bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystallinity‐controlled volatility tuning of ZrO2 memristor for physical reservoir computing
Authors: Lee Dae Kyu , Noh Gichang , Oh Seungmin , Jo Yooyeon , Park Eunpyo , Kim Min Jee , Woo Dong Yeon , Wi Heerak , Jeong YeonJoo , Jang Hyun Jae , Kim Sangbum , Lee Suyoun , Kang Kibum , Kwak Joon Young
Published: October 2024

Memristors have been emerging as promising candidates for computing systems in post‐Moore applications, particularly electrochemical metallization‐based memristors, which are poised to play a crucial role in neuromorphic computing and machine learning. These devices are favored for their high integration density, low power consumption, rapid switching speed, and significant on/off ratio. Despite advancements in various materials, achieving adequate electrical performance—characterized by threshold switching (TS) behavior, spontaneous reset, and low off‐state resistance—remains challenging due to the limitations in conductance filament control within the nanoscale resistive switching layer. In this study, we introduce an efficient method to control the ZrO2 crystallinity for tunable volatility memristor by establishing the filament paths through a simple thermal treatment process in a single oxide layer. The effect of ZrO2 crystallinity to create localized filament paths for enhancing Ag migration and improving TS behavior is also investigated. In contrast to its amorphous counterpart, crystallized ZrO2 volatile memristor, treated by rapid thermal annealing, demonstrates a steep switching slope (0.21 mV dec–1), a high resistance state (25 GΩ), and forming‐free characteristics. The superior volatile performance is attributed to localized conductive filaments along low‐energy pathways, such as dislocations and grain boundaries. By coupling with enhanced volatile switching behavior, we believe that the volatility is finely tuned to function as short‐term memory for reservoir computing, making it particularly well‐suited for tasks such as audio and image recognition.

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SKYQUANT 3D: Quantifying Vascular Anatomy With an Open‐Source Workflow for Comprehensive Analysis of Volumetric Optoacoustic Angiography Data
Authors: Korobov Artemii , Besedovskaia Zlata , Petrova Elizaveta , Kurnikov Alexey , Glyavina Anna , Orlova Anna , Nemirova Svetlana , Druzhkova Irina , Sirotkina Marina , Shirshin Evgeny , Gorin Dmitry , Xi Lei , Razansky Daniel , Subochev Pavel
Published: October 2024

Efficient visualization of the vascular system is of key importance in biomedical research into tumor angiogenesis, cerebrovascular alterations, and other angiopathies. Optoacoustic (OA) angiography offers a promising solution combining molecular optical contrast with high resolution and deep penetration of ultrasound. However, its hybrid nature implies complex data collection and processing workflows, with significant variability in methodologies across developers and users. To streamline interoperability, we introduce SKYQUANT 3D, a Python‐based set of instructions for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Amira/Avizo 3D Visualization & Analysis Software. Our workflow simplifies the batch processing of volumetric optoacoustic angiography images, extracting meaningful quantitative information while also providing statistical analysis and graphical representation of the results. Quantification performance of SKYQUANT 3D is demonstrated using functional preclinical and clinical in vivo 3D OA angiographic tests involving ambient temperature variations and repositioning of the imaged limb.
A Pair of Indicators for Characterizing Cerebral Microbleeds Based on Raman Spectrum and Two‐Photon Imaging
Authors: Su Xin , Wan Jianhui , Zheng Zixi , Xing Xinyue , Liu Shengde , Yang Shuxian , Zhong Liyun , Lu Xiaoxu
Published: October 2024

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) lead to cognitive decline, linked to the axonal structure composed of phospholipid bilayers. Current methods are difficult to obtain in situ changes of biochemical component concentration during CMB. In this study, by Raman spectrum and two‐photon imaging, we achieve in situ changes in the information of biochemical components concentration during CMB. The overall concentration of phospholipids in the damaged tissue significantly decreases after CMB, forming a large region of low concentration, but the relative concentration of phosphatidylinositol (PI) increases, reflecting the inhibition role of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway. Accordingly, two‐photon images of neurons show a clear decrease in the number of axons, indicating a close correlation between phospholipid hydrolysis and axon damage, as well as cognitive impairment. Therefore, the decrease in phospholipid concentration and the increase in the PI concentration might serve as a pair of indicators for characterizing CMB and its relationship with cognitive decline.
Completely reducible super‐simple (v,4,4) $(v,4,4)$‐BIBDs and related constant weight codes
Authors: Chen Jingyuan , Yu Huangsheng , Abel R. Julian R. , Wu Dianhua
Published: October 2024

A design is said to be super‐simple if the intersection of any two blocks has at most two elements. A design with index is said to be completely reducible, if its blocks can be partitioned into nonempty collections , such that each together with the point set forms a design with index unity. In this paper, it is proved that there exists a completely reducible super‐simple (CRSS) balanced incomplete block design (‐BIBD for short) if and only if and or . A ‐ary constant weight code (CWC) of length with weight and distance is denoted as a code. The maximum size of a code is denoted as , and the codes achieving this size are called optimal. CRSS designs with index are closely related to ‐ary CWCs. By using the results of CRSS ‐BIBDs, s are determined for all .
The Neutrophil Percentage‐to‐Albumin Ratio as a Biomarker for All‐Cause and Diabetes‐Cause Mortality Among Diabetes Patients: Evidence From the NHANES 1988–2018
Authors: Jing Yuanyuan , Tian Bowen , Deng Wenzhen , Ren Ziyu , Xu Xunmei , Zhang Dongmin , Zeng Jing , Liu Dongfang
Published: October 2024

Background

Neutrophil percentage‐to‐albumin ratio (NPAR) was significantly correlated with diabetes‐related complications. There are little data about NPAR and mortality risk in individuals with diabetes.

Methods

This study included 3858 diabetes patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 1988 to 2018. Using a restricted cubic spline (RCS), the relationship between the NPAR and mortality risk was shown. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between the NPAR and diabetes‐cause and all‐cause death. An examination of the time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to assess how well the NPAR predicted survival outcomes.

Results

Among 3858 diabetes individuals, a total of 1198 (31.1%) died over a mean follow‐up of 7.86 years; of these, 326 (8.4%) had diabetes‐related deaths and 872 (22.6%) had deaths from other causes. The RCS regression analysis showed a positive linear association between the NPAR and all‐cause and diabetes‐cause mortality. High NPAR group had a significantly higher risk of all‐cause and diabetes‐cause mortality in univariate and multivariate analysis. Compared with low NPAR group, high NPAR group had a low survival rate of diabetes cases in all‐cause death and diabetes‐cause mortality with area under the curve of the 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year ROC curve being 0.725, 0.739, and 0.734 for all‐cause mortality and 0.754, 0.752, and 0.745 for diabetes‐cause mortality, respectively.

Conclusion

In summary, we examined 3858 diabetes patients from NHANES database (1998–2018) and suggested NPAR as a biomarker for all‐cause and diabetes‐cause mortality prediction.
Relationships between women in leadership at predoctoral and senior administration levels in United States dental schools
Authors: Wilkinson Emma , Kulkarni Roopali , Ying Gui Shuang , Augello Patrick , Boesze‐Battaglia Kathleen , Sheridan Olivia , France Katherine
Published: October 2024

Purpose

To determine the relationship between woman leadership at senior administrative and predoctoral levels in United States (US) dental schools and assess if this relationship is affected by school characteristics.

Methods

A 23‐question survey was created and distributed to each US accredited dental school (2023). Data regarding the gender of the school's dean, senior administrators, and student leaders, as well as school characteristics were gathered. Data were organized in Excel. Descriptive statistics were performed using mean and standard deviation for continuous measures and using count and percent for categorial measures. Statistical comparisons were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Fisher's Exact, or Chi‐squared tests for comparison of proportions.

Results

32 dental schools provided analyzable data for this project (44.4% response rate). The most common senior administrative position held by a woman was the dean of student affairs (71.9%). For every surveyed school with a woman dean (n = 11, 34.4%), at least one other senior administrative position was held by a woman. There was no statistical significance between the year of school establishment, geographic region, gender of the dean, or prevalence of women administrators and students in leadership roles. The number of women students in leadership roles was close to the national enrollment trends for gender.

Conclusions

Included US dental school data showed no relationship between women in leadership at the senior administrative and predoctoral levels. To keep leadership‐minded students interested in dental academics throughout their careers, further studies are needed to identify the most important factors influencing careers in academic dentistry.
Machine learning reveals dynamic controls of soil nitrous oxide emissions from diverse long‐term cropping systems
Authors: Dhaliwal Jashanjeet Kaur , Panday Dinesh , Robertson G. Philip , Saha Debasish
Published: October 2024

Soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions exhibit high variability in intensively managed cropping systems, which challenges our ability to understand their complex interactions with controlling factors. We leveraged 17 years (2003–2019) of measurements at the Kellogg Biological Station Long‐Term Ecological Research (LTER)/Long‐Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) site to better understand the controls of N2O emissions in four corn–soybean–winter wheat rotations employing conventional, no‐till, reduced input, and biologically based/organic inputs. We used a random forest machine learning model to predict daily N2O fluxes, trained separately for each system with 70% of observations, using variables such as crop species, daily air temperature, cumulative 2‐day precipitation, water‐filled pore space, and soil nitrate and ammonium concentrations. The model explained 29%–42% of daily N2O flux variability in the test data, with greater predictability for the corn phase in each system. The long‐term rotations showed different controlling factors and threshold conditions influencing N2O emissions. In the conventional system, the model identified ammonium (>15 kg N ha−1) and daily air temperature (>23°C) as the most influential variables; in the no‐till system, climate variables such as precipitation and air temperature were important variables. In low‐input and organic systems, where red clover (Trifolium repens L.; before corn) and cereal rye (Secale cereale L.; before soybean) cover crops were integrated, nitrate was the predominant predictor of N2O emissions, followed by precipitation and air temperature. In low‐input and biologically based systems, red clover residues increased soil nitrogen availability to influence N2O emissions. Long‐term data facilitated machine learning for predicting N2O emissions in response to differential controls and threshold responses to management, environmental, and biogeochemical drivers.
Phloem sap from melon plants contains extracellular vesicles that carry active proteasomes which increase in response to aphid infestation
Authors: Sánchez‐López Christian M. , Soler Carla , Garzo Elisa , Fereres Alberto , Pérez‐Bermúdez Pedro , Marcilla Antonio
Published: October 2024

The morphogenesis of higher plants requires communication among distant organs throughout vascular tissues (xylem and phloem). Numerous investigations have demonstrated that phloem also act as a distribution route for signalling molecules being observed that different macromolecules translocated by the sap, including nucleic acids and proteins, change under stress situations. The participation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in this communication has been suggested, although little is known about their role. In fact, in the last decade, the presence of EVs in plants has originated a great controversy, where major concerns arose from their origin, isolation methods, and even the appropriate nomenclature for plant nanovesicles. Phloem sap exudates from melon plants, either aphid‐free or infested with Aphis gossypii, were collected by stem incision. After sap concentration (Amicon), phloem EVs (PhlEVs) were isolated by size exclusion chromatography. PhlEVs were characterised using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, Transmission electron microscopy and proteomic analysis. Here we confirm the presence of EVs in phloem sap in vivo and the detection of changes in the particles/protein ratio and composition of PhlEVs in response to insect feeding, revealing the presence of typical defence proteins in their cargo as well as components of the proteasome complex. PhlEVs from infested plants showed lower particles/protein ratio and almost two times more proteolytic activity than PhlEVs from aphid‐free plants. In both cases, such activity was inhibited in a dose‐dependent manner by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Our results suggest that plants may use this mechanism to prepare themselves to receive infectious agents and open up the possibility of an evolutionary conserved mechanism of defence against pathogens/stresses in eukaryotic organisms.
Are autocratic donors impeding democracy abroad? The presence of autocratic donors and citizens' perceptions of democracy
Authors: Gafuri Adea
Published: October 2024

Does the presence of autocratic donors alter citizens' perceptions of democracy? The paper argues that the presence of autocratic donors can alter citizens' views of donors' influence and support for democracy. The study analyses, on the donor side Chinese development assistance from AidData, one of the largest autocratic donors worldwide and, on the recipient side, Serbia—a middle‐income country where both Western and non‐traditional donors are heavily involved with aid projects. The findings suggest that in the presence of higher levels of aid from autocratic donors, citizens who uphold a very positive view of donors' political influence are the least likely to support democracy. The article proposes two main mechanisms: the attribution processes of aid and the instrumentalization of foreign aid by elites. The analysis employs a mixed‐method approach, combining mixed‐ordered probit regression of aid and municipal‐level survey data with insights from 16 interviews with experts on Serbia who have direct experience with aid initiatives or research. The study contributes to advancing our understanding of the impact of autocratic donors on citizens' support for democracy.
Comparison of Echo Planar and Turbo Spin Echo Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging in Intraoperative MRI
Authors: Thorpe James C. , Thust Stefanie C. , Gillon Claire H. M. , Rowe Selene , Swain Charlotte E. , MacArthur Donald C. , Howarth Simon P. , Avula Shivaram , Morgan Paul S. , Dineen Rob A.
Published: October 2024

Background

Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) is routinely used in brain tumor surgery guided by intraoperative MRI (IoMRI). However, conventional echo planar imaging DWI (EPI‐DWI) is susceptible to distortion and artifacts that affect image quality. Turbo spin echo DWI (TSE‐DWI) is an alternative technique with minimal spatial distortions that has the potential to be the radiologically preferred sequence.

Purpose

To compare via single‐ and multisequence assessment EPI‐DWI and TSE‐DWI in the IoMRI setting to determine whether there is a radiological preference for either sequence.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

Thirty‐four patients (22 female) aged 2–61 years (24 under 18 years) undergoing IoMRI during surgical resection of intracranial tumors.

Field Strength/Sequence

3‐T, EPI‐DWI, and TSE‐DWI.

Assessment

Patients were scanned with EPI‐ and TSE‐DWI as part of the standard IoMRI scanning protocol. A single‐sequence assessment of spatial distortion and image artifact was performed by three neuroradiologists blinded to the sequence type. Images were scored regarding distortion and artifacts, around and remote to the resection cavity. A multisequence radiological assessment was performed by three neuroradiologists in full radiological context including all other IoMRI sequences from each case. The DWI images were directly compared with scorings of the radiologists on which they preferred with respect to anatomy, abnormality, artifact, and overall preference.

Statistical Tests

Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests for single‐sequence assessment, weighted kappa for single and multisequence assessment. A P‐value <0.001 was considered statistically significant.

Results

For the blinded single‐sequence assessment, the TSE‐DWI sequence was scored equal to or superior to the EPI‐DWI sequence for distortion and artifacts, around and remote to the resection cavity for every case. In the multisequence assessment, all radiologists independently expressed a preference for TSE‐DWI over EPI‐DWI sequences on viewing brain anatomy, abnormalities, and artifacts.

Data Conclusion

The TSE‐DWI sequences may be favored over EPI‐DWI for IoMRI in patients with intracranial tumors.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 5
Effective Electromagnetic Properties of Composite Material Computed From Neural Network Approach
Authors: Kameni Abelin , Palessonga Den , Semmoumy Zahraa , Bensetti Mohamed
Published: October 2024

Thanks to their lightweight, composite materials have become widely used in the automotive and aerospace industries. The design of components made from these materials is carried out by numerical modeling which can sometimes be tedious because of the need to take into account the internal structure of these materials. Obtaining the effective properties of an equivalent homogeneous material to replace the composite in our numerical models makes modeling easier. Classical homogenization approaches are not always suitable to obtain these effective properties. This article deals with an inverse problem that consists in computing the electromagnetic properties from the knowledge of the magnetic shielding effectiveness values. For different composite samples, an artificial neural network method is used to predict the effective conductivities from the magnetic shielding effectiveness measurements. The magnetic shielding effectiveness values computed from the predicted conductivities are close to those obtained from the measurements.
Effect of micro‐oxygenation on color of wines made with toasted vine‐shoots
Authors: Sánchez‐Gómez Rosario , Cebrián‐Tarancón Cristina , Martínez‐Gil Ana María , Nevares Ignacio , Alonso Gonzalo L. , Salinas M. Rosario , del Alamo‐Sanza María
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Toasted vine‐shoots (SEGs) are an enological tool to improve wines, to differentiate them, and to encourage sustainable wine production. Micro‐oxygenation (MOX) is typically combined with the use of alternative oak products to simulate the oxygen transmission rate of traditional barrel aging, affecting wine color. Its use alongside SEGs has been studied.

RESULTS

Tempranillo wines were treated with SEGs at two doses (12 and 24 g L−1) after malolactic fermentation at two fixed micro‐oxygenation levels: (a) low, which received 6.24 ± 0.87 mg L−1·month−1 of oxygen; and, (b) high, which received 11.91 ± 0.71 mg L−1·month−1 of oxygen. The wines were bottled and stored for 6 months. At the end of the treatment, MOX affected the anthocyanins and color parameters, but not the enological characteristics. At this time, the anthocyanins content reduction presented a negatively significant correlation with oxygen for wines treated with 12 g L−1. The factors that most influenced the development of color parameters during the time after bottling were the period for which the wine evolved in the bottle and SEG dose. The visual sensorial descriptors showed an evolution according to aged red wines, but without differences according to the SEG‐MOX treatments.

CONCLUSION

The SEG‐MOX treatments caused significant changes in wine color. It would be advisable to adjust SEG‐MOX techniques to increase their effectiveness. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
The Impact of Intraoperative Anesthesiology Provider Handovers on Postoperative Complications After Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) Surgery
Authors: Guerra‐Londono Juan Jose , Pham Sydney , Bhutiani Neal , Prakash Laura , Feng Lei , Tzeng Ching‐Wei D. , Cata Juan P. , Soliz Jose M.
Published: October 2024

Background

The objective of this study is to assess the possible association between intraoperative anesthesia team handovers and increased 90‐day major complications following HPB surgery.

Methods

This is a single‐center retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent HPB surgery. Anesthesiologist handover (AH) occurred when a complete transfer of care to a receiving anesthesiologist. total anesthesia team handovers (TH) occurred when both anesthesiologist and supervised provider transferred care. The primary outcome was 90‐day major complications, defined as an ACCORDION score of ≥ 3.

Results

Ninety‐day major complications occurred in 35 (21.6%) of TH and 96 (21.9%) of AH patients. With adjustment of other covariates, no significant association was found between AH (OR, 1.358, 95% CI, 0.935–1.973, p = 0.1079) or TH (OR, 1.157, 95% CI, 0.706–1.894, p = 0.5633) and 90‐day major complications.

Conclusions

In a high‐volume HPB center, anesthesia team handovers were not associated with an increased risk of patients having a major complication within 90 days after HPB surgery.
Long non‐coding RNA MALAT1 triggers ferroptosis via interaction with FUS to enhance ACSF2 mRNA stabilization in septic acute kidney injury
Authors: Duan Zhi‐Bing , Zheng Ji‐Fu , Huang Si‐Yue , Hu Li‐Li
Published: October 2024

Septic acute kidney injury (AKI) is a fatal disease in the intensive care unit, with ferroptosis playing a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Long non‐coding RNA (LncRNA) metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) has been implicated in septic‐induced AKI inflammation and apoptosis. However, its regulatory role in ferroptosis and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In vivo and in vitro models of septic AKI were established using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge, respectively. Serum levels of creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), kidney injury molecule‐1 (Kim‐1), neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL), and inflammatory cytokine in kidney tissues were determined by ELISA kits. Histopathological alterations and apoptosis were evaluated by HE staining and TUNEL. Ferroptosis was accessed by measuring MDA, GSH, Fe2+, total and lipid ROS levels, and mitochondrial ultrastructure changes. Target molecular levels were determined using RT‐qPCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Interactions among MALAT1, acyl‐CoA synthetase family member 2 (ACSF2) and FUS RNA binding protein (FUS) were validated by RIP and RNA‐pull down. MALAT1 level was significantly elevated in both in vivo and in vitro septic AKI models, of which knockdown impeded ferroptosis to alleviate septic AKI. Mechanistically, high MALAT1 expression increased ACSF2 mRNA stability via interaction with FUS. Rescue experiments showed that ACSF2 overexpression partially reversed the ferroptosis inhibition mediated by MALAT1 silencing. MALAT1 induces ferroptosis and exacerbates septic AKI by stabilizing ACSF2 mRNA with the assistance of FUS. These findings provide theoretical evidence for MALAT1 as a potential therapeutic target for septic AKI.
Creating a learning health system to include environmental determinants of health: The GroundsWell experience
Authors: Rodgers Sarah E. , Geary Rebecca S. , Villegas‐Diaz Roberto , Buchan Iain E. , Burnett Hannah , Clemens Tom , Crook Rebecca , Duckworth Helen , Green Mark Alan , King Elly , Zhang Wenjing , Butters Oliver
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Policies aiming to prevent ill health and reduce health inequalities need to consider the full complexity of health systems, including environmental determinants. A learning health system that incorporates environmental factors needs healthcare, social care and non‐health data linkage at individual and small‐area levels. Our objective was to establish privacy‐preserving household record linkage for England to ensure person‐level data remain secure and private when linked with data from households or the wider environment.

Methods

A stakeholder workshop with participants from our regional health board, together with the regional data processor, and the national data provider. The workshop discussed the risks and benefits of household linkages. This group then co‐designed actionable dataflows between national and local data controllers and processors.

Results

A process was defined whereby the Personal Demographics Service, which includes the addresses of all patients of the National Health Service (NHS) in England, was used to match patients to a home identifier, for the time they are recorded as living at that address. Discussions with NHS England resulted in secure and quality‐assured data linkages and a plan to flow these pseudonymised data onwards into regional health boards. Methods were established, including the generation of matching algorithms, transfer processes and information governance approvals. Our collaboration accelerated the development of a new data governance application, facilitating future public health intervention evaluations.

Conclusion

These activities have established a secure method for protecting the privacy of NHS patients in England, while allowing linkage of wider environmental data. This enables local health systems to learn from their data and improve health by optimizing non‐health factors. Proportionate governance of health and linked non‐health data is practical in England for incorporating key environmental factors into a learning health system.
The role of immersive spaces on the customer experience: An exploration of fashion metaverses
Authors: Alexander Bethan , Blazquez Marta , Chrimes Courtney , Boardman Rosy
Published: October 2024

This study explores the impact of immersive spaces, such as the metaverse, on the customer experience. The research examines consumers' motivations to use metaverse spaces and analyses how various dimensions of virtual environments and the associated pain points affect the overall customer experience, including cognitive, affective, behavioral, and social outcomes. It also investigates whether consumers perceive differences between brands' metaverse and physical spaces. The fashion industry, as an early adopter of the metaverse, serves as the context. A qualitative research design, including consumer diaries and focus groups, is conducted. Findings reveal five motivations for using metaverse environments: freedom of expression, creativity, exploration, entertainment, and productivity. We identify several pain points that impact the overall customer experience that should be overcome to realize the metaverse's potential. This study highlights implications for theory and practice related to immersive spaces and the customer experience, benefiting metaverse designers and customers alike, and influencing brands' marketing strategies that increasingly focus on incorporating immersive spaces. As the field of omniverse marketing remains underdeveloped, our research advances knowledge by extending the customer experience framework into the context of immersive spaces and contributes to the body of knowledge of consumer psychology and marketing.
California ballot item could reduce major mental health funding source
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: October 2024

A voter‐approved criminal justice reform initiative that has generated nearly $500 million for mental health and related services over the past decade in California could be rolled back significantly when the state's voters return to the polls next month.
Financial issues most frequent barriers for eating disorders treatment
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2024

Eating disorders are associated with high rates of psychological and physical impairments and mortality, and only about 20% of individuals with eating disorders receive treatment, said researchers who have examined access to eating disorder treatments and how it might vary among some populations in a new study published in Psychiatric Services.
Development, validation, and application of a generic image‐based noise addition method for simulating reduced dose computed tomography images
Authors: Alsaihati Njood , Solomon Justin , McCrum Erin , Samei Ehsan
Published: October 2024

Background

Major efforts in computed tomography (CT) have been focused on reducing radiation dose to patients while maintaining adequate diagnostic quality. To that end, research tools have been developed to simulate reduced‐dose images via either image‐based or projection‐based methods. The former is limited to fully capturing realistic texture, streak, and non‐stationary characteristics of reduced dose, while the latter is impractical clinically.

Purpose

To develop and validate an image‐based noise addition method that accounts for such attributes while being practical in clinical settings.

Methods

A noise addition method was developed to add realistic noise in the image domain. The method first estimates the noise power spectrum (NPS) of CT images, which are also forward‐projected to form synthetic projections. The projection data are supplemented with random white noise proportional to their attenuation values. The noise sinogram is then back‐projected onto the image, filtered by the NPS, and scaled according to the desired dose reduction level. The tool was evaluated using both phantom images and patient data. The phantom images were acquired using a multi‐sized image quality phantom (Mercury Phantom 3.0, Duke University), and a thorax anthropomorphic phantom (Lungman Phantom, Kyoto Kagaku) at different dose levels and reconstruction settings. The patient images consisted of two dose levels of various CT examinations and reconstruction settings. The simulated and real reduced‐dose images were compared in terms of the noise magnitude and texture (i.e., NPS average frequency, NPS‐fav). The utility of this methodology was also assessed for routine clinical use for CT protocol review.

Results

For the phantom images, the percent errors in the noise magnitude between the simulated images and the actual images of the Mercury Phantom and anthropomorphic phantom images were 3.34% and 3.50%, respectively. The difference in fav was 0.07 mm−1 for the Mercury Phantom and 0.06 mm−1 for the anthropomorphic phantom between the simulated and actual images. The average noise magnitude percent error between the simulated and actual patient images was 4.61% with noise texture judged to be visually comparable with some kernel dependencies. When implemented clinically, the tool proved practical to simplify the process of estimating radiation dose reduction for CT protocols, resulting in a 50% dose reduction of our multiple myeloma protocol.

Conclusions

The method generated simulated CT images with realistic noise properties similar to images acquired at the same radiation exposure without needing access to raw projection data.
Evaluating cross‐sectional geometry‐based methodologies on an archaeological and historical sample
Authors: Garoufi Nefeli , Rovinas Vasileios , Pierros Vasileios , Chovalopoulou Maria‐Eleni
Published: October 2024

The construction of a complete biological profile for unknown individuals from skeletal remains plays a key role in the holistic study of archaeological sites. However, the presence of commingled elements, as in the case of mass graves, hinders this process. This work aims to evaluate the diaphyseal cross‐sectional geometric properties of the long bones for pair‐matching and for sex estimation based on the femur, tibia, and humerus bones on archaeological and historical samples. The sample consisted of 3D virtual bone models of 95 individuals (46 males, 39 females, 10 of unknown sex) from both Greek and English assemblages, utilizing the dedicated “csg‐toolkit” GNU Octave package for variable extraction. The pair‐matching sorting algorithm performed adequately in all three assemblages, excluding over 97% of the true mismatched pairs. The accuracy rate for certain pair detection was close to 50% for the lower limbs, and 41% for the humerus, with the algorithm deeming a significant amount of the missed pairs as plausible, resulting in 70% to 80% of total pairs to be detected in some capacity for all bone assemblages. The sex estimation classifiers performed sufficiently in all cases, yielding moderately high accuracy rates in the majority of examined samples, with values consistently higher than 70%. However, the application of contemporary methods on archaeological or historical material needs to be performed with caution, as secular changes and population‐specific trends can affect the applicability of the methods. As such, the utilization of different techniques before reaching a conclusion is vital and should be encouraged.
Single‐Axis Tracking and Bifacial Gain on Sloping Terrain
Authors: Ledesma Javier R. , Lorenzo Eduardo , Narvarte Luis
Published: October 2024

This paper describes a mathematical model for dealing with large bifacial single‐axis tracking photovoltaic (PV) plants over terrain of arbitrary orientation and slope. The only constraint is that the ground surface and the plane of the tracker axes must be parallel. This allows for two‐dimensional (2D) modelling of the ground shading scene required for backtracking geometry and rear irradiance calculations. The model has been implemented in SISIFO, an open PV simulation tool developed by IES‐UPM, which is slope aware since June 2022. In addition, a set of equations for upgrading tracker controllers, previously restricted to horizontal terrains, is also provided. As a representative case, a real 90 MWp PV plant installed on an uneven terrain is analysed. The orography of the ground is described as a set of facets with different azimuth and slope angles. The plant is also described by the relative frequency distribution of the STC power over the different facets. A dedicated simulation exercise is then performed for each facet. Depending on the azimuth and slope values, the resulting final energy yield may be higher or lower than that associated with a horizontal terrain. The yield of the whole PV plant is calculated as a weighted average of the results, with the relative frequency being the averaging factor. If the plant is placed on favourable facets, the energy yield of the whole plant can be close to that calculated on horizontal terrain, at the cost of discarding a part of the available land. In this case, a 0.4% increase in yield is obtained at the cost of discarding about 40% of the available land.
Medical and social factors associated with prolonged length of stay for chronically ventilated children
Authors: Enzer Katelyn G. , Dawson Jessica A. , Langevin Jessalyn A. , Brinton John T. , Baker Christopher D.
Published: October 2024

Objectives

This study seeks to determine the overall and post‐intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) for children with tracheostomies and chronic mechanical ventilation. We hypothesized that medical and social factors would be associated with prolonged LOS.

Study Design

This single‐center retrospective review included children who were discharged after initiation of chronic ventilation via tracheostomy over an 8‐year period (2015–2022). Patients were divided into two groups for analysis, those who had been previously home before admission (HBA) and those who had not (Not HBA). Medical and social determinants of health (SDOH) data were obtained from the electronic medical record for univariate and multivariable analyses.

Results

A total of 161 patients were included. HBA subjects (n = 52) were expectedly older at the time of tracheostomy. Not HBA subjects (n = 109) were more likely to be born prematurely and have sequelae of premature birth. Overall and post‐ICU LOS increased for both groups during the study period. In the HBA subgroup, congenital heart disease and younger age were associated with longer overall LOS with these factors and the absence of gastric fundoplication being associated with longer post‐ICU LOS. For Not HBA patients, younger age, pulmonary hypertension, seizures, and several SDOH were associated with longer overall LOS, whereas only SDOH were associated with a longer post‐ICU LOS.

Conclusions

Overall and post‐ICU LOS for all children hospitalized for tracheostomy and chronic mechanical ventilation are increasing. Prolonged LOS is significantly associated with several medical factors and SDOH.
Sequence‐Similar Protein Domain Pairs With Structural or Topological Dissimilarity
Authors: Røgen Peter
Published: October 2024

For a variety of applications, protein structures are clustered by sequence similarity, and sequence‐redundant structures are disregarded. Sequence‐similar chains are likely to have similar structures, but significant structural variation, as measured with RMSD, has been documented for sequence‐similar chains and found usually to have a functional explanation. Moving two neighboring stretches of backbone through each other may change the chain topology and alter possible folding paths. The size of this motion is compatible to a variation in a flexible loop. We search and find domains with alternate chain topology in CATH4.2 sequence families relatively independent of sequence identity and of structural similarity as measured by RMSD. Structural, topological, and functional representative sets should therefore keep sequence‐similar domains not just with structural variation but also with topological variation. We present BCAlign that finds Alignment and superposition of protein Backbone Curves by optimizing a user chosen convex combination of structural derivation and derivation between the structure‐based sequence alignment and an input sequence alignment. Steric and topological obstructions from deforming a curve into an aligned curve are then found by a previously developed algorithm. For highly sequence‐similar domains, sequence‐based structural alignment better represents the chains motion and generally reveals larger structural and topological variation than structure‐based does. Fold‐switching protein pairs have been reported to be most frequent between X‐ray and NMR structures and estimated to be underrepresented in the PDB as the alternate configuration is harder to resolve. Here we similarly find chain topology most frequently altered between X‐ray and NMR structures.
Reverse‐transcription recombinase‐aided amplification and CRISPR/Cas12a‐based universal detection for fast screening and accurate identification of six pospiviroids infecting Solanaceae crops
Authors: Wang Siyuan , Dong Zheng , Zhao Lixia , Zhao Zhenxing , Zhang Yongjiang
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Pospiviroids, members of the genus Pospiviroid, can cause severe diseases in tomato and other Solanaceae crops, causing considerable economic losses worldwide. Six pospiviroids including potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd), tomato planta macho viroid (TPMVd), Columnea latent viroid (CLVd), pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd), and tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd) are regulated in many countries and organizations. Rapid, accurate detection is thus crucial for controlling the spread of these pospiviroids.

RESULTS

For simultaneous detection of these six pospiviroids, we developed a rapid, visual method that uses a reverse transcription recombinase‐aided amplification (RT‐RAA) assay coupled with a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR‐associated protein 12a (CRISPR/Cas12a) system. In particular, this technique could achieve both universal detection and specific identification of the six target pospiviroids within 40 min. The universal detection could diagnose the six target pospiviroids in a single reaction, and the specific identification could identify each target pospiviroid without cross‐reactivity of other pospiviroids. The sensitivity limits for the target pospiviroids detection with the proposed detection method were higher than those of the conventional reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) method.

CONCLUSION

We designed an RT‐RAA‐CRISPR/Cas12a‐based universal detection method for both large‐scale screening and accurate identification of the six target pospiviroids, which is appropriate for on‐site detection. Our study results can aid in performing rapid, large‐scale screening of multiple pests simultaneously. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Competition is the main factor, compared to non‐lethal threat of predation, affecting life‐history traits of Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae) mosquitoes
Authors: Cozzer Gilberto Dinis , de Brito Raquel , Pazini Amanda Cristina Ninov , Remus Heloise Restello , Dal Magro Jacir , de Souza Rezende Renan
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Mosquito larvae coexist with different species of predators in small freshwater bodies. These environments can vary widely in terms of the amount of food and larval densities. Our objective was to understand the impacts of the non‐lethal threat of predation, combined with competition effects on Aedes aegypti development and adult life cycle. We tested the effects of two types of non‐lethal threat of predation, divided into nine combinations of larvae densities and resource availability on Ae. aegypti larvae. We measured their isolated and combined impacts on larval mortality rate, time to reach pupation, adult size, and lifespan.

RESULTS

Real non‐lethal threat of predation resulted in a higher larval mortality (71%), compromised the sizes of the individuals (−7%) and prolonged the lifespan (19%) compared to control. Simulated treatment, the anti‐predation behaviors led to an increase in larval mortality (21%) compared to the control treatment. Accelerating the larva's development time (−14%) to escape from a dangerous environment severely compromised the size of the individuals (−23%) and increased adult life (10%).

CONCLUSION

The scarcity of food resources, high levels of competition, and non‐lethal threat of predation as well, are effective stressors for Ae. aegypti. We observed that resources (food and space) were more important than predation risk for the fitness of the survivors. However, these stressors, individually or combined, can result in high larvae mortality, altered larval development and pupation, affecting the emergence of the adults, with small sizes and altered lifespan, ultimately reducing the fitness of the individuals. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Practices affEcting macitentan and selexipag patient persistence Rates utilizing pulmonary arterial hypertension clinical Site and patIent perSpecTives (PERSIST): a US qualitative analysis
Authors: Shlobin Oksana A. , Bruce Gary , Gomez‐Rendon Gabriela , Kingman Martha , Rahman Mohammad , Rogers Frances , Studer Sean , Tobore Tobore , McEvoy Colleen
Published: October 2024

This real‐world study explored factors affecting persistence with macitentan and selexipag treatment from the perspective of 23 healthcare professionals (HCPs) and 134 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension between 2019 and 2022. Continuous patient/HCP communication and education were key drivers of persistence, as were early discussion and management of side effects.
Methodology to evaluate numerical weather predictions using large‐aperture scintillometry sensible heat fluxes: Demonstration in London
Authors: Saunders Beth , Grimmond Sue , Hertwig Denise , Bohnenstengel Sylvia I. , Lean Humphrey W. , Morrison William
Published: October 2024

To evaluate numerical weather predictions (NWP) using observations, the horizontal, vertical and temporal resolution characteristics need to be considered to ensure consistency. Here, large‐aperture scintillometry (LAS) is used to derive turbulent sensible heat fluxes (QH), as the source area extents are comparable to NWP with horizontal grid box resolutions of order 1 km. We demonstrate our methodology using LAS observations undertaken in central London and the Met Office's operational forecast model for the United Kingdom (UKV). In the horizontal, we ensure consistency between the LAS source area locations and extent, as they vary with wind direction and stability, and therefore the NWP grid boxes that should be selected for comparison. In the vertical, the appropriate model level needs to be selected relative to the changing effective measurement height (zf) of the observations. The LAS fluxes time and space averaging allows QH to be obtained for time periods similar to the model timestep (e.g., 1 min) but the UKV does not explicitly represent higher‐frequency turbulent motions. During two spring days, three to five UKV grid boxes (1.5 km resolution) fall within the LAS source area (60%). However, with the model land cover data lacking realistic spatial variability, modelled effective surface QH spatial variability is small, leaving a central grid box on the LAS path representative. Larger differences occur between modelled QH at the surface and closest to zf, despite both theoretically being within the inertial sublayer. The modelled QH has better agreement with observed fluxes when averaged over long periods (10+ min cf. 1 min). As LAS‐derived QH has larger source areas than eddy covariance (EC) measurements, there are benefits to assessing NWP model performance with LAS. With multiple paths, spatial variability in response to changes in surface cover could be assessed at shorter times scales than possible with EC.
A case of VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‐linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome presenting as progressive multisystem involvement with parenchymal infiltrates following infection with Epstein Barr virus
Authors: Solujic Jelena , Nguyen Phan , Bardy Peter , Ly Yao , Lawton Emily
Published: October 2024

VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‐linked, autoinflammatory, and somatic) syndrome is a rare multisystem disease affecting predominantly males over 50 and manifesting as widespread progressive inflammatory sequelae and haematological dysfunction. We describe a patient who presented with systemic symptoms of fevers, night sweats and weight loss, and developed progressive inflammatory sequelae including cutaneous lesions, haematological dysfunction, lymphadenopathy, migratory inflammatory arthropathies, with new pulmonary infiltrates, following infection with Epstein Barr Virus. Laboratory investigations, bronchoscopy, bone marrow biopsy and imaging were consistent with an inflammatory aetiology. The constellation of organ system involvement, laboratory, biopsy, and imaging results were suspicious for VEXAS syndrome, and this diagnosis was confirmed by identification of a somatic mutation in the UBA1 gene following extensive exclusion of infectious and autoimmune causes. Interestingly the onset of the VEXAS syndrome coincided with serological confirmation of Epstein Barr Virus raising the importance of further exploration into the underlying aetiology of VEXAS syndrome.