using digital markers and artificial intelligence—study protocol
Authors: Chan Amy Hai Yan , Te Ao Braden , Baggott Christina , Cavadino Alana , Eikholt Amber A , Harwood Matire , Hikaka Joanna , Gibbs Dianna , Hudson Mariana , Mirza Farhaan , Naeem Muhammed Asif , Semprini Ruth , Chang Catherina L , Tsang Kevin C H , Shah Syed Ahmar , Jeremiah Aron , Abeysinghe Binu Nisal , Roy Rajshri , Wall Clare , Wood Lisa , Dalziel Stuart , Pinnock Hilary , van Boven Job F M , Roop Partha , Harrison Jeff
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Asthma attacks are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality but are preventable in most if detected and treated promptly. However, the changes that occur physiologically and behaviourally in the days and weeks preceding an attack are not always recognised, highlighting a potential role for technology. The aim of this study ‘DIGIPREDICT’ is to identify early digital markers of asthma attacks using sensors embedded in smart devices including watches and inhalers, and leverage health and environmental datasets and artificial intelligence, to develop a risk prediction model to provide an early, personalised warning of asthma attacks.

Methods and analysis

A prospective sample of 300 people, 12 years or older, with a history of a moderate or severe asthma attack in the last 12 months will be recruited in New Zealand. Each participant will be given a smart watch (to assess physiological measures such as heart and respiratory rate), peak flow meter, smart inhaler (to assess adherence and inhalation) and a cough monitoring application to use regularly over 6 months with fortnightly questionnaires on asthma control and well-being. Data on sociodemographics, asthma control, lung function, dietary intake, medical history and technology acceptance will be collected at baseline and at 6 months. Asthma attacks will be measured by self-report and confirmed with clinical records. The collected data, along with environmental data on weather and air quality, will be analysed using machine learning to develop a risk prediction model for asthma attacks.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from the New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committee (2023 FULL 13541). Enrolment began in August 2023. Results will be presented at local, national and international meetings, including dissemination via community groups, and submission for publication to peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12623000764639; Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry.
Heavy arch: from inflammatory bowel diseases to metabolic disorders
Authors: Adolph Timon E , Meyer Moritz , Jukic Almina , Tilg Herbert
Published: May 2024

Background

Metabolic disorders and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have captured the globe during Westernisation of lifestyle and related dietary habits over the last decades. Both disease entities are characterised by complex and heterogeneous clinical spectra linked to distinct symptoms and organ systems which, on a first glimpse, do not have many commonalities in clinical practice. However, experimental studies indicate a common backbone of inflammatory mechanisms in metabolic diseases and gut inflammation, and emerging clinical evidence suggests an intricate interplay between metabolic disorders and IBD.

Objective

We depict parallels of IBD and metabolic diseases, easily overlooked in clinical routine.

Design

We provide an overview of the recent literature and discuss implications of metabolic morbidity in patients with IBD for researchers, clinicians and healthcare providers.

Conclusion

The Western lifestyle and diet and related gut microbial perturbation serve as a fuel for metabolic inflammation in and beyond the gut. Metabolic disorders and the metabolic syndrome increasingly affect patients with IBD, with an expected negative impact for both disease entities and risk for complications. This concept implies that tackling the obesity pandemic exerts beneficial effects beyond metabolic health.
Prevalence and clinical outcomes of germline variants among patients with myeloid neoplasms
Authors: Kongkiatkamon Sunisa , Niparuck Pimjai , Rattanathammethee Thanawat , Kobbuaklee Sirorat , Suksusut Amornchai , Wudhikarn Kitsada , Ittiwut Chupong , Chetruengchai Wanna , Chuncharunee Suporn , Bunworasate Udomsak , Suphapeetiporn Kanya , Rojnuckarin Ponlapat , Polprasert Chantana
Published: May 2024

Aims

Myeloid neoplasms (MNs) with germline predisposition have been recognised as a distinct entity. Emerging evidence suggests that sporadic myelodysplastic syndromes may also harbour undetected germline predispositions. We investigated germline alterations in a cohort of 122 adult Thai MNs.

Methods

MN patients were recruited and tested for germline variants using deep targeted next-generation sequencing. The germline variant was filtered using American College of Medical Genetics classifications and then evaluated for the association with clinical characteristics and outcomes.

Results

Our findings revealed pathogenic/likely pathogenic germline alterations in 12 (10%) of the patients. These germline lesions were commonly found in the DNA damage response pathway (n=6, 50%). We also identified novel deleteriousFANCAA1219GfsTer59variants in two patients diagnosed with secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (sAML) from aplastic anaemia and AML with myelodysplasia related. Among sAML, individuals with germline mutations had inferior overall survival compared with those with wild-type alleles (2 months vs 12 months) with HR 4.7 (95% CI 1.0 to 20), p=0.037. Therefore, the presence of pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations may be linked to inferior survival outcomes.

Conclusions

Our study highlighted that the prevalence of germline predisposition in Southeast Asian populations is comparable to that in Caucasians. This underscores the importance of germline genetic testing within the Asian population.
Disease-modifying therapies in systemic lupus erythematosus for extrarenal manifestations
Authors: Askanase Anca D , Furie Richard A , Dall'Era Maria , Bomback Andrew S , Schwarting Andreas , Zhao Ming-Hui , Bruce Ian N , Khamashta Munther , Rubin Bernie , Carroll Angela , Daniels Mark , Levy Roger Abramino , van Vollenhoven Ronald , Urowitz Murray B
Published: May 2024

Our 2022 published working definition of disease modification in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was ‘minimising disease activity with the fewest treatment-associated toxicities and slowing or preventing organ damage progression’. The objective of this review was to classify current SLE treatments according to the proposed non-renal disease modification criteria excluding toxicities. Based on a review of select clinical trial (n=32) and observational study (n=54) publications for 14 SLE medications across different therapeutic classes, and the authors’ clinical experience, we evaluated disease modification potential as per the proposed framework at three time points. Specific criteria used to determine disease modification potential included a drug’s capacity to reduce: (1) non-renal disease activity, (2) severe flares, (3) use of steroids/immunosuppressants and (4) organ damage accrual. Criteria 1–3 were assessed at 1 year and 2–5 years and, when positive, were considered evidence for disease modification potential; criterion 4 was used to confirm disease modification at >5 years. Each treatment received one of four mutually exclusive designations at each time point: (a) criterion met, (b) indications of criterion met despite insufficient evidence in the literature, (c) inconclusive and (d) no available supportive data. This review excludes an assessment of potential toxicities. Eight of the 14 SLE treatments met ≥1 disease modification criteria up to year 5. Hydroxychloroquine improved overall survival at >5 years, suggesting long-term disease modification, but no data on specific organ systems were reported. Belimumab was the only treatment to meet all criteria. Belimumab and hydroxychloroquine met disease modification definitions across three time points. Evidence for other SLE therapies was incomplete, particularly at >5 years. Future studies are warranted for other treatments to meet the disease modification criteria. We discuss challenges to classification and possible updates to our published criteria.
Acute monocular visual loss: time to call the stroke team?
Authors: Day Jacob , Monla-Haidar Housam , Raman Vasant , Weatherby Stuart
Published: May 2024

A man in his 90s presented with acute monocular loss of vision; the emergency department triage alerted the stroke team. He underwent urgent parallel assessments by the stroke and ophthalmology teams and was diagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion. The ultimate decision was made to manage him conservatively, rather than with intravenous thrombolysis, and his visual function has remained poor. We discuss the current evidence for using intravenous thrombolysis in people with central retinal artery occlusion and use this case to exemplify the practical issues that must be overcome if ongoing randomised clinical trials of central retinal artery occlusion confirm a definite benefit from using intravenous thrombolysis.
Racial disparities in access to, and outcomes of, acute ischaemic stroke treatments in the USA
Authors: Kiefer Luke , Daniel David , Polineni Sai , Dhamoon Mandip
Published: May 2024

Background

Racism contributes to higher comorbid risk factors and barriers to preventive measures for black Americans. Advancements in systems of care, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) availability and endovascular thrombectomy (ET) have impacted practice and outcomes while outpacing contemporary investigation into acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) care disparities. We examined whether recent data suggest ongoing disparity in AIS interventions and outcomes, and if hospital characteristics affect disparities.

Methods

We examined 2016–2019 fee-for-service Medicare inpatient data. We ran unadjusted logistic regression models to calculate ORs and 95% CI for two interventions (tPA and ET) and four outcomes (inpatient mortality, 30-day mortality, discharge home and outpatient visit within 30 days), with the main predictor black versus white race, additionally adjusting for demographics, hospital characteristics, stroke severity and comorbidities.

Results

805 181 AIS admissions were analysed (12.4% black, 87.6% white). Compared with white patients, black patients had reduced odds of receiving tPA (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.74, p<0.0001) and ET (0.69, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.72, p<0.0001). After tPA, black patients had reduced odds of 30-day mortality (0.77, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.82, p<0.0001), discharge home (0.72, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.77, p<0.0001) and outpatient visit within 30 days (0.89, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.95, p=0.0002). After ET, black patients had reduced odds of 30-day mortality (0.71, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.79, p<0.0001) and discharge home (0.75, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.88, p=0.0005). Adjusted models showed little difference in the magnitude, direction or significance of the main effects.

Conclusions

Black patients were less likely to receive AIS treatments, and if treated had lower likelihood of 30-day mortality, discharge home and outpatient visits. Despite advancements in practice and therapies, racial disparities remain in the modern era of AIS care and are consistent with inequalities previously identified over the last 20 years. The impact of hospital attributes on AIS care disparities warrants further investigation.
Multifidelity-based Gaussian process for quasi-site-specific probabilistic prediction of soil properties
Authors: He Geng-Fu , Zhang Pin , Yin Zhen-Yu , Goh Siang Huat
Published: May 2024

Conventional empirical equations for soil properties prediction tend to be site-specific, exhibiting poor reliability and accuracy. Meanwhile, alternative data-driven methods require large datasets for training. To address these issues, this study proposed a novel multifidelity residual neural-network-based Gaussian process (MR-NNGP) modelling framework. A soil property low-fidelity (LF) prediction model is first trained using abundant LF data collected from worldwide sites for generating preliminary estimation. A high-fidelity (HF) model is subsequently trained on sparse HF data from the specific site of interest for calibrating the LF model to make quasi-site-specific predictions. An infinitely wide NN-inspired NNGP is adopted as the baseline algorithm for training LF and HF models. The compression index of clays is selected as an example to examine the capability of the proposed MR-NNGP. The results indicate that the compression index of clays can be well captured by MR-NNGP, exhibiting superior accuracy and reliability compared with one-shot training without using MR modelling and other baseline algorithms such as GP. The MR-NNGP framework alleviates data dependency and improves model performance through hierarchical modelling on relatively simple correlations using a superior algorithm. Unified LF data and efficient hyper-parameter optimization indicate the flexibility for broader applications in various sites worldwide.
Coupled effects of temperature and suction on the anisotropic elastic shear moduli of unsaturated soil
Authors: Bentil O.T. , Liu Kai , Zhou C.
Published: May 2024

Elastic shear moduli of soil at various temperatures and suctions are important for analysing the serviceability limit state of energy piles and many other structures. Up to now, however, the coupled effects of temperature and suction on elastic shear modulus and the stiffness anisotropy, have not been well understood. This experimental study investigated the anisotropic elastic shear modulus of a compacted lateritic clay. A temperature and suction-controlled triaxial apparatus equipped with bender element probes and local strain measurements was used. Soil suctions from 0 to 300 kPa, and a temperature range of 5–40 °C were applied. The results at saturated and unsaturated conditions consistently reveal that the shear modulus is smaller after heating at a given stress and suction. Several mechanisms may contribute to this thermal-induced reduction in shear modulus, such as the heating-induced reduction of interparticle force and air–water surface tension. Moreover, the reduction in shear modulus upon heating depends on the shear plane and the degree of anisotropy changes.
The weight share method in forest inventories: refining the relation between points and trees
Authors: Bouriaud O. , Brion P. , Chauvet G. , Duong T.H.K. , Pulkkinen M.
Published: May 2024

Since it is impossible in practice to create a sampling frame for the population of forest trees, forest inventories have relied on indirect sampling methods. This indirect sampling uses two populations: the discrete populations of trees and the continuous population of points, from which trees are being sampled. Important works such as Mandallaz, Eriksson, and Stevens and Urquhart brought the fundamental elements in the formalization of the sampling of trees, by defining the duality principle that relates both populations. They led to the so-called continuous population approach where trees attributes are transformed into attribute density values. However, in these approaches, the trees quickly fade away despite being the target population, while their weight is calculated as the inverse of their inclusion probability. We explain how the generalized weight share method (GWSM) can be used to formalize the link between the two populations. GWSM allows to revisit previous concepts proposed to solve the question of how to produce estimations from tree-level attributes, under uniform random or more complex sampling designs. The principles of the method are explained, and its functioning is illustrated under a variety of points and trees sampling designs, including fixed-area, Bitterlich, and cluster sampling.
From certainty to chance: probabilistic insights into quantum control
Authors: Herzallah Randa , Belfakir Abdessamad
Published: May 2024

This study introduces an innovative control methodology designed specifically for quantum physical systems. It bridges a critical gap by accounting for the full spectrum of uncertainties and noise that could affect the time evolution of these systems. In contrast to conventional methods, our pioneering approach utilizes probability density functions (pdfs) to characterize quantum dynamics, providing a more detailed and accurate description of their temporal behavior. We propose a strategy that seeks to minimize the discrepancy between the actual pdf, which encapsulates the combined dynamics of the quantum system and an external electric field, and a desired pdf that aligns with the system’s intended outcomes. This strategy marks a significant shift from traditional quantum control techniques. Initially, we present a solution for controlling quantum systems defined by general pdfs. This solution is then demonstrated on quantum systems described by Gaussian pdfs, with an in-depth account of the resulting optimized controller’s structure. The study culminates with practical demonstrations, showcasing the approach’s efficacy and practicality, thus endorsing its potential as a formidable instrument in quantum control.

Graphical abstract
Novel embeddings improve the prediction of risk perception
Authors: Hussain Zak , Mata Rui , Wulff Dirk U.
Published: May 2024

We assess whether the classic psychometric paradigm of risk perception can be improved or supplanted by novel approaches relying on language embeddings. To this end, we introduce the Basel Risk Norms, a large data set covering 1004 distinct sources of risk (e.g., vaccination, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence) and compare the psychometric paradigm against novel text and free-association embeddings in predicting risk perception. We find that an ensemble model combining text and free association rivals the predictive accuracy of the psychometric paradigm, captures additional affect and frequency-related dimensions of risk perception not accounted for by the classic approach, and has greater range of applicability to real-world text data, such as news headlines. Overall, our results establish the ensemble of text and free-association embeddings as a promising new tool for researchers and policymakers to track real-world risk perception.
SAT-Based Exact Modulo Scheduling Mapping for Resource-Constrained CGRAs
Authors: Tirelli Cristian , Sapriza Juan , Rodríguez Álvarez Rubén , Ferretti Lorenzo , Denkinger Benoît , Ansaloni Giovanni , Miranda Calero José , Atienza David , Pozzi Laura
Published: May 2024

Coarse-Grain Reconfigurable Arrays (CGRAs) represent emerging low-power architectures designed to accelerate Compute-Intensive Loops (CILs). The effectiveness of CGRAs in providing acceleration relies on the quality of mapping: how efficiently the CIL is compiled onto the platform. State-of-the-Art (SoA) compilation techniques utilize modulo scheduling to minimize the Iteration Interval (II) and use graph algorithms like Max-Clique Enumeration to address mapping challenges. Our work approaches the mapping problem through a satisfiability (SAT) formulation. We introduce the Kernel Mobility Schedule (KMS), an
ad hoc
schedule used with the Data Flow Graph and CGRA architectural information to generate Boolean statements that, when satisfied, yield a valid mapping. Experimental results demonstrate SAT-MapIt outperforming SoA alternatives in almost 50% of explored benchmarks. Additionally, we evaluated the mapping results in a synthesizable CGRA design and emphasized the runtime metrics trends, i.e., energy efficiency and latency, across different CILs and CGRA sizes. We show that a hardware-agnostic analysis performed on compiler-level metrics can optimally prune the architectural design space, while still retaining Pareto-optimal configurations. Moreover, by exploring how implementation details impact cost and performance on real hardware, we highlight the importance of holistic software-to-hardware mapping flows, as the one presented herein.
Human Image Generation: A Comprehensive Survey
Authors: Jia Zhen , Zhang Zhang , Wang Liang , Tan Tieniu
Published: May 2024

Image and video synthesis has become a blooming topic in computer vision and machine learning communities along with the developments of deep generative models, due to its great academic and application value. Many researchers have been devoted to synthesizing high-fidelity human images as one of the most commonly seen object categories in daily lives, where a large number of studies are performed based on various models, task settings, and applications. Thus, it is necessary to give a comprehensive overview on these variant methods on human image generation. In this article, we divide human image generation techniques into three paradigms, i.e., data-driven methods, knowledge-guided methods, and hybrid methods. For each paradigm, the most representative models and the corresponding variants are presented, where the advantages and characteristics of different methods are summarized in terms of model architectures. The main public human image datasets and evaluation metrics in the literature are also summarized. Furthermore, due to the wide application potential, the typical downstream usages of synthesized human images are covered. Finally, the challenges and potential opportunities of human image generation are discussed to shed light on future research.
Violence Against Women as a Global Public Health Issue
Authors: Stöckl Heidi , Sorenson Susan B.
Published: May 2024

Violence against women, especially intimate partner violence, is recognized as a global public health issue due to its prevalence and global reach. This article outlines the scope of the issue, with respect to its prevalence, health outcomes, and risk factors, and identifies key milestones that led to its global recognition: methodological and data advances, acknowledgment as a criminal justice and health issue, support by the global women's movement, and the robust evidence demonstrating that intimate partner violence is preventable. Key issues for the future include recognition and consideration of intersectionality in research, improvements in the measurement of other forms of violence against women, and the need to scale up prevention efforts that have documented success. Violence against women is an urgent priority as it affects individuals, their families and surroundings, and the entire global health community.
Li-Ion Battery Material Impedance Analysis II: Graphite and Solid Electrolyte Interphase Kinetics
Authors: Morasch Robert , Gasteiger Hubert A. , Suthar Bharatkumar
Published: May 2024

Li-ion battery graphite electrodes form a solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) which is vital in protecting the stability and efficiency of the cell. The SEI properties have been studied extensively in the context of formation and additives, however studying its kinetic features after formation have been neglected. In this study we show the dynamic resistive behavior of the SEI after formation. Via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements on Cu-foil after SEI formation we show how the SEI shows a potential-dependent resistance which can be explained by a change in charge carriers (Li+) in the SEI. Additional measurements on graphite exhibit a similar behavior and allow us to separate the charge transfer kinetics from the SEI resistance, showing that the SEI resistance is the dominating resistance in the graphite kinetics. Measurements on pre-formed electrodes also show how the SEI resistance changes when in contact with electrolyte of different LiPF6 salt concentrations, with the resistance decreasing for increasing salt concentrations. Ultimately, we show that the SEI resistance affects Li-plating by acting as an offset to the plating reaction but does not affect the nucleation overpotential itself.
Rapid Simulation of Electro-Chemo-Mechanical Deformation of Li-ion Batteries Based On Porous Electrode Theory
Authors: Ipers Gerrit , Jiao Junning , Pathak Shakul , Fang Ruqing , Berliner Marc D. , Li Wei , Li Weihan , Braatz Richard D. , Bazant Martin Z. , Zhu Juner
Published: May 2024

Lithium-ion batteries change their geometric dimensions during cycling as a macroscopic result of a series of microscale mechanisms, including but not limited to diffusion-induced expansion/shrinkage, gas evolution, growth of solid-electrolyte interphase, and particle cracking. Predicting the nonlinear dimensional changes with mathematical models is critical to the lifetime prediction, health management, and non-destructive assessment of batteries. In this study, we present an approach to implement an elastoplasticity model for powder materials into the porous electrode theory (PET). By decomposing the overall deformation into elastic, plastic, and diffusion-induced portions and using the powder plasticity model to describe the plastic portion, the model can capture the reversible thickness change caused by Li-ion (de-)intercalation as well as the irreversible thickness change due to the rearrangement and consolidation of particles. For real-world applications of the model to predict battery health and safety, the key lies in solving the mathematical equations rapidly. Here, we implemented the coupled model into the open-source software PETLION for millisecond-scale simulation. The computational model is parameterized using values gathered from literature, tested under varying conditions, briefly compared to real-world observations, and qualitatively analyzed to find parameter-output relations.
On the Specific Capacity and Cycle Stability of Si@void@C Anode: Effects of Electrolytes
Authors: Luo Mei , Liu Bingyu , Tatagari Vignyatha Reddy , Wang Ziyong , Shaw Leon L.
Published: May 2024

Electrolytes play a critical role in the formation of stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) for Si anodes. This study investigates the impacts of five different electrolytes on the specific capacity and cycle stability of Si-based anodes and confirms the advantages of the second-generation (Gen2) electrolyte over the first-generation (Gen1) electrolyte in the first 200 cycles, beyond which the advantages of Gen2 electrolyte disappear. Addition of more FEC and VC additives to Gen2 electrolyte does not offer significant advantages in the cycle stability and specific capacities. However, very high FEC electrolytes with 20 wt% FEC and 80% dimethyl carbonate exhibits strong dependance on the lithiation cutoff voltage. This electrolyte results in durable SEI layers when the lithiation cutoff voltage is at 0.01 V vs Li/Li+. Furthermore, lowering the lithiation cutoff voltage from 0.1 V to 0.01 V vs Li/Li+ has raised the specific capacity of Si-based anodes, leading to higher specific capacities than those of graphite anodes at the electrode level for 380 cycles investigated in this study. The understandings developed here provide unambiguous guidelines for selection of electrolytes to achieve long cycle stability and high specific capacity of Si-based cells simultaneously in the future.
Microwave Absorption Properties of Hexagonal Ba3(VO4)2 through Zn Doping: A Comprehensive Analysis of Ba3–xZnx(VO4)2
Authors: Chenna Praveen , Gandi Suman , Sharma Sahil , Panda Saran Srihari Sripada , Parne Saidi Reddy
Published: May 2024

The current study explores the influence of Zinc (Zn) doping on the crystallography, optical behavior, dielectric properties, and microwave absorption characteristics of hexagonal Barium Vanadate (Ba3(VO4)2). Samples were systematically synthesized with Zn doping concentrations of x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 mol%, resulting in Ba3–xZnx(VO4)2. Employing various characterization techniques, the alterations in structural, optical, and electrical responses due to incremental Zn incorporation are reported. The UV–VIS DRS absorption spectra reveal a decrease in energy bandgap with increasing concentration of Zn. The lowest optical energy band gap observed was 3.65 eV for x = 0.2 mol% Zn. Notably, at a thickness of 6.5 mm, the material achieved a high reflection loss of −82.37 dB at 12.47 GHz for x = 0.05 mol% of Zn. Similarly, the same material configuration exhibited a maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 5.01 GHz, spanning a frequency range from 12.24 to 17.25 GHz when the thickness was set to 5.5 mm. Furthermore, as the Zn concentration increased from x = 0.05 to 0.2 mol%, a decreasing trend in reflection loss was observed, correlating well with the dielectric parameters of samples with different Zn concentrations. The work provides insightful correlations between Zn doping levels and the material’s performance in potential applications ranging from optoelectronics to electromagnetic wave absorption.
Numerical Evaluation and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Model of the Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) System with Different Nanofluids
Authors: Singh Mrigendra , Solanki S. C. , Agrawal Basant , Bhargava Rajesh
Published: May 2024

The present study investigates the performance of photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems that employ silver, aluminum oxide, copper, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles with distilled water as a solvent. The volume portions of the nanoparticles considered are 2% and 5% by weight. The study employs an energy balance equation to encompass circular geometries for fluid flow channels and a flow velocity ranging from 1×10−4 to 3×10−4 m/s. A numerical model has been established to investigate the performance of the photovoltaic thermal system and obtained the highest performance in Cu/water nanofluid for a uniform mass flow rate of 0.0670 kg/s and volume portion of 5% compared to other nanofluids, and the average electrical, thermal, and overall performance achieved is 15.8%, 30.2%, and 45.3%, respectively. Moreover, an artificial neural network (ANN) was developed to predict the electrical and thermal efficiency of the PVT system, and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) between array error of the thermal and electrical efficiency of the system is 4.98% and 2.61%, respectively. This value shows the strong validation of the numerical and ANN simulation values.
Pediatric Nail Disorders
Authors: Cedirian Stephano , Alessandrini Aurora , Starace Michela V.R.
Published: May 2024

Background: Pediatric nail disorders encompass a broad range of conditions. This article aimed to consolidate current knowledge on pediatric nail disorders to enhance diagnostic proficiency and clinical management among healthcare professionals. Summary: Pediatric nail disorders present a diagnostic challenge due to their diverse nature. Non-syndromic congenital nail disorders encompass various anomalies such as anonychia/hyponychia, congenital malalignment of the great toenail, and racket thumbs, each with distinct clinical presentations and genetic associations. Syndromic congenital nail disorders, often part of complex syndromes, are characterized by unique features and associated abnormalities. Acquired nail diseases in children, like Beau’s lines and onychomadesis, typically result from trauma or infection, while melanonychia, although rare in children, requires careful monitoring for potential malignant alterations, with consideration for biopsy in cases with concerning features. Key Messages: (1) Pediatric nail disorders may pose diagnostic challenges and require a comprehensive understanding of nail anatomy and development. (2) Congenital nail disorders encompass isolated anomalies and syndromic associations, necessitating thorough evaluation for associated systemic conditions. (3) Acquired nail diseases may indicate underlying trauma or systemic illness and require careful assessment.(4) Melanonychia in children requires ongoing monitoring and evaluation, emphasizing the importance of consistent follow-up and histopathological examination when necessary.
The 100 Most Cited Androgenetic Alopecia Articles: An Analysis of Altmetrics Data from 2015 to 2022
Authors: Ravipati Advaitaa , Pradeep Tejus , Tosti Antonella
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss, and with increasing media integration in medicine, understanding social media consumption of literature is invaluable. Altmetric Attention Score analysis can quantify factors impacting article distribution on media platforms. Methods: To determine factors influencing literature dissemination and reader demographics, a bibliometric analysis was performed on the 100 most cited androgenetic alopecia articles. Results: Articles with top 25th percentile Altmetric Attention Scores were cited more frequently (41.76 vs. 24.59, p < 0.05). Open-access articles had lower odds of being read by healthcare professionals (aOR = 0.16, p < 0.05), while funded studies and journal impact factor increased odds of readership (aOR = 5.80; aOR = 1.55; p < 0.05 for both). Scientists and healthcare professionals showed interest in publications addressing 5α-reductase inhibitors (aOR = 26.08; aOR = 6.13; p < 0.05 for both). Articles with high social media viewership were also highly cited in academic literature. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals appeared more discerning about article readership compared to the public. With many outlets for consumption of media, members of the public not involved in dermatology may have difficulty in identifying reliable sources of material. Overall, Altmetrics can help quantify readership trends and public interest in dermatology research.
Temporal Trends and Outcomes of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Care in the United States
Authors: Gilmore Brian F. , Scali Salvatore T. , D’Oria Mario , Neal Dan , Schermerhorn Marc L. , Huber Thomas S. , Columbo Jesse A. , Stone David H.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND:

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has had a dynamic impact on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) care, often supplanting open AAA repair (OAR). Accordingly, US AAA management is often highlighted by disparities in patient selection and guideline compliance. The purpose of this analysis was to define secular trends in AAA care.

METHODS:

The Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative was queried for all EVARs and OARs (2011–2021). End points included procedure utilization, change in mortality, patient risk profile, Society for Vascular Surgery-endorsed diameter compliance, off-label EVAR use, cross-clamp location, blood loss, in-hospital complications, and post-EVAR surveillance missingness. Linear regression was used without risk adjustment for all end points except for mortality and complications, for which logistic regression with risk adjustment was used.

RESULTS:

In all, 66 609 EVARs (elective, 85% [n=55 805] and nonelective, 15% [n=9976]) and 13 818 OARs (elective, 70% [n=9706] and nonelective, 30% [n=4081]) were analyzed. Elective EVAR:OAR ratios were increased (0.2 per year [95% CI, 0.01–0.32]), while nonelective ratios were unchanged. Elective diameter threshold noncompliance decreased for OAR (24%→17%;
P
=0.01) but not EVAR (mean, 37%). Low-risk patients increasingly underwent elective repairs (EVAR, +0.4%per year [95% CI, 0.2–0.6]; OAR, +0.6 points per year [95% CI, 0.2–1.0]). Off-label EVAR frequency was unchanged (mean, 39%) but intraoperative complications decreased (0.5% per year [95% CI, 0.2–0.9]). OAR complexity increased reflecting greater suprarenal cross-clamp rates (0.4% per year [95% CI, 0.1–0.8]) and blood loss (33 mL/y [95% CI, 19–47]). In-hospital complications decreased for elective (0.7% per year [95% CI, 0.4–0.9]) and nonelective EVAR (1.7% per year [95% CI, 1.1–2.3]) but not OAR (mean, 42%). A 30-day mortality was unchanged for both elective OAR (mean, 4%) and EVAR (mean, 1%). Among nonelective OARs, an increase in both 30-day (0.8% per year [95% CI, 0.1–1.5]) and 1-year mortality (0.8% per year [95% CI, 0.3–1.6]) was observed. Postoperative EVAR surveillance acquisition decreased (67%→49%), while 1-year mortality among patients without imaging was 4-fold greater (9.2% versus imaging, 2.0%; odds ratio, 4.1 [95% CI, 3.8–4.3];
P
<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

There has been an increase in EVAR and a corresponding reduction in OAR across the United States, despite established concerns surrounding guideline adherence, reintervention, follow-up, and cost. Although EVAR morbidity has declined, OAR complication rates remain unchanged and unexpectedly high. Opportunities remain for improving AAA care delivery, patient and procedure selection, guideline compliance, and surveillance.