bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro Models for Predicting Bioadhesion Fracture Strength to Ex Vivo Animal Buccal Tissue
Authors: Rahamim Valeria Solomianski , Patel Dhaval , Drori Eliyahu , Coopersmith Sarah , Azagury Aharon
Published: June 2024

Commitment to the 3Rs principle (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) led to the development of a cell‐based system to measure buccal bioadhesion in vitro and replace the use of porcine buccal and esophageal tissues (PBT and PET, respectively). Additionally, the aim is to bridge the gap in knowledge regarding the bioadhesion properties of PBT and PET. The in vitro models are based on the human buccal epithelial cell line—TR146 without (“Model I”) or with (“Model II”) 5% (w/v) mucous layer. The in vitro setup also provides a method to evaluate the bioadhesion between two soft materials. Standard bioadhesive hydrogels (alginate, chitosan, and gelatin) are used to test and compare the results from the in vitro models to the ex vivo tissues. The ex vivo and in vitro models show increased bioadhesion as the applied force and contact time increases. Furthermore, Model I exhibits bioadhesion values—of alginate, chitosan, and gelatin—comparable to those obtained with PBT. It is also found that contact time and applied force similarly affect PBT and PET bioadhesion, while PET exhibits greater values. In conclusion, Model I can replace PBT for measuring bioadhesion and be incorporated into the experimental design of bioadhesive DDS, thus minimizing animal tissue usage.
Tailoring Stress‐Relieved Structure for SnSe Toward High Performance Potassium Ion Batteries
Authors: Ren Naiqing , Li Xiaoying , Wang Lifeng , Si Juntao , Zeng Sihan , Liu Huaibing , He Haiyan , Chen Chunhua
Published: June 2024

Metal chalcogenides as an ideal family of anode materials demonstrate a high theoretical specific capacity for potassium ion batteries (PIBs), but the huge volume variance and poor cyclic stability hinder their practical applications. In this study, a design of a stress self‐adaptive structure with ultrafine SnSe nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanofiber (SnSe@CNF) via the electrospinning technology is presented. Such an architecture delivers a record high specific capacity (272 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1) and high‐rate performance (125 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1) as a PIB anode. It is decoded that the fundamental understanding for this great performance is that the ultrafine SnSe particles enhance the full utilization of the active material and achieve stress relief as the stored strain energy from cycling is insufficient to drive crack propagation and thus alleviates the intrinsic chemo‐mechanical degradation of metal chalcogenides.
Reconfigurable Resistive Switching Memory for Telegraph Code Sensing and Recognizing Reservoir Computing Systems
Authors: Kim Dohyung , Truong Phuoc Loc , Lee Cheong Beom , Bang Hyeonsu , Choi Jia , Ham Seokhyun , Ko Jong Hwan , Kim Kyeounghak , Lee Daeho , Park Hui Joon
Published: June 2024

Reservoir computing (RC) system is based upon the reservoir layer, which non‐linearly transforms input signals into high‐dimensional states, facilitating simple training in the readout layer—a linear neural network. These layers require different types of devices—the former demonstrated as diffusive memristors and the latter prepared as drift memristors. The integration of these components can increase the structural complexity of RC system. Here, a reconfigurable resistive switching memory (RSM) capable of implementing both diffusive and drift dynamics is demonstrated. This reconfigurability is achieved by preparing a medium with a 3D ion transport channel (ITC), enabling precise control of the metal filament that determines memristor operation. The 3D ITC‐RSM operates in a volatile threshold switching (TS) mode under a weak electric field and exhibits short‐term dynamics that are confirmed to be applicable as reservoir elements in RC systems. Meanwhile, the 3D ITC‐RSM operates in a non‐volatile bipolar switching (BS) mode under a strong electric field, and the conductance modulation metrics forming the basis of synaptic weight update are validated, which can be utilized as readout elements in the readout layer. Finally, an RC system is designed for the application of reconfigurable 3D ITC‐RSM, and performs real‐time recognition on Morse code datasets.
Capture–translocation restores spawning migration connectivity of Razorback Suckers in the fragmented San Juan River
Authors: Bogaard Matthew R. , Gido Keith B. , McKinstry Mark C. , Pennock Casey A. , Barkalow Adam , Bonjour Sophia M. , Bowman Jerrod , Creighton Katherine C. , Hines Brian A. , Schleicher Benjamin J.
Published: June 2024

Objective

Barriers to movement negatively affect population vital rates of riverine fishes that rely on connected migratory routes to complete components of their life cycle, such as reproduction and recruitment. In the southwestern United States, decades of water diversion, construction of large impoundments, and loss of floodplain habitats have all contributed to highly fragmented riverscapes. A capture–translocation strategy was implemented for Razorback Suckers Xyrauchen texanus in the San Juan River to mitigate the negative effects of two barriers while precluding the upstream movement of nonnative species. We hypothesized that translocated individuals would remain upstream of barriers during the spawning season and that aggregations of translocated Razorback Suckers would be identified upstream in spawning habitats.

Methods

We used radiotelemetry to assess movement of Razorback Suckers after translocation above the two barriers. We deployed fixed remote radio receivers to determine residency time above each barrier and conducted mobile telemetry surveys to monitor upstream destinations after translocation.

Result

Although most Razorback Suckers returned downstream of barriers within 2 months of translocation, we provide evidence that most individuals remained upstream long enough to successfully spawn. After translocation above the Piute Farms Waterfall, 80% of individuals remained upstream for 26 days in 2020 and for 23 days in 2021. Further upstream (307 km), at a weir operated by the Public Service Company of New Mexico, 80% of translocated individuals remained above the barrier for 37 days in 2021 and for 25 days in 2022. After fish translocation above both barriers, we observed upstream movements ranging from 2 to 262 km and we detected distinct aggregations within the expected spawning season.

Conclusion

Although translocation efforts seasonally reconnect migratory routes for a proportion of the population and may increase spawning potential, other conservation actions are likely still needed to improve recruitment conditions for juvenile fish.
First detection of tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in raw milk samples in North‐Western Iran
Authors: Parsadanians Angineh , Mirshahabi Hessam , Yavarmanesh Masoud
Published: June 2024

Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a significant cause of flaviviral infections affecting the human central nervous system, primarily transmitted through tick bites and the consumption of unpasteurized milk. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of TBEV and identify new natural foci of TBEV in livestock milk. In this cross‐sectional study, unpasteurized milk samples were collected from livestock reared on farms and analysed for the presence and subtyping of TBEV using nested reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction , alongside the detection of anti‐TBEV total IgG antibodies using ELISA. The findings revealed that the highest prevalence of TBEV was observed in goat and sheep milk combined, whereas no TBEV was detected in cow milk samples. All identified strains were of the Siberian subtype. Moreover, the highest prevalence of anti‐TBEV antibodies was detected in sheep milk. These results uncover new foci of TBEV in Iran, underscoring the importance of thermal processing (pasteurization) of milk prior to consumption to mitigate the risk of TBEV infection.
Seasonal activity patterns and home range sizes of wolves in the human‐dominated landscape of northeast Türkiye
Authors: Blount J. David , Green Austin M. , Chynoweth Mark , Kittelberger Kyle D. , Hipólito Dário , Bojarska Katarzyna , Çoban Emrah , Kusak Josip , Şekercioğlu Çağan H.
Published: June 2024

Gray wolves Canis lupus comprise one of the most widely distributed carnivore species on the planet, but they face myriad environmental and anthropogenic pressures. Previous research suggests that wolves adjust their time‐ and space‐use seasonally to mitigate risks from humans, conspecifics, and other predators while maximizing their hunting and reproductive success. With many populations of wolves resettling in areas with dense human populations, understanding how wolves may adjust their temporal and spatial patterns in these more human‐dominated landscapes is of high conservation importance. Typically, human presence causes wolves to increase their nocturnality and home range size. Here, we look at how seasonal home range size and diel activity patterns among resident and non‐resident wolves differ in an ecosystem that experiences significant differences in human activity between seasons. While non‐resident wolves had larger home ranges than resident wolves, there were no differences in home range sizes within residents and non‐residents between seasons, suggesting that seasonal changes in human presence had no effect on home range size. The activity patterns of wolves were similar between seasons, but resident wolves had greater overlap with humans and were more active than non‐resident wolves when humans were less present in the landscape. Both resident and non‐resident wolves showed increased nocturnality, with both groups selecting for nocturnality more strongly in the nomadic season. This is the first study of tracking Türkiye's wolves and offers the first descriptions of the temporal and spatial trends of GPS‐collared wolves in this highly human‐dominated environment.
The InSecTT Reference Architecture
Authors: Samano-Robles Ramiro
Published: June 2024

This chapter presents an overview of the Reference Architecture (RA) of the project InSecTT. The chapter makes emphasis on the impact generated by the new AI (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms and their associated building blocks (BBs) on standard architectures for IoT. The chapter focuses on the main views or perspectives of the architecture, on how AI interacts with each one of these perspectives and in the end we provide two examples of use case alignment and the analysis of the impact of AI on the individual architectures.
Einführung
Authors: Stadelmann Karin A.
Published: June 2024

Sich mit dem Sterben und dem Tod professionell auseinanderzusetzen, ist für gewisse Berufe Alltag. Sich über das Sterben und den Tod jedoch zu unterhalten, gilt noch immer als Privatsache. Die Frage, was für Aufgaben die Soziale Arbeit in der Begleitung am Lebensende übernimmt und welche professionellen Kompetenzen sie dafür bringt, wird noch zu wenig thematisiert. Es besteht folglich ein Mangel an Konkretisierung und ein Mangel an der Bekanntheit der geleisteten Arbeit und das gilt es zu ändern.
Von Cure zu Care: Begriffs- und Verhältnisklärung im Feld von Sterben und Tod
Authors: Stadelmann Karin A.
Published: June 2024

Die im vorangegangenen Kapitel erörterte und noch immer bestehende öffentliche Tabuisierung des Sterbens sowie das damit einhergehende Privatisieren und Verdrängen des Todes lassen sich mit der Hospizbewegung und der Palliative Care endlich etwas brechen. Grossen Einfluss dabei hatte die WHO in den 1980er Jahren, denn sie legte ein erstes umfassendes Konzept zu Palliative Care vor. Diese Definition und die damit einhergehend stärkere Ausdifferenzierung von Hospizarbeit in verschiedenen Ländern sowie die Entwicklung von „Cure zu Care“ haben dazu geführt, dass das Sterben und der Tod als bearbeit- und gestaltbare Phase anerkennt werden.
Infrared structures of scattering on self-dual radiative backgrounds
Authors: Adamo Tim , Bu Wei , Zhu Bin
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The scattering of gluons and gravitons in trivial backgrounds is endowed with many surprising infrared features which have interesting conformal interpretations on the two-dimensional celestial sphere. However, the fate of these structures in more general asymptotically flat backgrounds is far from clear. In this paper, we consider holomorphic infrared structures in the presence of non-perturbative, self-dual background gauge and gravitational fields which are determined by freely specified radiative data. We make use of explicit formulae for tree-level gluon and graviton scattering in these self-dual radiative backgrounds, as well as chiral twistor sigma model descriptions of the classical dynamics. Remarkably, we find that the leading holomorphic part of tree-level collinear splitting functions — or celestial OPEs — and infinite-dimensional chiral soft algebras are undeformed by the background. We also compute all-order holomorphic celestial OPEs in the MHV sectors of gauge theory and gravity.
Phase transition to RS: cool, not supercool
Authors: Mishra Rashmish K. , Randall Lisa
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Motivated by the warped conifold compactification, we model the infrared (IR) dynamics of confining gauge theories in a Randall-Sundrum (RS)-like setup by modifying the stabilizing Goldberger-Wise (GW) potential so that it becomes large (in magnitude) in the IR and back-reacts on the geometry. We study the high-temperature phase by considering a black brane background in which we calculate the entropy and free energy of the strongly back-reacted solution. As with Buchel’s result for the conifold [1], we find a minimum temperature beyond which the black brane phase is thermodynamically unstable. In the context of a phase transition to the confining background, our results suggest that the amount of supercooling that the metastable black brane phase undergoes can be limited. It also suggests the first-order phase transition (and the associated gravitational waves from bubble collision) is not universal. Our results therefore have important phenomenological implications for early universe model building in these scenarios.
Classifying large N limits of multiscalar theories by algebra
Authors: Flodgren Nadia , Sundborg Bo
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We develop a new approach to RG flows and show that one-loop flows in multiscalar theories can be described by commutative but non-associative algebras. As an example related to D-brane field theories and tensor models, we study the algebra of a theory with M SU(N) adjoint scalars and its large N limits. The algebraic concepts of idempotents and Peirce numbers/Kowalevski exponents are used to characterise the RG flows. We classify and describe all large N limits of algebras of multiadjoint scalar models: the standard ‘t Hooft matrix theory limit, a ‘multi-matrix’ limit, each with one free parameter, and an intermediate case with extra symmetry and no free parameter of the algebra, but an emergent free parameter from a line of one-loop fixed points. The algebra identifies these limits without diagrammatic or combinatorial analysis.
Coherent spin states and emergent de Sitter quasinormal modes
Authors: Parmentier Klaas
Published: June 2024

Abstract

As a toy model for the microscopic description of matter in de Sitter space, we consider a Hamiltonian acting on the spin-j representation of SU(2). This is a model with a finite-dimensional Hilbert space, from which quasinormal modes emerge in the large-spin limit. The path integral over coherent spin states can be evaluated at the semiclassical level and from it we find the single-particle de Sitter density of states, including 1/j corrections. Along the way, we discuss the use of quasinormal modes in quantum mechanics, starting from the paradigmatic upside-down harmonic oscillator.
Radiative corrections to the muon polarization in the semileptonic decay of a neutral kaon
Authors: Vieyra J. , Martínez A. , Neri M. , Hernández-Galeana A.
Published: June 2024

Abstract

A model-independent expression for the Dalitz plot of the semileptonic decays of a neutral kaon $$ {K}_{\mu 3}^0 $$

K

μ
3

0

, including radiative corrections to order $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
[(α/π)(q/M1)], where q is the four-momentum transfer and M1 is the mass of the decaying kaon, is presented. In this paper the emitted muon is considered to be polarized so the analysis is centered on numerically evaluating the radiative corrections to the longitudinal, transverse, and normal polarization muon components. The model dependence of radiative corrections is kept in general form within this approximation, which is useful for model-independent experimental analyses. The final expressions, with the triple integration of the bremsstrahlung photon variables are ready to be evaluated numerically, they are free of the infrared divergence or ultraviolet cutoff. The radiative corrections to the components of the muon polarization are found to be very small compared to their respective uncorrected values.
Bulk reconstruction and non-isometry in the backwards-forwards holographic black hole map
Authors: DeWolfe Oliver , Higginbotham Kenneth
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The backwards-forwards map, introduced as a generalization of the non-isometric holographic maps of the black hole interior of Akers, Engelhardt, Harlow, Penington, and Vardhan to include non-trivial dynamics in the effective description, has two possible formulations differing in when the post-selection is performed. While these two forms are equivalent on the set of dynamically generated states — states formed from unitary time evolution acting on well-defined initial configurations of infalling matter — they differ on the generic set of states necessary to describe the apparent world of the infalling observer. We show that while both versions successfully reproduce the Page curve, the version involving post-selection as the final step, dubbed the backwards-forwards-post-selection (BFP) map, has the desirable properties of being non-isometric but isometric on average and providing state-dependent reconstruction of bulk operators, while the other version does not. Thus the BFP map is a suitable non-isometric code describing the black hole interior including interior interactions.
Psychische Gesundheit am Arbeitsplatz – Welche Rolle spielen sozioökonomische, geschlechterspezifische und migrationsbedingte Ungleichheiten?
Authors: Herold Regina , Feißt Manuel , Morawa Eva , Hondong Sinja , Rothermund Eva , Waldmann Tamara , Heming Meike , Weber Jeannette , Hander Nicole R. , Mulfinger Nadine , Kröger Christoph , Erim Yesim
Published: June 2024

Hintergrund

Risikofaktoren für die psychische Gesundheit sind häufig in sozioökonomischen, geschlechter- und migrationsspezifischen Ungleichheiten begründet. Diese sowie die Ausprägung der Depressivität, Ängstlichkeit und Somatisierung von Beschäftigten wurden in der vorliegenden Studie untersucht.

Methoden

Im Rahmen der friaa-Studie („Frühe Intervention am Arbeitsplatz“) wurden psychisch belastete Beschäftigte an 5 Standorten in Deutschland zu soziodemografischen, arbeits-, migrations- und gesundheitsbezogenen Inhalten befragt. Mittels Regressionsanalysen wurde der Zusammenhang dieser Faktoren mit Depressivität (Patient-Health-Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9), Ängstlichkeit (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2, GAD-2) und Somatisierung (Somatic Symptom Scale-8, SSS-8) an der gesamten Stichprobe sowie bei Personen mit Migrationshintergrund (MH) untersucht. Bei Letzteren wurden zusätzlich die Akkulturation (Frankfurter Akkulturationsskala, FRAKK) und das Belastungsempfinden gegenüber Migrationsanforderungen (Demands of Immigration Scale, DIS) berücksichtigt.

Ergebnisse

Die 550 Beschäftigten (12 % mit MH) wiesen im Durchschnitt eine klinisch relevante Depressivität (M = 13,0, SD = 5,1) (PHQ-9 ≥ 10), Ängstlichkeit (M = 3,5, SD = 1,7) (GAD ≥ 3) sowie Somatisierung (M = 13,0, SD = 5,8) (SSS-8 ≥ 12) auf. Das weibliche Geschlecht war mit höheren Werten für Ängstlichkeit und Somatisierung assoziiert. Höheres Alter und Nachtschichtarbeit hingen mit stärkerer Somatisierung zusammen.

Diskussion

Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die hohe psychische Belastung der Beschäftigten in dieser Stichprobe aus Deutschland. Um deren psychische Gesundheit aufrechtzuerhalten, sollten Unterstützungsmaßnahmen insbesondere für vulnerable Gruppen wie Frauen, ältere Beschäftigte und Nachtschichtarbeitende angeboten werden.
eNAMPT is a novel therapeutic target for mitigation of coronary microvascular disease in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Gao Lei , Ramirez Francisco J. , Cabrera Jody Tori O. , Varghese Mathews V. , Watanabe Makiko , Tsuji-Hosokawa Atsumi , Zheng Qiuyu , Yang Mingya , Razan Md Rahatullah , Kempf Carrie L. , Camp Sara M. , Wang Jian , Garcia Joe G. N. , Makino Ayako
Published: June 2024

Aims/hypothesis

Individuals with diabetes are at high risk of cardiovascular complications, which significantly increase morbidity/mortality. Coronary microvascular disease (CMD) is recognised as a critical contributor to the increased cardiac mortality observed in people with diabetes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for treatments that are specific to CMD. eNAMPT (extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase) is a damage-associated molecular pattern and TLR4 ligand, whose plasma levels are elevated in people with diabetes. This study was thus designed to investigate the pathogenic role of intracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (iNAMPT) and eNAMPT in promoting the development of CMD in a preclinical murine model of type 2 diabetes.

Methods

An inducible type 2 diabetic mouse model was generated by a single injection of low-dose streptozocin (75 mg/kg, i.p.) combined with a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. The in vivo effects of i/eNAMPT inhibition on cardiac endothelial cell (CEC) function were evaluated by using Nampt+/− heterozygous mice, chronic administration of eNAMPT-neutralising monoclonal antibody (mAb) or use of an NAMPT enzymatic inhibitor (FK866).

Results

As expected, diabetic wild-type mice exhibited significantly lower coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), a determinant of coronary microvascular function, compared with control wild-type mice. eNAMPT plasma levels or expression in CECs were significantly greater in diabetic mice than in control mice. Furthermore, in comparison with diabetic wild-type mice, diabetic Nampt+/− heterozygous mice showed markedly improved CFVR, accompanied by increased left ventricular capillary density and augmented endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) in the coronary artery. NAMPT inhibition by FK866 or an eNAMPT-neutralising mAb significantly increased CFVR in diabetic mice. Furthermore, administration of the eNAMPT mAb upregulated expression of angiogenesis- and EDR-related genes in CECs from diabetic mice. Treatment with either eNAMPT or NAD+ significantly decreased CEC migration and reduced EDR in coronary arteries, partly linked to increased production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species.

Conclusions/interpretation

These data indicate that increased i/eNAMPT expression contributes to the development of diabetic coronary microvascular dysfunction, and provide compelling support for eNAMPT inhibition as a novel and effective therapeutic strategy for CMD in diabetes.

Graphical Abstract
A Nekhoroshev theorem for some perturbations of the Benjamin-Ono equation with initial data close to finite gap tori
Authors: Bambusi Dario , Gérard Patrick
Published: June 2024

We consider a perturbation of the Benjamin Ono equation with periodic boundary conditions on a segment. We consider the case where the perturbation is Hamiltonian and the corresponding Hamiltonian vector field is analytic as a map from the energy space to itself. Let $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
be the size of the perturbation. We prove that for initial data close in energy norm to an N-gap state of the unperturbed equation all the actions of the Benjamin Ono equation remain $${\mathcal {O}}(\epsilon ^{\frac{1}{2(N+1)}})$$

O
(

ϵ

1

2
(
N
+
1
)

)

close to their initial value for times exponentially long with $$\epsilon ^{-\frac{1}{2(N+1)}}$$

ϵ

-

1

2
(
N
+
1
)

.
Electrocortical activity associated with movement-related fear: a methodological exploration of a threat-conditioning paradigm involving destabilising perturbations during quiet standing
Authors: Grinberg Adam , Strong Andrew , Strandberg Johan , Selling Jonas , Liebermann Dario G. , Björklund Martin , Häger Charlotte K.
Published: June 2024

Musculoskeletal trauma often leads to lasting psychological impacts stemming from concerns of future injuries. Often referred to as kinesiophobia or re-injury anxiety, such concerns have been shown to hinder return to physical activity and are believed to increase the risk for secondary injuries. Screening for re-injury anxiety is currently restricted to subjective questionnaires, which are prone to self-report bias. We introduce a novel approach to objectively identify electrocortical activity associated with the threat of destabilising perturbations. We aimed to explore its feasibility among non-injured persons, with potential future implementation for screening of re-injury anxiety. Twenty-three participants stood blindfolded on a translational balance perturbation platform. Consecutive auditory stimuli were provided as low (neutral stimulus [CS–]) or high (conditioned stimulus [CS+]) tones. For the main experimental protocol (Protocol I), half of the high tones were followed by a perturbation in one of eight unpredictable directions. A separate validation protocol (Protocol II) requiring voluntary squatting without perturbations was performed with 12 participants. Event-related potentials (ERP) were computed from electroencephalography recordings and significant time-domain components were detected using an interval-wise testing procedure. High-amplitude early contingent negative variation (CNV) waves were significantly greater for CS+ compared with CS– trials in all channels for Protocol I (> 521-800ms), most prominently over frontal and central midline locations (P ≤ 0.001). For Protocol II, shorter frontal ERP components were observed (541-609ms). Our test paradigm revealed electrocortical activation possibly associated with movement-related fear. Exploring the discriminative validity of the paradigm among individuals with and without self-reported re-injury anxiety is warranted.
Can AI Answer My Questions? Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in the Perioperative Assessment for Abdominoplasty Patients
Authors: Lim Bryan , Seth Ishith , Cuomo Roberto , Kenney Peter Sinkjær , Ross Richard J , Sofiadellis Foti , Pentangelo Paola , Ceccaroni Alessandra , Alfano Carmine , Rozen Warren Matthew
Published: June 2024

Background

Abdominoplasty is a common operation, used for a range of cosmetic and functional issues, often in the context of divarication of recti, significant weight loss, and after pregnancy. Despite this, patient–surgeon communication gaps can hinder informed decision-making. The integration of large language models (LLMs) in healthcare offers potential for enhancing patient information. This study evaluated the feasibility of using LLMs for answering perioperative queries.

Methods

This study assessed the efficacy of four leading LLMs—OpenAI's ChatGPT-3.5, Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini, and Bing's CoPilot—using fifteen unique prompts. All outputs were evaluated using the Flesch–Kincaid, Flesch Reading Ease score, and Coleman–Liau index for readability assessment. The DISCERN score and a Likert scale were utilized to evaluate quality. Scores were assigned by two plastic surgical residents and then reviewed and discussed until a consensus was reached by five plastic surgeon specialists.

Results

ChatGPT-3.5 required the highest level for comprehension, followed by Gemini, Claude, then CoPilot. Claude provided the most appropriate and actionable advice. In terms of patient-friendliness, CoPilot outperformed the rest, enhancing engagement and information comprehensiveness. ChatGPT-3.5 and Gemini offered adequate, though unremarkable, advice, employing more professional language. CoPilot uniquely included visual aids and was the only model to use hyperlinks, although they were not very helpful and acceptable, and it faced limitations in responding to certain queries.

Conclusion

ChatGPT-3.5, Gemini, Claude, and Bing's CoPilot showcased differences in readability and reliability. LLMs offer unique advantages for patient care but require careful selection. Future research should integrate LLM strengths and address weaknesses for optimal patient education.

Level of Evidence V

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Ultrasound Contrast Agent Needle Priming: Impact on Sonographic Biopsy Needle Visibility in a Porcine Liver Model
Authors: Thunswärd Per , Bergkvist Ellen , Vishnevskaya Liya , Forslin Yngve , Ahlström Håkan
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The visibility of biopsy needles in contrast-specific imaging mode can be improved by priming them with an ultrasound contrast agent (previously demonstrated in a phantom model/ex vivo). The purpose of this study was to validate this priming method in a porcine in vivo model.

Materials and Methods

Using a small syringe, full-core biopsy needles were primed with sulfur hexafluoride, an ultrasound contrast agent, with non-primed needles serving as controls (n = 30 + 30). Liver punctures were performed in a porcine model following intravenous administration of the same ultrasound contrast agent. Needle visibility, both in their entirety and at the tips, was evaluated in split-screen mode using contrast-specific imaging and B-mode (low mechanical index). The assessment included quantitative analysis, calculating the contrast-to-noise ratio, and qualitative evaluation through structured grading by three radiologists.

Results

After needle priming, the contrast-to-noise ratio was superior for the needle in its entirety in contrast-specific imaging mode (p < 0.001) and slightly inferior in B-mode (p = 0.008). No differences were observed for the needle tips in either imaging mode. Qualitatively, the needle visibility was deemed clinically superior after needle priming throughout in contrast-specific imaging mode (p < 0.001), whereas no clinically relevant differences in B-mode for either the needle in its entirety (p = 0.11) or the needle tip (p = 1) were observed.

Conclusion

In this in vivo porcine liver model experiment, priming biopsy needles with ultrasound contrast agent improved needle visibility in contrast-specific imaging mode but slightly reduced it in B-mode. These findings support the method’s use for biopsies requiring target visualization in contrast-specific imaging mode.

No level of evidence.

Graphical Abstract
Stroke–heart syndrome: current progress and future outlook
Authors: Wang Lanjing , Ma Linqing , Ren Changhong , Zhao Wenbo , Ji Xunming , Liu Zhi , Li Sijie
Published: June 2024

Stroke can lead to cardiac complications such as arrhythmia, myocardial injury, and cardiac dysfunction, collectively termed stroke–heart syndrome (SHS). These cardiac alterations typically peak within 72 h of stroke onset and can have long-term effects on cardiac function. Post-stroke cardiac complications seriously affect prognosis and are the second most frequent cause of death in patients with stroke. Although traditional vascular risk factors contribute to SHS, other potential mechanisms indirectly induced by stroke have also been recognized. Accumulating clinical and experimental evidence has emphasized the role of central autonomic network disorders and inflammation as key pathophysiological mechanisms of SHS. Therefore, an assessment of post-stroke cardiac dysautonomia is necessary. Currently, the development of treatment strategies for SHS is a vital but challenging task. Identifying potential key mediators and signaling pathways of SHS is essential for developing therapeutic targets. Therapies targeting pathophysiological mechanisms may be promising. Remote ischemic conditioning exerts protective effects through humoral, nerve, and immune-inflammatory regulatory mechanisms, potentially preventing the development of SHS. In the future, well-designed trials are required to verify its clinical efficacy. This comprehensive review provides valuable insights for future research.
Immune- and metabolism-related gene signature analysis uncovers the prognostic and immune microenvironments of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Gu Yange , Ma Ensi , Jiang Shengran , Shan Zhenyu , Xia Guixi , Ma Rui , Fu Jiaqi , Wang Zhengxin
Published: June 2024

Background

Metabolic reprogramming is an emerging hallmark that influences the tumour microenvironment (TME) by regulating the behavior of cancer cells and immune cells. The relationship between metabolism and immunity remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to explore the predictive value of immune- and metabolism-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their intricate interplay with TME.

Methods

We established the immune- and metabolism-related signature (IMRPS) based on the LIHC cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Kaplan–Meier analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Cox regression analysis confirmed the prognostic value of IMRPS. We investigated differences in immune cell infiltration, clinical features, and therapeutic response between risk groups. The quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to confirm the expression of signature genes. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate immune infiltration features in HCC tissue samples. We conducted cell experiments including gene knockout, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and flow cytometry to explore the role of the IMRPS key gene UCK2 in HCC. RNA-seq was used to further investigate the potential underlying mechanism involved.

Results

The IMRPS, composed of four genes, SMS, UCK2, PFKFB4 and MAPT, exhibited significant correlations with survival, immune cell infiltration, clinical features, immune checkpoints and therapeutic response. The IMRPS was shown to be an excellent predictor of HCC prognosis. It could stratify patients appropriately and characterize the TME accurately. The high-risk HCC group exhibited an immunosuppressive microenvironment with abundant M2-like macrophage infiltration, which was confirmed by the immunohistochemistry results. The results of qPCR revealed that the expression of signature genes in 20 HCC tissues was significantly greater than that in adjacent normal tissues. After the key gene UCK2 was knocked out, the proliferation of the Huh7 cell line was significantly inhibited, and monocyte-derived macrophages polarized towards an M1-like phenotype in the coculture system. RNA-seq and GSEA suggested that the phenotypes were closely related to the negative regulation of growth and regulation of macrophage chemotaxis.

Conclusions

This study established a new IMRS for the accurate prediction of patient prognosis and the TME, which is also helpful for identifying new targets for the treatment of HCC.
Patterns of acute hospital and specialist palliative care use among people with non-curative upper gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Boland E. G. , Tay K. T. , Khamis A. , Murtagh F. E. M.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers contribute to 16.7% of UK cancer deaths. These patients make high use of acute hospital services, but detail about palliative care use is lacking. We aimed to determine the patterns of use of acute hospital and hospital specialist palliative care services in patients with advanced non-curative upper GI cancer.

Methods

We conducted a service evaluation of hospital use and palliative care for all patients with non-curative upper GI cancer seen in one large hospital, using routinely collected data (2019–2022). We report and characterise hospital admissions and palliative care within the study time period, using descriptive statistics, and multivariable Poisson regression to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted incidence rate ratio of hospital admissions.

Results

The total with non-curative upper GI cancer was 960. 86.7% had at least one hospital admission, with 1239 admissions in total. Patients had a higher risk of admission to hospital if: aged ≤ 65 (IRR for 66–75 years 0.71, IRR 76–85 years 0.68; IRR > 85 years 0.53; p < 0.05), or lived in an area of lower socioeconomic status (IMD Deciles 1–5) (IRR 0.90; p < 0.05). Over the 4-year period, the rate of re-admission was higher in patients not referred to palliative care (rate 0.52 readmissions/patient versus rate 1.47 readmissions/patient).

Conclusion

People with advanced non-curative gastrointestinal cancer have frequent hospital admissions, especially if younger or from areas of lower socioeconomic status. There is clear association between specialist palliative care referral and reduced risk of hospitalisation. This evidence supports referral to specialist palliative care.
The effectiveness of reminiscence therapy on the symptom management, the life satisfaction, and the self-transcendence in palliative care patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bozkurt Canan , Yildirim Yasemin
Published: June 2024

Purpose

To examine the effect of individualized reminiscence therapy on the management of global distress and physical and psychological symptoms, life satisfaction and self-transcendence levels of palliative care patients.

Methods

In a single-center palliative care service in western Turkey, 48 patients without cognitive impairment and able to communicate were included in the study. However, 44 patients completed the study. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to the reminiscence therapy (intervention), unstructured social interviewing (placebo), and control groups (16 people for each group) before the start of the study. The sessions for the interview and placebo groups were conducted face-to-face in the patient's room (while the patient was sitting or lying down) for 15 days (2 weeks), every other day, for a total of eight sessions (each session was approximately 30 min). Data collection instruments—the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, the Contentment with Life Assessment Scale, and the Self-Transcendence Scale—were collected at baseline (first day) and after the intervention (day 15th). Statistical significance level was accepted as p < 0.05.

Results

There was no decrease in physical and total symptom burden (p > 0.05). There were significant reductions in general distress and psychological symptoms in the intervention and placebo groups within the group (p < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between the control group and all groups when compared (p > 0.05). Group × time interactions were statistically significant for life satisfaction and self-transcendence (p < 0.001), and there was a substantial increase in the intervention group compared to the other groups.

Conclusion

It may be recommended that reminiscence therapy intervention be included in routine nursing care as it may contribute positively to the psychological recovery of palliative care patients approaching the end of life.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrails.gov (Registration number: NCT05242016). Prospectively registered on 1 February 2022.
Endoscopic transcavernous approach for functional pituitary adenomas
Authors: Starnoni Daniele , Daniel Roy T. , Messerer Mahmoud
Published: June 2024

Background

Invasion of the CS is one of the limiting factors for total resection for PitNet tumors with cure rates less than 30%. Extended approaches may be considered in selective and well-studied cases of secreting adenomas.

Method

We describe the key steps of the endoscopic transcavernous approach for functional pituitary adenomas with a video illustration. The surgical anatomy is described along with the advantages and limitations of this approach.

Conclusion

A detailed knowledge of CS anatomy and familiarity with this surgical approach acquired in the laboratory is essential. Proper instrumentation is critical to decrease the risks of vascular injury.
Denial of reproductive potential: a predictor of unperceived pregnancy in an Austrian neonaticide sample
Authors: Klier Claudia M. , Ina Bozic , Kuipers Yvonne , Amon Sabine
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to describe the phenomenon of unperceived pregnancy followed by neonaticide with a focus on the lack of awareness of reproductive potential in an Austrian sample.

Methods

An explorative comparative study of neonaticide cases with single and repeat perpetrators was conducted using nationwide register-based data from 1995 to 2017. A total number of 55 cases out of 66 were included in the analysis. A standardized coding sheet was used and calculations were performed.

Results

48 women gave birth to 101 children, of which 55 were killed, 23 children lived out of home care and 23 lived with the perpetrator We found a higher fertility rate in both neonaticide perpetrators in the single (1,9) and the repeat group (4,25) in comparison to the general population (1,4). The use of contraception was only 31% among neonaticide perpetrators, deviating substantially from the general Austrian population age group (16-29yrs) which used contraception in 91%. The neonaticide perpetrators used an effective contraception method (pearl-index < 4) in only 2%, whereas 20% of the general population did so. The number of unperceived pregnancies was high in both groups (50/55) 91%.

Conclusion

Future case reports and forensic evaluations should take reproductive behavior into account, as it may offer valuable insights into the events leading up to neonaticide. Our findings suggest that denial of reproductive potential often precedes unperceived pregnancies. In the Austrian cohort, women who experienced unperceived pregnancies resulting in unassisted births and subsequent neonaticide showed a low prevalence of contraceptive use. This is particularly noteworthy given that the primary motive for neonaticide is unwanted pregnancy.
Beginnings and endings—dance phrase edges in an interactive dance study
Authors: Bergsland Andreas
Published: June 2024

This article describes a study exploring the expressive and creative potential of dance phrase onsets and endings in interactive dance, using an artistic research approach. After describing the context and background of interactive dance and relevant perceptual issues, the technical setup is presented, both in terms of the performance area, sensors and other hardware, and software. The main part of the article is concerned with the specific movement-sound mappings and their relation to the dancer’s movement choices in four different sections in the performance that the project resulted in, entitled Beginnings and Endings - Study I. Subsequently, the process and performance are evaluated, specifically focusing on the performer’s perspective. The most interesting points from the evaluation are then discussed with reference to the presented mappings, related movement choices, and relevant research literature. Findings include that the dancer experienced an increased awareness of beginnings and endings in different sections of the performance, that the affordances of different mappings were explored in different ways and to different degrees, and that some of this could be ascribed to a dynamic between liberation and restriction.
Causal analysis of positive Reaction Systems
Authors: Brodo Linda , Bruni Roberto , Falaschi Moreno , Gori Roberta , Milazzo Paolo , Montagna Valeria , Pulieri Pasquale
Published: June 2024

Cause/effect analysis of complex systems is instrumental in better understanding many natural phenomena. Moreover, formal analysis requires the availability of suitable abstract computational models that somehow preserve the features of interest. Our contribution focuses on the analysis of Reaction Systems (RSs), a qualitative computational formalism inspired by biochemical reactions in living cells. The primary challenge lies in dealing with inhibition mechanisms. On the one hand, inhibitors enhance the expressiveness of the computational abstraction; on the other hand, they can introduce nonmonotonic behaviors that can be computationally hard to deal with in the analysis. We propose an encoding of RSs into an equivalent formulation without inhibitors (called Positive RSs, PRSs for short) that is easier to handle, because PRSs exhibit monotonic behaviors. The effectiveness of our transformation is witnessed by its impact on two different techniques for cause/effect analysis. The first, called slicing, allows detecting the causes of some unforeseen phenomenon by reasoning backward along a given computation. Here, PRSs can be exploited to improve the quality of the analysis. The second technique, predictor analysis, is addressed by introducing a novel tool called MuMa, which is based on must/maybe sets, whence the tool name, an original abstraction for approximating ancestor formulas. MuMa exploits PRSs to improve the performance of the analysis.
Cruroplasty as a standalone treatment for recurrent hiatal hernia repair
Authors: Tran Ashley , Putnam Luke R. , Harvey Lucy , Lipham John C.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Following laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery (LARS), recurrence of hiatal hernia is common. Patients with symptomatic recurrence typically undergo revision of the fundoplication or conversion to magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) in addition to cruroplasty. However, patients with an intact fundoplication or MSA may only require repeat cruroplasty to repair their recurrent hiatal hernia. The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes following cruroplasty alone compared to full revision (i.e. redo fundoplication or MSA with cruroplasty) for the management of recurrent hiatal hernias.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients undergoing surgical revision of a symptomatic recurrent hiatal hernia between February 2009 and October 2022 was performed. Preoperative characteristics, intraoperative details, and postoperative outcomes were compared between patients undergoing cruroplasty alone versus full revision.

Results

A total of 141 patients were included in the analysis. 93 patients underwent full revision, and 48 patients underwent cruroplasty alone. The mean time between initial and revisional surgery was 8 ± 7.7 years. There was no significant difference in operative time or rates of intra-operative or post-operative complication between groups. Patients undergoing cruroplasty alone had a mean Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Health Related Quality Life (GERD-HRQL) Questionnaire score of 9.6 ± 10.2 compared to a mean score of 8.9 ± 11.2 for full revision patients (p = 0.829). Recurrence rates following revision was 10.4% for cruroplasty alone patients and 11.8% in full revision patients (p > 0.999).

Conclusion

In patients with intact fundoplication or MSA, cruroplasty alone results in similar post-operative outcomes compared to full revision for recurrent hiatal hernia.
Phantoms for Quantitative Body MRI: a review and discussion of the phantom value
Authors: Keenan Kathryn E. , Jordanova Kalina V. , Ogier Stephen E. , Tamada Daiki , Bruhwiler Natalie , Starekova Jitka , Riek Jon , McCracken Paul J. , Hernando Diego
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we review the value of phantoms for body MRI in the context of their uses for quantitative MRI methods research, clinical trials, and clinical imaging. Certain uses of phantoms are common throughout the body MRI community, including measuring bias, assessing reproducibility, and training. In addition to these uses, phantoms in body MRI methods research are used for novel methods development and the design of motion compensation and mitigation techniques. For clinical trials, phantoms are an essential part of quality management strategies, facilitating the conduct of ethically sound, reliable, and regulatorily compliant clinical research of both novel MRI methods and therapeutic agents. In the clinic, phantoms are used for development of protocols, mitigation of cost, quality control, and radiotherapy. We briefly review phantoms developed for quantitative body MRI, and finally, we review open questions regarding the most effective use of a phantom for body MRI.