bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation of acute myeloid leukemia blasts from blood using a microfluidic device
Authors: Teixeira Alexandra , Sousa-Silva Maria , Chícharo Alexandre , Oliveira Kevin , Moura André , Carneiro Adriana , Piairo Paulina , Águas Hugo , Sampaio-Marques Belém , Castro Isabel , Mariz José , Ludovico Paula , Abalde-Cela Sara , Diéguez Lorena
Published: April 2024

Multiparametric approach for the efficient isolation of acute myeloid leukemia blasts from blood in microfluidic platforms.
Photonic–plasmonic resonator for SERS biodetection
Authors: Tian Zheng , Zhang Zhonghai
Published: April 2024

We construct a hybrid photonic–plasmonic resonator SERS substrate with high enhancement factor and can be used to detect cancer biomarkers in serum for differentiation of different cancers.
Photocatalytic organosulfur reagent-promoted selective mono-(deutero)hydrodechlorination
Authors: Wang Junlei , Gao Guocheng , Cheng Jiadong , Li Jintao , Chen Xiaoshuang , Chen Xuemei , Zhang Daohai , Li Hongqing , Cai Xiaohua , Huang Binbin
Published: April 2024

Selective partial C–Cl bond reduction represents an important strategy for the construction of valuable chlorine-containing skeletons.
Catalytic synergy of WS2-anchored PdSe2 for highly sensitive hydrogen gas sensor
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Kumar Ashok , Kumar Amit , Chakkar Atul G. , Betal Atanu , Kumar Pradeep , Sahu Satyajit , Kumar Mahesh
Published: April 2024

Hydrogen (H2) is widely used in industrial processes and is one of the well-known choices for storage of renewable energy.
An oxygen vacancy-rich BiO2−x/COF heterojunction for photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac
Authors: Wu Yuze , Liu Jingchao , Zhao Jinxia , Jin Chunhong , Ren Hailong , Yin Yilin , Li Zenghe
Published: April 2024

BiO2−x/COF has abundant oxygen vacancies and photocatalyzes the degradation of diclofenac by forming heterojunctions with ˙O2− and h+ active substances.
Stable calcium ellagate metal–organic frameworks as high-performance green memorizers bearing high working temperatures
Authors: Liu Ting-Bo , Deng Jing-Wen , Li Yi , Fu Hai-Ying , Shi Liang-Wen , Lin Shi-Ying , Liu Yue , Li Hao-Hong , Liu Jing-Bo , Liu Jian-Zhi
Published: April 2024

Natural product ellagic acid was used to construct a stable 3D BioMOF with twofold interpenetrated (6,3) bi-layers, which was fabricated as a biomemorizer with an ON/OFF ratio of 5.40 × 103 bearing a high working temperature of 300 °C.
CDs “inserted” abundant FeB-based electrode via “local photothermal effect” strategy toward efficient overall seawater splitting
Authors: Liang Shiheng , Wu Liugang , Wang Yiming , Shao Yuqi , Song Hongyuan , Chen Ziliang , Hao Weiju
Published: April 2024

A high-efficiency and high-stability CDs-FeBx@TiO2 catalytic electrode is constructed via one step, to produce hydrogen by the electrolysis of seawater with the “photothermal effect”.
Photochemical [2 + 2 + 1] annulation of 2-vinyloxy arylalkynes with bromomalonates via energy transfer
Authors: Tang Shuo , Liu Jiupeng , Zhang Min , Wang Dan , Wang Yong , Zhao Jingjing , Li Pan
Published: April 2024

A transition-metal-free, oxidant-free and base-free photochemical [2 + 2 + 1] radical annulation of 2-vinyloxy arylalkynes with bromomalonates has been developed.
Generation of nitrogen by means of electrochemical oxygen depletion
Authors: Sachse Dominik , Chelachottil Basil Noha , Glüsen Andreas , Müller Martin , Rau Uwe , Peters Ralf
Published: April 2024

Electrochemical oxygen reduction enables a high depletion of the oxygen content with very high Faraday efficiency at the same time.
A focus on applying 63/65Cu solid-state NMR spectroscopy to characterize Cu MOFs
Authors: Pang Zhenfeng , Tan Kong Ooi
Published: April 2024

Combined solid-state 63/65Cu NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations are powerful tools that can shed light on the local geometries and bonding of different Cu(i) sites in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) (Zhang et al., Chem. Sci., 2024, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC00782D).
Nanomaterials in modulating tumor-associated macrophages and enhancing immunotherapy
Authors: Liang Chen , Zhang Yihan , Wang Siyao , Jiao Wangbo , Guo Jingyi , Zhang Nan , Liu Xiaoli
Published: April 2024

Reprogramming anti-inflammatory macrophages into pro-inflammatory type becomes an efficient antitumor therapeutic approach. With the development of nanotechnology, the strategy of using nanomaterials is an effective option for TAM repolarization.
Iterative‐recursive estimation of parameters of regression models with resistance to outliers on practical examples
Authors: Kozłowski Janusz , Kowalczuk Zdzisław
Published: April 2024

Here, identification of processes and systems in the sense of the least sum of absolute values is taken into consideration. The respective absolute value estimators are recognised as exceptionally insensitive to large measurement faults or other defects in the processed data, whereas the classical least squares procedure appears to be completely impractical for processing the data contaminated with such parasitic distortions. Since the absolute value quality index cannot be minimised analytically, an iterative solution is used to find optimal estimates of the parameters of the underlying regression model. In addition, an approximate recursive estimator is proposed and implemented for on‐line evaluation of system parameters. The convergence (basic property) of the iterative estimator is show to be proven and some aspects related to the absolute value criterion are explained. This allows for the formulation of practical conclusions and indication of directions for further research. In addition, the effectiveness of the described iterative‐recursive estimation procedures is practically verified by appropriate numerical experiments.
Multi‐target detection and tracking of shallow marine organisms based on improved YOLO v5 and DeepSORT
Authors: Liu Yang , An Bailin , Chen Shaohua , Zhao Dongmei
Published: April 2024

In order to solve the related problems of detection and tracking of shallow marine organisms, this paper designs a YOLO v5 multi‐target detection and tracking algorithm with attention mechanism. When working underwater, the authors usually encounter many difficulties. Different luminosity and complex coral background usually affect the detection of marine organisms. At the same time, the unrestricted movement of marine organisms, the ability to hide behind rocks and algae, and their mutual occlusion while swimming pose additional challenges to this task. Considering the characteristics of shallow marine organisms activity environment, the attention mechanism is added to the feature extraction network of YOLO v5 to reduce redundant information and improve the detection accuracy of shallow marine organism targets in complex environment. The improved algorithm improves the average detection accuracy of marine organisms target detection by 3.2%. Aiming at the problem of shallow marine organisms target tracking, a shallow marine organisms multi‐target tracking algorithm based on improved Deep Simple Online And Realtime Tracking (SORT) is designed. The improved YOLO v5 algorithm is used to replace Faster R‐CNN (Faster Region‐Convolutional Neural Networks) as the detector of DeepSORT tracking algorithm, and the cascade matching strategy is adopted to solve the problem that the target cannot be tracked continuously when it is occluded for a long time. The experimental results show that the shallow marine organisms multi‐target tracking algorithm based on improved DeepSORT reduces the number of id transformation of marine biological target tracking in shallow sea environment, and improves the accuracy of shallow marine organisms multi‐target tracking.
Multisource‐multitarget cooperative positioning using probability hypothesis density filter in internet of vehicles
Authors: Lin Nan , Yue Bingjian , Shi Shuming , Jia Suhua , Ma Xiaofan
Published: April 2024

Accurate positioning of intelligent connected vehicle (ICV) is a key element for the development of cooperative intelligent transportation system. In vehicular networks, lots of state‐related measurements, especially the mutual measurements between ICVs, are shared. It is an advisable strategy to fuse these measurements for a more robust positioning. In this context, an innovative framework, referred to as multisource‐multitarget cooperative positioning (MMCP) is presented. In MMCP, ICVs are local information source, that upload both the states of ICVs estimated by on‐board sensors and the relative vectors between surrounding objects and vehicles to a fusion centre. In the fusion centre, ICVs are selected as the global targets, and the relative vectors are converted into global measurements. Then, the MMCP is modelled into a multi‐target tracking problem with specific targets. This paper proposes a low complexity Gaussian mixture probability hypothesis density (GM‐PHD‐LC) filter to match and fuse the global measurements to further improve the estimation of ICVs. The evaluation results show that our GM‐PHD‐LC can provide 10 Hz positioning services in urban area, and significantly improve the positioning accuracy compared to the standalone global navigation satellite system.
Upcycling prawn shells: Chitosan–carbon nanotube nanocomposites with boosted magnetic and electrical properties
Authors: Awal Rabiul , Al‐Mamun Md. , Jewena Nasrin , Khandaker Jahirul Islam , Tanisa Nilufer Yesmin , Ahmed Shamim , Shahriar Fahim , Haque Md. Mahbubul
Published: April 2024

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were successfully synthesized and functionalized by chemical vapour deposition and acid reflux methods, respectively. Chitosan (CTS) was prepared by a chemical extraction method from waste prawn shells. Various weight fractions of functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWCNTs) have been used as reinforcing agent in CTS biopolymer matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis was done, which confirms the presence of absorption bands of the various functional groups of chitin, CTS, and MWCNTs. Raman spectra revealed the quality of MWCNTs, the extent of their functionalization, and the quality of nanocomposites. The X‐ray diffraction analysis showed the distinctive peaks for f‐MWCNTs’ and also revealed the formation of CTS/f‐MWCNTs nanocomposites. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis also exhibited that the CTS/f‐MWCNTs nanoparticles have a well‐defined crystalline structure. The highest coercivity and magnetization (Ms) of the CTS/5%f‐MWCNTs nanocomposite are 602 Oe and 0.1202 emu/g, respectively that have been enhanced by 3.83 and 5.27 times compared to the pure CTS respectively. It showed that the conductivity is getting higher with the addition of f‐MWCNTs in the CTS matrix. CTS/5% f‐MWCNTs composites exhibit the highest conductivity than other composites and the conductivity of CTS/5% f‐MWCNTs composite is 4.0×10−4 S/m.
Assessing supply security risk of renewable‐dominated power system via entropy‐based analytic hierarchy method
Authors: Hu Jianzu , Wang Yuefeng , Li Xiaojing , Xin Songxu , Gong Qihang , Zhang Yiguo , Wen Haoran
Published: April 2024

Amid escalating geopolitical conflicts and extreme weather, the transformation to a renewable‐dominated power system faces increasing supply security risks. The current literature lacks comprehensive multidimensional assessment index systems to quantify these risks. This paper first identifies the key factors influencing supply security in renewable‐dominated power system. Subsequently, it constructs a supply security risk assessment model based on a comprehensive evaluation method combining the analytic hierarchy process method and the entropy weight method. The effectiveness of the approach is then evaluated through simulations of supply security risks across 11 provinces, including Inner Mongolia and Sichuan. Finally, the analysis of supply security risks in the Sichuan power system is conducted at different stages, focusing on changes in supply security risk levels and risk transmission mechanisms during Sichuan power crunch events in 2022. The results show that during Sichuan's 2022 high‐temperature power rationing event, the comprehensive supply security risk score of the Sichuan power system dropped from 88.7 to 76.91. This decline was mainly due to a significant reduction in hydropower output, which lowered scores of the source‐side risk and consequently increased the system's supply security risk.
Surrogate modelling for ice accretion prediction on wind turbine blades based on support vector regression
Authors: Mao Shouyuan , Wu Yangyang , Zhao Liheng , Mo Weike
Published: April 2024

Ice accretion poses a significant challenge, threatening the safety and operational stability of wind turbines in extreme cold weather. Accurate estimation of ice accretion is essential in minimizing this concern. Data‐driven techniques typically rely on extensive historical datasets, and simulation‐based methods may be time‐consuming. To address these challenges, surrogate modelling for ice accretion prediction is proposed, utilizing support vector regression. This surrogate model undergoes rigorous evaluation to ensure reliability. The surrogate model reduces time consumption by four orders of magnitude compared to simulation, with only a 2.5% decrease in accuracy. The analysis reveals that real‐time pitch angle adjustments, informed by both the surrogate model and meteorological data, can effectively reduce ice accretion on wind turbine blades in cold climates.
Binder Phenotype—Prenatal Diagnosis, Management, and Postnatal Outcome: Insights from a Case Series and Updated Review of the Literature
Authors: Sabu Brinda , Shenoy Dhanya , R. Vidyalekshmy
Published: April 2024

Binder phenotype (BP) or maxillonasal dysplasia is a developmental disorder of the anterior part of the maxilla and nasal complex and is characterized by a short nose with a flat nasal bridge, short columella, acute nasolabial angle, perialar flatness, convex upper lip, and tendency to a class III malocclusion. The etiology of BP is heterogeneous with diverse features and outcomes. The ultrasound features of BP are midfacial hypoplasia with verticalized nasal bones, short columella with flattened tip and alar wings, and the nasofrontal angle measuring >140 degrees. In this case series, we present seven cases of BP detected antenatally, their varied etiology, management, and outcomes with a 2-year follow-up. We conclude that the diagnosis of facial dysmorphisms, such as BP, brings a lot of apprehension and agony in the parents amounting to multiple tests and counseling sessions. Physiognomy which is the normal familial appearance should be considered before concluding whether the observed feature is normal or pathological. Accurate diagnosis, adequate testing, and personalized counseling will help in the prevention of needless termination of pregnancies and ensure an optimal perinatal outcome.
The comparison of spatial patterns and factors associated with healthcare provider knowledge in palliative care in various regions of China
Authors: Wang Jingrong , Song Suhang , Mai Gengchen , Teng Xiaohan , Shu Zhiqun , Xu Yifan , Zhang Xiaoyu , Shi Jianwei , Jing Limei
Published: April 2024

As an integral part of the overall life cycle, it is crucial to ensure equity and accessibility to palliative care services at the end of life. The knowledge of healthcare providers has a significant beneficial impact on the quality of palliative care services. This study aimed to compare the nationwide geographic distribution of healthcare providers’ knowledge of palliative care at the provincial level in China and identify the possible factors associated with its geographic disparities. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in all provinces (n = 29) that implemented palliative care pilot programs in China. Data were collected online using a structured questionnaire. The possible factors associated with healthcare providers’ knowledge including economy, demographics, and health, were explored by using exploratory regression and ordinary least squares. In addition, spatial autocorrelation was also examined with Moran’s I, LISA, and Geographically Weighted Regression. A total of 18,272 participants from 903 health institutions in 87 palliative care pilot cities were included across 29 out of 31 provinces in China. The average knowledge score (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) was 8.61 ± 2.85. A positive spatial correlation was observed in healthcare providers’ palliative care knowledge level in China. The high level of knowledge was significantly associated with fewer hospitals per 10,000 population (β = −0.384, 95% CI: −0.601 to −0.168, p = 0.001), more primary healthcare institutions per 10,000 population (β = 0.220, 95% CI: 0.032–0.407, p = 0.024), and more community health center visits (β = 0.259, 95% CI: 0.054–0.465, p = 0.016), with higher coefficients being observed in the northwest and northeast regions. This study suggested that the knowledge level of palliative care among healthcare providers nationwide was relatively low, indicating the existence of a disparity between the supply and demand of palliative care services. There may be regional disparities in palliative care services based on the substantial geographical variation in healthcare provider knowledge, emphasizing the necessity of tailored interventions targeting areas with the greatest need.
Understanding government support for rural development in Hubei Province, China
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Wang Zhanqi , Chai Ji
Published: April 2024

Quantifying the spatiotemporal characteristics of government support for rural development is crucial for accurately optimizing or formulating policies for rural development, but research identifying government support for rural development at the geospatial scale has not yet emerged. This paper used Hubei Province, China, as the study area and constructed indicators of government support for rural development based on the intensity of support, the spatial direction of support, and the spatial agglomeration of support based on the characteristics of legal rural construction land allocation. Panel data regression was used to quantify the direction of rural development that requires the allocation of rural construction land based on government support. The results showed that government support for rural development through legal rural construction land allocation has strong spatiotemporal characteristics: From 2009 to 2018, the intensity of support grew, the spatial direction of support was regular, and government support was increasingly manifested as local agglomeration. The orientations of government support through legal rural construction land allocation for rural development include farmers’ production, farmers’ livelihoods and social security. This research provides a reference for quantifying government support through legal rural construction land allocation for rural development and the direction of government support.
Determination of optimum printing direction of the polycarbonate parts produced by additive manufacturing
Authors: Akgümüş Gök Dilşad
Published: April 2024

In this study, the effect of printing direction on the tensile properties of polycarbonate (PC) parts produced using a 3D printer was investigated. A total of 9 samples were produced with printing directions of 0°, 45° and 90° with infill density of 20%. Tensile tests were carried out to determine the maximum tensile strength (UTS) of the samples. As a result of the research, it was determined that the samples produced in the same direction as the tensile direction (0° printing direction) had the highest strength values; on the other hand, samples produced in the 90° printing direction have the lowest strength values. While the ultimate tensile strength values for samples produced in 0° printing direction were measured respectively as 22.4 MPa, 21.6 MPa and 20.7 MPa; as 7.1 MPa, 9.1 MPa and 9.2 MPa in 45° printing direction; it was determined as 7.2 MPa, 5.4 MPa and 5.8 MPa in the 90° printing direction. In addition, UTS/mass ratios were calculated by measuring the mass of the samples after the tensile test. According to the results obtained, samples in the 0° printing direction have the highest UTS/mass ratio compared to other printing directions, making them the most durable option for applications requiring lightweight structures. Tensile samples produced in FDM were analyzed with the finite element method (FEM) and analysis results were found to be equivalent to physical tests. This study contributes to examination of the influence of 3D printing direction, especially exposed to tensile, on material properties, and provides important information for the production of lightweight and high strength PC components in industries such as medicine, aerospace and automotive.
Trapping
Ba+
with seven-fold enhanced efficiency utilizing an autoionizing resonance
Authors: Greenberg Noah , White Brendan M , Low Pei Jiang , Senko Crystal
Published: April 2024

Trapped ions have emerged as a front runner in quantum information processing due to their identical nature, all-to-all connectivity, and high fidelity quantum operations. As current trapped ion technologies are scaled, it will be important to improve the efficiency of loading ions, especially when working with long chains of ions or rare isotopes. Here, we compare two different isotope-selective photoionization schemes for loading

138

Ba

+

ions. We show that a two-step photoionization scheme ending in an autoionizing transition increases the ion loading rate nearly an order of magnitude compared to an established technique which does not excite an autoionizing state. Our novel photoionization scheme can be extended to all isotopes of barium. Given that autoionizing resonances exist in every trapped ion species, exploitation of this process is a promising pathway to increase the loading rates for trapped ion computers.
Behavioral, Cognitive, and Neural Mechanisms of Human Social Interaction
Authors: Hamilton Antonia F. de C.
Published: April 2024

Social interaction is a fundamental part of what makes humans human and draws on a wide range of neural and cognitive mechanisms. This review summarizes research in terms of four suggested brain networks. First, the social perception network responds selectively to viewing and interpreting other people’s faces and bodies. Second, the theory of mind network is engaged when people think about other people’s beliefs and knowledge states. Third, the mirror neuron network has a role in understanding and imitating actions. Fourth, the emotion network shows some selective responses to emotional facial expressions and when people empathize with other’s pain. The role of these four networks in dynamic social interactions and real-world communication is also considered.
Mechanisms of Enslavement
Authors: Domingues da Silva Daniel B.
Published: April 2024

The transatlantic slave trade involved the capture and transportation of millions of Africans across the Atlantic for a period of approximately four hundred years. European and New World merchants, traders, and ship captains were behind much of the organization of this huge forced migration. They also captured and loaded Africans onto slave ships themselves via raids, warfare, or trade. However, the traffic would not have evolved as it did had they failed to rely on a series of mechanisms of enslavement indigenous to Africa. Some of these mechanisms included judicial proceedings, debts, pawning, trickery, kidnapping, and, of course, warfare. Each of them had an impact on Africa and her children, both those who stayed behind and those scattered across the Atlantic. Nevertheless, these mechanisms helped sustain the traffic as a long-lasting and complex historical event.
Ions for the Treatment of Tumors
Authors: Rossi Sandro
Published: April 2024

Physics and medicine are distinct fields with different objectives, standards, and practices, but with many common points and mutually enriching activities. Hadron therapy, a technique that uses charged particles that also feel the strong interaction, is an area in which scientific insight and technological advancement work hand in hand in an inspirational fashion to leverage their benefits on behalf of patients.

The oncological treatment of patients has become a multidisciplinary effort, in which the contribution of specialists from manifold backgrounds is essential, and success can only be achieved by means of a transdisciplinary “fusion,” an integration and overlap across relevant disciplines.
Islamic Bioethics: Agency
Authors: Mir Mustansir
Published: April 2024

In Islamic bioethics, the issue of moral agency arises in connection with decisions that a human being is supposed to be able to make in certain medical and health-related situations. Islamic treatments of bioethical issues usually draw on the juristic decisions, rulings, and opinions that make up the classical Islamic legal-ethical tradition called Sharī‘a. However, tradition is largely premodern and needs to become sensitized to modern issues and problems. Tradition can provide religious, moral, and legal guidance and direction, with the Qur’ān and the Prophet’s Sunna as the chief sources of a bioethical system.
Germanic Languages in Contact in Central and South America
Authors: Kühl Karoline
Published: April 2024

West and North Germanic language varieties have been part of the Latin American language ecology since the middle of the 19th century, when European mass migration created Germanic-speaking immigrant communities in North, Central, and South America. The subsequent fate of the Germanic immigrant varieties in Latin America varied greatly in terms of how long intergenerational transfer has been maintained, if and to what degree language maintenance has been supported by linguistic codification and language teaching, and the degree of contact with the surrounding majority population. Some languages like the Mennonite Low German varieties have been quite repellent with regard to language change induced by contact with the majority languages Portuguese and/or Spanish, other (Germanic) immigrant varieties, and indigenous languages. However, contact with the majority population and other (immigrant) ethnic groups, bilingualism, and, accordingly, the influence of Spanish and/or Portuguese has been growing for most Germanic immigrant varieties at least since the 1950s.

The long-standing German dialectological research tradition into extra-territorial Germanic language islands has led to detailed accounts of many German varieties in Latin America. Accounts of other Germanic varieties are much more restricted, both in numbers and in extent: Some like Argentine Danish or Patagonian Afrikaans have been described only recently; others, like Swedish in Brazil and Argentine Dutch, hardly at all. In all cases, the accounts differ greatly regarding if, and to what extent, language contact is included as a cause of language change. Based on the scholarly coverage, the extent of contact-induced change in the Germanic varieties in Latin America appears to vary greatly, but whether this impression is due to the varying degrees of attention that the accounts devote to the effects of language contact or to particular sociolinguistic circumstances preventing or promoting language contact cannot be established. Still, contact linguistic profiles of many Germanic immigrant varieties in Latin America present themselves as a promising terra incognita for future research.

From a bird’s-eye perspective, we may in general terms conclude that the Germanic varieties in Latin America are characterized by lexical borrowing, at least for cultural loans and discourse-structuring elements, as well as ad hoc code-switching. Interestingly, a number of varieties show a similar pattern of integrating Spanish or Portuguese verb stems of verbs ending in -ir and -ar into a very similar inflectional Germanic paradigm (Misiones Swedish -era, Argentine Danish -is(ere), Riograndenser Hunsrückisch -ieren, Volga German -i(:)ere). In general, syntactical restructurings seem to be restricted, with the notable exception of standard deviant omission of mainly pronominal subjects and, partly, pronominal objects. Other developments are specific, applying only to individual varieties.
The Metamorphosis of Patient Priorities Throughout the Breast Reconstruction Process
Authors: Davison Steven P , Ellor Molly , LaBove Gabrielle
Published: April 2024

Background

Breast reconstruction is a lengthy, multistage process guided by patients. It is vital to understand how their goals vary over time to achieve optimal outcomes.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate how breast reconstruction patients' priorities changed throughout the reconstructive process.

Methods

Fifty women who underwent immediate breast reconstruction completed a quality of life survey at their preoperative appointment, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, and then again 10 years later. Scores on the survey's subsections corresponded to different patient priorities: survival, restitution, symmetry, and enhancement. The relationship between time and survey-measured patient priorities was analyzed with mixed-effects regression models and Tukey's HSD (honestly significant difference) tests were performed to make pairwise comparisons between time points.

Results

Survival scores decreased between 3 and 12 months after surgery (P < .001) before returning to baseline at long-term follow-up. Restitution scores were decreased only at 12 months postoperatively (T3 vs T0, T1, and T2, P < .001; T3 vs T4, P = .003). Symmetry scores increased from preoperatively to 6 months postoperatively (P < .001), and then fell back to baseline by month 12 (P < .001) and remained at that level at long-term follow-up. Enhancement scores increased from preoperatively to 12 months after surgery (P < .001), before returning to baseline at 10-year follow-up (T0 vs T4, P > .99; T3 vs T4, P < .001). Time had an overall significant effect on each subsection score (P < .001), but this relationship was restricted to certain time points.

Conclusions

In the year following immediate breast reconstruction, patients' concern over their physical health decreases while they become increasingly focused on enhancing the appearance of their reconstructed breasts. However, by 10 years after surgery, patients' priorities were virtually unchanged from their preoperative desires.

Level of Evidence: 3
Enhancing cryo-EM structure prediction with DeepTracer and AlphaFold2 integration
Authors: Chen Jason , Zia Ayisha , Luo Albert , Meng Hanze , Wang Fengbin , Hou Jie , Cao Renzhi , Si Dong
Published: April 2024

Understanding the protein structures is invaluable in various biomedical applications, such as vaccine development. Protein structure model building from experimental electron density maps is a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. To address the challenge, machine learning approaches have been proposed to automate this process. Currently, the majority of the experimental maps in the database lack atomic resolution features, making it challenging for machine learning-based methods to precisely determine protein structures from cryogenic electron microscopy density maps. On the other hand, protein structure prediction methods, such as AlphaFold2, leverage evolutionary information from protein sequences and have recently achieved groundbreaking accuracy. However, these methods often require manual refinement, which is labor intensive and time consuming. In this study, we present DeepTracer-Refine, an automated method that refines AlphaFold predicted structures by aligning them to DeepTracers modeled structure. Our method was evaluated on 39 multi-domain proteins and we improved the average residue coverage from 78.2 to 90.0% and average local Distance Difference Test score from 0.67 to 0.71. We also compared DeepTracer-Refine with Phenixs AlphaFold refinement and demonstrated that our method not only performs better when the initial AlphaFold model is less precise but also surpasses Phenix in run-time performance.
Shear wave elastography to assess stiffness of the human ovary and other reproductive tissues across the reproductive lifespan in health and disease
Authors: Zaniker Emily J , Zhang Man , Hughes Lydia , La Follette Lizellen , Atazhanova Tomiris , Trofimchuk Alexis , Babayev Elnur , Duncan Francesca E
Published: April 2024

The ovary is one of the first organs to show overt signs of aging in the human body, and ovarian aging is associated with a loss of gamete quality and quantity. The age-dependent decline in ovarian function contributes to infertility and an altered endocrine milieu, which has ramifications for overall health. The aging ovarian microenvironment becomes fibro-inflammatory and stiff with age, and this has implications for ovarian physiology and pathology, including follicle growth, gamete quality, ovulation dynamics, and ovarian cancer. Thus, developing a non-invasive tool to measure and monitor the stiffness of the human ovary would represent a major advance for female reproductive health and longevity. Shear wave elastography is a quantitative ultrasound imaging method for evaluation of soft tissue stiffness. Shear wave elastography has been used clinically in assessment of liver fibrosis and characterization of tendinopathies and various neoplasms in thyroid, breast, prostate, and lymph nodes as a non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic tool. In this study, we review the underlying principles of shear wave elastography and its current clinical uses outside the reproductive tract as well as its successful application of shear wave elastography to reproductive tissues, including the uterus and cervix. We also describe an emerging use of this technology in evaluation of human ovarian stiffness via transvaginal ultrasound. Establishing ovarian stiffness as a clinical biomarker of ovarian aging may have implications for predicting the ovarian reserve and outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technologies as well as for the assessment of the efficacy of emerging therapeutics to extend reproductive longevity. This parameter may also have broad relevance in other conditions where ovarian stiffness and fibrosis may be implicated, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, late off target effects of chemotherapy and radiation, premature ovarian insufficiency, conditions of differences of sexual development, and ovarian cancer.

Summary sentence: 

Shear Wave Elastography is a non-invasive technique to study human tissue stiffness, and here we review its clinical applications and implications for reproductive health and disease.
From Parking Tickets to the Pandemic: Fixed Penalty Notices, Inequity and the Regulation of Everyday Behaviours
Authors: Murray Kath , McVie Susan , Matthews Ben , Gorton Victoria
Published: April 2024

Since the 1960s, Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) have become a widely used sanction in the United Kingdom, used to deal with various low-level offences. More recently, the sanction came to prominence as the mechanism chosen to enforce the Coronavirus Health Regulations. This article critically examines the decision to employ FPNs in this context, and the implications in respect of inequality and inequity. We show that the decision was at odds with contemporaneous policing trends, and, drawing on new research evidence, argue that the Regulations stretched FPNs beyond their intended use, creating inequalities in enforcement and inequitable punishment effects. Our findings raise policy questions about the impact of the Health Regulations and what actions should be taken in the event of future pandemics.
Developmental dyslexia susceptibility genes DNAAF4, DCDC2, and NRSN1 are associated with brain function in fluently reading adolescents and young adults
Authors: Rinne Nea , Wikman Patrik , Sahari Elisa , Salmi Juha , Einarsdóttir Elisabet , Kere Juha , Alho Kimmo
Published: April 2024

Reading skills and developmental dyslexia, characterized by difficulties in developing reading skills, have been associated with brain anomalies within the language network. Genetic factors contribute to developmental dyslexia risk, but the mechanisms by which these genes influence reading skills remain unclear. In this preregistered study (https://osf.io/7sehx), we explored if developmental dyslexia susceptibility genes DNAAF4, DCDC2, NRSN1, and KIAA0319 are associated with brain function in fluently reading adolescents and young adults. Functional MRI and task performance data were collected during tasks involving written and spoken sentence processing, and DNA sequence variants of developmental dyslexia susceptibility genes previously associated with brain structure anomalies were genotyped. The results revealed that variation in DNAAF4, DCDC2, and NRSN1 is associated with brain activity in key language regions: the left inferior frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and intraparietal sulcus. Furthermore, NRSN1 was associated with task performance, but KIAA0319 did not yield any significant associations. Our findings suggest that individuals with a genetic predisposition to developmental dyslexia may partly employ compensatory neural and behavioral mechanisms to maintain typical task performance. Our study highlights the relevance of these developmental dyslexia susceptibility genes in language-related brain function, even in individuals without developmental dyslexia, providing valuable insights into the genetic factors influencing language processing.
Early-stage use of hearing aids preserves auditory cortical structure in children with sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Yuan Di , Tournis Elizabeth , Ryan Maura E , Lai Ching Man , Geng Xiujuan , Young Nancy M , Wong Patrick C M
Published: April 2024

Hearing is critical to spoken language, cognitive, and social development. Little is known about how early auditory experiences impact the brain structure of children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. This study examined the influence of hearing aid use and residual hearing on the auditory cortex of children with severe to profound congenital sensorineural hearing loss. We evaluated cortical preservation in 103 young pediatric cochlear implant candidates (55 females and 48 males) by comparing their multivoxel pattern similarity of auditory cortical structure with that of 78 age-matched children with typical hearing. The results demonstrated that early-stage hearing aid use preserved the auditory cortex of children with bilateral congenital sensorineural hearing loss. Children with less residual hearing experienced a more pronounced advantage from hearing aid use. However, this beneficial effect gradually diminished after 17 months of hearing aid use. These findings support timely fitting of hearing aids in conjunction with early implantation to take advantage of neural preservation to maximize auditory and spoken language development.
Morphological correlates of pyramidal cell axonal myelination in mouse and human neocortex
Authors: Pascual-García Maria , Unkel Maurits , Slotman Johan A , Bolleboom Anne , Bouwen Bibi , Houtsmuller Adriaan B , Dirven Clemens , Gao Zhenyu , Hijazi Sara , Kushner Steven A
Published: April 2024

The axons of neocortical pyramidal neurons are frequently myelinated. Heterogeneity in the topography of axonal myelination in the cerebral cortex has been attributed to a combination of electrophysiological activity, axonal morphology, and neuronal–glial interactions. Previously, we showed that axonal segment length and caliber are critical local determinants of fast-spiking interneuron myelination. However, the factors that determine the myelination of individual axonal segments along neocortical pyramidal neurons remain largely unexplored. Here, we used structured illumination microscopy to examine the extent to which axonal morphology is predictive of the topography of myelination along neocortical pyramidal neurons. We identified critical thresholds for axonal caliber and interbranch distance that are necessary, but not sufficient, for myelination of pyramidal cell axons in mouse primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Specifically, we found that pyramidal neuron axonal segments with a caliber < 0.24 μm or interbranch distance < 18.10 μm are rarely myelinated. Moreover, we further confirmed that these findings in mice are similar for human neocortical pyramidal cell myelination (caliber < 0.25 μm, interbranch distance < 19.00 μm), suggesting that this mechanism is evolutionarily conserved. Taken together, our findings suggest that axonal morphology is a critical correlate of the topography and cell-type specificity of neocortical myelination.
Action video games and posterior parietal cortex neuromodulation enhance both attention and reading in adults with developmental dyslexia
Authors: Bertoni Sara , Franceschini Sandro , Mancarella Martina , Puccio Giovanna , Ronconi Luca , Marsicano Gianluca , Gori Simone , Campana Gianluca , Facoetti Andrea
Published: April 2024

The impact of action video games on reading performance has been already demonstrated in individuals with and without neurodevelopmental disorders. The combination of action video games and posterior parietal cortex neuromodulation by a transcranial random noise stimulation could enhance brain plasticity, improving attentional control and reading skills also in adults with developmental dyslexia. In a double blind randomized controlled trial, 20 young adult nonaction video game players with developmental dyslexia were trained for 15 h with action video games. Half of the participants were stimulated with bilateral transcranial random noise stimulation on the posterior parietal cortex during the action video game training, whereas the others were in the placebo (i.e. sham) condition. Word text reading, pseudowords decoding, and temporal attention (attentional blink), as well as electroencephalographic activity during the attentional blink, were measured before and after the training. The action video game + transcranial random noise stimulation group showed temporal attention, word text reading, and pseudoword decoding enhancements and P300 amplitude brain potential changes. The enhancement in temporal attention performance was related with the efficiency in pseudoword decoding improvement. Our results demonstrate that the combination of action video game training with parietal neuromodulation increases the efficiency of visual attention deployment, probably reshaping goal-directed and stimulus-driven fronto-parietal attentional networks interplay in young adults with neurodevelopmental conditions.
External validation of the 2-year mortality prediction tool in hemodialysis patients developed using a Bayesian network
Authors: Granal Maelys , Brokhes-Le Calvez Sophie , Dimitrov Yves , Chantrel François , Borni-Duval Claire , Muller Clotilde , Délia May , Krummel Thierry , Hannedouche Thierry , Ducher Micher , Fauvel Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2024

Background

In recent years, a number of predictive models have appeared to predict the risk of medium-term mortality in hemodialysis patients, but only one, limited to patients aged over 70 years, has undergone sufficiently powerful external validation. Recently, using a national learning database and an innovative approach based on Bayesian networks and 14 carefully selected predictors, we have developed a clinical prediction tool to predict all-cause mortality at 2 years in all incident hemodialysis patients. In order to generalize the results of this tool and propose its use in routine clinical practice, we carried out an external validation using an independent external validation database.

Methods

A regional, multicenter, observational, retrospective cohort study was conducted to externally validate the tool for predicting 2-year all-cause mortality in incident and prevalent hemodialysis patients. This study recruited a total of 142 incident and 697 prevalent adult hemodialysis patients followed up in one of the eight Association pour l'Utilisation du Rein Artificiel dans la région Lyonnaise (AURAL) Alsace dialysis centers.

Results

In incident patients, the 2-year all-cause mortality prediction tool had an area under the receiver curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.73, an accuracy of 65%, a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 63%. In prevalent patients, the performance for the external validation were similar in terms of AUC-ROC, accuracy and specificity, but was lower in term of sensitivity.

Conclusion

The tool for predicting all-cause mortality at 2 years, developed using a Bayesian network and 14 routinely available explanatory variables, obtained satisfactory external validation in incident patients, but sensitivity was insufficient in prevalent patients.
Thermal tolerance and survival are modulated by a natural gradient of infection in differentially acclimated hosts
Authors: De Bonville Jérémy , Côté Ariane , Binning Sandra A
Published: April 2024

Wild ectotherms are exposed to multiple stressors, including parasites, that can affect their responses to environmental change. Simultaneously, unprecedented warm temperatures are being recorded worldwide, increasing both the average and maximum temperatures experienced in nature. Understanding how ectotherms, such as fishes, will react to the combined stress of parasites and higher average temperatures can help predict the impact of extreme events such as heat waves on populations. The critical thermal method (CTM), which assesses upper (CTmax) and lower (CTmin) thermal tolerance, is often used in acclimated ectotherms to help predict their tolerance to various temperature scenarios. Despite the widespread use of the CTM across taxa, few studies have characterized the response of naturally infected fish to extreme temperature events or how acute thermal stress affects subsequent survival. We acclimated naturally infected pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) to four ecologically relevant temperatures (10, 15, 20 and 25°C) and one future warming scenario (30°C) for 3 weeks before measuring CTmax and CTmin. We also assessed individual survival the week following CTmax. Parasites were counted and identified following trials to relate infection intensity to thermal tolerance and survival. Interestingly, trematode parasites causing black spot disease were negatively related to CTmax, suggesting that heavily infected fish are less tolerant to acute warming. Moreover, fish infected with yellow grub parasites showed decreased survival in the days following CTmax implying that the infection load has negative survival consequences on sunfish during extreme warming events. Our findings indicate that, when combined, parasite infection and high prolonged average temperatures can affect fish thermal tolerance and survival, emphasizing the need to better understand the concomitant effects of stressors on health outcomes in wild populations. This is especially true given that some parasite species are expected to thrive in warming waters making host fish species especially at risk.