bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parametric Analysis of Process Loop and Scanning Line Distance in Laser Cleaning of Corrosion on Boron Steel
Authors: Azman Irfan Bin , Halil Aiman Bin Mohd , Muhammad Mahadzir Bin Ishak @ , Quazi Moinuddin Mohammed
Published: January 2024

This project is a comprehensive exploration conducted within the Laser Micro Cleaning Lab at the Pekan Campus of University Malaysia Pahang. The objective of the project is to delve into laser material processing, particularly in the context of laser micro cleaning. The undertaking involves a meticulous research approach, drawing insights from authoritative and relevant journal articles sourced primarily from online platforms. The primary goal of this investigation is twofold: firstly, to scrutinize the effects of mark loops on corrosion depth in boron steel, and secondly, to examine how alterations in line distance influence the surface roughness during corrosion laser cleaning. The study will encompass a diverse range of laser cleaning parameters and materials, facilitating a comprehensive assessment of their impact on both laser mark loops and line distances. To delve deeper, a sophisticated 3D microscope analysis will be employed, focusing on evaluating corrosion depth and surface roughness. The anticipated outcomes of this research hold the promise of invaluable insights, offering optimized strategies for enhancing laser cleaning processes and achieving more efficient results.
The Simulation of Biogas Combustion in Top Open Burner
Authors: Selvam A. , Noor M.M. , Norhafana M. , Ihsan C.K. , Khalid A. , Mahmood R.A. , Harikrishnan S. , Nayak S.
Published: January 2024

The top open furnace is commonly used for the heating processes. The efficiency of the top open furnace is low due to the amount of heat wasted through the top open. This study was using ANSYS Fluent, a two-dimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model that was used to build the top open furnace. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) was installed in the boiler in order to collect the exhaust gas and reuse it to dilute the oxygen supply. To check the combustion of low calorific gas (LCV) gas, which is biogas composed of 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide by mass fraction, the computational study started with a standard combustion with EGR. Medium-sized mesh is used for the smoothing grid. This mesh uses inflation to enable the size of the cells and the stack element. The findings of the numerical sensitivity test show that the boundary conditions along the combustion chamber wall can affect the flame temperatures. The MILD regime was reached using biogas fuels when the right parameters were used.
A custom discrete amplifier-shaper-discriminator circuit for the drift chambers of the R3B experiment at GSI
Authors: Wiebusch Michael , Heggen Henning , Heil Michael
Published: January 2024

This contribution presents a pragmatic approach to read-out electronics for drift chambers used in particle physics experiments, specifically for the R3B experiment at GSI. The design uses discrete miniature SMD components and LVDS inputs of a low-cost FPGA to achieve a performance similar to classic ASIC solutions to the problem. The circuit comprises a high gain, low noise amplifier, a custom signal shaper, tailored to the specifics of proportional counter signals, and a leading-edge discriminator with programmable threshold. The presented approach offers an attractive solution for small to medium sized detector systems that require specialized read-out electronics but cannot afford the high cost and development effort associated with ASICs.
A 131-year evidence of more extreme and higher total amount of hourly precipitation in Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Yangchen , Li Jianfeng , Lee Tsz-cheung , Tse Wai-Po , Chan Faith Ka Shun , Chen Yongqin David , Gu Xihui
Published: January 2024

Based on the observations of hourly precipitation for 131 years from Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters, this study examined the long-term changes in the characteristics of hourly precipitation extremes in terms of intensity, total precipitation amount, duration, and frequency. Results show that the hourly precipitation extremes have significantly intensified by 29%–38% from 1885 to 2022. The 131-year observations evidence that the more extreme the hourly precipitation is (i.e. higher percentiles), the faster the increasing rate it has. Specifically, the magnitudes of hourly precipitation with the 95th, 97.5th, 99th, and 99.9th percentiles increased by rates of 0.03 mm, 0.05 mm, 0.07 mm, and 0.12 mm per year, respectively. Through the secular trend analysis, we found that only the maximum intensity of extreme precipitation events (i.e. events with maximum intensity exceeding the 95th percentiles) shows a significant increasing trend during 1885–2022, while the trends in the total precipitation amount, duration, and mean intensity are not significant. However, by comparing the percentile bin values between three sub-periods of the 131-year record, we found a significant rise over time in the total precipitation amount, mean intensity, and maximum intensity of extreme precipitation events with different intensities (i.e. 95th, 96th, 97th, 98th, and 99th percentiles), while the change in the duration is not significant. The analysis of the frequency of precipitation events shows significant increases in the proportion of extreme precipitation events during 1885–2022. The observations of 53 stations across Hong Kong from 1986 to 2022 show significant intensification and increasing frequency in the hourly precipitation extremes in most areas of Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the precipitation duration shows a decreasing tendency, which may explain the insignificant changes in the total precipitation amount. These findings provide important insights into the longer-term variations in the characteristics of hourly precipitation extremes.
Unraveling the mechanism of vanadium self-intercalation in 1T-VSe2: atomic-scale evidence for phase transition and superstructure model for intercalation compound
Authors: He Daliang , Wang Bo , Cao Wang , Jiang Yongjun , Dai Sheng , Zhao Wei , Cui Xiaodong , Jin Chuanhong
Published: January 2024

Self-intercalation is an efficient strategy for tailoring the property of layer structured materials like transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), while the associated kinetics and mechanism remain scarcely explored. In this study, we investigate the atomic-scale dynamics and mechanism of vanadium (V) self-intercalation in multi-layer 1T-VSe2 using in situ high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal that the self-intercalation of V induces structural transformation of pristine VSe2 into three V-enrich intercalated compounds, i.e. V5Se8, V3Se4 and VSe. The self-intercalated V follows an ordered arrangement of

2
×
2

,

2
×
1

, and

1
×
1

within the interlayer octahedral sites, corresponding to an intercalation concentration of 25%, 50% and 100% in V5Se8, V3Se4 and VSe, respectively. The V intercalants induced lattice distortions to the host 1T-VSe2 such as the dimerization of neighboring lattice V is observed experimentally, which are further supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Finally, a superstructure model generalizing the possible structures of self-intercalated compounds in layered TMDCs is proposed and then validated by the DFT determined formation energy landscape. This study provides comprehensive insights on the kinetics and mechanism of the self-intercalation in layered TMDC materials, contributing to the precise control for the structure and stoichiometry of self-intercalated TMDC compounds.
Explicit calculations for Sono’s multidimensional sieve of 𝐸₂-numbers
Authors: Goldston Daniel , Panidapu Apoorva , Schettler Jordan
Published: January 2024

We derive explicit formulas for integrals of certain symmetric polynomials used in Keiju Sono’s multidimensional sieve of

E
2

E_2

-numbers, i.e., integers which are products of two distinct primes. We use these computations to produce the currently best-known bounds for gaps between multiple

E
2

E_2

-numbers. For example, we show there are infinitely many occurrences of four

E
2

E_2

-numbers within a gap size of

94
94

unconditionally and within a gap size of

32
32

assuming the Elliott-Halberstam conjecture for primes and

E
2

E_2

-numbers.
The role of ant-mediated biological interactions in agroecosystems
Authors: Sankovitz Madison , Rivera Monique J , Manjarress Tobias , Mathis Kaitlyn A
Published: January 2024

Ants are common in agroecosystems, where they can significantly impact agricultural production and yield through interactions with other organisms. By regulating crop-damaging insects and occasionally pollinating flowers, ants provide ecosystem services. However, ants can harm crops through herbivory, tending hemipterans, eating beneficial arthropods, or vectoring disease. In this review, we provide an overview of the roles played by ants in agroecosystems through their interactions with other species. We categorize ant species interactions as beneficial or harmful, direct or indirect, and address the importance of context-dependency. In addition to reviewing the role of ant-mediated biological interactions in agroecosystems, we discuss management implications that should be considered when supporting or suppressing ants. This article provides new insights and suggests promising directions for utilizing ants to implement more sustainable agricultural practices in agroecosystems across the globe. We propose that ants play critical roles in agroecosystems through their interactions with other organisms and should be considered when making management decisions.
A kinetic model for solving a combination optimization problem in ab-initio Cryo-EM 3D reconstruction
Authors: Liu Jiaxuan , Lu Yonggang , Zhu Li
Published: January 2024

Cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM) is a widely used and effective method for determining the three-dimensional (3D) structure of biological molecules. For ab-initio Cryo-EM 3D reconstruction using single particle analysis (SPA), estimating the projection direction of the projection image is a crucial step. However, the existing SPA methods based on common lines are sensitive to noise. The error in common line detection will lead to a poor estimation of the projection directions and thus may greatly affect the final reconstruction results. To improve the reconstruction results, multiple candidate common lines are estimated for each pair of projection images. The key problem then becomes a combination optimization problem of selecting consistent common lines from multiple candidates. To solve the problem efficiently, a physics-inspired method based on a kinetic model is proposed in this work. More specifically, hypothetical attractive forces between each pair of candidate common lines are used to calculate a hypothetical torque exerted on each projection image in the 3D reconstruction space, and the rotation under the hypothetical torque is used to optimize the projection direction estimation of the projection image. This way, the consistent common lines along with the projection directions can be found directly without enumeration of all the combinations of the multiple candidate common lines. Compared with the traditional methods, the proposed method is shown to be able to produce more accurate 3D reconstruction results from high noise projection images. Besides the practical value, the proposed method also serves as a good reference for solving similar combinatorial optimization problems.
Prediction of cancer driver genes and mutations: the potential of integrative computational frameworks
Authors: Nourbakhsh Mona , Degn Kristine , Saksager Astrid , Tiberti Matteo , Papaleo Elena
Published: January 2024

The vast amount of available sequencing data allows the scientific community to explore different genetic alterations that may drive cancer or favor cancer progression. Software developers have proposed a myriad of predictive tools, allowing researchers and clinicians to compare and prioritize driver genes and mutations and their relative pathogenicity. However, there is little consensus on the computational approach or a golden standard for comparison. Hence, benchmarking the different tools depends highly on the input data, indicating that overfitting is still a massive problem. One of the solutions is to limit the scope and usage of specific tools. However, such limitations force researchers to walk on a tightrope between creating and using high-quality tools for a specific purpose and describing the complex alterations driving cancer. While the knowledge of cancer development increases daily, many bioinformatic pipelines rely on single nucleotide variants or alterations in a vacuum without accounting for cellular compartments, mutational burden or disease progression. Even within bioinformatics and computational cancer biology, the research fields work in silos, risking overlooking potential synergies or breakthroughs. Here, we provide an overview of databases and datasets for building or testing predictive cancer driver tools. Furthermore, we introduce predictive tools for driver genes, driver mutations, and the impact of these based on structural analysis. Additionally, we suggest and recommend directions in the field to avoid silo-research, moving towards integrative frameworks.
GMFGRN: a matrix factorization and graph neural network approach for gene regulatory network inference
Authors: Li Shuo , Liu Yan , Shen Long-Chen , Yan He , Song Jiangning , Yu Dong-Jun
Published: January 2024

The recent advances of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) have enabled reliable profiling of gene expression at the single-cell level, providing opportunities for accurate inference of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) on scRNA-seq data. Most methods for inferring GRNs suffer from the inability to eliminate transitive interactions or necessitate expensive computational resources. To address these, we present a novel method, termed GMFGRN, for accurate graph neural network (GNN)-based GRN inference from scRNA-seq data. GMFGRN employs GNN for matrix factorization and learns representative embeddings for genes. For transcription factor–gene pairs, it utilizes the learned embeddings to determine whether they interact with each other. The extensive suite of benchmarking experiments encompassing eight static scRNA-seq datasets alongside several state-of-the-art methods demonstrated mean improvements of 1.9 and 2.5% over the runner-up in area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and area under the precision–recall curve (AUPRC). In addition, across four time-series datasets, maximum enhancements of 2.4 and 1.3% in AUROC and AUPRC were observed in comparison to the runner-up. Moreover, GMFGRN requires significantly less training time and memory consumption, with time and memory consumed <10% compared to the second-best method. These findings underscore the substantial potential of GMFGRN in the inference of GRNs. It is publicly available at https://github.com/Lishuoyy/GMFGRN.
Reconstructing complex admixture history using a hierarchical model
Authors: Zhang Shi , Zhang Rui , Yuan Kai , Yang Lu , Liu Chang , Liu Yuting , Ni Xumin , Xu Shuhua
Published: January 2024

Various methods have been proposed to reconstruct admixture histories by analyzing the length of ancestral chromosomal tracts, such as estimating the admixture time and number of admixture events. However, available methods do not explicitly consider the complex admixture structure, which characterizes the joining and mixing patterns of different ancestral populations during the admixture process, and instead assume a simplified one-by-one sequential admixture model. In this study, we proposed a novel approach that considers the non-sequential admixture structure to reconstruct admixture histories. Specifically, we introduced a hierarchical admixture model that incorporated four ancestral populations and developed a new method, called HierarchyMix, which uses the length of ancestral tracts and the number of ancestry switches along genomes to reconstruct the four-way admixture history. By automatically selecting the optimal admixture model using the Bayesian information criterion principles, HierarchyMix effectively estimates the corresponding admixture parameters. Simulation studies confirmed the effectiveness and robustness of HierarchyMix. We also applied HierarchyMix to Uyghurs and Kazakhs, enabling us to reconstruct the admixture histories of Central Asians. Our results highlight the importance of considering complex admixture structures and demonstrate that HierarchyMix is a useful tool for analyzing complex admixture events.
cloudrnaSPAdes: isoform assembly using bulk barcoded RNA sequencing data
Authors: Meleshko Dmitry , Prjbelski Andrey D , Raiko Mikhail , Tomescu Alexandru I , Tilgner Hagen , Hajirasouliha Iman
Published: January 2024

Motivation

Recent advancements in long-read RNA sequencing have enabled the examination of full-length isoforms, previously uncaptured by short-read sequencing methods. An alternative powerful method for studying isoforms is through the use of barcoded short-read RNA reads, for which a barcode indicates whether two short-reads arise from the same molecule or not. Such techniques included the 10x Genomics linked-read based SParse Isoform Sequencing (SPIso-seq), as well as Loop-Seq, or Tell-Seq. Some applications, such as novel-isoform discovery, require very high coverage. Obtaining high coverage using long reads can be difficult, making barcoded RNA-seq data a valuable alternative for this task. However, most annotation pipelines are not able to work with a set of short reads instead of a single transcript, also not able to work with coverage gaps within a molecule if any. In order to overcome this challenge, we present an RNA-seq assembler that allows the determination of the expressed isoform per barcode.

Results

In this article, we present cloudrnaSPAdes, a tool for assembling full-length isoforms from barcoded RNA-seq linked-read data in a reference-free fashion. Evaluating it on simulated and real human data, we found that cloudrnaSPAdes accurately assembles isoforms, even for genes with high isoform diversity.

Availability and implementation

cloudrnaSPAdes is a feature release of a SPAdes assembler and version used for this article is available at https://github.com/1dayac/cloudrnaSPAdes-release.
Effect of ATG8 or SAC1 deficiency on the cell proliferation and lifespan of the long-lived PMT1 deficiency yeast cells
Authors: Cui Hongjing , Cui Xiaojing , Yang Xiaodi , Cui Xingang , Sun Yaxin , Yuan Di , Cui Qiong , Deng Yanwen , Sun Enhao , Chen Ya-qin , Guo Hongsheng , Deng Ziliang , Wang Junfang , Xu Shun , Sun Xuerong , Wei Zhao , Liu Xinguang
Published: January 2024

Autophagy is pivotal in maintaining intracellular homeostasis, which involves various biological processes, including cellular senescence and lifespan modulation. Being an important member of the protein O-mannosyltransferase (PMT) family of enzymes, Pmt1p deficiency can significantly extend the replicative lifespan (RLS) of yeast cells through an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway, which is participated in protein homeostasis. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that Pmt1p regulates the lifespan of yeast cells still need to be explored. In this study, we found that the long-lived PMT1 deficiency strain (pmt1Δ) elevated the expression levels of most autophagy-related genes, the expression levels of total GFP–Atg8 fusion protein and free GFP protein compared with wild-type yeast strain (BY4742). Moreover, the long-lived pmt1Δ strain showed the greater dot-signal accumulation from GFP–Atg8 fusion protein in the vacuole lumen through a confocal microscope. However, deficiency of SAC1 or ATG8, two essential components of the autophagy process, decreased the cell proliferation ability of the long-lived pmt1Δ yeast cells, and prevented the lifespan extension. In addition, our findings demonstrated that overexpression of ATG8 had no potential effect on the RLS of the pmt1Δ yeast cells, and the maintained incubation of minimal synthetic medium lacking nitrogen (SD-N medium as starvation-induced autophagy) inhibited the cell proliferation ability of the pmt1Δ yeast cells with the culture time, and blocked the lifespan extension, especially in the SD-N medium cultured for 15 days. Our results suggest that the long-lived pmt1Δ strain enhances the basal autophagy activity, while deficiency of SAC1 or ATG8 decreases the cell proliferation ability and shortens the RLS of the long-lived pmt1Δ yeast cells. Moreover, the maintained starvation-induced autophagy impairs extension of the long-lived pmt1Δ yeast cells, and even leads to the cell death.
Women at the centre: medical entrepreneurialism and ‘la grande médecine’ in eighteenth-century Lyon
Authors: McClive Cathy , Smith Lisa W
Published: January 2024

We draw on Colin Jones’ framing of the Sisters of Charity as medical practitioners rather than charitable carers (1989) to centre the entrepreneurialism of Marie Grand and Marie Fiansons’ medical practice in eighteenth-century Lyon. Although historians recognize the significance of early modern European women’s (medical) work, they often assume such work existed in the shadows of the medical marketplace. Archival erasures and gendered narratives obscure the flexibility of women’s medical practices. Grand and Fiansons’ documents, analysed alongside adverts for local medical services, elucidate working women’s medical practices. As silk-workers and self-defined ‘chymists’ and herbalists, Grand and Fiansons were at the centre of healthcare and medicine. The breadth of their practice and networks emerges through the exceptional survival of their ‘counter-archive’ in the consular court archives. Their story reveals the fluidity and porousness of boundaries between domestic and occupational medicine, precarity and commodified care work, and charity and entrepreneurialism.
The Punisher's Dilemma: Domestic Opposition and Foreign Policy Crises
Authors: Humayun Fahd
Published: January 2024

Existing work on the democratic accountability of foreign policy suggests that when an incumbent incurs foreign policy losses, including but not limited to standing down in a crisis, making costly compromises, or accepting defeat abroad, opposition politicians at home weigh criticizing the government with the national interest. But this work has largely been developed with a view to explaining oppositional behavior in consolidated democracies. I argue that while electorally competitive oppositions in weakly institutionalized regimes can and frequently do criticize elected incumbents for costly foreign policy reversals, they are less likely to do so if they believe this criticism may negatively affect democratic stability and potentially invite irregular leadership turnover, as this would prevent the opposition from coming into office. I find support for this hypothesis, which I term oppositional pragmatism, in a survey experiment on 430 political party workers affiliated with Pakistan's biggest political party and directionally consistent effects on a smaller but highly elite sample of 202 Pakistani legislators.
Genetic variability of New Caledonian Boeckella De Guerne & Richard, 1889 (Copepoda: Calanoida), with the description of a new species
Authors: Royaux Coline , Charpin Nicolas , Rabet Nicolas
Published: January 2024

Thirteen new freshwater populations of the copepod genus BoeckellaDe Guerne & Richard, 1889 were found during three expeditions to New Caledonia (‘La Planète Revisitée,’ 2016-2018). The 12 populations from the Plaine des Lacs, which show remarkable genetic diversity among themselves, were identified as B. spinogibbaDefaye, 1998, the only species of its genus known from New Caledonia until now. The sole exception, the population from Mont-Dore 22 km further east, appeared genetically and morphologically distinct from the others and is described herein as a new species. The two species are distinguished from each other by the shapes of the male and female P5, female Th5, and body colour. A previously published key is amended to separate the species. Our concatenated COI+28S phylogeny places the two New Caledonia species as a new branch within Boeckella, distinct from the branches consisting of South American, Antarctic and Australasian species. All 13 Boeckella populations inhabit the extreme south of New Caledonia, an area known for endemism and high heavy metal concentrations in the soil. Extensive mining activity in this metal-rich area, begun in 1873, is now leading to conflict with conservation goals. By using aerial photographs to trace the fate of the pond that is the type locality of B. spinogibba, we confirmed that it disappeared between 2007 and 2014 as a result of the expansion of the Goro nickel mine.
Experimental Evidence from a Conditional Cash Transfer Program: Schooling, Learning, Fertility, and Labor Market Outcomes after 10 Years
Authors: Barham Tania , Macours Karen , Maluccio John A
Published: January 2024

Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs are the antipoverty program of choice in many developing countries, aiming to improve human capital and break the intergenerational transmission of poverty. A decade after a randomized 3 year CCT program began, earlier exposure during primary school ages when children were at risk of dropout led to higher labor market participation for young men and women and higher earnings for men. The findings highlight the roles of the different CCT program components with variation in timing of access to nutrition, health, and education investments translating into substantial differential effects on learning outcomes for men and reproductive health outcomes for women.
Rbfox1 controls alternative splicing of focal adhesion genes in cardiac muscle cells
Authors: Zorn Peter , Calvo Sánchez Jaime , Alakhras Tala , Schreier Barbara , Gekle Michael , Hüttelmaier Stefan , Köhn Marcel
Published: January 2024

Alternative splicing is one of the major cellular processes that determine the tissue-specific expression of protein variants. However, it remains challenging to identify physiologically relevant and tissue-selective proteins that are generated by alternative splicing. Hence, we investigated the target spectrum of the splicing factor Rbfox1 in the cardiac muscle context in more detail. By using a combination of in silico target prediction and in-cell validation, we identified several focal adhesion proteins as alternative splicing targets of Rbfox1. We focused on the alternative splicing patterns of vinculin (metavinculin isoform) and paxillin (extended paxillin isoform) and identified both as potential Rbfox1 targets. Minigene analyses suggested that both isoforms are promoted by Rbfox1 due to binding in the introns. Focal adhesions play an important role in the cardiac muscle context, since they mainly influence cell shape, cytoskeletal organization, and cell–matrix association. Our data confirmed that depletion of Rbfox1 changed cardiomyoblast morphology, cytoskeletal organization, and multinuclearity after differentiation, which might be due to changes in alternative splicing of focal adhesion proteins. Hence, our results indicate that Rbfox1 promotes alternative splicing of focal adhesion genes in cardiac muscle cells, which might contribute to heart disease progression, where downregulation of Rbfox1 is frequently observed.
A small molecule that inhibits the evolution of antibiotic resistance
Authors: Carvajal-Garcia Juan , Bracey Harrison , Johnson Anna E , Hernandez Viera Angel J , Egli Martin , Simsek Esra N , Jaremba Emily A , Kim Kwangho , Merrikh Houra
Published: January 2024

Antibiotic resistance rapidly develops against almost all available therapeutics. Therefore, searching for new antibiotics to overcome the problem of antibiotic resistance alone is insufficient. Given that antibiotic resistance can be driven by mutagenesis, an avenue for preventing it is the inhibition of mutagenic processes. We previously showed that the DNA translocase Mfd is mutagenic and accelerates antibiotic resistance development. Here, we present our discovery of a small molecule that inhibits Mfd-dependent mutagenesis, ARM-1 (anti-resistance molecule 1). We found ARM-1 using a high-throughput, small molecule, in vivo screen. Using biochemical assays, we characterized the mechanism by which ARM-1 inhibits Mfd. Critically, we found that ARM-1 reduces mutagenesis and significantly delays antibiotic resistance development across highly divergent bacterial pathogens. These results demonstrate that the mutagenic proteins accelerating evolution can be directly inhibited. Furthermore, our findings suggest that Mfd inhibition, alongside antibiotics, is a potentially effective approach for prevention of antibiotic resistance development during treatment of infections.
Generative AI in glioma: Ensuring diversity in training image phenotypes to improve diagnostic performance for IDH mutation prediction
Authors: Moon Hye Hyeon , Jeong Jiheon , Park Ji Eun , Kim Namkug , Choi Changyong , Kim Young‑Hoon , Song Sang Woo , Hong Chang-Ki , Kim Jeong Hoon , Kim Ho Sung
Published: January 2024

Background

This study evaluated whether generative artificial intelligence (AI)-based augmentation (GAA) can provide diverse and realistic imaging phenotypes and improve deep learning-based classification of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) type in glioma compared with neuroradiologists.

Methods

For model development, 565 patients (346 IDH-wildtype, 219 IDH-mutant) with paired contrast-enhanced T1 and FLAIR MRI scans were collected from tertiary hospitals and The Cancer Imaging Archive. Performance was tested on internal (119, 78 IDH-wildtype, 41 IDH-mutant [IDH1 and 2]) and external test sets (108, 72 IDH-wildtype, 36 IDH-mutant). GAA was developed using a score-based diffusion model and ResNet50 classifier. The optimal GAA was selected in comparison with the null model. Two neuroradiologists (R1, R2) assessed realism, diversity of imaging phenotypes, and predicted IDH mutation. The performance of a classifier trained with optimal GAA was compared with that of neuroradiologists using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC). The effect of tumor size and contrast enhancement on GAA performance was tested.

Results

Generated images demonstrated realism (Turing’s test: 47.5–50.5%) and diversity indicating IDH type. Optimal GAA was achieved with augmentation with 110 000 generated slices (AUC: 0.938). The classifier trained with optimal GAA demonstrated significantly higher AUC values than neuroradiologists in both the internal (R1, P = .003; R2, P < .001) and external test sets (R1, P < .01; R2, P < .001). GAA with large-sized tumors or predominant enhancement showed comparable performance to optimal GAA (internal test: AUC 0.956 and 0.922; external test: 0.810 and 0.749).

Conclusions

The application of generative AI with realistic and diverse images provided better diagnostic performance than neuroradiologists for predicting IDH type in glioma.
Clinical Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Outcomes of Patients With Locally Advanced/Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated at the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Alkadimi Munaf A , Aldawoodi Tamarah A , Lucero Kana T , Fierro Maria E , Boyle Lauren D , Mader Michael J , Franklin Kathleen R , Arora Sukeshi P , Nooruddin Zohra
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving atezolizumab with bevacizumab (A + B) therapy at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Patients and Methods

Patients with advanced HCC who received first-line systemic therapy with A + B at the VHA between December 1, 2019, and March 1, 2022, were selected from electronic medical records (EMR) using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. Abstractors reviewed the EMR of the patients from their index date of A + B initiation until death or their last VHA visit, with the study period ending on January 31, 2023. The chi-square test was used to compare rates, and the Mann-Whitney test was used to compare medians.

Results

A total of 332 patients met the study criteria. The median age was 67 years; 99% were male, 63% were non-Hispanic Whites, 26% were Black, and 66% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≥1. 84% had child Pugh score (CPS) class A, 16% had CPS classes B and C, 62% had a grade 2 albumin-bilirubin score, 56% had HCC caused by viral hepatitis, 80% had cirrhosis, and 67% had received prior local therapies. The 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) was 59%, while the 1-year PFS rate was 36%. Overall survival (OS) at 1-year was 52% in our study.

Conclusion

In real world, despite having similar PFS as the phase III IMbrave 150 trial, our OS at 12 months was lower (52% vs. 67%) because our study included a higher proportion of elderly patients with moderate liver dysfunction and a 40% non-White. This study provided real-world outcomes that differed from the study population in a pivotal trial.
Body-worn cameras and court proceedings: A qualitative study of police officers’ expectations
Authors: Poirier Brigitte , Charbonneau Étienne , Boivin Rémi
Published: January 2024

Body-worn cameras (BWCs) record interactions between members of the public and law enforcement, with expected legal benefits. This study examines police officers’ perceptions of BWC usage in court through individual interviews and focus groups with 78 officers. Most of the participants were involved in a 6-month BWC pilot program, which was only the third BWC implementation in the Canadian province of Quebec. Police officers are largely optimistic about the use of BWCs in court and expect their footage to serve as visual evidence, to replace portions of written reports, and corroborate their testimony. However, they worry that BWC footage could be used by defense lawyers to challenge report discrepancies, leading to substantial impacts on legal proceedings. The BWC pilot program did not exacerbate their apprehensions about the technology’s potential limitations. The central role of police officers in the use of BWC footage as evidence is highlighted.
Susceptibility and Yield Response of Commercial Corn Hybrids to Maize Dwarf Mosaic Disease
Authors: Jones Mark W. , Ohlson Erik W.
Published: January 2024

Maize dwarf mosaic (MDM) is one of the most important virus diseases of maize worldwide. Caused by the potyviruses maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) or sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), MDM can cause up to 90% yield loss in susceptible hybrids. One of the most effective management strategies for MDM is growing potyvirus-resistant corn varieties. However, yield impacts associated with MDM and the corresponding efficacy of genetic resistance present in modern United States commercial hybrid lines is uncharacterized. In this study, we evaluated the disease response of 78 commercial hybrids to MDMV and SCMV and quantified yield losses associated with infection over multiple trials. We determined that while 97% of the hybrids tested were resistant to MDMV, 100% were susceptible to SCMV, with mean disease incidence per line averaging between 45 and 78% across six trial years. Despite only one hybrid displaying visible mosaic symptoms when inoculated with MDMV, MDMV reduced average yields by approximately 5% across all hybrids compared with the mock-inoculated treatment. The yield impact of SCMV was more severe, reducing average yields by 10% across replicated experiments. These results indicate that while most commercial hybrids are resistant to MDMV, possibly due to the presence of the major Scmv1 resistance locus on chromosome 6, additional potyvirus resistance genes are needed to manage SCMV-induced MDM. Pyramiding resistance loci, such as Scmv2 on chromosome 3 or Scmv3 on chromosome 10 in addition to Scmv1, could be an effective strategy to mitigate the yield impact of MDM disease.
Integrative Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: Improving Outcomes Through Evidence-based Practice of Yoga-derived Breathwork and Meditation
Authors: Krishnan Ameya
Published: January 2024

Background

Among 20.4 million US adults diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUDs), up to 60% return to use despite treatment or attempted abstinence. Standard care for SUDs is pharmacotherapy and/or behavioral interventions in either an inpatient or outpatient setting. Both national and international epidemiological data suggest this approach to treatment is insufficient and use of an integrative protocol can better promote recovery.

Objective

To determine the efficacy of integrating yoga-derived breathwork and meditation into substance use treatment with emphasis on a specific practice, Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY).

Methods

Literature review conducted in PubMed, OVID, and SCOPUS. The initial search term was “Sudarshan Kriya” alone. Subsequent searches combined the search term “Sudarshan Kriya” with a series of substance use–related terms using AND to link the terms.

Results

SKY practice impacts quality of life, well-being, functioning, and substance use behavior. In patients with alcohol use disorder, SKY contributes to significant reduction in depressive symptoms, stress biomarkers, and alcohol use up to 6 months after treatment completion. SKY practitioners engaging in opioid partial agonist therapy may experience buprenorphine potentiation such that concurrent nonprescribed opioid use is eliminated. SKY practitioners can achieve tobacco cessation at a rate comparable to bupropion pharmacotherapy.

Conclusion

SKY has established efficacy in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Currently available evidence also supports integration of SKY into the management of SUDs, and expanded SKY research can ensure optimal use of this promising intervention within this clinical subspecialty.
Comparison of Four Nutritional Screening Tools for Predicting Postoperative Adverse Events Following Degenerative Spinal Deformity Surgery
Authors: Wang Shuai-Kang , Li Jun , Wang Peng , Li Xiang-Yu , Kong Chao , Ma Jin , Lu Shi-Bao
Published: January 2024

Study Design.

A retrospective study.

Objective.

To compare the mini nutritional assessment-short form (MNA-SF), geriatric nutritional risk index, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and preoperative serum albumin level as predictors of postoperative adverse events (AEs) in degenerative spine deformity (DSD) patients.

Summary of Background Data.

Although various nutritional screening tools have been well evaluated in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery, the most suitable tool for the DSD population remains uncertain at present.

Patients and Methods.

The authors reviewed consecutive patients who underwent thoracolumbar fusion surgery for DSD between August 2016 and May 2023. Four screening tools were used to assess preoperative nutritional status. Patients were divided into two categories according to each screening tool, and the four screening tools were compared regarding their predictive power for postoperative AEs, including the rates of extended length of hospital stays (LOS), complications, and readmission within three months. Physical functional indicators such as time to first ambulation, nonhome discharge, and postoperative LOS were assessed as secondary outcome measures. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with postoperative AEs.

Results.

A total of 228 patients were included. The demographic characteristics, underlying disease, and magnitude of correction were not significantly different between well-nourished and malnourished groups. The nutritional risks shown by MNA-SF and albumin level were significantly associated with infectious complications (P<0.05). The nutritional risk shown by MNA-SF was significantly associated with nonhome discharge, prolonged postoperative LOS (12.5±8.2 vs. 10.3±6.1, P=0.039), and delayed ambulation (3.7±2.1 vs. 2.2±1.8, P=0.001). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that PNI <50 was significantly associated with total AEs and minor AEs after DSD surgery.

Conclusions.

PNI was significantly associated with the incidence of total AEs and minor AEs, while preoperative albumin level and MNA-SF were more effective in predicting postoperative infectious complications and delayed recovery of physical function, respectively.

Level of Evidence.

Level III.
Mobile Health System for Meeting Health Information Needs in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy
Authors: Dai Yu-Mei , Axelin Anna , Fu Zhong-Hua , Zhu Yu , Wan Hong-Wei
Published: January 2024

Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy encounter physical and psychosocial challenges, indicating unmet needs. Mobile health technology can potentially support patients. This single-armed feasibility study included 30 patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Patients were asked to use the Health Enjoy System, a mobile health support system that provides a disease-related resource for 1 week. We assessed the usability of the system and its limited efficacy in meeting patients' health information needs. The result showed that the system was well received by patients and effectively met their health information needs. They also reported free comments on the system's content, backend maintenance, and user engagement. This study supplies a foundation for further research to explore the potential benefits of the Health Enjoy System in supporting patients with head and neck cancer.
High adherence to enhanced recovery pathway independently reduces major morbidity and mortality rates after colorectal surgery: a reappraisal of the iCral2 and iCral3 multicenter prospective studies
Authors: Catarci Marco , Ruffo Giacomo , Viola Massimo Giuseppe , Pirozzi Felice , Delrio Paolo , Borghi Felice , Garulli Gianluca , Marini Pierluigi , Baldazzi Gianandrea , Scatizzi Marco ,   on behalf of the Italian ColoRectal Anastomotic Leakage (iCral) study group
Published: January 2024

Background:

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) offers lower overall morbidity rates and shorter hospital stay after colorectal surgery (CRS); high adherence rates to ERAS may significantly reduce major morbidity (MM), anastomotic leakage (AL), and mortality (M) rates as well.

Methods:

Prospective enrollment of patients submitted to elective CRS with anastomosis in two separate 18- and 12-month periods among 78 surgical centers in Italy from 2019 to 2021. Adherence to ERAS pathway items was measured upon explicit criteria in every case. After univariate analysis, independent predictors of primary endpoints (MM, AL, and M rates) were identified through logistic regression analyses, presenting odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals.

Results:

An institutional ERAS status was declared by 48 out of 78 (61.5%) participating centers. The median overall adherence to ERAS was 75%. Among 8,359 patients included in both studies, MM, AL, and M rates were 6.3%, 4.4%, and 1.0%, respectively. Several patient-related and treatment-related variables showed independently higher rates for primary endpoints: male gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists class III, neoadjuvant treatment, perioperative steroids, intra- and/or postoperative blood transfusions, length of the operation >180’, surgery for malignancy. On the other hand, ERAS adherence >85% independently reduced MM (OR, 0.91) and M (OR, 0.25) rates, whereas no mechanical bowel preparation independently reduced AL (OR, 0.68) rates.

Conclusions:

Among other patient- or treatment-related variables, ERAS adherence >85% independently reduced MM and M rates, whereas no mechanical bowel preparation independently reduced AL rates after CRS.
The Acute, Combined, and Separate Effects of Cold Hemodialysis and Intradialytic Exercise in Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Disposal
Authors: Krase Argyro A. , Giannaki Christoforos D. , Flouris Andreas D. , Liakos Dimitris , Stefanidis Ioannis , Karatzaferi Christina , Sakkas Giorgos K.
Published: January 2024

Hemodialysis (HD) patients suffer from multiple health problems, including severe insulin resistance. Both cold dialysis and intradialytic exercise training could elicit health benefits; however, it is still unknown whether the combination of those two approaches could enhance overall health. The current study aimed to evaluate the separate and combined acute effects of a single session of cold dialysis and intradialytic exercise in parameters related to insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal. Ten HD patients (57.2 ± 14.9 years) participated in the study. Each patient participated in four different scenarios during HD: a) typical dialysis with dialysate temperature at 37°C (TD), b) cold dialysis with dialysate temperature at 35°C, c) typical HD combined with a single exercise bout, d) cold dialysis combined with a single exercise bout. Glucose disposal and insulin resistance were assessed immediately after the end of the HD session. None of the examined parameters significantly differed between the four scenarios (p > 0.05). However, slight numerical changes and moderate to high effect size (d: 0.50–0.85) were observed between TD versus cold dialysis and TD versus TD + exercise in glucose and insulin disposal rates. A single session of cold and TD with intradialytic exercise may provide an “acute” time-efficient stimulus for consecutively improving glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity.
The added value of radiomics in determining patient responsiveness to laryngeal preservation strategies
Authors: Ravanelli Marco , Rondi Paolo , Di Meo Nunzia , Farina Davide
Published: January 2024

Purpose of review

Laryngeal cancer (LC) is a highly aggressive malignancy of the head and neck and represents about 1–2% of cancer worldwide.

Treatment strategies for LC aim both to complete cancer removal and to preserve laryngeal function or maximize larynx retention.

Predicting with high precision response to induction chemotherapy (IC) is one of the main fields of research when considering LC, since this could guide treatment strategies in locally advanced LC.

Recent findings

Radiomics is a noninvasive method to extract quantitative data from the whole tumor using medical imaging. This signature could represent the underlying tumor heterogeneity and phenotype.

During the last five years, some studies have highlighted the potential of radiomics in the pretreatment assessment of LC, in the prediction of response to IC, and in the early assessment of response to radiation therapy. Although these represent promising results, larger multicentric studies are demanded to validate the value of radiomics in this field.

The role of radiomics in laryngeal preservation strategies is still to be defined. There are some early promising studies, but the lack of validation and larger multicentric studies limit the value of the papers published in the literature and its application in clinical practice.