bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advocate for staff because it benefits students
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: February 2024

Bernard Little has personal experience with the power that student affairs professionals have to lift people up and out of difficult beginnings. When he left “the hood in Cleveland, Ohio,” where he was raised by a single mother with six other siblings, he had $90 in his pocket that would have to last through his first semester at Bowling Green State University. There, student affairs professionals invested in him and made such a difference in his life that he went on to earn a doctorate and embarked on a career in student affairs. After 17 years working in higher education, Little recently became Vice President of Student Affairs and Diversity at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Illinois.
Why are some students “not into” computational thinking activities embedded within high school science units? Key takeaways from a microethnographic discourse analysis study
Authors: Aslan Umit , Horn Michael , Wilensky Uri
Published: February 2024

Science educators are integrating more and more computational thinking (CT) activities into their curricula. Proponents of CT offer two motivations: familiarizing students with a realistic depiction of the computational nature of modern scientific practices and encouraging more students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. However, some studies show that increasing exposure to computing may not necessarily translate to the hypothesized gains in participation by female students and students of color. Therefore, paying close attention to students' engagement in computationally intense science activities is important to finding more impactful ways to promote equitable science education. In this paper, we present an in‐depth analysis of the interactions among a small, racially diverse group of high school students during a chemistry unit with tightly integrated CT activities. We find a salient interaction between the students' engagement with the CT activities and their social identification with publicly recognizable categories such as “enjoys coding” or “finds computing boring.” We show that CT activities in science education can lead to numerous rich interactions that could, if leveraged correctly, allow educators to facilitate more inclusive science classrooms. However, we also show that such opportunities would be missed unless teachers are attentive to them. We discuss the implications of our findings on future work to integrate CT across science curricula and teacher education.
Bio‐Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Decorated on Hydrotalcite using Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract and Its Anti‐Bacterial Effect
Authors: Dam Xuan Thang , Nguyen Xuan Thai , Nguyen Thuy Chinh , Nguyen Tien Dung , Duong Tra My , Bui Thi Diu , Thai Hoang
Published: February 2024

Phenolic compounds are widely known for its well‐reduced behavior and surprisingly appeared in many leaf extracts, including Psidium guajava (P. guajava) leaf. This leaf extract has been confirmed as an efficiency reducing agent to reduce Ag(I) ions to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This work focused on the development of a “green” synthesis of nanosilver‐hydrotalcite nanoparticles (HT‐AgNPs) based on the bio‐reduction of the P. guajava leaf extract and the application of HT‐AgNPs as an antibacterial material. To assess factors affecting on synthesis process of the HT‐AgNPs, experiments have been carried out with a fixation of HT/AgNO3 precursors while varying concentration of P. guajava leaf extract as well as solvent for the extraction. The methods, including ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X‐Ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been used to characterize the HT‐AgNPs. The yield of reduction process of Ag(I) ions to AgNPs on HT reached 55.12 to 90.55 % depending on the content of AgNO3 precursor. In particular, the antibacterial activity of HT‐AgNPs against to E. coli and S. aureus was also assessed and discussed.
Ammonium tetrafluoroborate: Novel Unprecedented Catalyst for the Synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones through Biginelli Reaction
Authors: Verma Aman , Chaudhary Gyanendra , Verma Deepti , Prabhakar Amit , Behera Kamalakanta
Published: February 2024

A novel method has been developed to use ammonium tetrafluoroborate (NH4BF4) directly as catalyst in Biginelli reaction. A new paradigm of the Biginelli reaction for the synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones derivatives found the use of ammonium tetrafluoroborate as a novel, inexpensive, readily available, non‐toxic and mild catalyst in good to excellent yields. Notably, this is the first time that ammonium tetrafluoroborate is directly used as a catalyst in organic synthesis. So far, no organic reaction is available in literature where NH4BF4 is directly used as catalyst. However, some reactions are found where NH4BF4 is used with other catalysts as promoters or additives. The protocol developed has several advantages, such as highly efficient, simple, atom‐economical, environmentally friendly, easy synthetic and purification methods.
First‐Principles Study on CdS2 Monolayer as Toxic Gas Sensor or Scavenger
Authors: Wang Kuanyi , Pang Jianhua , Wei Guang , Zhong Yifei , Wei Songrui
Published: February 2024

In order to explore the possibility of
monolayers as high‐performance gas sensors, the electronic properties and gas sensing performance of
,
,
,
,
and
gas molecules adsorbed on
monolayers were investigated using a first‐principles approach. It was found that
,
and
had a weak chemisorption effect on the
monolayer, while the physisorption of
effectively altered the electronic properties and the work function of the
monolayer. Compared with other gases, the
monolayer has relatively high sensitivity to
,
and
, and the band gap of the system after adsorption changes significantly compared with the intrinsic
monolayer, and the characteristics of the work function can effectively distinguish various gases. The results indicate that the
monolayer has the ability to detect
,
and
gases with high sensitivity, especially for
, and provide a theoretical basis for the development of
monolayers for potential applications as gas sensors or scavengers for
,
and
.
Synthesis and Characterization of Bacterial Cellulose‐Curcumin‐Ag‐Se Nanocomposites having Antioxidant and Antibacterial properties for Skin Healing Applications
Authors: Dias Joephil D. , Nagar Devika N. , Bhende Prajakta P. , Dsilva Asbern J. F. , Ganguly Anasuya , Braganca Judith M.
Published: February 2024

Bacterial Cellulose is a polymer synthesised by some strains of bacteria thus perceived as environmentally friendly. Bacterial Cellulose (BC) was subjected to three different drying procedures; Freeze Drying, Blot drying and Oven drying. Studies on its water holding capacity, thermogravimetric analysis and mechanical strength revealed that Freeze drying was the best method for retaining its pore size and water holding capacity. Silver selenium nanoparticles complexed with Curcumin (Cur‐AgSeNPs) were loaded on BC and characterised by FESEM, EDX, FTIR and XRD. The ultrastructure of the BC nanocomposite revealed a three‐dimensional network of interwoven cellulose microfibrils with the nanoparticle complex adsorbed onto the surface as well as embedded within the porous structure of the membrane. Antimicrobial analysis of the BCnanocomposite showed bactericidal activity against P. aeruginosa (MTCC 741), E. coli (MTCC 2574) and S. aureus (MTCC 737) cultures. 0.5 mM Cur‐AgSeNPs loaded BC film showed a Radical Scavenging Activity of 63.92±0.76 % by ABTS assay and a cell viability of 75 % after 4 days for L929 fibroblast cells. Haemocompatibility test of the films showed <10 % haemolysis of RBCs indicating their haemocompatible nature. These results suggest that the BCnanocomposite film would open up the possibility for use as an ideal skin healing material.
DFT study on the Stereoselectivity of Asymmetric Synthesis of C, N‐Cyclic Azomethine Imines with Allyl Alkyl Ketones
Authors: Feng Guipeng , Meng Jie , Xu Shaohong , Wang Shujing , Yao Xubin
Published: February 2024

Based on the density functional theory, the stereoselectivity of the asymmetric synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolinopyrazole derivatives by the cycloaddition reaction of C, N‐cyclic azomethine imines with allyl alkyl ketones which was catalyzed using a chiral primary amine is studied theoretically. The results demonstrate that the four chiral transition states (TS‐1R2R, TS‐1R2S, TS‐1S2R and TS‐1S2S) are formed by the reaction of dienamine intermediate with C, N‐cyclic azomethine imine, and the reaction barrier of TS‐1R2S is in the lowest level (ΔG=6.98 kcal/mol). The consequence reveal that the 1R2S configuration product is formed by TS‐1R2S transition state. Non‐covalent interaction and electron density topology analysis show that the stereoselectivity of the chiral product is determined through van der Waals forces and hydrogen bond interaction of the transition state molecules.
Comparison between the behaviors of fully encased cold‐formed steel joists and hot‐formed steel joists with prestressed concrete: Experimental analysis
Authors: Elkhansa Hanadi , Barraj Firas , Ahmad Samer
Published: February 2024

This paper investigates the behaviors of different types of prestressed concrete beams utilizing fully encased cold‐ or hot‐formed steel joists. Twelve types divided into two sets of composite beams are assessed. Set 1 is composed of six beams utilizing cold‐formed steel (CFS) joists distinguished by the cross‐sectional steel‐to‐concrete ratios of 1%, 2%, and 3%, and the presence or absence of web openings. Set 2 has the similar composition but utilizes hot‐formed steel joists. Four‐point and three‐point bending tests were conducted at the mid‐span of the composite concrete beams. Key properties, such as strength, stiffness, flexural load capacity, ductility, energy absorption capacity, and failure modes, were used in the analysis. It was found that the specimens with CFS I‐beam joists provided better performance compared to those with hot‐formed steel joists. Also, the existence of web openings in the encased CFS beams enhances the ductility and energy absorption of the composite concrete beams.
Reconstructive surgery with an autologous bone graft in a dog with presumptive chronic non‐bacterial osteomyelitis
Authors: Jung Jae‐Hwan , Han Hyun‐Jung , Yoon Hun‐Young
Published: February 2024

A 15‐year‐old Cocker Spaniel was referred to for the evaluation of left forelimb lameness. Radiographic and computed tomography examinations revealed osteolysis of the proximal left third, fourth and fifth metacarpal bones and pathological fractures of the proximal left fourth metacarpal bone. Histopathological examination via bone biopsy did not provide a definitive diagnosis, and the owner elected limb‐sparing surgery. The fourth metacarpal bone and digits were amputated. Subsequently, autologous bone grafts were performed on the lytic area of the third and fifth metacarpal bones. The dog showed improvement in gait 7 weeks after reconstructive surgery. Chronic non‐bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) was diagnosed by exclusion. To the best of our knowledge, CNO has not been previously reported in dogs.
The Duty to Promote Digital Minimalism in Others I: Duties of Virtue
Authors: Aylsworth Timothy , Castro Clinton
Published: February 2024

In this chapter, we introduce the duty to be an attention ecologist, one who promotes digital minimalism in others. After arguing for the existence of this duty on Kantian grounds (i.e., as following from a duty to respect humanity), we address an objection from Kant himself, who thought that we cannot be obliged to perfect others (which attention ecology seems to demand). We rebut the objection and explore one (of two) sides of attention ecology, i.e., the duty understood as a duty of virtue (in contrast to a duty of right, which we explore in Chap. 6). Here, “virtue” and “right” are Kantian terms of art, the core difference being that duties of virtue cannot be coercively enforced, whereas duties of right can. We show that attention ecology, understood as a duty of virtue, has implications for parents, teachers, friends, employers, and developers. The demands of the duty are conditioned by relationships that constitute these roles; the demands it makes of parents, for instance, are different from those it makes of employers because the relationship between parents and children is different from that of employers and workers. Much of the chapter is dedicated to exploring these differences.
Deformation and Quantisation Condition of the $$\mathcal {Q}$$-Top Recursion
Authors: Osuga Kento
Published: February 2024

We consider a deformation of a family of hyperelliptic refined spectral curves and investigate how deformation effects appear in the hyperelliptic refined topological recursion as well as the $$\mathcal {Q}$$
Q
-top recursion. We then show a coincidence between a deformation condition and a quantisation condition in terms of the $$\mathcal {Q}$$
Q
-top recursion on a degenerate elliptic curve. We also discuss a relation to the corresponding Nekrasov–Shatashivili effective twisted superpotential.
Identification of a novel and plant height-independent QTL for coleoptile length in barley and validation of its effect using near isogenic lines
Authors: Gao Shang , Su Zhouyang , Ma Jun , Ma Jian , Liu Chunji , Li Huihui , Zheng Zhi
Published: February 2024

Key message

This study reported the identification and validation of novel QTL conferring coleoptile length in barley and predicted candidate genes underlying the largest effect QTL based on orthologous analysis and comparison of the whole genome assemblies for both parental genotypes of the mapping population.

Coleoptile length (CL) is one of the most important agronomic traits in cereal crops due to its direct influence on the optimal depth for seed sowing which facilitates better seedling establishment. Varieties with longer coleoptiles are preferred in drought-prone areas where less moisture maintains at the top layer of the soil. Compared to wheat, genetic study on coleoptile length is limited in barley. Here, we reported a study on detecting the genomic regions associated with CL in barley by assessing a population consisting of 201 recombinant inbred lines. Four putative QTL conferring CL were consistently identified on chromosomes 1H, 5H, 6H, and 7H in each of the trials conducted. Of these QTL, the two located on chromosomes 5H and 6H (designated as Qcl.caf-5H and Qcl.caf-6H) are likely novel and Qcl.caf-5H showed the most significant effect explaining up to 30.9% of phenotypic variance with a LOD value of 15.1. To further validate the effect of this putative QTL, five pairs of near isogenic lines (NILs) were then developed and assessed. Analysis of the NILs showed an average difference of 21.0% in CL between the two isolines. Notably, none of the other assessed morphological characteristics showed consistent differences between the two isolines for each pair of the NILs. Candidate genes underlying the Qcl.caf-5H locus were also predicted by employing orthologous analysis and comparing the genome assemblies for both parental genotypes of the mapping population in the present study. Taken together, these findings expand our understanding on genetic basis of CL and will be indicative for further gene cloning and functional analysis underly this locus in barley.
Bayesian regression models in gretl: the BayTool package
Authors: Pedini Luca
Published: February 2024

This article presents the package which integrates the software functionalities, mostly concerned with frequentist approaches, with Bayesian estimation methods of commonly used econometric models. Computational efficiency is achieved by pairing an extensive use of Gibbs sampling for posterior simulation with the possibility of splitting single-threaded experiments into multiple cores or machines by means of parallelization. From the user’s perspective, the package requires only basic knowledge of scripting to fully access its functionality, while providing a point-and-click solution in the form of a graphical interface for a less experienced audience. These features, in particular, make stand out as an excellent teaching device without sacrificing more advanced or complex applications.
Stable isotopes, morphology, and body condition metrics suggest similarity in the trophic level and diversity in the carbon sources of freshwater and early marine diets of Chinook salmon
Authors: Wolf Nathan , Garcia Sabrina , Harris Bradley P. , Howard Kathrine G.
Published: February 2024

For anadromous fish entering the marine environment, we expect the probability of avoiding predation and starvation to increase with the quality and/or quantity of dietary resources consumed during the period immediately prior to, and following, ocean entry. Here, we report the results of research examining trophic history in relation to fork length, mass, and body condition in juvenile Chinook salmon captured in the southern Bering Sea using δ13C and δ15N analysis of skeletal muscle and liver samples. Our results show little inter-individual variability in δ15N, but variability in δ13C among tissues and within and among years was observed. Further, we found few relationships between δ15N and morphological or condition metrics, but strong relationships between δ13C and fork length, body mass, and Fulton’s K. We attribute the similarity in δ15N among individuals to high trophic level feeding (i.e., piscivory) associated with the prolonged duration of freshwater residency observed for juvenile Chinook salmon in our study area. Variation in δ13C, as well as relationships between δ13C, fork length, body mass, and Fulton’s K can be attributed to variability in carbon sourcing resulting from the large spatial footprint of our study area. In addition to relating these findings to Chinook salmon ecology, we offer guidance for future use of δ13C and δ15N analysis in studying early marine trophic interactions in anadromous fish.
Interactions Between Heavy Metal Exposure and Blood Biochemistry in an Urban Population of the Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) in Australia
Authors: Nzabanita Damien , Mulder Raoul A. , Lettoof Damian C. , Grist Stephen , Hampton Jordan O. , Hufschmid Jasmin , Nugegoda Dayanthi
Published: February 2024

There is growing recognition of the threat posed to wildlife by pollutants. Waterbirds are robust bioindicators of ecosystem health, and metal toxicity is a threat to these species in waterways worldwide. Urban waterbirds are likely to be at the highest risk of heavy metal exposure, but this issue has not been widely explored in Australia. Our aim was to estimate contemporary heavy metal exposure in a sedentary urban waterbird population: black swans (Cygnus atratus) inhabiting an inner-city wetland in one of Australia’s largest cities, Melbourne. To investigate the physiological implications of legacy heavy metal exposure in these birds, we quantified blood biochemistry profiles and examined their relationships with metal concentrations in feathers. We caught 15 swans in 2021 and took feather samples to measure the concentration of eight heavy metals (chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg)), and blood samples to measure the concentration of 13 plasma analytes. Multivariate regression analysis revealed few associations between heavy metals and biochemistry markers, and no differences between sexes or age classes. This study presents a baseline dataset of these contaminants and blood biochemical profiles of swans at this wetland that can be used for future monitoring and is an important step toward a better understanding of the threat posed by heavy metals to Australian urban waterbirds.
Xanthan: enzymatic degradation and novel perspectives of applications
Authors: Berezina Oksana V. , Rykov Sergey V. , Schwarz Wolfgang H. , Liebl Wolfgang
Published: February 2024

The extracellular heteropolysaccharide xanthan, synthesized by bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas, is widely used as a thickening and stabilizing agent across the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors. Expanding the scope of its application, current efforts target the use of xanthan to develop innovative functional materials and products, such as edible films, eco-friendly oil surfactants, and biocompatible composites for tissue engineering. Xanthan-derived oligosaccharides are useful as nutritional supplements and plant defense elicitors. Development and processing of such new functional materials and products often necessitate tuning of xanthan properties through targeted structural modification. This task can be effectively carried out with the help of xanthan-specific enzymes. However, the complex molecular structure and intricate conformational behavior of xanthan create problems with its enzymatic hydrolysis or modification. This review summarizes and analyzes data concerning xanthan-degrading enzymes originating from microorganisms and microbial consortia, with a particular focus on the dependence of enzymatic activity on the structure and conformation of xanthan. Through a comparative study of xanthan-degrading pathways found within various bacterial classes, different microbial enzyme systems for xanthan utilization have been identified. The characterization of these new enzymes opens new perspectives for modifying xanthan structure and developing innovative xanthan-based applications.

Key points

• The structure and conformation of xanthan affect enzymatic degradation.

• Microorganisms use diverse multienzyme systems for xanthan degradation.

• Xanthan-specific enzymes can be used to develop xanthan variants for novel applications.
Modern low-field MRI
Authors: Pogarell Tobias , Heiss Rafael , Janka Rolf , Nagel Armin M. , Uder Michael , Roemer Frank W.
Published: February 2024

This narrative review explores recent advancements and applications of modern low-field (≤ 1 Tesla) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in musculoskeletal radiology. Historically, high-field MRI systems (1.5 T and 3 T) have been the standard in clinical practice due to superior image resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. However, recent technological advancements in low-field MRI offer promising avenues for musculoskeletal imaging. General principles of low-field MRI systems are being introduced, highlighting their strengths and limitations compared to high-field counterparts. Emphasis is placed on advancements in hardware design, including novel magnet configurations, gradient systems, and radiofrequency coils, which have improved image quality and reduced susceptibility artifacts particularly in musculoskeletal imaging. Different clinical applications of modern low-field MRI in musculoskeletal radiology are being discussed. The diagnostic performance of low-field MRI in diagnosing various musculoskeletal pathologies, such as ligament and tendon injuries, osteoarthritis, and cartilage lesions, is being presented. Moreover, the discussion encompasses the cost-effectiveness and accessibility of low-field MRI systems, making them viable options for imaging centers with limited resources or specific patient populations. From a scientific standpoint, the amount of available data regarding musculoskeletal imaging at low-field strengths is limited and often several decades old. This review will give an insight to the existing literature and summarize our own experiences with a modern low-field MRI system over the last 3 years. In conclusion, the narrative review highlights the potential clinical utility, challenges, and future directions of modern low-field MRI, offering valuable insights for radiologists and healthcare professionals seeking to leverage these advancements in their practice.
3.0-T MR-guided transgluteal in-bore-targeted prostate biopsy under local anesthesia in patients without rectal access: a single-institute experience and review of literature
Authors: Bera Kaustav , Ramaiya Nikhil , Paspulati Raj Mohan , Nakamoto Dean , Tirumani Sree Harsha
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To describe the technique and evaluate the performance of MRI-guided transgluteal in-bore-targeted biopsy of the prostate gland under local anesthesia in patients without rectal access.

Methods

Ten men (mean age, 69 (range 57–86) years) without rectal access underwent 13 MRI-guided transgluteal in-bore-targeted biopsy of the prostate gland under local anesthesia. All patients underwent mp-MRI at our institute prior to biopsy. Three patients had prior US-guided transperineal biopsy which was unsuccessful in one, negative in one, and yielded GG1 (GS6) PCa in one. Procedure time, complications, histopathology result, and subsequent management were recorded.

Results

Median interval between rectal surgery and presentation with elevated PSA was 12.5 years (interquartile range (IQR) 25–75, 8–36.5 years). Mean PSA was 11.9 (range, 4.8 -59.0) ng/ml and PSA density was 0.49 (0.05 -3.2) ng/ml/ml. Distribution of PI-RADS v2.0/2.1 scores of the targeted lesions were PI-RADS 5–3; PI-RADS 4–6; and PI-RADS 3–1. Mean lesion size was 1.5 cm (range, 1.0–3.6 cm). Median interval between MRI and biopsy was 5.5 months (IQR 25–75, 1.5–9 months). Mean procedure time was 47.4 min (range, 29–80 min) and the number of cores varied between 3 and 5. Of the 13 biopsies, 4 yielded clinically significant prostate cancer (csPca), with a Gleason score ≥ 7, 1 yielded insignificant prostate cancer (Gleason score = 6), 7 yielded benign prostatic tissue, and one was technically unsuccessful. 3/13 biopsies were repeat biopsies which detected csPCa in 2 out of the 3 patients. None of the patients had biopsy-related complication. Biopsy result changed management to radiation therapy with ADT in 2 patients with the rest on active surveillance.

Conclusion

MRI-guided transgluteal in-bore-targeted biopsy of the prostate gland under local anesthesia is feasible in patients without rectal access.
Herausforderungen der Automation bei der quantitativen Auswertung von Leberbiopsien
Authors: Darling Jessica , Abedin Nada , Ziegler Paul K. , Gretser Steffen , Walczak Barbara , Barreiros Ana Paula , Schulze Falko , Reis Henning , Wild Peter J. , Flinner Nadine
Published: February 2024

Hintergrund

Die MASLD (metabolische Dysfunktion-assoziierte steatotische Lebererkrankung, oder nichtalkoholische Fettlebererkrankung [NAFLD]) ist eine häufige Erkrankung, deren Diagnose auf der lichtmikroskopischen Auswertung von Leberbiopsien basiert. Diese unterliegt jedoch einer großen Interbetrachtervariabilität (IBV), die durch Hinzunahme von automatisierten Methoden verringert werden kann.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ein Großteil der bestehenden computerbasierenden Methoden reflektiert nicht das, was in der Realität vom Pathologen bewertet wird. Ziel ist es, aufzuzeigen, wie diese Unterschiede die Vorhersage des Verfettungsgrads (VG) beeinflussen. Zusätzlich erschwert die IBV die Validierung von Algorithmen.

Material und Methoden

Insgesamt 40 Gewebeschnitte wurden automatisch mit Bildanalysemethoden zur Fett‑, Zellkern- und Fibroseerkennung ausgewertet. Die Daten wurden verwendet, um den VG zu berechnen. Die IBV bei der Quantifizierung des VG wurde dabei an 18 Gewebeschnitten durch unterschiedliche Pathologen analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Flächenbasierte Ansätze erzielten stärkere Korrelationen als zellkernbasierte Methoden (⌀ Spearman-Rho [ρ] = 0,92 vs. 0,79). Die Hinzunahme von Informationen zur Gewebekomposition verringerte für flächenbasierte und zellkernbasierte Methoden den durchschnittlichen absoluten Vorhersagefehler um 0,5 % bzw. 2,2 %. Unser finaler flächenbasierter Algorithmus, der Informationen zum Gewebeaufbau integriert, erreichte eine hohe Genauigkeit (80 %) und starke Korrelation (⌀ ρ = 0,94) mit der manuellen Auswertung.

Diskussion

Die automatische und deterministische Bestimmung des VG lässt sich durch die Integration von Informationen der Gewebekomposition verbessern und kann dazu dienen, den Einfluss der IBV zu verringern.
Development and validation of AI-based automatic measurement of coronal Cobb angles in degenerative scoliosis using sagittal lumbar MRI
Authors: van der Graaf Jasper W. , van Hooff Miranda L. , van Ginneken Bram , Huisman Merel , Rutten Matthieu , Lamers Dominique , Lessmann Nikolas , de Kleuver Marinus
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Severity of degenerative scoliosis (DS) is assessed by measuring the Cobb angle on anteroposterior radiographs. However, MRI images are often available to study the degenerative spine. This retrospective study aims to develop and evaluate the reliability of a novel automatic method that measures coronal Cobb angles on lumbar MRI in DS patients.

Materials and methods

Vertebrae and intervertebral discs were automatically segmented using a 3D AI algorithm, trained on 447 lumbar MRI series. The segmentations were used to calculate all possible angles between the vertebral endplates, with the largest being the Cobb angle. The results were validated with 50 high-resolution sagittal lumbar MRI scans of DS patients, in which three experienced readers measured the Cobb angle. Reliability was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

The ICCs between the readers ranged from 0.90 (95% CI 0.83–0.94) to 0.93 (95% CI 0.88–0.96). The ICC between the maximum angle found by the algorithm and the average manually measured Cobb angles was 0.83 (95% CI 0.71–0.90). In 9 out of the 50 cases (18%), all readers agreed on both vertebral levels for Cobb angle measurement. When using the algorithm to extract the angles at the vertebral levels chosen by the readers, the ICCs ranged from 0.92 (95% CI 0.87–0.96) to 0.97 (95% CI 0.94–0.98).

Conclusion

The Cobb angle can be accurately measured on MRI using the newly developed algorithm in patients with DS. The readers failed to consistently choose the same vertebral level for Cobb angle measurement, whereas the automatic approach ensures the maximum angle is consistently measured.

Clinical relevance statement

Our AI-based algorithm offers reliable Cobb angle measurement on routine MRI for degenerative scoliosis patients, potentially reducing the reliance on conventional radiographs, ensuring consistent assessments, and therefore improving patient care.

Key Points

• While often available, MRI images are rarely utilized to determine the severity of degenerative scoliosis.

• The presented MRI Cobb angle algorithm is more reliable than humans in patients with degenerative scoliosis.

• Radiographic imaging for Cobb angle measurements is mitigated when lumbar MRI images are available.

Graphical Abstract
2bRAD reveals fine-scale genetic structuring among populations within the Mediterranean zoanthid Parazoanthus axinellae (Schmidt, 1862)
Authors: Terzin Marko , Villamor Adriana , Marincich Lorenzo , Matterson Kenan , Paletta Maria Grazia , Bertuccio Valentina , Bavestrello Giorgio , Benedetti Cecchi Lisandro , Boscari Elisa , Cerrano Carlo , Chimienti Giovanni , Congiu Leonardo , Fraschetti Simonetta , Mastrototaro Francesco , Ponti Massimo , Sandulli Roberto , Turicchia Eva , Zane Lorenzo , Abbiati Marco , Costantini Federica
Published: February 2024

The zoanthid Parazoanthus axinellae (Schmidt, 1862) is a widespread coral species in the Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages where two morphotypes are found: Slender and Stocky, differing in size, color, and preferred substrate. Due to these marked differences, Slender and Stocky morphotypes were hypothesized to be two species. Here, we used 2bRAD to obtain genome‐wide genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to investigate the genetic differentiation between Slender and Stocky morphs, as well as their population structure. A total of 101 specimens of P. axinellae were sampled and genotyped from eight locations along the Italian coastline. In four locations, samples of the two morphotypes were collected in sympatry. 2bRAD genome-wide SNPs were used to assess the genetic divergence between the two morphotypes (1319 SNPs), and population connectivity patterns within Slender (1926 SNPs) and Stocky (1871 SNPs) morphotypes. Marked and consistent differentiation was detected between Slender and Stocky morphotypes. The widely distributed Slender morphotype showed higher population mixing patterns, while populations of the Stocky morphotype exhibited a stronger genetic structure at a regional scale. The strong genetic differentiation observed between P. axinellae Slender and Stocky morphotypes provides additional evidence that these morphs could be attributed to different species, although further morphological and ecological studies are required to validate this hypothesis. Our study highlights the importance of resolving phylogenetic and taxonomic disparities within taxonomically problematic groups, such as the P. axinellae species complex, when performing genetic connectivity studies for management and conservation purposes.

Graphical Abstract

Schematic overview of the main genetic structuring patterns observed in this study. Coral polyps were colored to intuitively associate the reader to Parazoanthus axinellae morphotypes, with orange tones being attributed to the Stocky morphotype, and yellow tones to the Slender morphotype. Bidirectional arrows represent gene flow between coral individuals, with the number and thickness of arrows corresponding to the intensity of gene flow rates. The red dashed line represents the potential reproductive isolation between Slender and Stocky morphs
Erste Klassifikationskriterien für durch Kalziumpyrophosphatablagerungen verursachte Erkrankungen – Übersetzung, Erläuterung und Bewertung
Authors: Braun Jürgen , Krekeler Martin , Kiltz Uta
Published: February 2024

Zielsetzung

Für die durch Kalziumpyrophosphatablagerungen verursachten Erkrankungen („calcium pyrophosphate deposition [CPPD] disease“) fehlten bislang validierte Klassifikationskriterien. Die kürzlich hierfür entwickelten und validierten Klassifikationskriterien wurden in dieser Arbeit übersetzt, erläutert und bewertet.

Methoden

In den letzten Jahren hat eine multinationale Forschergruppe mit Unterstützung der European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) und dem American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Klassifikationskriterien für die CPPD-Erkrankung einer etablierten Methodik folgend entwickelt. Die Übersetzung und Kommentierung der neuen ersten Klassifikationskriterien für die CPPD-Erkrankung erfolgten iterativ im Konsens der Autoren.

Ergebnisse

Für die Klassifikation als CPPD-Erkrankung reicht das Vorhandensein eines Crowned-Dens-Syndroms oder von Kalziumpyrophosphatkristallen in der Synovialflüssigkeit bei Patienten mit Gelenkschmerzen, -schwellungen oder -empfindlichkeit (Eintrittskriterium), deren Symptome nicht vollständig durch eine andere rheumatische Erkrankung erklärt werden können (Ausschlusskriterium), aus, um eine(n) Betroffene(n) als CPPD-Patient*in zu klassifizieren. Liegen diese Befunde nicht vor, kann eine Punktzahl von mehr als 56 Punkten anhand gewichteter Kriterien, die sich aus klinischen Merkmalen, Ergebnissen und Befunden zusammensetzen, zur Einstufung als CPPD-Erkrankung herangezogen werden. Diese Kriterien hatten eine Sensitivität von 92,2 % und eine Spezifität von 87,9 % in der Ableitungskohorte (190 CPPD-Fälle, 148 Mimiker), während die Sensitivität 99,2 % und die Spezifität 92,5 % in der Validierungskohorte (251 CPPD-Fälle, 162 Mimiker) betrug.

Schlussfolgerung

Die ACR/EULAR-Klassifikationskriterien von 2023 für die CPPD-Erkrankung werden die klinische Forschung auf diesem Gebiet erleichtern. Die klinische Anwendung i wird zeigen, wie praktikabel die Kriterien sind.
Immune recovery uveitis: a focus review
Authors: Rodrigues Alves Nuno , Barão Catarina , Mota Catarina , Costa Lívio , Proença Rita Pinto
Published: February 2024

Immune recovery uveitis (IRU) is an intraocular inflammation that typically occurs as part of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in the eye. Typically, it affects human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with recognized or unrecognized cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis who are receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). IRU is a common cause of new vision loss in these patients, and it manifests with a wide range of symptoms and an increased risk of inflammatory complications, such as macular edema. Recently, similar IRU-like responses have been observed in non-HIV individuals with immune reconstitution following immunosuppression of diverse etiologies, posing challenges in diagnosis and treatment. This review provides an updated overview of the current literature on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, biomarkers, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment strategies for IRU.
Application of BiLSTM-CRF model with different embeddings for product name extraction in unstructured Turkish text
Authors: Arslan Serdar
Published: February 2024

Named entity recognition (NER) plays a pivotal role in Natural Language Processing by identifying and classifying entities within textual data. While NER methodologies have seen significant advancements, driven by pretrained word embeddings and deep neural networks, the majority of these studies have focused on text with well-defined grammar and structure. A significant research gap exists concerning NER in informal or unstructured text, where traditional grammar rules and sentence structure are absent. This research addresses this crucial gap by focusing on the detection of product names within unstructured Turkish text. To accomplish this, we propose a deep learning-based NER model which combines a Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) architecture with a Conditional Random Field (CRF) layer, further enhanced by FastText embeddings. To comprehensively evaluate and compare our model’s performance, we explore different embedding approaches, including Word2Vec and Glove, in conjunction with the Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory and Conditional Random Field (BiLSTM-CRF) model. Furthermore, we conduct comparisons against BERT to assess the efficacy of our approach. Our experimentation utilizes a Turkish e-commerce dataset gathered from the internet, where traditional grammatical and structural rules may not apply. The BiLSTM-CRF model with FastText embeddings achieved an F1 score value of 57.40%, a precision value of 55.78%, and a recall value of 59.12%. These results indicate promising performance in outperforming other baseline techniques. This research contributes to the field of NER by addressing the unique challenges posed by unstructured Turkish text and opens avenues for improved entity recognition in informal language settings, with potential applications across various domains.
Towards privacy-aware exploration of archived personal emails
Authors: Bartliff Zoe , Kim Yunhyong , Hopfgartner Frank
Published: February 2024

This paper examines how privacy measures, such as anonymisation and aggregation processes for email collections, can affect the perceived usefulness of email visualisations for research, especially in the humanities and social sciences. The work is intended to inform archivists and data managers who are faced with the challenge of accessioning and reviewing increasingly sizeable and complex personal digital collections. The research in this paper provides a focused user study to investigate the usefulness of data visualisation as a mediator between privacy-aware management of data and maximisation of research value of data. The research is carried out with researchers and archivists with vested interest in using, making sense of, and/or archiving the data to derive meaningful results. Participants tend to perceive email visualisations as useful, with an average rating of 4.281 (out of 7) for all the visualisations in the study, with above average ratings for mountain graphs and word trees. The study shows that while participants voice a strong desire for information identifying individuals in email data, they perceive visualisations as almost equally useful for their research and/or work when aggregation is employed in addition to anonymisation.
Solid–electrolyte interphase formation during Li metal deposition in LiN(SO2F)2-based solvate ionic liquids
Authors: Tatara Ryoichi , Ikeda Kohei , Ueno Kazuhide , Watanabe Masayoshi , Dokko Kaoru
Published: February 2024

Solvate ionic liquids (SILs) are promising electrolytes for Li metal batteries. In this study, Li plating-stripping reactions in SILs were investigated using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). SILs were prepared by mixing Li salt and glyme (triglyme or tetraglyme) in a 1:1 molar ratio. During the Li plating-stripping reaction, a reversible mass change was observed in LiN(SO2F)2 (LiFSA) based SILs. In contrast, a considerably higher mass change than the theoretical value calculated from the Faraday current was observed in the LiN(SO2CF3)2 (LiTFSA) based SILs, owing to the accumulation of decomposition products of electrolytes on the electrode surface. XPS depth profiling for the deposited Li suggested the formation of thin solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) in the LiFSA-based SILs while considerably thicker SEI was formed in the LiTFSA-based SILs. The SEI formed in LiFSA-based SILs effectively suppressed the decomposition of electrolytes. Thus, LiFSA-based SILs are favorable for achieving highly reversible charge–discharge of Li electrodes in Li metal batteries.
The role of laser and energy-assisted drug delivery in the treatment of alopecia
Authors: Balazic Eliza , Muskat Ahava , Kost Yana , Cohen Joel L. , Kobets Kseniya
Published: February 2024

It has been recently established that laser treatment can be combined with topical or intralesional medications to enhance the delivery of drugs and improve overall results in a variety of different dermatological disorders. The aim of this review is to evaluate the use of laser and energy-assisted drug delivery (LEADD) for the treatment of alopecia with a specific focus on ablative fractional lasers (AFL), non-ablative fractional lasers (NAFL), and radiofrequency microneedling (RFMN). A comprehensive PubMed search was performed in December 2022 for “laser-assisted drug delivery” as well as “laser” and “alopecia.” The evidence regarding LEADD for alopecia treatment is limited to two specific alopecia subtypes: alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA)/pattern hair loss (PHL). LEADD with minoxidil and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were evaluated for efficacy in both treatments of AA and AGA. LEADD with topical corticosteroids and intralesional methotrexate were studied for the treatment of AA, while LEADD with growth factors and stem cells were studied for the treatment of AGA. Multiple RCTs evaluated LEADD for topical corticosteroids with ablative fractional lasers for the treatment of AA. There is evidence in the literature that supports the use of topical minoxidil in combination with all devices for the treatment of AGA/PHL. All the reviewed studies show a positive treatment effect with LADD; however, some trials did not find LEADD to be superior to monotherapy or microneedling-assisted drug delivery. LEADD is a rapidly emerging treatment modality for the treatment of AGA and AA.
Immunogenicity after vaccination of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with cancer: a prospective, single center, observational study
Authors: Katsuya Yuki , Yoshida Tatsuya , Takashima Atsuo , Yonemori Kan , Ohba Akihiro , Yazaki Shu , Yagishita Shigehiro , Nakahama Hiroko , Kobayashi Osamu , Yanagida Masatoshi , Irino Yasuhiro , Hamada Akinobu , Yamamoto Noboru
Published: February 2024

Background

Patients with cancer, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy, are at risk from the low immunogenicity of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) vaccines.

Methods

This prospective study assessed the seroconversion rate of COVID-19 vaccines among patients with cancer and hospital staff. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein-specific IgG (S-IgG) concentrations were evaluated before the first vaccination, and 1–3 and 4–6 months after the second vaccination. The primary endpoint was the seroconversion rate measured 1–3 months after the second vaccine.

Results

In total, 590 patients and 183 healthy hospital staff were analyzed. At 1–3 months after the second vaccination, the S-IgG antibody concentration exceeded the cut-off value (20 BAU/mL) in 96.1% (567/590) of the patients with cancer and 100% (183/183) of the healthy controls (p = 0.0024). At 4–6 months after the second vaccination, the S-IgG antibody concentration exceeded the cut-off value (20 BAU/ml for S-IgG) in 93.1% (461/495) of the patients with cancer and 100% (170/170) of the healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Old age, being male, and low lymphocyte count were related to low SARS-CoV-2 S-IgG levels 1–3 months after the second vaccination among patients, while body mass index, smoking history, and serum albumin level were not. Patients undergoing platinum combination therapy and alkylating agent among cytotoxic drugs, and PARP inhibitor, mTOR inhibitor, and BCR-ABL inhibitor exhibited a low S-IgG antibody concentration compared to the no treatment group.

Conclusions

COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity was reduced among patients with cancer, especially under several treatment regimens.
Analysis of Uncertainty and Sensitivity in Tailings Dam Breach-Runout Numerical Modelling
Authors: Ghahramani Negar , Adria Daniel A. M. , Rana Nahyan M. , Llano-Serna Marcelo , McDougall Scott , Evans Stephen G. , Take W. Andy
Published: February 2024

Tailings dam breaches (TDBs) and subsequent flows can pose significant risk to public safety, the environment, and the economy. Numerical runout models are used to simulate potential tailings flows and understand their downstream impacts. Due to the complex nature of the breach-runout processes, the mobility and downstream impacts of these types of failures are highly uncertain. We applied the first-order second-moment (FOSM) methodology to a database of 11 back-analyzed historical tailings flows to evaluate uncertainties in TDB runout modelling and conducted a sensitivity analysis to identify key factors contributing to the variability of the HEC-RAS model output, including at different locations along the runout path. The results indicate that prioritizing resources toward advancements in estimating the values of primary contributors to the sensitivity of the selected model outputs is necessary for more reliable model results. We found that the total released volume is among the top contributors to the sensitivity of modelled inundation area and maximum flow depth, while surface roughness is among the top contributors to the sensitivity of modelled maximum flow velocity and flow front arrival time. However, the primary contributors to the sensitivity of the model outputs varied depending on the case study; therefore, the selection of appropriate rheological models and consideration of site-specific conditions are crucial for accurate predictions. The study proposes and demonstrates the FOSM methodology as an approximate probabilistic approach to model-based tailings flow runout prediction, which can help improve the accuracy of risk assessments and emergency response plans.