bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can multi-scale thermal infrared imaging help validate and monitor water stress in alluvial forests?
Authors: Godfroy Julien , Malherbe Pauline , Gerle Flavie , Marteau Baptiste , Lochin Pierre , Puijalon Sara , Lejot Jérôme , Vernay Antoine , Piegay Herve
Published: April 2024

Alluvial forests are fragile and sensitive to drought induced by climate change and exacerbated by altered flow regimes. Our ability to detect and map their sensitivity to drought is therefore crucial to evaluate the effects of climate change and adjust management practices. In such a context, we explore the potential of multi-scale thermal infrared imagery (TIR) to diagnose the sensitivity of alluvial forests to drought events. In summer 2022, we sampled leaves and phloem on Populus nigra trees from two sites with contrasted hydrological connectivity along the Ain River (France) in order to investigate the seasonality of water stress and act as ground truth for airborne TIR images. To map forest sensitivity to drought, we then used a set of TIR data from four existing airborne campaigns and Landsat archives over a larger spatial and temporal extent. Field data showed that stress conditions were reached for both sites during summer but were higher in the site with lower groundwater connectivity, which was also the case for individual tree crown temperature. At the forest plot scale, canopy temperature was linked to forest connectivity for two of four airborne TIR campaigns, with higher values in the more degraded reaches. The data from the Landsat archives at the landscape scale was used to locate the areas of the riparian forest impacted by a historical drought event, and monitor their recovery. TIR data showed promising results to help detect and map tree water stress in riparian environments. However, stress is not detected in all TIR campaigns, demonstrating that in-field ecophysiological measurements are complementary to validate observations and one-shot acquisitions are not enough to diagnose stress. More integrative indicators of drought stress are needed at a seasonal scale, one-shot acquisitions on a given day can inform potential heat disturbance effects but do not really give information on the cumulative effects of heat pulses over the whole vegetative season (ramp-disturbance effect). Landsat data was useful to identify trends but may be less representative of stress due to coarse spatial resolution and potential confounding factors related to changes in successional stages (tree height and density...) at larger temporal scales.
Entry points for accelerating transitions towards a more sustainable future
Authors: Moallemi Enayat , Miller Michelle , Szetey Katrina , Chakori Sabrina , Palmer Jeda , Battaglia Michael , Bryan Brett A. , Gao Lei , Hall Andy , Leith Peat , Raven Rob , Reed Patrick M.
Published: April 2024

Accelerated transitions that enable far-reaching and systemic changes to a more sustainable future are urgently needed to ensure inclusive human development and Earth system stability. Different processes for accelerating transitions have been proposed over the past decade. However, evidence-based guidance on of what these processes are across scientific and policy spheres and their specification in different contexts remain fragmented and ambiguous. Here, we identify nine recurring processes for accelerating change based on an analysis of 60 cases across four transition domains, three geographical scales, and seven continents. We call them entry points as they are areas to initiate research and practical interventions aimed at facilitating transitions. Our results show that the prevalence of different entry points varies significantly across domains and scales, indicating there is scope to further improve our understanding of what works, where, and why, to facilitate transitions. The results also highlight three ways that research and policy can take diverse knowledges seriously by integrating multiple complementary entry points in informing far-reaching change. These results can offer guidance for establishing accelerated transition agendas based on deliberative dialogue that draws on diverse perspectives.
A psychopathological theory-driven early relapse prediction model using speech and language in psychosis
Authors: Dalal Tyler C. , Park Min Tae M. , Silva Angelica , Iskhakova Svetlana , Voppel Alban , Brierley Noah , Mackinley Michael , Olarewaju Emmanuel , Palaniyappan Lena
Published: April 2024

Language-based prediction of psychotic relapse using speech-derived markers offers a promising avenue for targeted prevention in early intervention. However, the sheer number of speech markers and the 'black box' nature of predictive models present significant challenges for clinical translation. Successful real-world predictions require the underlying model to be a ‘reasonable facsimile’ of the clinical phenomena that map on the predicted outcomes. We propose a theory-driven approach drawing on the notion that the predictors of early psychotic relapse should mark (1) the presence of schizophrenia in its early stages, and (2) track the positive dimension of formal thought disorder (positive FTD or disorganization) in psychosis. By leveraging Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods, we derive 3 lexical, syntactic and narrative style markers - semantic similarity, clause complexity, and analytic thinking index. We adopt a prospective design, acquiring speech samples during the acute phase of psychosis (n=68) and following them through remission and subsequent relapses (hospitalizations). With a Bayesian analysis framework, we demonstrate the utility of clinical theory-guided variable selection (disorganization and clause complexity in particular) in improving the predictive accuracy of speech-based models. The psychopathological theory-based speech-NLP model performed better than and provided incremental value to the clinical intuition of expecting a poorly functioning, cannabis-using man with educational deficits to show an early relapse. The findings underscore the potential of automated speech analysis in early relapse prediction during the initial phase of psychosis intervention.
Methylphenidate enhances or impairs the cognitive control of Pavlovian bias depending on working memory capacity
Authors: Geurts Dirk , Ouden Hanneke den , Swart Jennifer , Froböse Monja Isabel , Fallon Sean J , Cook Jennifer , Cools Roshan
Published: April 2024

Value-based decision-making is regulated by a delicate interplay of instrumental and Pavlovian controllers. Here we assessed the role of catecholamines in this interplay. We investigated the effects of the catecholamine reuptake inhibitor methylphenidate (MPH) in 100 healthy subjects using a combined appetitive and aversive Pavlovian to instrumental transfer (PIT) paradigm including approach and withdrawal actions. By administering the drug after learning, our design allowed us to establish that MPH can also bias action outside a learning context by directly modulating the expression of motivational bias on instrumental action rather than by only modulating instrumental learning bias. In line with previous results, the effect of MPH on bias varied across individuals as a function of their working memory span capacity. By assessing both approach and withdrawal actions, we revealed that MPH enhanced not only the invigorating effect of appetitive Pavlovian cues on active approach, but also the inhibitory effect of appetitive cues on active withdrawal, the invigorating effect of aversive cues on active withdrawal, and the inhibitory effect of aversive cues on active approach. Thus, in participants with high working memory capacity, MPH boosted both approach and withdrawal PIT. Taken together, this pattern of effects is most consistent with the hypothesis that MPH modulates the cognitive control of Pavlovian biasing in a baseline-state-dependent manner, in line with the well-established inverted-U shaped relationship between catecholamine receptor stimulation in prefrontal cortex, and cognitive control.
Caregivers’ experiences of predisposing vulnerabilities to, and within, Justice system encounters of their children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Gilbert David Junior , Hickman Nicola , Allely Clare , Mukherjee Raja AS , Cook Penny
Published: April 2024

Systematic review evidence highlights that individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Dis-order (FASD) are nineteen times more likely to be incarcerated than individuals without FASD. From the perspectives of caregivers of individuals with FASD, this study explores the factors that predispose individuals with FASD to and vulnerabilities within criminal justice encounters. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 caregivers of individuals with FASD. One caregiver was interviewed twice, and interviews were a combination of telephone, Microsoft Teams, and face-to-face interviews. NVivo software was employed to collate, organise, and visualise data, while thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Themes generated from the data include “they quickly go downhill into the justice system.”, “but, they are amazing children too!”, “bearing the brunt for society's ignorance”, and “Needing FASD aware systems”. All the participants in this study present-ed wide-ranging vulnerabilities that predispose their children to encounters with the CJS. Because individuals with FASD are more likely to be overrepresented in the CJS, it is important for CJS professionals to be FASD-informed as FASD could lead to significant vulnerabilities and miscarriage of justice.
Different extra-coronal restoration options of hemisected teeth on structurally compromised mandibular molar: Report of two cases
Authors: Mohamed Khazin Sobrina , Omar Siti Hajar
Published: April 2024

Structurally compromised teeth tend to be extracted due to its their poor prognosis, however, hemisection may serve as an alternative option in selected cases. This case report is aimed to discuss two cases of hemisected mandibular molars with two different approaches for post-hemisection restoration. Case 1 presents with terminal tooth 37 diagnosed with a cracked tooth involving severe bone loss on the mesial root. The tooth was hemisected and restored with a mesially cantilevered full ceramic crown. Case 2 presents with root caries on an endodontically treated tooth 46 on a patient with bruxism, with an inadequate ferrule on the distal segment. The tooth was hemisected utilizing the socket preservation technique, and the tooth was restored with a conventional fixed-fixed bridge with a second abutment on tooth 47.
CONSIDERAÇÕES SOBRE O CONCEITO “E.S.G.” NO CONTEXTO DO AGRONEGÓCIO BRASILEIRO
Authors: Ferreira da Silva Amanda Daniela , Luiz Oliveira André
Published: April 2024

Este artigo discute o surgimento e a evolução do conceito de ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance - Ambiental, Social e Governança) no contexto do agronegócio. Inicialmente voltado para o mundo dos investimentos, o ESG expandiu sua influência para diversos setores econômicos, incluindo o agronegócio. O artigo aborda como a crescente conscientização sobre questões socioambientais e éticas tem levado empresas do setor agrícola a adotarem práticas mais sustentáveis e responsáveis. Além disso, por meio de abordagens qualitativas, incluindo revisão bibliográfica e análise documental, o trabalho traz reflexões sobre a forma pela qual o ESG influencia a imagem, as operações e o desempenho das empresas do agronegócio.
Impact of training, mood and motivation on employee performance in Universities of Sindh, Pakistan
Authors: Khushk Amir Ali
Published: April 2024

This research aims to examine the impact of training, mood, and motivation on employee performance in academia of Sindh province, Pakistan. Training plays a vital role in enhancing the skills, abilities, and confidence of employees to achieve their personal and organizational goals effectively. Moreover, the mood and motivation of employees are also considered necessary features for the performance of employees. Therefore, an employee performance survey was conducted by adopting a close-ended questionnaire based on a 5-points and 7-points Likert scale to identify the relationship and impact on the performance of faculty. The method of sampling was convenience sampling, which enabled us to reach 265 participants from four cities of Sindh, including Karachi, Sukker, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas. SPSS was used to analyze the data, which highlights that training and motivation have a strong positive relationship to the dependent variable i: e employee performance; mood and employee performance have a moderately positive relationship. Every competitive organization in today's world needs a skilled workforce to achieve its short- and long-term organizational goals, so it is the organization's responsibility.
Solving Edges Deletion Problem of Generalized Petersen Graphs
Authors: Nasif Jasim Anwar , Najim Alaa A.
Published: April 2024

The dependability and effectiveness of a network can be investigated using a variety of graph-theoretic techniques, and the network's connectivity determines how reliable it is. Diameter in a network is often used to measure the efficiency of a network in the event that a network experiences issues such as a decline in the communication signal or a breakdown in the communication between its components. This paper examines the increase in diameter of the generalized Petersen graph  after removing a certain number of edges. Finding the exact values of f(n,t) that represent the maximum diameter of an altered generalized Petersen graph GP(n,k,t) obtained after removing  edges from  for k=1 and t≥2.
Central graphs and Italian domination parameters
Authors: Abdulhasan Alaa , Mojdeh Doost Ali
Published: April 2024

Abstract     Let  be a graph with and A function is said to be an Italian dominating function on a graph  if every vertex  with is adjacent to at least one vertex  with or is adjacent to at least two vertices  with . The value denotes the weight of an Italian dominating function.  The minimum weight taken over all Italian dominating functions of  is called Italian domination number and denoted by  

     Two parameters related to Italian dominating function are restrained Italian and total restrained dominating functions  , for which the set of vertices  with , and simultaneously the set of vertices  with and the set of vertices  with induce subgraphs with no isolated vertex respectively. The central graph of a graph  is the graph obtained by subdividing each edge of  exactly once and joining all the non-adjacent vertices of

     In this work, we initiate the study of restrained (total restrained) Italian domination number of the central of any graph  For a family of standard graphs  we obtain the precise value of restrained (total restrained) Italian domination number for indeed for any graph G, the sharp bounds are provided for and for  corona of ,  we establish the precise value of these parameters for
Large (k,3)-arcs in PG(2,19) and the related linear codes
Authors: Ibrahim Dr. Mohammed , Islam
Published: April 2024

A (n,r)-arc  in a projective plane PG(2,q) is a set of n points such that some r, but no r+1 of them, are collinear. A (n,r)-arc  is called complete if it is not contain in a (n+1,r)-arc. A linear -code  over a finite field  is a k-dimensional subspace of  with minimum hamming distance d and length n. A code with parameters with Griesmer bound , is called Griesmer code. The major aim of this research is to find large size for the complete (k,3)-arcs in the projective plane of order nineteen PG(2,19) using the method of secants distributions, and the disjoint union of arcs, as well as, adding and removing points to (from) particular conic respectively. Also, we find the Griesmer codes that correspond to each large complete (k,3)-arcs, k=29,30,31. We introduced 20 inequivalent (29,3)-arcs up to secant distribution, 10 of them are complete. Also, we introduced 8 inequivalent (30,3)-arcs up to secant distribution, 2 of them are complete. Moreover, we construct 3 inequivalent complete (31,3)-arcs up to secant distribution, and then find the corresponding linear codes to some of the (29,3)-arcs, (30,3)-arcs and (31,3)-arcs. In particular, we established 3 types of Griesmer codes, and we find the weight enumerator that correspond to each one of them.
Approximate Solution of Linear and Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations Using Picard’s Iterative Method
Authors: Aswhad Asmaa
Published: April 2024

This work discusses a new description of Picard’s iterative method (PIM) to get the approximate or sometimes exact solution of (linear and nonlinear) partial differential equations ,Provided that by examples to illustrate the reliability and ease of this method.
Decomposition Matrix for the projective Characters S_28, p=11
Authors: Jassim Ahmed Hussein , Taban Saeed
Published: April 2024

In this work, we compute the decomposition matrix to the spin characteristics of S_28  for a given field of characteristic p=11, the connections between the irreducible modular spin characters and the irreducible spin characters of S_28. The technique employed in this study is (r,r ̅ )-inducing, which creates projective characters for S_28 by using the projective characters of S_27. Maple was used to seeing all available columns and then choosing the potentially appropriate columns of them. In order to explore irreducible modular spin characteristics, general correlations and theorems will be discovered as a result of this research.
Cryptography Based on Elliptic Curve and Special Matrix with Linear System Algorithm
Authors: Mahdi Ameer H. , AL-Rammahi Adil
Published: April 2024

“Elliptic Curve Cryptosystem, which offers a high level of security with a reduced key size, has emerged as the best option for public key encryption. Elliptic curve cryptosystem has proven to be the best solution for public key encryption, where it provides a good level of security with smaller key size. In this paper, we attempt to develop an enhanced image encryption algorithms based on ECC by use two keys as circulant matrix in one of them, while generation another key from simple linear system modulo to purpose of image cryptography. The results of the suggested algorithm comparison with recent research are used to assess it where results were better than previous works”
Network Performance and Technological Feasibility of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Network Extension
Authors: Ali Hashim , Albermany Salah
Published: April 2024

The operational range of conventional and license-free radio-controlled drones is limited due to line-of-sight restrictions (LoS). There exists a definitive method for operating a drone. Consequently, in order to fly the drone beyond the visual line of sight (BVLoS), it is necessary to replace the drone's original wireless communications equipment with a device that requires a licence and is connected to a cellular network. Long-Term Evolution (LTE), a terrestrial communication technique, enables a drone to establish a real-time connection with a ground station. This connection serves the goals of command and control (C&C) as well as payload delivery. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the electromagnetic environment undergoes changes as altitude increases, which can potentially complicate the process of interfacing with drones over terrestrial cellular networks. The objective of this article is to develop a prototype control system for low-altitude microdrones using LTE technology. Additionally, it seeks to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of cellular connectivity for drones operating at various altitudes. This evaluation will be conducted by examining factors like as latency, handover, and signal strength. At a certain altitude, the received signal experiences a decrease in power level by 20 dBm and a degradation in signal quality by 10 dB. The data throughput of the downlink had a fall of 70%, while the latency exhibited an increase of 94 ms. Despite meeting the basic criteria for drone cellular connection, the existing LTE network necessitates enhancements in order to expand aerial coverage, mitigate interference, and minimise network latency.
Unplanned returns to the operating room: a quality improvement methodology for the comparison of institutional outcomes to national benchmarks
Authors: Michalopoulos Giorgos , Mikula Anthony L. , Kerezoudis Panagiotis , Biedermann Aaron J. , Parney Ian F. , Van Gompel Jamie J. , Bydon Mohamad
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Unplanned returns to the operating room (RORs) constitute an important quality metric in surgical practice. In this study, the authors present a methodology to compare a department’s unplanned ROR rates with national benchmarks in the context of large-scale quality of care surveillance.

METHODS

The authors identified unplanned RORs within 30 days from the initial surgery at their institution during the period 2014–2018 using an institutional documentation platform that facilitates the collection of reoperation information by providers in the clinical setting. They divided the procedures into 28 groups by Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases, 9th and 10th Revision codes. They estimated national benchmarks of unplanned RORs for these procedure groups via querying the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) registry during the period 2014–2018. Finally, they numerically assessed the unplanned ROR rates at their institution compared with those calculated from the ACS NSQIP registry.

RESULTS

Using the above methodology, the authors were able to classify 12,575 of the cases performed in their department during the period of interest, including 6037 (48%) cranial cases and 6538 (52%) spinal or peripheral nerve cases. Among those, 161 (1.3%) presented with complications that required an unplanned ROR within 30 days from the initial surgery. The respective cumulative unplanned ROR rate in the ACS NSQIP registry during the same timeframe was 3.6%. Among 15 categories of cranial procedures, the cumulative unplanned ROR rate was 1.3% in the authors’ department and 5.6% in the ACS NSQIP registry. Among 13 categories of spinal and peripheral nerve procedures, the cumulative unplanned ROR rate was 1.3% in the authors’ department and 2.8% in the ACS NSQIP registry. Unplanned ROR rates at the authors’ institution were lower than the national average for each of the 28 procedure groups of interest. Yearly analysis of institutional ROR rates for the five most commonly performed procedures showed lower reoperation rates compared with the national benchmarks.

CONCLUSIONS

Using an institutional documentation tool and a widely available national database, the authors developed a reproducible and standardized method of comparing their department’s outcomes with national benchmarks per procedure subgroup. This methodology accommodates longitudinal quality surveillance across the different subspecialties in a neurosurgical department and may illuminate potential shortcomings of care delivery in the future.
How should visual function monitoring be performed and interpreted in surgery for suprasellar tumors?
Authors: Sato Atsushi , Ogiwara Toshihiro , Sasaki Tetsuo , Hongo Kazuhiro , Horiuchi Tetsuyoshi
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Preservation of visual function is important in surgery for suprasellar tumors. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are expected to play an important role in monitoring visual function during surgery. Given the lack of information in this field, the authors aimed to investigate the effects of optic nerve compression caused by suprasellar tumors to understand the possible usefulness of VEP monitoring using off-response (OFR) VEP.

METHODS

Eleven healthy volunteers who underwent surgery for standard record confirmation and 32 patients with optic chiasm lesions who underwent surgery were examined. Preoperative, postoperative, and intraoperative VEPs were recorded. Propofol anesthesia was administered during intraoperative VEP monitoring. Patients who underwent surgery were monitored using the same stimulation method during surgery. Light stimulation was given from a luminant pad on the eyelids, and low-intensity stimulation with continuous 500-msec emission and 500 msec off was performed. The luminescence intensity of the stimulation was at a maximum of 8000 lx with three attenuation steps, each of which was recorded repeatedly.

RESULTS

The OFR potentials and delay latencies decreased as stimulus intensity decreased. In the patient with temporal hemianopia, monocular stimulation produced the highest OFR in the contralateral occipital lobe of the stimulated eye. The authors recorded preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative VEP in 32 patients and observed intraoperative changes in 23 patients. In the cases where VEP declined during intraoperative recording, it recovered when surgery was discontinued. Furthermore, 3 patients eventually achieved a higher VEP than that achieved at the beginning of the surgery, and rapid recovery was confirmed with visual field examination immediately after surgery. Of the 5 patients in whom VEP did not recover during surgery, 3 showed decreased visual field and acuity after surgery. In 15 cases, potential dropped temporarily but returned to the original potential, and their visual field recovered after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

OFR has a diagnostic element in the visual field, in which the maximal potential was recorded on the opposite side of the stimulus with monocular stimulation. Unambiguous determination required stimulation of different intensities in both eyes or 1 eye and multiple recording electrodes placed in the occiput. Monitoring the OFR provides real-time alerts, making it a valuable tool for visual function evaluation in suprasellar surgery.
Association of disruption of the right posterior arcuate fasciculus with spatial neglect
Authors: Andreoli Mia , Medina-Pizarro Mauricio , Mackie Melissa-Ann , Tate Matthew C.
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Spatial neglect is a debilitating condition observed in patients with right-sided brain injuries in whom there is defective awareness of the contralesional space. Although classically considered a right parietal lobe deficit, there has been increasing interest in the specific white matter (WM) architecture subserving spatial neglect. Patients who have lesions associated with chronic disruptions in visuospatial networks are of significant relevance in elucidating the WM tracts associated with spatial attention. In this study, the authors used two independent analytical methods to examine the relationship between WM connectivity changes and spatial attention.

METHODS

Thirty patients with right-sided glioma underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography and neuropsychological testing prior to tumor resection. Spatial neglect was assessed using the Bells Test. Diffusion connectometry analysis was performed to calculate the probability of injury to 55 WM tracts. Next, quantitative DTI tractography was used to reconstruct 9 major WM tracts and obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) and streamline number values as indices of connectivity. Differences in connectivity were assessed between patients with neglect and controls.

RESULTS

Of the WM tracts analyzed by diffusion connectometry, only the right posterior segment of the arcuate fasciculus (psAF) showed a higher probability of disconnection in patients with evidence of hemispatial neglect compared to tract reconstructions of previously published healthy controls (hemineglect: 42% ± 12.5%, vs control: 6.3% ± 4.8% [mean ± SEM]; p < 0.05). Of the WM tracts reconstructed by DTI tractography, only the right psAF demonstrated consistently lower indices of connectivity based on the mean streamline number (hemineglect: 550.35 ± 183.41, vs control: 1407.01 ± 319.93; p < 0.05) and FA value (hemineglect: 0.40 ± 0.013, vs control: 0.44 ± 0.0063; p < 0.05) in patients who demonstrated neglect compared to controls. The right long segment of the arcuate fasciculus, inferior frontooccipital fasciculus, and inferior longitudinal fasciculus also demonstrated a lower streamline number, but not a lower FA value, in patients with evidence of hemineglect.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that parietotemporal networks mediated by the right psAF may play a critical role in visuospatial attention. This analysis may help to disentangle the organization of the visuospatial attention networks, predict deficits in patients with glioma, and optimize surgical planning.
The impact of regular aspirin use on aneurysm recanalization rates after endovascular coiling
Authors: Musmar Basel , Spellicy Samantha E. , Abdelgadir Jihad , Kraljic Stevie , Zomorodi Ali , Hasan David M.
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) pose a significant health risk, often leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage and severe neurological outcomes. Endovascular coiling has been a principal treatment method, but it comes with the challenge of high recanalization rates. Aspirin has recently emerged as a potential agent to reduce these rates. In this study, the authors aimed to investigate the impact of regular aspirin use on aneurysm recanalization rates following endovascular coiling in a 10-year single-institution study.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on a dataset of 2236 aneurysms treated by a single neurosurgeon over a period of 10 years. The primary outcome measure was aneurysm recanalization, defined by a change in the Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification of at least one grade.

RESULTS

A total of 525 aneurysms were coiled, 109 of which involved patients who reported regular use of aspirin. The recanalization rate was significantly lower in the aspirin group (9.2%) compared with the control group (23.6%) (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.15–0.66; p = 0.001). On analysis of the specific mechanisms of recanalization, aneurysm sac growth was less frequent in the aspirin group (5.5%) compared with the control group (18%) (OR 0.265, 95% CI 0.09–0.63; p = 0.002). Additionally, patients in the control group had a higher retreatment rate (18%) than patients in the aspirin group (5.5%) (OR 0.265, 95% CI 0.09–0.63; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Regular use of aspirin appears to be associated with reduced rates of aneurysm recanalization after endovascular coiling. However, caution is advised in interpretation of these results given the retrospective nature of this study. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the treatment of acute postoperative pain following spine surgery: a scoping review
Authors: Lee John H. , Jones Jaes C. , Lee Daniel S. , Joseph Jacob R.
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Given the ubiquity and severity of postoperative pain following spine surgery, developing adequate pain management modalities is critical. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a promising noninvasive modality that is well studied for managing postoperative pain following a variety of surgeries, but data on using TENS for pain management in the acute postoperative period of spine surgery are limited. Therefore, this review aimed to recapitulate the existing evidence for the use of TENS in postoperative pain management for spine surgery and explore the potential of this modality moving forward.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted according to 2020 PRISMA guidelines. Two independently operating reviewers then conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases to identify studies that reported the use of TENS for the treatment of acute postoperative pain following spine surgery. The following data were abstracted from included studies: study type, sample size, demographics, surgery details, comparison group, assessment parameters, timing of postoperative assessment, TENS technical characteristics, relevant findings, length of hospital stay, complications with TENS, and notable limitations.

RESULTS

Nine hundred thirty-two publications were screened, resulting in 6 studies included in this review, all of which were prospective clinical trials. The publication dates ranged from 1980 to 2011. Spine surgery types varied; the most common was posterior lumbar interbody fusion. No studies evaluated pain control in cervical- or thoracic-only surgeries. All 6 studies evaluated the level of postoperative pain directly. Five of the 6 studies that directly examined postoperative pain reported lower levels of pharmacological analgesia usage in the TENS groups compared with controls, with 4 of these studies reporting this difference as statistically significant. Length of hospital stay was evaluated in 2 studies, both of which reported decreases in mean length of stay, but these differences were not significant. Notably, every study reported distinct TENS administration parameters while also reporting similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

This review concludes that TENS is effective at reducing postoperative pain in spine surgery. Further investigation is needed regarding the optimal settings for TENS administration, as well as efficacy in the thoracic and cervical spine.
Ventricular catheter tissue obstruction and shunt malfunction in 9 hydrocephalus etiologies
Authors: Garcia-Bonilla Maria , Hariharan Prashant , Gluski Jacob , Ruiz-Cardozo Miguel A. , Otun Ayodamola , Morales Diego M. , Marupudi Neena I. , Whitehead William E. , Jea Andrew , Rocque Brandon G. , McAllister James P. , Limbrick David D. , Harris Carolyn A.
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder with an incidence of 80–125 per 100,000 births in the United States. The most common treatment, ventricular shunting, has a failure rate of up to 85% within 10 years of placement. The authors aimed to analyze the association between ventricular catheter (VC) tissue obstructions and shunt malfunction for each hydrocephalus etiology.

METHODS

Patient information was collected from 5 hospitals and entered into a REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) database by hydrocephalus etiology. The hardware samples were fixed, and each VC tip drainage hole was classified by tissue obstruction after macroscopic analysis. Shunt malfunction data, including shunt revision rate, time to failure, and age at surgery, were correlated with the degree of tissue obstruction in VCs for each etiology.

RESULTS

Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus was the most common etiology (48.9% of total cases). Proximal catheter obstruction was the most frequent cause of hardware removal (90.4%). Myelomeningocele (44% ± 29%), other congenital etiologies (48% ± 40%), hydrocephalus with brain tumors (45% ± 35%), and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (41% ± 35%) showed tissue aggregates in more than 40% of the VC holes. A total of 76.8% of samples removed because of symptoms of obstruction showed cellular or tissue aggregates. No conclusive etiological associations were detected when correlating the percentage of holes with tissue for each VC and age at surgery, shunt revision rates, or time between shunt implantation and removal.

CONCLUSIONS

The proximal VC obstruction was accompanied by tissue aggregates in 76.8% of cases. However, the presence of tissue in the VC did not seem to be associated with hydrocephalus etiology.
Machine learning for enhanced prognostication: predicting 30-day outcomes following posterior fossa decompression surgery for Chiari malformation type I in a pediatric cohort
Authors: El-Hajj Victor Gabriel , Ghaith Abdul Karim , Elmi-Terander Adrian , Ahn Edward S. , Daniels David J. , Bydon Mohamad
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) is a congenital disorder occurring in 0.1% of the population. In symptomatic cases, surgery with posterior fossa decompression (PFD) is the treatment of choice. Surgery is, however, associated with peri- and postoperative complications that may require readmission or renewed surgical intervention. Given the associated financial costs and the impact on patients’ well-being, there is a need for predictive tools that can assess the likelihood of such adverse events. The aim of this study was therefore to leverage machine learning algorithms to develop a predictive model for 30-day readmissions and reoperations after PFD in pediatric patients with CM-I.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study based on data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program–Pediatric database. Eligible patients were those undergoing PFD (Current Procedural Terminology code 61343) for CM-I between 2012 and 2021. Patients undergoing surgery for tumors or vascular lesions were excluded. Unplanned 30-day readmission and unplanned 30-day reoperation were the main study outcomes. Additional outcome data considered included the length of hospital stay, 30-day complications, discharge disposition, and 30-day mortality. Training and testing samples were randomly generated (80:20) to study the 30-day readmission and reoperation using logistic regression, decision tree, random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbors, and Gaussian naive Bayes algorithms.

RESULTS

A total of 7106 pediatric patients undergoing PFD were included. The median age was 9.2 years (IQR 4.7, 14.2 years). Most of the patients were female (56%). The 30-day readmission and reoperation rates were 7.5% and 3.4%, respectively. Headaches (32%) and wound-related complications (30%) were the most common reasons for 30-day readmission, while wound revisions and evacuation of fluid or blood (62%), followed by CSF diversion-related procedures (28%), were the most common reasons for 30-day reoperation. RF classifiers had the highest predictive accuracy for both 30-day readmissions (area under the curve [AUC] 0.960) and reoperations (AUC 0.990) compared with the other models. On feature importance analysis, sex, developmental delay, ethnicity, respiratory disease, premature birth, hydrocephalus, and congenital/genetic anomaly were some of the variables contributing the most to both RF models.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a large-scale nationwide dataset, machine learning models for the prediction of both 30-day readmissions and reoperations were developed and achieved high accuracy. This highlights the utility of machine learning in risk stratification and surgical decision-making for pediatric CM-I.
A Pilot Study of Supporting GTA Professional Development and Educator Identity in Engineering
Authors: Akcayir Gokce , McFeetors Janelle , Kim Mijung , Rose Kerry , Jamieson Marnie , Basaraba Kristian , Jin Qingna , Buchanan Duncan
Published: April 2024

Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) significantly contribute to the learning and experiences of undergraduate students. Thus, supporting and enhancing GTA pedagogical knowledge and competencies can improve the learning experiences of undergraduates. Towards this goal, a discipline-specific pedagogical professional development program was created for GTAs in the Faculty of Engineering at a Canadian university. This case study explores the perspectives of participating GTAs, including how they engaged in learning about teaching, what they learned, their emerging educator identity formation, and the challenges they faced during the program. Situated learning theory informed the analysis of participant interviews and focus groups. Findings indicate that GTAs appreciated the situated and embedded nature of the program, reporting limited prior familiarity with pedagogical tools and practices and their application. Results also highlight the need to align GTA roles and responsibilities, providing opportunities to put their learning into practice with the pedagogical knowledge they developed in the program.
nm-Test – An Improved Version of the Alpha-Test in Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a Higher Sensitivity to Genotoxic Factors
Authors: Stepchenkova E. I. , Andreychuk Yu. V. , Afanasova D. V. , Zadorsky S. P. , Inge-Vechtomov S. G.
Published: April 2024

One of the urgent problems of genetic toxicology is the development of new and improvement of existing test systems for the detection and assessment of the level of mutagenic and carcinogenic activity of various factors. A unique position among the known test systems belongs to the alpha test, that is based on the life cycle of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Its main difference from existing test systems is the ability to detect a wide range of genetic events, such as gene mutations, conversion, recombination, loss of the right arm and the entire III chromosome, as well as primary lesions to the genetic material before they are eliminated by repair systems. Here, we proposed and tested a genetic modification of tester strains that increased the sensitivity and efficiency of the test system. Our results allowed us to conclude that the proposed modification of the tester strain led to the sensitivity increase of the test system by an order of magnitude.
Influence of Application of Various Doses of Lime Immeliorant into the Soil on QTL Mapping in Spring Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Chesnokov Yu. V. , Fesenko М. А. , Ivanov А. I. , Rusakov D. V. , Kocherina N. V. , Lohwasser U. , Börner А.
Published: April 2024

In this work, quantitative trait loci (QTL) were mapped for the first time in spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) when various doses of a lime ameliorant, raw-milled dolomite, were introduced into the soil in order to reveal and identify genetic determinants that determine the ecological genetic interaction “genotype–environment” in recombinant inbred lines of this crop. As a result of the research, 29 economically valuable traits were evaluated and a total of 150 QTLs were mapped. The significance of the relationship between the identified QTLs and polymorphism for each studied trait was established based on the threshold values of the likelihood ratio of the logarithm of odds (LOD-score). It was found that when half and full doses of the ameliorant were applied to the soil, the QTLs that determine the manifestation of 14 studied traits changed their location on the linkage groups depending on the applied dose of raw ground dolomite, and the QTL of 15 traits remained stable and did not change the localization on the chromosomes established in the experiments. Conducted correlation and one-way analysis of variance made it possible to establish the nature of the conjugation of the relationship between the traits and the dose of the introduced lime ameliorant. When performing mathematical calculations, the maximum likelihood criterion and statistical criteria for assessing the significance of the results were used. The results obtained are of interest for the subsequent study of the ecological and genetic mechanisms of the realization of the studied traits and the control of growth, development and productivity in spring soft wheat, and the establishment of trigger mechanisms for the action of the ameliorant on the physiological state of plants.
Study of Myb114 Gene Polymorphism in the Cole Crops (Brassica oleracea L.) in Connection with Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Regulation Based on Comparison with the MYB Factors of Vegetable Nightshades (Solanaceae)
Authors: Fateev D. A. , Berensen F. A. , Artemyeva A. M. , Babak O. G. , Yatsevich K. K. , Drozd E. V. , Kilchevsky A. V.
Published: April 2024

In order to study a regulation mechanism for one of the most ancient processes of anthocyanin biosynthesis in plants based on comparison of R2R3-MYB genes in Solanaceae (S. lycopersicum: An1, An2; S. melongena: Myb1; C. annuum: Myb113-like1 и Myb113-like2) and Brassicaeae crops, a search for orthologous sequences in Brassica oleracea was performed. A sequence encoding MYB114 TF was found to be the closest in a nucleotide structure to the previously investigated genes in Solanaceae. Primers were selected and a comparative analysis of Myb114 gene sequences was performed in B. oleracea varieties (white cabbage, red cabbage, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, and kohlrabi) with a wide intraspecies diversity by the anthocyanin accumulation in leaves and various food organs: heads, curds and stems. Alignment of Myb114 sequences revealed a number of gene polymorphisms that closely correlate with high anthocyanin accumulation in B. oleracea leaves, including 3 SNPs in exon regions and a 271 bp deletion in the 1st intron. The identified SNPs lead to the replacement of two amino acids located in the region of DNA-binding domains, which leads to a change in the binding efficiency of this transcription factor with the promoters of structural biosynthesis genes and a decrease in their expression level in the forms without anthocyanin accumulation in leaves compared with the forms with their accumulation in vegetative plant parts. A molecular marker MYB114.2 has been proposed that may be used for the identification of headed cabbages and kales with high/low anthocyanin accumulation. By the amino acid structure and phenotypic manifestation (regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in leaves), Myb114 B. oleracea is the closest to Ant2 tomato, Myb2 eggplant and Myb113-like2 pepper alleles. A high degree of conservatism of the SANT DNA-binding domains of MYB114 TF of B. oleracea and R2R3-MYB TF of nightshades was established.
Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Soft Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Evaluation Methods
Authors: Fedyaeva A. V. , Salina E. A. , Shumny V. K.
Published: April 2024

The review is devoted to pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) in soft winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as one of the main problems faced by specialists in the field of genetics and selection of grain crops. Pre-harvest sprouting leads to a decrease in yields and economic losses. In the present work the internal and external factors which influence PHS grain crops as well as their interrelation, has been described. The characteristic for efficiency and featuresthe use of physiology-biochemical and molecular genetic methods to evaluate the pre-harvest sprouting resistance of soft wheat grain are given.
Genetic Diversity Research in the Population of the Kyrgyz Mountain Merino Using Microsatellite Loci
Authors: Isakova Zh. T. , Bekturov A. В. , Chortonbaeb T. D. , Kipen V. N. , Mukeeva S. B. , Shergaziev U. A. , Aitbaev K. A.
Published: April 2024

The aim was to ascertain genetic structure and diversity of Kyrgyz mountainous merino via microsatellite DNA markers. We analyzed DNA samples of 109 Kyrgyz mountaneous merino specimens, bred in three state breeding factories (STB), including “Orgochor” in the Issykul Province, “Katta-Taldyk” in the Osh Province and STB named after Luschikhin in the Talas Province. We identified 126 alleles in 12 microsatellite loci (McM042, INRA006, McM527, ETH152, CSRD247, OarFCB20, INRA172, INRA063, MAF065, MAF214, INRA005, INRA023). There were 6 to 16 alleles in each locus (mean 10.500 ± 0.957 alleles per locus). We identified 67 rare alleles (prevalence less than 5.0%), which made 53.2% of all alleles found. The greatest number of alleles were found in INRA023 (12 alleles), INRA005 (13 alleles), OarFCB20 and INRA063 (14 in each) and CSRD247 (16 alleles) autosomal loci. Based on the mean number per locus (Na = = 10.500 ± 0.957), number of efficient alleles (Ne = 4.556 ± 0.394), the observed (Ho = 0.731 ± 0.023) an expected (He = 0.761 ± 0.021) heterozygosity, we conclude high genetic diversity of the selected sheep sample attributed to Kyrgyz mountainous merino and its significant genetic potential.