bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generalisability of epileptiform patterns across time and patients
Authors: Karimi-Rouzbahani Hamid , McGonigal Aileen
Published: March 2024

The complexity of localising the epileptogenic zone (EZ) contributes to surgical resection failures in achieving seizure freedom. The distinct patterns of epileptiform activity during interictal and ictal phases, varying across patients, often lead to suboptimal localisation using electroencephalography (EEG) features. We posed two key questions: whether neural signals reflecting epileptogenicity generalise from interictal to ictal time windows within each patient, and whether epileptiform patterns generalise across patients. Utilising an intracranial EEG dataset from 55 patients, we extracted a large battery of simple to complex features from stereo-EEG (SEEG) and electrocorticographic (ECoG) neural signals during interictal and ictal windows. Our features (n = 34) quantified many aspects of the signals including statistical moments, complexities, frequency-domain and cross-channel network attributes. Decision tree classifiers were then trained and tested on distinct time windows and patients to evaluate the generalisability of epileptogenic patterns across time and patients, respectively. Evidence strongly supported generalisability from interictal to ictal time windows across patients, particularly in signal power and high-frequency network-based features. Consistent patterns of epileptogenicity were observed across time windows within most patients, and signal features of epileptogenic regions generalised across patients, with higher generalisability in the ictal window. Signal complexity features were particularly contributory in cross-patient generalisation across patients. These findings offer insights into generalisable features of epileptic neural activity across time and patients, with implications for future automated approaches to supplement other EZ localisation methods.
Early menopause is associated with abnormal diastolic function and poor clinical outcomes in women with suspected angina
Authors: Bae SungA , Park Seong-Mi , Kim So Ree , Kim Mi-Na , Cho Dong-Hyuk , Kim Hee-Dong , Yoon Hyun Ju , Kim Myung-A , Kim Hack-Lyoung , Hong Kyung-Soon , Shin Mi-Seung , Jeong Jin-Ok , Shim Wan-Joo
Published: March 2024

Early identification of women at high risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), with subsequent monitoring, will allow for improved clinical outcomes and generally better quality of life. This study aimed to identify the associations between early menopause, abnormal diastolic function, and clinical outcomes. This retrospective study included 795 menopausal women from is a nationwide, multicenter, registry of patients with suspected angina visiting outpatient clinic. The patients into two groups: early and normal menopause (menopausal age ≤ 45 and > 45 years, respectively). If participants met > 50% of the diastolic function criteria, they were classified as having normal diastolic function. Multivariable-adjusted Cox models were used to test associations between menopausal age and clinical outcomes including the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), over a median follow-up period of 771 days. Early menopause was associated with increased waist circumference (p = 0.001), diabetes prevalence (p = 0.003), obstructive coronary artery disease (p = 0.005), abnormal diastolic function (p = 0.003) and greater incidences of MACE, acute coronary syndrome, and hospitalization for heart failure. In patients with abnormal diastolic function, early menopause increased MACE risk significantly, with no significant difference in normal diastolic function. These findings highlight early menopause and abnormal diastolic function as being potential risk markers in women for midlife CVD events.
Characterization of Omicron BA.4.6, XBB, and BQ.1.1 subvariants in hamsters
Authors: Halfmann Peter J. , Iwatsuki-Horimoto Kiyoko , Kuroda Makoto , Hirata Yuichiro , Yamayoshi Seiya , Iida Shun , Uraki Ryuta , Ito Mutsumi , Ueki Hiroshi , Furusawa Yuri , Sakai-Tagawa Yuko , Kiso Maki , Armbrust Tammy , Spyra Sam , Maeda Ken , Wang Zhongde , Imai Masaki , Suzuki Tadaki , Kawaoka Yoshihiro
Published: March 2024

During the Omicron wave, previous variants such as BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 were replaced by newer variants with additional mutations in the spike protein. These variants, BA.4.6, BQ.1.1, and XBB, have spread in different countries with different degrees of success. Here, we evaluated the replicative ability and pathogenicity of BA.4.6, BQ1.1, and XBB clinical isolates in male Syrian hamsters. Although we found no substantial differences in weight change among hamsters infected with these Omicron subvariants, the replicative ability of BQ.1.1 and XBB in lung tissue was higher than that of BA.4.6 and BA.5. Of note, BQ.1.1 was lethal in both male and female transgenic human ACE2 hamsters. In competition assays, XBB replicated better than BQ.1.1 in the nasal turbinate tissues of female hamsters previously infected with Omicron BA.2. These results suggest that newer Omicron subvariants in the XBB family are still evolving and should be closely monitored.
How turbulence spreading improves power handling in quiescent high confinement fusion plasmas
Authors: Li Zeyu , Chen Xi , Diamond Patrick. H. , Xu Xueqiao , Qin Xijie , Wang Huiqian , Scotti Filippo , Hong Rongjie , Yu Guanying , Yan Zheng , Khabanov Filipp , McKee George R.
Published: March 2024

Viable magnetic fusion devices necessitate combining good confinement with effective power flux handling. A major concern for ITER, and devices beyond, is the divertor heat load width, which sets peak boundary heat loads on the plasma-facing materials. Current estimates of the heat flux width are narrow for future reactors. Here, we demonstrate how pedestal turbulence can expand into, or entrain, the stable scrape-off-layer and so broaden the heat flux width beyond these neoclassical predictions. Employing combined theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches, we focus on quiescent high confinement discharges on the DIII-D tokamak, but the results are of broader significance. Our findings uncover common trends in the edge turbulence intensity flux, the pressure perturbation skewness, and the turbulence mixing length, which together determine the heat flux width. This research demonstrates the physics of scrape-off-layer broadening by turbulence and highlights the promise of a turbulent pedestal for successful core-edge integration in ITER and future fusion devices.
Towards the intentional multifunctionality of urban green infrastructure: a paradox of choice?
Authors: Cook Lauren M. , Good Kelly D. , Moretti Marco , Kremer Peleg , Wadzuk Bridget , Traver Robert , Smith Virginia
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Decades of research on multifunctional Green Infrastructure (GI) has yet to translate into holistic implementation in the built environment. This oversight stems from assumptions that many ecosystem services occur passively and thus potential synergies are overlooked during planning and design. This study offers specific guidance for coordinating GI planning, design, and construction by examining the current state of academic literature on these aspects. It identifies 15 GI elements (e.g., green roofs) and 15 objectives (e.g., biodiversity) to collectively consider before implementation. The literature tends to isolate discussions of “engineered” GI elements with water-related objectives, while more “natural” GI are linked to biodiversity and human well-being. Coordinating across GI objectives and elements remains imperative, but evaluating too many options risks a paradox of choice. This study recommends short-term adherence to principles of adaptive design and, in the long-term, reemphasizes multifunctionality assessments, inter and transdisciplinary collaboration, and political will.
Spatial optimization of circular timber hubs
Authors: Tsui Tanya , Venverloo Titus , Benson Tom , Duarte Fábio
Published: March 2024

In the European Union, construction is responsible for 36% of CO2 emissions and 40% energy consumption. The reuse of construction materials has been receiving increasing attention, including regulations established by the European Union, and cities establishing goals to reuse construction materials. This is the case for Amsterdam, which established the goal of reusing 50% of construction materials in new construction by 2030. Part of the challenge of reuse of construction materials in urban areas is to optimize the waste-to-resource loops: finding the optimal scale and location for circular construction hubs—facilities that collect, store, and redistribute construction waste as secondary construction materials. In this paper, we use the supply and demand of timber construction materials in Amsterdam as a case study to find the optimal scale and location for construction hubs. We used the spatial simulated annealing algorithm as an optimization method for balancing the trade-off between small and large-scale hubs, using cost-effectiveness to compare potential locations and identify the optimal solution. We found that the optimal number of hubs for our study area is 29, with an average service radius of 3 km. This study has implications for policymakers, urban planners, and companies seeking to implement circular economy principles.
The evolution and future of research on Nature-based Solutions to address societal challenges
Authors: Dunlop Thomas , Khojasteh Danial , Cohen-Shacham Emmanuelle , Glamore William , Haghani Milad , van den Bosch Matilda , Rizzi Daniela , Greve Peter , Felder Stefan
Published: March 2024

Nature-based Solutions are recognised for their potential to address the biodiversity and climate crises, and less extensively, other societal challenges. However, this nature-society relationship is becoming more important as available food and water resources, income, and human health, are increasingly impacted by environmental changes. Here, we utilise the seven major societal challenges addressed by Nature-based Solutions according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, to identify the primary themes of the Nature-based Solutions research landscape from 1990-2021. We evaluate how these themes, with respect to the societal challenges, evolved over time, and where. Our findings highlight the under-representation of four societal challenges across the research landscape: economic and social development, human health, food security, and water security. We propose six research pathways to advance the evidence for Nature-based Solutions in these societal challenges, and present opportunities for future research programs to prioritise the needs of society, the environment, and the economy.
Sustained meningeal lymphatic vessel atrophy or expansion does not alter Alzheimer’s disease-related amyloid pathology
Authors: Antila Salli , Chilov Dmitri , Nurmi Harri , Li Zhilin , Näsi Anni , Gotkiewicz Maria , Sitnikova Valeriia , Jäntti Henna , Acosta Natalia , Koivisto Hennariikka , Ray Jonathan , Keuters Meike Hedwig , Sultan Ibrahim , Scoyni Flavia , Trevisan Davide , Wojciechowski Sara , Kaakinen Mika , Dvořáková Lenka , Singh Abhishek , Jukkola Jari , Korvenlaita Nea , Eklund Lauri , Koistinaho Jari , Karaman Sinem , Malm Tarja , Tanila Heikki , Alitalo Kari
Published: March 2024

Discovery of meningeal lymphatic vessels (LVs) in the dura mater, also known as dural LVs (dLVs) that depend on vascular endothelial growth factor C expression, has raised interest in their possible involvement in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here we find that in the APdE9 and 5xFAD mouse models of AD, dural amyloid-β (Aβ) is confined to blood vessels and dLV morphology or function is not altered. The induction of sustained dLV atrophy or hyperplasia in the AD mice by blocking or overexpressing vascular endothelial growth factor C, impaired or improved, respectively, macromolecular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage to cervical lymph nodes. Yet, sustained manipulation of dLVs did not significantly alter the overall brain Aβ plaque load. Moreover, dLV atrophy did not alter the behavioral phenotypes of the AD mice, but it improved CSF-to-blood drainage. Our results indicate that sustained dLV manipulation does not affect Aβ deposition in the brain and that compensatory mechanisms promote CSF clearance.
Characterizing a visual lateral flow device for rapid SARS-CoV-2 virus protein detection: pre-clinical and system assessment
Authors: Wiriyachaiporn Natpapas , Kongrueng Jetnapang , Sukkuea Kannika , Tanrattanawong Rattana , Vanichtanankul Jarunee , Saeyang Thanaya , Jantra Tararat , Japrung Deanpen , Maneeprakorn Weerakanya , Bamrungsap Suwussa , Janchompoo Pareena , Pasomsub Ekawat
Published: March 2024

Analytical and pre-clinical evaluation of a visual screening lateral flow device for SARS-CoV-2 virus protein detection and its system characterization.
Surface chemical modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane) for stabilizing antibody immobilization and T cell cultures
Authors: Zeng Qiongjiao , Xu Bowen , Qian Cheng , Li Nan , Guo Zhenhong , Wu Shuqing
Published: March 2024

The distinct surface properties and antibody conjugation directed the biological behavior of CD4+ T cells.
Effect of Ni content on Cu–Mn/ZrO2 catalysts for methanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation
Authors: Zhang Hengbi , Yang Jinhai , Wang Shiwei , Zhao Ning , Xiao Fukui , Wang Yanhong
Published: March 2024

Cu–Mn/ZrO2 catalysts with different Ni contents were used for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol, among which the CMNZ-0.01 catalyst was the most effective, and the addition of Ni made the catalyst more oriented toward the COOH* pathway.
Bifidobacterium longum GL001 alleviates rat intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury by modulating gut microbiota composition and intestinal tissue metabolism
Authors: Tang Jilang , Zhao Mingchao , Miao Xue , Chen Hong , Zhao Binger , Wang Yingying , Guo Yingchao , Wang Tiantian , Cheng Xin , Ruan Hongri , Zhang Jiantao
Published: March 2024

Pretreatment with Bifidobacterium longum GL001 alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress damage induced by IIR in rats, and improves the gut microbiota and intestinal tissue metabolism in IIR rats.
Restorative effects of (+)-epicatechin in a rodent model of aging induced muscle atrophy: underlying mechanisms
Authors: Ramirez-Sanchez Israel , Navarrete-Yañez Viridiana , Ramirez Lucia , Galera Leonor , Mendez-Bolaina Enrique , Najera Veronica , Ceballos Guillermo , Villarreal Francisco
Published: March 2024

Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalized age-related skeletal muscle (SkM) disorder characterized by the accelerated loss of muscle mass (atrophy) and function.
Tuning the dimensional order in self-assembled magnetic nanostructures: theory, simulations, and experiments
Authors: Chen Yulan , Zhang Hanyu Alice , El-Ghazaly Amal
Published: March 2024

Our synthesis method yields FeCo nanostructures of varied dimensions, validated by simulations. In addition, our findings highlight enhanced coercivity in these structures.
Reversible dual crosslinking in anthracenyl functionalized butyl elastomers based on ionic interaction and (4 + 4) cycloaddition mechanisms
Authors: Sarkar Shrabana , Samanta Sarthik , Gowd E. Bhoje , Singha Nikhil K.
Published: March 2024

Dual-healable fluorescent butyl rubber based on ionic interaction and dynamic (4 + 4) cycloaddition mechanisms.
Novel solution-processed 2D organic semiconductor crystals for high-performance OFETs
Authors: Chen Zheng , Duan Shuming , Zhang Xiaotao , Hu Wenping
Published: March 2024

2D organic semiconductor crystals have the advantage of ultrathin thickness, long-range ordered molecular structures, the absence of grain boundaries, and low defect and impurity densities. They are of great significance for preparing high-performance OFET devices.
An innovative transportable immune device for the recognition of α-synuclein using KCC-1-nPr-CS2 modified silver nano-ink: integration of pen-on-paper technology with biosensing toward early-stage diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Saadati Arezoo , Baghban Hossein Navay , Hasanzadeh Mohammad , Shadjou Nasrin
Published: March 2024

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most frequent neurodegenerative illness, is a neurological ailment that produces unintentional or uncontrolled body movements, which should be diagnosed in its early stages to hinder the progression.
Contact networks and force transmission in aggregates of hexapod-shaped particles
Authors: Tran Trieu-Duy , Nezamabadi Saeid , Bayle Jean-Philippe , Amarsid Lhassan , Radjai Farhang
Published: March 2024

Hexapods, consisting of three mutually orthogonal arms, have been utilized as a representative nonconvex shape to demonstrate the impact of interlocking on the strength properties of granular materials.
Easy hydrogel preparation with high-purity lignin separated from DES pretreatment with excellent performance for moisture-electric generators and motion sensors
Authors: Liu Zhuang , Hou Yi , Lei Lirong , Hu Songqing
Published: March 2024

This study presents a rapid and straightforward method to prepare a multifunctional hydrogel using deep eutectic solvent-pretreated lignin (DESL), aluminum ions (Al3+), and polyacrylic acid (PAA) in an aqueous system.
A peptide selectively recognizes Gram-negative bacteria and forms a bacterial extracellular trap (BET) through interfacial self-assembly
Authors: Sha Xiao-Ling , Lv Gan-Tian , Chen Qing-Hua , Cui Xin , Wang Lei , Cui Xu
Published: March 2024

Nanoparticles identifying bacteria and forming a bacterial extracellular trap (BET). LPS induced in situ transformation and self-assembly of BET nanoparticles were shown to trap Gram-negative bacteria.
The effects of selectively blocking the electron transport layer of n-i-p perovskite solar cells with polymer particles on device performance
Authors: Altujjar Amal , Wang Ran , Wang Xuelian , Saunders Jennifer M. , Jia Zhenyu , Spencer Ben , Hodson Nigel , Jacobs Janet , Alkhudhari Osama M. , Thomas Andrew , Curry Richard , Saunders Brian R.
Published: March 2024

We use insulating polystyrene colloid particles to selectively cover the electron transport layer of n-i-p perovskite solar cells and investigate the effects of the coverage and lateral blocking distance on device performance.
Critical assessment of interactions between ct-DNA and choline-based magnetic ionic liquids: evidences of compaction
Authors: Tulsiyan Kiran Devi , Panda Saroj Kumar , Rana Malay Kumar , Biswal Himansu S.
Published: March 2024

DNA compaction is a critical aspect of gene regulation and has significant implications in the field of medicine. This work focuses on an innovative and alternative compaction method for DNA using choline-based magnetic ionic liquids.
Outer-sphere effects on the O2 sensitivity, catalytic bias and catalytic reversibility of hydrogenases
Authors: Fasano Andrea , Fourmond Vincent , Léger Christophe
Published: March 2024

The comparison of homologous hydrogenases, in which the same inorganic active site is surrounded by a variable protein matrix, has demonstrated that residues that are remote from the active site may have a great influence on catalytic properties.
Hydrogels from chrome shavings for a highly sensitive capacitive pressure sensor
Authors: Yuan Hua , Wang Manting , Zhang Jiaqi , Wang Jiexin , Le Yuan
Published: March 2024

A simple strategy to directly convert chrome shaving collagen fibers into hydrogels with stable surface synapses and abundant pore structures.
BaCuTP2 (T = Al, Ga, In): a semiconducting black sheep in the ThCr2Si2 intermetallic family
Authors: Sarkar Arka , Porter Andrew P. , Viswanathan Gayatri , Yox Philip , Earnest Rae Ann , Wang Jian , Rossini Aaron J. , Kovnir Kirill
Published: March 2024

Semiconducting pnictides with a ThCr2Si2 type structure were realized via mixing Cu and group 13 elements (Al, Ga, and In) in the metal site.
Synthesis and optical wireless communication application of high efficiency extreme blue CsPbBr3 nanoplates
Authors: Wang Zhanpeng , Hou Luyang , Li Jingzhou , Zhang Jiahao , Yang Hongyu , Zhong Yichi , Dong Hongxing , Zhang Long
Published: March 2024

Extreme blue 435 nm emission, 97% PLQY CsPbBr3 nanoplates and up to 150 Mbps optical wireless communication data transmission rate.
Straddling SnSe2/SnS2 van der Waals tunneling heterostructures for high performance broadband photodetectors
Authors: Cong Xiangna , Shah Muhammad Najeeb Ullah , He Wenlong
Published: March 2024

A SnSe2/SnS2/h-BN/graphene vdW tunneling device is fabricated with a high on/off ratio of more than 107. Direct tunneling is the dominant mechanism at the gate voltage of 1 V.
GAN‐MD: A myocarditis detection using multi‐channel convolutional neural networks and generative adversarial network‐based data augmentation
Authors: Ahmadi Golilarz Hengame , Azadbar Alireza , Alizadehsani Roohallah , Gorriz Juan Manuel
Published: March 2024

Myocarditis is a significant public health concern because of its potential to cause heart failure and sudden death. The standard invasive diagnostic method, endomyocardial biopsy, is typically reserved for cases with severe complications, limiting its widespread use. Conversely, non‐invasive cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging presents a promising alternative for detecting and monitoring myocarditis, because of its high signal contrast that reveals myocardial involvement. To assist medical professionals via artificial intelligence, the authors introduce generative adversarial networks ‐ multi discriminator (GAN‐MD), a deep learning model that uses binary classification to diagnose myocarditis from CMR images. Their approach employs a series of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that extract and combine feature vectors for accurate diagnosis. The authors suggest a novel technique for improving the classification precision of CNNs. Using generative adversarial networks (GANs) to create synthetic images for data augmentation, the authors address challenges such as mode collapse and unstable training. Incorporating a reconstruction loss into the GAN loss function requires the generator to produce images reflecting the discriminator features, thus enhancing the generated images' quality to more accurately replicate authentic data patterns. Moreover, combining this loss function with other regularisation methods, such as gradient penalty, has proven to further improve the performance of diverse GAN models. A significant challenge in myocarditis diagnosis is the imbalance of classification, where one class dominates over the other. To mitigate this, the authors introduce a focal loss‐based training method that effectively trains the model on the minority class samples. The GAN‐MD approach, evaluated on the Z‐Alizadeh Sani myocarditis dataset, achieves superior results (F‐measure 86.2%; geometric mean 91.0%) compared with other deep learning models and traditional machine learning methods.
Combining multiple sparse measurements with reference data regularization to create spherical directivities applied to voice data
Authors: Bellows Samuel D. , Katz Brian F. G.
Published: March 2024

Obtaining high-resolution, spherical phoneme-dependent directivities for voice radiation is beneficial for numerous acoustics applications. This work reports on a spherical interpolation method based on two interleaved measurements using a regularized least-squares fit with reference data. Maximizing the spherical correlation between previously reported results and measured data determines the regularization hyper-parameters to ensure physical solutions. While the resultant spherical directivity patterns show similarities to time-averaged results, distinct radiation characteristics appear, particularly in the range of 630 Hz to 2 kHz.
Evaluation of mechanical properties of Ni/BaTiO3 functionally graded material
Authors: Saidani Baraa , Zghal Jihed , Bruant Isabelle , Bregiroux Damien , Petit Johann , Cedelle Julie , Chevallier Gaël
Published: March 2024

A Ni-BaTiO3 functionally graded material (FGM) was elaborated from 5 separate layers, ranging from 0 to 100 wt.% Ni content, by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) method. To estimate the variation of mechanical properties in the FGM thickness, 5 homogenous mixtures (100% BaTiO3, 75% BaTiO3-25% Ni, 50% BaTiO3 - 50% Ni, 25% BaTiO3-75% Ni and 100% Ni) were sintered. The density, the Vickers hardness, the Young's modulus and Poisson ratio were measured. In order to observe the impact of polarization on their properties (in future work), non-destructive tests are performed in this study. Results from monolithic pellet are gathered to identify the power law that governs the variation of this property in the FGM thickness. The results show that each property has its own power law.
Trends of Microsurgical Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction and Safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bustos Valeria P. , Elmer Nicholas , Veeramani Anamika , Comer Carly D. , Kinney JacqueLyn R. , Manstein Samuel M. , Hassell Natalie , Lee Bernard T. , Lin Samuel J.
Published: March 2024

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses unprecedented challenges among patients with head and neck (HN) cancer that require oncological and reconstructive surgeries. This study aims to identify differences in postoperative outcomes for patients who underwent microsurgical HN free flap reconstruction prior to versus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods A retrospective observational study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2019 to 2020 database to identify patients with HN cancer who underwent a vascularized free tissue transfer was undertaken. Two cohorts were created: pre- and during COVID-19. Fisher's exact test and the unpaired Student's t-test were used to evaluate differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between the cohorts. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess differences in reoperation rates between groups as well as to identify potential risk factors for reoperation.

Results A total of 763 patients were analyzed. The mean age of patients in the overall cohort was 63.6 (standard deviation: 11.5) years. Most patients were white (62.7%). Overall, no statistically significant difference was evidenced between cohorts in terms of immediate postoperative outcomes. Similarly, reoperation rates were similar between groups (p > 0.05). Dependent functional status (p = 0.021) and postoperative infection (p < 0.001) were found to be risk factors for reoperation after holding other factors constant.

Conclusion HN flap reconstruction can be performed safely during the COVID-19 era. Standardized protocols for patient selection must be strictly followed to avoid disease progression and optimize surgical outcomes. Further studies assessing long-term outcomes during the pandemic are of utmost importance to elucidate the true impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this population.
Arthroscopic Thermal Shrinkage of Lunotriquetral Ligament Incomplete Tear without Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Perforation
Authors: Kim Byung Sung , Hwang Jin Yeong , Kim Sung Hwan , Park Eunseok , Kim Junyong
Published: March 2024

Background Few studies have reported the clinical results of arthroscopic debridement and thermal shrinkage for partial lunotriquetral (LT) ligament injury.

Purpose We estimated the outcomes of arthroscopic thermal shrinkage of a traumatic LT ligament incomplete tear without triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) perforation.

Methods We evaluated the results of 24 patients. The mean follow-up was 16 months. Radiographs were examined for ulnar variance (UV) and radioulnar distance on a true lateral radiograph, and wrist function was assessed based on grip strength, Mayo wrist score, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, both pre- and postoperatively.

Results On preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), no obvious LT ligament tear was observed in any of the patients. The preoperative LT shear test was positive in 19 cases, while the LT ballottement test was positive in 18 cases and the ulnar stress test in 16 cases. Preoperatively, the average radiographic UV was 2.1 mm and the average radioulnar distance was 0.9 mm. The LT tear type was a flap tear in 22 cases and bucket handle tear in 2 cases arthroscopically. The visual analog pain scale score improved postoperatively (from 7.5 to 0.4). The average grip strength improved from 72.7% preoperatively to 89.8% postoperatively. The Mayo wrist score was excellent/good in 6/15 cases and fair in 3 cases, with the scores ranging from 68 to 87. The average DASH score improved from 36.8 to 7.

Conclusion We should be careful to differentiate LT ligament tears from TFCC lesions in the cases with ulnar wrist pain, because LT ligament tears may not be detected by MRI. Arthroscopic thermal shrinkage for traumatic LT ligament tear can be an effective treatment.

Level of Evidence Level IV.
Role of the Surgical Approach in the Treatment of Eagle Syndrome
Authors: Kapoor Sahil , Gupta Ayushi , Satya Sneha , Saidha Poonam K , Saini Urvi , Singh Ankesh
Published: March 2024

Introduction Eagle syndrome is a rare and an often misdiagnosed entity in otorhinolaryngology.

Objective To determine the efficacy of the surgical treatment for Eagle syndrome.

Methods The present prospective study included 25 patients who presented with complaints of pain in the throat, ear, and neck, as well as difficulty and/or pain while swallowing; they were assessed for Eagle syndrome. As per patient profile, we performed a clinical assessments along with orthopantomograms (OPGs), three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) scans, and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Pain was assessed pre- and postoperatively through the Numerical Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11), whose score ranges from 0 to 10. Microscopic tonsillo-styloidectomy was performed in cases in which the conservative treatment failed to relieve pain.

Results The mean age of the entire study population was of 36.08 ± 7.19 years, and the male-to-female ratio was of 1.08:1. Referred otalgia was the commonest (44%) complaint. Radiologically, out of 25 patients, 20 patients presented elongated styloid processes. The longest symptomatic styloid process measured radiographically was of 64.7 mm while the shortest was of 28.2 mm. Out of 20 patients, 12 underwent surgery. The postoperative pain assessment through the NRS-11 was performed on day 0 (3.83 ± 0.83), day 7 (1.5 ± 0.52), week 4 (0.5 ± 0.52), and week 12 (0.41 ± 0.51). By 12 weeks, 7 patients were symptom-free, while 5 patients still reported mild pain.

Conclusion Eagle syndrome associated with an elongated styloid process is not a rarity, but it often goes undiagnosed. Microscopic tonsillo-styloidectomy shows excellent results in the management of patients with Eagle syndrome.
Assessment of Peripheral and Central Auditory Processing after Treatment for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Khakzand Soheila , Maarefvand Mohammad , Ruzbahani Masoumeh , Tajdini Ardavan
Published: March 2024

Introduction When cases of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) are treated successfully, most clinicians assume the normality and symmetry of the auditory processing. This assumption is based on the recovery of the detection ability on the part of the patients, but the auditory processing involves much more than detection alone. Since certain studies have suggested a possible involvement of the central auditory system during the acute phase of sudden hearing loss, the present study hypothesized that auditory processing would be asymmetric in people who have experienced sudden hearing loss.

Objective To assess the physiologic and electrophysiological conditions of the cochlea and central auditory system, as well as behavioral discrimination, of three primary aspects of sound (intensity, frequency, and time) in subjects with normal ears and ears treated successfully for SSNHL.

Methods The study included 19 SSNHL patients whose normal and treated ears were assessed for otoacoustic emissions, speech auditory brainstem response, intensity and pitch discrimination, and temporal resolution in a within-subject design.

Results The otoacoustic emissions were poorer in the treated ears compared to the normal ears. Ear- and sex-dependent differences were observed regarding otoacoustic emissions and pitch discrimination.

Conclusion The asymmetrical processing observed in the present study was not consistent with the hearing threshold values, which might suggest that the central auditory system would be affected regardless of the status of the peripheral hearing. Further experiments with larger samples, different recovery scenarios after treatment, and other assessments are required.
Unusual Case of Colonic Intussusception Caused by Angiolipoma: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Lino Hugo Araujo , Hubbard Brittany , LePhan Huy , Mahoney Sean , Harrel Nicholas
Published: March 2024

Angiolipomas are benign tumors composed of adipose tissue commonly found in the subcutaneous tissue with vascular proliferation. It is uncommon to find it in the gastrointestinal tract. This report focuses on an angiolipoma found in the sigmoid colon causing intussusception in a young healthy 26-year-old male. We discuss the presentation, workup and surgical management.
Development of a Website for Disseminating Knowledge About listening Effort for Professionals
Authors: Alves Heloisa de Miranda Cantuaria , Oliveira Jerusa Roberta Massola de , Amaral Sandra Lia do , Valenti Vitor Engrácia , Mondelli Maria Fernanda Capoani Garcia
Published: March 2024

Introduction Permanent education in health aims to ensure that professionals are constantly learning in the workplace and in the last few years institutions resorted to the technology-mediated education modality and new teaching possibilities were explored. In Brazil, between 2017 and 2021, only six articles and five monographs were published about listening effort.

Objective The objective of this study was to develop a website with scientific content on the topic listening effort for Speech -Language Therapist and Audiologist with free online access.

Methods The study was carried out in five stages: Analysis, contemplating the search for scientific materials to prepare the material. Design, in which the writing and design of the website was carried out. Development, carrying out the adequacy of the online material. Implementation, a stage in which professionals in the area evaluated the quality of the material after consenting to participation through a free and informed consent term. Review, stage in which the researcher analyzed the evaluators' responses.

Results The five stages of elaboration of the website were carried out, which was evaluated by professionals in the area. The average of responses to all applied questions rated the website as “superior”.

Conclusion The website development was validated for online availability.
Impact of Drain Placement on Postoperative Complications after Thyroidectomy for Substernal Goiter
Authors: Waqar Usama , Hameed Ayesha Nasir , Angez Meher , Kumar Sudhesh , Arshad Hajra , Siddiqui Marium Tariq , Khan Hira , Viquar Werdah , Abbas Aiza , Javid Arsalan , Iftikhar Haissan , Abbas Syed Akbar , Naz Huma , Saleem Sarah
Published: March 2024

Introduction Despite the evidence against drain placement after thyroidectomy, there is a lack of consensus on drain use in patients with substernal goiter.

Objective To assess the factors that increase the likelihood of drain placement and its impact on postoperative hematoma and other 30-day complications among adult patients undergoing thyroidectomy for substernal goiter.

Methods A retrospective cohort study that used data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP). Adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) who underwent elective thyroidectomy for substernal goiter from 2016 to 2020 were included. Cases with closed suction neck drains placed upon completion of surgery were included in the drain group, and the remaining cases formed the nondrain group.

Results A total of 1,229 patients were included (46.5% with drain placement). The factors that increased the likelihood of drain placement included body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2, score between 3 and 5 on the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification, sternal split/transthoracic surgical approach, operative time ≥ 90 minutes, and surgery conducted by otolaryngologists. Patients with clean-contaminated or contaminated wound classifications were less likely to be submitted to drain placement. In addition, drain use had no impact on postoperative hematoma formation but was found to independently increase the risk of prolonged length of hospital stay.

Conclusion Thyroidectomy without drain placement might be safe for substernal goiter. However, this decision should be individualized for each patient.

Level Of Evidence: 3
Persistent ENT Manifestations in Individuals who Recovered from COVID-19: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sharma Akriti , Jakhar Rohit Kumar , Kakkar Vikas , Singal Garima
Published: March 2024

Introduction Long coronavirus disease (COVID) refers to the persistence of symptoms long after the recovery from the acute phase of the illness, and it is due to the interplay of various inflammatory mechanisms. This has led to emergence of new deficits, including otorhinolaryngological symptoms, in patients wo have recovered from COVID. The plethora of otorhinolaryngological symptoms associated with long COVID are tinnitus, sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), vertigo, nasal congestion, sinonasal discomfort, hyposmia/anosmia, dysgeusia, sore throat, dry cough, dyspnea, dysphagia, and hoarseness of voice.

Objective To evaluate the possible ENT symptoms in patients wo have recovered from COVID and to combine those findings with our experience.

Data Synthesis We conducted a search on the PubMed, ENT Cochrane, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, and a total of 44 studies were selected for the present review.

Conclusion Otorhinolaryngological complications such as tinnitus, SNHL, vertigo, nasal congestion, sinonasal discomfort, hyposmia/anosmia, dysgeusia, sore throat, dry cough, dyspnea, dysphagia, and hoarseness of voice have been widely reported among in long-COVID patients.
Lobbying venue selection under separation of powers and resource constraints
Authors: Gause LaGina , Lorenz Geoffrey M.
Published: March 2024

Prior work examines how organization resources and types shape venue selection strategies. Both Congress and executive branch agencies can change policy, so interest groups must consider which of these venues to lobby on a given issue. We argue that factors in the political environment—venues’ issue priorities and the power of groups’ allies in a venue—influence how groups with different resource constraints select lobbying venues. Examining over one million issue-level lobbying disclosures filed between 2008 and 2016, we find that low-resource groups strategically lobby the venue(s) controlled by partisan allies and respond to the government’s and public’s issue priorities. Meanwhile, high-resource groups more often lobby all venues relevant to their issues regardless of the political environment, especially on issues gaining significant attention within government but not in the public. Our findings suggest that separation of powers provides high-resource groups more venues to lobby for favored policies. Conversely, low-resource groups strategically only lobby venues they have the potential to influence.
Evolving linguistic divergence on polarizing social media
Authors: Karjus Andres , Cuskley Christine
Published: March 2024

Language change is influenced by many factors, but often starts from synchronic variation, where multiple linguistic patterns or forms coexist, or where different speech communities use language in increasingly different ways. Besides regional or economic reasons, communities may form and segregate based on political alignment. The latter, referred to as political polarization, is of growing societal concern across the world. Here we map and quantify linguistic divergence across the partisan left-right divide in the United States, using social media data. We develop a general methodology to delineate (social) media users by their political preference, based on which (potentially biased) news media accounts they do and do not follow on a given platform. Our data consists of 1.5M short posts by 10k users (about 20M words) from the social media platform Twitter (now “X”). Delineating this sample involved mining the platform for the lists of followers (n = 422M) of 72 large news media accounts. We quantify divergence in topics of conversation and word frequencies, messaging sentiment, and lexical semantics of words and emoji. We find signs of linguistic divergence across all these aspects, especially in topics and themes of conversation, in line with previous research. While US American English remains largely intelligible within its large speech community, our findings point at areas where miscommunication may eventually arise given ongoing polarization and therefore potential linguistic divergence. Our flexible methodology — combining data mining, lexicostatistics, machine learning, large language models and a systematic human annotation approach — is largely language and platform agnostic. In other words, while we focus here on US political divides and US English, the same approach is applicable to other countries, languages, and social media platforms.
Particle distributions in Lamb wave based acoustofluidics
Authors: Zhang Chuanchao , Chen Xian , Wei Wei , Chen Xuejiao , Li Quanning , Duan Xuexin
Published: March 2024

Acoustic streaming enabled by a Lamb wave resonator (LWR) is efficient for particle trapping and enrichment in microfluidic channels. However, because Lamb waves combine the features of bulk acoustic waves and surface acoustic waves, the resulting acoustic streaming in the LWR occurs in multiple planes, and the particle flow behavior in this acoustofluidic system is largely unknown. Reported here are numerical simulations and laboratory experiments conducted to investigate the boundary conditions for particle motion inside a microvortex induced by an LWR. Upon dynamic capture, the particles’ trajectories become orbital paths within an acoustic vortex. The suspended particles encounter two distinct acoustic phenomena, i.e., the drag force resulting from acoustic streaming and the acoustic radiation force, which exert forces in various directions on the particles. When the acoustic radiation force and the fluid drag force are dominant for large and small particles in a mixed solution, respectively, the large particles reside within the vortex while the small particles remain at its periphery. Conversely, when the acoustic radiation force is dominant for both types of particles, the distribution pattern is reversed.
Identification of the optimal site for oxygen adsorption in chemisorbed and oxidized states on pseudomorphic Fe/Ru(0001) surface: A density functional theory computational investigation
Authors: Banik Dhiman
Published: March 2024

The oxidation state and charge distribution of FexOy binaries, including strained monolayers on transition metal surfaces, is a topic of significant interest. The p(2 × 2) and c(4 × 2) superstructures are two stable surface structures of chemisorbed oxygen on the pseudomorphic Fe/Ru(0001) surface that may coexist at 0.25 ML oxygen coverage. Density functional theory calculations were used to investigate the possibility of these two structures occurring on the surface. The calculations considered the effect of magnetic ordering on the choice of adsorption site for oxygen. Paramagnetic ordering of the Fe monolayer favors oxygen adsorption at the hcp site, while antiferromagnetic ordering favors oxygen adsorption at the fcc site at 0.25 ML oxygen coverage. Interestingly, in the case of antiferromagnetic ordering, although the adsorption of 1 ML coverage of oxygen for the oxidation reaction energetically prefers the hcp site, the chemisorbed structures at 0.25 ML coverage are found to prefer the fcc site on the pseudomorphic Fe/Ru(0001) surface. The DFT calculations suggest that both the p(2 × 2) and c(4 × 2) structures of oxygen are exothermic, indicating the possibility of coexistence on the pseudomorphic Fe/Ru(0001) surface and occurrence at room temperature. However, the use of the Hubbard potential parameter, which is used to correctly describe the electronic band structure of FeO and other Mott insulators, also revealed that the oxidation reaction of the pseudomorphic Fe monolayer is endothermic on the Ru(0001) surface.
Novel sin-G class of distributions with an illustration of Lomax distribution: Properties and data analysis
Authors: Ahmad Aijaz , Rather Aafaq A. , Gemeay Ahmed M. , Nagy M. , Sapkota Laxmi Prasad , Mansi A. H.
Published: March 2024

In this research, we establish the novel sin-G class, an innovative and comprehensive class of trigonometric distributions centered on the sine function. A sin-G class analytical approach comprises calculations for the probability density function and reliability indicators. Various estimation methods were presented to estimate the specified model parameters. Applying randomly created datasets and the provided estimating techniques, the behavior of these variables was investigated. Then, the focus is directed toward a specific member of this class, the novel sin-Lomax distribution, which is established with the Lomax distribution serving as the baseline. Exploring the innovative sin-Lomax distribution’s inferential characteristics, the constructed distribution is then fitted to real datasets, demonstrating the actual application of the Sin-G class.
Effect of emitter tip spacing on Si vacuum field emitter arrays
Authors: Ghotbi S. , Mohammadi S.
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a qualitative and quantitative analysis of close-packed vacuum field emitter arrays. Through a combination of computational simulations and experimental verifications, the relationship between emitter spacing and electric field screening is studied. In order to obtain a uniform electron emission and large current densities from a field emitter array, it is essential to minimize the screening effect between the adjacent field emitters. As previously demonstrated, sharpening the emitter tips, reducing the background doping concentration of the emitters, and reducing the anode–cathode distance can suppress the screening effect. Field emitter arrays with different sizes and emitter spacings are fabricated and characterized. Decreasing the array size and increasing emitter spacing lead to a larger average current per emitter (19 nA/tip at an anode voltage of 250 V). However, larger current densities (up to 3.3 A/cm2) are observed in close-packed arrays. In very large arrays with a small emitter spacing, the current is scaled with the emitter area (∼4.2 nA/emitter at an anode voltage of 250 V), indicating a small current contribution from the sides of the array.