bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The accuracy of different mismatch negativity amplitude representations in predicting the levels of consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness
Authors: Zhang Kang , Li Kexin , Zhang Chunyun , Li Xiaodong , Han Shuai , Lv Chuanxiang , Xie Jingwei , Xia Xiaoyu , Bie Li , Guo Yongkun
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The mismatch negativity (MMN) index has been used to evaluate consciousness levels in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC). Indeed, MMN has been validated for the diagnosis of vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS) and minimally conscious state (MCS). In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of different MMN amplitude representations in predicting levels of consciousness.

Methods

Task-state electroencephalography (EEG) data were obtained from 67 patients with DoC (35 VS and 32 MCS). We performed a microstate analysis of the task-state EEG and used four different representations (the peak amplitude of MMN at electrode Fz (Peak), the average amplitude within a time window −25– 25 ms entered on the latency of peak MMN component (Avg for peak ± 25 ms), the average amplitude of averaged difference wave for 100–250 ms (Avg for 100–250 ms), and the average amplitude difference between the standard stimulus (“S”) and the deviant stimulus (“D”) at the time corresponding to Microstate 1 (MS1) (Avg for MS1) of the MMN amplitude to predict the levels of consciousness.

Results

The results showed that among the four microstates clustered, MS1 showed statistical significance in terms of time proportion during the 100–250 ms period. Our results confirmed the activation patterns of MMN through functional connectivity analysis. Among the four MMN amplitude representations, the microstate-based representation showed the highest accuracy in distinguishing different levels of consciousness in patients with DoC (AUC = 0.89).

Conclusion

We discovered a prediction model based on microstate calculation of MMN amplitude can accurately distinguish between MCS and VS states. And the functional connection of the MS1 is consistent with the activation mode of MMN.
Impact of SNR, peripheral auditory sensitivity, and central cognitive profile on the psychometric relation between pupillary response and speech performance in CI users
Authors: Zhang Yue , Callejón-Leblic M. Amparo , Picazo-Reina Ana M. , Blanco-Trejo Sergio , Patou François , Sánchez-Gómez Serafín
Published: December 2023

Despite substantial technical advances and wider clinical use, cochlear implant (CI) users continue to report high and elevated listening effort especially under challenging noisy conditions. Among all the objective measures to quantify listening effort, pupillometry is one of the most widely used and robust physiological measures. Previous studies with normally hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) listeners have shown that the relation between speech performance in noise and listening effort (as measured by peak pupil dilation) is not linear and exhibits an inverted-U shape. However, it is unclear whether the same psychometric relation exists in CI users, and whether individual differences in auditory sensitivity and central cognitive capacity affect this relation. Therefore, we recruited 17 post-lingually deaf CI adults to perform speech-in-noise tasks from 0 to 20 dB SNR with a 4 dB step size. Simultaneously, their pupillary responses and self-reported subjective effort were recorded. To characterize top-down and bottom-up individual variabilities, a spectro-temporal modulation task and a set of cognitive abilities were measured. Clinical word recognition in quiet and Quality of Life (QoL) were also collected. Results showed that at a group level, an inverted-U shape psychometric curve between task difficulty (SNR) and peak pupil dilation (PPD) was not observed. Individual shape of the psychometric curve was significantly associated with some individual factors: CI users with higher clinical word and speech-in-noise recognition showed a quadratic decrease of PPD over increasing SNRs; CI users with better non-verbal intelligence and lower QoL showed smaller average PPD. To summarize, individual differences in CI users had a significant impact on the psychometric relation between pupillary response and task difficulty, hence affecting the interpretation of pupillary response as listening effort (or engagement) at different task difficulty levels. Future research and clinical applications should further characterize the possible effects of individual factors (such as motivation or engagement) in modulating CI users’ occurrence of ‘tipping point’ on their psychometric functions, and develop an individualized method for reliably quantifying listening effort using pupillometry.
Effect of optimized transcranial direct current stimulation on motor cortex activation in patients with sub-acute or chronic stroke: a study protocol for a single-blinded cross-over randomized control trial
Authors: Kim TaeYeong , Salazar Fajardo Jhosedyn Carolaym , Jang Hanna , Lee Juwon , Kim Yeonkyung , Kim Gowun , Kim Donghyeon
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown positive but inconsistent results in stroke rehabilitation. This could be attributed to inter-individual variations in brain characteristics and stroke lesions, which limit the use of a single tDCS protocol for all post-stroke patients. Optimizing the electrode location in tDCS for each individual using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to generate three-dimensional computer models and calculate the electric field (E-field) induced by tDCS at a specific target point in the primary motor cortex may help reduce these inconsistencies. In stroke rehabilitation, locating the optimal position that generates a high E-field in a target area can influence motor recovery. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the effect of personalized tDCS electrode positions on hand-knob activation in post-stroke patients.

Method

This is a crossover study with a sample size of 50 participants, who will be randomly assigned to one of six groups and will receive one session of either optimized-active, conventional-active, or sham tDCS, with 24 h between sessions. The tDCS parameters will be 1 mA (5 × 5 cm electrodes) for 20 min. The motor-evoked potential (MEP) will be recorded before and after each session over the target area (motor cortex hand-knob) and the MEP hotspot. The MEP amplitude at the target location will be the primary outcome.

Discussion

We hypothesize that the optimized-active tDCS session would show a greater increase in MEP amplitude over the target area in patients with subacute and chronic stroke than conventional and sham tDCS sessions.

Clinical trial registration:https://cris.nih.go.kr, identifier KCT0007536.
Brain morphological variability between whites and African Americans: the importance of racial identity in brain imaging research
Authors: Atilano-Barbosa Daniel , Barrios Fernando A.
Published: December 2023

In a segregated society, marked by a historical background of inequalities, there is a consistent under-representation of ethnic and racial minorities in biomedical research, causing disparities in understanding genetic and acquired diseases as well as in the effectiveness of clinical treatments affecting different groups. The repeated inclusion of small and non-representative samples of the population in neuroimaging research has led to generalization bias in the morphological characterization of the human brain. A few brain morphometric studies between Whites and African Americans have reported differences in orbitofrontal volumetry and insula cortical thickness. Nevertheless, these studies are mostly conducted in small samples and populations with cognitive impairment. For this reason, this study aimed to identify brain morphological variability due to racial identity in representative samples. We hypothesized that, in neurotypical young adults, there are differences in brain morphometry between participants with distinct racial identities. We analyzed the Human Connectome Project (HCP) database to test this hypothesis. Brain volumetry, cortical thickness, and cortical surface area measures of participants identified as Whites (n = 338) or African Americans (n = 56) were analyzed. Non-parametrical permutation analysis of covariance between these racial identity groups adjusting for age, sex, education, and economic income was implemented. Results indicated volumetric differences in choroid plexus, supratentorial, white matter, and subcortical brain structures. Moreover, differences in cortical thickness and surface area in frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital brain regions were identified between groups. In this regard, the inclusion of sub-representative minorities in neuroimaging research, such as African American persons, is fundamental for the comprehension of human brain morphometric diversity and to design personalized clinical brain treatments for this population.
Sugar sweetened beverages, natural fruit juices, and cancer: what we know and what still needs to be assessed
Authors: Eshaghian Niloofar , Zare Mohammad Javad , Mohammadian Mohammad Keshavarz , Gozidehkar Zohre , Ahansaz Afsaneh , Askari Gholamreza , Asadi Masoomeh , Milajerdi Alireza , Sadeghi Omid
Published: December 2023

Cancer is known as one of the leading causes of death in the world. In addition to early mortality, cancer is associated with disability in affected patients. Among environmental risk factors, special attention has been paid to the role of dietary factors. In recent decades, the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and natural fruit juices has increased. Several studies have assessed the effects of these beverages on human health and found that a higher intake of SSBs is associated with a greater risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, current evidence for cancer incidence and mortality is not conclusive. In the current review, we concluded that SSBs intake might be positively associated with cancer incidence/mortality through their increasing effects on obesity, inflammatory biomarkers, serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and advanced glycation end-products. Such a positive association was also seen for natural fruit juices. However, types of natural fruit juices were not considered in most previous studies. In addition, some types of cancer including brain, lung, and renal cancers were not assessed in relation to SSBs and natural fruit juices. Therefore, further studies are needed in this regard.
Innovative strategies to predict and prevent the risk for malnutrition in child, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors
Authors: Guida Fiorentina , Andreozzi Laura , Zama Daniele , Prete Arcangelo , Masetti Riccardo , Fabi Marianna , Lanari Marcello
Published: December 2023

Children, adolescents, and young adult cancer survivors (CAYAs) constitute a growing population requiring a customized approach to mitigate the incidence of severe complications throughout their lifetimes. During cancer treatment, CAYAs cancer survivors undergo significant disruptions in their nutritional status, elevating the risks of mortality, morbidity, and cardiovascular events. The assessment of nutritional status during cancer treatment involves anthropometric and dietary evaluations, emphasizing the necessity for regular assessments and the timely identification of risk factors. Proactive nutritional interventions, addressing both undernutrition and overnutrition, should be tailored to specific age groups and incorporate a family-centered approach. Despite encouraging interventions, a notable evidence gap persists. The goal of this review is to comprehensively examine the existing evidence on potential nutritional interventions for CAYAs cancer survivors. We explore the evidence so far collected on the nutritional intervention strategies elaborated for CAYAs cancer survivors that should target both undernutrition and overnutrition, being age-specific and involving a family-based approach. Furthermore, we suggest harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to anticipate and prevent malnutrition in CAYAs cancer survivors, contributing to the identification of novel risk factors and promoting proactive, personalized healthcare.
Effect of multidisciplinary team care on patient survival in chronic hepatitis B or C hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tseng Yu-Chen , Kung Pei-Tseng , Peng Cheng-Yuan , Chou Wen-Yu , Tsai Wen-Chen
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Multidisciplinary team care coordinates with medical teams to improve the quality of cancer care. This study explored multidisciplinary team care in hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients from the time of diagnosis to the first-time treatment interval and investigated treatment outcomes and prognosis.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included data from a nationwide population from 2007 to 2016. Data were collected from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database, linked to the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Propensity score matching was applied at a ratio of 1:2 to reduce the selection bias. A multiple regression model with generalized estimating equations was used to analyze whether multidisciplinary team care affected the diagnosis-to-treatment interval. The stratified Cox proportional hazards model examined whether involvement in multidisciplinary team care influenced survival status.

Results

A total of 10,928 and 21,856 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma received multidisciplinary and non-multidisciplinary care, respectively. Participants with multidisciplinary care had a longer diagnosis-to-treatment interval but a lower risk of cumulative cancer death (HR=0.88, 95% CI:0.84-0.92). In patients with intermediate- to advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma, multidisciplinary team care has obvious benefits for improving survival.

Conclusion

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who participated in multidisciplinary team care had a longer diagnosis-to-treatment interval but a lower risk of cancer death. Patients with intermediate- to advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma who received multidisciplinary team care significantly benefited from this outcome. Hospitals should provide HCC patients with multidisciplinary team care to improve cancer care.
Exploration of cancer associated fibroblasts phenotypes in the tumor microenvironment of classical and pleomorphic Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Authors: Batra Harsh , Ding Qingqing , Pandurengan Renganayaki , Ibarguen Heladio , Rabassedas Neus Bota , Sahin Aysegul , Wistuba Ignacio , Parra Edwin Roger , Raso Maria Gabriela
Published: December 2023

As the second most common subtype of breast carcinoma, Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) microenvironment features have not been thoroughly explored. ILC has different histological subtypes and elucidating differences in their microenvironments could lead to a comprehensive development of cancer therapies. We designed a custom-made cancer associated fibroblast (CAFs) panel and used multiplex immunofluorescence to identify the differences in tumor microenvironment between Classic ILC and Pleomorphic ILC.

Materials and methods

Multiplex immunofluorescence were performed on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues using Opal-7 color kit. The antibodies used for phenotyping CAFs were Pan CK (AE1/AE3), CD45, A-SMA, FAP, S100, Thy-1 with optimized dilutions. The images were acquired and analyzed using Vectra 3.0 imaging system and InForm software respectively.

Results

We studied 19 different CAFs colocalized phenotypes in the tumor, stroma and overall tissue compartments between classic and pleomorphic ILC. Total A-SMA+, A-SMA+FAP+S100+ and A-SMA+S100+ CAFs demonstrated higher densities in classic ILC cases while FAP+S100+ and S-100+ CAFs were increased in the pleomorphic subtype samples.

Conclusion

Our study explores multiple CAFs phenotypes between classical and pleomorphic ILC. We showed that CAFs subset differ between Classic ILC and Pleomorphic ILC. A-SMA CAFs are more prevalent in the TME of classic ILCs whereas Pleomorphic ILCs are dominated by CAFs without A-SMA expression. This also iterates the importance of exploring this particular type of breast carcinoma in more detail, paving the way for meaningful translational research.
The supercooling point depression is the leading cold tolerance strategy for the variegated ladybug, [Hippodamia variegata (Goezel)]
Authors: Khabir Mahsa , Izadi Hamzeh , Mahdian Kamran
Published: December 2023

The variegated ladybug, Hippodamia variegata is one of the most effective predators of various pests that hibernate as adult beetles. During the overwintering period from April 2021 to March 2022, we examined the supercooling point (SCP), cold tolerance, and physiological adaptations of beetles in Kerman, Iran. The beetles exhibited their greatest cold tolerance (63.4% after 24 h at −5°C) when their SCP was lowest (−23.2°C). Conversely, from April to October 2021, the SCP reached its peak (approximately −13.0°C), while cold tolerance was at its lowest level (6.7% after 24 h at −5°C). Cryoprotectant content (trehalose, glycerol, and glucose) was at its highest level in September (11.15, 10.82, and 6.31 mg/g, respectively). The critical thermal minimum (CTmin) reached its lowest point of −2.2°C in January and February. The lowest point of the lower lethal temperature (LLT) coincided with the lowest level of the SCP and the highest level of cold tolerance (in February, LT50 = −5.3°C, SCP = −23.2°C, and survival = 77.78% at −4°C/24 h). Chill-coma recovery time (CCRT) was examined at five different temperatures and two different exposure durations. The CCRT increased with a decrease in exposure temperature and time (68.0 s at −2°C after 2 h and 102.0 s at −2°C after 4 h). As the majority of the overwintering beetle’s mortality occurred at temperatures significantly higher than SCP, the adults of H. variegata are chill-susceptible insects that primarily rely on a depressed supercooling point to cope with unfavorable conditions during the overwintering period.
Grazing exclusion is more beneficial for restoring soil organic carbon and nutrient balance than afforestation on degraded sandy land
Authors: Cao Wenjie , Li Yuqiang , Chen Yun , Wang Xuyang
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Vegetation restoration is an effective measure to improve the ecosystem service of degraded sandy land ecosystem. However, it is unclear how vegetation restoration on severely desertified land affect soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and nutrients balance. Therefore, this study was designed to clarify the response of SOC, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and the resulting stoichiometric ratios (C:N:P) to afforestation and grazing exclusion, and to quantify their dynamics over time.

Methods

We conducted vegetation community investigation and soil sampling in natural sparse-forest grassland (the climax community stage), afforestation (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica (40-year, 48-year), Caragana microphylla (20-year, 40-year)), and grazing exclusion (20-year, 40-year) in China’s Horqin Sandy Land. Soil C:N:P stoichiometry and its driving factors under different restoration measures were then studied.

Results

Afforestation and grazing exclusion significantly (p < 0.05) increased SOC, TN, and TP concentrations. Vegetation restoration significantly increased C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios, indicating that nutrient limitations may occur in the later stages of restoration. The C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios after a 40-year grazing exclusion were closest to those of natural sparse-forest grassland. The N:P under grazing exclusion increased from 3.1 to 4.1 with increasing restoration age (from 20 to 40 years), which was close to the national mean values (4.2). Moreover, afforestation may lead to water deficit in the surface soil. Vegetation restoration is the main factor leading to changes in soil C:N:P stoichiometry, and indirectly affects soil C:N:P stoichiometry by altering soil structure and chemical properties.

Conclusion

In terms of ecological stoichiometry, grazing exclusion was more conducive to restore SOC and nutrient balance than afforestation on severely desertified land. Due to the poor soil nutrients, attentions should be paid to the soil nutrients and water conditions in the later stages of vegetation restoration. Those findings can provide valuable information for the restoration of degraded sandy land in semi-arid areas.
An introduction to the basic elements of the caste system of India
Authors: Goghari Vina M. , Kusi Mavis
Published: December 2023

Oppression, systemic bias, and racism have unfortunately long been part of the human experience. This paper is a review of basic elements of the Indian caste system, understanding its impact on the daily lives of different caste members, the role of colonialism in perpetuating the caste system, the Indian reservation system for mitigating disadvantages created by the caste system, and how categorization and labels can affect individual identity. This paper then discusses the global relevance of the caste system and its impact on mental health and psychological functioning. In India, the caste system is a comprehensive, systematized, and institutionalized form of oppression of members of the lower castes, particularly the Dalits. Formalized during the British colonial period, the caste system brings together two related Indian concepts of varna and jāti to create four social orders and multiple subunits. Sitting outside the traditional four orders are the Dalits, who experience social, economic, and religious discrimination due to an inherited status related to traditionally polluting occupations. Since the caste system extends beyond India to other South Asian countries, as well as to communities around the world that are home to the Indian diaspora, the inequities created by the caste system are a global issue. India’s affirmative action system provides important insights to policy makers, as well as researchers in the social sciences for how to counteract the effects of systematized oppression. Collectively, this can aid in a better understanding of the effects of discrimination and oppression on identity, self-esteem, and mental health, and how we can develop more targeted policies and procedures in our own local contexts.
Self-defining memories in non-justice and justice-involved individuals: possible relations to recidivism
Authors: Elias Hannah , Krackow Elisa
Published: December 2023

Given the high rates of recidivism in adults, additional efforts in this area are warranted. In this paper, we provide a developmental perspective on self-defining memories, a specific type of autobiographical memory. We review the literature on self-defining memories in offenders and non-offenders high in psychopathic traits. Next, we present an empirically based conceptual framework regarding self-defining memories and recidivism, including a model of recidivism that integrates self-defining memories with identity, decision making, and behavioral processes related to recidivism. We then critique this model. We call for future research to test this model. Should results be fruitful, we discuss potential applications of this work.
Lateral prefrontal cortex thickness is associated with stress but not cognitive fatigue in exhaustion disorder
Authors: Arthur Cully Sean , Björnsdotter Malin
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Impaired executive functioning, including cognitive fatigue, is a core feature of the long-term stress-related condition exhaustion disorder (ED). Recent research suggests that a key area for executive control, the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC), may be mechanistically linked to cognitive fatigue due to stress. Here, we therefore asked if and how stress, the LPFC and cognitive fatigue may be related in ED.

Methods

We used a multimodal cross-sectional study design with high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), self-reported measures, and path analysis modeling in 300 participants with ED.

Results

We found positive associations between stress and cognitive fatigue, and stress and LPFC thickness,but no association between LPFC thickness and cognitive fatigue. Furthermore, LPFC thickness did not mediate or moderate the association between stress and cognitive fatigue.

Discussion

These findings suggest that LPFC brain morphology is related to perceived stress levels but not cognitive fatigue, expanding previous research on the role of the LPFC in executive functioning. Moreover, the results support the notion that the LPFC may be mechanistically involved in stress-related executive function impairment but prompt further research into if and how this may be related to cognitive symptoms in ED.
Impact of China’s digital economy development on the health of middle-aged and older people: an air pollution-based perspective
Authors: Wu Jing , Li Qing
Published: December 2023

China has shown good momentum on the road of digital economy development, however, it is also rapidly entering an aging society. Exploring the health effects of the digital economy is of positive significance for realizing healthy aging in China. This paper focuses on the relationship between the digital economy and the health of middle-aged and older people using microdata from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2011–2018 and macrodata from Chinese cities. The study found that the digital economy showed a significant inverted U-shaped relationship on the health of middle-aged and older people. The results of subgroup regressions indicated heterogeneity in this effect across gender, education level, urban/rural and region. Individual health in female, highly educated, and urban groups is more closely related to the digital economy. Middle-aged and old groups in the western region are better able to enjoy the dividends of the digital economy, while middle-aged and old groups in the eastern region are more negatively affected by the digital economy. In the lead-up to the development of the digital economy, individual health can be promoted by narrowing the urban–rural income gap and increasing basic medical resources, while in the later stage of the development of the digital economy, it manifests itself in inhibiting the level of individual health by widening the urban–rural income gap and lowering the level of basic medical resources. In addition, air pollution exhibits a positive moderating effect between the digital economy and individual health, suggesting that air pollution reinforces the impact of the digital economy on health. Expansive analyses indicate that the digital economy has a negative impact on physiological health.
Regional differences of individual and allocation efficiencies of health resources in China
Authors: Liu Qinpu , Guo Yuling
Published: December 2023

Background

The existing health resources and services are difficult to meet the needs of rapid economic development and the aging population in China. This paper evaluates the regional differences of individual and allocation efficiencies of health resources in China to explore ways to change the current situation.

Methods

The models of single-input single-output efficiency (SISOE), single-input multi-output efficiency (SIMOE), multi-input single-output efficiency (MISOE), and multi-input multi-output efficiency (MIMOE) were developed to calculate the individual and allocation efficiencies of health resources of China in this study.

Results

It was found that the efficiencies of the number of health institutions (NHI) in the eastern and western regions of China were relatively close, with values of 0.61 and 0.59, respectively, significantly higher than 0.49 in the middle region. The efficiencies of the number of health personnel (NHP) in the eastern, middle, and western regions were closer, with values of 0.77, 0.75, and 0.79, respectively. The efficiencies of the number of health institution beds (NHIB) in the eastern and western regions were very close, with values of 0.79 and 0.78, respectively, while that in the middle region was 0.72. The efficiencies of the total health expenditure (THE) were 0.72, 0.76, and 0.79 in the east, middle, and western regions, respectively. The efficiencies of the number of diagnosis and treatment persons (NDTP) were 0.81, 0.70, and 0.71 in the eastern, middle, and western regions, respectively, while the efficiencies of the number of inpatients (NI) were 0.75, 0.79, and 0.81, respectively. The efficiencies of the utilization rate of beds (URB) and the average days of hospitalization (ADH) in the three regions were below 0.51. The health resources allocation efficiencies (HRAEs) were 0.86, 0.83, and 0.87 in the eastern, middle, and western regions, respectively.

Conclusion

There were obvious regional differences in HRAE in China with the situation of “Middle Collapse.” The main direct reason for the low HRAE in the middle region was the lower efficiencies of NHI, NHIB, URB, and ADH. It revealed that there was relatively blind expansion of health institutions and beds with lower health service quality in the middle region. Governments should make strategic adjustments to public health resources and increase the investment in medical technology and manpower in the middle region. Hospitals in the eastern region should strengthen inter-regional medical and health technical cooperation with partners in the middle region by establishing a tele-medical network. The models of SISOE, SIMOE, MISOE, and MIMOE put forward in this study are simple, reasonable, and useful for resource efficiency analysis, which makes it convenient to adopt targeted measures to upgrade the efficiency of resource allocation. This study provides a new perspective and method to understand the mechanism of regional differences in China’s health resource allocation efficiency.
It’s not what you think: shaping beliefs about a robot to influence a teleoperator’s expectations and behavior
Authors: Rea Daniel J. , Young James E.
Published: December 2023

In this paper we present a novel design approach for shaping a teleoperator’s expectations and behaviors when teleoperating a robot. Just as how people may drive a car differently based on their expectations of it (e.g., the brakes may be poor), we assert that teleoperators may likewise operate a robot differently based on expectations of robot capability and robustness. We present 3 novel interaction designs that proactively shape teleoperator perceptions, and the results from formal studies that demonstrate that these techniques do indeed shape operator perceptions, and in some cases, measures of driving behavior such as changes in collisions. Our methods shape operator perceptions of a robot’s speed, weight, or overall safety, designed to encourage them to drive more safely. This approach shows promise as an avenue for improving teleoperator effectiveness without requiring changes to a robot, novel sensors, algorithms, or other functionality.
Transcatheter arterial embolization followed by laparoscopic anatomic hepatectomy for spontaneous rupture of a giant hepatic angiomyolipoma: a case report
Authors: Wang Jianjun , Shi Ruizi , Luo Hua , Yang Pei , Luo Huiwen , Gao Ziqing , Wang Decai , Zeng Xintao
Published: December 2023

Hepatic angiomyolipoma is a rare and possibly cancerous mesenchymal tumor that consists of three components: blood vessels, smooth muscle cells, and adipose tissue. In this paper, we reported a case of a 36-year-old man who had a giant hepatic angiomyolipoma with spontaneous rupture and hemorrhage. The patient was admitted to our hospital with sudden upper abdominal pain for 3 h. A giant tumor was found in the left and caudate lobes of the liver, as well as significant blood collection around the liver and in the pelvis. Hemoglobin, liver function test results, and serum tumor maker levels were all within normal ranges. To prevent bleeding, emergency angiography and embolization were performed. During angiography, it was discovered that the tumor was supplied by the left hepatic artery and had a very rich internal blood supply. A massive left hepatic mass of about 11 cm in diameter was found bulging from the surface of the liver and rupturing there during laparoscopic exploration a week later. The rupture was strongly adhered to the smaller curvature of the stomach. The patient underwent laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy and caudate lobectomy, and the tumor specimen was brown, with clear boundaries with the surrounding normal liver parenchyma, and there were a large number of necrotic lesions inside the tumor. Histopathological results confirmed the mass as hepatic angiomyolipoma with negative resection margins. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that the tumor had positive homatropine methylbromide-45. After 13 months of follow-up, no tumor recurrence or metastasis occurred in the patient.
Evaluation of anesthetic skills acquisition in pre-graduate veterinary students with different grades of anesthetic experience using veterinary simulation exercises
Authors: Amitrano Fernando N. , Quiroz Lorenzo E. , Jaffe Ilona R. , Goetz Nellie G. , Coy Haverley A. , Keegan Robert D.
Published: December 2023

Background

Anesthetic skills are usually learned through continuous supervision by experienced trainers who observe, advise and challenge students. Current educational techniques rely less on live animal training and include the use of simulations and models for teaching and assessment of surgical and anesthetic skills.

Objective

To evaluate the development of anesthetic skills of veterinary students having different levels of previous experience using simulation. An additional aim was to evaluate the impact of the simulation training on students with no anesthesia experience.

Study design

Single group periinterventional and postinterventional study.

Methods

Initial and final anesthesia simulation training recording were obtained from 53 randomly selected veterinary students. Seven faculty members blinded to previous student anesthesia experience reviewed the simulation recording and scored student performance using a rubric, results were recorded and analyzed.

Results

All students participating in an anesthesia and surgery course reached higher proficiency levels on fundamental anesthesia skills regardless of their previous amount of experience with anesthesia. Simulation based learning positively influenced the final score in veterinary students having no previous anesthesia training, suggesting that it is possible for veterinary students to achieve a level of competence in anesthesia skills with simulation-based training.

Main limitations

Sample size, group simulation, multiple reviewers bias.

Conclusion

Students having no experience with clinical anesthesia demonstrated remarkable improvement in their skills, achieving a score that was similar to students having extensive prior clinical anesthesia experience. Despite this clear improvement students having no prior clinical anesthesia experience required more time to complete all anesthesia tasks and may require more training sessions to acquire the speed demonstrated by peers who had significant prior clinical anesthesia experience. Overall, all participants reached a higher proficiency level performing fundamental anesthesia skills at the end of the course.
An Analysis of the Influence of Cool Roof Thermal Parameters on Building Energy Consumption Based on Orthogonal Design
Authors: Zhao Shanguo , Hai Guangmei , Zhang Xiaosong
Published: December 2023

An analytical hierarchy model of the impact of solar reflectance, thermal emittance, heat transfer coefficient, and heat storage coefficient on building energy consumption was established through the implementation of orthogonal design experiments. The EnergyPlus software (v9.0.1) was utilized to simulate building energy consumption across diverse climatic regions in China, providing essential benchmarks for the orthogonal design. The results of the range analysis consistently indicate that, barring regions characterized by extremely cold climates, solar reflectance emerges as the predominant factor exerting an influence on building energy consumption. As geographical latitude increases, the impact of the heat transfer coefficient becomes progressively larger, while the weight of thermal reflectance concurrently diminishes. Drawing upon the principles rooted in the gradient refractive rate theory and the concept of atmospheric window radiation, a range of high-reflectance and high-emittance cool roof coatings in various colors were meticulously developed. A spectrophotometer was employed to precisely quantify their reflectance properties, and simulations were subsequently conducted to scrutinize their energy-saving characteristics. The results demonstrate that the cool roof coatings that were developed using the methodology described in this paper exhibit substantial enhancements in reflectance, with increases of 0.24, 0.25, 0.37, and 0.35 for the yellow, red, blue, and green cool roofing materials, respectively, in comparison to conventional colored coatings. Under typical summer conditions, these enhancements translate to significant reductions in roof temperatures, ranging from 9.4 °C to 14.0 °C. Moreover, the simulations exploring the cooling loads for the roofs of differing colors consistently revealed remarkable energy savings. These savings were quantified to be 4.1%, 3.9%, 5.5%, and 5.4%, respectively, when compared to conventional coatings of the corresponding colors. These findings offer valuable insights into strategies for optimizing the energy efficiency of buildings through the application of high-reflectance cool roofing materials.
Arsenic Trioxide Decreases Lymphangiogenesis by Inducing Apoptotic Pathways and Inhibition of Important Endothelial Cell Receptors
Authors: Hrgovic Igor , Zöller Eva , Doll Monika , Hailemariam-Jahn Tsige , Jakob Thilo , Kaufmann Roland , Meissner Markus , Kleemann Johannes
Published: December 2023

Tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis is strongly associated with the formation of tumor metastasis. Therefore, the regulation of lymphangiogenesis offers a promising target in cancer therapy. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is highly effective in the treatment of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). As ATO mediates anti-angiogenic effects on endothelial and tumor cells, we aimed to explore the impact of ATO on lymphangiogenesis in human lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC). The BrdU assay and flow cytometry analysis were used to evaluate the influence of ATO on the proliferation and cell cycle distribution of LECs. The lymphatic suppression effects of ATO were investigated in vitro using the lymphatic tube formation assay. The effects of ATO on apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and endothelial cell receptors were investigated by Western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry and qRT-PCR. The treatment of LECs with ATO attenuated cell proliferation, blocked tube formation and induced subG0/G1 arrest in LECs, thus suggesting enhanced apoptosis. Although subG0/G1 arrest was accompanied by the upregulation of p21 and p53, ATO treatment did not lead to visible cell cycle arrest in LECs. In addition, ATO caused apoptosis via the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, activating caspases 3, 8 and 9; downregulating the anti-apoptotic proteins survivin, XIAP and cIAP-2; and upregulating the pro-apoptotic protein Fas. Furthermore, we observed that ATO inhibited the VEGF-induced proliferation of LECs, indicating that pro-survival VEGF/VEGFR signaling was affected by ATO treatment. Finally, we found that ATO inhibited the expression of the important endothelial cell receptors VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, Tie-2 and Lyve-1. In conclusion, we demonstrate that ATO inhibits lymphangiogenesis by activating apoptotic pathways and inhibiting important endothelial cell receptors, which suggests that this drug should be further evaluated in the treatment of tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis.
Bimetallic Fenton-like Catalysts in the Remediation of Dyes
Authors: Milam Lydia R. , Planalp Roy P.
Published: December 2023

Remediation of organic dyes in natural waters is a significant environmental need under active study. This review analyzes bimetallic catalytic degradation systems that are based on the Fenton chemistry concept and that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) as the agent of dye breakdown. Recently developed advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) take advantage of bimetallic heterogeneous catalysts to facilitate rapid rates and full degradation. Catalysts based on two metals including iron, copper, molybdenum, cobalt and magnesium are discussed mechanistically as examples of effective radical ROS producers. The reactive oxygen species hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical, sulfate radical and singlet oxygen are discussed. System conditions for the best degradation are compared, with implementation techniques mentioned. The outlook for further studies of dye degradation is presented.
Improving Robustness of High-Low-Order Coupled Networks against Malicious Attacks Based on a Simulated Annealing Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Chengjun , Xie Yifan , Chen Yadang , Yu Wenbin , Xiang Gaofeng , Zhao Peijun , Lei Yi
Published: December 2023

Malicious attacks can cause significant damage to the structure and functionality of complex networks. Previous research has pointed out that the ability of networks to withstand malicious attacks becomes weaker when networks are coupled. However, traditional research on improving the robustness of networks has focused on individual low-order or higher-order networks, lacking studies on coupled networks with higher-order and low-order networks. This paper proposes a method for optimizing the robustness of coupled networks with higher-order and low-order based on a simulated annealing algorithm to address this issue. Without altering the network’s degree distribution, the method rewires the edges, taking the robustness of low-order and higher-order networks as joint optimization objectives. Making minimal changes to the network, the method effectively enhances the robustness of coupled networks. Experiments were conducted on Erdős–Rényi random networks (ER), scale-free networks (BA), and small-world networks (SW). Finally, validation was performed on various real networks. The results indicate that this method can effectively enhance the robustness of coupled networks with higher-order and low-order.
Exact Response Theory for Time-Dependent and Stochastic Perturbations
Authors: Iannella Leonardo , Rondoni Lamberto
Published: December 2023

The exact, non perturbative, response theory developed within the field of non-equilibrium molecular dynamics, also known as TTCF (transient time correlation function), applies to quite general dynamical systems. Its key element is called the dissipation function because it represents the power dissipated by external fields acting on the particle system of interest, whose coupling with the environment is given by deterministic thermostats. This theory has been initially developed for time-independent external perturbations, and then it has been extended to time-dependent perturbations. It has also been applied to dynamical systems of different nature, and to oscillator models undergoing phase transitions, which cannot be treated with, e.g., linear response theory. The present work includes time-dependent stochastic perturbations in the theory using the Karhunen–Loève theorem. This leads to three different investigations of a given process. In the first, a single realization of the stochastic coefficients is fixed, and averages are taken only over the initial conditions, as in a deterministic process. In the second, the initial condition is fixed, and averages are taken with respect to the distribution of stochastic coefficients. In the last investigation, one averages over both initial conditions and stochastic coefficients. We conclude by illustrating the applicability of the resulting exact response theory with simple examples.
Identification of the Safe Variation Limits for the Optimization of the Measurements in Low-Cost Electrochemical Air Quality Sensors
Authors: Christakis Ioannis , Sarri Elena , Tsakiridis Odysseas , Stavrakas Ilias
Published: December 2023

Nowadays, the study of air quality has become an increasingly prominent field of research, particularly in large urban centers, given its significant impact on human health. In many countries, government departments and research centers use official high-cost scientific instruments to monitor air quality in their regions. Meanwhile, concerned citizens interested in studying the air quality of their local areas often employ low-cost air quality sensors for monitoring purposes. The optimization and evaluation of low-cost sensors have been a field of research by many research groups. This paper presents an extensive study to identify the safe percentage change limits that low-cost electrochemical air quality sensors can have, in order to optimize their measurements. For this work, three low-cost air quality monitoring stations were used, which include an electrochemical sensor for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (Alphasense NO2-B43F) and an electrochemical sensor for ozone (O3) (Alphasense OX-B431). The aim of this work is to explore the variance of the aforementioned sensors and how this variability can be used to optimize the measurements of low-cost electrochemical sensors, closer to real ones. The analysis is conducted by employing diagrams, boxplot and violin curves of the groups of sensors used, with satisfactory results.
Utilizing Volunteered Geographic Information for Real-Time Analysis of Fire Hazards: Investigating the Potential of Twitter Data in Assessing the Impacted Areas
Authors: Florath Janine , Chanussot Jocelyn , Keller Sina
Published: December 2023

Natural hazards such as wildfires have proven to be more frequent in recent years, and to minimize losses and activate emergency response, it is necessary to estimate their impact quickly and consequently identify the most affected areas. Volunteered geographic information (VGI) data, particularly from the social media platform Twitter, now X, are emerging as an accessible and near-real-time geoinformation data source about natural hazards. Our study seeks to analyze and evaluate the feasibility and limitations of using tweets in our proposed method for fire area assessment in near-real time. The methodology involves weighted barycenter calculation from tweet locations and estimating the affected area through various approaches based on data within tweet texts, including viewing angle to the fire, road segment blocking information, and distance to fire information. Case study scenarios are examined, revealing that the estimated areas align closely with fire hazard areas compared to remote sensing (RS) estimated fire areas, used as pseudo-references. The approach demonstrates reasonable accuracy with estimation areas differing by distances of 2 to 6 km between VGI and pseudo-reference centers and barycenters differing by distances of 5 km on average from pseudo-reference centers. Thus, geospatial analysis on VGI, mainly from Twitter, allows for a rapid and approximate assessment of affected areas. This capability enables emergency responders to coordinate operations and allocate resources efficiently during natural hazards.