bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smartphone App to Detect Pathological Myopia Using Spatial Attention and Squeeze‐Excitation Network as a Classifier and Segmentation Encoder
Authors: Ali Sarvat , Raut Shital
Published: August 2024

Pathological myopia (PM) is a worldwide visual health concern that can cause irreversible vision impairment. It affects up to 20 crore population, causing social and economic burdens. Initial screening of PM using computer‐aided diagnosis (CAD) can prevent loss of time and finances for intricate treatments later on. Current research works utilizes complex models that are too resource‐intensive or lack explanations behind the categorizations. To emphasize the significance of artificial intelligence for the ophthalmic usage and address the limitations of the current studies, we have designed a mobile‐compatible application for smartphone users to detect PM. For this purpose, we have developed a lightweight model, using the enhanced MobileNetV3 architecture integrated with spatial attention (SA) and squeeze‐excitation (SE) modules to effectively capture lesion location and channel features. To demonstrate its robustness, the model is tested against three heterogeneous datasets namely PALM, RFMID, and ODIR reporting the area under curve (AUC) score of 0.9983, 0.95, and 0.94, respectively. In order to support PM categorization and demonstrate its correlation with the associated lesions, we have segmented different forms of PM lesion atrophy, which gave us intersection over union (IOU) scores of 0.96 and fscore of 0.97 using the same SA+SE inclusive MobileNetV3 as an encoder. This lesion segmentation can aid ophthalmologists in further analysis and treatment. The optimized and explainable model version is calibrated to develop the smartphone application, which can identify fundus image as PM or normal vision. This app is appropriate for ophthalmologists seeking second opinions or by rural general practitioners to refer PM cases to specialists.
CAS‐GAN: A Novel Generative Adversarial Network‐Based Architecture for Coronary Artery Segmentation
Authors: Hamdi Rawaa , Kerkeni Asma , Abdallah Asma Ben , Bedoui Mohamed Hedi
Published: August 2024

Accurate and automated segmentation of x‐ray coronary angiography (XRCA) is crucial for both diagnosing and treating coronary artery diseases. Despite the outstanding results achieved by deep learning (DL)‐based methods in this area, this task remains challenging due to several factors such as poor image quality, the presence of motion artifacts, and inherent variability in vessel structure sizes. To address this challenge, this paper introduces a novel GAN‐based architecture for coronary artery segmentation using XRCA images. This architecture includes a novel U‐Net variant with two types of self‐attention blocks in the generator segment. An auxiliary path connects the attention block and the prediction block to enhance feature generalization, improving vessel structure delineation, especially thin vessels in low‐contrast regions. In parallel, the discriminator network employs a residual CNN with similar attention blocks for balanced performance and improved predictive capabilities. With a streamlined 6.74 M parameters, the resulting architecture surpasses existing methods in efficiency. We assess its efficacy on three coronary artery datasets: our private “CORONAR,” and the public “DCA1” and “CHUAC” datasets. Empirical results showcase our model's superiority across these datasets, utilizing both original and preprocessed images. Notably, our proposed architecture achieves the highest F1‐score of 0.7972 for the CHUAC dataset, 0.8245 for the DCA1 dataset, and 0.8333 for the CORONAR dataset.
VTCNet: A Feature Fusion DL Model Based on CNN and ViT for the Classification of Cervical Cells
Authors: Li Mingzhe , Que Ningfeng , Zhang Juanhua , Du Pingfang , Dai Yin
Published: August 2024

Cervical cancer is a common malignancy worldwide with high incidence and mortality rates in underdeveloped countries. The Pap smear test, widely used for early detection of cervical cancer, aims to minimize missed diagnoses, which sometimes results in higher false‐positive rates. To enhance manual screening practices, computer‐aided diagnosis (CAD) systems based on machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) for classifying cervical Pap cells have been extensively researched. In our study, we introduced a DL‐based method named VTCNet for the task of cervical cell classification. Our approach combines CNN‐SPPF and ViT components, integrating modules like Focus and SeparableC3, to capture more potential information, extract local and global features, and merge them to enhance classification performance. We evaluated our method on the public SIPaKMeD dataset, achieving accuracies, precision, recall, and F1 scores of 97.16%, 97.22%, 97.19%, and 97.18%, respectively. We also conducted additional experiments on the Herlev dataset, where our results outperformed previous methods. The VTCNet method achieved higher classification accuracy than traditional ML or shallow DL models through this integration. Related codes: https://github.com/Camellia‐0892/VTCNet/tree/main.
Bifunctional self‐segregated electrolyte realizing high‐performance zinc‐iodine batteries
Authors: Hu Xueting , Zhao Zequan , Yang Yongqiang , Zhang Hao , Lai Guojun , Lu Bingan , Zhou Peng , Chen Lina , Zhou Jiang
Published: August 2024

Static rechargeable zinc‐iodine (Zn‐I2) batteries are superior in safety, cost‐effectiveness, and sustainability, giving them great potential for large‐scale energy storage applications. However, the shuttle effect of polyiodides on the cathode and the unstable anode/electrolyte interface hinder the development of Zn‐I2 batteries. Herein, a self‐segregated biphasic electrolyte (SSBE) was proposed to synergistically address those issues. The strong interaction between polyiodides and the organic phase was demonstrated to limit the shuttle effect of polyiodides. Meanwhile, the hybridization of polar organic solvent in the inorganic phase modulated the bonding structure, as well as the effective weakening of water activity, optimizing the interface during zinc electroplating. As a result, the Zn‐I2 coin cells performed a capacity retention of nearly 100% after 4000 cycles at 2 mA cm−2. And a discharge capacity of 0.6 Ah with no degradation after 180 cycles was achieved in the pouch cell. A photovoltaic energy storage battery was further achieved and displayed a cumulative capacity of 5.85 Ah. The successfully designed energy storage device exhibits the application potential of Zn‐I2 batteries for stationary energy storage.

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In Vivo Activity of Intestinal P‐Glycoprotein and Hepatic Organic Anion Transporters Polypeptide in Pregnancy and Postpartum
Authors: Pego Álef Machado Gomes , Marques Maria Paula , Moreira Fernanda de Lima , Paz Tiago , Tarozzo Maria Martha de Barros , Mattos Rogério Pereira , dos Santos Melli Patrícia Pereira , Duarte Geraldo , Cavalli Ricardo Carvalho , Lanchote Vera Lucia
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the influence of pregnancy on the in vivo activity of the intestinal P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) and hepatic organic anion transporters polypeptide (OATP/BCRP) using, respectively, fexofenadine and rosuvastatin as probe drugs. Eleven healthy participants were investigated during the third trimester of pregnancy (Phase 1, 28 to 38 weeks of gestation) and in the postpartum period (Phase 2, 8 to 12 weeks postpartum). In both phases, after administration of a single oral dose of fexofenadine (60 mg) and rosuvastatin (5 mg), serial blood samples were collected for up to 24 h. Rosuvastatin and fexofenadine in plasma were analyzed by LC‐MS/MS using previously validated methods. The pharmacokinetic parameters of fexofenadine and rosuvastatin (Phoenix WinNonLin software) with normal distribution (Shapiro–Wilk test) are presented as geometric mean and 90% confidence interval. Phases 1 and 2 were compared using the t test (P < .05). Fexofexadine AUC0‐24 values do not differ (P‐value: .0715) between Phase 1 (641.9 ng h/mL [500.6‐823.1]) and Phase 2 (823.8 ng h/mL [641.5‐1057.6]) showing that pregnancy (third trimester) does not alter intestinal P‐gp activity. However, rosuvastatin AUC0‐24 values are higher (P‐value: .00005) in Phase 1 (18.7 ng h/mL [13.3‐26.4]) when compared to Phase 2 (9.5 ng h/mL [6.7‐13.4]), suggesting inhibition of OATP1B1/OATP1B3 transporters. In conclusion, pregnancy assessed during the third trimester does not alter the intestinal P‐gp activity but reduces the activity of hepatic OATP1B1/OATP1B3 transporters. Therefore, adjustments in dosage regimens may be necessary for drugs with low therapeutic index, substrates of the OATP1B1/OATP1B3 transporters, administered during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Circadian rhythm dysfunction and clinical heterogeneity in pediatric ADHD: A critical need for innovation in assessment and treatment
Authors: Lunsford‐Avery Jessica R. , Davis J. Lynn , Willoughby Michael T.
Published: August 2024

Despite success of pharmacologic and psychosocial treatments, attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently results in significant personal impairment and socioeconomic burden. A challenge for the development of effective treatments targeting functional deficits in ADHD is the substantial heterogeneity in clinical features such as comorbidity, executive dysfunction, and cognitive disengagement. In this editorial perspective, we consider circadian dysfunction as a potentially critical mechanism underlying clinical heterogeneity and discuss current barriers to identifying and treating circadian dysfunction in pediatric ADHD. Recent advances in wearable sensors may offer new opportunities to elucidate the underlying role of circadian dysfunction in ADHD heterogeneity and support the development of personalized sleep treatments with the power to improve long‐term educational, interpersonal, and occupational outcomes for children with ADHD.
Induction of male‐like mandibles in XX individuals of a stag beetle by gene knockdown of a feminizer gene transformer
Authors: Gotoh Hiroki , Ohtsu Itsuki , Umino Taichi , Yamasaki Yo Y. , Minakuchi Yohei , Ito Takehiko , Toyoda Atsushi , Kitano Jun
Published: August 2024

Males and females share most of the genome, but many animals show different phenotypes between the sexes, known as sexual dimorphism. Many insect species show extreme sexual dimorphism, including beetles with “weapon traits” represented by extremely developed horns and mandibles. Existing studies of sex‐specific development of beetle weapon traits suggest that sex‐specific gene expression plays an important role. On the other hand, contributions of the Y‐chromosome, which may potentially carry genes necessary for male development, to weapon trait expression have not been examined. In holometabolous insects, including beetles, the feminizing gene transformer (tra) is roughly conserved in its feminizing function. Only females express a functional isoform of Tra, which causes female differentiation. Knocking down tra in females leads to male tissue differentiation, enabling us to analyze male phenotypes in individuals lacking a Y‐chromosome (XX‐males). In this study, we investigate whether the Y‐chromosome is necessary for stag beetles to express male‐specific weapon traits by comparing tra‐knockdown‐induced XX‐males with natural XY males. We show that XX‐males could express weapons (enlarged mandibles) as in XY‐males. These results suggest that the Y‐chromosome does not have a major role in weapon trait expression in this species.
Feasibility of intravenous vitamin C supplementation in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients
Authors: Simmons Gary L. , Sabo Roy , Qayyum Rehan , Aziz May , Martin Erika , Bernard Robyn J. , Sriparna Manjari , McIntire Cody , Krieger Elizabeth , Brophy Donald F. , Natarajan Ramesh , III Alpha Fowler , Roberts Catherine H. , Toor Amir
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Intravenous vitamin C was administered following hematopoietic stem cell transplant to mitigate nonrelapse mortality (NRM) in a Phase II clinical trial.

Methods

Patients with advanced hematologic malignancies received IV vitamin C, 50 mg/kg/day, in three divided doses on days 1–14 after HSCT, followed by 500 mg bid oral until 6 months.

Results

All patients enrolled (55) were deficient in vitamin C at day 0 and had restoration to normal levels. Vitamin C recipients had a trend for lower nonrelapse mortality (NRM, 11% vs. 25%, p‐value = 0.07) compared with propensity score‐matched historical controls. A similar trend toward improved survival was observed (82% vs. 62% p = 0.06), with no attributable grade 3 and 4 toxicities to vitamin C.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT, repletion of vitamin C is feasible and may reduce NRM and improve overall survival. Randomized trials in large uniform cohorts of patients are needed to confirm the utility of this easily available and inexpensive therapy.
Lower cell number, lateral defect location and milder grade are associated with improved autologous chondrocyte implantation outcome
Authors: Tierney Lauren , Kuiper Jan H. , Roberts Sally , Snow Martyn , Williams Mike , Harrington Mateus B. , Harrison Paul , Gallacher Pete , Jermin Paul , Wright Karina T.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

To investigate patient demographic, injury and surgery/treatment‐associated factors that can influence the patient‐reported outcome (Lysholm score), following autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in a large, ‘real‐world’, nonuniform, prospective data examined retrospectively.

Methods

Knee patients treated at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, UK, using ACI between 1996 and 2020 were eligible. All longitudinal postoperative Lysholm scores collected between 1 and 23 years after ACI treatment and before any second major procedure (e.g., arthroplasty) were included. Multilevel longitudinal models were built investigating the association of short‐term (1 year) or long‐term trends in Lysholm score with baseline demographic, clinical and cell‐culture variables, namely age, gender, smoker status, body mass index, baseline Lysholm score, time from surgery, defect grade, diameter and location, number of defects, previous microfracture, patch/scaffold type, associated procedure(s), number of cells implanted and their passage number.

Results

Following filtering, 306 of the 427 knee ACI procedures reviewed were suitable for inclusion. Factors shown to result in higher postoperative Lysholm scores in the short term were lower patient age, higher baseline Lysholm scores, fewer implanted cells and a lateral femoral defect location. The factor which was associated with higher long‐term postoperative Lysholm scores was a milder defect grade. Additionally, the failure rate in this cohort was explored and it was found that 73/306 (24%) of patients experienced joint failure according to our definition. Furthermore, the outcome was not influenced by coincidental procedures in this cohort of patients.

Conclusions

This study has identified a number of baseline factors associated with patient‐reported outcomes following ACI and shows that treatment of associated pathology at the time of surgery potentially restores patient outcomes to a similar level as those with no associated pathologies.

Level of Evidence

Level IV.
Neurocognitive demands reduce jump distance and coordination variability of the injured leg in athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Gokeler Alli , Zandbergen Marit A. , Hoogeslag Roy A. G. , Houten Van Albert van , Nijmeijer Eline M. , Heuvelmans Pieter
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of neurocognitive reliance on jump distance and lower extremity kinematics in individuals who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). This was achieved by comparing hop performance under standard and neurocognitive conditions.

Methods

Thirty‐two patients after ACLR and 32 healthy controls (CTRL) participated. Both groups performed a single‐leg hop for distance (SLHD) and two neurocognitive hop tests, each designed to evaluate distinct aspects of neurocognition. The neurocognitive tests included the reaction SLHD (R‐SLHD), measuring reaction to a central stimulus and working memory SLHD (WM‐SLHD) assessing response to a memorized stimulus amidst distractor stimuli. Distances were assessed for the three‐hop tests. In addition, joint kinematics were collected to calculate lower extremity coordination of the lower extremity. SLHD performance was defined as the mean hop distance per condition per leg for each participant and was analyzed using a mixed ANOVA with condition and leg as the within‐subjects factors and the group (ACLR or CTRL) as the between‐subjects factor. Differences in joint coordination variability were analyzed using two‐sample t‐test statistical parametric mapping (SPM) with linear regression.

Results

The WM‐SLHD resulted in a significantly decreased jump distance compared with the standard hop test both for ACLR and CTRL. Furthermore, the leg difference within the ACLR group increased under higher cognitive load as tested with the WM‐SLHD, indicating leg‐specific adaptations in lower extremity coordination.

Conclusions

Neurocognitive single‐leg hop tests resulted in reduced jump distance in CTRL and ACLR. The neurocognitive hop test revealed changes in coordination variability for the CTRL and the uninjured leg of ACLR individuals, whereas the injured leg's coordination variability remained unaltered, suggesting persistent cognitive control of movements post‐ACLR.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Failure rate of isolated medial meniscus repair in the stable knee: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Farinelli Luca , Meena Amit , Montini Davide , Patralekh Mohit Kumar , Piritore Giuseppe , Grassi Marco , Gigante Antonio , Hoser Christian , Fink Christian , Tapasvi Sachin
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The present meta‐analysis aims to determine the outcomes and failure rates for medial meniscus repairs in patients with stable knees.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Scopus with the terms ‘(medial meniscus OR medial meniscal) AND (repair)’. The search strategy was based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Meta‐Analyses) protocol and included 93 articles assessed for eligibility. The search criteria were limited to studies reporting outcomes and failure rates. The exclusion criteria included languages other than English, biomechanical studies, letters to editors, non‐full text, review articles, meta‐analyses and case reports.

Results

In total, 10 studies with 595 patients were included. Degenerative tears or studies reporting meniscus repair outcomes on root repairs, revision or primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, discoid menisci or ramp lesions were excluded. All studies included revision surgery and/or clinical symptoms as failure definitions. The overall medial meniscal repair failure rate was 26% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) [15%−37%]. The mean time to failure from isolated medial meniscus repair surgery was 27.7 months with 95% CI [18.5−36.9 months]. The postoperative Lysholm and IKDC scores were reported in three articles. At the final follow‐up, the mean postoperative Lysholm and IKDC scores were 92.3 with 95% CI [84.5−100] and 88.6 with 95% CI [83.5−93.8], respectively.

Conclusion

The current meta‐analysis revealed an overall failure rate of 26% in the case of medial meniscus repair in a stable knee. For these reasons, the patient should be aware of the substantial risk of revision surgery (one out of four cases). Medial meniscus repair in a stable knee yielded good clinical results.

Level of Evidence

II.
Greater hip internal rotation range of motion is associated with increased dynamic knee valgus during jump landing, both before and after fatigue
Authors: Hodel Sandro , Imhoff Florian B. , Strutzenberger Gerda , Fitze Daniel , Obrist Simone , Vlachopoulos Lazaros , Scherr Johannes , Fucentese Sandro F. , Fröhlich Stefan , Spörri Jörg
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyse sex‐specific differences contributing to dynamic valgus in competitive soccer players before and after a standardised fatiguing protocol.

Methods

Thirty‐nine healthy female and male competitive soccer players (19 females and 20 males) were recruited for the purpose of this study. Bilateral medial knee displacement (MKD) was assessed during drop jump landings using a three‐dimensional motion capture system before and after a standardised fatiguing protocol. In addition, all soccer players underwent clinical examinations, including rotational hip range of motion (ROM), isokinetic strength testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hip and knee. Sex‐specific and fatigue‐dependent differences were reported, and the influence of demographic, clinical and radiographic factors on MKD was analysed via multiple linear regression models.

Results

Compared with male soccer players, female soccer players demonstrated a tendency towards increased MKD during drop jump landings before (p = 0.09) and after the fatiguing protocol (p = 0.04). Sex‐specific differences included increased hip internal rotation (IR) ROM, decreased hip external rotation (ER) strength and increased femoral torsion in females (all p < 0.002). According to the multiple linear regression models (stepwise method), increased hip IR ROM (90° of flexion) and the non‐dominant leg remained the sole independent predictors of increased MKD during drop jump landings before (p < 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively) and after fatigue (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). An increase in hip IR ROM in females was linearly related to MKD after fatigue (R2 = 0.25; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Female soccer players exhibited increased dynamic valgus before and after fatigue, which is likely attributed to joint mobility, as well as muscular and anatomical differences, such as increased hip IR ROM, reduced hip ER strength and increased femoral torsion. In particular, females with increased hip IR ROM were more susceptible to effects of fatigue on MKD, which may increase their risk for anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Nickel allergy does not correlate with function after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Chimento George , Daher Jimmy , Desai Bhumit , Velasco‐Gonzalez Cruz
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between clinical outcomes and nickel allergy by evaluating asymptomatic total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients with well‐functioning implants through quantitative metal allergy (MA) testing.

Methods

A prospective case series was performed on 50 patients with well‐functioning TKA of various implant types. Inclusion criteria included primary TKA with a minimum 12‐month follow‐up and Oxford knee score (OKS) ≥ 40. A commercially available Lymphocyte Transformation Test measured the amount of a hypersensitivity lymphocyte immune response after exposure to a particular antigen. MA results were stratified based on the stimulation index (SI). The Cochran–Mantel–Haenzel test was used to test the homogeneity of metal reactivities. The Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test was used to compare individual metal SI by gender and the association of OKS and metal SI was ascertained with the Spearman correlation.

Results

Nickel, cobalt, and chromium do not have the same reactivity scores (p < 0.001), and only nickel showed reactive/highly reactive scores. Females were found to have 3.41 times the odds of males for higher Ni reactivity (p = 0.0295, odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.41 [1.13–10.3]) only. Clinically, there was no correlation between metal SI and OKS score by metal (Ni rho = −0.1779; Co rho = −0.0036; Cr rho = −0.1748).

Conclusion

This is the first study looking at MA in well‐functioning TKA. There is no correlation between clinical results and nickel reactivity. Surgeons should exercise caution when revising a painful or poorly functioning TKA based solely on a ‘positive’ Nickel Allergy test and look for other possible reasons for failure.

Level of Evidence

Level II.
Soil priming effect in the organic and mineral layers regulated by nitrogen mining mechanism in a temperate forest
Authors: Chang Qing , Liu Ziping , Zhang Tianyu , Liu Shasha , Liu Bai , Fan Xianlei , Meng Di , Zhang Kun , Bai Edith
Published: August 2024

Soil organic carbon (SOC) in temperate forests is a crucial part of the global C cycle. The C and nitrogen (N) inputs may greatly increase in forest ecosystems affected by atmospheric CO2 concentration, N deposition, and other climate change, which may further affect SOC dynamics in temperate forests. Nevertheless, how C and N inputs interact to influence the soil priming effect (PE) in the organic and mineral layers of temperate forests remains unclear. Here, we used easily available C and N sources, such as 13C‐glucose with 2% SOC contents and ammonium nitrate (input C:N ratio = 10), to examine the effects and mechanisms of exogenous C and N inputs on soil CO2 production and PE in both soil layers of a temperate forest. Our research revealed that exogenous C input caused a positive PE in both soil layers, with the mineral layer showing a larger PE per unit of SOC than the organic layer (OL). Although C input increased C loss from native SOC, soil net C accumulation still increased. The C and N inputs decreased the soil PE in both soil layers, suggesting that N input alleviates substrate N limitation and weakens microbial N mining in both soil layers. Meanwhile, the C and N inputs increased the exogenous C remaining in the organic layer, which was beneficial for soil C sequestration. Compared to the organic layer, the response of the mineral layer to C and N inputs was weaker. This study suggests that C and N interact to affect PE on SOC decomposition and this interaction should be considered in modeling and prediction of soil C cycling.
High‐level feature‐guided attention optimized neural network for neonatal lateral ventricular dilatation prediction
Authors: Peng Yulin , Liu Dongmei , Deng Ying , Zhang Meixiang , Yan Lingyu , Luo Yingchun , Yan Junyi
Published: August 2024

Background

Periventricular‐intraventricular hemorrhage can lead to posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation or even posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus if not detected promptly. Sequential cranial ultrasound scans are typically used for their diagnoses. Nonetheless, manual image audit has numerous disadvantages.

Purpose

This study aimed to develop a predictive model utilizing modified inception (MI) and high‐level feature‐guided attention (HFA) modules for predicting neonatal lateral ventricular dilation via ultrasound images.

Methods

The MI modules reduced input data sizes and dimensions, while the HFA modules effectively delved into semantic information through supervision from high‐level feature images to low‐level feature images. The process facilitated the accurate identification of dilated lateral ventricles. A total of 710 neonates, corresponding to 1420 lateral ventricles, were recruited in this study. Each lateral ventricle was captured in two images, one on the parasagittal plane and the other on the coronal plane. The combination of anterior horn width, ventricular index, thalamo‐occipital distance, and ventricular height served as the gold standard. A lateral ventricle would be considered dilatated if any of these four indices exceeded its upper reference value. These lateral ventricles were randomly split into training and testing sets at a 7:3 ratio. We evaluated the validity of our proposed approach and its competitors across the coronal plane, parasagittal plane, and overall performance. We also determined the impact of subjects’ baseline characteristics on the overall performance of the proposed approach. Additionally, ablation analyses were conducted to ensure the efficacy of the proposed approach.

Results

Our proposed approach achieved the largest Youden index (0.65, 95% CI: 0.58–0.72), DOR (27.11, 95% CI: 15.89–46.26), area under curves (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) (0.84, 95% CI: 0.80–0.88), and AUC of precision‐recall curve (PRC) (0.81, 95% CI: 0.74–0.86) in the overall performance assessment and ablation analyses. Moreover, it boasted the biggest Cramer's V values on the coronal (Cramer's V = 0.488, p < 0.001) and parasagittal (Cramer's V = 0.713, p < 0.001) planes individually. Factors such as left side, male sex, singleton birth, and vaginal delivery were positively correlated with higher performance regarding the proposed algorithm, except for the gestational age.

Conclusion

This work provides a novel attention optimized algorithm for rapid and accurate ventricular dilatation predictions. It surpasses the traditional algorithms in terms of validity whether concerning the coronal plane, parasagittal plane, or overall performance. The overall performance of algorithms will be influenced by the baseline characteristics of populations.
Treatment‐resistant schizophrenia with 22q11.2 deletion and additional genetic defects
Authors: Furukawa Sawako , Arafuka Shusei , Kato Hidekazu , Ogi Tomoo , Ozaki Norio , Ikeda Masashi , Kushima Itaru
Published: August 2024

We report a case of a 61‐year‐old female with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) and a novel heterozygous nonsense variant in MAP1A, identified through whole‐genome sequencing (WGS). The patient presented with intellectual developmental disorder, treatment‐resistant schizophrenia (SCZ), and multiple congenital anomalies. Despite aggressive pharmacotherapy, she experienced persistent auditory hallucinations and negative symptoms. WGS revealed a 3 Mb deletion at 22q11.2 and a nonsense variant in MAP1A (c.4652T>G, p.Leu1551*). MAP1A, encoding microtubule‐associated protein 1A, is crucial for axon and dendrite development and has been implicated in autism spectrum disorder and SCZ. The MAP1A variant may contribute to the severe psychiatric phenotype, as it is thought to influence synaptic plasticity, a process also affected by 22q11.2 deletion. This case highlights the importance of WGS in identifying additional pathogenic variants that may explain phenotypic variability in 22q11.2DS. Thus, WGS can lead to a better understanding of the genetic architecture of 22q11.2DS. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the role of secondary genetic contributors in the diverse clinical presentations of 22q11.2DS.
Monitoring pediatric CNS non‐germinomatous germ cell tumors via cerebrospinal fluid circulating tumor DNA
Authors: Zhang Yu‐Tong , Jin Xian‐Mei , Zhong Xiao‐Dan , Chang Jian
Published: August 2024

Background

Accurate molecular and clinical stratification of patients with central nervous system (CNS) non‐germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs) remains challenging, impeding the development of personalized therapeutic approaches. Herein, we investigated the translational significance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in pediatric NGGCTs to identify characteristic features of CNS NGGCTs and to identify a subset of patients for whom the presence of residual disease is a risk factor and an indicator of shorter progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Methods

Medical records of patients with CNS NGGCTs between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2022 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

The cohort consisted of 11 male and six female patients. Tumor markers were elevated in four of the five people who underwent surgery. The remaining 12 patients were diagnosed with malignant NGGCTs according to elevated tumor markers. Among them, ctDNA before chemotherapy as well as ctDNA clearance were consistently associated with PFS and OS (p < .05). By setting a ctDNA positivity threshold of 6%, patients with high ctDNA (above the threshold) levels, which had limitation due to the selection based on optimal statistic from the survival analysis, had significantly inferior 5‐year PFS and OS compared to those with low levels (below the threshold). ctDNA or ctDNA clearance combined with the presence of residual disease predicted significantly worse OS and PFS (p < .05).

Conclusions

CSF ctDNA might allow the study of genomic evolution and the characterization of tumors in pediatric NGGCTs. CSF ctDNA analysis may facilitate the clinical management of pediatric NGGCT patients, and aid in designing personalized therapeutic strategies.
Efficient 3D temperature field prediction and visualization for AFP process analysis in composite structures
Authors: Zhang Fengyi , Li Wentao , Li Xiangxi , Yang Di , Qu Weiwei , Ke Yinglin
Published: August 2024

Process modeling is an indispensable tool for establishing a foundation for process optimization and enhancing the quality of products. Analyzing the thermoforming process of polymer matrix composites presupposes the acquisition of accurate thermal histories. This paper introduces a numerical solution based on the finite difference (FD) model to predict the temperature field of angle‐ply composite structures during automated fiber placement (AFP) process along the machining trajectory. The proposed method incorporates three‐dimensional hybrid boundary conditions and considers temperature‐dependent material properties, significantly improving efficiency compared to the finite element (FE) model and overcoming challenges related to complex boundary conditions and anisotropic heat transfer in analytical solutions. Real‐time temperature measurement experiments were conducted to validate predictions, and further a specific temperature control strategy that meets process requirements was explored. In summary, the paper introduces a novel approach to address the temperature field in complex composite structure manufacturing processes.

Highlights

A novel 3D finite difference model predicts the temperature field in automated fiber placement.

Improved prediction accuracy by managing complex boundary conditions.

Effectively handled anisotropic heat transfer in complex composite structures.

Superior efficiency over existing numerical methods.

Developed a model‐based strategy for optimal temperature control within ±5°C.
Hydroxyapatite functionalized natural fiber‐reinforced composites: Interfacial modification and additive manufacturing
Authors: Wu Yuxuan , Yang Zhuoyuan , Madiyar Foram , Jiang Yizhou , Namilae Sirish
Published: August 2024

Natural fibers are lightweight, cost‐effective, readily available, and eco‐friendly materials. However, natural fiber‐reinforced composites are constrained by biological inconsistency and inferior fiber‐matrix interfacial properties, which restrict effective processing using advanced additive manufacturing methods. In this study, we develop a novel concept for natural fiber composite interfaces by growing hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanocrystals on jute fibers. The resulting hybrid composite is characterized using mechanical testing, nanoindentation, and modulus mapping. The interfacial region suggests a 31.4% increase in stiffness and possesses a storage modulus of up to 7.5 GPa. The tensile modulus and strength of the hybrid composite improves by 30% and 33%, respectively. Furthermore, we develop a novel process for the additive manufacturing of jute fiber thermoset composites through a direct writing (DW) process. The HAP modification increases thermal conductivity, consequently improving the curing process during DW and enhancing composite manufacturability. We demonstrate that the DW process enables the printing of intricate multilayer geometries with varying fiber content.

Highlights

Hydroxyapatite is used for natural fiber composite interfacial modification.

Nanoindentation shows the interfacial region exhibits 31.4% higher stiffness.

Modified composites possess superior mechanical performance.

Jute fibers are thermally functionalized for composite additive manufacturing.

A direct writing method is developed for continuous functionalized jute fiber.
Hot melt thermoset/thermoplastic hybrid prepregs: Effects of B‐stage conditions on the quality of composite parts
Authors: Nohair Bendaoud , Dufresne Stéphane , Poirier Daniel , Turgeon Mathieu , Elbouazzaoui Sanaa
Published: August 2024

Prepregs are highly expensive, and most customers rely heavily on suppliers. The product may not always be optimized for specific applications, but it is sometimes the only commercially available option that works. To address these issues, there is a need to produce prepregs in‐house. In this article, we will describe the methodology for creating thermoset/thermoplastic hybrid prepregs using hot melt with B‐stage cured epoxy resin film. We investigated the choice of materials and the proportion of thermoplastics through DSC and rheology measurements. Additionally, we analyzed the time and temperature of B‐staging to achieve high‐quality composite parts. Multiple ways for preparing prepregs exists, each involving few different steps. We will explore some of these methods using a hydraulic press before scaling up to a prepreg filmer machine. Our focus will be on evaluating the quality of the final composites under various conditions and comparing them to composites produced with commercially available prepregs.

Highlights

In‐house thermoset/thermoplastic hybrid prepreg fabrication optimization procedure.

Material characterization prior to fabrication to ensure B‐staging repeatability.

Investigation of several methods of prepreg fabrication.

Optimized procedure to achieve high‐quality surface finish for composite parts.
Psychological capacity profiles of different age groups and gender in a national representative sample
Authors: Muschalla Beate
Published: August 2024

Beyond the specific cognitive capacities like numerical or verbal intelligence and cognitive speed, the so‐called soft skills, namely, psychological capacities, have become highly important in modern life. This is the first representative study on the distribution of work‐relevant psychological capacities in the general population. We investigate capacities in different age groups, gender, and their relation with basic sociodemographics. A representative sample of 2531 people aged 14–95 years was investigated concerning work‐relevant psychological capacities with the mini self‐rating for psychological activities and participation (Mini‐ICF‐APP‐S). The strongest capacities in young people were mobility, flexibility, proactivity, contact to thirds, and group interaction. Other capacities were stronger in midlife (30–59 years), such as adjustment to rules and routines, planning and structuring, decision making and judgement, application of competence and knowledge, assertiveness, dyadic relationships, endurance, and self‐care. Women reported better dyadic relationship capacities, and men felt more assertive. The study provides, for the first time, representative data on a broad range of psychological capacities according to an internationally validated capacity concept. Good psychological capacities occur not primarily in youth, but especially in midlife and older age. Regarding demographic change, this implies older people are highly competent in the working world.
Self‐healing, adhesive, photothermal responsive, stretchable, and strain‐sensitive supramolecular nanocomposite hydrogels based on host–guest interactions
Authors: Chen Shiying , Nie Yixuan , Huang Yingying , Yang Yuxuan , Chen Hongyi , Zhang Xiongzhi
Published: August 2024

The development of multifunctional supramolecular nanocomposite hydrogels remains challenging. Here, the dynamic host–guest interactions involving the host molecule CB[8] and guest units were utilized to prepare Fe3O4 hybrid supramolecular nanocomposite hydrogels. The results showed that the hydrogels obtained possessed a porous structure. The CB[8]‐modified Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@CB[8]) nanoparticles served as cross‐linkers in forming the network of hydrogels. By adjusting the Fe3O4@CB[8] content, the mechanical properties of the hydrogels could be controlled. The tensile stress was measured at 160 kPa with a fracture strain of 1380%, while the compression stress was 230 kPa at 70% compression strain. The self‐healing efficiency of the hydrogels at room temperature reached 95% after 24 h. The as‐obtained hydrogels show strain sensitivity and have the potential for applications in detecting elbow and finger movements. Our supramolecular nanocomposite hydrogels exhibit multiple functions, including self‐healing, injectability, photothermal responsiveness, and conductivity, making them suitable for integration into flexible electronics.

Highlights

Fe3O4@CB[8] nanoparticles serve as cross‐linkers for the nanocomposite hydrogels.

CB[8] based host–guest interactions enable hydrogels to self‐heal.

Fe3O4@CB[8] endow hydrogels with stretchability and photothermal responsiveness.

Hydrogels exhibit injectability, NIR responsiveness, and conductive ability.
Functional and physicochemical characterization of marine exopolysaccharide derived from the novel bacterium Algoriphagus sp. K5R and its application towards biomineralization of gold and silver
Authors: Sagpariya Tixit , Srivastava Nandita , Kumari Sumeeta , Pinnaka Anil Kumar , Roy Choudhury Anirban
Published: August 2024

The widespread use of synthetic polymers in various industries has raised worldwide concerns regarding their ecological impact and effects on human health. As a result, biopolymers have emerged as a promising alternative. Among them, exopolysaccharides (EPSs) produced by microbes from terrestrial niches have been extensively studied. However, recent reports have indicated that microbes from marine environments can also produce unique EPSs that could serve as sustainable substitutes to meet the escalating demand for biopolymers. The present study, for the first time, reports EPS production from novel marine bacterium Algoriphagus sp. K5R for sustainable application development. Interestingly, physicochemical analyses suggest that EPS K5R is a high molecular weight (1190.63 kDa) heteropolysaccharide composed of galacturonic acid, glucose and mannose. To evaluate EPS production, growth and fermentation kinetics were performed, which revealed that it was a primary metabolite having a maximum production of 4.79 ± 0.57 g L−1 with 2% (w/v) glucose. Moreover, EPS K5R exhibits exceptional functional properties, namely high water‐holding capacity (720% ± 80.29%) and oil‐holding capacity (493.33% ± 49.74% for coconut oil and 533.32% ± 17.47% for olive oil), and non‐Newtonian pseudo‐plastic behavior which render it a promising candidate for application in the cosmetics and food industries. In fact, its anti‐oxidant capabilities make it an ideal biological reducing agent for metal nanoparticle synthesis. Overall, this study highlights the potential of marine EPSs for a diverse array of industrial applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Diagnosing electrostatic problems and hazards in industrial processes: Case studies
Authors: Ebadat Vahid , Cartwright Paul
Published: August 2024

Static electricity is a phenomenon commonly encountered yet often misunderstood and underestimated in terms of its hazard potential; it continues to challenge the safety and reliability of industrial processes, particularly those involving flammable substances. This paper delves into the critical issue of electrostatic hazards in industrial settings by presenting two flash fire/explosion case studies, one involving biphenyl dust and the other gasoline vapor; both linked to electrostatic discharges. The first case study examines an explosion in a flaker and pack‐out hopper during biphenyl flake manufacturing. The investigation reveals the role of electrostatic charges in the incident and how well‐intentioned equipment changes created warning signs of increased risk that were missed. The second case study discusses a gasoline vapor flash fire, highlighting the common yet overlooked hazard of static electricity during the transfer of flammable liquids. It underscores how common activities involving people can generate sufficient electrostatic charge to ignite flammable vapor–air mixtures in industry. The outcomes of these studies highlight the importance of acting on early warning signs of static electricity and the crucial role of data‐driven diagnostic techniques in addressing and controlling those hazards. By dissecting the intricacies of electrostatic phenomena, safety professionals can formulate actionable strategies to adapt plant operations and prevent hazards from static electricity. The paper advocates for a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating electrostatic risks in industrial settings beginning with process hazard analyses that incorporate static electricity hazards analysis and continues through employee training to ensure that early warning signs are identified, understood, and acted upon. It stresses the need for comprehensive safety measures, including proper grounding and bonding, use of static dissipative materials, and regular maintenance of safety equipment, to prevent incidents. Through these case studies, the paper contributes to understanding of electrostatic hazards in industrial processes and highlights the importance of integrating electrostatic safety measures into routine industrial operations.
Risk and consequence analysis of ammonia storage units in a nuclear fuel cycle facility
Authors: Das Biplab , Kumar Shekhar , Sivapirakasam S. P.
Published: August 2024

Industrial disasters, such as unintended toxic gas releases resulting in fires, explosion, and fatalities, are damaging both the global ecology and the social acceptance of the related technology. Risk and consequence analysis is the key feature of process safety measures for the protection of environment and human life. In this work, the risk and consequence analysis of unintended release of anhydrous liquid ammonia for one of the storage tanks, located inside the nuclear fuel cycle facility, was analyzed for leakages leading to exposure of surrounding human population and fire with allied thermal radiation risk. The risk assessment was performed using four methods: Fault tree, E&FI methodology, Probit, and ALOHA, It was observed that while the predicted hazard severities from fault‐tree analysis, Probit analysis, and ALOHA nearly converged, the conventional F&EI, the safety workhorse of the chemical industry estimated low numeric values of the respective hazard. A methodology was proposed to load this general F&EI value for the case of chemical plant being located inside a nuclear facility. Overloaded F&EI procedure estimated hazard value for envisaged unintended ammonia release in good agreement, with results from FTA, Probit, and ALOHA analyses.
Numerical simulation study on propane gas leakage and diffusion law in slope terrain
Authors: Luan Tingting , Li Xiaoyun , Wang Lixun , Chu Yun , Zhang Qinghang , Zhang Xinyu
Published: August 2024

It is frequent that gas leakage accidents occur at chemical enterprises located in slope terrain. Meet the requirement of urgently studying the gas leakage and diffusion law in slope terrain. In this study, we utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate the scenarios of propane leakage and diffusion under four distinct slope conditions, which are 0°, 10°, 15°, and 20°. The gas diffusion law under different slopes is investigated, and the influence of wind speed and wind direction on the diffusion process is also further analyzed. The study indicates that when the slope exceeds 15°, the change in slope exerts a pronounced influence on the dispersion of propane leakage. Compared with diffusion on flat ground, there is a distinct propane aggregation area at the bottom of the slope terrain. Also, the steeper the slope, the more noticeable the aggregation phenomenon. The increase of wind speed makes propane gas lifted, and the gas aggregation at the bottom of the slope decreases. In particular, at a wind speed of 3.3 m/s, the aggregation of propane at the bottom of the first 15° and 20° slopes is more pronounced. Under the upwind condition, the propane gas is entrained at the slope surface, increasing the propane concentration in the area around the tank, which in turn increases the safety risk. The findings of this study have significant implications for the rational layout of chemical enterprises, gas leakage monitoring, and emergency evacuation planning for leakage accidents. They can also help enhance chemical enterprises' safety prevention abilities and the efficiency of their emergency response.