bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Porous Silicon‐Supported Catalytic Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage
Authors: Wang Man , Ou Wei‐Cheng , Yu Zhen‐Tao
Published: September 2024

Porous silicon (Si) has a tetrahedral structure similar to that of sp3‐hybridized carbon atoms in a typical diamond structure, which affords it unique chemical and physical properties including an adjustable intrinsic bandgap, a high‐speed carrier transfer efficiency. It has shown great potential in photocatalysis, rechargeable batteries, solar cells, detectors, and electrocatalysis. This review introduces various porous Si‐supported electrocatalysts and analyzes the reasons why porous Si is used as a new carrier/active sites from the perspectives of its molecular structure, electronic properties, synthesis methods, etc. The electrochemical applications of porous Si‐based electrocatalysts in energy conversion reactions such as hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, and total water decomposition together with lithium‐ion battery and supercapacitor in energy storage are summarized. The challenges and future research directions for porous Si are also discussed. This review aims to deepen the understanding of porous Si and promote the development and applications of this new type of Si material.
Combinative effects of thinning and prescribed burning on fuel reduction and soil arthropods: A case study in a Mediterranean pine forest
Authors: Longeard Pauline , Santonja Mathieu , Morandini Fréderic , Gibernau Marc , Nadarajah Sugahendni , Belliard Pauline , Feignier Nathalie , Massaiu Antonella , Andrei‐Ruiz Marie‐Cécile , Ferrat Lila
Published: September 2024

Wildfire pressure involves today to implement silvicultural practices that provide a good compromise between reducing fire risk and maintaining ecological functioning. Thinning reduces tree density and low branches, but results in the deposition of a considerable biomass of woody debris on the ground (up to 4800 g m2 in this study). They can be eliminated by prescribed burning, but this raises questions about the fire intensity that can be generated and the impact on soil fauna. We undertook the monitoring of a thinning and prescribed burning operation, separated and combined, in November 2020, in a Pinus laricio stand prone to fire risk, located in Bavella, Corsica. Fuel load was determined, and temperature measurements in the soil were performed using K‐type thermocouples. Soil arthropod populations were monitored using pitfall traps, in particular Collembola, Acari, Aranae, and Coleoptera. The combination of thinning and burning resulted in a fire intensity of 75.8 versus 8.4 kW m−1 for burning alone. Maximum temperature rise measured at −2 cm below the surface was less than 5°C for both treatments. The combination of thinning and burning did not result in higher fire intensity at ground level than burning alone, and the soil showed high insulation capacity. Most of the woody debris that burned was small‐diameter, and large‐diameter debris remained unconsumed. This burning, performed during a period of low biological activity, had no effect on soil arthropods, and the presence of large debris may have provided refuge areas. Collembola group was the faster to recover, and were followed by cohorts of predators in summer, especially Acari. Our results suggest that a combination of burning and thinning in autumn may be beneficial for fire prevention. However, the decomposition of woody debris in relation to fire risk, and the occurrence of pests after these treatments need to be monitored.
Generalist species exhibit more genetic structure in comparison to a habitat specialist: Evidence from a phylogeographic study of two freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes), implications for habitat conservation
Authors: Grobler Petrus C. J. , Daniels Savel R.
Published: September 2024

During the present study, the phylogeography of the wetland specialist, freshwater crab, Potamonautes flavusjo, was investigated and compared to that of the ubiquitous, generalist, P. sidneyi, using DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit one (COI). We inferred the evolutionary history of each species and compared their population‐level genetic structure by constructing haplotype networks and using an analysis of molecular variation. Additionally, we explored the evolutionary relationship between southern African lentic and lotic freshwater crab species by examining the usefulness of carapace attributes in relation to genetic indices and a species' assumed dispersal capacity. In the lentic species, P. flavusjo, a single interconnected haplocluster characterized by shared haplotypes was observed, suggesting marked maternal dispersal, a result corroborated by the low FST values. In contrast, for the lotic species, P. sidneyi two distinct haploclusters and marked genetic differentiation was observed indicating the absence of maternal dispersal, a result corroborated by the high FST values. The phylogenetic relationship in P. sidneyi was further investigated using a maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses with the addition of sequence data from the mitochondrial 16S rRNA locus to estimate divergence times. Three species delimitation methods (ASAP, PTP, and bGMYC) were used to explore the presence of distinct lineages in P. sidneyi. The phylogenetic results indicated that within P. sidneyi two clades were present, while divergence time estimates suggest cladogenesis during the middle to late Pleistocene. The species delimitation methods used showed moderate congruence, however all oversplit the number of putative lineages. Our results indicated that P. sidneyi is a species complex comprised of two cryptic lineages, occurring in sympatry contemporarily possibly alluding to secondary contact. Carapace height was found to have no discernible influence on the genetic indices and presumed dispersal capabilities of mainland southern African freshwater crab species. The importance of our results are discussed in terms of conservation of freshwater habitats.
Between science, authority, and responsibility: Exploring institutional logics to rethink climate governance
Authors: Keiff Sébastien , Talbot David
Published: September 2024

This article explores the logics mobilized by stakeholders involved in national climate governance to identify ways of conciliating them for sound governance. Based on the theoretical framework of institutional logics, the study offers an innovative perspective on climate governance and the management of green funds. Content analysis of the briefs submitted (N = 46) to a public hearing in Quebec (Canada) reveals three competing institutional logics: scientific governance, authority‐based governance, and participative governance. The results of this research have significant managerial and political implications for our understanding of the interactions between the different logics and for identifying ways to optimize climate governance. It also addresses essential but under‐researched aspects of national climate governance and green fund management.
Maximum information coefficient combined with IMPA‐ELM model for load regulation assessment
Authors: Wu Youzhong , Tang Lei , Liu Zhitian , Li Xia , Pang Qingqing , Yang Mingfang , Gong Yanyan , Zhou Mengran , Hu Feng , Zhou Guangyao
Published: September 2024

In smart grid and smart building environments, accurate forecasting of load demand in residential buildings is of critical importance. This helps to enhance the stability of the power system, facilitate the integration of distributed renewable energy sources, and develop efficient demand response strategies. In view of this, this paper proposes a day‐ahead power load regulation assessment model based on the maximum information coefficient (MIC) combined with an improved Marine Predators Algorithm (IMPA) to optimize the extreme learning machine (ELM). The daily lagged load is used to construct the initial feature set, and the MIC is used for feature selection to filter out the top five features with the largest values. The MPA improvement strategy includes self‐mapping to generate chaotic sequence initialization and boundary mutation operations. The experimental results show that the proposed model has the optimal performance in evaluating the load regulation amount compared to other models. Taking Mean Absolute Error (MAE) as an example, compared with ELM and MPA‐ELM, IMPA‐ELM improved by 13.85% and 3.04%, respectively.
Lanthanides in the water electrolysis
Authors: Gaur Ashish , Sharma Jatin , Enkhbayar Enkhtuvshin , Cho Min Su , Ryu Jeong Ho , Han HyukSu
Published: September 2024

The most feasible technique for producing green hydrogen is water electrolysis. In recent years, there has been significant study conducted on the use of transition metal compounds as electrocatalysts for both anodes and cathodes. Peoples have attempted several strategies to improve the electrocatalytic activity of their original structure. One such technique involves introducing rare earth metals or creating heterostructures with compounds based on rare earth metals. The incorporation of rare earth metals significantly enhances the activity by many folds, while their compounds offer structural stability and the ability to manipulate the electronic properties of the original system. These factors have led to a recent boom in investigations on rare earth metal‐based electrocatalysts. There is currently a pressing demand for a review article that can provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific advancements and elucidate the mechanistic aspects of the impact of lanthanide doping. This review begins by explaining the electronic structure of the lanthanides. We next examine the mechanistic aspects, followed by recent advancements in lanthanide doping and heterostructure formation for water electrolysis applications. It is expected that this particular effort will benefit a broad audience and stimulate more research in this area of interest.

image
Stock Price Limit and Its Predictability in the Chinese Stock Market
Authors: Liang Haohui , Hu Yujia
Published: September 2024

We study the short‐term predictability of price limit hits. This limit on the trading price is a policy measure imposed with the intention of stabilizing the markets and has been in place for several decades in the Chinese stock markets. We employ feature engineering on past return data and train machine learning models for each individual stock. The results show that a mildly complex model based on ensembling and downsampling the historical information of the majority class (“non‐hit” samples) can substantially improve the forecast performance of a naive guess of 50% to about 66% in terms of balanced classification accuracy between true positives and true negatives. We also find that price limit hits of older stocks and of stocks belonging to the tertiary sector are more predictable. We interpret this result with the argument that certain stocks with a longer history are more susceptible to speculative behavior, thus increasing the probability and predictability of such price limit hits.
Gut microbiota alterations and associations with nutrients in children with celiac disease
Authors: Ertaş Öztürk Yasemin , Karabudak Efsun , Eğritaş Gürkan Ödül , Dalgıç Buket
Published: September 2024

Celiac disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that is not well understood in relation to the microbiome. Our objective was to demonstrate changes in the microbiota and the relationships between nutrients in children with celiac disease (CD) who followed a gluten‐free diet (GFD). A group of 11 children who were recently diagnosed with CD, ranging in age from 3 to 12, were monitored for a period of 6 months. GFD is designed based on the individual's specific energy and nutrient needs, with strict control over dietary adherence. Food consumption, blood, and fecal samples were taken. Fecal samples were put through 16s rRNA sequencing. Microbial modifications were demonstrated using alpha diversity, beta diversity, nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis (NDMS), t‐test, and metastats. Mean age was 6.4 ± 2.66 years and 54.5% were male participants. Serological parameters were negative after 6 months. Both unweighted (p = .019) and weighted (p = .021) Unifrac distances were higher before GFD, and differences were reliable according to NDMS analysis (stress = 0.189). The abundance of Bacteroides ovatus was increased (p = .014), whereas unidentified Lachnospiraceae, Paeniclostridium, Paraclostridium Peptostreptococcus, and Dielma were decreased after GFD (p < .001). Associations between nutrients and several genera and species were identified. The presence of genus Bifidobacterium and Bifidobacterium adolescentis was inversely associated with fat intake after GFD (p < .01). Microbiota changes became evident over a period of 6 months. The presence or absence of small bacteria may play a role in the development of CD. Modifying the children's dietary intake can potentially influence the microbial composition.
P2X7 expression patterns in the developing Fmr1‐knockout mouse hippocampus
Authors: Napier Matthew , Kumar Ashish , Szulist Natasha , Martin Dale , Scott Angela L.
Published: September 2024

Fragile‐X Syndrome (FXS) is the leading monogenetic cause of intellectual disability among children but remains without a cure. Using the Fmr1 KO mouse model of FXS, much work has been done to understand FXS hippocampus dysfunction. Purinergic signaling, where ATP and its metabolites are used as signaling molecules, participates in hippocampus development, but it is unknown if purinergic signaling is affected in the developing Fmr1 KO hippocampus. In our study, we characterized the purinergic receptor P2X7. We first found that P2X7 was reduced in Fmr1 KO whole hippocampus tissue at P14 and P21, corresponding to the periods of neurite outgrowth and synaptic refinement in the hippocampus. We then evaluated the cell‐specific expression of P2X7 with immunofluorescence and found differences between WT and Fmr1 KO mice in P2X7 colocalization with hippocampal microglia and neurons. P2X7 colocalized more with microglia at P14 and P21, but there was a sex‐specific reduction in P2X7 colocalization with neurons. In contrast, male mice at P14 and P21 showed reduced neuronal P2X7 colocalization compared to females, but only females showed reduced absolute neuronal P2X7 expression across the dorsal hippocampal formation. Together, our results suggest that P2X7 expression is altered during Fmr1‐KO hippocampal development, potentially influencing several developmental processes in the Fmr1‐KO hippocampus formation.
Severe relapse after cessation of immunosuppressive therapy in a patient with co‐occurrence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and Sjögren's syndrome: A case report
Authors: Zhu Man‐Min , Xu Zu‐Cai , Yu Chang‐Yin , Huang Hao
Published: September 2024

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a group of autoimmune disorders characterized by inflammatory involvement of the optic nerve, spinal cord, and central nervous system. NMOSD is often associated with other autoimmune disorders, including Sjogren's syndrome (SS). While NMOSD typically occurs at a peak in young or older individuals, the coexistence of NMOSD and SS in a youngster is rare. Here, we presented a case of a 14‐year‐old girl with NMOSD and SS who responded well to immunosuppressive therapy but experienced a severe relapse after discontinuation of therapy. We described the clinical course of a case over 8 years, underscoring the importance of long‐term treatment for NMOSD and SS. This case, along with the review of relevant literature, will raise awareness of this type of disease and facilitate early diagnosis and treatment to avoid serious sequelae.
A retrospective analysis of the relationship between dermatomyositis‐associated interstitial lung disease and disease duration, age, arterial blood gas pH, and serum Cl− levels
Authors: Zhang Xu , Wei Xuemei , Luan Xiaojuan , Li Xiujuan , Dong Jin , Nan Jingzhu , Gao Yanhong
Published: September 2024

Background

Dermatomyositis‐associated interstitial lung disease (DM‐ILD) represents a severe and insidious complication of dermatomyositis (DM). The study aimed to investigate the association between DM‐ILD and arterial blood gas indices, serum ion levels, and the timing of interstitial lung disease onset, with the goal of identifying potential predictors for DM‐ILD.

Methods

The investigation involved the collection of basic data from 89 patients with DM hospitalized at the Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2019 and April 2022, and 43 normal control patients hospitalized for physical examinations during the same period. Analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between DM‐ILD, arterial blood gas indices, disease duration, and serum ions. A regression model to predict DM‐ILD was developed using these indices, and a receiver operating characteristic curve was generated.

Results

Significant differences were observed in pH and PaO2 between the control group and the disease group (p < 0.05). The DM group exhibited higher levels of pH, actual bicarbonate, and base excess (BE) compared with the control group. In contrast, pH and BE levels were lower in the DM‐ILD group than in the DM group, with these differences being statistically significant (p < 0.05). Interstitial lung disease was correlated with the duration of the disease and pH levels (p < 0.05). The cutoff values for age, disease duration, pH, and Cl− were 55.5 years, 5.5 years, 7.432, and 101.5 mmol/L, respectively. The model demonstrated a prediction sensitivity and specificity for DM‐ILD of 0.809 and 0.722, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.809.

Conclusion

Arterial blood gas analysis and serum Cl− levels may assist in predicting DM‐ILD. A combined monitoring approach involving arterial blood gas pH, disease duration, age, and serum Cl− levels could enhance the accuracy of DM‐ILD predictions and hold significant clinical evaluation potential.
A Novel Dual Attention Approach for DNN Based Automated Diabetic Retinopathy Grading
Authors: Ovi Tareque Bashar , Bashree Nomaiya , Nyeem Hussain , Wahed Md Abdul , Rhythm Faiaz Hasanuzzaman , Alam Ayat Subah
Published: September 2024

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) poses a serious threat to vision, emphasising the need for early detection. Manual analysis of fundus images, though common, is error‐prone and time‐intensive. Existing automated diagnostic methods lack precision, particularly in the early stages of DR. This paper introduces the Soft Convolutional Block Attention Module‐based Network (Soft‐CBAMNet), a deep learning network designed for severity detection, which features Soft‐CBAM attention to capture complex features from fundus images. The proposed network integrates both the convolutional block attention module (CBAM) and the soft‐attention components, ensuring simultaneous processing of input features. Following this, attention maps undergo a max‐pooling operation, and refined features are concatenated before passing through a dropout layer with a dropout rate of 50%. Experimental results on the APTOS dataset demonstrate the superior performance of Soft‐CBAMNet, achieving an accuracy of 85.4% in multiclass DR grading. The proposed architecture has shown strong robustness and general feature learning capability, achieving a mean AUC of 0.81 on the IDRID dataset. Soft‐CBAMNet's dynamic feature extraction capability across all classes is further justified by the inspection of intermediate feature maps. The model excels in identifying all stages of DR with increased precision, surpassing contemporary approaches. Soft‐CBAMNet presents a significant advancement in DR diagnosis, offering improved accuracy and efficiency for timely intervention.
Commentary to: An integrated historical study on human–tiger interactions in China
Authors: Villalva Pablo
Published: September 2024

The tiger holds a revered position in Chinese culture, symbolizing power and strength, yet its coexistence with human populations has often been marked by tension and conflict. Understanding the historical dynamics of human‐tiger relations is essential for comprehending the current state of tiger populations and shaping future coexistence with the species. The article “An integrated historical study on human‐tiger interactions in China” examines several aspects of human attitudes toward tigers across varying dynasties, revealing striking differences, with some periods marked by intense exploitation and others characterized by greater tolerance. While the article discusses a number of interesting historical and current issues that help the reader to better understand human–tiger relations, it does not mention significant issues such as the practice of tiger farming, which appears to be a major area of human–tiger interaction as the number of captive tigers is now double that of wild populations. It is also important to consider the fundamental role of legislation in shaping human‐tiger interactions in China. This commentary aims to complement the article's vision by addressing these gaps and offering valuable guidance for policymakers and conservationists working toward long‐term human‐tiger coexistence in China.
The effect of surgical inguinal hernia repair on testicular blood supply: A prospective superb microvascular imaging ultrasonography study
Authors: Ozdemir Sevim , Selcuk Can Tuba , Turkay Rustu
Published: September 2024

Purpose

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the differences in vascularity between the testis on the inguinal hernia (IH) side and the contralateral healthy testis by performing preoperative and postoperative (first month) examinations with superb microvascular imaging ultrasonography (SMI USG), and to compare results with power Doppler (PD) USG.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, 35 patients diagnosed with IH between April 2023 and July 2023 who were hospitalized in the general surgery ward of a tertiary hospital for IH surgery were evaluated.

Results

The postoperative vascular index (VI) values obtained by SMI were found to be significantly lower than preoperative VI values in both operated and non‐operated testes (p < 0.001). The VI values obtained with PD in the postoperative period were significantly lower in the operated and nonoperated testes on both sides compared with the VI values obtained in the preoperative period (p < 0.001 and p = 0.029, respectively). There was a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative VI difference values obtained by SMI and PD on the operated side (p = 0.015).

Conclusion

In our study examining patients who had undergone IH surgery, testicular vascularity was assessed more precisely with the SMI USG method compared with the PD method.
Energetic Azoxy‐Coupled Tetrazoles
Authors: Scherschel Nicholas F. , Zeller Matthias , Piercey Davin G.
Published: September 2024

Azoxy coupling of 5‐amino‐1‐methyl‐tetrazole, 5‐amino‐2‐methyl‐tetrazole, and 5‐amino‐1‐methoxy‐tetrazole was performed by reacting each with various oxidants. These reactions revealed aqueous Oxone to be the most facile system for yielding the azoxy couple for the previously mentioned tetrazoles. Chemical and structural characterization of each novel azoxy‐coupled tetrazole was conducted with 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS, and single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction. Energetic characterization was evaluated by analysis of each compounds' single crystal x‐ray diffraction density, impact sensitivity, friction sensitivity, and decomposition temperature. All compounds were found to be very sensitive to impact and friction stimuli.
Identification, Synthesis, and Characterization of Process Related Impurities in the Synthesis of Boc‐L‐Lys(Boc)‐OSu
Authors: Pakhurde Amit H. , Kishore D. V. P. , Kotharkar Sandeep A.
Published: September 2024

Protected lysine esters (Boc‐L‐Lys(Boc)‐OSu) an intermediate of high repute in the peptide synthesis and diverse chemical synthetic applications, was the subject of synthetic process development studies, unveiling process‐related impurities. These impurities were synthesized, characterized, and identified by different analytical tools, with their retention times verified by HPLC co‐injection with commercial products. Detailed discussions ensued on the potential formation pathways and synthetic strategies of these process‐related impurities.
Synthesis of Novel Nitroimidazole‐Pyrazole Hybrids via an Attractive Methodology of N‐Alkylation of 4(5)‐Nitro‐1H‐imidazole
Authors: Silva Rafaela Corrêa , dos Santos Maurício Silva
Published: September 2024

Imidazole is one of the most important heterocyclic rings. This nucleus can be found in a plethora of substances in different knowledge areas such as medicinal, agrochemical, polymer, and dyestuff. N‐alkylation reactions involving N − 1 atom is a remarkable tool to synthesize many imidazole derivatives which can be attached to a great variety of functional groups. In this work, we synthesized 10 new intermediates 4‐chlorobutyl 1‐aryl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylates 3(a–j) from 1‐aryl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carbonyl chlorides, obtained from 1‐aryl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylic acids 4(a–j), and 4‐chlorobutan‐1‐ol 1, generated by THF ring‐opening promoted by hydrochloric acid. Compounds 3(a–j) promoted N‐alkylation of 4(5)‐nitro‐1H‐imidazole to afford the targets 4‐(4‐nitro‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)butyl 1‐aryl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylates 2(a–j) in 18%–85% yields.
Paediatric computed tomography diagnostic reference levels in Africa: A systematic review
Authors: Gyan Emmanuel , Subaar Christiana , Edusei George , Antwi Nyarko Linda
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Improvements in computed tomography (CT) technology in terms of image quality and reduction in absorbed dose have increased its applications in medical imaging. Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) help to identify high radiation doses that are unusually delivered to patients undergoing exposure to ionising radiation. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of published studies by African researchers towards establishing paediatric CT DRLs in Africa.

Methods

The search for articles was conducted using some relevant literature search engines including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Web of Science. Two reviewers were involved in the article selection process which involved a three‐stage screening process of identifying; article titles, abstracts and full‐test reading.

Results

One hundred and seventy‐four articles were identified from the database, PubMed (30), Scopus (21), Google Scholar (53), Web of Science (25) and Science Direct (45). Fifty duplicated articles were excluded before screening. Twelve peer‐reviewed articles were included in this study based on the inclusion criteria. DRL values in terms of computed tomography dose index volume of head for the age groupings 0–1, 1–5, 5–10 and 10–15 were 27, 36.6, 39.5 and 47.5 mGy while the dose length product values were 461.6, 664, 872 and 978 mGy.cm respectively. The DRLs were calculated as 75th percentile of the local DRLs reported by the 12 articles included in this review.

Conclusion

This review has shown that only few of the African countries (19%) have published studies on paediatric CT DRLs. There were variations in the DRLs published by the various authors which indicate that harmonisation and standardisation of paediatric CT protocols is essential for the optimisation of paediatric doses.
Ankle osteoarthritis: Toward new understanding and opportunities for prevention and intervention
Authors: Anderson Donald D. , Ledoux William R. , Lenz Amy L. , Wilken Jason , Easley Mark E. , de Cesar Netto Cesar
Published: September 2024

The ankle infrequently develops primary osteoarthritis (OA), especially when compared to the hip and the knee. Ankle OA instead generally develops only after trauma. The consequences of end‐stage ankle OA can nonetheless be extremely debilitating, with impairment comparable to that of end‐stage kidney disease or congestive heart failure. Disconcertingly, evidence suggests that ankle OA can develop more often than is generally appreciated after even low‐energy rotational ankle fractures and chronic instability associated with recurrent ankle sprains, albeit at a slower rate than after more severe trauma. The mechanisms whereby ankle OA develops after trauma are poorly understood, but mechanical factors are implicated. A better understanding of the prevalence and mechanical etiology of post‐traumatic ankle OA can lead to better prevention and mitigation. New surgical and conservative interventions, including improved ligamentous repair strategies and custom carbon fiber bracing, hold promise for advancing treatment that may prevent residual ankle instability and the development of ankle OA. Studies are needed to fill in key knowledge gaps here related to etiology so that the interventions can target key factors. New technologies, including weight bearing CT and biplane fluoroscopy, offer fresh opportunities to better understand the relationships between trauma, ankle alignment, residual ankle instability, OA development, and foot/ankle function. This paper begins by reviewing the epidemiology of post‐traumatic ankle OA, presents evidence suggesting that new treatment options might be successful at preventing ankle OA, and then highlights recent technical advances in understanding of the origins of ankle OA to identify directions for future research.
vHIT and fHIT in Patients With Migraine, Vestibular Migraine, and Persistent Postural‐Perceptual Dizziness
Authors: Kirazli Gulce , Balayeva Fidan , Kacan Yilmaz Melis , Kaya Isa , Kirazli Tayfun , Gokcay Figen , Celebisoy Nese
Published: September 2024

Objective

Impairment in the integration of different vestibular stimuli is the proposed mechanisms in vestibular migraine (VM). In this study, it was aimed to assess the vestibulo‐ocular reflex (VOR) and dynamic visual acuity (DVA) in patients with VM and to compare the results with migraine without vestibular symptoms (MwoV), and persistent postural‐perceptual dizziness (PPPD) to find out if there are discriminative differences and search for a correlation with the levels of anxiety.

Methods

Twenty‐two patients with MwoV, 23 patients with VM, 22 patients with PPPD, and 23 healthy controls (HC) were studied. Video head impulse test (vHIT) and functional head impulse test (fHIT) without and with an optokinetic background (OB) were performed. Percentage of correctly identified optotypes (CA%) was considered for the fHIT test. Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) was used to assess anxiety.

Results

Lateral canal vHIT gain of the patient groups were not different from the healthy controls (p > 0.05). fHIT and fHIT/OB CA% results of all patient groups were lower than the HC (p < 0.005), and VM patients had the lowest scores for both tests. BAI scores of the PPPD patients were the highest and a correlation between anxiety levels, and fHIT results could not be identified (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Prominent CA% drop by the use of an OB was the main finding in patients with VM. This discriminative feature was not correlated with anxiety scores. Difficulty in resolving the conflict between visual and vestibular inputs seem to be the underlying mechanism.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 135:857–863, 2025
Washing Illness Away: A Systematic Review of the Impact of Nasal Irrigation and Spray on COVID‐19
Authors: Gandhi Karan , Paczkowski Freeman , Sowerby Leigh
Published: September 2024

Objective

Nasal irrigation is a common treatment for sinonasal disorders; however, it is unknown if it can reduce SARS‐CoV‐2 nasopharyngeal viral load (NVL). This systematic review investigated the efficacy of nasal irrigation with saline, povidone iodine (PVP‐I), and intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) at reducing SARS‐CoV‐2 NVL and transmissibility.

Data Sources

Databases including Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Review Methods

A systematic review was completed with pre‐defined search criteria using keywords related to nasal irrigation and COVID‐19 from 1946 through January 2024. This review followed PRISMA reporting guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO. Only in‐vivo studies testing nasal irrigation with either saline, PVP‐I, or INCS for reducing NVL were included.

Results

Nine out of ten studies on saline‐based solutions reported positive effects in reducing NVL, with benefits noted in earlier time to negative nasopharyngeal PCR and a greater decline in NVL during early study time points, compared with controls. Isotonic and hypertonic saline mediums were found to be effective with three studies demonstrating enhanced efficacy with additives. Four out of seven studies on PVP‐I showed a positive effect on reducing NVL, but results were heterogenous. Four studies demonstrated reduction of transmission with saline or PVP‐I. No studies were found on INCS.

Conclusion

Saline nasal irrigation showed the best efficacy in reducing SARS‐CoV‐2 NVL. Additives to saline may have a clinical benefit, but further studies are needed to elucidate their isolated impacts on NVL. Data on PVP‐I is inconclusive and further studies are warranted to determine the ideal concentration for irrigation. Laryngoscope, 135:517–528, 2025
Effectiveness of Walker's cancellation theorem
Authors: Al‐Hellawi Layth , Alvir Rachael , Csima Barbara F. , Xie Xinyue
Published: September 2024

Walker's cancellation theorem for abelian groups tells us that if is finitely generated and and are such that , then . Deveau showed that the theorem can be effectivized, but not uniformly. In this paper, we expand on Deveau's initial analysis to show that the complexity of uniformly outputting an index of an isomorphism between and , given indices for , , , the isomorphism between and , and the rank of , is . Moreover, we find that the complexity remains even if the generators in the copies of are specified.
Unlocking the power of peer influence: Strategies for bridging the adoption chasm in new product diffusion
Authors: Li Zhihui , Jiao Yuanyuan , Cheng Yangyang , Shen Zhifeng , Zhou Mi
Published: September 2024

New product diffusion relies heavily on interpersonal relationships, yet the adoption chasm between the early adopters and the early majority poses a significant challenge. The pervasiveness of peer influence in social networks presents unique opportunities for businesses to effectively bridge this chasm between user groups. This study, grounded in social–psychological theory, examines the micro‐processes of early adopters' peer influence on the early majority within social networks. Utilizing the stimulus–organism–response model, we propose that early adopter peer influence can enhance early majority adoption intention, thereby crossing the chasm of new product diffusion. Empirical findings reveal that early adopters' peer influence, directly and indirectly, affects the early majority's adoption decisions. When indirect effects are at play, the early majority emphasizes the emotional and social values embedded within the new product, driven by the early adopters' peer influence. These insights contribute to understanding how interactions between user types can help bridge the adoption chasm. The study augments, refines, and expands upon existing research on new product diffusion chasms and offers valuable practical guidance for businesses seeking to harness peer influence more effectively to overcome this barrier.
One‐Stage Bilateral Severe Trismus Reconstruction: Simultaneous Utilization of Free Anterolateral Thigh and Tensor Fascia Latae Flaps From a Single Donor Thigh: Report of Three Cases
Authors: Ye Jia‐Siang , Benjamin Ng Kwan Lok , Ramachandran Savitha , Wang Yu‐Chi , Chang Chao‐Wei , Kuo Yur‐Ren
Published: September 2024

Bilateral trismus associated with oral cancer was commonly occurred in those who had received surgical intervention and radiotherapy. Complete release of bilateral fibrotic tissues followed by free flaps reconstruction was the main current surgical intervention. However, reconstructions of both defects mostly needed to harvest two flaps from different donor sites were time‐consuming and increasing morbidities. Herein, we presented three cases who undergone modified reconstructive method by harvesting the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap and tensor fascia latae (TFL) flap simultaneously from the same donor site. Trismus release was performed including resection of the buccal part and fibrotic tissue, myotomy of the masticatory and medial pterygoid muscles, and bilateral coronoidectomy. Case 1, a 52 years‐old man, with severe trismus as the interincisal distance (IID) was about 0 mm. He undergone a combined 12 × 7.5 cm ALT and 11 × 6 cm TFL flap reconstruction from a single‐donor thigh. The IID apparently increased to 37 mm after 1‐year follow‐up. Case 2, a 64 years‐old man, went through a combination of 6 × 7 cm ALT and 6 × 6 cm TFL flap reconstruction from unilateral thigh for severe trismus. The IID significantly improved from 10 mm to 30 mm after one and a half‐year follow‐up. Case 3, a 53 years‐old woman, with IID was around 0 mm before the surgery. A combined 9 × 3 cm ALT and 9 × 3 cm TFL flap reconstruction was performed as the IID enhanced to 20 mm after 6 months follow‐up. This reconstruction method using ALT and TFL flaps harvested from a single‐donor thigh simultaneously could be suitable for patients with bilateral severe trismus.
A hybrid, nonlinear programming approach for optimizing passive shimming in MRI
Authors: Zhao Jie , Zhu Minhua , Xia Ling , Fan Yifeng , Liu Feng
Published: September 2024

Background

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), maintaining a highly uniform main magnetic field (B0) is essential for producing detailed images of human anatomy. Passive shimming (PS) is a technique used to enhance B0 uniformity by strategically arranging shimming iron pieces inside the magnet bore. Traditionally, PS optimization has been implemented using linear programming (LP), posing challenges in balancing field quality with the quantity of iron used for shimming.

Purpose

In this work, we aimed to improve the efficacy of passive shimming that has the advantages of balancing field quality, iron usage, and harmonics in an optimal manner and leads to a smoother field profile.

Methods

This study introduces a hybrid algorithm that combines particle swarm optimization with sequential quadratic programming (PSO‐SQP) to enhance shimming performance. Additionally, a regularization method is employed to reduce the iron pieces' weight effectively.

Results

The simulation study demonstrated that the magnetic field was improved from 462  to 3.6 ppm, utilizing merely 1.2 kg of iron in a 40 cm diameter spherical volume (DSV) of a 7T MRI magnet. Compared to traditional optimization techniques, this method notably enhanced magnetic field uniformity by 96.7% and reduced the iron weight requirement by 81.8%.

Conclusion

The results indicated that the proposed method is expected to be effective for passive shimming.
An Eulerian formulation for the computational modeling of phase‐contrast MRI
Authors: Otani Tomohiro , Sekine Tetsuro , Sato Yu , Alves Ellen Cavalcante , Wada Shigeo
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Computational simulation of phase‐contrast MRI (PC‐MRI) is an attractive way to physically interpret properties and errors in MRI‐reconstructed flow velocity fields. Recent studies have developed PC‐MRI simulators that solve the Bloch equation, with the magnetization transport being modeled using a Lagrangian approach. Because this method expresses the magnetization as spatial distribution of particles, influences of particle densities and their spatial uniformities on numerical accuracy are well known. This study developed an alternative method for PC‐MRI modeling using an Eulerian approach in which the magnetization is expressed as a spatially smooth continuous function.

Methods

The magnetization motion was described using the Bloch equation with an advection term and computed on a fixed grid using a finite difference method, and k‐space sampling was implemented using the spoiled gradient echo sequence. PC‐MRI scans of a fully developed flow in straight and stenosed cylinders were acquired to provide numerical examples.

Results

Reconstructed flow in a straight cylinder showed excellent agreement with input velocity profiles and mean errors were less than 0.5% of the maximum velocity. Numerical cases of flow in a stenosed cylinder successfully demonstrated the velocity profiles, with displacement artifacts being dependent on scan parameters and intravoxel dephasing due to flow disturbances. These results were in good agreement with those obtained using the Lagrangian approach with a sufficient particle density.

Conclusion

The feasibility of the Eulerian approach to PC‐MRI modeling was successfully demonstrated.
Association of Smoking Status and Pack Year History With Urinary Urgency Symptoms
Authors: Michel Katharine F. , Rangnekar Avanti N. , Slinger Michelle , Gan Zoe S. , Smith Ariana L.
Published: September 2024

Background and Objectives

Overactive bladder and its hallmark symptom, urgency, are thought to be multifactorial in pathogenesis. Smoking is a particularly important risk factor to understand because it is modifiable; studies evaluating an association between smoking and urgency have been inconclusive. We therefore sought to rigorously assess the relationship between smoking and urgency in terms of both a temporal and quantitative pack year history of smoking while controlling for other possible confounding factors.

Methods

Community‐based adult women were recruited using the ResearchMatch website to participate in an online survey of bladder health which included questions to assess urgency symptoms, medical comorbidities, and detailed smoking history. Smoking history was studied as the independent variable in three different formulations: smoking status (never vs. former vs. current), continuous pack year history, and categorical pack year history. The outcomes studied included urgency (any urgency in the past 7 days), moderate urgency (urgency at least half the time), and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). Chi‐square tests were performed to detect associations between smoking and these outcomes, and multivariate regression was then performed to control for possible confounders and to help determine the comparative influence of temporality versus quantity of smoking history.

Results

In 1720 women who completed the questionnaire, current smoking status was associated with a 23% increase in the risk of experiencing urgency (RR 1.23) and a 78% increase in the risk of experiencing moderate urgency (RR 1.78) relative to never smokers. The risk of experiencing UUI was 40% higher (RR 1.40). Lifetime pack year history was also significantly associated with urgency outcomes, although only in smokers/former smokers who had a 20+ pack year history (RR 1.15, 1.60, and 1.25 for urgency, moderate urgency, and UUI, respectively). The presence of former smoking history was not significantly associated with urgency outcomes, even when controlling for cumulative pack years.

Conclusions

This analysis of a large cross‐sectional database of women suggests a strong, consistent link between current smoking status and urinary urgency and UUI. By contrast, no increased risk of urgency was attributed to former smoking status. Analysis of pack year history suggests a dose–response relationship wherein ≥ 20 pack years was significantly associated with a higher risk of all urgency outcomes. In models controlling for pack year history, the association of current smoking with urgency remained significant and former smoking remained nonsignificant. Taken together, this supports greater attention being given to the contribution of current smoking to urgency symptoms, and to the need for further longitudinal work to determine if smoking cessation can be a strategy to treat urgency.
On the correction of spiral trajectories on a preclinical MRI scanner with a high‐performance gradient insert
Authors: Scholten Hannah , Wech Tobias , Köhler Sascha , Smart Sean S. , Boyle Jordan H. , Teh Irvin , Köstler Herbert , Schneider Jürgen E.
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to examine different trajectory correction methods for spiral imaging on a preclinical scanner with high‐performance gradients with respect to image quality in a phantom and in vivo. The gold standard method of measuring the trajectories in a separate experiment is compared to an isotropic delay‐correction, a correction using the gradient system transfer function (GSTF), and a combination of the two. Three different spiral trajectories, with 96, 16, and three interleaves, are considered. The best image quality is consistently achieved when determining the trajectory in a separate phantom measurement. However, especially for the spiral with 96 interleaves, the other correction methods lead to almost comparable results. Remaining imperfections in the corrected gradient waveforms and trajectories are attributed to asymmetrically occurring undulations in the actual, generated gradients, suggesting that the underlying assumption of linearity is violated. In conclusion, images of sufficient quality can be acquired on preclinical small‐animal scanners using spiral k‐space trajectories without the need to carry out separate trajectory measurements each time. Depending on the trajectory, a simple isotropic delay‐correction or a GSTF‐based correction can provide images of similar quality.
Learn from Customer Complaint Horror Stories
Authors: Adams Hunter , Clark Tom , Sullivan Matthew , Montier‐Burke Virginia Dee , Wagner Mary Carol
Published: September 2024

The best stories about water customers’ complaints and employees’ experiences in the field can also be the best tools for training laboratory staff.
Sweet and Salty Drinking Water Coming to a Tap Near You
Authors: Dietrich Andrea M. , Ma Xiaomin , Adams Hunter , Ikehata Keisuke
Published: September 2024

Sodium and two popular artificial sweeteners, sucralose and acesulfame, are poorly removed by conventional water and wastewater treatment. The drinking water industry must prepare for the presence of these tastants in tap water and develop strategies to minimize effects on the public.
Effect of ramie fiber and graphene oxide on the development of PCL‐based materials: Micro‐composites, nanocomposites and hierarchical
Authors: Cesario Luanna V. , dos Santos Filho Edson A. , Pinto Gabriel Matheus , Cardoso Karina L. F. , Braga Natália F. , Fechine Guilhermino J. M. , de Carvalho Laura H.
Published: September 2024

In recent years, the demand for environmentally sustainable materials has led to the exploration of biodegradable composites as alternatives to fossil‐based polymeric matrices. Among these, poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) has emerged for its versatility and broad applicability. However, challenges such as limited mechanical strength and thermal stability demand innovative approaches for enhancement. This study focuses on the development and characterization of hierarchical composites of PCL, ramie fibers, and graphene oxide (GO) to address these challenges. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle, surface energy, mechanical properties (impact and tensile), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ecotoxicity assays were employed for evaluation. Results indicate that the inclusion of GO and ramie fibers alters the thermal properties, increasing melting enthalpy and crystallinity due to GO's nucleating effect and fiber‐induced steric hindrance. Increased hydrophilicity and surface free energy suggest enhanced biodegradation potential. Ecotoxicity tests confirm non‐toxicity, while SEM reveals low interfacial adhesion between the fiber and matrix. Tensile tests reveal no synergistic effects, although GO enhances biodegradation without compromising mechanical integrity. The presence of GO and ramie fibers does not induce toxicity, as evidenced by normal seedling growth. While hybridization does not significantly impact mechanical properties, GO offers avenues for enhancing biodegradability and expanding ramie fiber applications. This study highlights the impacts of filler integration on the properties of PCL, indicating pathways for tailored material design aimed at sustainable solutions.